came of him afterwards?"

"He joined the French service, attained the rank of captain, and then
left the army; came back to Ireland, and now, sir, stands before you."

Mr. Basset never changed a muscle of his face as I made this
declaration. So unmoved, so stolid was his look, that for a moment or
two I believed him incredulous of my story. But this impression soon
gave way, as with his eyes bent on me he said,--

"I knew you, sir, I knew you the moment I passed you in the office
without; but it might have fared ill with you to have let my recognition
appear."

"As how? I do not understand you."

"My clerks there might have given information for the sake of the
reward; and once in Newgate, there was an end to all negotiation."

"You must speak more intelligibly, sir, if you wish me to comprehend
you. I am unaware of any circumstance which should threaten me with such
a fate."

"Have you forgotten Captain Crofts,--Montague Crofts?" said Basset, in a
low whisper, while a smile of insulting malice crossed his features.

"No; I remember him well. What of him?"

"What of him! He charges you with a capital felony,--a crime for which
the laws have little pity here, whatever your French habits may have
taught you to regard it. Yes; the attempt to assassinate an officer in
his Majesty's service, when foiled by him in an effort to seduce the
soldiery, is an offence which might have a place in your memory."

"Can the man be base enough to make such a charge as this against me,--a
boy, as I then was?"

"You were not alone; remember that fact."

"True; and most thankful am I for it. There is one, at least, can prove
my innocence, if I can but discover him."

"You will find that a matter of some difficulty. Your worthy friend and
early preceptor was transported five years since."

"Poor fellow! I could better bear to hear that he was dead."

"There are many of your opinion on that head," said Basset, with a
savage grin. "But the fellow was too cunning for all the lawyers, and
his conviction at last was only effected by a stratagem."

"A stratagem!" exclaimed I, in amazement.

"It was neither more nor less. Darby was arraigned four several times,
but always acquitted. Now it was defective evidence; now a lenient jury;
now an informal indictment: but so was it, he escaped the meshes of the
law, though every one knew him guilty of a hundred offences. At last
Major Barton resolved on another expedient. Darby was arres