'Remorse and misery,' replied the stranger. 'Sudden disappearance - talk of the whole city - search made everywhere without success - the public fountain in the great square suddenly ceased playing - weeks elapsed - still a stoppage in the fountain - workmen employed to clean it - water drawn off - father-in-law discovered sticking head first in the main pipe, with a full confession in his right boot - took him out, and the fountain played away again, as well as ever.'

'Will you allow me to note that little romance down, Sir?' said Mr Snodgrass, deeply affected.

'Certainly, Sir, certainly - fifty more if you like to hear 'em - strange life mine - rather curious history - not extraordinary, but singular.'

In this strain, with an occasional glass of ale, by way of parenthesis, when the coach changed horses, did the stranger proceed, until they reached Rochester bridge, by which time the note-books, both of Mr Pickwick and Mr Snodgrass, were completely filled with selections from his adventures.

'Magnificent ruin!' said Mr Augustus Snodgrass, with all the poetic fervour that distinguished him, when they came in sight of the fine old castle.