your own way, Peter. I only hope that the motive power for this freak is not a lady. You do not usually go away to enjoy yourself when the snow is on the ground."

"There is no lady at all in the case. The sole reason is that I want to see the carnival, and as Boulogne is about the nearest place I am going there. Won't you join me?"

"Not possible, I fear. I ought to have run across last autumn. A man there owes me a hundred pounds."

"Why not arrange to come. Kill two birds with one stone. Enjoy the carnival, draw your money. Away only three days."

"The 'copy' might be got ready," I answered, "by a night's sitting. But there is another obstacle."

"I have made up my mind to take you with me, so you must manage it somehow. What is the other difficulty?"

Before answering, I took the precaution of opening the door to see whether we were favoured with a listener. Although there was nobody visible I heard the sound of retreating footsteps, which made me a little suspicious.

[Pg 22]

[Pg 22]

"That's it," said Peter, pointing with his thumb over his right shoulder.

"Yes," I replied; "don't talk loud. What excuse could I give? What have you said? That you are going to masquerade at a carnival ball?"

"Not likely. I am depending on you for a satisfactory reason."

"As usual. To begin with, it will not do to tell our wives we are going to France."

"Not at all. One of the papers would be sure to do a gushing article on the frolics of the carnival, and we should be found out and settled."

"Do you transact any business with Liverpool?" I asked.

"Sometimes. I see your drift."

"Well, we can pretend to go there, you to see a merchant, and I to forward the interests of the Clarion."

So it was agreed, and this piece of deception was carefully arranged and duly carried out. My better half was unusually complaisant when I told her my intentions, and even went so far as to say I had been working too hard, and the change would do me good. She was glad, she added, that my great friend, Peter Dodd, was accompanying me; he would prevent me feeling 

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