d myself going to
dine with some old friend, and only discover when I reach his door that
he is dead and gone this many a day! There was something in my mind to
tell you, and it has escaped me already. Oh! I have it. There are some
curious old family papers in that musty-looking portmanteau. I should
like to find out some clever fellow that would look them over without
rushing me into a lawsuit, mind ye, for I have no heart for that now! My
brother Harry's boy is dead. India finished him, poor fellow! That's the
key of it,--see if it will open the lock."

"If you like I 'll take them back with me, sir, and examine them myself
at home."

"Do so, Crowther. Only understand me well, no bills of costs, my worthy
friend; no searches after this, or true copies of that; I 'll have
none of them. As Dick Parsons said, I 'd rather spend my estate at the
'Fives' than the 'Four' Courts."

Crowther gave one of his complacent laughs; and having induced Curtis
to accept an invitation for the following day at dinner, he took the
portmanteau under his arm and withdrew.

He had scarcely descended the stairs when Dan found the door unlocked,
and proceeded to pay his visit to Curtis, his mind full of all that he
had just overheard, and wondering at the many strange things he had been
a listener to.

When MacNaghten entered, he found Curtis sitting at a table, with
his head resting on his hand, and looking like one deeply engaged in
thought. Dan saluted him twice, without obtaining a reply, and at last
said,--

"They said that you had a visitor this morning, and so I have been
waiting for some time to see you."

The other nodded assentingly, but did not speak.

"You are, perhaps, too much tired now," said Dan, in a kind voice, "for
much talking. Come and have a turn in the open air; it will refresh
you."

Curtis arose and took his hat, without uttering a word.

"You are a good walker, Curtis," said MacNaghten, as they reached the
street. "What say you if we stroll down to Harold's Cross, and eat our
breakfast at the little inn they call 'The Friar'?"

"Agreed," muttered the other, and walked along at his side, without
another word; while Dan, to amuse his companion, and arouse him from
the dreary stupor that oppressed him, exerted himself in various ways,
recounting the popular anecdotes of the day, and endeavoring, so far as
might be, to entertain him.

It was soon, however, evident that Curtis neither heard nor heeded the