n he encountered Mr.
Peacocke.

"I do not remember you in the least," the schoolmaster answered.

"Come, come; that won't do. You know me well enough. I'm Robert Lefroy."

Then Mr. Peacocke, looking at him again, knew that the man was the brother
of his wife's husband. He had not seen him often, but he recognised him
as Robert Lefroy, and having recognised him he took him into the house.

Part III.

CHAPTER VII.

ROBERT LEFROY.

FERDINAND LEFROY, the man who had in truth been the woman's husband, had,
during that one interview which had taken place between him and the man
who had married his wife, on his return to St. Louis, declared that his
brother Robert was dead. But so had Robert, when Peacocke encountered him
down at Texas, declared that Ferdinand was dead. Peacocke knew that no
word of truth could be expected from the mouths of either of them. But
seeing is believing. He had seen Ferdinand alive at St. Louis after his
marriage, and by seeing him, had been driven away from his home back to
his old country. Now he also saw this other man, and was aware that his
secret was no longer in his own keeping.

"Yes, I know you now. Why, when I saw you last, did you tell me that your
brother was dead? Why did you bring so great an injury on your
sister-in-law?"

"I never told you anything of the kind."

"As God is above us you told me so."

"I don't know anything about that, my friend. Maybe I was cut. I used to
be drinking a good deal them days. Maybe I didn't say anything of the
kind,--only it suited you to go back and tell her so. Anyways I
disremember it altogether. Anyways he wasn't dead. And I ain't dead
now."

"I can see that."

"And I ain't drunk now. But I am not quite so well off as a fellow would
wish to be. Can you get me breakfast?"

"Yes, I can get you breakfast," he said, after pausing for a while. Then
he rang the bell and told the girl to bring some breakfast for the
gentleman as soon as possible into the room in which they were sitting.
This was in a little library in which he was in the habit of studying and
going through lessons with the boys. He had brought the man here so that
his wife might not come across him. As soon as the order was given, he
ran up-stairs to her room, to save her from coming down.

"A man;--what man?" she asked.

"Robert Lefroy. I must go to him at once. Bear yourself well and boldly,
my darling. It is he, certainly. I know nothing