turning surprisedly to the Earl so did Mr Gammon, and for a moment ceased arranging his papers. Both the Duke and he turned pale, and gazed in silent dismay at their companion. Gammon felt momentarily sick at heart. It was evident that Lord Dreddlington's mind had gently given way!

There was a smile of indescribable weakness flickering about the mouth; the eyes were unsteady; all sternness had vanished from his brow; and his manner was relaxed-perfectly calm, with even an approach towards cheerfulness. Gammon's face was suddenly blanched, and he glanced with horror at the Duke, who, without removing his eyes from Lord Dreddlington, unconsciously exclaimed, "Oh my God!"

"Is it your lordship's pleasure," -faltered Gammon, his hands trembling visibly.

and that his coming there that morning, with the papers relating to the intended purchase of the Isle of Dogs, was in furtherance of his treacherous objects! The Duke listened in silent dismay to this rambling account of the imaginary conspiracy, and had just determined upon quietly sending for Miss Macspleuchan, when the Earl abruptly paused, and after a confused stare at his companion, pressed his haud to his forehead, and said with hesitation and embarrassment-"Pray, Tantallan, don't think anything more about what I have been saying! II-feel that I have been talking nonsense-incoherently-Surely it must have struck you so? Eh, Tantallan ?"

There was something so imbecile and miserable in the look with which the Earl regarded his companion, that the Duke for a moment could not reply to him. At length, 'my dear Dreddlington," said he, gently grasping his hand, you are at present, only a little excited-you will soon recover yourself. Let us ask Miss Macspleuchan to join us, as she is sitting all alone up-stairs.'

"You are right, Tantallan," said Lord Dreddlington, as if suddenly struck by the peculiar look with which the Duke continued to regard him. "You shall hear all; but we must be alone. Sir, you may retire, "Not just now, Tantallan-I feel I and be in attendance another day,' have wandered a little, but all is now he added, abruptly addressing Gam- right again. He is gone, is he?" mon, with all his former stateliness of The Duke nodded. "The sight of manner, but with a feeble voice. Mr that man was at first too much for Gammon, greatly agitated, hastily me; I felt oppressed and confused, put together the documents which he but I thought it right to struggle had partially arranged on the table, against it!-He denied it all ?—Is not and with a hurried bow withdrew. that enough to drive a man out of his senses ?

"At nine this evening-in Portman Square, sir, if you please," said the Duke tremulously.

"I will attend your Grace," said Gammon, and with not a little trepidation closed the door after him; on which the Earl proceeded, in an anxious and mysterious manner, to intimate the existence of a conspiracy on the part of the Earl of Fitzwalter and others, to prevent his Lord Dreddlington's-obtaining a marquisate, on the ground that he had been connected with Sir Sharper Bubble in a swindling company; and his lordship had good grounds for believing that Mr Gammon was secretly lend ing his assistance to the undertaking;

"My dear Dreddlington, we shall get wrong again-let us quit the subject," said the Duke anxiously.

"No," replied the Earl languidly, "do not fear me; I feel quite myself again! I can only repeat to you, that that man's conversation with me about-about "-he shuddered-" as certainly happened, as the Heavens are above us!" The Earl had really, at all events for the present, recovered from the temporary confusion into which his thoughts had fallen; and proceeded, with as much energy as his shattered condition would admit of, to give the Duke, as he had often done before, a distinct and consist

ent account of all that had taken and lastly, that it was marvellous place at Mr Gammon's chambers: that he-the Duke-had been so long and as he went on, it all of a in arriving at such a conclusion. But sudden occurred to his Grace, for the then, it subsequently occurred to the first time-how improbable is it that sagacious Duke-how was he to act? Lord Dreddlington should have in- What position was he to assume with vented a scene, which he has uniform- Mr Gammon, when he came in the ly delineated in almost the same words? evening, in obedience to his Grace's What but truth and reality could en- own appointment? What reasons able him to preserve such a consist- could he assign for his sudden change ency in describing a transaction with of opinion? Nothing new had ocsuch minute circumstantiality? Hav- curred: and he felt a little embarrassing once looked at the matter in this ed, seeing that all he should be able to new light, every succeeding moment say, would be, that he had at length saw him more and more satisfied that suddenly taken a different view of this was the true view of it; and be- facts long well known! At all fore he had quitted his unfortunate events, he determined to put the brief kinsman, he had pretty nearly con- of Mr Titmouse's case used at the vinced himself of three things; first, trials, and which Mr Gammon had that Mr Titmouse was a hideous, some time before forwarded to his little, base-born miscreant and impos- Grace's house into the hands of some tor; secondly, that Mr Gammon must eminent lawyer, for a candid and conbe the profoundest scoundrel living;fidential opinion.

CHAPTER VI

MR GAMMON GETTING INTO DEEP WATERS, AND DRAGGING HIS GREAT
FRIENDS AFTER HIM.

MR GAMMON, on quitting Lord Dred- salvation or destruction! But then, dlington's house, quickly recovered again, like a criminal's chance glance from the momentary shock which he at the hideous gallows in the distance had suffered in the Earl's presence; a recollection of the ecclesiastical and-shall I record the fact ?- all inquiry, at that instant in vigorous other feelings, and all his fears, were action, blanched the cheek of Mr merged in one of delight and exulta- Gammon, and dashed all his new tion at the awful calamity which had hopes to the ground. If those inferbefallen Lord Dreddlington. No one, nal inquisitors should discover all, and Mr Gammon considered, would thence- thereby demonstrate Titmouse's illeforth think of attaching the least gitimacy, how appalling would be the importance to anything the Earl position of Mr Gammon ! What might say, or had said, but would would then avail him the insanity of doubtless deem it the mere creation of Lord Dreddlington? Would it not, a disordered brain. Then all that on the contrary, be then attributed to would be necessary, would be the the right cause the atrocious cruelty silencing Titmouse-no difficult mat- and villany which had been practised ter, since even he could comprehend upon him? How irretrievably was that secresy was to him a matter of Gammon committed, by his repeated

and solemn asseverations to Miss | perienced, but responsible adventurMacspleuchan, and the Earl of Dred-ers, who, by entering into_the_affair, dlington! The evidence which suf- had become liable to share Lord Dredficed to entitle Mr Aubrey, in prefer-dlington's burden of responsibility, ence to Mr Titmouse, to administer to his lordship must have been totally Lady Stratton, would also suffice to ruined to all intents and purposes. entitle him to an immediate restora- As soon as Sir Sharper Bubble's abtion to the Yatton property! And sconding had opened the eyes of the would the matter rest there? Would public, and of the shareholders, it beno steps be taken, in such an event, to came necessary to take instant meafix him-Gammon-as a partner, or sures for ascertaining the exact state a prime mover, in the fraud and con- of affairs-and the liabilities which spiracy by which alone, it would then had been contracted. Heavens! what be alleged, Titmouse had been en- a frightful array of creditors now abled to recover the property? Ab- made their appearance against the sorbed by these pleasant contempla- Artificial Rain Company! It was intions, he was so lost to all around him, conceivable how so many, and to so that he was within an ace of being immense an amount, could have arisen crushed to death under the wheels of during the short period of the Coman enormous heavily-laden waggon, pany's being in existence; but the which he had not seen approaching, as fact is, that there are always thouhe crossed the street. It might, perhaps, sands of persons who, as soon as they have been well had it been so. The acci- see individuals of undoubted responsident would certainly have saved him bility fairly committed to a speculafrom a 66 sea of troubles," on which, for tion of this sort, will give almost aught we can at present see, he may be unlimited credit, and supply anything tossed for the remainder of his life. which may be ordered on behalf, or for the purposes, of the Company.

The chief object of Mr Gammon's interview with the Earl of Dreddlington, had been to communicate to his lordship information concerning the alarming position in which he stood with reference to the defunct Artifi. cial Rain Company. The prominent and active part which his lordship had been seduced into taking, in the patronage and management of that Company, had naturally marked him out as the fittest object of attack to the creditors. The Company had no Act of Parliament, nor charter, nor deed of settlement; it was simply a huge unwieldy partnership, consisting of all such persons as could be shown to be interested, or to have held themselves out to the world as interested in it: and consequently, whether individually known or not, liable to the public who had dealt with the Company, and given credit to it; on the obvious principle of equity, that all who would seek to share the profits of a speculation, must be responsible for its liabilities. In the present instance, had it not been for the circumstance of there being a considerable number of weak, inex

It had originated in a supposed grand discovery of our philosophical friend, Doctor Diabolus Gander, that there were certain modes of operating upon the atmosphere, by means of electrical agency, which would insure an abundant supply of rain in seasons of the greatest drought. Now, first and foremost among the creditors of the Company, was that famous philosopher himself; who, to constitute himself effectually a creditor, had cunningly declined to take any shares in the concern! - He now claimed £1700 for a series of "preliminary experiments," independently of compensation for his time and services in conducting the aforesaid experiments;

and, in order to put the question of liability beyond all doubt, the Doctor had taken care, from time to time, to invite the more distinguished and wealthy of the shareholders to come and witness his doings-always care. fully noting down their names, and the names also of the witnesses who could prove such attendance-the interest they took in the experiments

their expressed good wishes for the This will suffice to give the uninisuccess of the Company, &c. &c., and tiated reader a glimpse of the real natheir repeated acknowledgments of ture of the liabilities incurred by those the uniform courtesy of the worthy who become partners in this and Doctor, who thought no pains too great similar splendid undertakings. Dr to explain the nature of his surprising Gander got two actions commenced, operations to them-nor to impress the very day after the departure of on the minds of persons who love to Sir Sharper Bubble, against six of the be witnesses, the fact of such visits principal shareholders, in respect of and explanations! Then, again, he his "preliminary experiments," and had entered into an agreement, signed his agreement for ten years' service; by Lord Dreddlington, and one or two and writs came fluttering in from others on behalf of the Company, by other creditors, almost daily; all which he was appointed "permanent which occurrences rendered it necesscientific director" for a period of sary to take measures for ascertainten years, at a salary of £1000 a-year, ing how matters stood, if acting over and above the sums agreed to be with a view to coming speedily to an paid him for "collateral and supple- amicable compromise. After great mentary services." This latter claim, exertions, and attending many meethowever, the Doctor generously offerings, Mr Gammon succeeded in proed to compromise, in consideration of visionally extricating Lord Dredthe exhalation of the Company, on dlington, on his paying down, withpayment of four thousand pounds in twelve months, the sum of down!! Then came a demand amount- £18,000. The Duke of Tantallan ing to little short of £25,000 for an was fixed with a liability for £8000, inconceivable quantity of copper wire, the Marquis of Marmalade for £6000: which had been purchased for the and the latter two peers made the most purpose of being used in all the cities solemn vows, sanctified by vehement and towns which chose to avail them- private imprecations, never to have selves of the services of the Company, anything to do again with joint-stock in the following way-viz. a com- companies: though it must be owned plete circle of electric communication that they had been, as the phrase is, was to be obtained, by attaching wires "let off easily." to the summits of all the church I must not, however, disguise from steeples; and it was necessary that the reader, that the Artificial Rain such wires should be of considerable Company was not the only one with strength and thickness, to prevent which these distinguished personages, their being broken by birds flying together with Lord Dreddlington, had against, and perching upon them become connected. There was the but Dr Gander intimated that he had Gunpowder and Fresh Water Comnearly discovered a mode of charging pany, of which Messrs Quirk, Gamthe wires with the electric fluid, which mon, and Snap, were the solicitors— would cause any bird coming into but sufficient for the day is the evil contact with them, immediately to thereof; and let it suffice for the prefall down dead. Then there were sent to say, that some short time fearful charges for at least nine miles' afterwards, the Duke of Tantallan, on length of leaden pipes and hose, and the part of the Earl of Dreddlington, for steam-engines, and electrical ma-paid down the sum of £10,000 on acchines, and so forth; particularly an item of eight thousand pounds for the expenses of trying the experiment in a village in the extremity of Cornwall, and which was nearly completed, when the unfortunate event occurred, which cccasioned the sudden break up of the Company.

count of the above-mentioned sum of £18,000, the remainder of which was to be called for in six months' time. Mr Gammon, however, could not think of the possibility of the Gunpowder Company's explosion without a shudder, on account of the dreadful extent to which Lord Dreddlington

was implicated, and from which Gam- | frightened into a state of the mos mon feared that there really were no ject submission to all Mr Gamm means of extricating him. What requirements-one of which was, would he then have given, never to preservation of that external decoru have seduced the Earl into such specu- when in public, which had produc lations? Nay, never to have set eyes the favourable impression already a upon either the Earl of Dreddlington, verted to. The other was-a vas or the Lady Cecilia? What advan- contraction of his expenditure. Mr tage had he ever gained, after all, by Gammon insisted upon his disposing his desperate grasp after aristocratic of his house in Park Lane-for months connection? If, nevertheless, the almost destitute of furniture, which had Earl should prove really and perma- fallen a prey to divers of his executionnently insane, what a godsend would creditors-but engaged for him a suit such an event be, in every point of of handsome furnished apartments in view, to Gammon-silencing for ever Chapel Street, May Fair, allowing the chief sufferer and witness-and him the attendance of a valet, as saving Gammon from all the endless usual; and also hiring for him a cab, vexations and anxieties arising out of tiger, groom, and a couple of saddlepersonal explanations and collisions horses, with which Mr Titmouse conwith the man whom he had drawn trived to make an appearance, before into the vortex of pecuniary ruin :so much of the world as was left in shielding Gammon, in short, from a London during the autumn, suitable to world of reproaches and execrations! his station.

As for Mr Titmouse, the fortunate possessor of ten thousand a-year, as thousands, with a sigh of envy, regarded him, the uninitiated, who had an opportunity of watching his public motions, gave him credit for feeling deeply the melancholy bereavement which he had sustained in the loss of his lamented Lady Cecilia; but those more intimately acquainted with his family circumstances, could not help remarking one little ingredient of pleasure in his recent cup of bitterness-viz. that as Lady Cecilia had left no offspring -no dear pledge of affection-Mr Titmouse was not only saved a vast deal of anxiety as to the bringing up of the child, but had become himself heir-apparent to the barony of Drelincourt, on the death of the Earl of Dreddlington; who, whatever might be the effect of his whispered misfortunes in his pecuniary speculations, had not the power, being merely tenant for life under the entail, of injuring the fortune annexed to the title. Though Mr Gammon loathed the sight, and thought, of Titmouse, he was yet the centre of prodigious anxiety to that gentleman, who felt that he had, at all events at present, a deep stake in upholding, to the world, Mr Titmouse's position and credit. He had been

Some of the more clamorous of his creditors, Mr Gammon had contrived to pacify by considerable payments on account, and a solemn assurance that every one of Mr Titmouse's debts was in train of rapid liquidation. Could his creditors, indeed-Gammon asked

fail to see and judge for themselves, what an altered man, in his person and habits, Mr Titmouse had become, since the shock he had received on the death of Lady Cecilia? Had, indeed, he felt never so disposed to reenter the scenes of gay and expensive profligacy, in which he had revelled so madly during the first eighteen months after his extraordinary exaltation; there was a serious obstacle to his doing so, in his having neglected to pay divers heavy "debts of honour, as they are strangely called; for which delinquencies he had twice had his nose pulled in public, and once been horsewhipped. The gates of the sporting world were thus finally closed against him, and so at least one source of profligate expenditure was shut out. Though, however, he was free to ride or drive whithersoever he chose—and that, too, as became a man of fashion, in respect of appearance and equipment - he felt but a prisoner at large, and dependent