“Ah, but they won’t do that; leastways, I think not. I can answer for one—​the other I know nothing about.”

“Umph!” ejaculated Peace—​“all the better for you. I wish I had known nothing about her.”

“Women will be your downfall, old man,” observed Rawton. “There aint any mistake about that.”

“Get out; mind your own business. I know my way about, and don’t intend them to get the best of me, if I can help it.”

“All right, Charlie; I dare say you know best.”

“But I’m blowed if I ain’t forgot something.”

“What’s up, then?”

“Why, I’ve got a letter for you.”

“For me? Never!”

“I say I have. A lady—​a proper sort of one, too, I can tell you—​called here a few days ago, and asked if I knew you. She was as nicely behaved a woman as I ever clapped eyes upon, and her manner was so sweet and gentle, so ladylike, that—​well, hang me, if I didn’t get quite spoony on her.”