nd
recovery? If so I should desire that this money--'

"'Under any circumstances,' was my reply, 'confess all; restore all'

"She looked up quickly and said sharply; 'Why restore?'

"'To prove the sincerity of your regrets.'

"'Ah, well!' said she, thoughtfully, 'if I could only satisfy myself that
recovery was impossible. I have much to leave behind me; and there are
some circumstances--'

"She hesitated and was silent. A minute or two elapsed and I urged--

"'Be candid and be just,--make reparation while you possess the power.'

"'You advise well,' said she, faintly. 'I would fain relieve my mind. It
is sorely oppressed, for with regard to my property--my--my savings--'

"As she spoke there arose, close to us, clear and painfully audible, a
low, mocking laugh. It was not akin to mirth. There was no gladness in
its tone. It betokened enmity, triumph, scorn. The dying woman heard it,
and cowered beneath its influence. An expression of agonizing fear passed
over her countenance. Some minutes elapsed before she could sufficiently
command herself to speak or even listen.

"'Carry out forthwith,' said I, in a tone of resolution I could with
difficulty command, 'carry out your present determination. Make
restitution to the utmost of your power. Restore all; confess all.'

"'I will do so and now,' was her reply.

"Again that bitter, scornful, chilling laugh; and closer to us! To no
ebullition of any earthly emotion can I compare it. It resembled none. It
conveyed scorn, exultation, defiance, hatred. It seemed an uncontrollable
burst of triumph over a parting and ruined soul. Again, I gazed
steadfastly on the dying woman. A spasm convulsed her countenance. She
pointed feebly to some unseen object--unseen at least by me--and
clasped her hands with an imploring gesture. Another spasm came on-a
second-a third--and all was silence. I was _alone_ with the dead."

* * * * *

"And you are persuaded that these sounds were real and not fanciful, that
imagination had nothing to do with the scene?" said the younger of the
three when the aged speaker had concluded.

The reply was immediate.

"I state simply what I heard; that, and no more. No opportunity for trick
existed. The cottage had one door, _and but one_. The dying woman and
myself were the only parties within its walls. We were locked in from
without: until the attendant returned and unclosed the door there was no
possibility of eit