the gate, which she
found locked as usual. She next examined the yard, the garden, and all
the out houses.

Nothing could be discovered of any person having been recently there.
She next walked around by the wall, the whole circle of the enclosure.
She was convinced that the unusual height of the wall rendered it
impossible for any one to get over it. It was constructed of several
tier of hewed timbers, and both sides of it were as smooth as glass.
On the top, long spikes were thickly driven in, sharpened at both ends.
It was surrounded on the outside by a deep wide moat, which was nearly
filled with water. Over this moat was a draw-bridge, on the road leading
to the gate, which was drawn up, and John had the key.

The events of the past night, therefore, remained inscrutable. It must
be that her aunt was the agent who had managed this extraordinary
machinery.

She found John at the house when she returned. "Does madam want any
thing to-day?" asked he. "Has my aunt returned?" enquired Melissa. "Not
yet," he replied. "How long has she been gone?" she asked. "Four days,
replied John, after counting his fingers, and she will not be back under
four or five more." "Has the key of the gate been constantly in your
possession?" asked she. "The key of the gate and draw-bridge, he
replied, have not been out of my possession for a moment since your aunt
has been gone." "Has any person been to enquire for me or my aunt, she
enquired, since I have been here?"--"No, madam, said he, not a single
person." Melissa knew not what to think; she could not give up the idea
of false keys--perhaps her aunt had returned to her father's.--Perhaps
the draw-bridge had been let down, the gate opened, and the house
entered by means of false keys. Her father would as soon do this as to
confine her in this solitary place; and he would go all lengths to
induce her, either by terror, persuasion or threats, to relinquish
Alonzo and marry Beauman.

A thought impressed her mind which gave her some consolation. It was
possible to secure the premises so that no person could enter even by
the aid of false keys. She asked John if he would assist her that day.
"In anything you wish, madam," he replied. She then directed him to go
to work. Staples and iron bars were found in different parts of the
building, with which he secured the doors and windows, so that they
could be opened only on the inside. The gate, which swung in, was
secured in the same manner.