enemies, darkly hinted at, and the consequences
clearly threatened. He saw Caroline was no common thief, and Franklin
no common man. There were moments when he actually believed the fact
really was as Franklin represented--and, thus quailing under the
torrent of eloquence to which the voice and manner gave something
absolutely irresistible, half suffocated with rage and fear, he said
with ill assumed indifference:

"Oh! very well, sir, very well. I will wait for my partners. Nothing
shall be done rashly. Nothing from revenge. But the young lady shall
not escape. Mr. Williams, go and see if Mr. Blake or Mr. Blanchard
have come in."

And thus at least more time was gained.

Mr. Williams went out, and returned to say that Mr. Blake had not yet
come in, but Mr. Blanchard had, and would join them immediately.

The door opened and the person in question entered. He was a young man
of thirty, of unusually prepossessing exterior. A stream of hope shot
through Franklin's heart as he read his face.

Mr. Blanchard seated himself gravely in the large chair which was
abdicated in his favor by Jennings, who related to him the facts,
respectfully and clearly, and called up the policemen and Mr. Williams
in confirmation.

"It is a bad case," said Mr. Blanchard. "Our duty is clear. Is there
any thing said in the defence?"

"Oh yes, there is a powerful defence!" replied Mr. Jennings, with a
sneer, "the young lady took the lace, and kept it half an hour,
running away as fast as she could, but she _but she didn't know she
had it_!! ha! ha! ha!"

Mr. Blanchard shook his head.

"Sir, may I speak?" said Franklin.

"Speak," returned Mr. Blanchard, in a low voice. "If you have any
thing to say I will hear it with the sincerest desire to find it of
weight. But you have a difficult task before you. These occasions are
extremely painful. The necessity of sending to prison a respectable
young lady, as you represent this person to be, is harrowing indeed;
but private feelings must give way to higher considerations. I have a
duty to perform--a duty to society--a duty to my partners--a duty to
God!"

"You have," rejoined Franklin, "but if you properly examine your
conscience, and ask light of Him who knows the truth, you will hear
the voice of God himself, warning you not to perform that duty
prematurely, carelessly, or cruelly. I ask time. I offer references to
prove that the person in question, from education, character, habits,
opi