er I may pick her up, but I never make diligent search
after what, in every probability, will not be worth the finding."

Leaving Timothy to go his way, I walked to the house at Lincoln's Inn,
which I had before entered upon the memorable occasion of the papers of
Estcourt. As before, I rang the bell, the door swang open, and I was
once more in the presence of Mr Masterton.

"I have a letter, sir," said I, bowing, and presenting the letter from
Lord Windermear.

The old gentleman peered at me through his spectacles. "Why! we have
met before--bless me--why you're the rogue that--"

"You are perfectly right, sir," interrupted I. "I am the rogue who
presented the letter from Lord Windermear, and who presents you with
another from the same person; do me the favour to read it, while I take
a chair."

"Upon my soul--you impudent--handsome dog, I must say--great pity--come
for money, I suppose. Well, it's a sad world," muttered the lawyer as
he broke open the letter of Lord Windermear.

I made no reply, but watched his countenance, which changed to that of
an expression of surprise. "Had his lordship sent me a request to have
you hanged, if possible," said Mr Masterton, "I should have felt no
surprise; but in this letter he praises you, and desires me to render
you all the service in my power. I can't understand it."

"No, sir; but if you have leisure to listen to me, you will then find
that, in this world, we may be deceived by appearances."

"Well, and so I was, when I first saw you; I never could have believed
you to be--but never mind."

"Perhaps, sir, in an hour or two you will again alter your opinion. Are
you at leisure, or will you make an appointment for some future day?"

"Mr Newland, I am not at leisure--I never was more busy; and if you had
come on any legal business, I should have put you off for three or four
days, at least; but my curiosity is so raised, that I am determined that
I will indulge it at the expense of my interest. I will turn the key,
and then you will oblige me by unravelling, what, at present, is to me
as curious as it is wholly incomprehensible."

PART TWO, CHAPTER TEN.

I ATTEMPT TO PROFIT BY INTELLIGENCE I RECEIVE, AND THROW A LADY INTO
HYSTERICS.

In about three hours I had narrated the history of my life, up to the
very day, almost as much detailed as it has been to the reader. "And
now, Mr Masterton," said I, as I wound up my narrative, "do you think
that I dese