wrong the lord of Dunraven intended doing, ordered him to pay the costs of ten years’ litigation.  It was this final decision of which his lawyer had apprised him in the letter previously alluded to.  His son, on the other hand, was an upright and an honourable man, who would rather suffer wrong than do an unjust act.  Mr. Jones was well aware of these noble qualities with which young Walter was endowed; hence, on the receipt of the letter offering his services, he wrote him a note full of kindly feeling and sympathy, and further pressing his old friend and correspondent to join him in London the following week, as he should be over in England for a few days on important matters connected with his business.  On the receipt of this communication from Mr. Jones, young Walter commenced preparing for leaving home.  At last the day arrived for his departure, and bidding his father an affectionate adieu, he went forth into the broad world, either to be carried on the tide which leads to fortune, or to sink beneath its devouring crests.

On Walter’s arrival in London, his old friend and earliest companion was waiting at his hotel ready to receive him.  His reception was most cordial on the part of Mr. Jones.  After spending a few days in town, they took ship for Marseilles.  On arriving at their destination, the heir of Dunraven was at once installed in office; and before a week had elapsed, his employer saw that he had secured a valuable acquisition to his establishment.

After Mr. Vaughan had been in the establishment about six months, Mr. Jones came to the office one morning earlier than usual.  Though none of the hands had arrived, he found to his surprise and joy his new clerk at the desk.  “I am glad,” addressing Walter, “you are here, for I want to consult you on a matter of great importance.  I have been debating with my junior partner,” continued Mr. Jones, “as to the wisdom or unwisdom of sending to the London market a new kind of silk, which a manufacturer has just introduced.  He strongly opposes its purchase, while I, on the other hand, am convinced it is just the thing that will take.  You are a good judge of quality and beauty, so give me your candid opinion as to whether it is wise or not to make a large or any purchase of this class of goods.”

“I presume you will not require an immediate answer,” replied Walter.  “If you will kindly give me an hour to think over it, I will then offer my opinion.”

During that hour the young clerk was busily engaged in carefully examining the material with the aid of a powerful magnifying glass, and was struck with both the fineness of the texture and the beauty of its design.  On the return of his principal, he said that, in his opinion, the silk was just the kind of goods which would command a ready sale in the London market, and strongly recommended that the whole stock should be bought up, and immediately shipped.  Mr. Jones acted on the opinion, which turned out to be the most fortunate speculation in which he had ever engaged.  The sum actually realized was £20,000, of this sum he presented the young clerk with £5000, and in addition offered—an offer which was gladly and gratefully accepted—a partnership in the business.  After this, the house of Jones & Company rose higher and higher in the commercial world, and the annual profits of the business were so great, that at the expiration of the seven years of partnership the young lord of Dunraven had at his command a sufficient sum to pay off the incumbrance of the estate.  To that effect he wrote his father, and on the receipt of the money, he called his creditors together and paid them their demands.  The lord of Dunraven thus became once more a free and independent man; but, alas! he did not give up his calling, but, with new life and renewed energy pursued the mission of the Evil One: being constantly at the post of mischief, and with eager eyes and a longing heart, looking out on the stormy wavy channel for treasures which, by foul play, he was resolved to bring into his meshes.  Prosper thou, lord of Dunraven, but in thy prosperity remember that the sword of justice is hovering over thy head, and in the midst of thy prosperity it will strike thee down.  The day of vengeance tarries; but it will come, and when it arrives, oh, how terrible will be thy doom!

CHAPTER III.
THE ALLIANCE OF THE LORD OF DUNRAVEN WITH MAC THE DEVIL, AND SOME OFITS RESULTS.

It was about three years subsequent to the departure of the son and heir of Dunraven, that the old lord resolved to take into his service MacLean, alias Mac the Devil.  He knew that this man was a desperate character and a thorough daredevil, who neither feared God nor regarded man; in short, that for money and Scotch whisky, he would do the devil’s work according to his satanic majesty’s own special plan.  There was no crime of which Mac was not guilty, but, by reason of the stealthy way in which he carried out his doings of iniquity, he always succeeded in avoiding detection.  Though blood was on his hands, though he had robbed the fatherless, and murdered, for the sake of pelf, the innocent, yet he walked the earth with head erect as a guiltless person, little dreaming of the terrible doom awaiting him.  However, his cup of iniquity was not yet full, though daily it was nearing the brim.  He was in the act of planning some new crime when he received a message from the lord of Dunraven to attend him at the castle.  Mac, with trembling hands and a sinking heart, at once attended to the commands of Mr. Vaughan, though, on his way there, he had many misgivings as to the prudence of the step he was taking.  He, however, soon convinced himself that were he to disobey the summons he must quit for ever the neighbourhood, as he dare not confront the lord of Dunraven if guilty of disobedience to his lordship’s commands.  To the castle, therefore, he repaired, and on his arrival he was ushered by the faithful Evan into the library, where Mr. Vaughan was awaiting him.  On Mac’s entering he was requested to take a seat, when Mr. Vaughan, with a degree of sternness he seldom manifested, reproached him for leading a life so fraught with danger.

“I do not, my lord,” said Mac, touching his head, “understand your meaning.”

“Oh, you don’t, don’t you?  If then I say you are deeply steeped in crime, that you are a murderer, a thief, a rogue, and a villain, should I not speak the truth, and would you not understand my charge?”

“Saying so, and proving its truth, are, I ken, two very different things, my lord.  You can’t prove that I am otherwise than an innocent man.”

“Don’t you be too sure of that, Mac.  Indeed, I already possess evidence, which, if necessary, can at any moment be produced, completely substantiating my charge; and, Mac, I have a great mind to produce that evidence to the authorities.”

“You dare not do that, my lord,” replied Mac.

“You scoundrel! dare you threaten me in my own castle?  If you say another word, and use that language to me, I’ll send for the bum-bailiff at once, and, as a magistrate, order you into his custody.”

“I say again, my lord, that you daren’t carry out your threat.”

“Why daren’t I, I should be glad to know?”

“Because if you were to do so I’d peach.”