WYLDER'S HAJVB.
281
-' Quite so," repeated Lake, softly, taking the thin,
neatly folded piece of paper which Larkin, with a sad in-
clination of his body, handed to him.
Lake, under the "lawyer's" small, vigilant eyes, qui-
etly read Mark Wylder's awful threatenings through,
twice over, and Larkin was not quite sure whether there
was any change of countenance to speak of as he did so.
"This is dated the 29th," said Lake, in the same quiet
tone; "perhaps you will be so good as to write a line
across it, stating the date of your handing it to me."
"I—of course — I can see no objection. I may
mention, I suppose, that I do so at your request."
And Larkin made a neat little endorsement to that ef-
fect, and he felt relieved. The hyaena certainly was not
showing fight.
"And now, Mr. Larkin, you'll admit, I think, that I've
exhibited no ill-temper, much less violence, under the
provocation of that note.
"Certainly; none whatever, Captain Lake."
'' And you will therefore perceive that whatever I now
say, speaking in cool blood, I am not likely to recede
from."
Lawyer Larkin bowed.
"And may I particularly ask that you will so attend
to what I am about to say, as to be able to make a note
of it for Mr. Wylder's consideration."
"Certainly, if you desire; but I wish to say that in
this particular matter I beg it may be clearly understood
that Mr. Wylder is in no respect more my client than you,
Captain Lake, and that I merely act as a most reluctant
messenger in the matter."
"Just so," said Captain Lake
"Now, as to my thinking of representing either coun-
ty or borough," he resumed, after a little pause, holding