My Derby Sweep 243 



and all things mundane have an end, so the 

 period of my seclusion followed the rule, and 

 I quietly returned to my "hearth and home" ; 

 but on my arrival, to my horror and con- 

 sternation, a telegram was handed to me. 

 I ought to have mentioned that in order to 

 avoid any tempting offer which might be 

 made to me to part with my ticket, I had 

 left strict injunctions that no letters or tele- 

 grams were to be forwarded on. When my 

 servant, therefore, handed me the above 

 mentioned telegram, I felt a foreboding of 

 evil or some dreadful catastrophe, and it 

 was with a moisture-laden brow and shaky 

 hands that I tore open the envelope. The 

 contents fairly staggered me, and my cheeks 

 were bloodless. It was from an uncle from 

 whom I had great expectations, and the 

 words ran : "I am seriously unwell, and 

 want you at my side. Come by to-night's 

 mail without fail." 



