y
another month, only there's reasons, you see, and places are easier to
lose than find, 'specially when your last guv'nor makes a face with the
corners of his lips down when any one asks for your character. Pst!
look out. Here he is again."

For there was a step at the door, the handle rattled, and as Pringle
disappeared, a quiet, grave-looking, middle-aged man stepped in.

"Do, Tom!" he said, as with an ejaculation of surprise the boy sprang
from his stool and eagerly took the extended hand, but dropped it again
directly, for there did not seem to be any warmth in the grasp. "Quite
well, boy?"

"Yes, Uncle Richard," said Tom, rather sadly.

"That's right. Where's my brother?"

"He has gone out, sir, and said he might not return this afternoon."

"Felt I was coming perhaps," said the visitor. "Here, don't let me
hinder you, my lad; he won't like you to waste time. Getting on with
your law reading?"

The boy looked at him wistfully, and shook his head.

"Eh? No? But you must, my lad. You're no fool, you know, and you've
got to be a clever lawyer before you've done."

Tom felt disposed to quote his other uncle's words as to his folly, but
he choked down the inclination.

"There, I won't hinder you, my lad," continued the visitor. "I know
what you busy London people are, and how we slow-going country folk get
in your way. I only want to look at a Directory,--you have one I know."

"Yes, sir, in the other office. I'll fetch it."

The quiet, grey-haired, grave-looking visitor gave a nod as if of
acquiescence, and Tom ran into the inner office, where he found that
Pringle must have heard every word, for he was holding out the London
Directory all ready.

"He must hear everything too when uncle goes on at me," thought Tom, as
he took the Directory and returned Pringle's friendly nod.

"Tell him he ought to give you a tip."

Tom frowned, shook his head, and hurried back with the great red book.

"Hah, that's right, my boy," said the visitor. "There, I don't want to
bother about taking off my gloves and putting on my spectacles. Turn to
the trades, and see if there are any lens-makers down."

"Yes, sir, several," said Tom, after a short search.

"Read 'em down, boy."

Tom obeyed alphabetically till he came to D, and he had got as far as
Dallmeyer when his visitor stopped him.

"That will do," he said. "That's the man I want. Address?"

Tom read this out, and the visitor said--

"Good;