"Sir, I desire that, without so much circumlocution, you will come to the point. I cannot divine what you are talking about--what you meditate telling me; but I beg of you, sir, to communicate to me what you know, and leave me to bear it as best I can." "Then your Lordship shall be obeyed.--I said, some little time ago, that the instrument granting me the rent-charge upon the Yatton property, recited, as a part of the consideration, my arduous, long-continued, and successful exertions to place Mr. Titmouse in possession of that fine estate. It was I, my Lord, who searched for him till I found him--the rightful heir to the Yatton property--him, the possible successor to your Lordship in your ancient barony. Night and day I have toiled for him--have overcome all obstacles, and at length placed him in the splendid position which he now occupies. He is not, my Lord, naturally of a generous or grateful disposition, as perhaps your Lordship also may be aware; and had I not insisted on an adequate return for my services, he would have given me none. Therefore I required him, nay, I extorted from him the instrument in question." Mr. Gammon paused for a moment. "Well, sir. Go on! I hear you," said the earl, somewhat sternly; on which Gammon resumed. "How I first acquired a knowledge that Mr. Aubrey was wrongfully enjoying the Yatton estates, is of no moment to your Lordship; but one thing _does_ concern your Lordship to know, and me to be believed by your Lordship in telling you--that, so help me Heaven! at the time that I discovered Mr. Titmouse behind the counter of Mr. Tag-rag, in Oxford Street, and up till within a couple of months ago, I had no more doubt about his being entitled, as really the heir-at-law"----The earl gave a sudden start. "My Lord, I would even now beg your Lordship to let me take some other opportunity, when we are both calmer, of explaining"----