urther interest concerning him.

The Carrier was in high spirits, good fellow that he was, and fonder of
his little wife than ever.

"A clumsy Dot she was, this afternoon!" he said, encircling her with his
rough arm, as she stood, removed from the rest; "and yet I like her
somehow. See yonder, Dot!"

He pointed to the old man. She looked down. I think she trembled.

"He's--ha, ha, ha!--he's full of admiration for you!" said the Carrier.
"Talked of nothing else the whole way here. Why, he's a brave old boy! I
like him for it!"

"I wish he had a better subject, John," she said with an uneasy glance
about the room. At Tackleton especially.

"A better subject!" cried the jovial John. "There's no such thing. Come!
off with the great-coat, off with the thick shawl, off with the heavy
wrappers! and a cosy half-hour by the fire. My humble service, mistress.
A game at cribbage, you and I? That's hearty. The cards and board, Dot.
And a glass of beer here, if there's any left, small wife!"

His challenge was addressed to the old lady, who, accepting it with
gracious readiness, they were soon engaged upon the game. At first, the
Carrier looked about him sometimes with a smile, or now and then called
Dot to peep over his shoulder at his hand, and advise him on some knotty
point. But his adversary being a rigid disciplinarian, and subject to an
occasional weakness in respect of pegging more than she was entitled to,
required such vigilance on his part, as left him neither eyes nor ears
to spare. Thus, his whole attention gradually became absorbed upon the
cards; and he thought of nothing else, until a hand upon his shoulder
restored him to a consciousness of Tackleton.

"I am sorry to disturb you--but a word directly."

"I'm going to deal," returned the Carrier. "It's a crisis."

"It is," said Tackleton. "Come here, man!"

There was that in his pale face which made the other rise immediately,
and ask him, in a hurry, what the matter was.

"Hush! John Peerybingle," said Tackleton, "I am sorry for this. I am
indeed. I have been afraid of it. I have suspected it from the first."

"What is it?" asked the Carrier with a frightened aspect.

"Hush! I'll show you, if you'll come with me."

The Carrier accompanied him without another word. They went across a
yard, where the stars were shining, and by a little side-door, into
Tackleton's own counting-house, where there was a glass window,
commanding the ware-room, which was cl