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 "That's a ripping idea," said the duchess with grateful approval. "They'll get on to false scent after false scent."

"But how are you going to change the children? That will be the awkward part of the business," he said.

"Well, to-morrow, that fussy old creature, Mrs. Hutton, brings Marion to spend her weekly afternoon with me," said the duchess. "She takes her back to Ricksborough by the six-fifteen from Waterloo. I'll tell Marion to look out for you at Waterloo. As soon as she sees you she gives Mrs. Hutton the slip, and you bring her here—"

"Me? Me?" interrupted the Honorable John Ruffin in a terrible voice. "Me? After all the years I've kept out of your quarrels with Osterley? Me?" And he hammered with both fists on his chest in the resounding fashion of an excited gorilla.

"Yes, of course you'll help me, John," said the duchess calmly.

"Blast a promising career—ruin my splendid chance of becoming lord chancellor by getting indicted for conspiracy? Never!" he cried; and again he hammered away on his chest.