Now comes the extraordinary part: a fortnight ago three of those lives perished in a single steamboat accident on the Clyde; that left a woman of eighty-two and a man of ninety between your husband and the estate.

The lady was related to the persons who were drowned, and she has since died; she had been long ailing, and it is believed that the shock was too much for her.
The survivor is the actual proprietor, Old Carruthers; but I am the London agent to his solicitor, and he was reported to me to be _in extremis_ the very day before I left London to join you.

We shall run into a port near the place, and you will not land; but I shall, and obtain precise information.

In the meantime, mind, your husband's name is Carruthers.

Any communication from me will be to Mrs.Carruthers, and you will tell that man as much, or as little, as you think proper; if you make any disclosure, give yourself all the credit you can; say you shall take him to his own house under a new name, and shield him against all pursuers.