or at least let us hear how you can account for a circumstance so
strange?"

"I did not say as much as you have inferred," replied Goring. "I merely
observed that Mr. Cashel's name became most singularly mixed up with the
event, and rumors of a difference between him and his agent were buzzed
about."

"Might not this mention of Mr. Cashel's name have proceeded from an
anxious feeling on the part of his friends to know of his safety?"

"It might."

"Are you not certain that it was so?"

"In one instance, certainly. I remember that a gentleman at once drew
our attention to the necessity of seeing after him."

"Who was this gentleman?"

"Mr. Linton,--a near and intimate friend of Mr. Cashel."

"And he suggested that it would be proper to take steps for Mr. Cashers
safety?"

"He did so."

"Was anything done in consequence of that advice?"

"Nothing, I believe. The state of confusion that prevailed; the
terror that pervaded every side, the dreadful scenes enacting around
us,--prevented our following up the matter with all the foresight which
might be desired."

"And, in fact, you sought relief from the unsettled distraction of
your thoughts, by fixing the crime upon some one--even though he should
prove, of all assembled there, the least likely."

"We did not attach anything to Mr. Cashel's disfavor until we discovered
that he was in his dressing-room, and in the manner already stated."

"But you certainly jumped to your conclusion by a sudden bound?"

"It would be fairer to say that our thoughts converged to the same
impression at the same time."

"Where is this Mr. Linton? Is he among the list of your witnesses, Mr.
Attorney?"

"No, we have not called him."

"I thought as much!" said Jones, sneeringly; "and yet the omission
is singular, of one whose name is so frequently mixed up in these
proceedings. He might prove an inconvenient witness."

A slight murmur here ran through the court; and a gentleman, advancing
to the bar, whispered some words to the Attorney-General, who, rising,
said:--

"My Lord, I am just this instant informed that Mr. Linton is dangerously
ill of fever at his house near Dublin. My informant adds, that no hopes
are entertained of his recovery."

"Was he indisposed at the period in which my learned friend drew up this
case? or was there any intention of summoning him here for examination?"
asked Jones.

"We did not require Mr. Linton's testimony," replied the
Attorney-Gen