Caught in a Trap

undesolated--Fleet Street, he ascended the hill of Ludgate; and turning into a thin row of straggling and seedy old buildings, found himself within the precincts of Doctor's Commons, sacred to the archives of marriage--one cannot always say love--and death!

Here, having previously invested the sum of one shilling in current coin of the realm, he received permission to examine the "Last will and testament of one Roger Hartshorne, deceased, of the county of Sussex, gentleman," the perusal of which document appeared to give him much internal satisfaction. His task did not take him long, and he was soon retracing his steps.

On the day after he went down to Sussex, as agreed, with Tom Hartshorne.

Volume 1, Chapter II.

THE SUSSEX DOWAGER.

Only a simple, and yet special name and appellation--

"Mrs Hartshorne, The Poplars."

That is all.

Nothing much in the name certainly, at first sight, nor yet such a very extraordinary address, either in the nomenclature of th