express? and did you notice the eagerness with which he
enquired if I thought I had hit him? Depend upon it,
there is more in all this than is dreamt of in our
philosophy."

"And it was your undisguised perception of that emotion,"
remarked Captain Blessington, "that drew down his severity
upon your own head. It was, however, too palpable not to
be noticed by all; and I dare say conjecture is as busily
and as vaguely at work among our companions as it is with
us. The clue to the mystery, in a great degree, now dwells
with Frank Halloway; and to him we must look for its
elucidation. His disclosure will be one, I apprehend,
full of ignominy to himself, but of the highest interest
and importance to us all. And yet I know not how to
believe the man the traitor he appears."

"Did you remark that last harrowing exclamation of his
wife?" observed Charles de Haldimar, in a tone of
unspeakable melancholy. "How fearfully prophetic it
sounded in my ears. I know not how it is," he pursued,
"but I wish I had not heard those sounds; for since that
moment I have had a sad strange presentiment of evil at
my heart. Heaven grant my poor brother may make his
appearance, as I still trust he will, at the hour Halloway
seems to expect, for if not, the latter most assuredly
dies. I know my father well; and, if convicted by a court
martial, no human power can alter the destiny that awaits
Frank Halloway."