"'You're done,' thought I. "'Then you are the person I am to give this letter to,' says the man. "Snaps took the letter,--and, strange to say, it _was_ a letter,--coolly read it, and, folding it up, said, to my great relief, 'Tell the prisoner I shall attend;' and off went Grimgruffinhoff with his answer. "'M'Flummery is in Newgate for passing forged notes;' said my master, taking a pinch of snuff. 'I thought he would be jugged some day,' he said, with a half-laugh. 'He wants to see me to-morrow morning about business of the greatest importance to _me_. What can he have to say to _me_?' "'Ay, indeed!' said I, 'what sir?' "'It is as well that I should go,' said my master, 'for there may be something----' "'True,' said I, 'there may be.' "The next morning we went to Newgate, which is not the most pleasant lodging in that neighbourhood, although you have it in the biggest house, and they charge you nothing for the apartments. When we entered the prisoner's cell, he was busy writing. "'Snaps!' said he, 'I'm glad to see you here!' "'I am sorry I cannot return the compliment,' said my master. "'Never mind,' said M'Flummery; 'every dog has his day.' "'And then he is hanged,' said Snaps, drily, taking a pinch of snuff. "M'Flummery here gave a spasmodic groan, and exclaimed, 'As little reference to my present condition as possible, Mr. Snaps. It was not about myself that I requested your visit, but touching matters in which you alone are interested.' "'Well, sir; and here I am," said Mr. Snaps. 'To tell you the truth, I do not feel myself very comfortable in the place, so I shall feel obliged by your stating the nature of your business with me as briefly as possible.' "'I will,' said the prisoner, with a demonic look. 'You have, or _rather think you have_, Mr. Snaps, a chest of plate.' "'What!' shrieked my master. 'Is it not silver? Have you cheated me?' "'You have often robbed me, Mr. Snaps,' was the reply; 'I but returned the compliment. That which you believe is silver plate, manufactured by Rundell and Bridge, was made at Sheffield, and cost me two hundred pounds.' "Snaps groaned, and hid his face. "'It is true I did buy a service from those eminent goldsmiths; but, after the Sheffield firm had copied the pattern, I pledged it with old Lombard, the pawnbroker. It was redeemed for a day to satisfy you, Mr. Snaps, and then repledged. The Earl of A. bought the duplicate, and now has the real property, of which you have the counterfeit service.' "'You are a cursed villain,' said my master; 'and thank Heaven! you will be hanged!' "'Only that a felon's cell in Newgate is not the most fit place to bandy compliments in, I should willingly aspirate the same of you, Snaps!" "'And was it to tell me this, you atrocious scoundrel, that you sent for me?' said my master. "'Not exactly,' answered M'Flummery; 'not exactly, Snaps; I want you to do me a favour.'