 them to be,
like the purses upon the table of Hudibras's lawyer -
 
- Money placed for show,
Like nest-eggs, to make clients lay,
And for his false opinions pay. -
 
It is the trick of all professions, my dear Sir Arthur. Pray, may I ask you how
much this discovery cost you?«
    »About ten guineas.«
    »And you have gained what is equivalent to twenty in actual bullion, and
what may be perhaps worth as much more to such fools as ourselves, who are
willing to pay for curiosity. This was allowing you a tempting profit on the
first hazard, I must needs admit. And what is the next venture he proposes?«
    »An hundred and fifty pounds; - I have given him one-third part of the
money, and I thought it likely you might assist me with the balance.«
    »I should think that this cannot be meant as a parting blow - it is not of
weight and importance sufficient; he will probably let us win this hand also, as
sharpers manage a raw gamester. - Sir Arthur, I hope you believe I would serve
you?«
    »Certainly, Mr. Oldbuck, I think my confidence in you on these occasions
leaves no room to doubt that.«
    »Well, then, allow me to speak to Dousterswivel. If the money can be
advanced usefully and advantageously for you, why, for old neighbourhood's sake,
you shall not want it; but if, as I think, I can recover the treasure for you
without making such an advance, you will, I presume, have no objection!«
    »Unquestionably, I can have none whatsoever.«
    »Then where is Dousterswivel?« continued the Antiquary.
    »To tell you the truth, he is in my carriage below; but knowing your
prejudice against him« -
    »I thank Heaven, I am not prejudiced against any man, Sir Arthur: it is
systems, not individuals, that incur my reprobation.« He rang the bell. »Jenny,
Sir Arthur and I offer our compliments to Mr. Dousterswivel, the gentleman in
Sir Arthur's carriage, and beg to have the pleasure of speaking with him here.«
    Jenny departed and delivered her message. It had been by no means a part of
the project of Dousterswivel to let Mr. Oldbuck into his supposed mystery. He
had relied upon Sir Arthur's obtaining the necessary accommodation without any
discussion as to the nature of the application, and only waited below for the
purpose of possessing himself of the deposit as
