While this was passing, two men of very suspicious mien, ensconced behind a pillar adjoining the group, were reconnoitring Auriol. "It's him!" whispered the taller and darker of the two to his companion--"it's the young man ve've been lookin' for--Auriol Darcy." "It seems like him," said the other, edging round the pillar as far as he could without exposure. "I vish he'd turn his face a leetle more this vay." "It's him, I tell you, Sandman," said the Tinker. "Ve must give the signal to our comrade." "Vell, I'll tell you wot it is, miss," said Ginger coaxingly, "your sveet'art--I'm sure he's your sveet'art--I can tell these things in a minnit--your sveet'art, I say, shall give me fifteen pound, and the dog's yourn. I shall lose five pound by the transaction; but I don't mind it for sich a customer as you. Fairy desarves a kind missus." Auriol, who had fallen into a fit of abstraction, here remarked: "What's that you are saying, fellow?" "I vos a-sayin', sir, the young lady shall have the dog for fifteen pound, and a precious bargin it is," replied Ginger. "Well, then, I close with you. Here's the money," said Auriol, taking out his purse. "On no account, Auriol," cried Ebba quickly. "It's too much." "A great deal too much, Mr. Darcy," said Thorneycroft. "Auriol and Darcy!" muttered Ginger. "Can this be the gemman ve're a-lookin' for. Vere's my two pals, I vonder? Oh, it's all right!" he added, receiving a signal from behind the pillar. "They're on the look-out, I see." "Give the lady the dog, and take the money, man," said Auriol sharply. "Beg pardon, sir," said Ginger, "but hadn't I better carry the dog home for the young lady? It might meet vith some accident in the vay." "Accident!--stuff and nonsense!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "The rascal only wants to follow you home, that he may know where you live, and steal the dog back again. Take my advice, Mr. Darcy, and don't buy it." "The bargain's concluded," said Ginger, delivering the dog to Ebba, and taking the money from Auriol, which, having counted, he thrust into his capacious breeches pocket. "How shall I thank you for this treasure, Auriol?" exclaimed Ebba, in an ecstasy of delight. "By transferring to it all regard you may entertain for me," he replied, in a low tone. "That is impossible," she answered. "Well, I vote we drive away at once," said Mr. Thorneycroft. "Halloa! jarvey!" he cried, hailing a coach that was passing; adding, as the vehicle stopped, "Now get in, Ebba. By this means we shall avoid being followed by the rascal." So saying, he got into the coach. As Auriol was about to follow him, he felt a slight touch on his arm, and, turning, beheld a tall and very forbidding man by his side. "Beg pardin, sir," said the fellow, touching his hat, "but ain't your name Mr. Auriol Darcy?" "It is," replied Auriol, regarding him fixedly. "Why do you ask?" "I vants a vord or two vith you in private--that's all, sir," replied the Tinker.