sifting, and clearing out this business to the bottom—you will excuse my being more particular."

"O, certainly—well, and he says?"——

"He says that it is whispered about among tinkers, gypsies, and other idle persons, that there is such a plan as I mention to you, and that this young man, who is a bastard or natural son of the late Ellangowan, is pitched upon as the impostor from his strong family likeness."

"And was there such a natural son, Sir Robert?"

"O, certainly, to my own positive knowledge. Ellangowan had him placed as cabin-boy or powder-monkey on board an armed sloop or yacht belonging to the revenue, through the interest of the late commissioner Bertram, a kinsman of Ellangowan."

"Well, Sir Robert," said the lawyer, taking the word out of the mouth of the impatient soldier—"you have told me news; I shall investigate them, and if I find them