The Project Gutenberg EBook of Half A Chance, by Frederic S. Isham

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Title: Half A Chance

Author: Frederic S. Isham

Release Date: December 3, 2004 [EBook #14249]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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HALF A CHANCE

BY
FREDERIC S. ISHAM

AUTHOR OF
UNDER THE ROSE
THE LADY OF THE MOUNT, ETC.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY
HERMAN PFEIFER

INDIANAPOLIS
THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY
PUBLISHERS

COPYRIGHT 1909
THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY

OCTOBER

PRESS OF
BRAUNWORTH & CO.
BOOKBINDERS AND PRINTERS
BROOKLYN, N.Y.

* * * * *

CONTENTS

PART ONE

I MR. GILLETT'S CHARGE
II A MESSAGE TO THE ADMIRALTY
III AN UNAPPRECIATED BOUNTY

PART TWO

I THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE
II AT THE OPERA
III A LESSON IN BOTANY
IV TIDES VARYING
V IN THE PARK
VI A CONFERENCE
VII INCIDENTS
VIII A CHANGE OF FRONT
IX AWAY FROM THE TOWN
X A CONTEST
XI WAYS AND MEANS
XII FESTIVITIES
XIII THE PRINCESS SUITE
XIV AN ANSWER
XV CURRENTS AND COUNTER CURRENTS
XVI FLIGHT
XVII THE UNEXPECTED
XVIII THROUGH THE FOG
XIX THE LAST SHIFT
XX THE PAPER
XXI A CONDITION
XXII NEAR THE RIVER
XXIII PAST AND PRESENT

* * * * *

PART ONE

CHAPTER I

MR. GILLETT'S CHARGE

"By all means, m'deah, let's go down between decks and have a look at
them."

"Of course, if you wish, Sir Charles, although--Do you think we shall be
edified, Mr. Gillett?"

"That depends, m'lady,"--and the speaker, a man with official manners
and ferret-like eyes, shifted from one foot to another,--"on what
degree, or particular class of criminal your ladyship would be
interested in," he added. "If in the ordinary category of skittle
sharper or thimblerigger," with a suspicion of mild scorn, "then I do
not imagine your ladyship would find much attraction in the present
cargo. But, on the other hand," in a livelier tone, "if your ladyship
has any curiosity, or shall we say, a psychological bent, reg