uld like nothing better than to visit that inn.'

"'You doubtless have.'

"'It is not this one?' I suddenly cried, looking uneasily about me.

"'Oh, no; it is on the Hudson River, not fifty miles this side of
Albany. It is called the Happy-Go-Lucky, and is in a woman's hands at
present; but it prospers, I believe. Perhaps because she has discovered
the secret, and knows where to keep her stores.' And with a shrug of his
shoulders he dismissed the subject, with the remark: 'I don't know why I
told you of this. I never made it the subject of conversation before in
my life.'

"This was just before the outbreak in Lexington, sixteen years ago,
ma'am, and this is the first time I have found myself in this region
since that day. But I have never forgotten this story of a secret room,
and when I took the coach this morning I made up my mind that I would
spend the night here, and, if possible, see the famous oak parlor, with
its mysterious adjunct; never dreaming that in all these years of your
occupancy you would have remained as ignorant of its existence as he
hinted and you have now declared."

Mr. Tamworth paused, looking so benevolent that I summoned up my
courage, and quietly informed him that he had not told me what kind of a
looking man this stranger was.

"Was he young?" I asked. "Had he a blond complexion?"

"On the contrary," interrupted Mr. Tamworth, "he was very dark, and, in
years, as old or nearly as old as myself."

I was disappointed. I had expected a different reply. As he talked of
the stranger, I had, rightfully or wrongfully, with reason or without
reason, seen before me the face of Mr. Urquhart, and this description of
a dark and well-nigh aged man completely disconcerted me.

"Are you certain this man was not in disguise?" I asked.

"Disguise?"

"Are you certain that he was not young, and blond, and--"

"Quite sure," was the dry interruption. "No disguise could transform a
young blood into the man I saw that night. May I ask--"

In my turn I interrupted him. "Pardon me," I entreated, "but an anxiety
I will presently explain forces another question from me. Were you and
this stranger alone in the room when you held this conversation? You say
that it had been full a few minutes before. Were there none of the crowd
remaining besides your two selves?"

Mr. Tamworth looked thoughtful. "It is sixteen years ago," he replied,
"but I have a dim remembrance of a man sitting at a table somewhat near