hat I was that latest
visitor. I did not think of telling any one that I was going to see
Rothsay before I went, or of telling them that I had been to see him
after I went. They had no more reason to identify me with that late
caller than any other guest at the hotel, or, in fact, any other man in
the world. Come, Mr. Rockharrt, you have complimented me with one of the
blackest suspicions that could wrong an honest man, but I will not
quarrel with you. I know very well that the last person seen with a
missing man is often suspected of his taking off. As for me, I invite
the most searching investigation."

"Why did you come here, after so long an interval?" demanded the Iron
King, in no way mollified by the moderation of his visitor.

"As I explained to you, I come now because I have just heard that I had
been advertised for; and after this long interval because I have been
for months at sea. I had, however, another motive for coming--to tell
you of the strange manner of Regulas Rothsay during my interview with
him--a manner that does not seem to have been observed by any one else,
for all speak and write of his health and extraordinarily good spirits
on the evening of his arrival in the city only a few hours before I saw
him, when he seemed very far from being in good health or good spirits.
In fact, a more utterly broken man I never saw in my life."

"Ah! ah! What is this you tell me? Give me particulars! Give me
particulars!" said the Iron King, rising and standing over his visitor.

"Indeed, I do not think I can give you particulars. The effect he seemed
to produce was that of a general prostration of body and mind. On coming
into the room where I waited for him, he looked pale and haggard; he
tottered rather than walked; he dropped into his chair rather than sat
down in it; his hands fell upon the arms rather than grasped them; he
was gloomy, absent-minded, and when he spoke at all, seemed to speak
with great effort."

"Ah! ah! ah!" exclaimed the Iron King.

"I thought the fatigue and excitement of the day had been too much for
him. I made my visit very short, and soon bade him good-night. He wished
me a prosperous voyage, but did not invite me to visit him on my
return--a kindness that he had never before omitted."

"Ah, ah ah!" again exclaimed old Aaron Rockharrt.

"Then I thought his manner and appearance only the effect of excessive
fatigue and excitement. Now, seen in the light of future events, I
atta