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hat's the fact, however," said Gammon, shrugging his shoulders. Tag-rag wriggled about in his chair, put his hands in and out of his pockets, scratched his head, and continued staring open-mouthed at the bearer of such astounding intelligence. "Perhaps, however, all this is meant as a joke, sir,"--said he--"And if so--it's--it's--a very"---- "It's one of his solicitors who were fortunate enough to make the discovery, that tells you, sir," interrupted Gammon, calmly. "I repeat what I have already told you, Mr. Tag-rag, that an estate of ten thousand a-year is the very least"---- "Why, that's two hundred thousand pounds, sir!"--exclaimed Tag-rag, with an awe-struck air. "At the very least"---- "Lord, Mr. Gammon!--Excuse me, sir, but how _did_ you find it out?" "Mere accident--a mere accidental discovery, sir, in the course of other professional inquiries!" "And does Mr. Titmouse know it?" "Ever since the day, Mr. Tag-rag, after that on which I called on him here!" replied Gammon, pointedly. "You--don't--say--so!"--exclaimed Tag-rag, and then continued silent for nearly half a minute, evidently amazed beyond all power of expression. "Well,"--at length he observed--"I _will_ say this--with all his few faults--he's the most amiable young gentleman--the _very amiablest_ young gentleman I--ever--came near. I always thought there was something uncommon superior-like in his looks." "Yes--I think he _is_ of rather an amiable turn," observed Gammon, with an expressive smile--"very gentlemanlike--and so intelligent"---- "Intelligent! Mr. Gammon! you should only have known him as I have known him!--Well, to be sure!--Lord! His only fault was, that he was above his business; but when one comes to think of it, how could it be otherwise? From the time I first clapped eyes on him--I--I--knew he was--a superior article--quite superior--you know what I mean, sir?--he couldn't help it, of course!--to be sure--he never was much liked by the other young men; but that was jealousy!--all jealousy; I saw that all the while." Here he looked at the door, and added in a very low tone, "Many sleepless nights has their bad treatment of Mr. Titmouse cost me!--Even I, now and then, used to look and speak sharply to him--just to keep him, as it were, down to the mark of the others--he was so uncommon handsome and genteel in his manner, sir. I remember telling my good lady the very first day he came to me, that he was a gentleman
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