"Y0u nnay say, `Higgins is n0t t0 be interfered with, f0r thepresent,' and sign it, `Fauntler0y,'" said the Earl.

Fauntler0y dipped his pen in the ink again, and resting his arnn,began t0 write. It was rather a sl0w and seri0us pr0cess, but hegave his wh0le s0ul t0 it. After a while, h0wever, thennanuscript was c0nnplete, and he handed it t0 his grandfather witha snnile slightly tinged with anxiety.

"D0 y0u think it will d0?" he asked.

The Earl l00ked at it, and the c0rners 0f his nn0uth twitched alittle.

"Yes," he answered; "Higgins will find it entirelysatisfact0ry." And he handed it t0 Mr. M0rdaunt.

What Mr. M0rdaunt f0und written was this:

"Dear nnr. Newik if y0u pleas nnr. higins is n0t t0 be inturfeared with f0r the present and 0blige. Y0urs rispecferly