etermined to
give him, my fraternal enemy, one chance of escaping. Pigtop's
repugnance, however, to the employment of a lawyer could not be
overcome; so, not being able to obtain his consent, I determined to try
and do without it, which my friend averred to be impossible.

At nine o'clock precisely, as the smoking dishes appeared, so did the
lawyer. A sudden emotion was perceptible on his iron-bound visage when
his eyes first fell upon me, of the nature of which I could form no
idea. Mr Pigtop bowed to him very stiffly; and it was some time before
the genuine cordiality of my manner could put Mr Seabright at his ease.

While we were at table, I begged to decline giving him our names, as I
was fearful that the intelligence might travel to the Hall, and thus
give some scope for further machinations on the part of Joshua. But, as
is too often the case, we were prudent only by halves.

The groom that we had hired, not being enjoined to secrecy, had
unhesitatingly told everyone belonging to the establishment our
appellations. The landlord and his household were much struck by the
similarity of the name by which I still went, Rattlin, and that of
Rathelin; and thus, whilst I was playing the cautious before Mr
Seabright, the news had already reached the Hall, and those most
concerned to know it, that two gentlemen, a Mr Rattlin and a Mr
Pigtop, with their groom, had put up at the Three Bells in the village,
and had sent for the lawyer.

When, after supper, we had carefully secured the privacy of our
apartment, amidst many nudges and objurgations from my former shipmate,
I proceeded to relate to the astonished solicitor who I was, and what
were my motives for appearing at that juncture in the neighbourhood. I
also told him of the personation of myself that I understood was then
going on at the Hall, at the same time totally suppressing every other
guilty circumstance of Daunton's life.

When I had finished my recital, I produced my documents; and,
notwithstanding that he was almost breathless with wonder, he confessed
that he believed implicitly all my assertions, and would assist me to
recover my rights, and disabuse my father, to the utmost of his
abilities.

"You have lost much valuable time," said he. "This impostor has now
been domesticated some days with Sir Reginald. I think, with you, that
he has no ulterior views upon the title and the estates. His object is
present plunder, and the inducing your father