family. Beyond was the ravine, cutting across the road and
terminating it. This ravine merits some description.

It was a picturesque addition to the town through which it cut at
the point of greatest activity. With the various bridges
connecting the residence portion with the lower business streets
we have nothing to do. But there was a nearer one of which the
demands of my story necessitate a clear presentation.

This bridge was called Long, and spanned the ravine and its
shallow stream of water not a quarter of a mile below the short
road or lane we have just seen Judge Ostrander enter. Between it
and this lane, a narrow path ran amid the trees and bushes
bordering the ravine. This path was seldom used, but when it was,
it acted as a short cut to a certain part of the town mostly given
over to factories. Indeed the road of which this bridge formed a
part was called Factory on this account. Starting from the main
highway a half mile or so below Ostrander Lane, it ran diagonally
back to the bridge, where it received a turn which sent it south
and east again towards the lower town. A high bluff rose at this
point, which made the farther side of the ravine much more
imposing than the one on the near side where the slope was
gradual.

This path, and even the bridge itself, were almost wholly
unlighted. They were seldom used at night--seldom used at any
time. But it was by this route the judge elected to go into town;
not for the pleasure of the walk, as was very apparent from the
extreme depression of his manner, but from some inward necessity
which drove him on, against his wishes, possibly against his