"I say nothing," said the president.
"So do I," followed Shortcut.
"Everything, I maintain," rejoined the lawyer's clerk; "for six months afterwards his words came true."
"Whose?" shouted several of the company.
"M'Flummery's," said Pounce; "he proved himself as deep and deeper than Snaps. He was a wide awake one!"
"Wide awake!" said the chairman; and down went the directing sceptre, with the customary clink.
"Hear! hear! hear!" resounded through the room.
"Yes," continued Pounce; "about six months after, and about five in the evening, a man came into the office, looking as like a turnkey or Bow-street runner as any of you gentlemen might ever have known in your life. He asked to see Mr. Snaps.
"Just as I was preparing to give my master a hint by one of the writing-clerks to be on his guard, who should walk into the office but Snaps himself?
"'I believe your name is Snaps?' said the hang-gallows-looking messenger.