The rage of the attorney when he found he could extract nothing from Jennings was frightful.  He literally foamed with passion, uttered the wildest threats; and then suddenly changing his key, offered the astounded cobbler one—­two—­three thousand pounds—­any sum he chose to name, for the papers—­documents!  This scene of alternate violence and cajolery lasted nearly an hour; and then Sowerby rushed from the house as if pursued by the furies, and leaving his auditor in a state of thorough bewilderment and dismay.  It occurred to Caleb, as soon as his mind had settled into something like order, that there might be another secret drawer; and the recollection of Mr. Lisle’s journey to London recurred suggestively to him.  Another long and eager search, however, proved fruitless; and the suspicion was given up, or, more correctly, weakened.

As soon as it was light the next morning, Mr. Sowerby was again with him.  He was more guarded now, and was at length convinced that Jennings had no paper or document to give up.  “It was only some important memoranda,” observed the attorney carelessly, “that would save me a world of trouble in a lawsuit I shall have to bring against some heavy debtors to Mr. Lisle’s estate; but I must do as well as I can without them.  Good morning.”  Just as he reached the door a sudden thought appeared to strike him.  He stopped and said, “By the way, Jennings, in the hurry of business I forgot that Mr. Lisle had told me the chest of drawers you bought, and a few other articles, were family relics which he wished to be given to certain parties he named.  The other things I have got; and you, I suppose, will let me have the drawers for—­say a pound profit on your bargain?”

Caleb was not the acutest man in the world; but this sudden proposition, carelessly as it was made, suggested curious thoughts.  “No,” he answered; “I shall not part with it.  I shall keep it as a memorial of Mr. Lisle.”

Sowerby’s face assumed as Caleb spoke, a ferocious expression.  “Shall you?” said he.  “Then, be sure, my fine fellow, that you shall also have something to remember me by as long as you live.”

He then went away, and a few days afterwards Caleb was served with a writ for the recovery of the two hundred pounds.

The affair made a great noise in the place; and Caleb’s conduct being very generally approved, a subscription was set on foot to defray the cost of defending the action—­one Hayling, a rival attorney to Sowerby, having asserted that the words used by the proprietor of the chest of drawers at the sale barred his claim to the money found in them.  This wise gentleman was intrusted with the defence; and strange to say, the jury—­a common one—­spite of the direction of the judge returned a verdict for the defendant, upon the ground that Sowerby’s jocular or sneering remark amounted to a serious, valid leave and license to sell two hundred pounds for five pounds ten shillings!