"Yes," said Henry; "we have been awaiting your return with some anxiety and curiosity. What is the meaning of all this? I am, as we are all, in perfect ignorance of the meaning of what took place."
"I will tell you. The person whom you have had here, and goes by the name of Varney, is named Francis Beauchamp."
"Indeed! Are you assured of this?"
"Yes, perfectly assured of it; I have it in my warrant to apprehend him by either name."
"What crime had he been guilty of?"
"I will tell you: he has been hanged."
"Hanged!" exclaimed all present.
"What do you mean by that?" added Henry; "I am at a loss to understand what you can mean by saying he was hanged."
"What I say is literally true."
"Pray tell us all about it. We are much interested in the fact; go on, sir."