Here was a poser to begin with.

I looked up and caught the eye of Doubleday, who, evidently enjoying my perplexity, was watching me.
"I say," I ventured to say, "does he mean--" "Hold your tongue, sir," broke out the virtuous Doubleday.

"Didn't you hear Mr Barnacle say you were to get no assistance?
What do you mean by it?
I'm ashamed of you; so's Wallop." "I shall mention the matter to the governor," observed Wallop, with a grin at his ally.
"Oh, don't," I said.

"I beg your pardon!" It was evidently hopeless to expect any light from without on the problem, so I decided for myself I would include the account in question.

I was just beginning to copy it out, and to shut my ears to the chaff that was going on around me, when the counting-house door opened, and the solemn face of my friend Smith appeared, asking if Messrs.