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Sullenly enough, the jackal loosened his dress, went into an

adjoining room, and came back with a large jug of cold water, a

basin, and a towel or two. Steeping the towels in the water, and

partially wringing them out, he folded them on his head in a

manner hideous to behold, sat down at the table, and said, "Now I

am ready!"

"Not much boiling down to be done to-night, Memory," said Mr.

Stryver, gaily, as he looked among his papers.

"How much?"

"Only two sets of them."

"Give me the worst first."

"There they are, Sydney. Fire away!"