the servant he opens his eyes, and
stares about him all ways--looking for the gentleman, as it struck me,
for I don't think anybody but a man as was stone-blind would mistake
Fixem for one; and as for me, I was as seedy as a cheap cowcumber.
Hows'ever, he turns round, and goes to the breakfast-parlour, which was a
little snug sort of room at the end of the passage, and Fixem (as we
always did in that profession), without waiting to be announced, walks in
arter him, and before the servant could get out, "Please, sir, here's a
man as wants to speak to you," looks in at the door as familiar and
pleasant as may be. "Who the devil are you, and how dare you walk into a
gentleman's house without leave?" says the master, as fierce as a bull in
fits. "My name," says Fixem, winking to the master to send the servant
away, and putting the warrant into his hands folded up like a note, "My
name's Smith," says he, "and I called from Johnson's about that business
of Thompson's."--"Oh," says the other, quite down on him directly, "How
_is_ Thompson?" says he; "Pray sit down, Mr. Smith: John, leave the
room." Out went the servant; and the gentleman and Fixem looked at one
another till they couldn't look any longer, and then they varied the
amusements by looking at me, who had been standing on the mat all this
time. "Hundred and fifty pounds, I see," said the gentleman at last.
"Hundred and fifty pound," said Fixem, "besides cost of levy, sheriff's
poundage, and all other incidental expenses."--"Um," says the gentleman,
"I shan't be able to settle this before to-morrow afternoon."--"Very
sorry; but I shall be obliged to leave my man here till then," replies
Fixem, pretending to look very miserable over it. "That's very
unfort'nate," says the gentleman, "for I have got a large party here
to-night, and I'm ruined if those fellows of mine get an inkling of the
matter--just step here, Mr. Smith," says he, after a short pause. So
Fixem walks with him up to the window, and after a good deal of
whispering, and a little chinking of suverins, and looking at me, he
comes back and says, "Bung, you're a handy fellow, and very honest I
know. This gentleman wants an assistant to clean the plate and wait at
table to-day, and if you're not particularly engaged," says old Fixem,
grinning like mad, and shoving a couple of suverins into my hand, "he'll
be very glad to avail himself of your services." Well, I laughed: and
the gentleman laughed, and we