iffe, been in
America?"

"For more than three years."

"Until you received the telegram calling you to his aid, did you know
where to find your brother?"

"I did not."

"Mr. Heathercliffe, have you that telegram in your possession?"

"I have."

"Will you permit his honor, the judge, to see that telegram?"

"Assuredly." He draws forth a morocco letter case, and taking therefrom
a slip of paper hands it to O'Meara. That astute gentleman passes it
carelessly on to the clerk, saying: "Read it please."

Rising to receive the paper, the clerk reads:

_Honorable George Heathercliffe,
Cliffe Towers, etc., etc.,_

Come at once to W----, R---- County.---- Sir Clifford is in deep
trouble.

BATHURST.

"Bathurst!" the name falls involuntarily from the lips of Mr. Rand; he
knows the expert by reputation, and this is the first intimation he has
received, that so shrewd a man is at work in the interest of Clifford
Heath.

"Is this the only message you received?"

"No, later in the day this came."

He produced and passed over a second dispatch, which is read like the
first.

_Honorable George Heathercliffe, etc._

Before starting find out everything you can concerning one John, or
Jonathan Burrill, once in the employ of your father.

BATHURST.

The two Lamottes glance uneasily at each other. Whither is this
examination tending?

"Did you follow the instructions in this last telegram?" asks O'Meara.

"I did."

A bland smile widens the mouth of the little Irish lawyer. He waves his
hand magisterially.

"That is all, for the present, Mr. Heathercliffe," he says, suavely, and
amazement sits on every countenance.

And now Mr. Rand bends forward and flings himself into the arena, while
O'Meara leans back in his chair, his eyes twinkling maliciously.

"Mr. Heathercliffe," begins the cross-examiner, "Your two dispatches are
signed 'Bathurst.' Who is this Bathurst?"

"Mr. Bathurst, sir, is a very able detective."

"Ah! He is known to you, I presume?"

"He is," bowing gravely.

"Now, Mr. Heathercliffe, it strikes me as singular that an English
gentleman should be on such familiar terms with a Yankee detective; and
still more strange that an English nobleman should be masquerading in
America, as a country physician. I should like an explanation of these
things."

"My brother came to America on account of family troubles, sir. Is it
_necessary_ that I make a fu