, not venturing to mutiny, though he
grumbled a little aside.

So when Dangerfield passed Cluffe's lodging again, returning on his way
into Chapelizod, the songsters were at it still. And he smiled his
pleasant smile once more, and nodded at poor old Cluffe, who this time
was very seriously put out, and flushed up quite fiercely, and said,
almost in a mutiny--

'Hang it, Puddock, I believe you'd keep a fellow singing ballads over
the street all day. Didn't you see that cursed fellow, Dangerfield,
sneering at us--curse him--I suppose he never heard a gentleman sing
before; and, by Jove, Puddock, you know you do make a fellow go over the
same thing so often it's enough to make a dog laugh.'

A minute after Dangerfield had mounted Sturk's door-steps, and asked to
see the doctor. He was ushered up stairs and into that back drawing-room
which we know so well. Sturk rose as he entered.

'Your most obedient, Mr. Dangerfield,' said the doctor, with an anxious
bow.

'Good-morning, Sir,' said Dangerfield. 'I've got your note, and am here
in consequence; what can I do?'

Sturk glanced at the door, to see it was shut, and then said--

'Mr. Dangerfield, I've recollected a--_something_.'

'You _have_? ho! Well, my good Sir?'

'You, I know, were acquainted with--with _Charles Archer_?'

Sturk looked for a moment on the spectacles, and then dropped his eyes.

'Charles Archer,' answered Dangerfield promptly, 'yes, to be sure. But,
Charles, you know, got into trouble, and 'tis not an acquaintance you or
I can boast of; and, in fact, we must not mention him; and I have long
ceased to know anything of him.'

'But, I've just remembered his address; and there's something about his
private history which I very well know, and which gives me a claim upon
his kind feeling, and he's now in a position to do me a material
service; and there's no man living, Mr. Dangerfield, has so powerful an
influence with him as yourself. Will you use it in my behalf, and
attach me to you by lasting gratitude?'

Sturk looked straight at Dangerfield; and Dangerfield looked at him,
quizzically, perhaps a little ashamed, in return; after a short pause--

'I _will_,' said Dangerfield, with a sprightly decision. '_But_, you
know, Charles is not a fellow to be trifled with--hey? and we must not
mention his name--you understand--or hint where he lives, or anything
about him, in short.'

'That's plain,' answered Sturk.

'You're going into town, Mrs. S