So saying, the man passed on to ornament the neighbouring walls with the announcements of the Incubitorium. The passengers must have thought me mad, so continued and powerful were my kicks upon the unopening door. I paused for breath--tried to laugh myself out of the belief that the whole proceeding wasn't a ludicrous mistake; and just as I was going at it again with fresh vigour, a hand was laid on my arm. "Are you going to crack the eggs before they're hatched?" said Miss Claribel. "They'll take you up for a housebreaker, if you're not quiet." "For heaven's sake," I said, "tell me what is all this?" "It is that you are swindled by Mr Montalban; and if you have only lost the money you advanced, you may hold yourself very fortunate." "But he is to give me a hundred pounds," I said. "You've accepted a bill?" "I have." "I thought so. Do you see that man with the fishy kind of eyes, the large nose beginning in the middle of his forehead, and the white hat perched on one side of his head?" "Yes; I see him. A blackguard Jew-looking fellow he is." "He has been taking note of you for some time, that he may know you when the bill is due. He is a bailiff, and, I believe, brother-in-law of Mr Montalban." "But I have not had a farthing; how can they ask me to pay it?" "O, that makes no difference. I hear a great deal of talk on these subjects, and I fear you will have to advance the full amount. When was it due?" "In two months. The amount a hundred and fifty pounds." "We must make the money," she said, "before that time. We must make our _debût_ in Hamlet. Now I am free from the Stepney Star, I feel that I am certain of success. Have you any friend who could get us an engagement in some country theatre, for our first appearance? I want nothing more than an opportunity of showing what I can do." "Ha!" I said; "yes. I have a friend--a German. His name is Catsbach. I know he can do what we require. Long before the two months are over we shall both be rolling in wealth; and who knows, after all, if this disappointment may not turn out the best piece of good fortune that could have befallen us?"