"That werry same i-dentical, sir. Disguises again, ye see. Yesterday, a journeyman peg-maker vith a fine lot o' pegs as I didn't vant to sell—to-day a groom looking for a job as I don't need. Been a-keeping my ogles on Number Vun and Number Two, and things is beginning to look werry rosy, sir, yes, things is werry promising indeed."
"How do you mean?"
"Vell, to begin vith," said Mr. Shrig, taking the chair Barnabas proffered, "you didn't 'appen to notice as that theer letter had been broke open and sealed up again, did ye?"
"No," said Barnabas, staring at what was left of the seal.
"No, o' course you didn't—you opened it too quick to notice anything—but I did."
"Oh, surely not—"
"That theer letter," said Mr. Shrig impressively, "vas wrote you by a certain lady, vasn't it?"
"Yes."
"And I brought you that theer letter, didn't I?"
"Yes, but—"