i So MR. PARKER. 



from habit, Mr. Parker, as I have said, was seldom 

 late at his business. 



It was here that the following incident occurred : 

 A nephew of Mr. Parker's, a Mr. Upton, used, like his 

 uncle, to spend an hour or two most nights in the 

 bar-parlour of the Horse Shoe. A gentlemanly 

 stranger, well dressed in black, joined the group one 

 evening, and seating himself by Mr. Upton's side, 

 entered into conversation with him on some current 

 topic. He continued to put in an appearance for a 

 few nights, and then became more familiar, acquaint- 

 ing Mr. Upton with the melancholy and dire cir- 

 cumstances attending the death of his father; winding 

 up by saying: 



' The dear old man has left me his watch ; but as I 

 have one already, it is no use to me, and I should be 

 glad to sell it, as the money will be more serviceable.' 



He asked some ridiculously low price for it, con- 

 sidering the watch was really a good one, and Mr. 

 Upton made him a bid for it, and got it ; the seller 

 disappearing, and not being seen again. The watch 

 was the next morning sent to be cleaned and set 

 going ; but was detained by the watchmaker, who 

 stated that it had been stolen, and that he was bound 

 to give notice to the police that the watch had come 

 into his hands. The day after, a policeman called on 

 Mr. Upton, and said : 



' Unless, sir, you can tell me of whom you bought 

 the watch, I must take you into custody.' 



