XL.

A Change in the progress of events foreshadowed-Exercise of Wits -The Statesman proves too much for the Lawyer.

"JAMES H. GRISWOLD has paid up all his debts at the rate of one hundred cents on the dollar," said a New York merchant to William Hastings, as they were taking a lunch together in one of the thousand dining saloons of Gotham, so convenient to the hungry man who has a pressure of business on hand.

"Yes; and now his credit will be better than ever," replied Hastings.

"It ought to! it ought to! But have you had time to look at the morning papers?"

"No," said Hastings. "Is there anything very important? I read over the business paragraphs."

"James Mordaunt, Esq., a Wall street lawyer, has been arrested in one of the western cities. It is in the telegraphic news. That's all my paper says; but I've heard a rumor that he is implicated in a murder."

This announcement produced no visible effect upon Mr. Hastings. Had he chosen, he might have given his acquaintance the whole particulars of the arrest; but, instead, he evinced a most unusual anxiety lest the waiter should provide him his roast beef too well done.

"Rare, sir! rare! I shall have no patience with you if you don't bring it rare."

"Do you know Mordaunt, Mr. Hastings?" pur

sued the merchant.

"Oh yes! He lives in Fifth Avenue. Is a man of great ability. Know him well."

When Mr. Mortimer received the word from Bell that James Mordaunt, Esq., was in waiting, he had not yet arisen from his bed. It was a matter of no small anxiety to divine the object which caused Mordaunt's visit at so early an hour. He looked out and saw Bell and Clara, as they were disappearing at some distance down the road. He also saw that it wanted some time yet of sunrise. The more he thought, the more Mordaunt's extraordinarily early call perplexed him. Could it be that Mordaunt had become acquainted with any of his operations against him? Under ordinary circumstances, he would not have left his room, at such an hour, even upon the call of James Mordaunt; but now the summons was from Bell. The servant had not merely informed him that Mordaunt was in waiting; but that Bell had ordered the message to be delivered.

"Good morning, Mr. Mordaunt! You are an early riser," said Mr. Mortimer, as he came out upon the front steps. "When did you arrive at Aurora? Walk in, sir; the morning air is chilly.”

"Yes, sir, I am an early riser, for this morning, at least; but I am very sorry to be even the innocent cause of placing you on a par with me in the matter."

Well, sir, it is rather early for me; but I find,

usually, that half the battle consists in the effort necessary to overcome sleep. Once wide awake, the desire to sleep longer departs."

"But Mr. Mortimer," said Mordaunt, "you have

not given me the opportunity to explain the cause of this early call upon you."

"Time enough for that, sir. We have literally the whole day before us, for the sun is not yet above the horizon,” replied Mr. Mortimer.

Although this remark was made in a polite and gentlemanly tone, still it left Mordaunt in considerable doubt as to his position with Mr. Mortimer. He had last parted with Mr. Mortimer a warm friend. His present visit to Aurora was planned for the purpose of learning whether those friendly relations had undergone any change. George Melville had been a convict in the Auburn State Prison nearly two years. During that time, Mordaunt had never neglected an opportunity to do Mr. Mortimer favors. His position with Bell, he had learned, in a way that aroused the deepest revenge of his base heart. Bell's, literally, cavalier treatment left him in no doubt as to her sentiments. Her remark, also, wa a warning to him. It contained a threat; and, to his experience, that threat was a key to Bell's thoughts. He was satisfied she suspected his agency in Melville's trial and conviction. He argued like this: "If she has such suspicions, they have been planted by some other person. Who could that be? and how had they arisen?" These questions annoyed Mordaunt. Again and again he asked himself, "Am I suspected of Melville's imprisonment ?" Without answering the question, he said to himself—

"Let it be so. If the suspicions are strong, I can never marry Bell Mortimer; but I can show her and her father that it had been best not to cross James Mordaunt's path."

While Mordaunt was conversing with Mr. Mortimer, he was silently laying a plan to ruin him. He determined to corrupt him in his official position, as a member of the United States Congress, and then, without his own agency being seen or known, to expose and degrade him before the nation.

And what was passing in the mind of Mr. Mortimer, as, gazing upon the polite and smoothtongued villain, he forced himself to exercise the duty of a host? The following was Mr. Mortimer's thought:

"Young man, you would not rest so smilingly, if aware of the axe which justice holds over your head.”

Mordaunt, after explaining to Mr. Mortimer that Bell, and not he, had aroused him from sleep, arose to return to his hotel, declining an invitation to remain for breakfast.

"I will bid you good bye, Mr. Mortimer, until after the morning meal; then, I will return and transact some business with you, which is the reason of my visit to Aurora."

Mr. Mortimer bade him good morning, saying that he should hold himself disengaged on his account. As Mordaunt left the house, Mr. Mortimer started for a walk over his grounds which were extensive. He had proceeded but a few rods, when he was accosted by a plainly dressed, but intelligentlooking man, who has entered the premises for the purpose of meeting him.

"Do I address Honorable B. F. Mortimer ?" said the man, politely touching his hat.

"That sir, is my name-can I be of service to you?"

"I am the bearer of this note, which has your address; I will request you to read it," said the man, at the same time handing Mr. Mortimer an unsealed letter.

Mr. Mortimer opened it and read as follows:

"OFFICE CHIEF OF POLICE,
NEW YORK,

18,

"Hon. B. F. Mortimer,

"SIR:

"The bearer (Mr. Patrick E. Doyl) has a warrant for the arrest of James Mordaunt; he has my orders to advise with you in regard to the arrest. I need say no more.

"Mr. Doyl, please walk into the house; I am happy, sir, to see that even so early a riser as the distinguished New York lawyer, does not find you unprepared for him, in case of emergency."

This quick appreciation of his faithfulness, at once inspired Mr. Doyl, who was no less than a deputy sheriff from New York City, with high regard for Mr. Mortimer. He saw with the quick perception of one skilled in a knowledge of men, that he was in the presence of a practical, far-seeing, bold and honest man. And such was Mr. Mortimer, whom James Mordaunt had now set out to ruin. Was he to succeed?

"Mr. Doyl, be seated; the matter in hand requires a little consideration," said Mr. Mortimer, as