JOHNNY. 61 



* Nothing partickler, sir," replied Johnny, clearly proving 

 at this moment that he had no idea of sipping claret. 



"Anything up that's not particular 1 ?" rejoined his enter- 

 tainer. 



"Nothing that i" know of," returned the spare and bony 

 figure. 



" Anything up that anybody else knows of ? " pertinaciously 

 inquired Mr. James Sloper. 



" Can't say," responded Johnny ; " but shouldn't be struck 

 of a heap if there is." 



It is worthy of record, perhaps, that these words were 

 spoken in a peculiarly severe and caustic tone, as if the speaker 

 meant much more than he said. 



"You've come to learn about this last dodge," added 

 Mr. James Sloper ; " and what has been done, or is to be done 

 for you." 



Johnny appeared to consider it quite unnecessary to offer 

 any remark upon the suggested object of his visit, as no more 

 correct reading of his inmost thoughts could have been pre- 

 sented even by himself. 



" In other words," resumed Sunshine's trainer, " you want 

 to know what's meant." 



The spare and bony figure nodded mechanically. 



" Then we understand each other/' continued Mr. James 

 Sloper, "without much talking on both sides." 



Johnny quite coincided in this opinion, but left Mr. James 

 Sloper to draw whatever inference he thought proper or 

 expedient. 



" / pulled the strings, " said Sunshine's trainer, speaking 

 metaphorically. 



Johnny never entertained the smallest doubt as to the 

 particular fingers manipulating the strings. 



" You're on now " 



The spare and bony figure leaned forward in his chair. 



" A monkey to nothing," concluded Mr. James Sloper. 



