I always say he's connected with the swell mob, or croupier at a gambling-table, or something of that kind.

Don't you think it's likely, now ?" Mark was in the habit of so saying for the purpose of tormenting the Doctor, who held stoutly to his old belief, that John Briggs was a very clever man, and would turn up some day as a distinguished literary character.
"Well," said Tom, "honest or not, he's thriving; came down inside the coach, dressed in the distinguished foreigner style, with lavender kid gloves, and French boots." "Just like a swell pickpocket," said Mark.

"I always told you so, Thurnall." "He had the old Byron collar, and Raphael hair, though." "Nasty, effeminate, un-English foppery," grumbled Mark; "so he may be in the scribbling line after all." "I'll go and see if I can find him," quoth the Doctor.
"Bother you," said Mark, "always running out o' nights after somebody else's business, instead of having a jolly evening.

You stay, Tom, like a sensible fellow, and tell me and Mary some more travellers' lies.

Had much sporting, boy ?" "Hum! I've shot and hunted every beast, I think, shootable and huntable, from a humming-bird to an elephant; and I had some splendid fishing in Canada; but, after all, give me a Whitbury trout, on a single-handed Chevalier.