“Rather doubtful, that,” rejoined the landlord. “You doubt it,” returned Hopkins, rather warmly; “then I will tell you what I think him to be; he is nothing more or less than a pirate; and you will all be murdered in your beds, Smith, (which was the landlord’s name,) you and your whole family, before morning. Now what think you of your guest?” All the company stood aghast, and stared at each other in silence for some time, until the landlord again ventured to interrupt the silence by asking Hopkins “How do you know all that?” Hopkins answered, in rather a silly manner, “I guessed at it,” which did away with the effect produced by his previous assertions; and the landlord dismissing his fears, exclaimed, “As long as he pays well, be he man or devil, he shall stay here.” “A praiseworthy conclusion,” proceeded from a voice at the back part of the room, and at that instant the mysterious stranger stood before them. All started to their feet, seized their hats and waited to ask no questions, nor make additional comments, but went home and told their wives of Smith’s guest, and Hopkins’ opinion of his character. Every woman fastened her door that night with suspicious care, and the mysterious stranger, and the delineation of his real character by Hopkins, became a subject of general conversation and comment throughout the village, and gradually became the received opinion among all the settlers, so that they set down the mysterious stranger for what Hopkins guessed him to be, and concluded that the articles which composed his baggage could not have been obtained honestly. The stranger, finding now the conversation turned upon him, did not think it prudent to protract his stay in this place, and proceeding to Boston in the coach, was known from that time by the name of Maitland. He reached Boston about the 1st of November, where it was supposed he must have, in some way, disposed of much of his treasures. From thence he proceeded for New York; on the 7th November arrived at New Haven in the Boston stage coach, by the way of New London, with a large trunk full of clothing, a small portable desk, and money in his pockets. He was dressed in a handsome frock coat, with breeches, and a pair of top boots, and remained at the steamboat hotel several days. While he remained there, he always ate his meals alone, and preferred being alone in different parts of the hotel at different times, every part of which he had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with, while he remained waiting for the arrival of the steamer from New York.