e sold to
you became sufficiently accustomed to you to be caressed without
biting. During that time you had a room darkened, and required him to
train the bird to fly at a light and overturn it. When he was
dismissed, his curiosity was excited, and he watched your movements.
He nightly dogged your steps, and traced you to the garden of the
villa. He stood within a few feet of you on the night of Euston's
death, and beheld the use to which you put his bird. His eyes,
accustomed to the gloom without, beheld your dark form glide to the
side of your victim. He saw your murderous hand pressed upon the
breast of the dying youth."

"'T is false--false. I defy him to prove it."

"It is true, sir--the evidence is such as would condemn you in any
court; and now listen to me. I offer you lenient terms, in
consideration of the ties of relationship which bind you to those you
have so cruelly oppressed. One third of the fortune for which you have
paid so fearful a price shall be yours, if you will sign a paper I
have with me, which will restore the remainder to Mrs. Euston. If you
refuse, I have in my pocket a writ of arrest, and the officers are in
the shrubbery awaiting my orders to execute it. Comply with my terms
and I suffer you to escape."

Thus confronted by imminent danger, Barclay seemed to lose his courage
and presence of mind. He measured the floor with rapid steps a few
moments, and then turning to Atwood motioned for the paper, to which
he affixed his signature without uttering a word.

"There is yet another condition," said Atwood.

"Leave this country within forty-eight hours. If, after that time, I
am made aware of your presence within the jurisdiction of the United
States, I will have you arrested as a murderer. The peace of mind of
those I have rescued from your power shall not be periled by your
presence within the same land they inhabit." Barclay ground his teeth
with rage.

"I _shall_ leave it, be assured, but not to escape from this absurd
charge."

"Go then. I care not from what motive."

Another instant, and Barclay had passed from the room. Edith and her
mother traveled to their former home in the beautiful land of Florida,
under the protection of Atwood, and there, amid rejoicing friends,
surrounded by all the happy associations of her bright youth, she gave
her hand to her faithful lover.

Barclay perished in a street brawl, in a foreign land, and the whole
of her brother's estate finally devol