tles, "the poor lady was that forlorn!"

I was no longer angry with Jem Bottles.

But I now had to do a deal of thinking. It was plain that the papers
were of supreme importance to the Earl. Although I had given them to
Lady Mary, they had returned to me. It was fate. My father had taught
me to respect these papers, but I now saw them as a sign in the sky.

However, it was hard to decide what to do. I had given the papers to
Lady Mary, and they had fled back to me swifter than cormorants.
Perhaps it was willed that I should keep them. And then there would be
tears in the eyes of Lady Mary, who suffered through the suffering of
her father. No; come good, come bad for me, for Jem Bottles, for
Paddy, I would stake our fortunes on the act of returning the papers
to Lady Mary.

It is the way of Irishmen. We are all of us true philanthropists. That
is why we have nothing, although in other countries I have seen
philanthropists who had a great deal. My own interest in the papers I
staked, mentally, with a glad mind; the minor interests of Jem Bottles
and Paddy I staked, mentally, without thinking of them at all. But
surely it would be a tribute to fate to give anything to Lady Mary.

I resolved on a course of action. When I aroused to look at my
companions I found them seated face to face on the ground like players
of draughts. Between them was spread a handkerchief, and on that
handkerchief was a heap of guineas. Jem Bottles was saying, "Here be
my fingers five times over again." He separated a smaller heap. "Here
be my fingers five times over again." He separated another little
stack. "And here be my fingers five times over again and two more yet.
Now can ye understand?"

"By dad," said Paddy admiringly, "you have the learning this time,
Master Bottles. My uncle the sexton could not have done it better."

"What is all this?" said I.

They both looked at me deprecatingly. "'Tis, your honour," began
Paddy; "'tis only some little small sum--nothing to be talked
of--belonging to the old sick man in the carriage."

"Paddy and Jem Bottles," said I, "I forgive you the taking of the
papers. Ye are good men and true. Now we will do great deeds."

CHAPTER XII

My plans were formed quickly. "We now have a treasure chest of no
small dimensions," said I, very complacent, naturally. "We can conquer
London with this. Everything is before us. I have already established
myself as the grandest swordsman in the whole conti