ows the profits of it, but she don't appreciate the art of
it, and she objects to it. "I do not wish," she writes in her own
handwriting, "to regard myself, nor yet to be regarded, in that boney
light".'

Mr Venus pours himself out more tea, with a look and in an attitude of
the deepest desolation.

'And so a man climbs to the top of the tree, Mr Wegg, only to see that
there's no look-out when he's up there! I sit here of a night surrounded
by the lovely trophies of my art, and what have they done for me? Ruined
me. Brought me to the pass of being informed that "she does not wish to
regard herself, nor yet to be regarded, in that boney light"!' Having
repeated the fatal expressions, Mr Venus drinks more tea by gulps, and
offers an explanation of his doing so.

'It lowers me. When I'm equally lowered all over, lethargy sets in. By
sticking to it till one or two in the morning, I get oblivion. Don't let
me detain you, Mr Wegg. I'm not company for any one.'

'It is not on that account,' says Silas, rising, 'but because I've got
an appointment. It's time I was at Harmon's.'

'Eh?' said Mr Venus. 'Harmon's, up Battle Bridge way?'

Mr Wegg admits that he is bound for that port.

'You ought to be in a good thing, if you've worked yourself in there.
There's lots of money going, there.'

'To think,' says Silas, 'that you should catch it up so quick, and know
about it. Wonderful!'

'Not at all, Mr Wegg. The old gentleman wanted to know the nature and
worth of everything that was found in the dust; and many's the bone, and
feather, and what not, that he's brought to me.'

'Really, now!'

'Yes. (Oh dear me, dear me!) And he's buried quite in this
neighbourhood, you know. Over yonder.'

Mr Wegg does not know, but he makes as if he did, by responsively
nodding his head. He also follows with his eyes, the toss of Venus's
head: as if to seek a direction to over yonder.

'I took an interest in that discovery in the river,' says Venus.
(She hadn't written her cutting refusal at that time.) I've got up
there--never mind, though.'

He had raised the candle at arm's length towards one of the dark
shelves, and Mr Wegg had turned to look, when he broke off.

'The old gentleman was well known all round here. There used to be
stories about his having hidden all kinds of property in those dust
mounds. I suppose there was nothing in 'em. Probably you know, Mr Wegg?'

'Nothing in 'em,' says Wegg, who has never heard a word of t