100 THE BUBBLE BURST.

what you suspect—I never took a sixpence which
was not my own—but yet of that money I cannot
give an account.”

“ It looks suspicious,” said Mr. Osborne.

“It does,” said Reynolds, “but that I cannot
help—all I can ask igs four-and-twenty hours for
consideration.”

“ You shall have it,” said Mr. Osborne.

It was Mr. Isaacs’s custom after seven o clock to
sit in the back parlour, where he read the newspaper,
or dozed a little,—after that time the apprentices
were alone.

“ Williams,” said Reynolds, as soon as he was
gone, “you have got me into a pretty scrape about
changing that guinea for you.”

Williams felt as if his very heart grew chill.

“It -was light weight,” said Reynolds, “and
Reeves has brought it back again. Mr. Osborne in-
sists on knowing how I came by it; there was, it
seems, his private mark on it,”

“ How came he to know anything about it?’
asked Williams angrily. Reynolds told,

“ The deuce take it!” muttered Williams.

“ Well,” said Reynolds, “ it is your own affair, you
know. I have confessed nothing, because I would not
betray you—but if blame there be about it—you
must bear it. I am innocent and can clear myself in
& minute, and would have done so if it had not been
for getting you into trouble about that girl.”

“ The deuce take it,” again muttered Williams,

“ You must make up your mind about what
you ‘ll do,” said Reynolds, “ I shall clear myself to-
morrow.”

“ Clear yourself, and be hanged to you,” returned