"Shall we say fifty pounds ?" Mr.Basket took off his spectacles and wiped them with a trembling hand.

Dr.Hansombody stood considering, pulling thoughtfully at his lower lip.
"I think I can undertake," he suggested, "that the Town Council will contribute a moiety of that sum.

Something can be done by private subscription." Mr.Basket brightened visibly.

"Put it at fifty pounds, then," he commanded, with a wave of the hand.

"Should Providence see fit to restore him to us, our friend, as a reasonable man, will doubtless discharge some part of the expenses." Accordingly the bill was drafted, and the Chief Constable, after running his blue pencil through some of its more monumental periods, engaged to have it printed and distributed.
"Do you know," confessed Mr.Basket, as he and the Doctor walked homewards, "I felt all the while as if we were composing our friend's epitaph.