ithdraw, for your presence can help me nothing."

We were unwilling to comply with his injunction, and continued some
longer time in his chamber; but our kind intent availed nothing. He
quickly relapsed into insensibility, from which he recovered not again,
but next day expired. Such, in the flower of his age, was the fate of
Thomas Welbeck.

Whatever interest I might feel in accompanying the progress of my young
friend, a sudden and unforeseen emergency compelled me again to leave
the city. A kinsman, to whom I was bound by many obligations, was
suffering a lingering disease, and, imagining, with some reason, his
dissolution to be not far distant, he besought my company and my
assistance, to soothe, at least, the agonies of his last hour. I was
anxious to clear up the mysteries which Arthur's conduct had produced,
and to shield him, if possible, from the evils which I feared awaited
him. It was impossible, however, to decline the invitation of my
kinsman, as his residence was not a day's journey from the city. I was
obliged to content myself with occasional information, imparted by
Mervyn's letters or those of my wife.

Meanwhile, on leaving the prison, I hasted to inform Mervyn of the true
nature of the scene which had just passed. By this extraordinary
occurrence, the property of the Maurices was now in honest hands.
Welbeck, stimulated by selfish motives, had done that which any other
person would have found encompassed with formidable dangers and
difficulties. How this attempt was suggested or executed, he had not
informed us, nor was it desirable to know. It was sufficient that the
means of restoring their own to a destitute and meritorious family were
now in our possession.

Having returned home, I unfolded to Mervyn all the particulars
respecting Williams and the Maurices which I had lately learned from
Wortley. He listened with deep attention, and, my story being finished,
he said, "In this small compass, then, is the patrimony and subsistence
of a numerous family. To restore it to them is the obvious
proceeding--but how? Where do they abide?"

"Williams and Watson's wife live in Baltimore, and the Maurices live
near that town. The advertisements alluded to by Wortley, and which are
to be found in any newspaper, will inform us; but, first, are we sure
that any or all of these bills are contained in this covering?"

The lead was now unrolled, and the bills which Williams had described
were found enclosed.