English
Theoldmanhadgainedthestreetcorner,beforehebegantorecovertheeffectofTobyCrackit’sintelligence.
Hehadrelaxednothingofhisunusualspeed;butwasstillpressingonward,inthesamewildanddisorderedmanner,whenthesuddendashingpastofacarriage:andaboisterouscryfromthefootpassengers,whosawhisdanger:drovehimbackuponthepavement.
Avoiding,asmuchaswaspossible,allthemainstreets,andskulkingonlythroughtheby-waysandalleys,heatlengthemergedonSnowHill.
Herehewalkedevenfasterthanbefore;nordidhelingeruntilhehadagainturnedintoacourt;when,asifconsciousthathewasnowinhisproperelement,hefellintohisusualshufflingpace,andseemedtobreathemorefreely.
NeartothespotonwhichSnowHillandHolbornHillmeet,opens,upontherighthandasyoucomeoutoftheCity,anarrowanddismalalley,leadingtoSaffronHill.
Initsfilthyshopsareexposedforsalehugebunchesofsecond-handsilkhandkerchiefs,ofallsizesandpatterns;forhereresidethetraderswhopurchasethemfrompick-pockets.
Hundredsofthesehandkerchiefshangdanglingfrompegsoutsidethewindowsorflauntingfromthedoor-posts;andtheshelves,within,arepiledwiththem.
ConfinedasthelimitsofFieldLaneare,ithasitsbarber,itscoffee-shop,itsbeer-shop,anditsfried-fishwarehouse.
Itisacommercialcolonyofitself:theemporiumofpettylarceny:visitedatearlymorning,andsetting-inofdusk,bysilentmerchants,whotrafficindarkback-parlours,andwhogoasstrangelyastheycome.
Here,theclothesman,theshoe-vamper,andtherag-merchant,displaytheirgoods,assign-boardstothepettythief;here,storesofoldironandbones,andheapsofmildewyfragmentsofwoollen-stuffandlinen,rustandrotinthegrimycellars.
ItwasintothisplacethattheJewturned.
Hewaswellknowntothesallowdenizensofthelane;forsuchofthemaswereonthelook-outtobuyorsell,nodded,familiarly,ashepassedalong.
Herepliedtotheirsalutationsinthesameway;butbestowednocloserrecognitionuntilhereachedthefurtherendofthealley;whenhestopped,toaddressasalesmanofsmallstature,whohadsqueezedasmuchofhispersonintoachild’schairasthechairwouldhold,andwassmokingapipeathiswarehousedoor.
‘Why,thesightofyou,Mr.Fagin,wouldcurethehoptalmy!’saidthisrespectabletrader,inacknowledgmentoftheJew’sinquiryafterhishealth.
‘Theneighbourhoodwasalittletoohot,Lively,’saidFagin,elevatinghiseyebrows,andcrossinghishandsuponhisshoulders.
‘Well,I’veheerdthatcomplaintofit,onceortwicebefore,’repliedthetrader;‘butitsooncoolsdownagain;don’tyoufinditso?’
Faginnoddedintheaffirmative.PointinginthedirectionofSaffronHill,heinquiredwhetheranyonewasupyonderto-night.
‘AttheCripples?’inquiredtheman.
TheJewnodded.
‘Letmesee,’pursuedthemerchant,reflecting.
‘Yes,there’ssomehalf-dozenof‘emgonein,thatIknows.Idon’tthinkyourfriend’sthere.’
‘Sikesisnot,Isuppose?’inquiredtheJew,withadisappointedcountenance.
‘Nonistwentus,asthelawyerssay,’repliedthelittleman,shakinghishead,andlookingamazinglysly.‘Haveyougotanythinginmylineto-night?’
‘Nothingto-night,’saidtheJew,turningaway.
‘AreyougoinguptotheCripples,Fagin?’criedthelittleman,callingafterhim.‘Stop!Idon’tmindifIhaveadroptherewithyou!’
ButastheJew,lookingback,wavedhishandtointimatethathepreferredbeingalone;and,moreover,asthelittlemancouldnotveryeasilydisengagehimselffromthechair;thesignoftheCrippleswas,foratime,bereftoftheadvantageofMr.Lively’spresence.
Bythetimehehadgotuponhislegs,theJewhaddisappeared;soMr.Lively,afterineffectuallystandingontiptoe,inthehopeofcatchingsightofhim,againforcedhimselfintothelittlechair,and,exchangingashakeoftheheadwithaladyintheoppositeshop,inwhichdoubtandmistrustwereplainlymingled,resumedhispipewithagravedemeanour.
TheThreeCripples,orrathertheCripples;whichwasthesignbywhichtheestablishmentwasfamiliarlyknowntoitspatrons:wasthepublic-houseinwhichMr.Sikesandhisdoghavealreadyfigured.
Merelymakingasigntoamanatthebar,Faginwalkedstraightupstairs,andopeningthedoorofaroom,andsoftlyinsinuatinghimselfintothechamber,lookedanxiouslyabout:shadinghiseyeswithhishand,asifinsearchofsomeparticularperson.
Theroomwasilluminatedbytwogas-lights;theglareofwhichwaspreventedbythebarredshutters,andclosely-drawncurtainsoffadedred,frombeingvisibleoutside.
Theceilingwasblackened,topreventitscolourfrombeinginjuredbytheflaringofthelamps;andtheplacewassofullofdensetobaccosmoke,thatatfirstitwasscarcelypossibletodiscernanythingmore.
Bydegrees,however,assomeofitclearedawaythroughtheopendoor,anassemblageofheads,asconfusedasthenoisesthatgreetedtheear,mightbemadeout;andastheeyegrewmoreaccustomedtothescene,thespectatorgraduallybecameawareofthepresenceofanumerouscompany,maleandfemale,crowdedroundalongtable:attheupperendofwhich,satachairmanwithahammerofofficeinhishand;whileaprofessionalgentlemanwithabluishnose,andhisfacetiedupforthebenefitofatoothache,presidedatajinglingpianoinaremotecorner.
AsFaginsteppedsoftlyin,theprofessionalgentleman,runningoverthekeysbywayofprelude,occasionedageneralcryoforderforasong;whichhavingsubsided,ayoungladyproceededtoentertainthecompanywithaballadinfourverses,betweeneachofwhichtheaccompanyistplayedthemelodyallthrough,asloudashecould.
Whenthiswasover,thechairmangaveasentiment,afterwhich,theprofessionalgentlemanonthechairman’srightandleftvolunteeredaduet,andsangit,withgreatapplause.
Itwascurioustoobservesomefaceswhichstoodoutprominentlyfromamongthegroup.
Therewasthechairmanhimself,(thelandlordofthehouse,)acoarse,rough,heavybuiltfellow,who,whilethesongswereproceeding,rolledhiseyeshitherandthither,and,seemingtogivehimselfuptojoviality,hadaneyeforeverythingthatwasdone,andanearforeverythingthatwassaid—andsharpones,too.
Nearhimwerethesingers:receiving,withprofessionalindifference,thecomplimentsofthecompany,andapplyingthemselves,inturn,toadozenprofferedglassesofspiritsandwater,tenderedbytheirmoreboisterousadmirers;whosecountenances,expressiveofalmosteveryviceinalmosteverygrade,irresistiblyattractedtheattention,bytheirveryrepulsiveness.
Cunning,ferocity,anddrunkenessinallitsstages,werethere,intheirstrongestaspect;andwomen:somewiththelastlingeringtingeoftheirearlyfreshnessalmostfadingasyoulooked:otherswitheverymarkandstampoftheirsexutterlybeatenout,andpresentingbutoneloathsomeblankofprofligacyandcrime;somemeregirls,othersbutyoungwomen,andnonepasttheprimeoflife;formedthedarkestandsaddestportionofthisdrearypicture.
Fagin,troubledbynograveemotions,lookedeagerlyfromfacetofacewhiletheseproceedingswereinprogress;butapparentlywithoutmeetingthatofwhichhewasinsearch.
Succeeding,atlength,incatchingtheeyeofthemanwhooccupiedthechair,hebeckonedtohimslightly,andlefttheroom,asquietlyashehadenteredit.
‘WhatcanIdoforyou,Mr.Fagin?’inquiredtheman,ashefollowedhimouttothelanding.‘Won’tyoujoinus?They’llbedelighted,everyoneof‘em.’
TheJewshookhisheadimpatiently,andsaidinawhisper,‘Ishehere?’
‘No,’repliedtheman.
‘AndnonewsofBarney?’inquiredFagin.
‘None,’repliedthelandlordoftheCripples;foritwashe.‘Hewon’tstirtillit’sallsafe.
Dependonit,they’reonthescentdownthere;andthatifhemoved,he’dblowuponthethingatonce.
He’sallrightenough,Barneyis,elseIshouldhaveheardofhim.
I’llpoundit,thatBarney’smanagingproperly.Lethimaloneforthat.’
‘Willhebehereto-night?’askedtheJew,layingthesameemphasisonthepronounasbefore.
‘Monks,doyoumean?’inquiredthelandlord,hesitating.
‘Hush!’saidtheJew.‘Yes.’
‘Certain,’repliedtheman,drawingagoldwatchfromhisfob;‘Iexpectedhimherebeforenow.Ifyou’llwaittenminutes,he’llbe—’
‘No,no,’saidtheJew,hastily;asthough,howeverdesiroushemightbetoseethepersoninquestion,hewasneverthelessrelievedbyhisabsence.
‘TellhimIcameheretoseehim;andthathemustcometometo-night.No,sayto-morrow.
Asheisnothere,to-morrowwillbetimeenough.’
‘Good!’saidtheman.‘Nothingmore?’
‘Notawordnow,’saidtheJew,descendingthestairs.
‘Isay,’saidtheother,lookingovertherails,andspeakinginahoarsewhisper;‘whatatimethiswouldbeforasell!I’vegotPhilBarkerhere:sodrunk,thataboymighttakehim!’
‘Ah!Butit’snotPhilBarker’stime,’saidtheJew,lookingup.
‘Philhassomethingmoretodo,beforewecanaffordtopartwithhim;sogobacktothecompany,mydear,andtellthemtoleadmerrylives—whiletheylast.Ha!ha!ha!’
Thelandlordreciprocatedtheoldman’slaugh;andreturnedtohisguests.
TheJewwasnosooneralone,thanhiscountenanceresumeditsformerexpressionofanxietyandthought.
Afterabriefreflection,hecalledahack-cabriolet,andbadethemandrivetowardsBethnalGreen.
HedismissedhimwithinsomequarterofamileofMr.Sikes’sresidence,andperformedtheshortremainderofthedistance,onfoot.
‘Now,’mutteredtheJew,asheknockedatthedoor,‘ifthereisanydeepplayhere,Ishallhaveitoutofyou,mygirl,cunningasyouare.’
Shewasinherroom,thewomansaid.Fagincreptsoftlyupstairs,andentereditwithoutanypreviousceremony.Thegirlwasalone;lyingwithherheaduponthetable,andherhairstragglingoverit.
‘Shehasbeendrinking,’thoughttheJew,cooly,‘orperhapssheisonlymiserable.’
Theoldmanturnedtoclosethedoor,ashemadethisreflection;thenoisethusoccasioned,rousedthegirl.
Sheeyedhiscraftyfacenarrowly,assheinquiredtohisrecitalofTobyCrackit’sstory.
Whenitwasconcluded,shesankintoherformerattitude,butspokenotaword.
Shepushedthecandleimpatientlyaway;andonceortwiceasshefeverishlychangedherposition,shuffledherfeetupontheground;butthiswasall.
Duringthesilence,theJewlookedrestlesslyabouttheroom,asiftoassurehimselfthattherewerenoappearancesofSikeshavingcovertlyreturned.
Apparentlysatisfiedwithhisinspection,hecoughedtwiceorthrice,andmadeasmanyeffortstoopenaconversation;butthegirlheededhimnomorethanifhehadbeenmadeofstone.
Atlengthhemadeanotherattempt;andrubbinghishandstogether,said,inhismostconciliatorytone,
‘AndwhereshouldyouthinkBillwasnow,mydear?’
Thegirlmoanedoutsomehalfintelligiblereply,thatshecouldnottell;andseemed,fromthesmotherednoisethatescapedher,tobecrying.
‘Andtheboy,too,’saidtheJew,straininghiseyestocatchaglimpseofherface.‘Poorleetlechild!Leftinaditch,Nance;onlythink!’
‘Thechild,’saidthegirl,suddenlylookingup,‘isbetterwhereheis,thanamongus;andifnoharmcomestoBillfromit,Ihopeheliesdeadintheditchandthathisyoungbonesmayrotthere.’
‘What!’criedtheJew,inamazement.
‘Ay,Ido,’returnedthegirl,meetinghisgaze.
‘Ishallbegladtohavehimawayfrommyeyes,andtoknowthattheworstisover.Ican’tbeartohavehimaboutme.
Thesightofhimturnsmeagainstmyself,andallofyou.’
‘Pooh!’saidtheJew,scornfully.‘You’redrunk.’
‘AmI?’criedthegirlbitterly.‘It’snofaultofyours,ifIamnot!You’dneverhavemeanythingelse,ifyouhadyourwill,exceptnow;—thehumourdoesn’tsuityou,doesn’tit?’
‘No!’rejoinedtheJew,furiously.‘Itdoesnot.’
‘Changeit,then!’respondedthegirl,withalaugh.
‘Changeit!’exclaimedtheJew,exasperatedbeyondallboundsbyhiscompanion’sunexpectedobstinacy,andthevexationofthenight,‘Iwillchangeit!Listentome,youdrab.
Listentome,whowithsixwords,canstrangleSikesassurelyasifIhadhisbull’sthroatbetweenmyfingersnow.
Ifhecomesback,andleavestheboybehindhim;ifhegetsofffree,anddeadoralive,failstorestorehimtome;murderhimyourselfifyouwouldhavehimescapeJackKetch.
Anddoitthemomenthesetsfootinthisroom,ormindme,itwillbetoolate!’
‘Whatisallthis?’criedthegirlinvoluntarily.
‘Whatisit?’pursuedFagin,madwithrage.
‘Whentheboy’sworthhundredsofpoundstome,amItolosewhatchancethrewmeinthewayofgettingsafely,throughthewhimsofadrunkengangthatIcouldwhistleawaythelivesof!
Andmebound,too,toaborndevilthatonlywantsthewill,andhasthepowerto,to—’
Pantingforbreath,theoldmanstammeredforaword;andinthatinstantcheckedthetorrentofhiswrath,andchangedhiswholedemeanour.
Amomentbefore,hisclenchedhandshadgraspedtheair;hiseyeshaddilated;andhisfacegrownlividwithpassion;butnow,heshrunkintoachair,and,coweringtogether,trembledwiththeapprehensionofhavinghimselfdisclosedsomehiddenvillainy.
Afterashortsilence,heventuredtolookroundathiscompanion.
Heappearedsomewhatreassured,onbeholdingherinthesamelistlessattitudefromwhichhehadfirstrousedher.
‘Nancy,dear!’croakedtheJew,inhisusualvoice.‘Didyoumindme,dear?’
‘Don’tworrymenow,Fagin!’repliedthegirl,raisingherheadlanguidly.
‘IfBillhasnotdoneitthistime,hewillanother.
Hehasdonemanyagoodjobforyou,andwilldomanymorewhenhecan;andwhenhecan’thewon’t;sonomoreaboutthat.’
‘Regardingthisboy,mydear?’saidtheJew,rubbingthepalmsofhishandsnervouslytogether.
‘Theboymusttakehischancewiththerest,’interruptedNancy,hastily;‘andIsayagain,Ihopeheisdead,andoutofharm’sway,andoutofyours,—thatis,ifBillcomestonoharm.
AndifTobygotclearoff,Bill’sprettysuretobesafe;forBill’sworthtwoofTobyanytime.’
‘AndaboutwhatIwassaying,mydear?’observedtheJew,keepinghisglisteningeyesteadilyuponher.
‘Yourmustsayitalloveragain,ifit’sanythingyouwantmetodo,’rejoinedNancy;‘andifitis,youhadbetterwaittillto-morrow.Youputmeupforaminute;butnowI’mstupidagain.’
Faginputseveralotherquestions:allwiththesamedriftofascertainingwhetherthegirlhadprofitedbyhisunguardedhints;but,sheansweredthemsoreadily,andwaswithalsoutterlyunmovedbyhissearchinglooks,thathisoriginalimpressionofherbeingmorethanatrifleinliquor,wasconfirmed.
Nancy,indeed,wasnotexemptfromafailingwhichwasverycommonamongtheJew’sfemalepupils;andinwhich,intheirtendereryears,theywereratherencouragedthanchecked.
Herdisorderedappearance,andawholesaleperfumeofGenevawhichpervadedtheapartment,affordedstrongconfirmatoryevidenceofthejusticeoftheJew’ssupposition;andwhen,afterindulginginthetemporarydisplayofviolenceabovedescribed,shesubsided,firstintodullness,andafterwardsintoacompoundoffeelings:undertheinfluenceofwhichsheshedtearsoneminute,andinthenextgaveutterancetovariousexclamationsof‘Neversaydie!’
anddiverscalculationsastowhatmightbetheamountoftheoddssolongasaladyorgentlemanwashappy,Mr.Fagin,whohadhadconsiderableexperienceofsuchmattersinhistime,saw,withgreatsatisfaction,thatshewasveryfargoneindeed.
Havingeasedhismindbythisdiscovery;andhavingaccomplishedhistwofoldobjectofimpartingtothegirlwhathehad,thatnight,heard,andofascertaining,withhisowneyes,thatSikeshadnotreturned,Mr.Faginagainturnedhisfacehomeward:leavinghisyoungfriendasleep,withherheaduponthetable.
Itwaswithinanhourofmidnight.Theweatherbeingdark,andpiercingcold,hehadnogreattemptationtoloiter.
Thesharpwindthatscouredthestreets,seemedtohaveclearedthemofpassengers,asofdustandmud,forfewpeoplewereabroad,andtheyweretoallappearancehasteningfasthome.
ItblewfromtherightquarterfortheJew,however,andstraightbeforeithewent:trembling,andshivering,aseveryfreshgustdrovehimrudelyonhisway.
Hehadreachedthecornerofhisownstreet,andwasalreadyfumblinginhispocketforthedoor-key,whenadarkfigureemergedfromaprojectingentrancewhichlayindeepshadow,and,crossingtheroad,glideduptohimunperceived.
‘Fagin!’whisperedavoiceclosetohisear.
‘Ah!’saidtheJew,turningquicklyround,‘isthat—’
‘Yes!’interruptedthestranger.‘Ihavebeenlingeringherethesetwohours.Wherethedevilhaveyoubeen?’
‘Onyourbusiness,mydear,’repliedtheJew,glancinguneasilyathiscompanion,andslackeninghispaceashespoke.‘Onyourbusinessallnight.’
‘Oh,ofcourse!’saidthestranger,withasneer.‘Well;andwhat’scomeofit?’
‘Nothinggood,’saidtheJew.
‘Nothingbad,Ihope?’saidthestranger,stoppingshort,andturningastartledlookonhiscompanion.
TheJewshookhishead,andwasabouttoreply,whenthestranger,interruptinghim,motionedtothehouse,beforewhichtheyhadbythistimearrived:remarking,thathehadbettersaywhathehadgottosay,undercover:forhisbloodwaschilledwithstandingaboutsolong,andthewindblewthroughhim.
Faginlookedasifhecouldhavewillinglyexcusedhimselffromtakinghomeavisitoratthatunseasonablehour;and,indeed,mutteredsomethingabouthavingnofire;buthiscompanionrepeatinghisrequestinaperemptorymanner,heunlockedthedoor,andrequestedhimtocloseitsoftly,whilehegotalight.
‘It’sasdarkasthegrave,’saidtheman,gropingforwardafewsteps.‘Makehaste!’
‘Shutthedoor,’whisperedFaginfromtheendofthepassage.Ashespoke,itclosedwithaloudnoise.
‘Thatwasn’tmydoing,’saidtheotherman,feelinghisway.
‘Thewindblewitto,oritshutofitsownaccord:oneortheother.
Looksharpwiththelight,orIshallknockmybrainsoutagainstsomethinginthisconfoundedhole.’
Faginstealthilydescendedthekitchenstairs.
Afterashortabsence,hereturnedwithalightedcandle,andtheintelligencethatTobyCrackitwasasleepinthebackroombelow,andthattheboyswereinthefrontone.
Beckoningthemantofollowhim,heledthewayupstairs.
‘Wecansaythefewwordswe’vegottosayinhere,mydear,’saidtheJew,throwingopenadooronthefirstfloor;‘andasthereareholesintheshutters,andwenevershowlightstoourneighbours,we’llsetthecandleonthestairs.There!’
Withthosewords,theJew,stoopingdown,placedthecandleonanupperflightofstairs,exactlyoppositetotheroomdoor.
Thisdone,heledthewayintotheapartment;whichwasdestituteofallmovablessaveabrokenarm-chair,andanoldcouchorsofawithoutcovering,whichstoodbehindthedoor.
Uponthispieceoffurniture,thestrangersathimselfwiththeairofawearyman;andtheJew,drawingupthearm-chairopposite,theysatfacetoface.
Itwasnotquitedark;thedoorwaspartiallyopen;andthecandleoutside,threwafeeblereflectionontheoppositewall.
Theyconversedforsometimeinwhispers.
Thoughnothingoftheconversationwasdistinguishablebeyondafewdisjointedwordshereandthere,alistenermighteasilyhaveperceivedthatFaginappearedtobedefendinghimselfagainstsomeremarksofthestranger;andthatthelatterwasinastateofconsiderableirritation.
Theymighthavebeentalking,thus,foraquarterofanhourormore,whenMonks—bywhichnametheJewhaddesignatedthestrangemanseveraltimesinthecourseoftheircolloquy—said,raisinghisvoicealittle,
‘Itellyouagain,itwasbadlyplanned.Whynothavekepthimhereamongtherest,andmadeasneaking,snivellingpickpocketofhimatonce?’
‘Onlyhearhim!’exclaimedtheJew,shrugginghisshoulders.
‘Why,doyoumeantosayyoucouldn’thavedoneit,ifyouhadchosen?’demandedMonks,sternly.
‘Haven’tyoudoneit,withotherboys,scoresoftimes?
Ifyouhadhadpatienceforatwelvemonth,atmost,couldn’tyouhavegothimconvicted,andsentsafelyoutofthekingdom;perhapsforlife?’
‘Whoseturnwouldthathaveserved,mydear?’inquiredtheJewhumbly.
‘Mine,’repliedMonks.
‘Butnotmine,’saidtheJew,submissively.‘Hemighthavebecomeofusetome.
Whentherearetwopartiestoabargain,itisonlyreasonablethattheinterestsofbothshouldbeconsulted;isit,mygoodfriend?’
‘Whatthen?’demandedMonks.
‘Isawitwasnoteasytotrainhimtothebusiness,’repliedtheJew;‘hewasnotlikeotherboysinthesamecircumstances.’
‘Cursehim,no!’mutteredtheman,‘orhewouldhavebeenathief,longago.’
‘Ihadnoholduponhimtomakehimworse,’pursuedtheJew,anxiouslywatchingthecountenanceofhiscompanion.‘Hishandwasnotin.
Ihadnothingtofrightenhimwith;whichwealwaysmusthaveinthebeginning,orwelabourinvain.WhatcouldIdo?
SendhimoutwiththeDodgerandCharley?
Wehadenoughofthat,atfirst,mydear;Itrembledforusall.’
‘Thatwasnotmydoing,’observedMonks.
‘No,no,mydear!’renewedtheJew.
‘AndIdon’tquarrelwithitnow;because,ifithadneverhappened,youmightneverhaveclappedeyesontheboytonoticehim,andsoledtothediscoverythatitwashimyouwerelookingfor.Well!
Igothimbackforyoubymeansofthegirl;andthenshebeginstofavourhim.’
‘Throttlethegirl!’saidMonks,impatiently.
‘Why,wecan’taffordtodothatjustnow,mydear,’repliedtheJew,smiling;‘and,besides,thatsortofthingisnotinourway;or,oneofthesedays,Imightbegladtohaveitdone.
Iknowwhatthesegirlsare,Monks,well.
Assoonastheboybeginstoharden,she’llcarenomoreforhim,thanforablockofwood.Youwanthimmadeathief.
Ifheisalive,Icanmakehimonefromthistime;and,if—if—’saidtheJew,drawingnearertotheother,—’it’snotlikely,mind,—butiftheworstcomestotheworst,andheisdead—’
‘It’snofaultofmineifheis!’interposedtheotherman,withalookofterror,andclaspingtheJew’sarmwithtremblinghands.‘Mindthat.Fagin!Ihadnohandinit.
Anythingbuthisdeath,Itoldyoufromthefirst.
Iwon’tshedblood;it’salwaysfoundout,andhauntsamanbesides.
Iftheyshothimdead,Iwasnotthecause;doyouhearme?Firethisinfernalden!What’sthat?’
‘What!’criedtheJew,graspingthecowardroundthebody,withbotharms,ashesprungtohisfeet.‘Where?’
‘Yonder!repliedtheman,glaringattheoppositewall.‘Theshadow!Isawtheshadowofawoman,inacloakandbonnet,passalongthewainscotlikeabreath!’
TheJewreleasedhishold,andtheyrushedtumultuouslyfromtheroom.
Thecandle,wastedbythedraught,wasstandingwhereithadbeenplaced.
Itshowedthemonlytheemptystaircase,andtheirownwhitefaces.
Theylistenedintently:aprofoundsilencereignedthroughoutthehouse.
‘It’syourfancy,’saidtheJew,takingupthelightandturningtohiscompanion.
‘I’llswearIsawit!’repliedMonks,trembling.‘ItwasbendingforwardwhenIsawitfirst;andwhenIspoke,itdartedaway.’
TheJewglancedcontemptuouslyatthepalefaceofhisassociate,and,tellinghimhecouldfollow,ifhepleased,ascendedthestairs.
Theylookedintoalltherooms;theywerecold,bare,andempty.
Theydescendedintothepassage,andthenceintothecellarsbelow.
Thegreendamphunguponthelowwalls;thetracksofthesnailandslugglistenedinthelightofthecandle;butallwasstillasdeath.
‘Whatdoyouthinknow?’saidtheJew,whentheyhadregainedthepassage.‘Besidesourselves,there’snotacreatureinthehouseexceptTobyandtheboys;andthey’resafeenough.Seehere!’
Asaproofofthefact,theJewdrewforthtwokeysfromhispocket;andexplained,thatwhenhefirstwentdownstairs,hehadlockedthemin,topreventanyintrusionontheconference.
ThisaccumulatedtestimonyeffectuallystaggeredMr.Monks.
Hisprotestationshadgraduallybecomelessandlessvehementastheyproceededintheirsearchwithoutmakinganydiscovery;and,now,hegaveventtoseveralverygrimlaughs,andconfesseditcouldonlyhavebeenhisexcitedimagination.
Hedeclinedanyrenewaloftheconversation,however,forthatnight:suddenlyrememberingthatitwaspastoneo’clock.Andsotheamiablecoupleparted.
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