calculations and estimates in pencil on the back.

'Well, now,' said he, at length, looking up, 'I should say, such a watch as
that and appurts,' holding them up, 'couldn't be bought in a shop under
eight-and-twenty pund.'

'It cost five-and-thirty,' observed Mr. Pacey.

'Did it!' rejoined Jack, adding, 'then you were done.'

Jack then proceeded to do a little more arithmetic, during which process
Mr. Puffington passed the wine and gave as a toast--'Success to the
handicap.'

'Well,' at length said Jack, having apparently struck a balance, 'hands in
pocket, gen'lemen. If this is an award, Mr. Pacey's gold watch and appurts
gives Mr. Sponge's chestnut horse seventy golden sovereigns. Show money,'
whispered Jack to Pacey, adding, 'I'll stand the shot.'

'Stop!' roared Guano, 'do either of you sport your hand?'

'Yes, I do,' replied Mr. Pacey coolly.

'And I,' said Mr. Sponge.

'Hold hard, then, gen'lemen!' roared Jack, getting excited, and beginning
to foam. 'Hold hard, gen'lemen!' repeated he, just as he was in the habit
of roaring at the troublesome customers in Lord Scamperdale's field; 'Mr.
Pacey and Mr. Sponge both sport their hands.'

'I'll lay a guinea Pacey doesn't hold money,' exclaimed Guano.

'Done!' exclaimed Parson Blossomnose.

'I'll bet it does,' observed Charley Slapp.

'I'll take you,' replied Mr. Miller.

Then the hubbub of betting commenced, and raged with fury for a short time;
some betting sovereigns, some half-sovereigns, other half-crowns and
shillings, as to whether the hands of one or both held money.

Givers and takers being at length accommodated, perfect silence at length
reigned, and all eyes turned upon the double fists of the respective
champions.

Jack having adjusted his great tortoiseshell-rimmed spectacles, and put on
a most consequential air, inquired, like a gambling-house keeper, if they
were 'All done'--had all 'made their game?' And 'Yes! yes! yes!' resounded
from all quarters.

'Then, gen'lemen,' said Jack, addressing Pacey and Sponge, who still kept
their closed hands on the table, '_show_!'

At the word, their hands opened, and each held money.

'A deal! a deal! a deal!' resounded through the room, accompanied with
clapping of hands, thumping of the table, and dancing of glasses. 'You owe
me a guinea,' exclaimed one. 'I want half a sovereign of you,' roared
another. 'Here's my half-crown,' said a third, handing one across the table
to the fortunate winner.