could never, to any great extent, succeed." 

Valentine fdt that he was correct in this particular, and therefore be- 
came more subdued. 

*^ How then am I to know," continued Pledger, ** that you are an 



VALENTINE VOX. 251 

honest man- that you are really the person you represent yourself to 

'* The poasession of this letter, I should think, would be sufficient-" 

^^ Not at all I not at all ! You may have stolen that letter  ^mark 
me well !" he continued, on perceiving that Valentine was again getting 
up in his stirrups, '* I say you marf have stolen it ! How am I to tell 
that you have not V 

Valentine indignantly crushed the letter into his pocket, and rose. 

^ Don't be ra^ ! don't be rash, young man !  don't be rash I I'm 
an older, a much older man than you. / have lived long enough to 
know that no one can thrive in this world, who does not look upon 
and deal with every man as a rogue, until he has proved him to be an 
honest man. I don't mean to say that I believe you are one ; but I do 
mean to say, I can't tell that