'You know Fort Pitt?'

'Yes; I saw it yesterday.'

'Well, will you please go into the field which is beside the fort. Then take the footpath to the left when you arrive at the corner of the fort's wall, and go straight on until you see me. I will take you to a quiet place, where we can finish the business without worrying that anyone will interrupt us. There is nothing more to arrange, I think,' said the officer.

'I can't think of anything else,' replied Mr Winkle. 'Good morning.'

'Good morning;' and the officer whistled a tune to himself as he walked off.

That morning's breakfast was slow and heavy. Mr Tupman,after his wild behaviour the night before, was not well enough to get out of bed. Mr Snodgrass seemed to be quietly upset, in the way that poets sometimes are; and even Mr Pickwick seemed to want silence and soda-water more than he usually did. Mr Winkle watched for an opportunity to talk to Snodgrass alone, and the opportunity soon came. Mr Snodgrass wanted to visit the castle. Mr Winkle was the only other person who wanted to go for a walk, so they went out together.