Mr. Seyton then related all that he knew of Ada and Gray, comprising what he had gathered from Albert, and comprehending the meeting in the park, and the particulars which Ada had related of the midnight attack upon Gray’s house.
“What names were mentioned accidentally or otherwise, during all this business?”
“But two, sir,” said Albert. “Ada told me in the park that one of the men who sought the life of Gray was called by him Britton!”
“Britton?” said Sir Frederick. “Are you quite sure that was the name?”
“You—you do, sir!” exclaimed Albert, with sudden animation—“Then you will save her!”
“Oh—you are in love with this imprisoned young lady,” said Sir Frederick, with a smile.
“Nay my young friend,” the magistrate added, “you need not be ashamed of an honest attachment, which, in the case of this persecuted girl, must be disinterested.”
“You know Britton, sir?” said Albert, confused.
“I know a person of that name—in fact, I am watching his proceedings.”
“There was another name too mentioned,” said Albert, “it was that of a poor maniac called Mad Maud. She seemed to know this Britton.”
“She has cause to know him,” remarked Sir Frederick Hartleton.
The magistrate paused, and it was evident that something had crossed his mind of an important nature. He covered his eyes with his hand, and seemed to be musing over some train of circumstances in his mind that wanted some connecting links.
“Be so good,” he said, suddenly, “as to answer me as exactly as you can, what I shall ask of you.”
“He is rather above the middle height, of spare habit, and very pale.”
“Shifting and inconstant—looking here, there, and everywhere, but in the face of any one he addresses.”
“Now tell me as nearly as you can the age of this young girl you call Ada?”
“She cannot now be above seventeen,” said Albert.
The magistrate took a scrap of paper, and made some slight calculations in figures upon it—then he said,—
“During all this business, did you never hear another name mentioned as a prime mover or important personage, connected with it?”
“Well, gentlemen,” remarked Sir Frederick; “you have said enough to interest me. Pray come here again this day next week, if I should not send to you; for which purpose be so good as to leave your address. You may depend upon my utmost exertions to solve the mystery in which this affair is at present so strangely enveloped.”