Part 34 (1/2)
”That's heasy enough. You _must_ get the letter.”
”But how--I tell you----”
”Get it,” reiterated the messenger, whose potations had made him optimistic. ”Blow this bally hold barn into the next county, hif need be, but open that door and get it.”
The Secretary looked despairingly at the despatch, and tossing it to John, said:
”And what am I to answer to this?”
”H'I'll answer it, hif you'll let me come to the table.”
”You!”
”Yes--and you can copy and sign it. Hit won't be the first private note h'I've hanswered, or the first despatch h'I've written, heither,” and with this rebuke he composed the following:
”To ”His Excellency, ”The Honourable, ”------
”SIR:--
”I have the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's private despatch of the 20th inst., and to inform you in reply that the person mentioned in it is now a guest in this house, also that I have discovered the present location of the papers desired, and hope soon to be able to place them in your hands.
”I am, Sir, ”Your obedient servant, ”------.
”Sunday, 12.45 A. M.”
The Secretary read and approved, and in a few moments had produced a copy of the same, which was duly signed and sealed.
”And now,” he said, ”you must be off. There's a train to London about six.”
”Yes, sir. Hit's a very cold night, sir.”
”No, you've had enough, and you need to keep your wits about you,” and he led the way downstairs.
”John,” he said, as he let the faithful servitor out, ”I believe you're right in what you said.”
”Habout the woman, sir?”
”Of course not. I tell you the lady knows nothing whatever of the matter; pray disabuse your mind of that absurd idea, once and for all. I mean about the letter.”
”Yes, sir.”
”I've got to get it again, John. Send me the best book you can find on combination locks. I _will_ get it! Impossibilities don't count!”
”Yes, sir. Good-night, sir, and remember, hit's the woman!”
CHAPTER XX
THE WISDOM OF AGE