silver clasps, inscribed, "Dearest Mary, on our
wedding day, June 4th, 1847, from Gilbert." There, in a red morocco
case, is a miniature of a handsome naval officer. At the back, under
glass, are two locks of hair, joined by a true lover's knot in seed
pearls. Some ruthless hand will pick out those pearls and throw the
hair away.

For a considerable time Shafto strolled about with his hands in his
pockets, so far seeing nothing to tempt him. Meanwhile his companion
eagerly examined books and bargained over a tattered old volume.
Shafto noted with surprise the number of well-dressed visitors poking
among the stalls, in search of treasure trove. There were a parson
with a greedy-looking leather bag, an officer in uniform, and various
smart ladies, hunting in couples. Among a quantity of jugs and basins,
soup tureens and coarse crockery, Shafto's idle glance fell upon a
frightful Chinese figure, the squat presentation of a man, about eight
inches in height.

"I say, did you ever see such a horror?" he asked, pointing it out to
his companion; "a curio for ugliness, and just the sort of monster Mrs.
Malone would love. I'll try if I can get hold of it. What's the price
of the China demon?" he inquired of a wizened old woman, who wore a
bashed black bonnet and a pair of blue sand shoes.

"Five shillin'," she replied promptly.

"Five shillings!" he exclaimed. "You're joking."

"No time for jokes here," she retorted, "it's a good piece" (picking up
the figure), "and come out of a grand house. If it were in Bond
Street, they'd ask you five pounds. I showed it to a man, who said it
was good, although there was no mark, and it might be worth a lot; but
I've no time to be raking up things--my trade is a quick sale--and
cash."

"I'll give you half a crown," said the customer.

"Two half-crowns, and it's yours, and a bargain; you won't know the old
fellow when he's had a wash!"

"What do you say, Hutton?" inquired Douglas, turning to his friend.

"Well, I think you might risk five shillings; you don't see such
ugliness every day, and I should not wonder if it was a good piece.
I've never come across one like it."

"All right then, I'll take the horror."

And in another moment the bargain was effected. Douglas tendered two
half-crowns, which the old woman carefully examined and pocketed, then
she wrapped up the figure in a piece of crumpled newspaper, and
presently he and his friend departed, each bearing his