 such
a look of vacant wonder (not unmingled with alarm), that Mr. Nadgett considered
it necessary to repeat the request he had already twice preferred: with the view
of recalling his attention to the point in hand. Profiting by the hint, Mr.
Montague went on with Number Two, and afterwards with Numbers Three, and Four,
and Five, and so on.
    These documents were all in Mr. Nadgett's writing, and were apparently a
series of memoranda, jotted down from time to time upon the backs of old
letters, or any scrap of paper that came first to hand. Loose straggling scrawls
they were, and of very uninviting exterior; but they had weighty purpose in
them, if the chairman's face were any index to the character of their contents.
    The progress of Mr. Nadgett's secret satisfaction arising out of the effect
they made, kept pace with the emotions of the reader. At first, Mr. Nadgett sat
with his spectacles low down upon his nose, looking over them at his employer,
and nervously rubbing his hands. After a little while, he changed his posture in
his chair for one of greater ease, and leisurely perused the next document he
held ready, as if an occasional glance at his employer's face were now enough,
and all occasion for anxiety or doubt were gone. And finally he rose and looked
out of the window, where he stood with a triumphant air, until Tigg Montague had
finished.
    »And this is the last, Mr. Nadgett!« said that gentleman, drawing a long
breath.
    »That, sir, is the last.«
    »You are a wonderful man, Mr. Nadgett!«
    »I think it is a pretty good case,« he returned as he gathered up his
papers. »It cost some trouble, sir.«
    »The trouble shall be well rewarded, Mr. Nadgett.« Nadgett bowed. »There is
a deeper impression of Somebody's Hoof here, than I had expected, Mr. Nadgett. I
may congratulate myself upon your being such a good hand at a secret.«
    »Oh! nothing has an interest to me that's not a secret,« replied Nadgett, as
he tied the string about his pocket-book, and put it up. »It almost takes away
any pleasure I may have had in this inquiry even to make it known to you.«
    »A most invaluable constitution,« Tigg retorted. »A great gift for a
gentleman employed as you are, Mr. Nadgett. Much better
