Dacres sighed heavily.

"Yours can't be as bad as mine," said he, with a dismal look. "Mine is
the worst scrape that ever you heard of. And look at me now, with the
child-angel all ready to take me, and me not able to be taken.
Confound the abominable complications of an accursed civilization, I
say!"

"And I say, Amen!" said Hawbury.




CHAPTER VI.



THE FIERY TRIAL.

"See here, old chap," said Hawbury, "I'm going to make a clean breast
of it."

"Of what?"

"Of my affair."

"That's right," said Dacres, dolefully. "I should like of all things
to hear it."

"You see I wouldn't tell you, only you yourself turn out to be in a