how there is no more Chance you shud ear of poor Mr. Mark Wylder--of hose
orrible Death I make bold to acquainte you by this writing--which is
Secret has yet from all--he bing Hid, and made away with in the dark. It
is only Right is family shud know all, and his sad ending--wich I will
tell before you, Sir, in full, accorden to my Best guess, as bin the
family Lawyer (and, Sir, you will find it usful to Tell this in secret to
Capten Lake, of Brandon Hall--But not on No account to any other). It is
orrible, Sir, to think a young gentleman, with everything the world can
give, shud be made away with so crewel in the dark. Though you do not
rekelect me, Sir, I know you well, Mr. Larkins, haven seen you hoffen
when a boy. I wud not wish, Sir, no noise made till I cum--which I am
returning hoame, and will then travel to Gylingden strateways to see you.

Sir, your obedient servant,

'JAMES DUTTON.'


This epistle disturbed Mr. Jos. Larkin profoundly. He could recollect no
such name as James Dutton. He did not know whether to believe this letter
or not. He could not decide what present use to make of it, nor whether
to mention it to Captain Lake, nor, if he did so, how it was best to open
the matter.

Captain Lake, he was confident, knew James Dutton--why, otherwise, should
that person have desired his intelligence communicated to him. At least
it proved that Dutton assumed the captain to be specially interested in
what concerned Mark Wylder's fate; and in so far it confirmed his
suspicions of Lake. Was it better to wait until he had seen Dutton, and
heard his story, before hinting at his intelligence and his name--or was