day. Dreadfully provoked with mother for her disgraceful
_liaison_ with her new coachman. She promised to discharge the
fellow--did not perceive my drift. _Mem._--Am to admit him
to-night to my chamber.'

'Sunday. Heard Mr. ---- preach; he visits me to-night.'

Having perused this precious _morceau_, the Dead Man thrust it into his
pocket, and then, after a moment's reflection, deliberately applied the
flame of the lamp to the curtains of the bed; and having waited to see
the fire fairly started, he ran rapidly down stairs, and escaped from
the house.

Within a quarter of an hour afterwards, Franklin House was entirely
enveloped in flames; and notwithstanding every effort was made to save
the building, it was completely destroyed. In one short hour that
magnificent and stately pile was reduced to a heap of smoking ruins.

The destruction of this house and the property contained in it, brought
Mrs. Franklin and her daughter to absolute poverty. When the news of the
event reached them in Boston they were far from supposing that it was
caused by the hideous ruffian whom they had so much reason to fear; they
attributed the conflagration to the carelessness of Simon, and knew
nothing of his having been murdered, but thought that, being
intoxicated, he had perished in the flames.

The mother and daughter held a long consultation as to the best means of
retrieving their ruined fortunes; and the result was, they determined to
send for Sophia, in order to make use of her in a damnable plot, which,
while it would supply them abundantly with cash, would forever ruin the
peace and happiness of that innocent and pure-minded girl.

In answer to the summons, Sophia left the home of her relative in New
Jersey, and joined her mother and sister in Boston. They received her
with every demonstration of affection; and little did she suspect that
an infamous scheme had been concocted between them, to sacrifice her
upon the altars of avarice and lust.

CHAPTER XXVI

_Scene on Boston Common--George Radcliff--the Rescue--Two Model
Policemen--Innocence protected--the Duel, and the Death--the Unknown._

After Frank Sydney's escape from the Dark Vaults, through the City
Sewers, he did not deem it prudent to remain longer in New York.
Accordingly, accompanied by the Doctor, the dumb boy Clinton, and his
faithful servant Dennis, he left the city, to take up his abode
elsewhere. None of his friends knew the place