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thing has been found out so soon! He must be cured of this propensity. I have not the smallest doubt that a cure may be effected. I am not, it is true, conversant with that which is termed the physiology of somnambulism; but, doubtless, when we look at the wonderful progress which the science of medicine has made within the last century, means of effecting a cure have been found."

"But what perils—what dreadful dangers—are encountered by those who are thus afflicted!"

"True; and these it will now be our care to prevent. I submit that, instead of uselessly lamenting the fact, we ought to congratulate ourselves on the discovery. Understand, my dear Eleanor, I do not mean to say that the fact itself is one which ought not to be lamented: my object is merely to convey to you my impression that we ought to be thankful that the discovery has been made before anything of a very serious character occurred.

"I understand; and I am thankful—oh! most thankful."

"And now, if I do not mistake—I know it is presumptuous to form an opinion without having the necessary data—still, if I do not mistake, I can see distinctly the cause of his being accused of that offence of which we both firmly believe him to be innocent. Sir Charles was quite right—I cannot conceive the possibility of a person in his station declaring that to be true which he knew to be false—he was doubtless quite right: he did see Sylvester leaving the house as described, and Sylvester, I will venture to say, was in a state of somnambulism then."

"Very likely!" exclaimed Aunt Eleanor, suddenly. "That's it! Yes! It must be so."

"I think it abundantly clear that it is so. I moreover think that there can be no doubt that the judge and jury will see it. Really, my impression is, that just at this time nothing could have been more fortunate than this discovery. A man in a state of somnambulism cannot be said to be a responsible agent, and if he be not a responsible agent, he cannot with justice, be punished. I here assume, my dear Eleanor, the case of a man who, while in a state of somnambulism, commits an offence which is ordinarily punishable by law—such an offence, for example, as a sacrilege. We could not, with justice, punish any individual for committing such an offence while in a state of somnambulism. Hence it is that I feel quite certain that, when the fact of Sylvester being seen to leave the residence of this gentleman is viewed in connexion with the circumstance of his being a somnambulist, the jury will, without hesitation, return a verdict in his favour. But have you never seen, my dear Eleanor, anything indicative of the existence of this extraordinary—what shall I call it—during his residence here?"

"Why really—although I never noticed the slightest indication of anything of the kind—I am now disposed to view him as the author of all those little mysteries by which we have been so perplexed. About five years ago, you recollect we were terribly pestered."

"I see!" exclaimed the reverend gentleman. "He was down here at that time. I see it all now. It was he whom I then caught at my peaches! Jones is right—quite right—he's perfectly right. I must