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own fashion, and pick the truth out of it the best way you can. If it does not hang together, you can question him afterwards.

I believe thou art right, Paterson. Tell me your story your own way, my friend. I have a curiosity to know how you came by the child, and I will pay you handsomely for satisfying it. And you need not be afraid of my taking the boy from you, till I have made you willing to part with him.

Der be eight years ago, dat I passed trou de small town in Bohemia, in de night. When in one moment de large inn house burst into flame, and somebody wid two long arms trowed de child out from window, which I did catch in my gaberdine.

And did you not learn what strangers were in the inn, and to whom he belonged ?

One poor gentleman, who was taken ill in de house, and died of illness and of de burnings on dat night.

What countryman was he?