once upon my recollection. I immediately entered, examined the trunk in which
these things were contained, and to my astonishment found the locks broken, and
the property gone.
    What steps did you take upon this discovery?
    I sent for Williams, and talked to him very seriously upon the subject. But
he had now perfectly recovered his self command, and calmly and stoutly denied
all knowledge of the matter. I urged him with the enormousness of the offence,
but I made no impression. He did not discover either the surprise and
indignation one would have expected from a person entirely innocent, or the
uneasiness that generally attends upon guilt. He was rather silent and reserved.
I then informed him, that I should proceed in a manner different from what he
might perhaps expect. I would not, as is too frequent in such cases, make a
general search, for I had rather lose my property for ever without redress, than
expose a multitude of innocent persons to anxiety and injustice. My suspicion
for the present unavoidably fixed upon him. But in a matter of so great
consequence I was determined not to act upon suspicion. I would neither incur
the possibility of ruining him being innocent, nor be the instrument of exposing
others to his depredations, if guilty. I should therefore merely insist upon his
continuing in my service. He might depend upon it he should be well watched, and
I trusted the whole truth would eventually appear. Since he avoided confession
now, I advised him to consider how far it was likely he would come off with
impunity at last. This I was determined on, that the moment he attempted an
escape, I would consider that as an indication of guilt and proceed accordingly.
    What circumstances have occurred from that time to the present?
    None upon which I can infer a certainty of guilt. Several that agree to
favour a suspicion. From that time Williams was perpetually uneasy in his
situation, always desirous, as it now appears, to escape, but afraid to adopt
such a measure without certain precautions. It was not long after, that you, Mr.
Forester, became my visitor. I observed with dissatisfaction the growing
intercourse between you, reflecting on the equivocalness of his character, and
the attempt he would probably make to render you the dupe of his hypocrisy. I
accordingly threatened him severely, and I believe you observed the change that
presently after took place in his behaviour with relation to you.
    I did, and it appeared at that time mysterious and extraordinary.
    Some time after, as you well know, a rencounter took place between you,
whether accidental or