With ref'ce to my last of the 28th ult., I should be glad if
you would send down immediately one of your best men. Am making
arrangements to receive him. Shall be glad if you will instruct
him as follows, viz. (a) that he shall stay at the village inn
in character of American seeing sights of England and anxious
to inspect the abbey; (b) that he shall call and ask to see me.
I shall then recognize him as old New York friend, and move his
baggage from above inn to the abbey. Yours faithfully,

P. McEACHERN.

P.S.--Kindly not send a rube, but a real smart man.

This brief but pregnant letter cost him some pains in its composition.
He was not a ready writer. But he completed it at last to his
satisfaction. There was a crisp purity in the style which pleased him.
He read it over, and put in a couple of commas. Then he placed it in
an envelope, and lit another cigar.




CHAPTER IV.


Jimmy's acquaintance with Spennie Blunt had developed rapidly in the
few days following their first meeting. Spennie had called next
morning to repay the loan, and two days later had invited Jimmy to
come down to Shropshire with him. Which invitation, Jimmy, bored with
London, had readily accepted. Spike he had decided to take with him in