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A NEW ACQUAINTANCE--THE STROLLER'S TALE--A DISAGREEABLE.
INTERRUPTION, AND AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER Mr.Pickwick had felt some apprehensions in consequence of the unusual absence of his two friends, which their mysterious behaviour during the whole morning had by no means tended to diminish.

It was, therefore, with more than ordinary pleasure that he rose to greet them when they again entered; and with more than ordinary interest that he inquired what had occurred to detain them from his society.

In reply to his questions on this point, Mr.Snodgrass was about to offer an historical account of the circumstances just now detailed, when he was suddenly checked by observing that there were present, not only Mr.Tupman and their stage-coach companion of the preceding day, but another stranger of equally singular appearance.

It was a careworn-looking man, whose sallow face, and deeply-sunken eyes, were rendered still more striking than Nature had made them, by the straight black hair which hung in matted disorder half-way down his face.