“Are you certain as to the quality of the land?” inquired Mr. Short.

“Perfectly certain,” was the reply.  “I would not advise you wrong for the world; but I now think it best to form a sort of co-partnership, and purchase the land.  There is no doubt but that we can dispose of it at a great advantage.  Will you not agree to my proposals, and accept?”

“I will,” answered Mr. Short.  “But how can I obtain fifteen hundred dollars?  I have but a snug thousand.”

“O, don’t trouble yourself about that,” replied the delighted squire.  “I will loan you the balance at once.  You can return it at some convenient time.  What say you will you accompany me to the broker’s, and inform him of the agreement?”

Mr. Short, after a moment’s delay, arose, and, laying aside his leather apron, took the squire by the arm, and both sallied forth in search of the office of Varnum Gull.  After wending their way through short streets and long lanes, narrow avenues and wide alleys, they came to a small gate, upon which was fastened a small tin sign with the following inscription:  “V.  Gull, broker, up the yard, round the corner, up two pair of stairs.”  The squire and Mr. Short followed the directions laid down, and, having gone up the yard and turned round the corner, they found themselves at the foot of the stairs.  They stood for a moment silent, and were about to ascend, when a voice from above attracted their attention.

“’Ollo, Squire, ’ere’s the box; walk right up ’ere; only look out, there’s an ’ole in the stairs.”

Our hero looked above, and perceived a man with green spectacles drawing his head in.

“We will go up,” said the squire, “and look out for the hole; but, as the stairway is rather dark, we shall not see much; therefore we shall be obliged to feel our way.”

They ascended, and escaped without injury.  A little short man met them at the door, holding in his hand a paper bearing some resemblance to a map.

“Really, Mr. Smith, I feared you would lose that ’ere bargain I expatiated on.  I ’ave received many good offers, but ’ave reserved it for you.  Your friend, ha?” he continued, at the same time striking Mr. Short in no gentle manner upon the shoulder.

“Not friend Hay, but friend Short,” replied the squire.

“Hall the same, only an error in the spelling,” resumed the broker.  “Good-morning, Mr. Short; s’pose you ’ave become ’quainted with the rare chance I’ve offered, an’t ye? and wish to accept it, don’t ye? and can pay for it, can’t ye?  Such an opportunity is seldom met with, by which to make one’s fortune.”

“Well,” replied Mr. Short, improving the time Mr. Gull stopped to breathe, “well, I had some idea of so doing.”  “Hidea!” quickly responded the broker; “why will you ’esitate? read that!” and he handed a paper to Mr. Short which paper he kept for reference, and pointed out to him an article which read as follows: