never before been so nearly knocked down in his life. Perhaps he suspected as much; for he took his hand off the box in a great hurry.

"It was inadwertent, sir," he remarked in explanation" a little inadwertency of mine, that's all. But could you 'blige me vith that card o' terms? The young gentleman as wants it has heerd of your advertisement; and, bein' d'awful shaky in his pronounciashun, as vell as 'scruciatin' bad at readin' aloud, he's 'ard up for improvement—the sort o' secret thing you gives, you know, to the oraytors and the clujjymen, at three-and-six an hour. You'll heer from him in secret, Mr. Wray, sir; and precious vork you'll 'ave to git him to rights; but do just 'blige me 'vith the card o' terms and the number of the 'ouse; 'cos I promised to git 'em for him to day."

"There is a card, sir, and I will engage to improve his delivery be it ever so bad," said Mr. Wray, considerably relieved at hearing the real nature of the stranger's errand.

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Miss, and gentlemen both, good mornin',' said the man, putting on his cat-skin cap, "you'll heer from the young gentleman to-day; and wotever you

do, sir, mind you keep the h'applicashun a secretmind that!" He winked; and went out.

"I declare," muttered Mr. Wray, as the door closed, "I thought he was a thief-taker from Stratford. Think of his being only a messenger from a new pupil! I told you we should have a pupil to-day. I told you so."

"A very strange-looking messenger, grandfather, for a young gentleman to choose!" said Annie.

"He can't help his looks, my dear; and I'm sure we shan't mind them, if he brings us money. Have hav'nt I'll open

you seen enough of the mask? if

the box again."

you

"Enough for to-day, I think, grandfather. But, tell me, why do you keep the mask in that old cashbox ?"

"Because I've nothing else, Annie, that will hold

it, and lock up too. I was sorry, my dear, to disturb your odds and ends,' as you call them; but really there was nothing else to take. Stop! I've a thought! Julius Cæsar shall make me a new box for the mask, and then you shall have your old one back

again."

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I don't want it, grandfather! I'd rather we none of us had it. Carrying a cash-box like that about

with us, might make some people think we had money in it."

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That's

"Money! People think I have any money! Come, come, Annie! that really won't do! much too good a joke, you sly little puss, you!" And the old man laughed heartily, as he hurried off, to deposit the precious mask in his bedroom.

"You'll make that new box, Julius Cæsar, won't you?" said Annie earnestly, as soon as her grandfather left the room.

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'I'll get some wood, this very day," answered the carpenter, “and turn out such a box, by to-morrow, as-as- He was weak at comparisons; so he stopped at the second “ as."

"Make it quick, dear, make it quick," said the little girl, anxiously; "and then we'll give away the old cash-box. If grandfather had only told us what he was going to do, at first, he need never have used it; for you could have made him a new box beforehand. But, never mind! make it quick, now!"

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Oh, Julius Cæsar!" strictly obey your little

betrothed in this, as in all other injunctions! You know not how soon that new box may be needed, or how much evil it may yet prevent !

CHAPTER V.

CHUMMY DICK.

PERHAPS, by this time, you are getting tired of three such simple, homely characters as Mr. and Miss Wray, and Mr. "Julius Cæsar," the carpenter. I strongly suspect you, indeed, of being downright anxious to have a little literary stimulant provided in the shape of a villain. You shall taste this stimulant-double distilled; for I have two villains all ready for you in the present chapter.

But, take my word for it, when you know your new company, you will be only too glad to get back again to Mr. Wray and his family.

About three miles from Tidbury-on-the-Marsh, there is a village called Little London; sometimes, popularly entitled, in allusion to the characters frequenting it, "Hell-End." "Hell-End." It is a dirty, ruinous