f this communication that he began picking up
the three-halfpence to restore them to his pocket, and stood holding the
corner of the letter to draw it out as soon as his terms were accepted.
The acceptance came unconditionally, with a nod; and Micky departed with
his jug.

What were the contents of this letter to Mr. Wix, care of Miss Julia
Hawkins, at The Pigeons? That was all the direction on the envelope,
originally covered by another, addressed to Micky's great-aunt. It was
worded as Daverill had worded it in a hurried parting word to Aunt
M'riar, given when Gwen's knock had cut his visit short. This letter, in
an uneducated woman's hand, excited Miss Hawkins's curiosity. Of course
it might only be from the old woman he supposed to be his mother. If so,
there did not seem to be any reasonable objection to her reading it. If
otherwise, she felt that there were many reasonable objections to
leaving it unread. Anyhow there was a kettle steaming on the fire in the
bar, and if she held the letter over the spout to see if it would open
easy, she would be still in a position to shut it up again and deliver
it with a guiltless conscience. Eve, no doubt, felt that she could
handle the apple and go on resisting temptation, so as not to seem rude
to the Serpent. The steam was not wanted for long, the envelope flap
curling up in a most obliging manner, and leaving all clear for
investigation. Miss Hawkins laid the letter down to dry quite dry,
before fingering it. Remember to bear this in mind in opening other
people's letters this way. The slightest touch on paper moistened by
steam may remain as a tell-tale.

This woman was so cautious that she left the paper untouched where she
had laid it on the table while she conferred with a recently installed
potboy on points of commercial economy. When she returned it was dry
beyond suspicion, and she drew the letter out to see if it contained
anything she need hesitate to read. She felt that she was keeping in
view what is due to the sensitive conscience of an honourable person.

The note she read was short, written so that the lines fell thus:--

"RALPH DAVERILL--The police are
on the look out for you and it is now not
safe to come to the Court--This is written
by your wife to say you will run
great risk of being took if you come--
For you to know who I am I write my name--

POLLY DAVERILL.
Sapps Court Dec 9 1854."

The lines were ill-spaced, so that blanks were left as show