--"

I started at the sound of my name. The motion surprised him; he looked
round and perceived me. Quick and piercing as his glance was, I could
not trace any sign of recognition; although, as he scanned my features,
and suffered his eyes to wander over my dress, I perceived that his was
no mere chance or cursory observation.

"Well, sir," said he, at length, "is your business here with me?"

"Yes; but I would speak with you in private."

"Come in here, then. Meanwhile, Sam, make out that deed; for we may go
on without the proof of demise."

Few and vague as the words were, their real meaning flashed on me, and I
perceived that Mr. Basset was engaged in the search of some evidence of
my death, doubtless to enable the heir-at-law to succeed to the estates
of my brother. The moment the idea struck me, I felt assured of its
certainty, and at once determined on the plan I should adopt.

"You have inserted an advertisement regarding a Mr. Burke," said I, as
soon as the door was closed, and we were alone together. "What are the
particular circumstances of which you desire proof?"

"The place, date, and manner of his death," replied he, slowly; "for
though informed that such occurred abroad, an authentic evidence of the
fact will save some trouble. Circumstances to identify the individual
with the person we mean, of course, must be offered; showing whence he
came, his probable age, and so on. For this intelligence I am prepared
to pay liberally; at least a hundred pounds may be thought so."

"It is a question of succession to some property, I have heard."

"Yes; but the information is not of such moment as you may suppose,"
replied he, quickly, and with the wariness of his calling anticipating
the value I might be disposed to place on my intelligence. "We are
satisfied with the fact of the death; and even were it otherwise, the
individual most concerned is little likely to disprove the belief, his
own reasons will probably keep him from visiting Ireland."

"Indeed!" I exclaimed, the word escaping my lips ere I could check its
utterance.

"Even so," resumed he. "But this, of course, has no interest for you.
Your accent bespeaks you a foreigner. Have you any information to offer
on this matter?"

"Yes; if we speak of the same individual, who may have left this country
about 1800 as a boy of some fourteen years of age, and entered the
'Ecole Polytechnique' of Paris."

"Like enough. Continue, if you please; what be