"I'll go and see if that's the case," said Shank. This conversation satisfied Shank that the driver was entirely ignorant of Sarah, or her purposes. Acting upon this judgment, he entered the house, and having waited a reasonable time, came out with the money.

"Here's the money. The lady couldn't find her purse," said he.

The hackman, on receiving his ten shillings, immediately drove off.

"Is the door locked, Mr. Shank?" said Mordaunt. "All's right. You can talk to the girl now."

Mordaunt immediately ascended to the room where Sarah Graham lay bound hand and foot. He carefully examined her dress for any weapons which she might have about her person. With the exception of the small revolver which he had seen once before, she appeared to be unarmed. With his pocket-knife he cut the thongs which bound her.

Arising from the couch, at first she rubbed one of her wrists; then, placing the folds of her dress again in order, she approached the looking-glass. Having re-arranged her hair, she took up her hat, which bore the marks of the violence that had been done to her. This she proceeded to place again in shape. Mordaunt sat quietly upon the bed, uncertain how to deal with her. She noticed that her bracelet was not upon her arm. Looking around, she discovered it lying on the floor, near Mordaunt's feet, and advanced to pick it up. Mordaunt anticipated her design, and obtaining it, offered it to her. Sarah, taking it, clasped it upon her arm and then, holding it up to the light, spoke:

"James, is it not beautiful?"

"I am glad you think so, Sarah," said Mordaunt. "Know, then, James, it was the gift of a villain;" and as she fixed her dark, flashing eye upon his with a gaze as steady as his own, her face exhibited feelings of the most intense scorn, with an occasional semblance of pity.

"What mean you, Sarah? That was my gift to you," said Mordaunt, repressing the anger which her sudden and unexpected words had produced.

"This is a pleasant room, James. Come, as I am weary, you must let me retire. As you have sent my carriage away, it is but right that I am permitted to enjoy your hospitality."

"Sarah Graham, I will endure this farce no longer. Tell me why you have so suddenly become my enemy."

"I have not become your enemy," replied Sarah. "Instead of an enemy, I have become your good angel. If you will take counsel from me, you will immediately establish Mary Wilcox and her daughter in their rights."

"What is Mary Wilcox to you, that you have thus suddenly become her champion ?"

"She and her beautiful little daughter are the incense which I can offer up to expiate the only crime I ever participated in, with the exception of prostituting my soul and body for your guilty pleasures. When I stand for final judgment, their friendship will, perhaps, become my salvation, and their woes on earth will become your

"Damnation," said Mordaunt, supplying the word which Sarah, now unable to control her feelings, had

left unspoken, but which, on Mordaunt's lip became a deep oath.

"Now let me tell you, my very kind and self-constituted angel, your fancies are up. You can safely calculate, that until I conclude what had better finally be done with you, you will be placed where your tongue will injure none of your friends."

"Villain! do your worst! I defy you to do more than procrastinate the hour of justice. Your deeplaid plot to murder Sarah Graham cannot now avail you. The blow which pierces my heart will be too late. You should caution Mr. Shank to examine more thoroughly the closet in the room under your law office, if you plot murder and forgery in such places."

Mordaunt could not endure this home exposé of his villainy. Forgetting that his victim was a defenceless woman, and completely in his grasp; forgetting that the very woman he attacked, alone had it in her power to save his reputation; excited to frenzy by this complete exhibit of his plots, he sprang from the bed, and seizing Sarah by the throat, even before she had time to utter more than a faint scream, hurled her, with all his force, against the marble mantel. A crushing sound, from the head of the once beautiful girl, was the result of this violation of his manhood. The next moment, Mordaunt stood over the senseless form of Sarah Graham, uncertain whether, to his catalogue of sins he might add the crime of murder.

XXX.

An Arrest-A Promise made, and a Promise given.

WE left an officer of justice pursuing George Melville to the village of Aurora, for the purpose of arresting him upon a warrant issued by a police justice on an affidavit made by one of the principal bankers in the city of U, charging him with the high crime of forgery. Upon arriving at Aurora, the officer proceeded at once to the Aurora House. He there learned, by casual inquiry, that George Melville was at Hon. B. F. Mortimer's residence. Proceeding there at once, he rang the front door-bell.

woman, Bess.

It was answered by the colored

"Is Mr. Mortimer at home?" said the constable. "He is, sir; will you walk in?"

Taking him into the library, she retired. Mr. Mortimer soon entered, and inquired his business.

“I am come, sir, upon an unpleasant duty. Your name, sir, is not unknown to me. My business is one which, if executed in your house, will connect with it, if not odium, some unpleasant publicity."

"You are very kind and considerate, sir; but I know of nothing which will warrant such fears or remarks," said Mr. Mortimer.

"I am aware of that, and will proceed at once to state my business. There is a warrant which directs me to arrest George Melville upon a charge of forgery," said he, handing Mr. Mortimer a paper.

Mr. Mortimer, as he received and perused the paper, was indeed surprised.

66

"No," said he, "this must not be executed in my house, nor in Aurora, if possible."

"You may rely, sir, upon my doing everything to allay the pain of this proceeding, consistent with my duty. I do not see how I can avoid making the arrest in Aurora."

"I will order my horse and carriage, which you can appear in as driver. I will then request Melville to go to Auburn immediately for me on business. When in Auburn you can make the arrest, and keep your own counsel in regard to how he got there," said Mr. Mortimer.

"Very well, sir," replied the constable.

Mr. Mortimer immediately ordered the horse and buggy, and then sat down to write a short note; which, being finished, he handed to the officer, requesting him to give it to Melville as soon as the arrest was made.

Mr. Mortimer's plan was carried out. Melville raised no objections to complying with Mr. Mortimer's request. Upon arriving at Auburn, the officer first handed to Melville Mr. Mortimer's note. He broke the seal, and read as follows:

"MR. MELVILLE,

"The person who hands you this is an officer from the city of U He has just shown me a warrant commanding him to arrest you as a forger. I have preferred, and doubtless you will