Miser Farebrother (vol 3 of 3)

the Langham Hotel, and in accordance with Captain Ablewhite's instructions, waited on the opposite side of the road. There was no moon, and h

of nine. At all events, I'll wait for him." The minutes sped on; a quarter past ten, half past, three-quarters past, and now another hour had passed. It was eleven o'clock, and Jeremiah, worked up into a state of terrible excitement, continued to pace up and down, up and down. Two or three times a policeman, attracted by h

woman said. "Your

red Jeremiah

aiting for

es

r w

in Abl

right. Ta

emiah, turning, saw no trace of her. No time was afforded

me," i

ss cape, and upon whose head was a hat unlike that which he usually wore. He followed the Captain, who walked very fast, unt

low?" said Cap

nded the myst

ew you would wait for me. Ah!

said J

ptain Ablewhite too

an, who hid herself from me.

enough. Go and fet

, and returned wi

ll him it is on account, and that he has a good fare. Instruct him to d

tions, and the next moment he and

g in one of those awkward fixes which invariably land a fellow in jail and ruin him for ever and ever, amen! something has turned up to save you. This is the way

es

The amount she requires is four thousand pounds, and she has handed you jewels worth ten times as much. In a month from this date the four tho

idding him to keep up a light, in order that he might have a good view of the jewels. He nicked the morocco case open, and exposed to

would come to her husband's ears; and although the diamonds are hers, to do as she likes with, there is the future to be considered. The Duke makes her a handsome allowance; he has drawn up his will, leaving her as much as it is in his power to do; he is a very jealous, irascible, pompous-headed old idiot, and it is therefore imperative that this little matter shall be negotiated in such a way as to render it impossible it can come to his knowledge. He brings his wife to London this evening; his town mansion is not in a fit state to receive his noble carcass, so his wife drives him to the Langham. She knows from me that a friend-you, Jeremiah-is waiting outside the hotel; she comes to you, addresses you, slips her bracelet into your hand, and vanishes. What confidence! What imprudence! Dear little soul! As for the interest, charge her sixty, eighty, a hundred per cent.

at he can sell,"

nal court. In a month you will receive four thousand pounds interest on the loan, of which you hand the governor one thousand, retaining three, which you pay to me off what you owe the book-maker. To oblige me, he will wait. The personal accounts between you and me we will go into by-and-by. You see, friend Jeremiah, something very disagreeable, shockingly disagreeable, st

h, slowly, "that there is any

nd keep it dark. See the governor to-

es

it. But I know you can be trusted just now, because of the fix you're in. I must see you to-morrow night to hear what you have to te

punctual?"

laughing; "I will be punctual. T

r was pulling up, leaving Jeremiah

had consented to lend the money. On Tuesday evening Captain Ablewhite received four thousand pounds from Jeremiah, and the gallant Captain