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"Ah!" said Barnabas thoughtfully "And so you are quite sure that

I--didn't ?"

"Quite--oh, Lord love you, yes!"

"And why?"

"Because," said Mr Shrig with his guileless s it vanish ceilingwards, "because I

'appen to know 'oo did"

"Oh!" said Barnabas htfully than ever "And who do you

think it is?"

"Vell, sir," answered Mr Shrig ponderously, "from conclusions as

I've drawed I don't feel at liberty to name no names nor yet cast no

insinivations, but--v'en the other traps (sich werry sone an' arrested all the innercent parties in London,

v'y then I shall put o and lay uilty party"

"And ill that be?"

"Jest so soon assarves me, sir,--say a veek,--say, two"

"You're in no hurry then?"

"Lord, no, sir, I'm never in an 'urry"

"And you say you think you knoho the murderer is?"

"V-y no, sir,--from conclusions as I've drawed I'm sure and sartin

'oo did the deed But colass o' the

Vun and Only, to drink a quick despatch to the guilty party?"

But the clock striking eight, Barnabas shook his head and rose

"Thank you, but I hed Mr Shrig as they shook hands;

"good evening, sir, an' if anything unpleasant should 'appen to you