It was shortly after his elevation to the Bench, and before these signs of change had become noticeable, that the same strange raggamuffin whom we have mentioned before, as introduced by Mr. Swoppem to a private conference with Brandon, was admitted to the Judge's presence.
"Well," said Brandon impatiently, the moment the door was closed, "your news?"
"Vy, your Onor," said the man bashfully, twirling a thing that stood proxy for a hat, "I thinks as ow I shall be hable to satisfy your vorship's onor." Then approaching the Judge, and assuming an important air, he whispered—
"'Tis as ow I thought!"
"My God!" cried Brandon with vehemence. "And, he is alive?—and where?"
"I believes," answered the seemly confidant of Sir William Brandon, "that he be's alive, and if he be's alive, may I flash my ivories in a glass case, if I does not ferret him out; but as to saying vhere he be at this nick o' the moment, smash me if I can!"
"Is he in this country?" said Brandon; "or do you believe that he has gone abroad?"
