ind her, carefully
examining them, as she looked over a quantity of laces. There could be
no doubt. I waited till the lady rose to go away, and then addressed the
shopman, asking the lady's name. He did not know--she was a stranger;
but perhaps Mr H----, the master, did, and he went back to answer the
question. Mr H---- being at that moment busy, the man stayed so long,
that I heard the carriage drive off. Fearful of losing sight of the
lady, I took to my heels, and ran out of the shop. My sudden flight from
the counter, covered with lace, made them imagine that I had stolen
some, and they cried out, "Stop thief," as loud as they could, springing
over the counter, and pursuing me as I pursued the carriage, which was
driven at a rapid pace.

A man perceiving me running, and others, without their hats, following,
with the cries of "Stop thief," put out his leg, and I fell on the
pavement, the blood rushing in torrents from my nose. I was seized,
roughly handled, and again handed over to the police, who carried me
before the same magistrate in Marlborough Street.

"What is this?" demanded the magistrate.

"A shoplifter, your worship."

"I am not, sir," replied I; "you know me well enough, I am Mr Newland."

"Mr Newland!" replied the magistrate, suspiciously; "this is strange, a
second time to appear before me upon such a charge."

"And just as innocent as before, sir."

"You'll excuse me, sir, but I must have my suspicions this time. Where
is the evidence?"

The people of the shop then came forward, and stated what had occurred.
"Let him be searched," said the magistrate.

I was searched, but nothing was found upon me. "Are you satisfied now,
sir?" inquired I.

"By no means. Let the people go back and look over their laces, and see
if any are missing; in the meantime I shall detain you, for it is very
easy to get rid of a small article, such as lace, when you are caught."

The men went away, and I wrote a note to Major Carbonnell, requesting
his attendance. He arrived at the same time as the shopman, and I told
him what had happened. The shopman declared that the stock was not
correct; as far as they could judge, there were two pieces of lace
missing.

"If so, I did not take them," replied I.

"Upon my honour, Mr B----," said the Major, to the magistrate, "it is
very hard for a gentleman to be treated in this manner. This is the
second time that I have been sent for to vouch for his respectability."

"Ver