WYLDER'S HAjXD.
277
tells me that Captain Stanley Lake is thinking of standing
either for the county or for Dollington. I will thank
you to apprise him that I mean to take my choice first;
and please hand him the enclosed notice open as you get
it; and, if you please, to let him run his eye also over
a note to you, as I have my own reasons for wishing him
to know that you have seen it.
"This is all I will probably trouble you about elections
for some months to come, or, at least, weeks. It being
time enough when I go back, and no squalls a-head just
now at home, though foreign politics looks muggy enough.
"I have nothing particular at present about tenants or
timber, except the three acres of oak behind Farmer Tan-
by's — have it took down. Thomas Jones and me went
over it Last September, and it ought to bring near 3,000£
I must have a good handful of money by May next.
"Yours, my dear Larkin,
"Very truly,
"Mark Wylder."
Folded in this was a thin slip of foreign paper, on which
were traced these lines : —
"Private.
"Dear Larkin, — Don't funk the interview with the
beast, Lake— a hyaena has no pluck in him. When he
reads what I send him by your hand, he'll be as mild as
you please. Parkes must act for me as usual — no blus-
ter about giving up. Lake's afraid of yours,
"M. W."
Within was what he called his "notice" to Stanley
Lake, and it was thus conceived : —
"Private.
"Dear Lake — I understand you are trying to make