had the money, luckily."

"Ah! dat is better. But he have lost hees b-?"

"Yes, yes;" I was now getting rather impatient. "There is no
mistake about it. He has lost them as sure as you stand there."
And then I proceeded to explain that as the gentleman in question
was very stout, and as he, the landlord, was stoat also, he might
assist us in this great calamity by a loan from his own wardrobe.

When he found that the money was not in the pocket, and that his
bill therefore would be paid, he was not indisposed to be gracious.
He would, he said, desire his servant to take up what was required
to Mr. Horne's chamber. I endeavoured to make him understand that a
sombre colour would be preferable; but he only answered that he
would put the best that he had at the gentleman's disposal. He
could not think of offering anything less than his best on such an
occasion. And then he turned his back and went his way, muttering
as he went something in Flemish, which I believed to be an
exclamation of astonishment that any man should, under any
circumstances, lose such an article.

It was now getting late; so when I had taken a short stroll by
myself, I went to bed without disturbing Mr. Horne again that night.
On the following morning I thought it best not to go to him unless
he sent for me; so I desired the boots to let him know that I had
ordered breakfast in a private room, and that I would await him
there unless he wished to see me. He sent me word back to say that
he would be with me very shortly.