He thought that, considering the serious nature of the charge preferred against young O'Rorke, he exhibited an apathy under it, that did not altogether argue innocence.

Some unsettled suspicions entered his mind, but not with sufficient force to fix with certainty upon any of those present, except Nell and Nanse M'Collum who had absconded.

If Nell were the woman's mother, her anxiety to bring the criminal to justice appeared very natural.

Then, again, young O'Rorke's father, who seemed to know the history of Nell M'Collum, denied that she ever had a daughter.

How could he be certain that she had not, without knowing her private life thoroughly?
These circumstances appeared rather strange, if not altogether incomprehensible; so much so, indeed, that he thought it necessary, before they separated, to speak with O'Rorke's family in private.