You,' replied Mr Pickwick.

Wery good, Sir.'

With these words Mr Weller left the room, and immediately afterwards

was heard to shut the street door. In two hours' time he returned with

so much coolness as if he had been despatched on the most ordinary

message possible, and brought the information that an individual, in

every respect answering Mr Winkle's description, had gone over to

Bristol that morning, by the branch coach from the Royal Hotel.

'Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, grasping his hand, 'you're a capital fellow; an

invaluable fellow. You must follow him, Sam.'

Cert'nly, Sir,' replied Mr Weller.

The instant you discover him, write to me immediately, Sam,' said Mr

Pickwick. 'If he attempts to run away from you, knock him down, or

lock him up. You have my full authority, Sam.'

'I'll be wery careful, sir,' rejoined Sam.

'You'll tell him,' said Mr Pickwick, 'that I am highly excited, highly

displeased, and naturally indignant, at the very extraordinary course

he has thought proper to pursue.'

'I will, Sir,' replied Sam.

'You'll tell him,' said Mr Pickwick, 'that if he does not come back to

this very house, with you, he will come back with me, for I will come

and fetch him.'

I'll mention that 'ere, Sir,' rejoined Sam.

'You think you can find him, Sam?' said Mr Pickwick, looking

earnestly in his face.

Oh, I'll find him if he's anyvere,' rejoined Sam, with great confidence.

Very well,' said Mr Pickwick. 'Then the sooner you go the better.'

With these instructions, Mr Pickwick placed a sum of money in the

hands of his faithful servitor, and ordered him to start for Bristol

immediately, in pursuit of the fugitive.

Sam put a few necessaries in a carpet-bag, and was ready for starting.

He stopped when he had got to the end of the passage, and walking

quietly back, thrust his head in at the parlour door.

The Pickwick Papers