glottis shut down, and the
bolus slipping over it and seized by the muscles of the esophagus passed
to its destined abode.

Jones had swallowed Rochester's past, or at least a most important part
of it. The act accomplished, he sat down as a boa constrictor recoils
itself, still gulping. Marcus Mulhausen rushed to the door and opened
it. A vast policeman stood before him, behind the policeman crowded Mr.
Aaronson and the clerks, and behind these a dozen or two of the block
dwellers, eager for gory sights at a distance.

Marcus looked round.

"What's all this?" said he. "There is nothing wrong, just a little
dispute with a gentleman. It is all over--Mr. Aaronson, clear the
office. Constable, here is two shillings for your trouble. Good day."

He shut the door on the disappointed crowd and turned to Jones.

The battle was over.

CHAPTER XVI

A WILD SURPRISE

At five o'clock that day the transference of the property was made out
and signed by Marcus Mulhausen in Mortimer Collins' office, and the
Glanafwyn lands became again the property of the Earl of Rochester--"for
the sum of five thousand pounds received and herewith acknowledged,"
said the document.

Needless to say no five thousand pounds passed hands. Collins,
mystified, asked no questions in the presence of Mulhausen. When the
latter had taken his departure, however, he turned to Jones.

"Did you pay him five thousand?" asked the lawyer.

"Not a cent," replied the other.

"Well, how have you worked the miracle, then?"

Jones told.

"You see how I had them coopered," finished he. "Well, just as I was
going to grab the kitty he played the ace of spades, produced an old
document he held against me."

"Yes?"

"I pondered for a moment--then I came to a swift conclusion--took the
doc from him and ate it."

"You ate the document?"

"Sure."

Jones rubbed his stomach and laughed.

"Well, well," said the solicitor with curious acquiescence and want of
astonishment after the first momentary start caused by this surprising
statement, "we have the property back, that's the main thing."

"You remember," said Jones, "I talked to you about letting that place."

"Carlton House Terrace?"

"Yes--well, that's off. I've made good. Do you see?"

"M--yes," replied Collins.

"I'll have enough money now to pay off the mortgages and things."

"Undoubtedly," said Collins, "but, now, don't you think it would be a
good thing if you were to tie this pr