THE HORSE BEANS. 81 



" "Win your money," responded Job Sweety, " and lose him 

 the race. That's all, Doddles." 



"They won't hurt " 



" Not a hair of his body," interrupted Job Sweety. " I give 

 you my word of honour" — and as he spoke, he clapped his broad, 

 thick, right hand upon the left of his breast — " they won't hurt a 

 hair of his body." 



" Are they poison % " inquired Puffy Doddles, taking 

 possession of the beans, and turning them over in his hand. 



" Not exactly poison," returned Job Sweety. " A large 

 quantity might polish off a hoss ; but what I have given, if 

 taken all at once, would only make him feel sick, faint, and off 

 his feed for a few days." 



" They won't hurt him, then 1 " said Puffy Doddles, pocketing 

 the beans. 



" I give you my word of honour," rej)eated Job Sweety, 

 again slapping his broad, thick, right hand upon the lefc of his 

 breast, " not a hair of his body." 



" Very good," added Robert Top's best lad ; and so saying, 

 turned hurriedly, and quitted the spot. 



"We understand each other, now?" hallooed Job Sweety. 



Puffy Doddles waved a hand, without looking back, and 

 they thus separated. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Mr. James Sloper had just completed the light task of chip- 

 ping an egg, as a preliminary to render the contents of the 

 shell part and parcel of an extremely good, albeit plain and 

 substantial breakfast, when Robert Top's best lad signified a 

 request for permission to enter the apartment by the loud 

 application of his knuckles upon the panel of the door. 



" Come in ! " shouted Mr. James Sloper ; and Puffy Doddles 

 accordingly came in. 



P 



