ordered the arrest, whom the major
now recognized as the sheriff of the county.

"Prove your words! prove your words!" exclaimed Col. Malcome, darting
back from the grasp of the men who approached to imprison him.

"I am prepared to do so," returned the sheriff, motioning a tall, lank
form, in a long overcoat and broad-brimmed hat, which stood near the
door, to advance.

"You were in the grounds adjoining Major Howard's mansion on the night
of the twelfth of January last," said he, addressing the
singular-looking man, whose features were so entirely hidden by his
collar and hat-brim, as to be indiscernible.

The figure bowed low in token of assent.

"What did you see there?"

The _Hermit of the Cedars_ hesitated a moment, as if to collect his
thoughts, while the gaze of every person in the room was riveted upon
him, and a breathless silence reigned as he commenced to speak in a low,
measured tone of assurance and courage.

"I saw a man in dark clothes standing on the piazza of the doomed
mansion. A figure in female garb appeared from within, and, after a
brief, whispered conversation, left a small basket in his hand, and
retired whence she had come. Then the man, after glancing cautiously
around him, descended the steps and proceeded to light the fires. In
three different places the devouring element was kindled, and, as he
stooped to blow the light fragments with his breath, the flames suddenly
leaped forth and revealed in startling distinctness the face and
features of the incendiary. His hat had fallen to the ground and left
his head exposed, which was covered with a profusion of light, auburn
hair, clustering in short, thick curls around a high, pale forehead."

Major Howard sprang from his seat.

"Sir!" said he, darting an enraged glance on the strange man, "are you a
fool? Do you not see the hair of the man you would accuse is black as
midnight, while you affirm that of the one who fired my mansion to have
been of a flaxen hue?"

The hermit seemed not in the least disconcerted by this speech. Raising
the long cane on which his arms had been resting, he lifted the black
cloud of curls from the head of Col. Malcome and dashed it upon the
floor.

"Herbert Mervale!" shrieked the invalided Mrs. Howard.

On hearing this voice the muffled man, who had thrown off his
broad-brimmed hat, turned suddenly round.

"And Ralph Greyson!" she added.

Then throwing her arms around the wasted form of Edith Malcome,