On the day following that on which Mr. Neefit made his journey to the Moonbeam, Sir Thomas Underwood was at his chambers in London. It was now eight weeks since his bone had been broken, and though he still carried his arm in a sling, he declared of himself that he was able to go about as usual;—which assertion was taken at the villa as meaning that he was now able to live in Southampton Buildings without further assistance from women. When Patience reminded him, with tears in her eyes, that he could not as yet put on his own coat, he reminded her that Stemm was the most careful of men. Up to London he went with a full understanding that he was not at any rate to be expected home on that night. He had business on hand of great importance, which, as he declared, made his presence in town imperative. Mr. Trigger, from Percycross, was to be up with reference to the pestilent petition which had been presented against the return of Griffenbottom and himself. Moggs had petitioned on his own behalf, and two of the Liberals of the borough had also petitioned in the interest of Mr. Westmacott. The two Liberal parties who had quarrelled during the contest had now again joined forces in reference to the petition, and there was no doubt that the matter would go on before the judge. Mr. Trigger was coming up to London with reference to the defence. Sir Thomas gave Stemm to understand that Mr. Trigger would call at one o\'clock.

Exactly at one o\'clock the bell was rung at Sir Thomas\'s outside door, and Stemm was on the alert to give entrance to Mr. Trigger. When the door was opened who should present himself but our unfortunate friend Neefit. He humbly asked whether Sir Thomas was within, and received a reply which, as coming from Stemm, was courteous in the extreme. "Mr. Trigger, I suppose;—walk in, Mr. Trigger." Neefit, not at all understanding why he was called Trigger, did walk in. Stemm, opening the door of his master\'s sanctum, announced Mr. Trigger. Neefit advanced into the middle of the room. Sir Thomas, with some solicitude as to the adjustment of his arm, rose to greet his agent from Percy cross. "This isn\'t Mr. Trigger," said Sir Thomas. "He told me he was, anyhow," said Stemm, "I didn\'t tell you nothing of the kind," said Neefit. "But you come from Percycross?" said Sir Thomas. "No I don\'t; I comes from Conduit Street," said Neefit. "You must go away," said Stemm, leaving the door open, and advancing into the room as though to turn the enemy\'s flank.

But Neefit, having made good his point so far, did not intend to be dislodged without a struggle on his own part. "I\'ve something to say to Sir Thomas about Mr. Newton, as I wants to say very particular." "You can\'t say it now," said Stemm. "Oh, but I can," said Neefit, "and it won\'t take three minutes." "Wouldn\'t another day do for it, as I am particularly busy now?" pleaded Sir Thomas. "Well, Sir Thomas;—to tell the truth, it wouldn\'t," said Mr. Neefit, standing his ground. Then there came another ring at the bell. "Ask Mr. Trigger to sit down in the other room for two minutes, Stemm," said Sir Thomas. And so Mr. Neefit had carried his point. "And now, sir," said Sir Thomas, "as I am particularly engaged, I will ask you to be as quick as possible."

"My name is Neefit," began the breeches-maker,—and then paused. Sir Thomas, who had heard the name from Ralph, but had forgotten it altogether, merely bowed his head. "I am the breeches-maker of Conduit Street," continued Mr. Neefit, with a proud conviction that he too had ascended so high in his calling as to be justified in presuming that he was known to mankind. Sir Thomas again bowed. Neefit went on with his story. "Mr. Newton is a-going to behave to me very bad."

"If he owes you money, he can pay you now," said Sir Thomas.

"He do owe me money;—a thousand pound he owe me."

"A thousand pounds for breeches!"

"No, Sir Thomas. It\'s most for money lent; but it\'s not along of that as I\'d trouble you. I know how to get my money, or to put up with the loss if I don\'t. A thousand pound ain\'t here nor there,—not in what I\'ve got to say. I wouldn\'t demean myself to ring at your bell, Sir Thomas;—not in the way of looking for a thousand pounds."

"In God\'s name, then, what is it? Pray be quick."

"He\'s going back from his word as he\'s promised to my daughter. That\'s what it is." As Neefit paused again, Sir Thomas remembered Ralph\'s proposition, made in his difficulties, as to marrying a tradesman\'s daughter for money, and at once fell to the conclusion that Mr. and Miss Neefit had been ill-used. "Sir Thomas," continued the breeches-maker, "I\'ve been as good as a father to him. I gave him money when nobody else wouldn\'t."

"Do you mean that he has had money from you?"

"Yes; in course he has; ever so much. I paid for him a lot of money to \'Orsball, where he \'unts. Money! I should think so. Didn\'t I pay Moggs for him, the bootmaker? The very money as is rattling in his pocket now is my money."

"And he engaged himself to your daughter?"

"He engaged hisself to me to marry her. He won\'t say no otherwise himself. And he asked her twice. Why, Sir Thomas, he was all on the square about it till the old gentleman broke his neck. He hadn\'t nowhere else to go to for a shilling. But now the estate\'s come in like, he\'s for behaving dishonourable. He don\'t know me yet; that\'s what he don\'t. But I\'ll make him know me, Sir Thomas."

Then the door was opened, and Stemm\'s head appeared. "Mr. Trigger says as he\'s in the greatest possible haste, Sir Thomas." The reader, however, may as well be informed that this was pure invention on the part of Mr. Stemm.

Sir Thomas tore his hair and rubbed his face. He couldn\'t bid Neefit to call again, as he certainly did not desire to have a second visit. "What can I do for you, Mr. Neefit? I have no doubt the money will be paid, if owing. I will guarantee that for you."

"It ain\'t the money. I knows how to get my mon............