ned as a somewhat significant fact
that very few old gipsies had accompanied the late visitation, which
consisted almost altogether of the young and possibly degenerate members
of the tribe.

The discussion had reached this stage, and the professor was about to
adduce evidence from history of a similar period of depression in the
race, when there came a ring at the front bell, followed by a shuffling
of feet in the hall, which was presently explained by the appearance of
the servant, who announced that there were two constables below who
wished to see his worship.

Now his worship was anything but pleased to be interrupted in the midst
of his interesting discussion by a matter of such secondary importance
as an interview with the police.

"Can't see them now," said he to the servant; "tell them to call in the
morning." The servant retired.

"Strange thing," observed the justice of the peace; "you can shut up
your school at five o'clock every night, and every cheesemonger and
tinker in the place can do the same; but we've got no time we can call
our own. Pull your chair up to the fire, old fellow. Let's see, what
were we saying?" The servant appeared again at this point, and
said--"Please, sir, they've got a couple of the gipsies, and want--"

"Eh, what!" exclaimed the professor, jumping up. "Why didn't you say so
before? Gipsies! Why, Prudhom, my boy, could anything be more
opportune? Show them into the library, and set a chair for the doctor.
Do you hear? How fortunate this is! Now while I'm examining them,
watch closely, and see if you do not observe the peculiar curve of the
nostril I was speaking to you about as characterising the septentrional
species of the tribe. Come away, doctor!"

And off trotted the man of science to his library, closely followed by
the scarcely less eager dominie.

At the far end of the dimly-lighted room stood the constables, on either
side of an aged couple of vagabonds. The old man was arrayed in a long
coat which nearly reached the ground, leaving only a glimpse of a
stained and weather-beaten pair of pantaloons and striped parti-coloured
stockings beneath. The old woman wore a shawl, gipsy fashion, over her
head, and reaching to her feet, which were shod in unusually large and
heavy hob-nailed boots. The faces and hands of both were black with
dirt, and bronzed with heat, and as they stood there trembling in the
grasp of the law, with chattering teeth and tottering