had not existed
in the shape of Baptist Kettleby, whose portly person entirely obscured
the view. The Master of the Mint, in the exercise of his two-fold office
of governor and publican, was mounted upon a chair, and holding forth to
his guests in a speech, to which Mrs. Sheppard was unwillingly compelled
to listen.

"Gentlemen of the Mint," said the orator, "when I was first called, some
fifty years ago, to the important office I hold, there existed across
the water three places of refuge for the oppressed and persecuted
debtor."

"We know it," cried several voices.

"It happened, gentlemen," pursued the Master, "on a particular occasion,
about the time I've mentioned, that the Archduke of Alsatia, the
Sovereign of the Savoy, and the Satrap of Salisbury Court, met by
accident at the Cross Shovels. A jolly night we made of it, as you may
suppose; for four such monarchs don't often come together. Well, while
we were smoking our pipes, and quaffing our punch, Alsatia turns to me
and says, 'Mint,' says he, 'you're well off here.'--'Pretty well,' says
I; 'you're not badly off at the Friars, for that matter.'--'Oh! yes we
are,' says he.--'How so?' says I.--'It's all up with us,' says he;
'they've taken away our charter.'--'They can't,' says I.--'They have,'
says he.--'They can't, I tell you,' says I, in a bit of a passion; 'it's
unconstitutional.'--'Unconstitutional or not,' says Salisbury Court and
Savoy, speaking together, 'it's true. We shall become a prey to the
Philistines, and must turn honest in self-defence.'--'No fear o' that,'
thought I.--'I see how it'll be,' observed Alsatia, 'everybody'll pay
his debts, and only think of such a state of things as that.'--'It's
_not_ to be thought of,' says I, thumping the table till every glass on
it jingled; 'and I know a way as'll prevent it.'--'What is it, Mint?'
asked all three.--'Why, hang every bailiff that sets a foot in your
territories, and you're safe,' says I.--'We'll do it,' said they,
filling their glasses, and looking as fierce as King George's grenadier
guards; 'here's your health, Mint.' But, gentlemen, though they talked
so largely, and looked so fiercely, they did _not_ do it; they did _not_
hang the bailiffs; and where are they?"

"Ay, where are they?" echoed the company with indignant derision.

"Gentlemen," returned the Master, solemnly, "it is a question easily
answered--they are NOWHERE! Had they hanged the bailiffs, the bailiffs
would not have hange