rs I shall publish will be accompanied with explanatory notes. The
persons concerned will recognise their own productions, and I hope to
see such a change in their future life as shall deserve a charitable
silence. But I return from my digression.

The sworn friends of the prisoner had forsaken him in the hour of need,
and left him single-handed and alone to meet the stern rigours of the
law. There was no remedy unless in his own stratagem, which was now
being matured. It was as follows. His brother was to remain in prison as
an evidence against Taylor, mentioned in the previous chapter, while he
was to assume all the responsibility of the counterfeit money, plates,
&c., as well as all the other villanies which had been charged upon them
conjointly.

The colonel was very sick from the action of the medicines. He supposed
every effort had been made to bail him, but was greatly deceived. His
fate was sealed. A conspiracy was formed against him. He suspected foul
play, because his former associates did not come forward and bail him.
His removal to the hospital was only a pretence set up by them, that
might give more time to carry out their treacherous designs. He was a
prisoner, and they were determined to make him such the remainder of his
life. He had his friends, however, warmhearted, and true. He was almost
worshipped by the poorer members of the brotherhood. The richer part
envied him for his superior skill in his profession and general
popularity, and feared the consequences. In this he differed widely from
his brother, who was neither loved nor feared, and was only respected
from his relationship. When the plan was devised for the younger brother
to swear the counterfeit money and plates upon Taylor, it was intended
by these professed friends, that he should be caught in his own net, and
be thus prevented from rendering the colonel any assistance. The
consummation of this plan, I will next detail.

CHAPTER IV.

The younger brother was to produce various letters which had been
written to him from different parts of the Union, by different
individuals. That this could be done will be seen by what follows. The
colonel had been an extensive speculator in merchandise of almost every
kind. He was extensively known. His correspondence was wide-spread. In
his villanous communications, however, letters were never addressed to
him in his proper name, unless some one should labour under the
impression that he was a