I nodded comprehension, and on we journeyed. We were met at the door by Owen Lloyd himself--a man in whose countenance guilelessness, even to simplicity, seemed stamped by nature's own true hand. So much, thought I, for the reliance to be placed on physiognomy! "I have brought you a customer," said Mr. Jones; "but he is as deaf as a stone." I was courteously invited in by signs; and with much hallooing and shouting, it was finally settled that, after dinner, I should look over Mr. Lloyd's stock of wood. Dinner had just been placed on the table by Mrs. Lloyd and her daughter. A still very comely, interesting woman was Mrs. Lloyd, though time and sorrow had long since set their unmistakeable seals upon her. Her daughter was, I thought, one of the most charming, graceful young women I had ever seen, spite of the tinge of sadness which dwelt upon her sweet face, deepening its interest if it somewhat diminished its beauty. My heart ached to think of the misery the announcement of my errand must presently bring on such gentle beings--innocent, I felt confident, even of the knowledge of the crime that had been committed. I dreaded to begin--not, Heaven knows, from any fear of the men, who, compared with me, were poor, feeble creatures, and I could easily have mastered half-a-dozen such; but the females--that young girl especially--how encounter _their_ despair? I mutely declined dinner, but accepted a glass of ale, and sat down till I could muster sufficient resolution for the performance of my task; for I felt this was an opportunity of quietly effecting the capture of both the suspected criminals which _must_ not be neglected. Dinner was just over when Mrs. Lloyd said, "Oh, Mr. Jones, have you seen anything of my husband's pocket-book? It was on a shelf in the room where you slept--not the last time, but when you were here about three weeks ago. We can find it nowhere; and I thought you might possibly have taken it by mistake." "A black, common-looking thing?" said Jones. "Yes." "I _did_ take it by mistake. I found it in one of my parcels, and put it in my pocket, intending of course to return it when I came back; but I remember, when wanting to open a lock of which I had lost the key, taking it out to see if it contained a pencil-case which I thought might answer the purpose; and finding none, tossing it away in a pet, I could not afterwards find it." "Then it is lost?" "Yes; but what of that? There was nothing in it." "You are mistaken," rejoined Owen; "there was a five-pound country note in it, and the loss will---- What is the matter, friend?" I had sprung upon my feet with uncontrollable emotion: Mr. Lloyd's observation recalled me to myself, and I sat down again, muttering something about a sudden pain in the side. "Oh, if that's the case," said Jones, "I'll make it up willingly. I am pretty rich, you know, just now." "We shall be much obliged to you," said Mrs Lloyd; "its loss would be a sad blow to us."