o'clock was the hour appointed for the interview between
themselves and Mr. Bolt. Here he threw a sly wink at Peppers, which
that gentleman rendered into an intimation to remain, while he
politely bowed the remainder out. 'Wonderful assurance, these fellows
have,' said Thomas, turning to Peppers, who began to think he was all
right, 'they won't learn etiquette.' As he concluded he turned to have
a view through the side-light at his friends outside, who hung
contemplatively about the door, then addressing the inside
gentleman--'Peppers, I think you said?' he continued, working his lips
and smoothing his chin with the fingers of his right hand. That
gentleman bowed affirmatively as Thomas advanced a few steps toward
the parlor door, and then hesitated, as if in a deep study. 'Peppers,
Peppers, Peppers!' he accented somewhat curiously, until the creditor
had well nigh lost his patience in suspense. 'I beg your pardon, sir!'
(Thomas faced about with an entirely altered face), but, may I,
ah!--hem,--you see; there is a small affair in the way, Mr. Peppers.
The truth is, Mr. Bolt has ceased his connection with this
establishment.'

"'I must see him, nevertheless,' replied the obdurate creditor,
permitting his suspicions to get the better of his judgment. 'If you
do,' rejoined Thomas, bowing, 'you may have a longer drive than is
agreeable at this season of the year.'

"'You don't mean to tell me that he has left?' demanded Peppers,
stamping his foot, and allowing himself to become generally excited.
'Now, my friend,' Thomas replied in the coolness of his nature, making
a motion to open the street door, 'just take the matter like a
philosopher; don't let such little affairs trouble a man of your
standing. The fact is, between the sundown of one day, and rosy dawn
of another, our gallant Secretary just stepped out--that is, Mr. Bolt
has bolted!' Thomas bowed him politely out, and I leave you to judge
how many indignant threats were thrown out by Peppers, and what
occurred when he related the climax to his fellow-creditors, who
having a suspicion that all was not right, waited his appearance among
them at the corner of an adjacent street, against the lamp-post of
which they entered a protest deep and solemn. My great-uncle having
concluded his story, adjusted his crutch, wiped his weeping eyes,
relieved his hoarseness with a small quantity of temperance bitters,
and limped away.

[Note I.--The chapter is respectfully dedicate