‘We have both, I fear, been greatly deceived in Monteagle. Within the last few days I have heard that he gambled heavily, and was in the constant habit of visiting houses of ill-fame,’ remarked Brown. ‘Well, what steps had we best take in regard to this unfortunate affair,’ said the merchant. ‘There are suspicious circumstances sufficient to warrant the arrest of Monteagle,’ replied Brown. ‘No—no—I cannot think of that.—He has been misled by others, and though I never wish to employ, or even see him again, I would not wish him to be arrested. So justly indignant are the citizens at the numerous robberies and fires that have lately taken place, that his conviction would be closely followed by his execution. The respectability of his position would be no bar to this, for the Vigilance Committee have determined to make an example of the first man that is fairly proven guilty.’ ‘Be it as you will, sir,’ said Brown, inwardly congratulating himself that in this manner all inquiry would be stopped with respect to the robbery. ‘Let nothing more be said about this unfortunate affair, Mr. Brown. Let the store-keepers version pass as the true one—that thieves finding no booty in the store, departed after destroying some of the goods which were of too little value for them to remove.’ Leaving Mr. Vandewater to make arrangements for replacing the stolen money, let us return to Monteagle, who, the reader will recollect, we left safe on the beach after his escape from the cavern of the robbers. It was with the greatest difficulty, that he continued to drag his wearied limbs along over the hills and through the valleys that lay between him and the city, and it was late in the morning before he appeared at the counting house of his employer, who was conversing with his partner at the moment. ‘And this you think is Monteagle’s cap,’ said Vandewater. ‘I know it to be his, and saw it on his head last evening, as he passed up Pacific street,’ responded Brown. ‘Ah, yes—yes. Too true—too true! Here are his initials, under the lining, in his own writing. This destroys my last hope of his innocence. And you say it was found close by the hole by which the robbers effected an entrance to the store.’ ‘Yes; it was handed me by the storekeeper. It was evidently dropped in the hurry and forgotten when too late. But here is the young gentleman himself,’ said Brown, not a little surprised and alarmed at the appearance of Monteagle, whom he had supposed safely secured in the cavern. ‘Mr. Monteagle,’ said Vandewater, in a stern voice, slightly tremulous, however, with regret, ‘Your services are no longer needed in this establishment, nor do I ever wish you to tread upon the threshold of my house again. Great God! what an escape poor Julia has had. It was to this man I wished to entrust the keeping of your happiness!’