But a document it is, under hand and seal, and your signature is witnessed, Mr.Cheeseman." "Ah well! Let me consider.

I begin to remember something.

But my memory is not as it used to be, and twenty years makes a great hole in it.

Will you kindly allow me to see this paper, if you have it with you, sir ?" "It is not a paper; it is written upon parchment, and I have not brought it with me.

But I have written down the intention of it, and it is as follows: "'This indenture made between James Cheeseman (with a long description), of the one part, and Montagu Carne (treated likewise), of the other part, after a long account of some arrangement made between them, witnesseth that in consideration of the sum of 300 pounds well and truly paid by the said Montagu Carne to Cheeseman, he, the said Cheeseman, doth assign, transfer, set over, and so on, to the said Carne, etc., one equal undivided moiety and one half part of the other moiety of and in a certain vessel, ship, trading-craft, and so forth, known or thenceforth to be known as the London Trader, of Springhaven, in the county of Sussex, by way of security for the interest at the rate of five per cent.