rrangements were evident at a glance; and even a glance was all
that I had time for, when my guide, whispering, "There is Mr. Archy,"
hurriedly withdrew and left me. The person indicated was standing as
if to examine a young horse which had met with some accident, for the
animal could scarcely move, and with the greatest difficulty could bring
up his hind legs.

I had time to observe him; and certainly, though by no means deficient
as regarded good features, I had rarely seen anything so repulsive
as the expression of his face. Coarsely sensual and brutal, they were
rendered worse by habits of dissipation and debauch; and in the
filmy eye and the tremulous lip might be read the signs of habitual
drunkenness. In figure he was large and most powerfully built, and if
not over-fleshy, must have been of great muscular strength.

"Shoot him, Ned," he cried, after a few minutes of close scrutiny; "he's
as great a cripple as old Joe himself."

"I suppose, your honor," said the groom, "there's nothing else to be
done, it 's in the back it is."

"I don't care a curse where it is," said the other, savagely; "I only
know when a horse can't go. You can put a bullet in him, and more's the
pity all other useless animals are not as easily disposed of.--And who
is our friend here?" added he, turning and approaching where I stood.

I briefly said that I was a stranger desirous of seeing and speaking
with Mr. Curtis; that my business was one of importance not less to
myself than to him; and that I would feel obliged if he could procure me
the opportunity I sought for.

"If you talk of business, and important business," said he, sternly,
"you ought to know, if you haven't heard it already, that the man you
want to discuss it with is upwards of a hundred years of age; that he is
a doting idiot; and that, for many a day, the only one who has given any
orders here now stands before you."

"In that case," said I, courteously, "I am equally prepared to address
myself to him. Will you kindly accord me an interview?"

"Are you a dun?" said he, rudely.

"No," said I, smiling at the abruptness of the demand.

"Are you a tenant in arrear of his rent? or wanting an abatement?"

"Neither one nor the other."

"Are you sent by a friend with a hostile message?"

"Not even that," said I, with impassive gravity.

"Then, what the devil are you?" said he, rudely; "for I don't recognize
you as one of my friends or acquaintances."

I hesitate