“I shall attend,” said the landlord, “of course, to identify him; and I suppose, unless anybody claims the horse, I may as well keep possession of it.”

“Don’t you flatter yourself that you will get the horse out of the transaction.  Don’t you know quite well that the government takes possession of everything as don’t belong to nobody?”

“Yes; but I have got him, and possession, you know, is nine points of the law.”

“It may be so; but their tenth point will get the better of you for all that.  You take my word for it, the horse will be claimed of you; but I don’t mind, as an old acquaintance, putting you up to a dodge.”

“In what way?”

“Why, I’ll tell you what happened with a friend of mine; but don’t think it was me for if it was I would tell you at once, so don’t think it.  He kept a country public-house; and, one day, an elderly gentleman came in, and appeared to be unwell.  He just uttered a word or two, and then dropped down dead.  He happened to have in his fob a gold repeater, that was worth, at least a hundred guineas, and my friend, before anybody came, took it out, and popped in, in its stead, an old watch that he had, which was not worth a couple of pounds.”

“It was running a risk.”

“It was; but it turned out very well, because the old gentleman happened to be a very eccentric person, and was living alone, so that his friends really did not know what he had, or what he had not, but took it for granted that any watch produced belonged to him.  So, if I were you in this case, when the gentleman’s horse is claimed.  I’d get the d—­dest old screw I could, and let them have that.”

“You would?”

“Indeed would I, and glory in it, too, as the very best thing that could be done.  Now, a horse is of use to you?”

“I believe ye, it is.”

“Exactly; but what’s the use of it to government? and, what’s more, if it went to the government, there might be some excuse; but the government will know no more about it, and make not so much as I shall.  Some Jack-in-office will lay hold of it as a thing of course and a perquisite, when you might just as well, and a great deal better, too, keep it yourself, for it would do you some good, as you say, and none to them.”

“I’ll do it; it is a good and a happy thought.  There is no reason on earth why I shouldn’t do it, and I will.  I have made up my mind to it now.”

“Well, I am glad you have.  What do you think now the dead man’s horse is worth?”

“Oh! fifty or sixty guineas value.”

“Then very good.  Then, when the affair is all settled, I will trouble you for twenty pounds.

“You?”

“Yes, to be sure.  Who else do you suppose is going to interfere with you?  One is enough, ain’t it, at a time; and I think, after giving you such advice as I have, that I am entitled, at all events, to something.”

“I tell you what,” said the landlord of the hotel, “taking all things into consideration, I have altered my mind rather, and won’t do it.”