"By the living Jove!" exclaimed Titmouse, starting up with a sort of recklessness, and pouring out and tossing off a second glassful of brandy—"it can't be true—it's all a dream! I—I a'n't—I can't be a bas—— perhaps you're all this while the true heir, Mr. Gammon?" he added briskly, and snapped his fingers at his companion.
"No, sir, I am not," replied Gammon, calmly; "but let me tell you, I know where he is to be found, Mr. Titmouse! Do you commission me to go in search of him?" he inquired, suddenly fixing his bright penetrating eye upon Titmouse, who instantly stammered out—"O Lord! By Jove! no, no!"
Gammon could scarcely suppress a bitter smile, so ludicrous were the look and tone of Titmouse.
"You shouldn't have let me spend such a lot of money, if it wasn't mine all the while"——
"The estate was, in a manner, Mr. Titmouse, in my gift; and in pitching upon you, sir, out of several, I had imagined that I had chosen a gentleman—a man grateful and honorable"——
"'Pon my solemn soul, so I am!" interrupted Titmouse, eagerly.
"I had but to scrawl a line or two with my pen, the very first day that I saw you at the shop of Mr. Tag-rag—and there, sir—or in some similar hole—you would have been at this moment!" replied Gammon, with a sudden sternness which quite overawed Titmouse; totally losing sight, however, of the very different account of the matter which he had given Titmouse five minutes before; but the very best and most experienced liars have short memories. Here it was, however, Liar v. Fool; and the latter did not perceive the slip made by his adversary—who, however, suddenly became aware of his little inconsistency, and colored.
"You'll excuse me, sir," quoth Titmouse, presently; and with an air which was becoming momentarily more timid and doubtful—"but will you, if all this isn't a bottle of smoke, tell me how you can prove it all? Because, you know, it isn't only saying the thing that will do—you know, Mr. Gammon?"
"Certainly—certainly! You are quite right, Mr. Titmouse! Nothing can be more reasonable! Your curiosity shall be gratified. Aware that your natural acuteness, my dear sir, would in all probability prompt you to make the very observation you have now made, I have provided myself with the two principal documents, and you shall see them; though I doubt whether you will at first sight understand them, or appreciate their importance; but, if you desire it, I will fully explain them to you."