Now, it so happened, that during the whole of the preceding week I had worn a black hat and gray pantaloons; indeed, I had them on yet, and, to tell the truth, I had no others.  Therefore, this part of the case was all clear enough.  There was no reason why the gentleman inquired for should not be me.  I had certainly ridden in a stage in the last week, and I remember very well that I passed up the fare for lady with blue eyes.  I performed a similar service for several ladies; but one of them, I am sure, had blue eyes.  As to the high-heeled boots I suppose she wore them, but how was I to know that?  At all events it would be a piece of the most culpable indifference to my welfare to neglect this chance.  Fortune! and through a lady, too!  To think of it!  The promised advantage might be great or small, but whatever it was, it would be most welcome.  And the honor, too!  A piece of positive advantage for an act of manly gallantry!

I immediately put on that black hat, and with those identical gray trowsers upon my legs, I strode down to 321 Dash street, and mounted instantly to the second floor.  As there was but one entrance door from the stair-way on this floor, I felt certain that I had found the right place.

The business of Mr. A.R.R. was evidently a very profitable one, for his room was quite full of people.  I inquired of a boy for the author of the notice I held in my hand, (I had carefully cut it from the paper,) and was informed that this was the right place, and that the gentleman would see me in a few moments.  I took a seat and regarded the persons who were standing and sitting about the room.  They were all men, and in a few minutes I discovered, to my great surprise, that they all wore black hats and gray pantaloons!

I must admit, that when I made this discovery, I experienced a very peculiar sensation, as if some one had suddenly dropped a little ice-water down my back.  Was it possible that all these men were here in answer to that advertisement, which I considered addressed to me alone?  There were all sorts of them; old gentlemen with heads grayer than their pants; young fellows who looked like clerks; and middle-aged men, who seemed like very respectable heads of families.  Was it possible that each one of those individuals had, in the last week, passed up the fare of a blue-eyed lady with high-heeled boots?  And did each one of them expect to enjoy that advantage for which I came here?  One thing was certain; they did not announce to each other their business, but looked at their watches and tapped their boots, and knitted their brows as if each one of them had come on very particular business, which had nothing to do with the affairs of the general crowd.  But all those gray trowsers!  There was no concealing them.

A door, leading into an adjoining room, now opened quickly, and Mr. A.R.R. made his appearance.  No one doubted that he was the man, for he bowed politely, and seemed to expect the company.  He was a tall, thin, and well-dressed man, and held in his hand a small package.  Instantly upon his appearance every man in the room stuck his thumb and forefinger into his vest pocket, and pulling out a little piece of printed paper, said, “Sir, I called—­” A.R.R. waved his hand.