“I believe it’s so⁠—and if it ain’t so, there’s a heap stronger resemblance than I’d noticed before, anyway. Well, well, well! I thought we was right on the track of a solution, but it’s gone to grass, partly. But anyway, one thing is proved⁠— these two ain’t either of ’em Wilkses”⁠—and he wagged his head towards the king and the duke.

Well, what do you think? That muleheaded old fool wouldn’t give in then ! Indeed he wouldn’t. Said it warn’t no fair test. Said his brother William was the cussedest joker in the world, and hadn’t tried to write⁠— he see William was going to play one of his jokes the minute he put the pen to paper. And so he warmed up and went warbling and warbling right along till he was actuly beginning to believe what he was saying himself ; but pretty soon the new gentleman broke in, and says: