"I believe you said you had not breakfasted? Neither, sir, have I. You will hardly believe it, but it is a positive fact that I, a clergyman, a master of arts of my university, have not tasted food for more than four-and-twenty hours. If, sir, you will suffer me, a humble stranger, to join you at your morning meal----"
"Good-day, sir."
He sighed again. Then, putting his hand up to his mouth, he asked, in a sepulchral whisper:
"Will you lend me sixpence?"
"I won't--not one farthing."
Then he went, shaking his head as he passed down the steps, as if the burden of this world pressed on him more weightily than ever. He was still descending the steps when a cab dashed up, from the interior of which an elderly gentleman flourished an umbrella.
II.
"Hi! Is this 25, Bangley Gardens, where they advertise that a purse was found?"
I admitted that it was.
"Was it found in Regent Street on Wednesday afternoon--silver monogram 'E. L. T.'--containing between nine and ten pounds in silver and gold?"