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a hand here. I want this job done; I have to go to him directly it is."

Cook did lend a hand, albeit she was at the time filled with wonder: she rendered him every possible assistance, and indulged in the most startling exclamations of surprise; while Judkins, who took no apparent notice of these exclamations, was silently working away like a slave, in order to get at the paper.

In less than an hour the job was complete: and when Judkins had made himself tidy, he went out and flitted before the parlour window, that Sylvester might know that it was done. And this certainly was an admirable scheme as far as it went, but he had to flit about there for some time, in consequence of Sylvester having his back towards the window. This, however, Judkins no sooner perceived, than he got a hammer and a couple of nails, and by virtue of pretending to nail up a branch, effected the object proposed.

"Well, Judkins," said Sylvester, on going to the door, "have you finished your job?"

"Yes, sir."

"You found plenty of room, I suppose?"

"Oh, lots, sir. And the room looks better with two beds than one. It looks fuller."

"No doubt. I'll go up and have a look at it presently."

"Beg pardon, sir," observed Judkins; "but I think, sir, you said you'd be kind enough to lend me a paper."

"Oh yes: I'll get it for you."

"Thank you, sir: thank you."

"Now," said Sylvester, on bringing the paper out, "although you will find that the verdict is against me, you must not suppose that I am guilty of the offence."

"Not for the world, sir: I shouldn't even think of such a thing."

"Well, this is the case," said Sylvester, pointing it out to him.

"Thank you, sir: thank you. I shall be in the tool-house if I should be wanted."

"Very well."

Judkins then left him with his eyes eagerly fixed upon the paper; but he hadn't got half a dozen yards when he stopped, and turning round, said—"Beg pardon, sir; I'm not much of a scholar; will you be so kind as to tell me what crim. con. means?" - "Criminal conversation."

"And this here other word here, sir, versus ?"

"Against."

"Thank you, sir; I like to understand all I read, sir; and now I shall be able to get along."

He then went to the tool-house and shut himself in, and then gave a look at the length of the report. It was a long one: certainly, for him, a very long one: for Judkins was anything but a quick reader. He, notwithstanding this fact, settled himself down, and very soon became so deeply interested in the case, that he never gave the length another thought.