"Yes, if you like," said Lionel, rather sulkily; and then the young men smoked on in silence, till, forgetting the sneers of his companion, Lionel again spoke. "Wonder whether this chap will turn up, Clayton? Try another advertisement if he don't. I wouldn't have lost that dog for twenty pounds." "And I would give twenty pounds sooner than keep the ugly wretch," said Harry. "Perhaps so; but then you see you can't appreciate breed. Don't be cross, old chap," he continued, laughing. "You must be bear-leader, and lick me into shape." Harry shrugged his shoulders and said nothing. "There! turn up the gas a little higher, Harry; and do, for goodness' sake, give up that confounded French shrug; and, I say, Hal, if this cad does come, leave me to manage him. His won't be a classic tongue, old fellow, and I know how to deal with these fellows so much better than you. By Jove, though, here he is! Come in!" For there had been another knock at the door, and the maid once more appeared. "Plee, sir, there's a man down-stairs, as says he have an appointment with you, sir. Is he to come up?" "Yes; send him up, Mary; that is, if he's fit." "Fit, sir?" said the girl, looking puzzled. "Yes; clean--decent," said Lionel, laughing, and the girl withdrew. A minute later, a heavy, halting step was heard upon the stairs, and the visitor, none other than Canau's landlord from Decadia, was ushered into the room. Volume 1, Chapter XXIV. "D. WRAGG, NAT'RALIST." "Sarvant, gentlemen," said the new-comer, who must now be fully introduced. He made four steps forward into the room, each step being accomplished by the planting of a heavy boot with a club-sole, some six inches thick, a couple of feet forward, when, with a bow and a jerk, the other leg was brought to the front, and the man stood upright, took another step, bowed, and again jerked himself into the perpendicular-- each effort of locomotion being accompanied by an automaton flourish of one arm, similar to that of a farming man sowing turnips broadcast. He was a wiry-looking little fellow, with sharp ferrety eyes, and short bristly hair standing up at the sides of his head, giving him the look of a fierce Scotch terrier--the resemblance being heightened by an occasional twitch of the facial muscles, which might have been taken for displays of annoyance at the workings of troublous insects beyond the reach of teeth or paws. "Sarvant, gentlemen," he said; "and if so be as it ain't a liberty--" He paused in his utterance, jerked himself back to the door, opened it, peered out as if seeking a rat--if not smelling one--closed the door again, jerked himself back, and laid one finger beside his very small nose, saying-- "I'll make all snug afore I begin."