were locked-up, and the contents are to me wholly
unknown. I could not leave the boy here in this scene of death, and I
could not well leave the property belonging to him to be at the mercy of
any other plunderers of the forest. I did as I considered right for the
benefit of the boy, and in accordance with the solemn promise which I
made to his father."

"Still the property should not have been removed. The party who now
lies dead there is a well-known Malignant."

"How do you know that, sir?" interrupted Edward; "did you recognise him
when you saw the body?"

"I did not say that I did," replied the Intendant.

"You either must have so done, sir," replied Edward, "or you must have
been aware that he was residing in this cottage: you have to choose
between."

"You are bold, young man," replied the Intendant, "and I will reply to
your observation. I did recognise the party when I saw his face, and I
knew him to be one who was condemned to death, and who escaped from
prison a few days before the one appointed for his execution. I heard
search had been made for him, but in vain, and it was supposed that he
had escaped beyond the seas. Now his papers may be the means of giving
the Parliament information against others as well as himself."

"And enable them to commit a few more murders," added Edward.

"Silence, young man; the authorities must not be spoken of in so
irreverent a manner. Are you aware that your language is treasonable?"

"According to Act of Parliament, as at present constituted, it may be,"
replied Edward; "but as a loyal subject of King Charles the Second, I
deny it."

"I have no concern with your loyalty, young man, but I will not admit
any language to be uttered in my presence against the ruling powers.
The inquest is over. Let every one leave the house except Edward
Armitage, to whom I would speak alone."

"Excuse me one moment, sir," said Edward, "and I will return."

Edward went out with the rest, and calling Humphrey aside, said to him,
"Contrive to slip away unperceived; here are the keys; haste to the
cottage as fast as you can; look for all the papers you can find in the
packages taken there; bury them and the iron chest in the garden, or
anywhere where they cannot be discovered."

Humphrey nodded, and turned away, and Edward re-entered the cottage.

He found the Intendant was standing over the corpse; he had removed the
coverlid, and was looking mournfully down on the face d