On our arrival at the Brown Bear, I was met by a genteel-looking man, who delivered me a letter, and immediately disappeared.

Upon breaking the seal, I found its contents as follows: Dear Sir, Although unknown to me, I have learned enough of your character to pronounce you a trump, a prime cock, and nothing but a good one.

I am detained by John Doe and Richard Roe with their d----d _fieri facias_, or I should be with you.

However, I trust you will excuse the liberty I take in requesting you will make use of the enclosed for the purpose of shaking yourself out of the ~97~~hands of the scouts and their pals.

We shall have some opportunities of meeting, when I will explain: in the mean time, believe me I am Your's truly, Tom.
"With this advice, so consonant with my own opinion, I immediately complied; and having satisfied the broken-headed Charley, and paid all expences incurred, I was induced to walk into the office merely to give a look around me, when by a lucky chance I saw you enter.