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diff --git a/40253-0.txt b/40253-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a26b75 --- /dev/null +++ b/40253-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,917 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40253 *** + + PEACHMONK + + A SERIO-COMIC DETECTIVE TALE IN WHICH NO + FIRE-ARMS ARE USED AND NO ONE IS KILLED + BEING A THREE DAYS EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF + THE DUKE OF BELLEVILLE AS RELATED BY + LORD EDWARD LYNDON + + + JOHN EYERMAN + + + NEW YORK + 1917 + + + + +The fabric of this tale is based largely upon the use of Book-Titles, and +the names, several names in connection, or expressions in CAPITALS, which +indicate these titles, should in no way interfere with the continuous +reading of the story. + +No Title, of either one or more words, is used more than once, unless +such title is represented by more than one Author. + +Approximately, Nine Hundred Book-Titles have been used. + + +No Literary Merit is claimed for this Tale, as none has been attempted. +The following Letter explains itself: + + + BARCHESTER TOWERS, + KENILWORTH. + Saturday. + + Dear Eyerman: + + When we were talking the other night at MRS. PERKIN'S BALL, I + was just about to ask you a favor, when OUR MUTUAL FRIEND, + ADDISON, with his usual lack of GOOD FORM FOR ALL OCCASIONS, + decided to fasten himself to us: AFTERWARD, AT THE CASA + NAPOLEON, THE AMERICANS tied me up. I am glad to say that I am + now FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWDS, and VILETTE, THE BEAUTIFUL + WRETCH that she is, has urged me to write you. + + When Scarlett's eye-troubles began he decided to amuse himself + by dictating to MISS MARJORIBANKS, THE STORY OF MY LIFE, as he + called it * * * * Ten days ago, and to my AMAZEMENT, he was + ordered to INDIA and his work is not completed, and I am no + good at that kind of thing. I want YOU to undertake the WORK, + and Scarlett wants you too. Don't refuse, please. + + * * * * * + + Present or absent, I trust, my dear fellow, that you will + think of me always as your sincere friend. + + Belleville. + + + + +My PRINTERS have informed me that ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, it will be best +to omit the Introduction, as it is "NOT IN IT" with the tale, WHICH was +to have followed. + +NOW, at first, I considered this all STUFF AND NONSENSE, for I am sure I +know MORE about CLEVER TALES, than they do about printed MATTER, and I +believe that I am considered one of the best DESCRIPTIVE WRITERS in GREAT +BRITAIN, and certainly can write SKETCHES AND STORIES; however, "IT'S UP +TO YOU," but when the printers told me that the question would be asked +"WHO WROTE THAT?" to be followed by the remark "IT'S GREAT TO BE CRAZY," +I decided that as MY BROTHER AND I are PALS FIRST, FOR HIS SAKE, the +Introduction, AS A MATTER OF COURSE, must be omitted. + + + + + CONTENTS + + I: BEGINNING OF THE TALE + II: INTRODUCES THE HERO + III: INTRODUCES MARJORIE + IV: INTRODUCES THE VILLAIN + V: WHAT THE VILLAIN DID + VI: INTRODUCES THE HEROINE + VII: THE CRISIS + VIII: THE GRAND FINALE + + + + +PEACHMONK + + + + +I: BEGINNING OF THE TALE. + + +When one sees THE HONEY BEE constructing his little hexagonal CELL, and +the SPIDERS weaving their webs and bridges, with all the accuracy of the +ENGINEER, which operations are not ACCIDENTALS, one is inclined to ask: +is one MAKING THE MOST OF ONE'S MIND? Candidly: I DON'T KNOW: perhaps +not; but I do know from a scientific standpoint, the comparison is not +permissible; still it makes ONE think. However, what is most apparent to +me is that I am in THE CLUTCH OF CIRCUMSTANCES, and I have to write this +tale; THEREFORE, ONCE UPON A TIME, as all stories should begin, a certain +successful debutante, known as LADY ROSE'S DAUGHTER, THE LADY EVELYN, sat +in her boudoir in THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, IN LONDON TOWN, looking at +THE FACE IN THE GIRANDOLE, and listening to THE CHIMES of the SILVER +BELLS, announcing THE ELEVENTH-HOUR. This room, like THE CIRCULAR STUDY +on the floor below, was hung with GOBELINS, between which, at regular +intervals, were hung original DRAWINGS OF GAINSBOROUGH, the floor being +covered with that world-famous textile, THE CARPET FROM BAGDAD, while +upon a magnificent LOUIS XIV stand were some exquisite specimens of +SALT-GLAZED STONEWARE, stamped with THE GREEN SEAL. + +Through THE OPEN SHUTTERS came the VOICE OF THE STREET, and from distant +KENNEDY SQUARE, the occasional bark of THE GOLDEN-GREYHOUND, +intermingled with the soft lapping noise of THE MOVING OF THE WATERS in +THE POND IN THE MARSHY MEADOW. + +MAMZELLE FIFINE, her ladyship's maid, was in the act of affixing THE +JEWEL OF THE SEVEN STARS to her ladyship's beautiful new Peqiun CREATION, +when VIVIETTE, one of the parlour maids entered, carrying a box. +"MILADI," said THE EXPERT MAID-SERVANT, "this box was left but a moment +ago and DENIS DUVAL told me to bring it to your ladyship at once, as THE +MESSENGER said it contained FAMILY SECRETS; there is a key in this sealed +envelope." + +THE VERMILION BOX, upon being opened with THE DIAMOND KEY, disclosed A +RED LILY, to which was attached a card bearing the short inscription, +"LEST WE FORGET," and the INITIALS ONLY, TO M. L. G. + +NOW, the Lady Evelyn, being A DIPLOMATIC WOMAN, NOWADAYS, not unusual, +expressed her astonishment in but seven WORDS, "AT LAST, THE TRUTH ABOUT +THE CASE," and continuing said, "Viviette, draw THE CRIMSON BLIND, see +that MY STUDY FIRE is lighted, and ask ANN BOYD, the housekeeper, to come +to me at once." + +The housekeeper entered almost immediately. + +"Boyd," said HER LADYSHIP, "I shall postpone MY IRISH JOURNEY, TO-DAY; I +believe that before the TWELFTH NIGHT from now, I shall know who this +GABRIELLE TRANSGRESSOR is, in fact I intend to know if it take FIVE YEARS +TO FIND OUT; go to the Circular Study, and consult the last WHO'S WHO IN +MUSIC AND DRAMA, and let me know what it says about MADEMOISELLE CELESTE +of the Gaiety THEATRE; then telephone 2835 MAYFAIR, and ask WERNER, THE +COUNT'S CHAUFFEUR to go to number NINETY-THREE, MANSFIELD PARK, to-night +at nine o'clock, and finally tell BETTY THE SCRIBE to write a note of +acceptance to the private séance of VERA THE MEDIUM; and this afternoon, +if you care to, you may take your sister HELEN'S BABIES, SUSANNA AND SUE, +to WUTHERING HEIGHTS to see the HYPOTEMNODON, or, if you prefer, to +WAVERLEY to visit your UNCLE REMUS AND BR'ER RABBIT." + + + + +II: INTRODUCES THE HERO. + + +THE Duke of Belleville, having arrived at THE STAGE DOOR of the Gaiety +Theatre, just ten minutes late, had failed to keep his appointment, and +had been informed by the door-man MR. PRATT that Mademoiselle Celeste had +left word that he was to go on to the Savoy, where she expected to have +supper and wanted the Duke to join the party. + +The Duke, somewhat annoyed, but being made of THE RIGHT STUFF, as let us +hope all gentlemen are, merely remarked: + +"I shall go IN SEARCH OF MADEMOISELLE" and turning, he pushed his way +through A MOTLEY crowd, the usual TYPES FROM CITY STREETS, regained his +motor, at the same time deciding to FIRST go to his chambers, ROUND THE +CORNER IN GAY STREET, to have a little chat with his friend, HENRY +ESMOND, who had adjoining chambers and who was THE FIRST SECRETARY to THE +PRIME MINISTER, and who was leaving on the morrow for EQUATORIAL AMERICA +to study THE NEGRO PROBLEM and the AFTERMATH OF SLAVERY. + +AT THE OPEN DOOR to his chambers, the Duke was met by his man, Jameson, +who said, + +"There is a LADY awaiting your Grace." + +"Well, Jameson, who is THE MIDNIGHT GUEST?" + +"I really don't know, your Grace, THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER is closely +veiled and will not give her name." + +"Very well, there is no ALTERNATIVE, I'll see her, and, Jameson, remain +within call." + +"GOOD EVENING, MY LADY OF DOUBT," said the Duke, "may I ask to +whom--great heavens, Evelyn, what are you doing here at this time of +NIGHT? Surely the WORLD'S END IS NEAR; WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY? Your +independence, to say the least, is somewhat disconcerting; why not +telephone?" + +"JACK, you are positively hateful; I could not telephone my message--no +EAVESDROPPER, I trust--I believe I am on the verge of discovering LORD +CAMMERLEIGH'S SECRET, and I want you to accompany ME to-morrow to THE +MATRIMONIAL BUREAU of THE PRINCESS DEHRA, that SORCERESS OF ROME, who has +many LITTLE STORIES, LAID UP IN LAVENDER and can always find THE MAN +HIGHER UP." + +"OH, I SAY, Evelyn, you certainly do lead A SINGULAR LIFE; you know I am +not interested in these so-called TRUE STORIES OF CRIME and most +unfortunately, too, I am taking THE 10.12 EXPRESS to Brighton; however, I +shall be very pleased, you know, to go with you on Monday." + +"Thank you, JACK, but I AM AFRAID that is quite impracticable, and I am +sorely disappointed: you certainly took more than a passive interest in +the recovery of THE EUSTACE DIAMONDS; now, it seems you never have the +time for anything; of course it is well known that THE BEAUTY, this +Gaiety star, always goes to BRIGHTON on Sunday, and I am told, by the +10.12 Express; I really do not understand your INFATUATION for this WILD +WINGS; but I dare say it's the WAY OF MAN, IN THE ARENA of course; it's +THE TREND of the times: however, MAJOR VIGOUREAUX will be only too +delighted to go with me, but I wanted you, you foolish boy, you are +certainly A CHANGED MAN, and I do hope you are not PLAYING WITH FIRE, +but...." + +"Beg pardon, your Grace," interrupted Jameson, entering, +"Detective-Inspector Morgan is below, and desires particularly to see +your Grace." + +"Let him come up, Jameson, and conduct the lady to the North lift." + +"And, BY THE WAY, Evelyn, I'm opening the Eaton Square house and shall +have a surprise for you: here, don't forget THE VANITY BOX." + +"Well, JACK, good-bye, I suppose I'm turned out, MARION'S VACATION, +begins next week, and I'm taking her to THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL, +ELIZABETH HOBART AT EXETER HALL." + +"Inspector Morgan," announces Jameson. + +"Sorry to trouble you, your Grace: the lady...." + +"Now, look here, MY MAN, the lady is my cousin." + +"EXCUSE ME, your Grace, I quite understand: no harm intended: I thought I +recognized the LITTLE LADY as one of the LIGHT FINGERED GENTRY; beg +pardon, I'm sure; I came particularly to ask your Grace's aid regarding +the so-called MYSTERIOUS MR. SABIN; we believe he was THE MAN INSIDE, THE +MYSTERY OF THE MIDDLE-TEMPLE, although fortunately for himself, he keeps +well WITHIN THE LAW; this slippery TENNESSEE SHAD was at lunch to-day +with Miss Celeste of the Gaiety--nothing wrong with your Grace, I +hope--great show on there; your Grace probably recalls the timely advice +you gave us regarding THE CARLTON CASE; well, SIR MORTIMER, my chief, had +HOPE that your Grace would again be able to advise us." + +"I fear not, in this case, Morgan, in fact I don't want to stand in +ANOTHER MAN'S SHOES, THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT was really responsible for +that advice." + +"Then I shall INTERVIEW, THE LODGER; WHAT'S HIS NAME, your Grace?" + +"That is OUT OF THE QUESTION, Morgan; you are like the DOG in the hands +of the express company: you've eaten your TAG and don't know where you +are to go; too late; THE PEOPLE DOWNSTAIRS, I am told, left yesterday for +TROIS SEMAINES EN FRANCE, which means, of course, SOJOURNING, SHOPPING +AND STUDYING IN PARIS; and now you must go, as I have an appointment, +long overdue; take a cigar, Morgan, from THE BRASS BOWL, over there, and +IN AFTER YEARS, you will remember that particular brand, as it is pure +HEMP, and if you are going HOME, take that PURPLE FERN to your wife's +MOTHER, for a chance like this only comes ONCE TO EVERY MAN, and GOOD +NIGHT." + + + + +III: INTRODUCES MARJORIE. + + +MARJORIE'S VACATION was fast approaching its end; SHE and her friend +MARIETTA, BY FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, were conducting a flourishing +TYPE-WRITING establishment, JUST BETWEEN THEMSELVES, at THE HOUSE ON +CHERRY STREET, on THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET, so that PASSERS-BY could +see THE WAY UP, and they always allowed themselves, as a VACATION, LITTLE +JOURNEYS of a fortnight's duration IN THAMESLAND or among THE ALPS. + +Marjorie and her very best friend, BETTY STANDISH, were seated under THE +PLUM TREE, but obviously, not at a time when the fruit was over-ripe, in +THE GARDEN AT NO. 19, in that historic spot, CHANTREY LAND, as the old +village of Norton, DERBYSHIRE, is called, having just been served with a +second instalment of TEA, by TILLIE A MENNONITE MAID, who carried with +her, THE GLEAM of LOCAL COLOR. The girls had just had an exceedingly +trying two hours' visit from THE MAYOR'S WIFE, one of THE RAVENELS, and +whose only TOPICS FOR CONVERSATION, IN A NUTSHELL, were invariably IN +DEFENSE of her FAMILY; that she was following IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE +BRONTES, and always ended with the statement that her BIG BROTHER, JOHN +HENRY SMITH, THE ARCHDEACON, had ordered the removal of THE OLD PEABODY +PEW, despite THE WARNING OF SEXTON MAGINNIS, that THE MONK'S TREASURE +would not be found in that part of THE LONELY CHURCH of ST. JUDE'S and +to-day, in addition to these thread-bare topics, she announced to her +hearers, that ON GOING TO CHURCH, she had passed AT CLOSE RANGE, LORD +LONDON, and his SISTER CARRIE, taking some STRAY BIRDS and TOY DOGS to +the ABANDONED, HILL-TOP FARM (to see the DOG STARS) and finally, that her +husband, SIR JOHN CONSTANTINE, had always been A SERVANT OF THE PUBLIC: +in fact, with the Mayor's wife, it was always, I MYSELF and my family, +and the young girls were at the point of collapse, when THE CRISIS came, +and THE EGOTISTICAL I, lady took her departure. + +BETTY had picked up the INEVITABLE, MRS. RORER'S COOKBOOK, for she liked +THE FUN OF COOKING, in order to decide WHAT TO HAVE FOR DINNER, and with +the HOPE of making an entire change in the SUNDAY NIGHT SUPPERS, for one +can not subsist solely on BAKERS' BREAD or CREAM TOASTS. + +"BETTY dear," said Marjorie, "I have come to the conclusion that THE CARD +SYSTEM IN THE OFFICE is valueless to US." + +"Of course it is, if you say so; what does Marietta think? but listen; is +that MUSIC or someone in distress?" + +For from HERE AND THERE came the sound of MUSIC; Oh! such NERVE-racking, +BROKEN MUSIC; Marjorie, at once, hastened to THE GIANT'S GATE, the last +remnant of Blunderbore castle, which once occupied the site of the +present house, to find the guilty person, and there discovered a +wretched-looking individual, with two still more wretched-looking +ANIMALS, which the man called THE TEDDY BEARS. + +Now, as Marjorie believed, that in THE TRAINING OF WILD ANIMALS, one +should first secure their FRIENDSHIP, she, WITH THE BEST INTENTION, gave +each of the bears a piece of COTTAGE PIE, and this is no joke, either; +for bears LOVE this particular kind of pie; as a matter of fact, DIDO THE +DANCING BEAR, considers it THE RIGHT STUFF, and much prefers it to the +flesh of THE SALAMANDER, and in A SPIRIT OF MIRTH, she gave THE IMMORTAL +CHARLATAN some SIX PENNY PIECES, to take his PETS to NORTHANGER ABBEY, to +SERENADE the Mayor's wife, for, thought the young girl, harmless REVENGE +is sweet, and moreover she may be AT DEATH'S DOOR, after the trying time +she gave us. + +"Betty, DEAR, I am so happy; we have had so many HAPPY DAYS and yet, I +shall be glad to return to THE CITY OF PLEASURE; is it not strange that +I, A MILLIONAIRE GIRL, should have to earn my own living, because of AN +OPERA AND LADY GRASMERE? but what am I saying? THE DAWN OF A TO-MORROW +is still far away; Horrors; there goes that fearful client of mine across +THE LONG ROAD: I am frightened. WHAT IS COMING? what does she want here?" + +"Marjorie, tell me, what is worrying you? let us be COMRADES IN ARMS; let +me help you as I helped the FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS, IN THE LITTLE BROWN +HOUSE; let me be THE CUSTODIAN of your secret." + +"Yes, dear, I'll confide in you: I AM not, as you have supposed, THE +DAUGHTER OF ANDERSON CROW; I truly believe I am Lord Cammerleigh's CHILD, +that I have a sister, who is none other than CELESTE, THE PRIMADONNA at +the Gaiety Theatre; and from what I have gathered from a WOMAN, the same +woman who just entered THE DEVIL'S GARDEN, who comes to our office to +have senseless letters type-written and apparently to no purpose, so far +as I can understand; I say, I believe my FATHER does not know where we +are and more than that, dare not look for us on account, I say, of what +this wretched woman calls THAT AFFAIR AT ELIZABETH: a question of +WATCHFUL WAITING; it is certainly A DESPERATE CONSPIRACY, and I shall not +rest until THE CONSPIRATORS are UNMASKED AT LAST; but no more to-night: +WHAT'S THE USE, you are CHILLY: put on THE GREENMANTLE and we will stroll +along PIDGIN ISLAND, as far as DARK HOLLOW to see if our little favorite +the PUFFINUS EYERMANI is still there, and TO-MORROW we will go to +SHREWSBURY to see JOEY AT THE FAIR feeding THE DRAGON." + + + + +IV: INTRODUCES THE VILLAIN. + + +SHERLOCK HOLMES once remarked: "By far, the most daring investigator and +most successful elucidator of criminal mysteries is Martin Dhragnet, but +unfortunately, he always gives you the impression of being HALF A ROGUE." +In less than two years' time this same Dhragnet, having had charge of the +famous case of THE INFAMOUS JOHN FRIEND in which THE DETHRONEMENT OF THE +CITY BOSS was a possibility, sold out his principal client, SIR HENDER +O'HALLORAN, V. C., THE MEMBER FOR ARCIS, and with two of the principals, +THE GREIFFENSTEINS, FATHER AND SON, he fled to THE REPUBLIC OF CHILI, +where they BEACHED KEELS, and on the following CHRISTMAS, with EMPTY +POCKETS, and being in need of MONEY to buy the THINGS required on +CHRISTMAS DAY, took a CHANCE by stealing THE GOLDEN DOG of THE PRESIDENT +OF QUEX: escaped capture, under the cover of one of those dark ARIZONA +NIGHTS, by crossing to BOLIVIA, where as ELECTRIC ARCS were in use on +dark nights, they were finally CAGED; but this is THE SECRET HISTORY OF +TO-DAY, and really digression. + +Dhragnet finally escaped WITHIN AN INCH OF HIS LIFE, by gnawing a hole +through the WHITE PINE boards of his TINDERBOX prison, swam the OCEAN and +THE PANAMA CANAL, and with THREE MEN IN A BOAT, crossed the Atlantic to +FRANCE; retired to a secluded spot in BRITTANY: then travelled in CENTRAL +ASIA AND TIBET: played THE HONEST LAWYER, INSIDE THE GERMAN EMPIRE, +hobnobbed with KINGS AND QUEENS on the RIVIERA, and IN MONTE CARLO, met +AN AMERICAN GIRL, called the CAPTIVATING MARY CARSTAIRS, with whom he +became infatuated, as she had a bank account, and notwithstanding the +fact that all her friends said, "Oh: MARY MARY, you are sailing UNCHARTED +SEAS," she was CAUGHT IN THE NET, and they were MARRIED, and the bank +account disappeared, as Dhragnet was given A FREE HAND: after THE STORM, +THE BAD TIMES came; he then formed, secretly of course, THE ROBBERIES CO. +LTD., grew a beard, and drifted to ENGLAND; located in LONDON: formed the +firm of DOMBEY & SON, in Suite 813, NUMBER 101, PARK LANE, as purveyors +of wines and where every BRAND was on sale except the one you wanted. + +Strange as it may seem, Dhragnet, alias Dombey, had given considerable +thought to THE DRINK PROBLEM IN MODERN LIFE, and to all appearances did +nothing more than play DOMINOES and EAT AND GROW THIN; however, he was +merely KEEPING UP APPEARANCES, for the rear room of this suite was the +rendezvous of MANY FAMOUS IMPOSTERS, HYPOCRITES AND SINNERS: THE SHORT +CUT to prison. + + + + +V: WHAT THE VILLAIN DID. + + +IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT, and after strangling with a POISON BELT, THE FOX +TERRIER, asleep BEHIND THE SCREEN, and then removing his BOOTS, the +INTRUDER, Martin Dhragnet, keeping well within the SHADOW of the CANDLE +LIGHT, stealthily approached the couch, upon which the girl, Marjorie, +had thrown herself, but a short time before, to read for a fifth time, +the LETTERS OF HORACE WALPOLE as she had become much interested in THE +CASE OF DR. HORACE; but five times are too many to read, no matter whose +LETTERS they are and she was soon IN THE CLOUDS, and SLEEP overcame her. + +Dhragnet gave the figure a LIGHT touch, at the same time muttering, "MY +CAPTIVE, LITTLE NEMO IN SLUMBERLAND:" but THE LAW OF LIFE at once +asserted itself, for THE HUMAN TOUCH awakened the girl, but chloroform +soon silenced her, and throwing one of the ORIENTAL RUGS over the form, +and leaving his boots behind, and which fortunately for him, did not, +later, give a clue to the owner, THE INVADER carried his burden to THE +ONE WAY OUT, down THE CIRCULAR STAIRCASE, out INTO THE NIGHT, where THE +ACCOMPLICE, one of THE GANG, awaited him, and taking THE MIDDLE COURSE +across the YARD AND GARDEN, the TWO SINNERS passed out upon THE COUNTRY +ROAD, THE ROAD made famous by JOHN GILPIN, and none too soon, for THE +TENANTS OF THE TREES were BEGINNING to announce the approach of DAWN, the +end of THE LONG NIGHT, THE MORNING OF TO-DAY. + +Marjorie was indeed KIDNAPPED BY PIRATES, as the TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES, +had there been any, later on, would have proved. A short walk along THE +DRUID PATH brought THE GENTLEMAN with the KIDNAPPED girl and CHERRY, his +pal, to DEEP MOAT GRANGE, where a motor awaited them. + +"Now, PICCADILLY JIM, don't ask any FOOLISH QUESTIONS," said Dhragnet, +THE DAREDEVIL; "don't stand there as if you had been STRUCK BY LIGHTNING: +this is not A FOOL'S ERRAND: we've not COME OUT TO PLAY: GREAT SNAKES, I +LITTLE KNEW what a HANDICAP the girl was going to be, an' I never have +much SUCCESS WITH HENS, an' she must weigh a ton, I GUESS: but WHEN THE +HOUR CAME, and IN SPITE OF THE HANDICAP, I had to grab her ROYAL HIGHNESS +and skip; but THE DANGER MARK is passed, an' we'll soon have POLLY +PEACHUM, IN CHAINS, aboard our merry captain's leaky OLD CIDER MILL: +grind your engine, LADDIE, and get away from this DESERTED VILLAGE, for +this may be a ZEPPELIN NIGHT, an' you know only innocent people, like +ourselves, are killed on those nights, an' don't get twisted up in your +untied SHOESTRINGS, an' don't SOUND your horn." + +And THE MAN AT THE WHEEL soon had the motor ON SIXTH SPEED, rushing in +FULL SWING, along THE ROMANTIC ROAD. + + + + +VI: INTRODUCES THE HEROINE. + + +The Brighton EXPRESS, having arrived at WATERLOO, some FORTY MINUTES +LATE, the Duke and his newly-made DUCHESS at once proceeded to HIS WIFE, +Celeste's APARTMENT in THE HOUSE IN SPRING GARDENS, where dinner awaited +them. + +"SWEETHEART," said the Duke, "you look a DREAM in that COSTUME; to-day a +DUCHESS OF FEW CLOTHES, TO-MORROW, of many: do you know, I feel we are +like THE CHILDREN WHO RAN AWAY: I really don't deserve all this +HAPPINESS: WHEN A MAN MARRIES or the woman goes IN SEARCH OF A HUSBAND, +they naturally have GREAT EXPECTATIONS for a HAPPY LIFE, and I know we +are not going to be disappointed." + +"And I am going to be a SUCCESSFUL WIFE," said the Duchess. + +"But to RETURN to our talk about your parents: I must find this so-called +NURSE NORAH; I am convinced that you are not the DAUGHTER of Anderson +Crow." + +"Of course I'm not, JACK, but whose daughter am I? I am IN THE DARK; when +JUST A LITTLE GIRL, I was sent to school at STRATFORD-ON-AVON where on +SATURDAY MORNINGS, I was visited by a woman who called herself MY AUNT +JEANNETTE, and spoke of me as A DAUGHTER OF THE RICH; MY SCHOOL LIFE +taught me THE VALUE OF COURAGE, but played HAVOC with my disposition: the +HOUR OF CONFLICT had to come, of course: and then DIMBIE AND I ran away +to TOWN and I soon became one of THE PLAYERS O'LONDON, and you know the +REST." + +"I shall certainly see YARBOROUGH THE PREMIER: he is familiar with LONDON +of twenty...." + +"His Grace is wanted on the TELEPHONE," said the maid. + +"Yes: Jameson: NO: very well: GREAT CATHERINE: very well." + +"I must leave you for a while, my dear; SANDY wants to see me and +Inspector Morgan is coming to my chambers; Jameson says something +important: ALL ABOUT ME: JUST FANCY: so GOOD BYE SWEETHEART, you are +going to be A JOY FOREVER, and these are going to be GREAT DAYS for us; +LIFE IS A DREAM really." + +After leaving SPRING Gardens, the Duke, who did not consider WALKING A +FINE ART, proceeded slowly along KENSINGTON road, ON THE LOOKOUT for +FAMILIAR FACES, and at THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT, was stopped by a sign +NO THOROUGHFARE, where a subway was under construction, and was accosted +by a bibulous INDIVIDUAL, who had just waded through a mortar box, and +who said: + +"Greash Scott: ole BOY" said THE MAN WITH THE IRON SHOES, swinging his +GOLD HEADED CANE, "who'd thought--hic--it'd snowed so hard in thish one +spot: Sir: wantchew t'know, I'm fren' of Sir Jaff'y Gotdough: an' he's +dead." + +The Duke had proceeded as far as Addison Road station, when a hansom +pulled up towards him, and he immediately recognized the occupant as his +cousin the Lady Evelyn, who said-- + +"Jack: I've been watching for you: Jameson said you were in SPRING +Gardens, but preferred not to give the number: said it was NORTH OF +FIFTY-THREE: jump in, please; I know it is not GOOD FORM FOR WOMEN to be +driving ALONE in a public vehicle, and I feel like one of THE GIRL ROUGH +RIDERS." + +"Well; MY LADY CAPRICE, I WAS THINKING OF YOU; what's on HER LADYSHIP'S +CONSCIENCE?" + +"Jack: I want this to be A CHRONICLE OF FRIENDSHIPS: I know you will ask +BY WHAT AUTHORITY, am I interesting myself in your affairs, but do let us +be COMRADES, let me tell you that the Major has been telling me about +your FRIEND, THE CHORUS LADY, THE IDOL OF THE TOWN, as she is called--now +keep your temper--please, only nice things to say--I AM convinced that +she is a lovely and remarkable girl, and not a mere FLUFFY RUFFLES: the +Major says she is not the daughter of THE ADVENTURER, Crow." + +"But, my dear EVELYN, you of all others; you are THE ONE WOMAN to +interest yourself: it is amazing." + +"No sarcasm, JACK, you know I care lots for you, FOR SUCH IS LIFE, and if +you really want to marry the girl, you may count on me: but I came to +tell you, that ONE DAY, some time ago, ON OUR STREET, my motor ran down a +WOMAN; of course you will say the INEVITABLE, WOMAN IN THE WAY, and +thinking her only stunned ordered her carried into the HOUSE, and called +THE DOCTOR, and after an examination, DR. DAVID ordered absolute quiet +and forbade her immediate removal: for three days, the woman raved about +THE MALEFACTOR, Celeste, Cammerleigh, Crow, and THE FRUIT OF THE TREE: +ordinarily, one does not give these ravings a second thought for +delirious persons seem to have A PERFECT PASSION for raving ON ANYTHING, +but the things next to their HEART, but the names struck me very +forcibly; is it not curious THE WAY THINGS HAPPEN; NIGHT AND MORNING, +from NINE UNTIL SIX-THIRTY, she kept it up: I think, at the time of the +accident, the WOMAN was being followed, as Denis has seen the same man +watching THE HOUSE: the woman finally recovered and upon being +interrogated, admitted that she expected to need a large sum of MONEY, +and asked if I would be willing to give two thousand pounds for her +SECRET: of course I agreed, with a string attached, meaning of course, +that being a woman, you have a perfect right to change YOUR MIND, +whereupon, she said that when I receive a box containing a red lily, I +must at once visit the PRINCESS Dehra: TO-MORROW, I shall tell you what I +have discovered at the PRINCESS Dehra's." + +"Truly, EVELYN, you're a wonder: I believe you are going to help this +LITTLE DUKE, as you helped LITTLE ROB ROBIN: the deed has been done, I +have paid THE PRICE OF LOVE: I was MARRIED at BRIGHTON this morning." + +"I am very glad, JACK; and I WISH YOU JOY: I KNOW she is a dear girl.... +By-the-bye, I am still undecided about becoming SIR JAFFRAY'S WIFE: I had +hoped to make something out of him, but...." + +"About how much: a million?" forgetting, for the moment, that he had just +heard of the death of this unfortunate individual. + +"Sarcastic again, Jack: but here we are at Brook street: driver: No. +SEVENTEEN Grosvenor square: Good-night, Jack; come to see me TO-MORROW, +and trust to my JUDGMENT." + + + + +VII: THE CRISIS. + + +"HELLO! Sandy, OLD MAN: how are you? is THE LURE OF THE CITY too much for +you? take that chair, please." + +"Thanks: I really would not know what to do with it." + +"Same old joker, I see: but tell me about THE MARRIAGE OF THEODORA: when +I heard of THE SUICIDE of her UNCLE WILLIAM.... By-the-bye, WHY DID HE DO +IT?" + +"Well: I suppose THE UNFORSEEN happened, and, I dare say, he feared BARON +TRIGAULT'S VENGEANCE and moreover, I fancy he could not have stood THE +TEST of the probable revelations of RAILWAY MISRULE: SO THEY WERE +MARRIED, not AT THE VILLA ROSE, but at THE HOUSE OF SERRAVALLE, you know +THE RED-HOUSE ON ROWAN STREET, on THE UP GRADE from WOODSTOCK, on THE +SUNNY SIDE OF THE HILL: THEODORA'S HUSBAND, MR. OPP, is, by LONG ODDS, +the nicest chap I have met in years: of course, it was a MARRIAGE A LA +MODE, as he has inherited the greater portion of JOHN MARSH'S MILLIONS, +and he has undertaken THE EDUCATION OF JACQUELINE, THE RED HEAD, you +know: rather AN EMBARRASSING ORPHAN, but a jolly keen one, just the same: +knows about THREE HUNDRED THINGS A BRIGHT GIRL CAN DO, and she will be A +SUCCESS IN LIFE: but of all the FAIRIES I HAVE MET...." + +"Inspector Morgan, your Grace," announces Jameson. + +"Sorry, Sandy, I'll see you later. Morgan, I've been AN EXILE FROM LONDON +for one whole day: what's the news?" + +"I thought your Grace would like to be in at THE ROUND-UP to-night, as I +believe you will have some personal interest in the case: I have not all +the ends joined: there are a few FRAGMENTS THAT REMAIN unattached, but it +is only a question of getting UNDER THE CRUST: but before I forget it; +the DOVER incident is closed: THE PASSENGER FROM CALAIS has been CAPTURED +and THE CAREER OF KATHERINE BUSH has been brought to a close: always hate +to run down THE WEAKER SEX, but QUICK ACTION was necessary. We are going +to Ratcliffe, your Grace, and I have The Yard's Rolls-Royce below, and if +you have no objection, we'll make a start. I have taken the PRECAUTION to +bring THE SCARLET RUNNER, as we call it; pretty heavy car, but greater +SECURITY; LIGHT MOTOR CARS AND VOITURETTES are no good for rough roads." + +"JERRY," said Morgan, as they reached the curb, "GO-AHEAD, don't be a +'FRAID CAT, High street, Ratcliffe." + +It took but a moment to get FROM LOW TO HIGH GEAR: through Hobart Place, +into VICTORIA Street, across New Palace Yard, and on to the Embankment. + +"Give this motor HALF A CHANCE," said Morgan, "and you are GOING SOME: +Does your Grace see the man AT THE CROSS ROADS? that's MY FRIEND +PROSPERO: he has been connected with more CELEBRATED CRIMES than any man +at the Yard." + +On HIGH SPEED, THE SCARLET CAR rushed past The Metropole, under Charing +Cross bridge, past The Needle and the imposing facade of SOMERSET HOUSE: +across Blackfriars entrance, and then into EARLY LONDON. "BREAKERS +AHEAD," called Morgan, "Jerry: careful of the mud." There really wasn't +any mud, only CITY DUST, but the sentence had to be interpolated here in +order to give a REASON for the next question. + +"I don't suppose your Grace is interested in ROAD MATERIALS? Last year, +MY SON AND I made A STUDY OF SPLASHES." + +The motor continued on its CROOKED WAY through Upper and Lower THAMES +streets, past THE TOWER OF LONDON, over THE BROKEN ROAD of Lower +Shadwell. + +"Your Grace, I venture to say, A BIT OF ROUGH ROAD." + +"Very, Morgan, but good for OUR DIGESTION, but THESE SHIFTING SCENES are +rather disconcerting." + +The motor was stopped at Love Lane, where the party was met by POLICEMAN +BLUE JAY, who accompanied them to the THAMES Wharf, BEYOND the No. 3 +shaft of Rotherhithe Tunnel. + +"Inspector," said THE PILOT, "here's A STROKE OF LUCK; this is no WILD +GOOSE CHASE; your trip is not IN VAIN; you're JUST IN TIME, for the boat +is still at ANCHOR." + +"WHAT SHALL WE DO NOW?" asked the Duke, not KNOWING, OTHER PEOPLE'S +BUSINESS. + +And Morgan, pointing through THE PURPLE MISTS, to the SURREY side, for +the early DAWN was upon them, said: + +"We have now reached THE END OF THE JOURNEY: do you see the ship in +MIDSTREAM off the Surrey Locks, in front of the gas tanks? That's our +destination: the DEAR ENEMY." + +"But, Morgan, for THE LIFE OF ME, I fail to see where I come in." + +"All in good time, your Grace: IT'S ALL IN A DAY'S WORK: again I say, +don't WORRY: but I see the EBB-TIDE is on," and blowing two blasts upon a +whistle, the Police-Boat, THE SEAWOLF, shot through THE OUTLET from +Shadwell Basin, where she was always HELD FOR ORDERS. + +"Be careful, your Grace: get away, ANTONIO: THE BLACK BARQUE, you know: +and when we get aboard, all be careful of the OPEN HATCHWAYS." + +And IN ANOTHER MOMENT, Morgan, standing in the bow, shouted "Ship Ahoy: +IN THE KING'S NAME, I want the captain of THE QUEEN OF THE NIGHT," after +which they began climbing UP THE LADDER. + +(A fight occurs here, a description of which has been omitted as it +contains some BLANKETY BLANK VERSE.) + +"And now, my worthy CAP'N GID, cut out the SMILES: THE GAME is up: the +POPULATION of your HAPPY SHIP has dropped one; we have secured two +prisoners and if you don't want to be the third, COME down, and besides, +BY WHAT AUTHORITY are you SAILING, UNDER TWO FLAGS: IN SPITE OF ALL the +WHITE LIES you have told us, you have A YOUNG LADY aboard and we propose +to have THE GIRL: WORDS TO THE WISE, you know. I admit that you have been +A VICTIM OF VILLAINY, but you are playing A DESPERATE GAME, and THE +RECKONING is at hand. Where is THE HIDDEN VICTIM? what, may I ask, have +you over there IN GRANDMA'S CHEST, there in THE SHADOW, UNDER THE RED +ROBE? Put down that gun: anyway I can see it is not THE REAL THING." + +(A fight occurs here, a description of which has been omitted, as there +was some PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING.) + +"My CAPTAIN with the FAIRY TALES, THE CONFLICT is over; THE DAY'S WORK is +finished; as a FIGHTER, you're a monumental failure: go buy a scrap-book, +and learn how to become a prize-fighter, and as to SHOOTING FIRE-ARMS +like WILD FIRE, it was simply FURTHER FOOLISHNESS; but FOR THE LOVE OF +TONITA, come off your PIRATE BRIDGE; pull up, and remember IT IS NEVER +TOO LATE TO MEND: no more MONKEY SHINES: this HAPPY-GO-LUCKY business has +been EASY MONEY to you, you with THE ITCHING PALM; but it is really not +one of the THINGS WORTH DOING, and IT NEVER CAN HAPPEN AGAIN: I PROMISE +to let you off, and these are no IDLE WORDS, for you have been THE DUPE, +and I WISH YOU JOY in your FREEDOM, but OH! MARY BE CAREFUL, hereafter. +And NOW, my MAN, draw up at the ROYAL ALBERT Dock." + + * * * * * + +"EXCUSE ME, MY LORD DUKE," said Morgan, "I think instead of awaiting the +return of the motor, THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY will be to begin THE HOMEWARD +JOURNEY, by taking a tram here for West Ham, and then the District to THE +WEST END, THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE." + +"GO-AHEAD BOYS: FOLLOW ME, your Grace," and carrying the still LIMPY +figure of the RELEASED girl, the party crossed the road. + + + + +VIII: THE GRAND FINALE. + + +The Duke of Belleville had just finished going through his morning's +post, and still held in his HAND a lengthy letter from his financial +adviser, RICHARD ELLIOTT, FINANCIER, THE MONEY MASTER dealing with THE +FINANCES OF SIR JOHN KYNNERSLY, one of THE BOOMERS of the day, and with +THE CONTEST FOR SOUND MONEY. The Duke was, at the moment, reclining +rather lazily, with his TWO LEGS outstretched, and was thinking, neither +of the contents of THE LETTERS, nor of WHAT TO WEAR, but listening +rather, as THE MUSIC LOVER, to THE SONG OF SONGS, THE SONG OF THE +CARDINAL, perched upon THE ELM TREE ON THE MALL. + +Oh! What is there to equal a SPRING IN LONDON? + +This, the Duke's favorite room, was at once the admiration of the +artistic, containing, as it did, wonderful examples of THE CHIPPENDALES, +and FRAGMENTS OF OLD FURNITURE, collected by HIS OWN PEOPLE, his very own +ANCESTORS: the room, too, was an historic one; many A PRINCESS OF +INTRIGUE had occupied that very chair, and the GHOSTS OF PICCADILLY had +met there on more than one occasion, for every house must have a GHOST, +even if it be JUST FOR FUN. + +THE BRONZE BELL of distant Big Ben had just proclaimed the hour of noon, +when Inspector Morgan was announced. + +"AT LAST," said the Duke to himself, "THE REVELATIONS OF INSPECTOR +MORGAN." + +"THE TOP OF THE MORNING to your Grace: I am here, as you see, AT THE TIME +APPOINTED: I trust your Grace is well, after the ORDEAL BY FIRE last +night? I am A COURIER OF FORTUNE. RECORD NO. 33 is now complete." + +"I AM WELL, Morgan: but out with THE GREAT SECRET: I take it that THE +WELDING of the chain is complete: that THE GREAT PLAN has been +successful: but allow me to suggest that you are not FRANKS DUELLIST, so +for goodness sake, stop bending THE SILVER BLADE of that knife: it is not +a rapier, as you seem to imagine, and I am afraid you will break it: it +really belongs IN THE KITCHEN." + +"MY STORY, your Grace, is rather long, and in a manner proves that there +has been MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: but before I begin, let me say that Sir +Jaffray was FOUND DEAD this MORNING: of course it was DRINK that killed +him: I fancy that lets your cousin, HER LADYSHIP, out of a bad bargain: +THE MESSAGE, BY TELEPHONE from Broadstairs stated further that Sir +Jaffray and THREE COMRADES were BOXING and drinking quantities of BAD +WHISKEY at BAR-20 of THE FLYING INN, and à propos were discussing the +ART OF AVIATION, and FLIGHT WITHOUT FORMULAE, which only added FUEL to +THE FLAME, and became so noisy, that THE MASTER OF THE INN threw them +OUTDOORS: but to RETURN; this MORNING, I had a long INTERVIEW with Miss +Marjorie Crow, and she has helped me to BRIDGE, THE CHASM: LINK BY LINK, +have I welded the chain: your Grace will probably recall that affair at +ELIZABETH, when Lord Cammerleigh, having been at THE OPERA with Lady +Grasmere, was found dead, two hours later, in High street, ELIZABETH; his +apparently lifeless body carried into THE RUNNING HORSE INN, to await the +arrival of the Coroner of THE 13th DISTRICT: how the body disappeared IN +A MYSTERIOUS WAY, after having been viewed by THE VEILED LADY: the NEXT +MORNING, one of the Yard's men, PENDENNIS, in passing along QUALITY +STREET, saw Lord Cammerleigh at THE WINDOW AT THE WHITE CAT: with the aid +of a FORCING BOOK, THE BOLTED DOOR was forced open and his Lordship, even +although AT BAY, denied having been at ELIZABETH: said he had been +MOTORING through the HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS IN KENT. Nevertheless, he quite +innocently gave us THE CLUE: ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY, you know; THE WOMAN +IN QUESTION was traced to CHIPPINGE BOROUGH, where we found she made A +CHANGE OF DRESS, and in the garb of a CHARITY sister, visited prisoner +NUMBER 99, at DARTMOOR: here, then, was THE MAN IN THE CASE, No. 99, +being none other than the celebrated DR. NIKOLA. FROM THE BOTTOM UP, by +DEVIOUS WAYS, by PERSUASION, and I might say, almost by FOUL-PLAY, have +we worked out this case: the WOMAN, I have no doubt, finally realized +that she was being HUNTED DOWN, for we took every OPPORTUNITY to let her +know that we had her under surveillance, but here our theory failed us, +THAT IS TO SAY, the woman, NO DOUBT realizing that she was UNDER FIRE, +instead of coming to US with a proposition, wrote a confession, then took +A FATAL DOSE of Coniine. Now, your Grace, I understand that you were +married yesterday, and you will recall that last night we rescued a young +girl, named MARJORIE Crow...." + +"What! Morgan, you certainly don't mean SISTERS: but I know the Duchess +hasn't a sister." + +"AS YOU LIKE IT, your Grace: right you are, her Grace is quite unaware of +the fact; but THE TURN OF THE BALANCE came this morning, when I informed +his Lordship about THE WOMAN AT KENSINGTON, HOW SHE PLAYED THE GAME: that +her husband was still alive and IN DURANCE VILE, although, as I SAID TO +MYSELF, this is not THE TRUTH as his RELEASE came last night. Lord +Cammerleigh then related his story: strange how all the FRAGMENTS should +be found at the same time: IN A NUTSHELL, the woman's CONFESSION is that +she and her sister were the nurses to his Lordship's two daughters...." + +"It will be news to most people to hear of Cammerleigh as a FATHER," said +the Duke, "but continue." + +"At this time his Lordship was very fond of the gaming-table and +thoroughly knew THE RULES OF THE GAME: one night, finding himself +cheated, knocked down the offender, AS A MATTER OF COURSE, and fled from +THE CLUB. AS IT HAPPENED, the man was not injured: continued his +prison-in-the-end career, and came into public notice TWO YEARS AGO, in +the case of THE FOURBE Soapstone and Leather Co. vs. THE GREAT AMERICAN +PIE COMPANY: was convicted and is now at DARTMOOR as No. 99, which is, as +I told you, NOT EXACTLY SO. The morning after the club affair, the WOMAN, +the nurse, informed Lord Cammerleigh that he had killed HER HUSBAND and +demanded twenty thousand pounds; to keep silent: for the moment, she knew +she had THE UPPER HAND: his Lordship thought HIS HOUR had come, but he +put up A GOOD FIGHT: but YOU NEVER KNOW YOUR LUCK, for the nurse did not +know that his Lordship only had a very small life-interest in his wife's +estate, and could not comply with her demands, her scheme had failed: +then she spirited away the infants, and it was not until to-day, that his +Lordship knew that they were still alive, so thoroughly did THE +BLACKMAILERS do their work." + +"Why did he not call in the police: COWARD...." + +"JUST A MINUTE, your Grace, the reason is obvious: he had the murder, +so-called, in mind, and he also hoped to locate the kids himself: for +eighteen years, he was HELD IN THE TOILS, until one day he saw the woman, +driving in a VICTORIA, in THE ENGADINE: she seemed to be moving IN HIGH +PLACES (ALTITUDE, 5935 ft.): he followed her and made A BID FOR FREEDOM, +but without SUCCESS: the WOMAN informed HIS LORDSHIP that the moment she +heard of his DEATH, she would reveal HER SECRET to his lawyers: hence the +two sham deaths: on both occasions, he had some one AT HAND, to +immediately come FORWARD to claim the body and spirit it away, so that +proper restoratives could at once be applied, without the aid of an +inquisitive medical MAN: Doctor Phaque thinks he must have used a powder, +composed chiefly of Dimethyloxyquinizine and Myosin to produce this +STATE: the same person was to at once inform the NEWSPAPERS of the death: +unfortunately, on the first occasion and ON THE EVE of SUCCESS, the +woman, having followed him to ELIZABETH, at once saw through the trick. +The second attempt proved equally disastrous: we had the details of the +Norton abduction, by arresting the man left behind, A WATCHER IN THE +WOODS; the woman had arranged THE GREAT PLAN, HERSELF, when she realized +that she had divulged entirely too much to Miss MARJORIE Crow but MAN +PROPOSES, you know: the Nikola man's real name is Anderson Nicholson +Crow. How is that for A STORY OF A LIE? Lord Cammerleigh is now with his +DAUGHTER, MARJORIE, and expects to call upon her Grace very shortly: he +really believes himself quite ill; I found him studying A TREATISE ON +APPENDICITIS, and he TALKS about being put UNDER THE KNIFE: A DIAGNOSIS +of his own, AS I REMEMBER; PEOPLE LIKE THAT are NOT EXACTLY RIGHT; they +get on my nerves; they should have PEACE AND QUIET behind THE FIVE BARRED +GATE." + +"Oh! COME, Morgan, take THINGS AS THEY ARE: But your success has been +truly marvellous: HERE'S TO YOU: you deserve a big COMPENSATION, and A +TOY SHOP, FOR THE CHILDREN. Jameson, telephone THE SLEEPING CAR office +in Cockspur Street, to reserve rooms on THE ROME EXPRESS for to-morrow +night, as the Duchess and I want to get away from the TUMULT of THE +CROWDED STREET; and TO BE AMUSED: and now, Morgan, LAUGH AGAIN, and +GOOD-BYE." + + * * * * * + +OF COURSE EVERYTHING HAS BEEN EXPLAINED, BUT NOBODY WILL UNDERSTAND THE +EXPLANATIONS ANY BETTER THAN THE AUTHOR UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS SOUGHT TO BE +EXPLAINED. + + + + +Transcribers note: + + +Minor printing errors have been corrected without note, although +inconsistent punctuation and capitalisation has been left as per the +original. + +The following is a list of notable changes made. The modified line is +shown first and the original line is shown second: + + to amuse himself by dictating to MISS MARJORIBANKS, + to amuse himself by dictating to MISS MAJORIBANKS, + + to take his PETS to NORTHANGER ABBEY, to SERENADE + to take his PETS to NORTHRANGER ABBEY, to SERENADE + + stealthily approached the couch, upon which the girl, Marjorie, + steathily approached the couch, upon which the girl, Marjorie, + + shaft of Rotherhithe Tunnel + shaft of Rotherhite Tunnel + +The line "BOOK, THE BOLTED DOOR was forced open and his Lordship," +was left as per the original although it should probably have started +with HOOK. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Peachmonk, by John Eyerman + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40253 *** |