'He was upset and miserable,' replied the stranger. 'He suddenly disappeared. The whole city was talking about it. People searched everywhere, but they did not find him. The public fountain in the main square suddenly stopped working, and stayed blocked for weeks. Finally some workmen went to clean it out. They took out the water and found my father-in-law his head stuck in the drain. In his boot they found a note saying that everything was his fault. They took him out, and the fountain started again, as good as ever.'

'Can I write that little story down, Sir?' asked Mr Snodgrass.

'Certainly, Sir, certainly - I can tell you fifty more if you like - I've had a strange life - very strange.'

The stranger carried on talking until they reached Rochester bridge, only stopping for a glass of beer when the coach changed horses at a pub. Soon the note-books of both Mr Pickwick and Mr Snodgrass were completely filled with stories from the stranger's adventures.

When they came in sight of Rochester's fine old castle, the poet, Mr Augustus Snodgrass exclaimed 'What a magnificent ruin!'