"True; the world, and the opinions of worldly men, had almost buried up the
good that was in me; but the light of Heaven has shone into my spirit, the
fog is dispelled, and I see where I have departed from the right way."

"Thank Heaven for that!"

"I hope, now that we understand each other, I may dare to make a request of
you, which you may or may not feel free to grant."

"Name it."

"It is this, that you will hold no communication with Hadley until this
matter is satisfactorily cleared up, or until he can show that he is
innocent of the crimes this letter would fasten upon him."

"If it is your wish I will do so, though I should be pleased to know what
he could say in his own favor. I feel strongly confident he will be able to
prove himself innocent of all and any participation in the many thefts and
other villainies which have of late become so common. Where is he now?"

"Ah, there it is again! I have not told you that Tom was stolen some time
ago."

"Tom stolen!"

"Yes; he was taken very soon after this letter came into my possession, and
Hadley has never been seen or heard of since!"

"How?"