Mr. Fledgeby found that he was skating round a board marked Dangerous, and had better cut out a fresh track. “Let’s get back to the dodgerest of the dodgers,” said he. “What’s he up to in the case of your friend the handsome gal? He must have some object. What’s his object?”

“Cannot undertake to say, sir, I am sure!” returned Miss Wren, composedly.

“He won’t acknowledge where she’s gone,” said Fledgeby; “and I have a fancy that I should like to have another look at her. Now I know he knows where she is gone.”

“Cannot undertake to say, sir, I am sure!” Miss Wren again rejoined.

“And you know where she is gone,” hazarded Fledgeby.

“Cannot undertake to say, sir, really,” replied Miss Wren.