l point is that Pracontal's
scruples would not permit him to proceed to an act of depredation, but
that Cutbill had more resolution. He wanted to determine the fact."

"Say that he wanted to win his money, and you 'll be nearer the mark,"
interposed Cutbill.

"Whichever way we take it, it amounts to this: Pracontal would not be a
housebreaker, and Cutbill had no objection to become one. I cannot give
you the details of the infraction--perhaps _he_ will."

Cutbill only grunted, and the other went on--"However he obtained
entrance, he made his way to the place indicated, smashed the wall, and
dragged forth a box with four or five thick volumes, which turned out to
be the parish registries of Portshandon for a very eventful period,
at least a very critical one for us; for, if the discovery loses Mr.
Cutbill his fifty pounds, it places the whole estate in jeopardy."

"That's the worst of it," cried Cutbill. "My confounded meddling has
done it all."

"When my lawyer came to hear what had occurred, and how, he lost no time
in taking measures to proceed against Cutbill for a felony; but Master
C. had got away, and was already hiding in Germany, and our meeting on
the steamboat here was a mere hazard. He was bound for--where was it,
Cutbill?"

"Albania. I want to see the salt mines. There 's something to be done
there now that the Turks are not sure they 'll own the country this time
twelvemonth."

"At all events, it 's better air than Newgate," said Jack.

"As you politely observe, sir, it's better air than Newgate. By the way,
you've been doing a little stroke of work as a jailbird, latterly; is it
jolly?"

"No; it ain't exactly jolly; it's too monotonous for that. And then the
diet."

"Ah, there's the rub! It's the skilly, it's the four-ounce system, I 'm
afraid of. Make it a good daily regimen, and I 'll not quarrel with
the mere confinement, nor ask for any extension of the time allotted to
exercise."

"I must say," said Jack, "that, for a very acute and ingenious
gentleman, this same piece of burglary was about one of the stupidest
performances I ever heard of."

"Not so fast, admiral, not so fast. I stood on a double event. I had
lent Pracontal a few hundreds, to be repaid by as many thousands if he
established his claim. I began to repent of my investment, and my bet
was a hedge. Do you see, old fellow, if there were no books, I pocketed
a hundred and fifty. If the books turned up, I stood to win on the