gated selfishness. But he did not, he would not despair. Much
had been accomplished already, and, though things were looking black,
and heavy clouds were gathering, he would still wait and work in faith
and patience, remembering that when the night is darkest the dawn is
nearest.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

IN THE DARK VALLEY.

Six weeks after the sad accident in the park the squire sat in the
library after breakfast reading the county paper. Suddenly he turned
very red, and his chest heaved with emotion, as his eyes ran rapidly
through the following paragraph:--

"Extraordinary Proceeding at the County Hospital.

"It will be remembered that some few weeks ago a terrible accident
happened to one Signor Telitetti, an acrobat of professedly world-wide
reputation. The unfortunate man, while performing on the high rope in
the presence of some thousands of spectators, suddenly lost his self-
possession, or experienced some failure in power, and in consequence
fell from a considerable height to the ground. He was taken to the
hospital, where, under the skilful treatment of the medical officers, he
made rapid progress towards returning health and strength, having
suffered no more serious injuries than the breaking of an arm and two or
three ribs. To the astonishment, however, and perplexity of the
hospital officials, the signor has managed to leave the premises
unobserved, and in his still feeble condition, and with his arm yet in a
sling, to get clear away, so that no one had any idea what had become of
him. The reason, however, of this move on his part is becoming pretty
plain, for it is now being more than whispered about that Signor
Telitetti is no foreigner after all, but that this name is only one
among many aliases borne by a disreputable stroller and swindler, who
some time since victimised Lady Gambit by cheating her out of twenty
pounds. There can be no doubt that the unfortunate man, dreading lest
the police should pounce upon him when he left the hospital fully cured,
contrived to elude their vigilance by taking himself off at a time when
no one would suspect him of wishing or being able to change his
quarters."

Mr Huntingdon read this over and over again, and his brow contracted as
many painful thoughts crowded in upon him. Then, rising, he repaired to
the morning room, where the other members of the family were assembled,
reading or answering their letters. Taking the paper to Amos, he placed
his f