"You are sure yon are not mistaken?" I asked.
"Certain sure," he replied. "Not Mr. Lavender, I don't mean, sir; I mean the other party. 'Wot's he doin' here?' says I. 'It don't look right.'"
"Not by any means," I agreed.
I walked to and fro in the apartment reflecting. This particular Bow Street runner might be here by accident; but it was to imagine a singular play of coincidence that he, who had met Rowley and spoken with him in the "Green Dragon," hard by Aylesbury, should be now in Scotland, where he could have no legitimate business, and by the doors of the bank where Rowley kept his account.
"Rowley," said I, "he didn't see you, did he?"
"Never a fear," quoth Rowley. "Wy, Mr. Anne, sir, if he 'ad you wouldn't have seen me any more! I ain't a hass, sir!"
"Well, my boy, you can put that receipt in your pocket. You'll have no more use for it till you're quite clear of me. Don't lose it, though; it's your share of the Christmas-box: fifteen hundred pounds all for yourself."
"Begging your pardon, Mr. Anne, sir, but wot for?" said Rowley.
"To set up a public-house upon," said I.
"If you'll excuse me, sir, I ain't got any call to set up a public-house, sir," he replied stoutly. "And I tell you wot, sir, it seems to me I'm reether young for the billet, I'm your body servant, Mr. Anne, or else I'm nothink."
"Well, Rowley," I said, "I'll tell you what it's for. It's for the good service you have done me, of which I don't care—and don't dare—to speak. It's for your loyalty and cheerfulness, my dear boy. I had meant it for you; but to tell you the truth, it's past mending now—it has
