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280 The schoolmaster's wrinkled brow corrugated more intensely. The new-fangled date had marked the limit of his learning. The "without prejudice" went beyond its boundaries. He looked up helplessly at the dictator.

"When you write 'without prejudice' in a letter," explained Tom Pitts, with a smile, "nothing stated in that communication can be used against you. It's a legal method of giving away your cake and keeping it. The contents of the letter cannot be read out in court."

The men were so deeply interested in this verbal weapon, of which heretofore they had never heard, that for the moment they forgot either to drink or smoke.

"What did I tell 'ee, old man?" cried one with enthusiasm. "Didn't I say, 'You wait till Tom Pitts comes'? Didn't I say that?" he appealed to the rest, who nodded.

"We all said it," amended one.

"Go on, schoolmaster," commanded Tom, unmoved by the compliment he had received.

"‘Gentlemen,—Yours of the thirty-first ultimo to hand, and contents noted. I beg to point out that your threat touching my imprisonment is illegal. You are at liberty to put me in jail if you can, but threatening to do so is actionable.’"

"I think it would be better t' other way about," grumbled Ned Stover, "so that they could talk