'Who that has ever been young, can doubt the zest and elevation of
receiving for the first time a confidential mission? Who can doubt
that even the favourite weapon would be forgotten where it stood, and
that it would only be accordant to accredited rules that the window
should be preferable to the door? Had it not already figured in the
visions of adventure in the Sunday evening's walk? was it not a
favourite mode of exit in the mornings, when bathing and fishing were
more attractive than the pillow! Moreover, the moonlight disclosed
what appeared like a figure in the court-yard, and there was reason
at the time to suppose it a person likely to observe and report upon
the expedition. The opening of the front door might likewise attract
notice; and if the cousin should, as was possible, return that night,
the direct road was the way to meet him. The hour was too early for
the train which was to be met, but a lighted candle would reveal the
vigil, and moonlight on the meadows was attractive at eighteen.
Gentlemen of soberer and maturer years might be incredulous, but
surely it was not so strange or unusual for a lad, who indulged in
visions of adventure, to find a moonlight walk by the river-side more
inviting than a bed-room.

'Shortly after, perhaps as soon as the light was extinguished, the
murder must have been committed. The very presence of that light had
been guardianship to the helpless old man below. When it was
quenched, nothing remained astir, the way from without was open, the
weapon stood only too ready to hand, the memorandum-book gave promise
of booty and was secured, though nothing else was apparently touched.
It was this very book that contained the signature that would have
exonerated the prisoner, and to which he fearlessly appealed upon his
arrest at the Paddington Station, before, for his additional