“Now,” said Jackson, “I’m afraid you’ll think me rather troublesome, but I want somebody else, if it ain’t inconvenient. I have Samuel Weller’s name here, Mr. Pickwick.”

“Send my servant here, waiter,” said Mr. Pickwick. The waiter retired, considerably astonished, and Mr. Pickwick motioned Jackson to a seat.

There was a painful pause, which was at length broken by the innocent defendant.

“I suppose, Sir,” said Mr. Pickwick, his indignation rising while he spoke⁠—“I suppose, Sir, that it is the intention of your employers to seek to criminate me upon the testimony of my own friends?”