"No, sir, I am not," replied Gammon, calmly; "but let me tell you, _I know where he is to be found_, Mr. Titmouse! Do you commission me to go in search of him?" he inquired, suddenly fixing his bright penetrating eye upon Titmouse, who instantly stammered out--"O Lord! By Jove! no, no!" Gammon could scarcely suppress a bitter smile, so ludicrous were the look and tone of Titmouse. "You shouldn't have let me spend such a lot of money, if it wasn't mine all the while"---- "The estate was, in a manner, Mr. Titmouse, in my _gift_; and in pitching upon you, sir, out of several, I had imagined that I had chosen a gentleman--a man grateful and honorable"---- "'Pon my solemn soul, so I _am_!" interrupted Titmouse, eagerly. "I had but to scrawl a line or two with my pen, the very first day that I saw you at the shop of Mr. Tag-rag--and there, sir--or in some similar hole--you would have been at this moment!" replied Gammon, with a sudden sternness which quite overawed Titmouse; totally losing sight, however, of the very different account of the matter which he had given Titmouse five minutes before; but the very best and most experienced liars have short memories. Here it was, however, _Liar_ v. _Fool_; and the latter did not perceive the slip made by his adversary--who, however, suddenly became aware of his little inconsistency, and colored. "You'll excuse me, sir," quoth Titmouse, presently; and with an air which was becoming momentarily more timid and doubtful--"but _will_ you, if all this isn't a bottle of smoke, tell me how you can _prove_ it all? Because, you know, it isn't only _saying_ the thing that will do--you know, Mr. Gammon?" "Certainly--certainly! You are quite right, Mr. Titmouse! Nothing can be more reasonable! Your curiosity shall be gratified. Aware that your natural acuteness, my dear sir, would in all probability prompt you to make the very observation you have now made, I have provided myself with the two principal documents, and you shall see them; though I doubt whether you will at first sight understand them, or appreciate their importance; but, if you desire it, I will fully explain them to you." With this he produced his pocket-book, and took out carefully two small pieces of paper, folded up, which, after a very brief preliminary explanation which made Titmouse tremble from head to foot, and no longer disbelieve the representations of Gammon, he unfolded and read--Titmouse looking affrightedly over his shoulder. "Do I know the hand-writing?" he inquired faintly. "Probably not," replied Gammon. "It's a devilish queer sort of writing, and precious little of it"---- "It _is_, and when you consider"---- "Are both in the same handwriting?" inquired Titmouse, taking them into his tremulous hand; while Gammon observed that his countenance indicated the despair which had taken possession of him.