A 517266 AATES LIBRARY VERITAS WOTENTIA OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (QUALISPER, WYELIM AMDL - PRESENTED BY THE HEIRS OF NATHAN B. HYDE THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.-Pocket Edition. 122 Ione Stewart. By Mrs. E. Lynn Linton. 115 Diamond Cut Diamond. By T. Adolphus Trollope. NO. PRICE. NO. PRICE. 113 Mrs. Carr's Companion. By M. G. Wightwick 10 149 The Captain's Daughter. From the Russian of Pushkin. 10 114 Some of Our Girls. By Mrs. C. J. Eiloart. 150 For Himself Alone. By T. W. 20 Speight. 10 151 The Ducie Diamonds. By C. Blatherwick... 10 20 20 20 10 20 | 152 The Uncommercial Traveler. By Charles Dickens.. The Golden Calf. By Miss M. E. Braddon... 116 Moths. By "Ouida " 117 A Tale of the Shore and Ocean. By W. H. G. Kingston... 20 153 118 Loys, Lord Berresford, and Eric Dering. By "The Duchess". 10 | 154 119 Monica, and A Rose Distill'd. By "The Duchess 10 155 120 Tom Brown's School Days at Rugby. By Thomas Hughes 20 156 121 Maid of Athens. By Justin Mc- Carthy... Annan Water. By Robert Bu- chanan. Lady Muriel's Secret. By Jean Middlemas.. "For a Dream's Sake." By Mrs. Herbert Martin. Milly's Hero. By F. W. Robin- son.. 20 | 157 20 20 158 123 Sweet is True Love. By “TL) Duchess" The Starling. By Norman Mac- leod, D.D... 10 20 2 2 2 2 2 20 10 124 Three Feathers. By William Black.. 20 159 A Moment of Madness, and Other Stories. By Florence Marryat. 10 125 The Monarch of Mincing Lane. By William Black... 160 Her Gentle Deeds. By Sarah 20 126 Kilmeny. By William Black... 20 161 127 Adrian Bright. By Mrs. Caddy 20 128 Afternoon, and Other Sketches. By "Ouida" 10 162 129 Rossmoyne. By "The Duch- Tytler.. The Lady of Lyons. Founded on the Play of that title by Lord Lytton.. Eugene Arain. By Sir E. Bul- wer Lytton... 10 10 • • • 20 53 ess 10 163 130 The Last of the Barons. By Sir E. Bulwer Lytton. Winifred Power. By Joyce Dar rell.. 20 40 164 131 Our Mutual Friend. Charles Dickens.... 40 132 Master Humphrey's Clock. By Charles Dickens. 10 133 Peter the Whaler. By W. H. G. Kingston.. 166 10 Leila; or, The Siege of Grenada. By Sir E. Bulwer Lytton.. 10 165 The History of Henry Esmond. By William Makepeace Thack- eray.... Moonshine and Marguerites. By "The Duchess 20 11 10 134 The Witching Hour. By "The Duchess". 10 167 Heart and Science. By Wilkie Collins... 20 135 A Great Heiress. By R. E. Fran- cillon.. 10 136 "That Last Rehearsal. By "The Duchess ". 168 No Thoroughfare. By Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins... 10 169 The Haunted Man. By Charles Dickens.. 10 20 170 A Great Treason. By Mary Hoppus.. 10 137 Uncle Jack. By Walter Besant 10 138 Green Pastures and Piccadilly. By William Black 139 The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid. By Thomas Hardy 10 | 172 140 A Glorious Fortune. By Walter Besant... 141 She Loved Him! By Annie Thomas. · 10 10 142 Jenifer. By Annie Thomas………. 20 143 One False, Both Fair. J. B. Harwood.. 144 Promises of Marriage. Emile Gaboriau. • 20 By 10 145 "Storm-Beaten:" God and The Man. By Robert Buchanan.. 20 146 Love Finds the Way. By Walter Besant and James Rice………….. 10 147 Rachel Ray. By Anthony Trol- lope... ** 30 171 Fortune's Wheel, and Other Stories. By "The Duchess 10 “Golden Girls." By Alan Muir 20 173 The Foreigners. By Eleanor C. Price... 20 174 Under a Ban. By Mrs. Lodge.. 20 175 Love's Random Shot, and Other Stories. By Wilkie Collins... 10 176 An April Day. By Philippa P. Jephson... 10 177 Salem Chapel. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 178 More Leaves from the Journal of a Life in the Highlands. By Queen Victoria.. 179 Little Make-Believe. By B. L. Farjeon 10 10 20 180 Round the Galley Fire. By W. Clark Russell... 10 "Dora 181 The New Abelard. By Robert Buchanan... 10 10 182 The Millionaire. A Novel……. 20 (3) • 148 Thorns and Orange-Blossoms. By the author of Thorne" THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.-Pocket Edition. 20 10 20 5 15 NO. PRICE. 183 Old Contrairy, and Other Sto- ries. By Florence Marryat... 10 NO. PRICE 219 Lady Clare; or, The Master of the Forges. By Georges Ohnet 10 181 Thirlby Hall. By W. E. Norris. 20 220 Which Loved Him Best? By 18 jendie By Lady Margaret Ma- 186 The Canon's Ward. By James Payn.. 187 The Midnight Sun. By Fredrika Bremer. 188 Idonea. By Anne Beale.. 189 Valerie's Fate. By Mrs. Alex- ander.. the author of “ Dora Thorne 10 221 Comin' Thro' the Rye. By Helen B. Mathers. 190 Romance of a Black Veil. By the author of " Dora Thorne" 10 191 Harry Lorrequer. By Charles Lever. 14 222 The Sun-Maid. By Miss Grant 15 223 A Sailor's Sweetheart. By W. SHSHE Clark Russell.... 18 224 The Arundel Motto. Mary Cecil Hay 19 225 The Giant's Robe. By F. Anstey 19 226 Friendship. By "Ouida " 227 Nancy. By Rhoda Broughton. 13 228 Princess Napraxine. By "Oui- da" 20 20 192 At the World's Mercy. By F. Warden... 229 Maid, Wife, or Widow? By 10 Mrs. Alexander... 10 193 The Rosary Folk. By G. Man- ville Fenn.. 10 194 "So Near, and Yet So Far!" Alison. By 10 230 Dorothy Forster. By Walter Besant. 231 Griffith Gaunt. By Charles Reade.. 195 "The Way of the World." David Christie Murray. By 232 Love and Money; or, A Perilous 15 196 Hidden Perils. By Mary Cecil Secret. By Charles Reade... 10. 233 "I Say No;" or, the Love-Letter Hay 10 197 For Her Dear Sake. By Mary Cecil Hay. 20 198 A Husband's Story 199 The Fisher Village. By Anne Beale.. Answered. Wilkie Collins.... 18 234 Barbara; or, Splendid Misery. Miss M. E. Braddon.. 15 10 235 "It is Never Too Late to Mend." By Charles Reade... 20 10 236 Which Shall It Be? Mrs. Alex- 10 20 200 An Old Man's Love. By An- thony Trollope.. 201 The Monastery. By Sir Walter Scott.. 202 The Abbot. By Sir Walter Scott 20 203 John Bull and His Island. By Max O'Rell……. 10 204 Vixen. By Miss M. E. Braddon 15 205 The Minister's Wife. By Mrs. Oliphant... 206 The Picture, and Jack of All 30 Trades. By Charles Reade.. 10 243 Tom Burke of "Ours." Second | 207 Pretty Miss Neville. By B. M. Croker. 208 The Ghost of Charlotte Cray, and Other Stories. By Flor- ence Marryat... half. By Charles Lever...... 20 15 244 A Great Mistake. By the author of "His Wedded Wife" 209 John Holdsworth, Chief Mate. By W. Clark Russell... 210 Readiana: Comments on Cur- rent Events. By Chas. Reade 10 211 The Octoroon. By Miss M. E. Braddon. 212 Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dra- goon. By Chas. Lever (Com- plete in one volume)……….. 246 A Fatal Dower. By the author of "His Wedded Wife ". 247 The Armourer's Prentices. 10 By Charlotte M. Yonge. 10 10 248 The House on the Marsh. F. Warden... 10 218 A Terrible Temptation. Chas. Reade.... 214 Put Yourself in His Place. By Charles Reade….. 20 ≈ 1 2 1010 30 15 249"Prince Charlie's Daughter." By author of " Dora Thorne 250 Sunshine and Roses; or, Di- ana's Discipline. By the au- thor of "Dora Thorne " 251 The Daughter of the Stars, and Other Tales. By Hugh Con- way, author of "Called Back" 10 15 252 A Sinless Secret. By "Rita" 10 216 Foul Play. By Charles Reade. 15 253 The Amazon. By Carl Vosmaer 19 217 The Man She Cared For. 215 Not Like Other Girls. By Rosa Nonchette Carey. By 15 F. W. Robinson.. 218 Agnes Sorel. By G. P. R. James 15 251 The Wife's Secret, and Fair but False. By the author of Dora Thorne [CONTINUED ON THIRD PAGE OF COVER.] 4 18 10 10 ander. 20 237 Repented at Leisure. By the author of "Dora Thorne" 238 Pascarel. By "Quida " 239 Signa. By Ouida " 20 20 240 Called Back. By Hugh Conway 10 241 The Baby's Grandmother. By L. B. Walford... 242 The Two Orphans. By D'Ennery 10 243 Tom Burke of "Ours." First half. By Charles Lever...... 20 20 245 10 Miss Tommy, and In a House- Boat. By Miss Mulock………………. 10 10 10 19 2 2 2 2 2 282 22 8 8 8 9 9 9 15 15 15 10 · (4) * THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF A MEDICAL STUDENT, By Dr. JUPITER PAEON. NEW YORK: GEORGE MUNRO, PUBLISHER, 17 TO 27 VANDEWATER STREET, } Entered according to Act of Congress, in the years 1869, 1884 and 1885, by GEORGE MUNRO, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 1 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. CHAPTER 1. THE STUDENT LOVER. The storm is up, and my hot, bleeding beart Splits with the rack. ALEXANDER. A YOUNG man mounted upon a dapple-gray horse, overtook one evening, about dusk, a young lady walking in a path that ran by the side of a country road. The gentleman wore a light straw hat and a blue suit. It will, therefore, be unnecessary to name the season, for every one is aware that such garments as are described above are appropriate only when summer blinks on flowery braes." > The young lady's dress was dark, and fitted trimly to a form that possessed no reason for concealment. She wore a style of hat which was called a flat" (probably from its flat appearance), about which was wound a ribbon, as delicately blue as were her eyes. To complete these details, we may add that the gentleman was ve-and-twenty and the lady eighteen. The geodeman's head was carried high, and was a large, round, commbailte one. United to a delicate frame and pleasing countenance, it possessed one with the idea that the owner was a refined gentle- man, with a will of his own. A zephyr-whirlwind temper was Eu- gene Hadley's! Now very low and pleasant-now very low and fered His deep-set blue eyes, despite a cool glitter in their depths, did not contradict the head, but asseried the man was dangerous when thwarted, and could, under circumstances, scheme against God and man, "Man spurns the worm, but pauses ere he wake The slumbering venom of the folded snake !” His hair was the slightest shade black, his mustache still lighter. The young lady will be described hereafter; suffice it to say, that she held in her hand a small white packet. The two young persons became speedily engaged in conversation. He, dismounted from his horse, walked by her side while leading the animal. 'Dr. Hadley," she said, Is the college term at an end?” • I did not expect you among us so soon. Yes, Miss Restell," he answered, in a quick and pleasant tone; the summer term is finished. It is July now, and we have been at work three months. · You call me 'Doctor.' You must excuse 230130 6 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. me. 1 will not be titled before I am entitled. I am not yet a phy- sician-only an humble student of medicine-at your service." "How long have you been studying, doctor-1 should say-very 'Humble Student '?” Though she laid playful stress on the words in Italics, it was evi- dent that Miss Restell addressed the student with diffidence. In an individual's manner there is a subtle, indescribable "something" that betrays. It betrayed her; and one would ask what had passed between the couple that each should weigh the words they ut. tered as they do?" Two years," the student answered, "and two years are yet bo fore me. After which, having spent some years in the schools of Paris, 1 shall consider myself qualified to practice my profession.”) And during the months of your vacation I suppose you wil have nothing to do?" The student laughed, and his eyes glanced involuntarily to where the white monuments of the village cemetery stood out boldly irom a dark background of mountains and forest. I shall find plenty to do," he answered. "If study grows the- some, and books fail to recreate," he kept his eye still on the tombs, why, 1 can wander over this beautiful country, and-well, say in the pleasant little cemetery there-study nature, and meditate or the wonderful works of God. Miss Restell, are you a teacher? Why?" I saw you come out of the school-house yonder, and lock the door behind you, as if you had the ruinous little building in charge!" I wish I knew enough to be a teacher," said Miss Restell, quite innocently (the darling not wishing to be thought a blue"). Susy Bingham was taken sick, and 1 volunteered to occupy her place for a day or two. It will prevent her from becoming fidgety, and-Susan is a good girl, and 1 hope will recover. A frown passed over the brow of the student. >> Susy Bingham, when a mere school-girl, had offended the self- conceit of Hadley, then a boy, and though years had passed, this man remembered with bitterness what the boy had resented. To make it appear what a deep fellow this Hadley was, it will be only necessary to state that while apparently occupied with the triv- ial conversation just detailed, he was in fact engaged in fierce and determined wrestling with his soul (proud as Lucifer's), to humble it in this woman's presence, and allow himself to again ask a ques tion which she had once answered to his anger and abashment. The desire to ask the question triumphed. The soul was hum bled. The student put it. This it was: (เ Do you answer now as then?” A blush crept over the girl's face. She had scarcely expected this from a man apparently so cool and collected. When a lover asks such a question it was the proper thing in her opinion for him to tremble, grow pale or hot or cold, or, in a short interval, labor under all these distressing phenomena. The question interpreted meant: "You have refused me once; do you refuse me still?" She bowed and again said, Yes.' She was startled to hear the groan that broke from his lips. She *# E THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. was startled to see him leap at a bound into his saddle, and to watch the blood that sprung from the gray steed's sides as he bore his mas ter at a mad pace over a hill, and out of sight. Her steps were taken slowly; but mind and heart were busy as she ascended the lane to where, out of sight of Flax Village, her fa- ther's house stood. CHAPTER II. THE STUDENT AND THE GRAVE-DIGGER'S GRANDSON. How long hast thou been a grave digger? What I've a right to put in it, I've as good to put out it, And, for guineas enough, I'll set me about it. Hamlet. The Buried Bones. THE landlord of Flax Village was standing on the stoop of his ton, when his attention was drawn toward a young man who de- murely rode into town upon a dapple-gray. The rider dismounted beside the tavern stoop, and his nag, on its own responsibility, stepped forward and commenced to lave its nose and imbibe deep draughts at the great water-tub by the stoop's cor- ner, which was conveniently placed for such drunken men as might reel from the bar-room door across the stoop. They had no excuse for not tumbling in and weakening their whisky. Well, by jolly!" said the landlord, who was a little man, with comical face and short gray hair. What, Mr. Hadley? Is that you, Mr. Hadley? Come in, Mr. Hadley. Boy, give Mr. Hadley asmash.' Mr. Hadley, have a smash'? By jolly, l've got the Tumuest story you ever heard!-by jolly!” Have you, indeed, Billy?" asked the student. Darndest, funniest thing you ever heard tell of, by jolly! Old Josh Rogers, he had a pig A pig," acquiesced the student, courteously. It was three years old. More of a hog than a pig, I reckon!" reworked a voice from a corner. The student stared around for the speaker, but failed to observe any person. Hold on till I tell you!" reiterated the landlord. Well, old Josh, he wanted that critter killed; and when old Josb gets anything into his head, boys, by jolly, he isn't the man to back out, not a bit!" & Not much, he ain't!" remarked the invisible person. Somebody at that moment called for the landlord, and, with a choice collection of "by jollys!" and oaths of a less jolly and more serious character, he passed out to the stoop to converse with the traveler, or whoever it might be, leaving his story unfinished. Who is that?" demanded the student, when left alone, of the ipvisible speaker. His name's Legs," returned a voice; and, out of a pile of buffalo robes, carriage seats, and articles of that nature, a long, lank, evil- eyed being appeared with a black dwarf pipe in his left hand, over 8 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 00 ; which he held his thumb. Then, striking a match with great judg- ment and calmness of spirit, he drew a few puffs, and held out his hand to the student. Well, Legs, how have you been?” "You do remember your old friends, eh? I'm well. How are you?" "Very well, indeed; thank you.”’ Legs sat regarding the student with a satirical expression about his uninteresting jaws for some time; finally he opened his mouth, crookedly, and allowed the eyelid of his left eye to droop; then he said, with peculiar emphasis, "I'm in a trade next to yours now!" Next to mine! How is that?" "" I'm in the human-body business." Am 1?" Yes-but there's the difference between us. Whereas," here Legs raised his finger in a legal manner, and then pointed it signifi- cantly downward, "I puts them in the ground-whereas," here he gave his finger a jerk upward, you takes them out of the ground." "What put that in your head, Legs?" Oh, you can't tell me nothing--nothing whatever.” "You think I dig them up, then, do you, Legs?" "1 know you do. All doctors do, what wants to understand the astronomy of human natur'. "Do you think it's wrong, Legs? or what is your opinion on the subject of raising the dead?" Waal, I don't know as I keers one way nor another. If it's nec- essary to raise 'em, why, raise 'em, I say. They've got to be raised sometime, I s'pose. It's unpleasant to some-so is grave-digging to some. I ain't but twenty-two years old, and me an' my old grand- father have dug forty. I relish the business myself. I wouldn't change it for peddling. > As Legs finished, the landlord entered, and, looking back through the open door, after a wagon that was rolling off in the darkness, said: It is Barton's son; the judge is dying." Here the landlord looked at his liquor bottles on the bar shelves, as if he expected to see the d-1 himself whisking among them, as he added: He's dying of delirium tremens.” Ah, indeed!" said the student. "He didn't get his liquor here," said the landlord, sharply, as if answering his conscience, "he got it at Ned's tavern." Nobody ever thought it of your liquor, Billy," said Legs; 'there's too much water in it. He don't say anything more about his story," added Legs, in a whisper. Them tremens knocked him!" 44 Legs, I'm coming to see you to-morrow," said the student, in a low tone. Will you be at home?" Legs looked sharply out of his evil eyes. Y-e-s. I know what you want.' Softly! What?" Subjects-dead bodies.” "What if I do want you to get me one, Legs?" THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 9 'I'm your man; that's all," said Legs, "and the best fellow you can get if you pay well." The two talked together several moments. Finally the student leaped upon his horse. I'll go and see my uncle," he said, "and after that I'll come and see you.' To-night?" To-night, instead of to-morrow night." All right; I'll watch for you. Legs trudged off through the darkness with strides which showed that he was named after the most prominent portions of him- self. The coal in his short pipe illuminated the ugly bulb at his nose's end, and the ugly depths of his evil eyes, and his face looked like the face of a cold fiend on an earth journey, who strove to blow up a blaze from a stray spark fallen from the infernal regions. I'll make him pay, and he can afford it-none better." The landlord sat in his chair for a long time. His head rested on his hands, and he was busily thinking. Judge Barton's dying, is he?-and of drink? It was Ned's liquor he took the most of. Why should I care? By jolly, if a man will drink! Boys, listen to the end of my story.' Here he looked around him, and surveyed the stoop. Why, they're gone!" he said. It was nine o'clock when I sat down here. I've been brooding over him two hours and a half. What a fool 1 am!" CHAPTER 111. DELIRIUM TREMENS MAKES HIS MARK, } } Nature: Who dies? Time: A man! Nature: And how? Time: Twould grieve your heart to know! Death. So to himself repeated the grave-digger's grandson. When Julge Barton was himself," as they say, he walked erect, sessed with care, and there was about him as much dignity as is consistent with slight, short men. His hair was thin and black; he wore a long beard, equally thin and black. His eyes were of the sort called " mischievous;" his forehead high and arched, but not broad. The memory of the man was wonderful. He was not a judge in fact, though called so, because of a trick he had once played upon a party of strange lawyers. He was, despite a lover of link, a man of wealth, partly the result of his keen eye for bar- gains, partly that he was the sole heir of his father, a wealthy law- To, deceased. He traveled much in his youth. Leaving home at fifteen he had returned to it at thirty, a husband and the father of two children, Hamilton and Julia Barton, both of whom were quite young. We are thus particular concerning him here because with this chapter we shall part from him living, and whatever influence he may hereafter have upon our story he must exert dead-or not at all. 10 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. It was his fiftieth birthday that found him lying on his bed in his fine mansion, waiting for an attack of that disorder which is the portion of the drunkard. By his bedside sat a woman still and motionless. This was Mrs. Barton, his wife. A proud, resolute woman looks Mrs. Barton. A passionate yet cautious woman is she! A person trying the door of the room would discover it to be locked. The key on the inside. If he had been near the chamber during the hours that had passed before seven in the evening, the hour at which this chapter opens, he would have noticed that, although Mrs. Barton went out and came in many times, she always locked the door behind her! The man on the bed was very restless. The muscles of his hands, his feet, and his face are busily engaged at work-pulling this; pushing that; and making his countenance as hideous as that of the German Fiend. A deep flush pervades his visage. Mutterings as of conversing madmen steal upon the woman's ears -half shouts, as if in horror of the frightful phantoms that break upon the sight; and prolonged trembling, as if through the man's body waves of galvanism were pouring. Now he asks for drink. To this the woman gives answer ever the same— No." For a full week the man has been stupid with drink, and she knows, and he knows, what devil is creeping upon him. Still he longs for the fluid in which the devil was germinated, out of which it swims. Drink! Drink! Give me drink!" The eyes of the nan grow wilder. The mischief that is in them, in sober moments carefully screened, tears down the screen and glares from each as from windows. He is sitting up in bed picking off the counterpane imaginary beetles; he is fighting also with unreal rats. One of them he swears is running up his leg! Drink! Drink! Give me some liquor, I say!" 'Be quiet, dear! Do be quiet!" So pleads the woman. > Spiders-bloated and black, with eyes of fire-are weaving webs in his beard! "You think there is something the matter with me? You're a liar! Ha! ha! ha! Liar! liar! liar!” He is supporting himself on the elbow of his left arm and point- ing the long middle finger of his right hand at her. Then, with the foam gathering about his lips as about the mouth of a hard-ridden horse, he yelled something at her. Something she would not have overheard for the world. He repeats it. She closes her ears and flies from the room. She can not bear to hear her secret break thus from the foul mouth of the drunken mad- man. But now she fears that others will hear it! For this reason THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 11 she watches over the sick man alone in the desolate, wing of the mansion separated from it by long, narrow halls, with locked doors at the ends. As she passes out of the door into the hall, she locks it after her, as she has done before. Barton bounds from his bed like an India-rubber ball; runs to the door-jeers and shouts her secret after her, and beats upon the pan- els like a wild man. He can hear the doors of the long hall close behind her, and knows that she is on guard to prevent any one from hearing the secret his drunken malice determined him to betray, but which in sober moments he would rather die than tell. Rats, beetles, snakes, black dogs, wild-cats, spiders are making way for fiends and shadowy horrors innumerable. "Who are you-all of you-all of you," shouts the madman, that 1 should be so precious to you? I'm a sweetmeat, am 1, you fiend!" He strikes at the fiend, which is the bed-post, and in striking, turns about and about like a staggering top, and falls. But he sits up instantly. She won't give me drink-she won't give me drink! nor let me tell them what I know." He is in the floor's center, with but a slight garment on him, swaying to and fro, and whining. She won't give me drink; nor let me tell them what I know!” Here he whined more and more. And repeating it over and over again, kept adding to his expression of maudlin misery. Upon a desk near the wall was placed a bottle of ink, a pen, and penholder. The bottle had a blue label, on which, in gilt letters, were the words Blue Indelible Ink." The man, throwing his eyes about the room, saw this. In a mo- ment he had it in his hand to fling at the fiend's head. There was one particularly objectionable fiend that he hated. But the fiend vonished too soon; so he set the bottle down beside him, and amused unself with the pen. He laid the pen down too beside the bottle. It was odd to him why so many beetles should cluster about his toes! He made a "grab" at the toes of his left foot with his right hand, to catch a whole handful of beetles, but only got a whole handful of toes i He brought his left foot slowly over his right leg, in such a manner that the sole of his foot was iurned toward him. He looked at the smooth sole, and he looked at the pen and ink! How he con- nected the two, I don't know. Perhaps he remembered reading of the time when men wrote upon skins! However, with a yell of ruken triumph, he seized the pen, dipped it in the ink, and wrote apon the sole of his foot in characters of blue! When he had finished writing, he looked at what he had written u the wild and fiendish way peculiar to happy drunken men, and then, with great blotting dashes made after his name the sign of a cross, and uttered profanely the closing words of most benedictions, wherein are mentioned the names of the Trinity. It is done," he said; "I will hold it in the fiend's face-and the fiend shall read it-I will dance on h-'s walls with it-and it shall be burned into it." 12 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. The door opened slowly, and the woman entered. The man was off the bed in an instant. With great wild eyes, he staggered toward her. She grappled with him, else he might have passed the door- perchance have reached the street. She pushed him back from her; and he fell to the floor. While he lay there, she bound his hands, and laid a pillow underneath his head. She attended him faithfully for two-and forty hours; but she called no one. She looked in vain for that blessed sleep which would tell her that danger was over, and her husband would live. It did not come. He was wide awake, with his great, staring, black eyes upon her when two-and-forty hours had passed. He was muttering with invisible demons. He was threatening and beseeching immaterial hosts. The rats got thicker, and the beetles got thicker, and more and more spiders spun webs in his beard, with bodies more bloated and larger eyes of fire, the delirium tremens, wrestling with sleep, overcame the drowsy god forever, which coming no more to his assistance, the judge died. The doctor was sent for, but only when it was too late. The woman's secret so far was safe-on the sole of the dead man's foot. * * Old Cusser, the grave-digger, grandfather of Legs, was smoking a short pipe in the door of his residence on the night that Barton died. His granddaughter, Poll Cusser, who was his housekeeper, sat in the kitchen by the side of a table, putting a rose in a bonnet by the light of a candle. Legs and Hadley the student sat by the fire, engaged in confiden- tial conversation. Old Cusser standing on his stoop caught the sound of approaching wheels. Nearer and nearer a wagon came. At last it rumbled over the bridge, and came splashing through the mud on the Cusser side of the road. "Whoa!” cried a voice to a horse. The occupant of the wagon halted opposite the cottage. " Hi! Hello! Doctor!" screamed Cusser. your wagon wheels?" Do I recognize Cusser," answered the voice of the fat village doctor, “you will have a job on Monday. Judge Barton is dead. The d-1 has got his own again," hummed Poll Cusser, who dropped her work to listen. He tried to kiss me that time I washed for his wife!" ،، ? Barton dead?" reiterated Cusser the grave-digger. "He was the only man in town who could begin to swear with me. Law- how he swore at me because I was a grave-digger. Cusser,' he said, if you bury me, I'll haunt you, I will, by- Here he swore in a manner which 1 skeercely could excel. He was afraid of trances, you know, and waking up alive in his coffin, as have come C to pass. Judge Barton dead!" said the student, looking at Legs. "As a beet," said Legs, contemplatively; He is the next one' that died, Legs. He is," said Legs. as a dead beet!" "You know our agreement about the 'next one'?" THE DEA. 13 'S SECRET. 盛名 ​** I do," said Legs. "You will help resurrect him?" "I will," said Legs. Here Legs opened his crooked mouth, and drooped the lid of his left eye over that little fiendish optic. In the room where the body of Barton lay that night-or it was One of them was drying nearly morning-were two old women. the dead man's body, and the other was brushing his hair. "What's this?" cried the woman who was drying the sole of the dead man's foot. In his youth 'e was a bully boy, and much he loiked the ladies. But drink has worn him down to a skeleton. God save us all from the love of it!" 4.4 Patsy," cried the dryer, "what's this, I say, on his foot?" Hey!" cried the hair-dresser. On the sole here. Look." The two bent closely over the sole of the foot, and peered long and curiously at what was written there, though their spectacles. Bring the other candle here, Patsy," said the dryer. The hair-dresser brought it. But the light of two candles failed to make the blue writing plain to their dim eyes. The pennies dropped off the dead man's eyes, and the lids raised. He appeared to be looking at them! Both crossed themselves. Stay," cried the second woman. of the cross. 'Do ye see? "'Tis the sign So it is," said the other. "The Saints preserve us! Ah, I have it!" "What!" He saw the d-1 coming for him, and he marked himself with the sign of the cross. "Whist-he must have died in our faith-say nothing about it, poor drunken sinner!” So it happened that none capable of interpreting it read Mrs. Bar- ton's secret, and it was so far safely hidden-on the sole of the dead man's foot. CHAPTER IV. RESURRECTED. * * O'er his unconfin'd limbs The flocking flesh birds screamed. COLERIDGE. Two days after his death, the judge was buried. Behind the hearse that bore his remains came the carriage in which rode Mrs. Barton, her children, and the clergyman. Then followed Lawyer Hadley's carriage, containing the lawyer and his nephew, the stu- ient. Then the doctor's; then the wealthy men and their wives from all the country round; then the farmers, and so on down the social scale. In the village cemetery, over the waiting grave, stood Old Cusser and Legs, expectant. 14 } THE DEAD MAN S SECRET. Presently, the plumes on the leaders' heads were seen over a neigh- boring hill; then the hearse; then Mrs. Barton's carriage, and the lawyer's carriage, and the doctor's carriage--all moving in a depress- ing though orderly and mechanical manner, over the hill, down the hill, into the cemetery. The bearers took the coffin up between them, and placed it by the side of the grave. The mourners took off their hats, if gentlemen; took out their handkerchiefs, if ladies. The clergyman's voice broke the stillness of the summer day; and when the people sung, the birds sung. During the entire service, Mrs. Barton stood, cool and self-possessed, with her children on either hand. Her black eyes rested for a moment only on the pale face and black whiskers that were exposed through the little glass in the coffin lid. She be- trayed no emotion when they drove nails into the cover of the wooden box, nor when they let it down by ropes into the sand; nor when Old Cusser let fall from his spade on one side, and Legs from his spade on the other-the earth that hid the earth! "Earth walks on earth, glittering in gold; Earth goes to earth sooner than it wold." She got in her carriage as she had gotten out of it, betraying no grief; but when once she looked from the carriage window-it was a closed oue-there was an expression on her face that might inter- pret her thoughts to have been something like this: "I am a widow -am worth a hundred thousand dollars. My secret is safe for ever- more!" If she thinks of her husband, who is dead, she thinks of him something in this wise: " While he lived, my secret was never safe; now he is dead, my secret is ever safe! Am 1 sad, or am I glad--am 1 glad or sad— glad or sad?” There was one who noted her impassiveness with curious eyes. This was Hadley, the student. He apparently paid no attention to Legs, nor Legs to him! but, as he was leaving the cemetery, he chanced to be near enough to whisper: " Lay it on lightly, Legs. Legs looked in the air and in the grave-to north, to south, to east, to west, as if he imagined the words those of a bird or a worm, proceeding from the earth or the air, but never from the student. Lay the soil on lightly, grandfather." 44 Why?" To oblige the d-l when he comes for his own." If pounding the clay and baking of it would keep him away, I'd do it, boy. Lord! Lord! if I was going to put an epitaph on his tombstone, this it would be: • He drank too much for any man; And swore all times and seasons; The first was for his stomach's sake, And the last-for the best of reasons!" That night there was no moon, and the few stars that were to be seen shone dimly, like old eyes through glasses upon which vapor has settled. In the cemetery, by the grave of Barton, stood Legs THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. < and the student. Each held in his hand an end of a rope. At a given signal each drew upon the rope, and out of his grave rose Ste- phen Barton. The grave was quickly filled, and the two, with their burden, struck across the fields to a mountain that rose to a vast height "The Giant. When above the village of Flax, and was called they reached its base, they rested for a few moments, and presently commenced to climb its sides. They climbed to where, as if to cut off their sudden progress, a wall of rock and earth was before them. From it grew a number of slim trees, with leafless, barren look. We'll bestow the body in there, in course," said Legs, pointing to the wall. "Yes," said the student. Legs immediately climbed to the top of a square, tall rock, that looked like a horse-block, calculated for the altitude of Brobding- nagian horses, and separated from the wall but a few inches. He then grasped a tree that projected like all the others at an acute angle. Bracing by a point of rock, he pushed the tree backward. It slowly yielded to his pressure, and sunk against the side of the wall, bearing with it a quantity of earth in a box, and leaving ex- posed a large aperture. This invention was the product of the brains and hands of Hadley, when a boy, and was the entrance to an un- derground apartment, known only to himself and Legs. Into this they bore the body of the judge. A lantern suspended from the roof gave them light, and a chimney worked through the roof, air. A dry-goods box took the place of a table, and on it they laid the body. A buffalo robe served as a couch or lounge. The student drew from his pocket a small red box. A glimpse of its contents made Legs start. These were sharp knives, pincers, diminutive hooks and chains, scissors, and a blow-pipe to inflate the lungs or tissues. They took the clothing from the corpse that the old ladies had so carefully placed upon it; and then and there, lying on the rude table in the mountain cave, Stephen Barton ceased to be a sacred relic over which women and children had wept, and men prayed, and the parson preached, but became one of the " Mysteries of a Profession" subject!" -a Will the daring man, who has ruthlessly violated the sanctity of the grave, penetrate to other secrets than those of science? Will what is written on the dead man's foot come under his ken? Is the woman's secret safe? + CHAPTER V. MISS RESTELL'S WHITE PACKET. Love-letters, letters of friendship, and letters upon mournful occasions.- SPECTATOR. In our first chapter we introduced to the reader a young lady by the name of Restell. We mentioned that she was walking in a roadside path with the student Hadley. We also detailed other matters con- cerning her (and him), and spoke of a small white packet which she held in her hand. With the contents of this packet the present chapter will deal. 16 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Miss Restell, after a week's teaching in the village school, to oblige the bona fide preceptress, Miss Susy Bingham, devoted & pleasant half-holiday to an excursion into the woods, about Flax Village, with her pupils. The chosen spot was half way up the mountain, so lately traversed by Legs and the student. In a pleasant spot where there were plenty of thick-leaved trees, she encamped. Around her the children played with occasional longing looks to- ward the covered wicker baskets. Then Miss Restell, seating her- self upon the sward in the attitude of a Turkish woman, threw off the straw hat with the blue ribbon, and opening a delicate silken bag, such as were in fashion at that time-drew forth the small white packet. As she unbound it, it was discovered to contain numerous epistles of all sorts. There was a mischievous look in her eyes as she noted the differ- ent " styles" of penmanship that adorned each back, and seemed to recognize the writers. She laughed heartily to herself over one letter written in a large flourishing hand, but those which followed were of a different char- acter. One from Hadley, an eloquent letter, full of apt, and sincere as apt, expressions of affection for the recipient. A letter that, in spite of her pride of character, brought tears to her eyes. There were many others of all descriptions, from the rapid com- Tonplace epistle of a vain rattle-pate, to the sincere eloquence of an cainest heart; and all were evidences of Miss Restell's being a fa- vorite, and of her possessing attractions of no common order. But there was a last one that she had laid one side. It had been but lately received. This communication, being unrolled, disclosed nothing save a short copy of verses. She read them over and over again. She dwelt upon each word, unt it was impressed indelibly upon her memory. And when she finally placed them in their envelope, and commenced to bind be letters with a thread in the white packet, she repeated them to elf, thus: TO MARY I. Byron or Keats, or some great bard I've read,— A proper name I could remember never- But, certes, one of these has somewhere said "A thing of beauty is a joy forever!" And so it is-the frail flower may decay, Robbed of its glories by the autumn blast; Yet will its fragrance linger round our way, Though the strewn leaves upon the ground are cast, And the dear pleasant time of buds and bloom is past. II. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever!" This is a truth that no one will deny, Who, in his voyage down life's lonely river, Has chanced to meet thee, Mary, passing by, In very truth, I deem that it would be, In one to whom romantic thoughts belong, Enough to rouse his slumbering minstrelsy, THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 17 { 2 A And tune his harp to numbers wild and strong, Pouring his heart all forth into one glorious song! III. But no such gift as poets have, to me Was ever, by indulgent nature, given, Else I'd make known the love I bear for thee With a low song-sweet as a dream of heaven. My harp, long since, all broken and unstrung, Its melancholy numbers ceased to wake, Yet, from the willow bough where it has huug, Once more will I the rude thing dare to take, And try one simple song, fair Mary, for thy sake, SONG. I. When the noise of the crowd hath died away, And there cometh on the beautiful night, When stars are out in their bright array, And earth is robed in the soft moonlight- Then glorious memories steal o'er me, And then is the hour I think of thee. II. When stretcheth out long o'er the dewy ground The darksome shade of the old elm tree, And in the silence that reigns around, There seemeth such voiceless melody, Then memory flies, like a bird set free, And wanders away till it findeth thee! III. When the sun has set in the glowing west, Midst gorgeous clouds that around him throng- When the caroling bird hath sought its nest That played through the branches all day long- Then the twilight reverie comes to me, And then is the hour that I think of thee! IV. And thou, too, Mary, hast many an hour, In thy pleasant home by the blue lake's shore, When o'er thy thoughts steals the still strange power That recalleth the past and its scenes once more; But into my past thou canst not see, Nor guess at the secret that keeps me from thee. Miss Restell (her name was Mary), repeated the last couplet a number of times. "The secret that keeps him from me," she thought, what can it be?" Was it the secret of a life ill-spent? or a curse transmitted by some grim ancestor to his descendant? She asked herself many questions of this nature, but fruitlessly, of course. She could make nothing of it. It seemed impossible that one who wrote such pure and gentle poetry could be a vile or turbu- lent spirit; but she remembered that many of the sweetest bards had led lives of recklessness and evil. In the midst of her meditation she was interrupted by a band of frightened children, who came running toward her from some woody recess into which they had wandered. Oh, Miss Restell," whispered one of them, "there's a man over yonder fast asleep! Oh, he's an awful wild-looking man!" ་ THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. No, he isn't," interposed another of maturer years. handsomest young man I ever saw. Miss Restell rose and surveyed the thicket indicated. "He's the Pooh! children," she said. It is only a tired young man who has lain down beneath a shady tree to rest and fallen asleep. Who was it that Miss Restell had seen? She did not know his name. That he was a finely proportioned young gentleman, and lay asleep in the center of a thicket under an elm tree with a book opened in his hand and his cap covering his eyes; was dressed as an officer of the navy, and appeared to be asleep-was all she knew concern- ing him. He was still asleep, when, a few moments thereafter, the party left the mountain. He was still asleep as the sun was disappearing behind a barricade of mountains in the west. He was still asleep when Legs, gun in hand, on his way to the cave in which the dead man lay, discovered him. Why is it that the sleeping stranger should take such a hold on the imagination of Miss Restell? And why should she so firmly convince herself that he who had written the verses was the same who lay in the woods? Legs pursued his course without waking the stranger. He reached the wall; climbed Horse Block Rock; pushed back the tree, and entered the cave. But ancient eyes saw him, and an ancient mouth opened wide with astonishment at his proceedings. The eyes and the mouth to- gether with a head, trunk, and extremities, constituted the material portion of Legs' grandfather, Old Cusser, the grave-digger, who had been all day on the "Giant, Giant," after herbs. Of all times and seasons, this is the most awkward and dangerous time, Old Cusser, for you or any of your tribe inquisitorial to poke your venerable noses into yonder cave! CHAPTER VI. DISCOVERY. What, ho! Help! Hamlet. WHEN Legs entered the cave, he left its door-if door it could be called-open, intending to close it as soon as he had lighted the lan- tern that depended from the ceiling. He was so busily engaged in finding the matches, striking them, and firing the lamp-wick, that he did not hear the noise which a person made in raising his anatomy to the summit of Horse Block Rock. The lantern lighted, and duly swung from its rope, Legs turned to close the curiously contrived door of the cave. This was done by means of ropes and pullies, that brought the box with the tree in it, over the aperture. He seized the guiding rope, and was about to jerk it, when, to his horror and chagrin, he heard the voice of his grandfather hailing him! He immediately dived under the buffalo C دیگر THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 19 robe, and had scarcely time to get it over him, being on his hands and knees, before Old Cusser's face appeared at the aperture. His grandson cast an evil eye at him through a slit in the robe. To the eyes of Old Cusser, the robe covered a lounge or easy fur- niture of that sort. Hey, sonny!" cried the old man, thrusting one of his legs into the cave. "I've found you out, have 1? You've got a nice sum- Se- mer-house up here-haven't ye? Ingenuity of architecture! crecy and seclusion. Accommodations all superior! all superior! Lounges! Chairs! Lamps! Tables! Hey? Legs, come out of there! You can't fool your grandfather, and oughten to if you could. Hey, where are you?" Here the old gentleman discovered that on the extempore table, with a very suggestive piece of white linen about it, lay something He had no doubt but that having the outlines of the human form. it was Legs! .. Ah, ha!" chuckled the old fellow, advancing to the table. Here you are, eh? Oh, you young rascal!" > He poked at the figure with his cane! The lantern suspended over it cast a strong light upon it. It did not appear to move. You young rascal! Would you deceive your grandfather?" He poked the figure again. It did not resist. It only rolled over heavily, and fell to the floor. The old man in great surprise crossed over to the other side of the table, stooped, and laid back the cloth from the face of the figure. Great Heavens! 'Barton! Barton!" was his cry; "for God's sake have mercy on me!" He covered his face with both his hands in his fright, and stag- gered toward the door. He threatened to haunt me! He said he would haunt me! Oh, mercy! mercy! mercy!" He fell to the earth with a succession of yells. Curse his wensand!" said the grandfilial Legs from under the buffalo robe. The old man's screams were echoed beyond the cave. They flew from rock to rock down the mountain-side, and woke a sleeper in the woods. The sleeper bounded to his feet. Listened. Heard the cries re- peated. Ascended the steep mountain. Saw the open door of the Saw the pros- cave. Leaped on Horse Block Rock. Looked in. trate, fainting old man; and was seen by the unseen Legs. Leaped into the cave. Raised him in his arms. Fanned him with his hat. Finally, finding him to be something of a burden, concluded to lay him on the lounge which he supposed he saw in the corner, covered by a buffalo robe. As he was dragging-as tenderly as he could, but still dragging- Old Cusser for this purpose, he caught the eyes of Barton, wide and staring, fixed upon him from where he lay upon the floor. He in- stantly recognized the eyes of death-the stony eyes, once seen, never forgotten-and almost dropped his burden at the sight of them. Not so much was he influenced by that natural horror of the dead pervading all ranks as by the sudden conviction that dawned upon 20 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. his mind, that he had penetrated into a mystery--perhaps was about to tear away the cloud from murder! He intended to lay Old Cusser on the robe-covered lounge, when, to his surprise, it gradually sunk beneath his gaze, and a disagreea- ble face with a couple of ugly eyes in it, followed by a slowly lising pair of high shoulders, appeared from its folds. "how are you?" Well, stranger," said the imperturbable Legs, The stranger looked at him aghast for a moment. Then he laid the old man on the buffalo robe, and, with recovered coolness, sur- veyed Legs. Legs saw before him a tall, determined man, whose large brown eyes were fixed sternly upon him. Legs took a seat on the end of the table, from which the body had just fallen. He kept his eyelids half closed, and, through the narrow spaces between them, watched the stranger, with no small fear in reality, but without any apparently. He even took the dwarf pipe from his pocket, and, finding it half filled, lighted it. Then, in an argumentative tone, he delivered the following: "Now, stranger, I don't know who you be, nor I don't care. But your discovery of this 'ere refuge, and what's in it, will make it disa- greeable for myself and a friend of mine. The question is now, are you in the interest of the science, and the art of human nature, in its bodies seen, or ain't you?" The stranger said nothing. Oh!” continued Legs, “I see, you have an opinion which you keep to yourself; you see you've got into an awkward business in an awkward way, and you conclude to hold your tongue. Yes! Certainly, we can't complain of that!" The stranger still was silent. Therefore," continued Legs, "I will place the body onto this table." Legs suited the action to the words. That's right," he said, when he had duly laid out his ghastly burden. We will now go out, I will close the door of the cave and bid you good-by. The stranger so far had uttered not a word. Now, I'll put out the light," said Legs. You hadn't better," said the stranger. Why, I'm going home!" said Legs, his knees commencing to tremble. ** No, 1 don't think you will go home." Why?" asked Legs, savagely, his eyelids commencing to wink nervously of their own accord. Because I think you'll go somewhere else." Where?" Legs' eyelids suddenly opened on their full stretch, and his eye- balls seemed to roll out between them. To jail!" answered the stranger. Here the stranger drew a small navy revolver from his pocket and aimed it at Legs, at the same time commanding him to drop that!" Legs had seized a dissecting knife (the one with which the carti- lages are cut) from off the table, and threatened the stranger with it. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 21 A very insignificant weapon it was, but warranted to hack the hu- man flesh with which it came in contact in its small way. Legs dropped the knife-at the same time dropped all confidence of mien, and dropped upon his knees, where, to the surprise of all who knew him and heard of it afterward, he succeeded in dropping a miserable tear or two. But the stranger was inflexible, and bound Legs with the very rope that had raised Barton from his grave. Your seafaring men very seldom have sympathy for men of body- snatching dispositions. It was some time before Old Cusser thoroughly revived. When he did, he found himself in the open air, with the stranger bending over him. "Who are you?" asked the old man, confusedly, staring about him from the strange moss couch on which he lay. No matter," answered the stranger, that rock yonder?” Yes. who I am. Do you see "Can you find your way down this mountain to the village?" Can I find my way down Giant Mountain to Flax Village? Ha! ha! Certain! I've done it a thousand times!" "Then hasten to the village-come, rouse, man!-hasten to the village and tell them there is one by Horse Block Rock who needs assistance. A fearful deed has been discovered! One of the perpe- trators is now a prisoner. Do you understand?-a prisoner! Do you understand?-a prisoner. The old man staggered to his feet, and listened intently. Tell them that if they would have the dead rest in their graves, to hasten and help me bring my prisoner down yon dangerous de- scent, do you understand?" The dead will not rest in their graves!" cried the old man, smiting his forehead, and with a wild cry and uttering the name of Barton he darted away like a much younger nian, and in another moment was descending the mountain with great danger to his an- cient limbs and neck, As the stranger turned, a figure leaped from Horse Block Rock and attempted to follow the path pursued by the old man. It was Legs who had freed himself from the rope save where by a tight sailor's knot it surrounded his wrist. With all his desperate efforts he could not rid himself of this, and as the rope's other end was fastened to a tree, the stranger captured him again. 44 No more of this!" he said, in a stern voice. No!" said the panting and conquered Legs. I gin in!" "You are a cuss! The stranger took Legs' gun and fired. The report echoed down the mountain to the village. He waited a moment for a reply, but heard none. He fired again. Twice in close succession. No answer. Three times. Hark! Answering firing from the valley below. 22 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. The stranger fires once! The answer is one gun. Twice. The answer is two guns. Three times. The answer The answer is three guns. By this time it was very dark. The stranger drew together à quantity of brush and lighted it. Old Giant Mountain looks like a great cocked hat, with a flaming feather in it. The village of Flax is aroused and alarmed, and presently men are seen ascending the Giant by the light of their flaming torches. CHAPTER VII. He AND YET PRIDE LINGERED IN THE OLD MAN'S BREAST, DANIEL RESTELL's home was a beautiful cottage by the shores of a charming inland lake, in the midst of most desirable scenery. could catch the first glimpse of the sun in the morning, as it struck his east windows, and the last gorgeous tints of the evening from his west veranda. The house was small, neat, retired; remarkable for the whiteness of its paint, the greenness of its blinds, and the redness of its chimneys. It was surrounded by a carefully laid out plot of ground, divided into beds-whose earth was kept fresh-and with walks between them, covered with many-colored pebbles. In this garden bloomed many rare specimens of foreign and native flowers, for Daniel Restell had been a learned botanist in his time, and had taught the science in the schools. To care for his flowers and herbs occupied a great share of his time, and to talk of them was his great delight. When Miss Restell entered the garden, it was after sunset; the moon already shone in the western sky, and many stars were out. She saw by the dim light, as she approached, the old gentleman on his knees by the side of a garden bed. The bed was brilliant with yellow asphodels. He held one in his hand, and repeated to himself rapidly, as if by rote, a quantity of words-the text of some old school-book, perhaps-some botany, which long use had made familiar to him. Some scientific matter concerning the asphodelus-the most beautiful of all domestic flow- ers. He was muttering, just above his breath, the words "subter- raneoris,” “fasciculate," corraceous," which reached his daugh- ter's ear -early schooled to such terms-which are the mysteries of a noble science. He paused as he caught a glimpse of the approaching girl, and speedily regained his feet. Then he drew a handkerchief of fine material from his pocket, and dusted his knee carefully with it, after which he waved it in mock gallantry at the young lady. Welcome, child!" he said; you are in precise time.' turned a small, lady-like gold repeater to his vest pocket. been waiting for you impatiently for-stay, how pale you look!” It is nothing, my father," she answered. He re- "I have Sit down, pray, and let me bring you a glass of water. There! Now you are seated. Here is a glass on the window-sill and here a THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 23 spring as clear as that in which Narcissus looked. Narcissus,” said the old gentleman pausing with the unfilled glass in his hand- "wasn't he transtormed into a flower? Let me think! Yes; cer- tainly he was-the Narcissus Tayetta that's it!-but this don't quench your thirst, my child; forgive me for keeping you listening to my scientific rigmarole. " His daughter smiled. Then Daniel Restell, as politely as if he were a lover of thirty, presented his daughter with a glass of cool spring water that rose out of the arctic depths of the earth beneath the shade of a thorn- apple tree in the garden. He was a tall, thin, bent gentleman, with an activity unusual for his years, tempered by a dignified address, and possessing in his countenance something that commanded respect. His acquirements made his society very pleasant, and the report that he was rich in no way decreased the number of those who were happy to have him call on them, and to return the visit. On such occasions he was accompanied by his daughter, and, as he was a great lover of gay and pleasant society, much of her time was occupied in attending him. When his daughter finished drinking the water, he informed her that he had received a note of invitation from Lawyer Hadley, uncle to the student, desiring the presence of himself and daughter at a social gathering that evening in honor of the student's return. Miss Restell looked surprised, as well she might. Did the student know of the invitation? She could not believe he did. And he did not. Eugene Hadley would as soon have met Stephen Barton on the mountain, returned to life, as Miss Restell in his uncle's parlor! Well, my child," said the old gentleman, "shali I have the pleasure of your society at Mr. Hadley's this evening?" 44 It was on her lips to say "No;" but she reflected, like a dutiful daughter, how disappointed her father would be. Then, she asked herself why she should seclude herself from so- ciety because Eugene Hadley happened to make one of it? She could see no sensible reason for doing so. She had never given him cause to think she loved bim. She had twice rejected him. It was true that, when she saw how much agony he suffered when last re- fused, she had been touched, and, since that time, had felt for him differently-yes, even tenderly. But she was too proud to make overtures to him, even if her heart had changed sufficiently to allow her, and he was too proud to ask a third time, unencouraged-no! it was useless to think of that. It could never be. She could not avoid meeting him. She must be cold to him, when they met, if he should so appear toward her—at all events, her conduct must be governed by his. They might as well meet at once as later! Miss Restell, therefore, answered her father in terms that caused him to smile benignly on her. He immediately put on his dress- coat, ordered his small black boy to black his boots, and, in his slip- pers, vanished into the garden after a flower. He bent over the bed where the asphodels grew. The yellow beauties were favorites of his. "stars of his garden; taking a pair of sharp He called them the scissors from a box THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. at hand, he cut two, low down the stems, in such a manner that he might carry them by the stem in his hand. The asphodel! The asphodel!" he repeated. What does the asphodel mean in the flower language? I will think of thee beyond the grave. Ah! that is what the asphodel means. I'll give one to Mary; when I am in the spirit land-if it is true spirits come back among us, invisible as the wind-1 will come; yes, dear girl," said the romantic old gentleman rapidly, as he cut and clipped, "I will come-thinking of you, from beyond the grave!" As he stooped forward to pluck a stray leaf from the carefully tended plot, a paper packet fell from his pocket. It was sealed in red wax with his private seal; was bulky, and felt as letters feel that contain money. He hastily grasped it and returned it to his pocket. "Meanwhile," he repeated, as though the package had suggested the thought, "I must look out for poor Mary, while I'm in the world. The world thinks I'm rich." The old man took a quiet look at the sky, and, in a voice that was almost melancholy, said: "I wish 1 was.' Then, as if the wish bore a logical relation to another, added, or Mary married." CHAPTER VIII. THE ALARM-HIST! THEY COME!" LAWYER HADLEY lived in the heart of the village. His office was next door to his house. The odor of his law-books attracted your attention if you happened to be sitting in his back piazza-that gave one a view of his garden, with its hot-houses, its chaste Diana in wood, its iron sea nymph on its fountains, and its deers in bronze. He was a gay man himself by nature, but subdued by the re- spectability and accessory gravity deemed essential to members of his profession. He dressed very nicely; his mustache and side whiskers might have been the work of a sculptor, they were so tastily and exactly clipped. He was very attentive to the ladies, and wore around his neck a scarf with crimson plaids. In short, he re- sembled a metropolitan iawyer much more, both in his appearance and the taste displayed about house and grounds, than a mere coun- try brother. He evinced great fondness for his dead brother's son, Eugene Hadley, although the youth had inherited no fortune from either branch of his family, his father having died in the army, and his mother being, during her short life, a dependent on the bounty of his uncle. As the lawyer was childless and a widower, it was conjectured that Eugene would inherit his property. But surmises as to the dis- position of other people's estates often fail, when we make them in our own interest as well as when we sketch the pecuniary horoscope of others. Mr. Hadley, his nephew, fat Dr. Biggs, with whom Eugene was supposed to study medicine, Mr. Sims, retired grocer, Mr. Smalls, merchant tailor, Mr. Crisp, clergyman, Mrs. Biggs, Mrs. Sims, Mrs. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 25 Smalls, Mrs. Crisp, and Lucretia Belmont, of the young ladies' seminary, four miles distant, at the village of Starvemont, and others who failed to make themselves prominent in the social circle, and also in this tale, were present. They were all seated in the fitful glow of the new patent lamp with boa constrictor wound around it, the flame proceeding from his mouth, that had that day been palmed upon the confiding lawyer by a plausible peddler. The door opened and Miss Restell and her father were ushered in by the unfortunate menial who cleaned the lawyer's office out, raked the lawyer's fire, blacked the lawyer's boots, and called himself a man, but acknowledged a weak intellect. At the sight of Miss Restell, the student started in amazement. Lawyer Hadley advanced to meet them in such a manner that the flame from the boa's mouth brought his fine forehead into view. Daniel Restell, with the grace and polish of other days, bowed low to the assembled company, and took his seat by Mr. Crisp. "Been a fine day!" said Mr. Crisp to Mr. Restell. Oh, yes, sir-yes, sir!" said Mr. Restell. "For flowers!" said Mr. Crisp, with a smile. Mr. Restell immediately launched out into a disquisition upon his favorite subject. The ladies talked until words failed. Paused. Talked again. Paused. Recommenced talking. Burst into conversation as into a chorus-all together. Talked in quartets, triplets, couplets, solos. Silence. Silence broken by an adventurous spirit, with a bold re- mark, followed by an enthusiastic answer from five persons at once. Grand vocal burst--solos-duets-quartets-solemn pauses, and so forth. In the midst of these festivities the student felt some person near him touch him on the shoulder. He turned and discovered Daniel Restell standing beside him. The old gentleman with a smile bent over and said: Mr. Hadley, can I see you a moment?" Certainly, sir," said the student. They went together out on the piazza that ran along the front of the house and commanded a view of the village. It was with no small degree of wonder that the student saw the father of the lady who had rejected him about to become confiden- tial. What would the old gentleman say? Anything relative to Mary and himself? No, that could scarcely be. He had covertly watched the expres- sion in Miss Restell's face as her father and himself left the room, and it spoke of wonder-as his own did. day. I bear," said Mr. Restell, that you return to the city, Mon- "} I do," answered the student. Well, now, my dear young man, I desire to put you to some inconvenience on my account. Could you do a little business for me in the city? Could you, to be brief, take out a life assurance for me? The necessary examination has been made before an accredited agent of the company-to whom I have paid his commission; but, 26 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. my dear Mr. Hadley, as you are going direct to the city, I prefer to send the premium by you, so that I may be certain that it is actually in the hands of the company. me. > Most certainly, sir, you may command me. My dear young man, you don't know how much you oblige I wish you to take out a policy on my life-in my daughter's name, for that sum." He handed the student a piece of paper upon which were figures. The student expected, of course, to see some large amount set down. Say-the student guessed at the amount before looking- $10,000 or $20,000. That would be no great sum for a man of Mr. Restell's reputed wealth. The student was therefore surprised to see what the figures on the paper were. "What! Two thousand dollars?" he asked. Yes," answered Daniel Restell, nervously, bringing the white packet before mentioned from his pocket, "and here is the pre- mium." "Two thousand dollars," repeated the student; then added, in- voluntarily, "ls that all?” He immediately apologized, but preud old Daniel saw his mean- ing. He knew that he was reputed wealthy; till he died he meant to be considered so. This was the failing of his life. When he was dead-why, then-if Mary was provided with a little "-he thought she would need but little-all right! He hastened to say, therefore, while something of a flush mount- ed to his usually pallid brow: That it was only a small premium for an old servant of his father's family-his father had been wealthy-which he wished on his death to be paid to his daughter, who would pay it in turn to the old servant. Yet he knew that it was all his daughter would have to rely on. The student said he would take charge of it, and believed that he would, in all honesty, do with it as the old man desired. Alas! Out of the black thicket of want aud poverty how many step forth thieves and assassins, leaving the garment of their integrity behind them! The old and young man re-entered the room. Mr. Kestell, slightly discomposed, was challenged by the lawyer to a game of chess. The fat doctor and Mr. Small played a game of checkers, and if that son of science had deluged him in ether, opium, chloroform, and all the other narcotics of the "Materia Medica," it could not have been a drowsier game to Mr. Smalls than it was. Of a sudden somebody cried: Listen!"' What they heard was the firing of guns. A short time after, the front windows were illuminated as by a great conflagration. It was from a bonfire blazing on Giant Mount- ain. The guests crowded to the windows to watch this odd phenome- non. Some went into the street without their hats, and stared at the THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 27 * * 1 mountaiň, under the palms of their hands. higher. The fire is increasing. The bonfire blazes Somebody cried out that a torch was ascending the mountain. Another-another-another! A dozen flambeaus twinkle, rise and tall, go out, and are relighted on the side of the mountain. In the streets of the village wondering crowds are gathered. From out-of-the-way regions men ride into town, bare-backed and guiding their horses with halters, and anxious to know the meaning of the guns and the blaze. The torches are descending the mountain, and their bearers are divided into two bodies. One body of torch-bearers have in charge a person who gives them a great deal of trouble. The other body of torch-bearers have in charge a person wrapped in a buffalo robe, who gives them no trouble at all, The first is the prisoner, Legs. The second is the dead man, Stephen Barton. The student, Hadley, standing at a window in his uncle's house, hears a cry of wonder from the villagers who have remained below. They are telling of the resurrection. To this succeeds a cry of horror. They have uncovered the mutilated face of the subject. Wonder and horror are emotions which the student can smile at in the vulgar and non-professional. But a cry succeeds it-bursts from the great throat of the mob-at which he can but tremble. It is a cry of rage-a roar for vengeance, the burden of which is murder. He starts from his window, for he knows, by the sound, that the mob is approaching. Now they are in the square! Borne aloft on men's shoulders, his wild eyes staring in fright, and his great white teeth chattering, the student sees Legs bound hand and foot. As they near the lawyer's house the shouts increase. Men leave the ranks and hurry to it. The name of the student is muttered, and fiercely passes from one to another, and is caught up by lips in fiendish relish-is croaked backward and forward as birds of prey croak at one another in the sight of carrion. 44 Hang the student!" yells a rioter. Death to him!" echoes the mob. A hundred voices demand his life. Every now and then is heard the piteous voice of Legs begging for mercy; but he never denounces the student. It is Old Cusser's task to do that. With his shriveled arms flung above his head be fights his way through the mob to the vicinity of his grandson, and follows after him helplessly, beseechingly, threatening, weeping, denouncing the student, and exculpating his grandson. The main road coming from the south passes through Flax Vil- lage. In the center of the village a road strikes off to the east. A little south another road strikes off in the same direction, and these roads at the distance of a few miles are connected together by a cross-road-so that a square is formed. On this cross-road was built, by the eccentric father of Stephen Barton, the mansion in * ર 28 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. which the latter died. The reader will see it was immaterial which of the two east roads were taken to reach Mme. Barton's. For sufficient reasons, the party having the body in charge, sepa- rated from those carrying Legs, and proceeded up one of these roads while the other party were to take the one furthest toward the south. But before they do so, they surround the lawyer's house. A great number of them, however, flock to the tavern and demand liquor. Billy, the host, looks more troubled than ever in the glare of the tin reflector. The quarter moon is held in clouds. The white houses of the vil- lage are illuminated by the red glare of torches. Those who drink in the tavern are becoming boisterous; wild oaths are sworn; knives are drawn. Hark! above the noise of the drunken song, a pistol- shot is heard; and a fierce struggle commences in the narrow bar- room. The lights go out to the sound of shivering glass. A bloody man is brought into the street and laid by the roadside. Listen to the roars of laughter! A cask of liquor is in the hands of the mob. Listen again: a man is addressing them from the tavern stoop. He is the ugly village blacksmith, and he bears above his head the emblem of his trade. What does he say? He says: "Let a vigilance committee be formed." With their veins and arteries running brandy in the place of blood, the mad mob echo him. The vigilance committee is formed. Small hope for Legs-and what hope for the student? The fat doctor receives a violent injury over his stomach in en- deavoring to take the place of a door in the lawyer's house against the approaching mob. The rest of the male guests, excepting the student, are marshaled behind him. The females are gathered upon the back stoop, ready for instant flight. Of a sudden, a man with a torch leaps in among them. He grasps Miss Restell by the wrist, and demands of her: "Where's Hadley?" Which Hadley?" asked the girl, firmly. "The young one, you jade!--the medical student. I do not know," she answers, courageously. If we find him," swears the man, staggering from her, we'll string 'im zo 'igh ze buzzards can't fly to 'im, ye jade!" The rioters pour in at the front door and at the back: climb in the windows and up the posts of the stoop, and pry off the iron bars of the windows in the cellar. 'Help! help!" It is the cry of those around one drunken ruffian-too drunk to cry himself-who has stumbled through the opening, and is drowned in the cistern. Catch him!" is the shout of another party, standing with open arms by the stoop side, while down its roof is slipping and sliding a helpless brute, intoxicated. Where is the student? When he first heard that terrible cry of vengeance, he was startled; but, when his own name burst upon his ears, he did not try to es- THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 29 cape. On the contrary, he felt in his pocket and drew forth a pair of pistols. He then coolly loaded them. It is evident that the com- bative head of the student will lead him into danger. Unconsciously he is the admiration of a pair of eyes. The owner hears his name echoed and re-echoed by the mob-knows he is in danger. He feels himself touched upon the arm. He thought him- self alone in the deserted room. He turns, and discovers Miss Restell. In a clear voice she speaks to him: "I admire your courage," she says; "but you are rash. While there is a chance to save your life, save it!" He looks into her eyes with surprise. The admiration she can not conceal sparkles in them. He understands it. Bowing over her hand, he repeats, in a low tone: "At your command I will make the effort. ' He even imprints a salute on the outstretched hand. In her ex- citement she either does not notice it-or she does. makes no remonstrance. She, however, The student bounds from the room, springs from a lower window, and commences a race for life. And never had life looked so bright to him as now it did, with the smiles of Miss Restell illuminating it! CHAPTER 1X. COMMENCEMENT OF A FLIGHT. "On!on! There's danger in delay! To be pursued by a shark in the water, or a lion in the forest, is preferable to being hunted by human beings. The lion and the shark only satisfy a natural instinct to relieve a want. A mob is ar unnatural creature with unnatural passions, artificially inflamed by brain-weakening stimulants, and determined on vengeance and mui der. The student ran for his life. He passed from his uncle's garden into a lane that led between two fields of oats, to the southerly branch of the square already spoken of. It was his intention to make for the hills that lay within sight of his home, and which were the boundaries of another State. If he should be cut off from reaching there he still had another resource. What this the reader will shortly learn. The entrance to the lane was closed by a high patent gate that slipped back on the pulling of a rope. The student had seized this rope, when, behind a log that lay by the roadside, he spied a man lying prone on his face. > His first impression was that the man was on the watch for him. So he bounded forward, and seized him by the throat. The man, who appeared stunned and faint, gasped under this vigorous treatment, and revived. The lawyer's house was by this time surrounded by torches; and the student felt that he could linger no longer. 30 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. The man was very old, and sat helplessly on the log, supported by the student, and his weak old eyes fixed with a helpless stare upon him. 44 He said he would haunt," said the old man, with trembling head and chin-" he said he would-he- The man's eyes, still scanning the student, suddenly lost their stupidity-the effect of a nervous shock-and brightened. He leaped from the log with the strength of thirty, and grasped the student. 'Help! help! help!" he screamed. 'Here he is! Here is the body-snatcher. Here is the man that led my boy astray! Help! help! help!" > There was an answering cry from some of the mob. Men, carry- ing torches, leaped the fence in that direction. Still the old man clung to the student, notwithstanding all his efforts to disengage him-about one leg; about another; to his arms; about his neck; by the very hem of his garment. As quickly as he was disengaged from one, he grasped another. There was no help for it; the student struck him to the ground- and Cusser, the grave-digger, never dug graves more! Then Hadley fled up the lane. At the end of the lane was a school-house, newly built, and lack- ing a window. Through the aperture thus left, the student entered. Down the lane poured the mob, with Legs in charge. Finally they reached the school-house. The student gave himself up as lost! He could hear the foremost men proposing to search it; when sud- denly a yell burst from their midst and on they went; the student Tocked through a chink in the wall after them. Just in sight, scal- ng the summit of an adjacent hill, he saw the figure of one who seemed striving to escape pursuit. CHAPTER X. OLD DAVID * So far, in the course of our story, we have not ventured beyond the limits of a little village: but the time has at length come when we must visit one of those embodiments of many villages, a city. It will be seen, before the close of our story, that we are in the right, in refusing to mention the name of this city, with which our future story will have much to do. In unveiling the Dead Man's Secret, it will often be necessary to speak of persons occupying positions of such a singular-by this I mean uncommon-nature, that, if the place in which they lived were mentioned, they would, assuredly, be easily designated, and perhaps rendered uncomfortable by igno rant and malicious individuals; which is not the purpose of the his- torian. For convenience, however, we will rechristen the city of which we speak, and call it Seaburgh.' Every city has its dark and dangerous places; and these, in almost every instance, have been described by novelists. Dickens has treated us to London and Paris poor-houses, by which lote THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 31 Vic- I mean houses occupied by the poor, for which they pay rent. tor Hugo and Eugene Sue have assisted him in the Parisian metropo- lis, and Bulwer and Ainsworth in the great British emporium, and perhaps all these authors have made mention of the poor and wicked classed together by fools-but, alas! not always separate, of Sea- burgh. It was a back street of Seaburgh, full of dirty, squalling children, who rolled in the gutters, were profane before their time, and ate bread and molasses from muddy fingers. This street was lined with yellow brick houses-from which, however, the yellowness was worn; and each house possessed a high stoop, the balusters and many of the boards of which had made somebody's fire years ago. In the midst of the tall, ragged houses was one, also of yellow brick, only one story high, but so long that it reached to a street be- hind, and so thin that it admitted of only two small windows, be- tween which was a door with a dusky porch, the pillars of which were covered with a penknife initials of youths and maidens, and various strange devices by native artists; and from one of them swung a sign, on each side of which was delineated an ancient mar digging for roots, over whose head was inscribed, in blue letters: "J. DAVID-HERBIST. ALSO ROOTS.” Also Roots" seemed to have been added by another hand than the painter's, and of a less skillful one: perhaps the hand of “J. David" himself. Most wonderful to relate of any house in this street-" Strange Street" by name-this lengthy building was occupied but by one an, as far as any of the neighbors knew, and J. David was his ame. .. He was called Old David," and the " Herb Man.' Old David stood in his porch, inhaling the midnight air, which in that locality was always suggestive of the boiled cabbages of the ast and the decomposed codfish of the present. Old David was a tall, bent nian, with a great bald head; great yes, with a peculiarity about them presently to be described; great quare chin; and immense black eyelashes, contrasting with the almost invisible gray threads that depended from his skull. It never seemed as if his eyes were looking at you. They had a most demoniacal crookedness about them. If you looked in through the door in which he was standing, you would perceive a very small hall, or room, with three doors in it, besides the one opening on the street. The doors on either side led to small rooms, which were full of mummy-like herbs-so old and dried and musty they were-and the door at the back entered upon regions yet to be explored by the reader. The neighbors about said that the idea of Old David's supporting himself by the herb business was absurd. He had no customers. How he did earn his bread, no one knew; but everybody shook his head sagely, and said that it " wasn't by sage and such herbs." No! no! nor yet by roots!" 32 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Old David was, in fact, a man of mysteries. First, how he lived was a mystery. The gossips could not rest; they were so aggravated because they couldn't find out. Second, why he nightly carried a huge piece of raw beef through the lonely halls of his establishment was a mystery. The daring burglars, who slipped down his chimney one night, and peeped through a hole in it, and came several nights to peep through the same hole, but were unable to force the iron chimney board, could not answer the second. Third, who sung in it peculiar songs, on certain nights, puzzled the next door. And, lastly, why his expressman always came to Old David in the night with packages and for packages, and never in the day— completely floored the whole neighborhood. Od David didn't answer them-not he. He defied them all with his crooked eyes. He took the air at midnight. He took the air at midnight. He spat, in stray cats' eyes, tobacco-juice. He insulted Snarleyows in the same way. In short, he did as he had a mind to, and pretended to carry on the herb business. As Old David stood in his door on the night in which we intro- duce him to the reader-on the watch, as usual, for stray cats-he became aware of some one breathing behind him. Looking around, he discovered a figure in a gray cloak, with a cape to it, about to touch him on the shoulder. The face of this figure was a peculiar one. It was grim and im- movable, with an unearthly solemnity about it. It needed more than a single look to assure one that it was not of pasteboard. The figure moved without sound; its feet were covered by slippers of sheepskin, the wool, closely clipped, remaining upon the sole and heel. Another figure joined the first, also masked, and moving without sound. David followed the two through the door at the back of the hall, into the room upon which it opened. This room was entirely bare, but strangely illuminated by a large number of red lanterns lighted and depending from a beam that crossed its center. The first figure raised a whistle to his lips and sounded it. A panel in the wall immediately opened noiselessly, and a score of fig- ures, all in gray, all masked, entered silently. "Lead the way!" ordered the first figure, sententiously. David took one of the red lanterns from the beam, which, for some Each of the silent reason, was placed not five feet from the floor. figures took one also, and, bending as he passed beneath the beam, followed Old David, as, opening a door on the floor, he descended, the crimson halos fading gradually from the room as they left it one by one. But we will not follow them. It was nearly one in the morning ere they returned from their underground excursion. Each blew out his lantern and hung it on its peg-then passed in single file through the aperturn in the wall which the panel was made to hide. This aperture opened upon a long passage hung with fold after fold-fold after fold-of black THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 33 གྲྭ་ serge, which the strange procession were obliged to push past, and in which they seemed to fade as the traveler disappears in the dark- ness from the eyes of the friends left behind. The lantern of Old David, which he held above his head, alone illuminated their exit. * The final masker closed the panel, and Old David, dropping his light, made a most singular grimace after them; perhaps he ex- pressed in this manner the blessings which he wished might befall them. Oh, oh" he said; they thinks I don't know none of them, eh? Ha! ha! my h'eyes may be crooked-so's corkscrews! My h'eyes may be crooked, but I know you all! Ah! every mother's son, my darlings!" Presently, as if from far off, there broke upon the old herbist's ears the smothered sound of solemn music and singing. ८ : C I wish they'd do away with that," he muttered. Hallo!" cried a voice from without, It's the expressman?" said Old David. It is," answered the expressman. Many packages?" inquired Old David. hallo! hallo!" A bag of potatoes," answered the other, entering with a-well, a bag of potatoes over his shoulder. Hey!" cried the expressman, who was a short man, with a face 30 peculiarly affected by a rebellious set of muscles that the corner of his eye was just over where his cheek ought to have been, Hey! I smell wicks!" 66 $6 16 Do you?" said David, coolly. Listen! I hear music, and-hymning." It's them!" said Old David, Who? The Knights-" Of the Golden Spade," concluded Old David, twitching his bald head sagaciously to one side. The expressman looked at the herbist, and the herbist looked at the expressman. They both looked at the-the bag of potatoes. And who were the Knights of the Golden Spade? and what kind of potatoes were those in the bag-were they Carters, or Jacksons, or pink-eyes, or sweet Carolinas? Perhaps they were human bodies who knows? The room which held the Knights held one mystery, and the hum- ble bag held another mystery-—of a profession. CHAPTER XI. THE STUDENT STILL IN HIDING. "And still the concourse loudly cry, Hang him quick, and hang him high !" THE quarter moon was completely overshadowed by clouds, and from them drops of rain were falling, harbingers of the coming storm. The student was still in the school-house, conjecturing he was safer there than on the roads and fields. 2 34 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Not content with a hiding-place beneath a form, he had climbed into the belfry, and, in a narrow and contracted nook above the bell, on which he found it only possible to remain by cramping his knees as he sat, he concealed himself. It was a most uncomfortable position, and he was in momentary danger of losing his balance. In order to obviate this he drew up the rope attached to the bell and wound it around him, fastening its end to a small beam above him. It was his intention to remain there until morning, and then, be- fore the sun had risen, and while the roads were cleared of travelers and rioters by the storm he knew was approaching, he would try to escape. He thought of many things while clinging to his hiding-place. He thought of the probability the populace would never allow him to return with impunity to his native village; he even imagined the anger and abhorrence with which his uncle would regard him; and the possibility of his disinheriting him; he thought, too, of Miss Restell, and rejoiced in his heart to believe that she would entertain nothing in her thoughts prejudicial to him. He never once reproached himself with what he had done, how- ever. Above all these thoughts, natural to one in his position, was the feeling of anxiety, and even horror with which his situation filled him. Speedy discovery and instant death might be his fate at any mo ment; suddenly he heard voices, and three men following in the wake of the rioters stopped in front of the school-house. Don't unravel, Johnny!" said one. Oh, don't bother!" said another. "Can't you tie a knot?" querulously demanded a third. The student shuddered, for he heard only enough to convince him that the triad were preparing the rope that was to hang Legs. Your hands tremble, John," said the first speaker, who wore & peaked hat. Not from fright," answered the second, whose hair was as red as a summer's sunset. # It's from fear," jeered the first man. 'No, it ain't from fear. The red-haired man, busy at the rope, drew a knife from his pocket, and essayed to cut it. Pish!" he said; there goes the last blade. It snapped like glass. With that he threw the knife-handle into the air in disdain. It passed over the school-house and fell on the other side. In its pas- sage it traversed the space between the posts of the belfry. The student, not knowing what it was, started back. In essaying to re- gain his balance, he plunged forward. The rope wound around the beam gave way. The student only saved himself by grasping an iron projection with his hand. His whole weight was on his arm, and the bell-rope, wound about his body, was greatly in his way; his hand slipped more and more. Give me your knife," said the red-haired man, addressing the peaked hat. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 35 "Here it is," said peaked hat. "Hush!" screamed the big-nosed man. The student had fallen, and the bell rung. The three men rushed into the school-house. They looked in every corner; they ascended to the belfry and examined that. They were so interested in the search-that is, the red-haired man was, being the bravest; and the peaked hat was, being the vainest; and the big nose wasn't, being nervous-that they forgot the rest of the party were waiting for the rope that was to hang Legs. They hunted, and hunted, and they found-not the student; for the fact is, the student was sufficiently strategic to escape them all. How he did, will be detailed hereafter. CHAPTER XII. LEGS HANGED. Hang, cur! Hang! The Tempest. ATT THE party who bore Legs, placed him, bound and helpless, under an old tree by the roadside. Two men watched over him with axes in their hands, ready to strike him dead, if necessary. Forming a semi-circle about the prisoner, stood those with torches; behind them, filling the dusty road, were the mere spectators. The solemnity of the business seemed to impress them all. Legs could see about him the pale and angry crowd. Overhead, he saw the clouds rolling in the sky, like ships on an angry ocean, with here and there traces of the presence of the feeble moon, silver- ing their edges. Around him, on either side, were the tall trees of the forest, through which the road ran; and their mighty limbs swaying in the rising wind, filled his soul with dread-they seemed like the outstretched arms of spirits, waiting in the gloom, to clasp his soul. He could not even call for help-which he knew could never reach him-for his mouth was closely gagged. Oh, for a breath again: for control of his voice once more! This suffocating before the suffocation was most awful: this silence before the silence was unbearable. They waited for the rope which the three men spoken of in the last chapter had been sent to bring. The smoke of the torches gave rise to such stifling fumes that it had the appearance of a sacrificial ceremony; the stone upon which Legs was made to sit, was like an altar-bimself the victim. One of the two men with axes cried to a torchman: 44 " Say! what keeps them so long with the rope?” Can't tell," answered the torchman; and then, as if to cheer his spirits, remarked, "perhaps they are making it.' At this the crowd laughed. A joke is always appreciated on oc- casions such as this. In France they joked about the guillotine- not to go further back, to the time when they joked about the cross! They were going to murder Legs, and yet could enjoy a joke! I have heard jokes on the cholera and the smallpox; on dead men, women and infants; on all that is good and all that is great; on 36 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. purity as well as vice; on sisters, on mothers; on the Bible, on heaven, on God Himself. There is nothing too sacred for the material and obscene joker, whose heart is as rotten as his wit is pointless, or, if it have a point, is as the point of the surgeon's knife, dipped in the exudation o some foul disease. The rope did not come, because the men did not come; and the reader knows why they lingered. Impatient of waiting, a man seized an old shawl from a comrade's back, and handed it to an ax-man. He dropped his weapon, and, with his comrades' assistance, tore it into strips, and tied them te- gether into a kind of halter amid the cheers of the mob. It was quickly tied about Legs' neck. Everybody commenced pressing forward for a closer view, with wild yells. The hangmar had scarcely room to work. Finally the rope was placed over the limb of the tree. The limb was so low, that a man might touch it with the top of his head, standing on the ground. Legs' limbs were, therefore. doubled and securely bound, so that when he was drawn up hic knees would be but a few feet from the ground. The yells ir- creased, until they became a perfect Babel of mad cries and impre cations. The end of the rope was in the hangman's hand. A dozeL hands instantly seized it, and the gagged and helpless Legs wi drawn up. The gag slipped from his mouth. Something escaped him, sounding like "Mercy! mercy!" but the tightening rope choked him silent at once. Through interstices of the wood, lights were seen gleaming along the road that bounded one side of what we have described as th square. >> Legs was scarcely raised from the earth than his executioners dis- cerned these lights gleaming in the distance like fire-flies, and know them to be carried by the party having in charge the dead body. In a moment the space about the tree was cleared, and Legs was left alone, while the self-appointed administrators of justice rushed down the road, in a body, in the direction of the Barton mansion. The night, by this time, had grown so dark that, when the torches were withdrawn, Legs' body, hanging there, could not be seen. During the two minutes that elapsed after the departure of the rioters, a person, standing alone in the darkness, would have de- clared the spot deserted. But the impenetrable mask of night is a mask of secrecy, and ti tle we know what is behind it. If the light of day had suddenly dissipated the darkness, wbar would have been disclosed transpiring about that wretched being who had apparently met his death? Were good or evil spirits wait ing for his soul? At the expiration of two minutes the silence is broken, and two persons grope along that portion of the road. Daniel Restell and his daughter! Yes, the old man had followed cautiously in the wake of the mob, thinking, in that hour when reckless murder was To be able abroad, that this was his safest way to reach his home. to know where the mob was, was to be able to keep out of its way When, by a bend of the road, just before they reached the gai THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 37 lows tree, they lost sight of the torches, it was with difficulty they proceeded. They advanced very slowly-Daniel Restell constantly encourag- ing his daughter. They could not see the object depending so near them. It was only when Miss Restell, advancing her hand, felt the face of a man that swung away from beneath her touch that she became aware of its proximity, and, uttering a cry of horror, fainted outright. Old Daniel Restell, in agony, knelt above her. He was the more startled and terrified because he did not know at what she had fainted. At that moment the man with the red hair, the peaked hat, and the nervous man leaped the fence. disclosed to Restell the suspended Legs. one with the Their torches They were discussing the subject of the arch-fiend, who, they said, had duped them in the school-house. 1 say, I'd swear it was the Old Nick!" said one. "Who else would ring the bell?" asked the other. Man or devil," said the first," he gave us the slip nicely. Why, it wasn't a second after the bell rang before we forced the door and entered; and, though we looked in every nook and corner a dozen times, and hunted the wood on both sides, not a trace was to be seen of anybody. And what makes me more think it wasn't a human being," said the nervous man, "is what the person that was taken sick and left the party said to us as we came out of the village-' They have just seen the student,' he says, 'running over the hill, north of the school-house, and are after him.' Pretty soon another came straggling past, and we asked him: "Have they caught the student?' and he said: No; they have lost sight of him.' "Now, my opinion is that the same creature--man or otherwise -who led them a wild-goose chase over that hill, also rang the bell.' Mysterious all around," said the peaked hat. However," the red-haired said, with a sigh of relief," the body- snatcher must be hung by this time." 66 Tell the truth," said the peaked hat, "you didn't want to kill him.' Well, I didn't," said the red-haired. "I didn't so much care about the rascal's being hung, but, darn it, I didn't want to see it done." During this conversation, unseen by the three, Daniel Restell has managed to convey his unconscious child to a place of safety, be- hind a clump of bushes across the road. Suddenly one of the three cried: What is that?” A shudder passed over all as they discovered Legs. At this moment a dark figure darted across the road. They recognized the student. The various unaccountable phenomena which had been presented for their investigation that night, and the sudden discovery of the hanging figure, operated so upon their nerves that for a moment they stood dumfounded. But the red- haired man, who was really bold, roused them to the pursuit. 38 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. The speaker had started off valiantly in the wake of the leader. But the nervous man, stumbling over a stone, fell headlong into a clump of bushes, and also into the arms of a man, no other than Daniel Restell. The old gentleman proved himself a lion in war, and grappled with his frightened antagonist, throwing him heavily to the ground and choking him. "Hey, Charlie!" cried the peaked hat, pausing as he saw the tor of the nervous man suddenly disappear, where are you?" The tight grip of the old man's fingers prevented his victim frow making any reply. Charlie! Charlie!" again called the peaked hat, in which cry he was joined by the red-haired. By a sudden effort Charlie released himself, and darted to bis feet. "Help! help!" he cried, screaming violently, and striking is A dozen of bode. fists right and left-but keeping his eyes shut. snatchers are murdering me. Help! help! help!" Up came the two with their torches, pale as death; each was fortified by a stout piece of fence rail. Daniel Restell had also armed himself with a thick bludgeon from the roadside, dropped probably by the rioters. Both partes wished the other miles away. In their blind fright, not recognizing Restell, nor seeing his daughter, who lay still insensible by the roadside-they threw their torches from them, and with uplifted clubs would have precipitated themselves upon the solitary old man, if they had not at the same moment seen their companion, the nervous man, tossed in the a, and felt both their clubs knocked out of their hands. Τι Would ye shiver the timbers of an old ironsides like that? demanded a voice, seizing a torch and pushing it in their faces. Pardon me, sir. 18 Come here, Will!" said another voice. this your daughter?” It is sir," answered Mr. Restell, who was panting after late ertions. And you have the deep thanks of both her and myselt, sir, for the service you have rendered us this night against these men." The red haired scratched his head; the peaked hat set his hat more to one side, and the nervous man's eyes threatened to occupy the entire surface of his face-but the three remained discreetly silent. In the anxiety of the moment, the old gentleman did not forget to furnish his preserver with his card, adding: " My name is Daniel Restell.” Miss Restell, reviving, heard the bold-hearted tones of Willin the sailor, and opening her eyes, she saw about her the memorable features of the sleeper in the wood -the captain, the poet! Juis The student, finding himself discovered, ran for his life. But to As soon as he his surprise, was pursued but a short distance. could, with safety, he bounded over the fence into the woods. loot came in contact with a soft and yielding eminence, and he was made aware of the fact that he had stepped upon the stomach of Dr. Bigg, who was lying upon his back. } F THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET 39 Oh, mercy! mercy! mercy!" said the fat old fellow, rising to his knees and clasping his hands. "This is the second time this awful night I've had a punch in the same place, enough to give me the convulsions! Oh, Lord!" The appearance of the Esculapian was most extraordinary. His hair rose upon his head. His eyes rolled, and he was divested of his coat, pants, and boots. Why, what brought you here, doctor?" asked the student. Oh, fright! fright! They thought I was a body-snatcher; I had to run for my life! But bless my heart, you're not Satan him- geli, are you?" Why, no, I'm your student, Hadley-as anxious to escape pur- suit as you are. £4 Oh! I thought so-thank the Lord. But the devil was with me, not five minutes ago!" "Did he take your clothes?" exclaimed the student, as his hand touched the doctor, for he could see nothing on account of the darkness. 26 While 1 was By my honor, he did," answered the doctor. lying snugly hid over yonder, just as the mob finished hanging poor Legs-what should 1 hear, but a gruff voice demanding: Who is there?' 'It's me,' said I. 'Well,' said the voice, '1 am Satan; off with your breeches, your coat, and your boots, and throw them to your right.' I couldn't but do it, and, as I'm a sinner, I heard the keys rattle in my pocket as the devil put them on.” And so you were the man the crowd chased over the hill, by the school-house, were you?" "I was," said the fat doctor, "but now I think of it--if I am caught here with you, they'll think I'm a body-snatcher certain! oh, run away-run away-do run away, good young man!" 1 must run, sure enough," said the student to himself, to reach my destination before the rioters. Who would take the doctor's cloth & from him? It's strange!" And thinking thus to himself he bounded across the fields toward the residence of Madam Barton. All that we have described in this chapter occupied, in the per- formance, a very short time indeed. CHAPTER XIII. THE SECRET SAVES A LIFE. Within the records of thy life I've found a mystery Shall save my own. ANON. MRS. BARTON sat alone in the room in which her husband had died. It was connected with the house by a long gallery, and was very solitary. It suited, however, its present owner's disposition. It will be surmised that no deep feeling of regret or sorrow rent her heart for hat husband, while thus by herself brooding over the past. Yet once, in the long ago, she had worshiped Stephen Barton! f * THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 40 * She was a woman of impulse-capable of great passions, of stu- pendous sacrifices. She, the impassive woman of the church-yard! To know her history, and to know how proud she was, was to know how she rejoiced in his death. Before the final chapter of this tale is reached the enigma of the last sentence will be solved. She bore within her heart the remains of a dead love, but she was also filled (this to her credit) with a love that was as full of life, and as fervent as the old-she loved her children! It was for their sakes as much as for herself that she had let the drunkard die, rather than call assistance-who, possessing ears, might be listeners as well as nurses! No, that secret known, the world would darken to her and hers! for the sins of the parents descend to the children. She stood like the angel with the flaming sword, to guard their Eden, and let the hissing serpent die! It was nearly midnight, and yet she sat alone in the deserted room. She was a tall, dark woman, with a wealth of raven hair, with eyes slumberous in repose, but flashing with the lightning of . the soul when aroused. Her walk in calm moments was dignified and slow. Excitement made her step as stealthy as the tiger's, and she betrayed a graceful- ness in her movements as wild as unusual. Sitting alone in her room, the expression in her eyes was that of a dreamer. They seemed to be gazing upon scenes of shadowy frailty wrapped in the haze mists of some Eastern narcotic. The substance of her blood might have been drenched in laudanum; the sleepy hasheesh had couched in her brain! All energy had fled. One might imagine her a lioness, sleeping amid poppies-a lotus- eater in that mysterious land which seemeth always afternoon. So was the dark woman in her listlessness. Little do we know how near us is our good or evil! What tired, panting being leans against the lattice-work that shades the long piazza surrounding the Barton mansion? It is the student. Of all the refugees why should he choose the dead man's home? He was flying for his life because he had dared disturb the sanctity of the dead man's grave-but flying into the trap-web and willingly. The wing in which Mrs. Barton is, is surrounded by a veranda, which, in fact, encircles the entire house. At intervals, along the veranda, is lattice-work, up which flowers creep even to the roof. Looking from the front windows of her room, Mrs. Barton can see the road; looking from the back windows, she can see the cleared fields of her estate. There is heard, by those in the Barton mansion, this night, a dull sound, like the distant roaring of a turbulent river-constantly in- creasing in strength and clearness. At length the indistinct sound divides into distinct sounds, and then into cries, and shouts, and yells. Lights flash into the rooms of the startled servants. Windows are raised, and frightened heads appear at them. Each seems like THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 41 the cover of a Jack-in-a-box, and flies open but to disclose a head and half a body. Mrs. Barton is the only one in the house who remains unconscious of the approaching rioters. The student has fled to the back of the house, and climbed to the roof of the veranda. As the mob approach the mansion, they gradually become less noisy. When the bearers enter the yard, a profound quiet reigns Over all. They set the body down in the front yard, and one takes the robe from the corpse's face, uttering an exclamation, to see how little changed it is. They have examined the body, and find that it is but slightly mutilated. A little cut here-a little cut there-the sole of the left foot completely gone. Several, with torches, draw near, and get as much light on his face as they can. The blinds of Mrs. Barton's window are thrown back, and she gazes out in surprise. No violent emotion-no shrieking-no fainting-nothing, in that calm unimpassioned face, to betray how startled she must be, to behold illuminated by the glaring torches, the ghastly countenance of her dead husband! " Missus-" the diffident, but excited blacksmith begins. Sirs!" she interrupted in composed tones, what means this? Has the grave given up its dead?" They are all surprised by the manner of the woman. Missus!" recommenced the blacksmith, he was resurrected by them as 'ill git their desarts yit-as one of 'em has this very night. We ain't nothin' to do with it, missus. It was them body-snatchers!'' Body-snatchers!" she repeated to herself. "Hang them! Take them out of the world!" The rioters looked at each other in increased wonder; and one asked another whether she was asleep or mad. to the library." Take it," she ordered in clear, firm tones, The carpenter, not knowing where the library was, stepped on the front piazza. Stay," said Mrs. Barton. "On the other side of the house, if you please. Body-snatchers bring my husband back to me-do they? Murder them! Hang them!" แ She closed the blinds of the window at which she stood. As she did so a child's voice rang out on the night air. Papa!" it said. Another echoed it--a girl's voice, this time. Papa! papa!" It was the two children of the dead man welcom- ing him. 66 My children," said the mother, with a quiet, drowsy smile. They know their father. He is helpless now, and can not huit them!" She opened the window again, and asked them who had resur- rected him. 64 The chief un, ma'am," said the blacksmith, Hadley. was the student, By this time they had raised the corpse and were carrying it to the back of the house. The heads that were at the front windows 42 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. hastened to the back. The lights were beginning to illuminate that portion. The student, Hadley!" repeated the lady to herself. the student, Hadley!" "Murder At that moment the shutters of one of the back windows were forcibly opened, and through it the student, Hadley, entered, and stood face to face with Mrs. Barton! She looked at him as he drew the blinds fast behind him, so as to make as little noise as possible-as if he were a creature of air- immaterial! She did not move to resist him. She did not attempt to scream. She only shook her head doubtingly, passed her hand over her forehead, as if to drive some haunting thought away, and muttered: It works powerfully to-night!" The student advanced hurriedly toward her, and grasped her by the hand. "Mrs. Barton," he said, "you have been my friend! Be one now! I know I can not demand your friendship after what I- listen! do you hear the angry mob? Save my life!" She looked at him absently. He looked at her with increasing wonder. "Are you the student, Hadley?" she asked. "Don't you know me?" he cried. What, ho! She advanced toward one of the windows to open it. Yes, I know you," she answered; and then cried: Here is the student, Hadley! Tear him limb from limb!" The apathy with which she uttered these terrible words were fear- ful. The student seized her; cursed her for a witch; and muffled her mouth with his hand. What, ho!" she inarticulately repeats; "Hadley-tear him— limb from limb!" Suddenly Hadley released her, drew something from his pocket, seized the waxen-candle from its table, and held it so that its light fell on what he held. She saw before her a piece of wrinkled flesh, and could not help reading what was written thereon in characters of blue. As she read her strange apathy seemed to leave her, as the drowsy sun gives way to the flashing stars; and with wild and staring eyes, she pleaded: Mercy! for the love of God, mercy!" hide me." She looked Show mercy, then!" cried the student; "hide me.' about wildly. The closet! Quick! The closet!" She still seemed like one under the shadow of the wing of sleep. He hastened toward the closet; but she stopped him, and asked: 44 Where did you find it?" He looked at her keenly as if to read her thoughts, as he answered, deliberately: On the sole of your dead husband's foot, madam!" Not as one overcome with emotion-passion, fatigue-did Mrs. Barton sink into her chair, and lay her head low on the table. No, THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 43 it was rather the action of one overcome by the hand of the mag- netizer, or by deep sleep. All the muscles were relaxed; she seemed not the victim of a great struggle, but of a great calm. A little round box rolled from her hand upon the floor. The student, stepping from his closet, tested its contents, with his tongue. Ha, ha! madam," he said, with a severe laugh; you partake of the devil's drug, 1 see! Tear Hadley limb from limb, eh? You'll never say that again, madam, as long as Hadley has in his posses- sion what you would give worlds to get!" Meanwhile they had carried the body into the library, and safely stowed it there. When we left the student, in a preceding chapter, he was hanging in mid-air to a bell-rope. In fact, Legs and he were both left hang- ing. How he managed to escape from the school-house, and what became of poor Legs, let some future chapter disclose. CHAPTER XIV. THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN SPADE. The tomb to them was not a place To hide the best loved of their race. Songs of medicine and of magic. Monks of Old Alt. LONGFELLOW. It was a night, dark as that upon which Legs was hanged, that Hadley dashed over the hack roads in the direction of the city of Seaburgh. He rode one of Mrs. Barton's horses, and his escape was assisted by her. He rode with the consciousness that his future prospects were blighted; that his uncle had disowned him, and that his collegiate course was at an end. All this he had learned from Mrs. Barton. Having slackened his pace, after leaving Flax Village, and while descending a hill, he heard the sound of a horse's hoofs behind him. The darkness was so great he could not see who approached. Draw- ing up on one side of the road, he hoped to remain unobserved. Presently, a horse bearing a man whose face he was unable to dis- tinguish, galloped past. His own horse was startled-snorted-reared, and at length, in spite of all his strength, set off at a run. Being the swifter animal, he soon overtook the unknown rider, who, turning in his saddle, cried out: Whoever you are, keep off." The student carried by his side the same dark-lantern that had served him in the mountain. He threw its light full on the horse- man's face. "How are you, "I could have sworn to that voice," he said. Legs?" C I'm well," he replied; "but might be better. You're not afraid of a ghost, I see." 44 THE DEAD N'S SECRET. A ghost! where?" said Hadley, looking around him. A man that has been hung is a ghost, ain't he? I've been bung.' Come, tell me all about it, Legs. How, under Heaven, did you manage to escape? I'm astonished to find you here. Well, you see," he began, interlarding his narration with fre- quent imprecations on the mob, "they'd got me all nicely strung up, when, away they went, every cussed one of 'em! I found my throat gradually growin' smaller, and my breath gittin' rayther scanty; and, to tell the truth, I was e'enamost gone. Well?" said the student. Well!" repeated Legs; yes, it was well, thank ye, that just at that minit the rope was cut. Hist,' said somebody in my ear, 'don't speak.' "I was rayther short of wind about that time, and didn't. "When I come to, the same person said, 'Legs, there's a man hiding in the thicket, over yonder, almost frightened to death. You must get a disguise, so as not to be recognized if any of the mob should happen to see you. Now, you may go over there, and make him give you his clothes.' "All right,' said I; and over 1 goes. I couldn't see who the critter was; but I walks up to him fierce, and says I, 'D'ye know who I am?' says I. 'No,' says he. No,' says he. 'I'm Old Nick himself, says I; and I want you to strip off. "He didn't say nothin', but I heard his teeth chatter; and in less than two minits I had his hat, boots, britches, and all." Ha, ha!" laughed the student. Well, I don't," said Legs. "I know who he was. "It was old Doctor Biggs. I ran over him myself that night, and he told me he had just had an encounter with the devil. Thereupon, Legs roared, loud and long. his breath sufficiently he continued his story: 46 When he had recovered Well, you see, havin' got a full suit-they're a mile too big-to say nothing of the boots and britches, that 'ere hat might have been worn by a edicated elephant in the show-1 hung my old rags up where I was hung; and away we went-her and I-" "Her?" exclaimed the student; "who was her ?" "Who should she be but Poll Cusser?” Your sister?" My sister! and may whisky turn to pizen in my stummick, if ever I forgit it of her, or black her eyes again." When Legs had concluded he requested Hadley to relate his own adventures. With these we are acquainted excepting the manner of his escape from the school-house. ** and When I found myself hanging by the bell-rope," he said, heard the three men entering, I thought assuredly, I was captured, But before they could force the door, the rope gave way, and I fell to the floor. As quickly as possible I raised myself on my hands and knees, and crept to the side of a large empty wood-box with a The door was, at length, burst open, and in came the pur- suers. They hunted high and low, even climbing to the belfry. Finally they came to the wood-box-the foot of one of them-the red-haired man's actually touching my side. He raised the cover cover. 2 1 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 45 and looked in. I expected every moment he would discover me, but it happened he did not. "While he and his companions were searching under the forms I softly raised the cover of the box again, a thought struck me. and jumped in. They never thought to examine that a second time, and so I escaped. After that," he concluded, having his own reasons for concealing his adventure with the widow. I went to Mrs. Barton's stable, helped myself to this horse, and here I am.” Well," said Legs, "I helped myself about the same way, and have been on the road these two days. It's strange we should meet here!** " We are nearing Seaburgh," said the student. river that flows past the city. Yonder is the As they advanced, the city itself rose into view. Many lights were flashing up in windows. Servants, and early workers were rising. The shipping along the docks looked shadowy, and the great black men-of-war out in the stream could just be outlined through the mist. While they stood surveying the scene, a man came driving down a cross-road, in a red wagon. on." Hallo!" cried Hadley, as the man passed them; "hold on. Instead of holding on, however, the man leaped to his feet, raising the end of the lines above his head and bringing them down upon his horse's back, at the same time shouting most emphatically, "Git up." "Don't you know me, expressman?” asked Hadley. ** No, nor don't want to," he answered, starting off at a rapid rate, in which he was imitated by the two horsemen. Why, yes, you remember me," said the student, galloping by his wagon wheel, "my name is Hadley. I'm a Knight of the Golden Spade!" way. 44 Oh!" said the expressman, drawing down his face in a comical Bless my eyes. I know you now. 1 thought you were robbers. Why, you and I was on a snatch together once. By hokey, yes. Is your friend a Knight?” #4 "No." 'He don't look like one, that's a fact; is he in the business?" queried expressman. He's elevated one," was the reply. "A new beginner, eh? He must be encouraged," and thereupon he stretched forth his arm, and seizing Legs' hand, shook it heartily. The latter rode some time beside the wagon, looking into it, and at length remarked: 64 That's a long bag, friend, isn't it?" Yes," said the expressman. "What's in it?" asked Legs. Youth," he answered, with an indescribable wink, "' what do I always carry? Ain't it vegetables? Them's pertaters!" They crossed the water in a ferry-boat, and soon were riding through the silent streets of Seaburgh. The old man will be astonished," said the expressman. "I gen- A 2 46 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 7 erally get here at midnight, and now it is almost four o'clock in the morning." As they approached old David's house they discovered that per- sonage standing in the door, practicing the art of expectorafing tobacco juice, as usual. A solitary dog, passing by, suddenly set up a howl, and dashed madly down the street. " As straight a shot as ever was made," chuckled old David. "It hit him precisely in the eye. At this point the party arrived. The vegetables were duly de- livered to their ancient consignee, with whom Hadley made an arrangement for himself and Legs to remain, until a more desirable abode could be obtained, through the assistance of his brothers of the Golden Spade. A week or two passed, during which Hadley spent the most of his time wandering about the city, observing those haunts with which he had been familiar while a medical student in the college. He rarely entered these, however, because he believed it to be dangerous. He chose, rather, retired spots-lager beer saloons-the little gardens of the Germans, in the midst of high brick walls, which they so love to frequent, with their fraus and babes. He patronized billiard saloons, where a single table was the stock in trade, and the balls were wood. Sometimes he visited the inns along the docks. He ate plain food, and drank cheap whisky, and yet, with all his fru- gality, he found his money was fast decreasing. Old David had provided a room for the two, in the front of the house, in the loft, which it was impossible to reach, save through another room where the old man himself lodged. It was not long after their arrival, when David, aware of the straitened finances of his new friends, called Legs into his presence. He held in his hand an old, brown, battered box by a strap. Legs," said he, Legs had not. have you a trade?” Now," the old man continued, "I see signs of promise in you. You'll be an honor yet to a certain profession which I know of. You may be said to have already gradewated in it. Yes, a man who has raised a stiff-been hung for it-and, after all, escaped alive, may be said to have fairly gradewated. I tell you, Legs, you're bound to make a famous snatcher, if your life is spared. But, meantime, you can't afford to be idle. You must do some- thing to get an honest penny now and then, to pay the cost of living. Besides, you haven't seen enough of city life. You ain't acquainted with the ways of men. 'I'll tell you what to do. Here's a bootblack's box; here's a strap to carry it over your shoulder by; here's brushes and blacking inside. I used it when a boy, and made my living out of it. Now, you go and do likewise. What do you say?" Legs said it would suit him well. Accordingly, thereafter, while Hadley was lounging about saloons in back streets, Legs skulked through the great crowds in the public thoroughfares, or lay under the trees in the municipal parks. Often, at first, he was compelled to use his long legs spitefully about the shins of opposition boot- DEAD blacks who resisted his right to make a living in the trade, until obliged to succumb to his shin arguments. Legs kept his eyes wide open, and learned fast. He became ex- pert in other modes of gaining a livelihood besides boot-blacking. Indeed, so proficient was he in a short time, that he could filch two oranges from an old woman's stand, while she was doing up one pen- ny stick of candy. As for stealing handkerchiefs, his success was marvelous, considering his brief experience. One night, some weeks after their arrival in Seaburgh, he sought his room in the loft and retired to bed somewhat earlier than usual. Toward midnight, awakening from sleep, he was surprised to see a gray figure moving noiselessly about. It seemed through the gloom, to have a curious face, as if disguised. Without moving a muscle, Legs watched it with intense interest, As the door until at length it passed into old David's room. opened, he saw the latter person with a red lantern in his hand. Presently, without a word being uttered, the two moved off to- gether. As has been intimated, it had become the business of Legs' life to keep his eyes open. Here was a mystery he determined to solve. Rising and dressing hastily, he followed them. They passed into the apartment heretofore described, which had a sliding panel in the wall; they pushed it back, and entered. Listening a moment, Legs crept softly to the panel, pushed it back, and entered also. He found himself in a narrow passage with a succession of heavy curtains drawn from side to side. Parting the folds with his hands, like a swimmer, he passed through one after another. Suddenly, to his great astonishment, as he drew aside the last curtain that op- posed his progress, he found himself in a room so brilliantly lighted that his eyes were dazzled. The walls were draped with black serge, with here and there a skull and crossbones on it, drawn in white. From the ceiling hung a great chandelier, with glass pendants all ablaze. Underneath it. was a long table, covered by a white cloth, and surrounded by easy- chairs. At each corner of the table sat a skeleton. Hardly had Legs time to conceal himself behind the drapery when from the opposite side of the 100m a curtain parted, and, preceded by old David with his red lantern, a score or more of masked figures slowly entered and stood behind the empty chairs. After a space of profound silence one who appeared to act as president, or master of ceremonies, turned toward old David, and exclaimed, with grave dignity: 'Pickler! it is meet the children of science should occasionally pass from anatomical labor to gastronomical refreshment! Bring forth the viands; bring in the oil and wine!" Pickler-a name which had been appropriately bestowed on old David, as the reader will hereafter see-retired to obey the order. When the table had been covered with various luxuries in the line of meats and drinks, the master of ceremonies again exclaimed, in a sort of commanding way: "Knights! unmask!' 40 AN S SECRET Instantly was disclosed a set of faces, as jolly and rollicking as ever graced a feast. This, then, was the club-house of that portion of the medical students of the college, who formed the mystic Brotherhood of the Knights-the robbers of the grave! In general, they were young men of intelligence and honor, and although knowing that the ob ject of their association was a violation of law, nevertheless, con- tended with sincerity, that the advancement of science-the welfare of the living-absolutely demanded the desecration of the dead. It would be useless to attempt a description of the hilarity that prevailed while they were doing justice to the good things before them. Many pages would not contain a repetition of all the ad- ventures of a body-snatching kind they told. Hadley's story interested them much; especially when he came to Legs' execution and his miraculous escape through the instru mentality of Poll Cusser, the applause was tremendous. "Hurrah for Legs!" again and again, as they sprung to their feet, and, touching their glasses, drunk their healths in the rosy wine. Three cheers for Poll!" they shouted, When the applause had subsided the master of ceremonies pro- posed to close the festivities of the evening with a song. "Let it be," said he, the one written by our ancient Brother, Esculapius, as far back as the Sphinx can recollect. Thereupon they sung the following doggerel to a roystering, but harmonious tune: The sexton in his bed is laid, A dreaming of his pick and spade; He dreameth, too, the gates are fast, But little dreameth who have pass'd, With stealthy step, through the midnight shade- The Knights of the Spade-the Golden Spade! The tombstones are a fearful sight- They look like ghosts arrayed in white Against the black of a summer night! The window'd vault is weird to spy When the round moon sails through the sky, For at the bars, what may come there! With ghostly hands and ghostly stare! The sexton dreams the gates are fast, But little dreameth who have pass'd, With stealthy tread, through the midnight shade- The Knights of the Spade-the Golden Spade! The wool of lamb on sole of shoe Makes silent steps as they pass through, With gray cloaks drawn around them tight, They look like fleeting shades of night. Circle they round the grave new made- Each produces a well-worn spade- Pushes a cowl from his sunken face- Up comes the dead man from his place! While the sexton dreams the gates are fast, But little dreameth who have pass'd With stealthy tread, through the midnight shade- The Knights of the Spade-the Golden Spade! At the conclusion of the song the Knights dispersed. Old David, or the Pickler, as he had been addressed throughout the evening, 3 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 49 vurned off the gas, and retired through the narrow passage, almost brushing Legs, concealed behind a curtain. After a long time, and when all was still, the latter groped his way back to the panel. Drawing it back cautiously a very little way, the light of the red lantern suddenly broke upon the darkness. Old David was passing slowly toward an unoccupied part of the building with a piece of raw flesh in his hand. Wondering what on earth he was going to do with it, at that hour of night, Legs crept softly forth, and stealthily followed him again. CHAPTER XV. TEMPTED AWAY. He who the siren's hair would win, Is mostly strangled in the tide. A Song: CAREW. DANIEL RESTELL was very ill. He lay in his room-the pleas- antest one in the cottage-and his daughter watched beside him. It was a warm day, and she fanned him. He was a cheerful old man always, and he talked to her cheerfully even now. And yet he had his fears of never being able to walk in the bright sunshine more. At such times he would say: Never fear, Mary. It is my time to droop and die; yours is yet far off. Never fear; you will be provided for." His creditors, he knew, could have no hold on the insurance paper. He had never distrusted Hadley's honesty; but, as the days wore on, and no news came, he could not help wondering at the delay. Finally there came upon him the fury of that disease, which re- sembles the lightning in its sudden stroke-trembling, terrible pa- ralysis. He could not speak now, if he would. The bright intellect was all in ruins. So he lingered for a time, and died. He was a man at once the personification of wisdom and simplicity. With all his acquire- ments, he was easily duped as a child. His organ of hopefulness never permitted him to see the dark side of the future. He had never mentioned to his daughter the investment in her favor, though he really believed he had provided for her. The result was, she was left penniless. Everybody wondered. Old Restell had many a hard name given him when he was gone. Remembering his almost dying words, in the midst of want and sorrow, his daughter even almost doubted him. But never-never quite. Meanwhile, Hadley continued to wander about Seaburgh. His friends, the Knights, had made him many promises. Some of them had spoken to the surgeon of one of the hospitals, who had prom- ised to use his influence to obtain for him a situation in that institu- tion. Weeks must elapse, however, before the present incumbent would leave his place. Meanwhile, he must pay his board-must clothe himself respect- ably; in short, he must live. It was during this period of suspense he became acquainted with a dissolute fellow with a little money. Hadley's knowledge of J 50 THE DEAD MAN'S SEcret. medicine was considerable, taking into account the short time le had devoted to it, and his natural abilities were more than ordinary. At the solicitation of this fellow, for a reward he wrote a small medical work, which was nothing more than a puff for a worthless mixture the quack had compounded. He had not invested Restell's money as the old man had desired, and as he honestly, at first, intended to do so. His own means ex- hausted, however, he had encroached upon it, little by little, as necessity compelled, until it was all gone. At last the long-desired situation in the hospital was obtained. The surgeon was kind to him, and even promised that he would use his best exertions to get him into the college again free of charge. Here he remained many months, reasonably attentive to his duties, and with brightening prospects, as he thought, before him. Finally he married-married Miss Restell. Yes, finding herself entirely destitute, dependent wholly on her- self, she had journeyed to Seaburgh in search of employment. Providence directed her steps to the hospital, where she made application for a situation as nurse. She obtained it, and they inet. When he saw her all his old love revived. As for her, she was alone-poor, inexperienced in the world-frightened at the gloomy path before her-grieved at the insults she was obliged to encounter every day-lonely, and without a friend. Hadley came upon her like an old remembrance. He brought to her mind the blue hills around her native village, her father's cottage, the garden, and the lake. Under these circumstances she married him-and God for- give her if the love she brought him was not as warm and deep' as she wished it was. They lived together a year, poorly but comfortably. They had the necessities, but none of the luxuries of life. At the end of this time he began to observe a change in the manner of the surgeon who had hitherto befriended him. He grew cold, and, by degrees, even insulting. Finally he said to him: "I once promised my influence to get you on the college books. If it wasn't for your young wife, sir, instead of entering you on the college books, I would kick you out of the small place you have.' Hadley looked at him amazed. It was you, I have ascertained, who wrote the quack book for that fellow who hangs out his sign on D-- Street. Hadley saw his chance of further pursuing his medical studies was gone; for he well knew that, among the regular cloth, any connec- tion, contact, or sympathy whatever with medical outsiders, known under the general appellation of quack, was the unpardonable sin. In addition to this, he had learned that all prospect of ever re- ceiving a penny from his uncle's estate was utterly hopeless. С He left the hospital, therefore, and soon entered upon a vagabond life. He learned to drink-drink deeply-and to gamble. He avoided rather than sought his old companions of the Golden Spade. He frequented low haunts, and consorted with disreputable charac- ters. Öften he met Legs in the street; and, of the two, the boot- black looked more respectable. Mrs. Hadley-for so we must call her now-beheld her husband's degradation with pain and sorrow; and when she reflected on the THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 51 unlikelihood of any reformation, amidst a great city's recklessness and vice, her heart died within her. They lived now in a little room, in a dilapidated building, in an ob.cure back street. One winter night they sat together in it. The wind was blowing the snowflakes hither and thither outside, and the fire in the chim- ney burned dim. There was no lamp lighted in the room. A gas- light in the street alone illuminated it. He sat looking at the window, many wild thoughts agitating his brain, when a gaudily dressed woman, walking against the wind, passed by. He pressed his face closer to the glass to look at her. Coming to the gas-lamp, she raised her head to read the street's name printed on it, as if to assure herself her course was right. As she did so he recognized her. With a low laugh he sprung to his feet, seized his hat, and left the room. His wife saw him follow her, overtake, and speak to her. She saw, too, the woman was much pleased to see him, for she took him cordially by the hand. Through the falling snow, bracing against the bitter wind, she saw them go away together. The girl with whom Hadley walked was young and far from plain in her personal appearance. She was as surprised to see him as he had been to see her, and her first inquiry was about Legs. Hadley told her what he knew of that individual, and then asked how she came to leave Flax Village for the dangerous Babel in which she was. In short, it was Poll Cusser. She answered that the same night her brother was seized by the mob, and after being rescued by her, had left his native town, her grandfather, old Cusser, was brought home dead. At this Hadley shuddered, and, although an unintentional homi- cide, felt that he would be haunted by the remembrance of that old man while he lived. Yes," continued Poll, "they found him lying near your uncle's house, with his poor old head split in two!" C That," said the student, was horrible! And so, Poll, finding yourself at one blow deprived of all who would assist you, you bravely commenced life on your own responsibility?" For "I was always a wicked one," answered Poll Cusser," and have, as long as I can remember, thought the city the place for me. a few months I worked about Flax Village, doing all I could do to get money together; for you know there were dresses to be got and fares to be paid before I could get away from there." Well, Poll," said Hadley, now you're here, how do you man- age to live? 1 can't." "Don't I dress gay enough? Don't I talk lively enough? Oh, there's more ways than one to make a living! Are you married?" "Yes." " " Tell me all about it-who was she?" You will laugh, I know, when I tell you her name. No, I won't. Well, then, it is she who was Miss Restell." What! you married her? bear the delicate minx myself. wife." Well, that is odd! I never could I beg your pardon, now she's your 52 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Hadley laughed. "I see you don't care what I say, however "-the girl bent her keen eyes upon him. "But tell me all about it. Do you see that yellow lamp half a block yonder? Billy Sharpe keeps that, and he's a friend of mine. It's a ladies' and gents' refreshment saloon. A plate of stewed oysters and a tumbler of hot whisky won't go bad this cold, uncomfortable night. Never you mind about your money; I'll stand treat. They descended some stone steps, which were slippery with trampled snow, to a room below the level of the pavement. There was a bar across one end of this room, and on one side were a num- ber of alcoves, the interiors of which were concealed by red cur- tains. In the center was a stove broiling hot. Well, Billy Sharpe," said Poll to a fat man standing behind the counter, tell your Egyptian yonder to hurry up a couple of bowls of stewed oysters. Two bowls stewed oysters!" cried Mr. Sharpe. " "Also, Billy," continued Poll, a whisky-hot for me, and- what'll you have, doctor-the same?" Hadley said he would. Two whisky-hots, then, Billy. And now, doctor, come into this box here with me, and tell me how you came to meet and marry Miss Restell." Hadley, in his slouch hat and dilapidated garments-as different as words can tell from the Hadley of a short time before-followed her with a hang-dog shuffle. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hadley, in her cold garret, told the wind her sorrows and her fears. i CHAPTER XVI. THE MANIKIN AND THE QUACK. But the semblance of a man. Steal-steal-you brats! Put money in thy purse. SHAKESPEARE. Old Novel. SHAKESPEARE. ANOTHER year in the lives of Hadley and his wife elapsed. He had grown to be taciturn and morose while in her presence; but this was seldom, as most of his time, from early morning to the depths of night, was passed away from her. She suspected him, but, hoping for the better, refrained from re- proaching; and never, as she had been tempted, did she follow him to the low haunts that she had reason to believe were his resorts. It was on an afternoon in September that Hadley again sat in Mr. Sharpe's saloon. Months had passed since the reader saw him enter with Poll. He had acquired that aimless, wretched look that is worn by the hopeless loungers in great cities. He sat by the side of a small table covered by an oil-cloth, on which lay a pack of cards. These he would take up at intervals THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 53 and shuffle lazily, with his elbows on his chair-arms. A ray of sunlight penetrated through the iron grating in the pavement above the saloon window, and made the cards transparent, and the man drew his hat-brim down to protect his eyes. Business was slack that warm afternoon, and Billy Sharpe sat in an arm-chair behind the bar, half asleep, snoring and perspiring with all the energy of a man who is at once very hot and very fat. There was a step upon the stone stairs under the yellow lamp, which, at night, like a wrecker's signal, called all wanderers into that dangerous place, where drunkenness, gambling, robbery, mur- der, and worse had been enacted at the same time-not once, but many times. The person who entered was a short man, with a quantity of black hair about a large head, and a pair of wicked little eyes dancing either side an upward bound nose. His lips were thick, and dis- closed teeth decayed and dirty. His apparel was dilapidated, but of broadcloth, and he carried a cane and wore a beaver hat with a mourning-band. 46 44 Ah, Billy, my boy! how is it this afternoon?” Hello, doctor! is that you?" yawned Mr. Sharpe. Yes. I thought I'd lighten the cares imposed upon me by an arducus profession-a profession, sir, conquered by the bright and shining light emitted by a great university's midnight oil, sir-a profession, sir, which a large and varied experience in the hospitals of Paris and London has enabled me to thoroughly and practically understand, sir. In the words of my old tutor, whom I saved, on the brink of death from an attack of astrofromdoginous of the right lung, in order that he might sign my diploma: "Whatever is known,' said he, Of physic's mystic art, You-you-well know,' said he, And know by heart." Billy, a little bourbon. That's right, a large glass-it'll save you from the trouble of filling a small one twice. Bourbon is a medi- cine," said the doctor, turning upon Hadley, whose features were, in a great measure, concealed by the hand upon which he leaned his face, and the accomodating hat-brim. Hadley bowed. < You'll find it in the Materia Medica, "'continued the physician, viewing the barkeeper's preparations to furnish it to him with satis- faction- "A cerebral stimulant.'" Here the man smacked his - lips and took the liquor. "Sir, it aids digestion more than the muscles of the stomach-more than the gastric juice. I should be obliged to give up eating, sir, if it wasn't for whisky!" The doctor advanced toward Hadley gradually, tasting and stir- ring the compound-which had sugar in it—as he glided along. Suddenly an old woman entered the room. She was a fleshy creature, and had the little black and flashing eyes of a rat, great pads of cheeks, and a gasping voice. She wore a black cloak and hood, with a brown bow on it. 'Master," she said, whispering to the doctor, "the girl's come. "Did you give her a room?" said he, suddenly pausing in his admiration of his drink. 54 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. ! "Yes." 16 Did you see that the police wasn't watching?" Yes.' Well, then, what do you want?" Why, master, I want to tell you. I might as well commence at her shroud. I know the likes of them, and she'll never come out of your hands alive!” Hasn't she paid well in advance?” Yes." 'Well, then, what are you troubling your head and mine about?" "If the patient dies, say nature did it; And if she lives, give me the credit.' You had better run home, old lady. The doctor took a seat across the table from Hadley, and com- meuced sipping his bourbon with that sense of enjoyment which is popularly supposed to accompany a clear conscience. With the girl of whom the old woman spoke we have nothing to do in this story. What became of her is none of our affair. It is very probable that she died at once; she may be lingering now in pain and sorrow, the result of the doctor's skill and proficiency. It is none of our affair. The press publish his luring advertise- ments; the police know all about him; the magistrates know all about him; honest people find no fault, although he does business in the same street with them. Why, then, should the reader bother his head? It is only to hint at the character that we have ventured to intro- duce this little episode. As the woman went up the stone steps she met three women, in gay apparel and without their hats, coming down. They gathered boldly about the bar and called loudly for drinks, and one of them swore at Mr. Sharpe for not putting a straw in her sherry. The doctor, having emptied his glass, sat with his head to one side, impudently observing them. Well, Jennie," he cried, after waiting patiently for any of them to notice him, "how goes it with you?" The girl became pale when she heard his sharp voice, but she turned quickly and said: Come, doctor, won't you have something with us? Give the doctor a whisky, Billy. .. 'Hold on, William!" cried he, in a stern tone; The pallor on the girl's countenance increased. "don't you do it!" I am "I never," he continued, after a solemn pause-in deliberate tones, and significantly tapping the table with his glass—“ drink with those who mean to cheat me out of what they owe me. sorry to see, Jennie, that that is your game. Pay me what you owe me, and I'll drink with you. Until then-no!" Hadley had turned his head away, and appeared to be inspect- ing a picture on the wall. The girl answered, in excited tones: "I tell you, doctor, 1 can't pay you now; but I will, as soon as I can! Perhaps to-morrow-perhaps not for a week, as luck changes. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 55 Very well, then," said the doctor, waving his cane in his ex- tended hand, don't come to me for medical advice until you come with your money. Go to some quack-some fellow that'll poison you with mercury or prussic acid, just doubling the strength of the other poisons in your system." But, doctor, I'll pay you as soon as 1 can. Oh, yes! You can drink, can't you, yet? and eat oysters, and pay for 'em, too? but you can't pay for your medicine! Oh, bother, bother! Go to some quack!” The girl commenced to cry. Cry away-cry away! You'll get no pity from me, nor medi- cine, either! Go on-go on! Blow, blow-bluster and bluster! You'll get into no more debts with an individual of my name-not you--not you! No more medical advice for you-not for you! I'll speak to other members of the profession on the subject, Jeunie, and they'll do just the same as 1 say. Live or die, as you please, till your debts are paid. Billy, another glass, if you please the same ―upon my score-my independent score. The girl called Jennie was none other than Poll Cusser, and finally recognizing Hadley, in spite of his averted face, she went to him and whispered in his ear: You hear what he says, Hadley?" 1 do," answered Hadley, in the same tone, " and know the fel- low. 1 think I can manage him. Go your way, Poll, it will be all right." Her face brightened as she swept out of the room at the head of her two companions, as if all her debts were paid, and physicians were unknown to her. "I 'I see, Doctor Browne," said Hadley, "that you don't know me." I know you," answered the quack, "to be a friend of hers- Jennie, or Poll, or whatever her cognomen may be-by the same token that 1 saw her speaking to you. Hadley bowed sarcastically. You published a book some time since, didn't you, Doctor Brown, purporting to be a medical treatise, but abounding in puffs of yourself and medicines?" ་་ 1 published a book, sir, in which I, in the modestest manner possible, hinted at my existence, and the loss I'd be to society." 44 46 Who wrote that book?" demanded Hadley. Myself," replied the physician, with exquisite coolness. Entirely?" " Of course, sir-entirely." "You never wrote a word of it!" Sir!" cried the doctor, with great dignity, and springing in- stantly to his feet. "Be calm," said Hadley. "I wrote that book myself." "Of all the assurance 1 ever saw in my life, cried the phy- sician, "this is the boldest and brassiest!" Then, in an undertone, he said rapidly: "I recognize you, Hadley; but see, the bar-man is listening, and it would ruin my reputation if he knew I was a quack.' 56 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. "I don't mean to expose you, Browne; but I want to have a little conversation with you on a subject that will interest you." Oh, if that's all, why, bless you, I'm your man! Take a seat. Shake hands. William, two glasses here; bourbon for myself, and what'll you have, sir?" Brandy straight," said Hadley. Brandy for the gentleman. That's right, William; set it here. A friend of mine, William, whose countenance I had forgotten. You beard what he said about the book?” William shook his head, and answered "I never listen to customers.' >> "Yes," nodded the physician, thinking it well to explain, any- way, "he meant, when he said he wrote the book, not that he in- vented it from his brain-d'ye understand?-but copied it as I spoke it. He was my amanuensis-do you understaud?" William scratched his head, and remarked it was a monthful, but he'd heard of the animal. a big 'un for Now," said Browne, as the bar-man retired to his chair behind what do you want to say to me?" the bar, 'Do you remember the manikin that hangs in the medical museum, Browne?" said Hadley, speaking as low as he could, and putting his lips as near his companion's ear as he could. Mr. Browne shut his lips and raised his eyebrows, but said noth- ing. "How much," said Hadley, watching him closely, "would you give to a person who would get that for you?" Mr. Browne put his finger in the bottom of his emptied glass and wrote, with sugar and whiskey for ink, and the table for paper, the figures which indicate one hundred dollars. And cancel," said Hadley. said Hadley. understanding him, "all medical debts contracted by the girl whom you know as Jennie?" But The doctor paused. He had set his soul on getting that paid. Like most of his tribe, he liked to badger the unfortunate. finally he nodded “ yes, as he had done to all the rest. That is arranged, then," said Hadley. "I will bring the mani- kin, if 1 can, to your office, before to-morrow morning. 66 If you can," said the doctor, opening his mouth suddenly and speaking in enthusiastic whispers, "I'll be infinitely obliged to you. Why, with a real manikin I can defy the entire profession!" Hadley could scarcely forbear to smile at the exaggerated value which the ignorant pretender attached to the image of wood and steel; but he answered solemnly: It shall be yours. But if in any particular, for any purpose, you play false with me, beware!" Are you," quivered the doctor, hesitatingly, stretching on tiptoes across the table-“ are you-you-intending to steal it?" He drew back as though he expected the student to strike him to the earth; but Hadley only answered, in the sullen tones of a villain, that such was his intention. The doctor took his seat and regarded him intently. Hadley, pretending not to notice this, arose as if to go. Take a glass of something before you leave me, my friend," cried the other one. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 57. Swallowing a glass of unweakened "something," he drew his hat further over his eyes, and, with the slouching step that had of late become habitual to him, he left the room. Hadley first bent his footsteps toward old David's, and inquired of that person for Legs. Old Ďavid told him that Legs was now doing business in the city, and would probably be found somewhere around the Park. He accordingly proceeded in that direction. As he stood at a street corner watching the crowd that thronged past him he felt somebody tugging at his handkerchief and turning suddenly dis- coverd the only handkerchief he had half way from its depository; while, staring at a theater-bill on a board fence near by, with a shoe-black's box over his shoulder, be saw Legs, apparently un- conscious of his presence. Upon touching him on the shoulder, he faced about with great alacrity, flung his box to the pavement, and himself on one knee, and inquired: 46 " Hev yer boots blacked, sir?” Not at present, Legs," said Hadley. Lord bless my soul, I didn't know you!" said Legs. said Hadley," I think you would have let the If you had," said Hadley, only handkerchief I've got alone-out of charity." Whisht!" said Legs; "look at the cop!" A burly officer passed them. "I tell you," continued Legs, when he was gone," pocket-picking is a science! I've grabbed for fourteen this morning, and haven't got one to blow my nose with. Look here, Legs," said Hadley, "you must hunt higher game than that if you want to get rich. What do you say to earning ten dollars to-night?" Just show me a chance to do it, and I'm with you headfore- most!' Well, then, meet me at midnight at the small street that runs east of the Medical College building." I will be there." You agree to be firm and afraid of nothing, and to hold your tongue, whether successful in what we have to do or not" 4.6 To be sure I do. But what have I got to do?" - I might as well tell you now as at any time. First, we must break together into the Medical College. 46 That's burglary." 'When in there we must steal the manikin." What is that?" Why, you have seen them, Legs. A manikin is one of those images shaped like a man, but made of little pieces that can be pulled apart.' >> Painted red?” "Yes." "I know. I seen a lecturer show one at B-- Hall last week. 2 carried bills for him." 1 .. * 4 No." Then you will not fail me." 34 At twelve o'clock." 58 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. All right. Hadley parted from his companion, and traversed the street in the direction of his home. His wife had left the hospital when he had; but, as he could rarely earn enough to support her, she was glad to beg and obtain a position again in the hospital. Her duties confined her only during the night; she was at liberty to return to her husband's house each morning. It is unnecessary to say that she was her husband's chief support the only pure source from whence his means were derived. When he entered the house she was ready to welcome him. She wore a sad expression, indeed, but strove to greet him with a smile, and spread a frugal meal before him-indeed, much better food than she provided for herself. He could not eat; his thoughts were shadowed with the night's adventure, and the gloomy horizon of crime seemed opening up around him, admitting him within its clouds, and surrounding him with their fleecy barriers, through which the lightnings of justice are ever darting. He had not one generous thought for the being by his side. What he was about to do he would do for Poll's sake. As for his wife, his only desire had been for some time to be rid of her. She was too good for him, and expected too much! Soon after he had entered, he rose to leave the house, as usual, and then he first observed that she stood opposite him, watching him. There was something about her at that moment that roused old memories. She became once more the girl whom he had seen, three years be- fore, treading the path of a country road, and whom he adored. She noticed the sudden look with which be regarded her, and involuntarily said: .. Hadley, how changed you are!" The dark look that characterized his vexed or angry moments crowned his face as she spoke. He remembered that she had only consented to marry him when poverty and misfortune threatened her. She had only invested in him as she would have invested in a lot- tery. He felt that he loved her no longer. How could he love anything with the pure love she demanded, when all the world's troubles, like friends, were trampling the clay of his heart to stone? Before you go, Hadley," she asked, timidly, will you kiss me?" He kissed her, and went forth from the house, swearing in his heart never to see her more. Not far away he met Poll Cusser in a by-road, carrying a small apothecary's bottle. "Where have you been, Poll?" he asked, hoarsely. To the druggist," she answered, "to get some medicine.” "For the babe?" he asked. Yes." Is it sick yet, then?" THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 59 "It is, and always will be. I am sick, too; and, s od knows, hard to keep one's self, without-' " Well, without what?" said Hadley, as she paused. "If you will have it," she contingud, almost wildly, keeping the babe." IS without She paused, mud, dropping her eyes, a flush mounted to her cheeks under his fairing gaze. What would you do with it?" he demanded. เ No matter," answered the womanly, sullenly. I suppose it is mine and yours, and we must keep it. Come and look at it. They climbed a staircase in a great six-story building near at hand, to the very attic. A glimmer of light passed through the key-hole of a door. Pushing open this door, Poll entered, with Hadley behind her. There were a bed, a stand, and a few chairs. No curtaius at the windows, and an uncovered pipe-hole in the wall. On the stand a candle burned. A faint sound, as of breath drawn through phlegm, in pain, came from the bed. Hadley took the light and approached it. A horrible sight met his view a little babe, too weak and ill to moan, as other children do. Hadley turned away, few knew with what feelings. My child!" he cried. "Our child!" Poll Cusser cried. Her eyes were as dry as if long ago they had wasted all their tears, and his were as dry as hers. For it is one of the curses of vice persisted in, that the doer shall never know heart-pure grief. He left the room presently, and for hours paced the streets. When the clock struck twelve he was under the shadow of the college building, and a moment later Legs stole up. Together they crept away. Watchmen! Sleepers! Robbery is abroad! Help! Jail-birds flit! Help! But no such warning cries arise on the midnight air. CHAPTER XVII. THE BURGLAR'S LEAP. Look where he goes! SHAKESPEARE. EVERY year, throughout the enlightened world, thousands of dead bodies are dedicated by science to usefulness. There are nearly half a hundred medical schools in the United States. When a corpse is brought to a medical school, it is immediately taken to a room called the dissecting-room. } 60 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Here it said naked upon a table, and cut to pieces with little knives, by individuals who are in pursuit of knowledge. The student, by these estigations, not only learns the compo- sition of the human body, buì accustoms himself to death-which, in the course of his practice, he will be often called upon to face; he is relieved of that feeling of dread which otherwise would affect him when, as a surgeon, he is obliged to push the knife into the human flesh. Those wise individuals who come and see us in gigs when we are sick have all graduated in this school of horror. It is between ten and eleven o'clock on the night of which we have spoken in the last chapter, and the windows of the dissecting room of Seaburgh Medical College are yet illuminated. The re- mainder of the building seen from the street shows dark and gloomy. In this room, from the ceiling of which jets of gas are flaring, are a number of persons whom we recognize as Knights of the Golden Spade, without, however, their regalia. They are busy at work, gathered in groups of three or four about tables. These tables have the shape of a man's foot, and revolve; and upon each, its head supported by a billet of wood, lies a corpse. Before every worker at the tables is a red box of diminutive size, containing the knives, hooks, and blow-pipes which are among the tools of the trade. In one hand, when first seen, he will hold, prob- ably, a pair of scissors, with which he is clipping away flesh, and in the other a pair of tweezers, with which he nips what he clips. So that in a few moments each student has a little pile of clippings at his finger-ends. The dissector proceeds cautiously. He cuts small pieces at a time. He is on the watch continually for those minute arteries, veins, and nerves, which he desires to preserve as far as possible. When he reaches a delicate tissue, he draws forth his blow-pipe, and with his breath inflates the tissue and admires it. He generally follows the course of some muscle, with every portion of which he must make himself familiar. Or he traces the delicate threadwork of the nerves, that look like white embroidery on a crimson ground. In many subjects the avenues of the blood are filled with paint or tallow, rarely with mercury, so that every particle of flesh can be cut away about them, and injected veins and arteries alone remain. The dissecting-room has a sink in one corner, and a stove in the center. On all sides are doors, opening into regions about which the uninitiated can only guess. On the stove kettlesful of water are boiling. The janitor, with drooping eye and secret look, is feeling its temperature with a dirty finger, previous to dropping in a skull which he holds in his hand, and thus boiling off the flesh that clings to it. The demonstrator of anatomy, a dapper young doctor, is flitting about from table to table, a living catalogue of every portion of a man's anatomy. He might be discoursing in Hindoo, for aught the uninitiated could know. He handles large scientific names as Tom Thumb handled the giants. Both the demonstrator and the janitor can tell the names of many of the subjects who adorn their tables-unless, indeed, they forgot to look on the tombstones to see. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 61 - So far from being rendered gloomy by their gloomy work, the medical students are as jolly as can be. Jokes are cracked, stories are told, and hearty laughs resound through the morgue of science. A dense smoke from well-seasoned pipes hangs like a mist over all, and is doing unequal battle with a certain odor pervading every- thing, which is the greatest foe to a sensitive stomach, and drives many from anatomical pursuits. Jemmy," cries a slightly made youth, with freckles and sandy hair, whose cane hangs on a nail near at hand, and who is engaged in delicately dissecting an upper lip-" Jemmy, do you want this nose?" No," answered a voice from behind one of the doors mentioned. "Then I'll take it myself. What are you doing?" " 66 I'm tending my baby-little darling!" answered the voice. Have you got a baby?" Of course I have; come and see it.” Bring it here, can't ye?” A stunted fellow, with a great nose, and eyes above it round and staring, and a mighty mouth beneath it, wide open, as if ready to swallow it, made his appearance from a closet, looking like a Chinese idol, and holding in his hand an infant by one limb-head down- ward-dead! Displaying it a moment, he vanished, but not before he rocked it in his arms, put its toe in his mouth, twirled it five or six times about his head, and pretended to weep over it because it was dead, as its mother might have done not many days before, when she wrapped it in its little flannels and consigned it to the sod. * * * * * * * The janitor and surgeon were alone in the upper portion of the college building. The janitor was putting the dissecting-room to rights. He opened the windows to let in plenty of fresh air; he scraped up the flesh; arranged some bones on a side-table; took the kettle containing the boiling skull off the stove; hung up a skeleton on a peg; put the pieces of the manikin in their places; thought he would carry the manikin to its case in the museum downstairs; then thought he would save himself the trouble till morning, and hung it on a peg next to the skeleton. 1 leave the door for the surgeon to lock," said he. Then putting his head in where the surgeon was busy, he asked: Anything for me to do, sir?” "No!" snapped the surgeon. The janitor closed the door again and put out his gas, leaving the dissecting-room in darkness. So, laughing and grinning, and repeating some verses from Grave-stone Literature," the janitor tumbled down-stairs, leaving the surgeon alone. The surgeon's private room was lighted by a single burner. On the table before him lay a human being. He was preparing himself for an operation to be performed the ensuing day. He was cutting into the corpse in the same places that he would be obliged to incise in the living. He was laying to memory the important nerves, arteries, muscles, and bones that he 62€ THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET must be on his guard against, As a general, he was surveying the country over which he was to wave steel and cause blood to flow. While he was thus engaged two men had entered, the museum. We know them to be Hadley and legs, in search of the manikin. Hadley carried a dark lantern, and, knowing every inch of the place, stole softly to where its case stood. He found, to his chagrin, that the case was empty. Could they have removed the manikin from the college? No. He had it. It was in the dissecting-room, where it often was left. Toward the dissecting-room they both stole, in search of it. Here it was quickly found, and mounted on Hadley's shoulder. Suddenly Legs noticed the light at the key-hole of the surgeon's room, uttered a whisper of alarm, and threw himself at full length on an empty dissecting-table. 着​看 ​Heavy footsteps resounded almost immediately in that room; a voice was heard to say, Who's there?" and a door being opened, the surgeon stood before them, knife in hand, all dabbled with blood! Though Hadley was in shadow,, the surgeon knew him, and called him by name; for, as he fled through the open door, his side-face came in the full glare of the light from the surgeon's room shining over his head. The surgeon thought Legs, lying on the table, was a corpse, and pursued the other. As he had no light, he could see nothing but a fleeing shadow. Legs slipped out of an open window and gained the street. A very pale man, who was hanging about the building, ran for his life as he saw him appear, but made no outcry. Along the hall, down the stairs into the museum, fled Hadley, while the surgeon followed. He stopped when he reached the museum, and stood motionless. Then he called the janitor. The janitor came huirying to where he had left the surgeon. A second cry from that individual, however, told him where to find him, and he entered the museum, calling aloud: For the love of God, surgeon, what's the matter?” Get a light!" commanded the surgeon. about! I have one cornered in this room!' " There are burglars The museum was so arranged that it admitted but one mode of exit, visible, besides the door. This was the window through which Legs and Hadley had entered. By this window the surgeon had managed in the darkness to post himself. The janitor's presence secured the door. Get a light," commanded the surgeon, "and we'll have the villain!" At the same time he felt for his knife, and held it in readiness to use in case of attack. The janitor was just taking a match from his vest-pocket, intend- ing to light the gas that came through a burner attached to the pil- lar near him, when a grating sound struck his ear, as if somebody was at work upon iron. Suddenly a door in the north wall opened, and the janitor was saved the trouble of striking a light; for a sudden glare of red flame illuminated the museum. It came from the mouth of the great oven î THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 63 of the chemical works next door, over which the professor of chem- istry presided. The surgeon and the janitor rushed forward with shouts of terror. Even their nerves, inured to every species of horror, almost gave way at what they saw. They saw a figure leap through the museum-door into the oven- door, and disappear among the glowing coals of the furnace! CHAPTER XVIII. PEDRO NUTT. A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles. SHAKESPEARE. DURING the years that had passed since Hadley was driven from his native town, he had made several efforts to procure money from Mrs. Barton, on the strength of the secret which had come into his possession The ill success that he met with, and its causes, inay as well be detailed in this chapter. He first wrote her a letter, in which he informed her that, proceed- ing upon what he had found written on that mysterious scroll, which was a portion of her husband's foot, he had verified its truth, and was now in full possession of her secret. To convince her of this, he described a certain village on the sea- coast of Massachusetts, which had been her early home, called Niley. He spoke of a solitary building, standing on a hill-side, which, he doubted not, would bring to her mind a train of fearful circum- stances which had exerted so sad an influence on her life. He mentioned, in Italics, The Red Tavern.” And he spoke of a ruinous structure that had been erected on a sand knoll, without the town, years before, but was yet believed by the superstitious townsfolk to be haunted by the ghost of an old and wicked man called Barras. The letter concluded with a request for money, saying that the writer was in great want, or he would have disdained to raise the money in this way. This was written two years after his marriage, and the reader is aware that he was living then upon the earnings of his wife and what Poll Cusser got. Mrs. Barton determined to take no notice of it. She was a woman of nerve and decision, and wisely determined never to yield to the demands of a man who was obliged to conceal himself from justice. Not long thereafter, about sundown, there came a man to her gate who was lame and a beggar. He desired of the servant a little food, and the privilege to rest upon her steps. He also requested the servant to hand her mistress a small note, in which she would see written that which would prove the peti- tioner a worthy and deserving object on which to bestow charity. The beggar, however, did not appear quite so deserving as he strove to represent himself. Y 福 ​64 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. He had downcast eyes, a brutal face, with black hair all about it, but excellent white teeth. The letter ran as follows: "I am a poor sailor of Spain, lamed in limb while fighting for the honor of my country's flag,. Have charity, remembering that we all need it. Even you, who read this, may have done that in the past for which you will require the charity, consideration, and sa- crecy of the present." Mrs. Barton stopped reading to note the word which was liall cized. She looked sharply at the beggar, but he was swinging hi- well leg, and devouring a large piece of bread with composure. You, maybe, have a hundred thousand dollars, abnued the scrawl, "while I have not a cent. Mrs. Barton paused again. A hundred thousand was the exact amount, or very nearly, that was bequeathed her. Ahu Froe hundred dollars would be a fortune to me. Five hundred dollars would set me up in the world. It would bind my tongue, so that never more would I rail against the penuriousness of the rich. Give, therefore, to the sailor, who is a prudent man knows well what to do with it, if it shall pleas you to bestow a sum upon him out of your boundless riches. So shall your generos ity be written, not on marble monuments, but rather on the hearts of your pensioners-yea, on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet. An expression of fear crossed Mrs. Barton's countenance as she read the concluding words, which were italicized. She understood the allusion and guessed whose agent the beggar was. She therefore eyed him keenly, and finally addressed him. Have you traveled far?" she asked. He remained silent, and looking at her cunningly, repeated, as One might repeat by rote, a lesson he had learned. Miles upon miles, missus. My limbs are weary. My shoes are all worn out. Look," he cried, whipping one off" see how cut and sore my foot is!" He held it up toward her; and, starting back, she saw written, in large blue letters on it, two words: "The Secret." She did not lose her self-control, however; but, as coolly as she might, asked: What does that mean, my good man?" He folded his arms over his breast, chuckled, eyed her im pudently, and finally said: That's the name of my ship, missus.' "Who is waiting with you?" she abruptly demanded. A young man of my acquaintance," coolly answered the beg gar. He says you knew him when he was young. " Ah!" said Mrs. Barton. What does he want?"? Money." .. Money!" repeated Mrs. Barton. 23 6 Five hundred dollars.' "And how much?" That is a large sum to intrust with a beggar?" 46 It shall be carried safe. Your son shall get it." My son!" asked Mrs. Barton, really surprised. Let there be no secret between friends. The young man has told me all. He has been wild in his life-but assure yourself, madam, he is reformed. By one of his wild freaks he has laid him- self amenable to the law. I do not know how, and I do not care. À great many other people are in his scrape. He appeals to you, his mother, for money, through me, his agent." Mrs. Barton understood Hadley's ruse in an instant. She was glad that the man before her was unacquainted with the true reason that į emboldened the student. "Look," continued the man-“ see. 1 sound my whistle in this way. Keep your eyes on the grove yonder, very near the fence of stumps. As he whistled between his fingers, a man appeared from the spot indicated. He took off his hat, raised it, and bowed. In spite of this distance, Mrs. Barton recognized Hadley. She did not hesitate a moment, not relishing the idea of another midnight visit from the possessor of her secret, but put a bank bill for five hundred dollars into the beggar's hand, and bade him trudge. He pursued his way to where a clump of bushes lined the road side. From the covert Hadley appeared, and demanded: What luck?” · "I saw your mother," answered the beggar. I know you did-and she gave you money. How much?" She is rather young for so old a son as yourself," answered the beggar. Hadley repeated his question as to the amount of money. With evident reluctance the beggar produced the bill and handed it to him. One third of it, you know, is mine," he remarked. I will change it at the nearest bank, and give you your share. Did she give it willingly?" Not so willingly as some mothers would, I imagine, my prodi- gal son. But 1 followed your directions-showed her the sole of iny foot-the deuce only knows what charm there was in that! I must rub out the blue ink before I can sleep comfortably-and-" She gave you the money. I thought she would, Pedro." The beggar was a sailor without a ship, with whom Hadley had become acquainted in the course of his operations in villainy; for, in addition to being a small gambler, he had also followed the con- temptible occupation which consists in skulking about docks and inveigling sailors. The tars call such land-sharks.” Pedro Nutt was not only a drunkard, but he had served a term in state's prison, and had been second mate on a slaver. Pedro, for reasons of his own, did not believe in Hadley's relation- ship to Mrs. Barton. He, however, said nothing. That night they slept together at an inn. In the morning Nutt was nowhere to be seen, and Hadley's money had vanished with him. Full of chagrin, Hadley was obliged to return to Seaburgh; and when, a short time thereafter, he visited Flax Village in disguise, he found that the Barton estate had been sold, and its former mistress, 3 66. ** THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. together with her children, had disappeared, leaving no available clew by which she might be followed. CHAPTER XIX. MRS. BARTON VISITS THE HOME OF HER CHILDHOOD. He's dead! he's dead! and I can breathe again. SMITH. THE evening breeze swept coolly and freshly through the streets of the sea-town of Niley, in the State of Massachusetts. The town is small-has a church without a steeple, two stores, a tavern, and a school-house. It is surrounded on three sides by hills of sand; on its border is the ocean. The whole line of beach is dotted with wind-mills, having tir roofs that glitter in the sun. Before one of these, enjoying the sun- set, is seated an old man. The chair on which he sits is tipped back against an angle of the mill, of which he is the owner, and its legs. sink in the sand. His broad brimmed hat lies on his knee, while be, smoking a great brown pipe, looks out to sea. Presently he rises, puts on his hat, and, going to the fence which separates his domain from the public road, looks over it. He has descried a woman hurrying down the road toward him, and it is his intention to see who she may be. As she passes he nods at her, though he does not know her. She has proceeded but a little way before she stops, looks about her in a confused manner, and returns to where he stands. CC Sir," Mrs. Barton says, "did not an old red tavern stand here- about a few years ago?" Yes, ma'am-down in the hollow there it used to be, beside the wooden drinking-trough which you see. It was torn down about & year ago. There isn't a joint of it left now. , I see that there is not," said Mrs. Barton, with emotion. 'No; even the cellars are filled up," pursued the miller. the hill yonder is the old barn. Ye look sick, ma'am. The woman had suddenly turned pale, and shuddered. "No," she answered, quickly; go on. The miller cast an odd look at her. "OL 'I bought the house," he continued, and put all the furniture- of it in that barn. I wouldn't have it in my house for a fortunei There can't be luck about it, someway. However, I didn't feel so about the timbers. I tore down the house and built that there lime- room and the roof of that there salt-room of them." And so," said Mrs. Barton, "the old red tavern has been torn down by you, and the barn yonder is full of its furniture?" Yes, ma'am; but time and the vermin have taken the heart out of it at last. at last. It's nothing but chips. You see, nobody has ever lived in the house or claimed the furniture since old Barras- What's the matter, ma'am?" f. Nothing-nothing-go on. Well," continued the old man, losing the thread of his story, nobody has laid claim to either: so the town got them, and I THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 67 bought both of them for almost nothing. My son is going to open temperance house in the town, to run opposition to the liquor fel- lers, and he's coming down to-night to look and see if he can't find something useful to put in it among the furniture. He's welcomę to all he finds that don't drop to pieces in his fingers!" Two men were gradually drawing near as the old man talked. The In one of them we recognize Billy, the host of Flax Tavern. other is a gentleman in appearance, and, while courteously appear- ing to listen to the remarks of his companion, is really engaged in observing his surroundings. there Why," said the miller to Mrs. Barton, observing them, comes my sou now, and with him a surgeon-Dr. Pierce by name, from Seaburgh-that has been operating on his wife's tumor; it weighed ten pounds, and was right in the small of her back." As they drew near, the host was saying: Do you remember a student of yours by the name of Hadley- the fellow that stole a body up in Flax Village, and had to flee for his life?" "I do most certainly," answered Dr. Pierce; "and your speak- ing reminds me he is dead, Mr. Horen, and his death was a horrible one. Well, now, I saw him," said Billy, "not three months ago, standing in the hollow there by the trough. He looked ragged and dirty enough; but I knew him, and he knew me, for the moment he saw me he walked away, and was out of sight in a jiffy. He'd beeu asking all kinds of strange questions about old Barras that I told you about-you remember?" Barras," and her attention was "Yes," said the surgeon, very well." Mrs. Barton overheard the name instantly directed toward the speakers. Well," said the surgeon, 4 C his death was most horrible. For some time back he had been leading a dissolute life.' “He looked like it when I saw him down yonder. I thought he was a beggar at first." 'Who?" asked old Mr. Horen, who had joined the two as they paused where he stood. Why, don't you remember that Hadley that I told you about- the fellow that was asking you so many questions of old Barras, some three months ago? Don't you remember?" " 66 Oh, certain I do," said Mr. Horen. "What about him?" Hadley!" repeated Mrs. Barton, as a groan escaped her. tracking me yet!" "He "I was about telling your sou, Mr. Horen," continued the sur. geon, “that this Hadley had been leading a dissolute life. His cou duct and associations were such that the officials connected with the hospital were obliged to discharge him. Surrounded by no home influences-for, as far as we know, he is unmarried-he speedily lost all care for his reputation, sunk into great poverty, and engaged in the lowest associations. The night before I left Seaburgh to visit your wife, he was dis- covered in the act of committing burglary within the Medical Col- lege. The surgeon, Mr. Purder, who discovered him, told me him- self, on the ensuing morning. He said he pursued him from the 68 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. B room in which he found him to the medical museum; that the jani- tor joined him in the pursuit. The medical museum is situated on the ground floor of the col- lege, and is so arranged that escape is impossible, save by one win- dow from which the bars have been removed, by the door which viistors enter, or by a hidden door in the wall which communicates with the cellars of the chemical works, which are next door to the college. The surgeon managed to reach the window, while the janitor guarded the door, so that the robber the surgeon had recognized, he was assured, was caged in the body of the room. “The surgeon bade the janitor strike a light, at the same time calling the robber by name, and advising him to give himself into custody. "To his words he received no answer. All was perfectly still and dark. 64 The sound of scratching on the wall which accompanied the janitor's efforts to strike a match was all that was heard. Now, from the museum, to reach the chemical works, you are obliged to traverse a narrow passage that leads to the great ovens. It appears that Hadley knew of this passage, and, driven by de- spair at the idea of being exposed, or because madness had seized suddenly on his brain, he opened the hidden door, dashed along the passage, and ended a miserable existence by precipitating himself headforemost from the platform at the end of the passage into the open mouth of a furnace!" ว "Horrible! horrible!"' cried both the hearers. "Horrible, indeed," said the narrator-"almost unbelievable! It seems hardly possible that a human being should possess nerve suffi- cient for such an act. Down on her knees, unperceived, sunk Mrs. Barton. 'Thank God!" she cried. 'So perish all who would add to the woe of the unfortunate! Burn, Hadley, burn-and with thee the dead man's secret!" By this time the sun had disappeared, and the shadows of a stormy night fell over all things. CHAPTER XX. OLD BARRAS. We see such faces in nightmares. SMITH. WHEN his listeners had fully commented on the horrible story that had been told them, the surgeon suggested that, as it was fast becoming dark, it would be well for them to make the visit to Bar- ras' old barn, as had been proposed. "I have a great desire to view it," said Dr. Pierce. I have all my life been fond of visiting views of this kind, about which grim recollections cluster, and no better time could be chosen than this, between the day and the night. "There's very little of the day left," said the miller. "I have a lantern in the mill I'll get for you; you'll need it." THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 69 In a few seconds he appeared with a lantern, and the three pur- sued the road together. Mrs. Barton, who had remained unnoticed by the last comers, took advantage of the old man's absence to hide herself behind a. wall of stone that skirted the road, which she easily managed by pas- sing through a gap in it. Now she could hear Billy, the host, say: ras. 'It's curious the interest Hadley took in hearing about old Bar- She's "He isn't the only one inquiring about him. There was a woman just now asking me a power of questions concerning him. gone now. I didn't see her go. Did either of you?" Neither had noticed her. Meanwhile they had reached the site of the Red Tavern, and, entering upon a lane, climbed a hill upon the side of which was the old barn. That's the building, is it?" inquired the surgeon. Yes," answered Billy, that is the old Barras barn. So saying, he sat down a moment on a flat stone by the roadside, and lighted his lantern. With cautious steps, and shielded by the darkness, Mrs. Barton followed them. But there was a quarter of a mile between her and them. On the hill above her, she knew, was the dilapidated building that had for years been associated in her mind with early misfortune, misery, shame and dread. She was standing, faltering, at the foot of the lane, almost afraid to advance, yet urged on by a restless impulse to see once more the place of ill omen, when a startling sight met her eyes. The many open chinks between the boards of the old barn seemed. to her to glow like lines of fire, as if the interior were illuminated for a festival. Exhibited on that bleak deserted height, the display was wild and singular beyond description. Suddenly a gust of wind came sweeping inland from the sea. The door in the loft of the barn, through which the hay was wont to be pitched, was blown violently open, and Mrs. Barton saw a great blaze of light, in the midst of which was revealed an old, hard, grim face, with close-cropped gray hair, and long, thin, gray beard. The horrible face that haunted her in her dreams-the face of the man who had bequeathed her life to sorrow-Barras! The spectacle thus suadenly presented, deprived her at once of consciousness. And as she lay insensible, a great burst of flame shot above the roof of the barn; and presently the fire fiend, seizing on its dry and rotten timbers, consumed it to its stone foundations. Three persons watched its destruction. These were the surgeon, the landlord, and the miller. Well," said old Horen, "it's no great loss, after all. What have you got there, Billy, my son?” 6.0 The picture, father. Don't you remember I was showing it to you just as the fire broke out? If it hadn't been for it, the barn wouldn't have burned. You see, I was trying to raise the wick of my lantern, to throw more light on it, when out tumbles the lamp, and away went the hay, and the barn with it. I'll hang the picture 70 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. } in my cold-water resort, however; and when travelers are sipping their lemon and water, it'll be interesting for 'em to look at a man's face who was- Gentlemen," cried the surgeon, me lift this lady, who has fainted!" .. come here at once, and help It is the same lady." cried old Horen, in surprise, "that was asking me the questions. So, missus, the old barn, has gone, as well as the new. But she don't hear me, I guess." No," said the surgeon; "somebody should go to the village for a conveyance. She appears to be a lady." A crowd having gathered by this time, attracted by the fire, it was an easy matter to obtain a messenger. A carriage presently appeared, and Mrs. Barton was placed in the back seat, supported by the surgeon, while the landlord, bidding the miller, his father, good-night, mounted the front seat with the driver, bearing the portrait with him. Presently Mrs. Barton revived, and the first thing she saw was the portrait, which, in his paroxysms of mirth, he raised high above his head. "Where did you get that?" she exclaimed, pointing at the por- trait. "In the old Barras barn," answered Billy, suddenly pausing. "Did you have it there to-night, with a great light on it?" 44 The barn was burning, ma'am," said Billy. Mrs. Barton sunk back in her seat with a smile on her face. You are very kind to me," she said. "The sight of the burning building overcame me." The surgeon begged she wouldn't mention it. When she was in her room that night, alone, she uttered aloud these words: "I thank God that the face is but a painted one! And yet what memories do his hated features arouse!" Here she took from the little box she always carried with her a rial labeled " Laudanum." " Hadley is dead. The ghost walks not. My secret is buried never to rise! Why should I not rest--rest under thy wing, blessed opium, baim of the wounded!" Swallowing what was left of the contents of the ominous vial, she lay down, and passed the night in a waking dream-such as opium gives. CHAPTER XXI. THE DISCOVERY OF THE RUSE. RING-MASTER: You saw what, sir? CLOWN: A man swallow a sword, master. RING-MASTER: You've been fooled most beautifully. Scene in a Circus. MEN were hard at work hauling the coal from the great oven of the chemical works. Near at hand stood the surgeon and a number of lookers-on. "I've performed many a bloody operation as you know, without THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. WI K wincing," said the surgeon, addressing a Mr. Amerly, a brother sur- goon, who stood beside him; but I can hardly control my nervous horror at the idea of seeing the blackened corpse of that poor fellow drawn out. (เ It is a singular circumstance," said Mr. Amerly, "that we detect no odor of burned flesh. You have observed none, have you, Mr. Alkali?" Mr. Alkali, the professor of chemistry, answered that he had not, and immediately commenced to exercise his sense of smell, in which he was joined by those about him. Mr. Purder was evidently uneasy in his mind as well as in his legs; Mr. Amerly, as was always the case with him, was perfectly cool. Mr. Amerly differed from his brother surgeon as a tiger with smooth and glossy skin does from a tiger with his skin ruffled and rough. Both Mr. Purder was always snapping and snarling. Mr. Amerly po- litely showed his teeth occasionally, Mr. Purder was perpetually leaping and bounding, Mr. Amerly glided on velvet paws. were tigers, however, as good surgeons always are, and both had most excellent hearts. And he who roared at the top of his voice was no more to be dreaded than he who roared " an 'twere any nightingale or "sucking dove.' >> As Mr. Amerly will play some part in our story, it will be well to outline his personal appearance here. He was rather short, yet not too short-just short enough to stand at a man's shoulder and whisper in his ear. His eyes were pleasant, generally-except when he took it into his head to make them look otherwise. His complexion was good, his teeth excellent and his own, his hair and beard nicely clipped, his forehead intellectual, his manner attractive, and his dress neat. He was by nature energetic and ambitious, but at the same time charitable and fond of good living. If he had any little vanities, they were such as most unmarried men who have been successful in life become possessed of. His higher, more admirable, and noble qualities will be the theme hereafter. Meanwhile, the workmen continue to empty the oven, which task was rendered more difficult by the fact that it had been filled anew by a workman ignorant of the catastrophe, while the surgeon and the janitor were flying for assistance. As shovelful after shovelful was drawn forth, a shudder passed over the workmen, rough and stupid as many of them were. Suddenly they paused and uttered cries of horror. A great lump of coal and cinders, having the human form, fell with a crash to the floor. Then they drew back and wiped their perspiring foreheads, as others ran for a water-hose in the tank-room. Black and fearfully suggestive lay the mass of coal and cinders. about which the observers gathered, full of silent awe. When it was sufficiently cool, the surgeon bent over and exam- ined it. Suddenly he started to his feet, holding something in his hand. It was of iron, and had the shape of the human toe. 772 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. He then called the janitor to him, and hurriedly whispered in his ear. The janitor vanished in the direction of the museum. Presently he returned, with an odd expression on his countenance, and uttered the single word of one syllable, "Gone!' Gentlemen," said Dr. Purder, turning to his curious audience, "I am sorry to inform you that the agreeable sensation which the idea of a man's having deliberately thrown himself into a red-hot furnace arouses in every breast, must be indulged in no longer. The villain for whom we have been mourning, I have every reason to be- lieve, is alive, and the remains over which we were but now weep- ing are those of the very valuable manikin which used to hang in our museum.” The company looked at each other in astonishment. 'You see, gentlemen," said Mr. Purder, said Mr. Purder, "that the robber ran along this narrow passage leading from the museum, with the mani- kin doubled in his arms, but, dazzled by the fierce glare of the oven suddenly bursting upon us, we failed to see it-that is, the janitor and myself. Now, you see, the fellow, as soon as he had got clear of the passage, hid himself behind this angle of the wall, and threw the manikin headforemost in yonder. So that all we could see was the flying figure." A hearty laugh burst from those who heard these remarks of the surgeon, whose discomfiture was evident to all. Gentlemen," said Mr. Amerly, with mock solemnity, "the friends, acquaintances, and those students who have learned lessons in anatomy from the body of the late Mr Manikin, are now at lib- erty to pay their respects to his remains. He was a native of Paris, and came to this country at an early age-I may say, before his paint was dry. He was a most singularly resolute character, and possessed the fortitude of an American Indian. 'He would allow himself to be picked to pieces without a mur- mur, and at one time, when he lost both eyes and his.nose, was observed to preserve the unchangeable grin that always adorned his countenance. "His death was worthy of his character, for he imitated the phi- losopher who perished in the love of the volcano." CHAPTER XXII. THE DRAWING OF THE RED CARD. A Mammonite mother kills her child for a burial fee, And Timon-Mammon grins on a pile of children's bones. TENNYSON. POLL CUSSER sits alone, with her sick infant, in the room which has been described. She looks weary and worn. Her garments are ragged and mean, her eyes are bloodshot as the eyes of one just re- covering from a drunken fit-for such, indeed, is the condition of the woman. Her countenance is haggard, and her hair is arranged in a slovenly manner. On a table near her lies her bonnet, and one THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 73 1 of its strings has been blown, by a draught of air from the open door, into a wine-glass containing some medicine, and a spoon. A vial of medicine stands beside the glass. Over the back of the chair on which she sits is her worn and tattered shawl, which has fallen from her shoulders. She seems at once restless, listless, and ill-humored. The reason for this condition is that Hadley has not been near her during the entire day. All at once the voice of a newsboy was heard crying the evening paper. Poll ran to the window of her room, and, throwing some money to him, he flung her up a paper. Glancing her eyes over the columns, she came upon an item of terrible import. It described the death of Hadley, under the head of Occurrence." "Horrible She Poll uttered a cry of agony, and became wild in an instant. snatched up her bonnet and shawl, and, muttering to herself that she must fly to where his corpse lay, started toward the door. But she paused on the threshold, and returning with slow steps, sat her- self down again. She bent her head on her hand, and tear after tear dropped through her fingers. Then she recovered herself, and reasoned: Why should she care for him? He had a wife, whom he - had deserted, as he would have deserted her if he had lived. - As Poll sat thinking and trying to comfort herself, darkness grad- ually filled the room, and she and the babe, lying so unnaturally still on the bed, were lost in it. Presently she raised her head, and for a moment was obliged to think where she was, she had been so deep in thought. Her thought was, what would she do with her baby? She roused herself, and struck a light. Her candle burned dimly. As she waited for it to increase in brightness as the flame mounted the wick, she brought her fingers together upon the palm of her hand, as people do when in sudden anger, they think they would like to choke somebody. She was thinking what she would do with the infant. It was a burden. She found it hard work to support herself. As Poll sat thus, she resembled, in the evil glare of her eyes, her brother. As she stood thus, watching the candle, the door opened and Legs entered. "I can't stay only a minute," he said, hurriedly. heard anything from him?" Whom?" asked Poll, vacantly. "Your husband." "Have you It was Legs' mistaken idea that his sister was married. He had no knowledge of Mrs. Hadley. Polly's only answer to his last question was to hand him the paper, and bid him read the item above alluded to. He, however, preferred having her read it for him. As he listened his face became pale, and he trembled visibly. Poll," said he, "good-night. I can't stay here any longer. I was in that scrape, and the police may be after me now. 174 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. " Well," said Poll, we don't want the police following you here. 1 think you had better go, myself." Hadley and 1," said Legs, in a half whisper, looking fearfully about, for he was thoroughly cowed by the fate of his associate, which he had no reason to believe untrue, have seen some tough things together. I won't forget him soon. So saying, he glided away. Poll sat as before. Presently she took the candle in hand. Her unoccupied hand was busy with imaginary strangulation. It was her intention to take a look at the babe. She drew nearer and nearer to it, and at last bent above it. She drew her breath hard between her teeth, and set her candle down upon the floor. The babe lay perfectly quiet, worn out by the excessive pain that had racked his little frame when conscious. 'It must be done." These fearful words floated in a still whisper through the silent room, perhaps reached the ears of the child's guardian angel, for at that moment there came a low rap at the door, and Poll hurriedly grasped the candle and stood erect, pale and startled. It's Captain Parrick," she said to herself. "I'm in poor trim to see him this night." The light cast her shadow on the wall, making her hair appear doubly tossed and disheveled and her fingers doubly thin and claw- like, so that it looked like the shadow of a fiend-for fiends are always drawn with such hair and claws. But she forced a smile; and she who had lately brooded on mur- der, endeavored to breathe love. Capt. Parrick was of the sea service, and one of Poll's admirers, She therefore opened the door only a little way, and said, cau- tiously: Oh! Who is there?" "Are you alone?" whispered some one. "All alore," answered Poll, with the captain still in her mind. "' Come in. A man walked in, wrapped and muffled in overcoats and shawlg, past recognition. He looked hastily around the room, and perceiving it was empty, sat down and threw aside his wrappings. Poll," asked he, "have you any brandy?" "I thought," said Poll, observing him cautiously, "that you were dead." Ha! ha!" laughed Hadley. "I came very near being so, but not quite. If the surgeon had seized me, that knife of his would have done the business." Have you seen the papers?" asked Poll. 1 Yes," said Hadley, "and by them I know that the old surgeon recognized me. It was an unlucky business all around, and ought to put me out of conceit with such devil's affairs. To escape I was obliged to sacrifice what I had laid hands on-the manikin. read there,” said Poll, pointing to the paper, "that you com› mitted suicide in some furnace or other.' >> "And didn't you read how I escaped?" No," answered Poll! "I have only seen the morning paper.” THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET, "Well," said Hadley, as he took the brandy she handed him, "let me tell you. He then told what, from the surgeon's correct guess, the reader is already acquainted with-Hadley's manner of escape. "And now, Poll," he said, you see, Seaburgh is no longer safe- for me. I must fly. My name is known; my manner of escape is known. The surgeon, after the trick I've put on him, will be doubly anxious to cage me. I must bid you good-by, Poll-though I hate to-and seek safer quarters. I hope 1 shall never see you again, Poll, as much as I hope I will never see her again-you know who I mean. " " Hadley," said Poll, "where you go, I'll go." Why, my girl," said Hadley, in astonishment," that is impossi- ble. I must go this very night in disguise, by out-of-the-way roads. I have a little money in my purse, which your friend, Dr. Browne, for reasons of his own did not think best to deny me, though I did not bring him what he wanted; but it is not a sufficient sum to sup- port both of us. Besides, Poll, you forget the baby." As he said this he crossed to the bed, and raised it a little. The innocent moaned as if in pain. See, it can not bear to be moved," said Hadley. "It must bear it!" answered Poll, doggedly, from the chair in which she sat. To move it would be to kill it.' 'Then," said Poll, "it must die.” Hadley turned and looked at her. The coarse, determined, vulgar woman was out in native force to-night. Did he contrast her with his own wife? He did; and, so contrast- ing, became assured that he was better mated by the woman who confronted him than by the pure and loving spirit whose heart was incapable of such a sentiment-who would have shuddered to hear it, and died rather than utter it. He was a vulture; his wife was a dove. He was a vulture; Poll was a vulture too. Let the vultures fly together, and together make their nest. There is a ship," said Hadley, "that sails for Cuba to-morrow morning at daybreak. 1 intend to take passage in it.' "The captain's name," said Poll, is Captain Parrick." .. How do you know?" asked Hadley, astonished. No matter. I've known him for some time. It is settled now. You go to Havana, and I'll go with you.' Through the influence of Captain Parrick?" Exactly. "Pretending that you are my wife?" "If you will.” It will be better. He will keep on the good side of me.” “And now, Hadley," said Poll, coming close to him, "do you cast off your wife with no regret? Would you rather fly with me than remain with her?" “I would,” answered Hadley; "I swear it by my soul and life!” "That is well," answered Poll, her black eyes flashing; "I will pack what I have immediately.' Stay," said Hadley-" the baby, what shall we do with it?" ! る ​ THE DEAD · MAN'S SECRET. い ​"The baby," cried the woman, "must go, too!'! "It can not, and live!" Then," said the woman, fiercely, it must go, and die!" To lift the baby from the bed," repeated Hadley for the second time, "would give it great pain. He raised it by way of trial. Again the little creature, covered by hideous wounds and ulcers, moaned and cried piteously. Drat the babe!” cried Poll, suddenly rushing at him. "1 see you would rather prefer me to stay with it than go with you!” That is not so!" said Hadley. 46 'Then," said the woman, rapidly, and looking straight into his eyes, you would leave it here to die alone? No! 1 sball never consent to that. Look on the stand there. Do you see that bottle? Take it in your hands. Taste it! smell it! It is morphine! You know how that works. Pour what is there down the babe's throat!" Hadley pressed his hands to his head, and leaned for support on the table. The woman overpowered him. "Don't be backward," she reiterated. "I am suddenly faint!" he said. Do it!" "You are frightened at the thought, are you not?" "Get some liquor before we talk further." She hurriedly donned her bonnet and shawl, and hastened to the nearest dram-shop. When she was gone. Hadley remained with his head laid on the table, his face concealed by the arm upon which his forehead rested, from the eyes of the pale little creature whose life was threatened. He dared not look at it! Presently she returned with a bottle of the stoutest brandy, and her lips were wet where she had tasted it on the stairs. She filled a tumbler half full, and placed it before him. He looked at it angrily, and, cursing her avarice, brimmed it till it trickled over the sides. Here," he cried, raising the glass above his head, "is to Neces- sity! God forgive us all for what Necessity makes us do!" He drank it down without pause; and great tears, brewed from the strength of the liquor, rolled from his eyes, which became blood- shot, while the veins swelled in his forehead. As he rose and staggered before her, the woman took the bottle labeled "Morphia," in her hands, and presented it to him, saying, with a hoarse laugh and without looking toward the bed: "You are a doctor; give it its drops!" With a reckless, drunken air he seized her by the shoulder, and pushed her into a chair, on one side of the table, while he sat down himself on the other side, and, producing a pack of cards, flung them in such a manner that they separated and covered the table. Play, Poll; and who wins-it's none of his business to kill babies! Who trumps may defy the gallows!" That is tedious. I know a better way. Look! I pack the cards -now cut them." Poll said this as coolly as if the game was played merely for love. I do," said he, suiting the action to the word. Now, this is my plan: Each one draws a card alternately. The one upon whom the first red falls commits the murder.' { Murder! Call it something else, can't ye, Poll?-not murder!” "It is murder, whichever way you fix it. Call things by their names, that's my way. Hadley drew forth a single card from the pack, and immediately whispered, with an air of relief, as if a weight had been raised from his heart: It is a black. The ace of spades.' Poll drew, and presently said, in unmoved tones: Mine is a black one, too. The three of clubs. None of your tricks, girl!” I play you true. It is your turn. Draw again." He did draw, slowly and cautiously, with trembling hands and white face, and hesitated to look at the card. ،، Remember," said Poll, a red card means murder!" The man trembled like a man of ninety. Is it a red card?" she demanded. He slowly turned its face toward her, and answered: "It is.'' CHAPTER XXIII. A STRANGE BURIAL. Sleep, baby * H. K. WHITE. 'IT matters not whether it is red or white-guilty father, and more guilty mother!" The murderer and murderess-in heart if not in deed-turned to- gether, as two wild animals might, to glare in terror on the speaker, who was a woman. "I will save the child from death, and you from murder! I will do this, who of all women have most reason to hate you both!" Mrs. Hadley had followed her truant husband at last, and stood, her eyes flashing fire upon them, with the poor babe in her arms, in all the bitter pride and sorrow of an injured wife, within their room. Woman!" screamed Poll, as soon as she had recovered her pres- ence of mind, "drop my babe!" Your babe!" answered Mrs. Hadley in scorn, a great white anger covering all her face; his babes are mine!" As she retorted thus savagely, she retreated from the room, bear- ing the babe in her arms. Hadley, who had shrunk into himself as before a superior being, in her presence, seized Poll, as she made her exit. Poll Cusser swore a fearful oath that she would have it back! Had she no right to her own child? she wildly asked. She would have poisoned, smothered, burned it to death, but she was too much even of a brutal mother to let others have it; above all, to allow the woman who had it to retain it. But Hadley held her tightly. Poll," he said, our time must be short here. Captain Parrick sails in a few hours. Come, now, the babe is well rid of; let us escape from this accursed town before the morning light betrays us.' : Rapidly Mrs. Hadley walked toward her own home, carrying the little babe, who moaned piteously. Suddenly she paused, and pushed the covering from its face. Its features were agitated strangely; its limbs and body equally so. The child was in convulsions. She was alone, and none near to call for help. The night was dark, and so still and solitary that the plashing of the river against the dock timbers and the sound of the river drains came to her ears; she dared scarcely move with her burden, for fear that motion would hasten its dissolution. She could not stay the flight of its little soul; the child was dying in her arms. She de- layed not a second, but, kneeling in the center of the lonely street, by the side of a pool, she sprinkled the water upon its face, and so baptized to God the deserted babe in such a manner as the Episcopal Church allows in extreme cases-in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. When she had finished this ceremony, she had but a few moments to wait before life had fled from the little body. Then it was that the peril of her condition occurred to the excited wife. Alone, at midnight, with an infant dead in her arms! What should she do? Should she carry the corpse to the hospital in which she was em- ployed, or to the house in which she boarded? A sudden impulse prompted her to answer, that to neither of these places would she be brought. She could not endure the many ques- tions; the vague, perhaps certain, suspicions that would render her life wretched. She was determined to reveal to no one that this was her husband's babe. To cause it to be forgotten that she had a husband was henceforth to be her endeavor. Quickly she formed her plan, while she kissed its little dead lips, roses from which hope had faded, and her tears dropped thick and fast; still the dreadful name that might be applied to her-the horrible name Infanticide-how could people keep their thoughts?-that raised her to a sense of her danger, and quickly she went to work. . She carried the little body, closely wrapped in her shawl, to where, in one corner, under a pair of iron stairs that led up to a sail-maker's lay a number of empty boxes. She chose one of these, having a sliding lid for a cover, that had once been a starch-box. She laid some money where the box had been, and took it. Then, sitting upon the iron stairs she drew back its cover, picked the baby up from where she had laid it, put it in the box, and closed the lid. Slowly and solemnly she bore her burden away. A few isolated stars began to peep out here and there, between the black masses that were rolling through the heavens. She was about to make the river take the place of the grave-the waters of the earth; perhaps, to see this strange burial, the stars looked forth. "Poor child! Heaven has been good to take you to itself. That place is the world for children whom none love. It is better that you are dead!" As she said these words, Mrs. Hadley dropped the fragile box inte̱- THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 79 the dark water. It floated away, a little white speck, like a boy's boat. It might have been imagined the white back of a floating fish. It was horrible, even in fancy, to think that the babe might be alive. Suffocation, with half-closed fingers upon its windpipe, might mock it under the lid-again, the dark, cold water might be soaking through and chilling the tender flesh. Mrs. Hadley thinks of this, then utters an unpremeditated cry of terror and anguish. An ominous figure, with a rope and a noose at its end, is skulking along the docks, watching the floating box. Now he flings the rope, the noose adjusts, and the box is litted to the wharf. The figure is a young man, of a sinister, disagreeable look, and presently he has the babe in his arms. .. Go 'way, woman," he snarls, as Mrs. Hadley rushes toward him. Go 'way! You're the one who put it in, I seen you. Don't be afraid. I won't tell, for all I want is the body. It's dead enough now, don't fear.' • Do you believe I murdered it?" demanded Mrs. Hadley. I know you did," answered Legs, the body-snatcher. 'em do." Lots of Overcome by the mere suspicion, Mrs. Hadley lost all conscious- mess, and when she recovered she was lying alone under the iron steps. A fearful darkness had settled over everything, and a severe storm was threatened, so that Mrs. Hadley was glad to stagger through the streets to her home, when she was again overcome by the horror of her remembrances as soon as she had succeeded in throwing herself upon a bed. At daybreak the next morning a man and woman stood together at one corner of a vessel deck-the same vessel which Captain Par- rick commanded, and which was bound for Cuba-the" Vicey. "Poll," said Hadley, "everything goes on well. We are miles beyond pursuit. The captain is fond of you. We can be as easy as we please. My only regret at leaving America is, that I must leave all chance of making my fortune from a certain secret of which I am master-" "Whose secret is it?" asked Poll. "There are none surely be tween us!" The secret, Poll," said Hadley, "belongs as yet to myself-a lady-and a dead man. Poll shuddered; she evidently understood that the dead man had been murdered. Yet earlier on that morning, Legs presented himself, carrying a salt-bag, at Old David's door. In the bag was the baby's body, and, as he presented it, he said: "Here's another one, Pickler.” i ! 80 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. CHAPTER XXIV. MRS. AMERLY'S HOME. A kindly husband and a prosperous house, What more wants she? SMITH. MRS. BARTON remained a night and day in the hotel of Billy the host, during which time she was attended by Dr. Pierce. Then she took her leave and journeyed toward Seaburgh. Dr. Pierce accompanied her, and during the entire ride was ex- ceedingly attentive to her. The doctor, however, being a married man, was more attracted by her personal appearance, and the evidences of a superior mind which she displayed. He obtained accommodations for her at a hotel on her arrival, and, having satis- fied himself that her antecedents were respectable, brought her to his own home, and introduced her to his wife. While there she met in society the bachelor surgeon, Mr. Amerly, who was exceedingly pleased with her. Mrs. Barton might now, it seemed, be at rest. Hadley, though she had discovered he was not dead, would probably trouble her no longer, as the breadth of space which the frightened criminal had traversed was between them. To be sure, she knew not where he had fled, but this was of no consequence to her, as he was assuredly gone. Besides, her children, Hamilton and Julia, were with her; her fortune was ample, and her acquaintance desirable. To crown all, Mr. Amerly proposed to her and was accepted. What prophet could divine in her fate aught but happiness? Over her future, indeed, hung the shadow of Hadley; but where was the ominous shadow that eclipsed the sun of her present? Alas! when she had no longer to fear the malevolence of the liv- ing, there was yet another source of anguish and tyranny. A life- less creature of the East that desolated her life and soul had noise- lessly been admitted into the citadel of her body. A creature bearing the magnificent name Opium. A name that might be borne by a Persian prince and whispered in awe-stricken tone about his drowsy court. Mr. Amerly was one of those few men who handle the terrible weapons of the surgeon neither in the cause of vanity nor ambition, but for charity. Not merely for reputation or fortune did he drive the unyielding blade into the yielding flesh of miserable sufferers, or grate the saw on their poor bones. It was not for mere display that he called his loving pupils about him at Cliniques and bade them observe how such and such operations were performed. He was a humane man and thought not so much of his own good as of the good of others. It was his pride to introduce his wife to the best society; to ad- vance her children. In fact, the same society that called him too charitable, said that he was too fond of his family-particularly of 1 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 81 his wife. He was continually talking about her. possible he expatiated upon her virtues. Whenever it was With so hopeful a prospect opening before her children; with so- kind and distinguished a husband, how could Mrs. Barton be else than happy? Opium, dread agent of pleasure and pain!" says De Quincey, "what solemn chords does it now strike upon my heart!" Turbu- lent, senseless alcohol, Mrs. Barton had turned from in disgust when she witnessed its effect upon her husband; turned from it, alas! but to clasp with a sorcerer; calling upon him to raise a veil between her and her husband's degradation. He clasped her in his arms; he put wings to her intellect; her sensations were worthy of a goddess. In high regions of delight she gave herself to him. Then it was he bound her with filmy but all-powerful bonds and proclaimed himself. the Tyrant! Opium, the terrible! Then it was she found that, though his pleasures were the pleas- ures of heaven, his pains were the pains of hell! L CHAPTER XXV. MORE MYSTERIES OF MEDICINE. Like a black mist, low and creeping, he held on His midnight search. MILTON. We have met with Legs several times in the course of this history, since we parted with him at the conclusion of Chapter XIV. It will be remembered that he followed Old David from the room which contained the Knights of the Golden Spade, through the pas- sage lined with serge and hung with curtains until he came to the panel which furnished an exit from the passage. Looking cautious- -ly through the crevices in this panel, which had been left unbarred by the piece of furniture that usually hid it, he saw Old David with a red lantern in his hand, "Now I'll find out some of your secrets, old fellow!" muttered Legs, as he mentally resolved to follow David and watch his actions. With lantern in hand, the 'Pickler," as David was jocularly called by the Knights of the Golden Spade, wandered about among the numerous barrels stowed away in the subterranean passage. He raised the lid of first one and then another, examining the contents much in the same manner a butcher would his stores of corned beef and pork. Legs, from his place of concealment, noted every motion, and scon discovered that the barrels contained human bodies, " salted down, to preserve them for the purpose of dissection. This was the reason, then, why Old David was called "The Pickler." Presently the old fellow came to a barrel whose contents seemed to call for a more careful examination than usual. So he hung his lantern upon a peg in the wall. At this point, Legs, in endeavoring to get a better view, stumbled over a barrel, and came face to face with the Pickler. David eyed him in astonishment for a moment, and then exclaimed: 82 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. "You're a curious chap-a deuced curious chap! What brought you here?" Legs significantly tapped the two lower extremities from which he derived his name, or rather his nickname, for the reader is aware his bona fide name was Cusser. David took his red lantern from the peg upon which it hung. I suppose," said he, "that you have been looking into all these barrels, Mr. Legs?" No," said Legs. "I haven't had time." Oh," said David. "How long have you been here?" "About as long as you have. I followed you down.' "You did, eh?" said Old David. So you pass your night in observing me, eh-in prowling round my establishment, in prying, peeking, and-if I may be allowed the disreputable word, Mr. Legs -sneaking. I don't pass the Knights," answered Legs, very coolly. "I stand and look at them; and a jolly set of young gentlemen they are, with their jokes, and their skulls, and their feasting, and their bones." "What do you mean?" demanded Old David. I had reference to the Knights," said Legs. "Which-what knights?'' Of the Golden Spade, of course-Knights of the Golden Spade. What do you know of them?" demanded David. 7 1 Oh, I'm well acquainted with them," answered Legs. "I fol- lowed you to their room, too, to-night. ' Oh, you did!" said David. 'By the way," continued Legg, immediately, count on niggers?" is there any dis- Po-litically, do you mean?" inquired the Pickler, with mock suavity. >> No," said Legs. I mean scientifically. Is their bodies con- sidered as prime, in a dissecting point of view, as white men's. Well, yes," said Old David. Some think they are better. The price is the same for both. Now here's one," continued the Pickler, raising the cover of an adjacent barrel, "who died in prison. He's a fine specimen-well packed, and equal to a white man in every respect.' The raising of the cover brought into view the head of an African. Infants are cheap, I suppose," continued Legs, in business-like tones. 66 Well," answered David, in the discriminating manner of an in- dividual who dealt in live-stock-a drover, for instance-" infants are not particularly so. A good, well-developed infant comes ex- pensive; but a rickety one, past all price, as specimens, you know. An infant which has its legs where its arms ought to be, or any other natural phenomenon, would take a fortune. I had one once of that kind, and I got a cool hundred for it-just as easy." That was a strike," said Legs, enthusiastically. Now, young man," said David, "how would you like to invest in such a business?" " Capital, I have not-" commenced Legs. No," said David; money. of course you haven't. You don't need What'll I invest then?" asked Legs. " Bodies," said David, significantly. Oh, you mean would I like to be a resurrectionist-body- snatcher?" # Exactly!" Would it pay?" It would pay better than boot-blacking." "What is the pay, now?' "Well, that depends on circumstances. Say I'd give you three dollars a body, and you take four a week, twelve dollars. Then I'd give you a dollar a week to help me pack-thirteen. Then you'd pick up odd jobs from the students and the doctors. Why, you could make fifteen dollars a week. "I'd be satisfied with that," said Legs. be-how much?" In a inonth that would Why," said Old David, taking a piece of white chalk from his pocket and marking the figures on a pillar, "four times five is twenty; four times one is four and one is five. Two," said Legs. Oh, yes, so it is two," said Old David; said Old David; "two is six. Sixty dollars a month, besides being connected with me in learning the packing business. That's better than boot-blacking. My business ain't so good as it will be, neither," said Old David. "The students don't think it beneath them to run opposition to me in resurrecting yet. But they'll get too proud for to do it when we get it systematized into a regular trade. They won't go a trade so low. When you get into business yourself, Legs, you'd find your being an apprentice- like of mine will go a good ways for you among the upper classes of the profession. My packing is known to all of 'em. A student will say to another: Jim, whose salting is this?' And the other will say, 'That's David's XX. Oh,' says the first, then it's all right if it has the Pickler's mark on it!' And now, what do you say, does the business suit you?" C4 It does," answered Legs, "and I'll commence at it to-morrow." Settled," said David. There's a party going out to-morrow night. You can go along. C Is the expressman one of them?" asked Legs. ፡፡ He is," answered Pickler. 4 It is then settled!" said Legs. "The sexton thinks the gates are fast, But little thinks who the gates have passed.' The Knights of the Spade-the Golden Spade. Hurrah!!!"' "Whist!" said Old David; “none of your singing in here!” CHAPTER XXVI. CAPTAIN GEORGE AGAIN. And all save the spirit of man is divine.-BYRON. IT will be necessary now to transport the reader to the West Indian lsle of Cuba. L 4 . Some miles inland from Havana, reached by the highways of the country, lay the great sugar plantation of Olivero De Mario, a wealthy Spaniard. Majestic palms, their fringed leaves mingling overhead, lined a wide avenue that, stretching for half a mile, divided into two branches which swept to either side the white man- sion of De Mario. Beyond, just on the verge of cultivated fields wherein flourished the sugar-cane, the coffee-tree with its snowy flowers, and other products of the tropics, were the huts of his slaves. All the country about was dotted with the magnificent forests that distinguished this land of the sun. In these the leafless ceiba attains a tremendous height; the tender ceiba, which adopts a myriad of beau- tiful plants and flowers, and supports them on its own barren limbs, so that it seems to hold a garden in the air!'' The inflexible ceiba which, when the other forest trees break be- fore the wrath of the annual hurricane, stands alone, stripped, in- deed, of the plants and flowers of its adoption, but unmoved, un- broken and majestic, fit emblem of strength and tenderness combined. Here, too, is the jacquey-marcho, which winds its treacherous arms about its noble brother, and so clasped feeds on the life they freely give. It is the emblem of ingratitude. Here is the plantain, with its great fan-leaves, and the fragrant pine, clothed in blue. The pine is like a prosperous man. In youth it is covered with greenness; later it wears a blue uniform; and later still, when it is near the season of its barrenness and decay, it glistens with the yellow of gold. Such was the life of Olivero De Mario. He had been prosperous and become rich, and now, as the period seems to have arrived in which he should commence to enjoy life, death touches him on the shoulder, and he has scarce time to make his hurried will ere he be- comes helpless and insensible. The ship"Jupiter" lies in the harbor of Havana. Capt. George Hunt, its commander, is about entering one of the theaters of the city to witness the performance of a newly-arrived troupe of Spanish artists, when William Cassell hurries up to him and places a note in his hand. "It is from my step-brother, Adrian," the captain says after read- ing it. Our father is ill-dying. It beseeches me to hasten to his bedside. Go to the ship, Cassell, pack my valise and bring it up to my hotel. I must leave instantly. William touches his sailor's cap, says All right, your honor," and hurries off. Capt. George Hunt was an American. His father died when he was an infant, leaving his mother a rich widow. At the famous springs of Saratoga she had met Olivero De Mario, who was a widower with one child, a boy, by name Adrian. De Mario had wooed and won her, and carried her to his beloved Cuba, where, until her death, she and her son resided. The step-brothers were the best of friends, and it was Adrian De Mario who begged Capt. George to hasten to the side of his expiring father. On one of those delightful mornings, which fall like blessings on the feverish Indies, Adrian traversed the veranda that encircled three sides of his father's house. At intervals an old slave would creep to him on barefoot and say to him, "Child, the bounty rests well," or "ill," as might be the case. The slaves of the island call the young master the "child,” and the old master the bounty.' The overseer, the magoral," walks gloomily up and down the avenue of palm. His lash must be used lightly to-day. He hopes that the bounty will not die, for he fears that his heirs have odd ideas about the enslavement of the negro. He would scorn to oversee a pack of free negroes. The house is crowded with the friends and relatives of the dying man who was one of the few proprietors in the island who made his estate his home and was not entangled in the gilded meshes of metropolitan dissipation. A man in a black robe and shovel-hat, and laughing white teeth, and jolly double chin, dismounts from a mule at the door. It is the priest, Father Diego, who has come to relieve his brother priest, Father Christoval, who has been watching all night. The father enters the sick-chamber holding his breath, and stepping He does lightly. He prays with zeal; he ministers with unction. all he can for the soul of the man who is about to depart to another world. He has just risen to his feet, when the sound of approaching hoofs is heard on the palm avenue. Olivero is moved by nothing. The lids are closed upon his black eyes; his chin, clothed by the pointed beard of the hidalgo, which in his case is iron-gray, is pressed upon his breast. The physicians who are about him say his will be a painless death. The sound of the hoofs draws nearer. A rider presently dismounts at the veranda without. A dozen slaves grasp for his horse's bridle as Adrian flings himself into the arms of his step-brother with a warm welcome, and the two enter together the death chamber. The physicians, the priests, the attendants, the friends, all make way for them. My father," said Adrian, as he knelt by the bedside, "George has come. Give him your blessing.' At the name, the old man rose for an instant, stretched out his hands above their heads, said feebly, "Both-my sons," and ex- pired. * * * * It was the middle of that night-night more beautiful in the Indies than elsewhere. The very stars are brighter than in other countries. By the light of a Cuban summer moon fine print can he read. Where all else is bright, the dark humid woods are grateful_relief.. Here gleams fire-flies of such vivid illuminating power that French invaders, once upon a time, mistook them for the torches of the island soldiers. A thousand wild voices break upon the ear, and at night a bird sings which rivals the nightingale, while perfumed breezes from aromatic plants wander everywhere. The step-brothers were walking up and down the veranda. They walked arm in arm, conversing. The negroes were restless. Some were gathered close together F A TAVAD "HAN UMMIT 1 about a central cabin, as if in conclave. Others darted here and there about the grounds, while very few were engaged in the usual occupation of the evening of a holiday-that is, lying idly on their backs, in their white gowns, smoking their cigarettes, which they roll themselves. Adrian," asked Capt. George," do you entertain still the opinion in reference to slavery that you did when we were younger? "I do," answered the enthusiastic Cuban, "and would to the Virgin my countrymen did also. England has nobly thrust the outrage from her islands! Why should Spain be more backward in civilization? My father's possessions are equally divided between you and me. Our quota of slaves is equal. Now, I am going to give all mine their freedom, and hire their labor, if I can. I be- lieve it will pay better in the end to do so. This would be sufficient, if I had no other motives." Capt. George was briskly thinking while his brother spoke. You will marry, Adrian?" he said, suddenly. If the lovely Beatrix change not her mind, we will be married within a twelvemonth; but my father's spirit-pardon me, why talk we of the feast, who are bid to the funeral?`' Hist!" suddenly cried Capt. George; "look yonder!" Creeping along the palm avenue, in the direction of the house, were a dozen figures. The step-brothers instantly withdrew into the hall of the mansion, and produced their weapons. They had recognized those who approached as blacks, and judged that their visit boded harm. The great negro massacre at Saint Domingo had but lately taken place. The antagonism between the bondmen and their masters was great over the island, as both brothers well knew. The dense forests were full of runaways, and proprietors trembled for their lives. The ominous figures were naked and armed, some with guns, others with knives. All carried pieces of inflammable wood, ready to be converted into torches. They skirted the great house cautiously to where rose the low, white dwelling of the magoral, the overseer. As they drew near, the negroes of the plantation silently joined them; and presently the overseer's house was completely surrounded. Then a ladder was raised against it, which four naked figures speedily scaled, and so reached and entered an upper window. Scarcely a moment thereafter a white bundle was flung from it, and caught by those below. Then the brothers comprehended all. Let us rouse the house," said George. No," answered Adrian, hurriedly. "I will save him without bloodshed. Sword in hand, to the rescue rushed the brothers. The white bundle was the hated overseer in a sheet! The white master is an object of awe to these unfortunates, and some of them shrunk back aghast; others, however, threatened with their weapons. But in spite of this the brothers seized the overseer, THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET, 87 and bore him, disengaged from the sheet, but gagged and bound, from among them. A bold runaway, named Caska, inspirited them. Follow, though they be bounties," he cried magoral!" and seize on ine The brothers had nearly reached the mansion with their burden, when the infuriated negroes rushed upon them. At that instant there broke upon the night the baying of a pack of dogs, and the sound of the alarm-bell; and presently twelve tremen- dous bloodhounds dashed among the negroes. The overseer's wife, who had that night been absent from her lord, had loosened them from the kennels, and it was she who rung the bell. The hounds would have torn the trembling slaves to pieces, if Adrian, with a voice which they were taught to obey, had not called them to his side. They immediately circled about him, his brother, and the magoral (who had fainted), with protruding tongues and bloodshot eyes, waiting for the signal that bid them rend and tear. Caska!" suddenly cried Adrian to the tall negro, who was his father's slave, but for months past had been a fugitive in the forest, what would you do?" we This, Master Adrian, would we do," answered the black: would cut your dastardly magoral's throat. Many a time has the cur, with his whip and his knife, murdered our countrymen. murdered them! We will kill him-" And then?" asked Adrian. Ay! Then," replied the black, we would lay your great house on the ground, and leave you as homeless and desolate as are our wives and children, whom the woods hide. Ay, and we will do it yet, despite your yelping bloodhounds. On, men! Fire the house!" A few raised their weapons and waved them about their heads; but the greater portion were too timid for such demonstrations. 66 Caska!" cried Adrian, who knew better how to address him than his brother George, "you would? You mean to wrong those who would be your benefactors? By my father's will, my brother here and I are made owners of you all.' "That don't better it for you," said Caska, with a shrug of his great shoulders. For No; but it does for you," answered the intrepid Adrian. my part, I willingly renounce all claim to those of you who are mine." "And 1," said George, "say the same of all of you who are mine. You are free! I have always meant that you should be so." Good!" cried Adrian, shaking his brother's hand. Bah!" yelled the fierce Caska. We don't believe you. But, if you are in earnest, swear it on the dead body of your father lying yonder. 64 >> Willingly!" cried both brothers, instantly leaping to the blinds of the low window of the room in which the body lay, and flinging them back. Through the open window the coffin was revealed, raised from the floor, on stretchers, covered with a black pall, and surrounded by waxen candles. 88 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Father Diego and a brother priest kneeled in fright upon the floor, trembling pitifully. Both brothers reached the corpse at the same moment; and, thrust- ing back the pall, each laid his left hand upon his father's brow, and, raising the right hand to heaven, ratified their promise. All the bondmen were convinced by this of its sanctity, and the runaways were speedily driven thence with blows and buffets, while loud shouts and huzzas rose for the noble Adrian and his brother. CHAPTER XXVII. THE MURDER. Hell's direst torments seize the infernal villain! I will have vengeance! BAILLIE. AT the corner of a narrow street, in Havana, about nine o'clock, one November night, three months after the events detailed in the last chapter, stood a man. He was attired in the straw hat and white garments worn by the Cubans. His fingers sparkled with mock jewelry, and an enormous gold chain encircled his neck and passed into his vest pocket. His complexion was dark from exposure to the sun, his eyes were blood- shot and his cheeks hollow; a long drooping mustache hung from his upper lip. He appeared haggard, dissatisfied, despairing. Dark clouds swept overhead; the ocean, far from being calm, thundered in wrath again Moro Heights, and rocked the merchant barks at the city wharves, and the slavers of Casa Bianca. The man standing on the street corner seemed like one over- burdened with sudden misfortune, and not knowing where to turn. The streets crossing each other were thoroughfares of the city proper, and, compared with those of the suburbs, were very narrow. On either side ran lines of gray stone houses, harmonizing well with the November mist that hung about them. Now and then one of the ridiculous carriages of the country, called volantes, would sweep along with its wheels six feet in diameter, its body two feet from the ground, and its shafts twenty feet long. "Hi! hi!" would yell the gay calesero who bestrode the single horse attached to the vehicle, in all the glory of long black stockings and silver buckles, and then the man would have to draw back against the houses or one side, while the bubs tore lines and rulings in the stone founda- tions of the house on the other side, to miss him by an inch or two. A few young men on a lark;" one or two gangs of slaves going to the Barracoons, or slave-market to be sold, or punished, as the case might be; a priest hurrying along in his pattens; a doctor; & comic actor, with his red paint only partially rubbed from his face, and a bundle under his orm-all these pass the dejected man, who looked after every one menacingly, as one might who in misfortune sees others happy. His frown grew blacker and fiercer; his agita- tion increased with the increasing darkness. As he stood thus, two men advanced toward him up the street. They walked in its center and looked behind them frequently for THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 89 any approaching volantes. One was tall and handsome, and wore the uniform of the United States Navy; the other was shorter, of darker complexion, more brilliant and larger eyes, red lips and long flowing curls. The reader will recognize Capt. George Hunt in the first and Adrian De Mario in the last. As they approached, the man drew within the shadow of a doorway. Yonder is our hotel, I believe," said the captain, pointing to a building on an opposite corner. ८८ "Yes," said Adrian, and we may as well enter now and engage our room. I have much to say to you, brother, of the present, of the past, and of the future. You must pardon my selfishness if I talk a good deal about myself." Selsfih!" cried Capt. George. "Who ever heard selfishness connected with the name of Adrian De Mario?" Flattery!" said the other. But I wish to say a good deal to you about Beatrix; about our marriage, which will take place now in three months, which will complete my year of external mourning for my father's death. I also wish to show you the jewels which 1. have purchased for Beatrix and ask your opinion of my taste. I fear they are not worthy of her beautiful self. What jewels would not lose their splendor when in the luster of such loveliness as that of Beatrix?" "True," said Capt. Hunt, smiling; "but what have you pur- chased for her?' A diamond ring for the first thing," said Adrian, "and- They had been standing during this short conversation within a few feet of the listening man, but at this point they crossed the street, and he lost the remainder of it. "A diamond ring," he muttered to himself, diamond ring is enough! make up to-night. Poll is she can't help me. and-Ha! ha! a What I've lost at gambling to-night I broke,' Parrick has deserted her, and We're both without a cent. Curse it, I'm more than half drunk now! A diamond ring! ha! ha! a diamond ring is enough!" He advanced into the center of the street with his eyes fixed on the gray hotel. His fingers were so tightly drawn in upon his palm that the nails penetrated to the quick. One of the blinds of an upper window in the hotel being thrown back, he saw the two he had overheard seat themselves thereat, cigars in hand. Their voices faintly fell upon his ear. After an hour's waiting, he saw them close the blinds as if about to retire. The doors of the hotel were still open, and it would be an easy matter for the man to effect an entrance, to mount its stairs and steal along its corridors unseen. This the man did. He had marked the position of the brother's room so well that he was at no loss to find it. It was on the third floor. Its windows were the second and third from the west corner. The first lighted, in the day, the hall in which he stood. He ad- vanced at a snail's pace. Finally be reached the door of the brother's room, stooped and surveyed it through the keyhole. A candle was burning on a side table beside which sat Adrian, unknown to the robber by name, holding in the light a ring. 90 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 3 The eyes of the robber glistened with avarice and delight. Adrian seemed never to tire of examining it and contemplating it. It was evident that he could not convince himself that it was of suffi- cient worth for Beatrix. The robber became impatient of his trifling, ground his teeth, and once had the temerity to grasp the handle of the door with the idea of entering and seizing on the jewels. At Jast Adrian placed the jewel in its box with many others equally valuable and hid all carefully behind a picture. The picture repre- sented a brigand standing alone in a mountain pass. Presently he extinguished the light and got into bed. Again ensued moments of impatience for the watcher, who scarcely dared to move. Finally he became assured that both brothers were asleep, and with great care he entered. A board in the floor creaked warningly under his tread. He reached the picture, felt behind it and drew forth from its place the jewel box. To make sure he possessed what he sought, he went softly to the window and opened the box. A light from a window just across from him satisfied him by enabling him to dis- tinguish the glitter of jewels and gold. Suddenly he felt himself grasped by the throat, and Adrian De Mario, who had stolen softly behind him, threw himself upon him. Both were in stocking feet, and made scarcely a sound to warn others of their presence. A flash of steel-a spurt of blood-a muffled groan-a stifled cry of George!" and Adrian De Mario, stabbed to the heart, lay upon the floor. His hand was full of papers, which he had grasped in his death struggle from an inner pocket of his murderer's vest. The murderer and robber, only looking to see that his jewels were safe, darted away through the dark halls, down the great stairs, into the narrow streets, and away between lines of gray and ghostly houses. < Silence settled over the death room, and Capt. George slept on until the dawning of the day awoke him. On opening He lay some time, however, with his eyes shut. them, he discovered that no Adrian lay by his side. There was a ray of golden sunlight where he should have been. Capt. George aised himself on his elbow, and looked sleepily around. Suddenly his eyes fell upon his brother, lying in a crimson pool. He sprung from his bed, uttering an involuntary cry for help. Adrian was not yet dead, for at the sound of his brother's voice, he opened his eyes. As soon as help came, Capt. George took the papers from his almost unconscious brother's hand, and examined them. The doctor, who had been called in, would not allow them to raise the wounded man, but made him comfortable on the floor. The pain of raising him to the bed would be excessive, and life could last but a few moments at best. The first document Capt. George examined was a letter. It ran thus: "TO HADLEY.-1 inclose $500 to you by bearer. My secret, E see, is yours! Beware lest it fall into other hands. 'Flax Village, August 16, 18—.” MRS. STEPHEN BARTON. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 91 "Flax Village!-Hadley!-Mrs. Stephen Barton!" repeated Capt. George, as in a dream. The other inclosure was sealed. He tore it open. A piece of shriveled flesh dropped out, on which was written: Dissected by Hadley, summer of 18-, at Flax Village, on Giant Mountain." There was writing also in a different hand, and it bore characters which he did not read till afterward. As the captain read a light broke upon him. He had visited Flax Village since his first visit. It was he who had discovered Legs in the cave on Giant Mountain, and the body of Barton. At his last visit he had heard damaging rumors connecting Mrs. Barton with Hadley. Putting all this together, he was immediately made certain that Hadley was the murderer of his brother. But, to entirely con- vince himself, it was only necessary for him to bring to mind the story of the Museum robbery, and Hadley's ruse, which had been copied into all the newspapers of the civilized world, and the fact of his escape to a foreign country, which had been mentioned therein. Suddenly Adrian raised himself to his elbow, looked about wildly, and whispered a single word. This was: • Beatrix!" "I understand you, my brother," said George, pressing his hand with emotion; "I will tell her that, dying, your last thought was of her; her image cheered you through the dark and painful valley, and her name was on your lips. A smile passed over the dying lover's face; but again he raised his hand and pointed toward the picture. " The jewels are gone, my dear Adrian, and, with Heaven's help, your murderer shall profit little by them! Hear me, Heaven! and give me time and chance to press them in his open wounds, and doubly redden the rubies in his heart's blood!" A look of anguish crossed the poor lover's countenance. Revenge!" he murmured, revenge-my Beatrix!" Rest, brother," cried the weeping captain. "Die in peace. Your murderer 1 know--the earth nor the seas shall hide him from me! I will follow like a pestilence on his track-and by my hand shall you and Beatrix be avenged!" A pitiable fate was that of Adrian. He died. In a short three months he was to have been wedded. The journey he was making at the time of his death was to her who was to have been his bride. But the angel of death stood in the path, and the dagger of an assassin cut the bonds of their betrothal. With a settled purpose in his heart to hunt down Hadley, and to зlay him, Capt. Hunt bore the last words of Adrian to the sea-coast where the mourning Beatrix awaited him. 92 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. CHAPTER XXVIII. HOW HADLEY ESCAPED. BERN. Was there any blood upon it? THOм. Nay, as it passed I did not see its form, Naught but the horrid face. BERN. It is the murderer. BAILLIE, A FEW moments after the murder, Hadley found himself alone on the Almeda, and perceived coming rapidly toward him a volante drawn by a fat old horse, which last was mounted by a drunken calesero who was singing ribald songs, and beating with a piece of sugar-cane in lieu of a whip. The animal every now and then balked and kicked spitefully, but as it was full six feet from the vehicle, ineffectually. The vehicle contained Poll Cusser, who was joking and laughing with the rider, and smoking a cigarette, as is the custom of the lower class of women in this country. Hadley, who had drawn himself up against the wall to avoid be- ing run over, recognized Poll, and bade the calesero pause. What for, my excellent friend? What for, robber and thief? Get out of my way, or I'll split your head!" cried the calesero. Don't be afraid," cried Poll Cusser; "don't be afraid of my gay silver buckle! It is a friend of mine. Let him come and speak to me!" One gallant is enough at a time," said the calesero, sulkily, but stopping his horse, however. " "Listen, my friend," said Poll. 'Do you hear the other snoring as he lies at the bottom of the carriage? What species of gallant is he? The sixteen thousandth part of one, my friend! Come, Had- ley, what do you want?" For the love of Heaven, Poll!" said Hadley, "have you got anything with you to drink?" Of course I have! How you tremble! What do you wish to say to me?" What is the matter? Nothing, Poll, save to bid you good-by. I must leave Cuba-” "What?' "Yes. But before I go I can't forbear speaking to you while I have the chance. Look! here is a present for you, to remind you of me. "It feels like a brooch," said Poll. " It is," said Hadley; a diamond brooch." I wish I had a light to see it by. Put the end of your cigar near it; but mind you, Poll, you mustn't wear it in Havana! Wait till you are away from these ac- cursed shores before you put it on." " Why?" No matter. It will be as much as your life is worth to wear it!' Ay, I see. You have eased somebody of it! Never mind, I'll hide it in my bosom. But where do you go, Hadley?" THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 93 Anywhere. At present, I think I can hide in Cassa Blanca." "The Slavers' Docks! A black place," said Poll. "It is a dangerous place, fit for the hiding of a dangerous man. There are ships secretly leaving there at all times. Criminals are its business men; crime is its atmosphere. I think from thence I can find the means of leaving the country. But how will you man- age to live, Poll?" .. Ha! ha!" laughed Poll. Why don't you ask how you can live when I'm not by? I will do as I have done. Do you not see I have company with me now?” A prolonged snoring from the bottom of the carriage announced that fact. Who is he?" asked Hadley A worthy fellow," replied Poll. "Ever ready for adventure.' > Do you think he can have heard what we said?" asked Hadley, nervously. He! why, he's as tight as a brick," said Poll. friend, wake up!" But he did not wake up. "Wake up, my Hadley soon after bade Poll good-by, and hurried off to Cassa Blanca. He had already begun to know the horrors that are the portion of the murderer. He was a thousand times more miserable than he had been but a few hours before when cursing the gamblers who had ruined him before the hotel at the corner. It was four o'clock in the morning when he found himself within the precincts of Cassa Blanca. From the docks of this place he could see the city docks proper, gradually coming into view as the sun rose with the merchant ships, their bows turned inland, beside them. Near where he stood was a little inn from whose upper windows a light twinkled for a moment-disappeared-and reappeared in the bar-room beneath. The curtains of the bar-room were of blue paper, and down; and across them Hadley could see pass men's shadows, probably the shadows of sailors. Then he saw one after another- raise their glasses to their lips-in shadow; from which he judged. they were gathered about the bar. Then the shadows disappeared, their owners having doubtless taken seats in that portion of the room which was protected by closed board blinds. The fog from the har- bor came in and enveloped Hadley in a dampness that made him shudder. Just as the first faint streaks of dawn made themselves. visible, he discovered a man advancing along the docks. He con cealed himself behind a pillar and watched him. The police force of the city were so insufficient, and murder so common a crime and so rarely punished, that his fears of the law, less than an instinctive desire to keep from the sight of man, caused his action. lt was, as we have said, about four o'clock. The man who approached was a short, yellow-visaged, black- eyed, sharp little business man in a short woolen coat, who looked neiiher to right nor left as he moved along, but hugging himself, tried to keep warm. When he came to the inn he went directly to it, stopped and took a view of the bar-room for a moment through the key-hole, then abruptly entered. A few moments after he came out again with another person. 3 94 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRet, Hadley started as he recognized the latter. It was Pedro Nutt, the man who had stolen Mrs. Barton's five hundred dollars from him. You are early," said Pedro to the yellow-faced man. It is well to be prompt in business above all things," said the latter. "Pleasure can wait, captain, but business not a moment." You are right," said Pedro. "You see how prompt I am. You have brought the instructions, I suppose?" 'Hush! don't speak so loud. We can say some things through Arumpets, you know, and others had best be whispered, you know. Who knows who may hear us?" Holy Virgin! You forget you sail under the flag of Spain, you know, and I as a Spaniard have to do with you." True," said Pedro, "you are a subtle-" Hush!" said the yellow face. Don't! who knows what ears, you know-Holy Virgin!" Well, give me the papers, and come in again." Here they are, my good friend," said the other; we must use a great deal of caution, you know-and now I believe 1 will go in and take a drink with you. I'll drink bourbon if you please, being a Spaniard. So saying, the yellow faced man gave Nutt some papers, which the latter placed in an inner pocket, and then the two entered the inn together. The day was fast approaching-if the murder was not discovered it could not remain a secret, Hadley knew, longer than Capt. George slept. It was in his knowledge of Capt. Pedro that he must find safety. He accordingly advanced to the inn. It was his intention to listen for awhile at the door, but as he stooped to apply his ear, a lattice above flew open, and one of the maids of the house put out her head, and reclining on the window seat, commenced puffing with great relish a little cigarette. This is the milk-maid of the Havanas, who thus perfumes the morning air with an odor fragrant as the breeze from the forest of pines. Hadley, therefore, was compelled to make a speedier entrance, and accordingly boldly opened the door and presented himself. As he did so, he came face to face with Capt. Pedro, the yellow- faced man, and a sailor, coming out, the landlord escorting them, and holding a candle in his hand, which showed feebly, indeed, in the strengthening sunlight. " Now everything is arranged," the yellow-faced man was say- ing, in a low voice. You may, Captain Nutt, put out of the har- bor within an hour. You have the American and Portuguese flags ready to hoist, have you-" (6 Hush!" said Capt. Pedro, we have strangers among us. Who are you, my good friend?” My name," responded the good friend is Hadley. How does my old comrade Pedro do?" Pedro, the old comrade, was aghast for a moment, but speedily recovering himself, said: " And how have you been, my brave Hadley-my noble boy with a cruel mother--since I saw you last? I was sorry to leave you as I did. Holy Virgin, how sorry!" 1 + ML THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. "I'm glad to hear it," said Hadley. 95 "I didn't know what I was about, upon my honor, when I walked off that night from you in the inn." 6+ With my five hundred dollars," said Hadley. Exactly," said Pedro. You remember the amount to a penny. I became delirious, with a fever, and stalked off like a madman; fell down by the road half dead-was picked up, and lay a week crazy, calling you by name every hour. When I got well, I went back to the inn and couldn't find a trace of you. Oh, Holy Virgin how true it is that I say! But, Hadley, in confidence, don't speak loud. I'll pay you back the money this minute. If you say a word about it before my sailors, it'll bother me like the deuce. I'll take you. into my confidence, fladley, my boy. Holy Virgin! I'm in good luck now. I'm captain of a slaver, bound within an hour for the Afri- can coast. I'm glad to hear of your luck, Pedro," said Hadley. Are you? Holy Virgin! that's kind. five hundred this minute. Come, I'll pay you th "You can do better than that for me, Nutt," said Hadley. "What is it? Quick! I'll do it. I'm a d-d rascal, but I'h help a friend. What is it?" Take me with you to Africa. That's it," said Hadley, 1h Go to Africa with me! Of course you can. Yonder vellow- faced fellow is the agent of the Cuban firm that in secret hires us. You know Spain is against us-or pretends to be-and the Cubans follow their masters! But, pah! in this year 18- all the Cubans are up to their ears in the slave trade-but in secret, Holy Virgin! in secret. We always take down Spain's castle and lion when we're out of the harbor, and run up the stars and stripes, or the flag of Portugal. Ha! ha!" As the sun rose that morning, its rays fell on the stern of the slaver, the "Buzzard," Captain Nutt commanding, sailing out of Havana harbor. Leaving the city docks, it made past sloops of all nations at anchor, through shoals of small boats, by great dredging machines busily at work, under the cannons of the Cubans, by the 10ck and light-house of Moro, through the dissolving mist out on the reddening ocean, with all sails set for Africa. Hadley saw the sun illuminate the spire of a church that he knew to be but a short distance from the room in which his victim lay. The same crimson rays did fall into that room; and while Hadley watched them mantling the spire, Capt. George saw them fall upon the couch; and while Hadley still continued to watch them, Capt. George discovered his brother lying in his gore. The murder being discovered at the moment when the murderer is shaking the Cuban dust from his feet, and going forth from the crime an exile and a murderer. أويل THE DI 2 CHAPTER XXIX. HADLEY'S ADVENTURES. Is this a murderer? Why, He doth act as other men. What else can he do but Be hanged? SMITH. AFTER a six months' voyage, the slaver arrived and anchored in the River Benin, Africa. On its banks stood a building which the slavers called a factory-not an iron, nail, cloth, or cheese factory was it, but a factory which took a free negro in at one door, and turned him out at the other a slave. In payment for the freeman, the proprietors gave casks of rum, hogsheads of sugar, bales of poor cloth, and stacks of poor tobacco. Hadley remained here a year. He speculated a little, and did not lose; in a short time he managed to get together a small property, The king of the people of that coast took a liking to him, and made him a favorite. The monarch's name was Ojee. Through this good fortune he was enabled to make many good bargains. The time which was not spent in packing negroes aboard ships, as closely together as in civilized countries they pack pigs in railroad cars, he often occupied in making hunting excursions inland. He drank no more, nor gamed, though the latter is a common vice among slavers. This was to An idea had gained complete possession of him. gain a competence. His early education had fitted him to play the gentleman. He determined to do so, and to pay no attention what- ever to that conscience which accused him, night and day, of mur- der. Finding that he paid no attention to it, he imagined that it would cease to torment him. Money was what he needed. He determined to make it. And in this effort his medical knowledge must assist him. In short, he made up his mind to return to his native country and be a quack," that is, a pretender to medical skill-who practices, not to baffle disease, but to fill his pockets by the credulity and ignorance of the sick. He told no one in Africa his plans, because it was rather disa- greeable to be a physician in that country, where the doctor suffers if the patient dies-where not nature, but the physician, is accused as the destroyer. A barbarous country! For instance, the king's wife, Moke, was taken sick, and the king - called in the services of an old woman whom he had captured from the Fan Tribe, and who was believed to possess great healing powers. But notwithstanding the doctress' herbs and strange incantations with wooden drums and powdered skull, Moke died. Then King Ojee, in the extremity of his grief and anger, ordered the F'an to the most terrible torturing death that could be invented. What this death was none could imagine; but the Fan disap- peared, and none knew her whereabouts. It was the second night after her disappearance that Hadley, gun THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 97 in hand, took his way a little back into the forest that bordered close on the sandy coast. He intended to visit a pool of water which was famous for the number of hyenas that frequented it, to quench their thirst after the heat of the day The moon was round and full, and about a half hour up when Hadley arrived within sight of it. He was made aware by howlings and whinings that the hyenas were approaching as well as himself. He therefore concealed himself in some shrubbery and watched for them. Presently a large body of them arrived, and commenced lapping in the stream. Of a sudden, one which had quenched his thirst, uttered a loud howl as if it were frightened or angry. In an instant all had disappeared, but, by and by, one by one came back again; and Hadley was much amused to watch their singular maneuvers. Sometimes a woodchuck, tied to a string, is placed in the midst of a pack of cowardly puppies. The way in which the puppies circle round it, sit on their haunches, jump at it, dart away from it, long to bite it, yet dare not, is precisely the way the hyenas acted toward an object they had found. What that object was, though he could see it, he could not for the life of him determine. It looked like a ball of hair, or some hairy animal rolled up on the sand. It moved occasionally, but in an odd manner. It rolled from side to side, and bent backward and forward as a man might bend his head. Its hair or covering was white. While Hadley was wondering what it was, a gigantic tiger from a neighboring covert leaped in among the hyenas, which fled in all directions. The tiger paused for a moment, and with working tail and flashing eyes stood looking at the object on the sand. Then it crouched, and leaped; as it did so, a wild scream of mortal agony rent the air. Hadley comprehended all in an instant, and a ball from his rifle penetrated the tiger's hide. It fell to the ground, rose, turned, dashed toward Hadley, trembled, halted, and fell dead at the foot of the tree he had hastily climbed. Hadley had recognized in the strange object on the sand the head of the old Fan woman-the doctress-whose body was buried be- neath it. This then was the death devised by the ingenious King Ojee. And but for Hadley's prompt deliverance of her by digging her up from the sand, its pressure upon her would undoubtedly have killed her, even if the wild animals had spared her life. Her grati- tude knew no bounds-she danced around him like the mad and wild old woman that she was. Her appearance was grotesque in the extreme. She wore a great brass ring in her nose, her ears were drawn down so long that they hung to her shoulders, and re- sembled more an elephant's than a human being's. Her mouth was immense, and her teeth were gone. Her eyes were the eyes of a witch. Her complexion was jet-black, and her hair was as white as snow. While Hadley was wondering what to do with her, a thought struck him. Why would she not be a profitable adjunct to a quack? He had his own ideas, which caused him to believe that she would be. Capt. Pedro Nutt's vessel had made one voyage to Cuba since Hadley had crossed as her passenger, and she was again in Benin Harbor. He determined therefore to carry the Fan secretly aboard 4 98 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. her, and disguised, to return to Cuba with the captain on his next voyage. This he managed to do, but the Fan was so wild and flighty that he was obliged to chain her in an obscure corner of the ship. When the ship sailed he bid adieu to King Ojee, who wept at parting, little guessing who was the savior of his victim, and gave him a small box of Magic Salve which was compounded from the skull bones of his ancestor, Bumbididu, and was a certain cure for felons. Capt. Nutt had a prosperous voyage until he was within a day's journey of his destination. Then, at the dead of night, a fierce storm arose-a violent hurricane that swept the ship from fore to aft. All the sailors were tumbled out of their hammocks to man the pumps, while three hundred miserable negroes in the hold, chained together, and tightly fastened down, howled for mercy as the ship turned here and there; and the waves beat, and the winds mocked the creaking timbers. Their wailings, and the clanking of their chains, seemed premoni- tions of the hell that the storm threatened to open beneath the guilty slavers. Of a sudden there came a crash-then a terrible cry, like the curse of a nation, rung in Hadley's ears, and down into the pit of the ocean went the shivering ship-slaves and slavers-and he found himself tossing about on the waves, and almost immediately became unconscious. When be awoke, he was lying on a sandy beach. Above a few stars were giving forth a feeble light, and great clouds sailed through the heavens. He could hear the ocean rolling on the beach with a sound like the drawing of air into a cavity; and, raising his head, he saw its waves tossing and foaming as if the sea god was bathing under it. He had been flung, he discovered, between two trees, which he recognized to be mangoes. A portion of his clothing had been caught by one, and his position was across another; so that, though the waves had undoubtedly swept over him, they had been unable to bear him back to sea. Hs felt very faint and weak, and indisposed to stir; but his limbs he could move with ease, and, therefore, did not fear that his bones had suffered or that he had met with any severe injury. Yet the sense of fatigue impelled him to remain quiescent. After awhile he commenced to notice objects about him as the dawn approached. The lightning bugs that flew about after the storm were remark- ably large. Sounds tell upon his ears that were very familiar. The trees which he lay beside were the mangoes of Cuba. He, there- fore, did not long doubt that he lay upon the shores of that island. While he was reflecting upon this discovery, he heard a voice singing a wild song in a strange tongue. The voice came from the sea. He raised his head, and through the morning darkness, yet feebly illuminated by the faint light of a few of heaven's lamps, he saw an object sailing inland, mounting and sinking on the waves, and fast nearing him. The object was a great box, and chained to it was a human fig The singer! ure. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 99 f Now on a sea hill, now in a sea valley, rising to the top of a mountain billow, sliding down the sides to the bottom-nearer and nearer approached the box and the figure chained to it, and finally it was dashed upon the shore. The song ceased; and, dashed to the full limit of her chain, the Fan woman lay prone beside him. If he had not seized her, the waves would have borne her out again. As soon as he could he broke the chain with a stone, and raising the unconscious wild woman, he carried her inland. In the center of a thicket he came upon a man reclining in a ham- mock. The man was taking his morning smoke from a little agarillo; and having thrown aside the rubber blanket that had pro- tected him during the night's storm, allowed one limb to hang from the side of his swinging couch. In Cuba inns at that time were a rarity in the backwoods coun- try, so that young men traveling on foot carried their beds with them and slung them to trees. The game in the forests supplied them with food; fruits and nuts were also abundant. " Friend," said Hadley, addressing the man, we are two un- fortunates who suffered shipwreck on your coast during the storm last night. This woman, you see, is unconscious. Have you any- thing that will restore her to her senses?" The stranger said nothing but took from his pocket a bottle of strong salts. This applied to the Fan's nostrils revived her almost immediately. The first thing she did was to perform a grotesque dance, which probably was a thank-offering to her wooden gods for her escape. As soon as Hadley was assured that his slave was safe, he with- drew into the thicket to examine his pockets. He found that his purse was safe with its contents, which were of gold, and conse- quently uninjured by the water. He also found that the belt filled with gold which he wore about his waist was there. In good spirits he returned to the man and his slave. He was much surprised, however, to see the man fling his agarillo to the wind, leap from the hammock, and cry, in a well-known Voice: Hadley, don't you know me?" Hadley stared in wonder. Don't you know," added the person, flinging off a hat, with a laugh bold and hearty, "don't you know old Poil Cusser?" Hadley did not fail to instantly recognize that reckless female, despite the masculine garb in which she said she had traversed the country over. They were as glad to see each other as two such wicked ones ever can be. With the old Fan they traveled thereafter together; and this is the last the reader will know of them in Cuba, and we will hear no more of Capt. Nutt, whose bones the fishes only have a claim on. 1 100 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. CHAPTER XXX. LEGS' VENGEANCE. "There is nothing a little soul loves so well as revenge." SINCE her husband's desertion Mrs. Hadley caused herself to be known by her maiden name alone. She became Miss Restell again. How often did she regret that by such simple means she could not blot from her own memory the story of her uniortunate mar- riage. It was one of the nights that she was not obliged to watch her patients in the hospital, that a message came to her from a physician, asking her to watch at an out-patient's bedside during the night. She obeyed; ever willing to add to her store by any extra exertion outside the strict sphere of her duty. The patient lived in a small cottage on the outskirts of the city, directly facing Seaburgh's old burial ground, of which her (the pa- tient's) husband was sexton. Within sight of the invalid's windows was a row of little buildings of stone, with pointed roofs, each of whose three sides were buried in the grave-yard's earth; the fourth side was open to the street, and had deep set in it an iron-bound door, secured stoutly with chains and padlock. These were vaults. One of them was distinguished as the place of deposit for the bodies of the unknown dead. It might have been three o'clock in the morning that Mrs. Had- ley's attention was attracted, as she sat in the invalid's chamber, to certain curious sounds without. They seemed to come from the direction of the church-yard. Softly putting back a blind, she looked out, and discovered a man busily forcing the lock of the vault which was called the morgue. She inmediately awoke the sexton, who slept in a room next to that of his wife, and cautioning him not to disturb her, acquainted him with her discoveries. Greatly excited, he rose from his bed, and a moment after she saw him creeping along the white wall of the cemetery, gun in hand. The man at the vault worked with a will, but silently as he could, looking about him at intervals to guard against surprise. Suddenly he threw down his tools and started back. As he did so the report of a gun woke the sleepers about; and Mrs. Hadley, as well as the inhabitants, knew in a few moments that the sexton had shot a body-stealer. The criminal was brought to trial in good time; and one of the principal witnesses against him was Miss Restell. On the day of trial the court was crowded, as everybody is curi- ous to see what kind of creature a body-stealer is. The judge took his seat. The lawyers took their feet from the tables within the railing and grasped their pens; the jury were duly seated, according to law, in a row, and the trial commenced as soon as the policemen in charge brought in the prisoner. He was an odd-looking fellow, with long limbs, evil eyes, and his name was-Legs. 1 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 101 The sexton gave his evidence; the other witnesses theirs, and, Anally, Alis. Hadley, or, as she called herself now, Miss Restell, was brought upon the stand. When he was asked her name, she replied indistinctly, but the district attorney immediately spelled out Restell to the judge, who requested her to speak louder, so she was saved revealing her right- ful name, as she would certainly have done, being under oath. It was no small effort for her, however, to be questioned by the lawyers, especially one with a rosy face, and the voice of a bull of Bashan, who was engaged by the prisoner. Innocent and truthful as she was, the great parade of the court frightened her. Legs watched her closely, too, from the time she stepped upon the stand till she descended from it, with vindictive interest. The jury, without moving from their seats, pronounced the pris- oner guilty, whereupon Reuben Cusser, alias Legs, arose, and re- quested to say a few words. These words he drawled forth as impudently as possible, with his eyes fixed upon Miss Restell, who sat at hand among the audience. "Your honor," said he, "if insignificance may be allowed to speak in the presence of sich grandeur and intellectual magnificence, may I be allowed to do so?" It is rather late to make such a request," said the judge, “but you may say what you have to say as briefly as possible, if you please. 66 "" Your honor," proceeded Legs, "that young lady there, Miss. Restell by name, ought to be ashamed of herself to swear against. me as she did-when she knows that I knows enough to get her- what do you suppose, gentlemen?-I know enough to get her Legs paused. All in court turned their eyes on the witness. "I I know enough," continued Legs, coolly, and in measured tones-" don't start, gentlemen-enough to get her hanged!" .. Hanged!" cried the judge. Stuff and nonsense! Take the prisoner away.' "" it is Your honor," said Legs, as the policeman seized him, not stuff and nonsense! That there young lady who is a-blushing so violently, and trembling so amiably-drowned her baby, and Ĭ see her do it! That's all. A wild scream echoed through the court, and Miss Restell fell insensible. 'Lead on," said Legs to the policeman, with icy politeness. “I won't keep you waiting a moment;" and with his head turned back over his shoulder, and his evil eyes fasteued upon her fainting form, he stalked by the officer's side back to jail. There was a tall old man watching him among the spectators, who seemed unaccountably affected by Legs' recital. "" "The fool!" this old man said to himself, drawing his black eyebrows together in a frown. He'll lead to pretty revelations about my trade-he will. She'll tell that he stole the baby, and they'll ask him where he took it. That won't do! that won't do! that won't do! that won't do! I must go and see him, and put a stop to that!" So saying, Old David hurried to the prison where Legs was con- 102 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. fined, and was admitted to him. He found him seated and in a meditative attitude. Well, Pickler," he said, "I'm glad to see you. This is what our grand speculations have led me to! Oh, a highly profitable and delightful business is stealing stiffs. I've been hanged, shot, jugged for the business already." And when you're dead," said Old David, ecstatically, "you'll be honorably pickled by your friends. What a pleasing prospect for one so young." 66 * C Very pleasing," said Legs. Label me XX, will you; but, Pickler, do you notice how I serve them that swears again me? Did you notice how I come down on Miss Restell?" Did I see?" asked Pickler; did I see you was a fool? Yes, I did." A what?" demanded Legs, in high dudgeon. A fool!" said Old David. fling in the baby?" Yes." Was it dead?" 'I'm sure of it. "What did you do with it?" 66 "Look here; did you see that gal Why, I brought it to you to pickle. Of course you did," said Old David; and so you'll tell the lawyers.' Not I," said Legs. They'll get it out of you. You can't help yourself. Now don't think, my boy, by my calling you a fool I'm going to reproach you. All men are fools when they're young. On the contrary, I'm proud of you. You've been hanged-you've been jugged; you're a martyr to your noble profession. Now, I want to say to you that I think I can get you free if you only follow my instructions. Don't say any more about that young woman; play humble and meek; and, as law is always partial to medicine, and lawyers always have their family doctors, and you know you were getting that last 'stiff' for a student, and consequently in the cause of education- why, putting all together, I think we can get you out, Legs, if you'll hold your tongue. What do you say? Will you?" Legs thought it over carefully, and concluded that he would hold his tongue. So Mrs. Hadley was saved from a fearful trial. About this time it began to be whispered about Seaburgh that an Asiatic astrologer, as he called himself, had taken up his quarters in the city. He was said to be versed in the mystic lore of the ancient soothsayers. He could read the stars as if they were letters, and the human mind as well as if it were an open book. He could recall the past, and predict the events of the future. In all this he was assisted by a most singular being-an African woman of hideous appearance, but possessed of a knowledge of healing mixtures and health-restoring drugs. His house was on a retired street, hidden from common imperti- nence by a yard full of trees. Those who had visited him described him as follows: You rapped at a knocker on his door, shaped like a swathed mummy upon a metal plate of silver, covered with strange inscrip- Y THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 103 tions. The door then opened of itself, and you were admitted into a little hall or ante-chamber, the wall and floor of which were so padded and carpeted that your step created no sound. This hall was illuminated by a single swinging lamp burning dimly, day as well as night. Suddenly a silver hand sprung from the wall as if by magic, and in this you laid the requisite fee demanded by the learned man, at which the hand disappeared, and a door, hitherto invisible, opened on your right. You passed through this and entered a room in- tolerably dark, and faint with a strange perfume. Suddenly the upper portion of it was illuminated by a light of strange power, 1e- sembling the molten glow of calcium. Between you and the illumi- nated portion was a marble railing on which burned green lights. Behind this, seated on a luxurious lounge, in the full blaze, sat the astrologer. He wore a turban, a gown, and sandals of pure white. His waist was bound with a crimson sash, worked with curious char- acters. His complexion was brown, as became an Asiatic, his hair was gray, and a beard, thin and pointed and white as snow, drooped to his girdle. He held in his hand a long silver wand, globular at the end, and with this he struck an immense bell that gave forth, when he desired, a sound as powerful as a cathedral bell. When the visitor desired medicines, the sight he saw was still more singular. Then, the astrologer would cause the wall behind him to open in two parts and fall back like folding doors, and then was displayed, to the amazed eyes of the spectator, an exact imitation of an African jungle, with all the wild luxuriance and deep shade that characterizes the original. At the door of a bamboo hut, in the center, sat an old woman, bound to a rock by a silver chain fastened about her arm, while, in the background, two great lions stalked and roared, separated from her by iron bars made to resemble trees. When the astrologer desired the wild woman to prepare his medi- cines, he addressed her in an unknown tongue; and she, obeying, straightway vanished into her hut, from which was soon seen the red reflection from a fire, and the sound of boiling, as in a caldron. Then, with tottering gait, and rolling her wild eyes and shaking her head, and actually-so it was said-flapping her long ears, which reached to her shoulders, she would advance toward him as he lengthened the silver chain, which was, by some means, connected with his seat, and, having received her medicines, he would pull her back, while she howled and muttered, to her hut It was said, moreover, that many wealthy persons had been known to consult him, and that he was rich. Then it began to be whis- pered that the fiendish old woman had learned, among the other secrets of the East which she had acquired-besides the telling of fortunes and preparation of remedies-how to compound poisons as well. 104 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. THE CHAPTER XXXI. GRAVE ONES;" AND OLD DAVID'S ACCIDENT. "Friends in need are friends indeed." As How Old David managed to secure Legs' release from prison may be guessed by those who understand the sympathy which exists be- tween the disciples of law and medicine; it is enough to say that he was successful, and that Legs was a free man within a month. soon as he was released he took his way to the Pickler's abode; but by continued knocking and thumping without obtaining admit- tance, he convinced himself that his friend was absent, and sauntered away. That same morning, George Hunt, late captain in the United States Navy, but who, having come into possession of a large prop. erty-his brother's share in the De Mario estate being his-had- resigned his title and command, arrived in Seaburgh via packet from Havana. With his man he took up his quarters at a promi- nent hotel. This man was no other than William Cassell, by the blessing of God and the long purse of his master, no longer a bound slave to the navy. am As soon as William had rendered his master the morning services. which were essential, he informed him that he would like very much, if he could be spared, to steer away in the direction of a young woman in Seaburgh, who had been love's light-house to him - for many years, and guided him through stormy seas, and kept his courage and his virtue above board, and now was to be his anchor in the harbor of domestic peace, he hoped and believed. His master found no fault, but, on the contrary, bade him steer his bark sweetheart-ward as fast as he could. When the honest sailor came back after a three-hours' cruise, he opened his heart to George, as was his custom. He told him his Jennie was still true. That she was maid to a Mrs. Amerly, a great surgeon's wife. Mrs. Amerly used to be Mrs. Barton in Flax Village, which was William's birthplace, as the captain-so he persisted in calling him-would remember. But," said he, pausing and looking with astonishment at his master, what's the matter, sir?" George, at mention of Flax Village, had started violently; but he answered: Nothing. Go on. The name put me in mind of something, that's all." Oh, ay!" said the sailor; "and not only that, but Jennie's liv- ing in the house, too, with her old mistress-and a kind and beauti- ful one she was, too-but sorrow came over her, and now she's liv. ing with this Mrs. Barton as a confidante, they call it, I think, sir-. she is nothing but a sort of upper servant, after all, sir. 1 believe you'll remember her; you saw her once-Miss Restell, sir, is the name. What's the matter again, sir?" His master was again violently agitated, but by a different emo- THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 105 TAM - tion. Mrs. Barton brought to his mind the papers which he had taken from his dying brother's hand, and their betrayal of the owner and assassin, Hadley. Miss Restell's name recalled other and softer memories. "Miss Restell, did you say?" repeated George. "Is that the name?" Ay. She's a miss yet. There was a rumor which my mother told me when I was up in Flax, of her being married; but of course as she's a miss, it ain't so.' >> >> William, said the captain, prepare my shaving materials. Don't I look very old, William, in this heavy mustache?" 'Bless you, no, sir!" said William. Why, you're in the prime of life!" So you say she is not married?" repeated the captain, after e pause. Who?" said William. 'Miss Restell," said the captain, very much abstracted. Well, if she was," said William, in some surprise, "she wouldn't be a miss, 1 think." Ay, ay! true enough; 1 was afraid you said Mrs.," said the cap- tain, growing red in the face. Afraid!" repeated William, opening his eyes wider than ever, as he took the small kettle from above the spirit-lamp. 6+ William," said his master, without replying, "you put too much water in that lather cup. At this moment a black servant rapped at the door, and handed in a card to William, who handed it to his master. Robert Willow," said George, reading the name plainly written on it."1 will be down in a moment to see him. Mr. Now it happened that this young Willow was the accepted suitor of Miss 'Julia Barton, and of course a friend of Hamilton. Willow was a young man devoted to scientific pursuits. already obtained much credit by his investigations in astronomical matters. He had While he was waiting for George's appearance in the public room of the hotel, Hamilton Barton entered, and when George entered, he found them together. Mr. Willow immediately introduced his friend. Captain Hunt, as we will continue to call him for convenience, only therein follow- ing the example of the friends of all men who have been officers, although usually cool and collected, was, for the third time that day, visibly startled. First, on hearing Mrs. Barton's name; second, on hearing Miss Restell's name; third, now, on being introduced to Mrs. Barton's son. He had read the characters on the shriveled skin of the dead man's foot, and knew the secret that would affect Mrs. Barton's children as well as herself. He recovered himself, however, and shook hands with Hamilton, who, to please his friend Willow, as well because he was pleased with George himself, invited him to call on him at his home; and so it came to pass that he was introduced to Mrs. Amerly, and once saw Miss Restell as she passed the door of the reception-room on 106 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET , some household duty; but whether he managed to see her afterward or not is for the reader to discover in chapters further on. At eight o'clock, on the evening of his release, Legs again stopped before Old David's door. He found some half a dozen persons waiting besides himself. Among them he recognized the expressman. Hello, Legs!" said he-"hello, hello!" How do you do, my queer face?" said Legs, shaking hands. 'I do about as usual, my boy," said the expressman, and I'm proud to see you. Look here, brethren," he continued, addressing Those about him, "here's a boy that's been hanged for his profes- sion, and lives-been shot for his profession, and survives-been in jail for his profession, and is here! Here's a boy of nerve and of luck, which is better than riches; here's a boy that never was made to be shot, nor to be hung, nor to be kept in jail-a man composed entirely of the slipperiest kind of luck." The rest gathered about Legs, and congratulated him. They were as odd-looking men as could be brought together by curiosity-hunters--all short and cunning-eyed - all having large mouths and chins, and lips compressed, and long noses and cropped hair. Old David should be here by this time," said one, who was the most solemn of the collection. "Trust the Pickler," said the expressman, who was the most jovial; “he'll come round. It's only ten minutes after eight now.” "Is this one of the regular meeting nights?" asked Legs. Yes," answered the solemn one, and that's what makes me think it strange that Old David does not come. He never missed before. "1 came here early this morning," said Legs," and he wasn't ` here then." And I came here last night at ten," said another, "and he wasn't here neither. I sold mystiff' to a surgeon, however. "Trust my word, said the expressman; business keeps him and nothing else. The Pickler has a world of odd matters, you know. man. He never let nothing keep him away afore," said the solemn All these men were body-stealers, and this was one of the nights on - which they met together in free and social converse, relaxation, and mutual imbibition of fluids-principally strong beer and porter. They were, in fact, a lower grade of Golden Spaders. The title which their society went by was The Grave Ones." Tired with waiting, they presently hied to a tavern near at hand, and refreshed themselves in its tap-room, instead of the unoccupied room at Old David's. On their breaking up at midnight, they again returned to the Pickler's door, and pounded thereon; but, being too drunk to keep · it up long, they shortly staggered oft individually-some to their homes and some to the gutters, without being able to rouse him Legs, having no settled habitation and but little money, wandered about the town, determined to break in the door if Old David did not make his appearance in the morning. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 1073 He was strengthened in this resolve by the fact that the Pickler owed him money. The morning came. He knocked, and all was silent as before. He changed his mind about the door for fear of attracting the police, and attacked the window instead. Having pulled back a blind, he forced it up, and, entering through it, found himself almost suffo- cated by the musty herbs that filled the little side room in which David, as a pretended herb man, had strewn them. He passed through the door of this room to the hall, and from it to the room with the panel and the trap leading to the cellar. He mounted first to Old David's bedroom, and found the bed in disorder—but it never was otherwise. He threw open the panel in the wall, and followed the curtained passage to the Knights' room. With the exception of the skeletons at each corner of the table, no semblance of a human being was discoverable. He retraced his steps, and raising the trap, descended to the cellar. As he did so, a sound as of distant growling met his ear. He re- membered Old David's wolf, and, drawing the pistol which had been returned to him with his clothes when he left prison, drew near the inner or packing cellar. As he opened the door a voice exclaimed, Thank God! thank God!" and a pitiable sight met his eyes. Old David was supporting himself by his elbow, on the floor, un- able to move either of his lower limbs, both of which were crushed and mangled by a great stone which had rolled from the wall, disclosing a deep cavity in it, and lay across them. In his hand he held his pocket-knife open, and protected himself with it from the wolf, which, gaunt and angry, crouched near him, snarling and ready to attack. Its eyes were like a satyr's; its teeth like the teeth of a rack. What fate more horrible than to be almost in the power of a brute like this, rendered bloodthirsty by privation! A bag lay on the floor beside him from which protruded the re- mains of an infant, evidently lately mangled by the animal. The bag contained two others. Thank God!" repeated David, dropping his tired arm, when he saw Legs, and allowing the knife to fall from it. The steel had no sooner tinkled on the stone floor than the wolf had him by the throat. Its teeth had no sooner sunk into the throat, than, with the knife, Legs drew a ribbon of blood around its own, and it fell dead. The old man was insensible. Legs made up his mind instantly from the suroundings-the cavity in the wall, the bag that had contained the devoured child- that he had been engaged in hiding the babies in the recess, which was a secret one, to conceal them from search, if the officers of the law attempted any, when the revolving stone had by some means been loosened from its pivot and had caused the accident described. The wolf, driven desperate by hunger, had broken from the pillar to which he was bound. A few links of the chain yet remained fastened to it, and it had only been prevented from attacking its master by the knife with which he protected himself. Legs put the bag of children into the vault, and fitted the stone " مصر as well as he could. It required all his strength to lift it into its place. Then, raising the insensible Pickler, he carried him to the door, where he met the expressman, and together they bore him to the hospital. On the way, he opened his eyes and recovered sufficiently to ask what they were doing with him. He shook his head when they told him, and said, feebly: Too expensive!-too expensive! They'll let me stay there, and -charge less!" He was accordingly taken to the almshouse hospital and laid upon a bed. It was found that amputation of both limbs would be necessary; but it was teared that he would be unable to survive the operation. The day before it was to take place, he called his old friends about him. All the "Grave Ones " appeared, including the express- man. Gentlemen," said the Pickler, "I'm going to ask a favor of you, individually and collectively. To-morrow I've got to part with both my legs. I don't expect to live through it-I ain't no hopes of it. Now, the favor I have to ask of you, gentlemen, is that, if 1 die, you won't none of you disturb my bones!” The Grave Ones" looked at one another. David, said the expressman, be sacred. 暴​备 ​believe us your bones shall Pickier," said another "Grave One," hunkey!" "trust us — we are Old David shook his head, as if he doubted it, and turned over in his bed, restlessly. The color was heightening in his cheeks, and his veins were gorged with blood. Suddenly he rose to his elbow, and cried: Put in saltpeter! Put in water! This is Old David's XX. Pickler-he's the one! All the profession knows him!” The Grave Ones" again surveyed one another. Again the Pickler fell to his pillow; but presently he started up, his eyes wild with fright, and his hair erect upon his head, and, in tones of fear and agony, he shouted: What do you want here? Can't you let me rest in my grave? Must 1 be stolen, and pickled, and cut up, and my bones wired like a nonprofessional? Good Lord! good Lord!" The Grave Ones" surveyed one another again, and nodded their heads, to indicate that Old David was out of his. The young physician in attendance advised them to leave the patient, who was becoming delirious. "I'm sixty years old,' said Old David, sinking his voice, as though speaking to himself-"six feet ten inches high, broad in proportion, stout of limb, hale and hearty as a boy, able to pickle 'em all. Ha, ha!" The "Grave Ones" here made their exit. What a pity to lose his two legs!" said the expressman to an- other. It will spile his skeleton for sale. The surgeons will save us the legs," said the other. "I didn't think of that," said the expressinan. "So they will." CHAPTER XXXII. THE ASTROLOGER, AND HIS INTERVIEW WITH LEGS. Thus calmly spake the venerable sage. But, ah! alas! no venerable sage was he. WORDSWORTH. SMITH, On the doorsteps of a hotel in Seaburgh, when it was raining so hard that the streets were all deserted, a young man stood, curiously engaged. He was throwing a doubled handkerchief over his head, with great care and skill, and then twisting it savagely about his neck-in fact, he was practicing, what is called by highwaymen, the garrote. If it comes to having no money-no occupation, except accursed body-snatching, and no credit-when I've no bread to eat, nor no bed to rest on this 'ere knack of choking a man pretty near dead will come handy, in the case of rich old bummers, sich as pass and repass me every minnit, into this tremendous fraud of a hotel, where a glass of beer is a quarter of a dollar-oh, Lord!" This young man was Legs. Several policemen, stalking by, eyed him warily. Several unpro- tected females, as they caught his evil eye upon them, scudded with increased velocity under their umbrellas; and newspaper boys and bootblacks instinctively avoided those long limbs of his, which had a habit of kicking out unexpectedly, like a zebra's. At last, a small carriage drawn by a single horse, and containing Legs immediately a gentleman, was drawn up before the hotel. rushed forward and seized the bridle, while the owner, bidding him watch the horse carefully, entered the house by the ladies' en- trance. "I have a good mind," thought Legs to himself, "to drive off, and say nothing to nobody. He was beginning to think of doing so in all seriousness, when the gentleman appeared with a lady on his arm. The gentleman looked like a foreigner, having a dark complexion, curly black hair, mustache, and eyelashes. The lady was a little too large and dashing to be quite a lady-too rouged, powdered, flounced and furbelowed. Legs was surprised to see what an alteration time had made in his sister, Poll Cusser! Hadley was so disguised, however, that he failed to recognize him. When they were in the carriage, Hadley flung him a silver piece. At this, the horse took fright and "shied," as it is called; whereat Hadley, forgetting his foreign accent, swore at it in energetic En- glish. Legs immediately recognized his voice. Ho, ho!" he chuckled; now to find out where they live!" So he ran after the carriage, and, concealed from their eyes by its raised top, leaped into the space behind, and rode with the two. They drove to the house which was occupied by the astrologer, and were surprised to find that Legs was there as soon as they. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. ) You must have a double," cried Hadley, "for you are the image of the man we just now left at the House!" "I'm he," said Legs. "I rode with you. Are you glad to see me, Hadley?-and how are you, Poll?" saying which he stepped up to Poll, and kissed her, whereat she screamed. Why, you rascal," cried Hadley, not a little frightened, but rais- ing his whip above Legs' head, what do you mean?" Bless my soul!" said the other; "can't a brother kiss his sis- ter?" Hadley seized him by the shoulder, and drew him toward a street- lamp. < Upon my life," said he, laughing, "it is your brother!”’ What! Legs?" screamed his sister, not with any good will, for she was ashamed of his wretched appearance. The world seems to have been pen urious with you-made you a dirt contractor, and given you its cast-off clothing. Why, you're a scare-crow! Ha! ha! was it for this that I saved you from hanging?" "Hush!" said Hadley, who disliked, for excellent reasons, all mention of hanging. Here comes a policeman. Go into the house with your sister, while I take the horse to the stable. The policeman, as he came along, eyed the party curiously. • C Blessed," said he, "if there ain't visitors to the Astrologer at this hour of the night! What chuckle-heads folks are!" The first thing Poll asked her brother when she had arranged lights, and so forth, in the house, and Hadley had returned, was whether he would have anything to eat or not. Eat?" cried Legs; "I should say I would. I haven't had any- thing to eat, hardly, since Old David was hurt." Is Old David hurt?" asked Hadley. # "The same as killed," answered Legs. When I have eaten something, I'll tell you all about it. 66 'By the way," said Poll, you haven't seen anybody or learned anything from Flax Village, lately, have you?" I haven't heard anything," said Legs, putting a large piece of beefsteak into his mouth; but I've seen somebody. Do you re- member Steve Barton's widow?" "Yes," answered Hadley, with sudden interest-" what of her?" Why, I saw her riding out so grand in her carriage the other day, and her son with her. He's a stunning one, that ham!—a regular swell and a gambler, on a small scale. My! wouldn't his blessed ma kick up, if she knew about him what I do?” So you know this Hamilton?" said Hadley. Don't 1?" answered Legs, putting a long piece of bread and butter into his mouth and cramming it firmly in with another, and washing both down with tea. Then," " said Hadley, "I want you to point him out to me to- morrow, can you?" * 'I can," said Legs. "I used to gamble a little myself, before 1 was broke. You knew Slippery Billy Tufft, didn't you?-slim little fellow, black mustache, keen eyes-looks like the French fel- lows in the plays-wears diamonds on his two fingers and shirt- bosom-hangs about the Rainbow--you know him. "} “Oh, yes," said Hadley; "I think I know who you mean. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET 2 1 ' 'Well, this Barton gambles at his place. If I had different clothes I could take you there easily." We'll arrange that," said Hadley. The next night, Legs, looking more villainous than ever, in black broadcloth and high collar, walked into the gambling-saloon of Slippery Billy, and, without appearing to be connected in any way with Hadley, pointed out young Barton to him. M Hamilton was playing recklessly, being sufficiently intoxicated to be careless. He seemed to have inherited all his father's love of dissipation still, there was something about him that spoke of greater strength of character than his father had possessed. He was very handsome; and took great pains, evidently, about his personal appearance. Hadley easily managed to become acquainted with him, represent- ing himself to be a Cuban, and creating the impression that he was wealthy by a lavish display of money. After this he met the young man about town, and finally they be- came fast friends. It was noticed that Hadley never made an ap- pearance save in the evenings. How he passed his days was a mys- tery. One evening Hamilton took him home with him, and intro- duced him to his step-father. As Hadley appeared to take great interest in the medical profes- sion, and told many anecdotes of distinguished physicians whom he had met abroad, Mr. Amerly was much pleased with him and en- treated him to call often. On every occasion, Hadley displayed great admiration of the doctor's house, garden, and collection of tumors, cancers and so forth. On one of these visits he was intro- duced to Mrs. Amerly. He immediately recognized the Mrs. Barton of other days; but she failed to pierce his disguise. It was no part of his desire to undeceive her, as yet, and he allowed her to call him the name which he had adopted-Don Ferdinand Cappelo. There had been born, to the house of Amerly, an infant. Dr. Amerly was in raptures over it-regularly exhibited it to his friends, and was in raptures when any one said that it resembled its father. Mrs. Amerly, at first, seemed to take pleasure in it; but it was noticeable that, as it grew older, she would often turn away from it, with a sigh, to gaze upon her other children, who were no longer babies. There was a quietness, a stolidness, a stupidity, almost, about the infant that alarmed her. Nothing, however, alarmed it- doors slamming, loud voices, new faces-no sudden surprise what- ever disturbed its apathy, or caused it to draw nearer to its mother; it would lie immovable for hours, with its eyes wide open-some- times during an entire night! The doctor, after a time, observed this, and once said: "The babe is very like what its mother is at certain limes. You then, my dear," he said, addressing his wife, "scem filled with a gentle calm that is refreshing to me, after the turmoil of the busy world in which I am compelled to take a part. '' Mrs. Amerly shuddered at this, for she well knew the cause of that "refreshing calm." The child was large, with heavy blue eyes, and was a boy. One day the nurse said, in Mrs. Amerly's hearing: ¿ 112 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. This is the quietest child I ever saw!--it acts as if it had been taking opium. Mrs. Amerly discharged the girl next day. The boy was eleven months old when Capt. George Hunt first appeared at Mrs. Amerly's. He was introduced, as Hadley had been, by Hamilton. But here it will be necessary to explain how Mrs. Hadley came to be an inmate of the house. When deserted by her husband she had experienced but little sor- row, having the greatest repugnance to the man, who was a robber and a would-be murderer. As soon as she became certain that he had left her, she applied for a position as nurse at the hospital. This institution had passed into other hands, and consequently it was an easy matter for her to enter under her old name of Restell. There were none, save Surgeon Purder, who knew of her marriage with Hadley, and, at her request, he kept this a secret even from his co-operator, Dr. Amerly. One day Mrs. Amerly passed through the hospital wards, and recognized her as Miss Restell. She called her by name, and seemed delighted to see her. This proved to Mrs. Hadley that the news of her marriage had never reached her native town, which further strengthened her determination to bear her maiden name. Mrs. Amerly had suffered a great deal from loneliness and depres- sion of spirits, and the desire to secure Miss Restell as a companion took sudden possession of her. This was easily brought about. Mrs. Hadley had another induce- ment besides her desire to escape the drudgery of the hospital. This was the presence of her old friend, Jennie, at Mrs. Amerly's house. It happened that Jennie, in telling her of William's arrival, inad- vertently mentioned his master, Capt. Hunt. "I remember him," said Mrs. Hadley. "I saw him once in Flax." You have a mighty good memory It is the same," said Jennie. for names, anyhow, Miss Restell." Mrs. Hadley sighed; she had never forgotten the man who so completely captivated her young heart. That evening Mrs. Hadley, not knowing that the parlors were occupied by visitors, entered them hastily on some errand. The first person that she saw was Miss Julia Barton, who had re- turned unexpectedly from a seminary which she was attending but a short distance from the city. Julia was a favorite of hers, so she advanced impetuously and embraced her. Miss Restell," said Julia, after embracing her in return, "you do not see- "" Miss Restell started, looked about the 100m, and did see three gen- tlemen-Mr. Hamilton Barton, Mr. Robert Willow, and another. This last was a fine-looking person, with a complexion which is popularly believed to be peculiar to India, with eyes full and blue, and something of an authoritative air about him. Hamilton immediately introduced him to her. She needed no such introduction, for she immediately recognized Capt. George Hunt. Miss Restell felt her heart leap as she gave him her hand. The: J THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 113 1 past rushed like a torrent across her mind. At the same moment she acknowledged to herself that this was the man whom she had loved at first sight-whom she loved still. Her joy at sight of him seemed like a burst of sunlight irradiating her nature. Suddenly there fell upon it a shadow. She had commenced saying, in a happy voice: Captain Hunt and myself are no strangers, though several years have passed-" Then suddenly stopped, stammered-did not go on. The shadow was the remembrance of her husband! She had smiled upon him at first; she smiled no longer-became frigid, trampled on her heart, sternly remembering her duty. Capt. George had advanced to meet her, astonished at her warm recognition; and having taken her hand and made his bow, retired, dismayed in the presence of the woman who seemed suddenly trans- formed from an Egyptian to a Kamtschatkan of the iciest kind. During that visit she retained her reserve. He thought her cold, and remembered her as one remembers a December night. Yet, down in the labyrinths of hs heart, there was a warm feeling for her, that could not be suppressed. She remembered him only as one who, for a moment, brought back to her the pleasant past. He was a fool to expect warmth, cordiality, love, from her, to whom he had made no advances. Yet he did! Why he did he could not have told, unless, indeed, it is one of Love's laws, that from those whom we love we expect love. He made up his mind, on account of her frigidity, that he would no longer pursue the being whom he had loved for years-on reflec- tion he changed his resolve and concluded to call again. He did call again; to Mrs. Amerly he was all respect, and never once betrayed his knowledge of her secret to her. Mrs. Hadley no longer connected the idea of happiness with Capt. George; but deserted by her husband, with a nobility above praise, was as true as steel to him. Meanwhile Legs had renewed his acquaintance with the astrologer. It is very probable that his ideas of the great powers of astrologers in general were lowered by the acquaintance. A man is never great to his valet. Legs became the confidential servant of the astrologer. FRED. CHAPTER XXXIII. DON FERDINAND CAPPELO. The gentleman from the West Indies. SIR C.: Show him up. The Tit-Bit-Act. II. Sc. 3. ONE afternoon, Mrs. Amerly sat in her parlor by a window look- ing into the front yard, from which she could see the nurse draw- ing her infant, in its little carriage, about the walks. This yard was full of trees and shrubbery; the carefully cropped grass was kept fresh by the spray from two fountains on either side the main avenue. Upon the stoop, which was of marble, with two old-fashioned 114 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET lamps at either side, sat her daughter, with her admirer, Mr. Willow. She was well pleased with the choice of Julia; and in fact every- thing now seemed to add to her happiness and welfare. Above all, the secret which had so strangely become the property of another, had disappeared to trouble her no more. A shade, in- deed, crossed her brow whenever her eyes fell on the infant, who the discharged nurse had said “looked as if it had been taking opium!" It was near the evening of that autumn day; the wind was rising and a chilliness was in the air. As she put her head from the win- dow to warn her daughter of this fact the street gate was opened by her son, and presently he sauntered up the walk that ran by the carriage way, with a gentleman, who appeared to be a foreigner-- Italian, perhaps, or French. Hamilton, a little the worse for liquor, though he endeavored to disguise the fact, introduced the stranger to his sister and Mr. Willow, as Don Ferdinand Cappelo, from Cuba. A Cuban," repeated Mrs. Amerly to herself, for she could easily overhear the introduction. Don Ferdinand's conversation was that of a gentleman; playful at times, but generally of a grave, dignified cast. He was not at all familiar. He admired Mr. Amerly's taste very much in the laying out of his grounds. They reminded him of his father's grounds in Havana. There was less stiffness, and more-he might call it-- wildness in the Indian pleasure ground than was displayed here, he thought; still, the effect of the brown oaks, the green grass, the fountains, and the nicely raked walks, was very pleasing-very. It suggested comfort and refinement. Hamilton brought him into the house and introduced him to his mother. As he took her hand he pressed it so hard that she gazed at him in surprise. His complexion was dark brown; his hair was long and curly; his mustache was nicely clipped; his side whiskers were exactly rounded. He allowed the lids of his eyes to conceal their color. Hamilton sat silent at one side, by the window, vainly endeavor- ing to conceal his intoxication, until his mother secretly motioned him from the room. Abashed and mortified, he obeyed, and a few moments later might have been seen in his room prostrate on the - floor, in great agony of spirit. " When Mrs. Amerly found herself alone with the companion of her son, whom from the first she disliked, she assumed a severe tone. 'Sir," said she, "if it is you who have led my son astray this day, I shall be obliged to you if you will call yourself his friend no longer. I can never, great God," said the foreigner, impudently, “call myself any other than friend to your estimable son, "You have been with him all day?" I have," answered he, "and I rarely make my appearar ce, my friend will tell you, in daylight, but your son is such excellent com- pany!" Į } THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 115 "And yet you are unaffected by liquor, while he-I grieve to say it-is intoxicated." Upon my tender conscience, I drank as much as he! But he is green to stimulants and 1 am seasoned. Why, madam, 1 began to imbibe when I was a mere boy!" Mrs. Amerly shuddered. "I was fifteen, perhaps," continued the foreigner, "when 1 com- menced the habit-stay, 1 have a portrait of myself with me taker at that age; would you like to see how I looked, madam?" With great politeness he took a small packet from his pocket and handed it to her. "I had een playing," continued he, "with some boys, whose fathers had been partners in the wine and liquor business. This was in my beloved Cuba. They got me a pint bottle of the strongest brandy from his cellar and-ha! ha! I drank three fourths of it! How my father, Don Diego Santano Cappelo whaled me that day! How he laid the stick over my shoulders! What stripes! But he couldn't make a temperance son of me-no, indeed!" .. Mrs. Amerly advanced toward him trembling from head to foot. "1 recognize the portrait," she said, "aud know you, Hadley! What do you want?" "You come to the point directly, said Hadley, "which is a good idea-twenty thousand dollars!" What is your address?" He gave her his card; it bore the number of a room at a popular hotel. Leave this house at once," she said, "and you shall have it." 1 rely upon your word, madam. Good-evening." He took his hat, bowed, and saying, on passing, a few pleasant words to those on the stoop, went his way. "It is his portrait as a boy," said Mrs. Amerly; “I thought I recognized him-he must have this money. She had not tasted opium for a week. hundred laudanum drops! That night she took four He appeared greatly He went to the cradle of Then he said, addressing About ten Mr. Amerly entered her room. agitated. His countenance was haggard. his babe, and stooping over it--kissed it. his wife by her Christian name: Elizabeth, I have bad news to tell you." Bad news! Did it concern her? .. Elizabeth," he continued, "compose yourself. What 1 have to tell you concerns you-" "What?" she cried. "But," he continued, you can not imagine how much 1 am affected by it. I have none but myself to reproach. You remember Sparrow, the cashier of the Glitter Bank?" • Yes.' He has absconded with its funds. He has been gone three days; and so far it has been impossible to hear of him-” He has, then, you would say," she cried, hysterically, "my money, also?" With the rest. It was my fault. I almost compelled you to deposit it." Uor M 116 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET- She bowed her head upon her hands and groaned. Mr. Amerly was astonished at this display of grief. Elizabeth," he said, "he has not my money! I am yet rich, and your husband! Do not despair because of your loss! You have lost but half of your money; for is not mine yours?" She shuddered, and again and again groaned. She had not heard a word he had said. Her husband was not a little vexed. Was the woman a miser? Suddenly she broke the silence. Twenty thousand dollars!" she commenced. Her husband interrupted her. "It was a hundred thousand," he said. Twenty thousand dollars!" she repeated. take a woman to earn twenty thousand dollars?" How long would it "It would take her, without capital," answered the astonished husband, "forty years. The heavy laudanum mixture was stupefying her. Forty years!" she muttered under her breath. wait forty years!" He would not Her husband observed her curiously. His sensitive nature was touched. He took the babe from its cradle, and held it in his arms to comfort him. Suddenly he noticed something unusual on his hand. He held it to the light, and looked at it. It was a bright, circular mark about a slight cut. Ah," said he, "I have hurt myself." He bound his hand carefully. The next morning it was greatly swollen; and the swelling ex- tended to his arm. He suffered from a dissecting wound, into which had crept a venomous poison from a dead body, which he had dissected for the benefit of his scholars. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE RESOLVE. What sights of ugly death within mine eyes. SHAKESPEARE. A FORTNIGHT later Hadley received the following note from Mrs. Amerly: DON FERDINAND CAPPELO,-Sir, it is useless for you to tor- ment me more. At one stroke fortune has bereft me of all the money 1 had in the world. A dishonest cashier has stolen it from its place of deposit-the Glitter Bank. You may inquire at that institution if this is not the truth-if it be open to the public—but it is ruined as well as myself. "ELIZABETH AMERLY." In answer to the above Hadley dispatched the following: MADAM,-Your husband is still rich. I will appeal to him. DON FERDINAND CAPPELO.' She answered: M«U THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET 117 I * "You could not profit by such a course. He would probably turn me from his door; but he would bestow no recompense upon you. He would justly abhor you as a spy, a heartless, avaricious informer." To this he answered: “He has an infant. He will shield you for his infant's sake, and buy my silence. I asked you for twenty thousand; my price with him will but five thousand. I dislike to betray your secret to him from pity to you, but necessity conquers my repugnance. I am, etc. She had scarcely read this note, the resolve in which struck her heart like cold steel, when there was a rap at the door of her chamber, and Surgeon Purder entered. He bore an anxious coun- tenance. "What has your .. Hey! hey! hey!" cried he, addressing her. husband been doing? Cutting himself with his dissecting knife? Awkward business-very. Bad! bad! I have seen several die from less hurts of the kind. Mrs. Hadley regarded him with a queer expression. * He should have taken precautions. These dissecting wounds are so dangerous," continued the surgeon. A mere scratch on the finger, hardly wide enough to admit the point of a pin-is all that is needed. A little of the poison that is in every dead body finds an entrance. There is immediately swelling, shooting pains round the shoulder and the neck, followed by gathering of ab- scesses. Then the only thing to do is to make incisions, not as a great authority says-from the 'hip to the ankle,' but sufficient, deep enough; then, if this is done in time, all will be well, perhaps -1 hope so-in this case. * C 'Do you think my husband will live-really think so, doctor?" Mrs. Amerly fixed her eyes upon him. "You are a woman of nerve, of sense. you to know this.' Mrs. Amerly did not take her eyes from him. I've seen enough of “I therefore,” said the surgeon, "have no hesitation in telling you, kindly, in a sympathizing, regretful way, that your husband, my old friend, my fellow-surgeon, stands on the brink of the un- known world, to which we are all journeying." Mrs. Amerly sighed; was it a sigh of relief? But," the surgeon added, hastily, there is still hope-hope. He has good attendance, everything needful about him; he may recover. The great Abernethy, whom I saw when I was in Lon- don, met with the same accident, and recovered. On the contrary, there have been fatal cases of only forty hours' duration. We can't tell, but can always hope for the best!" Mrs. Amerly's head was bowed upon her hands. "A model woman," thought Dr. Purder. A good surgeon's wife! She now is suffering the agonies of death; yet she utters no sound! Hope for the best, Mrs. Amerly; hope for the best!” "I do," she answered. "A noble woman, "said the surgeon to himself, as he hurried away; a woman that makes no fuss!" 118 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. When he was gone Mrs. Amerly raised her head. My children, "she said to herself, "must be spared! Better that my husband should die than live to learn what would be their shame and mine!" A moment later she drew near the secretaire, and wrote as fol- lows: DON FERDINAND CAPPELO,-My husband is not expected to live. If he dies, I shall, from his property, be enabled to satisfy you. Come to me this morning at eleven o'clock. ELIZABETH AMERLY." That day she swallowed an enormous quantity of opium. She moved, while its hours sped, like a dreaming somnambulist. Her drug-drenched brain was haunted by the figure of a man- the same whose portrait she had seen full in the light of the burning barn. Away!" she kept repeating; "away-away!" At eleven, precisely, Hadley arrived. He was so well disguised that she hardly dared address him. "Mrs. Amerly," he said, "I am come at your request. 1 con- dole with you on your husband's illness. " You understand, then, my letter," she said. 'It was exceedingly easy to be understood; if your husband dies, you are then at liberty to do with your share of his wealth what you please. Among other things, you will present one Don Ferdinand Cappelo, from Cuba, with twenty thousand.” 66 That is my meaning. ; Meantime," said Hadley, with infinite coolness, "I must wait and run risks. Risks!" repeated she; "what risks can you possibly run?" "First you may die. " Heaven will not be so kind as to will that!" she moaned. 'I beg to remind you of-suicide, madam; but no matter. second is: You may-run away- decamp!" • That you need not fear," replied Mrs. Amerly. Risk My children are the tie that binds me; but for them I should be out of youZ power at this moment. Third: Your husband may-sad reflection-live." "Then you may do your worst!" I will undertake all these risks as willingly as I can; but you must agree to certain conditions, in case I do so, which 1 shall name. Mrs. Amerly faced him steadily, sitting in her chair, her elbow resting upon a table. Your son is in love with a woman of my acquaintance. If your husband dies you must consent to your son's marrying her. Her name?" 66 I don't mind telling you-for we must be frank-her name is Mary. I have been accustomed to call her Poll." She has another name, of course?" "Her family name is Cusser-Miss Mary Cusser." "Is she a good woman?" Hadley smiled. Her character is not very good." } THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 119 4 * Is that the only condition?” There is another. You have a daughter, and she is engaged to A young man by the name of Willow. Mrs. Amerly bowed. '1 desire you," continued Hadley, "to break off the match.” "For what reason?" "That she may be at liberty to marry a person chosen for her by her mother." "And that person will be?" Myself," said Hadley, bowing. Mrs. Amerly exhibited slight traces of the agitation which might be deemed natural on such an occasion. She became pale-that was all. Several hundred drops of laudanum each day, for two or three days, act very powerfully upon the system! Mrs. Amerly passed her hand across her brow, as if to collect her thoughts, and said: You desire me, then, to marry my son to that woman, and my daughter to a robber?” At the word robber Hadley grated his teeth, but answered, sar- castically: What better can they hope for? You forget the clouds that surround their—” "I do not forget," cried Mrs. Amerly, interrupting him; I have it ever in my thoughts. But for their sakes I would fly both from my friends and my enemies-those who love me, and those who persecute me. For their sakes 1 endeavor to buy your silence, not for my own. And," said Hadley, coldly, "you have heard my price.' I have; but you must wait. My husband is suffering fear- fully-" Poor man!" said Hadley; may his sufferings be soon over! But before I go, answer me definitely, do you agree to my condi- tions?'' Suddenly Mrs. Amerly burst into tears and flung herself at his feet. Then she implored him to spare her. She loved her children, she said; with all her heart and soul she loved them. She loved, too, her husband. Could he make her wish the one dead, and the others united to infamy? Far from being moved, he was disappointed and angry at the sight of her emotions; and without answering her, did what, in a less solemn moment, would have caused merriment in a beholder. This was to take a handkerchief from his pocket; and, raising his wig, disclosed a head from which every portion of the original hair had been closely shaved, and rubbed the perspiration from the bare skull. As he was doing so the door of the room opened, and, unob- served, Mrs. Hadley, the deserted wife, advanced a step within its precincts, without making her presence known, and recognized her husband instantly. Unscrupulous man!" sobbed Mrs. Amerly, you drive me to despair, and my children to infamy! Have you no heart-no pity?" < 120 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. As she uttered these words Mrs. Hadley withdrew, softly closing the door. 64 Madam," answered Hadley, in icy, decided tones, with a man of my character, reproaches are unavailing. The snow which is at this moment falling on the roof of yonder house, will have as much effect upon its firm structure as your remarks upon me. Mrs. Amerly rose to her feet, gathered her hair, which had be- come disarranged, in her hands, and laughed in a low and bitter manner. "The snow," continued Hadley, still gazing from the window, may break the roof there; but there is no hope for you that your entreaties will do the same by my resolve." "1 knew it," she said. "I was but fooling with you. I see the game is in your hands. May my husband's sufferings be soon over; and yourself and-Miss Cusser-be made happy! Good-day." 46 Good-day," he said. "Come and see me again to-morrow evening, at eight o'clock." I will," he answered. Have a glass of wine with me before you go? You will not! Well, let there be no further disguise between us! Know me, now, to be the reckless, wild, and wicked woman that I am!" He only bowed. 64 Stay," she continued; "I will come to you instead. I will meet you on the corner of A-- and C-streets, to-morrow night, at eight; and will tell you then the news-which means, you know, whether he is living or dead!” "I will expect you!" He went to the great hall from her room. her door when he was gone, and sat alone. She locked and bolted He opened the great hall door, and reached the yard, passing down the great avenue hedged by trees. As he stood inside the gate at its extremity that opened on the street, he felt a soft hand laid upon him. He turned and recognized his wife. Wretch!" she said, in firm and low tones, "I know you entered that house for no good purpose. As you brought woe to me, you bring woe to Mrs. Amerly. Never let her see you more, or beware! Remember. I have you in my power; kuowing you as 1 do, to be my husband and a would-be infanticide! Go!" She vanished before he could address a word to her. He was evidently much disturbed by her appearance. "I can do nothing with her on the watch!" he muttered to him- self. The first snow of the season was falling, covering the earth, the trees, the houses, the fences-and melting away in the river that rolled within sight. At a certain point on his way homeward he met Legs. They walked together, talking low and long. "You say," said Hadley, at length, "that you saw her drop the baby in the river?" "I told them drown it," said Legs; "but I guess it was dead when she put it in the box." "And then?" THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 121 Then 1 fished it out, and took it to the pickler's, in spite of her, and I guess Old David pickled it." Hadley shuddered in spite of himself; and wondered what Legs would say if told it was his sister's child. He recovered himself, however, and they conversed together a long time. So," said Legs, who had been intently listening, “she stands between you and twenty thousand dollars. I'd get her away from Seaburgh, it I had to kill and express her, pickled in one of Old David's barrels.' Hadley seized him by the shoulder, muttering low: "You've hit it, Legs." Legs looked at him with a stupid air. Hit what?" Why, to kill her, is what I mean to do!" said Hadley, just above his breath, and then added words spoken fast and fiercely. You would give me a thousand dollars," said Legs, turning pale, and repeating the other's words. Ay, I would. You don't find a sum like that often in your pocket?" You would give me that," repeated Legs again, "to mur- mur-" No," said Hadley; to hold her while she's being murdered.' With a knife, with a pistol-how?" demanded Legs, trembling more and more. With neither; but you shall see.' "By whom?" That, too, you shall see! But come. It is getting late; will you take a thousand dollars?" yes!" A thousand dollars!" repeated Legs; " a thousand dollars! yes! They disappeared together in the gloom of the stormy night, dotted white with snow-flakes. Mrs. Amerly sat in her room reading an advertisement in a daily paper. Thus it ran: George Schoole & Co., dealers in sportsmen's, theatrical men's, piscatorial men's, secret society men's, military men's, and police- men's, arms, costumes, tackle, badges, aprons, scarfs, uniforms, etc., etc., etc. Guns and pistols in great variety; knives and dag- gers such are used on the stage and in every-day life. Pugilists will do well to call on us, as our boxing gloves are noted far and wide. The new-fashioned guard for swords, invented by Mr. Schoole, will challenge all comparison! N.B.-A choice collection of daggers that can be made to resemble snuff boxes, for sale, very unique. Call at No. £20 G- Street, G. Schoole & Co.'"' Mrs. Amerly read that portion of Mr. Schoole & Co.'s advertise- ment that related to weapons twice. She wrote on a card their street and number. She then put on her bonnet and veiled her face. Suddenly she heard voices in the hall without. 'Why, ye're not such a fool, Jennie, as to think the likes of them can tell yere fortune! It's all lies!" 122 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. No it isn't," said another voice. by a gypsy once, and it all came true. hers told, too; the witch said she'd be queen she was!" "I had my fortune told me The Empress Josephine had a queen, and greater than the Street?" And are ye going to that man iù Yes, I am; but his charges are awful, though-he lives all alone, they say, with a couple of lions and a madwoman, in his back parlor! All the rich people go to him. Ah, ye don't mean what I mean! It's another astrologer alto- gether that I mane; you mane the New Astrologer! Ah! catch me going to him! Why, girl, d'ye know what the old madwoman does?" "No." Why, she sits from morning till night, brewing poison in a kind of a tent in the back parlor! That's what most of the rich people go to get! The heirs go in for their rich relations; the young wife for the old husband; the criminal for the witness! That's what the old woman does, and the lions are there to frighten her to do it. She knows what teeth would crush and mangle her old flesh and bones! Oh, good Lord, preserve us from the old poisoner!" 4 And who was the old astrologer that you thought 1 meant?' Why, he lives at 17 1-- Street." So does this last one.' No, not him; he lives at No. 170 B-- Street." So saying Mrs. Amerly's two maids went out of her hearing. Providence has thrown these in my way," the lady muttered. 1 will go to this astrologer. The story of his poisons may be false-no matter, I'll satisfy myself! Poison will serve me better than a pistol! I will go to the astrologer." CHAPTER XXXV. THE VILLAIN CHECKMATED. A hungry, lean-faced villain, A threadbare juggler; and a fortune-teller. SHAKESPEARE. THE surgeons and physicians in attendance upon Mr. Amerly held a consultation that day, during which it was decided that it was necessary to amputate the arm of the unfortunate man, and thus prevent the encroachments of mortification. Dr. Amerly received the decision with equanimity. The surgeons then produced their instruments, and were for proceeding at once. But the sick man interrupted them. 64 Gentlemen," he asked, " is there not to be given a lecture on the heart, in the college amphitheater this evening?" "It was so announced, doctor," said Surgeon Purder, “and 1 myself was to be the lecturer. urer. Of course," said Dr. Amerly; "you are the anatomical lect- But," continued Surgeon Purder, "1 must disappoint the students. 1 can not leave your bedside." THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 123 CL Now, my dear sir," said Dr. Amerly; "1 will arrange all that to our mutual satisfaction. You shall take me with you, and enable the students to benefit by the operation on my arm, and listen to your lecture on the same evening. Are you not too weak to be moved, my dear doctor?" asked the surgeon, dissuadingly. Not at all; I can bear the journey from the house to the college without inconvenience. Let it be in an easy carriage. Jones, the livery man, has one that I drove a patient out in once. He will know which it is I mean. Let there be a few pillows placed in the bottom, and on these I will go very nicely, I think." " My dear doctor, everything shall be done as you desire." "You will, of course, notify the students; and I wish Mrs. Amerly would drop in a moment, doctor; I have something to say to her." Mrs. Amerly was not to be found. Jessie had seen her leave the house a short time before. Gone out, has she?" said Surgeon Purder, elevating his eye- brows. Why, she takes it coolly, I think! She's more of a surgeon's wife than I thought. Who was that foreigner that I saw leave her room?" Mrs. Hadley, who was standing at hand, holding a bottle of salts, answered, with a little trepidation certainly, that the foreigner was an artificer who had been engaged in repairing the plaster of paris on the wall of Mrs. Amerly's room. The surgeon asked no further; but Mrs. Hadley had proved her- self as great an artificer as the foreigner. It was about this time that Legs came running down the stairs that led from the second story piazza of the astrologer's house to his back yard. He darted into a room in which the astrologer sat on his divan, in Eastern costume, smoking a Turkish pipe and reading-not a book of fate, but an essay on a new kind of hair restorer. Hadley," cried Legs, addressing the astrologer, "you've a rum customer comin' to see you!" $4 Who?" A woman-guess the name!" 1 can't.' Mrs. Amerly! Her veil blew back as she stood across the street, looking at the house, and I knowed her. She's a-coming over.' "I wonder what her errand can be?" asked Hadley of himself. "She can not guess that I am the astrologer. Legs!" Hello!" Here, put on my robe, turban, sandals; take this pipe and silver rod. Fasten on this hair and mustache. Now play the astrologer. Before Legs could quite comprehend Hadley's meaning he found himself decked in the attire of the astrologer, with a dark mass of hair on his head, a long-pointed mustache reaching to his waist- snow-white-a Turkish pipe in his mouth, and a silver wand in his hand. Then Hadley drew the lounge on which Legs was extended to the folding-doors that formed the back wall of the apartment, leaving 1 124 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. them so far opened as would enable him, by carefully applying his eye, to see through. 1 Now," inquired Legs, "what am I going to do?" Play the astrologer, as I do," answered Hadley. But what will I say?" queried Legs, feeling uncomfortably out of his sphere. Say nothing," answered Hadley; "1 will do all the talking. Here, put on this mask. .. >> It is as black as a brigand's!" It will hide your lips, however, and add to the solemnity of the interview. I will speak through this crevice between the doois, and she will imagine it to be you. What are you afraid of?" asked Legs. 'I am afraid she will recognize me, as she knows me in quite an- other character.' 'Oh!" said Legs; and then added, grimly: "I pity them that knows you! Miss Restell knows you. Is this another case of mur- At that moment a bell sounded, interrupting him. "" Hist!" said Hadley, a moment after, through the crevice be- tween the doors. According to custom, the hall door opened of itself; the same mechanism caused the little plate held by a band to fly out from the wall and receive the astrologer's fee. The door of the consultation- room unclosed, and Mrs. Amerly, entering, perceived that the reports that had reached her of the magnificence and oddity of the magi- cian's apartment were exaggerated. The room was feebly lighted at its upper end. Behind a wooden railing painted white, she saw, sitting on a divan, the figure of a man. He held, indeed, in his hand a silver rod, globular at the end, and by his side lay a silver ball; and he had just laid by a long chibouque—that is, pipe. The light that illuminated came from a lamp upon a stand near at hand, and not, as was reported, from a great calcium light over- head. The room had a desolate appearance, a damp, clammy, cold, bad-smelling atmosphere pervaded everything; and it was so dark that she could not distinctly see the features of the wise man. Far from reassuring as all things were, Mrs. Amerly nevertheless advanced to the wooden railing and took her seat on a yellow otto- man, within easy speaking-distance of him. Then, for the first time, to her amazement and discomfiture, she discovered that he was masked! A second thought, however, nerved her. It was this: The man who fears to show his face must pursue a dangerous business. A vender of poison-a Borgia-might do thus. Reassured, she commenced by asking him, awkwardly-for he never opened his lips, but sat, with great stiffness and formality, bolt upright—“if he was the astrologer?” Legs could have cut her throat much more easily than he could have answered the simplest question she could just then propound to him. He, however, turned his face toward her, and had some idea of putting his finger in his lips, to indicate that he was dumb. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 125 $ & This wouldn't do, however. A deep voice answered for him through the crevice of the door. Yes, my daughter." Mrs. Amerly continued: " It is said, astrologer, that you know the secrets of the past and of the future?" C The deep voice answered: Ay." Astrologer, it is said that you can do more?” There was no answer. That you can compound powerful medicines?'' Ay," said the same deep voice. And equally powerful poisons. Legs started. There was no reply. Mrs. Amerly rose to her feet. Is it true that last?" she asked. Madam," said the voice, with a slight tremor in it, "it is true. I have poisons for the young and the old. The poison that slays the one will not injure the other. The young heirs of the old legatee drink tea with him; they live and he dies. Good! The poisons I cause to be brewed are those of the African sorcerer, Janejos; he died, and they are now the secrets of his mother. Lo! behold her!" As this was said, to Legs' surprise, the folding-doors opened, and the old Fan woman, sitting at the door of her bamboo tent, was dis- covered. There were no lions visible about her, although something like a monkey appeared leaping among imitation African trees, and something like gay-plumed parrots fluttered among the branches. The strings that held these to their places were invisible. The doors closed almost as soon as opened, and the voice said: Daughter, you have seen the old Fan, the brewer of poisons!" Astrologer, said Mrs. Amerly, for poisons have I come hither. It can concern you little for what purpose I desire them. Perhaps to terminate, by their aid, a miserable life. But I will pay you for them largely. Give me poisons that are at once-like the arrow of the ancients-swift and noiseless." Daughter," returned the voice, “ you shall have them. Even now do I give the secret sign to the wily Fan. Even now does she commence to brew. Sit perfectly still, my daughter. Neither move nor speak." The next moment the same voice said, in a whisper, to Legs: 4.3 'Hold your hands over your mouth and nose. At almost the same instant the folding-doors slowly opened, and, in the glare of a great red flame, the old F'an woman was discovered, crooning a low and curious song, and stirring the boiling mass in a small brass brazier placed above it. A subtle odor began to penetrate the air. For many minutes perfect silence reigned, broken only by the low song of the Fan, monotonously working above her brazier. Mrs. Amerly sat quiet, watching the strange scene. The false astrologer had bent his masked face on his hand to protect his mouth and nose, and did not inove. She noticed the almost imperceptible odor, but attributed it to the Contents of the brazier. 126 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. A Legs, while apparently noticing nothing, had, in fact, his eyes intently occupied with a dark figure hidden behind Mrs. Amerly's chair. This figure had stolen in through the door behind her. In his hand the figure held a bag, from which he allowed certain gases to escape that shortly entirely enveloped Mrs. Amerly. The figure did not have long to wait. What the bag contained speedily affected all within reach. Suddenly the old Fan woman paused, tottered, and fell, and Mrs. Amerly became insensible. The escaping somniferous gas had reached them both. As soon as this was accomplished, the figure rushed to the win- dows and opened them. The fresh air combated successfully the disagreeable odor, and drove it from the room. : Then the figure and Legs took their hands from their mouths and noses, and held a consultation together. When Mrs. Amerly awoke, she looked around her stupidly. Soon she remembered where she was. A strange dread crept over her, accompanied by a deadly sickness. The astrologer stood before her. Madam,” he said, holding his hands-which contained a pack- age-toward her, there are my poisons." Sir," she answered, tremulously, I thank yo1. + felt strangely. How much money do you require?" I-I-have Madam, in a stern and solemn voice, we will wait awhile before we talk of that. Mrs. Amerly trembled, in spite of herself, both at the voice and manner. You must remember," he continued, that I am not only able to furnish the swift and deadly poisons secretly-which many men can and will do-but also to read the secrets of life. Therefore, I know upon whom this poison is to be used. Ay, madam-whose life it is to sacrifice. Sir," answered Mrs. Amerly, coldly, "I see you suspect me of suicide. Well, if Heaven have any penalties for that crime, I, and not you, must bear the infliction of them. 66 Madam," said the other, in a low and mocking tone, "I do not suspect suicide. I know-murder!'' Mrs. Amerly bent her black brows on him. More," continued the astrologer, "I know the man!” He paused, while her countenance grew as pale as death. she was faint her veil had disappeared. 6 C His name," continued he, is Hadley." Mrs. Amerly, as if in spite of herself, fell to her knees. While Wonderful man!" she cried. What fiend, deep in the secrets of blood, has gibbered that name in your ears?” Am I not right?" It is useless to deny it." The mask dropped from the astrologer's face, and the robe from his shoulders. "Behold!" he cried, in altered tones. Mrs. Amerly started to her feet, put out her white hands to keep him off, and moaned in fright. " Away! away, Hadley!" THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 127 She turned and sped toward the door. He rushed upon her and grasped her shoulder. 44 .. Mercy!" cried she. . Remember," he sneered, no more tricks upon Hadley!" Not comprehending him, she implored mercy again. When your husband dies, remember me. I am to have your daughter for wife-your property for my own. Murderess, go!" She fled from the house, and reached her room at home, only te throw herself upon her bed in a wild and continued delirium. CHAPTER XXXVI. THE BRAVE SURGEON WHO ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE CUT UP BY OTHERS WITH THE SAME EQUANIMITY THAT HE CUT UP OTHERS. THE scene is the amphitheater of the City of Seaburgh Hospital. Wooden seats rise and circle about a central space in which is a sur- geon's table. From the roof a number of lamps are suspended, and these are lighted, as it is evening. The seats are crowded with medical students of every description, from the boy with his first down, to the man with a bald spot in the midst of his fading locks. Some hold blank-books, in which they write their own observations or copy the remarks of their teachers. One or two in the back seats are a little pale and sick, because this will be the first surgical operation they have ever witnessed. Through all their lives it will be as an electric battery, the memory of which will be sufficient to make their whole nervous systems shudder. About the surgeon's table move the attendants and assistants, arranging instruments, laying out sponges, cutting up plasters, roll- ing bandages-all the significant stage preparation for the approach- ing drama. The surgeon who is to operate enters. He looks grave, still very composed and self-possessed. He bustles around for a few mo- ments, and then, having seen that everything is arranged to his sat- isfaction, looks at his scholars. He is not a polished speaker, and he knows it. He clears his throat, puts his hands behind his back, throws his weight alternately upon either leg, and says he is extremely sorry to tell them what it is his duty to tell. Then he informs them of Mr. Amerly's danger, and of his resolve. A solemn hush, which almost ends in a cheer, is observed among the students. An assistant whispers to an attendant in waiting. They vanish, and presently return, bearing in a trundle-bed. On this lies a man whom most of the elder students recognize. It is Old David.. He is very thin and pale. His great black eyes have a wild light - burning in them. His long limbs extend beyond the bottom of the trundle. Both of them are bandaged tight and stiff. The attend- ants lift him from the couch and lay him on the table. At that instant another couch is brought in. On this lies Dr. Amerly. The students involuntarily exclaim against this proceeding. What! one man who is to suffer watch the agonies of another in a like condition? No! it is inhuman! F 128 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Gentlemen," said Dr. Amerly, very feebly, "it is my wish that this should be. I desire to show you how one may steel himself to the pangs of the flesh-how one who,'in the line of duty, has inflicted pain, may also bravely bear pain-how one who has made the sur- gical clinics a feature of your college, and brought the sufferings of many poor beings beneath your eyes, submits to the same ordeal. 1'n very weak, or I would say more. A burst of applause greeted these remarks of the sick man. The surgeon who was to operate patted his hand with his knife several times, and his lips moved as he listened. "There are very few, gentlemen," he said, addressing the students, "who have the nerve, the noble enthusiasm rather, of the worthy God grant gentleman and skillful physician who lies before you. that, as he has saved many from death and suffering, it may be in the power of his brethren to save him also.' Several distinguished medical gentlemen dropped in as this scene was transpiring. The students warmly greeted the familiar faces of their professors. One of the professors, taking a cloth folded in the shape of a clown's hat, poured into it the pain-stifling angel, ether. The word was given, and it was placed over Old David's mouth and nostrils. A gurgling sound was almost immediately heard, and the patient, with one powerful blow knocked aside the cloth, and, spitting and sputtering and gasping, called out to them "for the Lord's sake to have mercy on him. Hold his hands," said a voice. The spectators smiled, for it was the other patient who had spoken. Who said that?" demanded Old David. "Ob, it's you, is it doctor? Well, you are a nervy one!" 44 Are you ready now?" asked the holder of the ether. Old David laid back. Go on! go on!" said he. They covered his mouth again with the cone-shaped cloth. In a few seconds he began to mumble incoherently and sing snatches of songs. something as follows: "Yes, I'm Pickler! Another one, eh? "Ho! ho! ho! So! so! so! So they come! Yes, I'm Pickler! What! do you-" Here his voice ceased, and a steady and com.ortable snoring sound pervaded the room, as the patient sunk into unconscious slumber. The surgeon stripped the bandages from his mangled limbs, and called on the students to observe them. "You will see," he said, "that both limbs are mortified to here. Both bones in both extremities-the fibias and tibrias-as well as the joints and the lower portion of each femur is concerned. You Hand me another observe the unhealthy, greenish appearance. knife, you! That's it-quick! Get your needles. Ay! Hold that saw! Now, then, come here. * Flap or circular?" inquired a voice. Circular," said Surgeon Purder. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 129 "Ah!" said Dr. Amerly, "1 should have preferred the flap.' "And why, sir?" demanded the old surgeon, casting a baleful professional glare from his glistening eyes. Well," said Dr. Amerly, endeavoring unsuccessfully to raise up his uninjured arm, "the nature of the case-" ८ Well, sir, the nature of the case '-what about the nature of the case? I've seen a dozen just such cases, and operated on seven successfully-precisely similar in every respect, and always by the circular. I beg your pardon," added the surgeon, recollecting himself. "What am I thinking about?-arguing with a suffering man like you! 1 ought to be lynched! Now, don't say another word, my dear sir, but let me commence the operation. Then came the bustle of preparation-the sudden convergence of all eyes upon a single portion of the bare leg-the gathering about it of assistants--the rising of students in their seats to see-the warn- ing voice of the surgeon to the assistants-the flash of a steel knife in the lamp-light, the harsh grating of a saw upon bone, the patter- ing of blood into tin vessels-the tying, the sewing, the plastering, the bandaging-and finally the triumphant manner of the operator, as he holds up the severed limb and says: C This operation was rather a long one; owing to various causes, it consumed forty seconds." The other leg came off in an equally short space of time. Then Old David, very stupid-like a man just awakened-was borne off. As they carried him, he was heard to mumble: Come, now! Can't ye hurry? None of yer display of learning and yer big words, but off with those legs, can't ye, ye butchers?" Mr. Amerly was next lifted to the table. With his hand he laid bare his injured arm, and immediately commenced to explain to the students how the poison of the dead body he had dissected for them a few nights before had entered his blood-how he had at first ex- perienced the peculiar pain about the shoulders which he bad as- cribed to rheumatism. He then gave them a detailed account of the symptoms-told them that he was aware of the seriousness of his case-bid them good-by, if they should never see him alive again, and ended by saying, with Othello, that his occupation was gone. "I have spent the best part of my life," he said, "in improving myself in the noble science of surgery; but now I am about to lose my arm, and what kind of a surgeon would that be, boys, who has but one arm to use?" The same He instantly succumbed to the influence of ether. preparation as in Old David's case was gone through with. The arm was held up by the operator, as the limbs had been. Gentlemen," he said, this operation was a most beautiful one, quickly and skillfully performed, though I say so myself. It occu- pied just thirty seconds. The students applauded with their feet and hands, as is the cus- tom. 'You may raise the patient," said the surgeon to the assistants. As he did so he glanced at the face; leaned forward and felt of the heart, of the pulse; listened at the chest; put a feather to the 5 130 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. lips; turned, very pale, toward the awed students, and, with almost a sob, said: The patient is dead!" At these words a man with a pair of evil eyes, who sat on a back seat, and was a mere spectator, not a student, leaned forward to listen and see. The usual experiments were tried to bring the patient back to life, but in vain. The surgeon dismissed the students with a hurried explanation of the cause of death. The man with the evil eyes rose and strode from the room. His lower extremities were of tremendous length. It was about nine o'clock that the man met another down by the river. The night was very warm for a winter's night, and a slushy rain was failing. Darkness and melted snow and mud were over all the streets and walks. The river 1an beneath a bridge of ice. Well, Legs," said the last man, "you've come in time. Why so?" asked Legs. "Because she is in that house," said Hadley, pointing to a tum- ble-down building a little way from them, the upper windows of which were covered with yellow curtains, through which a light shone. 64 > She?" asked Legs. "Do you mean Miss Restell?” "Yes," answered Hadley. "There's a poor woman in there who has just become a mother. She is nursing her. She is nursing her. This is the second night she has made a visit here, and she left last night at eleven." You want me to watch for her?" 'Yes; and you know for what. >> Legs shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. There will be another to help me. Come with me and I'll show-" เ +6 Stop," said Legs. You forget the errand you sent me on." Did you see the operation?” Yes." "How did Amerly bear it?" "Like a major! But the chloroform was too much for him.” How?" "It killed him." "Killed him! Good! Everything works to please me! In & moment Miss Restell will be in our hands; and then-remember, a thousand dollars, Legs! Come, see who you have to help you. Ah!" said Legs. Yes; let me see that kind of witness which you said no court of law would believe if she turned state's evi- dence. Hadley led the other to a portion of the river dock where, hid by boxes and tightly chained to a post, mumbled and moaned the old Fan woman. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 131 . 4. CHAPTER XXXVII. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. "So spake the grisly terror; and in shape, So speaking and so threatening, grew tenfold more dreadful." So she," whispered Legs, pointing to the old Fan, "is to be my confederate?" "Yes, "answered Hadley; "and you could not want a better. The old cannibal scents blood as the buzzards do death. her eyes flash.” 46 She's as mad as a March hare!" See how True; but the madness is in our favor; for who will believe the story of a mad woman?" They looked at her as she stood and gibbered at them in the shad- owy night, drawing closer her old cloak against the falling slush. Now, then, what is your plan?" asked Legs. "Come one side," said Hadley, and let me tell you. First, we must seize on Miss Restell as she comes from yonder house. Legs nodded. ice." • Then carry her to a retreat I know of across the river, on the What retreat is that?" A solitary hut on the river's bank. It is used by fishermen in the fishing season, but is now deserted.' der. When there?" asked Legs, glancing cautiously over his shoul- " "When there," answered Hadley, as he bent closer to him and lowered his voice, must come the final act. The Fan has a poison that will kill in an instant. You must hold the girl, and she will give it to her." But the body?" Can be buried beneath the planking of the hut's floor. After awhile you may dig up the skeleton, when past recognition, and se earn a penny from the doctors. Legs shrugged his shoulders. With a thousand dollars in my pocket, he said, no more of doctors for me! Your plan is good enough but for one thing." "What is that?" "The ice. I'm afraid of it. The weather is so warm. The slush has fallen so long. There's a devilish number of risky cracks in it!" Pooh!" said Hadley; see how I jump on it!" He descended from the dock, and commenced dancing on it. the water is over it in places now. 44 Look," said Legs; it plashing under your feet. I hear "Never fear," said Hadley. "It will no more let you through it than the dock boards on which you stand will let you through them. Legs at that instant heard a curious noise behind, and, turning to see what it was, immediately cried: Help, Hadley! help!" 132 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Hadley leaped on the dock, and, hurrying to him, discovered that he was doing his best to rescue the old Fan woman, who was trying to hang herself by her chain to the post. Her limbs were drawn up and she swung clear from the dock. In a few more seconds she would have secured her fate. When he had gotten her safely down, Hadley drew a leather whip from his sleeve and beat her unmercifully about her back and shoul- ders, holding one hand over her mouth to stifle her cries if she made any-which she did not, but crouched down, with a grin on her shriveled features, and bore her stripes in an unmoved manner that was strange and almost incredible to see. "This is the third time she has tried to take her life," said Had- ley to Legs. I thought you had given up this folly long ago, mother. You see how it always ends. The old Fan uttered some words to him very rapidly, in a clear but croaking voice, resembling an old crow's, using a dialect that Legs did not understand, and never ceasing to grin. She is telling me," said Hadley, "about her poison. She says it never fails." Suddenly he paused and said: Look! the light moves in the room with yellow curtains, there! Now it appears in the ball, and descends the stairs. To your post, and I and the Fan will to ours. Miss Restell is coming!" It will be noticed that Hadley always, in addressing Legs, called his wife Miss Restell. He had his reason for concealing their rela- tionship from him, on account of his relation to Legs' sister. Good-night, dear, kind miss," said a cheerful voice from the house. "Oh, it's a fearful slushy night for a young lady like you to be abroad! Let me put on my cloak and go with you, miss. No, no," Miss Restell was heard by the listeners to say; “I can take very good care of myself. Go back as soon as you can to your patient. Good-night. The woman who was left behind stood in the doorway a good while, with her candle in her hand, after her mother's benefactress -for such was Mrs. Hadley-had disappeared. Then she said to herself: God bless the good, kind girl, who's a lady, and don't forget the poor; who's in health, remembering them as is sick." The street which Mrs. Hadley trod was bounded on one side by the river docks, on the other side by a row of dilapidated storehouses that had once been busy mercantile establishments; but trade had ebbed to another quarter, few vessels landed at the docks, and the buildings in the busiest seasons were lonesome and desolate. The sidewalk she trod was uneven, and its stones cracked and broken, and in some spots entirely wanting. Only at the street corners were there lamps, and the intervals between them, owing to the drizzle that was falling and the fog that was rising, were almost unillumi- nated. To reach the street which she desired to follow, she was obliged to pass a building that had once been the office of a grave-stone coin- pany, but was long since deserted, and the yards behind it were filled up with piles of lumber. An old tombstone from some disused city cemetery, formed the door-step of the building, and was the only hint of its former occupancy, and a vague hint at that. The THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 133 blinds on the windows were tightly closed and of a faded color; and innumerable cobwebs were spun across them, as if the spiders were assured that they were closed forever. The door was tightly locked, to all appearances, but some houseless vagrant had one night kicked in a panel and crept inside for shelter; so that in daylight the curious might peep in and catch a view of a cheerless room, whose walls were dingy and dilapidated, whose floor was covered with fallen plaster, and whose single desk in the center, with a few scraps of whitey-yellow paper and some rusty pens upon it, alone bore witness that it was once an office. This night there was a man with evil eyes, on his knees on the floor of this defunct office, peering through the broken panel. A little way from the building, on beyond in the shadow of a pile of lumber that reached above them much higher than the building itself, stood a man and a woman. God pity the poor soul who wends her way toward these shadowy beings who watch her path! Patter, patter, sound her rubbers on the stone-then a plash as she steps into a puddle unseen in the darkness. Nearer and yet more near to them she draws. Suddenly she is startled by a voice at her ear-a voice peculiarly discordant and ominous-crying: Charity! charity!" 66 It is a hideous old woman who begs, with a pair of ears that touch her shoulders. Very close to her is a man, bent, as if he were old, and wrapped in mufflers. Mrs. Hadley pauses before the two apparitions. The man with the evil eyes slowly creeps through the panel of the broken door. เ "Who are you, my good couple?" demands Mrs. Hadley, very much startled. Are you hungry-homeless-that you wander in such bleak weather, at such a time of night, in this, the last place where one could hope for charity?” The evil-eyed man drew nearer. The old woman continued to grin and hold out her hand, reiterat- ing untiringly the single word, Charity, charity. ,, The man bent more, and muffled himself tighter. The evil-eyed drew close. "Come to my home at 310 Diamond Avenue," said Mrs. Had- ley, "to-morrow, and I will give you help. I can not here, for I have nothing with me to give. Becoming more frightened at the singular manner of the beggars, she tried to pass them by; but they put themselves in her path-the old woman grinning, the man stopping and trembling as before. Come," she said at last, firmly, let me go by you. Something seemed to tell her of a presence behind; and turning, with a shudder, she saw the creeping shadow of the evil-eyed, She slowly retreated from him, and he slowly advanced, as though endeavoring to charm her, as a serpent might. Suddenly he leaped upon her and gagged her. At that moment a sound of steps was heard. The scream had been heard, feeble as it was, and the gleam from a policeman's light was seen advancing through the mist. Legs raised his victim to his shoulder and disappeared with her, crossing the street to the dock, and leaping from the dock to the ice. L 134 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. T } He waited in the beaten ice path for Hadley and the Fan to fol- low, as he did not know the road to the hut. Hadley drew the Fan behind a projection of the lumber pile, and, gagging her with his hand, waited. Presently two policemen came running from different directions, and met near him. The officers flashed their lights in all directions, but with no re- sults. Didn't you hear a scream?" asked one. Yes," said the other; "I thought I did, but I guess it's naught but a dog-worried cat. I've got an extra to-night, Bill.” " Ye have, eh? What is it?" You've heard of the new astrologer that's set up business in B- Street, haven't you?" In course-1 keeps my eye peeled.' Well, we've got information up to the office that he's a mur- derer from Cuba. The victim's brother, or brother-in-law, has been on his track, with our help, for a long time back. But we're in a fair way to capture him now. We're going to take him to-night, if all's lucky.' # Well, I wish you luck, and I was with you," said the other. "I wish you were. The reward's big. Good-night.' And so they separated, and Hadley presently appeared with the Fan woman. A light at that moment would have discovered a deadly pallor on his cheeks, doubtless caused by what he had heard. 46 It is time to think of safety," he muttered to himself. "1 must see Mrs. Amerly this very night. She must open her dead husband's safe for me. The marriage project-bah! I can't think of that now. It is safety that I seek. First, to guide Legs; then to Mrs. Amerly. My wife dead, there is at least one enemy gone!" He found Legs kneeling on the ice, with the head of his burden resting on his knee. Together with the Fan woman, they quickly crossed the ice. After traversing the further shore a little way, they came upon a but built of the cabin of some vessel. Its door was gone, and its windows blocked with boards. The floor was rotten. The shape of * the hut was that of the bow of the boat. Hadley drew forth his dark-lantern, and made all this plain. Then he raised a board of the floor, and disclosed a grave without an oc- cupant. For her," he hissed. I made it. Good-by. Luck be with you. I'll see you, Legs, to-morrow. You won't leave us!" cried Legs. I must," returned Hadley. 46 Don't falter. I go for my money, which falls due within this hour. Remember your thousand dol- lars, Legs, and earn it. He disappeared in the darkness, and left the old Fan, Legs, and their victim in that lonely place, THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 135 CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE MERCY OF HEAVEN. Aghast I viewed The reeking blade, the hand imbued, WARTON. THE Fan woman sat near the side of the hut, opposite the en- trance, fastened to a ring in its wall by her chain. In this condition had Hadley left her. In the center of its floor Legs knelt, holding his helpless victim, who, perfectly conscious, was unable to make outcry or resist. The old Fan seemed to comprehend fully what she was to do, according to Hadley's directions. Keeping her eyes on Legs, and not on his victim, to his no small discomfiture, she arew from a pocket a little iron contrivance that looked like a toy basin with four legs. It was not larger than are many kitchen utensils that little girls have in their dolls' houses. Upon the earth she put a miniature spirit-lamp, and, arranging the other over it, she lighted it, and presently the basin became white hot. She then produced a bottle, filled apparently with water, together with a white saucer, very small in circumference. Drawing the cork from the bottle, she allowed the contents to drop on the heated basin. Instantly a little column of vapor rose in the air above it. She then held the saucer above this, so that the vapor would spread over its surface. In a moment the interior of the saucer be- came black, then changed to yellow, and finally a number of trans- parent crystals might be seen deposited upon it. The Fan woman nodded to Legs, as much as to say: Behold my poison!" He dragged Mrs. Hadley with brute force toward her, and mo- tioned that she should drop the crystalized bodies in the victim's mouth, for which purpose he would remove the gag. But the Fan shook her head; then, by a motion as of a pestle in a mortar, conveyed the idea that it was necessary first to reduce them to powder. Legs took his knife from his pocket, and offered to pulverize them with its brass ends, when the old Fan uttered a fearful cry of anger, and, seizing it, wrenched open the blade. Legs felt far from comfortable. This mad old woman, armed with the steel, might kill herself, or him, as the fancy took her. But her conduct reassured him, as she took the knife, and, in a skillful manner, commenced to comminute the crystals. Meanwhile Mrs. Hadley lay in agony, supported and held fast by Legs. In her mouth was stuffed a pocket torn from her murderer's coat. A disgusting pocket it was, in which tobacco was mixed with particles of bread and cake—a composition that stuck like dough to all the seams. She saw Hadley depart, the Fan go through her strange pharmaceutical mysteries, and finally she closed her eyes, just as Legs, drawing the gag from her mouth, forced it widely open, 136 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. " and the Fan brought the poison close to it on the point of her knife. Just then, as she heard Legs mutter, There is no blood to betray, anyway, about this," and had uttered a prayer to the good God, to her surprise she felt herself fall; and, opening her eyes, she saw Legs, with mouth and eyes wide open in astonishment and horror, stairng at the old Fan woman, who lay upon the floor, bathed in her blood. The mad-woman, pos Mrs. Hadley comprehended instantly. sessed by suicidal fancies, instead of giving her the poison on the knife-blade, had cut her own throat with it, slitting, without mercy, quite in two the flapping ears. It was no moment for delay. Mrs. Hadley saw that Heaven had been merciful and vouchsafed a respite to her. In a moment she was on her feet, and then plunged through the doorless aperture, out into the darkness. She heard Legs' hoarse voice calling her, and his heavy tramp as he pursued her. She made for the river, and was soon on its slushy surface, Legs following close. It seemed to her as if the old Fan's spirit ran before and bade her on to life. Her pursuer got nearer her at every step. Once she turned about and saw, by the faint light there was in the air, the glimmer of a knife in his hand. Presently her limbs failed, and she was obliged to pause. As boldly as she could, she confronted him. He grasped her by her arm, and raised the knife to her breast. Mercy!" she cried. Have mercy!" 、, 46 Who had mercy for me, mistress," he answered, hoarsely, from excitement and expended breath. Who sent me to rot in prison! You! And you'd have kept me there, too, if your oath availed-1, a boy almost, who was only carrying on his business-and business it is the lawyers deny it, but the doctors don't. Again I say, you -you-you! No, there's no mercy for you but such as the knife gives! There's no grave for you but the river, where you buried the babe you murdered! Give your soul to God, if you can. I'll let you have a minute to pray, and then you'll see how I'll give it to the d-1! Pray-pray-pray!" Miss Restell sunk to her knees. The villain tightly clasped her shoulder. Listen! What was that? The sound of rumbling-of cracking-of rushing waters, The whole body of ice rises and sinks under foot! Legs stands still a moment, drops his knife, and, overcome with sudden fear, flies for his life. "Curse you, Hadley!" he cries, wildly, as he runs. so! The ice is breaking up!" ' "1 told you And so it was. Reaching from one shore to the other, a great crack separated it into a north mass and a south mass. The mak- ing of this fissure was the work of an instant. The northern mass on which Mrs. Hadley knelt was held in its place by projecting rocks on the east shore, and by piers on the west. Legs in terror stood on the south side trying to discern, in the darkness, the proper method of escape. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 137 The solid mass which upheld him would perhaps move southward in a few moments and break into a million pieces. A mighty ice-man is king thaw, and his splitters and haulers are the warm rains and the river currents. The current south was more powerful than its ice burden; the mass on which Legs was, was moved by it; the fissure between the south and north mass, although he could not discern this, increased to a foot in width. He felt, however, the motion in fear and tremb- ling. Suddenly a ray of light illuminated the icy field. Legs saw it reflected in the water between the masses, and realized his position. He saw, too, Mrs. Hadley standing on the other side of the watery fissure, her face turned upward and her hands clasped. He started toward her. She saw him, and, fearing him more than the angry waters swell- ing under it, she screamed aloud. The light that so suddenly illuminated all came from a lantern in the hands of a man who was passing over to regain the city shore. The bearer heard the cry of terror, and hurried toward it. He discovered her on her knees, and, flying toward them over the south mass, saw a man with a face white and horrible. Suddenly the ice under the approaching man's teet broke, as if the god of waters had delivered it a blow with a mighty hammer un- derneath, and separated it into a thousand fragments. Away went the fragments, whirling round and round in the ed- dies. The man threw himself prone on the cake that supported him, which was knocked here and there with the rest, but which was be- hind them all, while back of it the waters churned and roared. It was of triangular shape, and, having formed a portion of the footpath used by passengers, had been worn smooth and was very slippery. It was like a boat whose bow was an apex. The great mass of ice, as the awe-struck spectators saw, paused. suddenly It has been caught in the channel," said the man with the lan- tern to himself, as he hurried nearer the woman, but he could not refrain from watching, as well as he could by his feeble light, the doomed man. Help! help!" came to his ears. Alas, in vain! The roaring waters and crushing ice seemed striving to drown the voice, as well as the man. Again the broken mass is in motion. It has unloosed itself from the channel," said the lantern man to himself. Again it pauses. It is caught again!" says he. The lantern man once more heard the cry of despair and, present- ly, his heart grew faint as he saw the ice-cake upon which the vic- tim was overlap the cake before it-push further on, and yet further, until it stood almost perpendicularly, with its apex toward the heav- ens, and the man commenced slowly slipping, sliding, despite his desperate clinging with his nails buried in the glassy ice. 138 THE DEAD MAN'S SECret. Crying to God for mercy; to helpless man for help-he slipped at last from the treacherous surface into the angry water. Down to the fishes, to death, to hell-went Legs! CHAPTER XXXIX. THE CONFESSION. By thy dread decree, oh, God, Our children suffer for ancestral sins- I, for my father's. * * * Oh, let, I pray, the vengeance meted out To generations, even third and fourth, Center on me. On me descend it all, And thus redeem my children from its pains. WILSON. MRS. AMERLY lay helplessly upon her couch; beside her sat her good girl, Jennie. In silent state, in the great parlor below, was her husband's body. "I hear a noise in the street!" said the sick woman, suddeny, rising in her bed. 'What is it, Jennie?" There's our bell ringing, missus; shall I go see who it is?" Be as quick as you can," replied her mistress, for I can not bear to be left alone. " Jennie vanished and returned in a few moments with a face full of wonder. • They're bringing home Miss Restell," said the girl, half sobbing. "He found her nearly drowned on the ice, missus-oh, Lor'! oh, Lor'!" $4 Who found her?" demanded her mistress. “. Captain George Hunt," sobbed Jennie; he was crossing on business to the other side of the river, when suddenly the ice all broke up and just then he heard a woman cry for help, and that was Miss Restell." "What brought her there?” God only knows, missus. I'm almost frightened to death!" Her mistress was silent for a moment and then said: 66 Tell Captain Hunt, as soon as he can leave her, that 1 would like to see him.' A short time after, Captain Hunt entered the room. Captain," said Mrs. Amerly, "what is this 1 hear of Miss Res- tell?" Madam," answered the captain, "I can tell you very little. All I know is that I discovered Miss Restell, about an hour since, upon the river ice, when a portion of it broke up, but fortunately not the portion she was on. The sight of a man who was unfortunately drowned within her view caused her to faint, and, as Heaven willed it, I was near enough to catch her in my arms, and I have brought her here. >> You did right; but I can not imagine what brought ber there!" Nor 1!" answered Captain Hunt, uneasily. Fearful suspicions concerning her had agitated his brain. What, indeed, brought her to that wild and desolate spot, at midnight? As he spoke, Jennie entered, holding a letter which she gave to Mrs. Amerly. ? THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 139 كم 'A man left this letter, just now, for you, ma'am!" she said. Mrs. Amerly tore it open, glanced it over, and inmediately buried her face in her pillow, exclaiming, vehemently, "Villain! villain!" Jennie," she cried, suddenly, rising in her bed, "my dress! my cloak! my hat! quick!" But, before the astonished maid could an- swer, her mistress fell back upon her pillow, insensible. The letter fluttered from her grasp, and fell upon the white cover- let; and Captain Hunt could not help seeing the signature attached. Hadley, in the agitation occasioned by the discovery that he was pursued, had forgotten the name, Don Ferdinand Cappelo, and had written his own "Hadley," cried Captain George, grasping the letter. It was as the mystic name of an incantation that raises a spirit. Within his breast, a spirit, indeed, was raised, the spirit of venge- ance-vengeance quick and terrible! The murderer of his brother had written this letter; he read it without compunction, while Jennie was trying to revive her mis- tress. lt ran as follows: 'MADAM,-You will meet me at two this night, at the corner of the alley that ends at the street you live on, two blocks south of your house. Bring with you the key of your dead husband's safe, and thus allow me to pay myself from it. Remember, you owe me twenty thousand dollars. I wish it at once, to pay a gambling debt. Fail not, or 1 will blaze your secret to the world! Remember the astrologer, 'HADLEY." When he finished reading, he was startled by a groan from Mrs. Amerly. Turning, he discovered her upon her elbow, her great eyes flash- ing, and a red flush on her cheeks. Jennie had left the room on some errand. · You have read that letter, 1 see?" she said, with scorn expressed in every accent. "I have, madam," said the captain; "and I am glad I have. Toward the villain who wrote it, I bear the deadliest animosity, and it may be my happiness to-night to rid you, myself and the world of him!" " He is a villain!" cried Mrs. Amerly, so low, so despicable & villain, that in all the vast vocabulary of words of all the languages, there is no fitting word to brand him with!" "It is now midnight," said Captain Hunt. "In two hours I will meet him, face to face, and then, Adrian, shall thy murder be avenged. "I see," said Mrs. Amerly, "that there is a feud between you, involving lite?” "You are right, madam. I hold myself the arbiter of vengeance, bound by a solemn oath to my stern duty. But, madam, rest; know too well what causes you to hate this man- "You know-you know-my secret?" >> Ay, madam, and knowing, am willing now to register a solemn oath never to work injury to you or yours-” ༩ } 1 140 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. } " Stay! I believe you-but how-how came it to you?" The captain, going toward the light, drew from his pocket the en- velope that Adrian's dying grasp had seized from his murderer. From this book he took out the slip of flesh, upon which was written these words, which he read aloud: 'She who calls herself Mrs. Barton is the mother of my children but not my wife. She is the daughter of old Barras who was hung for murder at Niley. This is written in revenge because in thirst she denied me drink. I decree her to the devil, SYDNEY BARTON," You speak the truth, you do, indeed, know my secret. Come nearer me, and let me tell you all. Captain Hunt sat down by her bedside; he drew his watch from his pocket and muttered: "I have an hour yet.' Just then the bells in the churches struck one. My father's name," said Mrs. Amerly, was, indeed, Barras. "As long ago as I can remember, I lived with him in this city. What his business was I do not know, but I suspect it was no good one Before I was twelve years old I knew all of evil that a great city can teach a child. "When I was twelve years old, my father moved with me to the sea town of Niley, in Massachusetts. Here he rented what was called the Red Tavern, and prospered little as a landlord. fle was too morose, unsorial, ungenial a man for such a business. "One day, my father's brother, who had grown rich abroad, came to our inn, and took up his quarters with us. Unlucky day!-that saw him cross our threshold! "He was very miserly, and would lend money to no one, and hated beggars as he hated the name of charity. "One evening he refused my father a loan. "A short time after, I saw him leave our house to go to a lonely barn connected with the inn, which stood by itself upon a neighbor- ing hill. Here he kept an old white nag, which he called Ben, whom he was as fond of as of his gold, and he made it his nightly business to see that he was safe and sound. My father watched him with lowering brow from the inn win- dow, and then suddenly darted after him. A few minutes afterward a man, with face as pale as death, came running in to where I sat, crying that he had just seen one man murder another by the old barn on the hill. "This was a wild fellow who had lived but a short time in the village, and his name was Sydney Barton, The neighbors were soon gathered by his cries. The murdered man was discovered to be my uncle. The murderer, my father. They hung him on a rude scaffold on the sands, and for many months his bleached bones and rotting flesh called the birds of prey together. Sydney Barton, though he swore hard against my father, loved my father's daughter. ¡ > THE DEAD MAN S SECRET 141 ミ ​J "To leave forever that place, so full of my shame and degrada- tion, I fled with him. We had two children, and while he lived he pretended always that I was his wife. 'But he fell into evil habits, and drank hard. I did fear poverty from this, though he was rich. 1 feared that, in his drunken mad- ness, he would betray me. I had determined to save my good fame for my children's sake. "One night, while in his mansion at Flax Village, he was attacked by delirium, and in his frenzy demanded drink, which I denied him, as it could only hasten on his death-if death was to come. "In vengeance he wrote, unknown to me, what you have just read, on the sole of his foot, and died. Undiscovered, it was buried with him. Hadley, a young med- ical student, resurrected his body, found it, and, falling into low and wicked courses, has ever since made me desperate by the use he has put it to!" Mrs. Barton, very tired with her great exertion, paused. Enough!" cried Captain Hunt; to-night the villain expects k " you will meet him with the key of your husband's safe—” "And I can not," interrupted Mrs. Amerly. "Rest easy, madam, " said Captain Hunt, drawing two pistols from an inner pocket. I will meet him in your place." 66 At that moment the bell struck two. Farewell, madam," said Captain Hunt, and in an instant he was gone. "More murder," said Mrs. Amerly, softly, to herself, looking after him. Then she got from her bed, and, sinking on her knees, crept along the floor. A few moments later Jennie entered, and with her Julia Barton, the infant in her arms. They found Mrs. Amerly prostrate on the floor. She held in one hand a small round box, which she had probably taken from the table. Upon it was written a single letter " O." O is the first let- ter of Opium. When they had got her again on her couch, she asked for her son. You are come, Julian," she said; she said; "where is your brother?” None could tell her. Į CHAPTER XL. DEATH OF THE PICKLER. "Having no legs, he went off on his stumps." THE male ward of the poor-house hospital consisted of one room, full of cots. Between them ran a passage, up and down which ambled the complacent physician, passed the wooden nurses, and such few friends as the unfortunate might possess. It is night, however, and the ward is occupied by but two old nurses besides the patients. There is a stove, heated red, at either end of the room, and by one of these they sit. A fat woman, with a whisky nose, fast asleep and snoring, is the 142 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. = A head-nurse; a poverty-stricken creature with her flesh shaved close to the bone is her assistant. A mere bony outline is this last bony outline of nose and chin, and a bony arch of forehead com- pletes her face. She sways back and forward in her chair, sighing every second. The other old woman, like the great works of a town clock which has lost its balance-wheel, keeps up a continuous roar. Several uneasy patients are sitting up in their beds eying each other. From every portion of the crowded place come the rustling and the creaking of beds-sounds similar to those heard in a ship at anchor, when the rain is pattering on her decks. Presently the door at the upper end of the room is opened slowly, and its old hinges shriek. The fat nurse gapes into consciousness; the bony one erects herself and turns about with eyes starting from her head and her mouth stretched. A man, whose side face is drawn down in a horrible manner, puts in his head. It is the expressman. Behind him comes another man looking over his shoulder, who enters also. This last carries a spade over his shoulder. "How is he to night?" asks the expressman. "Who?" demands the fat nurse. "Who? why, Old Dav-Pick-1 mean Mr. David, of course. "Well enough for a man that is most dead," she answered. If it wasn't for him, I could a quiet slept this night. How so, Mrs Jingler?" Why, bless ye, the doctor thinks 'e die tonight, and he mustn't die unknown, you know; but me and she must b' by to run for a minister, doctor, and sich like nonsense, you know." ha!" Ha! ha!" sneered the bony woman-" a minister for he! Ha! hal At that moment was heard a dull thump on the floor, as if some soft but heavy substance had fallen thereon, which was indeed the fact. "What is that?" whispered the expressman, looking around. "'Twas nathing but a drop of sod af my spad'," answered the other man—an Irishman, who spoiled the otherwise deep solemnity of his expression by keeping his tongue between his lips. Your spade in here, of all places in the world! Get out of here with your spade. Why didn't you leave it in the wagon? The poor creatures will think you're going to raise them!" Musha, don't let any of them worry about me until they're dead," carrying his spade into the hall, however. When he re-entered the room, he felt himself grasped by two bony hands, and the fierce voice of the thin nurse screamed in his ears: "What brings you here, you body-snatchers?-bere where she and I must die!" The fat woman turned deadly pale. "I heard him talk about your raising us, I did! Don't think I don't understand him, for 1 do! You are a cursed body-snatcher- that's what you are!" As she said this, she let go her hold on his throat, and, swinging 1 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. her arms in air, fell to scratching his face with her nails, as he re- treated backward to the wall, too much astonished to speak. The expressman took it upon himself to conciliate. Ladies," he said, "you are mistaken! you are mistaken! We, body-snatchers? Far be it from us! May they never rest in their graves that disturb the graves of others! Why, missus, don't you know that I was a take grave-digger? All I said to this poor man was: 'Tim,' said I, your spade out of here. It'll make the poor creatures feel bad to see it; and I hope to bury them all decently, Tim, when their time's come-and may the Lord raise them kindly when the time comes, Now you heard me say raise, and you know you did, missus!”, "I did!" cried the old woman- I did! I did! Oh, you terri- ble, horrible body-snatchers!” } "Not body-snatchers, I tell you, but grave-diggers!" Why, let go of his hair, Jane!" said Mrs. Jingler, who was "I believe what he says. easily persuaded, like most fat women. Let go, can't ye?" So saying, the head-nurse pulled her assistant back. To come here!" repeated old Jane, her great eyes round and fearful-" here, you body-snatchers! here, where she and me must die!" The living skeleton, with these words, stalked away, and, shaking her head, sat down in her chair and resumed the pendulum motion again, with this difference, that, instead of sighing, she moaned. Now, Mrs. Jingler, can we talk with our friend?" asked the ex- pressman. Mrs. Jingler, regarding them tremulously, nodded yes. Come along, Tim," said the expressman to his attendant, “and see the Pickler. Mr. Jumble," said the fat woman, in a whisper, to the express- man, "don't you think Jane would make a good subject?” The expressman regarded her without speaking. "She's thin, and that's everything," said Mrs. Jingler. That's a fact, Mrs. Jingler.' "She's almost a skeleton already, don't you see?" said she. "A little drying in the sun," acquiesced the other, her for a glass-case. "would fit "I suppose, Mr. Jumble, that it's thin persons, like her, you want?" For what-matrimony?" asked the expressman. "For subjects, I mean, Mr. Jumble. ૬ "Oh, we don't want none of them!" said the expressman. && Well, what the doctors want, then?" "I've heard," Jumble replied, "that doctors never raise the fat. Whether it's because they're hard to lift, or whether their bones are too deep buried to pay for digging after, 1 don't know.' .. Well," Mrs. Jingler continued, with a sigh of relief, “I shall still believe that Jane will make a good skeleton. Here's your friend Mr. David's bed." छन Why, what's the matter with the Pickler?" cried the express- man, as he approached Old David's couch. "Bless my soul!” cried the nurse, "he's in convulsions. He's going, certain!" ! 144 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 1 } The old man ground his teeth furiously, and there was foam about the corners of his mouth, The doctor and the minister were quickly summoned, but did not arrive in any hurry. By degrees the patient was quieted, and suddenly he articulated, hollowly: "Where's the minister?” "Here I am," answered the divine. "And where's the doctor?" "Here I am, answered the physician. Oh, yes! I know you," said Old David. 1 Hal ha! we know each other!" The doctor faintly smiled, and said yes. "Pickler! His XXI The doctor had just been roused from a warm bed, which he was anxious to get back to, and here was the patient talking instead of dying. Minister," exclaimed Old David, "I want to tell you something before I die. But first tell me is it wrong to fail to give the law what legally belongs to it?" Ah!" replied the minister, mildly, for he was almost asleep, though his eyes were open. What do you mean by 'ah '?" demanded Old David "Oh!" answered the minister, "I didn't precisely hear you!” "What I want to know is, whether it's wicked to hide a crime that's been committed from the knowledge of the law, but, no mat- ter whether it is or not, I want to tell you something before 1 die, 'I had a partner once whose name was Barras. He brought me bodies, and I salted 'em. I used to wonder sometimes where he got 'em. Not from where I did mine, he didn't, that's certain (wher- ever that was). I used to wonder, too, why so few of 'em was men, and so many women and children. More than all, I wondered how Barras came to have so much more money than the whole of us. "It was quite awhile before I came to notice that the bodies he brought was never of such as had died from disease; they all looked as if they'd come to their ends in regular health-as those look who are hanged. l've had the pickling of some gallows birds in my time. "One night Barras brought me the body of a woman in a bag. 1 put it in my cellar about midnight, without looking in it. "The next morning I went down and the first thing I did was to look at the bag and-how I started-something moved in it! "I opened the bag and there the woman was alive, and she cried with terror when she saw me. "I was most dead with fright myself, and had enough to do to quiet her. I had presence of mind, however, to tell her 1 was the doctor. "She looked at me wild. "What a dream I've had!' she said. "'What did you dream, madam?' asked 1. “'1 dreamed,' said she, that I was wandering about the streets, till I came to an old market. I dreamed that I sat down on its steps; that the snow was falling and I huddled up to keep warm. As 1 sat, I thought a man came to me and said, in a harsh voice, i اسلامي الي اليد THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 145 i "Well, my pretty, what do you wait for in so stormy a night, in such a lonely place?" I thought 1 said to him that I was all alone in the world, and cold and hungry. 66 6 soon, Then I thought he growled: "You will be out of the world "and caught hold of me and gagged me. 1 closed my eyes in agony as he bore me rapidly along, and, when I opened them, I saw beneath me the waters of a river. He was standing, with me in his arms, in one of a number of little boats. I could feel it rocking under me. Suddenly he pushed me forward-and I lost all consciousness!' "I listened to her story, or rather her dream, with wonder. Pres- ently she asked the startling question of me, ' Was it nothing but a dream?' "Then she laid her hands on her clothes. They were wet when Barras brought her in, and but half dry now. I thought then that she was some subject he had fished up from the river. "When she felt the moisture, she fainted without a word! 1 won't go into details, but this I'll tell you, that Barras didn't come near me for seven days; that I took care of the woman during that time, and that within that time she became a mother. When she got able to speak, I said to her (this was the seventh day): What kind of a man was that, my dear, who you dreamed tried to drown you?''He was a hard-featured man, I thought, with close-cropped hair and beard.' "She paused, and exclaimed, in an agony of fright, 'There he is! there he is! Save me! save me!' 'Her voice penetrated to the very marrow of my bones. I shud- dered, at the same time turning about. In the door stood Barras! "Then I knew, assuredly, that Barras was a murderer. One of those men who creep in solitary places and destroy the lives of the helpless and the innocent-for their bodies. You all remember Burke, the Englishman! As soon as I could get my voice, I said to Barras: You and I are no longer partners. Go your way, and 1 will go mine!' 16 Without a word he obeyed me. Now, as I am telling the truth, he never came near me till the woman's child was seven years old. One day he appeared before me. "I want that child!' he said, briefly. "You can't have it,' said I. "I've reformed my life,' he said. 'I'm a better man than 1 was, and I'll take good care of it.' What do you want it for?' I asked. "To To watch over it, and see no harm comes to it. I'm haunted, night and day, by that dead woman's eyes, as they looked when she saw me and fell dead; and I can never rest in peace till I have her child to take care of and protect.' My only answer was to give him his choice, to leave me, or be denounced for murder! He went away, but the child was missing next day, and I have never seen her since!" Here Old David closed his eyes for a moment, exhausted. - 146 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Was it a sin or not, not to denounce him, as it was--set the law after him, and get back the ch-" As he said this, Old David again sunk back, exhausted. When he spoke again, his mind was evidently wandering. "Doctor," he said, "I'd leave you my secret-for pickling-XX., you know; but—” "Old friend,” said a voice, "don't you know your comrades?” Old David opened his eyes, which he had closed. who This is your old friend Tim," continued the expressman, has given you many a fine pickling article, David; and this is me- you know me, don't you?" Old David was speechless. Afore you go into that land whither all goeth," continued the expressman, "and sink into that receptacle with which your okipa- tion has made you so well acquainted, Tim and I would be thankful for but one token of recognition from you, Pickler, ere you have departed— Old David suddenly hoisted himself in bed on one arm; with the other he reached over his bedside, and, grasping something in his hand, threw it at his affectionate friend. It was his boot. Then he fell backward-his amputated stumps flew up in the air -and the Pi r was presently in the condition of the pickled. The next nit, a red wagon, driven by the expressman and con- taining Tim, carried off the body. Have you got his legs?" asked the expressman. Both of 'em, under me arms, sure. The surgeon was genteel, and give 'em to me. Holy murther! what's that?" It was the thin nurse, standing at a window of the poor-house threatening them with her fists. CHAPTER XLI. TWO HOURS AFTER MIDNIGHT. Very crafty, very cunning, Is the creeping spirit of evil. LONGFELLOW. IMMEDIATELY on his leaving his confederates, Hadley had fled along the most deserted streets, until he reached a little cottage which Poll Cusser rented. He found her at home busily arranging her hair before a mirror. She started at sight of his frightened, haggard face. Poll," he ordered, "bring me a pen and paper. Poll brought them, at the same time watching him curiously. He leaned his head on his hand, and, seizing the pen, commenced to write rapidly. In a few moments he had written that letter which we have seen Mrs. Amerly receive. He then rose from the table and entered a closet close at hand. While he was gone, Poll Cusser read the letter. As he re entered, Poll, without being discovered, returned the letter to its envelope. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 147 : She was somewhat surprised to see that he had disguised himself in an old military cloak and cap, that he wore a gray wig and gray mustaches. "Poll, do I look like a soldier?" She noted the ghostly smile that was about his eyes and mouth, and answered: “You do, indeed! But what is the meaning of this disguise?” It means a little masquerade. Oh, I'm full of strategy, Poll, and you see how I'll make it pay.' I hope you may," said she. "Before 1 leave you to-night, Poll, I wish to speak a few words to you. In the first place, I'm a devil." I know that, " said Poll. If you were an angel, I wouldn't live with you." " Ah! I thought you wouldn't care to follow a devil further in bis passage through this world. I thought to remind you that I was one would make our parting easier." CA Parting!" cried Poll. Do we part, then?" We "We will have to, Fate parts us, not desire on my part. have been partners in wickedness too long to separate readily. The law's blood-hounds are after me. I hear them baying on every side; but nonsense, I shall escape them easily." She regarded him closely, but said nothing. You know," he continued, you did not know what for I did not," answered Poll. I had committed murder!" "Ah! so I supposed." " " Supposed!" said Hadley. that I feared Justice in Cuba; but "And what made you?" One night, when we were crossing from Cuba, there was, you will remember, a storm that overtook us just outside of port. How the vessel rocked! It was a fearful night to be at sea; yet you slept -slept, but was uneasy in your slumber. Suddenly you cried out: Poll! Poll! he's pulling the ship back to port!'" I said nothing. > Poll,' you went on, he's the wind; he's the storm; he it is that's dragging us back to port. He! he! the man that stabbed me with the dagger!' Hadley turned pale and said: "Do I betray myself in my dreams? Well, I can not help it. The dagger that parted my victim and the world parts also you and me. The murderer has no love; he must not imagine; he must remem- ber that ha ha! it is an odd idea, and we might as well laugh as cry at it-he must remember only that he has legs. 1 must fly from you I love, and the law I hate. Good-by, Poll!" 1 "You leave the city at once?" asked she. He answered: At once. Poll remembered the letter he carried in his hand. Yes," she thought, “and he is to meet the woman at two." I suppose," she asked carelessly, “that you haven't any money bout you?" "No," Hadley replied, "only a little that I shall absolutely need. 148 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET { w to ¿ That astrological business nearly ruined me, and I fear it will be a long time before I can dare to commence earning a livelihood, though at a vast distance from this region." Poll remembered the letter. "Yes," she thought, and he receives twenty thousand dollars to-night! You shall meet two women, my man, instead of one, for I will be there. Hadley, little guessing what was passing in her mind, continued, as follows: Do you see young Barton now?" Poll nodded. "He's a rich sponge; squeeze him well. But who is that?” A heavy step was heard in the hall; somebody seemed staggering to and fro, from side to side, bumping against walls, overturning chairs. At the first sound, Hadley made a hurried attempt to raise a win- dow at hand. "Fear nothing," said Poll. "It's only young Barton, drunk, as he always is, when he comes to see me. He has been lying on the lounge upstairs for days, never going home, never eating-drunk all the time. The nob of the door turned. & Good-by," said Hadley, springing away and disappearing. Good-by," Poll answered, as she opened the door and admitted a most dilapidated, red-eyed, short-haired, dirty-faced young man, Such had a four days' debauch rendered Hamilton Barton. It was many days since he had heard from home. His mother's sickness and his father's death were equally unknown to him, as it so happened that neither Legs, Hadley nor Poll thought it would be for their interest to tell him. "You've come, have you?" said Poll. 'Well, what have you been doing upstairs on my lounge so long?” 'Been reading Baxter's Saint's-R-R-R-Rest, my dear. Give us a tumblerful of it, if possible, with some hot water and sugar in, it, eh?" "Hist!" whispered Poll, "who's that rapping?” " Sp-sp-spirits! Hot water and sugar in 'em." A thundering rap succeeded. While the rapping continued at the door, some one rattled at the closely bolted shutters. 'They're after Hadley," thought Poll to herself, " and I shall be arrested. I must escape!" With this view, she put on her shawl; but the intoxicated lover wouldn't hear of her leaving. To prevent it, he grasped her by the wrist, and, with drunken strength held her fast. "Let 'e storms rage without-they can't come in, my Polly- Polly, what's the matter with you, eh? There are more things which are dreamt of in heaven and earth than all your phlos'phy, and one is, you can't come in. Spirits walk the earth, both while we wake and while we sleep, with sugar and hot water in 'em. Fil the flowing bowl." At this moment the door was broken in, the house filled with officers of the law. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 149 Poll was arrested as an accomplice of Hadley, whom the authorities were, of course, unable to find in the house. Hamilton first threw himself into the policeman's arms and called him his friend and brother; but immediately thereafter, conceiving that he was not treated with proper respect, became pugilistic, and was knocked on the head for his valor, and so carried off peaceably by four policemen. In his impatience at enforced inaction, Hadley determined to cau- tiously approach the house that he had converted into the abode of an astrologer. Through by-lanes and back streets be reached it. The rain was slackening, but the darkness was excessive. At one side of the house was a vacant lot, into which he crept from the street. All about seemed black and deserted. Yet he knew that, all about, unseen, mysterious beings were waiting to seize upon and drag him to his death. Where these might be in hiding he could not tell. He might, at any moment, touch one, as he crept along, on his hands and knees, on the damp ground of the vacant lot. Suddenly a light, such as a fire-fly as large as a humming-bird might emanate, gleamed east of him. This was answered by a flash west of him. It was evident that two officers at least were on guard. It was dangerous for him to remain where he was, for they were patrolling the lot. What must he do in that dense darkness? It was impossible to avoid being discovered in time. He scarcely dared move. The light of the street had guided him to his destination; but, to hide the movements of the detectives, the lamp that stood in front of his house was extinguished. This also accounted for the unusual darkness. As he remained thus uncertain, the noise of distant feet decided him. He crept forward on his hands and knees, Suddenly he heard a noise near him; it was as if produced by a man who had unexpectedly stumbled over an ash heap; of such heaps there are always plenty in a vacant lot. Hadley noted the direction in which it came, and crept in an ex- actly opposite one. A moment or two's creeping brought him to what he soon discovered was an ash heap. Mechanically putting forward his left hand, as an animal would a fore-paw, he found he touched nothing, and, overbalanced by the force with which he was advancing, fell head foremost some two or three feet. At first he thought he had fallen off the ash hill. He imagined that it had been cut in two in the middle and one half of it carried away; so that, climbing up one side, he had fallen down the preci pice left by the removal. To fall from such an elevation might be sufficient to break an ant's neck, but hardly to injure a man severely. He presently discovered that he had fallen into something. In raising his band, his fingers, he found, touched a resisting sub- stance. He had not, therefore, fallen into a common pit dug in the ashes. On every side, in front, behind, to right and left, above and below him, he found this resisting substance. How, then, had he 150 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. got in? With his right hand he discovered it to the right of him; with his left hand that it was left of him. Advancing his head, proved it in front of him. Putting out his limbs, proved it behind him. His knees indicated it was under him. Sitting upright, he felt that it was above him; that he was in an inclosed space, he knew by his difficulty in breathing; and the way he got in he ascertained by feeling before and behind him. He discovered that the pecu- liarities of both the extremes of the place were the same. At a cer tain distance up the resisting substance gave way, and he could put his hand forth into the open air. As he was about to make his way out of these apertures in the mysterious retreat, he heard a scratching on the ash hill without; now it was on one side, and now on the other. It seemed as if per- sons were advancing from opposite sides. He could actually hear stifled breathing. The thought occurred to him that he had fallen into a trap! Presently he became absolutely certain that two persons were present, one at each of the apertures, and facing each other. He was assured that it was all up with him, but lay perfectly quiet. He waited but a second; a light was suddenly exhibited at one aperture, lighting up the face of an officer who held it, and also the face of another officer cautiously peeping in the opposite one. Bang went a pistol; out went the light. Surrender!" cried a voice. 'Ye're my prisoner!" D-1 take you, Tom, what are ye about? You've broke my head with your shillelah, after shooting at me. Och! is it you, Billy? Ah, that is as much as my place is worth! Don't say anything about it, or I'll lose it.' "Trust me; I won't-but be careful hereafter." '1 thought you was the fellow we're after." 'Be sure of it next time. Whist! a word in your ear. If you're cautious, now, we'll have him yet. How's that." Why, when you threw in your light I saw him at the bottom of the hogshead which is buried in the ash heap." Hal quick, or we'll lose him!” Use caution, now. You know how it is buried?" Yes; old Doodle, the rag-man, used to sleep there every night, winter or summer, till he was found dead in it. It's buried in the middle of the ash heap, and has been there two years. Its both ends are all right, except in each of them, at the top, a head-board is knocked away for a door. But, bloody murder, won't the man be gone before this?" "No, he'll lie still enough. He'll think we didn't see him in the confusion and won't trouble ourselves any more about the old hogs- head, so he'll lie snug. Now you go on one side, looking sharp, and I'll go the other; and, while he's dreaming he's all safe, we'll come down on him." Following the line of attack in the hope of capture, the two zeal- ous minions climbed the ash hill, presented their faces and pistol muzzles at the entrance to the buried hogshead, turned on their THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 151 Surrender to justice!" and discovered that the hogs- lights, cried, head was empty. In fifteen minutes it would be two hours after midnight. Hadley, leaping from the hiding-place so unexpectedly found (and lost), while the two policemen were engaged in belaboring each other, ran as fast as he could-but not far. He came to a stand against the fence of a lot adjoining that from which he had fled; at the same instant the tramp of distant feet, which he had heard just previous to his fall, again reached his ears. Immediately he saw approaching up the street a body of men bearing a burden. Before them walked a man in semi-official uni- form. He recognized the police. At the same time down the street rattled a gig. It carried lamps on either side and belonged to a physician. As the bearers drew near the spot where Hadley lay by the side of the fence, they stopped. い ​. Do you see the signal yonder?" asked the leader. 1 do, sergeant," answered one of them. it means not to advance, don't it?" "I should say so.´´ "What are our fellows working about here?” "I didn't know it." At that moment a low whistle was heard. 14 1. That's the officer. He's across the street. Now he's coming over. Don't you see him? A figure emerged from the darkness and crossed the street to them. 65 What are you bringing here, boys?" asked the officer. "An old woman who has just been found, nearly dead, with her throat cut.' "Where was she found?" "In a ruined hut across the river. Our boys heard murder cries in that direction, went and found her, and brought her over on the ice. Dangerous work that!" 64 Why, I heard the ice had gone away." CC • Only half of it, but the rest will follow suit in an hour or two.” Do you know who the woman is?” No-but she is an odd one to look at. Her ears come to her shoulders, to say nothing of her dark complexion. Let me see her." Oh, no," said the other, "don't touch her.” Wby, isn't she dead?" "No-she wasn't when we found her. Come, lift her up, boys; - we must hurry her to the station and call the doctor." "If you want a doctor," said a voice, "here he is. I'm a doc- tor" With these words a man jumped out of the gig that had driven up to the crowd unnoticed. The doctor put back the cloth from about the woman's face and neck, and said: "She is dead enough; carry her on. It's against orders to carry her up this street, boys, because we're on the watch here." 152 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Who for?" Oh, that's between me and those that sent me. Let none of our fellows be seen up here to frighten him away. tr Who?" Well, to tell you the truth, sergeant, it's that astrologer we're after, and for murder, too!" "The one that used to have the lions and the Fan woman?" "Yes. Well, I'll be hanged, now, if, from all descriptions, I don't be- lieve but this is the Fan woman we're carrying!" There was one who listened to this conversation from his hiding- place, lying prone upon his back beside the feuce, who knew it was the Fan woman. As soon as they were gone, he rose to his feet and skulked away. In his route toward the rendezvous appointed for Mrs. Barton, he passed Poll Cusser's house; all about it was dark and silent. Sud- denly he heard a sound of running. Halt!" cried a voice. Bang! went a pistol. A sharp yell cut the midnight air! Poll Cusser's house was watched, too, it seemed; and the vigi- lant policeman, mistaking a runaway dog for Hadley, had sacri- ficed him to the law. On went Hadley, unhurt and unperceived. } CHAPTER XLII VENGEANCE. Bloody thou art, and bloody will be thy end; Shame serves thy life, and doth thy death attend. Richard III. THE night grew lighter and lighter as time wore on, and the black, heavy clouds either melted into rain or were blown away, as if they were great cloud ships, by the rising wind, that grew fiercer and fiercer, and piercingly cold. Every unanchored thing that it could move it bore away before it; and every anchored thing that swung, signs, blinds, gates, doors, it set in motion; so that there was a perpetual creaking of small objects, and intermittent jar and shudder of larger ones. At last ten thousand clocks in Seaburgh, unnoticed by ten times ten thousand sleepers, from chimney-pieces and from church towers, announced the hour of two. Three blocks from Mrs. Amerly's home an alley opened on the street she lived in, and pursued its dark and shadowy way into the city's heart Where it met the street, it lay between altitudinous brick stores six stories high. At the corner of one of these stores, and with his face toward the street, stood Capt. Hunt, while the clocks were striking the hour. He was dressed entirely in black; the cuffs of his coat turned back, as one ready for vigorous action of some sort. To favor this idea, he held in his right hand a pistol. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 153 Externally, he was stony and still as a statue; but a hot and stormy resolve had possession of his brain and heart. He had annointed himself a priest of vengeance, and on her altar meant to lay a sacrifice. If his right hand had been the hand of a marble statue, the pistol in it would have been held no more firmly, nor less tremblingly. Behind him, without seeing him, down the dark alley, stole the murderer, promptly at the hour. It will be remembered that, at Poll Cusser's house that night, he had donned a military suit, a gray wig and beard, so that he looked like an old soldier. "Be firm, my "It is he," muttered Capt. George, deliberately. heart! Excute without faltering, my hand. Holding on his hat against the wind, Hadley peered about the corner up the street. She does not come, he muttered, half aloud. Capt. Hunt, whose intention was to first confront him, then de- nounce him, and then kill him, advanced softly to within a few feet of him, and paused. He saw before him a venerable old soldier, perchance the hero of a hundred battles. As he recognized this fact, he allowed his pistol to descend with its muzzle toward the earth. It was a revolver with seven chambers, all loaded; the cock prepared, his finger on the trigger. She does not come," muttered the old soldier, still looking about the corner up the street, and holding on his hat. She does not come! Woe to her if she fails me! If she should--if she should, I'm reckless enough to steal into her chamber, cut her throat, and rob the witch!" Owing to the noise of the wind sweeping through the alley with compressed, redoubled force, and to the fact that the speaker's mouth was around the corner, Capt. Hunt could hear only the mur- mur of his voice. "If she should betray me!" continued Hadley, striving more anxiously to pierce the gloom of the street, up and down. "But she won't! She remembers too well who was Stephen Barton's mistress, and-ha! ha!-who was also the child of old Barras!" The wind caught up the last word, as Hadley moved his head, and bore it around the corner to Capt. George, repeating it in his ears, something like this: Whish! Barras. The arm that held the pistol trembled as it had never trembled be- fore as this name reached its owner's ears, and the finger upon the trigger closed convulsively. No! no!" hissed Hadley-" she—” Suddenly he turned about and flung his hands above his head with a shout of terror. Without meaning to do so, the captain had fired his pistol, the bullet, however, penetrating only the earth beneath him, or flatten- ing itself against its cobbled surface. The wind had worked hard and long for that hat and that wig of the old soldier's, and now it got them! Away it bowled them down the street, tossing them now and then in the air, until it sunk the cap in a puddle and powdered the wig in a lime barrel. 154 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. } The old soldier had vanished with them, and in his place stood a villain, pale, abject, trembling. Capt. Hunt recognized him and covered him with his pistol. Mrs. Barton's picture of him had proved but too faithful. He was be- trayed by his own shadow to this man of vengeance. "A good disguise, Hadley, but it will avail you nothing." Hadley trembled before the terrible voice, though he did not know the utterer. " You are the law, I see," he mumbled; "I surrender." "If you believe I am a paid officer of the law, answered the other, still in that deadly tone, you are mistaken." Who, then," said Hadley, bristling up as if this were good news-" who are you?" The muzzle of the pistol advanced nearer to his head, so near that he dared not feel for the one he carried in his breast. My name, answered the holder of the pistol, late captain in the United States Navy.' is George Hunt, Hadley paused before he answered, as if to remember where he had heard that name; he was unsuccessful, and answered: "That don't concern me. But still he couldn't rid himself of a blood-freezing idea that it did concern him, not to say frighten him; for, under the pressure of his fear of pursuit, he had lost something of his old nerve. I suppose not," said Capt. George Hunt; nothing concerns you, I imagine. It does not concern you to remember that, on a night not long ago, you crept into a room where two brothers lay sleeping. One of them was to have been married on the ensuing day; to steal the bridal jewels was your object; but before you quit ted that room, you left the bridegroom weltering in his blood, with- in the sound of the breathing of his sleeping brother." Nearer and nearer drew that fatal muzzle to the crouching wretch, who dared not move hand or foot. "Before the victim died," pursued the captain, in a steady, grinding way that was more frightful than loud and violent in ex- pression, "his brother woke, and, unable to return the spark of life, lingered with him till it was gone out. Before the victim died, that brother swore to follow the murderer, to confront, denounce, and kill him. He has followed him; he now confronts him, he now de- nounces him, and in a moment hence will kill him!" Dodging his head and swaying his body hither and thither, and crouching low, hoping by this to throw himself out of pistol range; afraid to draw his own weapon; half a mind to fly; half a mind to spring upon the other; confounded, unable to think, unarmed, re- duced in an instant to a condition almost idiotic, Hadley presented a spectacle that might make the good weep and the scornful laugh. He resembled a beast-a dog cringing pitifully before his master. Hold, in the name of the law!" Dark figures swarm into the alley, coming from both ways. He is in the hands of the police, and yet the murderer, thankful for this respite to life, groans, Thank God." He prefers the venge- .. ance of the law to that of his victim's brother. There is a clinking of iron as handcuffs are produced and deftly THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 155 applied. The shadowy police form themselves into line and march the captain and Hadley away. After they have marched some dozen blocks it is so light that they can almost see each other's faces. Halt!" cries a voice. They stop. Now, I don't want to have any trouble with you, my good woman, and I won't," the captain of police, who is in advance, is heard to say. To which answers the voice of a woman: But I won't be brought face to face with him in the court. The justice said, if I'd betray him, I'd go scot free." 66 Yes, and so you will," said the captain, but you must go be- fore him first. You know you may be a witness. > "I won't-I won't-I won't!" cried the woman, in frightened tones. "1 won't see Hadley again." These words acted like magic on the murderer. He drew back from the men who were leading him, and listened. March!" cried the captain. The men moved on. As for you, I'll take you myself behind. Lean on my arm, like a good girl." Two by two, and where the prisoners were, with a man on each side, three by three, they marched past Poll Cusser and the captain. Poll eyed them with a frightened air, while the captain was trying to pacify her. Striking down the men on either side of him, and with manacled hands raised high, the murderer rushed upon her. Hadley! Hadley!" she cried, as if his name, repeated by her lips, had power to stop him; "Hadley! Hadley!" But the charm fails. In her bosom she carries a dagger, keen and bright as Venetian steel. Shall she be murdered? No! She flashes it an instant in the air, then drives it to the hilt in Hadley's body! The black figures seize on him, and, after vainly striving to lift him up on his feet, hurry off to the nearest station and call a doctor. We recognize in this doctor the one we saw at Old David's bed- side, when he was dying, at the poor-house. "How long this man will live," said he, I can't teil to a sec- ond, but not long. A minister would be very desirable. Who stabbed him?” A woman, some one answered. 'Ah! another hanging case?" said the doctor, with his usual apathy. No," returned the captain of police, who had seen Poll promptly put into a cell as witness for the inquest. Done in self-defense. The girl will go free." Ah!" said the doctor, "and here comes- How do you do?” 'The same minister we saw at the poor-house entered, and admin- istered some sleepy consolation to Hadley, who, though dying, was perfectly conscious. About an hour afterward Hadley whispered something to those around him. 156 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. They understood that he wanted to see Capt. George Hunt. Who was Capt. George Hunt? A detective, who had been watching Hadley's house untii news came that he was taken, stood by the bedside and explained that he knew whom Hadley meant by Capt. George Hunt, but didn't know where the man was. The prisoner whispered that Capt. George was the man who was with him when he was taken. The detective and another immediately ran to Capt. Hunt's cell, and liberated him, apologizing for his captivity. Why," said the police captain, you would make a good de- fective. You ought to join the force. They say you had him within pistol range when the officers arrived. How did you find him?” To which Capt. Hunt replied: 66 Yes, I did have him within pistol range. "Have you any objection to speak with him, captain? It is his dying request. None whatever, sir." So saying, Capt. Hunt entered the room in which Hadley lay, and sat by his side. The murderer, from loss of blood, was very pale. "I wanted to see you," he said; then stopped. "I wanted to see," he added, in a few moments, "the man who can so cower and humble me as you have done this night." To this Capt. Hunt said nothing. "I have wronged you. I am a very guilty man. I have wronged more than you. I am a very, very guilty man!" Capt. Hunt still was silent. "I know what you think," continued the murderer, still in a hoarse whisper. "You think, from what you've seen of me to- night, that I am a coward.” Again Hadley paused, and then continued, passionately, in the same horrible whisper: 66 Call me villain, wretch, robber, murderer; but don't call me coward! I tell you, I was a gentleman once, and I might have been one now; ay! an educated gentleman-do you hear?” It was very evident to Capt. Hunt that the man's mind was weakened by his injuries and the near approach of death; still he could find in his heart no pity for him, nor bring his lips to utter one consoling word. "Do you think," Hadley whispered, "that a coward, on his death-bed, with one foot over the precipice of hell, could recount, without a tremor, the crimes that send him there? I can! Listen. I left my wife for a woman of the town. By her I became the father of a child. My wife tracked me-do you hear?-tracked me, and came upon me just in time to save that child's life; for I would have murdered it!" Capt. Hunt shuddered. Hadley noticed it, and whispered, scornfully: "Do I shudder? Remember, I am dying!" The captain would have fled from the horrible scene; but, as he moved in his seat, Hadley cried: 'Stay! You are the coward, it seems! I murdered your brother. 1 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 157 That is nothing. He was a man, and I killed him when he was trying to kill me." '' "Wretched man!" Capt. Hunt cried out at last. These things are for God's ear, not for mine. Pray! pray! before it be too late!" Hadley laughed. This very night," he said, striving fiercely to speak above a whisper, "I did a worse. In a deserted hut, by the river's bank, buried under the floor of it, you'll find the body of my wife. It was I who caused her death-I who had put it there. Do I trem- ble? No, I don't. Faint? No. Feel remorse? No. In mind and body, am I not like an innocent child?” Capt. Hunt contemplated this monster of a man with dread un- utterable. Overcome, perhaps, by the passion that had urged him on, Hadley lay quiet for a time, during which the physician and the clergyman, who had left the room, re-entered. He remained quiescent but a moment after. When you found me to-night," he said, with some effort, "1 was waiting for a woman." I know you were," said the captain. "You know I was?"-still whispering. name?" "Do you know her Capt. Hunt said, in a very low voice, so that none else heard him: Her name is Amerly. .. I know enough to ruin her and all her family." "I know you do," said the captain, earnestly; "and 1 conjure you, if one good thought remains, to let your knowledge die with you.' You know that, too," said Hadley, weakly. everything. Perhaps you know the secret, too?” "I do." 'You know "You know, then, that she was never Mrs. Barton-never mar- ried to Stephen Barton, though her children are his?" Yes; and that her father was hung." "You think her father's name was Barras?" "I know it was. Hadley laughed. .. You know it was?" he repeated. don't know; that is, that it wasn't. "Wasn't Barras?" Then there's one thing you No, Barras never had a child. She was a child that Barras came by in the way of business." Very much interested in what be heard, Capt. Hunt forgot that there were listeners. "Barras!" repeated the physician. 'Did he say Barras?" I understood him so," said the minister. very! oh! how sleepy!" 46 I'm very sleepy- Wasn't Barras the man that Old David told us about, just be- fore he died, the other night?" The murderer's ears were quick to hear, it seemed. What are they saying about Old David and about Barras?" he asked. F. : ! 158 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. "Hey! What did he want to know?" said the physician, step- ping quickly to the bedside. C I want to know what you were saying about Old David and Barras?" " It is a horrible story," the physician answered; and so saying, he repeated it briefly. When he had finished, Hadley looked at Capt. Hunt, and nodded. Do you see now how he came by her in the way of business? That infant is now the woman 1 was waiting for to-night at the corner. To hear this," thought Capt. Hunt to himself, "would make her almost happy!" Hadley sunk back on his pillow, with his face away from them, much exhausted. Capt. George thought it a good time to leave the room. As he was doing so, Hadley commenced muttering to him- self; finally he whispered, loud enough for all to hear: They'll find her body under the floor. She's my wife-Mrs. Hadley. Then he paused. It was evident that he was a little delirious and becoming more so. "That's a poor place for my wife to lie," he added; "let my wife lie in a grave like other people. Take her home-take her home! Take her to Flax Village, and lay her in the green grave- yard there by her father. She was a good girl, and her father was a good man; he loved flowers." Hadley paused again. But before they find her," he went on," she'll be all gone; they won't know her up there in Flax Village; she was a girl when she left there a good girl-but you see I wanted a devil that suited me. They didn't know I married her; we thought we wouldn't tell them that, and they won't know who Mrs. Hadley is. Tell them she was -what fools they are up there; they wanted to hang me!-tell them -ha! ha!—and they did hang Legs!-tell them her name was Res- tell-Mary Restell-they'll know who that is. She was a good girì, but I wanted a devil that suited me!" * It was well Capt. Hunt was near the door, for a faintness over- came him that drove him hastily from the room to the open air. In an instant Miss Restell's life appeared before him as written on a scroll. She had married this man; had been deserted by him, and, with only good angels to guard her, had never swerved once from the path of womanly honor and duty-not only this, but, delicacy unheard of, had borne life without a murmur rather than seek redress from the law, and cause to be lopped, from the fair tree of her existence, the crooked, unseemly parasite that was wound around it. Capt. Hunt, as these thoughts passed through his mind, stood in the open doorway of the police station, leaning against its wood- work, inhaling the frosty air. So deeply was he engrossed that it was some time before he became aware that a red wagon had drawn up at the curb before him, and from it six figures were descending. Three were policemen and three were handcuffed prisoners. I { THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 159 As they filed up the steps, one of the officers who had seen the captain nodded to him. เ 30 Jolly lot this, captain," said he, pointing to the prisoners. Ah!" said the captain, who did not desire to have his recent agitation discovered. "What have they been doing?" roan, 14 Body-snatchers, sir," answered the officers. Call us, if you please," said the foremost prisoner, the express- "exhumers-that's our vocation-exhumers. Ex-fiddlesticks," said the policeman; "forward, there!" Lights of science!" said the expressman, rendering his twisted ide-face yet more fearful to contemplate, as he looked over his shoulder at his comrades. "Forward! to be hidden under their bushels! Gallileos, cling fast to your telescopic views, and on-on to your cells!' So saying, Physic's men followed Law's men; and the "Grave Ques," at their next social meeting, saw three empty chairs. CHAPTER XLIN. MRS. AMERLY RESTS. Oh! melancholy bells, that toll the way To dusty death. Make no deep scrutiny Into her mutiny. HOOD. POLL CUSSER, when arrested with her intoxicated friend, was taken immediately before a justice. " Madam," said he, after a little preliminary conversation, "you will save yourself from imprisonment if, turning state's evidence, you will disclose Hadley's hiding-place, and what you know of his Crime." Poll hesitated, and answered: Of his crimes I know nothing." One of the crimes of which he is guilty, let me make known to you, is murder. If you conceal from the law his place of hiding, your are liable to its vengeance, which will seize the murderer at last, in spite of you; so that you need expect no more comfort or assistance from him, and will lose nothing by exposing him." As she listened to these words Poll made up her mind. She was fond of Hadley, but there was a time when she would have felt more deeply for him than she did then. It would have spared her the shedding of human blood if she had not determined to entertain no silly scruples, and had not said: Your honor, 1 can lead you to where the criminal is.' And will?" And will, relying on your promise." "You may rely on it. John, take as many officers as can be spared and accompany this woman; there is the warrant that authorizes you to seize on the body of Stephen Hadley, dead or alive." The next morning, when the justice entered the court-room, he saw John waiting for him. Well," said he. 160 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. "Dead, your honor." Prisoner dead, eh?" Yes, your honor. You see—": Skip details, John: come to the main fact. Prisoner dead is the main fact. Let me put it in my notes. What did you say the prisoner's name was?" " Hadley, sir-Stephen.' Oh, yes," added the justice, noting it down. "Sent officers to arrest for murder (John one of them), with orders, as usual, to bring his body before me-" Dead or- interrupted John. 'Alive," added the justice, still writing, "and they found him dead." 'Alive," said John. "You said dead!" snapped the justice. We found him alive last night, and he died at Station Three this morning, half past seven o'clock, being murdered." Murdered!" exclaimed the justice. By the woman that betrayed him. She's in jail, but she did it." "Stick to the main fact-stick to the main fact-which here is murder," cried the justice. 'It'll all come out on the trial. Can't I impress it upon you, John, never to go into details-never to go into details when you can possibly help it? Bring in that prisoner who was taken in Poll Cusser's company. Here he is, your honor." What's your name, sir?" The wretched boy, overcome with shame and the effect of the night's debauch, answered, in a low and sullen voice: Hamilton Barton." What," queried the justice, is your father's name?" My step-father is Doctor Amerly, of the hospital. I think he will bail me or my mother may. I'm all out of money myself." 'You think Doctor Amerly will bail you. That proves to me conclusively that you are not Doctor Amerly's step-son.' "But I am, sir," insisted the young man. him if you please, and he will set you right. linger here. "Send for him!" exclaimed the justice You may send for 1 have no desire to That proves to me more and more that you are no relation of his-that you are falsify- ing, sir; and 1 feel it my duty-" If you please, your honor," said John, "I don't like to interrupt, but 1 know this is Doctor Amerly's son. What!" cried the justice, on hearing this. home last, sir?" About a week ago," answered Hamilton. 'When were you "Release the prisoner, John. And, young man, I would advise you to go directly home. You will find your step-father-dead." Dead?" repeated Hamilton, much startled. } "Dead!" cried John, to whom this was news. Yes," said the justice, dead. Bring up the next prisoner." * * * * * * It was daylight when Capt. George Hunt reached the Amerly mansion. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 161 ¡ “Fire a broadside and hoist the flag of joy!" a cheery voice ex- claimed. To see my captain alive an' well!" "Hush!" said the captain. Hush, William!" said Jennie, coming behind him; this is the house of mourning. Poor Mr. Amerly is dead." .. "Oh, then," said Wiliam, "hoist the skull and cross-bones, and drop a tear. But, captain, I say " The captain had entered the house. Then, Jennie, I say, continued William, "let me im- print a mournful kiss upon our cheek, in honor of our coming bliss. We are to marry in two months more-and your William wishes it was before. In the midst of his melancholy, still he has an eye to future things and coming joy. If that ain't poetry, let us hope it's truth." When Capt. George entered the long, feebly-lighted room in which the body of Mr. Amerly lay, he found, beside himself, Mr. Willow and his affianced, Julia Barton. They were standing, with affec- tionate solicitude expressed in their faces, watching a figure clad in the deepest mourning, that knelt by the side of the coffin. With an almost imperceptible tremor in his voice, he asked Miss Julia how Miss Restell was. She answered that she was still very low, but that every attention was being paid to her. He felt that it might be slightly indelicate to ask to see her, and did not. It was Mrs. Amerly who kneeled by the coffin, and her voice it was that kept repeating the words: Forgive, forgive, forgive!" They were addressed to him who heard not. Suddenly Mrs. Amerly rose to her feet, and her outstretched hand and pallid face startled those about ber. 66 64 Who has just entered the room? Is it my son?" No," answered Julia, gently. It is Captain Hunt." Ah! I am glad to Captain Hunt!"' exclaimed Mrs. Amerly. 'see you. Is he- Stay-go, my daughter; Mr. Willow, go. I wish to have a few words with Captain Hunt." She was exceedingly feeble, and so pale her daughter was fright- ened to the heart; but her will was obeyed. When they were alone, completely exhausted, she fell helpless into the captain's arms. Support me!" she said, slowly; "I have taken within the hour much laudanum; I knew not what I did. Hadley?" Have you seen First, madam," cried Capt. Hunt, you must have assistance. Help, there! help, there! Help!" No," persisted she. "Tell me, is he alive?” She paused. The door opened, and several attendants, followed by her daughter and her daughter's lover, entered. She looked at them a few moments as one lost to all thought; but presently said, in a low tone: Tell me, will my son see me die?” "Calm yourself, madam," said the physician, who, attending Miss Restell above stairs had been called down-" calm yourself. 162 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. Turning to the captain, the physician said: She can not last ten minutes. They laid her on her bed in her own room; everything was done to revive her, and everything was useless. When her baby was brought to her she did not seem to see it. She had become entirely motionless, and apparently insensible. Then it was that Capt. Hunt thought of her request. He kneeled beside her. " Madam," he whispered, are you yet conscious?" Tell me, does he live?" she replied, in a voice so hollow, un- earthly, unexpected that it startled him to the very extremity of his nerves. He is dead," he answered-" Hadley is dead.” A placid smile passed over her countenance, and she whispered: My children are saved!" CC A great silence fell over the room. Then the hoarse whisper of the dying was again heard. My boy! my boy!" The physician felt the pulse, and shook his head. A few months later he felt the pulse no longer. Presently into the room of death a man staggered, and paused be- fore the bed. His countenance was stupefied, his eyes frightened. Slowly, with uncertain step, he advanced and laid his hand upon her cheek was cold! He fell on his knees and wept. It Oh, my mother!" he sobbed, can you never forgive me?" The hand they never thought to see move more was raised and laid upon his head; the voice they never thought to hear again said: As I hope to be forgiven. That was all. The physician felt the pulse with greater care. It had stopped forever. CHAPTER XLIV. EXIT ALL. "Last scene of all, That ends this strange, eventful history.” THE last chapter, like a wedding-card, in all orthodox histories like this, tells who are going to be married. It is very poor taste to put the death in the marriage chapter, therefore we shall not relate how Miss Poll Cusser died, nor how she lived. She may have died in the river, in the poor-house, or in the street. But humanity nowadays has made her class inexcusable if they resort to any of these. There is the Magdalene. Her name may not be unknown to the police reporters, the police justices, and the policemen; some of them may have said, when she died, that she was a wicked one; the reporter may have remarked: AT THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. 163 A most notorious character, called Poll Cusser, died yesterday at Prison. She was a great thief, a great nuisance generally, and when she kicked the bucket my readers may be certain there was nothing but water in it." Her life probably was as the lives of most of her kind; she was too proud for the Magdalene, and so lacking in pride as to bestow her smile on the ragamuffins of the gutter. Yesterday she drank wine and ate beef; to-day she drinks rum and eats nothing; to-mor- row she will drink water and have nothing to eat. To forget the friends of the past, and God, is her constant en- deavor; to be the friend of an hour, the idol of a moment, is her fate. Knowing and known to all, none are more lonely. So lonely that the poor girls wrecked in these waters seize upon the most des- picable objects-the scum of the prisons, the rubbish of the sewers, the mere shapes of men that they may not be entirely alone. Loving idleness, what more laborious than to bear the burden of the curse of society! Above the laws of God, with their limbs ever in the fetters of the laws of man, bond subjects and abject slaves of the weakest minion of the law, property of the prison. Their histories are best told when all that is said is, these creat- ures, loving pleasure overmuch, have made themselves daughters of pain. The just inquisitors of the world have condemned them, and the world's rack is never through with them. So lived Poll Cusser, having continually haunting her a dim idea that something terrible would happen when she ceased to breathe. Will it be necessary to add that Capt George Hunt again met Mrs. Hadley?-that she said to him: 'Mr. Hunt, how can I sufficiently thank you for-for-my life?" "Don't mention it, miss. I am sorry that I could not call to see you sooner, but I have been obliged to attend an inquest.' Here the captain paused, and shortly added: The man came from your native village. Mrs. Hadley, growing interested, said: "Ah!" And Capt. Hunt still further continued: Yes; his name was Hadley." Mrs. Hadley tainted; but not before she cried aloud, involun- tarily, that Hadley had been her husband. So all came out, and they were married. About the same time turtle-doves were discovered flying about the country, bearing in their bills two elegantly engraved cards, on which were the following names: 'MISS JULIA BARTON." 'MR. ROBERT WILLOW." denoting that this loving couple were united in the silken bonds of matrimony. Mr. Robert Willow and wife lived happily together. He became a professor of astronomy, and discovered many things heretofore unknown about the moon. The opium baby lived, and became an old and respected clergy- 164 THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. man, and on drowsy Sabbath days his sermons were said to be very soothing. The Flax County "Gazette " had the following, one Saturday: "SKILLFUL WOKKMANSHIP.-LARGE PUMPKIN.-We are in re- ceipt of a beautifully carved imitation man-of-war, six feet high, which is the work of that naval patriot of Flax Village, William Cassell, Esq., presented to us on the day of his marriage to Miss Jennie Swap, daughter of Zebulon Swap, of the same village. Also, from the father of the bride, a large pumpkin of the Thompson variety-weight twenty pounds.' THE END. € ERTISEMENTS. : 1+ 3 THE BEST JAMES PYLE'S Washing Compound OK TRADE MARK PEARLINE EVER INVENTED. No Lady, Married or Sin- gle, Rich or Poor, House- keeping or Boarding, will be without it after testing its utility. Sold by all first-class Grocers, but beware of worthless imitations. MUNRO'S PUBLICATIONS. The Seaside Library POCKET EDITION. 270 The Wandering Jew. By EUGENE SUE. Parts I. and II., each. 279 Little Goldie. BY MRS. SUMNER HAYDEN. 284 Doris. By "THE DUCHESS • 286 Deldee; or, The Iron Hand. BY F. WARDEN. 330 May Blossom; or, Between Two Loves. BY MAR- 20 20 10 20 GARET LEE. 20 20 359 The Water-Witch. By J. FENIMORE COOPER. 362 The Bride of Lammermoor. BY SIR WALTER SCOTT.. 20 345 Madam. BY MRS. OLIPHANT.. 20 For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address, post- age free, on receipt of 12 cents for single numbers, and 25 cents for double numbers, by the publisher. Parties ordering by mail will please order by numbers. GEORGE MUNRO, Publisher, P. (). Box 3751. 17 to 27 Vandewater Street. WHAT IS SAPOLIO? It is a solid, handsome cake of scouring soap, which has no equal for all cleaning purposes except the laundry. To use it is to value it. What will Sapolio do? Why, it will clean paint, make oil-cloths bright, and give the floors, tables and shelves a new appearance. It will take the grease off the dishes and off the pots and pans. You can scour the knives and forks with it, and make the tin things shine brightly. The wash-basin, the bath-tub, even the greasy kitchen sink, will be as clean as a new pin if you use SAPOLIO. One cake will prove all we say. Be a clever little housekeeper and try it. BEWARE OF IMITATIONS, میر i } FALL AND WINTER FASHIONS. THE GREATEST FASHION BOOK OF THE YEAR! THE NOVEMBER NUMBER, NOW READY, OF The New York Monthly Fashion Bazar. Price 25 Cents Per Copy. Subscription Price $2.50 Per Year. IT CONTAINS A Brilliant Array of New Winter Costumes, New Winter Cleak and Jackets, Evening, Reception and Dinner Toilets, Wool Suits and Wraps, and Bridal Costumes. Wool suits are fashionable and popular. Striped goods are especially fa vored for walking and traveling suits and cloaks. For street wear the chief materials are bison cloth, tweeds, French tricots, tufted suitings and suitings of men's cloth, lady's cloth, cashmere and wool plaids. Black gros grain silks of the richest quality, trimmed with laces, jet and velvet, will be worn on the most important occasions. All the newest modes and important changes in materials are fully set forth in the magazine and shown in the illustrations. HATS AND BONNETS FOR FALL AND WINTER WEAR. New Shapes, New Colors, New Combinations, French Felts, Moleskins, Velvets, Satin, Velveteen, and Straw. Winter Fashions for Children, Overgarments for Boys and Girls. THE NOVEMBER NUMBER CONTAINS THE COMMENCEMENT OF AN ORIGINAL, EN TIRELY NEW STORY, ENTITLED A WEEK IN KILLARNEY. By "THE DUCHESS." IT CONTAINS ALSO THE CONTINUATION OF THE BELLE OF SARATOGA. By Mrs. Lucy Randall Comfort. SWORN TO SILENCE; ▲ Story by a New Author, entitled ALSO THE CONTINUATION OF Or, Aline Rodney's Secret. By Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller. 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The following works contained in THE SEASIDE LIBRARY, Ordinary Edition, are for sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address, postage free, on receipt of 12 cents for single numbers, and 25 cents for double numbers, by the publisher. Parties ordering by mail will please order by numbers. MRS. ALEXANDER'S WORKS. 30 Her Dearest Foe .. 36 The Wooing O't.. 46 The Heritage of Langdale . 370 Ralph Wilton's Weird. 400 Which Shall it Be?. 228 20 20 20 10 • 532 Maid, Wife, or Widow. 1231 The Freres 1259 Valerie's Fate.. 1391 Look Before You Leap. 1502 The Australian Aunt. 1595 The Admiral's Ward. 1721 The Executor... • 1934 Mrs. Vereker's Courier Maid.. • WILLIAM BLACK'S WORKS. 13 A Princess of Thule. • 28 A Daughter of Heth... 47 In Silk Attire.. 48 The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton. 51 Kilmeny.. • • 2220 10 20 10 20 10 20 20 10 20 10 • 10 10 10 THE SEASIDE LIBRARY-Ordinary Edition. } 1842 The Iron Mask. Second half.. 20' 20 • 20 20 • 20 20 20 • 1874 Piédouche, a French Detective.. 1885 The Sculptor's Daughter. First half. 1885 The Sculptor's Daughter. Second half. 1886 Zénobie Capitaine. First half... 1886 Zénobie Capitaine. Second half.. 1925 Babiole, the Pretty Milliner. First half. • EMILE GABORIAU'S WORKS. 408 File No. 113. • First half. Second half. 465 Monsieur Lecoq. First half. 465 Monsieur Lecoq. Second half.. 476 The Slaves of Paris. 476 The Slaves of Paris. 490 Marriage at a Venture. 494 The Mystery of Orcival. 501 Other People's Money.. 509 Within an Inch of His Life .. 515 The Widow Lerouge. 523 The Clique of Gold.. 671 The Count's Secret. 671 The Count's Secret. • • Part I. Part II. • 20 20 20 • • 20 20 10. 20 20 · • • 704 Captain Contanceau; or, The Volunteers of 1792. 741 The Downward Path; or, A House Built on Sand (La De- 20: 20 20: 20' 20 10 gringolade). Part I……. 20. 741 The Downward Path; or, A House Built on Sand (La De- gringolade). Part II . 20 • 758 The Little Old Man of the Batignolles.. 778 The Men of the Bureau.. 10 10 789 Promises of Marriage. 10 • • 813 The 13th Hussars... 10 834 A Thousand Francs Reward.. 10 899 Max's Marriage; or, The Vicomte's Choice, 1184 The Marquise de Brinvilliers... 10 20 MARY CECIL HAY'S WORKS. 8 The Arundel Motto..... 407 The Arundel Motto (in large type). 9 Old Myddelton's Money.. • 427 Old Myddelton's Money (in large type). 17 Hidden Perils. • 10 10 20 10 20 • 10 THE SEASIDE LIBRARY Ordinary Edition. < 434 Hidden Perils (in large type). 23 The Squire's Legacy.. • 516 The Squire's Legacy (in large type). 27 Victor and Vanquished.. 29 Nora's Love Test.. • 421 Nora's Love Test (in large type). 275 A Shadow on the Threshold.. 363 Reaping the Whirlwind.. 384 Back to the Old Home. 415 A Dark Inheritance... 440 The Sorrow of a Secret, and Lady Carmichael's Will. 686 Brenda Yorke 724 For Her Dear Sake. 852 Missing.... 855 Dolf's Big Brother.. 20 10 20 20 10 20 10 10 10 10 .. 10 10 20 10 10 10 • 20 20 10 10 10 • 20 10 10 10 930 In the Holidays, and The Name Cut on a Gate. 935 Under Life's Key, and Other Stories.. 972 Into the Shade, and Other Stories.. 1011 My First Offer... 1014 Told in New England, and Other Tales.. 1016 At the Seaside; or, A Sister's Sacrifice. 1220 Dorothy's Venture... 1221 Among the Ruins, and Other Stories. 1431 "A Little Aversion" • 1549 Bid Me Discourse.. CHARLES LEVER'S WORKS. 98 Harry Lorrequer....... 132 Jack Hinton, the Guardsman.. 20 20 137 A Rent in a Cloud……. 146 Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dragoon (Triple Number). 10 30 152 Arthur O'Leary. • 168 Con Cregan………. 169 St. Patrick's Eve.. 174 Kate O'Donoghue.. 257 That Boy of Norcott's. 20 20 10 20 10 · 296 Tom Burke of “Ours.” First half. 296 Tom Burke of "Ours." Second half. 319 Davenport Dunn. 319 Davenport Dunn. First half………. Second half 464 Gerald Fitzgerald... • 20 • C 20 20 222 20 1 31 THE SEASIDE LIBRARY, Ordinary Edition. 470 The Fortunes of Glencore.. 529 Lord Kilgobbin.. 546 Maurice Tiernay. ... 566 A Day's Ride. 609 Barrington. 633 Sir Jasper Carew, Knight. 657 The Martins of Cro' Martin. 657 The Martins of Cro' Martin. 822 Tony Butler..... 872 Luttrell of Arran. 872 Luttrell of Arran. Part II 951 Paul Gosslett's Confessions. Part I.. 2222222 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Part II. 20 Part I.. 20 965 One of Them. 965 One of Them. First half. Second half. 989 Sir Brook Fossbrooke. Part I. 989 Sir Brook Fossbrooke. Part II.. 1235 The Bramleighs of Bishop's Folly. 1309 The Dodd Family Abroad. First half. 1309 The Dodd Family Abroad. Second half. 1342 Horace Templeton. 1394 Roland Cashel. 1394 Roland Cashel. Second half. • 222-22 20 20 10 20 20 20 A 20 20 First half. • 1496 The Daltons; or, Three Roads in Life. 1496 The Daltons; or, Three Roads in Life. First half.. Second half. 2222222 20 20 20 20 : 20 20 20 r GEORGE MACDONALD'S WORKS. 455 Paul Faber, Surgeon. 491 Sir Gibbie.. 595 The Annals of a Quiet Neighborhood.. • 643 The Vicar's Daughter.. 606 The Seaboard Parish.. 627 Thomas Wingfold, Curate. 668 David Elginbrod... 677 St. George and St. Michael.. 790 Alec Forbes of Howglen.. 887 Malcolm... 922 Mary Marston. 938 Guild Court. A London Story 948 The Marquis of Lossie. 962 Robert Falconer.. • 1375 Castle Warlock: A Homely Romance. • 20 222222222 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 • 22222 20 20 * 20 20 20 SEASIDE LITKABI.—OTamary Hanon. 1439 Adela Cathcart. 1466 The Gifts of the Child Christ, and Other Tales... 1488 The Princess and Curdie. A Girl's Story. 1498 Weighed and Wanting.. 1884 Donal Grant. 1921 The Portent.. 1922 Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women..... MRS. OLIPHANT'S WORKS. 136 Katie Stewart.. 210 Young Musgrave. 20 10 10 20 20 • 10 10 10 20 391 The Primrose Path. 452 An Odd Couple. 475 Heart and Cross. 488 A Beleaguered City. 497 For Love and Life.. 511 Squire Arden • 542 The Story of Valentine and His Brother. 20 10 10 10 20 20 20 596 Caleb Field.... 651 Madonna Mary. 665 The Fugitives.. 680 The Greatest Heiress in England. 706 Earthbound.. 775 The Queen (Illustrated). 785 Orphans...... 875 No. 3 Grove Road.... 10 20 10 20 10 10 10 802 Phoebe, Junior. A Last Chronicle of Carlingford.. 881 He That Will Not When He May. 20 10 20 • 919 May. 959 Miss Marjoribanks. 20 Part I.. 20 959 Miss Marjoribanks. Part II. 1004 Harry Joscelyn... 1017 Carita... 1049 In Trust.. 20 20 20 20 1215 Brownlows 1319 Lady Jane. · 1396 Whiteladies. 1407 A Rose in June. • • 20 10 20 10 1449 A Little Pilgrim... 1547 It Was a Lover and His Lass.. 1647 The Ladies Lindores. . 10 20 20 B THE SEASIDE LIBRARY — Ordinary Bastion 1662 Salem Chapel. 1669 The Minister's Wife. 1669 The Minister's Wife. 1680 The Wizard's Son.. 1697 The Lady's Walk.. 1703 Sir Tom..... 1794 A Son of the Soil.. First half. Second half. 1798 Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life. 1804 The Laird of Norlaw.. · * 2220 20 10 20 20 20 20 10 • 1919 The Prodigals: And Their Inheritance. 1935 Memoirs and Resolutions of Adam Graeme of Mossgray, Including Some Chronicles of the Borough of Fendie... 20 1937 Madam. 1945 The House on the Moor... • 10 2220 OUIDA'S" WORKS. 49 Granville de Vigne; or, Held in Bondage... 54 Under Two Flags 55 In a Winter City.. 56 Strathmore 59 Chandos.. • 61 Bébée; or, Two Little Wooden Shoes. 62 Folle-Farine. 71 Ariadne-The Story of a Dream. 181 Beatrice Boville.. 211 Randolph Gordon.. 230 Little Grand and the Marchioness. 241 Tricotrin ... 249 Cecil Castlemaine's Gage.. 279 A Leaf in the Storm, and Other Tales. 281 Lady Marabout's Troubles.. 334 Puck.... 377 Friendship…. -379 Pascarel. • 386 Signa... ... 20 20 10. 20 20 · 10 20 20 10 10 • 10 20 10 10 10 20 20 2220 * 389 Idalia.. 563 A Hero's Reward. 676 Umilta. 699 Moths.. 791 Pipistrello. • • 864 Findelkind….. · 20 10 10. 20 10 10 1. F THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.—Ördinary Edition. 915 A Village Commune.. 1025 The Little Earl... 1247 In Maremma. 1334 Bimbi..... 1586 Frescoes.. • 1625 Wanda, Countess von Szalras 1755 Afternoon, and Other Sketches. 1851 Princess Napraxine... CHARLES READE'S WORKS. 4 A Woman-Hater... 19 A Terrible Temptation. 21 Foul Play... 20 10 20 10 10 20 10 20 • 20 20 2=22 20 10 24 It is Never Too Late to Mend 31 Love Me Little, Love Me Long.. 34 A Simpleton. 41 White Lies. 78 Griffith Gaunt.. 86 Put Yourself in His Place.. 112 Very Hard Cash...... • • 203 The Cloister and the Hearth.. 237 The Wandering Heir.. 246 Peg Woffington. 270 The Jilt... • 371 Christie Johnstone. 536 Jack of all Trades. • 1204 Clouds and Sunshine. 1322 The Knightsbridge Mystery. • 20 • 10 • 20 20 20 20 20 10 10 • 10 10 10 10 10 1390 Singleheart and Doubleface. A Matter-of-Fact Romance... 10 1817 Readiana: Comments on Current Events. 1853 Love and Money; or, A Perilous Secret.. SIR WALTER SCOTT'S WORKS. 39 Ivanhoe ... 183 Kenilworth. • 10 20 196 Heart of Mid-Lothian. • 593 The Talisman.... 723 Guy Mannering. 857 Waverley.. • 920 Rob Roy.... • 1007 Quentin Durward. • 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.-Ordinary Edition. 1082 Count Robert of Paris. 1275 Old Mortality. 20 20 20 222 2 220 20 1328 The Antiquary. 1399 The Pirate.. 1462 The Betrothed: A Tale of the Crusaders, and The Chron- icles of the Canongate .... 1598 Redgauntlet. A Tale of the Eighteenth Century. 1701 The Monastery.... 1702 The Abbot (Sequel to "The Monastery") 1827 The Fair Maid of Perth.... 1831 St. Ronan's Well.... 1848 The Black Dwarf, and A Legend of Montrose 1865 Peveril of the Peak. ANTHONY TROLLOPE'S WORKS. 12 The American Senator.. 399 The Lady of Launay • 530 Sir Harry Hotspur of Humblethwaite. 531 John Caldigate. 601 Cousin Henry. • 768 The Duke's Children 870 An Eye for an Eye.. 910 Dr. Wortle's School 944 Miss Mackenzie • 1047 Ayala's Angel... • 1090 Barchester Towers... 1201 Phineas Finn. 1201 Phineas Finn. 1206 Doctor Thorne. 1206 Doctor Thorne. 1217 Lady Anna... First half. Second half. .. First half. Second half. • 1255 The Fixed Period.. • 20 20 20 228 20 30 20 20 10 20 20 10 20 10 10 22222222 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 • 1283 Why Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices, and Other Stories. 10 1292 Marion Fay.. 1306 The Struggles of Brown, Jones & Robinson. 1318 Orley Farm. First half.. 20 20 • 1318 Orley Farm. Second half. 1348 The Belton Estate.. 1419 Kept in the Dark.. 1436 The Kellys and The O'Kellys. 1450 The Two Heroines of Plumplington.. • 222-2 20 20 20 10 20 10 1HE SEASIDE LIBRARY-Ordinary Edition. F 1455 The Macdermots of Ballycloran.. 1473 Castle Richmond...... 1486 Phineas Redux. First half.. • 1486 Phineas Redux. Second half. 1494 The Vicar of Bullhampton... • 1511 Not If I Know It.. . ... 1551 Is He Popenjoy? . 1559 The Small House at Allington. 1559 The Small House at Allington. 1567 The Last Chronicle of Barset. 1567 The Last Chronicle of Barset. 1634 The Way We Live Now. 1634 The Way We Live Now. 1656 Mr. Scarborough's Family. 1685 Alice Dugdale. 1707 The Land Leaguers. · • • First half Second half.. First half. Second half. First half... Second half. 1728 Anthony Trollope's Autobiography. 1756 Rachel Ray……………. 1802 Framley Parsonage.. 1805 La Mere Bauche.. 1816 An Old Man's Love.. • 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 20 20 • 20 20 • 20 20 20 20 10 • 10 2-2222AA 20 10 20 20 JULES VERNE'S WORKS. ; 5 The Black-Indies.... 10 16 The English at the North Pole. 10 43 Hector Servadac.. 10 57 The Castaways; or, A Voyage Round the World-South America.. 10 60 The Castaways; or, A Voyage Round the World-Australia 10 64 The Castaways; or, A Voyage Round the World-New Zealand... 68 Five Weeks in a Balloon.. 72 Meridiana, and The Blockade Runners. 75 The Fur Country. Part I. 75 The Fur Country. Part II. 84 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas. · 10 10 10 10 10 10 87 A Journey to the Centre of the Earth. 10 90 The Mysterious Island-Dropped from the Clouds.. 10 · 93 The Mysterious Island-The Abandoned.... 97 The Mysterious Island-The Secret of the Island.. 99 From the Earth to the Moon... 10 10 10 THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.—Ordinary Edition. 111 A Tour of the World in Eighty Days…. 10 131 Michael Strogoff. • • 1092 Michael Strogoff (large type, illustrated edition). 414 Dick Sand; or, Captain at Fifteen. Part I.. 414 Dick Sand; or, Captain at Fifteen.. Part II. 466 Great Voyages and Great Navigators. Part I. 466 Great Voyages and Great Navigators. Part II. 466 Great Voyages and Great Navigators. 505 The Field of Ice (Illustrated). 510 The Pearl of Lima... 520 Round the Moon (Illustrated).. 634 The 500 Millions of the Begum.. 647 Tribulations of a Chinaman.. 673 Dr. Ox's Experiment.. • 710 Survivors of the Chancellor. • • 818 The Steam-House; or, A Trip Across Northern India. Part I... 10 20 10 10 • 10 10 Part III. 20 10 10 10 10 10 • 10 10 .. 10 818 The Steam-House; or, A Trip Across Northern India. Part II ... 10 zon. 1043 The Jangada; or, Eight Hundred Leagues over the Ama- Part I.... 10 zon. • 1043 The Jangada; or, Eight Hundred Leagues over the Ama- Part II.. 1519 Robinsons' School. 1677 The Headstrong Turk. First half. 1677 The Headstrong Turk. 1716 The Green Ray.. The above works contained in THE SEASIDE LIBRARY, Ordinary Edition, are for sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address, postage free, on receipt of 12 cents for single numbers, and 25 cents for double numbers, by the publisher. Parties ordering by mail will please order by numbers. GEORGE MUNRO, Publisher, 10 10 10 Second half. ► 10 10 P. O. Box 3751. 18 17 to 27 Vandewater St., N. Y. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 3 9015 06394 6266