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 "You're an obliging creature, Mrs. Bride," said the Honorable John Ruffin.

Next morning he seized his Morning Post with the liveliest interest; but there was no word of the vanishing of Lady Marion Ricksborough. For the next five mornings its columns were no less barren. Then on the sixth morning its personal column was headed by an advertisement from the duke's lawyers, offering five hundred pounds reward for information which would lead to her recovery.

When Pollyooly brought in his bacon, the Honorable John Ruffin said joyously, "Your revered, but temporary, sire, the duke, has put the fat in the fire with a lavish hand."

"Yes, sir," said Pollyooly.

"He's offering five hundred pounds reward for your double; and he's going to have the time of his life with all the amateur detectives of England, Scotland, Ireland and gallant little Wales," said the Honorable John Rufrln with immense delight.

The duke had indeed opened the sluices; and since there was little doing at home or abroad,the newspapers took the matter up with fiery energy.