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264 "Dear me, what aristocratic acquaintances you possess! First the Earl of Stranleigh, and now the Duke of Belmont. How did you make their acquaintance?"

"I supply them both with fish. We dispatch fresh fish every night in boxes at six o'clock, and they are served hot to these noblemen at breakfast."

"And is the Duke interested in portraits of the men who catch his breakfast for him?"

"Well, you see, Miss Drummond, it's this way. Old Ned Stover is the principal character of Pebblesdale. He knocked off work several years ago because he got it into his head that he was the real Duke of Belmont."

"A claimant, is he?"

"Yes. He admits that the reigning Duke is the son of the late Duke, but insists that he, Ned Stover, is the elder son by a former and secret marriage, disowned by the haughty nobleman because Stover's mother was of low degree. There seems no doubt that Ned Stover was born on the estate of the late Duke, but there appears to be a trifling difficulty in proving the secret marriage. This has baffled Ned for some time now, and his latest assertion is that the present Duke made away with the proofs."

"Did the Duke of Belmont ever meet Ned Stover?"

"No, but he is much interested in him, receiving