To keep himself awake he walked along Pall Mall, but not very fast, lest he might have too much time on his hands when he should arrive at the other end. Then he threw the contents of his snuff-box into the street, that he might have the amusement of getting it filled again at Pontet’s. When he had, by dint of great exertion to walk slow, and make the most of his expedition, arrived, after a quarter of an hour’s sauntering, at the little snuff-shop at the corner of the street, he felt almost fatigued enough to enjoy the pleasure of sitting down; and he accordingly took his seat, and was for a time exceedingly happy, enjoying the pleasure of kicking his heels against the frames of the high shop-stool, and gazing at the passengers. Not long had he been thus occupied, when two persons passed the shop-door in apparently close and earnest conversation, and seemingly on very good terms with each other. One of them, turning a side glance towards the snuff-shop, caught the eye of Lord Trimmerstone, and turned away his head again in great haste, as if to avoid being recognised. This movement excited his lordship’s curiosity; and a few seconds after they had passed, he cautiously stepped to the door and looked after them. He was certain that one of the two was Singleton Sloper. He knew by the broad shoulders, short neck, and shuffling gait, that it could be no other. As to Sloper’s companion, who was the one that had so suddenly withdrawn from his eye in passing the shop-door, his lordship could not form the slightest conjecture. Curiosity induced him to follow them at a considerable distance, and without being discerned by them, he watched them into a coffee-house; where, soon after they had entered, he followed them. Before he entered the room, he looked through the glass of the inner door, and saw that the two persons who had attracted his attention were Mr. Singleton Sloper and the young gentleman to whom his lordship and Mr. Sloper had lost their money the preceding evening. This was a strange sight; and the very good understanding between the two led his lordship into strong and unpleasant suspicions concerning the purity and integrity of Mr. Singleton Sloper. He determined, however, not to make any sudden interruption; but as he was unseen by them, he watched their proceedings, and saw a pocket-book produced and opened; and he saw some of the contents of that pocket-book handed over by the young gentleman to Mr. Singleton Sloper. Lord Trimmerstone was greatly astonished at what he saw; and though the mere fact of something being thus transferred to Sloper was no proof of fraud on his part, yet the looks and smiles of the two gentlemen were so very significant and expressive of collusion, that could these looks have been sworn to and properly described to an honest and discerning jury, there would have been in them very powerful evidence to convict the parties of conspiracy.