"All safe?" he said.
"Safe as a nut," replied the pedlar, "otherwise I shouldn't have pinched the cat's tail."
"I don't know anything about it at present," replied the man of marine stores; "but I dare say I can find out. Is it the box you want?"
"No, no," answered Joshua, impatiently; "I've been paid the full worth of the box already: I told you it is the pocket-book, and all that is in it."
"Where are you lodging?" said the shopkeeper. "I dare say I can find out something about it in a day or two."
"I am lodging nowhere," answered the pedlar, "for I'm only waiting for the coach to go to town; and as to staying a day or two, that's no go at all, Master Mingy Bowes; for if I don't take the book up with me, the whole business will be put in the hands of the Peelers, and then you know quite well I shall lose my share, you'll lose yours, and the gentlemen will lose theirs."
"Stay a minute," said the man; "I will just go and look in my books--I may have got it down, for aught I know. Two or three little matters have come in since the morning."
"Ay, do," said the pedlar; "and remember, we're all upon honour, and share according to rule."
The man retired into the back shop; and his books must have been somewhat difficult to read, though rather loquacious, for he remained a considerable time, during which there was a sort of buzz heard through the door, apparently proceeding from more tongues than one.
At length the shopkeeper put his head out and beckoned to the pedlar, saying--