ior, whose name suggested
to Michael the means of providing against the encroachments of his
future brethren. Planner could be relied upon. The smallest possible
interest in the business would excite in him a corresponding interest in
its prosperity, and secure his steadiness and good behaviour. Why not
offer it then, and make his entrance into the firm a _sine qua non_ in
the bargain with Bellamy and Brammel? He revolved the matter, and saw no
real objection to it. Planner was reputed a first-rate accountant; his
services would be important, no remuneration could be too great,
provided he would settle down, and fix his energies upon the one great
object of advancing the welfare of the establishment. His friendship was
secured, and a word or two would suffice to gain his faithful support
and co-operation. So far from his becoming burdensome and useless in the
bank, his talents would be in every way desirable. A coadjutor, such as
he might be, firm and trusty, was invaluable. And why should he not be?
A day had been fixed for accepting or rejecting the propositions of the
gentlemen. The time was drawing on, when Michael visited his friend to
sound him on his purpose.

Planner lived in a very humble part of a very humble house, in a very
humble street. The two-pair back was his domain, and his territory was
less adorned than crowded with the evidences of his taste and handiwork.
In the remote corner of his unclean apartment was a lathe for turning
ivory--near it the material, a monstrous elephant's tusk. Shelves,
carried round the room, supported bottles of various sizes, externally
very dirty, and internally what you please; for eyes could not penetrate
so far, and determine the contents. A large label, crowning all,
announced them to be "samples." Books were strewed every
where--manuscripts met you at every turn. The walls were filled with
charts and drawings, one of the former representing the field of
Waterloo, dissected and intersected, with a view to prove Lord
Wellington guilty of winning a battle, which, in conformity with every
law of strategy, he should have lost. One drawing was a rough sketch of
his unhappy swamp; another, the elaborate delineation of a hydraulic
pump. In the niche corresponding to that in which the lathe was fixed,
there was a small iron bedstead; and in this, although it was nearly
noon when Michael paid his friendly visit, Mr Allcraft caught sight of
Mr Planner when he opened the door, in o