152 WYLJDER'S HAJVD.
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arrival, with old Mother Dutton, as he called her, about
her son, Jim.
Jim was in London looking for a situation, all which
pleased Captain Lake; and he desired that she should
send him to his hotel to see him in the morning.
But being in some matters of a nervous and impatient
temperament, he had come again, as we see, hoping to
find Jim there, and to anticipate his interview of the
morning.
This time he went to a somewhat mysterious and barri-
cadoed place, where, in a blaze of light, in various rooms,
gentlemen in hats, and some in great coats, were playing
roulette or hazard; and I am sorry to say, that our friend,
Captain Lake, played first at one, and then at the other
with what success exactly I don't know. But I don't think
it was very far from four o'clock in the morning when he
let himself into his family hotel with that latch-key, the
cock's tail of Micyllus, with which good-natured old Mrs.
Muggeridge obliged the good-looking Captain.
Captain Lake having given orders the evening before,
that anyone who might call in the morning, and ask to
see him, should be shown up to his bed-room sa?is cere-
wionie, was roused from deep slumber at a quarter past
ten, by a knock at his door, and a waiter's voice.
"Who's that?" drawled Captain Lake, rising, pale and
half awake, on his elbow, and not very clear where he
was.
"The man, sir, as you left a note for yesterday, which
he desires to see you?"
"Tell him to step in."
So out went the waiter in puiu^.-., and the sound of
thick shoes was audible on the lobby, and a sturdier knock
Bounded on the door.
"Come in," said the Captain.