There was a young lady named Janet, Who committed high treason in Thanet; She dressed up her cat In a _D**ly M**l_ hat, And was promptly fired out of this planet. * * * * * ONE TOUCH OF DICKENS. Knowing that there was everything in my appearance to command respect, I went into the manager's room with confidence. Lean and brown and middle-aged, in a tweed coat and grey flannel trousers, which, though not new, were well cut, I felt that I looked like one accustomed to put in and take out sums from banks. There was no trying for effect, no effort, no tie-pin. The stick I carried was a plain ash. The pipe, which I removed from my mouth, had no silver mounting. Ah, but it showed the tiny mother-of-pearl star which stamped it as a Bungknoll. There was going to be no difficulty here. "Good morning," I said. "I regret to trouble a busy man over a small matter, but I wish to cash a cheque for ten pounds." He was a quiet, capable-looking man with a rather tired expression. "The cashing of cheques," he said, laying down his pipe, "is one item of our duties." "Unfortunately," I continued, "I have run short of money. I bought a rather good print in a shop down the road and it has left me without any. I can give a cheque on Bilson's, but the banks in town close to-morrow and it would mean waiting three days, so I hope that you will be able to--" "You can bring someone to identify you, of course?" he said, reaching for a bell. "I am sorry to say that I am unknown here. I am all right at the hotel, but I don't like to ask the people for money. I have brought only a small bag, and what with the races and so forth I might expose myself to a disagreeable refusal." "Yes," he said, "you might. But I'm afraid I can't cash a cheque for you without an identification. I'll send it for collection if you like." "But that means waiting for days, and I haven't a shilling left. I came here for a week to look at the country about your town--a beautiful little town." I added this diplomatically. "Do you think so? I consider it a hole. But I don't know much about it as I'm only here for a week. However, I'm sorry I can't help you except in the way I mentioned." "But look here--do I look like the kind of man who plays tricks? Here is my card and my club address. And letters"--I tore one out of an envelope, but it was the one from Mosbyson's reminding me that they had already applied twice for payment--"but letters are of little use to identify one." "They are," he agreed. "The fact is, among other things, I want to buy another print which I have just caught sight of. It may be snapped up at any moment, like the one I snapped up yesterday." "Let it go. It's probably a fake." "Which one?" I said hotly. "The one I bought yesterday or the one I'm going to buy?" "Both. But I can't cash your cheque." "But look at the mess I'll be in. Would you have me pawn my watch?"