carriage. Clara then ordered Jacob to drive away from the crowd. When opposite a drug store, she had some restoratives brought, and Mary soon became conscious.

Jacob now drove rapidly home. Clara used her kindest efforts to sympathize with the deeply-afflicted girl; for Mary, although a mother, was yet only nineteen years of age. By earnest entreaty, Clara succeeded in winning Mary's confidence. She told her story, and, in return, learned from Clara the name of her destroyer. Clara, at this time, knew Mordaunt only by sight and repute. Mr. and Mrs. Edgemonte were in Europe. Clara was alone, and obliged to act for herself in the matter. She ordered Jacob to go to Mary's residence and inform her mother where she was, and that she would not return until the following day. She also commissioned him to ask J. S. Taylor, Esq., a lawyer with whom she knew her father had business connection, to ride up with him immediately. Clara knew nothing of waiting. To will was to do with her. At a late hour in the afternoon, Mr. Taylor called. After hearing Mary's story, he told her the case was almost hopeless. She might bring an action against Mordaunt on her own testimony, but it could not be maintained without further proof. He advised her to wait and watch. He took a note of the case, her address, etc., and gave her his promise that he would use every exertion to discover the requisite proof. He sought the students of the college, questioned them, endeavored to trace Mordaunt on the night of the marriage, etc., etc., but all to no purpose. The plans of Mordaunt had been so skillfully woven that they defied unravelling. He finally gave up the

pursuit, and advised Mary to bide her time. In this condition, the matter had remained up to the hour when James Mordaunt so suddenly left Aurora, on the receipt of Messrs. Power & Loftus' telegraph dispatch.

XIX.

Rev. John Furnace-The Funeral-The Lawsuit-The Catfish Railroad Stock at a Premium.

AFTER Captain Horton left James Mordaunt's office, he went immediately to J. S. Taylor's law office, and gave Mr. Taylor an account of his interview with Mordaunt.

"He is a cool one," said Mr. Taylor, clipping his thumb nail with a pen-knife. "We shall have to bring an action against him. I think, with Rev. William Furnace's testimony, and the hope kindled by this anonymous communication, we shall be able, with Clara's and Mary's testimony, to make out a clear case."

"Well, sir, go ahead, and draw on my bankers for the sinews of war. I will stay home one voyage if it is necessary," said Captain Horton.

"That will not be necessary," replied the lawyer.

We leave Mr. Taylor making his arrangements to obtain justice for Mary Sanders, alias Mary Mordaunt, and look in to see what Mordaunt has been plotting.

"Rev. John Furnace, No.- Washington street, plans on. Thanks, Captain Horton; you have they defice exceedingly by that last remark,” said

Mordaunt, in soliloquy, stepping lightly across the office, and taking his hat. Going into the main office, he said to a clerk

"Mr. Loftus will be here at twelve o'clock. Give him this bundle, and tell him I shall call at four o'clock precisely."

"Yes sir," replied the clerk.

Mordaunt went immediately to his aunt's residence. He there assumed a disguise, and proceeded to Brooklyn. He called upon Rev. Mr. Furnace, and carefully noticed everything about the house and premises. His business, he said, was to obtain his services at a funeral, in case he should be disappointed by another clergyman. Mr. Furnace readily agreed to the arrangement. The funeral, he in

formed Mr. Furnace, would be held the next day at five o'clock, P.M. The burial would take place in Greenwood Cemetery.

66

Now," said Mordaunt to himself, as he walked down Fulton street to Fulton Ferry, we "will see about getting a party of the 'Ever Faithful' to attend this funeral. If there is not a coroner's inquest on the body of Rev. John Furnace, it will be because the said body does not show itself."

At twelve o'clock noon the next day, Mr. Taylor gave the papers requisite for commencing legal proceedings to his clerk, to obtain "admission of service," at the suit of Mary Mordaunt.

"Take these papers, and serve Mr. Mordaunt with a copy of them to-morrow morning," said Mr. Taylor. "Yes, sir."

At eleven o'clock on the following day, Mordaunt received the papers, and gave "due admission of their service," with a satisfied but ironical mile

playing around the corners of his finely-shaped mouth. The clerk, after he had obtained the admissions, left the room.

6

"Well, Mr. Shank, it sums there was a funeral yesterday afternoon at Brooklyn. I see by the papers that the clergyman who officiated at that funeral did not return to his home. Fears,' say the papers, are entertained, that after the procession returned to the city, Mr. Furnace, who, preferring to walk home, had dismissed his carriage, was foully dealt with by parties unknown. As yet, no clue has been discovered by which to tery."

unravel the mys

"That seems to be quite satisfactory, Mr. Shank," continued Mordaunt; "and now, as one good turn deserves another, I will give you my advice about one of the young men whom Mr. Halter mentioned to me. The Griswold you speak of resides at No. — Fourteenth street, New York. My advice to you is, make a night visit to the house; effect an entrance; gather what seems worth carrying away, and set fire to the remainder."

"Good!" said the villain, known as Bob Shank; "that will fix one of them. You don't know the other?"

"No," replied Mordaunt, "not as yet. I will let you know what I discover, however. Call on me Friday, as I leave the city Saturday, or Monday, at the farthest."

"Mr. Loftus," said a clerk, opening the office loor.

"Show him in, sir, if you please," said Mordaunt, at the same time bidding "Shank" good morning. "Good morning, Mr. Loftus," said Mordaunt, aris