y written, touched his other
partner on the arm, and led him from the room.

The following day was Saturday, which at Magenta House was always the
busiest day of the week. At about four o'clock in the afternoon the
shop would become thronged, and from that hour up to ten at night
nearly as much money was taken as during all the week besides. On
that Saturday at about noon the following words were to be read at
each of the large sheets of glass in the front of the house. They
were printed, of course, on magenta paper, and the corners and
margins were tastefully decorated:--

Brown, Jones, and Robinson, having been greatly deceived by
Johnson of Manchester, are not able to submit to the public
the 40,000 new specimens of English prints, as they had
engaged to do, on this day. But they beg to assure their
customers and the public in general that they will shortly
do so, however tremendous may be the sacrifice.

"But it was Staleybridge," said Mr. Brown, "and the man's name was
Pawkins."

"And you would have me put up 'Pawkins of Staleybridge,' and thus
render the firm liable to an indictment for libel? Are not Pawkins
and Johnson all the same to the public?"

"But there is sure to be some Johnson at Manchester."

"There are probably ten, and therefore no man can say that he is
meant. I ascertained that there were three before I ventured on the
name."

On that afternoon some trifling sensation was created in Bishopsgate
Street, and a few loungers were always on the pavement reading the
notice. Robinson went out from time to time, and heard men as they
passed talking of Johnson of Manchester. "It will do," said he. "You
will see that it will do. By seven o'clock on next Saturday evening I
will have the shop so crowded that women who are in shall be unable
to get out again."

That notice remained up on Saturday evening, and till twelve on
Monday, at which hour it was replaced by the following:--

Johnson of Manchester has proved himself utterly unable to
meet his engagement. The public of the metropolis, however,
may feel quite confident that Brown, Jones, and Robinson
will not allow any provincial manufacturer to practise such
dishonesty on the City with impunity.

The concourse of persons outside then became much greater, and an
audible hum of voices not unfrequently reached the ears of those
within. During this trying week Mr. Jones, it must be acknowledged,
did not p