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Rh cook than his mother. But it turned out that Billy is her brother. He's married now, and she apparently dotes on the twins. Once they—i.e., the Voice and Billy—had a Mr. Adams to dine with them, and as he was from Boston I think it may be our Adams, and, perhaps, through him I can get a clue to her identity. You think this is all nonsense, but I assure you I'm in dead earnest. She's the most interesting girl I've ever seen—or ever haven't seen—for I know little enough about her appearance. I looked over the ledge after they'd gone away (they couldn't see me) and saw them walking off towards the road, and she wears tan shoes and a blue dress. I'm going forth to hunt those articles to-morrow. Why shouldn't I be the happy man I supposed Billy to be?

I pity Van more than I did when I began this letter.

If Adams's reply is favorable, and I find her and she'll have me, I'll send for you to come on and tie the knot. You may impart this information to your wife (I know you can't keep it to yourself), for she once told me that she took comfort in the most incipient stages of love-making, because there was always the possibility of a fee ahead. My best regards to that mercenary woman. Rh

P.S. What do you suppose she uses a kitchen knife for? It must be something unusual.

II.

The letter of Mr. Winthrop Adams to Mr. Robert Fairfax, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.

, July 27, 1892.

Dear Fax:—Sorry enough to hear of your accident. A sprained ankle is no joke. Thought you were the most sure footed of men.

I append the memorandum you ask for of all the Williams of my acquaintance. Are you writing a paper on The Influence of Christian Names on Christian Character? And, if so, why in thunder don't you begin at the other end of the alphabet?

Van and I sail on the second. He's dumpier than ever before. What a girl she must be to refuse a million, and Van thrown in! {{rh||Yours,|{{sc|Winthrop Adams.}}