on."

"And he has done well, sir," replied the Jailer. "The man's bearing
is greatly changed since morning; some panic has evidently seized him.
There's no saying how long this temper may last; but you are quite right
to profit by it while there is yet time."

"Is he low and depressed, then?"

"Terribly so, sir. He asked a while ago if any one had called to see
him. Of course we guessed whom he meant, and said that a priest had been
at the jail that morning, but only to learn the charge under which he
was apprehended. He was much mortified on being told that the priest
neither expressed a wish to see nor speak with him."

Grounsell gave a significant glance towards Frank, who now followed the
jailer to the prisoner's cell.

"He's crying, sir; don't you hear him?" whispered the jailer to Frank,
as they stood outside the door. "You could n't have a more favorable
moment." And, thus saying, he rattled the heavy bunch of keys, in order
to give the prisoner token of his approach; and then, throwing open the
door, called out, "Here's the gentleman you asked for, Meekins; see that
you don't keep him long in this cold place, for he is not very well."

Frank had but time to reach the little settle on which he sat down, when
the door was closed, and he was alone with the prisoner.

CHAPTER XXXVI. THE JAIL.

Frank Dalton was in no wise prepared for the quiet and easy
self-possession with which Meekins, after asking pardon for the liberty
of his note, took a seat in front of him. Smoothing down his short and
glossy black hair with his hand, he seemed to wait for Frank to open the
conversation; and while there was nothing of insolence in his manner,
there was an assured calmness, far more distressing to a young and
nervous invalid.

"You wished to see me, Meekins," said Frank, at last. "What can I do for
you?"

The man bent slightly forward on his chair, and, fixing his keen
and penetrating eyes, continued steadily to stare at him for several
seconds.

"You 're too young and too generous to have a double in you," said
he, after a long pause, in which it seemed as if he were scanning the
other's nature; "and before we say any more, just tell me one thing. Did
any one advise you to come here to-night?"

"Yes," said Frank, boldly.

"It was that doctor; the man they call the agent,--wasn't it?"

"Yes," replied the youth, in the same tone.

"Now, what has he against _me?_--what charge does he lay to me?"

"I kn