JANUARY 1, 1870.]

"How otherwise would you escape?" "Accompanied by those with whom I am associated, and likewise by one who is dearer to me than life itself!"

Oh! this is Laadness!" said the boy. "I cannot do all that. I can offer you your liberty and life, almost, as I have said, at the peril of my own, but I can do no more. You ought to know that I can do no more!"

"Nay; but think. You have sense and disJust think how cretion beyond your years. dastardly it would be of me to escape alone, leaving my three companions to all the bitterness of your father's wrath when he shall find he whom he considers the principal culprit has evaded him."

"I cannot help it!-I cannot help it!" implored the boy. "I can liberate you; but you must promise me to fly from Bagdad. I can do no more I tell you I can do no more!"

"Then," said Philip, as he took him by the hand, "a thousand, thousand thanks, but leave me here. I shall not peri h-at least, I think not; but if I do, far better is it that I should than purchase life, to be the scorn of that life itself, and feel the never-ending reproach that I had played the part of a coward.”

The boy looked at him with a strange expression.
You love her very dearly?"
Philip inclined his head.

"My father's Christian captive?"

Even so," said Philip.

And those three Felringis P"

"My three companions? Yes, I am bound to

them by every honourable tie."

"It shall be so!" he said, his eyes lighting up.

Tortured by these ideas, Philip crept from his

rated him from the gorgeous saloon. the massive silken hangings which alone sepa

It was not difficult for him to put his hand through the grating and open a small crevice in the curtains.

With an acute pang of disappointment, Philip then saw how utterly hopeless it would be to proceed farther in that direction.

The lights in the great chandelier were burning for him to see that there was a strong guard of very dimly, but still there was sufficient light the Pacha's troops occupying the end of the apartment.

The fading lights of the great chandelier glittered and glistened upon their arms and on the alert in the performance of some onerous armour, and they seemed, too, to be thoroughly duty.

But where was the boy?

Why had he not returned when this obstruction was presented to him?

Philip had barely time to put these questions to himself, when he felt a light touch on his arm, and a soft voice whispered "Hush !" It was the son of the Pacha. "Ah!" said Philip; "a thousand welcomes! I Did doubt me ?" scarcely thought to look upon you again." you

"I am sure you will pardon my being full of a thousand doubts and fears."

"But you should neither doubt nor fear me. I have promised to save you, and I must do go even if it be at the cast of my life."

"Your promise has gone further," said Philip. "I know it; I do not forget. But I scarcely

your wish. Follow-follow!"

Once more," said Philip, "I ask you to pause. If you can do this great and generous act with safety, do it, and it will be a something for you to think upon with unalloyed delight when you grow to be a man; but neither I nor my companions would wish to purchase liberty at peril to you."

No, no; I have power-I have power! My father sleeps. It wants an hour to dawn. There I-I will is no one dare disobey me in Bagdad. risk all; and before he awakes I will cling to his neck and tell him. He cannot, will not, kill me. Men call him harsh, and stern, and cruel, but he often tells me he sees my mother in my eye, and hears her accents in the lightest tones of my voice. No; he will not kill me! Come, come! and all may yet be well."

"Your mother? Was it she who taught you English P"

"It was her native tongue. Oh, Fehringi and stranger! wherefore should I seek to save you, but-but for my mother's sake? She was of your people, and many a time before she went to paradise, although she said her paradise was not ours, she enjoined me to be just, and merciful, and helpful to any of her creed and nation that fortune should cast in my path. Come, come! Oh! do not pause longer, for the night passesthe night passes."

The boy spoke in a tone of highly-wrought feeling, and seemed as though he could not He almost fled along trust himself to say more. the perspective of stunted pillars, and Philip had to walk fast to keep up with him.

Then they came to a door studded with rude iron nails.

"Take this key," said the boy; "you are stronger than I, and the lock is rusty."

The key was an ancient and rudely-constructed article, and it was with some difficulty that Philip even turned it in the old Turkish lock.

The massive door creaked open on its hinges. Philip had hoped to inhale a breath of the open air; but in this he was mistaken, for the door only opened into a dreary passage, at the end of which was a flight of moss-grown stone steps.

If Philip had reflected for a moment he would have recollected that there was a necessity for ascending from those lower regions to the basement of the palace.

At the head of the staircase there was another door, which the same key opened.

Then the boy extinguished the light; and, twining both his arms round one of Philip's, he whispered to him:

"Do not say a word, and show no fear or hesitation; we shall have to pass a sentinel." There was a glow of reddish light from a lamp dependent by a chain from the centre of an arch, and beneath this paced a Turkish sentinel, well armed, and apparently much more alert than is usual with Orientals on any kind of military duty whatever.

There was no attempt on the part of the boy to disguise his footsteps, and Philip, seeing the necessity of putting a bold front on the affair, made no effort at concealment or silence.

66

"Yes; she whom you call Clara. My father's There is guards made no opposition to my progress, and there is but one chance of her escape.

a window and a balcony which look into the gardens of the palace from the Zenana, and if she dared to leap she might be free."

"My dear young friend," said Philip, " to daro or not to dare in such a case depends upon the height."

I could leap it," said the boy, proudly; "but girls are timid."

Show me the window." "Follow-follow! Time is very precious. Oh! that we had but another hour of darkness!"

"I follow you freely and willingly; but one moment. Let me pause to beg of you to give me some arms, a weapon of any sort, upon which I can rely in an emergency.

"Your own English pistol."
"Can you get me that "

66

Easily. Wait a moment."

The boy opened the grate, and dividing the curtains just sufficient to allow his slender form to pass through, he disappeared in the saloon as the hangings closed again behind him.

In the course of a few minutes he quickly returned, and not only presented to Philip his own revolver, but also a richly jewelled Turkish sabre.

"There," he said, "you are well armed; but, remember, there is one person in Bagdad against whom you must raise no weapon." "You mean the Pacha." "I mean my father," said the boy, with a sad "And now come." With wonderful celerity and speed the Pacha's tone in his voice. sen threaded the intricacies of the palace, and terrace, where a beautiful grove of citron trees finally brought Philip to another part of the had been planted in soil brought artificially to A flight of steps of the finest marble led into that height, and were blooming luxuriantly. the garden of the palace.

But now the dawn was in reality coming.
A roseate tint was in the air.

The topmost leaves of the tallest trees seemed on fire, and from some of the minarets of the Mahometan call to morning prayer. city there arose, in loud, monotonous tones, t

Quick-quick!" cried the boy, "or we are

lost."

He flow rather than ran through the mazes of the Pacha's garden, and it required all Philip's quickness of eye and speed of foot to keep up with him.

Then, bursting through a grove of pomegrawindow above a Moorish arch. nates and dates, the boy pointed upwards to a

"She is there," he said-"she is there!" "Alone !"

"Quite alone!"

Philip looked about for something to throw at the window.

The garden paths seemed to be strewn with sufficient against the jalousies of the windowsmall shells, and a handful of them was quite

"Clara!-Clara!" cried Philip; "this is a time for action, not for tears."

"Save me, Philip-save me!" "Yes; I am here to do so. Take courage, Clara, the height is not above twelve feet-leap, and I will catch you in my arms."

"Oh! I dare not!-I dare not!" "Seek something in your chamber then by which you can descend. A cord-a curtain-a piece of curtain-anything."

"There is nothing-nothing. This is a prison."

66

Then, Clara, you must muster a courage which will brave danger and welcome liberty. Leap, I pray you-leap!"

Tremblingly Clara approached the balcony, which was not above eighteen inches in height. She clung to it for a moment despairingly." "Yes, Philip, I come-I come; better to meet death thus, than the lifelong horror of imprisonment in this dreadful place." "Courage-courage!"

"I will leap, Philip-I will-I will!"

Philip braced his nerves to receive Clara on her perilous descent. He knew that it was more than probable that he would be stricken to the earth, but that would be little, if he did but succeed in saving her.

Then there was a fiendish laugh-
A yell of triumph.

The dwarf sprung on to the balcony by the side of Clara, and seized her, with his elf-like fingers, by the long tresses of her beautiful hair. "Ah! Ah! El Hakim! El Hakim! Ah! ah!" "I am very sorry," said Philip; "but you must have it."

Bang! went the barrel of the revolver, without another word.

The dwarf toppled head-over-heels backwards into the room.

"Leap, Clara!" cried Philip.

The tone was that of command, and her gentle nature acknowledged and succumbed to it in a moment.

She sprung from the balcony.

It was a leap for life, and Philip caught her well; but the shock was very great, and he was borne to the earth, half stunned for a moment. Then he struggled to his feet.

66

Speak!" he said.

No; but you?"

"Are you hurt, Clara ?"

"It is nothing-all is well! Cling to me now,

with all your heart and soul, and, come what may, they shall not part us now!"

On! on!" cried the boy, frantically. "Listen!" There was a beating of drums. "Listen!".

There was the blast of a trumpet. "On!-on! Each moment is a life!" The boy rushed through the garden. It was quite impossible for Clara to keep up with such frantic speed, and Philip, seeing and feeling that her efforts were all in vain, flung his left arm round her waist, and raising her a good foot from the ground, ran with great speed after the boy.

They plunged through a thicket of beautiful flowering shrubs.

They skirted a fountain that begun to look beautiful and glorious in the golden rays of the new day.

They plunged into a grotto, full of rich and rare plants, and gorgeous shells from the Arabian sea.

Then, while the drums still beat and the trumpets of the Pacha's guard still sounded, the boy opened a small iron door at the back of the grotto, and they at once entered a cool, shadowy passage, the walls of which were dripging with moisture.

[To be continued.]

could be found who would consent to make his home upon the most favoured portion of it. By the aid of the fire they managed to dry their garments and partly restore circulation to their benumbed bodies.

That frightful darkness, such as is seen when the moon is under eclipse, covered the earth and ocean, but the brilliant scintillations of the Aurora Borealis gave them enough light to discern objects for some distance around them.

A consultation was now held as to what should be done.

SAXILBY MANOR.

CHAPTER XX.

It was finally agreed that two of the number should be selected to make the perilous attempt of reaching the place.

"Nor would I," muttered Jonas to himself;

"only he happens to be my own son instead of you." And he stole a glance of pride and admiration at the handsome young man who stood

before him.

It was with little hope of ever seeing each other again that the parties separated, and the two men began their journey to the west. They kept close to the coast, as they were fearful of losing their way if they ventured inland. Occasionally, however, they were obliged to deviate from their regular route when they found a hill or mountain of greater magnitude before them. A more hopeless and dismal journey it is impossible to imagine. Then there was a constant wind sweeping from off the ocean— a wind that was as keen as needle-points. They crunched the ice and snow beneath their feet at every step, while the foamy waves seemed to freeze the instant they struck the desolate shore.

Neither of the two had a watch, and could form no idea of the passage of time. The twilight they scarcely noticed, depending upon the Aurora Borealis and bright stars for their guidance.

When so wearied and exhausted as to be unable to proceed further, they lay down in the snow, pressing their bodies close together, so as to get the benefit of the animal warmth, and then, when refreshed, they pressed on again.

They were men of extraordinary hardihood and great vital power, or they would have perished instantly; but they were warmly clothed, and when sharply pressed, a swallow from the flask they carried fired up their energies again.

When hungry enough, they ran their pikes through a seal, and ate the fattest portion with the greatest enjoyment.

The demand of the system for heat created this extraordinary appetite. Spofford remarked to his companion that the choicest morsel he

could receive would be a tallow candle.

When they judged that the greater portion of the distance had been passed, they came to a range of mountains, which, running a far distance inland, they determined to scale. They made their way with great difficulty to the top, feeling their way with their pikes.

On the summit they paused to rest a moment, and were about to begin their descent, when the cake of ice upon which they were standing began sliding like a sled down the mountain. Before they could check themselves they were spinning down the dizzying height like a couple of meteors. Spofford, when he found it too late to save hiinself, threw himself astride of his pike, so as to use it as a sort of sled, but Fagin's flew from his hand, and he was helpless in the inexorable grip of gravity.

For full a thousand feet they shot down with a fearful velocity that would have dashed them to atoms, but fortunately they brought up in a field of snow, which received them like a bed of down.

It proved a fortunate fall, indeed, for them, as their descent was checked within a hundred feet of the rocky sea-coast, close to which they discerned a small Norwegian vessel engaged in fishing. They made themselves known with little ficulty, and were taken on board.

Lionel wished to make the best of matters, took his seat among the company, and told Jonas that he and his son were welcome to what they liked to call for. The rest of the guests were told to order what suited them. "What we want we can pay for," said Matthew, in an independent tono.

"Curse your audacious tongue! You'll ruin me! Can't you keep it quiet "asked Jonas. "The drink you've had on your road here has made a fool of thee."

"Then what do you let me drink for?" he sullenly replied. "Do you ever say nay to me

when I crave for it? Never-nover!" Jonas knew that well; he was only rearing him to disgrace and shame, and, as the son of his enemy, resolved the young man should drain the bitter cup of infamy to the dregs.

Lionel looked at Matthew with a compassionate glance. How he thanked Providence for placing himself above the common herd!

Well, your honour, since I don't wish to offend my father, I'll drink brandy with you." And Matthew ordered some for himself and father.

Steady-steady, Matthew," said Jonas, as the lad tossed off the liquor. "You began to drink early this morning."

"I was acting on your advice, father. If you want to be cured, take a hair of the dog that bit you-ch, dad, isn't that it "

"Here's your honour's health," said Grogram to Lionel.

"Hear, hear! So say we all," joined in the neighbours.

Not forgetting Sir Michael," suggested Craybrooke. "I'll not forget him!" muttered Jonas between his closed teeth; then, regarding Matthew and Lionel with secret satisfaction, he looked upon Lionel as all he could desire, and the son of his enemy gradually becoming the degraded, besotted being that he could wish. "Oh, sweet Revenge!" thought Jonas, "I am reaping your harvest now!"

"Why don't you drink, father ?" asked Matthew.

"Drink it yourself, lad! I'll have some of that we have at home."

"Good liquor that's bought and paid for shouldn't be wasted." cried the reckless young man, tossing the brandy off. The love of drink grew upon him with a daily, hourly craving that gladdened the soul of Jonas as he saw it.

The snow still descended in heavy flakes as Trudge, the postman, seeking shelter beneath the inn porch, heard Lionel's voice issuing from within.

"I have a letter for your honour," said Trudge, producing one. "It will save me a walk up to the Hall, if your honour will allow me to give it you here."

"By all means," answered Lionel, taking it from him, and stopping aside to read it. A cloud passed over his brow as he learned the contents. Jonas noted him well. The young man had evidently heard bad news. He sat apart from the company, occasionally drawing the curtains from the window to see how the weather was.

The snow ceased to fall, and Lionel, suddenly wishing the company good night, abruptly left

Matthew had fallen into a half-drunken slumber near the chimney-corner.

"Come, Mat, lad, rouse yourself, and let's be getting home!" said Jonas, shaking the heavilysleeping youth.

"Eh?" gaped Matthew, looking round. “Why, I thought I was at home! Where am I? Ch! I see: let's have some more brandy."

"No, no, Matthew-not here; wait till you get home, and then you shall have what you like: we've got a drop to the good."

"I'm your man, then; we'll wet t'other eye before we go to bed-won't we, father?" "We will, lad." And as Jonas spoke he took Matthew's arm, and led him to the door. "Good night, everybody," hiccuped Matthow. "I shall drop in and see you again." "Send word when you're coming, and I'll be out," said Grogram.

This was considered by the company to be r capital joke, and was received with a shout of laughter, for a little wit went a very great way at the Ash Tree Inn.

What do you mean by that ?" asked Matthew, in a surly tone. Do you want to insult me?" "What need you care what he means? Come away, I say!" And, by dint of threats and per suasions, Jonas contrived to get him from the house.

The snow had censed falling; it was now a clear, frosty, starlight night; and when at a convenient distance from the inn, Jonas took the letter from his pocket that he had secured, and read as follows:

Jonas vowed within himself that he would be on the spot first, and alone, he and his ancient enemy, the baronet, should have a reckoning.

"There they go for a brace of promising ones! said Craybrooke, as Jonas and Matthew left the inn. "I can only tell you, Master Grogram, that you'll have little of my custom if you mean to let them use the house."

"Nor mine," said Diggs.
"Nor mine," added Flint.

Don't be alarmed-I'm a constable. I'll soon let 'em know I'm somebody, if they become troublesome, and-"

Dobbins was proceeding to explain his autho rity, when his wife suddenly bounced into the midst of the company, exclaiming, as she placed her arms akimbo in front of the parish func tionary:

And I'll soon let you know that I'm somebody, Mr. Dobbins! Why, you selfish, sotting, swizzling toss-pot! Am I to be left all alone, burning fire and candle to waste for you, sir, night after night ?"

"Well, my dear," replied Dobbins, "don't burn fire and candle to waste; sit in the dark."

"Oh, only hear the brute !" cried his irascible spouse. No, sir; I've been kept in the dark too long, and now I'll let you see that my eyes are open."

"I can hear that your mouth's open." answered Dobbins, to the great amusement of the company, who sat enjoying the scene, and laughing loudly.

"That's right!" said Mrs. Dobbins, quivering with passion. "Laugh away; oh, pray lauch away! And you, you brute!" she cried, turning upon Dobbins; "you'll stand by and let them insult me in this way, will you? If you were a man, you'd knock 'em all down immediately!" "Yes, my dear; but they might all knock me down immediately afterwards."

What of that, Mr. Dobbins ? You're head constable, and paid to be knocked about."

But not by you, ma'am," said Dobbins, feeling bolder than usual, as he found himself in the company of friends. Oh, neighbours, continued he, "I've never mentioned it before, but I will now. Many and many a blow have I got from that woman's rolling-pin when my re freshment may have exceeded the bounds of

The constable drew his staff from his pocket and flourished it before the eyes of his termagant sponse.

"Well done, Dobbins-well done!" exclaimed his friends; "don't give way."

"I won't, neighbours. Female of a woman," blustered Dobbins, addressing his wife, "I order you to go home at once, and I order myself to come home whenever I like. I may be led, but I won't be druv."

"Indeed!" sneered Mrs. Dobbins. "We'll see." And as she spoke the staff was suddenly wrenched from his hand and laid about the shoulders of the great parish functionary with right good will.

Murder-murder!" shouted Dobbins, making for the door, and leaving the Ash Tree at his hardest pace, with Mrs. Dobbins close on his heels.

The company watched them from the door in the highest possible state of enjoyment, until the darkness hid them from their view, and each retired to his home to tell of the strange reappearance of Jonas Fletcher, and the scene that had occurred between Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins.

The clock of the village church struck eleven as Jonas led Michael staggering into the cottage they both occupied, and got the lad into bed as he best could.

After assuring himself that Matthew slept soundly, Jonas raised a few planks from the floor, and took a gun from its hiding-place; also some powder and shot. The gun was loaded carefully, and placed in a corner of the room, while the flooring was restored to its original appearance. He then proceeded to divest himself of his coat and boots, and in their stead put on the coat and boots of Matthew; his hat was also exchanged for the lad's fur cap.

Thus equipped, he listened anxiously at the door for any passing footsteps; but no one was likely to be about at that hour. The gun was thrown across his arm, his candle extinguished, and Jonas left the house, carrying thoughts within his heart that boded no good to Sir Michael Saxilby.

It was near midnight; and Jonas made his way stealthily towards Laypole Copse.

name, and the loss of my wife? Where is she, villain?" exclaimed Jonas, striding close to him with a menacing look.

"I-I don't know! I-I can't tell," stammered the baronet.

You lie you know well!" uttered Jonas, in a voice of suppressed passion. "Not that I want to find the jade-no, no! To the winds, I say, with such base hussies! I only want to know whether she be living or dead-whether I am free, or still fettered to a guilty woman by my marriage vow?"

"I can give you no information about her," replied Sir Michael. Be kind enough to stand aside and let me pass on. You have no business here. Get off my grounds! You know me before to-day, so don't place yourself again in the power of the law."

"A fig for you, and the law too!" sneered Jonas. "I'm here to take the law in my own hands, as you shall find, my noble baronet!" Sir Michael looked round uneasily. Where could his son linger? Why was he not there to meet him? Had he mistaken the appointed spot? The baronet began to feel uneasy; but he put on a bold front, and resolved to make his way up to the Hall alone.

"Stand out of the way, fellow," exclaimed he, striding past Jonas with a determined step; but before he had advanced three paces he found himself seized by the collar and hurled back again.

"I stayed in jail two years through you, Sir Michael; now stay you here and suit my pleasure. What! Do you think I've met you to-night that you may escape me scot free? No, no! To-night we'll have a reckoning; and if I'm not wrong, the balance will be struck in my favour!"

"Beware! Jonas Fletcher! I am armed. Stay me at your peril!" And as Sir Michael spoke he pushed past Jonas, who saw him about to draw a pistol from his pocket.

"Ha!" cried Jonas. "I may as well be first then!" and placing his gun to his shoulder he fired full at his enemy's chest.

Sir Michael tossed his arms above his head with a yell of agony, and fell to the ground a dead man.

A fearful silence succeeded the report of the gun. Jonas seemed rooted to the spot. Now his enemy lay dead at his feet he felt somehow he would have given worlds to have reserved his fire. The knowledge that he was a murderer suddenly struck him into speechless terror.

Bat all was silent; the woods seemed deserted. The severity of the weather kept the birds within their nests and the hares in their covers.

He looked to the priming of his gun, and assured himself the powder was dry; then cautiously glided into the copse, and waited for his enemy's approach. The cold was intense, but Jonas felt it not; there was hot blood in his veins, the longing for revenge burnt like a fierce fire within him. Time, which softens most men's antipathies, only increased his. He was now a changed being. The good, amiable young man of former years was now the callous, hardened desperado, ready for any evil work. Twelve o'clock struck out loud and clear in the frosty air.

"I've missed him," thought Jonas, "or else he will not arrive to-night!"

Better would it have been had Sir Michael not returned to Grassdale that night. But he was on his road thither; no voice whispered danger, no presentiment kept him back. The owl's ominous hoot as he plunged into the wood had no warning in its note for Sir Michael Saxilby. He was thinking of the warm fireside and the good cheer that was, no doubt, awaiting him at the Hall, so he pushed on resolutely.

Jonas heard his advancing footsteps; the moon showed him his enemy's form rapidly approaching

him.

"Who goes there?" exclaimed Sir Michael, as Jonas came in view. "Is that you, Lionel ?' No answer was returned: the silence was ominous.

"Are you one of my keepers ?" asked the baronet. "I am Sir Michael Saxilby!"

"Oh, I know you well!" answered his adver. say, "and you know me, Sir Michael! I am Jonas Fletcher!"

The baronet started back as though he had trodden on an adder.

Jonas Fletcher!" he cried, in a startled voice. "Ay, Jonas Fletcher! Did you think we should never meet again? Did you think I should forget and forgive-sit down quietly under two great wrongs: the loss of my good

He suddenly dashed through the trees on his way back, and found himself in the strong grasp of Lionel.

"Rascal!" cried the young man ; 86 what are you doing here? Why did you fire that shot?" Jonas was too much taken aback to answer. Flight was his only way of escape. Suddenly he tried to throw off the grasp of Lionel, but the young man was too strong for him: he held him like a vice.

Was he to be caught in the toils like this? No, he would have a struggle for it. He put forth all his strength, and succeeded in throwing Lionel to the ground; but he fell also. His adversary was not to be shaken off so easily. Being a practised wrestler, he soon had Jonas undermost; and planting his knee upon his chest, asked him if he had had enough of it, and whether he meant to yield quietly.

Jonas gnashed his teeth with rage; he was powerless-while Lionel made the woods resound again with cries for help.

"Let me get up," asked Jonas; "I've something to tell you. I don't mean trying it on to escape again. I fancy I shall have no need to do so."

Lionel cautiously allowed him to rise, keeping a firm hold of him, nevertheless.

Jonas fancied he heard approaching footsteps: he must be quick.

He had no alternative: he must play his last card.

But suppose Lionel refused to take it up? He might prefer telling the truth, and handing over Jonas to the law. Still, at any hazard, he must make the attempt.

Don't grasp my throat so tightly," he asked; "I've something to say." "You can't forget your old poaching tricks, then, Mr. Jonas Fletcher! You're a fool! I meant to have been your friend; but now I sec that you will go on your old ways; so don't blame yourself if you get again into trouble! Where's the game you've shot? Come, give it up!"

"I've shot no game!" answered Jonas, in a dogged tone.

"I must be assured of that before I let you go!" said Lionel. "I suppose you've dropped it in the coppice yonder? You must come with me and see.'

He dragged Jonas back to the spot from whence he had seen him emerge, and there, weltering in his blood, lay the squire.

Lionel guessed it all with the rapidity of lightning. Jonas and Sir Michael had met, quarrelled, and this was the result.

"Murderer!" shouted Lionel, when horror allowed him to speak. "Oh! vile and cowardly miscreant! Help-help!"

Silence, if you're wise!" cried Jonas. "What! when you are the murderer of my father, villain!"

And again he shouted for help at the top of his voice.

Jonas found himself in a critical position. If he were arrested, he would be a doomed man: he must tell all.

"Young man, take your hands from me! That man who lies dead at our feet merited his fate! Cease to grieve for him-seek not to avenge him, for he is not your father!"

"Not my father, villain! How dare you utter so base an insinuation!” "Because it's the truth, and I can prove it to you!"

No-no, Mr. Jonas Fletcher, you don't escape me by forging a lie like that!"

"It's no lie. You think I'm a perfect stranger to you, until to-night, don't you? But you're deceived. I'll tell you something that will prove that I know you well. Upon your left arm you bear the mark of a broad arrow, pricked in with gunpowder."

Lionel started with surprise, for he knew that he spoke the truth.

"How did you know that, fellow ?" asked the young man.

"Because I imprinted the mark there myself," answered Jonas, as he saw the look of bewilderment which sat on the features of Lionel.

"I'm a bad man, I grant; but I speak the gospel truth when I say, yes, yes, yes, a thousand times!"

But how-how? Why is this? What was the reason for this deception ? Who brought it about? Who lent themselves to the crime ?for crime it was. How could it be done ?" "By your own mother!"

And Jonas rapidly told him all-his first falso step, his punishment, the vindictiveness of Sir Michael, his own plan to secure the place of nurse for Mildred, and the baronet's elopement with her. All this struck Lionel as too strange not to be true. He felt sick at heart as he asked if Sir Michael's son still lived.

He does," answered Jonas.

"And I, then, am only an impostor, who will be expelled with disgrace whenever the true heir makes his claim ?"

"But that he will never do, for he is unaware of his true parentage. So you are safe, my sonsafe.. You are rich and respected, and not the son of a convicted poacher!"

Distant voices were heard. The sound of the gun, and Lionel's cries of alarm, had aroused the attention of the keepers, who were approaching the spot.

Jonas started in alarm.

"Put them on a false scent!" he rapidly exclaimed." We shall meet again!" And before Lionel could reply, Jonas made off in an opposito direction from that in which the sound of footsteps rapidly drew near.

Sick at heart with horror and surprise, Lionel stood immoveable as a statue.

The next moment he was surrounded by Craybrooke and his men. He pointed to Sir Michael's body. As he strove to speak, his voice failed him, his senses left him, and he sank to the ground insensible.

CHAPTER XXI. JONAS dashed through the woods like a hunted deer, and paused not till he reached his cottage. The snow had begun to fall again rapidly, and betrayed his footsteps; but he had provided for