by Reading and
Henley and end by a plunge into London."

"You have spoken well, Ned!" said Tomlinson, approvingly. "Now, noble
captain, your opinion?"

"Messieurs," answered Clifford, "I highly approve of your intended
excursion, and I only regret that I cannot be your companion."

"Not! and why?" cried Mr. Pepper, amazed.

"Because I have business here that renders it impossible; perhaps,
before long, I may join you in London."

"Nay," said Tomlinson, "there is no necessity for our going to London,
if you wish to remain here; nor need we at present recur to so desperate
an expedient as the road,--a little quiet business at Bath will answer
our purpose; and for my part, as you well know, I love exerting my
wits in some scheme more worthy of them than the highway,--a profession
meeter for a bully than a man of genius. Let us then, Captain, plan a
project of enrichment on the property of some credulous tradesman! Why
have recourse to rough measures so long as we can find easy fools?"

Clifford shook his head. "I will own to you fairly," said he, "that I
cannot at present take a share in your exploits; nay, as your chief I
must lay my positive commands on you to refrain from all exercise of
your talents at Bath. Rob, if you please: the world is before you; but
this city is sacred."

"Body o' me!" cried Ned, colouring, "but this is too good. I will not be
dictated to in this manner."

"But, sir," answered Clifford, who had learned in his oligarchical
profession the way to command,--"but, sir, you shall, or if you mutiny
you leave our body, and then will the hangman have no petty chance of
your own. Come, come! ingrate as you are, what would you be without me?
How many times have I already saved that long carcass of thine from the
rope, and now would you have the baseness to rebel? Out on you!"

Though Mr. Pepper was still wroth, he bit his lip in moody silence, and
suffered not his passion to have its way; while Clifford, rising, after
a short pause continued: "Look you, Mr. Pepper, you know my commands;
consider them peremptory. I wish you success and plenty! Farewell,
gentlemen!"

"Do you leave us already?" cried Tomlinson. "You are offended."

"Surely not!" answered Clifford, retreating to the door. "But an
engagement elsewhere, you know!"

"Ay, I take you," said Tomlinson, following Clifford out of the room,
and shutting the door after him. "Ay, I take you!" added he, in a
whisper, as he arrested Cliffor