"They--put him to bed," confessed Jessamy guiltily, "but he's nice an' comfortable, Ann, an'll be right as nine pence in th' morning." "What sort of a person was he?" I enquired. "A biggish chap, a bit too round an' wi' too much neck." "How often did ye hit him, Jess?" "Four times, Ann! Four times, an' one would ha' been plenty. Four times an' me preachin' forgiveness an' brotherly love--" "Brotherly love's no good agin' that kind o' beast, a good strong fist's the thing, or better still a little, sharp _churi_--like mine!" "Ah, but when I hit him," sighed Jessamy, "I went on hitting him--not for the good of his soul but because--I--I j'yed in it--" "Well, it did him just as much good, anyhow!" said Diana whereupon Jessamy sighed again and shook his head in self-reproof. Seeing him thus downcast, I laid a hand on his arm and with the other felt in my pocket. "Do you happen to possess a watch, Jessamy?" I enquired. "Aye, for sure," he nodded, "that is, I did, an' a rare good 'un too, but it don't go these days by reason of a brick as was hove at me by a riotous fe-male." "Good heavens!" I exclaimed. "Why?" "The poor creetur' being in liquor didn't take kindly to my method o' prayer, so she let fly a brick as took me in the watch, bein' fortunate for me but bad for my watch--a good, silver watch, too, as was given me by my old dad just afore he died. An' so I ain't had the 'eart to buy another." "Then will you please accept this?" said I a little diffidently, aware of Diana's sharp eyes, and I thrust the timepiece into his hand. "Why--but--how can I--Lord bless me!" stammered Jessamy, glancing from the watch to me and back again irresolutely. "You'd better put it into your pocket, Jess, quick, or he'll throw it into the ditch!" nodded Diana. "So put it into your pocket and thank the pretty gentleman." This Jessamy did, after no little demur and with reiterated expressions of thanks. "Which do remind me, sir, as I have a letter for you," said he. "And my name is Peregrine," I nodded. "A letter, Peregrine, as was give to me for you by your uncle, Sir Jervas." And presently, having felt through his numerous pockets, he brought forth the letter in question, which, with due apology, I proceeded to open and read; here it is: