'Love of gold!' exclaimed Rust, fiercely; 'what cared I for gold? Ho! ho! Michael Rust values gold but as dross; but it is the world; the cringing, obsequious, miser-hearted world, that kisses the very feet of wealth, which set Michael Rust on; it was this that lashed him forward; but not for himself. I married a woman whom I loved,' said he, in a quick, stern tone; 'she abandoned me and became an outcast, and paid the penalty by an outcast's fate: she died in the streets. The love which I bore her I transferred to my child. I was poor, and I resolved that she should be rich. Can you understand my motive now? I loved my own flesh and blood better than my brother's. I have now relinquished my plans, and have told you why.' A pause of some moments ensued, and Rust said: 'Is there any thing more that you want? If so, tell me at once, for after to-day we shall never meet again.' Holmes ran his eye over the papers, and selecting two letters, handed them to Rust, and said: 'How do you account for the difference of that hand-writing, if Michael Rust and Henry Colton are one?' 'Michael Rust wrote one hand, Henry Colton another,' said Rust; 'but _I_ wrote both.' He seized a pen, wrote a few words, signed the names Michael Rust and Henry Colton, and flung it on the table. 'The game had been well studied before it was played.' 'Your writing is well disguised indeed,' said the lawyer, comparing it with the letters; 'it solves that difficulty.' 'Any thing else?' demanded Rust, impatiently; 'my time is limited.' Holmes shook his head; but Harson said: 'A few words about Jacob Rhoneland.' 'Well?' 'You accuse him of forgery; what does that mean?' 'He was a fool: I wanted to marry his daughter; I represented myself to him as very rich, to tempt his avarice; that failed. I added entreaties; _they_ failed. Then I tried the effect of fear. He was not deaf to that for a long time, but at last he overcame even that.' 'And the tale?' 'Was well fabricated, but false.' 'And Ned Somers?' 'I had to get rid of him: what could I do while he was dallying round the girl? I _did_ get rid of him: a few lies whispered to the old man sent him adrift. But I'm tired of this; I came to tell what I pleased, and nothing more, and I must be at work. You must respect your promise,' said he, turning to Holmes. 'I shall, and I hope your present errand at least is an honest one.' 'It is,' said Rust, with a strange smile; 'it is to punish a criminal.' He opened the door and went off without another word. NIGHT AND MORNING. 'To-morrow to fresh fields and pastures new!' LYCIDAS.