business, one way or another. Now, between you and me, mister, what did
she lend you on that bit o' stuff?"

"Three pounds fifteen," replied Lauriston.

"That's about it," assented Melky, with a nod. He leaned a little nearer.
"You don't want to sell the ticket?" he suggested. "Give you a couple o'
quid for it, if you do."

"You seem very anxious to buy that watch," said Lauriston, laughing. "No--
I don't want to sell the ticket--not I! I wouldn't part with that watch
for worlds."

"Well, if you don't, you don't," remarked Melky. "And as to wanting to
buy--that's my trade. I ain't no reg'lar business--I buy and sell,
anything that comes handy, in the gold and silver line. And as you ain't
going to part with that ticker on no consideration, I'll tell you what
it's worth, old as it is. Fifteen quid!"

"That's worth knowing, any way," said Lauriston. "I shall always have
something by me then, while I have that. You'd have made a profit of a
nice bit, then, if I'd sold it to you?"

"It 'ud be a poor world, mister, if you didn't get no profit, wouldn't
it?" assented Melky calmly. "We're all of us out to make profit. Look
here!--between you and me--you're a lit'ry gent, ain't you? Write a bit,
what? Do you want to earn a fiver--comfortable?"

"I should be very glad," replied Lauriston.