WYLDER'S HtfJVD.
445
window, and heard the small door softly opened and closed,
and the bolts slowly and cautiously drawn again into their
places. Then there was a pause. Lake was listening tc
ascertain whether anyone was stirring, and being satisfied,
reascended the stairs, leaving the stout and courteous but-
ler ample matter for romantic speculation.
It was now the butler's turn to listen, which he did at
the half-opened door of his room. When he was quite
assured that all was quiet, he shut and bolted his door,
closed the window-shutters, and relighted his pair of wax
candles.
Mr. Larcom was a good deal excited. He had seen
strange things that night. He was a good deal blown and
heated by his run, and a little wild and scared at the
closeness of the Captain's unconscious pursuit. His head
beside was full of amazing conjectures. After a while he
took his crumpled letter from his pocket, unfolded and
smoothed it, and wrote upon a blank half-page —
"Respected Sir, — Since the above i ave a much to
tel mos surprisen, the gentleman you wer anceous of tid-
ing mister M. W. is cumprivet, and him and master met
tonite nere 2 in morning, in the long pond allee, so is
near home when we supposed, no more at present sir from
"your humbel servent John
"Larcom.
"i shall go to dolington day arter to-morrow by eleven
o'clock trane if you ere gong, sir."
When the attorney returned, between eleven and twelve
o'clock next morning, this letter awaited him. It did
not, of course, surprise him, but it conclusively corrobo-
rated all its inferences. „