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him the impression that they were thick, red-faced and robustious. He felt that these pleasant-look-
ing young gentlefolk could never have really earned their unfortunate reputation. There must be a mistake somewhere.

The Twins were, on their part also, far more favorably impressed by him than they had looked to be; his lean tanned face, with the rather large arched nose, the thin-lipped melancholy mouth, not at all hidden by the small clipped mustache, and his keen eyes, almost as blue as those of the Ter-
ror, pleased them. He looked an uncommonly dependable baronet.

"Well, and what is this important matter you wished to see me about?" he said in a more indul-
gent tone than he had expected to use.

"We saw you in Glazebrook's meadow this after-
noon—poaching," said the Terror in a gentle, al-
most deprecatory tone.

Sir James sat rather more upright in his chair, with a sudden sense of discomfort. He had not connected this visit with his transgression.

"And you caught three fish," said Erebus in a sterner voice.