Thepeoplethatattractedhisattentionmost，werethreeorfourmenofshabby-genteelappearance，whotouchedtheirhatstomanyoftheattorneyswhopassed，andseemedtohavesomebusinessthere，thenatureofwhichMr。Pickwickcouldnotdivine。Theywerecurious-lookingfellows。Onewasaslimandratherlamemaninrustyblack，andawhiteneckerchief。anotherwasastoutburlyperson，dressedinthesameapparel，withagreatreddish-blackclothroundhisneck。athird，wasalittleweazendrunken-lookingbody，withapimplyface。Theywereloiteringabout，withtheirhandsbehindthem，andnowandthenwithananxiouscountenancewhisperedsomethingintheearofsomeofthegentlemenwithpapers，astheyhurriedby。Mr。
Pickwickrememberedtohaveveryoftenobservedthemloungingunderthearchwaywhenhehadbeenwalkingpast。andhiscuriositywasquiteexcitedtoknowtowhatbranchoftheprofessionthesedingy-lookingloungerscouldpossiblybelong。
HewasabouttopropoundthequestiontoNamby，whokeptclosebehindhim，suckingalargegoldringonhislittlefinger，whenPerkerbustledup，andobservingthattherewasnotimetolose，ledthewayintotheInn。AsMr。Pickwickfollowed，thelamemansteppeduptohim，andcivillytouchinghishat，heldoutawrittencard，whichMr。Pickwick，notwishingtohurttheman’sfeelingsbyrefusing，courteouslyacceptedanddepositedinhiswaistcoat-pocket。
Now，saidPerker，turningroundbeforeheenteredoneoftheoffices，toseethathiscompanionswereclosebehindhim。Inhere，mydearsir。
Hallo，whatdoyouwant？