“You know my Lord, how punctually and successfully this design has been put into execution. An accident was the cause of a second more important plan, the execution of which has not been less successful. The _Unknown_, who after his disappearance was listening attentively, in the secret chamber, heard among other discourses, by means of the tube, the prayer which the Countess addressed to him on account of the apparition of her deceased Lord. He reflected a few minutes on the possibility of granting it, and promised to satisfy her wishes. The tube was the channel through which the _Unknown_ conveyed his answer to the Countess.” Seized with astonishment at Paleski’s narration, and impatient to hear its continuation, I had not interrupted him once; but now I could not refrain any longer from speaking. “Then Amelia is really innocent?” I exclaimed, “and was not privy to the artifices of the _Unknown?_” “Not in the least!” Paleski replied, “as I wish to be saved! The Countess is innocent; she has been deceived as well as your Lordship, and probably her faith in the supernatural power of the _Unknown_, is still as firm as it was then.” This declaration lessened my anger at having been deceived in so villainous a manner, I begged Paleski to continue his account. “Does your Lordship recollect all the particulars of the apparition scene?” “Yes! I do.” “Well, then I will explain it to you. On the day previous to the magical farce, the _Unknown_ told me that he had gained over to our party the brother-in-law of the Countess, who had arrived lately, in order to surprise Amelia unexpected, and promised to act the part of the ghost--” “Impossible!” I exclaimed, “you must be mistaken. At least you are not speaking of Count Clairville?” “Yes the very same person who is at present your travelling companion.” A chilly tremor thrilled through my whole frame; my mind measured with a look of horror the time past and present. I beheld myself in the power of two men, one of whom had imposed upon my heart by means of the mask of sincere friendship, and the other upon my understanding, by displaying a shew of pretended supernatural powers, and both of whom were leagued to work upon my credulity, and to make me run into the greatest dangers. (_To be continued._) * * * * * A PRODIGY.