"You see, Sir," pursued the tenant, "this is a very uncomfortable room.

From the appearance of that press, I should be disposed to say that it is not wholly free from bugs; and I really think you might find much more comfortable quarters: to say nothing of the climate of London, which is extremely disagreeable." "You are very right, Sir," said the ghost politely, "it never struck me till now; I'll try change of air directly"-- and, in fact, he began to vanish as he spoke; his legs, indeed, had quite disappeared.

"And if, Sir," said the tenant, calling after him, "if you WOULD have the goodness to suggest to the other ladies and gentlemen who are now engaged in haunting old empty houses, that they might be much more comfortable elsewhere, you will confer a very great benefit on society." "I will," replied the ghost; "we must be dull fellows--very dull fellows, indeed; I can't imagine how we can have been so stupid." With these words, the spirit disappeared; and what is rather remarkable,' added the old man, with a shrewd look round the table, 'he never came back again.' 'That ain't bad, if it's true,' said the man in the Mosaic studs, lighting a fresh cigar.
'IF!' exclaimed the old man, with a look of excessive contempt.

'I suppose,' he added, turning to Lowten, 'he'll say next, that my story about the queer client we had, when I was in an attorney's office, is not true either--I shouldn't wonder.' 'I shan't venture to say anything at all about it, seeing that I never heard the story,' observed the owner of the Mosaic decorations.
'I wish you would repeat it, Sir,' said Mr.Pickwick.
'Ah, do,' said Lowten, 'nobody has heard it but me, and I have nearly forgotten it.' The old man looked round the table, and leered more horribly than ever, as if in triumph, at the attention which was depicted in every face.
Then rubbing his chin with his hand, and looking up to the ceiling as if to recall the circumstances to his memory, he began as follows:-- THE OLD MAN'S TALE ABOUT THE QUEER CLIENT 'It matters little,' said the old man, 'where, or how, I picked up this brief history.

If I were to relate it in the order in which it reached me, I should commence in the middle, and when I had arrived at the conclusion, go back for a beginning.