Do you know,' returned Miss Brass, 'that the lodger isn't up yet -

that nothing has been seen or heard of him since he went to bed

yesterday afternoon?'

'Well, ma'am,' said Dick, 'I suppose he may sleep his ten pound out, in

peace and quietness, if he likes.'

'Ah! I begin to think he'll never wake,' observed Miss Sally.

It's a very remarkable circumstance,' said Brass, laying down his pen;

really, very remarkable. Mr Richard, you'll remember, if this

gentleman should be found to have hung himself to the bed-post, or

any unpleasant accident of that kind should happen - you'll

remember, Mr Richard, that this ten pound note was given to you in

part payment of two years' rent? You'll bear that in mind, Mr Richard;

you had better make a note of it, sir, in case you should ever be called

upon to give evidence.'

Mr Swiveller took a large sheet of foolscap, and with a countenance of

profound gravity, began to make a very small note in one corner.

'We can never be too cautious,' said Mr Brass. 'There is a deal of

wickedness going about the world, a deal of wickedness. Did the

gentleman happen to say, Sir - but never mind that at present, sir;

finish that little memorandum first.'

Dick did so, and handed it to Mr Brass, who had dismounted from his

stool, and was walking up and down the office.

Oh, this is the memorandum, is it?' said Brass, running his eye over

the document. 'Very good. Now, Mr Richard, did the gentleman say

anything else?'

No.'

Are you sure, Mr Richard,' said Brass, solemnly, 'that the gentleman

said nothing else?'

Devil a word, Sir,' replied Dick.

'Think again, Sir,' said Brass; 'it's my duty, Sir, in the position in

which I stand, and as an honourable member of the legal profession -

the first profession in this country, Sir, or in any other country, or in

any of the planets that shine above us at night and are supposed to be

inhabited - it's my duty, Sir, as an honourable member of that

profession, not to put to you a leading question in a matter of this

delicacy and importance. Did the gentleman, Sir, who took the first

floor of you yesterday afternoon, and who brought with him a box of

The Old Curiosity Shop