Bertie saw and understood, and with the quiet motion of a cat he abstracted the letter and made himself acquainted with its contents.

The doctor, however, had seen him, deep as he appeared to be mersed in his egg-shell, and said in his harshest voice, "Well, sir, do you know that gentleman ?" "Yes, sir," said Bertie.

"I have a sort of acquaintance with him, but none that can justify him in troubling you.

If you will allow me, sir, I will answer this." "At any rate I shan't," said the father, and then he added, after a pause, "Is it true, sir, that you owe the man L700 ?" "Well," said Bertie, "I think I should be inclined to dispute the amount, if I were in a condition to pay him such of it as I really do owe him." "Has he your bill for L700 ?" said the father, speaking very loudly and very angrily.
"Well, I believe he has," said Bertie, "but all the money I ever got from him was L150." "And what became of the L550 ?" "Why, sir, the commission was L100 or so, and I took the remainder in paving-stones and rocking-horses." "Paving-stones and rocking-horses!" said the doctor.

"Where are they ?" "Oh, sir, I suppose they are in London somewhere--but I'll inquire if you wish for them." "He's an idiot," said the doctor, "and it's sheer folly to waste more money on him.