During the four summer months, the Court of Chancery is open for only a few hours every day, and the important people - judges, lawyers, even suitors - have gone to more interesting places across the face of the earth, from the south coast of England to the mountains of Nepal.

Because the city is so empty, Mr Snagsby is surprised when his dinner is interrupted by a loud knock on the door. He hurries down to the shop and finds a policeman, Mr Guppy and young Jo at his door.

'This boy,' the policeman begins, 'says you know him. He refuses to move away from the street, although I have told him to go many times.'

'I've been moving away ever since I was born,' cries the boy, drying his dirty tears on his arm. 'I don't have no place to move away to!

'I know the boy, and he is no trouble to anyone,' says Mr Snagsby kindly.

'Good evening, Mr Snagsby.' Mr Guppy finally speaks. 'I heard Jo say your name when I was passing, so I thought I would lead the policeman here.'

'But he must move five kilometres away from here,' says the policeman. 'And he has too much money in his pockets for a boy in rags. He says he was given it by a lady, but he can't expect me to believe that story.'

'I don't expect nothing, sir, and I don't know nothing,' cries Jo.

'Officer,' begins Mr Snagsby, 'Jo will move away. He is a good boy.'

After the policeman has left, Mr Snagsby and Mr Guppy question Jo about the fine lady and his gold coin. Mr Guppy is becoming a little like the great Mr Tulkinghorn and keeps the details of Jo's story safely in his head, ready for future use.

***

Mr Guppy and the new law student, Mr Richard Carstone, are the only workers in the offices of Kenge and Carboy during this hot, lazy summer. Richard, who has not yet left the law to join the army, spends his days studying the Jarndyce and Jarndyce papers.

Guppy is bored, so he is very pleased when his old friend Tony Jobling appears at the office. Jobling used to work in another legal office in London, but had to leave for rather mysterious reasons. He wants to be in the city again, and has come to ask for help from his good friend.

'Jobling! Wonderful to see you, old man! Let's go to lunch. I shall pay!'

After a good meal and several glasses of beer, Jobling says, 'I can't believe how poor I find myself today.'

'Well, Tony, you were taking chances with other people's money.'

'Guppy, I will not deny it, but I got caught, and now I have no job and not a penny to my name.'