"'It is,' I answered.
"'Then I must try other means,' he said; and as he spoke, he touched a bell.
"A door leading to the outer office was instantly opened, and a clerk made his appearance.
"'Is the officer still in attendance?' asked Mr. B——.
"'Yes, sir.'
"'Let him enter.'
"I did not suspect any thing unusual, and was about to pass out of the room, when I found myself in the embrace of a police officer, and before my surprise was over, a pair of handcuffs was slipped over my wrists, and I was a prisoner.
"'What is the meaning of this, sir?' I demanded, indignantly.
"'Be quiet,' the man said; 'it's only for a bit of forgery.'
"'Forgery!' I gasped, astonished beyond belief.