st the foreman of the jury rose to deliver the verdict. A solemn and
awful silence prevailed throughout the court; the suspense was painful
to a degree.

"My lord," said the foreman of the jury, "our verdict is--"

"Stop, sir!" said Edward Templemore as he clasped one arm round the
astonished Francisco, and extended the other towards the foreman.
"Stop, sir! harm him not! for he is my brother!"

"And my preserver!" cried Clara, kneeling on the other side of
Francisco, and holding up her hands in supplication.

The announcement was electrical; the foreman dropped into his seat; the
judge and whole court were in mute astonishment. The dead silence was
followed by confusion, to which, after a time, the judge in vain
attempted to put a stop.

Edward Templemore, Clara, and Francisco, continued to form the same
group; and never was there one more beautiful. And now that they were
together, every one in court perceived the strong resemblance between
the two young men.

Francisco's complexion was darker than Edward's from his constant
exposure, from infancy, to a tropical sun; but the features of the two
were the same.

It was some time before the judge could obtain silence in the court; and
when it had been obtained, he was himself puzzled how to proceed.

Edward and Francisco, who had exchanged a few words, were now standing
side by side.

"My lord," said Edward Templemore, "the prisoner consents that the
packet shall be opened."

"I do," said Francisco, mournfully; "although I have but little hope
from its contents. Alas! now that I have everything to live for--not
that I cling to life, I feel as if every chance was gone! The days of
miracles have passed; and nothing but the miracle of the reappearance of
the pirate-captain from the grave can prove my innocence."

"He reappears from the grave to prove thine innocence, Francisco!" said
a deep, hollow voice, which startled the whole court, and most of all
Hawkhurst and the prisoners at the bar. Still more did fear and horror
distort their countenances when into the witness-box stalked the giant
form of Cain.

But it was no longer the figure which we have described in the
commencement of this narrative; his beard had been removed, and he was
pale, wan, and emaciated. His sunken eyes, his hollow cheek, and a
short cough, which interrupted his speech, proved that his days were
nearly at a close.

"My lord," said Cain, addressing the judge, "I am the pirate