"I understand, no message, no word, from a young lady so respectable to a
man accused of murder."

Mr. Stanton was silent for some moments, and then said quietly, "Let us
change this subject; let us think of what more immediately presses. I see
you have been making some notes: may I look at them?"

I composed myself and sat down. "This accuser! Have inquiries really
been made as to himself, and his statement of his own proceedings? He
comes, he says, from America: in what ship? At what port did he land? Is
there any evidence to corroborate his story of the relations he tried to
discover; of the inn at which he first put up, and to which he could not
find his way?"

"Your suggestions are sensible, Dr. Fenwick. I have forestalled them. It
is true that the man lodged at a small inn,--the Rising Sun; true that
lie made inquiries about some relations of the name of Walls, who formerly
resided at L----, and afterwards removed to a village ten miles
distant,--two brothers, tradesmen of small means but respectable
character. He at first refused to say at what seaport he landed, in what
ship he sailed. I suspect that he has now told a falsehood as to these
matters. I sent my clerk to Southampton, for it is there he said that he
was put on shore; we shall see: the man himself is detained in close
custody. I hear that his manner is strange and excitable; but that he
preserves silence as much as possible. It is generally believed that he
is a bad character, perhaps a returned convict, and that this is the true
reason why he so long delayed giving evidence, and has been since so
reluctant to account for himself. But even if his testimony should be
impugned, should break down, still we should have to account for the fact