if to himself, then, like a man taking a
great resolution, he turned to a large safe and unlocked it. His hand
trembled as he did so, as though he were afraid.

"I have only read the manuscript once," he said, "and I have not seen
it for twenty years. I tremble as I look for it now. You will know
why when you have read it."

He took from the safe a large parcel, wrapped in paper, on which were
written the following words:

"THE CONFESSIONS

OF

ROGER TREWINION,

OF

TREWINION MANOR,

CORNWALL.

"May the Lord have mercy upon me a miserable sinner."

"Roger Trewinion was my grandfather," said he, as he saw me looking at
the name. "My father was called Roger--I am called Roger--the last of
my race. If--ah--if--but I daren't think of that."

"And may I read these confessions?" I asked eagerly, for I longed to
get away alone and commence them.

"Yes, I am going to let you. How I dare trust you with them I don't
know, except that I've read one or two of your books, and, well I am a
man of strong impulses. It is characteristic of my race. Besides, I
feel like trusting you.

"After you've read it," he continued, "you will know why I live here as
I do; you will understand something of the web of mystery that is woven
about this place. You will see the curse that rests upon my life."

"Curse?" I said questioningly.

"When you have finished with it," he went on, without heeding my words,
"bring the old manuscript back, and I will lock it up again. Much as I
wish it had never been written, or rather, the deeds it recalls had
never been done, I would not like to lose it now, for it possesses a
strange fascination for me."

We stayed an hour longer at Trewinion Manor, not liking to decline the
hospitality which was proffered us. But I was anxious to be alone.
The story of the grandfather of the present owner of this strange place
was of paramount interest to me, and so, after many promises, many
questions and many requests, I hastened away with my precious burden
under my arm.

I remember nothing of the journey along the coast that day, except that
I was constantly hurrying Will along so that we might more quickly
reach the watering-place where our luggage had been sent, and where we
had engaged rooms.

Arrived there I went immediately to the apartment allotted to me, where
I left "the Confessions." After a hasty meal, I ordered candles and
returned to my room to read, while Will went out to