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US AND THE BOTTLEMAN
big, square envelope lying on the hall table. And, to our despair, supper was just ready and we could n't read the letter till afterward. Supper was good, I must admit,—baked eggs, all crusty and buttery on top, and muffins, and cherry jam. We ate hugely, because of the Jolly Nancy making us so hungry.
When we'd finished we went into Father's study, where he was n't, and turned on the desk-light and got at the letter. I read it, while the boys crouched about expectantly. Here it is:
Dear Comrades:
I should have answered your frantic appeals for news of me long since, had I not been slavishly occupied in carrying out the demands of the Man of Torture from whom I am now completely released, praises be. I am even contemplating escape from Bluar Boor by stealth. But no doubt you have no desire for these modern details and are all agog to find out whether or not I met a wretched death at the bottom of the
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