includes looking after the interests of British
subjects in the town or district he is stationed at.

"Now, sir, in my former letters I requested you to communicate with
the bankers in this town, and also with my father, whose address I
give below, and who placed money in their hands for my use. If you
will do so, you will see that all the statements in my former
letters are correct; but if you do not, a number of British
subjects will probably be condemned and heavily sentenced, entirely
through your neglect.

"Therefore, I beg of you at once to communicate with those who can
identify me and my friends, and in the meantime to use your
influence to postpone the trial till that communication can be
effected.

"Your obedient servant,

"J. HARKAWAY, JUNR."

"My eye!" said Chivey, when Murray had read the letter aloud, "ain't he
getting his back up?"

"No matter. They are all of them safe enough, and if they get out, I'll
forgive them."

"But they won't forgive you."

"Perhaps not; but ring the bell, Chivey. We'll have some wine after
this, and just hand over the cigar box."

The ex-groom gave a tug at the bell-rope and ordered wine.

Then he took up a cigar-box and, giving it a vigorous shake,
ejaculated--

"There ain't a blessed smoke in it, guv'nor."

"Well, I'll just put on my hat and stroll up to the shop of Monsieur
Cretineau-Joly and order a fresh stock. I must have a few minutes'
exercise before it gets dark; shan't be ten minutes."

Herbert left the apartment, while Chivey muttered--

"He's afraid of meeting that Lenoir if he goes out after dark."

And Chivey was quite right.

Herbert Murray walked briskly up the street till he reached the
tobacconist's, where he paused a moment, to look at the numerous
varieties of the nicotian herb displayed in the window, along with
pipes and cigar tubes of every shape and pattern.

As he looked, several others looked, and one of the lookers, while
removing his pipe, was so unfortunate as to allow some of the tobacco
ash to blow in Murray's face.

"Curse you, for an awkward Frenchman," growled Murray, while the other
politely apologised for the mishap.

Herbert coughed, and sneezed, and drew out his handkerchief to wipe his
face; but neither he nor anyone else noticed at the same time he drew
out young Jack Harkaway's letter, which fluttered slowly to the
pavement, where it lay with the address dow