prise. "Highly
respectable and equally responsible house, that. Why, sir, it is
somewhat curious that we should meet here. A relative of mine did
business with that house a long time. Highly satisfactory--highly."

"We endeavor to make everything satisfactory with our customers,"
resumed Mr. Topman. "Happy to have met a gentleman so familiar with the
reputation of our house. Pray, may I enquire to the name?"

"Chapman--Bigelow Chapman. My wife, Mr. Topman; my enlarged and better
half. Mr. Topman, my dear, of the firm of Topman and Gusher. Doing a
large miscellaneous business, and highly respectable."

"What a strange meeting this is. You used to know each other? How
curious!" interposed Mrs. Chapman, rising from her seat and dropping Mr.
Topman one of her most stately bows.

"By reputation. Perhaps I should have said general reputation, my dear,"
returned Chapman. During all this time Hanz was kept in ignorance of the
object of the stranger's visit. Yet the whole scene was such as could
not fail to excite his curiosity to the very highest pitch.

"And now," said the stranger, "as the night is warm, and ladies never
care to hear anything about business, I propose, Mr. Toodleburg, that we
retire to the porch. You can enjoy your pipe, there; and, if you will
permit me, I will enjoy a cigar. Our friend, here--he will permit me to
call him so--will join us."

The three now proceeded to the porch; where, when they had become
seated, the stranger discovered the object of his visit. "I have been
informed on good authority," said Mr. Topman, "that you possess the
secret of where Kidd's treasure is buried--"

"Vel, vel, vel!" exclaimed Hanz, raising his hands in astonishment; "if
dat ish'nt so pig a lie as ever vas told. No, mine friend, I knows
nothin' apout dis Mr. Kidd, nor his money. Dis one big lie de peoples
pout here gits up, as has nothin' petter to do."

"It's somewhat singular," said Chapman, fixing his keen black eyes on
the stranger, "it was that that brought me here to-night. Mr.
Toodleburg may be innocent of all knowledge of Mr. Kidd, as he says. But
the people sincerely believe that he does, and that he possesses the
secret of where his treasure is buried. The belief is just as good as
the reality, and may be made equally profitable."

"Exactly," interposed Mr. Topman, "exactly! Just what I was going to
suggest." Here Mr. Topman put his thumbs in the arms of his waistcoat,
and drummed on the front with hi