place in which Rugge was now exhibiting; and then--ah then! Waife
whistled to Sir Isaac, tapped his forehead, and smiled triumphantly.
Meanwhile the Cobbler had led him back into the suburb, with the kind
intention of offering him food and bed for the night at his sister's
house. But Waife had already formed his plan; in London, and in London
alone, could he be sure to learn where Rugge was now exhibiting; in
London there were places at which that information could be gleaned at
once. The last train to the metropolis was not gone. He would slink
round the town to the station: he and Sir Isaac at that hour might secure
places unnoticed.

When Merle found it was in vain to press him to stay over the night, the
good-hearted Cobbler accompanied him to the train, and, while Waife
shrank into a dark corner, bought the tickets for dog and master. As he
was paying for these, he overheard two citizens talking of Mr. Chapman.
It was indeed Mr. Williams explaining to a fellow-burgess just returned
to Gatesboro', after a week's absence, how and by what manner of man Mr.
Hartopp had been taken in. At what Williams said, the Cobbler's cheek
paled. When he joined the Comedian his manner was greatly altered; he
gave the tickets without speaking, but looked hard into Waife's face, as
the latter repaid him the fares. "No," said the Cobbler, suddenly, "I
don't believe it."

"Believe what?" asked Waife, startled. "That you are--"

The Cobbler paused, bent forward, whispered the rest of the sentence
close in the vagrant's ear. Waife's head fell on his bosom, but he made
no answer.

"Speak," cried Merle; "say 't is a lie." The poor cripple's lip writhed,