had invested Mr. Gashwiler with a more than Roman stoicism towards the
feelings of others, and he only fell back in his chair in the pose of
conscious rectitude as Dobbs hurriedly signed the paper.
"I shall place them in my portman-tell," said Gashwiler, suiting the
word to the action, "for safe keeping. I need not inform you, who are
now, as it were, on the threshold of official life, that perfect and
inviolable secrecy in all affairs of State"--Mr. G. here motioned toward
his portmanteau as if it contained a treaty at least--"is most essential
and necessary."
Dobbs assented. "Then my duties will keep me with you here?" he asked
doubtfully.
"No, no," said Gashwiler hastily; then, correcting himself, he added:
"that is--for the present--no!"
Poor Dobbs's face fell. The near fact was that he had lately had notice
to quit his present lodgings in consequence of arrears in his rent, and
he had a hopeful reliance that his confidential occupation would carry
bread and lodging with it. But he only asked if there were any new
papers to make out.
"Ahem! not at present; the fact is I am obliged to give so much of my
time to callers--I have to-day been obliged to see half a dozen--that
I must lock myself up and say 'Not at home' for the rest of the day."
Feeling that this was an intimation that the interview was over, the
new private secretary, a little dashed as to his near hopes, but still
sanguine of the future, humbly took his leave.
But here a certain Providence, perhaps mindful of poor Dobbs, threw into
his simple hands--to be used or not, if he were worthy or capable of
using it--a certain power and advantage. He had descended the staircase,
and was passing through the lower corridor, when he was made the
unwilling witness of a remarkable assault.
It appeared that Mr. Wiles, who had quitted Gashwiler's presence as
Dobbs was announced, had other business in the hotel, and in pursuance
of it had knocked at room No. 90. In response to the gruff voice that
bade him enter, Mr. Wiles opened the door, and espied the figure of
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