WYLDER'S HAJVD.
243
tinent; and if they go to particularise, you may say the
places I have been at. Don't let any one know more. I
wish there was any way of stopping that old she " — (it
looked like dragon or devil — but was traced over with a
cloud of flourishes. and only " Lady Chelford's mouth"
was left untouched.) "Don't expect to hear from me so
long a yarn for some time again; and don't write. I don't
stay long anywhere, and don't carry my own name — and
never ask for letters at the post. I've a good glass, and,
can see pretty far, and make a fair guess enough what's
going on aboard the enemy.
I remain always, Dear Larkin, Ever yours, truly,
"Mark Wylder."
"He hardly trusts Lake more than he does me, I pre-
sume," murmured Mr. Larkin, elevating his bald head
with an offended and supercilious air.
"No, I take leave to think he certainly does not. Lake
has got private directions about the disposition of a por-
tion of the money. Of course, if there are persons to be
dealt with who are not pleasantly approachable by respect-
able professional people — in fact it would not suit me.
It is really rather a compliment, and relieves me of the
unpleasant necessity of saying — no."
Yet Mr. Larkin was very sore, and curious, and in a
measure, hated both Lake and Wylder for their secret
confidences, and was more than ever resolved to get at the
heart of Mark's mystery.