posite
door again; and then crossing the passage, he knocked at the door of the
Berners' apartments.

"Come in," said Lyon Berners eagerly, while Sybil paused in her restless
walk and gazed breathlessly at the door.

Both were so interested, they could not have told why, in that weeping
woman.

The landlord entered and closed the door behind him, and advanced with a
bow and an apology.

"I am afraid that you and your good lady have been disturbed by the
noise in the other room; but really I could not help it. I have done all
I could to comfort the poor creature; but really you know, 'Rachel
weeping for her children' was nothing to this woman. She's been going on
in this way for the last three days, sir. I did hope she would be quiet
this evening. I told her that I had guests in these rooms. But, Lord,
sir! I might just as well try to reason with a thunderstorm as with her.
I wish I had quieter rooms to put you in, sir."

"Pray do not think of us. It is not the disturbance we mind on our own
account; it is to hear a fellow creature in so much distress. A guest of
the house?" inquired Mr. Berners.

"Yes, sir; worse luck."

"She has lost friends or--fortune?" continued Berners delicately
investigating the case, while Sybil looked and listened with the deepest
interest.

"Both, sir! Both, sir! All, sir! Everything, sir! It is really a case of
atrocious villainy, sir! And I may say, a case of extreme difficulty as
well! A case in which I need counsel myself, sir," said the landlord,
with every appearance of being as willing to give information as to take
advice.

CHAPTER V.

THE LANDLORD'S STORY.

"What wit so sharp is found in youth or age
That can distinguish truth from treachery?
Falsehood puts on the face of simple truth,
And masks i' th' habit of plain honesty,
When she in heart intends most villany."

"Sit down, Mr. Judson; sit down, and tell us all about this matter; and
if we can aid either you or your distressed lodger in any way, we shall
be glad to do so," said Mr. Berners, earnestly.

"Yes, indeed," added Sybil, throwing herself down in her easy-chair,
with a deep breath of relief and anticipation.

"Well, sir, and madam," commenced the landlord, frankly accepting the
offered seat, "the case is this: About ten days ago there arrived in
this city,