e, or the boy must be an
impostor. He had a daughter, an only daughter, as I have; but he never
had a son."

"It is a mistake that I fell into, sir, by finding a boy here, as I
stated to you at the inquest; and I considered it to be a boy until I
brought her home, and she then discovered to my sisters that she was a
girl dressed in boys' clothes. I did not give that as explanation at
the inquest, as it was not necessary."

"I am right, then. I must relieve you of that charge, Edward Armitage;
she shall be to me as a daughter, and I trust that you will agree with
me, without any disparagement to your feelings, that my house will be a
more fit residence for her than your cottage."

"I will not prevent her going, if she wishes it, after your explanation
and confidence, Mr Heatherstone."

"One thing more. As I said to you before, Edward Armitage, I believe
many of these verderers, all of whom have been selected from the army,
are spies upon me: I must therefore be careful. You said that you were
not aware that there were any papers?"

"I saw none, sir; but I suspect, from the many locked-up trunks and
small boxes, that there may be; but when I went out with the others from
the inquest, I despatched my brother Humphrey to the cottage, advising
him to open all the locks and to remove any papers which he might find."

The Intendant smiled.

"Well, if such is the case, we have only to go to your cottage and make
an examination. We shall find nothing, and I shall have performed my
duty. I was not aware that your brother was here. I presume it was the
young man who walked with Oswald Partridge."

"It was, sir."

"By his appearance, I presume that he also was brought up at Arnwood?"

"He was, sir, as well as I," replied Edward.

"Well, then, I have but one word more to say,--recollect, if I appear
harsh and severe in the presence of others, it is only assumed towards
you, and not real. You understand that?"

"I do, sir, and beg you will exercise your discretion."

The Intendant then went out and said to the party, "It appears from what
I can extract from this lad Armitage, that there are boxes which he
removed to his cottage; we will go there to see what they may contain.
It is now noon. Have you any refreshment to offer us in your cottage,
young man, when we arrive?"

"I keep no hostelrie, sir," replied Edward, somewhat gloomily; "my own
labour, and my brother's, is sufficient for the support of my own