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The Last Duchess, edited by Julian
Hawthorne. Chapter one, has the Duchess

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returned? No, your grace.
Knowles came farther into the room. He

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had a letter on a salver.
When the Duke had taken it, Knowles

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still lingered. The Duke glanced at
him. Is an answer required? No,

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your grace still knows lingered. Something
a little singular has happened. The

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carriage has returned without the Duchess,
and the men say that they thought her

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grace was in it. What do
you mean? I hardly understand myself,

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your Grace. Perhaps you would like
to see Barnes. Barnes was the coachman.

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Send him up. When Knowles had
gone and he was alone, his

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Grace showed signs of being slightly annoyed. He looked at his watch. I

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told her she'd better be in by
four. She says that she's not feeling

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well, and yet one would think
that she was not aware of the fatigue

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entailed and having the Prince come to
dinner and the mob of people to follow.

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I particularly wished her to lie down
for a couple of hours. Knowles

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ushered in not only Barnes, the
coachman, but Moisey the footman too.

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Both these persons seemed to be ill
at ease. The Duke glanced at them

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sharply. In his voice there was
a suggestion of impatience. What is the

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matter, Barnes explained as best he
could, if you please, your grace,

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we waited for the duchess outside Cain
and Wilson's the drapers. The duchess

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came out, got into the carriage, and Moisey shut the door, and

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her grace said home. And if
yet when we got home, she wasn't

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there. She wasn't ware, her
grace wasn't in the carriage, or grace,

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what on earth do you mean her
grace did get into the carriage?

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You shut the door, didn't you. Barnes turned to Moisey. Moysey brought

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his hand up to his brow in
a sort of military salute. He had

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been a soldier in the regiment in
which, once upon a time the Duke

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had been a subaltern. She did. The duchess came out of the shop.

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She seemed rather in a hurry.
I thought she got into the carriage,

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and she said home, noisy.
I shut the door and bends drove

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straight home. We never stopped anywhere, and we never noticed nothing happened on

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the way, And yet when we
got home the carriage was empty. The

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Duke started, do you mean to
tell me that the duchess got out of

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the carriage while you were driving full
pelt through the streets without saying anything to

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you, and without you noticing it? The carriage was empty when we got

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home. Your grace was either of
the doors open. No, your grace,

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you fellows have been up to some
infernal mischief. You've made a mess

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of it. You never picked up
the duchess, and your trying to palm

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this tail off on me to save
yourselves. Barnes was moved to adjuration.

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I'll take my bible oath your grace
that the duchess caught into the carriage outside

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cane and Wilson's Moisey seconded his colleague, I will swear to that, your

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grace, she got into that carriage
and I shut the door, and she

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said home, Moisey. The Duke
looked as if he did not know what

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to make of the story and its
tellers. What carriage did you have?

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Her grace's browam your grace, Knowles
interposed. The browham was ordered because I

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understood the Duchess was not feeling very
well, and there's rather a high wind,

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your grace, the Duke snapped at
him, What has that to do

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with it? Why are suggesting that
the Duchess was more likely to jump out

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of a browm while it was dashing
through the streets than that of any other

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kind of vehicle. The Duke's glance
fell on the letter which Knowles had brought

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him. When he first had entered. He had placed it on his writing

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table. Now he took it up. It was addressed to his Grace,

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the Duke of Datchet Private, very
pressing. The name was written in a

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fine, clear, almost feminine hand. The words in the left hand corner

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of the envelope were written in a
different hand. They were large and bold,

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almost as though they had been painted
with the end of the pen holder

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instead of being written with the pen. The envelope itself was of an unusual

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size and bowldsed out, as though
it contained something else besides a letter.

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The Duke tore the envelope open.
As he did so, something fell out

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of it on to the writing table. It looked as though it was a

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lock of a woman's hair. As
he glanced at it, The Duke seemed

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to be a trifle startled. The
Duke read the letter. Your grace will

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be so good as to bring five
hundred pounds in gold to the Piccadilly end

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of the Burlington Arcade within an hour
of the receipt of this. The Duchess

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of Dachet has been kidnapped an imitation. Duchess got into the carriage which was

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waiting outside Caine and Wilson's, and
she alighted on the road. Unless your

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Grace does as you are requested,
the Duchess of Dachet's left hand little finger

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will be at once cut off and
sent home in time to receive the Prince

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to dinner. Other portions of her
grace will follow. A lock of her

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Grace's hair is enclosed with this as
an earnest of our good intentions. Before

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five thirty p m. Your Grace
is requested to be at the Piccadilly end

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of the Burlington Arcade with five hundred
pounds in gold. You will there be

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accosted by an individual in a white
top hat and with a gardenia in his

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button hole. You will be entirely
at liberty to give him into custody,

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or to have him followed by the
police, in which case the Duchess's left

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arm, cut off at the shoulder, will be sent home for dinner.

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Not to mention other extremely possible contingencies, but you are advised to give the

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individual in question the five hundred pounds
in gold, because in that case the

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Duchess herself will be home in time
to receive the Prince to dinner, and

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with one of the best stories with
which to entertain your distinguished guests they ever

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heard. Remember, not later than
five thirty, unless you wished to receive

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her Grace's little finger. The Duke
stared at this amazing epistle when he had

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read it, as though he found
it difficult to believe the evidence of his

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eyes. He was not a demonstrative
person as a rule, but this little

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communication astonished even him. He read
it again. Then his hands dropped to

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his sides, and he swore he
took up the lock of hair which had

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fallen out of the envelope. Was
it possible that it could be his wife's

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the duchess? Was it possible that
a Duchess of Datchet could be kidnapped in

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broad daylight, in the heart of
London and be sent home, as it

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were in pieces. Had sacrilegeous hands
already been playing pranks with that great lady's

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hair? Certainly that hair was so
like her hair that the mere resemblance made

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his Grace's blood run cold. He
turned on Mescher's bonds and Noisy, as

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though he would have liked to rend
them your scoundals. He moved forward as

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though the intention had entered his ducal
heart to knock his servants down. But

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if that were so, he did
not act quite up to his intention.

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Instead, he stretched out his arm, pointing at them, as if he

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were an accusing spirit. Will you
swear that it was the duchess who got

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into the carriage outside Caine and Wilson's
Barnes began to stammer, I swear,

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your grace that are thought. The
Duke stormed in interruption. I don't ask

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what your thought. I ask you, Will you swear it was the Duke's

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anger was more than Barnes could face. He was silent, Noisy showed a

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larger courage. I could have sworn
that it was at the time, your

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Grace, But now it seems to
me that it's a rummy go a rummy

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go. The peculiarity of the phrase
did not seem to strike the Duke just

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then, At least he echoed it
as if it didn't you call it a

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rummy go? Do you know that
I am told in this letter that the

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woman who entered the carriage was not
the duchess. What you are thinking about,

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or what case you will be able
to make out for yourselves? You

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no better than I. But I
can tell you this that in an hour

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you will leave my service, and
you may esteem yourselves fortunate. If to

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night you are not both of you
sleeping in jail. One might almost have

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suspected that the words were spoken in
irony. But before they could answer,

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another servant entered, who also brought
a letter for the Duke. When his

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grace's glance fell on it, he
uttered an exclamation. The writing on the

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envelope was the same writing that had
been on the envelope which had contained the

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very singular communication, like it in
all respects, down to the broomstick and

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thickness of the private and very pressing
in the corner. Who brought this stormed

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the Duke. The servant appeared to
be a little startled by the violence of

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his grace's manner. A lady,
or at least your grace. She seemed

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to be a lady. Where is
she? She came, and a handsome,

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your grace. She gave me that
letter and said give to the Duke

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of Datchet at once, without a
moment's to lie. Then she got into

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the hansom again and drove away.
Why didn't you stop her, your grace?

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The man seemed surprised, as though
the idea of stopping Chan's visitors to

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the ducal mansion Viet Armis had not
until that moment entered into his philosophy.

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The Duke continued to regard the man
as if he could say a good deal

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if he chose. Then he pointed
to the door. His lips said nothing,

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but his gesture much the servant vanished. Another hoax, the Duke said

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grimly, as he tore the envelope
open. This time the envelope contained a

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sheet of paper, and in the
sheet of paper another envelope. The Duke

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unfolded the sheet of paper. On
it, some words were written. These,

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the duchess appears so particularly anxious to
drop you a line, that one

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really hasn't the heart to refuse her
her grace's communication, written amidst blinding tears,

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you will find enclosed with this,
Knowles, said the Duke, in

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a voice which actually trembled. Knowles, oaks or no Wolkes. I will

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be even with a gentleman who wrote
that. Handing the sheet of paper to

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mister Knowles, his grace turned his
attention to the envelope which had been enclosed.

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It was a small square envelope of
the finest quality, and it reeked

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with perfume. The Duke's countenance assumed
an added frown. He had no fondness

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for envelopes which were scented In the
center of the envelope, with the words

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to the Duke of Datchet written in
the big, bold, sprawling hand which

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he knew so well Mabel's writing,
he said half to himself, as with

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shaking fingers, he tore the envelope
open. The sheet of paper which he

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took out was almost as stiff as
cardboard. It too, emitted what his

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grace deemed the nauseous odor of the
perfumer's shop. On it was written this

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letter, my dear Herward, for
Heaven's sake, do what these people require.

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I don't know what has happened where
I am. But I am nearly

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distracted. They have already cut off
some of my hair, and they tell

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me that if you don't let them
have five hundred pounds in gold by half

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past five, they will cut off
my little finger too. I would sooner

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die than lose my little finger.
And I don't know what else besides by

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the token which I send you,
and which has never until now been off

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my breast. I conjure you to
help me. How would help me?

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When he read that letter, the
Duke turned white, very white, as

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white as the paper on which it
was written. He passed the epistle on

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to Knowles. I suppose that also
is a hoax. Mister Knowles was silent.

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He still yielded to his constitutional disrelish
to commit himself. At last,

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he asked, what is it that
your grace proposes to do. The Duke

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spoke with a bitterness which almost suggested
a personal animosity toward the inoffensive mister Knowles.

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I propose, with your permission,
to release the Duchess from the custody

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of my estimable correspondent. I propose, always with your permission, to comply

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with his modest request and to take
him his five hundred pounds in gold.

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He paused, then continued in a
tone which coming from him meant volumes.

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Afterwards, I proposed to cry quits
with the cococtor of this petty little hoax,

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even if it cost me every penny
I possess he shall pay more for

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that five hundred pounds than he supposes. End of Chapter one, Chapter two.

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The Duke of Dajet, coming out
of the bank, lingered for a

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moment on the steps. In one
hand he carried a canvas bag, which

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seemed well weighted. On his countenance
there was an expression which, to a

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casual observer might have suggested that his
grace was not completely at his ease.

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That casual observer happened to come strolling
by. It took the form of Ivor

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Dacre. Mister Dacre looked at the
Duke of Datchet up and down in that

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languid way he has he perceived the
canvas bag. Then he remarked, possibly

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intending to be facetious, been robbing
the bank? Shall I call a cart?

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Nobody minds what Ivor Dacre says.
Besides, he is the Duke's own

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cousin, perhaps a little removed.
Still there it is so. The Duke

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smiled a sickly smile, as if
mister Dacre's delicate wit had given him a

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passing touch of indigestion. Mister Daker
noticed that the Duke looked sallow, so

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he gave his pretty sense of humor
another airing kitchen boiler burst. When I

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saw the duchess just now, I
wondered if it had his grace distinctly started.

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He almost dropped the canvas bag.
You saw the duchess just now?

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Ivor whin? The Duke was evidently
moved, Mister Dacre was stirred to languid

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curiosity. I can't say I clocked
it, perhaps half an hour ago,

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maybe a little more half an hour
ago. Are you sure? Where did

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you see her? Mister Dacre wondered, the Duchess of Datchet could scarcely have

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been eloping in broad daylight. Moreover, she had not yet been married a

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year. Everyone knew that she and
the Duke were still as fond of each

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other as if they were not man
and wife. So although the Duke,

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for some cause or other, was
evidently in an odd state of agitation,

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mister Dacre saw no reason why he
should not make a clean breast of all

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he knew she was going like blazes
in a handsome cab, In a handsome

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cab. Where down Waterloo place?
Was she alone? Mister Dacre reflected.

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He glanced at the Duke out of
the corners of his eyes. His languid

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utterance became a positive drawl. I
rather fancy that she wasn't Who was with

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her, my dear fellow. If
you were to for me the bank,

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I couldn't tell you. Was it
a man? Mister Dacre's droll became still

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more pronounced. I rather fancy that
it was. Mister Dacre expected something.

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The Duke was so excited, but
he by no means expected what actually came.

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Iv or she's been kidnapped. Mister
Dacre did what had never been known

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to do before within the memory of
man. He dropped his eyeglasses, dash

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it she has some scoundrel has decoyed
her away and trapped her. He's already

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sent me a lock of her hair, and he tells me that if I

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don't let him have five hundred pounds
in gold by half past five, he'll

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00:15:41,799 --> 00:15:46,919
let me have her little finger.
Mister Dacre did not know what to make

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00:15:46,919 --> 00:15:50,600
of his grace at all. He
was a sober man. It couldn't be

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00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:56,159
that mister Dacre felt really concerned.
I'll call a cab old man, and

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00:15:56,279 --> 00:16:00,519
you'd better let me see you home. Mister Dacre half raised his stick to

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00:16:00,559 --> 00:16:04,000
hail a passing hansom. The Duke
caught him by the arm. You ass,

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00:16:04,159 --> 00:16:07,679
what do you mean? I'm telling
you the simple truth. My wife's

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00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:14,240
been kidnapped. Mister Dacre's countenance was
a thing to be seen and remembered.

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00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:18,720
Oh, I hadn't heard that there
was much of that sort of thing about.

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00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:22,080
Just now they talk of poodles being
kidnapped. But as for duchesses,

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00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:27,320
you'd really better let me call that
cab I for do you want me to

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00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:30,399
kick you? Don't you see that? To me, it's a question of

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00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:34,120
life and death. I've been in
there to get the money. His grace

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00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:37,639
motioned toward the bank. I'm going
to take it to the scamandrel who has

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00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:41,519
my darling and his mercy. Let
me but have her hand in mine again,

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00:16:41,759 --> 00:16:47,120
and he shall continue to pay for
every sovereign with tears of blood until

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00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:51,240
he dies. Look here, dadgitt, I don't know if you're having a

219
00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:55,559
joke with me? Or if you're
not well? The Duke stepped impatiently into

220
00:16:55,559 --> 00:16:59,159
the roadway. I'm or you are
a fool. Can't you tell Jess from

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00:16:59,279 --> 00:17:03,559
ernest health from disease? I'm off? Are you coming with me? It

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00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,200
would be as well that I should
have a witness. Where are you off

223
00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:11,480
too? To the other end of
the arcade. Who is the gentleman you

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00:17:11,559 --> 00:17:15,759
expect to have the pleasure of meeting
there? How should I know? The

225
00:17:15,839 --> 00:17:19,000
Duke took a letter from his pocket. It was the letter which had just

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00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:22,960
arrived. The fellow is to wear
a white top hat and a guardena in

227
00:17:23,039 --> 00:17:29,200
his button hole. What is it
you have there? It's the letter which

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00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,240
brought the news. Look for yourself
and see. But for God's sake,

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00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:37,240
make haste his grace glanced at his
watch. It's already twenty after five.

230
00:17:37,839 --> 00:17:40,279
And do you mean to say that, on the strength of a letter such

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00:17:40,279 --> 00:17:44,279
as this you are going to hand
over five hundred pounds to the Duke?

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00:17:44,319 --> 00:17:48,920
Cut mister Dacre short, What are
five hundred pounds to me? Besides,

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00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:52,799
you don't know all There is another
letter, and I have heard from Mabel,

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00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:55,880
but I will tell you all about
that later, if you are coming,

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00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:59,839
come pulling up the letter. Mister
Dacre returned it to the Duke.

236
00:18:00,839 --> 00:18:03,279
As you say, what are five
hundred pounds to you? And as well

237
00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:06,920
they are not as much to you
as they are to me. I am

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00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:11,799
afraid hang it, I've all due
prose. Afterwards, the Duke hurried across

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00:18:11,799 --> 00:18:15,079
the road. Mister Daker hastened after
him. As they entered the arcade,

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00:18:15,079 --> 00:18:19,960
they passed a constable. Mister Dacre
touched his companion's arm. Didn't you think

241
00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:25,000
we'd butter ask our friend in blue
to walk behind us. His neighborhood might

242
00:18:25,079 --> 00:18:29,400
be handy. Nonsense? The Duke's
doctorate aboor. This is my affair,

243
00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:32,680
not yours. If you are not
content to play the part of silent witness,

244
00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:37,480
be so good as to leave me, My dear datchet. I'm entirely

245
00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:40,640
at your service. I can be
every whit as insane as you, I

246
00:18:40,759 --> 00:18:45,039
do assure you. Side by side, they moved rapidly down the Burlington arcade.

247
00:18:45,519 --> 00:18:49,559
The Duke was obviously in a state
of the extremest nervous tension. Mister

248
00:18:49,599 --> 00:18:55,559
Daker was equally obviously in a state
of the most supreme enjoyment. People stared

249
00:18:55,599 --> 00:19:00,200
as they rushed past. The Duke
saw nothing. Mister Dacre saw everything and

250
00:19:00,319 --> 00:19:03,960
smiled. When they reached the Piccadilly
end of the arcade, the Duke pulled

251
00:19:04,039 --> 00:19:08,880
up. He looked about him.
Mister Dacre also looked about him. I

252
00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:12,759
see nothing of your white hat had
and gardenia button, old friend, said

253
00:19:12,759 --> 00:19:18,200
Ivor. The Duke referred to his
watch. It's not yet half past five.

254
00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:22,759
I'm up to time. Mister Daker
held his stick in front of him

255
00:19:22,759 --> 00:19:27,799
and leaned on it. He indulged
himself with a beautific smile. It strikes

256
00:19:27,839 --> 00:19:30,319
me, my dear old Dadgitt,
that you've been the victim of one of

257
00:19:30,319 --> 00:19:36,839
the finest things in hoaxes. I
hope I haven't kept you waiting. The

258
00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:41,079
voice which interrupted mister Dacre came from
the rear. While they were looking in

259
00:19:41,079 --> 00:19:44,599
front of them, some one approached
them from behind, apparently coming out of

260
00:19:44,599 --> 00:19:48,039
the shop which was at their backs. The speaker looked a gentleman. He

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00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:53,680
sounded like one too. Costume appearance, manner were beyond reproach, even beyond

262
00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:59,599
the criticism of two such keen critics, as were these the glorious attire of

263
00:19:59,599 --> 00:20:03,039
a London, and dandy was surmounted
with a beautiful white top hat. In

264
00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:10,720
his button hole was a magnificent guardinia
in age. The stranger was scarcely more

265
00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:14,279
than a boy, and a sunny
faced, handsome boy at that. His

266
00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:18,799
cheeks were hairless, his eyes were
blue. His smile was not only innocent,

267
00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:23,359
it was bland. Never was there
a more conspicuous illustration of that repose

268
00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:27,799
which stamps the case of Vere de
Vere. The Duke looked at him and

269
00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:33,319
glowered. Mister Dacre looked at him
and smiled. Who are you, asked

270
00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:40,559
the Duke. Ah, that is
the question. The newcomers refined and musical

271
00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:45,720
voice breathed the very soul of appability. I am an individual who is so

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00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:51,799
unfortunate as to be in want of
five hundred pounds. I you the scoundrel

273
00:20:51,799 --> 00:20:56,519
who sent me that infamous letter.
The charming stranger never turned a hair.

274
00:20:56,599 --> 00:21:00,839
I am the scoundrel mentioned in that
infamous letter who wants to accost you at

275
00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:07,240
the Piccadilly end of the Burlington Arcade
before half past five, as witness my

276
00:21:07,319 --> 00:21:14,240
white hat and my guardina. Where's
my wife? The stranger gently swung his

277
00:21:14,279 --> 00:21:17,759
stick in front of him with his
two hands. He regarded the Duke as

278
00:21:17,759 --> 00:21:22,039
a merry hearted son might regard his
father. The thing was beautiful. Her

279
00:21:22,079 --> 00:21:26,799
Grace will be home almost as soon
as you are, when you have given

280
00:21:26,799 --> 00:21:30,559
me the money which I perceive you
have all ready for me in that scarcely

281
00:21:30,599 --> 00:21:36,799
elegant looking canvas bag. He shrugged
his shoulders quite gracefully. Unfortunately, in

282
00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:41,559
these matters one has no choice.
One is forced to ask for gold.

283
00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:45,599
And suppose, instead of giving you
what is in this canvas bag, I

284
00:21:45,799 --> 00:21:49,960
take you by the throat and choke
the life right out of you. Or

285
00:21:51,039 --> 00:21:55,119
suppose, admitted mister Daker, that
you do better and commend this gentleman to

286
00:21:55,160 --> 00:22:00,000
the tender mercies of the first policeman
we encounter. The stranger turned to missus

287
00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:07,000
Dacre. He condescended to become conscious
of his presence. Is this gentleman your

288
00:22:07,039 --> 00:22:11,920
Grace's friend, ah, mister taker, I perceive I have the honor of

289
00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:18,640
knowing mister Dacre, though possibly I
am unknown to him you were until this

290
00:22:18,799 --> 00:22:22,279
moment. With an airy little laugh, the stranger returned to the Duke.

291
00:22:22,799 --> 00:22:27,359
He brush an invisible speck of dust
off the sleeve of his coat, as

292
00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:33,079
has been intimated in this infamous letter, his grace is at perfect liberty to

293
00:22:33,079 --> 00:22:37,319
give me into custody. Why not
only, he said it with his boyish

294
00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:41,839
smile. If a particular communication is
not received from me in certain quarters within

295
00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:47,799
a certain time, the Duchess of
Datchet's beautiful white arm will be hacked off

296
00:22:47,799 --> 00:22:52,240
at the shoulder you owned. The
Duke would have taken the stranger by the

297
00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:56,319
throat and have done his best to
choke the life right out of him then

298
00:22:56,359 --> 00:23:00,480
and there, if mister Dacre had
not intervened. Still, you man,

299
00:23:00,799 --> 00:23:03,559
mister Dacre turned to the stranger.
You appear to be a pretty sort of

300
00:23:03,599 --> 00:23:11,000
scoundrel. The stranger gave his shoulders
that almost imperceptible shrug. Oh, my

301
00:23:11,079 --> 00:23:14,920
dear Dacre, I am in want
of money. I believe that you sometimes

302
00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:18,880
are in want of money too.
Everybody knows that nobody knows where Ivor Dacre

303
00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:23,720
gets his money from, so the
illusion must have tickled him immensely. You're

304
00:23:23,759 --> 00:23:30,039
a cool hand, he said.
Some men are born that way, so

305
00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:36,039
I should imagine men like you must
be born, not made precisely as you

306
00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:40,920
say. The stranger turned, with
a graceful smile to the Duke, But

307
00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:45,400
are we not wasting precious time?
I can assure your grace that in this

308
00:23:45,519 --> 00:23:51,359
particular matter, moments are of value. Mister Daker interposed before the Duke could

309
00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:55,960
answer. If you take my strongly
urged advice statute, you will summon this

310
00:23:56,119 --> 00:23:59,559
constable, who is now coming down
the arcade, and hand this gentleman over

311
00:23:59,599 --> 00:24:02,680
to his key. I do not
think that you need fear that the Duchess

312
00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:07,279
will lose her arm or even her
little finger. Scoundrels of this one's kidney

313
00:24:07,279 --> 00:24:11,640
are most amenable to reason when they
have handcuffs on their wrists. The Duke

314
00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:17,599
plainly hesitated, he would and he
would not. The stranger, as he

315
00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:22,160
eyed him, seemed much amused.
My dear Duke, by all means act

316
00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:26,680
on mister Dacre's valuable suggestion. As
I said before, why not it would

317
00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:30,400
at least be interesting to see if
the Duchess does or does not lose her

318
00:24:30,519 --> 00:24:36,240
arm. Almost as interesting to you
as to mister Dacre. Those blackmailing,

319
00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:41,920
kidnapping scoundrels do use such empty menaces. Besides, you would have the pleasure

320
00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:45,480
of seeing me locked up. My
imprisonment for life will recompense you even for

321
00:24:45,519 --> 00:24:49,799
the loss of her grace's arm.
And five hundred pounds is such a sum

322
00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:55,880
to have to pay merely for a
wife. Why not therefore act on mister

323
00:24:55,960 --> 00:25:00,519
Daker's suggestion? Here comes the constable. The constable referred to was advancing toward

324
00:25:00,599 --> 00:25:03,920
them. He was not a dozen
yards away. Let me beckon to him,

325
00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:07,720
I will with pleasure. He took
out his watch, a gold chronograph

326
00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:12,240
repeater. There are scarcely ten minutes
left during which it would be possible for

327
00:25:12,279 --> 00:25:15,640
me to send the communication which I
spoke of, so that it may arrive

328
00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:18,920
in time, as it will then
be too late, and the instruments are

329
00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:25,079
already prepared for the little operation which
her Grace is eagerly anticipating. It would

330
00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:27,599
perhaps be as well, after all, that you should give me into charge.

331
00:25:27,799 --> 00:25:30,640
You would have saved your five hundred
pounds, and you would at any

332
00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:36,559
rate have something in exchange for her
Grace's mutilated limb ah. Here is the

333
00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:41,640
constable officer. The stranger spoke with
such a pleasant little air of easy geniality

334
00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:45,960
that it was impossible to tell if
he were in jest or in earnest.

335
00:25:45,519 --> 00:25:48,839
This fact impressed the Duke much more
than if he had gone in for a

336
00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:56,240
liberal indulgence of the under the circumstances, orthodox, melodramatic scowling, and indeed

337
00:25:56,519 --> 00:26:00,480
in the face of his own common
sense. It impressed mister Ivor Dake too.

338
00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:04,440
This well bred, well groomed youth
was just the being to realize or

339
00:26:04,519 --> 00:26:10,000
bous desenglis, a modern type of
the devil, the type which depicts himself

340
00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:15,359
as a perfect gentleman who keeps smiling
all the time. The constable, whom

341
00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:19,480
this audacious rogue had signaled, approached
the little group. He addressed the stranger,

342
00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:25,720
do you want me, sir?
No, I do not want you.

343
00:26:25,799 --> 00:26:29,480
I think it is the Duke of
Datchet. The constable, who knew

344
00:26:29,519 --> 00:26:33,319
the Duke very well by sight,
saluted him as he turned to receive instructions.

345
00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:37,559
The Duke looked white, even savage. There was not a pleasant look

346
00:26:37,559 --> 00:26:41,200
in his eyes, and about his
lips. He appeared to be endeavoring to

347
00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:47,680
put a great restraint upon himself.
There was a momentary silence. Mister Dacre

348
00:26:47,799 --> 00:26:51,359
made a movement as if to interpose. The Duke caught him by the arm.

349
00:26:51,839 --> 00:26:53,920
He spoke, no, Constable,
I do not want you. This

350
00:26:55,079 --> 00:26:59,839
person is mistaken. The constable looked
as if he could not quite make out

351
00:26:59,839 --> 00:27:03,359
how such a mistake could have arisen. Hesitated, Then with another salute,

352
00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:07,920
he moved away. The stranger was
still holding his watch in his hand.

353
00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:14,319
Only eight minutes, he said.
The Duke seemed to experience some difficulty in

354
00:27:14,519 --> 00:27:18,799
giving utterance to what he had to
say. If I give you this five

355
00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:22,839
hundred pounds, your knew. As
the Duke paused, as if at a

356
00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:26,240
loss for language which was strong enough
to convey his meaning, the stranger laughed,

357
00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:33,319
let us take adjitives for granted.
Besides it only boys who call each

358
00:27:33,319 --> 00:27:37,880
other names. Men do things.
If you give me the five hundred sovereigns

359
00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:41,559
which you have in that bag at
once in five minutes, it will be

360
00:27:41,599 --> 00:27:44,960
too late. I will promise,
I will not swear. If you do

361
00:27:45,039 --> 00:27:48,039
not credit my simple promise, you
will not believe my solemn affirmations. I

362
00:27:48,079 --> 00:27:52,400
will promise that, possibly within an
hour, certainly within an hour and a

363
00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:57,319
half, the Duchess of Dechtet Sir
returned to you absolutely uninjured, except,

364
00:27:57,519 --> 00:28:02,400
of course, as you are already
aware, with regard to a few of

365
00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:06,359
the hairs on her head. I
will promise this on the understanding that you

366
00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:08,960
do not yourself attempt to see where
I go, and that you will allow

367
00:28:10,039 --> 00:28:12,960
no one else to do so.
This with a glance at Ivor Dacre,

368
00:28:14,599 --> 00:28:18,880
I shall know at once if I
am followed. If you entertain such intentions,

369
00:28:18,039 --> 00:28:22,400
you had better, on all accounts
remain in possession of your five hundred

370
00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:32,240
pounds. The Duke eyed him very
grimly. I entertain no such intentions until

371
00:28:32,359 --> 00:28:37,680
the Duchess returns again. The stranger
indulged in that musical laugh of his ah.

372
00:28:37,799 --> 00:28:42,079
Until the Duchess returns, of course, then the bargains at an end.

373
00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:45,640
When you are at once more in
the enjoyment of Her Grace's society,

374
00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,799
you will be at liberty to set
all the dogs in Europe at my heels.

375
00:28:51,119 --> 00:28:53,160
I assure you, I fully expect
that you will do so. Why

376
00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:59,799
not the Duke raised the canvas bag. My dear Duke, ten thousand thanks.

377
00:29:00,119 --> 00:29:03,359
You shall see Her Grace at Datchet
House upon my honor, possibly within

378
00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:10,559
the hour, well commented Ivor Dacre, when the stranger had vanished with the

379
00:29:10,599 --> 00:29:14,839
bag into Piccadilly, and as the
Duke and himself moved toward Burlington Gardens.

380
00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:18,440
If a gentleman is to be robbed. It is as well that he should

381
00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:26,160
have another gentleman rob him. End
of chapter two. Chapter three. Mister

382
00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:32,799
Daker eyed his companion covertly as they
progressed. His grace of Datchet appeared to

383
00:29:32,839 --> 00:29:37,400
have some fresh cause for uneasiness.
All at once he gave it utterance,

384
00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:41,839
in a tone of voice which is
extremely somber. I forord you think that

385
00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:48,200
scoundrel will dare to play me false? I think, murmured mister Dacre,

386
00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:52,559
that he has dared to play you
pretty false already. I don't mean that,

387
00:29:52,759 --> 00:29:55,359
but I mean, how am I
to know, now that he has

388
00:29:55,400 --> 00:29:57,799
his money, that he will not
he still keep Mabel in his clutches.

389
00:30:00,079 --> 00:30:03,480
There came an echo from mister Dacre, just so, how are you to

390
00:30:03,559 --> 00:30:07,880
know? I believe that something on
the sort has been done in the States.

391
00:30:07,559 --> 00:30:11,599
I thought that there they were content
to kidnap them after they were dead.

392
00:30:11,039 --> 00:30:14,720
I was not aware that they had
as yet got so far as the

393
00:30:14,799 --> 00:30:18,839
living. I believe I have heard
of something just like this. Possibly they

394
00:30:18,839 --> 00:30:22,759
are giants over there, and in
that case, the scoundrels, when their

395
00:30:22,839 --> 00:30:26,279
demands were met, refused to keep
to the letter of their bargain. And

396
00:30:26,279 --> 00:30:32,599
asked for more. The Duke stood
still. He clenched his fists and swore,

397
00:30:33,559 --> 00:30:37,079
I who have that villain doesn't keep
his word, and Mabel isn't home

398
00:30:37,079 --> 00:30:41,480
with any hour by I shall go
mad, My dear dadget Mister Dacre loved

399
00:30:41,519 --> 00:30:45,279
strong language as little as he loved
a scene. Let us trust to time

400
00:30:45,359 --> 00:30:49,519
and a little to your white hatted
and gardenia buttonhold friend's word of honor.

401
00:30:51,119 --> 00:30:56,279
You should have thought of possible eventualities
before you showed your confidence. Really suppose

402
00:30:56,319 --> 00:31:00,039
instead of going mad, we first
of all go home. A handsome stood

403
00:31:00,119 --> 00:31:04,000
waiting for affair at the end of
the arcade. Mister Daker had handed the

404
00:31:04,039 --> 00:31:07,759
Duke into it before his grace had
quite realized that the vehicle was there.

405
00:31:10,799 --> 00:31:14,480
Tell the fellow to drive faster.
That was what the Duke said when the

406
00:31:14,519 --> 00:31:18,799
cab had started. My dear datchet, the man's already driving his gearage off

407
00:31:18,799 --> 00:31:21,839
its legs. If a bobby catches
sight of him, he'll take his number.

408
00:31:22,640 --> 00:31:26,359
A moment later, a murmur from
the Duke, I know if you

409
00:31:26,359 --> 00:31:30,319
are aware that the Prince is coming
to dinner. I am perfectly aware of

410
00:31:30,359 --> 00:31:34,119
it. You take it uncommonly cool, how easy it is to bear our

411
00:31:34,160 --> 00:31:38,880
brother's burdens Ibill. If Mabel doesn't
turn up, I shall feel like murder.

412
00:31:41,119 --> 00:31:44,000
I sympathize with you dat It with
all my heart, though I may

413
00:31:44,039 --> 00:31:48,160
observe parenthetically that I very far from
realize the situation even yet. Take my

414
00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:52,480
advice. If the Duchess does not
show quite as soon as we both of

415
00:31:52,559 --> 00:31:56,240
us desire, don't make a scene. Just let me see what I can

416
00:31:56,279 --> 00:32:00,240
do. Judging from the expression of
his countenance, the Duke was conscious of

417
00:32:00,319 --> 00:32:07,279
no overwhelming desire to witness an exhibition
of mister Daker's prowess. When the cab

418
00:32:07,319 --> 00:32:09,359
reached Thatchet house, his Grace dashed
up the steps three at a time.

419
00:32:10,279 --> 00:32:16,880
The door flew open. Has the
duchess returned, Howard, a voice floated

420
00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:22,319
downward from above. Some one came
running down the stairs. It was her

421
00:32:22,359 --> 00:32:27,440
Grace of Datchet, Mabel. She
actually rushed into the Duke's extended arms,

422
00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:31,680
and he kissed her, and she
kissed him before the servants. So you're

423
00:32:31,680 --> 00:32:37,599
not quite did she cried? I
am almost, he said. She drew

424
00:32:37,599 --> 00:32:42,559
herself a little away from him.
Howard, were you seriously hurt? Do

425
00:32:42,599 --> 00:32:46,960
you suppose I could have been otherwise
than seriously hurt my darling. Was it

426
00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:55,359
a Pickford's van? The duke stared
up Pickford's van. I don't understand,

427
00:32:55,400 --> 00:33:00,279
but come in here, come along
ivor Mabel, you don't see Ivor how

428
00:33:00,279 --> 00:33:05,839
do you do mister Dacre? Then
the trio withdrew into a little ante room.

429
00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:08,880
It was really time. Even then
the pair conducted themselves as if mister

430
00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:13,279
Dacre had been nothing and no one. The Duke took the lady's two hands

431
00:33:13,359 --> 00:33:17,400
in his He eyed her fondly.
So you are uninjured, with the exception

432
00:33:17,480 --> 00:33:22,240
of that lock of hair. Where
did the vidan take it from? The

433
00:33:22,319 --> 00:33:27,480
lady looked a little puzzled. What
lock of hair? From an envelope which

434
00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,839
he took from his pocket. The
Duke produced a shining tress. It was

435
00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:35,160
the lock of hair which had arrived
in the first communication. I will have

436
00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:39,079
it framed. You will have what
framed. The duchess glanced at what the

437
00:33:39,119 --> 00:33:44,920
Duke was so tenderly caressing, almost
as it seemed a little dubiously. Whatever

438
00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:47,319
is it you have there? It
is the lock of hair. When that

439
00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:52,559
scound will send me something in the
lady's face caused him to ask a question.

440
00:33:52,480 --> 00:33:55,640
Didn't he tell you he had sent
it to me? Her? What

441
00:33:57,880 --> 00:34:01,519
did the brute tell you he meant
to cut off your finger? A very

442
00:34:01,599 --> 00:34:06,400
curious look came into the lady's face. She glanced at the Duke as if

443
00:34:06,440 --> 00:34:09,280
she all at once was half afraid
of him. She cast at mister Daker

444
00:34:09,519 --> 00:34:15,000
what really seemed to be a look
of inquiry. Her voice was tremulously anxious.

445
00:34:15,559 --> 00:34:20,880
Who did did the accident affect you
mentally? How could it not have

446
00:34:20,960 --> 00:34:25,079
affected me mentally? Do you think
my mental organization is of steel? But

447
00:34:25,159 --> 00:34:29,840
you look so well? Of course
I look well now that I have you

448
00:34:29,920 --> 00:34:32,519
back again, tell me, darling, to that hound actually threaten you with

449
00:34:32,559 --> 00:34:37,119
cutting off your arm? If he
did, I shall have you'll have inclined

450
00:34:37,159 --> 00:34:40,800
to kill him. Yet the Dutch
seemed positively to shrink from her better HAPs

451
00:34:40,880 --> 00:34:47,920
near neighborhood? Was it a Pickford's
van? The Duke seemed puzzled, Well,

452
00:34:47,960 --> 00:34:52,679
he might be. What a Pickford
van? The lady turned to mister

453
00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:57,400
Daker. In her voice there was
a ring of anguish. Mister Daker,

454
00:34:57,519 --> 00:35:01,199
tell me was it a Pickford's van? Ivor could only imitate his relative's repetition

455
00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:06,440
of her inquiry, I didn't quite
catch you? Was what a bigfor the

456
00:35:06,519 --> 00:35:10,599
van? The Duchess clasped her hands
in front of her. What is it

457
00:35:10,679 --> 00:35:15,119
you're keeping from me? What is
it you're trying to hide? I implore

458
00:35:15,159 --> 00:35:17,320
you to tell me the worst,
whatever it may be. Do not keep

459
00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:22,239
me any longer in suspense. You
do not know what I've already endured.

460
00:35:22,599 --> 00:35:27,760
Mister Taker, is my husband mad? One? Need scarcely observe that.

461
00:35:27,800 --> 00:35:31,519
The lady's amazing appeal to mister Daker
as to her husband's sanity was received with

462
00:35:31,559 --> 00:35:36,559
something like surprise. As the Duke
continued to stare at her, a dreadful

463
00:35:36,639 --> 00:35:40,559
fear began to loomin his brain.
My darling, your brain is unhinged.

464
00:35:42,199 --> 00:35:45,800
He advanced to take her two hands
again in his but to his unmistakable distress,

465
00:35:45,840 --> 00:35:50,599
she shrank away from him. How
don't touch me? How is it

466
00:35:50,639 --> 00:35:53,519
that I missed you? Why did
you not wait until I came? Wait

467
00:35:53,639 --> 00:36:00,119
until you came? The Duke's bewilderment
increased. Surely, if you're in he

468
00:36:00,239 --> 00:36:02,320
turned out, after all, to
be slight. That was all the more

469
00:36:02,440 --> 00:36:08,239
reason why you should have waited after
sending for me like that I sent for

470
00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:13,840
you. I The Duke's tone was
grave, My darling, perhaps you had

471
00:36:13,840 --> 00:36:19,159
better come upstairs, not until we've
had an explanation. You must have known

472
00:36:19,159 --> 00:36:21,960
that I should come. Why did
you not wait for me after you had

473
00:36:22,000 --> 00:36:25,480
sent me that? The duchess held
out something to the Duke. He took

474
00:36:25,519 --> 00:36:30,679
it, and it was a card, his own visiting card. Something was

475
00:36:30,719 --> 00:36:34,559
written on the back of it.
He read aloud what was written, Mabel,

476
00:36:35,039 --> 00:36:37,320
come to me at once with the
bearer. They tell me that they

477
00:36:37,360 --> 00:36:43,679
cannot take me home. It looks
like my own writing, looks like it.

478
00:36:43,679 --> 00:36:47,039
It is your writing. It looks
like it, and written with a

479
00:36:47,079 --> 00:36:52,559
shaky pen, dear child, one's
hand would shake at such a moment as

480
00:36:52,559 --> 00:36:55,480
that. Mabel, Where did you
get this? And it was brought to

481
00:36:55,519 --> 00:37:00,039
me at Canaan Wilson's. Who brought
it? Who brought it? Why the

482
00:37:00,079 --> 00:37:06,159
man you sent? The man I
sent? A light burst upon the Duke's

483
00:37:06,159 --> 00:37:10,639
brain. He fell back a pace. It's the decoy, her grace echoed

484
00:37:10,639 --> 00:37:16,280
the words, the decoy, the
scoundrel to set the trap with such a

485
00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:20,599
bait. My boy, it isn't
darling. Did you think it came from

486
00:37:20,639 --> 00:37:22,840
me. Tell me, Mabel,
where did he cut off your hair?

487
00:37:23,880 --> 00:37:28,440
Cut off my hair? Her grace
put her hand to her head, as

488
00:37:28,440 --> 00:37:30,599
if to make sure that her hair
was there. Where did he take you

489
00:37:30,679 --> 00:37:37,239
to? He took me to Draper's
buildings. Draper's buildings. I have never

490
00:37:37,280 --> 00:37:40,480
been in the city before, but
he told me it was Draper's buildings.

491
00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:46,280
Isn't that near the stock Exchange?
Near the stock Exchange? It seemed rather

492
00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:51,119
a curious place to which to take
the kidnapped victim. The man's audacity.

493
00:37:52,559 --> 00:37:54,199
He told me that you were coming
out of the stock Exchange when a van

494
00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:58,159
knocked you over. He said that
he thought it was a Pickford's van.

495
00:37:58,760 --> 00:38:01,639
Was it a Pickford's van? No, it was not a Pickford's van.

496
00:38:01,960 --> 00:38:07,239
Mabel. Were you in Draper's buildings
when you wrote that letter? Wrote?

497
00:38:07,239 --> 00:38:10,679
What letter? Have you forgotten it
already? I do not believe that there

498
00:38:10,719 --> 00:38:14,400
was a word in it which will
not be branded on my brain until I

499
00:38:14,519 --> 00:38:19,239
die? Herwood, What do you
mean, Surely you cannot have written me

500
00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:22,320
such a letter as that and then
forgotten it already. He handed her the

501
00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:25,880
letter, which had arrived in the
second communication. She glanced at it,

502
00:38:25,960 --> 00:38:31,400
askance. Then she took it with
a little gasp. Howard, if you

503
00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:36,000
don't mind, I think I'll take
a chair. She took a chair.

504
00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:40,639
Wh whatever, whatever is this?
As she read the letter, the varying

505
00:38:40,679 --> 00:38:45,920
expressions which passed across her face were
in themselves a study in psychology. Is

506
00:38:45,960 --> 00:38:51,719
it possible that you can imagine that, under any conceivable circumstances I could have

507
00:38:51,760 --> 00:38:55,280
written such a letter as this?
Mabel? She rose to her feet with

508
00:38:55,400 --> 00:39:00,639
emphasis. How would don't say you
thought this came from me, not from

509
00:39:00,679 --> 00:39:07,199
you? He remembered Nol's diplomatic reception
of the epistle on its first appearance.

510
00:39:07,119 --> 00:39:09,840
I suppose you will say next that
this is not a lock of your hair,

511
00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:15,280
My dear child would be, Have
you got in your bonnet this a

512
00:39:15,280 --> 00:39:19,679
lock of my hair? Why?
It's not the least bit like my hair?

513
00:39:20,920 --> 00:39:23,280
Which was certainly inaccurate. As far
as color was concerned, it was

514
00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:29,360
an almost perfect match. The Duke
turned to mister Dacre. I or I've

515
00:39:29,360 --> 00:39:31,079
had to go through a good deal
this afternoon. If I have to go

516
00:39:31,159 --> 00:39:36,639
through much more, something will crack. He touched his forehead. I think

517
00:39:36,639 --> 00:39:39,400
it's my turn to take a chair, not the one which the Duchess had

518
00:39:39,440 --> 00:39:43,719
vacated, but one which faced it. He stretched out his legs in front

519
00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:46,320
of him. He thrust his hands
into his trouser pockets. He said,

520
00:39:46,440 --> 00:39:52,519
in a tone which was not gloomy
but absolutely gruesome. Might I ask Mabel

521
00:39:52,800 --> 00:39:58,400
if you have been kidnapped? Kidnapped? The word I used was kidnapped,

522
00:39:58,519 --> 00:40:00,360
but I will spell it if you
like, or I will get a dictionary

523
00:40:00,559 --> 00:40:05,599
that you may see us meaning.
The Duchess looked as if she was beginning

524
00:40:05,639 --> 00:40:08,079
to be not quite sure if she
was awake or sleeping. She turned to

525
00:40:08,079 --> 00:40:14,840
Ivor, mister taker, has the
accident affected herward's brain? The Duke took

526
00:40:14,880 --> 00:40:19,320
the words out of his cousin's mouth. On that point, my dear,

527
00:40:19,639 --> 00:40:22,840
let me ease your mind. I
don't know if you are under the impression

528
00:40:22,880 --> 00:40:24,960
that I should be in the same
shape after a Pickford's van had run over

529
00:40:25,039 --> 00:40:29,159
me as I was before. But
in any case, I have not been

530
00:40:29,239 --> 00:40:31,320
run over by a Pickford's van.
So far as I am concerned, there

531
00:40:31,320 --> 00:40:38,119
has been no accident. Dismissed that
delusion from your mind. Oh you appear

532
00:40:38,199 --> 00:40:43,000
surprised, One might even think you
were sorry. But may I now ask

533
00:40:43,039 --> 00:40:46,280
what you did when you arrived at
Draper's buildings? Did I looked for you?

534
00:40:49,039 --> 00:40:51,599
Indeed? And when you had looked
in Vain, what was the next

535
00:40:51,679 --> 00:40:55,639
item in your program? The lady
shrank still farther from him her what have

536
00:40:55,719 --> 00:40:59,679
you been having a jest? At
my expense? Can you have been so

537
00:40:59,719 --> 00:41:02,960
cruel? Tears stood in her eyes, rising, the Duke laid his hand

538
00:41:04,039 --> 00:41:07,199
upon her arm. Mabel, tell
me what did you do when you had

539
00:41:07,199 --> 00:41:13,159
looked for me in Vain? I
look you upstairs, downstairs, and everywhere

540
00:41:13,400 --> 00:41:15,760
was quite a large place. It
took me ever such a time. I

541
00:41:15,800 --> 00:41:20,639
thought that I should go distracted.
Nobody seemed to know anything about you,

542
00:41:20,760 --> 00:41:23,039
or even that there had been an
accident at all. It was all officers.

543
00:41:23,360 --> 00:41:27,000
I couldn't make it out in the
least, and that people didn't seem

544
00:41:27,039 --> 00:41:30,400
to be able to make me out
either. So when I couldn't find you

545
00:41:30,480 --> 00:41:34,639
anywhere, it came straight home again. The Duke was silent for a moment,

546
00:41:35,159 --> 00:41:38,079
then, with a funeral gravity,
he turned to mister Dacre. He

547
00:41:38,119 --> 00:41:45,039
put to him this question, ivel
what are you laughing at? Mister Dacre

548
00:41:45,119 --> 00:41:49,840
drew his hand across his mouth with
a rather suspicious gesture, my dear fellow,

549
00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:53,119
only a smile. The Duchess looked
from one to the other. What

550
00:41:53,199 --> 00:41:58,519
have you two been doing? What
is the joke? With an air of

551
00:41:58,559 --> 00:42:01,880
preternatural solemnity, the Duke took two
letters from the breast pocket of his coat.

552
00:42:02,960 --> 00:42:07,400
Mabel, you have already seen your
letter. You have already seen the

553
00:42:07,440 --> 00:42:12,599
lock of your hair. Just look
at this and that. He gave her

554
00:42:12,599 --> 00:42:16,000
the two very singular communications, which
had arrived in such a mysterious manner,

555
00:42:16,320 --> 00:42:21,039
and so quickly one after the other. She read them with wide open eyes.

556
00:42:22,079 --> 00:42:25,880
How wherever did these come from?
The Duke was standing with his legs

557
00:42:25,920 --> 00:42:31,559
apart and his hands in his trouser
pockets. I would give I would give

558
00:42:31,559 --> 00:42:35,840
another five hundred pounds to know.
Shall I tell you, madam, what

559
00:42:35,880 --> 00:42:38,559
I have been doing. I have
been presenting five hundred golden sovereigns to a

560
00:42:38,639 --> 00:42:45,480
perfect stranger with a top hat and
a gardenia in his button hole. Whatever

561
00:42:45,679 --> 00:42:49,920
for if you have perused these documents
which you have in your hand, you

562
00:42:49,920 --> 00:42:53,960
will have some faint idea I've all
when it's your funeral, as'll smile,

563
00:42:54,360 --> 00:42:59,360
Mabel, Duchess of dabt it.
It is beginning to dawn upon the vacuum

564
00:42:59,360 --> 00:43:01,840
which represents my brain, that I've
been the victim of one of the prettiest

565
00:43:01,840 --> 00:43:07,599
things and practical jokes that ever yet
was planned. When that fellow brought you

566
00:43:07,679 --> 00:43:10,039
that card at Caanan Wilson's, which
I need scarce, they tell you,

567
00:43:10,119 --> 00:43:15,679
never came from me. Someone walked
out the front entrance who was so exactly

568
00:43:15,880 --> 00:43:19,719
like you. Both Bounds and Moisy
took her for you. Moisey showed her

569
00:43:19,719 --> 00:43:22,480
into the carriage, and Barns drove
her home. But when the carriage reached

570
00:43:22,519 --> 00:43:28,280
home it was empty. Your double
had got out upon the road. The

571
00:43:28,400 --> 00:43:34,159
Duchess uttered a sound which was half
gasp, half sigh her what Barns and

572
00:43:34,199 --> 00:43:37,320
Moisy, with beautiful and childlike innocence, when they found that they had brought

573
00:43:37,360 --> 00:43:40,320
the thing home empty, It came
straight away and told me you had jumped

574
00:43:40,360 --> 00:43:44,559
out of the brow while I had
been driving full pelt through the streets.

575
00:43:45,039 --> 00:43:49,239
While I was digesting that piece of
information, there came the first epistle with

576
00:43:49,360 --> 00:43:52,639
the lock of your hair. Before
I had time to digest that, there

577
00:43:52,639 --> 00:43:59,840
came the second epistle with yours inside. It seems incredible. It sounds incredible,

578
00:43:59,840 --> 00:44:04,320
but unfathomable is the folly of man, especially of a man who loves

579
00:44:04,360 --> 00:44:08,480
his wife. The Duke crossed to
mister Dacre. I don't want ivor to

580
00:44:08,519 --> 00:44:13,480
suggest anything in the way of bribery
and corruption, But if you could keep

581
00:44:13,519 --> 00:44:17,199
this matter to yourself, not mention
it to your friends, A white hattered

582
00:44:17,199 --> 00:44:22,800
and Guardina buttonhold acquaintance, and welcome
to his five hundred pounds. And Mabel,

583
00:44:22,840 --> 00:44:27,280
what on earth are you laughing at? The duchess appeared all at once

584
00:44:27,360 --> 00:44:31,480
to be seized with inextinguishable laughter.
Oh just think how that man must be

585
00:44:31,599 --> 00:44:38,599
laughing at you. And the Duke
of Datchet thought of it. End of

586
00:44:38,719 --> 00:44:39,920
the Last Duchess