 few days past; when, understanding from
him, on his own voluntary avowal, in a letter from the country, that it related
to a person whose name was Jonas Chuzzlewit; and thinking that it might throw
some light on that little mystery which made Tom anxious now and then; I urged
the point upon him, and heard his statement, as you will now, from his own lips.
It is due to him to say, that in the apprehension of death, he committed it to
writing sometime since, and folded it in a sealed paper, addressed to me: which
he could not resolve, however, to place of his own act in my hands. He has the
paper in his breast, I believe, at this moment.«
    The young man touched it hastily; in corroboration of the fact.
    »It will be well to leave that in our charge, perhaps,« said John. »But do
not mind it now.«
    As he said this, he held up his hand to bespeak Martin's attention. It was
already fixed upon the man before him, who, after a short silence said, in a
low, weak, hollow voice:
    »What relation was Mr. Anthony Chuzzlewit, who -«
    »- Who died - to me?« said Martin. »He was my grandfather's brother.«
    »I fear he was made away with. Murdered!«
    »My God!« said Martin. »By whom?«
    The young man, Lewsome, looked up in his face, and casting down his eyes
again, replied:
    »I fear, by me.«
    »By you?« cried Martin.
    »Not by my act, but I fear by my means.«
    »Speak out!« said Martin, »and speak the truth.«
    »I fear this is the truth.«
    Martin was about to interrupt him again, but John Westlock saying softly,
»Let him tell his story in his own way,« Lewsome went on thus:
    »I have been bred a surgeon, and for the last few years have served a
general practitioner in the City, as his assistant. While I was in his
employment I became acquainted with Jonas Chuzzlewit. He is the principal in
this deed.«
    »What do you mean?« demanded Martin, sternly. »Do you know he is the son of
the old man of whom you have spoken?«
    »I do,« he answered.
    He remained silent for some moments, when he resumed at the point where he
had left
