"On the very night that Tom was taken from the stable, Hadley disappeared,
and neither he nor the horse have been heard of since! Have I not strong
reasons for believing him guilty, as held out in this letter?"

"I must confess, this last piece of intelligence staggers my faith."

"You will now begin to understand why I took such decided steps toward him,
as a visitor here, on that memorable occasion which resulted so
disastrously. I had the strongest assurance of his being associated with
bad men for bad purposes, ere I forbid him the house. I only regret that I
acted so precipitately. I hope, however, all will come right in the end."

"God grant that it may."

Here their intercourse was interrupted by the announcement that Duffel had
called and inquired for Mr. Mandeville.--They returned to the house, and
the two gentlemen had a private interview to the following effect:

"How is Eveline?" inquired Duffel.

"I am happy to say she is very much better."

"I am truly glad to hear that she is convalescing. What do you think is the
state of her feelings in certain delicate matters?"

"I am persuaded her good opinion of Hadley has received a shock from which
it will never recover. That letter, in connection with his present
disappearance, was too much for her faith."

"And well it might be! I do not see how any one could doubt his guilt in