346 THE MAN OF TWO LIVES. 



Rusk the baker) " a vile shaver, and such hair-cutting ! Why, 

 Frizzle'' 



That hated name was enough. It awoke two tigers in the bosom 

 of the listener. 



" Dash my wig if that isn't too bad,*' he cried, and, once more lift- 

 ing up his long bedgown, he pounced upon the handle of the door 

 and precipitated himself into the middle of the room. 



To paint the mortal terror of these utterly confounded customers 

 were a vain attempt. Grim bit off the end of his pipe, which he 

 crushed to powder between his teeth. Rusk fell back, with a loud 

 shriek, into the coal-scuttle ; while Spigot, who was at that instant 

 entering from the bar-door with a pot of ale, stood rooted to the 

 spot, the toe of one foot barely resting on the floor, till at length his 

 frenzy of fear found vent in a prolonged and complaining whine. 



" Spigot, I am alive, fear not,' 7 said Singe, mildly, beckoning to 

 him to approach ; " hand me over that pot of ale, I am thirsty." 



And now a vast assemblage of neighbours dashed into the parlour, 

 among whom Slash the surgeon struggled to obtain precedence. 



"Make way for the doctor room for the doctor," was echoed on 

 all sides, and Slash at last was permitted to approach his contem- 

 plated victim. Seizing the barber by the wrist, as though he were 

 about to feel his pulse, he drew him aside and said with emotion, 



"Singe, don't reveal that unpleasant circumstance." 



"What will you give me?" demanded Singe. 



" A hundred pounds." 



-When?" 



" To morrow." 



" A bargain," said Singe. And he fell into the arms of his wife, 

 who now, with a well-assumed rapture, staggered towards him. 



'* Neighbours/' said Slash, " our friend is yet very weak. Postpone 

 therefore all your friendly and well-meant enquiries till to-morrow 

 morning." And Singe, carefully wrapped up in well-aired sheets and 

 blankets, was borne home in triumph by a host of marvelling and re- 

 lenting friends. 



What myriads flocked on the morrow to obtain ocular demonstra- 

 tion of his existence, and once more to shake by the hand the resus- 

 citated shaver! Mr. Uppercrust, accompanied by Ichneumon and a 

 party of gentlemen, condescended to sit awhile under the shadow of 

 his roof-tree, nor left him without " golden opinions "of his wondrous 

 adventure, and especial requests that he should call as heretofore 

 and resume his professional avocations. 



