ments, becoming a skillful compositor and pressman, and keeping thought and purpose secret till the hour should arrive for action, he soon became the office foreman. The County Journal improved in mechanical appearance under his hands, and then he said, "Good horse, I have tamed you: now bear me on my life's journey." So, purchasing with his scant resources an interest in the humble sheet, it became a vehicle in which to test opinions by the judgment and criticism of cotemporaries, to feel the popular pulse, to learn the art of governing in the world of ideas, to bring the faculties of the intellect into keen, full play, and then to send abroad the winged thoughts, that, like the arrows of the Parthian, become lightnings, enkindling the air to flame. "The pen is mightier than the sword;" the press the lifter up and the puller down of men; the fourth estate. The young man had not mistaken his providential call.

CHAPTER XXIII.

A LEGACY.

Roger Benbow, in the hour preceding decease, entrusted to Peter Styles, as we have seen, the valuable documents affording evidence of the identity of Charity Green with the lost heiress, and making known the place of her concealment, in search of which he had traveled so far. The Forester explained to the confidant such particulars as till now had been kept within the seclusion of his own breast, and then added, "Styles, I wish that I had patterned my life more after what I have heard you read in the Holy Book. My race is run. Promise that you will carry out my instructions concerning the papers, and then I shall die in peace." The promise was made: and he continued,

"You will be hunted and waylaid, if possible, for the ten thousand pounds, before you leave this den of outlaws. Immediately make your way to the steamer on which we have secured passage, obtain a shelter on board over night at any cost, and keep awake and armed till the vessel leaves. The Botany Bay thieves, who were the accomplices of Chivers on the hulk, took to the water and are doubtless in search after you ashore. There is every probability for supposing that foul means will be made use of, when it is discovered that the secret is in your keeping, by parties in England, to make way with you. In these papers we have a sure guide to the young Countess. Two years ago the gipsy left her in charge of this Buncle, a wrecker, fisherman and water rat, in a locality upon the eastern shore of

Long Island. You must find her at once. On arriving at the steamer, make duplicates, seal up the originals, and place them in the hands of the British Consul at Panama, directed to Job Trusty, Esq., Steward at Riverside; enclosing also a statement of the manner in which we obtained them at Feather River, and the particulars of this last affray. Mention as well that I shot John Chivers through the heart after he had killed the whipper-in. Say to Trusty that the two hounds, Swift and Beauty, and my old setter, Dash, must be taken care of as long as they live.

"Keep the papers which you copy as a guide for your own operations. Retain the funds in my possession, which are sufficient for the present, and send home your own ten thousand pounds, to be received by Dr. Hartwell, or any other friend whom you may select, for the benefit of your family, in case of accident or loss of life; with an injunction to keep the affair secret, either till you return safely or till they have reason to suppose that you have gone after me. When you discover the young lady, watch her as you would your own soul; but do not attempt to take her to England till you have written to the executors that she is recovered." Then, beckoning the faithful friend nearer, the Forester whispered. "Before she was stolen, one day, her father said, 'I'll mark you, my little beauty, should there be any deviltry at work." So, taking her from the nurse, he pricked on the left arm a letter R, and colored it with indelible ink. There is besides, a birth mark, a little crimson heart, upon her left breast." In a few moments after the earthly career of Roger Benbow was at an end.

Attired as a serving man, in stout garments, designed for comfort rather than show, a passenger by the Golden Gate steamer, Philip Bulwinkle by name, deposited shortly after with the British Consul at Panama, a bulky package, addressed to Job Trusty, Esq., Riverside. Arriving in

safety at its destination, the executors of the estate at once perceived the importance of maintaining strict secrecy.

The suit at law between the contestants for the right of succession under the entail, having been decided against the Scotch branch of the family, and acting under advice of counsel, the Rector of Richmanstown now proceeded to prosecute his claim to the estate, serving writs on the tenants, requiring them in future to pay all sums due as rentals into the hands of his banker. This forced the matter at once to an issue, the executors claiming right of possession as trustees of the property and guardians of Rosa, Countess of Riverside, until her majority; attesting also, that, though absent from the country, she was still in existence, to the best of their knowledge and belief; Dr. Bushwig averring the infant grand-daughter of the late Earl to have been abducted, and to have perished of the small pox, at Coddlington Green. The executors were enabled to maintain possession till a decision of the suit.

Once more let us venture within the Parsonage of St. Winifred's. The seventh year since the Earl's death has now begun. It will be seven years the ensuing Christmas since Charity Green stood in the Rector's presence, imploring protection in his Master's name.

The divine, grown more portly, more dignified, as prospects to the earldom brightened, has determined to set household affairs in order, and the first called up for judg ment is the valet, John having waxed insolent of late and demeaning himself as more than gentleman's gentleman. Of the serving man's eaves-dropping proclivities we have had ample witness, and other traits of character and habits. of life have oozed out through the gipsy house-breaker, who informed Hugh Brompton the younger, concerning the robbery at Wingate.

It is an ill omen for a man when his domestics grow insolent. The valet received the rebuke so justly merited with

an air of cool assurance, and informed Dr. Bushwig, who hinted a discharge on the spot, that he had no disposition to remain longer, Sergeant Parks, of London, having written that if desirous of coming up to town he might put him in the way of a nest-egg.

ous.

The

The lofty looks of the Rector were humbled. chance shot did execution. At once the suspicion seized the divine that the valet had in some manner obtained an inkling of his precious secret. As the servant proceeded to state that Mr. Trusty, of Riverside, had also kindly offered to assist in settling him in life, his alarm became seriThe fellow turned with a polite bow toward the door. The valet was guilty of falsehood, having communicated with neither Parks nor Trusty, but a bad conscience is unable to discriminate. With his hand on the knob, the lackey shot a final arrow, remarking that "he would prove that he owed no grudge, by imparting a piece of informa tion. A man who used to be well known about Riverside, in young Lord Robert's time, John Chivers by name, had been killed in California, and a friend had mentioned that he was shot by Roger Benbow. One present at the time, and a pal of the gipsy, was in the country now, and could be seen."

In this instance the statement was correct, Handy Ben and Cunning Joe both being in London. From these parties, or those in their confidence, the gentleman's gentleman had learned that the gipsy was dead, having been killed in an attempt at the murder of the Forester.

The Rector trembled. If Chivers had perished, bearing the secret to the grave, it was all well; but if it still existed, into whose hands might the information have fallen? Could it be possible that Benbow had been employed by the executors to ferret out the hiding-place of Charity Green, and that his quarrel with Trusty and the lamentable story of the loss of property had been all a ruse? The sporting