r
them.

"Mr. Clarke, you know, came to this town to receive a legacy--you know
the particulars."

Walter impatiently nodded assent.

"Well, though he seemed in poor health, he was a lively careless
man, who liked any company who would sit and tell stories, and drink
o'nights; not a silly man exactly, but a weak one. Now of all the idle
persons of this town, Richard Houseman was the most inclined to this
way of life. He had been a soldier--had wandered a good deal about the
world--was a bold, talking, reckless fellow--of a character thoroughly
profligate; and there were many stories afloat about him, though none
were clearly made out. In short, he was suspected of having occasionally
taken to the high road; and a stranger who stopped once at my little
inn, assured me privately, that though he could not positively swear to
his person, he felt convinced that he had been stopped a year before on
the London road by Houseman. Notwithstanding all this, as Houseman had
some respectable connections in the town--among his relations, by the
by, was Mr. Aram--as he was a thoroughly boon companion--a good shot--a
bold rider--excellent at a song, and very cheerful and merry, he was not
without as much company as he pleased; and the first night, he and Mr.
Clarke came together, they grew mighty intimate; indeed, it seemed as if
they had met before. On the night Mr. Clarke disappeared, I had been on
an excursion with some gentlemen, and in consequence of the snow which
had been heavy during the latter part of the day, I did not return to
Knaresbro' till past midnight. In walking through the town, I perceived
two men engaged in earnest conversation: one of them, I am sure, was
Clarke; the other was wrapped up in a great coat, with the cape over his
face, but the watchman had met the same man alone at an earlier hour,
and putting aside the cape, perceived that it was Houseman. No one else
was seen with Clarke after that hour."

"But was not Houseman examined?"

"Slightly; and deposed that he had been spending the night with Eugene
Aram; that on leaving Aram's house, he met Clarke, and wondering that he
the latter, an invalid, should be out at so late an hour, he walked
some way with him, in order to learn the cause; but that Clarke seemed
confused, and was reserved, and on his guard, and at last wished him
good-b'ye abruptly, and turned away. That he, Houseman, had no doubt
he left the town that night, with the intention of defrau