ilty!"

Now I perceived that the wily Mr. O'Rapley did not recommend Bumpkin to
obtain the services of a solicitor to conduct his prosecution in this
case; and I apprehend for this reason, that the said solicitor being
conscientious, would unquestionably recommend and insist that Mr.
Bumpkin's evidence at the Old Bailey should be supported by that of the
Don himself. So Mr. Bumpkin was left to the tender mercies of the Public
Prosecutor or a criminal tout, or the most inexperienced of "soup"
instructed counsel, as the case might be, but of which matters at present
I have no knowledge as I have no dreams of the future.

Then Mr. Bumpkin said, "By thy leave, worthy Mr. O'Rapley, I will just
see what my head witness be about: he be a sharp lad enow, but wants a
dale o' lookin arter."

CHAPTER XXIV.

Don O'Rapley expresses his views of the policy of the legislature in not
permitting dominoes to be played in public houses.

When Mr. Bumpkin returned to the cosy parlour, his face was red and his
teeth were set. He was so much agitated indeed, that instead of
addressing Mr. O'Rapley, he spoke to Mrs. Oldtimes, as though in her
female tenderness he might find a more sincere and sympathetic adviser.

Mr. Bumpkin was never what you would call an eloquent or fluent speaker:
his Somersetshire brogue was at times difficult of comprehension. He
certainly was not fluent when he said to Mrs. Oldtimes: "Why
thic--there--damn un Mrs. Oldtimes if he beant gwine and never zeed zich
a thing in my bornd days--"

"Why what ever in the name of goodness gracious is the matter?" asked the
landlady.

"Why thic there head witness o' mine: a silly-brained--Gor forgive me
that iver I should spake so o' un, for he wor allays a good chap; and I
do b'leeve he've got moore sense than do any thing o' that kind."

"What's the matter? what's the matter?" again enquired Mrs. Oldtimes.

"Why he be playin' dominoes wi thic Sergeant."

"O," said the landlady, "I was afraid something had happened. We're not
allowed to know anything about dominoes or card-playing in our house--the
Law forbids our knowing it, Mr. Bumpkin; so, if you please, we will not
talk about it--I wish to conduct my house as it always has been for the
last five-and-twenty years, in peace and quietness and respectability,
Mr. Bumpkin, which nobody can never say to the contrairy. It was only
the last licensing day Mr. Twiddletwaddle, the chairman of the Bench,
said as