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210 possession of an autograph letter of yours to Mrs. Emsworth. The following phrases may recall it to your mind:

(Then, as before, followed a space.)

Should you care to possess yourself of this, we will let you have it for, £5,000. The money should be sent to Mr. Harold Bilton at his business office, 1,324a, Broadway, for Mrs. Emsworth's account, by to-morrow (Tuesday) evening. In the event of its not being to hand, we shall presume that you do not wish to have the letter, which we shall thereupon forward by special messenger that evening to Mr. Lewis S. Palmer.

Mr. Bilton, who has lately arrived in New York, is authorized to receive the above-mentioned sum from you, should you settle to adopt this course, but to permit no discussion of any kind referring to the matter in hand.

We are, dear Sir,

Your faithful, obedient servants,

Bertie read it through, folded it neatly up, replaced it in its envelope, and walked across to where Ginger was sitting absorbed in a letter.

he asked.

Ginger finished the sheet he was reading, got up briskly, and helped himself to whisky.

he observed.