at present my property, and remains so until Captain
Bubbleton demands it from me."

I was struck dumb by the manner in which these words were spoken. It
was clear to me, that not only he suspected the disguise of the
ballad-singer, but that by the discovery of the French note he connected
his presence with its being in my possession. Rousing myself for the
effort, I said,--

"You force me, sir, to speak of what nothing short of the circumstance
could have induced me to allude to. It was I gave Captain Bubbleton that
note. I gave it in mistake for this one."

"I guessed as much, sir," was the cool answer of Crofts, as he placed
the note in his pocket-book and clasped it. "But I cannot permit your
candid explanation to alter the determination I have already come
to,--even had I not the stronger motive which as an officer in his
Majesty's pay I possess,--to inform the Government, on such infallible
evidence, how deeply interested our French neighbors are in our welfare
when they supply us with a commodity which report says is scarce enough
among themselves."

"Do not suppose, sir, that your threat--for as such I understand it--has
any terror for me. There is, it's true, another whose safety might be
compromised by any step you might take in this affair; but when I tell
you that it is one who never did, never could have injured you,
and, moreover, that nothing treasonous or disloyal lies beneath your
discovery--"

"You are really taking a vast deal of trouble, Mr. Burke," said he,
stopping me with a cold smile, "which I am forced to say is unnecessary.
Your explanation of how this _billet de banque_ came into your
possession may be required elsewhere, and will, I am certain, meet with
every respect and attention. As for me, an humble captain, with only one
principle to sustain me, one clue to guide me, in what I am disposed to
consider a question of some importance, I shall certainly ask advice of
others better able to direct me."

"You refuse, then, sir, to restore me what I have assured you is mine?"

"And what I have no doubt whatever you are correct in calling so," added
he, contemptuously.

"And you persist in the refusal?" said I, in a voice which unhappily
betrayed more temper than I had yet shown.

"Even so, sir," said he, moving towards the door.

"In that case," said I, springing before him, and setting my back
against it, you don't leave this room until in the presence of a third
party,--I care not