said Mr Shanklin. "You've had a run lately, and
no mistake."

"Yes, I flatter myself we've done pretty well. One hundred pounds a day
for ten days makes how much, Durfy?"

"A thousand," said Durfy.

"Humph!" said Mr Shanklin. "Time to think of our Christmas holidays."

"Wait a bit. We've not done yet. You say your two young mashers are
still in tow, Alf?"

"Yes; green as duckweed. But they're nearly played out, I guess. One
of them has a little bill for fifty pounds coming due in a fortnight,
and t'other--well, he wagered me a hundred pounds on a horse that never
ran for the Leger, and he's got one or two trifles besides down in my
books."

"Yes, I got you that tip about the Leger," said Durfy, beginning to
think himself neglected in this dialogue of self-congratulation.

"Yes; you managed to do it this time without botching it, for a wonder!"
said Mr Shanklin.

"Yes; and I hope you'll manage to give me the ten-pound note you
promised me for it, Mr S.," replied Durfy, with a snarl. "You seem to
have forgotten that, and my commission too for finding you your new
secretary."

"Yes. By the way," said Mr Medlock, "he deserves something for that;
it's the best stroke of business we've done for a long time. It's worth
three weeks to us to have him there to answer questions and choke off
the inquisitive. He's got his busy time coming on, I fancy. Bless you,
Durfy, the fellow was born for us! He swallows anything. I've allowed
him thirteen shillings a week till Christmas, and he says, `Thank you.'
He's had his name turned inside out, and I do believe he thinks it an
improvement! He sticks in the place all day with that young cockney
gaol-bird you picked us up too, Durfy, and never growls."

"Does he help himself to any of the money?"

"Not a brass farthing! I do believe he buys his own postage-stamps when
he writes home to his mamma!"

This last announcement was too comical to be received gravely.

"Ha, ha! he ought to be exhibited!" said Shanklin.

"He ought to be starved!" said Durfy viciously. "He knocked me down
once, and I wouldn't have told you of him if I didn't owe him a grudge--
the puppy!"

"Oh, well, I daresay you'll be gratified some day or other," said
Medlock.

"I tell you one thing," said Durfy; "you'd better put a stopper on his
writing home too often; I believe he's put his precious brother up to
watch me. Why, the other night, when I was waiting for the postman to
get ho