PEACE PARTING WITH THE DETECTIVES.
“‘I’ll try,’ replied John Brown, moodily.
“‘Think it over, Johannes, and do your best.’
“‘I wish I had never given way to your temptation,’ muttered Brown, in a low voice, but Wareham did not overhear the remark.
“‘I must tear myself away from your fascinating society, Johannes,’ continued Wareham; ‘I have an appointment with a fly flat (i.e. a clever fool), and he has some superfluous cash which I covet. See if you cannot do something worth talking about. I shall meet you to-morrow at the usual time.’
“Wareham lighted a cigar, and nodding to his accomplice, strutted leisurely out of the place.
“Brown allowed his face to sink upon his hands, and I heard him say, ‘Curse him! may God in Heaven curse him!’
“He remained sunk in a lethargic despair for more than an hour, then he raised himself and left the tavern. I returned home to ponder. It was necessary to put a stop to the nefarious practices that Brown carried on with such skilfulness, and I considered how I should best take action in the matter.”
“Which of course you did,” observed Mr. Cartridge.