ted the coins that paid his fare and
satisfied the coachman, and then, passing his arm through that of the
acquaintance he had discovered, led him back into the house.

"Will--Will," he whispered, "you have been to the Mortons. Never
moind--let's hear all. Jenny or Dolly, or whatever your sweet praetty
name is--a private room and a pint of brandy, my dear. Hot water and
lots of the grocery. That's right."

And as soon as the pair found themselves, with the brandy before them,
in a small parlour with a good fire, the last comer went to the door,
shut it cautiously, flung his bag under the table, took off his gloves,
spread himself wider and wider before the fire, until he had entirely
excluded every ray from his friend, and then suddenly turning so that
the back might enjoy what the front had gained, he exclaimed.

"Damme, Will, you're a praetty sort of a broather to give me the slip in
that way. But in this world every man for his-self!"

"I tell you," said William, with something like decision in his voice,
"that I will not do any wrong to these young men if they live."

"Who asks you to do a wrong to them?--booby! Perhaps I may be the
best friend they may have yet--ay, or you too, though you're the
ungratefulest whimsicallist sort of a son of a gun that ever I came
across. Come, help yourself, and don't roll up your eyes in that way,
like a Muggletonian asoide of a Fye-Fye!"

Here the speaker paused a moment, and with a graver and more natural
tone of voice proceeded:

"So you did not believe me when I told you that these brothers were
dead, and you have been to the Mortons to learn more?"

"Yes."

"Well, and what have you learned?"

"Nothing. Morton declares that he does not know that they are alive, but
he says also that he does not know that they are dead."

"Indeed," said the other, listening with great attention; "and you
really think that he does not know anything about them?"

"I do, indeed."

"Hum! Is he a sort of man who would post down the rhino to help the
search?"

"He looked as if he had the yellow fever when I said I was poor,"
returned William, turning round, and trying to catch a glimpse at the
fire, as he gulped his brandy and water.

"Then I'll be d---d if I run the risk of calling. I have done some
things in this town by way of business before now; and though it's
a long time ago, yet folks don't forget a haundsome man in a
hurry--especially if he has done 'em! Now, then, listen t