"Which, being understood," said he, "we can proceed to business.... Sir Edward Parkington, I have received information of such a pertinent character, that I have no other course than to question your identity. I do it with the greatest reluctance--you have been a guest in my house, and in the houses of the prominent men of the Colony--you presented letters, from Lord Baltimore, which were regular, and which entitled you to be received. We are informed, now, that you are not their rightful owner--in other words, that you are an impostor. What, sir, have you to say in explanation?" Parkington laughed a little, easy laugh, and brushed a speck of dust from his coat sleeve. "I have nothing to say," he replied.--"Your Excellency's information is correct. I am _not_ Sir Edward Parkington." The Governor's jaw closed tight, his face grew very stern, and, for a brief time, he did not answer. "How did you come into possession of Lord Baltimore's letters?" he asked, at length. "Did you steal them?" "No!" said Parkington, "unless taking them from a dead man is stealing." ... He shrugged his shoulders. "I will tell you the facts, since you wish to know them." He drew out his snuff-box--offered it to the others, with a graceful gesture--took a pinch himself, and told his story. * * * * * * * * * "And you say that you did this thing in a fit of foolishness?" the Governor asked, when he had finished. "Yes--I did not appreciate how difficult it would be to throw off the false identity. That is why I was going home: to regain myself." "Who, in truth, are you?" asked the Governor. (He did not care to disclose that Miss Stirling had told him.) "Roger de Lysle, second son of the Earl of Doncaster," was the answer. Maynadier turned and looked at him, with sudden interest--Marbury's grim visage relaxed a trifle. There was virtue, in those days, in a name. "Have you the means of proving it?" said his Excellency--"any papers--anything, indeed?" "My papers were lost when _The Sally_ foundered. But Sir Charles Brandon can attest me." The Governor turned, inquiringly, to Brandon, who was sitting somewhat back, and quite within the shadow. "I can substantiate his statement that he is Doncaster's son," said Brandon. "I have known the family, intimately, for years." As he spoke, Marbury suddenly threw up his head, much as a dog does to the scent, and his sharp eyes glistened. At the end, he arose, and, with never a glance at any one, went out. "The difficulty is," said the Governor, "that this man (who admits he is an impostor) introduced you. Have you any means of identification?" "It is a proper question," returned Brandon, promptly. Arising, he took a bundle of papers from his pocket, and handed them to the Governor. The latter examined them, one by one, carefully and slowly. When he had finished, he passed them on to Maynadier.