I have therefore only ventured to
retain one insignificant scrawl as an example of Matthew Haygarth's
caligraphy and signature. From the rest I have taken copious notes. It
appears to me that these letters relate to some _liaison_ of the
gentleman's youth; though I am fain to confess myself surprised to
discover that, even in a period notorious for looseness of morals, a man
should enter into such details in a correspondence with his sister.
_Autres temps, autres moeurs_. I have selected my extracts with great
care, and hope that you may be able to make more use of them than I can
at present imagine possible. I shall post this letter and enclosure with
my own hands, though in order to do so I must pass the Black Swan. I
shall despatch my messenger to Lochiel Villa, with Miss Judson's packet,
under cover of the darkness.
In much haste, to catch the London mail,
Truly yours, H.N.C.P.
* * * * *
_From Philip Sheldon to Horatio Paget_. City, Oct. 12, 186--
Dear Paget,--Come back to town. You are only wasting money, time, and
trouble. Yours, P.S.
CHAPTER III.
TOO CLEVER, FOR A CATSPAW.
Captain Paget returned to town, mystified by that sudden summons from his
patron, and eager to know what new aspect of affairs rendered his further
presence in Ullerton useless or undesirable.
Horatio arrived in the great city half-a-dozen hours before his sometime
protege, and was comfortably installed when Valentine returned to those
lodgings in Omega Street, Chelsea, which the two men occupied in common.
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