What would my word have availed that it was Thorn, when there was nobody to corroborate it?
And the discharged gun, mine, was a damnatory proof against me." "Another thing strikes me as curious," cried Mr.Carlyle.

"If this man, Thorn, was in the habit of coming to West Lynne, evening after evening, how was it that he never was observed?
This is the first time I have heard any stranger's name mentioned in connection with the affair, or with Afy." "Thorn chose by-roads, and he never came, save that once, but at dusk and dark.

It was evident to me at the time that he was striving to do it on the secret.

I told Afy so, and that it augured no good for her.

You are not attaching credit to what I say, and it is only as I expected; nevertheless, I swear that I have related the facts.