less my soul!" repeated the Admiral, "but I never ordered this."

Each member of the group in turn advanced, inspected the cake,
sniffed the savour, pronounced it excellent, and looked from the
Admiral to the boy for explanation.

"Mrs. Dymond down to the 'Man-'o-War' sent et, sir, wi' her
compliments to Maaster Sam, an' hopin' as he'll find et plum i' the
bakin' as it leaves her at present, an' the currants all a-picked
careful, knowin' as he'd a sweet tooth."

"Sam! Do you mean to tell me that Sam--that my son--ordered _this?_
Upon my word, of all--"

"Didn' azackly order et, sir. Won et fair an' square. Bill Odgers
comed nex' wi' seven-an'-ninety gallon. But Master Sam topped the
lot by a dozen gallon aisy."

"Gallons! What the devil is the boy talking bout?"

"Beer, sir--beer; fust prize for top score o' beer drunk down to the
'Man-o'-War' sence fust o' November last. He's a wunner for beer, es
Maaster Sam," pursued the relentless urchin, who by this time had
forgotten his tears. "Hunderd an' nine gallons, sir, an' Bill Odgers
so jallous as fire--says he'd ha' won et same as he did last time,
on'y Maaster Sam's got the longer purse--offered to fight 'un, an'
the wuss man to pay for both nex' time."

Mr. Goodwyn-Sandys turned aside to conceal a smile. Lawyer Pellow
rubbed his chin. The Admiral stamped.

"Take it away!"

"Where be I to take it to, plaise, sir?"

"Take it away--anywhere; take it to the devil!"

But worse remained for the little man. During this conversation
there had come unperceived up the road a gentleman of mild
appearance, dressed in black, and carrying under his arm a large
parcel wrapped about with whitey-brown paper.

The new-comer, who was indeed our friend Mr. Fogo, now advanced
towards the Admiral with a bow.

"Admiral Buzza, I believe?"

The Admiral turned and faced the speaker; his jaw fell like a signal
flag; but he drew himself up with fine self-repression.

"Sir, I am Admiral Buzza."

"I have come," said Mr. Fogo, quietly pulling the pins out of his
parcel, "to restore what I believe is your property (Will somebody
oblige me by holding this pin? Thank you), and at the same time to
apologise for the circumstances under which it came into my hands.
(Dear me, what a number of pins, to be sure!) I have done what lay in
my power with a clothes-brush and emery-powder to restore it to its
pristine brilliance. The treatment (That is the last, I think) has
not, I