ersation upon questions of public
interest; by some curious sympathy they would not be drawn away into
that all-absorbing vortex, and, start from what point they might, they
were certain to arrive at last at the High Court of Jersey.

It was on one evening, as they sat together around the fire, that, by
dint of great perseverance and consummate skill, Alfred had drawn them
away to talk of India and the war there. Anecdotes of personal heroism
succeeded, and for every achievement of our gallant fellows at Lucknow,
Quackinboss steadily quoted some not less daring exploit of the
Mexican war. Thus discussing courage, they came at last to the nice
question,--of its characteristics in different nations, and even in
individuals.

"In cool daring, in confronting peril with perfect collectedness, and
such a degree of self-possession as confers every possible chance
of escape on its possessor, a woman is superior to us all," said the
doctor, who for some time had been silently reflecting. "One case
particularly presents itself to my mind," resumed he. "It was connected
with that memorable trial at Jersey."

Alfred groaned heavily, and pushed back his chair from the group.

"The case was this," continued the old man: "while the police were
eagerly intent on tracing out all who were implicated in the murder,
suspicion being rife on every hand, every letter that passed between the
supposed confederates was opened and read, and a strict watch set over
any who were believed likely to convey messages from one to the other.

"On the evening of the inquest--it was about an hour after dark--the
window of an upper room was gently opened, and a woman's voice called
out to a countryman below, 'Will you earn half a crown, my good man, and
take this note to Dr. Layton's, in the town?' He agreed at once, and the
letter and the bribe were speedily thrown into his hat Little did the
writer suspect it was a policeman in disguise she had charged with her
commission! The fellow hastened off with his prize to the magistrate,
who, having read the note, resealed it, and forwarded it to me. Here it
is. I have shown it to so many that its condition is become very frail,
but it is still readable. It was very brief, and ran thus:--

"Dear Friend,--My misery will plead for me if I thus address you. I have
a favor to ask, and my broken heart tells me you will not refuse me.
I want you to cut me off a lock of my darling's hair. Take it from the
left tem