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'Letthe key from the postman

He opened the box and reached out with his other hand for Owen's letter

'No, no O no--no,' the postman said 'As one of--Majesty's servants--care--Majesty's mails--duty--put letters--own hands' He slowly and solemnly placed the letter in the s the door

The steward placed the bar across, with the black side outwards, signifying 'e side outwards!' said the postman ''Tisn't empty' 'And dropped the key in theso!' 'It is an aard thing' They both went searching in thehad reduced to the consistency of pap, the post his little lantern froround, the rain still drizzling down, and the dawn so tardy on account of the heavy clouds that daylight seemed delayed indefinitely The rays of the lantern were rendered individually visible upon the thick ible as they passed off into it, after illuures dripping et; the postlistening as if they had been varnished

'It fell on the grass,' said the postman

'No; it fell in the ain

'I'ht,' said the steward at length, washing his rass of the bank

'I' up

'I'll tell you e had better do,' said Manston 'I shall be back this way in an hour or so, and since it was all ain, and shall be sure to find it in the daylight And I'll hide the key here for you' He pointed to a spot behind the post

'It will be too late to turn the index then, as the people will have been here, so that the box had better stay as it is The letter will only be delayed a day, and that will not be noticed; if it is, you can say you placed the iron the wrong ithout knowing it, and all will be well' This was agreed to by the post to be done under the circue and co his coed, turned off to the left towards Carriford