A favorite humorous device in his style is a stately and roundabout way of telling a trivial incident, as where, for example, Mr. Roker "muttered certain unpleasant invocations concerning his own eyes, limbs, and circulating fluids;" or where the drunken man who is singing comic songs in the Fleet received from Mr. Smangle "a gentle intimation, through the medium of the water-jug, that his audience were not musically disposed."

Teddy Roker has got permission for his wife to visit him out here.

So in case we miss each other your instructions are briefly these: you will meet what you honestly think to be Mrs. Roker outside the Customs House, explain Teddy's absence, take her to his rooms at 10 bis, Rue Dufay, make her comfortable and report to me here at 6.15.

'Mrs. Roker, I believe?' said I.

I myself met Mrs. Roker outside the Customs House at 5.30, being detained en route.

" "By Jazz," exclaimed Percival, "I'd stake my gratuity on the genuineness of my Mrs. Roker.

"Excuse me," said the lady with dignity; "the only husband I possess at present is Mr. Roker.

" "What I mean to say is," explained Percival lamely, "that you are the wife of Mr. Roker that I met at the CustomsI mean, Mr. Roker's wife that" "Me too!"

" "What I mean to say is," explained Percival lamely, "that you are the wife of Mr. Roker that I met at the CustomsI mean, Mr. Roker's wife that" "Me too!"