vised for perpetuating, or even causing, mental aberration.

Rolfe baffled this, as described, and Bassett was literally stunned. He
now saw that Sir Charles had an ally full of resources and resolution.
Who could it be? He began to tremble. He complained to the police, and
set them to discover who had thus openly and audaciously violated the
Act of Parliament, and then he went and threatened Dr. Suaby.

But Rolfe and Sir Charles, who loved Suaby as he deserved, had provided
against that; they had not let the doctor into their secret. He
therefore said, with perfect truth, that he had no hand in the matter,
and that Sir Charles, being bound upon his honor not to escape from
Bellevue, would be in the asylum still if Mr. Bassett had not taken him
out, and invoked brute force, in the shape of Burdoch. "Well, sir,"
said he, "it seems they have shown you two can play at that game." And
so bade him good afternoon very civilly.

Bassett went home sickened. He remained sullen and torpid for a day or
two; then he wrote to Burdoch to send to London and try and recapture
Sir Charles.

But next day he revoked his instructions, for he got a letter from the
Commissioners of Lunacy, announcing the authoritative discharge of Sir
Charles, on the strong representation of Dr. Suaby and other competent
persons.

That settled the matter, and the poor cousin had kept the rich cousin
three months at his own expense, with no solid advantage, but the
prospect of a lawsuit.

Sharpe, spurred by Rolfe, gave him no breathing time. With the utmost
expedition the Declaration in Bassett _v._ Bassett followed the writ.

It was short, simple, and in three counts.

"For violently seizing and confining the plaintiff in a certain place,
on a false pretense that he was insane.

"For detaining him in spite of evidence that he was not insane.

"For endeavoring to remove him to another place, with a certain
sinister motive there specified.

"By which several acts the plaintiff had suffered in his health and his
worldly affairs, and had endured great agony of mind."

And the plaintiff claimed damages, ten thousand pounds.

Bassett sent over for his friend Wheeler, and showed him the new
document with no little consternation.

But their discussion of it was speedily interrupted by the clashing of
triumphant bells and distant shouting.

They ran out to see what it was. Bassett, half suspecting, hung back;
but Mary Gosport's keen eye detected him