municating them afterwards to the public--in fine, Jack
Finucane was, as Shandon had said of him, and as he proudly owned
himself to be, one of the best sub-editors of a paper in London. He knew
the weekly earnings of every man connected with the Press, and was up
to a thousand dodges, or ingenious economic contrivances, by which
money could be saved to spirited capitalists, who were going to set up
a paper. He at once dazzled and mystified Mr. Bungay, who was slow of
comprehension, by the rapidity of the calculations which he exhibited
on paper, as they sate in the box. And Bungay afterwards owned to his
subordinate Mr. Trotter, that that Irishman seemed a clever fellow.

And now having succeeded in making this impression upon Mr. Bungay,
the faithful fellow worked round to the point which he had very near at
heart, viz., the liberation from prison of his admired friend and chief,
Captain Shandon. He knew to a shilling the amount of the detainers
which were against the Captain at the porter's lodge of the Fleet; and,
indeed, professed to know all his debts, though this was impossible,
for no man in England, certainly not the Captain himself, was acquainted
with them. He pointed out what Shandon's engagements already were; and
how much better he would work if removed from confinement (though this
Mr. Bungay denied, for, "when the Captain's locked up," he said, "we are
sure to find him at home; whereas, when he's free, you can never catch
hold of him"); finally, he so worked on Mr. Bungay's feelings, by
describing Mrs. Shandon pining away in the prison, and the child
sickening there, that the publisher was induced to promise that, if Mrs.
Shandon would come to him in the morning, he would see what could be
done. And the colloquy ending at this time with the second round of
brandy-and-water, although Finucane, who had four guineas in his pocket,
would have discharged the tavern reckoning with delight, Bungay said,
"No, sir,--this is my affair, sir, if you please. James, take the bill,
and eighteenpence for yourself," and he handed over the necessary funds
to the waiter. Thus it was that Finucane, who went to bed at the Temple
after the dinner at Dick's, found himself actually with his week's
salary intact upon Saturday morning.

He gave Mrs. Shandon a wink so knowing and joyful, that that kind
creature knew some good news was in store for her, and hastened to get
her bonnet and shawl, when Fin asked if he might have the h