As I am!--down to the ground." "And what do you want to see me about ?" inquired Copplestone.

"What's this bit of news you've got to tell ?" Zachary Spurge thrust a hand inside his velveteen jacket and drew out a much folded and creased paper, which, on being unwrapped, proved to be the bill which offered a reward for the finding of Bassett Oliver.

He held it up before his visitor.
"This!" he said.

"A thousand pound is a vast lot o' money, guv'nor! Now, if I was to tell something as I knows of, what chances should I have of getting that there money ?" "That depends," replied Copplestone.

"The reward is to be given to--but you see the plain wording of it.