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"And is the Viscount much hurt?"

"Why no, sir And it were only 'is whip-ared to write you a letter, 'e did; an' 'ere it is"

So Barnabas took the letter, and holding it in the ether, made out these words: MY DEAR BEV,--There is durty work afoot Some Raskells have tried

to lame 'Moonraker,' but thanks to my Imp and your man Martin, quite

unsuccessfully How-beit your ale closed up, and I a ball through

reatly pirtirbed for the

safety of 'Moonraker' and et him into safer quarters and

advise you to do likewise Also, though your horse 'The Terror,' as

the stable-boys call hi, it alather, that they meant to nobble him also

Therefore I think you iser to return at once, and I am anxious

to see you on another matter as well Your bets with Carnaby and

Chichester have soot about and are the talk of the town, and

froement, I fear

A pity to shorten your stay in the country, but under the

circumstances, most advisable

Yours ever, etc, DICK

PS My love and service to the Duchess, Cleone and the Capt

Now here Barnabas looked at Cleone, and sighed, and Cleone sighing

also, nodded her head: "You ain

"Yes, I o, and yet--it is so very soon, Cleone!"

"Yes, it is dreadfully soon, Barnabas But what does heof you to your disparagement? How

dare they? Why should they?"

"I think because I, a rank outsider, ventured to lay a wager against