"
"At Sacramento?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then I feel quite sure that I made your father's acquaintance in
the succeeding year, and your own as well, though you were an
infant--that is, you were less than a year old."
"Did my father say anything of having adopted me?"
"No; on the contrary, he repeatedly referred to you as his child,
and your mother also displayed toward you an affection which would
have been at least unusual if you had not been her own child."
"Then you think, sir--" Hector began.
"I think that your uncle's story is a mere fabrication. He has
contrived a snare in which you have allowed yourself to be
enmeshed."
"I am only a boy, sir. I supposed there was nothing for me to do but
to yield possession of the estate when my uncle showed me the
letter."
"It was natural enough; and your uncle doubtless reckoned upon your
inexperience and ignorance of the law."
"What would you advise me to do, sir?"
"Let me think."
The merchant leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and gave
himself up to reflection.
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