Recovering myself a little, I stated that the notes in question were two of three notes which I had received at Horncastle for a pair of horses, which it was well known I had carried thither.
"Thereupon I produced from my pocket-book the third note, which was forthwith pronounced a forgery.

I had scarcely produced the third note when I remembered the one which I had changed for the Horncastle dealer, and with the remembrance came the almost certain conviction that it was also a forgery; I was tempted for a moment to produce it, and to explain the circumstance--would to God I had done so!--but shame at the idea of having been so wretchedly duped prevented me, and the opportunity was lost.

I must confess that the agent of the bank behaved, upon the whole, in a very handsome manner; he said that as it was quite evident that I had disposed of certain horses at the fair, it was very possible that I might have received the notes in question in exchange for them, and that he was willing, as he had received a very excellent account of my general conduct, to press the matter no farther, that is, provided.

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