struggle, he would perhaps be dragged by the collar through the

public streets, he only repeated, with great earnestness and with the

tears standing in his eyes, that they would be sorry for this - and

suffered them to lead him off. While they were on the way back, Mr

Swiveller, upon whom his present functions sat very irksomely, took

an opportunity of whispering in his ear that if he would confess his

guilt, even by so much as a nod, and promise not to do so any more,

he would connive at his kicking Sampson Brass on the shins and

escaping up a court; but Kit indignantly rejecting this proposal, Mr

Richard had nothing for it, but to hold him tight until they reached

Bevis Marks, and ushered him into the presence of the charming

Sarah, who immediately took the precaution of locking the door.

'Now, you know,' said Brass, 'if this is a case of innocence, it is a case

of that description, Christopher, where the fullest disclosure is the

best satisfaction for everybody. Therefore if you'll consent to an

examination,' he demonstrated what kind of examination he meant by

turning back the cuffs of his coat, 'it will be a comfortable and

pleasant thing for all parties.'

Search me,' said Kit, proudly holding up his arms. 'But mind, sir - I

know you'll be sorry for this, to the last day of your life.'

'It is certainly a very painful occurrence,' said Brass with a sigh, as he

dived into one of Kit's pockets, and fished up a miscellaneous

collection of small articles; 'very painful. Nothing here, Mr Richard,

Sir, all perfectly satisfactory. Nor here, sir. Nor in the waistcoat, Mr

Richard, nor in the coat tails. So far, I am rejoiced, I am sure.'

Richard Swiveller, holding Kit's hat in his hand, was watching the

proceedings with great interest, and bore upon his face the slightest

possible indication of a smile, as Brass, shutting one of his eyes,

looked with the other up the inside of one of the poor fellow's sleeves

as if it were a telescope - when Sampson turning hastily to him, bade

him search the hat.

'Here's a handkerchief,' said Dick.

'No harm in that sir,' rejoined Brass, applying his eye to the other

sleeve, and speaking in the voice of one who was contemplating an

immense extent of prospect. 'No harm in a handkerchief Sir, whatever.

The faculty don't consider it a healthy custom, I believe, Mr Richard,

to carry one's handkerchief in one's hat - I have heard that it keeps

the head too warm - but in every other point of view, its being there, is

extremely satisfactory - extremely so.'

The Old Curiosity Shop