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to this tibe, the goverdor has reposed the bost udlibited codfidedce id by hodour; but dow, of course, he ibagides that I seek to deceive hib, add that, too, by tellidg bead, deliberate falsehoods."

"Well, but when you have explained all to him," suggested Sylvester, "surely that confidence will be restored?"

"I fear dot, Syl: day, I cad hardly expect it, the circubstadtial evidedce is so strodg agaidst be. Bady a bad has beed hadged upod collateral, or circubstadtial, evidedce far less conclusive. However, sobethidg bust be dode. I'll go to bed add thidk about it. Call be whed you rise: I bay dot be awake; add, udless I put id by appearadce at breakfast, the great swell will kdow all about it, if she doesd't kdow all about it dow. Therefore, dod't forget to call be?"

"I'll not."

"Thed I'll be off add get a widk or two, if I cad: I cad't expect to have buch rest—iddeed—

Poor Tom! He shook hands with Sylvester and left him, and turned into bed with a heavy heart; but he soon went to sleep—very soon—and slept soundly, until Sylvester summoned him to breakfast.

The doctor had not explained the affair to Mrs. Dololme. This, Tom perceived the moment he entered the room, and, in consequence, felt comparatively comfortable; but he saw that the doctor was angry with him still, although the expression of that anger was concealed from the rest.

Now, as this was the day on which Sylvester was to leave the doctor's house, and make that of Mr. Scholefield his home—it having been arranged the previous evening, that he should live with him a month before the articles were signed—the talents of Mr. Scholefield, and the prospects of Sylvester, formed the chief topics of conversation during breakfast. With Mr. Scholefield himself, Aunt Eleanor was delighted, and so, indeed, was Sylvester, although that delight was in some degree subdued by a variety of youthful apprehensions; and while even Mrs. Delolme confessed that she thought him an amiable person, the doctor bore testimony not only to his high professional abilities, but to his excellent qualities as a man. All were, therefore, satisfied that Sylvester's prospects were, as far as they could then be viewed, bright; and when the doctor had endeavoured to impress upon Sylvester the propriety of pursuing whatever course of study Mr. Scholefield might suggest, he rose from the table and withdrew.

He had scarcely, however, entered the library, when his servant came to inform him that a policeman had called, and was anxious to see him immediately. The doctor, of course, imagined that this was Ninety-nine, and directed the servant to show him in at once; but when he found that it was not, he was filled with apprehension: it struck him in an instant that something had happened to Ninety-nine, and that probably his fall had proved fatal.

"I beg pardon," said the policeman, with appropriate respect; "your name, sir, is Dr. Delolme?"

"It is," replied the doctor.