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246 mine. It was likewise true that Amabel, having taken it upon herself to bring aid to the garrison, might fairly be considered a spy. Altogether—Luke's letter, long-winded and artificial as he had made it, was a skillful composition, well calculated to deceive.

While the Friar was still considering the matter. Lady Mortimer arrived, and the letter was read to her. She never doubted its truth, but with the tears running from her eyes looked appealingly at her son. Hugh also, to judge by his dejected expression, was also a dupe to Luke's ingenious fraud. But the Friar, asking Edgar to let him read the letter again, suddenly stopped when he came to the phrase, "to remove all doubt from the minds of any of the garrison," and began to shake his tonsured head.

"Lord Edgar," said he, "this scroll is the work of a sly double-dealer and a fork-tongued rascal. It is possible nevertheless that it may be true. Yet I doubt it. Had it been true, I think that Luke would not have been so careful to 'remove all doubt.' And if the letter be untrue, then of a surety, he cannot show us the Lady Amabel, but will have someone—some sleek boy—to play the part. Let us wait before we answer this impudent letter, and if he tries to deceive us by some substitution, I may find a means of coming at the