condemn the young man without a hearing, and was equally unable to get the
consent of his mind to make the matter public, thereby injuring the
reputation of his friend, until he could see and converse with him on the
subject. He advised Mr. Mandeville thus:

"I think the best thing we can do is to keep an eye on the movements of
this young man, Hadley, as well as upon others who may be associated with
him, if he is the villain he is here made to appear. If we institute
proceedings against him, we have only this letter to rely upon, which is
not sufficient to convict him, as there is no legible name at the bottom of
it, and no witness to corroborate the statements. If he is guilty,
premature action will give him all advantages, and enable him to clear
himself; whereas, by instituting a strict surveillance over his acts, we
may be able to get at the truth of the matter, and can then act
understandingly in the case."

Mr. Mandeville coincided with the magistrate, and then they agreed to keep
the matter strictly to themselves for the present.

"Shall I retain the letter?" inquired the justice.

"No, I wish to use it, first, and will then leave it with you," was the
reply--and thus the matter was settled between them.

While the events just related were transpiring, and at the very hour when
Mr. Mandeville was consulting the man of law, Duffel was engaged with his
two ruffian associates in a plot of villainy, which, for deep cunning and
calculation, was superior to anything he had yet conceived and carried out,
though it was but a link in the chain of criminal acts he had forged out
and was about to follow up. The two held their consultation in the