"Well, then, I shall take a supper and a bed; and here," continued he, throwing his guinea down on the table, "book me an inside place by the name of Mr. William Baring." The waiter had heard of the name before, and bowed respectfully. "Any luggage, sir?" "No, I took my place this night by the mail, and was compelled to stay on important business just as I was getting into the coach. My luggage went on, I shall find it when I arrive." Our gentleman ordered a good supper, and at half-past ten requested to be shown to his bed-room. "Boots," said he, "recollect you call me at half-past four exactly, as I am hard of waking. Don't forget; and if you don't see me getting up in five minutes, rouse me again." "Yes, sir," replied the Boots. At half-past four the Boots made his appearance with a lanthorn, and after some considerable shaking, our gentleman roused up and sat by the side of the bed. The Boots had lighted the candle, and stood by. "Yaw--aw!" said our gentleman, shaking himself and yawning. "How horrid it is to be up before daylight. Ah, well! Boots, give me my stockings." "Yes, sir." The stockings were slowly dragged on. "Now then Boots, my buckskins." The Boots turned over the other garments, looked here and there, and upon every chair; at the foot of the bed, and in the bed, under the pillow, under the bolster. "I can't see no buckskins, sir." "Pooh, nonsense! man." Another useless turn round the room. "Well, I'm sure, sir, I can't see them." "How very odd!" exclaimed our gentleman; "perhaps I'm sitting on them." He rose, but there were no buckskins under him. "How excessively strange! You didn't take them away with you when you took the boots, did you?" "No, sir; I never comed into the room. You put your boots outside." "So I did, now I recollect; but still the buckskins must be found." Another ineffectual search of five minutes, during which our gentleman gradually showed that the serenity of his temper was ruffling, till at last he became in a furious passion. "By heavens! this is too bad: in a respectable house, too. Boots, go up to your master, and tell him I must see him immediately--say immediately, and without delay--Mr. William Baring--recollect, instantly!" In a few minutes the landlord of the hotel made his appearance, half dressed, and not very well pleased at being compelled to turn out at such an unseasonable hour; but the name of Baring had been mentioned, and was not to be trifled with. "You wish to speak to me, sir?"