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Just then the old man rose to depart with the boy, but Mrs. Vollmar hastened toward them, and said that they could remain with them for a while.

Thanking them for this exceeding kindness, the strangers entered the house, and soon the old man began to talk about himself.

“My name is Armand Seld. At one time I was a builder and mason, and lived with my son in this city. I have been blind for the last seven years.”

As he seemed very tired, Mrs. Vollmar urged him to rest. She prepared a repast for him and after he had partaken of it, she showed him to his room.

On the following morning, Mr. Vollmar sent for the doctor. After examining the old man’s eyes, he said that they were both covered with cataracts, of such a nature that he could remove them. He also held out the hope that he could cure them in a very short time.

“But,” said he, “the old man must rest for three days before I can undertake the work.”

After three days had elapsed the doctor returned and began the operation. Then the eyes were bandaged and the old man was kept in a darkened room. At the end of a week, the doctor removed the bandage from the patient’s eyes and slowly led him to the light.

“I see! I see the light!” cried the old man. “I see your faces! Oh, I thank God!” Then he folded his hands and silence filled the room; for each one was in sympathy with the old man and thanked God for his mercy.

“But now,” interrupted the doctor, “we must cover the eyes again, and let them become accustomed to the light by degrees, and each day they will grow stronger. I will return daily and watch their progress; meanwhile the patient must have nourishing food, in small quantities, and he must be kept very quiet in order to save his strength.” Then he bade them good-bye and Mr. Vollmar and his wife escorted the doctor to the door.

The children kept shouting: “He sees! he sees!” and tumult and joy ran riot.

At last the bandages were removed for good, but the doctor warned the patient not to strain his eyes nor look into the sunshine for another week.

CHAPTER II

THE REVELATION

Armand Seld was now able to go about the house. The first room that he entered, after his tedious stay in his own darkened bedroom, was the dining-room, where the family loved best to sit. The walls of this room were graced by the pictures of the Vollmar ancestors, together with a landscape by a famous master.

The old man’s attention was attracted to this painting.

“What do I see?” he shouted. “This picture I once saw by candlelight, and I cannot forget it.”

“Strange,” said Mr. Vollmar, “that it should have made such an impression upon you.”

“May I ask,” continued the old man, “have you owned this picture long? Have you lived here some time?”

Mr. Vollmar replied: “This house, as well as the picture, descended to me from my sainted grandparents. But why do you ask?”

“I must inquire still further before I can answer. Tell me–did your grandfather die in this house, or did he flee to a distant country during the war?”

“He died far from here, in a strange land. But it surprises me how you should hit upon this question.”

“Did your grandmother die first?”

“Yes; but your questions disturb me.”

The old man continued: “Was your own father present before your grandfather’s death, and did he not disclose to him a very important secret?”

“My grandfather died of a malignant fever which robbed him of his senses. My father, then a boy, was sent for, but when he arrived he found his father dead.”

“One more question I must ask–and I know you will forgive me. Did your father receive a big fortune?”

“My father,” continued Mr. Vollmar, “returned to this city and this house a poor man. He married a woman as poor as himself, but with industry they at last became rich.”