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THE SIEGE
91

rasping tones he related how they had so far foiled him.

Mr. Montague Fitzgerald heard him to the end with close attention; then, frowning darkly, he said in a sinister tone, "The thing for you to do, Goole, is to pounce—pounce."

"But 'ow, guv'nor?" said the sorrowful Goole.

"I'll show you. I'll put you on to him," said Mr. Montague Fitzgerald with heartening confidence. "Your not going to the Temple this morning will put him off his guard. We shall catch him at once. It's a dead snip."

"Right, O guv'nor," said the bailiff hopefully.

Mr. Montague Fitzgerald handed him over to his man, with instructions that he was to have beer, and once more addressed himself grossly to his liver and bacon. After his breakfast he smoked much of a large, thick, black cigar; and then, his heart aglow at the prospect of not only himself worsting the man who had not paid him sixty per cent., but also of witnessing his discomfiture, he drove to the Law Courts with Goole. He had reckoned without Pollyooly.

Pollyooly came forth from the chambers of the