y can
prove that he was poaching, inasmuch as he really was not; whereas, if
he were to show that he killed a man while attempting to suborn
evidence, he would speedily find himself under a cross-beam."

"Suborn evidence," muttered John Ayliffe to himself; for though ready to
do any act that might advance his purpose, he did not like to hear it
called by its right name.

However that might be, he agreed to the course proposed by the attorney,
and it was determined that, waiting for the fall of night, they should
both go over to the prison together, and demand admittance to the
felon's cell. The conversation then reverted to Emily's distinct
rejection of the young man's suit, and long did the two ponder over it,
considering what might be the effect upon the plans they were pursuing.

"It may hurry us desperately," said Mr. Shanks, at length, "unless we
can get her to hold her tongue; for depend upon it, as soon as Sir
Philip hears what we are doing, he will take his measures accordingly.
Don't you think you and Mrs. Hazleton together can manage to frighten
her into silence? If I were you, I would get upon my horse's back
directly, ride over, and see what can be done. Your fair friend there
will give you every help, depend upon it."

John Ayliffe smiled. "I will see," he said. "Mrs. Hazleton is very kind
about it, and I dare say will help, for I am quite sure she has got some
purpose of her own to serve."

The attorney grinned, but made no answer, and in the space of a quarter
of an hour, John Ayliffe was on the road to Mrs. Hazleton's dwelling.

After quarter of an hour's private conversation with the lady of the
house, he was admitted to the room in which Emily sat, unconscious of
his being there. She was displeased and alarmed at seeing him, but his
words and his conduct after he entered, frightened and displeased her
still more. He demanded secrecy in a stern and peremptory tone, and
threatened with vague, but not ill-devised menaces, to be the ruin of
her father and his whole house, if she breathed one word of what had
taken place between them. He sought, moreover, to obtain from her a
promise of secrecy; but that Emily would on no account give, although he
terrified her greatly; and he left her still in doubt as to whether his
secret was safe or not.

With Mrs. Hazleton he held another conference, but from her he received
better assurances. "Do not be afraid," she said; "I will manage it for
you. She shall n