“The place, date, and manner of his death,” replied he, slowly; “for though informed that such occurred abroad, an authentic evidence of the fact will save some trouble. Circumstances to identify the individual with the person we mean, of course, must be offered; showing whence he came, his probable age, and so on. For this intelligence I am prepared to pay liberally; at least a hundred pounds may be thought so.” “It is a question of succession to some property, I have heard.” “Yes; but the information is not of such moment as you may suppose,” replied he, quickly, and with the wariness of his calling anticipating the value I might be disposed to place on my intelligence. “We are satisfied with the fact of the death; and even were it otherwise, the individual most concerned is little likely to disprove the belief, his own reasons will probably keep him from visiting Ireland.” “Indeed!” I exclaimed, the word escaping my lips ere I could check its utterance. “Even so,” resumed he. “But this, of course, has no interest for you. Your accent bespeaks you a foreigner. Have you any information to offer on this matter?” “Yes; if we speak of the same individual, who may have left this country about 1800 as a boy of some fourteen years of age, and entered the 'École Polytechnique' of Paris.” “Like enough. Continue, if you please; what became of him afterwards?” “He joined the French service, attained the rank of captain, and then left the army; came back to Ireland, and now, sir, stands before you.” Mr. Basset never changed a muscle of his face as I made this declaration. So unmoved, so stolid was his look, that for a moment or two I believed him incredulous of my story. But this impression soon gave way, as with his eyes bent on me he said,-- “I knew you, sir, I knew you the moment I passed you in the office without; but it might have fared ill with you to have let my recognition appear.” “As how? I do not understand you.” “My clerks there might have given information for the sake of the reward; and once in Newgate, there was an end to all negotiation.” “You must speak more intelligibly, sir, if you wish me to comprehend you. I am unaware of any circumstance which should threaten me with such a fate.” “Have you forgotten Captain Crofts,--Montague Crofts?” said Basset, in a low whisper, while a smile of insulting malice crossed his features. “No; I remember him well. What of him?” “What of him! He charges you with a capital felony,--a crime for which the laws have little pity here, whatever your French habits may have taught you to regard it. Yes; the attempt to assassinate an officer in his Majesty's service, when foiled by him in an effort to seduce the soldiery, is an offence which might have a place in your memory.” “Can the man be base enough to make such a charge as this against me,--a boy, as I then was?” “You were not alone; remember that fact.”