evidence; and I understand he always praises me up to the skies, and says I’m one of the best of men.’ This story coming to a termination amidst general applause, Inspector Wield, after a little grave smoking, fixes his eye on his host, and thus delivers himself: ‘It wasn’t a bad plant that of mine, on Fikey, the man accused of forging the Sou’-Western Railway debentures—it was only t’other day—because the reason why? I’ll tell you. ‘I had information that Fikey and his brother kept a factory over yonder there,’—indicating any region on the Surrey side of the river—‘where he bought second-hand carriages; so after I’d tried in vain to get hold of him by other means, I wrote him a letter in an assumed name, saying that I’d got a horse and shay to dispose of, and would drive down next day that he might view the lot, and make an offer—very reasonable it was, I said—a reg’lar bargain. Straw and me then went off to a friend of mine that’s in the livery and job business, and hired a turn-out for the day, a precious smart turn-out it was—quite a slap-up thing! Down we drove, accordingly, with a friend (who’s not in the Force himself); and leaving my friend in the shay near a public-house, to take care of the horse, we went to the factory, which was some little way off. In the factory, there was a number of strong fellows at work, and after reckoning ’em up, it was clear to me that it wouldn’t do to try it on there. They were too many for us. We must get our man out of doors. “Mr. Fikey at home?” “No, he ain’t.” “Expected home soon?” “Why, no, not soon.” “Ah! Is his brother here?” “I’m his brother.” “Oh! well, this is an ill-conwenience, this is. I wrote him a letter yesterday, saying I’d got a little turn-out to dispose of, and I’ve took the trouble to bring the turn-out down a’ purpose, and now he ain’t in the way.” “No, he ain’t in the way. You couldn’t make it convenient to call again, could you?” “Why, no, I couldn’t. I want to sell; that’s the fact; and I can’t put it off. Could you find him anywheres?” At first he said No, he couldn’t, and then he wasn’t sure about it, and then he’d go and try. So at last he went up-stairs, where there was a sort of loft, and presently down comes my man himself in his shirt-sleeves. ‘“Well,” he says, “this seems to be rayther a pressing matter of yours.” “Yes,” I says, “it _is_ rayther a pressing matter, and you’ll find it a bargain—dirt cheap.” “I ain’t in partickler want of a bargain just now,” he says, “but where is it?” “Why,” I says, “the turn-out’s just outside. Come and look at it.” He hasn’t any suspicions, and away we go. And the first thing that happens is, that the horse runs away with my friend (who knows no more of driving than a child) when he takes a little trot along the road to show his paces. You never saw such a game in your life!