112 A DILEMMA. 



a post-chaise the whole distance, involving 

 an expense of ten pounds; in which 

 the unfortunate book-keeper who had com- 

 mitted the error would be unmercifully 

 mulcted. On my arrival at Kingsland 

 Gate, having already three insides, one of 

 whom was the Baronet, two others, whose 

 names had been entered in the book for a 

 week preceding, claimed their places. 



I had been made acquainted with the 

 error prior to my mounting the box, and 

 earnestly entreated by the delinquent to do 

 all I could to save him from the penalty. 



Accordingly I got down, and, knowing 

 that with rational people a plain statement 

 of facts has always the best effect, I ex- 

 plained, in as few "words as possible, the 

 nature of the dilemma we were in. 



"You are bound to find a conveyance, 

 coachman," said a crusty old limb of the 

 law, who sat muffled up in one corner. 



" I am aware of that. Sir," I replied ; 

 "but I was about to submit to you the 



