m of claiming damages on that account. If you could have shown,
Mrs Podge, that you had suffered loss of any kind, we should have
_offered_ you compensation promptly, but as things stand--"

"Well, well," exclaimed Mrs Podge, testily. "I suppose I must give it
up, but I don't see why railway companies should be allowed to shock my
nerves and then refuse to give me any compensation!"

"But we do not absolutely refuse _all_ compensation," said Mr Sharp,
drawing out his purse; "if a sovereign will pay the five shilling fee of
your doctor, and any other little expenses that you may have incurred,
you are welcome to it."

Mrs Podge extended her hand, Mr Sharp dropped the piece of gold into
it, and then, wishing her good afternoon, quitted the house.

The superintendent of police meditated, as he walked smartly away from
Mrs Podge, on the wonderful differences that were to be met with in
mankind, as to the matter of acquisitiveness, and his mind reverted to a
visit he had paid some time before, to another of the passengers in the
train to which the accident occurred. This was the commercial traveller
who had one of his legs rather severely injured. He willingly showed
his injured limb to our superintendent, when asked to do so, but
positively declined to accept of any compensation whatever, although it
was offered, and appeared to think himself handsomely treated when a few
free passes were sent to him by the manager.

Contrasting Mrs Podge unfavourably with this rare variety of the
injured human race, Mr Sharp continued his walk until he reached a part
of the line, not far from the station, where a large number of vans and
waggons were shunted on to sidings,--some empty, others loaded,--waiting
to be made up into trains and forwarded to their several destinations.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

SHARP PRACTICE--CONTINUED.

Mr Sharp had several peculiarities, which, at first sight, might have
puzzled a stranger. He was peculiar in his choice of routes by which to
reach a given spot appearing frequently to prefer devious, difficult,
and unfrequented paths to straight and easy roads. In the time of his
visits to various places, too, he was peculiarly irregular, and seemed
rather to enjoy taking people by surprise.

On the present occasion his chief peculiarity appeared to be a desire to
approach the station by a round-about road. In carrying out his plans
he went round the corner of a house, from which point of view he
o