Well, sisters, of course you know you're not the only people the police are after.

That's why I am temporarily in the ministry." He grinned widely--a grin of huge enjoyment.
"Who are you ?" demanded Mrs.De Peyster.
"Well, you don't hesitate to ask, do you ?" He laughed, lightly.

"Say, it's too good to keep! I always was too confiding a lad; but I've got you where you won't squeal, and I suppose we've got to know each other if we're going to do business together.

You must know, my dear ladies, that every proposition I've handled I've gone into it as much for the fun as for the coin." He cocked his head; plainly there was an element of conceit in his character.

"Well, fair ones--ready ?" Mrs.De Peyster nodded.
"Ever heard of the American Historical Society's collection of recently discovered letters of a gentleman named Thomas Jefferson ?" Mrs.De Peyster started.
"Yes." "And perhaps you have heard that authorities now agree that said Thomas Jefferson was dead almost a hundred years when said letters were penned; and that he must have been favored with the assistance of an amanuensis of, so to say, the present generation ?" "Yes." "That being the case you may have heard of one Thomas Preston, alleged to be said amanuensis ?" "Yes." He put his hand across his clerical vest, and bowed first to Mrs.De Peyster, then to Matilda.
"It gives Mr.Preston very great pleasure to meet you, ladies.