packet; John Falconer being one of those men who care for very little in
this world,

"Whilst they have their dog and their gun."

Not so the commissioner, who immediately began to examine the papers
with serious curiosity, to discover whether they could by any means be
productive of advantage to him or his family. The sea-water had injured
only the outer pages; but though the inner were not in the least damaged,
it was difficult to make out their contents, for they were written
in cipher. Commissioner Falconer, however, was skilled in the art of
deciphering, and possessed all the ingenuity and patience necessary for
the business. The title, superscription, and signature of the paper were
obliterated, so that he could not guess from whom they came, or to whom
they were addressed; he perceived that they were political; but of what
degree of importance they might be he could not decide, till he heard of
M. de Tourville the diplomatist, and of his distress at the loss of this
packet. The commissioner then resolved to devote the evening, ensuing
day, and night, if requisite, to the business, that he might have it in
readiness to carry with him when he went to pay his respects to Lord
Oldborough. Foreseeing that something might be made of this intercepted
despatch, and fearing that if he mentioned it to Mr. Percy, that gentleman
might object to opening the papers, Mr. Falconer left Percy-hall without
giving the most remote hint of the treasure which he possessed, or of the
use that he intended to make of his discovery.

Early in the ensuing week Mr. Percy went to pay his visit of civility, and
Mr. Falconer his visit of policy, to Lord Oldborough. His lordship was so
much altered, that it was with difficulty Mr. Percy recollected in him any
traces of the same person. The Lord Oldborough he had formerly known was