ight of Steps, a Stirrup, and a
Stone 70

IV Of how We fell in with a Highwayman
at the Cross Roads 87

V Concerning the true Identity of our
Highwayman 113

VI Of the Dawning of Christmas Day 123

VII Which deals, among other Matters,
with the Ring of Steel 132

VIII Wherein the Truth of the old Adage
is made manifest--to wit: All's
well that ends well 152

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Very slowly, Sir Harry obeyed, swearing
frightfully _Frontispiece_

"I believe I have the felicity of addressing
Sir John Chester?" PAGE 12

"Oh! Ha! Hum!" says Bentley, "Did
Jack tell you all that, Pen?" 80

"Father," says she, "this is my husband--and
I am proud to tell you so 159

THE HONOURABLE
MR. TAWNISH

CHAPTER ONE

_Introducing Mr. Tawnish, and what befell
at "The Chequers"_

Myself and Bentley, who, though a good fellow in many ways, is yet a
fool in more (hence the prominence of the personal pronoun, for, as
every one knows, a fool should give place to his betters)--myself and
Bentley, then, were riding home from Hadlow, whither we had been to
witness a dog-fight (and I may say a better fight I never saw, the dog I
had backed disabling his opponent very effectively in something less
than three-quarters of an hour--whereby Bentley owes me a hundred
guineas)--we were riding home as I say, and were within a half-mile or
so of Tonbridge, when young Harry Raikes came up behind us at his usual
wild gallop, and passing with a curt nod, disappeared down the hill in a
cloud of dust.

"Were I but ten years younger," says I, looking after him, "Tonbridge
Town would be too small to hold yonder fellow and myself--he is becoming
a positive pest."

"True," says Bentley, "he's forever embroiling some one or other."

"Only last week," says I, "whi