Tell me if you know this hand, Oakes?
I question if you ever saw it before." The superscription of the letter was held out to Sir Gervaise, who, after a close examination, declared himself unacquainted with the writing.
"I thought as much," resumed Bluewater, carefully tearing the signature from the bottom of the page, and burning it in a candle; "let this disgraceful part of the secret die, at least.

The fellow who wrote this, has put 'confidential' at the top of his miserable scrawl: and a most confident scoundrel he is, for his pains.

However, no man has a right to thrust himself, in this rude manner, between me and my oldest friend; and least of all will I consent to keep this piece of treachery from your knowledge.

I do more than the rascal merits in concealing his name; nevertheless, I shall not deny myself the pleasure of sending him such an answer as he deserves.

Read that, Oakes, and then say if keelhauling would be too good for the writer." Sir Gervaise took the letter in silence, though not without great surprise, and began to peruse it.