CHAPTER XVIII.
ALL doubt in regard to the presence of Mr.Lyon in the neighborhood, as affirmed by Mr.Lamar and others, had, as we have seen, passed from the mind of Markland.

He was entirely satisfied that the individual seen by these men was Mr.Willet.But since the refusal of Brainard, regarded as one of the shrewdest men in the city, to enter into a speculation to him so full of promise, he did not feel altogether easy in mind.

He had spoken more from impulse than sound judgment, when he declared it to be his purpose to risk forty thousand dollars in the scheme, instead of twenty thousand.

A cooler state left room for doubts.

What did he really know of Mr.Lyon, on whose discretion, as an agent, so much would depend?
The question intruded itself, like an unwelcome guest; and his effort to answer it to his own satisfaction was in vain.