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 "Yes; I expect you know ever so much more about it than I do," said the Honorable John Ruffin; and he frowned again. "Of course the boot for our purpose is the boot of Mr. Gedge-Tomkins. But I'm hanged if I can see how to bring it to the application point."

"No, sir. I don't think he'd do it, sir," said Pollyooly.

"He wouldn't," said the Honorable John Ruffin with decision. "He is much fonder of his career than I am of mine. And there might be a fuss."

He was silent, with puckered brow, cudgeling his brain.

"Please, sir; Mr. Vance is very big," said Pollyooly gently.

"By Jove! Genius! Genius again!" cried the Honorable John Ruffin loudly and joyfully. "Oh, how I envy you your resourceful mind, Mrs. Bride! Vance is the very man; he boils with chivalry! The thing is done! I will bring him and the Esmeralda together again—at tea—this very afternoon! Splendid!"

He wasted no time. Directly after breakfast he betook himself, as fast as a swift new taxicab could