THE SMUGGLER. 29 



There you can see me, and let me know what is taking 

 place." 



" I think you had better not let him know who you really 

 are," replied Sir Edward Digby; " at least till we have seen 

 how the land lies." 



"I do not know; I will think of it," answered the other 

 gentleman, whom for the present we shall continue to call 

 Osborn, though the learned reader has already discovered that 

 such was not his true name. " It is evident," he continued, 

 " that old Mr. Croyland does not remember me, although I 

 saw him frequently when he was in England for a short time, 

 some six or seven years before he finally quitted India. How- 

 ever, though I feel I am much changed, it is probable that 

 many persons will recognise me whenever I appear in the 

 neighbourhood of Cranbrook, and he might take it ill, that he, 

 who was so good and true a friend both to my uncle and my 

 father, should be left in ignorance. Perhaps it would be better 

 to confide in him fully, and make him aware of all my views 

 and purposes." 



" Under the seal of confession, then," said his friend; "for 

 he is evidently a very talkative old gentleman. Did you re- 

 mark how he once or twice declared he would not tell a story, 

 that it was no business of his, and then went on to tell it 

 directly." 



" True, such was always his habit," answered Osborne; 

 " and his oddities have got somewhat exaggerated during the 

 last twelve years; but he's as true and faithful as ever man 

 was, and nothing would induce him to betray a secret confided 

 to him." 



"You know best," replied the other; but the entrance of 

 the landlord with the claret, and the maid with the supper, 

 broke off the conversation, and there was no opportunity of 

 renewing it till it was announced that the horses were to, and 

 the coach was ready. The two friends then took leave of 

 each other, both coachman and host being somewhat surprised 

 to find that one of the travellers was about to remain behind. 



When, however, a portmanteau, a sword-case, and a large 

 trunk, or mail as it was then called, had been handed out of 

 the egregious boot, Osborn walked into the inn once more, and 

 called the landlord to him. " I shall, most likely," he said, 

 " take up my quarters with you for some days, so you will be 



