"I say, Meester Pepper," said Dummie, clearing his throat, when he had
obeyed the request, "can you tell I, if so be you 'as met in your travels
our little Paul? Poor chap! You knows as 'ow and vy he was sent to quod
by Justice Burnflat. Vel, ven he got out, he vent to the devil, or
summut like it, and ve have not 'card a vord of him since. You 'members
the lad,--a 'nation fine cull, tall and straight as a harrow!"

"Why, you fool," said Ned, "don't you know"--then checking himself
suddenly, "Ah! by the by, that rigmarole oath! I was not to tell; though
now it's past caring for, I fear! It is no use looking after the seal
when the letter's burned."

"Blow me," cried Dunnaker, with unaffected vehemence, "I sees as how you
know vot's come of he! Many's the good turn I'll do you, if you vill but
tell I."

"Why, does he owe you a dozen bobs; or what, Dummie?" said Ned.

"Not he,--not he," cried Dummie.

"What then, you want to do him a mischief of some sort?"

"Do little Paul a mischief!" ejaculated Dummie; "vy, I've known the cull
ever since he was that high! No, but I vants to do him a great sarvice,
Meester Pepper, and myself too,--and you to boot, for aught that I know,
Meester Pepper."

"Humph!" said Ned,--"humph! what do you mean? I do, it is true, know
where Paul is; but you must tell me first why you wish to know, otherwise