The stranger instantly felt himself placed, as it were, upon his guard, and he replied, "It is possible that I may not be in town, and my address is uncertain; but the moment you are in a capacity to communicate any information that may be useful, go to the proper quarter--to Lady Gourlay herself.

I understand that a relation of yours lived and died in her service ?" "That's true," said the man, "and a betther mistress never did God put breath in, nor a betther masther than Sir Edward.

Well, I will follow your advice, but as for Sir Thomas--no matther, the time's comin'-- the river's flowin--and if there's a God in heaven, he will be punished for all his misdeeds--for other things as well as takin' away the child--that is, if he has taken him away.

Now, sir, that's all I can say to you at present--for I know nothing about this business.

Who can tell, however, but I may ferret out something?
It won't be my heart, at any rate, that will hinder me." There was nothing further now to detain the stranger in town.