she; "how do I know who you are? There's a
public-house close by, where you may write what you like, and bring it
here, and they'll get it the first thing in the morning. So that's what
you may take away with you!"--with which the complaisant old janitrix
shut the door in their faces.

"Huck, 'pon my life, I am afraid there's nothing in it," said Titmouse,
despondingly, to his friend--both of them remaining rooted to the spot.

"Oudacious old toad!" muttered Huckaback, very indignantly.

"Hucky--I'm _sure_ there's nothing in it!" exclaimed Titmouse, after a
long pause, looking earnestly at his friend, hoping to draw from him a
contrary opinion.

"I--I own I don't half like the looks of it," replied Huckaback, putting
his newspaper into his pocket again; "but we'll try if we can't write a
letter to sound 'em, and so far take the old creature's advice. Here's
the public-house she told us of. Come, let's see what's to be done!"

Titmouse, greatly depressed, followed his friend; and they soon provided
themselves with two glasses of stout, and after a little difficulty,
with implements for writing. That they made good use of their time and
materials, let the following epistle prove. It was their joint
composition, and here is an exact copy of it:--

"_To Messrs._ QUIRK, GAMMON _and_ SNAP.

"SIR,

"Your Names being Put In an Advertisement in This present _Sunday
Flash_, Newspaper of To Day's Date, Mr. T. T. Begs To inform Your
respectable House I feel Uncommon anxious To speak with them On
This _truly interesting subject_, seeing It mentions The Name Of
Gabriel Tittlebat Titmouse, which Two last Names Of That Deceased
Person _my Own Name Is_, which can _Any_ Day (As soon As Possible)
call and _prove_ To you, By telling you The Same, _truly_. He being
Engaged in Business During the week Very close, (for The Present,)
I hope that If they Have Anything particular To say To Him, they
will write To me without The least Delay, and please address T. T.,
At Tag-rag and Co.'s, No. 375, Oxford Street, Post-Paid, which will
ensure Its Being duly Taken In By my Employers, and am,

"Gents,
"Your's to Command,
"TITTLEBAT TITMOUSE.

"P. S.--My Friend, which Is With me writing This, (Mr. Robert
Huckaback,)