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Updated: May 19, 2025
A very different person he looked from the neat, well-groomed Peterby of a week ago, what with the rough, ill-fitting clothes he wore and the fur cap pulled low over his brows; the gentleman's gentleman had vanished quite, and in his stead was a nondescript character such as might have been met with anywhere along the River, or lounging in shadowy corners.
But Peterby only stared from Barnabas to the money on the table, and back again. "Sir," said he at last, "this is a great deal of money." "Well, John?" "And I would remind you that we are in London, sir, and that yesterday I was a poacher a man of no character a " "But to-day you are my valet, John. So take the money and buy me whatever I require, but a tailor first of all."
"I mean that the clothes he makes are all stamped with his individuality, as it were, their very excellence damns them. They are the clothes of a tailor instead of being simply a gentleman's garments." "Hum!" said Barnabas, beginning to frown at this, "it would seem that dress can be a very profound subject, Peterby."
"Yes, sir, and I took the liberty of sending for Gabriel Martin to look after him." "Quite right, John. Tell Martin to have him saddled at once." "You are going out, sir?" "Yes, I am going out." Peterby bowed and crossed to the door, but paused there, hesitated, and finally spoke: "Sir, may I ask if you intend to ride Londonwards?"
Then, as Barnahas turned to meet the rush of Runner No. 2, behold a dark figure, that leapt from the dimness behind, and bore No. 2, cursing savagely, staggering back and back to the wall, and pinned him there, while, above the scuffling, the thud of blows and the trample of feet, rose a familiar voice: "Run, sir run!" cried John Peterby, "I've got this one run!"
"Yes, sir, I found one just beyond Lewisham, small, though comfortable. Here is the key, sir." "Thank you, John," said Barnabas, and thereafter sat staring gloomily at the key until Peterby spoke again: "Sir, pray forgive me, but I fear you are in some trouble. Is it your misunderstanding with Viscount Devenham? I couldn't help but overhear, and "
"But, as the Marquis remarked, Peterby is an inestimable fellow." The Viscount eyed Barnabas with brows wrinkled in perplexity; then all at once his expression changed. "By the way," said he, "talking of Carnaby, he's got the most beautiful eye you ever saw!" "Oh?" said Barnabas, beginning to tuck in the ends of his neckerchief. "And a devil of a split lip!" "Oh?" said Barnabas again.
And, when he was gone, Barnabas hurried back into the room and, taking pen and paper, wrote this: You are to be arrested to-night, so I send you my friend, John Peterby. Trust yourself to his guidance. And having folded and sealed this letter, he beckoned to Peterby. "John," said he, speaking in his ear, "take this letter to Mr. Barrymaine, give it into his hand, see that he leaves at once.
"I would have you, sometimes, forget that you are only 'the best valet in the world, and remember that you are a man: one in whom I can confide; one who has lived in this great world, and felt, and suffered, and who can therefore advise me; one I may trust to in an emergency; for London is a very big place, they tell me, and my friends are few or none and do you understand me, Peterby?"
"Why, indeed, now you come to mention it, I haven't the least idea; but, perhaps, my man can tell me." "Eh what?" exclaimed the Captain. "Oh, b'gad, he's smoking us!" "Peterby!" "Sir?" and having saluted the company, Peterby stood at respectful attention. "I shall be giving a small dinner in three days' time." "Certainly, sir." "At my house, Peterby, consequently I desire to know its location.
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