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A light dawned on Bones and he brightened visibly

"Ah, yes, my dear old Pole," he said almost cheerily, "I understand

You diddled my dear old uncle--bless his heart--out of money, and you

want to pay it back Fred"--Bones rose and extended his knuckly

hand--"you're a jolly old sports to say----" began Fred seriously agitated

"Not a word We'll have a bottle on this What will you

have--ginger-beer or cider?"

Mr Fred suppressed a shudder with difficulty

"Wait, wait, Mr Tibbetts," he begged; "I think I ought to explain We

did not, of course, knowingly rob your uncle----"

"No, no, naturally," said Bones, with a facial contortion which passed

for a wink "Certainly not We businessthe drinks!"

"We did not consciously rob him," continued Mr Fred desperately, "but

e did do---- ah, this is my confession!"

"You borrowed a bit and didn't pay it back Ah, naughty!" said Bones

"Out with the corkscrew, Ali What shall it be--a crea and earnestly at the young rasped the hand of Bones, "I

hope we are going to be friends I like you That's my peculiarity--I

like people or I dislike theht

two ships from your uncle for one hundred and forty thousand pounds

e knew--yes, positively knew--they orth at least twenty