The very unsatisfactory and evasive answers received in reference to the address of Mr. John Morgan gave a zest to our zeal in the matter--so much so, that we then determined "to work the oracle" out in our way.
At this time we had a near relative occupying chambers in Barnard's Inn, which we held to be a good central and lawyer-like address--one that had the "true ring," of business and substantiality about it. Yes! Barnard's Inn, Holborn, London, E.C., looked to our mind to be likely to serve our stratigical purpose to the point we desired. Having made all the preparatory arrangements, we then procured from a neighbouring stationer's shop a sheet of mourning note-paper and an envelope of large proportions, each having the very blackest and broadest of black borders we could find in stock. Then we wrote in a law-like hand:--
_No. 6, Barnard's Inn, Holborn, London, E.C., February 26, 1870._
_THIS IS TO GIVE NOTICE:--If Mr. John Morgan, ballad-writer, &c., will call at the above address on or after Wednesday next. He will hear something greatly to his advantage._
_Mr. John Morgan, care of............ ..............London._
The above document having been duly intrusted to Her Majesty's Post Master General for delivery, we had to abide our time for the result. We had not to wait long, for although we had appointed the next following Wednesday to communicate "_something greatly to the advantage of Mr. John Morgan_," he turned up a little sooner than we expected, or desired, by reason of his putting in an appearance at Barnard's Inn on Tuesday evening, where he arrived "happy and glorious," and made earnest enquiries for "the gentleman who had sent him a letter to say he had got a something to his advantage--perhaps a fortune! For sometimes he thought somebody would die and leave him one. Where was the gentleman who wrote him the letter? He says that I am to call here. He sent it in a black-bordered envelope for him. Where is the gentleman? See here is the letter, and all in black--black as your hat--look for yourself, sir."
All the above was spoken to a friend of ours who lived on the ground-floor at the particular house in Barnard's Inn, where Mr. John Morgan had been requested to call on Wednesday. It was then only Tuesday, and that fact had to be explained; also, that the gentleman in question was not at present in his chambers on the third-floor, but would be in the morning up to 10 o'clock. Our friend on the first-floor--who had received instructions from us in the event of Mr. John Morgan turning-up while we were not at home--informed us of all that had taken place when we arrived a little later on in the evening.