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pleasant animation. "Why, that's what the Scotch reavers used to do! I never knew exactly what it was."

"And we're doing it. That is nice," said Ere-
bus, almost preening herself.

"But this is disgraceful! If you'd been village children—but gentlefolk!" cried Sir James with considerable heat.

"Well, the Douglases were gentlefolk; and they blackmailed," said the Terror in a tone of sweet reason.

"Poaching's a misdemeanor; blackmailing's a kind of stealing," said Erebus virtuously, forgetting for the moment her mother's fur stole.

"Poaching's a misdemeanor; blackmailing's a felony," said Sir James loftily.

The distinction was lost on the Twins; and Ere-
bus said with conviction: "Poaching's worse."

Sir James hated to be beaten; and he looked from one to the other with very angry eyes. The Twins wore a cold imperturbable air. Their ap-
pearance no longer pleased him.

"It's your own fault entirely," said the Terror coldly. "If you'd been civil and answered our

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