Still there was the sword of Damocles over his pineal gland. D---- that sheer, cold blade! D---- him that forged it! Still there was a great deal of holding in a horse-hair. Had not salmon, of I know not how many pounds' weight, been played and brought to land by that slender towage. There is the sword, a burnished piece of cutlery, weighing just so many pounds; and the horsehair has sufficed for an hour, and why not for another--and soon? Hang moping and nonsense! Waiter, another pint of Chian; and let the fun go forward. So the literal waiter knocked at the door. 'A person wanted to see Captain Lake. No, it was not Mr. Wylder. It was the man who had been here in the morning--Dutton is his name.' 'And so it is really half-past eleven?' said Lake, in a sleepy surprise. 'Let him come in.' And so in comes Jim Dutton again, to hear particulars, and have, as he hopes, his engagement ratified. CHAPTER XXVII. LAWYER LARKIN'S MIND BEGINS TO WORK. That morning Lake's first report upon his inquisition into the whereabouts of Mark Wylder--altogether disappointing and barren--reached Lord Chelford in a short letter; and a similar one, only shorter, found Lawyer Larkin in his pleasant breakfast parlour. Now this proceeding of Mr. Wylder's, at this particular time, struck the righteous attorney, and reasonably, as a very serious and unjustifiable step. There was, in fact, no way of accounting for it, that was altogether complimentary to his respected and nutritious client. Yes; there was something every way _very_ serious in the affair. It actually threatened the engagement which was so near its accomplishment. Some most powerful and mysterious cause must undoubtedly be in operation to induce so sharp a 'party,' so keen after this world's wealth, to risk so huge a prize. Whatever eminent qualities Mark Wylder might be deficient in, the attorney very well knew that cunning was not among the number. 'It is nothing of the nature of debt--plenty of money. It is nothing that money can buy off easily either, though he does not like parting with it. Ten--_twenty_ to one--it is the old story--some unfortunate female connection--some ambiguous relation, involving a doubtful marriage.' And Josiah Larkin turned up his small pink eyes, and shook his tall, bald head gently, and murmured, as he nodded it-- 'The sins of his youth find him out; the sins of his youth.' And he sighed; and his long palms were raised, and waved, or rather paddled slowly to the rhythm of the sentiment. If the butchers' boy then passing saw that gaunt and good attorney, standing thus in his bow-window, I am sure he thought he was at his devotions and abated his whistling as he went by.