lemen, he was
urging his nephew to prolong his visit, and asked what sudden freak was
taking him off. Mr. Levison replied that unexpected business called him
to London. While they were talking, the coachman came up, all in a heat,
telling that Hallijohn, of West Lynne, had been murdered by young Mr.
Hare. I remember Sir Peter said he could not believe it; and that it
must have been an accident, not murder."

"Is that all?"

"There was more said. Mr. Levison, in a shameful sort of manner, asked
his uncle, would he let him have five or ten pounds? Sir Peter seemed
angry, and asked, what had he done with the fifty-pound note he had made
him a present of only the previous morning? Mr. Levison replied that
he had sent that away to a brother officer, to whom he was in debt. Sir
Peter refused to believe it, and said he had more likely squandered
it upon some disgraceful folly. Mr. Levison denied that he had; but
he looked confused, indeed, his matter altogether was confused that
morning."

"Did he get the five or ten pounds?"

"I don't know, gentlemen. I dare say he did, for my master was as
persuadable as a woman, though he'd fly out a bit sometimes at first.
Mr. Levison departed for London that same night."

The last witness called was Mr. Dill. On the previous Tuesday evening,
he had been returning home from spending an hour at Mr. Beauchamp's,
when, in a field opposite to Mr. Justice Hare's, he suddenly heard a
commotion. It arose from the meeting of Sir Francis Levison and Otway
Bethel. The former appeared to have been enjoying a solitary moonlight
ramble, and the latter to have encountered him unexpectedly. Words
ensued. Bethel accused Sir Francis of "shirking" him. Sir Francis
answered angrily that he knew nothing of him, and nothing he wanted to
know.

"'You were glad enough to know something of me the night of Hallijohn's
murder,' retorted Bethel to this. 'Do you remember that I could hang
you. One little word from me, and you'd stand in Dick Hare's place.'

"'You fool!' passionately cried Sir Francis. 'You couldn't hang me
without putting your own head in a noose. Did you not have your hush
money? Are you wanting to do me out of more?'

"'A cursed paltry note of fifty pounds!' foamed Otway Bethel, 'which,
many a time since, I have wished my fingers were blown off before they
touched. I never should have touched it, but that I was altogether
overwhelmed with the moment's confusion. I have not been able to lo