“My brother sent for those papers, which, upon arrival, were submitted to his wife that she might select the most important to be produced as testimony in court against Taylor.  In accordance with directions, she examined them all and laid aside all the business letters, (meaning the package lost,) which in some way have been mislaid or stolen.  These, you are accused of having taken, and also of having taken a note that was reached through the grate by my brother, as he supposed to his wife, but it proved to be some other person, and they suspected you as that one.  They also charge you with giving information as to the man who gave you five hundred dollars, and also that he used my name, saying at the same time, ’If you will swear that money on Taylor I will make you a rich man,’ and that you concerted in this thing to act a deceitful part.”

I replied:  “I promised to take the money and swear according to directions, but it was not for any respect I had for the man who offered me a bribe, or the pecuniary compensation, but for you and your brother.”

“Green,” said he, “have no respect for my brother.  He has not an honest heart.  He would betray his own father, and be sure that you refuse to do what the pettifogger has advised.” (See a full account in Gambling Unmasked.) “Green, take care, or you will lose your life.  You have enemies that watch you closely.  They also watch me, but I cannot help myself.  I wish you well and believe you innocent.”

This last was uttered in a suppressed and pathetic tone, and I perceived his eye was intently fixed upon mine as if he would read in its expression the secret workings of my heart.  I was determined he should not effect his purpose, and managed to evade his glances.

“I am aware of their foul intentions,” continued he, “but know not how to evade it.  Green, I have all confidence in you as an honest boy, and do not think you would do any thing to injure me, but have thought you might have had a curiosity to know the contents of some of those letters, and have mislaid them with the intention of giving them back when you had read them.”

I again protested my innocence, and solemnly declared I had no knowledge of the package.

“Then,” exclaimed he, “I am a doomed man.  There is no hope, and I will tell you the reason why.

“You know I have had many friends calling upon me, day by day, from all parts of the country.  You have seen among them some of the most wealthy in the town of Lawrenceburgh.  They are my sworn friends and all members of a Secret Society, which obligates each one, under a most solemn oath, to assist a brother member out of any difficulty, provided he has not violated his obligations.  Now my brother has acted most imprudently in pledging himself to produce certain papers, and to bring other witnesses besides himself against Taylor.  These men were apprehensive that we had mutually laid a trap to expose the whole band.  This has involved me in the most