Press of
J. J. Little & Ives Co.
New York

CONTENTS

CHAPTER.
[I.]Schoolfellows
[II.]The Vicar
[III.]Lovers
[IV.]The Cottage
[V.]A Revelation
[VI.]Counsels Opinion
[VII.]A Nine Days Wonder
[VIII.]Mallien Speaks
[IX.]A Serious Position
[X.]Dorinda
[XI.]Carringtons Advice
[XII.]On the Track
[XIII.]Confession
[XIV.]A Clue
[XV.]Circumstantial Evidence
[XVI.]A New Witness
[XVII.]Difficulties
[XVIII.]Setting a Trap
[XIX.]Resurgam
[XX.]A Weird Story
[XXI.]A Final Surprise

THE LOST PARCHMENT.

[CHAPTER I]

SCHOOLFELLOWS

"So this is your kingdom, Hendle?" said the visitor, looking round the garden which glowed with rainbow tints in the hot July sunshine; "and a very jolly kingdom it is. When did you enter into it?"

"When I was fifteen, twelve years ago," replied the Squire, smiling. "Don't you remember how I wrote and told you of the death of my father? You had just left school for the 'Varsity. Those were capital days at Rugby, weren't they, Carrington?"

"They were. I have had few capital days since."

"But surely at Oxford----"

Carrington shrugged his shoulders and made a frank admission. "Oh, yes! Oxford was all right until my father died and left me without a sixpence. It was hard work, I can tell you, qualifying for the Bar on next to nothing. And I can't say that I have made my fortune as a barrister. You, lucky dog, don't need to bother about pounds, shillings, and pence."