Be this as it may, Sir Thomas entered, and brought his ungainly person nearly to the centre of the room before he spoke.

At length he did so, but took care not to accompany his words with that courtesy of manner, or those rules of good-breeding, which ever prevail among gentlemen, whether as friends or foes.

After standing for a moment, he glanced from the one to the other, his face still hideously pale; and ultimately, fixing his eye upon the stranger, he viewed him from head to foot, and again from foot to head, with a look of such contemptuous curiosity, as certainly was strongly calculated to excite the stranger's indignation.

Finding the baronet spoke not, the other did.
"To what am I to attribute the honor of this visit, sir ?" Sir Thomas even then did not speak, but still kept looking at him with the expression we have described.

At length he did speak: "You have been residing for some time in our neighborhood, sir." The stranger simply bowed.
"May I ask how long ?" "I have the honor, I believe, of addressing Sir Thomas Gourlay ?" "Yes, you have that honor." "And may I beg to know his object in paying me this unceremonious visit, in which he does not condescend either to announce himself, or to observe the usual rules of good-breeding ?" "From my rank and known position in this part of the country, and in my capacity also as a magistrate, sir," replied the baronet, "I'm entitled to make such inquiries as I may deem necessary from those who appear here under suspicious circumstances." "Perhaps you may think so, but I am of opinion, sir, that you would consult the honor of the rank and position you allude to much more effectually, by letting such inquiries fall within the proper province of the executive officers of law, whenever you think there is a necessity for it." "Excuse me, but, in that manner, I shall follow my own judgment, not yours." "And under what circumstances of suspicion do you deem me to stand at present ?" "Very strong circumstances.