take an interest in him,) his connections were
entirely unknown in these parts, and his character not very highly
estimated,--(whether from his manner, or his conversation, or some
undefined and vague rumours, I cannot say)--it was considered by no
means improbable that he had decamped with his property in this sudden
manner in order to save himself that trouble of settling accounts
which a more seemly and public method of departure might have rendered
necessary. A man of the name of Houseman, with whom he was acquainted,
(a resident in Knaresborough,) declared that Clarke had borrowed rather
a considerable sum from him, and did not scruple openly to accuse him
of the evident design to avoid repayment. A few more dark but utterly
groundless conjectures were afloat; and since the closest search--the
minutest inquiry was employed without any result, the supposition that
he might have been robbed and murdered was strongly entertained for some
time; but as his body was never found, nor suspicion directed against
any particular person, these conjectures insensibly died away; and being
so complete a stranger to these parts, the very circumstance of his
disappearance was not likely to occupy, for very long, the attention
of that old gossip the Public, who, even in the remotest parts, has a
thousand topics to fill up her time and talk. And now, Sir, I think you
know as much of the particulars of the case as any one in these parts
can inform you."

We may imagine the various sensations which this unsatisfactory
intelligence caused in the adventurous son of the lost wanderer. He
continued to throw out additional guesses, and to make farther inquiries
concerning a tale which seemed to him so mysterious, but without effect;
and he had the mortification to perceive, that the shrewd Jonas was, in
his own mind, fully convinced that the permanent disappearance of Clark
was accounted for only by the most dishonest motives.

"And," added Elmore, I am confirmed in this belief by discovering
afterwards from a tradesman in York who had seen my cousin's
jewels--that those I had trusted to Mr. Clarke's hands were more
valuable than I had imagined them, and therefore it was probably worth
his while to make off with them as quietly as possible. He went on
foot, leaving his horse, a sorry nag, to settle with me and the other
claimants.

"I, pedes quo te rapiunt et aurae!"

"Heavens!" thought Walter, sinking back in his chair sickened