"Come here last night?" continues A., in his suspicious strain.
"He did, sur!" answers the grog-mixer.
"Has nothing but a valise and umbrella?" says A.
"Nothing else, sur, I believe," is the reply.
"That's him! that's him! I've found him!" exultantly exclaims A., while the bar-keeper and landlord, who had now come forward, eagerly wanted to know if any thing was wrong with the gentleman whose arrival was being discussed.
"Step aside, sir," says A. to the proprietor; "I don't want any disturbance made, at such a time; it might do your fine establishment more harm than good; but, there is a person stopping in your house that I have followed from Boston; I have kept my eye on his movements(!); I know his designs, his practices, well; I'm on his track—he dodged me last night, but I've found him—"
"Well, do you pretend to assert that this man (scrutinizing the register) is a pick-pocket, a thief, or something of the kind, sir?" earnestly inquired the proprietor.
"You keep mum, sir," said A., coolly tapping the lappel of the landlord's coat—"I've got him safe! Let him rest for awhile—I've got him! Do you understand?" says the wag, winking a knowing, significant wink at the landlord.
"No, cuss me if I do understand you, sir!" sharply replies the landlord. "If there is a dangerous or disreputable person in my house, sir, I would thank you to tell me, sir, and I will soon put him where the dogs won't bite him, sir!"
"There is no use of unnecessary alarm, my friend," says A., in a low tone; "the truth is, this person whom I have followed here, has made a heavy draw on one of our Boston banks, by means of certain checks and certificates, and—"