ptain's comings and goings--in fact, all his movements--are of a
commonplace and uninteresting kind. But I have this advantage, that
the character I have undertaken enables me to assume, with Cleon's
consent, certain privileges such as under other circumstances would
never have been granted me. Further, should I succeed in
discovering anything of importance, it by no means follows that I
should consider myself bound to reveal the same to Cleon. It might
be greatly more to my interest to retain any such facts for my own
use. Meanwhile, I wait and watch.

"Thus you will perceive, my dear dad, that an element of
interest--a dramatic element--is being slowly evolved out of the
commonplace duties of my position. This nucleus of interest may
grow and develop into something startling; or it may die slowly out
and expire for lack of material to feed itself upon. In any case,
dear dad, you may expect a frequent feuilleton from

"Your affectionate Son,
"J.M. (otherwise JAMES JASMIN).

"P.S.--I should not like to be a real flunkey all my life. Such a
position is not without its advantages to a man of a lazy turn, but
it is terribly soul-subduing. Not a sign yet of the G.H.D."

"There is nothing much in all this to tell her ladyship," said Mr.
Madgin, as he took off his spectacles and refolded the letter. "Still, I
do not think it by any means a discouraging report. If James's patience
only equal his shrewdness and audacity, and if there be really anything
to worm out, he will be sure to make himself master of it in the course
of time. Ah! if he had only my patience, now--the patience of an old man
who has won half his battles by playing a waiting game."

"Is it not possible that Lady Chillington may want you to read the
letter?"

"It is quite possible. But James's irreverent style is hardly suited in
parts for her ladyship's ears. You, dear child, must make an improved
copy of the letter. Your own good taste will tell you which sentences
require to be altered or expunged. Here and there you may work in a neat
compliment to your father; as coming direct from James, her ladyship
will not deem it out of place--it will not sound fulsome in her ears,
and will serve to remind her of what she too often forgets--that in
Solomon Madgin she has a faithful steward, who ought to be better
rewarded than he is.