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Now Mr Melmotte's presence certainly had not been expected It was known that it was his habit to be in the City at this hour It was known also that he ell aware that thiswas to be held in this rooht well have surmised hat view There was now declared hostility between both the Longestaffes and Mr Melentlemen concerned that he would not have put himself out of the way to meet them on this occasion 'Gentle at the present estaffe siht and thrust his thuot to take his hat off, whistled a bar, and then turned a pirouette on his heel That was his h surprise at the appearance of his debtor 'I fear that you do think I a,' said Melmotte, 'but I trust that what I have to say will be held to excuse lancing at the still open drawer, 'that you have been exa your desk I hope that you will beit than you hen you left it before'

'The draas locked when I left it,' said Mr Longestaffe 'I make no deductions and draw no conclusions, but the draas locked'

'Then I should say it must have been locked when you returned to it'

'No, sir, I found it open I make no deductions and draw no conclusions,--but I left it locked and I found it open'

'I should make a deduction and draw a conclusion,' said Dolly; 'and that would be that somebody else had opened it'

'This can answer no purpose at all,' said Bideawhile

'It was but a chance remark,' said Melreat personal inconvenience to myself to squabble about the lock of the drawer As I was inforht the opportunity a suitable one foryou an offer about this unfortunate business' He paused a moment; but neither of the three spoke It did occur to Dolly to ask thehts he reflected that a great deal of trouble would have to be taken, and probably for no good 'Mr Bideawhile, I believe,' suggested Melhtly I wrote to you offering to pay the money due to your clients--'