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〃The affair I allude to has been talked about a good deal；
certainly；〃 I continued。 〃But perhaps it may be altogether a
different circumstance。〃
〃And what may be the circumstance to which you allude？〃 asked Miss
Macmanus； in the same authoritative tone。
〃I dare say it has nothing to do with these ladies；〃 said I； 〃but an
article of dress； of the nature they have described； was cut up in
the Castle of Antwerp on the day before yesterday。 It belonged to a
gentleman who was visiting the place； and I was given to understand
that he is determined to punish the people who have wronged him。〃
〃It can't be the same；〃 said Miss Grogram； but I could see that she
was trembling。
〃Oh laws！ what will become of us？〃 said Mrs。 Jones。
〃You can all prove that I didn't touch them； and that I warned her
not；〃 said Aunt Sally。 In the mean time the two young ladies had
almost fainted behind their fans。
〃But how had it come to pass；〃 asked Miss Macmanus； 〃that the
gentleman had〃
〃I know nothing more about it； cousin；〃 said I； 〃only it does seem
that there is an odd coincidence。〃
Immediately after this I took my leave。 I saw that I had avenged my
friend； and spread dismay in the hearts of these who had injured
him。 I had learned in the course of the evening at what hotel the
five ladies were staying； and in the course of the next morning I
sauntered into the hall； and finding one of the porters alone； asked
if they were still there。 The man told me that they had started by
the earliest diligence。 〃And；〃 said he； 〃if you are a friend of
theirs； perhaps you will take charge of these things； which they
have left behind them？〃 So saying； he pointed to a table at the
back of the hall； on which were lying the black bag； the black
needle…case； the black pin cushion； and the black pen…wiper。 There
was also a heap of fragments of cloth which I well knew had been
intended by Miss Grogram for the comfort of her feet and ancles。
I declined the commission； however。 〃They were no special friends
of mine；〃 I said； and I left all the relics still lying on the
little table in the back hall。
〃Upon the whole； I am satisfied！〃 said the Rev。 Augustus Horne； when
I told him the finale of the story。
End