"Why, I means, my lord, please your lordship, that one of them letters as I give your lordship is been picked up, and Mr Robert Darnley showed it to me and axed whether I knowed nothing about it. And he said he'd kill me if I did not tell him, and so I told him that I didn't know nothing where it come from. And so, my lord, I'm quite afeard to go again to Neverden, only I don't know what to do just to get a bit of bread." At this information the Right Honorable Lord Spoonbill was perplexed. "Why, Muggins, if that is the case," said his lordship, "you had better get away." "Yes, my lord, but what will become of me if I give up my place?" "Oh, leave that to me!" said his lordship, "and I will take care you shall be no loser." This was the point to which the crafty one wished to bring his right honorable friend. Suffice it then to say that Lord Spoonbill, fancying that he should place discovery out of the reach of probability, made the rogue a very handsome present, and gave him letters whereby he might find employment in London, which would more than compensate for the loss of his place in the country. Then did Lord Spoonbill under cover of night's darkness find his way to Smatterton castle, pleasing himself with the thought that his well-formed scheme was now likely to take effect, and that Mr Robert Darnley, after the warning of the anonymous letter, would not be very hasty to renew his acquaintance with Miss Primrose. It was of course supposed by our readers, and intended to be so supposed, that the anonymous letter above alluded to was sent, if not by Lord Spoonbill himself, at least by his instigation, and for the purpose of forwarding his designs. And, that the merit of the communication may not be ascribed to a wrong personage, it is right to inform the world that the writer of the same letter was Colonel Crop. By this gallant officer Lord Spoonbill was now accompanied to Smatterton castle. Colonel Crop was an excellent travelling companion, for he never disturbed the train of his fellow-traveller's thoughts by any impertinent prating. The dexterous economy which the colonel exercised over his words and actions was quite surprising. He could make a little go a great way. If for instance any friend, and many such there were, invited the gallant colonel to dinner, it would seem that thereby an occupation were afforded him for an hour or two previously for the purpose of dressing. But the ingenious time-consumer managed to make a whole morning's work of it. Equally economical was he of words. For if his Right Honorable friend Lord Spoonbill should talk to him for a whole hour together, the colonel would think it quite sufficient to reply to the long harangue by simply saying: "'Pon honor! you don't say so."