’Ican’tstayhereamonth，’hecried。’Noonecould。Thething’snonsense，Morris。ThepartiesthatlivedintheBastillewouldriseagainstaplacelikethis。’
Withanadmirableaffectationofindifference，Morrisproposedagameofpitch—and—toss。Towhatwillnotthediplomatistcondescend！ItwasJohn’sfavouritegame;indeedhisonlygame——hehadfoundalltheresttoointellectual——andheplayeditwithequalskillandgoodfortune。ToMorrishimself，ontheotherhand，thewholebusinesswasdetestable;hewasabadpitcher，hehadnoluckintossing，andhewasonewhosufferedtormentswhenhelost。ButJohnwasinadangeroushumour，andhisbrotherwaspreparedforanysacrifice。
Byseveno’clock，Morris，withincredibleagony，hadlostacoupleofhalf—crowns。Evenwiththetontinebeforehiseyes，thiswasasmuchashecouldbear;and，remarkingthathewouldtakehisrevengesomeothertime，heproposedabitofsupperandagrog。
Beforetheyhadmadeanendofthisrefreshmentitwastimetobeatwork。Abucketofwaterforpresentnecessitieswaswithdrawnfromthewater—butt，whichwasthenemptiedandrolledbeforethekitchenfiretodry;andthetwobrotherssetforthontheiradventureunderastarlessheaven。
CHAPTERIII。TheLectureratLargeWhethermankindisreallypartialtohappinessisanopenquestion。Notamonthpassesbybutsomecherishedsonrunsoffintothemerchantservice，orsomevaluedhusbanddecampstoTexaswithaladyhelp;clergymenhavefledfromtheirparishioners;andevenjudgeshavebeenknowntoretire。Toanopenmind，itwillappear（uponthewhole）lessstrangethatJosephFinsburyshouldhavebeenledtoentertainideasofescape。Hislot（Ithinkwemaysay）wasnotahappyone。Myfriend，MrMorris，withwhomItraveluptwiceorthriceaweekfromSnaresbrookPark，iscertainlyagentlemanwhomIesteem;
buthewasscarceamodelnephew。AsforJohn，heisofcourseanexcellentfellow;butifhewastheonlylinkthatboundonetoahome，Ithinkthemostofuswouldvoteforforeigntravel。InthecaseofJoseph，John（ifhewerealinkatall）wasnottheonlyone;endearingbondshadlongenchainedtheoldgentlemantoBloomsbury;andbytheseexpressionsIdonotintheleastrefertoJuliaHazeltine（ofwhom，however，hewasfondenough），buttothatcollectionofmanuscriptnotebooksinwhichhislifelayburied。Thatheshouldeverhavemadeuphismindtoseparatehimselffromthesecollections，andgoforthupontheworldwithnootherresourcesthanhismemorysupplied，isacircumstancehighlypatheticinitself，andbutlittlecreditabletothewisdomofhisnephews。
Thedesign，oratleastthetemptation，wasalreadysomemonthsold;andwhenabillforeighthundredpounds，payabletohimself，wassuddenlyplacedinJoseph’shand，itbroughtmatterstoanissue。Heretainedthatbill，which，tooneofhisfrugality，meantwealth;andhepromisedhimselftodisappearamongthecrowdsatWaterloo，or（ifthatshouldproveimpossible）toslinkoutofthehouseinthecourseoftheeveningandmeltlikeadreamintothemillionsofLondon。ByapeculiarinterpositionofProvidenceandrailwaymismanagementhehadnotsolongtowait。
HewasoneofthefirsttocometohimselfandscrambletohisfeetaftertheBrowndeancatastrophe，andhehadnosoonerremarkedhisprostratenephewsthanheunderstoodhisopportunityandfled。Amanofupwardsofseventy，whohasjustmetwitharailwayaccident，andwhoiscumberedbesideswiththefulluniformofSirFaradayBond，isnotverylikelytofleefar，butthewoodwascloseathandandofferedthefugitiveatleastatemporarycovert。Hither，then，theoldgentlemanskippedwithextraordinaryexpedition，and，beingsomewhatwindedandagooddealshaken，herehelaydowninaconvenientgroveandwaspresentlyoverwhelmedbyslumber。Thewayoffateisoftenhighlyentertainingtothelooker—on，anditiscertainlyapleasantcircumstance，thatwhileMorrisandJohnweredelvinginthesandtoconcealthebodyofatotalstranger，theirunclelayindreamlesssleepafewhundredyardsdeeperinthewood。
Hewasawakenedbythejollynoteofabuglefromtheneighbouringhighroad，whereachar—a—bancwasbowlingbywithsomebelatedtourists。Thesoundcheeredhisoldheart，itdirectedhisstepsintothebargain，andsoonhewasonthehighway，lookingeastandwestfromunderhisvizor，anddoubtfullyrevolvingwhatheoughttodo。Adeliberatesoundofwheelsaroseinthedistance，andthenacartwasseenapproaching，wellfilledwithparcels，drivenbyagood—naturedlookingmanonadoublebench，anddisplayingonaboardthelegend，’IChandler，carrier’。IntheinfamouslyprosaicmindofMrFinsbury，certainstreaksofpoetrysurvivedandwerestillefficient;theyhadcarriedhimtoAsiaMinorasagiddyyouthofforty，andnow，inthefirsthoursofhisrecoveredfreedom，theysuggestedtohimtheideaofcontinuinghisflightinMrChandler’scart。Itwouldbecheap;properlybroached，itmightevencostnothing，and，afteryearsofmittensandhygienicflannel，hisheartleapedouttomeetthenotionofexposure。
MrChandlerwasperhapsalittlepuzzledtofindsooldagentleman，sostrangelyclothed，andbeggingforaliftonsoretiredaroadside。Buthewasagood—naturedman，gladtodoaservice，andsohetookthestrangerup;andhehadhisownideaofcivility，andsoheaskednoquestions。Silence，infact，wasquitegoodenoughforMrChandler;butthecarthadscarcelybeguntomoveforwarderehefoundhimselfinvolvedinaone—sidedconversation。
’Icansee，’beganMrFinsbury，’bythemixtureofparcelsandboxesthatarecontainedinyourcart，eachmarkedwithitsindividuallabel，andbythegoodFlemishmareyoudrive，thatyouoccupythepostofcarrierinthatgreatEnglishsystemoftransportwhich，withallitsdefects，istheprideofourcountry。’
’Yes，sir，’returnedMrChandlervaguely，forhehardlyknewwhattoreply;’themparcelspostshasdoneuscarriersaworldofharm。’
’Iamnotaprejudicedman，’continuedJosephFinsbury。’AsayoungmanItravelledmuch。Nothingwastoosmallortooobscureformetoacquire。AtseaIstudiedseamanship，learnedthecomplicatedknotsemployedbymariners，andacquiredthetechnicalterms。AtNaples，Iwouldlearntheartofmakingmacaroni;atNice，theprinciplesofmakingcandiedfruit。I
neverwenttotheoperawithoutfirstbuyingthebookofthepiece，andmakingmyselfacquaintedwiththeprincipalairsbypickingthemoutonthepianowithonefinger。’
’Youmusthaveseenadeal，sir，’remarkedthecarrier，touchinguphishorse;’IwishIcouldhavehadyouradvantages。’
’DoyouknowhowoftenthewordwhipoccursintheOldTestament？’continuedtheoldgentleman。’Onehundredand（ifI
rememberexactly）forty—seventimes。’
’Doitindeed，sir？’saidMrChandler。’Inevershouldhavethoughtit。’
’TheBiblecontainsthreemillionfivehundredandonethousandtwohundredandforty—nineletters。OfversesIbelievethereareupwardofeighteenthousand。TherehavebeenmanyeditionsoftheBible;WycliffwasthefirsttointroduceitintoEnglandabouttheyear1300。The\"ParagraphBible\"，asitiscalled，isawell—knownedition，andissocalledbecauseitisdividedintoparagraphs。The\"BreechesBible\"isanotherwell—knowninstance，andgetsitsnameeitherbecauseitwasprintedbyoneBreeches，orbecausetheplaceofpublicationborethatname。’
Thecarrierremarkeddrilythathethoughtthatwasonlynatural，andturnedhisattentiontothemorecongenialtaskofpassingacartofhay;itwasamatterofsomedifficulty，fortheroadwasnarrow，andtherewasaditchoneitherhand。
’Iperceive，’beganMrFinsbury，whentheyhadsuccessfullypassedthecart，’thatyouholdyourreinswithonehand;youshouldemploytwo。’
’Well，Ilikethat！’criedthecarriercontemptuously。’Why？’
’Youdonotunderstand，’continuedMrFinsbury。’WhatItellyouisascientificfact，andreposesonthetheoryofthelever，abranchofmechanics。Therearesomeveryinterestinglittleshillingbooksuponthefieldofstudy，whichIshouldthinkamaninyourstationwouldtakeapleasuretoread。ButIamafraidyouhavenotcultivatedtheartofobservation;atleastwehavenowdriventogetherforsometime，andIcannotrememberthatyouhavecontributedasinglefact。Thisisaveryfalseprinciple，mygoodman。Forinstance，Idonotknowifyouobservedthat（asyoupassedthehay—cartman）youtookyourleft？’
’OfcourseIdid，’criedthecarrier，whowasnowgettingbelligerent;’he’dhavethelawonmeifIhadn’t。’
’InFrance，now，’resumedtheoldman，’andalso，Ibelieve，intheUnitedStatesofAmerica，youwouldhavetakentheright。’
’Iwouldnot，’criedMrChandlerindignantly。’Iwouldhavetakentheleft。’
’Iobserveagain，’continuedMrFinsbury，scorningtoreply，’thatyoumendthedilapidatedpartsofyourharnesswithstring。
IhavealwaysprotestedagainstthiscarelessnessandslovenlinessoftheEnglishpoor。InanessaythatIoncereadbeforeanappreciativeaudience——’
’Itain’tstring，’saidthecarriersullenly，’it’spack—thread。’
’Ihavealwaysprotested，’resumedtheoldman，’thatintheirprivateanddomesticlife，aswellasintheirlabouringcareer，thelowerclassesofthiscountryareimprovident，thriftless，andextravagant。Astitchintime——’
’WhothedevilAREthelowerclasses？’criedthecarrier。’Youarethelowerclassesyourself！IfIthoughtyouwereabloomingaristocrat，Ishouldn’thavegivenyoualift。’
Thewordswereutteredwithundisguisedill—feeling;itwasplainthepairwerenotcongenial，andfurtherconversation，eventooneofMrFinsbury’spatheticloquacity，wasoutofthequestion。
Withanangrygesture，hepulleddownthebrimoftheforage—capoverhiseyes，and，producinganotebookandabluepencilfromoneofhisinnermostpockets，soonbecameabsorbedincalculations。
Onhispartthecarrierfelltowhistlingwithfreshzest;andif（nowandagain）heglancedatthecompanionofhisdrive，itwaswithmingledfeelingsoftriumphandalarm——triumphbecausehehadsucceededinarrestingthatprodigyofspeech，andalarmlest（byanyaccident）itshouldbeginagain。Eventheshower，whichpresentlyovertookandpassedthem，wasenduredbybothinsilence;anditwasstillinsilencethattheydroveatlengthintoSouthampton。
Duskhadfallen;theshopwindowsglimmeredforthintothestreetsoftheoldseaport;inprivatehouseslightswerekindledfortheeveningmeal;andMrFinsburybegantothinkcomplacentlyofhisnight’slodging。Heputhispapersby，clearedhisthroat，andlookeddoubtfullyatMrChandler。
’Willyoubecivilenough，’saidhe，’torecommendmetoaninn？’
MrChandlerponderedforamoment。
’Well，’hesaidatlast，’Iwonderhowaboutthe\"TregonwellArms\"。’
’The\"TregonwellArms\"willdoverywell，’returnedtheoldman，’ifit’scleanandcheap，andthepeoplecivil。’
’Iwasn’tthinkingsomuchofyou，’returnedMrChandlerthoughtfully。’IwasthinkingofmyfriendWattsaskeepsthe’ouse;he’safriendofmine，yousee，andhehelpedmethroughmytroublelastyear。AndIwasthinking，woulditbefair—likeonWattstosaddlehimwithanoldpartylikeyou，whomightbethedeathofhimwithgeneralinformation。Woulditbefairtothe’ouse？’enquiredMrChandler，withanairofcandidappeal。
’Markme，’criedtheoldgentlemanwithspirit。’Itwaskindinyoutobringmeherefornothing，butitgivesyounorighttoaddressmeinsuchterms。Here’sashillingforyourtrouble;
and，ifyoudonotchoosetosetmedownatthe\"TregonwellArms\"，Icanfinditformyself。’
Chandlerwassurprisedandalittlestartled;mutteringsomethingapologetic，hereturnedtheshilling，droveinsilencethroughseveralintricatelanesandsmallstreets，drewupatlengthbeforethebrightwindowsofaninn，andcalledloudlyforMrWatts。
’Isthatyou，Jem？’criedaheartyvoicefromthestableyard。
’Comeinandwarmyourself。’
’Ionlystoppedhere，’MrChandlerexplained，’toletdownanoldgentthatwantsfoodandlodging。Mind，Iwarnyouaginhim;he’sworsenoratemperancelecturer。’
MrFinsburydismountedwithdifficulty，forhewascrampedwithhislongdrive，andtheshakinghehadreceivedintheaccident。
ThefriendlyMrWatts，inspiteofthecarter’sscarcelyagreeableintroduction，treatedtheoldgentlemanwiththeutmostcourtesy，andledhimintothebackparlour，wheretherewasabigfireburninginthegrate。Presentlyatablewasspreadinthesameroom，andhewasinvitedtoseathimselfbeforeastewedfowl——somewhattheworseforhavingseenservicebefore——andabigpewtermugofalefromthetap。
Herosefromsupperagiantrefreshed;and，changinghisseattoonenearerthefire，begantoexaminetheotherguestswithaneyetothedelightsoforatory。Therewerenearadozenpresent，allmen，and（asJosephexultedtoperceive）allworkingmen。
Oftenalreadyhadheseencausetoblessthatappetitefordisconnectedfactandrotatoryargumentwhichissomarkedacharacterofthemechanic。Butevenanaudienceofworkingmenhastobecourted，andtherewasnomanmoredeeplyversedinthenecessaryartsthanJosephFinsbury。Heplacedhisglassesonhisnose，drewfromhispocketabundleofpapers，andspreadthembeforehimonatable。Hecrumpledthem，hesmoothedthemout;
nowheskimmedthemover，apparentlywellpleasedwiththeircontents;now，withtappingpencilandcontractedbrows，heseemedmaturelytoconsidersomeparticularstatement。Astealthyglanceabouttheroomassuredhimofthesuccessofhismanoeuvres;alleyeswereturnedontheperformer，mouthswereopen，pipeshungsuspended;thebirdswerecharmed。AtthesamemomenttheentranceofMrWattsaffordedhimanopportunity。
’Iobserve，’saidhe，addressingthelandlord，buttakingatthesametimethewholeroomintohisconfidencewithanencouraginglook，’Iobservethatsomeofthesegentlemenarelookingwithcuriosityinmydirection;andcertainlyitisunusualtoseeanyoneimmersedinliteraryandscientificlaboursinthepublicapartmentofaninn。IhaveheresomecalculationsImadethismorninguponthecostoflivinginthisandothercountries——asubject，Ineedscarcelysay，highlyinterestingtotheworkingclasses。Ihavecalculatedascaleoflivingforincomesofeighty，onehundredandsixty，twohundred，andtwohundredandfortypoundsayear。Imustconfessthattheincomeofeightypoundshassomewhatbaffledme，andtheothersarenotsoexactasIcouldwish;forthepriceofwashingvarieslargelyinforeigncountries，andthedifferentcokes，coalsandfirewoodsfluctuatesurprisingly。Iwillreadmyresearches，andIhopeyouwon’tscrupletopointouttomeanylittleerrorsthatImayhavecommittedeitherfromoversightorignorance。Iwillbegin，gentlemen，withtheincomeofeightypoundsayear。’
Whereupontheoldgentleman，withlesscompassionthanhewouldhavehadforbrutebeasts，deliveredhimselfofallhistediouscalculations。Asheoccasionallygavenineversionsofasingleincome，placingtheimaginarypersoninLondon，Paris，Bagdad，Spitzbergen，Bassorah，Heligoland，theScillyIslands，Brighton，Cincinnati，andNijni—Novgorod，withanappropriateoutfitforeachlocality，itisnowonderthathishearerslookbackonthateveningasthemosttiresometheyeverspent。
LongbeforeMrFinsburyhadreachedNijni—Novgorodwiththeincomeofonehundredandsixtypounds，thecompanyhaddwindledandfadedawaytoafewoldtopersandtheboredbutaffableWatts。Therewasaconstantstreamofcustomersfromtheouterworld，butsosoonastheywereservedtheydranktheirliquorquicklyanddepartedwiththeutmostcelerityforthenextpublic—house。
BythetimetheyoungmanwithtwohundredayearwasvegetatingintheScillyIslands，MrWattswasleftalonewiththeeconomist;andthatimaginarypersonhadscarcecommencedlifeatBrightonbeforethelastofhispursuersdesistedfromthechase。
MrFinsburysleptsoundlyafterthemanifoldfatiguesoftheday。
Heroselate，and，afteragoodbreakfast，orderedthebill。Thenitwasthathemadeadiscoverywhichhasbeenmadebymanyothers，bothbeforeandsince：thatitisonethingtoorderyourbill，andanothertodischargeit。Theitemsweremoderateand（whatdoesnotalwaysfollow）thetotalsmall;but，afterthemostsedulousreviewofallhispockets，oneandninepencehalfpennyappearedtobethetotaloftheoldgentleman’savailableassets。HeaskedtoseeMrWatts。
’HereisabillonLondonforeighthundredpounds，’saidMrFinsbury，asthatworthyappeared。’Iamafraid，unlessyouchoosetodiscountityourself，itmaydetainmeadayortwotillIcangetitcashed。’
MrWattslookedatthebill，turneditover，anddogs—eareditwithhisfingers。’Itwillkeepyouadayortwo？’hesaid，repeatingtheoldman’swords。’Youhavenoothermoneywithyou？’
’Sometriflingchange，’respondedJoseph。’Nothingtospeakof。’
’Thenyoucansenditme;Ishouldbepleasedtotrustyou。’
’Totellthetruth，’answeredtheoldgentleman，’Iammorethanhalfinclinedtostay;Iaminneedoffunds。’
’Ifaloanoftenshillingswouldhelpyou，itisatyourservice，’respondedWatts，witheagerness。
’No，IthinkIwouldratherstay，’saidtheoldman，’andgetmybilldiscounted。’
’Youshallnotstayinmyhouse，’criedMrWatts。’Thisisthelasttimeyoushallhaveabedatthe\"TregonwellArms\"。’
’Iinsistuponremaining，’repliedMrFinsbury，withspirit;’I
remainbyActofParliament;turnmeoutifyoudare。’
’Thenpayyourbill，’saidMrWatts。
’Takethat，’criedtheoldman，tossinghimthenegotiablebill。
’Itisnotlegaltender，’repliedMrWatts。’Youmustleavemyhouseatonce。’
’YoucannotappreciatethecontemptIfeelforyou，MrWatts，’
saidtheoldgentleman，resigninghimselftocircumstances。’Butyoushallfeelitinoneway：Irefusetopaymybill。’
’Idon’tcareforyourbill，’respondedMrWatts。’WhatIwantisyourabsence。’
’Thatyoushallhave！’saidtheoldgentleman，and，takinguphisforagecapashespoke，hecrammeditonhishead。’Perhapsyouaretooinsolent，’headded，’toinformmeofthetimeofthenextLondontrain？’
’Itleavesinthree—quartersofanhour，’returnedtheinnkeeperwithalacrity。’Youcaneasilycatchit。’
Joseph’spositionwasoneofconsiderableweakness。Ontheonehand，itwouldhavebeenwelltoavoidthedirectlineofrailway，sinceitwastherehemightexpecthisnephewstolieinwaitforhisrecapture;ontheother，itwashighlydesirable，itwasevenstrictlyneedful，togetthebilldiscountedereitshouldbestopped。ToLondon，therefore，hedecidedtoproceedonthefirsttrain;andthereremainedbutonepointtobeconsidered，howtopayhisfare。
Joseph’snailswereneverclean;heatealmostentirelywithhisknife。Idoubtifyoucouldsayhehadthemannersofagentleman;buthehadbetterthanthat，atouchofgenuinedignity。WasitfromhisstayinAsiaMinor？WasitfromastrainintheFinsburybloodsometimesalludedtobycustomers？Atleast，whenhepresentedhimselfbeforethestation—master，hissalaamwastrulyOriental，palm—treesappearedtocrowdaboutthelittleoffice，andthesimoomorthebulbul——butIleavethisimagetopersonsbetteracquaintedwiththeEast。Hisappearance，besides，washighlyinhisfavour;theuniformofSirFaraday，howeverinconvenientandconspicuous，was，atleast，acostumeinwhichnoswindlercouldhavehopedtoprosper;andtheexhibitionofavaluablewatchandabillforeighthundredpoundscompletedwhatdeportmenthadbegun。Aquarterofanhourlater，whenthetraincameup，MrFinsburywasintroducedtotheguardandinstalledinafirst—classcompartment，thestation—mastersmilinglyassumingallresponsibility。
Astheoldgentlemansatwaitingthemomentofdeparture，hewasthewitnessofanincidentstrangelyconnectedwiththefortunesofhishouse。Apacking—caseofcyclopeanbulkwasbornealongtheplatformbysomedozenoftotteringporters，andultimately，tothedelightofaconsiderablecrowd，hoistedonboardthevan。
Itisoftenthecheeringtaskofthehistoriantodirectattentiontothedesignsand（ifitmaybereverentlysaid）theartificesofProvidence。Intheluggagevan，asJosephwasborneoutofthestationofSouthamptonEastuponhiswaytoLondon，theeggofhisromancelay（sotospeak）unhatched。Thehugepacking—casewasdirectedtolieatWaterlootillcalledfor，andaddressedtoone’WilliamDentPitman’;andtheverynextarticle，agoodlybarreljammedintothecornerofthevan，borethesuperscription，’M。Finsbury，16JohnStreet，Bloomsbury。
Carriagepaid。’
Inthisjuxtaposition，thetrainofpowderwasprepared;andtherewasnowwantingonlyanidlehandtofireitoff。
CHAPTERIV。TheMagistrateintheLuggageVanThecityofWinchesterisfamedforacathedral，abishop——buthewasunfortunatelykilledsomeyearsagowhileriding——apublicschool，aconsiderableassortmentofthemilitary，andthedeliberatepassageofthetrainsoftheLondonandSouth—Westernline。TheseandmanysimilarassociationswouldhavedoubtlesscrowdedonthemindofJosephFinsbury;buthisspirithadatthattimeflittedfromtherailwaycompartmenttoaheavenofpopulouslecture—hallsandendlessoratory。Hisbody，inthemeanwhile，laydoubledonthecushions，theforage—caprakishlytiltedbackafterthefashionofthosethatlieinwaitfornursery—maids，thepooroldfacequiescent，onearmclutchingtohisheartLloyd’sWeeklyNewspaper。
Tohim，thusunconscious，enterandexeuntagainapairofvoyagers。Thesetwohadsavedthetrainandnomore。Atandemurgedtoitslastspeed，anactofsomethingcloselyborderingonbrigandageattheticketoffice，andaspasmofrunning，hadbroughtthemontheplatformjustastheengineuttereditsdepartingsnort。Therewasbutonecarriageeasilywithintheirreach;andtheyhadsprungintoit，andtheleaderandelderalreadyhadhisfeetuponthefloor，whenheobservedMrFinsbury。
’GoodGod！’hecried。’UncleJoseph！This’llneverdo。’
Andhebackedout，almostupsettinghiscompanion，andoncemoreclosedthedooruponthesleepingpatriarch。
Thenextmomentthepairhadjumpedintothebaggagevan。
’What’stherowaboutyourUncleJoseph？’enquiredtheyoungertraveller，moppinghisbrow。’Doesheobjecttosmoking？’
’Idon’tknowthatthere’sanythingtherowwithhim，’returnedtheother。’He’sbynomeansthefirstcomer，myUncleJoseph，I
cantellyou！Veryrespectableoldgentleman;interestedinleather;beentoAsiaMinor;nofamily，noassets——andatongue，mydearWickham，sharperthanaserpent’stooth。’
’Cantankerousoldparty，eh？’suggestedWickham。
’Notintheleast，’criedtheother;’onlyamanwithasolidtalentforbeingabore;rathercheeryIdaresay，onadesertisland，butonarailwayjourneyinsupportable。YoushouldhearhimonTonti，theassthatstartedtontines。He’sincredibleonTonti。’
’ByJove！’criedWickham，’thenyou’reoneoftheseFinsburytontinefellows。Ihadn’taguessofthat。’
’Ah！’saidtheother，’doyouknowthatoldboyinthecarriageisworthahundredthousandpoundstome？Therehewasasleep，andnobodytherebutyou！ButIsparedhim，becauseI’maConservativeinpolitics。’
MrWickham，pleasedtobeinaluggagevan，wasflittingtoandfrolikeagentlemanlybutterfly。
’ByJingo！’hecried，’here’ssomethingforyou！\"M。Finsbury，16
JohnStreet，Bloomsbury，London。\"M。standsforMichael，youslydog;youkeeptwoestablishments，doyou？’
’O，that’sMorris，’respondedMichaelfromtheotherendofthevan，wherehehadfoundacomfortableseatuponsomesacks。’He’salittlecousinofmine。Ilikehimmyself，becausehe’safraidofme。He’soneoftheornamentsofBloomsbury，andhasacollectionofsomekind——birds’eggsorsomethingthat’ssupposedtobecurious。Ibetit’snothingtomyclients！’
’Whatalarkitwouldbetoplaybillywiththelabels！’chuckledMrWickham。’ByGeorge，here’satack—hammer！Wemightsendallthesethingsskippingaboutthepremiseslikewhat’s—his—name！’
Atthismoment，theguard，surprisedbythesoundofvoices，openedthedoorofhislittlecabin。
’Youhadbeststepinhere，gentlemen，’saidhe，whenhehadheardtheirstory。
’Won’tyoucome，Wickham？’askedMichael。
’Catchme——Iwanttotravelinavan，’repliedtheyouth。
Andsothedoorofcommunicationwasclosed;andfortherestoftherunMrWickhamwasleftaloneoverhisdiversionsontheoneside，andontheotherMichaelandtheguardwereclosetedtogetherinfamiliartalk。
’Icangetyouacompartmenthere，sir，’observedtheofficial，asthetrainbegantoslackenspeedbeforeBishopstokestation。
’Youhadbestgetoutatmydoor，andIcanbringyourfriend。’
MrWickham，whomweleft（asthereaderhasshrewdlysuspected）
beginningto’playbilly’withthelabelsinthevan，wasayounggentlemanofmuchwealth，apleasingbutsandyexterior，andahighlyvacantmind。Notmanymonthsbefore，hehadcontrivedtogethimselfblackmailedbythefamilyofaWallachianHospodar，residentforpoliticalreasonsinthegaycityofParis。Acommonfriend（towhomhehadconfidedhisdistress）recommendedhimtoMichael;andthelawyerwasnosoonerinpossessionofthefactsthanheinstantlyassumedtheoffensive，fellontheflankoftheWallachianforces，and，intheinsideofthreedays，hadthesatisfactiontobeholdthemroutedandfleeingfortheDanube。Itisnobusinessofourstofollowthemonthisretreat，overwhichthepoliceweresoobligingastopresidepaternally。ThusrelievedfromwhathelovedtorefertoastheBulgarianAtrocity，MrWickhamreturnedtoLondonwiththemostunboundedandembarrassinggratitudeandadmirationforhissaviour。Thesesentimentswerenotrepaideitherinkindordegree;indeed，Michaelwasatrifleashamedofhisnewclient’sfriendship;ithadtakenmanyinvitationstogethimtoWinchesterandWickhamManor;buthehadgoneatlast，andwasnowreturning。Ithasbeenremarkedbysomejudiciousthinker（possiblyJ。F。Smith）
thatProvidencedespisestoemploynoinstrument，howeverhumble;
anditisnowplaintothedullestthatbothMrWickhamandtheWallachianHospodarwereliquidleadandwedgesinthehandofDestiny。
SmittenwiththedesiretoshineinMichael’seyesandshowhimselfapersonoforiginalhumourandresources，theyounggentleman（whowasamagistrate，morebytoken，inhisnativecounty）wasnosooneraloneinthevanthanhefelluponthelabelswithallthezealofareformer;and，whenherejoinedthelawyeratBishopstoke，hisfacewasflushedwithhisexertions，andhiscigar，whichhehadsufferedtogooutwasalmostbittenintwo。
’ByGeorge，butthishasbeenalark！’hecried。’I’vesentthewrongthingtoeverybodyinEngland。Thesecousinsofyourshaveapacking—caseasbigasahouse。I’vemuddledthewholebusinessuptothatextent，Finsbury，thatifitweretogetoutit’smybeliefweshouldgetlynched。’
ItwasuselesstobeseriouswithMrWickham。’Takecare，’saidMichael。’Iamgettingtiredofyourperpetualscrapes;myreputationisbeginningtosuffer。’
’Yourreputationwillbeallgonebeforeyoufinishwithme，’
repliedhiscompanionwithagrin。’Clapitinthebill，myboy。
\"Fortotallossofreputation，sixandeightpence。\"But，’
continuedMrWickhamwithmoreseriousness，’couldIbebowledoutoftheCommissionforthislittlejest？Iknowit’ssmall，butIliketobeaJP。Speakingasaprofessionalman，doyouthinkthere’sanyrisk？’
’Whatdoesitmatter？’respondedMichael，’they’llchuckyououtsoonerorlater。Somehowyoudon’tgivetheeffectofbeingagoodmagistrate。’
’IonlywishIwasasolicitor，’retortedhiscompanion，’insteadofapoordevilofacountrygentleman。Supposewestartoneofthosetontineaffairsourselves;Itopayfivehundredayear，andyoutoguaranteemeagainsteverymisfortuneexceptillnessormarriage。’
’Itstrikesme，’remarkedthelawyerwithameditativelaugh，ashelightedacigar，’itstrikesmethatyoumustbeacursednuisanceinthisworldofours。’
’Doyoureallythinkso，Finsbury？’respondedthemagistrate，leaningbackinhiscushions，delightedwiththecompliment。
’Yes，IsupposeIamanuisance。But，mindyou，Ihaveastakeinthecountry：don’tforgetthat，dearboy。’
CHAPTERV
MrGideonForsythandtheGiganticBoxIthasbeenmentionedthatatBournemouthJuliasometimesmadeacquaintances;itistrueshehadbutaglimpseofthembeforethedoorsofJohnStreetclosedagainuponitscaptives，buttheglimpsewassometimesexhilarating，andtheconsequentregretwastemperedwithhope。AmongthosewhomshehadthusmetayearbeforewasayoungbarristerofthenameofGideonForsyth。
Aboutthreeo’clockoftheeventfuldaywhenthemagistratetamperedwiththelabels，asomewhatmoodyanddistemperedramblehadcarriedMrForsythtothecornerofJohnStreet;andaboutthesamemomentMissHazeltinewascalledtothedoorofNo。16
byathunderingdoubleknock。
MrGideonForsythwasahappyenoughyoungman;hewouldhavebeenhappierifhehadhadmoremoneyandlessuncle。Onehundredandtwentypoundsayearwasallhisstore;buthisuncle，MrEdwardHughBloomfield，supplementedthiswithahandsomeallowanceandagreatdealofadvice，couchedinlanguagethatwouldprobablyhavebeenjudgedintemperateonboardapirateship。MrBloomfieldwasindeedafigurequitepeculiartothedaysofMrGladstone;whatwemaycall（forthelackofanacceptedexpression）aSquirradical。Havingacquiredyearswithoutexperience，hecarriedintotheRadicalsideofpoliticsthosenoisy，after—dinner—tablepassions，whichwearemoreaccustomedtoconnectwithToryisminitssevereandsenileaspects。TotheopinionsofMrBradlaugh，infact，headdedthetemperandthesympathiesofthatextinctanimal，theSquire;headmiredpugilism，hecarriedaformidableoakenstaff，hewasareverentchurchman，anditwashardtoknowwhichwouldhavemorevolcanicallystirredhischoler——apersonwhoshouldhavedefendedtheestablishedchurch，oronewhoshouldhaveneglectedtoattenditscelebrations。Hehadbesidessomelevellingcatchwords，justlydreadedinthefamilycircle;andwhenhecouldnotgosofarastodeclareastepun—English，hemightstill（andwithhardlylesseffect）denounceitasunpractical。
ItwasunderthebanofthislesserexcommunicationthatGideonhadfallen。Hisviewsonthestudyoflawhadbeenpronouncedunpractical;andithadbeenintimatedtohim，inavociferousinterviewpunctuatedwiththeoakenstaff，thathemusteithertakeanewstartandgetabriefortwo，orpreparetoliveonhisownmoney。
NowonderifGideonwasmoody。Hehadnottheslightestwishtomodifyhispresenthabits;buthewouldnotstandonthat，sincetherecallofMrBloomfield’sallowancewouldrevolutionizethemstillmoreradically。Hehadnottheleastdesiretoacquainthimselfwithlaw;hehadlookedintoitalready，anditseemednottorepayattention;butuponthisalsohewasreadytogiveway。Infact，hewouldgoasfarashecouldtomeettheviewsofhisuncle，theSquirradical。Buttherewasonepartoftheprogrammethatappearedindependentofhiswill。Howtogetabrief？therewasthequestion。Andtherewasanotherandaworse。
Supposehegotone，shouldheprovethebetterman？
Suddenlyhefoundhiswaybarredbyacrowd。Agarishlyilluminatedvanwasbackedagainstthekerb;fromitsopenstern，halfrestingonthestreet，halfsupportedbysomeglisteningathletes，theendofthelargestpacking—caseinthecountyofMiddlesexmighthavebeenseenprotruding;while，onthestepsofthehouse，theburlypersonofthedriverandtheslimfigureofayounggirlstoodasuponastage，disputing。
’Itisnotforus，’thegirlwassaying。’Ibegyoutotakeitaway;itcouldn’tgetintothehouse，evenifyoumanagedtogetitoutofthevan。’
’Ishallleaveitonthepavement，then，andM。FinsburycanarrangewiththeVestryashelikes，’saidthevanman。
’ButIamnotM。Finsbury，’expostulatedthegirl。
’Itdoesn’tmatterwhoyouare，’saidthevanman。
’Youmustallowmetohelpyou，MissHazeltine，’saidGideon，puttingouthishand。
Juliagavealittlecryofpleasure。’O，MrForsyth，’shecried，’Iamsogladtoseeyou;wemustgetthishorridthing，whichcanonlyhavecomeherebymistake，intothehouse。Themansayswe’llhavetotakeoffthedoor，orknocktwoofourwindowsintoone，orbefinedbytheVestryorCustomHouseorsomethingforleavingourparcelsonthepavement。’
Themenbythistimehadsuccessfullyremovedtheboxfromthevan，hadplumpeditdownonthepavement，andnowstoodleaningagainstit，orgazingatthedoorofNo。16，invisiblephysicaldistressandmentalembarrassment。Thewindowsofthewholestreethadfilled，asifbymagic，withinterestedandentertainedspectators。
Withasthoughtfulandscientificanexpressionashecouldassume，Gideonmeasuredthedoorwaywithhiscane，whileJuliaenteredhisobservationsinadrawing—book。Hethenmeasuredthebox，and，uponcomparinghisdata，foundthattherewasjustenoughspaceforittoenter。Next，throwingoffhiscoatandwaistcoat，heassistedthementotakethedoorfromitshinges。
Andlastly，allbystandersbeingpressedintotheservice，thepacking—casemountedthestepsuponsomefifteenpairsofwaveringlegs——scraped，loudlygrinding，throughthedoorway——andwasdepositedatlength，withaformidableconvulsion，inthefarendofthelobby，whichitalmostblocked。Theartisansofthisvictorysmileduponeachotherasthedustsubsided。ItwastruetheyhadsmashedabustofApolloandploughedthewallintodeepruts;but，atleast，theywerenolongeroneofthepublicspectaclesofLondon。
’Well，sir，’saidthevanman，’Ineverseesuchajob。’
Gideoneloquentlyexpressedhisconcurrenceinthissentimentbypressingacoupleofsovereignsintheman’shand。
’Makeitthree，sir，andI’llstandSamtoeverybodyhere！’criedthelatter，and，thishavingbeendone，thewholebodyofvolunteerportersswarmedintothevan，whichdroveoffinthedirectionofthenearestreliablepublic—house。Gideonclosedthedoorontheirdeparture，andturnedtoJulia;theireyesmet;themostuncontrollablemirthseizeduponthemboth，andtheymadethehouseringwiththeirlaughter。ThencuriosityawokeinJulia’smind，andshewentandexaminedthebox，andmoreespeciallythelabel。
’Thisisthestrangestthingthateverhappened，’shesaid，withanotherburstoflaughter。’ItiscertainlyMorris’shandwriting，andIhadaletterfromhimonlythismorning，tellingmetoexpectabarrel。Isthereabarrelcomingtoo，doyouthink，MrForsyth？’
\"’StatuarywithCare，Fragile，’\"readGideonaloudfromthepaintedwarningonthebox。’Thenyouweretoldnothingaboutthis？’
’No，’respondedJulia。’O，MrForsyth，don’tyouthinkwemighttakeapeepatit？’
’Yes，indeed，’criedGideon。’Justletmehaveahammer。’
’Comedown，andI’llshowyouwhereitis，’criedJulia。’Theshelfistoohighformetoreach’;and，openingthedoorofthekitchenstair，shebadeGideonfollowher。Theyfoundboththehammerandachisel;butGideonwassurprisedtoseenosignofaservant。HealsodiscoveredthatMissHazeltinehadaveryprettylittlefootandankle;andthediscoveryembarrassedhimsomuchthathewasgladtofallatonceuponthepacking—case。
Heworkedhardandearnestly，anddealthisblowswiththeprecisionofablacksmith;Juliathewhilestandingsilentlybyhisside，andregardingrathertheworkmanthanthework。Hewasahandsomefellow;shetoldherselfshehadneverseensuchbeautifularms。Andsuddenly，asthoughhehadoverheardthesethoughts，Gideonturnedandsmiledtoher。She，too，smiledandcoloured;andthedoublechangebecamehersoprettilythatGideonforgottoturnawayhiseyes，and，swingingthehammerwithawill，dischargedasmashingblowonhisownknuckles。Withadmirablepresenceofmindhecrusheddownanoathandsubstitutedtheharmlesscomment，’Butterfingers！’Butthepainwassharp，hisnervewasshaken，andafteranabortivetrialhefoundhemustdesistfromfurtheroperations。
InamomentJuliawasofftothepantry;inamomentshewasbackagainwithabasinofwaterandasponge，andhadbeguntobathehiswoundedhand。
’Iamdreadfullysorry！’saidGideonapologetically。’IfIhadhadanymannersIshouldhaveopenedtheboxfirstandsmashedmyhandafterward。Itfeelsmuchbetter，’headded。’Iassureyouitdoes。’
’AndnowIthinkyouarewellenoughtodirectoperations，’saidshe。’Tellmewhattodo，andI’llbeyourworkman。’
’Averyprettyworkman，’saidGideon，ratherforgettinghimself。
Sheturnedandlookedathim，withasuspicionofafrown;andtheindiscreetyoungmanwasgladtodirectherattentiontothepacking—case。Thebulkoftheworkhadbeenaccomplished;andpresentlyJuliahadburstthroughthelastbarrieranddisclosedazoneofstraw。inamomenttheywerekneelingsidebyside，engagedlikehaymakers;thenexttheywererewardedwithaglimpseofsomethingwhiteandpolished;andthenextagainlaidbareanunmistakablemarbleleg。
’Heissurelyaveryathleticperson，’saidJulia。
’Ineversawanythinglikeit，’respondedGideon。’Hismusclesstandoutlikepennyrolls。’
Anotherlegwassoondisclosed，andthenwhatseemedtobeathird。Thisresolveditself，however，intoaknottedclubrestinguponapedestal。
’ItisaHercules，’criedGideon;’Imighthaveguessedthatfromhiscalf。I’msupposedtoberatherpartialtostatuary，butwhenitcomestoHercules，thepoliceshouldinterfere。Ishouldsay，’
headded，glancingwithdisaffectionattheswollenleg，’thatthiswasaboutthebiggestandtheworstinEurope。Whatinheaven’snamecanhaveinducedhimtocomehere？’
’Isupposenobodyelsewouldhaveagiftofhim，’saidJulia。
’Andforthatmatter，Ithinkwecouldhavedonewithoutthemonsterverywell。’
’O，don’tsaythat，’returnedGideon。’Thishasbeenoneofthemostamusingexperiencesofmylife。’
’Idon’tthinkyou’llforgetitverysoon，’saidJulia。’Yourhandwillremindyou。’
’Well，IsupposeImustbegoing，’saidGideonreluctantly。’No，’
pleadedJulia。’Whyshouldyou？Stayandhaveteawithme。’
’IfIthoughtyoureallywishedmetostay，’saidGideon，lookingathishat，’ofcourseIshouldonlybetoodelighted。’
’Whatasillypersonyoumusttakemefor！’returnedthegirl。
’Why，ofcourseIdo;and，besides，Iwantsomecakesfortea，andI’venobodytosend。Hereisthelatchkey。’
Gideonputonhishatwithalacrity，andcastingonelookatMissHazeltine，andanotheratthelegsofHercules，threwopenthedooranddepartedonhiserrand。
Hereturnedwithalargebagofthechoicestandmosttemptingofcakesandtartlets，andfoundJuliaintheactofspreadingasmalltea—tableinthelobby。
\"Theroomsareallinsuchastate，’shecried，’thatIthoughtweshouldbemorecosyandcomfortableinourownlobby，andunderourownvineandstatuary。’
’Eversomuchbetter，’criedGideondelightedly。
’Owhatadorablecreamtarts！’saidJulia，openingthebag，’andthedearestlittlecherrytartlets，withallthecherriesspilledoutintothecream！’
’Yes，’saidGideon，concealinghisdismay，’Iknewtheywouldmixbeautifully;thewomanbehindthecountertoldmeso。’
’Now，’saidJulia，astheybegantheirlittlefestival，’IamgoingtoshowyouMorris’sletter;readitaloud，please;perhapsthere’ssomethingIhavemissed。’
Gideontooktheletter，andspreadingitoutonhisknee，readasfollows：
DEARJULIA，IwriteyoufromBrowndean，wherewearestoppingoverforafewdays。Unclewasmuchshakeninthatdreadfulaccident，ofwhich，Idaresay，youhaveseentheaccount。
TomorrowIleavehimherewithJohn，andcomeupalone;butbeforethat，youwillhavereceivedabarrelCONTAININGSPECIMENS
FORAFRIEND。Donotopenitonanyaccount，butleaveitinthelobbytillIcome。
Yoursinhaste，M。FINSBURY。
P。S。——Besureandleavethebarrelinthelobby。
’No，’saidGideon，’thereseemstobenothingaboutthemonument，’andhenodded，ashespoke，atthemarblelegs。’MissHazeltine，’hecontinued，’wouldyoumindmeaskingafewquestions？’
’Certainlynot，’repliedJulia;’andifyoucanmakemeunderstandwhyMorrishassentastatueofHerculesinsteadofabarrelcontainingspecimensforafriend，Ishallbegratefultillmydyingday。Andwhatarespecimensforafriend？’
’Ihaven’taguess，’saidGideon。’Specimensareusuallybitsofstone，butrathersmallerthanourfriendthemonument。Still，thatisnotthepoint。Areyouquitealoneinthisbighouse？’
’Yes，Iamatpresent，’returnedJulia。’Icameupbeforethemtopreparethehouse，andgetanotherservant。ButIcouldn’tgetoneIliked。’
’Thenyouareutterlyalone，’saidGideoninamazement。’Areyounotafraid？’
’No，’respondedJuliastoutly。’Idon’tseewhyIshouldbemoreafraidthanyouwouldbe;Iamweaker，ofcourse，butwhenI
foundImustsleepaloneinthehouseIboughtarevolverwonderfullycheap，andmadethemanshowmehowtouseit。’
’Andhowdoyouuseit？’demandedGideon，muchamusedathercourage。
’Why，’saidshe，withasmile，’youpullthelittletriggerthingontop，andthenpointingitverylow，foritspringsupasyoufire，youpulltheunderneathlittletriggerthing，anditgoesoffaswellasifamanhaddoneit。’
’Andhowoftenhaveyouusedit？’askedGideon。
’O，Ihavenotusedityet，’saidthedeterminedyounglady;’butIknowhow，andthatmakesmewonderfullycourageous，especiallywhenIbarricademydoorwithachestofdrawers。’
’I’mawfullygladtheyarecomingbacksoon，’saidGideon。’Thisbusinessstrikesmeasexcessivelyunsafe;ifitgoesonmuchlonger，Icouldprovideyouwithamaidenauntofmine，ormylandladyifyoupreferred。’
’Lendmeanaunt！’criedJulia。’O，whatgenerosity！IbegintothinkitmusthavebeenyouthatsenttheHercules。’
’Believeme，’criedtheyoungman，’Iadmireyoutoomuchtosendyousuchaninfamousworkofart……’
Juliawasbeginningtoreply，whentheywerebothstartledbyaknockingatthedoor。
’O，MrForsyth！’
’Don’tbeafraid，mydeargirl，’saidGideon，layinghishandtenderlyonherarm。
’Iknowit’sthepolice，’shewhispered。’Theyarecomingtocomplainaboutthestatue。’
Theknockwasrepeated。Itwaslouderthanbefore，andmoreimpatient。
’It’sMorris，’criedJulia，inastartledvoice，andsherantothedoorandopenedit。
ItwasindeedMorristhatstoodbeforethem;nottheMorrisofordinarydays，butawild—lookingfellow，paleandhaggard，withbloodshoteyes，andatwo—days’bearduponhischin。
’Thebarrel！’hecried。’Where’sthebarrelthatcamethismorning？’Andhestaredaboutthelobby，hiseyes，astheyfelluponthelegsofHercules，literallygogglinginhishead。’Whatisthat？’hescreamed。’Whatisthatwaxwork？Speak，youfool！
Whatisthat？Andwhere’sthebarrel——thewater—butt？’
’Nobarrelcame，Morris，’respondedJuliacoldly。’Thisistheonlythingthathasarrived。’
’This！’shriekedthemiserableman。’Ineverheardofit！’
’Itcameaddressedinyourhand，’repliedJulia;’wehadnearlytopullthehousedowntogetitin，thatisallthatIcantellyou。’
Morrisgazedatherinutterbewilderment。Hepassedhishandoverhisforehead;heleanedagainstthewalllikeamanabouttofaint。Thenhistonguewasloosed，andheoverwhelmedthegirlwithtorrentsofabuse。Suchfire，suchdirectness，suchachoiceofungentlemanlylanguage，nonehadeverbeforesuspectedMorristopossess;andthegirltrembledandshrankbeforehisfury。
’YoushallnotspeaktoMissHazeltineinthatway，’saidGideonsternly。’ItiswhatIwillnotsuffer。’
’IshallspeaktothegirlasIlike，’returnedMorris，withafreshoutburstofanger。’I’llspeaktothehussyasshedeserves。’
’Notawordmore，sir，notoneword，’criedGideon。’MissHazeltine，’hecontinued，addressingtheyounggirl，’youcannotstayamomentlongerinthesamehousewiththisunmanlyfellow。
Hereismyarm;letmetakeyouwhereyouwillbesecurefrominsult。’
’MrForsyth，’returnedJulia，’youareright;Icannotstayherelonger，andIamsureItrustmyselftoanhonourablegentleman。’
Paleandresolute，Gideonofferedherhisarm，andthepairdescendedthesteps，followedbyMorrisclamouringforthelatchkey。
JuliahadscarcelyhandedthekeytoMorrisbeforeanemptyhansomdrovesmartlyintoJohnStreet。Itwashailedbybothmen，andasthecabmandrewuphisrestivehorse，Morrismadeadashintothevehicle。
’Sixpenceabovefare，’hecriedrecklessly。’WaterlooStationforyourlife。Sixpenceforyourself！’
’Makeitashilling，guv’ner，’saidtheman，withagrin;’theotherpartieswerefirst。’
’Ashillingthen，’criedMorris，withtheinwardreflectionthathewouldreconsideritatWaterloo。Themanwhippeduphishorse，andthehansomvanishedfromJohnStreet。
CHAPTERVI。TheTribulationsofMorris：ParttheFirstAsthehansomspanthroughthestreetsofLondon，Morrissoughttorallytheforcesofhismind。Thewater—buttwiththedeadbodyhadmiscarried，anditwasessentialtorecoverit。Somuchwasclear;andif，bysomeblestgoodfortune，itwasstillatthestation，allmightbewell。Ifithadbeensentout，however，ifitwerealreadyinthehandsofsomewrongperson，matterslookedmoreominous。Peoplewhoreceiveunexplainedpackagesareusuallykeentohavethemopen;theexampleofMissHazeltine（whomhecursedagain）wastheretoremindhimofthecircumstance;andifanyonehadopenedthewater—butt——’OLord！’
criedMorrisatthethought，andcarriedhishandtohisdampforehead。Theprivateconceptionofanybreachoflawisapttobeinspiriting，forthescheme（whileyetinchoate）wearsdashingandattractivecolours。Notsointheleastthatpartofthecriminal’slaterreflectionswhichdealwiththepolice。Thatusefulcorps（asMorrisnowbegantothink）hadscarcebeenkeptsufficientlyinviewwhenheembarkeduponhisenterprise。’I
mustplaydevilishclose，’hereflected，andhewasawareofanexquisitethrilloffearintheregionofthespine。
’Mainlineorloop？’enquiredthecabman，throughthescuttle。