“This,” said Norton, as he was about to go, “is a point of honor between us.”

“Why, I think, at all events, it ought,” replied Bimey; “at least, so far as I am concerned, it is not my intention to act dishonorably by any honest man.”

“Haw—haw! Very well said, indeed; I 'ave a good opinion of your discretion.

“Well, sir, I wish you good morneen; I shall call in a day or two, and expect to 'ave a satisfactory answer.”

“What a scoundrel!” exclaimed Birney.

“Here's a fellow, now, who has been fleecing that unfortunate sheep of a nobleman for the last four years, and now that he finds him at the length of his tether, he is ready to betray and sacrifice him, like a double-distilled rascal as he is. The villain thought I did not know him, but he was mistaken—quite out in his calculations. He will find, too, that he has brought his treachery to the wrong market.”

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CHAPTEE XXXIX. Fenton Recovered—The Mad-House

Sir Thomas Gourlay, on his return with the special license, was informed by the same servant who had admitted the stranger, that a gentleman awaited him in the drawing-room.

“Who is he, M'Gregor?”