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"And his coat had been nearly ripped off him; I saw it under his cape!"

"Ah?" said Barnabas, still busy with his neckcloth

"And naturally enough," pursued the Viscount, "I've been trying to

iwhy you--did it?

"It was in the wood," said Barnabas

"So it was you, then?"

"Yes, Dick"

"But--he didn't even mark you?"

"He lost his temper, Dick"

"You thrashed--Carnaby! Gad, Bev, there isn't a land could have done it"

"Yes--there are two--Natty Bell, and Glorious John"

"And I'll warrant he deserved it, Bev"

"I think so," said Barnabas; "it was in the wood, Dick"

"The wood? Ah! do youunconscious"

"Unconscious! And with him beside her! My God, man!" cried the

Viscount, with a vicious snap of his teeth "Why didn't you kill him?"

"Because I was beside her--first, Dick"

"Damn him!" exclaimed the Viscount bitterly

"But he is your friend, Dick"

"Was, Bev, was! We'll ree with your father after all?"

"I do, Bev; hted, devilish observant

h he is such a Roman But oh,

the devil!" exclaimed the Viscount suddenly, "you can never ride in