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that little Johnny Tompkins was safely out of the country, under injunctions to make a new man of himself, and to keep that new man, when made, at the Antipodes, I could not see anything indiscreet in touching on the matter in the course of conversation with Mrs. Hilary Musgrave. In point of fact, I was curious to find out what she knew, and supposing she knew, what she thought. So I mentioned little Johnny Tompkins.

'Oh, the little wretch!' cried Mrs. Hilary. 'You know he came here two or three times? Anybody can impose on Hilary.'

'Happy woman! I—I mean unhappy man, Mrs. Hilary.'

'And how much was it he stole?'

'Hard on a thousand,' said I. 'For a time, you know, he was quite a man of fashion.'

'Oh, I know. He came here in his own hansom, perfectly dressed, and'

'Behaved all right, didn't he?'

'Yes. Of course there was a something.' 42