All present were astonished at the ingenuity of the trick, but particularly plain Roger, who could not, at times, restrain his laughter. “Alas!” said Will, “this trick is not worth talking about: it is only one of those we commit to our boys. There is a nobleman just passing the window, with a very rich coat upon his back; I’ll wager, as before, to steal it from him, before all his followers, and bring it here on my own back.” The gentlemen all staked their guineas, and were seconded by Roger. “Come, now,” said Will, “this matter must not be entrusted to a boy; you will give me leave to go myself, nor must you restrict me to any particular time to return.” So out he ran, and followed the nobleman from street to street, until he saw him enter a tavern. The nobleman was conducted up-stairs. Will bustling in after him, hastened to the bar-keeper, and desired him to lend him an apron, as his master would be served only by his own footman. “He is a very good customer, and expects the very best wine: I must go to the cellar and taste it for him.” The apron being given, he went to the cellar, and returned with some of the best of each wine for his pretended master. He ran so quick up and down stairs, and was so alert at his work, that none of the other servants could equal him. Meanwhile, the company up-stairs taking him for the servant of the house, were highly satisfied with his attendance. Will was also careful to give full cups to the servant who should have served in his place, with some money, which the other was very glad to receive for doing nothing. He seldom also went into the room without passing some merry jest to amuse the company. They were so highly pleased with him, that they said one to another, “This is a merry, witty fellow; such a man as he is fit to make a house; he deserves double wages.” When Will saw his plan ripe for execution, he came into the room with some wine, and by the aid of his knife, made a slit in my lord’s coat. Returning with a bottle in one hand, and his other hand full of glasses, before he approached his lordship he started and stared, saying, “What fellows are those who have made that coat?” with other imprecations against the tailor. Then some of the company rising up, saw the rent in my lord’s coat, and cried, “My lord, the tailor has cheated you.” Will, drawing near, said, “Such things may happen; but give me the coat, and I’ll carry it privately under my master’s cloak to an acquaintance of mine, who will presently make it as good as if it had not been torn.” Borrowing a great coat of a gentleman present, the nobleman gave Will his coat to carry to the tailor, who, coming down stairs, informed the landlord of the disaster, received his cloak, and, putting the rent coat below it, seized a good beaver hat off one of the cloak-pins, and hastened from the tavern. Arriving at the inn where the gentlemen were anxiously waiting his return, he went into another room, dressed himself, and