"It was him, Green," said he. "He had a wig on, but for your life
mention not a syllable of this to your best friend. He is a villain of
the deepest dye, and I know him to be such."

I, of course, agreed that I might have been mistaken.

"He knew you," continued the colonel, "and was the worst frightened man
I ever saw, for fear you would recognise him. I am glad you did not, for
it might have cost you your life."

"I suppose, then, colonel," said I, "he intends furnishing you with
bail, does he not?"

"He did not manifest such a determination, did he, when you met him?"

I replied: "He might have had his reasons for acting as he did; it may
be, it was to find out whether I knew him as the person I met here
yesterday. You say, colonel, then, I actually met him yesterday?"

"Yes, he is the very villain. I know enough about him to make him
stretch hemp, if he had his dues."

I told him he was esteemed by many, where he lived, to be a very good
man.

"Yes, they respect him for his riches," said the colonel; "but they
would not respect either him, or many of his neighbours, if all knew
them as well as I do."