his pocket, and handing it to Black Kenneth.

Ephraim turned his head, caught a glimpse of Stephen's countenance, knew him instantly, and exclaimed with a feeling of joy at the discovery," Stephen Dugard, is it you? Then I am safe!"

66

No, you are not," said Black Kenneth, making a blow at him, which Ephraim warded off, though at the expense of a deep gash across his wrist.

"For God's sake, hold!" exclaimed Stephen, seeing the blood flow, and suspecting his comrade's design.

"Hold the devil !" retorted Black Kenneth, throwing himself on the bed to grapple more closely with his victim.

"Stephen! Stephen !" shrieked the old man, 66 save my

life!"

Stephen attempted to drag Black Kenneth away, but he had not strength. In the struggle the candle was overset, and they were in darkness. He then rushed out of the room to call Mayfield to his assistance; but as they were returning they met Black Kenneth on the stairs.

圈

"What have you been about ?" said May

field.

"The squire had no business there," he replied; you should have gone with me, and then this had not been necessary. The moment the old gentleman set eyes upon him, he called him by his name. When I heard that, had he been my own father, I should just have done the same."

They understood what had been done. Stephen bitterly deplored it, and even Mayfield heaved a sigh.

"You have taken care of the bag, I hope," exclaimed Black Kenneth, addressing the former.

66

Ay, ay. Here," handing it to him, "keep it yourself. I wish I had never seen it."

"Pooh!" said his less scrupulous comrade, feeling the weight of it as he spoke; "we have done worse than this, I guess, and for less booty."

A consultation was now held as to what further should be done. At Mayfield's suggestion, it was resolved to fire the house, as a highly probable, if not certain, mode of concealing their crime. At any rate, it would

prevent that immediate hue and cry which might otherwise be raised in the morning, and which, if raised, would render it difficult for. them to continue their journey.

A light was once more procured, and several bundles of brush wood, which were stacked in the yard for fuel, were so placed beneath the stairs as to ensure the speedy destruction of the building, the timbers of which were already decayed, and the roof covered with dry thatch.

In less than ten minutes the flames began to lay hold of the staircase, and they set forth to rejoin their companions. They had scarcely proceeded half a mile, when they were satisfied of the complete success of their work, by seeing the flames burst through the roof, and the burning mass casting up volumes of lurid smoke.

Kilvert and Three Farthing Nick, who were slowly pacing up and down, in front of a shady nook, where Susan was sleeping upon a turf almost as soft and luxurious as a bed of eider-down, suddenly perceived the reflection of the blazing ruins in the sky.

"That's some of Black Kenneth's doings," said Ellic angrily; "he never knows when to

stop his hand. There can be no tarrying here, now, for a visit to Sir Everton. We must be in motion with the lark."

They were soon joined by their companions. Mayfield related in few words all that had happened. Kilvert seemed to admit the necessity of despatching poor Ephraim after his recognition of Stephen, and entirely approved of firing the house to defeat discovery; but he insisted upon immediately breaking up their quarters.

As they were journeying along, the thought suddenly flashed across Stephen's mind, that Mr. Bosley kept a maid-servant, who had doubtless perished with her master. tioned the circumstance to Mayfield.

He men

"Say nothing about it," replied he. "Perhaps he no longer kept a servant — perhaps she was from home- perhaps she escaped, -perhaps anything, rather than taking it for granted that we have two deaths to answer for."

CHAPTER XXII.

There is nothing which dogs the conscience so incessantly, fastens upon it so closely, and tears it so furiously,

as BLOOD-GUILTINESS.

SOUTH.

WHEN Aston was informed that Mayfield, Sir Stephen, and two out of their four companions were safely lodged in gaol, and, therefore, that justice could no longer be defeated by false mercy, he felt himself bound to communicate to the family what he had caused to be done. He wrote an urgent letter to Cameron; entreated him to forget he was newly married; and bade him hasten up to London, where matters deeply affecting his own interests and those of his family, required his immediate presence.

Within two hours after Cameron received the summons, he was on his way to the capi