they had seen. Mrs. Calvert averred that the
young man who passed next to the window was the very man who stabbed
George Colwan in the back, and she said she was willing to take her
oath on it at any time when required, and was certain, if the wretch
Ridsley saw him, that he would make oath to the same purport, for that
his walk was so peculiar no one of common discernment could mistake it.

Mrs. Logan was in great agitation, and said: "It is what I have
suspected all along, and what I am sure my late master and benefactor
was persuaded of, and the horror of such an idea cut short his days.
That wretch, Mrs. Calvert, is the born brother of him he murdered, sons
of the same mother they were, whether or not of the same father, the
Lord only knows. But, Oh, Mrs. Calvert, that is not the main thing that
has discomposed me, and shaken my nerves to pieces at this time. Who do
you think the young man was who walked in his company to-night?"

"I cannot for my life recollect, but am convinced I have seen the same
fine form and face before."

"And did not he seem to know us, Mrs. Calvert? You who are able to
recollect things as they happened, did he not seem to recollect us, and
make signs to that effect?"

"He did, indeed, and apparently with great good humour."

"Oh, Mrs Calvert, hold me, else I shall fall into hysterics again! Who
is he? Who is he? Tell me who you suppose he is, for I cannot say my
own thought."

"On my life, I cannot remember."

"Did you note the appearance of the young gentleman you saw slain that
night? Do you recollect aught of the appearance of my young master,
George Colwan?"

Mrs. Calvert sat silent, and stared the other mildly in the face. Their
looks encountered, and there was an unearthly amazement that gleamed
from each, which, meeting together, caught real fire, and returned the
flame to their heated imaginations, till the two associates became like
two statues, with their hands spread, their eyes fixed, and their chops
fallen down upon their bosoms. An old woman who kept the lodging-house,
having been called in before when Mrs. Logan was faintish, chanced to
enter at this crisis with some cordial; and, seeing the state of her
lodgers, she caught the infection, and fell into the same rigid and
statue-like appearance. No scene more striking was ever exhibited; and
if Mrs. Calvert had not resumed strength of mind to speak, and break
the spell, it is impossible to say how long it might have c