''Tis my belief you are no more than a--But I won't call you names; I'll tell you quite plainly that if there is anything wrong in that message to her--which I believe there is--no, I can't believe, though I fear it--you have the chance of appearing in drab clothes at the expense of the Government before the year is out, and I of being eternally disgraced!' 'No, captain, you won't be disgraced.

I am bad to beat, I can tell you.
And come the worst luck, I don't say a word.' 'But those letters pricked in your skin would say a good deal, it strikes me.' 'What! would they strip me ?--but it is not coming to that.

Look here, now, I'll tell you the truth for once; though you don't believe me capable of it.

I DID concoct that telegram--and sent it; just as a practical joke; and many a worse one has been only laughed at by honest men and officers.

I could show you a bigger joke still--a joke of jokes--on the same individual.' Dare as he spoke put his hand into his breast-pocket, as if the said joke lay there; but after a moment he withdrew his hand empty, as he continued: 'Having invented it I have done enough; I was going to explain it to you, that you might carry it out.