unentailed property devolved prospectively upon the fortunate legatee. One Solomon Mendez, a money-lender of the metropolis, was applied to, upon the part of Dr. Bushwig, for a loan of fifteen thousand pounds, immediately after the receipt of the startling intelligence, and the Israelite, allured by the large bonus, after submitting the instrument to counsel, advanced the requisite sum.

Proceedings were immediately commenced, in Doctors' Commons, for its establishment, the witnesses being Daniel Tallboys, of London, gentleman, and Benjamin Pipes, formerly the Earl's valet. Mr Tallboys was now a bankrupt, waiting for discharge, under the insolvent act, having been formerly a man about town, but ruined by fast living. This witness on being interrogated averred, that, hearing that a horse named Highflyer, which the Earl had desired to purchase, was in the market, and having a prospective interest in its sale, he had called upon the nobleman for the purpose of disposing of the property; that the Earl of Riverside was much excited, and writing with extreme haste; that he seemed almost unable to contain his rage at some party whom he termed 'hypocritical rascal' but otherwise was as usual before dinner; that, desiring the visitant to be seated, he rang for his man, and signed and sealed the document in their presence, acknowledging it to them as his last will and testament, and requesting them to sign it as witnesses, which they did.

It was with difficulty that Pipes, the valet, was discovered. He was found at last keeping an inn in a suburb of the metropolis, a place frequented apparently by lovers of skittles and similar amusements, its cognomen being the "Boxer's Arms." The jolly Boniface, on being interrogated, confirmed the narrative of Mr. Tallboys, mentioning that he remembered that just before the Earl's death he was called in to witness a document acknowledged as a will. One thing that fixed it in his mind was that a gentleman

was there about a horse called Highflyer, who also signed his name. He could even remember the time-it was halfpast eleven-for the Earl drew his repeater and struck the half hour while placing the instrument away. In this, also, Pipes was corroborated by the testimony of Mr. Tallboys.

Had not this document revisited the light so opportunely the condition of the Rector of Richmanstown would have been almost desperate, having strained his credit in every direction. Three thousand pounds were due to his solicitors, and five thousand to the Sloppery usurer, Hezekiah Pinch. The Divine had even resorted to our former acquaintance, the "oil-filler of the lamps of Jerusalem," and borrowed from him fifteen hundred pounds at enormous rates of usance. Besides, there were large outstanding accounts of the grocer and wine merchant. In fine, the condition of his affairs was one of extreme embarrassmeut. This sudden windfall at once removed the cloud. After discharging the claims of his solicitors, and liquidating various minor debts, allowing his bonds to remain as before with Pinch and the undertaker, about ten thousand pounds stood to his credit on the bankers' books.

The executors under the former will, being summoned by Sergeant Parks, met him in London. The old gentleman was gloomy, and remarked that the prospect was that the document under which they had been acting would be set aside. Writs were immediately served upon them for the arrest of all their proceedings, both as appellants in the appeal from the decision of Baron Gumble, and as executors of the estate and guardians of Rosa Devereux. Dr. 'Hartwell alone retained his usual serenity, remarking that a deep conviction was fixed within his mind that the young Countess would yet, and at no distant period, be recovered; and that the hand of Divine Providence would be singularly manifest in the detection and punishment of the offenders. The Rector thought it also probable that the astute

and crafty foe with whom they had to deal was in some manner connected with a new conspiracy to defraud, and that the recently discovered instrument was but a forgery.

A letter from America, received at this juncture by Dr. Hartwell, contributed to inspirit them. Following it came another also serving not a little as encouragement to continue the controversy. The first, written by Peter Styles. and bearing the post mark, Proutville, Conn., U. S. A., related his discovery of the recent seclusion of Charity Green with the particulars of which we are already familiar. In this the good man intimated his determination to remain in the neighboring city of New York, either until a clue should be obtained to her present place of captivity or definite instructions received from her guardians. The second epistle was from the learned civilian Epaphroditus Wagge, and indited the day after the soiree at Smithopolis. In this the Past High Mitre mentioned that a distinguished English gentleman, Col. Tofton by name, but known in his former place of residence as Dr. Bushwig's valet, was enjoying the hospitalities of Western friends, and had that day mailed two letters, one to the Rector of Richmanstown and the other to Madame Lorne, Charleston, S. C.

A missive was instantly dispatched to Peter Styles, with instructions to proceed at once to the City of Charleston, to procure the aid of expert detectives, to ascertain the character of Madame Lorne and her establishment, and, if possible, to discover if Charity Green was in her custody.

On Christmas night, in company with two plainly clad and unassuming gentlemen, "traveling South," as one of them casually observed, “to enjoy the hospitalities of the season," we behold, with firm step and clear, bright eye, the father of sleepy Molly, thinking himself for a moment almost in old England, while listening to the chiming of St. Michael's bells.

CHAPTER XXXII.

A NIGHT'S ADVENTURES.

We now return to Charleston, and on arriving there discover that Cunning Joe is still confined within the secluded chamber formerly assigned to Charity Green. After venturing on the daring step of beguiling the two principals of the three confederates into a temporary imprisonment, the mistress of the establishment was in an alarming position, which at every step became more complicated and dangerous. Taking Zulette, the quadroon, more fully into her confidence, with promises of freedom and reward in a few weeks, interest now bound the servant whom fear had alone constrained before. The invalid gentleman, as Toftor was styled, now being removed to a secluded apartment near the leads, was kept there under double lock and key. Delirium still continuing, Madame, from time to time, with note-book and pencil in hand, kept watch by his bedside, noting down the incoherent ravings and still administering medicines designed to reduce the physical powers and continue the disordered mental state.

Carefully concealed within the inner lining of the felon's apparel letters were discovered from the Rector of Richmanstown, with whose name, history and prospects the listener was rapidly becoming familiar. These were brief and equivocal, so that none could be compromised by any portion of their contents without corroborative and eluci dative testimony. On instituting a more thorough search

an instrument rewarded the seeker of far greater importance,—an agreement, written and signed in some fluid of crimson hue resembling blood. This also was equivocal in its phraseology, stating simply that the parties, whose names were appended, pledged themselves to an equal division of a cerpain treasure of which they were in search, binding themselves also to abide by the decision of the lot so far as might affect the disposal of the lady in whose behalf the search was instituted. Other papers, when perused, cleared up many mysteries, being two unsigned bonds without a date, prepared for signatures, in each of which a party, whose name was yet unwritten, covenanted to pay respectively to Mr. Joseph Chelmsford and Mr. Benjamin Wiggins ten thousand pounds sterling money of Great Britain, as compensation for their services in searching out, rescuing, and restoring herself to liberty; they relinquishing, for this consideration, all claims to a legacy of ten thousand pounds bequeathed by the Earl of Riverside to the reclaimers of his abducted granddaughter and heiress, Rosa Devereux. Folded within were also other unsigned bonds, promising to pay each of these gentlemen two thousand pounds sterling annuity during their natural lives, as a final compensation for risks undergone and advances made in the conduct of the same enterprise.

Returning now to the other unwilling inmate of the Mansion, Major Chelmsford, we perceive that the potion, which at first soothed and exhilarated the spirits, was designed to induce a slumber of more than one day's duration, and also to create intolerable thirst and consequent delirium. Of Tofton the artful woman had little fear; her chief anxiety being on account of his associate.

In the orderly mansion, where Sin was served with quiet decorum, no change occurred, and the countenance of its proprietor shut out from all beholders, with an impenetrable mask, the secrets that now pressed heavily upon the