[Illustration: "THE HEAD PROTRUDED."] "Good afternoon all," said the _Schnorrer_ courteously. "One moment," called out the philanthropist, when he found his tongue. "The bag is not empty--there are a number of packets still left in it." "So much the better!" said Manasseh soothingly. "You will be saved from the temptation to continue shedding the blood of the poor, and I shall be saved from spending _all_ your bounty upon salmon--an extravagance you were right to deplore." "But--but!" began Grobstock. "No--no 'buts,'" protested Manasseh, waving his bag deprecatingly. "You were right. You admitted you were wrong before; shall I be less magnanimous now? In the presence of all these witnesses I acknowledge the justice of your rebuke. I ought not to have wasted two guineas on one fish. It was not worth it. Come over here, and I will tell you something." He walked out of earshot of the by-standers, turning down a side alley opposite the stall, and beckoned with his salmon bag. The East India Director had no course but to obey. He would probably have followed him in any case, to have it out with him, but now he had a humiliating sense of being at the _Schnorrer's_ beck and call. "Well, what more have you to say?" he demanded gruffly. "I wish to save you money in future," said the beggar in low, confidential tones. "That Jonathan is a son of the separation! The salmon is not worth two guineas--no, on my soul! If you had not come up I should have got it for twenty-five shillings. Jonathan stuck on the price when he thought you would buy. I trust you will not let me be the loser by your arrival, and that if I should find less than seventeen shillings in the bag you will make it up to me." The bewildered financier felt his grievance disappearing as by sleight of hand. Manasseh added winningly: "I know you are a gentleman, capable of behaving as finely as any Sephardi." This handsome compliment completed the _Schnorrer's_ victory, which was sealed by his saying, "And so I should not like you to have it on your soul that you had done a poor man out of a few shillings." Grobstock could only remark meekly: "You will find more than seventeen shillings in the bag." "Ah, why were you born a Tedesco!" cried Manasseh ecstatically. "Do you know what I have a mind to do? To come and be your Sabbath-guest! Yes, I will take supper with you next Friday, and we will welcome the Bride--the holy Sabbath--together! Never before have I sat at the table of a Tedesco--but you--you are a man after my own heart. Your soul is a son of Spain. Next Friday at six--do not forget." "But--but I do not have Sabbath-guests," faltered Grobstock.