'Doubtful?' echoed the other. 'I am glad to hear there's any doubt

about it. I supposed that had been thoroughly settled, long ago. But

will you let me speak a word or two with you in private?'

Mr Witherden consenting, they walked into that gentleman's private

closet, and remained there, in close conversation, for some quarter of

an hour, when they returned into the outer office. The stranger had

left his hat in Mr Witherden's room, and seemed to have established

himself in this short interval on quite a friendly footing.

I'll not detain you any longer now,' he said, putting a crown into Kit's

hand, and looking towards the Notary. 'You shall hear from me again.

Not a word of this, you know, except to your master and mistress.'

Mother, sir, would be glad to know - ' said Kit, faltering.

Glad to know what?'

Anything - so that it was no harm - about Miss Nell.'

Would she? Well then, you may tell her if she can keep a secret. But

mind, not a word of this to anybody else. Don't forget that. Be

particular.'

I'll take care, sir,' said Kit. 'Thankee, sir, and good morning.'

Now, it happened that the gentleman, in his anxiety to impress upon

Kit that he was not to tell anybody what had passed between them,

followed him out to the door to repeat his caution, and it further

happened that at that moment the eyes of Mr Richard Swiveller were

turned in that direction, and beheld his mysterious friend and Kit

together.

It was quite an accident, and the way in which it came about was this.

Mr Chuckster, being a gentleman of a cultivated taste and refined

spirit, was one of that Lodge of Glorious Apollos whereof Mr Swiveller

was Perpetual Grand. Mr Swiveller, passing through the street in the

execution of some Brazen errand, and beholding one of his Glorious

Brotherhood intently gazing on a pony, crossed over to give him that

fraternal greeting with which Perpetual Grands are, by the very

constitution of their office, bound to cheer and encourage their

disciples. He had scarcely bestowed upon him his blessing, and

followed it with a general remark touching the present state and

prospects of the weather, when, lifting up his eyes, he beheld the

single gentleman of Bevis Marks in earnest conversation with

Christopher Nubbles.

Hallo!' said Dick, 'who is that?'

The Old Curiosity Shop