and the Athaeneum, and all that; but he's not dreary to meet, he don't

talk Athaeneum like the other parties; why, the most of them would throw

a blight over a skittle alley! Talking of Michael, I ain't bored myself

to put the question, because of course I knew it from the first. You've

made a hash of it, eh?'

'Michael made a hash of it,' said Morris, flushing dark.

'What have we got to do with that?' enquired John.

'He has lost the body, that's what we have to do with it,' cried Morris.

'He has lost the body, and the death can't be established.'

'Hold on,' said John. 'I thought you didn't want to?'

'O, we're far past that,' said his brother. 'It's not the tontine now,

it's the leather business, Johnny; it's the clothes upon our back.'

'Stow the slow music,' said John, 'and tell your story from beginning to

end.' Morris did as he was bid.

'Well, now, what did I tell you?' cried the Great Vance, when the other

had done. 'But I know one thing: I'm not going to be humbugged out of my

property.'

'I should like to know what you mean to do,' said Morris.

'I'll tell you that,' responded John with extreme decision. 'I'm going

to put my interests in the hands of the smartest lawyer in London; and

whether you go to quod or not is a matter of indifference to me.'

'Why, Johnny, we're in the same boat!' expostulated Morris.

'Are we?' cried his brother. 'I bet we're not! Have I committed forgery?

have I lied about Uncle Joseph? have I put idiotic advertisements in the

comic papers? have I smashed other people's statues? I like your cheek,

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