The mercantile alliance between him and Welbeck was remembered; the allusions which were made to the condition of the latter in the chamber-conversation of which I was an unsuspected auditor; and the relation which these allusions might possess with subsequent occurrences.

Welbeck's property was forfeited.

It had been confided to the care of Thetford's brother.

Had the cause of this forfeiture been truly or thoroughly explained?
Might not contraband articles have been admitted through the management or under the connivance of the brothers?
and might not the younger Thetford be furnished with the means of purchasing the captured vessel and her cargo,--which, as usual, would be sold by auction at a fifth or tenth of its real value?
Welbeck was not alive to profit by the detection of this artifice, admitting these conclusions to be just.

My knowledge will be useless to the world; for by what motives can I be influenced to publish the truth?
or by whom will my single testimony be believed, in opposition to that plausible exterior, and, perhaps, to that general integrity, which Thetford has maintained?
To myself it will not be unprofitable.