Sir,' rejoined Brass, 'I will. Ah Mr Witherden! you little know the - but

I will not be tempted to travel from the point, sir, I believe the name of

one of these gentlemen is Garland.'

Of both,' said the notary.

In-deed!' rejoined Brass, cringing excessively. 'But I might have

known that, from the uncommon likeness. Extremely happy, I am

sure, to have the honour of an introduction to two such gentlemen,

although the occasion is a most painful one. One of you gentlemen

has a servant called Kit?'

Both,' replied the notary. 'Two Kits?' said Brass smiling. 'Dear me!'

One Kit, sir,' returned Mr Witherden angrily, 'who is employed by

both gentlemen. What of him?'

This of him, sir,' rejoined Brass, dropping his voice impressively. 'That

young man, sir, that I have felt unbounded and unlimited confidence

in, and always behaved to as if he was my equal - that young man has

this morning committed a robbery in my office, and been taken almost

in the fact.'

This must be some falsehood!' cried the notary.

It is not possible,' said Mr Abel.

I'll not believe one word of it,' exclaimed the old gentleman.

Mr Brass looked mildly round upon them, and rejoined,

Mr Witherden, sir, YOUR words are actionable, and if I was a man of

low and mean standing, who couldn't afford to be slandered, I should

proceed for damages. Hows'ever, sir, being what I am, I merely scorn

such expressions. The honest warmth of the other gentleman I

respect, and I'm truly sorry to be the messenger of such unpleasant

news. I shouldn't have put myself in this painful position, I assure

you, but that the lad himself desired to be brought here in the first

instance, and I yielded to his prayers. Mr Chuckster, sir, will you have

the goodness to tap at the window for the constable that's waiting in

the coach?'

The three gentlemen looked at each other with blank faces when these

words were uttered, and Mr Chuckster, doing as he was desired, and

leaping off his stool with something of the excitement of an inspired

prophet whose foretellings had in the fulness of time been realised,

held the door open for the entrance of the wretched captive.

The Old Curiosity Shop