t a leer there was upon the face! It was from the open window
of a tavern that it looked out; and the dwarf had so spread himself
over it, with his elbows on the window-sill and his head resting on
both his hands, that what between this attitude and his being swoln
with suppressed laughter, he looked puffed and bloated into twice his
usual breadth. Mr Brass, on recognising him, immediately stopped the
coach. As it came to a halt directly opposite to where he stood, the
dwarf pulled off his hat, and saluted the party with a hideous and
grotesque politeness. 'Aha!' he cried. 'Where now, Brass? where now?
Sally with you too? Sweet Sally! And Dick? Pleasant Dick! And Kit!
Honest Kit!'

'He's extremely cheerful!' said Brass to the coachman. 'Very much so!
Ah, sir--a sad business! Never believe in honesty any more, sir.'

'Why not?' returned the dwarf. 'Why not, you rogue of a lawyer, why
not?'

'Bank-note lost in our office sir,' said Brass, shaking his head.
'Found in his hat sir--he previously left alone there--no mistake at
all sir--chain of evidence complete--not a link wanting.'

'What!' cried the dwarf, leaning half his body out of window. 'Kit a
thief! Kit a thief! Ha ha ha! Why, he's an uglier-looking thief than
can be seen anywhere for a penny. Eh, Kit--eh? Ha ha ha! Have you
taken Kit into custody before he had time and opportunity to beat me!
Eh, Kit, eh?' And with that, he burst into a yell of laughter,
manifestly to the great terror of the coachman, and pointed to a dyer's
pole hard by, where a dangling suit of clothes bore some resemblance to
a man upon a gibbet.

'Is it coming to that, Kit!' cried the dwarf, rubbing his hands
violently. 'Ha ha ha ha! What a disappointment for little Jacob, and
for his darling mother! Let him have the Bethel minister to comfort
and console him, Brass. Eh, Kit, eh? Drive on coachey, drive on. Bye
bye, Kit; all good go with you; keep up your spirits; my love to the
Garlands--the dear old lady and gentleman. Say I inquired after 'em,
will you? Blessings on 'em, on you, and on everybody, Kit. Blessings
on all the world!'

With such good wishes and farewells, poured out in a rapid torrent
until they were out of hearing, Quilp suffered them to depart; and when
he could see the coach no longer, drew in his head, and rolled upon the
ground in an ecstacy of enjoyment.

When they reached the notary's, which they were not long in doing, for
they had e