er of New Orleans."

"And what agency had you in the affair?"

"None whatever."

"Then Mr. Dumont and De Guy are the only persons concerned in the
transaction?"

"Yes."

"You are positive?"

"Yes."

"Then, how comes it, Mr. Maxwell, that they have intrusted you with
their secret? How came you by this knowledge?" said Hatchie, fiercely,
as he prepared, apparently, to swing up the attorney.

Maxwell was staggered by this question, and Hatchie perceived his
discomfiture. That Maxwell had any agency in the transaction he only
suspected; certainly it was not he whom he had seen with Jaspar on the
night of his escape from Bellevue. There was much evidence for and much
against him.

Maxwell, unwilling to criminate himself, was in a sad dilemma; his ready
wits alone could save him. But his hesitation procured him another
instant of suffocation.

"I obtained the knowledge from De Guy," said he, at last.

"How! did he voluntarily betray the confidence of his employer?"

"No, from his inquiries concerning the affairs of the family, I
suspected something; when the will was read my impressions were
confirmed. I charged him with the crime."

"Did he acknowledge it?"

"He did."

"Then why did you not expose the plot?"

"It did not suit my purpose."

"What was your purpose?"

"To marry Miss Dumont."

The attorney's answers seemed plausible. His actions were in conformity
with his avowed purpose. If he wished to marry his mistress, he would
not have joined in the plot. But the bill of sale, which Emily had
mentioned to him, was against him. Poor Hatchie was no lawyer, and was
sadly perplexed by the conflicting testimony.

"Where did you get that bill of sale?" said he.

Again the attorney hesitated, and again Hatchie pulled the rope till he
was ready to answer.

"Is it a forgery?" said Hatchie, slackening the rope.

"Probably it is," replied Maxwell.

"Who wrote it?"

"De Guy."

"This De Guy is a most consummate villain, and shall yet be brought to
justice. But how came it in your possession?"

"I received it from De Guy, as the agent of Mr. Dumont. In fine, I
_bought_ the girl," said Maxwell, maliciously.

Hatchie's temper had nearly got the better of him, for he made a spring
on the rope, which threatened death to the attorney. But his judgment
overcame his passion, and he again turned his attention to the great
object before him.

"Now, Mr. Maxwell, as you are a lawyer," said Hatchie, "you ar