rcourt had procured the carriage, and we picked up Masterton at the
hour agreed, and proceeded to Smithfield. When we drove up to the door
of Mr Pleggit's shop, the assistants at first imagined that it was a
mistake; few handsome carriages are to be seen stopping in this quarter
of the metropolis. We descended and entered the shop, Mr Masterton
inquiring if Mr Pleggit was at home. The shopmen, who had not
recognised me, bowed to the ground in their awkward way; and one ran to
call Mr Pleggit, who was up stairs. Mr Pleggit descended, and we
walked into the back parlour. Mr Masterton then told him the object of
our calling, and requested to know why the gentleman, who had inquired
after me, had been sent away with the infamous fabrication that I had
been transported for forgery. Mr Pleggit protested innocence--
recollected, however, that a person had called--would make every inquiry
of his shopmen. The head man was called in and interrogated--at first
he appeared to make a joke of it, but when threatened by Mr Masterton
became humble--acknowledged that they had said that I was transported,
for they had read it in the newspapers--was sorry for the mistake; said
that the gentleman was a very tall person, very well-dressed, very much
of a gentleman--could not recollect his exact dress--was a large built
man, with a stern face--but seemed very much agitated when he heard that
I had been transported. Called twice, Mr Pleggit was not in at first--
left his name--thinks the name was put down on the day-book--when he
called a second time, Mr Pleggit was at home, and referred him to them,
not knowing what had become of me. The other shopman was examined, and
his evidence proved similar to that of the first. The day-book was sent
for, and the day in August--referred to; there was a name written down
on the side of the page, which the shopman said he had no doubt, indeed
he could almost swear, was the gentleman's name, as there was no other
name put down on that day. The name, as taken down, was _Derbennon_.
This was all the information we could obtain, and we then quitted the
shop, and drove off without there being any recognition of me on the
part of Mr Pleggit and his assistants.

"I never heard that name before," observed Harcourt to Mr Masterton.

"It is, in all probability, De Benyon," replied the lawyer: "we must
make allowances for their ignorance. At all events, this is a sort of
clue to follow up. The De Benyo