"After making several fruitless efforts to induce the man outside to throw some light on the mystery that seemed to be thickening around him, he at length resigned himself to his fate, and stretching himself on the floor, in as easy, a position as the limited dimensions of his prison would admit, he resolved to await the result with what patience he could.
"He had passed about two hours in this situation, when he heard the voices of several persons entering the house; and one of them having inquired of his gaoler 'if all was right,' and being answered in the affirmative, they proceeded up stairs. In about a quarter of an hour afterwards the closet door was thrown open, and he was desired to come out; but by this time, his leg being so swollen that he was utterly unable to move, they placed him in a chair, and so carried him up stairs to the room in which he had passed the night.
"The occupant of the bed was still there; but though looking as ghastly as ever, he was not dead. He was sitting up supported by pillows, and on one side stood a gentleman, whom Valentine recognised as an eminent surgeon of the city; and on the other a priest. At a small table, near the window, sat a grave,
