Jack Harkaway and his Sons Escape from the Brigands of Greece

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Jack Harkaway and his Son's
Escape from the Brigands of
Greece

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Title: Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape From the Brigand's of
Greece
Author: Bracebridge Hemyng
Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7335] [Yes, we are more than
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HARKAWAY AND HIS SON'S ESCAPE ***

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JACK HARKAWAY AND HIS SON'S ESCAPE FROM THE
BRIGANDS OF GREECE.
BEING THE CONTINUATION OF "JACK HARKAWAY AND HIS
SON'S ADVENTURES IN GREECE."
BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG
[Illustration: Bother the beggars"--said Mr Mole"--Adv in Greece, Vol
II--_Frontispiece_]
CHAPTER I.

THE CONTESSA'S LETTER TO MR. MOLE--ON PLEASURE
BENT--THE MENDICANT FRIAR--MIDNIGHT
MARAUDERS--HOUSE BREAKING.
When Mrs. Harkaway's maid returned to the villa, she got scolded for
being so long upon an errand of some importance with which she had
been entrusted.
Thereupon, she was prepared with twenty excuses, all of which were
any thing but the truth.
The words of warning which the brigand had called after her had not
been without their due effect.
"She had been detained," she said, "by the Contessa Maraviglia for the
letter which she brought back to Mr. Mole."
The letter was an invitation to a grand ball which was to be given by
the contessa at the Palazzo Maraviglia, and to which the Harkaways
were going.
Dick Harvey had been at work in this business, and had made the
contessa believe indirectly that Mr. Mole was a most graceful dancer,
and that it would be an eternal shame for a _bal masqué_ to take place
in the neighbourhood without being graced by his--Mole's-- presence.
The result was that during lunch Mr. Mole received from the maid the
following singular effusion.
"Al Illustrissimo Signor Mole," which, being translated, means, "To the
illustrious Mr. Mole."
"Hullo!" said the tutor, looking around him and dropping his eye on
Dick, "who is this from?"
"From the Contessa Maraviglia," replied the girl.
Mr. Mole gave her a piercing glance.

The contessa's letter was a sort of puzzle to poor old Mole.
"The Contessa Maraviglia begs the honour of the Signor Mole's
company on the 16th instant. She can accept no refusal, as the _fête_ is
especially organised in honour of Signor Mole, whose rare excellence
in the poetry of motion has elevated dancing into an art."
Isaac Mole read and re-read this singular letter, until he grew more and
more fogged.
He thought that the contessa had failed to express herself clearly in
English on account of her imperfect knowledge of our language; but he
was soon corrected in this impression.
The lady in question, it transpired, was English.
So poor Mole did what he thought best under the circumstances, and
that was to consult with Dick Harvey.
"Dear me!" echoed Dick, innocently; "why, you have made an
impression here, Mr. Mole."
"Do you think so?" said Mole, doubtfully.
"Beyond question. This contessa is smitten, sir, with your attractions;
but I can assist you here."
"You can?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, my dear Harvey, thank you," replied Mr. Mole eagerly.
"Yes; I can let the contessa know that there is no hope for her."
Isaac Mole's vanity was tickled at this.
"Don't you think it would be cruel to undeceive her?"

"Cruel, sir!" said Dick, with severe air, "no, sir; I don't. It is my duty to
tell her all."
Mr. Mole looked alarmed.
"What do you mean?"
"That you are a married man."
"I say, I say--"
"Yes, sir, very much married," pursued Dick, relentlessly; "that you
have had three wives, and were nearly taking a fourth."
"Don't, Dick."
"All more or less