poor.
How far your conscience is clear in respect to Miss Elder, is another
matter. But, perhaps you don't credit what I say. Let me give you a
single hint. Fanny Elder was missing once for three days. I had a hand
in that affair. Do you think she was carried off, and taken to another
city for nothing? If so, you are wonderfully mistaken. But good
morning, sir. If you should, on reflection, change your mind, you can
hear of me by calling at the office of Grind, the lawyer."

"Good morning," returned Claire, showing not the least disposition to
retain the man, toward whom he experienced a strong feeling of dislike
and sense of repulsion.

Martin lingered a few moments, and then went out, leaving Claire
bewildered by a rush of new thoughts.

CHAPTER XX.

The meeting of Claire and Jasper, for the final settlement of Mr.
Elder's estate, was to take place at the office of Grind, at ten
o'clock. Before keeping his appointment, the former turned over in
his mind, with careful deliberation, the circumstances which had just
occurred; and the more he thought of it, the better satisfied was he
that a fraud had been committed. The author of that fraud could be no
one else but the guardian of Fanny; of whose honesty Claire had, with
good reason, no very high opinion. His conclusion was, not to accept,
at present, a settlement of the estate.

With an uneasy foreboding of evil--he was, in fact, rarely now without
that feeling--Leonard Jasper took his way to the office of Grind.
Notwithstanding he had defied Martin, he yet feared him. But he was so
near to the point of comparative safety, that he hoped soon to be past
all real danger from this quarter. Too little time had elapsed, since
he parted with him, for Martin to see Claire, even if a thought
of assailing him in that quarter had crossed his mind. So Jasper
believed. How sadly taken by surprise was he, therefore, when, on
meeting Claire, the latter said--

"Since I saw you yesterday, a matter has come to my knowledge which
I feel bound to investigate, before proceeding any farther in this
business."

As if struck by a heavy blow, Jasper moved a pace or two backward,
while an instant pallor overspread his face. Quickly recovering
himself, he said--

"Explain yourself, Edward. What matter has come to your knowledge?"

"On that subject I would prefer speaking with you alone," replied
Claire.

"This room is at your service," said Grind, rising and retiring towa