id the latter, "but they gave me such
a shocking supper at the inn, that I resolved to try my luck up here for
breakfast. Captain Oliphant, I presume?--friend of my friend Armstrong.
Pleased to know you, sir. Pity you weren't with us last night to see
the decline and fall of your ingenious friend, R. Ratman. Your
colleague, sir, put that young man to bed in a way that would have made
you enjoy yourself. Seems to me, captain, you are well rid of him."

"I fail to understand all this," said the captain. "If you refer to Mr
Ratman's claims to be the lost Roger Ingleton--"

"My nephew," interposed the American.

"All I can say is, that I am not at all satisfied the claim is not a
just one."

"Well, sir," said Mr Headland, "if that's your opinion, it's more than
that young man thinks himself by this time. But never mind that."

"I do mind it, sir; and I should like to know what right any one has to
decide the matter for me? I would suggest that, though we are pleased
to see you, you should allow us to attend to our own business."

"I not only allow you, sir, but I expect it of you. And that reminds me
of a question that has been puzzling me ever since I heard of the
Squire's death. I wrote him a letter in the fall of last year."

The captain was seized with a sudden impulse to stir the fire, and as he
stood thus with his back turned, Mr Armstrong could not help wondering
what there was in the operation so violently to agitate the operator's
frame.

"Yes, sir, a letter dated November 9th, which must have been delivered,
as I have made inquiries, and find it was not returned. It contained
money, and as it was never acknowledged, I had fears it was lost."

"Any letters for the Squire have been opened by his executors. I
recollect none from abroad--do you, Captain Oliphant?" said the tutor.

The Captain, still with his back turned, said-- "No; it never came into
my hands."

"Mrs Ingleton would hardly be likely to have opened it. It would be
only a short time before her death."

"It's singular," said the Mayor. "My clerk posted it. He should have
registered it, but omitted."

"How was it directed?" asked the captain, turning at last, and pale
after his exertions.

"Roger Ingleton, senior, Maxfield, England."

"Hum! Did your clerk know it contained money?"

"Which means, did he purloin it? Well, sir, we shall see. An English
bank-note can be traced. That's one advantage you have over us on the