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but, as a watch, it's valueless. This is it! broken all to pieces you see: I saw him throw it away just before he was secured."
"Well," said Tom, "although the gold is odly worth its weight, I'b very glad that he hasd't got it. But did you ever see such a bagistrate?"
"He's a disgrace to the bench," replied the prosecutor, indignantly; "I have heard of him frequently, but with his conduct this morning I am perfectly disgusted. That fellow is as well known to him as any pickpocket in London, and yet, because his dignity was wounded by the calm and correct observations of the doctor, he must let him loose to prey upon society again, although he had ample evidence upon which to commit him. However, the affair is now at an end, and I have but to repeat my expressions of regret, that I should have given you both so much trouble."
He then left the office with the doctor and Tom, and having seen them into the carriage, was about to take his leave, when a fellow came up to the door, and inquired if they would like to have the proceedings reported at length.
"You are a reporter, I presume?" said the doctor.
"I am," replied the man.
"With which of the newspapers are you connected?"
"Oh, several! But I report specially for the Times, Standard, Herald, and Globe."
"Well," said the doctor, who was anxious, of course, that Tom should not be publicly ridiculed; "I see no necessity for the publication of that nonsense! it had nothing whatever to do with the case."
"Then you would like to have all that suppressed?"
"Why, I cannot conceive any sufficient reason for its insertion."
"I have taken it in full, and the whole of it will be inserted! unless, indeed, you wish to have that, or any other particular portion, suppressed."
"Well, I certainly should like that portion to be left out!"
"Very well, sir; then not a single word of it shall appear. You are, of course, aware that we are paid by the line? and that, therefore, whatever we suppress is a dead loss to us, unless, indeed, the sum we should receive for its insertion be paid to us for its suppression."
"I understand," said the doctor; "and it is but correct that you should be paid the sum you would have for its insertion, by those who wish to have it suppressed. What would be the sum in this case?"
"I think it would make about sixty lines, and I manifold seven—that is to say, I send the report to seven papers, each of which pays me three-halfpence a line; but a couple of sovereigns will be sufficient: say a couple of sovereigns."
"You must allow me to settle this," said the prosecutor; "I have given you trouble enough: you shall not through me be put to any expense."
"I beg pardon," said the doctor, "your loss has been greater than mine. But what security have I," he added, turning to the reporter, "that that which you promise to suppress, will not appear?"
"I am well known here, sir, and I may say, with pride, that my reputation is without a single stain. I shall be happy to refer you to the