That others may display more constancy is still my hope. The tale was written years ago for a particular audience and (I may say) in rivalry with a particular author; I think I should do well to name him—Mr. Alfred R. Phillips. It was not without its reward at the time. I could not, indeed, displace Mr. Phillips from his well-won priority; but in the eyes of readers who thought less than nothing of “Treasure Island,” “The Black Arrow” was supposed to mark a clear advance. Those who read volumes and those who read story papers belong to different worlds. The verdict on “Treasure Island” was reversed in the other court: I wonder, will it be the same with its successor?

R. L. S.

Saranac Lake,

April 8, 1888.

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PROLOGUE

JOHN AMEND-ALL

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THE BLACK ARROW

A TALE OF THE TWO ROSES

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