344 City Sketches. 



" My dear/' said Hookem, addressing his wife in a tone of bland 

 appeal, " how often have we heard Downey mention his friend Mr. 

 Storks!'* 



" How often, indeed !'' said the lady. 



" And may I make so free," said Storks, " as to request the favour 

 of your name? 1 ' 



" My name, Sir, is James Hookem Jemmy Hookem, as Downey 

 calls me." 



" My good Sir," cried Storks with enthusiasm, *' my friend Downey 

 has spoken of you to me a thousand times." 



" Has he, though ? rum '' said Hookem. 



" How very funny I" simpered his wife. 



" Extraordinary circumstance I" cried Storks; and at this stage of 

 our history an intimacy was at once cemented which, I doubt not, will 

 last for life. 



" My dear Sir," said Hookem, when the excitement consequent 

 upon the recent disclosure had in some measure abated, " you were 

 saying that something might be done that a fortune '' 



"Great things might be done, Sir," interrupted Storks, "great 

 things might be done with a small capital/' 



" A hundred or two of much use, d'ye think eh?'' enquired Hookem. 



Before, however, Storks could make answer to this interesting 

 question, Mrs. Hookem gave her husband a confidential nudge, and 

 requested his private ear for a moment, begging to assure Mr. Storks, 

 at the same time, that it was <c no secret," and avowing her know- 

 ledge of the fact that whispering was very rude before company." 



" Now, don't you go to make a fool of yourself, James Hookem," 

 said that prudent young person, " letting that fellow know what 

 you've got : he's a sharp'on, take my word for it." 



" All right," said Hookem, shaking his head knowingly, '* Jack's 

 as good as his master no mistake about me/' and he turned towards 

 Storks. " A hundred or two of any use, eh ? " 



'* Why, the sum is small certainly," replied Storks, who during 

 this brief interchange had been looking with one eye at the steward, 

 and with the other at his companions, " the sum is small certainly ; but 

 much might be done even with that. A sharp fellow with a clever 

 partner appearance is every thing." 



" Good,*' said Hookem. 



" Make a show, you know." 



" True." 



" The rest follows don't you see ?" 



" I do," said Hookem, " wide awake uncommon.'* 



At this moment an intimation was made to the passengers below 

 that the vessel had reached her destination, and the company pre- 

 pared with all expedition to depart. 



" Well, bye bye, old fellow," cried Hookem, with that familiar 

 cordiality which some few generous natures have always at com- 

 mand : " sorry we didn't become acquainted earlier in the voyage, 

 but never mind." 



" But we shall see Mr. Storks again, my dear, surely," suggested 

 Mrs. Hookem. 



" Aye, by the bye, why not ? " cried Hookem, and, as he lowered 

 himself to a level with Storks, he took that individual with friendly 



