“Then the sooner you get it taken up, and the less you have to do with Miss Snape’s bill affairs, the better.”

“She has always been punctual hitherto.”

“That may be.”  I pointed to the cross-writing on the document, and said deliberately, “This bill is a forgery!”

At these words the poor man turned pale.  He snatched up the document, and with many incoherent protestations, was rushing toward the door, when I called to him in an authoritative tone, to stop.  He paused—­his manner indicating not only doubt, but fear.  I said to him, “Don’t flurry yourself; I only want to serve you.  You tell me that you are a married man, with children, dependent on daily labor for daily bread, and that you have done a little discounting for Miss Snape, out of your earnings.  Now, although I am a bill-discounter, I don’t like to see such men victimized.  Look at the body of this bill—­look at the signature of your lady-customer, the drawer.  Don’t you detect the same fine, thin, sharp-pointed handwriting in the words ’Accepted, Dymmock Munge.”  The man, convinced against his will, was at first overcome.  When he recovered, he raved; he would expose the Honorable Miss Snape, if it cost him his bread—­he would go at once to the police office.  I stopped him, by saying roughly, “Don’t be a fool!  Any such steps would seal your ruin.  Take my advice; return the bill to the lady, saying, simply, that you cannot get it discounted.  Leave the rest to me, and I think the bill you have indorsed to Sparkle will be paid.”  Comforted by this assurance, Axminster, fearfully changed from the nervous, but smug, hopeful man of the morning, departed.  It now remained for me to exert what skill I possessed, to bring about the desired result.  I lost no time in writing a letter to the Honorable Miss Snape, of which the following is a copy:—­

“Madam,—­A bill, purporting to be drawn by you, has been offered to me for discount.  There is something wrong about it; and, though a stranger to you, I advise you to lose no time in getting it back into your own hands.—­D.D.”

I intended to deal with the affair quietly, and without any view to profit.  The fact is, that I was sorry—­you may laugh—­but I really was sorry to think that a young girl might have given way to temptation under pressure of pecuniary difficulties.  If it had been a man’s case, I doubt whether I should have interfered.  By the return of post, a lady’s maid entered my room, profusely decorated with ringlets, lace, and perfumed with patchouli.  She brought a letter from her mistress.  It ran thus:—­

“Sir,—­I cannot sufficiently express my thanks for your kindness in writing to me on the subject of the bills, of which I had also heard a few hours previously.  As a perfect stranger to you, I cannot estimate your kind consideration at too high a value.  I trust the matter will be explained; but I should much like to see you.  If you would be kind enough to write a note as soon as you receive this, I will order it to be sent to me at once to Tyburn Square.  I will wait on you at any hour on Friday you may appoint.  I believe that I am not mistaken in supposing that you transact business for my friend, Sir John Markham, and you will therefore know the inclosed to be his handwriting.  Again thanking you most gratefully, allow me to remain your much and deeply obliged, JULIANA SNAPE.”