stamped the justice.

"The only notice _I_ should ever take of an anonymous letter would be to
put it in the fire," cried Mr. Carlyle, his lip curling with scorn.

"But who has written it?" danced Justice Hare. "And _is_ Dick at West
Lynne--that's the question."

"Now, is it likely that he should come to West Lynne?" remonstrated
Mr. Carlyle. "Justice, will you pardon me, if I venture to give you my
candid opinion."

"The fool at West Lynne, running into the very jaws of death! By
Jupiter! If I can drop upon him, I'll retain him in custody, and make
out a warrant for his committal! I'll have this everlasting bother
over."

"I was going to give you my opinion," quietly put in Mr. Carlyle. "I
fear, Justice, you bring these annoyances upon yourself."

"Bring them upon myself!" ranted the indignant justice. "I? Did I murder
Hallijohn? Did I fly away from the law? Am I hiding, Beelzebub knows
where? Do I take starts, right into my native parish, disguised as
a laborer, on purpose to worry my own father? Do I write anonymous
letters? Bring them upon myself, do I? That cobs all, Carlyle."

"You will not hear me out. It is known that you are much exasperated
against Richard--"

"And if your son serves you the same when he is grown up, shan't you be
exasperated, pray?" fired Justice Hare.

"Do hear me. It is known that you are much exasperated, and that any
allusion to him excites and annoys you. Now, my opinion is, justice,
that some busybody is raising these reports and writing these letters on
purpose to annoy you. It may be somebody at West Lynne, very near to us,
for all we know."

"That's all rubbish!" peevishly responded the justice, after a pause.
"It's not likely. Who'd do it?"

"It is very likely; but you may be sure they will not give us a clue as
to the 'who.' I should put that letter in the fire, and think no more
about it. That's the only way to serve them. A pretty laugh they have
had in their sleeve, if it is anybody near, at seeing you wade up here
through the snow this morning! They would know you were bringing the
letter, to consult me."

The justice--in spite of his obstinacy he was somewhat easily persuaded
to different views of things, especially by Mr. Carlyle--let fall his
coat tails, which had been gathered in his arms, as he stood with his
back to the fire, and brought down both his hands upon the table with
force enough to break it.

"If I thought that," he spluttered, "if I could thi