world--in the circumstances. And of course certain duties have devolved

upon me now, which necessarily claim my first attention. This poor young

nobleman--"

Why, yes, I am sorry for my heartlessness, and you smitten with this new

family affliction. Of course you must materialize him first--I quite

understand that."

"I--I--well, I wasn't meaning just that, but,--why, what am I thinking

of! Of course I must materialize him. Oh, Hawkins, selfishness is the

bottom trait in human nature; I was only thinking that now, with the

usurper's heir out of the way. But you'll forgive that momentary weakness,

and forget it. Don't ever remember it against me that Mulberry Sellers

was once mean enough to think the thought that I was thinking. I'll

materialise him--I will, on my honor--and I'd do it were he a thousand

heirs jammed into one and stretching in a solid rank from here to the

stolen estates of Rossmore, and barring the road forever to the rightful

earl!

"There spoke the real Sellers--the other had a false ring, old friend."

Hawkins, my boy, it just occurs to me--a thing I keep forgetting to

mention--a matter that we've got to be mighty careful about."

What is that?"

The American Claimant