face would have made my fortune if I could
only have been exhibited by a reformatory
association on the platform of Exeter Hall.

How much longer was this to last?
"Whither should I turn my steps when I
regained my freedom? In what direction
throughout all England should I begin
seeking for Laura?  Sleeping and waking—
working and idling—those were now my
constant thoughts. I did my best to prepare
myself for every emergency that could
happen; I tried to arm myself beforehand
against every possible accident that could
befal me. While I was still hard at work
sharpening my faculties and disciplining my
energies in this way, events occurred in the
red-brick house which I had never anticipated;
and an accident befel the doctor, on the
possibility of which I had not dared to calculate,
even in my most hopeful moments.

One morning I was engaged in the principal
work-room with my employer. We were
alone. Old File and his son were occupied in
the garrets. Screw had been sent to Barkingham,
accompanied, on the usual precautionary
plan, by Mill. They had been gone nearly an
hour when the doctor sent me into the next
room to moisten and knead up some plaster
of Paris. While I was engaged in this
occupation, I suddenly heard strange voices in the
large work-room. My curiosity was instantly
excited. I went to the peep-hole in the wall,
and looked through it.

I saw first my old enemy Screw, with his
villainous face much paler than usual; next,
two respectably-dressed strangers, whom he
appeared to have brought into the room; and
next to them Young File, addressing himself
to the doctor.

"I beg your pardon, sir," said my friend,
the workman-like footman; " but before
these gentlemen say anything for themselves,
I wish to explain, as they seem strangers to
you, that I only let them in after I had
heard them give the pass-word. My
instructions are to let anybody in on our side
of the door if they can give the pass-word.
No offence, sir, but I want it to be
understood that I have done my duty."

"Quite right, my man," said the doctor,
in his blandest manner. "You may go back
to your work."

Young File left the room, with a
scrutinising look for the two strangers, and a
suspicious frown for Screw.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves," began
the elder of the two strangers.

"Pardon me for a moment," interposed the
doctor. " Where is Mill ? " he added, turn-
ing to Screw.

"Doing our errands at Barkingham,"
answered Screw, turning paler than ever.

"We happened to meet your two men, and
to ask them the way to your house," said the
stranger who had just spoken. "This man,
with a caution that does him infinite credit,
required to know our business before he told
us. We managed to introduce the pass-word
—Happy-go-lucky—into our answer. This
of course quieted suspicion; and he, at our
request, guided us here, leaving his fellow-
workman, as he has just told you, to do all
errands at Barkingham."

While these words were being spoken, I
saw Screw's eyes wandering discontentedly and
amazedly round the room. He had left me
in it with the doctor before he went out: was
he disappointed at not finding me in it on his
return?

While this thought was passing through
my mind, the stranger resumed his
explanations.

"We are here," he said, "as agents
appointed to transact private business, out of
London, for Mr. Manasseh, with whom you
have dealings, I think?"

"Certainly," said the doctor, with a smile.

"And who owes you a little account,
which we are appointed to settle."

"Just so! " remarked the doctor,
pleasantly rubbing his hands one over the other.
"My good friend, Mr. Manasseh, does not
like to trust the post, I suppose? Very
glad to make your acquaintance, gentlemen.
Have you got the little memorandum about
you?"

"Yes; but we think there is a slight
inaccuracy in it. Have you any objection to
let us refer to your ledger ?"

"Not the least in the world. Screw, go
down into my private laboratory, open the
table-drawer nearest the window, and bring
up a locked book, with a parchment cover,
which you will find in it."

As Screw obeyed, I saw a look pass
between him and the two strangers which made
me begin to feel a little uneasy. I thought
the doctor noticed it too; but he preserved
his countenance, as usual, in a state of the
most unruffled composure.

"What a time that fellow is gone! " he
exclaimed, gaily. " Perhaps I had better go
and get the book myself."

The two strangers had been gradually
lessening the distance between the doctor
and themselves, ever since Screw had left the
room. The last words were barely out of his
mouth, before they both sprang upon him,
and pinioned his arms with their hands.

"Steady, my fine fellow," said Mr. Manasseh's
head agent. " It's no go. We are
Bow Street runners, and we've got you for
coining."

"Not a doubt of it," said the doctor, with
the most superb coolness. " You needn't hold
me. I'm not fool enough to resist when I'm
fairly caught."

"Wait till we've searched you; and then
we'll talk about that," said the runner.

The doctor submitted to the searching
with the patience of a martyr. No offensive
weapon being found in his pockets, they
allowed him to sit down unmolested in the
nearest chair.