One day, nearly two years after the birth of this second child, the quiet town of S----was aroused from its dreams by a strange and startling event.

About a week before, a handsomely dressed man, with the air of a foreigner, alighted from the stage coach at the "White Swan," and asked if he could have a room.

A traveler of such apparent distinction was a rare event in S----; and as he suggested the probable stay of a week or so, he became an object of immediate attention, as well as curiosity.
Night had closed in when he arrived, and as he was fatigued by his journey in the old lumbering stage coach that ran between the nearest sea-port town and S----, he did not show himself again that evening to the curious people who were to be found idling about the "White Swan." But he had a talk with the landlord.

That functionary waited upon him to know his pleasure as to supper.
"The ride has given me a headache," the stranger said, "which a cup of tea will probably remove.

Beyond that, I will take nothing to-night.
Your name is--" "Adams, sir.