in the fulness of time been realised,
held the door open for the entrance of the wretched captive.

Such a scene as there was, when Kit came in, and bursting into the rude
eloquence with which Truth at length inspired him, called Heaven to
witness that he was innocent, and that how the property came to be
found upon him he knew not! Such a confusion of tongues, before the
circumstances were related, and the proofs disclosed! Such a dead
silence when all was told, and his three friends exchanged looks of
doubt and amazement!

'Is it not possible,' said Mr Witherden, after a long pause, 'that this
note may have found its way into the hat by some accident,--such as
the removal of papers on the desk, for instance?'

But this was clearly shown to be quite impossible. Mr Swiveller,
though an unwilling witness, could not help proving to demonstration,
from the position in which it was found, that it must have been
designedly secreted.

'It's very distressing,' said Brass, 'immensely distressing, I am sure.
When he comes to be tried, I shall be very happy to recommend him to
mercy on account of his previous good character. I did lose money
before, certainly, but it doesn't quite follow that he took it. The
presumption's against him--strongly against him--but we're Christians,
I hope?'

'I suppose,' said the constable, looking round, 'that no gentleman here
can give evidence as to whether he's been flush of money of late, Do
you happen to know, Sir?'

'He has had money from time to time, certainly,' returned Mr Garland,
to whom the man had put the question. 'But that, as he always told me,
was given him by Mr Brass himself.'

'Yes to be sure,' said Kit eagerly. 'You can bear me out in that, Sir?'

'Eh?' cried Brass, looking from face to face with an expression of
stupid amazement.

'The money you know, the half-crowns, that you gave me--from the
lodger,' said Kit.

'Oh dear me!' cried Brass, shaking his head and frowning heavily.
'This is a bad case, I find; a very bad case indeed.'

'What! Did you give him no money on account of anybody, Sir?' asked Mr
Garland, with great anxiety.

'I give him money, Sir!' returned Sampson. 'Oh, come you know, this is
too barefaced. Constable, my good fellow, we had better be going.'

'What!' shrieked Kit. 'Does he deny that he did? ask him, somebody,
pray. Ask him to tell you whether he did or not!'

'Did you, sir?' asked the notary.

'I tell you what, gentleme