The audience were much edified by this passage of words; and Mr. Podsnap, feeling that he was in rather remarkable force today, became smiling and conversational.

“Has anything more been heard, Veneering,” he inquired, “of the lucky legatee?”

“Nothing more,” returned Veneering, “than that he has come into possession of the property. I am told people now call him The Golden Dustman. I mentioned to you some time ago, I think, that the young lady whose intended husband was murdered is daughter to a clerk of mine?”

“Yes, you told me that,” said Podsnap; “and by the by, I wish you would tell it again here, for it’s a curious coincidence⁠—curious that the first news of the discovery should have been brought straight to your table (when I was there), and curious that one of your people should have been so nearly interested in it. Just relate that, will you?”