nd his strength, as had been proved by his school-mates, was
proportionate. He was elastic as india-rubber, and bold and determined
as one who had been all his life in danger.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

THE SCENE IS AGAIN SHIFTED, AND THE PLOT ADVANCES.

It will be necessary that for a short time we again follow up the
fortunes of our hero's parents. When Rushbrook and Jane had quitted the
village of Grassford, they had not come to any decision as to their
future place of abode; all that Rushbrook felt was a desire to remove as
far as possible from the spot where the crime had been committed. Such
is the feeling that will ever possess the guilty, who, although they may
increase their distance, attempt in vain to fly from their consciences,
or that All-seeing Eye which follows them everywhere. Jane had a
similar feeling, but it arose from her anxiety for her husband. They
wandered away, for they had sold everything before their departure,
until they found themselves in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and there
they at length settled in a small village. Rushbrook easily obtained
employment, for the population was scanty, and some months passed away
without anything occurring of interest.

Rushbrook had never taken up his employment as a poacher since the night
of the murder of the pedlar; he had abjured it from that hour. His
knowledge of woodcraft was, however, discovered, and he was appointed
first as under, and eventually as head keeper to a gentleman of landed
property in the neighbourhood. In this situation they had remained
about a year, Rushbrook giving full satisfaction to his employer, and
comparatively contented (for no man could have such a crime upon his
conscience, and not pass occasional hours of misery and remorse), and
Jane was still mourning in secret for her only and darling child, when
one day a paper was put into Rushbrook's hands by his master, desiring
him to read an advertisement which it contained, and which was as
follows:--"If Joseph Rushbrook, who formerly lived in the village of
Grassford, in the county of Devon, should be still alive, and will make
his residence known to Messrs. Pearce, James, and Simpson, of 14,
Chancery-lane, he will hear of something greatly to his advantage.
Should he be dead, and this advertisement meet the eye of his heirs,
they are equally requested to make the communication to the above
address."

"What does it mean, sir?" inquired Rushbrook.

"It means tha