eed, I am told, to those who advanced money on Bills of
Sale before that date, for it allows--it actually allows the debtor
five clear days during which he may, if he can, without being caught,
make away with portions of his furniture and belongings--the smaller
and the more precious portion; or he may find some one else to lend
him the money, and so get off clear and save his sticks. It is, as the
modern Shylock declares, a most wicked and iniquitous Act, by which
the shark may be balked, and many an honest tradesman, who would
otherwise have been most justly ruined, is enabled to save his stock,
and left to worry along until the times become more prosperous. To a
man like Mr. David Chalker, such an Act of Parliament is most
revolting.

He went away at length, leaving the man--the professional
person--behind. Then Lala Roy persuaded Mr. Emblem to go upstairs
again. He did so without any apparent consciousness that there was a
Man in Possession.

"James," said Lala Roy, "you have heard that your master has been
robbed. You are reflecting and meditating on this circumstance.
Another thing is that a creditor has threatened to sell off everything
for a debt. Most likely, everything will be sold, and the shop closed.
You will, therefore, lose the place you have had for five-and-twenty
years. That is a very bad business for you. You are unfortunate this
morning. To lose your place--and then this robbery. That seems also a
bad business."

"It is," said James with a hollow groan. "It is, Mr. Lala Roy. It is a
dreadful bad business."

"Pray, Mr. James," continued this man with grave, searching eyes which
made sinners shake in their shoes, "pray, why did you run away, and
where did you go after you opened the shop this morning? You went to
see Mr. Emblem's grandson, did you not?"

"Yes, I did," said James.

"Why did you go to see him?"

"I w--w--went--oh, Lord!--I went to tell him what had happened,
because he is master's grandson, and I thought he ought to know," said
James.

"Did you tell him?"

"No; he has left his lodgings. I don't know where he is--oh, and he
always told me the shop was his--settled on him," he said.

"He is the Father of Lies; his end will be confusion. Shame and
confusion shall wait upon all who have hearkened unto him or worked
with him, until they repent and make atonement."

"Don't, Mister Lala Roy--don't; you frighten me," said James. "Oh,
what a dreadful liar he is!"

All the mornin