"It is this, that you will hold no communication with Hadley until this matter is satisfactorily cleared up, or until he can show that he is innocent of the crimes this letter would fasten upon him." "If it is your wish I will do so, though I should be pleased to know what he could say in his own favor. I feel strongly confident he will be able to prove himself innocent of all and any participation in the many thefts and other villainies which have of late become so common. Where is he now?" "Ah, there it is again! I have not told you that Tom was stolen some time ago." "Tom stolen!" "Yes; he was taken very soon after this letter came into my possession, and Hadley has never been seen or heard of since!" "How?" "On the very night that Tom was taken from the stable, Hadley disappeared, and neither he nor the horse have been heard of since! Have I not strong reasons for believing him guilty, as held out in this letter?" "I must confess, this last piece of intelligence staggers my faith." "You will now begin to understand why I took such decided steps toward him, as a visitor here, on that memorable occasion which resulted so disastrously. I had the strongest assurance of his being associated with bad men for bad purposes, ere I forbid him the house. I only regret that I acted so precipitately. I hope, however, all will come right in the end." "God grant that it may." Here their intercourse was interrupted by the announcement that Duffel had called and inquired for Mr. Mandeville.--They returned to the house, and the two gentlemen had a private interview to the following effect: "How is Eveline?" inquired Duffel. "I am happy to say she is very much better." "I am truly glad to hear that she is convalescing. What do you think is the state of her feelings in certain delicate matters?" "I am persuaded her good opinion of Hadley has received a shock from which it will never recover. That letter, in connection with his present disappearance, was too much for her faith." "And well it might be! I do not see how any one could doubt his guilt in the face of such evidence." "Yet I think Eveline does doubt; but that the doubt will soon give place to full conviction, I am quite sure. Once you can fix a partially formed belief of crime in the mind, and if the evidence continues, especially if it accumulates, there is a moral certainty of its producing the effect we desire in the present instance." "How long do you suppose it will take Eveline to forget any preference she may have had for Hadley?" "I do not know." "Do you not think the exercise of a little paternal authority would accelerate the accomplishment of your wishes? I hope you will pardon me if the suggestion is ill-timed or out of taste; it is made in accordance with a declaration to that effect you will remember to have made to me a short time previous to your daughter's illness."