e between his hands; and when the soldier looked
into the apartment, he thought he saw his charge in deep abstraction.
Casting a glance of huge contempt at the divine, he called aloud for
the good woman of the house. She hastened at the summons, with earnest
zeal, entertaining a secret hope that she was to be admitted to the
gossip of a death-bed repentance.

"Sister," said the minister in the authoritative tones of a master,
"have you in the house 'The Christian Criminal's Last Moments, or
Thoughts on Eternity, for them who die a violent death'?"

"I never heard of the book!" said the matron in astonishment.

"'Tis not unlikely; there are many books you have never heard of; it
is impossible for this poor penitent to pass in peace, without the
consolation of that volume. One hour's reading in it is worth an age
of man's preaching."

"Bless me, what a treasure to possess!--when was it put out?"

"It was first put out at Geneva[113] in the Greek language, and then
translated at Boston. It is a book, woman, that should be in the hands
of every Christian, especially such as die upon the gallows. Have a
horse prepared instantly for this black, who shall accompany me to my
brother, and I will send down the volume yet in season; brother,
compose thy mind, you are now in the narrow path to glory."

[Footnote 113: a city of Switzerland.]

Caesar wriggled a little in his chair, but he had sufficient
recollection to conceal his face with hands that were, in their turn,
concealed by gloves. The landlady departed, to comply with this very
reasonable request, and the group of conspirators were again left to
themselves.

"This is well," said the peddler; "but the difficult task is to
deceive the officer who commands the guard--he is lieutenant to
Lawton, and has learned some of the captain's own cunning in these
things. Remember, Captain Wharton," continued he with an air of pride,
"that now is the moment when everything depends on our coolness."

"My fate can be made but little worse than it is at present, my worthy
fellow," said Henry; "but for your sake I will do all that in me
lies."

The man soon returned, and announced that the horses were at the door.
Harvey gave the captain a glance, and led the way down the stairs,
first desiring the women to leave the prisoner to himself, in order
that he might digest the wholesome mental food that he had so lately
received.

A rumor of the odd character of the priest had