t to swear to their debts, and
made a sad noise, and uttered a vast number of oaths in attestation of
their claim. But Messrs. Jackson and Paxton produced against them that
very Irish porter who was said to have been the cause of the fire, and, I
am told, hinted that they had matter for hanging the Jewish gents if they
persisted in their demand. On this they disappeared altogether, and no
more was ever heard of their losses. I am inclined to believe that our
Director had had money from Abednego--had given him shares as bonus and
security--had been suddenly obliged to redeem these shares with ready
money; and so had precipitated the ruin of himself and the concern. It
is needless to say here in what a multiplicity of companies Brough was
engaged. That in which poor Mr. Tidd invested his money did not pay
2_d_. in the pound; and that was the largest dividend paid by any of
them.

As for ours--ah! there was a pretty scene as I was brought from the Fleet
to the Bankruptcy Court, to give my testimony as late head clerk and
accountant of the West Diddlesex Association.

My poor wife, then very near her time, insisted upon accompanying me to
Basinghall Street; and so did my friend Gus Hoskins, that true and honest
fellow. If you had seen the crowd that was assembled, and the hubbub
that was made as I was brought up!

"Mr. Titmarsh," says the Commissioner as I came to the table, with a
peculiar sarcastic accent on the Tit--"Mr. Titmarsh, you were the
confidant of Mr. Brough, the principal clerk of Mr. Brough, and a
considerable shareholder in the Company?"

"Only a nominal one, sir," said I.

"Of course, only nominal," continued the Commissioner, turning to his
colleague with a sneer; "and a great comfort it must be to you, sir, to
think that you had a share in all the plun--the profits of the
speculation, and now can free yourself from the losses, by saying you are
only a nominal shareholder."

"The infernal villain!" shouted out a voice from the crowd. It was that
of the furious half-pay captain and late shareholder, Captain Sparr.

"Silence in the court there!" the Commissioner continued: and all this
while Mary was anxiously looking in his face, and then in mine, as pale
as death; while Gus, on the contrary, was as red as vermilion. "Mr.
Titmarsh, I have had the good fortune to see a list of your debts from
the Insolvent Court, and find that you are indebted to Mr. Stiltz, the
great tailor, in a handsome sum