LOST. REWARD.
MR. PEREGRINE VEREKER
AGED 19.
Here followed a most minute and painfully accurate description of my
garments and person; and below, these words:
WHEREAS: my loved nephew, PEREGRINE VEREKER, acting upon the
PERNICIOUS & EVIL COUNSEL of certain CRUEL and HEARTLESS advisers,
fled from home and his only TRUE FRIEND on the night of the 10th.
inst: the above L500 will be paid to such person or persons who
shall return him safe and unharmed or give such information as shall
lead to his happy recovery and restoration to the loving care of
JULIA CONROY.
"Great heaven!" I exclaimed, crumpling the document angrily. "It reads
as if I were some pet animal!"
"Precisely!" murmured my uncle Jervas. "As you seemed likely to
become, nephew. None the less, the document evinces something of your
aunt's desire for your return, and it is easy to imagine her gratitude
when I shall restore you to her arms--"
"Hold hard, Jervas!" exclaimed my uncle George, clutching my left arm.
"'Twas I found him!"
"But consider, my dear George," sighed my uncle Jervas, laying elegant
hand upon my right shoulder, "I bear the brunt of her blame, as
usual--"
"But damme, Jervas--"
"But pray reflect further, dear George; I am, alas, slightly your
senior and, as such, claim the right--"
"But my dear uncles," I interrupted at this juncture, "pray remark
that I have no intention of returning home for some time.
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