ture time.--We are, dear Mr. Gubbins, yours
faithfully,'

In the same unexceptional style I wrote to four other clients, after
very careful perusal of their letters, combined with reflections upon
Mr. John's running commentaries. As I wrote what my father had called
'an almost painfully legible and blameless hand,' and gave the closest
care to these particular letters, their appearance was tolerably
business-like when finished. Carrying these letters, and those they
answered, I now began to reconnoitre passages and doorways to
ascertain the whereabouts and occupation of Mr. John. Presently I saw
him come hurrying in from the street, wiping his lips with a
handkerchief.

'The letters, sir,' I began.

'Ah! Got 'em done already? Right. Come into my room.'

I stood and watched him reading my effusions, at first with upward
twitching brows, and then with smiling satisfaction.

'H'm!' he said, as he gave them the firm's signature. 'It's a pretty
good thing then, this shorthand. Wonderful the way you've got every
little word down. That "In conclusion, permit us to assure you, dear
Mr. Gubbins"--now, that's as a business letter should be, you know.
There's not a house in Sussex Street turns out such good sweeteners as
we do. I've always been very careful about that. That's how we keep up
our connection. These farmers are touchy beggars, you know; but if
only you take the right tone with 'em, you can twist 'em round your
little finger. That's why I always lay it on pretty thick in the
firm's letters. It pays, I can assure you.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Well, that's very good, Mr. Freydon; very good. We've never had this
shorthand in the office before; but I think it's time we did, high
time. It's no use my wasting valuable time writing all these letters
myself, and with this shorthand of yours, I believe you can take 'em
down as fast as I can say it--eh?'

'Oh yes, sir; easily,' I said, with shameless mendacity. As a fact,
neither that morning, nor at any other time, did I 'take down' what
Mr. John said in shorthand. But it was already apparent to me that he
could be made quite happy by fancying that the letters were of his
composition, and I did not conceive that it was part of my duty to
undeceive him.

'Ah! Well, now, when could you begin work, Mr. Freydon?'

I smiled, and told him I could go on at once with any further letters
he had.

'Yes, yes; to be sure. Begun already, as you say. Well, I told the
old--I told my fa