 and appealing monitor without - to
whom I will briefly refer as Miss W. - I entered on a not unlaborious task of
clandestine investigation, protracted now, to the best of my knowledge,
information, and belief, over a period exceeding twelve calendar months.«
    He read this passage, as if it were from an Act of Parliament; and appeared
majestically refreshed by the sound of the words.
    »My charges against - HEEP,« he read on, glancing at him, and drawing the
ruler into a convenient position under his left arm, in case of need, »are as
follows.«
    We all held our breath, I think. I am sure Uriah held his.
    »First,« said Mr. Micawber. »When Mr. W.'s faculties and memory for business
became, through causes into which it is not necessary or expedient for me to
enter, weakened and confused, - HEEP - designedly perplexed and complicated the
whole of the official transactions. When Mr. W. was least fit to enter on
business, - HEEP was always at hand to force him to enter on it. He obtained Mr.
W.'s signature under such circumstances to documents of importance, representing
them to be other documents of no importance. He induced Mr. W. to empower him to
draw out, thus, one particular sum of trust-money, amounting to twelve six
fourteen, two and nine, and employed it to meet pretended business charges and
deficiencies which were either already provided for, or had never really
existed. He gave this proceeding, throughout, the appearance of having
originated in Mr. W.'s own dishonest intention, and of having been accomplished
by Mr. W.'s own dishonest act; and has used it, ever since, to torture and
constrain him.«
    »You shall prove this, you Copperfield!« said Uriah, with a threatening
shake of the head. »All in good time!«
    »Ask - HEEP - Mr. Traddles, who lived in his house after him,« said Mr.
Micawber, breaking off from the letter; »will you?«
    »The fool himself - and lives there now,« said Uriah, disdainfully.
    »Ask - HEEP - if he ever kept a pocket-book in that house,« said Mr.
Micawber; »will you?«
    I saw Uriah's lank hand stop, involuntarily, in the scraping of his chin.
    »Or ask him,« said Mr. Micawber, »if he ever burnt one there. If he says
