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"May I co to

tell you"

"What, Alick! Not Mr Williaood In fact I doubt if you will think it good at all I

have been consulting this same solicitor about the title-deeds; that

cheese you let fall, you know," he added, stroking her hand, and

speaking so gently that the very irony was rather pleasant

"Oh, it is very bad"

"Noouldn't you like to hear it was so bad that I should have to sell

out, and go to the diggings to make it up?"

"Now, Alick, if it were not for your sake, you know I should like--"

"I know you would; but you see, unfortunately, it was not a cheese at

all, only a wooden block that the fox ran aith Lawyers don't put

people's title-deeds into such dangerous keeping, the true cheese is

safe locked up in a tin-box in Mr Martin's chaive Mauleverer?"

"A copy kept for reference down here" Rachel hid her face

"There, I knew you would think it no good news, and it is just a

thunder-clap to me All you wanted me for was to defend the mother and

make up to the charity, and now there's no use in me," he said in a

disconsolate tone

"Oh, Alick, Alick, why am I so foolish?"