done this, Diggs, knowing full well that by rights I am nothing more
than a bookkeeper and never will be more than that, no matter how many
millions I may possess. You have made it your business to live down to
me, and so I am your debtor. Everybody else, from Mr. Force to the
telegraph operator over in the railroad station, looks--but, why go
into all this? You are going, and I wish you the best of luck. The
same to Watson, too, if you please!"

"I shall mention it to Watson, sir. He will be very much gratified."

"And I may be able to throw quite a little business in your way,
Diggs. We shall make it a point to buy our supplies from the firm of--
is it to be Diggs & Watson?

"No, sir. It is to be called the Covent Garden Consolidated Fruit
Company, sir. There is another little matter I'd like to speak about,
Mr. Bingle." Diggs was quite red in the face. "Ahem! I am also
compelled to say that Melissa has given notice, sir."

"Melissa! Impossible! Not MELISSA?"

"Melissa Taylor, sir."

"Why, she is the last one that I--" Words failed him. He looked quite
helpless in the face of this staggering blow.

"I 'ad a great deal of difficulty, sir, in persuading 'er to leave
your employment. She was most determined about it at first, sir."

"You--YOU, Diggs, persuaded her to leave? 'Pon my soul, that was