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282 peered forth at the arrester,—"Really, Sir, your request is so modest, that I were worse than cruel to refuse you. My purse is not very full, and you may as well have it as one of my rascally duns—but my watch, I have a love for—and—"

"I understand you, my Lord," interrupted the highwayman. "What do you value your watch at?"

"Humph—to you it may be worth some twenty guineas."

"Allow me to see it!"

"Your curiosity is extremely gratifying," returned the nobleman, as with great reluctance he drew forth a gold repeater, set, as was sometimes the fashion of that day, in precious stones. The highwayman looked slightly at the bauble.

"Your Lordship," said he with great gravity, "was too modest in your calculation—your taste reflects greater credit on you: allow me to assure you, that your watch is worth fifty guineas, to us at the least—to show you that I think so most sincerely, I will either keep it, and we will say no more on the matter; or I will return it to