aring which, they seemed greatly embarrassed, as if wishing
to avoid any conversation to which the subject might lead.

After breakfast was over, Mr. Cameron gave orders to have the carriage
brought to the door, saying that he was going to the village, and
should not return until the following morning. In a few moments the
servant appeared with the carriage, and Mr. Cameron and his wife
departed.

As soon as they had left the castle, Fostina returned to the hall,
followed by Alvin, who now seemed anxious to improve the opportunity of
conversing with her. She soon perceived this, and earnestly inquired of
him the cause of the mysterious conduct of her friends, who, she
believed, possessed more knowledge of the haunted castle than they were
willing to disclose.

Alvin remained silent for some time, and then rising from his seat,
closed the doors, and approaching Fostina, solicited a promise from her
never to reveal any thing which he should make known to her concerning
the family.

She answered him that she would never betray his confidence, and
earnestly entreated him to tell her all he knew.

Then seating himself near Fostina, he unfolded to her the mysteries of
the haunted castle as follows:--

He had been a servant in the family of Mr. Cameron two years, and had
resided at the castle, where a band of robbers had nightly collected
together for the purpose of dividing their booty, which they plundered
from the neighboring village.

He then explained to her the cause of what she had seen and heard, in
the apartment over which she had slept, stating that, about two months
previous, a stranger, apparently an invalid, had been conveyed there
and confined in an upper room in the castle, in which he was still held
prisoner. For what purpose he knew not, as he had never dared to make
any inquiries of the family, and had not been allowed to hold any
conversation with the prisoner.

After hearing this intelligence from Alvin, Fostina agreed with him to
seek an interview with the stranger, and arrange some plan to assist
his escape. They then left the hall and ascended together a winding
staircase, which led to the apartment occupied by the prisoner. On
arriving at the door, they found it firmly secured by an iron bar,
which Alvin, after several attempts, succeeded in removing. He then
opened the door, and glancing into the room, beheld the prisoner seated
on a low seat, holding a book in his hand as if engaged in readi