When they had bidden adieu to Mr. Trapman and were walking away together, Mr. Griffiths reverted to the subject of Miss Ponsford. "There's an end of that little game, I s'pose," said he; "that document's lost to us for ever." "Wait!" said Mr. Effingham, with a grin; "I ain't so sure of that. She's gone to New York, you see; now I know every hole and corner in New York, and I'm known everywhere there, as well as any Yankee among them. I could hunt her up there fifty times easier than I could in London." "I daresay," said Mr. Griffiths; "but you see there's one thing a trifle against that; you ain't in New York." "But I could go there, I s'pose, stoopid!" "Yes; but how, stoopid? You can't pad the hoof over the sea; and them steamers lay it on pretty thick, even in the steerage." "I'm goin' to America within the next week, Griffiths, and I intend a friend of mine to pay for my passage." "What! the Bart. again?" "Exactly. The Bart. again!" "And what game are you goin' to try on with him now?" "Ah, Griffiths, that's my business, my boy. All you've got to do is to say goodbye to your D'Ossay to-night, for he's got to journey down to that thunderin' old Devonshire again to-morrow; and before a week's out he intends to be on the briny sea." For the second time Mr. Effingham travelled down to Redmoor, and obtained an interview with Sir Charles Mitford. He found that gentleman very stern and haughty on this occasion; so Mr. Effingham comported himself with great humility. "Now, sir," said Sir Charles, "you've broken your word for the second time. What do you want now?" "I'm very sorry, Sir Charles--no intention of givin' offence, Sir Charles; but--" "You've not got that--that horrible bill?" "N-no, Sir Charles, I haven't; but--" "Then what brings you here, sir? more extortion?--a further attempt to obtain money under false pretences?" "No, no; don't say that, Sir Charles. I'll tell you right off. I may as well make a clean breast of it. I can't find that document anywhere. I don't know where it is; and I'm sick of cadgin' about and spongin' on you. You know when I first saw you up in town I told you I'd come from America. I was a fool to leave it. I did very well there; and I want to go back." "Well, sir?" "Well, just as a last chance, do that for me. I've been true to you; all that business of the young woman I managed first-rate--" "I paid you for it." "So you did; but try me once again." "Tell me exactly what you want now." "Pay my passage out. Don't even give me the money; send some cove to pay it, and bring the ticket to me; and he can come and see me off, if he likes, and give me a trifle to start with on the other side of the water; and you'll never hear of me again." Sir Charles reflected a few moments; then said, "Will you go at once?" "At once-this week; sooner the better." "Have you made any inquiries about ships?" "There's one sails from Liverpool on Friday."