veril, working as a
day-laborer in a copper-mine.

"This" [he continued] "is doubtless the mine in which he
claimed to be _interested_, and under the circumstances one can
hardly blame the poor fellow for putting it in that way. At the
same time, I consider it only fair that _you_ should know the
real facts in the case.

"His misfortunes seem also to have affected his disposition,
for on the very day of my arrival he was engaged in a most
disgraceful fight with some of his low associates, by whom he
was severely and justly punished. Of course I could not afford
to recognize him, and so took pains to have him kept in
ignorance of my presence. Is it not sad that a fellow of such
promise should in so short a time have fallen so low?

"Within a few days I shall return to the East, where my own
prospects are of the brightest," etc.

"There," said Mr. Owen to himself, as he sealed and addressed this
letter. "If that don't effectually squelch Mr. Richard Peveril's
aspirations in a certain direction, then I'm no judge of human
nature."

CHAPTER VIII

IN THE NEW SHAFT

When the mine-surgeon visited his patient that evening he found only
Mrs. Trefethen, sitting on the porch and awaiting him, "her men-folk,"
as she informed him, "being on the trail of they murderers."

"Which, if they ain't so many Cainses this night, hit bain't their
fault, as I sez to Miss Penny the moment I sees that pore lamb brought
into the 'ouse just like 'e was struck down the same as a flower of
the field that bloweth where hit listeth; and she sez to me--for me
and Miss Penny was wishing at that blessed minute, like hit were
providential--she sez--"

"It is certainly very kind of you to take such an interest in a
stranger," ruthlessly interrupted the doctor; "but may I inquire how
my patient is getting along?"

"You may indeed, sir, and may the good Lord preserve you from a like
harm, which hit make my blood boil to think of my pore Mark's hescape,
him being what you might call owdacious to that degree. He were
telling me has'ow 'One and hall' was everythink that saved 'im, and
they rocks pattering same has 'ailstones hall the time. Law, sir!"

"Doubtless, madam, the episode must have been most exciting; but now,
if you will allow me to interview the cause of all this trouble, I
shall be much obliged."

"Trouble, doctor, dear! Don't mention the word when hit's