off the scent. But to-day, as I was passing the Raven, in the
carriage--going very slow, on account of the crowd--he was perched out
there, addressing the people, and I saw the very same action--the old
action that I had used to see."

Barbara paused. Mr. Carlyle did not interrupt her.

"I feel a conviction that they are the same--that Richard must have been
under some unaccountable mistake in saying that he knew Francis Levison.
Besides, who but he, in evening dress, would have been likely to go
through Bean lane that night? It leads to no houses, but one wishing to
avoid the high road could get into it from these grounds, and so on to
West Lynne. He must have gone back directly on foot to West Lynne, to
get the post carriage, as was proved, and he would naturally go through
Bean lane. Forgive me, Archibald, for recalling these things to you, but
I feel so sure that Levison and Thorn are one."

"I know they are," he quietly said.

Barbara, in her astonishment drew back and stared him in the face--a
face of severe dignity it was just then.

"Oh, Archibald! Did you know it at that time?"

"I did not know it until this afternoon. I never suspected it."

"I wonder you did not. I have wondered often."

"So do I now. Dill, Ebenezer James, and Otway Bethel--who came home
to-day--were standing before the Raven, listening to his speech, when
Bethel recognized him; not as Levison--he was infinitely astonished to
find he was Levison. Levison, they say, was scared at the recognition,
and changed color. Bethel would give no explanation, and moved away; but
James told Dill that Levison was the man Thorn who used to be after Afy
Hallijohn."

"How did you know?" breathlessly asked Barbara.

"Because Mr. Ebenezer was after Afy himself, and repeatedly saw Thorn
in the wood. Barbara, I believe now that it was Levison who killed
Hallijohn, but I should like to know what Bethel had to do with it."

Barbara clasped her hands. "How strange it is!" she exclaimed, in some
excitement. "Mamma told me, yesterday, that she was convinced something
or other was going to turn up relative to the murder. She had had the
most distressing dream, she said, connected with Richard and Bethel,
and somebody else, whom she appeared to know in the dream, but could
not recognize or remember when she was awake. She was as ill as could
be--she does put such faith in these wretched dreams."

"One would think you did also, Barbara, by your vehemence."