ively. 'I suppose,' said he, with a
gleam of hope, 'there's no doubt about the genuineness and date of this
confounded will?'

'None whatever,' said Mr Venus.

'Where might it be deposited at present?' asked Mr Boffin, in a
wheedling tone.

'It's in my possession, sir.'

'Is it?' he cried, with great eagerness. 'Now, for any liberal sum of
money that could be agreed upon, Venus, would you put it in the fire?'

'No, sir, I wouldn't,' interrupted Mr Venus.

'Nor pass it over to me?'

'That would be the same thing. No, sir,' said Mr Venus.

The Golden Dustman seemed about to pursue these questions, when a
stumping noise was heard outside, coming towards the door. 'Hush! here's
Wegg!' said Venus. 'Get behind the young alligator in the corner, Mr
Boffin, and judge him for yourself. I won't light a candle till he's
gone; there'll only be the glow of the fire; Wegg's well acquainted with
the alligator, and he won't take particular notice of him. Draw your
legs in, Mr Boffin, at present I see a pair of shoes at the end of his
tail. Get your head well behind his smile, Mr Boffin, and you'll lie
comfortable there; you'll find plenty of room behind his smile. He's a
little dusty, but he's very like you in tone. Are you right, sir?'

Mr Boffin had but whispered an affirmative response, when Wegg came
stumping in. 'Partner,' said that gentleman in a sprightly manner,
'how's yourself?'

'Tolerable,' returned Mr Venus. 'Not much to boast of.'

'In-deed!' said Wegg: 'sorry, partner, that you're not picking up
faster, but your soul's too large for your body, sir; that's where
it is. And how's our stock in trade, partner? Safe bind, safe find,
partner? Is that about it?'

'Do you wish to see it?' asked Venus.

'If you please, partner,' said Wegg, rubbing his hands. 'I wish to see
it jintly with yourself. Or, in similar words to some that was set to
music some time back:

"I wish you to see it with your eyes,
And I will pledge with mine."'

Turning his back and turning a key, Mr Venus produced the document,
holding on by his usual corner. Mr Wegg, holding on by the opposite
corner, sat down on the seat so lately vacated by Mr Boffin, and looked
it over. 'All right, sir,' he slowly and unwillingly admitted, in his
reluctance to loose his hold, 'all right!' And greedily watched his
partner as he turned his back again, and turned his key again.

'There's nothing new, I suppose?' said Venus, resuming his low cha