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"Ay, sir, free enough for honest folks. Mr. Kirwin is a

magistrate, and you are to give an account of the death of a

gentleman who was found murdered here last night."

This answer startled me, but I presently recovered myself. I was

innocent; that could easily be proved; accordingly I followed my

conductor in silence and was led to one of the best houses in the

town. I was ready to sink from fatigue and hunger, but being

surrounded by a crowd, I thought it politic to rouse all my

strength, that no physical debility might be construed into

apprehension or conscious guilt. Little did I then expect the

calamity that was in a few moments to overwhelm me and extinguish

in horror and despair all fear of ignominy or death.

I must pause here, for it requires all my fortitude to recall the

memory of the frightful events which I am about to relate, in

proper detail, to my recollection.

Chapter 21