And so I am going away to a place
I have heard described by a pedler of books as 'the worst place in
the world'--and indeed I think it is."
"Sir," said Peterby, "when do we start?"
Then, very slowly, Barnabas lifted his heavy head and looked at John
Peterby; and, in that dark hour, smiled, and reaching out, caught
and grasped his hand; also, when he spoke again, his voice was less
hard and not so steady as before:
"Oh, John!" said he, "John Peterby--my faithful John! Come with me
if you will, but you come as my--friend."
"And--where are we going, sir?" inquired John, as they stood thus,
hand in hand, looking into each other's eyes.
"To Giles's Rents, John,--down by the River."
And thus did Barnabas, in getting rid of the "best valet in the world,"
find for himself a faithful friend instead.
CHAPTER LXVI
OF CERTAIN CON-CLUSIONS DRAWN BY MR. SHRIG
Number Five St. James's Square was to let; its many windows were
blank and shuttered, its portal, which scarcely a week ago had been
besieged by Fashion, was barred and bolted, the Gentleman-in-Powder
had vanished quite, and with him the glory of Number Five St.
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