“Then clear out and leave me. I’m going to bed. What you’ve got to do is to watch that man.” Vijal retired. The night passed. When the following morning came John was not up at the ordinary breakfast hour. Nine o’clock came. Ten o’clock. Still he did not appear. “He’s a lazy fellow,” said the landlord, “though he don’t look like it. And where’s his servant?” “The servant went back to Brandon at day-break,” was the answer. Eleven o’clock came. Still there were no signs of John. There was a balcony in the inn which ran in front of the windows of the room occupied by John. After knocking at the door once or twice the landlord tapped at the window and tried to peep in to see if the occupant was awake or not. One part, of the blind was drawn a little aside, and showed the bed and the form of a man still lying there. “He’s an awful sleeper,” said the landlord. “It’s twelve o’clock, and he isn’t up yet. Well, it’s his business, not mine.” About half an hour after the noise of wheels was heard, and a wagon drove swiftly into the yard of the inn. An old man jumped out, gave his horse to the hostler, and entered the inn. He was somewhat flushed and flurried. His eyes twinkled brightly, and there was a somewhat exuberant familiarity in his address to the landlord. “There was a party who stopped here last night,” said he, “that I wish to see.” “There was only one person here last night,” answered the landlord; “a young man--” “A young man, yes--that’s right; I want to see him.” “Well, as to that,” said the landlord, “I don’t know but you’ll have to wait. He ain’t up yet.” “Isn’t he up yet?” “No; he’s an awful sleeper. He went to bed last night early, for his lights were out before eleven, and now it’s nearly one, and he isn’t up.” “At any rate, I must see him.” “Shall I wake him?” [Illustration: HE TORE DOWN THE COVERLET, WHICH CONCEALED THE GREATER PART OF HIS FACE.] “Yes, and be quick, for I’m in a hurry.” The landlord went up to the door and knocked loudly. There was no answer. He knocked still more loudly. Still no answer. He then kept up an incessant rapping for about ten minutes. Still there was no answer. He had tried the door before, but it was locked on the inside. He went around to the windows that opened on the balcony; these were open. He then went down and told the old man that the door was fastened, but that the windows were unfastened. If he chose to go in there he might do so. “I will do so,” said the other, “for I must see him. I have business of importance.” He went up. The landlord and some of the servants, whose curiosity was by this time excited, followed after. The old man opened the window, which swung back on hinges, and entered. There was a man in the bed. He lay motionless. The old man approached. He recognized the face. A cold chill went to his heart. He tore down the coverlet, which concealed the greater part of his face. The next moment he fell forward upon the bed. “Johnnie!” he screamed--“Johnnie!”