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164 to bring these scoundrels to justice without compromising her safety, what good should we bring about ?”’ s Hanging a few of them at least, in all probability,” suggested the doctor, 66 and transporting the rest.” “Very good,” replied Mr. Brownlow smiling, “but no doubt they will bring " hat about themselves in the fullness of time, and if we step in to forestall] them, it seems to me that we shall be performing a very Quixotic act in direct opposition to our own interest, or at least to Oliver’s, which is the same thing.” 6 How ?” inquired the doctor. “Thus. It is quite clear that we shall have the most extreme difficulty in getting to the bottom of this mystery, unless we can bring this man, Monks, upon his knees. ‘That can only be done by stratagem, and by catching him when he is not surrounded by these people. For, suppose he were apprehended, we have no proof against him. He is not even (so far as we know, or as the facts appear to us,) concerned with the gang in any of their robberies. If he were not discharged, it is very unlikely that he could receive any further punishment than being committed to prison as a rogue and vagabond, and of course ever afterwards his mouth is so obstinately closed that he might as well, for our purposes, be deaf, dumb, blind, and an idiot.” “Then,” said the doctor impetuously, “T put it to you again, whether you think it reasonable that this promise to the girl should be considered binding; a promise made with the best and kindest intentions, but really —" “Do not discuss the point, my dear young lady, pray,” said Mr. Brownlow interrupting Rose as she was about to speak. ‘'Ihe promise shall be kept. I don’t think it will in the slightest degree interfere with our proceedings. But before we can resolve upon any precise course of action, it will be necessary to see the girl, to ascertain from her whether she will point out this Monks on the understanding that she is to be dealt with by us, and not by the law; or if she will not or csunot do that, to procure from her such an account of his haunts and description of his person as will enable us to identify him. She cannot be seen until next Sunday night: this is Tuesday. I would suggest that, in the mean time, we re main perfectly quiet, and keep these matters’ secret even from Oliver himself.” Although Mr, Losberne received with many wry faces a proposal involving a delay of five whole days, he was fain to admit that no better course occurred to him just then; and as both Rose and Mrs. Maylie sided very strongly with Mr. Brownlow, that gentleman’s proposition was carried unanimously. c! should like,” he said, “to call in the aid of my friend Grimwig. He is a strange creature, but a shrewd one, and might prove of material assistance to us; I should say that he was bred a lawyer and quitted the bar in disgust because he had only one brief and a motion of course in ten years, though whether that is a recommendation or not, you must determine yourselves.” | “T have no objections to your calling in your friend if I may call in mine,” said the doctor. s We must put it to the vote,” replied Mr. Brownlow, “ who may he be?" s That lady’s son, and this young lady’s —very old friend,” said the doctor, moding with an expressive glance at her niece. x Rose blushed deeply, but she did not make any audible objection to this motion (possibly she felt in a hopeless minority) and Harry Maylieand Mr. Grimwig were accordingly added to the committee. c We stay in town of course,” said Mrs. Maylie, " while there remains the slightest prospect of prosecuting this inquiry with a chance of success, I will spure neither trouble nor expense in behalf of the object in whom we are all so deeply interested, and I am content to remain here, if it be for twelve months, so long as you assure me that any hope remains.” “ Good,” rejoined Mr. Brownlow, “ and as I see on the faces about me a disposition to inquire how it happened that I was not in the way to corroborate Oliver’s tale, and had so suddenly left the kingdom, let me stipulate that I shall be asked no questions until such time as I may deem it expedient to forestall them by telling my own story. Believe me that I make this request with good reason, for I might otherwise excite hopes destined never to be realized, and only increase
