sleeve with extraordinary care, adjusted the beaver upon his head
with the utmost nicety. Then turning, still stupefied as with the
fumes of some powerful drug, he prepared to quit the scene of
tragic terrors that had thus unexpectedly accumulated upon him.

But ere he could put his design into execution his ears were
startled by the sound of loud and hurried footsteps which, coming
from below, ascended the stairs with a prodigious clatter and
bustle of speed. At the landing these footsteps paused for a
while, and then approached, more cautious and deliberate, toward
the room where the double tragedy had been enacted, and where our
hero yet stood silent and inert.

All this while Jonathan made no endeavor to escape, but stood
passive and submissive to what might occur. He felt himself the
victim of circumstances over which he himself had no control.
Gazing at the partly opened door, he awaited for whatever
adventure might next befall him. Once again the footsteps paused,
this time at the very threshold, and then the door was slowly
pushed open from without.

As our hero gazed at the aperture there presently became
disclosed to his view the strong and robust figure of one who was
evidently of a seafaring habit. From the gold braid upon his hat,
the seals dangling from the ribbon at his fob, and a certain
particularity of custom, he was evidently one of no small
consideration in his profession. He was of a strong and powerful
build, with a head set close to his shoulders, and upon a round,
short bull neck. He wore a black cravat, loosely tied into a
knot, and a red waistcoat elaborately trimmed with gold braid; a