ter Mr. Belcher had stated the facts touching the Washington records,
Mr. Cavendish said:

"Well, General, as far as appearances go, you have the lead. Nothing but
the overthrow of your assignment can damage you, and, as I told you the
day before yesterday, if the paper is dirty, don't tell me of it--that
is, if you want me to do anything for you. Go about your business, say
nothing to anybody, and if you are prosecuted, come to me."

Still Mr. Belcher made no response to the lawyer's suggestion touching
the fraudulent nature of the paper; and the latter was thoroughly
confirmed in his original impression that there was something wrong
about it.

Then Mr. Belcher went out upon Wall street, among his brokers, visited
the Exchange, visited the Gold Room, jested with his friends, concocted
schemes, called upon Talbot, wrote letters, and filled up his day. Going
home to dinner, he found a letter from his agent at Sevenoaks, giving in
detail his reasons for supposing not only that Benedict had been in the
village, but that, from the time of his disappearance from the Sevenoaks
poor-house, he had been living at Number Nine with Jim Fenton. Balfour
had undoubtedly found him there, as he was in the habit of visiting the
woods. Mike Conlin must also have found him there, and worst of all, Sam
Yates must have discovered him. The instruments that he had employed, at
a considerable cost, to ascertain whether Benedict were alive or dead
had proved false to him. The discovery that Sam Yates was a traitor made
him tremble. It was from him that he had procured the autographs on
which two of his forgeries were based. He sat down immediately, and
wrote a friendly letter to Yates, putting some business into his hands,
and promising more. Then he wrote to his agent, telling him of his
interest in Yates, and of his faithful service, and directing him to
take the reformed man under his wing, and, as far as possible, to
attach him to the interests of the concern.

Two days afterward, he looked out of his window and saw Mr. Balfour
descending the steps of his house with a traveling satchel in his hand.
Calling Phipps, he directed him to jump into the first cab, or carriage,
pay double price, and make his way to the ferry that led to the
Washington cars, see if Balfour crossed at that point, and learn, if
possible, his destination. Phipps returned in an hour and a half with
the information that the lawyer had bought a ticket for Washington.