ave in
trying to meet every one's wishes. Say before Christmas--and the same
with the globes and other things. The time and trouble taken in packing
the things really cuts into the profits terribly."

"Could we do any of it down here?" said Reginald. "Love and I have
often nothing to do."

It was well the speaker did not notice the fiendish grimace with which
the young gentleman referred to accepted the statement.

"You're very good," said Mr Medlock; "but I shouldn't think of it. We
want you for head work. There are plenty to be hired in London to do
the hand work. By the way, I will take up the register of orders and
cash you have been keeping, to check with the letters in town. You
won't want it for a few days."

Reginald felt sorry to part with a work in which he felt such pride as
this beautifully kept register. However, he had made it for the use of
the Corporation, and it was not his to withhold.

After clearing up cautiously all round, with the result that Reginald
had very little besides pen, ink, and paper left him, Mr Medlock said
good morning.

"I may have to run up to town for a few days," he said, "but I shall see
you again very soon, I hope. Meanwhile, make yourself comfortable. The
directors are very favourably impressed with you already, and I hope at
Christmas they may meet and tell you so in person. Boy, make a parcel
of these books and papers and bring them for me to my hotel."

Love obeyed surlily. He was only waiting for Mr Medlock's departure to
dive into the mystery of _Trumpery Toadstool, or Murdered for a Lark_,
in which he had that morning invested. He made a clumsy parcel of the
books, and then shambled forth in a somewhat homicidal spirit in Mr
Medlock's wake down the street.

At the corner that gentleman halted till he came up.

"Well, young fellow, picked any pockets lately?"

The boy scowled at him inquisitively.

"All right," said Mr Medlock. "I never said you had. I'm not going to
take you to the police-station, I'm going to give you half a crown."

This put a new aspect on the situation. Love brightened up as he
watched Mr Medlock's hand dive into his pocket.

"What should you do with a half-crown if you had it?"

"Do? I know, and no error. I'd get the _Noogate Calendar_, that's what
I'd do."

"You can read, then?"

"Ray-ther; oh no, not me."

"Can you read writing?"

"In corse."

"Do you always go to the post with the letters?"

"In corse."