Herein Plain Speaker indulged in unconscious prophecy. That which friendly conspirators could not bring about was contrived by the omnipotent finger of Fate.
Felix Carter went to the Isle of Wight to execute a commission for an invalid magnate in that pleasant settlement, and as he was anxious that a trustworthy and gentlemanly person should take charge of his house during his absence, he left his friend and protégé, Joseph Addison, in that responsible position. The artist had been about a week at work when he came upon the following gratifying item in one of the London papers:—
“POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
“Bow Street. A Thief.—Joseph Addison alias Ward, alias Peters, 40, was charged before Mr. Flowers with stealing from the waiting-room of the Charing Cross Station a black bag containing jewellery, the property of M. Laurent of Paris. On the prisoner were found a gold watch, an opera-glass, a silver fruit-knife, and a valuable cigar-case. These articles bear the initials ‘F. C.’ The prisoner was remanded for further inquiries.”
“My initials!” sighed Carter.
“Our friend will now get plenty of that labour which he affects to love,” said Plain Speaker.
XII.
A DIGNIFIED DIPSOMANIAC.
“A MOST remarkable man, sir,” said the Secretary of the Teetotal Union to the President.
“But don’t he strike you as being a trifle—a trifle soiled, eh?” asked the President, glancing down at his own immaculate shirt-cuffs.
“N—no,” replied the Secretary, hesitatingly. “He’s a most dignified man—most dignified. An’ in his dress shoot most impressive.”
“But really, now, Mr. Bottle, I thought, d’ye know, that he rather smelt of beer. Just a little, eh?” suggested the President.