_I_ don't see
why--"
"Hush! Hush! Where is--ah--Miss Phipps?"
"She's in the settin' room. Told me not to disturb her, she wanted to be
alone. I--"
Galusha hastened away, leaving the excited Miss Cash still talking. From
the foot of the stairs he caught a glimpse of Martha in the chair by the
front window of the sitting room, looking out. She must have heard him,
but she did not turn her head. Nor did he speak to her. Time enough for
that when he had read what was in those letters.
There they were, three of them, upon his bureau. He picked up the one
on top. It bore upon the envelope the words "National Institute,
Washington, D. C.," and was, he knew, merely a monthly report. Usually
such reports were of great interest to him; this one was not. He had
really important matters to claim his attention.
The second letter was, obviously, that which the forgetful Zacheus had
carried about with him for a week. In the corner was the Cabot, Bancroft
and Cabot name. He tore it open. An oblong slip of paper fell to the
floor. He did not even stoop to pick this up, for there was a letter,
too. It began:
"Prof. Galusha Bangs, East Wellmouth, Mass.
"DEAR SIR:
"Pursuant to your instructions in our conversation of recent date I am
enclosing check representing your share of the new Tinplate re-issue,
sale of rights, transfer of old stock, bonus, etc.
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