Which in a large and central street,

For a post office would he meet.

I trust I’ll meet with no disaster

Till you address me as “Postmaster.”

Excuse, my lord, the wish most fervent

I have to be your lordship’s servant.

Some days after I mailed that letter, I had a letter from Lord Colchester, telling me the position was not yet officially declared vacant, but, when it would be so declared, I would hear from him again.

I made no secret of getting that letter. Every one was sure I was booked for the postmastership. But I never got it, and never heard from Lord Colchester since. I suppose there was a very good reason for that; because five days after, I was a prisoner in the hands of the law.