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"Was?" repeated the Marquis

"Yes, was,--for begad! when I called onhe'd

bolted, damme if he hadn't!"

"Gone?" exclaigage! I tell you he's bolted, but--with all

due respect to you, Marquis, only from his creditors He was

devilish deep in with Gaunt, I know, beside Beverley here Oh damme

yes, he only did it to bilk his creditors, for Carnaby was always

game, curse me if he wasn't!"

Hereupon the Marquis had recourse to his snuff-box again

"Under the circu his head,

"I think I'll go and talk with our invalid--"

"No good,his

head, "just been there,--Viscount's disappeared too--been away all

night!"

"What?" cried Barnabas, springing to his feet, "gone?"

"Damme if he hasn't! Found his fellow in the devil of a way about it,

and his little rascal of a groo on the stairs"

"Then I must dress! You'll excusefor Peterby But his hand was even yet upon the bellrope when

stu wide, and the

Viscount hiard of eye, dusty and unke to a chair he sank down and so lay staring at the floor

"Oh, Bev!" he groaned, "she's gone--Cleone, I--I can't find

her, Bev!"

Now hereupon the Marquis very quietly took up his hat and, nodding