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Almost to my surprise, the taller of the two crossed the room,

followed by his friend, to whom he still spoke in lowered tones,

stooped, picked up ,

approached, and handed it to me with a bow

"That retted

both by him and myself," said he, "but is readily explained by the

fact that he has been a long tie, sir--until your hat was off"

Now, as he spoke, his left eyelid flickered twice in rapid

succession

"I beg you won'ton my hat; "but,

sir, why do you wink athis head, "ha! ha!

--deyvilish good! By the way, they tellof course--"

"George?" said I, staring