Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/488

402 402 POSTHUMOU-S PAPERS OF THE PICKWICK CLUB.

" You," replied Mr. Pickwick.

" Wery good, Sir."

With these words Mr. Weller left the room, and immediately after- wards was heard to shut the street door. In two hours' time he re- turned with as much coolness as if he had been despatched on the mo;?t ordinary message possible, and broug-ht the information that an indi- vidual in every respect answering Mr. Winkle's description had gone over to Bristol that morning, by the branch coach from the Koyal Hotel.

" Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, grasping his hand, " you're a capital fel- low ; an invaluable fellow. You must follow him, Sam."

" Cert'nly, Sir," replied Mr. Weller.

" The instant you discover him, write to me immediately, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick. " If he attempts to run away from you, knock him down, or lock him up. You have my full authority, Sam."

" I'll be wery careful, Sir," rejoined Sam.

" You'll tell him," said Mr. Pickwick, *' that I am highly excited, highly displeased, and naturally indignant at the very extraordinary course he has thought proper to pursue.

" I will, Sir," replied Sam.

back to this very house, with you, he will come back with me, for I will come and fetch him."
 * ' You'll tell him," said Mr. Pickwick, " that if he does not come


 * ' I'll mention that 'ere, Sir," rejoined Sam.

earnestly in his face.
 * ' You think you can find him, Sam ?" said Mr. Pickwick, looking

" Oh, I'll find him if he's any vere," rejoined Sam, with great confi- dence.

" Very well," said Mr. Pickwick. " Then the sooner you go the better."

With these instructions Mr. Pickwick placed a sum of money in the; hands of his faithful servitor, and ordered him to start for Bristol imme* I diately, in pursuit of the fugitive.

Sam put a few necessaries in a carpet bag, and was ready for starting.] He stopped when he had got to the end of the passage, and walkingj quietly back, thrust his head in at the parlor door.

" Sir," whispered Sam.


 * ' Well, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick.

" I fully understands my instructions, do I, Sir?" inquired Sam.


 * ' I hope so," said Mr. Pickwick.

quired Sam.
 * ' It's reg'larly understood about the knockin' down, is it Sir?" en^j

" Perfectly," replied Mr. Pickwick. " Thoroughly. Do what yoiil think necessary. You have my orders."

Sam gave a nod of intelligence, and withdrawing his head from the^ door, set forth on his pilgrimage with a light heart.