“Know the Animal Register , sir?” returned the Impostor, who had caught the name imperfectly. “For a trifling wager, I think I could find any animal in him, blindfold, Mr. Boffin.”

“And here’s Kirby’s Wonderful Museum ,” said Mr. Boffin, “and Caulfield’s Characters , and Wilson’s. Such characters, Wegg, such characters! I must have one or two of the best of ’em tonight. It’s amazing what places they used to put the guineas in, wrapped up in rags. Catch hold of that pile of wollumes, Wegg, or it’ll bulge out and burst into the mud. Is there anyone about, to help?”

“There’s a friend of mine, sir, that had the intention of spending the evening with me when I gave you up⁠—much against my will⁠—for the night.”