下载辰思小说免费APP
\'Imustseethisout，Mortimer，\'whisperedEugene，rising。\'Howshallwego?\'
\'Letuswalk，\'whisperedLightwood，\'andgivethisfellowtimetothinkofit。\'
Havingexchangedthequestionandanswer，theypreparedthemselvesforgoingout，andMrRiderhoodrose。Whileextinguishingthecandles，Lightwood，quiteasamatterofcoursetookuptheglassfromwhichthathonestgentlemanhaddrunk，andcoollytosseditunderthegrate，whereitfellshiveringintofragments。
\'Now，ifyouwilltakethelead，\'saidLightwood，\'MrWrayburnandIwillfollow。Youknowwheretogo，Isuppose?\'
\'IsupposeIdo，LawyerLightwood。\'
\'Takethelead，then。\'
Thewatersidecharacterpulledhisdrownedcapoverhisearswithbothhands，andmakinghimselfmoreround-shoulderedthannaturehadmadehim，bythesullenandpersistentslouchwithwhichhewent，wentdownthestairs，roundbytheTempleChurch，acrosstheTempleintoWhitefriars，andsoonbythewatersidestreets。
\'Lookathishang-dogair，\'saidLightwood，following。
\'Itstrikesmeratherasahang-MANair，\'returnedEugene。\'Hehasundeniableintentionsthatway。\'
Theysaidlittleelseastheyfollowed。HewentonbeforethemasanuglyFatemighthavedone，andtheykepthiminview，andwouldhavebeengladenoughtolosesightofhim。Butonhewentbeforethem，alwaysatthesamedistance，andthesamerate。
Aslantagainstthehardimplacableweatherandtheroughwind，hewasnomoretobedrivenbackthanhurriedforward，butheldonlikeanadvancingDestiny。Therecame，whentheywereaboutmidwayontheirjourney，aheavyrushofhail，whichinafewminutespeltedthestreetsclear，andwhitenedthem。Itmadenodifferencetohim。Aman\'slifebeingtobetakenandthepriceofitgot，thehailstonestoarrestthepurposemustlielargeranddeeperthanthose。Hecrnshedthroughthem，leavingmarksinthefast-
meltingslushthatweremereshapelessholes；onemighthavefancied，following，thattheveryfashionofhumanityhaddepartedfromhisfeet。
Theblastwentby，andthemooncontendedwiththefast-flyingclouds，andthewilddisorderreigninguptheremadethepitifullittletumultsinthestreetsofnoaccount。Itwasnotthatthewindsweptallthebrawlersintoplacesofshelter，asithadsweptthehailstilllingeringinheapswherevertherewasrefugeforit；butthatitseemedasifthestreetswereabsorbedbythesky，andthenightwereallintheair。
\'Ifhehashadtimetothinkofit，\'saidEugene，hehasnothadtimetothinkbetterofit——ordifferentlyofit，ifthat\'sbetter。Thereisnosignofdrawingbackinhim；andasIrecollectthisplace，wemustbecloseuponthecornerwherewealightedthatnight。\'
Infact，afewabruptturnsbroughtthemtotheriverside，wheretheyhadslippedaboutamongthestones，andwheretheynowslippedmore；thewindcomingagainsttheminslantsandflaws，acrossthetideandthewindingsoftheriver，inafuriousway。
Withthathabitofgettingundertheleeofanyshelterwhichwatersidecharactersacquire，thewatersidecharacteratpresentinquestionledthewaytotheleesideoftheSixJollyFellowshipPortersbeforehespoke。
\'Lookroundhere，LawyerLightwood，atthemredcurtains。It\'stheFellowships，the\'ouseasItoldyouwouldn\'trunaway。Andhasitrunaway?\'
Notshowinghimselfmuchimpressedbythisremarkableconfirmationoftheinformer\'sevidence，Lightwoodinquiredwhatotherbusinesstheyhadthere?
\'IwishedyoutoseetheFellowshipsforyourself，LawyerLightwood，thatyoumightjudgewhetherI\'maliar；andnowI\'llseeGaffer\'swindowformyself，thatwemayknowwhetherhe\'sathome。\'
Withthat，hecreptaway。
\'He\'llcomeback，Isuppose?\'murmuredLightwood。
\'Ay！andgothroughwithit，\'murmuredEugene。
Hecamebackafteraveryshortintervalindeed。
\'Gaffer\'sout，andhisboat\'sout。Hisdaughter\'sathome，sittinga-
lookingatthefire。Butthere\'ssomesuppergettingready，soGaffer\'sexpected。Icanfindwhatmovehe\'supon，easyenough，presently。\'
Thenhebeckonedandledthewayagain，andtheycametothepolice-station，stillascleanandcoolandsteadyasbefore，savingthattheflameofitslamp——beingbutalamp-flame，andonlyattachedtotheForceasanoutsider——flickeredinthewind。
Also，withindoors，MrInspectorwasathisstudiesasofyore。Herecognizedthefriendstheinstanttheyreappeared，buttheirreappearancehadnoeffectonhiscomposure。NoteventhecircumstancethatRiderhoodwastheirconductormovedhim，otherwisethanthatashetookadipofinkheseemed，byasettlementofhischininhisstock，topropoundtothatpersonage，withoutlookingathim，thequestion，\'WhathaveYOUbeenupto，last?\'
MortimerLightwoodaskedhim，wouldhebesogoodaslookatthosenotes?HandinghimEugene\'s。
Havingreadthefirstfewlines，MrInspectormountedtothat(forhim)extraordinarypitchofemotionthathesaid，\'Doeseitherofyoutwogentlemenhappentohaveapinchofsnuffabouthim?\'
Findingthatneitherhad，hedidquiteaswellwithoutit，andreadon。
\'Haveyouheardtheseread?\'hethendemandedofthehonestman。
\'No，\'saidRiderhood。
\'Thenyouhadbetterhearthem。\'Andsoreadthemaloud，inanofficialmanner。
\'Arethesenotescorrect，now，astotheinformationyoubringhereandtheevidenceyoumeantogive?\'heasked，whenhehadfinishedreading。
\'Theyare。Theyareascorrect，\'returnedMrRiderhood，\'asIam。I
can\'tsaymorethanthatfor\'em。\'
\'I\'lltakethismanmyself，sir，\'saidMrInspectortoLightwood。
ThentoRiderhood，\'Isheathome?Whereishe?What\'shedoing?Youhavemadeityourbusinesstoknowallahouthim，nodoubt。\'
Riderhoodsaidwhathedidknow，andpromisedtofindoutinafewminuteswhathedidn\'tknow。
\'Stop，\'saidMrInspector；\'nottillItellyou:Wemustn\'tlooklikebusiness。WouldyoutwogentlemenobjecttomakingapretenceoftakingaglassofsomethinginmycompanyattheFellowships?
Well-conductedhouse，andhighlyrespectablelandlady。\'
Theyrepliedthattheywouldbehappytosubstitutearealityforthepretence，which，inthemain，appearedtobeasonewithMrInspector\'smeaning。
\'Verygood，\'saidhe，takinghishatfromitspeg，andputtingapairofhandcuffsinhispocketasiftheywerehisgloves。\'Reserve！\'
Reservesaluted。\'Youknowwheretofindme?\'Reserveagainsaluted。\'Riderhood，whenyouhavefoundoutconcerninghiscominghome，comeroundtothewindowofCosy，taptwiceatit，andwaitforme。Now，gentlemen。\'
Asthethreewentouttogether，andRiderhoodslouchedofffromunderthetremblinglamphisseparateway，Lightwoodaskedtheofficerwhathethoughtofthis?
MrInspectorreplied，withduegeneralityandreticence，thatitwasalwaysmorelikelythatamanhaddoneabadthingthanthathehadn\'t。Thathehimselfhadseveraltimes\'reckonedup\'Gaffer，buthadneverbeenabletobringhimtoasatisfactorycriminaltotal。
Thatifthisstorywastrue，itwasonlyinparttrue。Thatthetwomen，veryshycharacters，wouldhavebeenjointlyandprettyequally\'init；\'butthatthismanhad\'spotted\'theother，tosavehimselfandgetthemoney。
\'AndIthink，\'addedMrInspector，inconclusion，\'thatifallgoeswellwithhim，he\'sinatolerablewayofgettingit。ButasthisistheFellowships，gentlemen，wherethelightsare，Irecommenddroppingthesubject。Youcan\'tdobetterthanbeinterestedinsomelimeworksanywheredownaboutNorthfleet，anddoubtfulwhethersomeofyourlimedon\'tgetintobadcompanyasitcomesupinbarges。\'
\'YouhearEugene?\'saidLightwood，overhisshoulder。\'Youaredeeplyinterestedinlime。\'
\'Withoutlime，\'returnedthatunmovedbarrister-at-law，\'myexistencewouldbeunilluminatedbyarayofhope。\'
Chapter13
TRACKINGTHEBIRDOFPREY
Thetwolimemerchants，withtheirescort，enteredthedominionsofMissAbbeyPotterson，towhomtheirescort(presentingthemandtheirpretendedbusinessoverthehalf-doorofthebar，inaconfidentialway)preferredhisfigurativerequestthat\'amouthfuloffire\'mightbelightedinCosy。Alwayswelldisposedtoassisttheconstitutedauthorities，MissAbbeybadeBobGlidderyattendthegentlementothatretreat，andpromptlyenlivenitwithfireandgaslight。Ofthiscommissionthebare-armedBob，leadingthewaywithaflamingwispofpaper，sospeedilyacquittedhimself，thatCosyseemedtoleapoutofadarksleepandembracethemwarmly，themomenttheypassedthelintelsofitshospitabledoor。
\'Theyburnsherryverywellhere，\'saidMrInspector，asapieceoflocalintelligence。\'Perhapsyougentlemenmightlikeabottle?\'
TheanswerbeingByallmeans，BobGlidderyreceivedhisinstructionsfromMrInspector，anddepartedinabecomingstateofalacrityengenderedbyreverenceforthemajestyofthelaw。
\'It\'sacertainfact，\'saidMrInspector，\'thatthismanwehavereceivedourinformationfrom，\'indicatingRiderhoodwithhisthumboverhisshoulder，\'hasforsometimepastgiventheothermanabadnamearisingoutofyourlimebarges，andthattheothermanhasbeenavoidedinconsequence。Idon\'tsaywhatitmeansorproves，butit\'sacertainfact。Ihaditfirstfromoneoftheoppositesexofmyacquaintance，\'vaguelyindicatingMissAbbeywithhisthumboverhisshoulder，\'downawayatadistance，overyonder。\'
ThenprobablyMrInspectorwasnotquiteunpreparedfortheirvisitthatevening?Lightwoodhinted。
\'Wellyousee，\'saidMrInspector，\'itwasaquestionofmakingamove。It\'sofnousemovingifyoudon\'tknowwhatyourmoveis。
Youhadbetterbyfarkeepstill。Inthematterofthislime，I
certainlyhadanideathatitmightliebetwixtthetwomen；I
alwayshadthatidea。StillIwasforcedtowaitforastart，andI
wasn\'tsoluckyastogetastart。Thismanthatwehavereceivedourinformationfrom，hasgotastart，andifhedon\'tmeetwithacheckhemaymaketherunningandcomeinfirst。Theremayturnouttobesomethingconsiderableforhimthatcomesinsecond，andIdon\'tmentionwhomayorwhomaynottryforthatplace。There\'sdutytodo，andIshalldoit，underanycircumstances；tothebestofmyjudgmentandability。\'
\'Speakingasashipperoflime——\'beganEugene。
\'Whichnomanhasabetterrighttodothanyourself，youknow，\'
saidMrInspector。
\'Ihopenot，\'saidEugene；\'myfatherhavingbeenashipperoflimebeforeme，andmygrandfatherbeforehim——infactwehavingbeenafamilyimmersedtothecrownsofourheadsinlimeduringseveralgenerations——Ibegtoobservethatifthismissinglimecouldbegotholdofwithoutanyyoungfemalerelativeofanydistinguishedgentlemanengagedinthelimetrade(whichIcherishnexttomylife)beingpresent，Ithinkitmightbeamoreagreeableproceedingtotheassistingbystanders，thatistosay，lime-burners。\'
\'Ialso，\'saidLightwood，pushinghisfriendasidewithalaugh，\'shouldmuchpreferthat。\'
\'Itshallbedone，gentlemen，ifitcanbedoneconveniently，\'saidMrInspector，withcoolness。\'Thereisnowishonmyparttocauseanydistressinthatquarter。Indeed，Iamsorryforthatquarter。\'
\'Therewasaboyinthatquarter，\'remarkedEugene。\'Heisstillthere?\'
\'No，\'saidMrInspector。\'Hehasquittedthoseworks。Heisotherwisedisposedof。\'
\'Willshebeleftalonethen?\'askedEugene。
\'Shewillbeleft，\'saidMrInspector，\'alone。\'
Bob\'sreappearancewithasteamingjugbrokeofftheconversation。
Butalthoughthejugsteamedforthadeliciousperfume，itscontentshadnotreceivedthatlasthappytouchwhichthesurpassingfinishoftheSixJollyFellowshipPortersimpartedonsuchmomentousoccasions。Bobcarriedinhislefthandoneofthoseironmodelsofsugar-loafhats，beforementioned，intowhichheemptiedthejug，andthepointedendofwhichhethrustdeepdownintothefire，soleavingitforafewmomentswhilehedisappearedandreappearedwiththreebrightdrinking-glasses。
Placingtheseonthetableandbendingoverthefire，meritoriouslysensibleofthetryingnatureofhisduty，hewatchedthewreathsofsteam，untilatthespecialinstantofprojectionhecaughtuptheironvesselandgaveitonedelicatetwirl，causingittosendforthonegentlehiss。Thenherestoredthecontentstothejug；heldoverthesteamofthejug，eachofthethreebrightglassesinsuccession；
finallyfilledthemall，andwithaclearconscienceawaitedtheapplauseofhisfellow-creatures。
Itwasbestowed(MrInspectorhavingproposedasanappropriatesentiment\'Thelimetrade！\')andBobwithdrewtoreportthecommendationsofthegueststoMissAbbeyinthebar。Itmaybehereinconfidenceadmittedthat，theroombeingcloseshutinhisabsence，therehadnotappearedtobetheslightestreasonfortheelaboratemaintenanceofthissamelimefiction。OnlyithadbeenregardedbyMrInspectorassouncommonlysatisfactory，andsofraughtwithmysteriousvirtues，thatneitherofhisclientshadpresumedtoquestionit。
Twotapswerenowheardontheoutsideofthewindow。MrInspector，hastilyfortifyinghimselfwithanotherglass，strolledoutwithanoiselessfootandanunoccupiedcountenance。Asonemightgotosurveytheweatherandthegeneralaspectoftheheavenlybodies。
\'Thisisbecominggrim，Mortimer，\'saidEugene，inalowvoice。\'I
don\'tlikethis。\'
\'NorI\'saidLightwood。\'Shallwego?\'
\'Beinghere，letusstay。Yououghttoseeitout，andIwon\'tleaveyou。Besides，thatlonelygirlwiththedarkhairrunsinmyhead。
Itwaslittlemorethanaglimpsewehadofherthatlasttime，andyetIalmostseeherwaitingbythefireto-night。Doyoufeellikeadarkcombinationoftraitorandpickpocketwhenyouthinkofthatgirl?\'
\'Rather，\'returnedLightwood。\'Doyou?\'
\'Verymuchso。\'
Theirescortstrolledbackagain，andreported。Divestedofitsvariouslime-lightsandshadows，hisreportwenttotheeffectthatGafferwasawayinhisboat，supposedtobeonhisoldlook-out；
thathehadbeenexpectedlasthigh-water；thathavingmisseditforsomereasonorother，hewasnot，accordingtohisusualhabitsatnight，tobecountedonbeforenexthigh-water，oritmightbeanhourorsolater；thathisdaughter，surveyedthroughthewindow，wouldseemtobesoexpectinghim，forthesupperwasnotcooking，butsetoutreadytobecooked；thatitwouldbehigh-
waterataboutone，andthatitwasnowbarelyten；thattherewasnothingtobedonebutwatchandwait；thattheinformerwaskeepingwatchattheinstantofthatpresentreporting，butthattwoheadswerebetterthanone(especiallywhenthesecondwasMrInspector\'s)；andthatthereportermeanttosharethewatch。Andforasmuchascrouchingundertheleeofahauled-upboatonanightwhenitblewcoldandstrong，andwhentheweatherwasvariedwithblastsofhailattimes，mightbewearisometoamateurs，thereporterclosedwiththerecommendationthatthetwogentlemenshouldremain，forawhileatanyrate，intheirpresentquarters，whichwereweather-tightandwarm。
Theywerenotinclinedtodisputethisrecommendation，buttheywantedtoknowwheretheycouldjointhewatcherswhensodisposed。Ratherthantrusttoaverbaldescriptionoftheplace，whichmightmislead，Eugene(withalessweightysenseofpersonaltroubleonhimthanheusuallyhad)wouldgooutwithMrInspector，notethespot，andcomeback。
Ontheshelvingbankoftheriver，amongtheslimystonesofacauseway——notthespecialcausewayoftheSixJollyFellowships，whichhadalanding-placeofitsown，butanother，alittleremoved，andveryneartotheoldwindmillwhichwasthedenouncedman\'sdwelling-place——wereafewboats；some，mooredandalreadybeginningtofloat；others，hauledupabovethereachofthetide。
Underoneoftheselatter，Eugene\'scompaniondisappeared。AndwhenEugenehadobserveditspositionwithreferencetotheotherboats，andhadmadesurethathecouldnotmissit，heturnedhiseyesuponthebuildingwhere，ashehadbeentold，thelonelygirlwiththedarkhairsatbythefire。
Hecouldseethelightofthefireshiningthroughthewindow。
Perhapsitdrewhimontolookin。Perhapshehadcomeoutwiththeexpressintention。Thatpartofthebankhavingrankgrassgrowingonit，therewasnodifficultyingettingclose，withoutanynoiseoffootsteps:itwasbuttoscrambleuparaggedfaceofprettyhardmudsomethreeorfourfeethighandcomeuponthegrassandtothewindow。Hecametothewindowbythatmeans。
Shehadnootherlightthanthelightofthefire。Theunkindledlampstoodonthetable。Shesatontheground，lookingatthebrazier，withherfaceleaningonherhand。Therewasakindoffilmorflickeronherface，whichatfirsthetooktobethefitfulfirelight；but，onasecondlook，hesawthatshewasweeping。A
sadandsolitaryspectacle，asshownhimbytherisingandthefallingofthefire。
Itwasalittlewindowofbutfourpiecesofglass，andwasnotcurtained；hechoseitbecausethelargerwindownearitwas。Itshowedhimtheroom，andthebillsuponthewallrespectingthedrownedpeoplestartingoutandrecedingbyturns。Butheglancedslightlyatthem，thoughhelookedlongandsteadilyather。Adeeprichpieceofcolour，withthebrownflushofhercheekandtheshininglustreofherhair，thoughsadandsolitary，weepingbytherisingandthefallingofthefire。
Shestartedup。Hehadbeensoverystillthathefeltsureitwasnothewhohaddisturbedher，somerelywithdrewfromthewindowandstoodnearitintheshadowofthewall。Sheopenedthedoor，andsaidinanalarmedtone，\'Father，wasthatyoucallingme?\'
Andagain，\'Father！\'Andonceagain，afterlistening，\'Father！I
thoughtIheardyoucallmetwicebefore！\'
Noresponse。Asshere-enteredatthedoor，hedroppedoverthebankandmadehiswayback，amongtheoozeandnearthehiding-
place，toMortimerLightwood:towhomhetoldwhathehadseenofthegirl，andhowthiswasbecomingverygrimindeed。
\'IftherealmanfeelsasguiltyasIdo，\'saidEugene，\'heisremarkablyuncomfortable。\'
\'Influenceofsecrecy，\'suggestedLightwood。
\'IamnotatallobligedtoitformakingmeGuyFawkesinthevaultandaSneakintheareabothatonce，\'saidEugene。\'Givemesomemoreofthatstuff。\'
Lightwoodhelpedhimtosomemoreofthatstuff，butithadbeencooling，anddidn\'tanswernow。
\'Pooh，\'saidEugene，spittingitoutamongtheashes。\'Tasteslikethewashoftheriver。\'
\'Areyousofamiliarwiththeflavourofthewashoftheriver?\'
\'Iseemtobeto-night。IfeelasifIhadbeenhalfdrowned，andswallowingagallonofit。\'
\'Influenceoflocality，\'suggestedLightwood。
\'Youaremightylearnedto-night，youandyourinfluences，\'
returnedEugene。\'Howlongshallwestayhere?\'
\'Howlongdoyouthink?\'
\'IfIcouldchoose，Ishouldsayaminute，\'repliedEugene，\'fortheJollyFellowshipPortersarenotthejolliestdogsIhaveknown。
ButIsupposewearebesthereuntiltheyturnusoutwiththeothersuspiciouscharacters，atmidnight。\'
Thereuponhestirredthefire，andsatdownononesideofit。Itstruckeleven，andhemadebelievetocomposehimselfpatiently。
Butgraduallyhetookthefidgetsinoneleg，andthenintheotherleg，andtheninonearm，andthenintheotherarm，andtheninhischin，andtheninhisback，andtheninhisforehead，andtheninhishair，andtheninhisnose；andthenhestretchedhimselfrecumbentontwochairs，andgroaned；andthenhestartedup。
\'Invisibleinsectsofdiabolicalactivityswarminthisplace。Iamtickledandtwitchedallover。Mentally，Ihavenowcommittedaburglaryunderthemeanestcircumstances，andthemyrmidonsofjusticeareatmyheels。\'
\'Iamquiteasbad，\'saidLightwood，sittingupfacinghim，withatumbledhead；aftergoingthroughsomewonderfulevolutions，inwhichhisheadhadbeenthelowestpartofhim。\'Thisrestlessnessbeganwithme，longago。Allthetimeyouwereout，I
feltlikeGulliverwiththeLilliputiansfiringuponhim。\'
\'Itwon\'tdo，Mortimer。Wemustgetintotheair；wemustjoinourdearfriendandbrother，Riderhood。Andletustranquillizeourselvesbymakingacompact。Nexttime(withaviewtoourpeaceofmind)we\'llcommitthecrime，insteadoftakingthecriminal。Youswearit?\'
\'Certainly。\'
\'Sworn！LetTippinslooktoit。Herlife\'sindanger。\'
Mortimerrangthebelltopaythescore，andBobappearedtotransactthatbusinesswithhim:whomEugene，inhiscarelessextravagance，askedifhewouldlikeasituationinthelime-trade?
\'Thankeesir，nosir，\'saidBob。\'I\'veagoodsitiwationhere，sir。\'
\'Ifyouchangeyourmindatanytime，\'returnedEugene，\'cometomeatmyworks，andyou\'llalwaysfindanopeninginthelime-
kiln。\'
\'Thankeesir，\'saidBob。
\'Thisismypartner，\'saidEugene，\'whokeepsthebooksandattendstothewages。Afairday\'swagesforafairday\'sworkisevermypartner\'smotto。\'
\'Andaverygood\'unitis，gentlemen，\'saidBob，receivinghisfee，anddrawingabowoutofhisheadwithhisrighthand，verymuchashewouldhavedrawnapintofbeeroutofthebeerengine。
\'Eugene，\'Mortimerapostrophizedhim，laughingquiteheartilywhentheywerealoneagain，\'howCANyoubesoridiculous?\'
\'Iaminaridiculoushumour，\'quothEugene；\'Iamaridiculousfellow。Everythingisridiculous。Comealong！\'
ItpassedintoMortimerLightwood\'smindthatachangeofsomesort，bestexpressedperhapsasanintensificationofallthatwaswildestandmostnegligentandrecklessinhisfriend，hadcomeuponhiminthelasthalf-hourorso。Thoroughlyusedtohimashewas，hefoundsomethingnewandstrainedinhimthatwasforthemomentperplexing。Thispassedintohismind，andpassedoutagain；butheremembereditafterwards。
\'There\'swhereshesits，yousee，\'saidEugene，whentheywerestandingunderthebank，roaredandrivenatbythewind。\'There\'sthelightofherfire。\'
\'I\'lltakeapeepthroughthewindow，\'saidMortimer。
\'No，don\'t！\'Eugenecaughthimbythearm。\'Best，notmakeashowofher。Cometoourhonestfriend。\'
Heledhimtothepostofwatch，andtheybothdroppeddownandcreptundertheleeoftheboat；abettershelterthanithadseemedbefore，beingdirectlycontrastedwiththeblowingwindandthebarenight。
\'MrInspectorathome?\'whisperedEugene。
\'HereIam，sir。\'
\'Andourfriendoftheperspiringbrowisatthefarcornerthere?
Good。Anythinghappened?\'
\'Hisdaughterhasbeenout，thinkingsheheardhimcalling，unlessitwasasigntohimtokeepoutoftheway。Itmighthavebeen。\'
\'ItmighthavebeenRuleBritannia，\'mutteredEugene，\'butitwasn\'t。Mortimer！\'
\'Here！\'(OntheothersideofMrInspector。)
\'Twoburglariesnow，andaforgery！\'
Withthisindicationofhisdepressedstateofmind，Eugenefellsilent。
Theywereallsilentforalongwhile。Asitgottobeflood-tide，andthewatercamenearertothem，noisesontheriverbecamemorefrequent，andtheylistenedmore。Totheturningofsteam-
paddles，totheclinkingofironchain，tothecreakingofblocks，tothemeasuredworkingofoars，totheoccasionalviolentbarkingofsomepassingdogonshipboard，whoseemedtoscentthemlyingintheirhiding-place。Thenightwasnotsodarkbutthat，besidesthelightsatbowsandmastheadsglidingtoandfro，theycoulddiscernsomeshadowybulkattached；andnowandthenaghostlylighterwithalargedarksail，likeawarningarm，wouldstartupverynearthem，passon，andvanish。Atthistimeoftheirwatch，thewaterclosetothemwouldbeoftenagitatedbysomeimpulsiongivenitfromadistance。Oftentheybelievedthisbeatandplashtobetheboattheylayinwaitfor，runninginashore；andagainandagaintheywouldhavestartedup，butfortheimmobilitywithwhichtheinformer，wellusedtotheriver，keptquietinhisplace。
Thewindcarriedawaythestrikingofthegreatmultitudeofcitychurchclocks，forthoselaytoleewardofthem；buttherewerebellstowindwardthattoldthemofitsbeingOne——Two——Three。
Withoutthataidtheywouldhaveknownhowthenightwore，bythefallingofthetide，recordedintheappearanceofanever-
wideningblackwetstripofshore，andtheemergenceofthepavedcausewayfromtheriver，footbyfoot。
Asthetimesopassed，thisslinkingbusinessbecameamoreandmoreprecariousone。Itwouldseemasifthemanhadhadsomeintimationofwhatwasinhandagainsthim，orhadtakenfright?
Hismovementsmighthavebeenplannedtogainforhim，ingettingbeyondtheirreach，twelvehours\'advantage?Thehonestmanwhohadexpendedthesweatofhisbrowbecameuneasy，andbegantocomplainwithbitternessofthepronenessofmankindtocheathim——himinvestedwiththedignityofLabour！
Theirretreatwassochosenthatwhiletheycouldwatchtheriver，theycouldwatchthehouse。Noonehadpassedinorout，sincethedaughterthoughtsheheardthefathercalling。Noonecouldpassinoroutwithoutbeingseen。
\'Butitwillbelightatfive，\'saidMrInspector，\'andthenWEshallbeseen。\'
\'Lookhere，\'saidRiderhood，\'whatdoyousaytothis?Hemayhavebeenlurkinginandout，andjustholdinghisownbetwixttwoorthreebridges，forhoursback。\'
\'Whatdoyoumakeofthat?\'saidMrInspector。Stoical，butcontradictory。
\'Hemaybedoingsoatthispresenttime。\'
\'Whatdoyoumakeofthat?\'saidMrInspector。
\'Myboat\'samongthemboatshereatthecause\'ay。\'
\'Andwhatdoyoumakeofyourboat?\'saidMrInspector。
\'WhatifIputoffinherandtakealookround?Iknowhisways，andthelikelynookshefavours。Iknowwherehe\'dbeatsuchatimeofthetide，andwherehe\'dbeatsuchanothertime。Ain\'tI
beenhispardner?Noneofyouneedshow。Noneofyouneedstir。
Icanshoveheroffwithouthelp；andastomebeingseen，I\'maboutatalltimes。\'
\'Youmighthavegivenaworseopinion，\'saidMrInspector，afterbriefconsideration。\'Tryit。\'
\'Stopabit。Let\'sworkitout。IfIwantyou，I\'lldroproundundertheFellowshipsandtipyouawhistle。\'
\'IfImightsofarpresumeastoofferasuggestiontomyhonourableandgallantfriend，whoseknowledgeofnavalmattersfarbeitfrommetoimpeach，\'Eugenestruckinwithgreatdeliberation，\'itwouldbe，thattotipawhistleistoadvertisemysteryandinvitespeculation。Myhonourableandgallantfriendwill，Itrust，excuseme，asanindependentmember，forthrowingoutaremarkwhichI
feeltobeduetothishouseandthecountry。\'
\'WasthattheT\'otherGovernor，orLawyerLightwood?\'askedRiderhood。For，theyspokeastheycrouchedorlay，withoutseeingoneanother\'sfaces。
\'Inreplytothequestionputbymyhonourableandgallantfriend，\'
saidEugene，whowaslyingonhisbackwithhishatonhisface，asanattitudehighlyexpressiveofwatchfulness，\'Icanhavenohesitationinreplying(itnotbeinginconsistentwiththepublicservice)thatthoseaccentsweretheaccentsoftheT\'otherGovernor。\'
\'You\'vetolerablegoodeyes，ain\'tyou，Governor?You\'vealltolerablegoodeyes，ain\'tyou?\'demandedtheinformer。
All。
\'ThenifIrowupundertheFellowshipandlaythere，noneedtowhistle。You\'llmakeoutthatthere\'saspeckofsomethingoranotherthere，andyou\'llknowit\'sme，andyou\'llcomedownthatcause\'aytome。Understoodall?\'
Understoodall。
\'Offshegoesthen！\'
Inamoment，withthewindcuttingkeenlyathimsideways，hewasstaggeringdowntohisboat；inafewmomentshewasclear，andcreepinguptheriverundertheirownshore。
Eugenehadraisedhimselfonhiselbowtolookintothedarknessafterhim。\'Iwishtheboatofmyhonourableandgallantfriend，\'hemurmured，lyingdownagainandspeakingintohishat，\'maybeendowedwithphilanthropyenoughtoturnbottom-upwardandextinguishhim！——Mortimer。\'
\'Myhonourablefriend。\'
\'Threeburglaries，twoforgeries，andamidnightassassination。\'
Yetinspiteofhavingthoseweightsonhisconscience，Eugenewassomewhatenlivenedbythelateslightchangeinthecircumstancesofaffairs。Sowerehistwocompanions。Itsbeingachangewaseverything。Thesuspenseseemedtohavetakenanewlease，andtohavebegunafreshfromarecentdate。Therewassomethingadditionaltolookfor。Theywereallthreemoresharplyonthealert，andlessdeadenedbythemiserableinfluencesoftheplaceandtime。
Morethananhourhadpassed，andtheywereevendozing，whenoneofthethree——eachsaiditwashe，andhehadNOTdozed——
madeoutRiderhoodinhisboatatthespotagreedon。Theysprangup，cameoutfromtheirshelter，andwentdowntohim。Whenhesawthemcoming，hedroppedalongsidethecauseway；sothatthey，standingonthecauseway，couldspeakwithhiminwhispers，undertheshadowymassoftheSixJollyFellowshipPortersfastasleep。
\'BlestifIcanmakeitout！\'saidhe，staringatthem。
\'Makewhatout?Haveyouseenhim?\'
\'No。\'
\'WhatHAVEyouseen?\'askedLightwood。For，hewasstaringattheminthestrangestway。
\'I\'veseenhisboat。\'
\'Notempty?\'
\'Yes，empty。Andwhat\'smore，——adrift。Andwhat\'smore，——withonescullgone。Andwhat\'smore，——witht\'othersculljammedinthethowelsandbrokeshortoff。Andwhat\'smore，——theboat\'sdrovetightbythetide\'atwixttwotiersofbarges。Andwhat\'smore，——he\'sinluckagain，byGeorgeifheain\'t！\'
Chapter14
THEBIRDOFPREYBROUGHTDOWN
Coldontheshore，intherawcoldofthatleadencrisisinthefour-
and-twentyhourswhenthevitalforceofallthenoblestandprettiestthingsthatliveisatitslowest，thethreewatcherslookedeachattheblankfacesoftheothertwo，andallattheblankfaceofRiderhoodinhisboat。
\'Gaffer\'sboat，Gafferinluckagain，andyetnoGaffer！\'SospakeRiderhood，staringdisconsolate。
Asifwithoneaccord，theyallturnedtheireyestowardsthelightofthefireshiningthroughthewindow。Itwasfainterandduller。
Perhapsfire，likethehigheranimalandvegetablelifeithelpstosustain，hasitsgreatesttendencytowardsdeath，whenthenightisdyingandthedayisnotyetborn。
\'Ifitwasmethathadthelawofthisherejobinhand，\'growledRiderhoodwithathreateningshakeofhishead，\'blestifIwouldn\'tlayholdofHER，atanyrate！\'
\'Ay，butitisnotyou，\'saidEugene。Withsomethingsosuddenlyfierceinhimthattheinformerreturnedsubmissively；\'Well，well，well，t\'othergovernor，Ididn\'tsayitwas。Amanmayspeak。\'
\'Andverminmaybesilent，\'saidEugene。\'Holdyourtongue，youwater-rat！\'
Astonishedbyhisfriend\'sunusualheat，Lightwoodstaredtoo，andthensaid:\'Whatcanhavebecomeofthisman?\'
\'Can\'timagine。Unlesshedivedoverboard。\'Theinformerwipedhisbrowruefullyashesaidit，sittinginhisboatandalwaysstaringdisconsolate。
\'Didyoumakehisboatfast?\'
\'She\'sfastenoughtillthetiderunsback。Icouldn\'tmakeherfasterthansheis。Comeaboardofmine，andseeforyourown-selves。\'
Therewasalittlebackwardnessincomplying，forthefreightlookedtoomuchfortheboat；butonRiderhood\'sprotesting\'thathehadhadhalfadozen，deadandalive，inheraforenow，andshewasnothingdeepinthewaternordowninthesterneventhen，tospeakof；\'theycarefullytooktheirplaces，andtrimmedthecrazything。Whiletheyweredoingso，Riderhoodstillsatstaringdisconsolate。
\'Allright。Giveway！\'saidLightwood。
\'Giveway，byGeorge！\'repeatedRiderhood，beforeshovingoff。\'Ifhe\'sgoneandmadeoffanyhowLawyerLightwood，it\'senoughtomakemegivewayinadifferentmanner。ButhealwaysWASacheat，con-foundhim！Healwayswasainfernalcheat，wasGaffer。
Nothingstraightfor\'ard，nothingonthesquare。Somean，sounderhanded。Nevergoingthroughwithathing，norcarryingitoutlikeaman！\'
\'Hallo！Steady！\'criedEugene(hehadrecoveredimmediatelyonembarking)，astheybumpedheavilyagainstapile；andtheninalowervoicereversedhislateapostrophebyremarking(\'Iwishtheboatofmyhonourableandgallantfriendmaybeendowedwithphilanthropyenoughnottoturnbottom-upwardandextinguishus！)Steady，steady！Sitclose，Mortimer。Here\'sthehailagain。
Seehowitflies，likeatroopofwildcats，atMrRiderhood\'seyes！\'
Indeedhehadthefullbenefitofit，anditsomauledhim，thoughhebenthisheadlowandtriedtopresentnothingbutthemangycaptoit，thathedroppedundertheleeofatierofshipping，andtheylaythereuntilitwasover。Thesquallhadcomeup，likeaspitefulmessengerbeforethemorning；therefollowedinitswakearaggedtearoflightwhichrippedthedarkcloudsuntiltheyshowedagreatgreyholeofday。
Theywereallshivering，andeverythingaboutthemseemedtobeshivering；theriveritself；craft，rigging，sails，suchearlysmokeasthereyetwasontheshore。Blackwithwet，andalteredtotheeyebywhitepatchesofhailandsleet，thehuddledbuildingslookedlowerthanusual，asiftheywerecowering，andhadshrunkwiththecold。Verylittlelifewastobeseenoneitherbank，windowsanddoorswereshut，andthestaringblackandwhitelettersuponwharvesandwarehouses\'looked，\'saidEugenetoMortimer，\'likeinscriptionsoverthegravesofdeadbusinesses。\'
Astheyglidedslowlyon，keepingundertheshoreandsneakinginandoutamongtheshippingbyback-alleysofwater，inapilferingwaythatseemedtobetheirboatman\'snormalmannerofprogression，alltheobjectsamongwhichtheycreptweresohugeincontrastwiththeirwretchedboat，astothreatentocrushit。Notaship\'shull，withitsrustyironlinksofcablerunoutofhawse-
holeslongdiscolouredwiththeiron\'srustytears，butseemedtobetherewithafellintention。Notafigure-headbuthadthemenacinglookofburstingforwardtorunthemdown。Notasluicegate，orapaintedscaleuponapostorwall，showingthedepthofwater，butseemedtohint，likethedreadfullyfacetiousWolfinbedinGrandmamma\'scottage，\'That\'stodrownYOUin，mydears！\'Notalumberingblackbarge，withitscrackedandblisteredsideimpendingoverthem，butseemedtosuckattheriverwithathirstforsuckingthemunder。Andeverythingsovauntedthespoilinginfluencesofwater——discolouredcopper，rottenwood，honey-
combedstone，greendankdeposit——thattheafter-consequencesofbeingcrushed，suckedunder，anddrawndown，lookedasuglytotheimaginationasthemainevent。
Somehalf-hourofthiswork，andRiderhoodunshippedhissculls，stoodholdingontoabarge，andhandoverhandlong-wisealongthebarge\'ssidegraduallyworkedhisboatunderherheadintoasecretlittlenookofscummywater。Anddrivenintothatnook，andwedgedashehaddescribed，wasGaffer\'sboat；thatboatwiththestainstillinit，bearingsomeresemblancetoamuffledhumanform。
\'NowtellmeI\'maliar！\'saidthehonestman。
(\'Withamorbidexpectation，\'murmuredEugenetoLightwood，\'thatsomebodyisalwaysgoingtotellhimthetruth。\')
\'ThisisHexam\'sboat，\'saidMrInspector。\'Iknowherwell。\'
\'Lookatthebrokenscull。Lookatthet\'otherscullgone。NOWtellmeIamaliar！\'saidthehonestman。
MrInspectorsteppedintotheboat。EugeneandMortimerlookedon。
\'Andseenow！\'addedRiderhood，creepingaft，andshowingastretchedropemadefastthereandtowingoverboard。\'Didn\'tItellyouhewasinluckagain?\'
\'Haulin，\'saidMrInspector。
\'Easytosayhaulin，\'answeredRiderhood。\'Notsoeasydone。Hisluck\'sgotfouledunderthekeelsofthebarges。Itriedtohaulinlasttime，butIcouldn\'t。Seehowtautthelineis！\'
\'Imusthaveitup，\'saidMrInspector。\'Iamgoingtotakethisboatashore，andhisluckalongwithit。Tryeasynow。\'
Hetriedeasynow；buttheluckresisted；wouldn\'tcome。
\'Imeantohaveit，andtheboattoo，\'saidMrInspector，playingtheline。
Butstilltheluckresisted；wouldn\'tcome。
\'Takecare，\'saidRiderhood。\'You\'lldisfigure。Orpullasunderperhaps。\'
\'Iamnotgoingtodoeither，noteventoyourGrandmother，\'saidMrInspector；\'butImeantohaveit。Come！\'headded，atoncepersuasivelyandwithauthoritytothehiddenobjectinthewater，asheplayedthelineagain；\'it\'snogoodthissortofgame，youknow。YouMUSTcomeup。Imeantohaveyou。\'
Therewassomuchvirtueinthisdistinctlyanddecidedlymeaningtohaveit，thatityieldedalittle，evenwhilethelinewasplayed。
\'Itoldyouso，\'quothMrInspector，pullingoffhisoutercoat，andleaningwelloverthesternwithawill。\'Come！\'
Itwasanawfulsortoffishing，butitnomoredisconcertedMrInspectorthanifhehadbeenfishinginapuntonasummereveningbysomesoothingweirhighupthepeacefulriver。Aftercertainminutes，andafewdirectionstotherestto\'easeheralittlefor\'ard，\'and\'noweaseheratrifleaft，\'andthelike，hesaidcomposedly，\'Allclear！\'andthelineandtheboatcamefreetogether。
AcceptingLightwood\'sprofferedhandtohelphimup，hethenputonhiscoat，andsaidtoRiderhood，\'Handmeoverthosesparescullsofyours，andI\'llpullthisintotheneareststairs。Goaheadyou，andkeepoutinprettyopenwater，thatImayn\'tgetfouledagain。\'
Hisdirectionswereobeyed，andtheypulledashoredirectly；twoinoneboat，twointheother。
\'Now，\'saidMrInspector，againtoRiderhood，whentheywereallontheslushystones；\'youhavehadmorepracticeinthisthanI
havehad，andoughttobeabetterworkmanatit。Undothetow-
rope，andwe\'llhelpyouhaulin。\'
Riderhoodgotintotheboataccordingly。Itappearedasifhehadscarcelyhadamoment\'stimetotouchtheropeorlookoverthestern，whenhecamescramblingback，aspaleasthemorning，andgaspedout:
\'BytheLord，he\'sdoneme！\'
\'Whatdoyoumean?\'theyalldemanded。
Hepointedbehindhimattheboat，andgaspedtothatdegreethathedroppeduponthestonestogethisbreath。
\'Gaffer\'sdoneme。It\'sGaffer！\'
Theyrantotherope，leavinghimgaspingthere。Soon，theformofthebirdofprey，deadsomehours，laystretchedupontheshore，withanewblaststormingatitandclottingthewethairwithhail-
stones。
Father，wasthatyoucallingme?Father！IthoughtIheardyoucallmetwicebefore！Wordsnevertobeanswered，those，upontheearth-sideofthegrave。ThewindsweepsjeeringlyoverFather，whipshimwiththefrayedendsofhisdressandhisjaggedhair，triestoturnhimwhereheliesstarkonhisback，andforcehisfacetowardstherisingsun，thathemaybeshamedthemore。Alull，andthewindissecretandpryingwithhim；liftsandletsfallsarag；hidespalpitatingunderanotherrag；runsnimblythroughhishairandbeard。Then，inarush，itcruellytauntshim。Father，wasthatyoucallingme?Wasityou，thevoicelessandthedead?Wasityou，thusbuffetedasyouliehereinaheap?Wasityou，thusbaptizeduntoDeath，withtheseflyingimpuritiesnowflunguponyourface?Whynotspeak，Father?Soakingintothisfilthygroundasyouliehere，isyourownshape。Didyouneverseesuchashapesoakedintoyourboat?Speak，Father。Speaktous，thewinds，theonlylistenersleftyou！
\'Nowsee，\'saidMrInspector，aftermaturedeliberation:kneelingononekneebesidethebody，whentheyhadstoodlookingdownonthedrownedman，ashehadmanyatimelookeddownonmanyanotherman:\'thewayofitwasthis。Ofcourseyougentlemenhardlyfailedtoobservethathewastowingbytheneckandarms。\'
Theyhadhelpedtoreleasetherope，andofcoursenot。
\'Andyouwillhaveobservedbefore，andyouwillobservenow，thatthisknot，whichwasdrawnchock-tightroundhisneckbythestrainofhisownarms，isaslip-knot\':holdingitupfordemonstration。
Plainenough。
\'Likewiseyouwillhaveobservedhowhehadruntheotherendofthisropetohisboat。\'
Ithadthecurvesandindentationsinitstill，whereithadbeentwinedandbound。
\'Nowsee，\'saidMrInspector，\'seehowitworksrounduponhim。
It\'sawildtempestuouseveningwhenthismanthatwas，\'stoopingtowipesomehailstonesoutofhishairwithanendofhisowndrownedjacket，\'——there！Nowhe\'smorelikehimself；thoughhe\'sbadlybruised，——whenthismanthatwas，rowsoutupontheriveronhisusuallay。Hecarrieswithhimthiscoilofrope。Healwayscarrieswithhimthiscoilofrope。It\'saswellknowntomeashewashimself。Sometimesitlayinthebottomofhisboat。
Sometimeshehungitlooseroundhisneck。Hewasalight-dresserwasthisman；——yousee?\'liftingthelooseneckerchiefoverhisbreast，andtakingtheopportunityofwipingthedeadlipswithit——
\'andwhenitwaswet，orfreezing，orblewcold，hewouldhangthiscoiloflineroundhisneck。Lasteveninghedoesthis。Worseforhim！Hedodgesaboutinhisboat，doesthisman，tillhegetschilled。Hishands，\'takinguponeofthem，whichdroppedlikealeadenweight，\'getnumbed。Heseessomeobjectthat\'sinhiswayofbusiness，floating。Hemakesreadytosecurethatobject。Heunwindstheendofhiscoilthathewantstotakesometurnsoninhisboat，andhetakesturnsenoughonittosecurethatitshan\'trunout。Hemakesittoosecure，asithappens。Heisalittlelongeraboutthisthanusual，hishandsbeingnumbed。Hisobjectdriftsup，beforeheisquitereadyforit。Hecatchesatit，thinkshe\'llmakesureofthecontentsofthepocketsanyhow，incaseheshouldbepartedfromit，bendsrightoverthestern，andinoneoftheseheavysqualls，orinthecross-swelloftwosteamers，orinnotbeingquiteprepared，orthroughallormostorsome，getsalurch，overbalancesandgoeshead-foremostoverboard。Nowsee！Hecanswim，canthisman，andinstantlyhestrikesout。Butinsuchstriking-outhetangleshisarms，pullsstrongontheslip-knot，anditrunshome。Theobjecthehadexpectedtotakeintow，floatsby，andhisownboattowshimdead，towherewefoundhim，allentangledinhisownline。You\'llaskmehowImakeoutaboutthepockets?First，I\'lltellyoumore；therewassilverin\'em。HowdoImakethatout?Simpleandsatisfactory。Becausehe\'sgotithere。\'Thelecturerheldupthetightlyclenchedrighthand。
\'Whatistobedonewiththeremains?\'askedLightwood。
\'Ifyouwouldn\'tobjecttostandingbyhimhalfaminute，sir，\'wasthereply，\'I\'llfindthenearestofourmentocomeandtakechargeofhim；——IstillcallitHIM，yousee，\'saidMrInspector，lookingbackashewent，withaphilosophicalsmileupontheforceofhabit。
\'Eugene，\'saidLightwoodandwasabouttoadd\'wemaywaitatalittledistance，\'whenturninghisheadhefoundthatnoEugenewasthere。
Heraisedhisvoiceandcalled\'Eugene！Holloa！\'ButnoEugenereplied。
Itwasbroaddaylightnow，andhelookedabout。ButnoEugenewasinalltheview。
MrInspectorspeedilyreturningdownthewoodenstairs，withapoliceconstable，Lightwoodaskedhimifhehadseenhisfriendleavethem?MrInspectorcouldnotexactlysaythathehadseenhimgo，buthadnoticedthathewasrestless。
\'Singularandentertainingcombination，sir，yourfriend。\'
\'Iwishithadnotbeenapartofhissingularentertainingcombinationtogivemetheslipunderthesedrearycircumstancesatthistimeofthemorning，\'saidLightwood。\'Canwegetanythinghottodrink?\'
Wecould，andwedid。Inapublic-housekitchenwithalargefire。
Wegothotbrandyandwater，anditreviveduswonderfully。MrInspectorhavingtoMrRiderhoodannouncedhisofficialintentionof\'keepinghiseyeuponhim\'，stoodhiminacornerofthefireplace，likeawetumbrella，andtooknofurtheroutwardandvisiblenoticeofthathonestman，exceptorderingaseparateserviceofbrandyandwaterforhim:apparentlyoutofthepublicfunds。
AsMortimerLightwoodsatbeforetheblazingfire，consciousofdrinkingbrandyandwaterthenandthereinhissleep，andyetatoneandthesametimedrinkingburntsherryattheSixJollyFellowships，andlyingundertheboatontherivershore，andsittingintheboatthatRiderhoodrowed，andlisteningtothelecturerecentlyconcluded，andhavingtodineintheTemplewithanunknownman，whodescribedhimselfasM。H。F。EugeneGafferHarmon，andsaidhelivedatHailstorm，——ashepassedthroughthesecuriousvicissitudesoffatigueandslumber，arrangeduponthescaleofadozenhourstothesecond，hebecameawareofansweringaloudacommunicationofpressingimportancethathadneverbeenmadetohim，andthenturneditintoacoughonbeholdingMrInspector。For，hefelt，withsomenaturalindignation，thatthatfunctionarymightotherwisesuspecthimofhavingclosedhiseyes，orwanderedinhisattention。
\'Herejustbeforeus，yousee，\'saidMrInspector。
\'Isee，\'saidLightwood，withdignity。
\'Andhadhotbrandyandwatertoo，yousee，\'saidMrInspector，\'andthencutoffatagreatrate。\'
\'Who?\'saidLightwood。
\'Yourfriend，youknow。\'
\'Iknow，\'hereplied，againwithdignity。
Afterhearing，inamistthroughwhichMrInspectorloomedvagueandlarge，thattheofficertookuponhimselftopreparethedeadman\'sdaughterforwhathadbefalleninthenight，andgenerallythathetookeverythinguponhimself，MortimerLightwoodstumbledinhissleeptoacab-stand，calledacab，andhadenteredthearmyandcommittedacapitalmilitaryoffenceandbeentriedbycourtmartialandfoundguiltyandhadarrangedhisaffairsandbeenmarchedouttobeshot，beforethedoorbanged。
HardworkrowingthecabthroughtheCitytotheTemple，foracupoffromfivetotenthousandpoundsvalue，givenbyMrBoffin；
andhardworkholdingforthatthatimmeasurablelengthtoEugene(whenhehadbeenrescuedwitharopefromtherunningpavement)formakingoffinthatextraordinarymanner！Butheofferedsuchampleapologies，andwassoverypenitent，thatwhenLightwoodgotoutofthecab，hegavethedriveraparticularchargetohecarefulofhim。Whichthedriver(knowingtherewasnootherfareleftinside)staredatprodigiously。
Inshort，thenight\'sworkhadsoexhaustedandwornoutthisactorinit，thathehadbecomeameresomnambulist。Hewastootiredtorestinhissleep，untilhewaseventiredoutofbeingtootired，anddroppedintooblivion。Lateintheafternoonheawoke，andinsomeanxietysentroundtoEugene\'slodginghardby，toinquireifhewereupyet?
Ohyes，hewasup。Infact，hehadnotbeentobed。Hehadjustcomehome。Andherehewas，closefollowingontheheelsofthemessage。
\'Whywhatbloodshot，draggled，dishevelledspectacleisthis！\'criedMortimer。
\'Aremyfeatherssoverymuchrumpled?\'saidEugene，coollygoinguptothelooking-glass。TheyAREratheroutofsorts。Butconsider。Suchanightforplumage！\'
\'Suchanight?\'repeatedMortimer。\'Whatbecameofyouinthemorning?\'
\'Mydearfellow，\'saidEugene，sittingonhisbed，\'Ifeltthatwehadboredoneanothersolong，thatanunbrokencontinuanceofthoserelationsmustinevitablyterminateinourflyingtooppositepointsoftheearth。IalsofeltthatIhadcommittedeverycrimeintheNewgateCalendar。So，formingledconsiderationsoffriendshipandfelony，Itookawalk。\'
Chapter15
TWONEWSERVANTS
MrandMrsBoffinsatafterbreakfast，intheBower，apreytoprosperity。MrBoffin\'sfacedenotedCareandComplication。
Manydisorderedpaperswerebeforehim，andhelookedatthemaboutashopefullyasaninnocentcivilianmightlookatacrowdoftroopswhomhewasrequiredatfiveminutes\'noticetomanoeuvreandreview。Hehadbeenengagedinsomeattemptstomakenotesofthesepapers；butbeingtroubled(asmenofhisstampoftenare)
withanexceedinglydistrustfulandcorrectivethumb，thatbusymemberhadsoofteninterposedtosmearhisnotes，thattheywerelittlemorelegiblethanthevariousimpressionsofitself；whichblurredhisnoseandforehead。Itiscurioustoconsider，insuchacaseasMrBoffin\'s，whatacheaparticleinkis，andhowfaritmaybemadetogo。Asagrainofmuskwillscentadrawerformanyyears，andstilllosenothingappreciableofitsoriginalweight，soahalfpenny-worthofinkwouldblotMrBoffintotherootsofhishairandthecalvesofhislegs，withoutinscribingalineonthepaperbeforehim，orappearingtodiminishintheinkstand。
MrBoffinwasinsuchsevereliterarydifficultiesthathiseyeswereprominentandfixed，andhisbreathingwasstertorous，when，tothegreatreliefofMrsBoffin，whoobservedthesesymptomswithalarm，theyardbellrang。
\'Who\'sthat，Iwonder！\'saidMrsBoffin。
MrBoffindrewalongbreath，laiddownhispen，lookedathisnotesasdoubtingwhetherhehadthepleasureoftheiracquaintance，andappeared，onasecondperusaloftheircountenances，tobeconfirmedinhisimpressionthathehadnot，whentherewasannouncedbythehammer-headedyoungman:
\'MrRokesmith。\'
\'Oh！\'saidMrBoffin。\'Ohindeed！OurandtheWilfers\'MutualFriend，mydear。Yes。Askhimtocomein。\'
MrRokesmithappeared。
\'Sitdown，sir，\'saidMrBoffin，shakinghandswithhim。\'MrsBoffinyou\'realreadyacquaintedwith。Well，sir，Iamratherunpreparedtoseeyou，for，totellyouthetruth，I\'vebeensobusywithonethingandanother，thatI\'venothadtimetoturnyourofferover。\'
\'That\'sapologyforbothofus:forMrBoffin，andformeaswell，\'
saidthesmilingMrsBoffin。\'ButLor！wecantalkitovernow；
can\'tus?\'
MrRokesmithbowed，thankedher，andsaidhehopedso。
\'Letmeseethen，\'resumedMrBoffin，withhishandtohischin。\'ItwasSecretarythatyounamed；wasn\'tit?\'
\'IsaidSecretary，\'assentedMrRokesmith。
\'Itratherpuzzledmeatthetime，\'saidMrBoffin，\'anditratherpuzzledmeandMrsBoffinwhenwespokeofitafterwards，because(nottomakeamysteryofourbelief)wehavealwaysbelievedaSecretarytobeapieceoffurniture，mostlyofmahogany，linedwithgreenbaizeorleather，withalotoflittledrawersinit。
Now，youwon\'tthinkItakealibertywhenImentionthatyoucertainlyain\'tTHAT。\'
Certainlynot，saidMrRokesmith。ButhehadusedthewordinthesenseofSteward。
\'Why，astoSteward，yousee，\'returnedMrBoffin，withhishandstilltohischin，\'theoddsarethatMrsBoffinandmemaynevergouponthewater。Beingbothbadsailors，weshouldwantaStewardifwedid；butthere\'sgenerallyoneprovided。\'
MrRokesmithagainexplained；definingthedutieshesoughttoundertake，asthoseofgeneralsuperintendent，ormanager，oroverlooker，ormanofbusiness。
\'Now，forinstance——come！\'saidMrBoffin，inhispouncingway。\'Ifyouenteredmyemployment，whatwouldyoudo?\'
\'Iwouldkeepexactaccountsofalltheexpenditureyousanctioned，MrBoffin。Iwouldwriteyourletters，underyourdirection。I
wouldtransactyourbusinesswithpeopleinyourpayoremployment。Iwould，\'withaglanceandahalf-smileatthetable，\'arrangeyourpapers——\'
MrBoffinrubbedhisinkyear，andlookedathiswife。
\'——Andsoarrangethemastohavethemalwaysinorderforimmediatereference，withanoteofthecontentsofeachoutsideit。\'
\'Itellyouwhat，\'saidMrBoffin，slowlycrumplinghisownblottednoteinhishand；\'ifyou\'llturntoatthesepresentpapers，andseewhatyoucanmakeof\'em，IshallknowbetterwhatIcanmakeofyou。\'
Nosoonersaidthandone。Relinquishinghishatandgloves，MrRokesmithsatdownquietlyatthetable，arrangedtheopenpapersintoanorderlyheap，casthiseyesovereachinsuccession，foldedit，docketeditontheoutside，laiditinasecondheap，and，whenthatsecondheapwascompleteandthefirstgone，tookfromhispocketapieceofstringandtiedittogetherwitharemarkablydexteroushandatarunningcurveandaloop。
\'Good！\'saidMrBoffin。\'Verygood！Nowletushearwhatthey\'reallabout；willyoubesogood?\'
JohnRokesmithreadhisabstractsaloud。Theywereallaboutthenewhouse。Decorator\'sestimate，somuch。Furnitureestimate，somuch。Estimateforfurnitureofoffices，somuch。Coach-maker\'sestimate，somuch。Horse-dealer\'sestimate，somuch。Harness-
maker\'sestimate，somuch。Goldsmith\'sestimate，somuch。
Total，soverymuch。Thencamecorrespondence。AcceptanceofMrBoffin\'sofferofsuchadate，andtosuchaneffect。RejectionofMrBoffin\'sproposalofsuchadateandtosuchaneffect。
ConcerningMrBoffin\'sschemeofsuchanotherdatetosuchanothereffect。Allcompactandmethodical。
\'Apple-pieorder！\'saidMrBoffin，aftercheckingoffeachinscriptionwithhishand，likeamanbeatingtime。\'Andwhateveryoudowithyourink，Ican\'tthink，foryou\'reascleanasawhistleafterit。Now，astoaletter。Let\'s，\'saidMrBoffin，rubbinghishandsinhispleasantlychildishadmiration，\'let\'stryaletternext。\'
\'Towhomshallitbeaddressed，MrBoffin?\'
\'Anyone。Yourself。\'
MrRokesmithquicklywrote，andthenreadaloud:
\'“MrBoffinpresentshiscomplimentstoMrJohnRokesmith，andbegstosaythathehasdecidedongivingMrJohnRokesmithatrialinthecapacityhedesirestofill。MrBoffintakesMrJohnRokesmithathisword，inpostponingtosomeindefiniteperiod，theconsiderationofsalary。ItisquiteunderstoodthatMrBoffinisinnowaycommittedonthatpoint。MrBoffinhasmerelytoadd，thathereliesonMrJohnRokesmith\'sassurancethathewillbefaithfulandserviceable。MrJohnRokesmithwillpleaseenteronhisdutiesimmediately。”\'
\'Well！Now，Noddy！\'criedMrsBoffin，clappingherhands，\'ThatISagoodone！\'
MrBoffinwasnolessdelighted；indeed，inhisownbosom，heregardedboththecompositionitselfandthedevicethathadgivenbirthtoit，asaveryremarkablemonumentofhumaningenuity。
\'AndItellyou，mydeary，\'saidMrsBoffin，\'thatifyoudon\'tclosewithMrRokesmithnowatonce，andifyouevergoamuddlingyourselfagainwiththingsnevermeantnormadeforyou，you\'llhaveanapoplexy——besidesiron-mouldingyourlinen——andyou\'llbreakmyheart。\'
MrBoffinembracedhisspouseforthesewordsofwisdom，andthen，congratulatingJohnRokesmithonthebrilliancyofhisachievements，gavehimhishandinpledgeoftheirnewrelations。
SodidMrsBoffin。
\'Now，\'saidMrBoffin，who，inhisfrankness，feltthatitdidnotbecomehimtohaveagentlemaninhisemploymentfiveminutes，withoutreposingsomeconfidenceinhim，\'youmustbeletalittlemoreintoouraffairs，Rokesmith。Imentionedtoyou，whenI
madeyouracquaintance，orImightbettersaywhenyoumademine，thatMrsBoffin\'sinclinationswassettinginthewayofFashion，butthatIdidn\'tknowhowfashionablewemightormightnotgrow。Well！MrsBoffinhascarriedtheday，andwe\'regoinginneckandcropforFashion。\'
\'Iratherinferredthat，sir，\'repliedJohnRokesmith，\'fromthescaleonwhichyournewestablishmentistobemaintained。\'
\'Yes，\'saidMrBoffin，\'it\'stobeaSpanker。Thefactis，myliterarymannamedtomethatahousewithwhichheis，asImaysay，connected——inwhichhehasaninterest——\'
\'Asproperty?\'inquiredJohnRokesmith。
\'Whyno，\'saidMrBoffin，\'notexactlythat；asortofafamilytie。\'
\'Association?\'theSecretarysuggested。
\'Ah！\'saidMrBoffin。\'Perhaps。Anyhow，henamedtomethatthehousehadaboardup，“ThisEminentlyAristocraticMansiontobeletorsold。”MeandMrsBoffinwenttolookatit，andfindingitbeyondadoubtEminentlyAristocratic(thoughatriflehighanddull，whichafterallmaybepartofthesamething)tookit。Myliterarymanwassofriendlyastodropintoacharmingpieceofpoetryonthatoccasion，inwhichhecomplimentedMrsBoffinoncomingintopossessionof——howdiditgo，mydear?\'
MrsBoffinreplied:
\'“Thegay，thegayandfestivescene，Thehalls，thehallsofdazzlinglight。”\'
\'That\'sit！Anditwasmadeneaterbytherereallybeingtwohallsinthehouse，afront\'unandaback\'un，besidestheservants\'。Helikewisedroppedintoaveryprettypieceofpoetrytobesure，respectingtheextenttowhichhewouldbewillingtoputhimselfoutofthewaytobringMrsBoffinround，incasesheshouldevergetlowinherspiritsinthehouse。MrsBoffinhasawonderfulmemory。Willyourepeatit，mydear?\'
MrsBoffincomplied，byrecitingtheversesinwhichthisobligingofferhadbeenmade，exactlyasshehadreceivedthem。
\'“I\'lltelltheehowthemaidenwept，MrsBoffin，Whenhertruelovewasslainma\'am，Andhowherbrokenspiritslept，MrsBoffin，Andneverwokeagainma\'am。
I\'lltellthee(ifagreeabletoMrBoffin)howthesteeddrewnigh，Andlefthislordafar；
Andifmytale(whichIhopeMrBoffinmightexcuse)shouldmakeyousigh，I\'llstrikethelightguitar。”\'
\'Correcttotheletter！\'saidMrBoffin。\'AndIconsiderthatthepoetrybringsusbothin，inabeautifulmanner。\'
TheeffectofthepoemontheSecretarybeingevidentlytoastonishhim，MrBoffinwasconfirmedinhishighopinionofit，andwasgreatlypleased。
\'Now，yousee，Rokesmith，\'hewenton，\'aliteraryman——WITHawoodenleg——isliabletojealousy。IshallthereforecastaboutforcomfortablewaysandmeansofnotcallingupWegg\'sjealousy，butofkeepingyouinyourdepartment，andkeepinghiminhis。\'
\'Lor！\'criedMrsBoffin。\'WhatIsayis，theworld\'swideenoughforallofus！\'
\'Soitis，mydear，\'saidMrBoffin，\'whennotliterary。Butwhenso，notso。AndIamboundtobearinmindthatItookWeggon，atatimewhenIhadnothoughtofbeingfashionableorofleavingtheBower。Tolethimfeelhimselfanywaysslightednow，wouldbetobeguiltyofameanness，andtoactlikehavingone\'sheadturnedbythehallsofdazzlinglight。WhichLordforbid！Rokesmith，whatshallwesayaboutyourlivinginthehouse?\'
\'Inthishouse?\'
\'No，no。Ihavegototherplansforthishouse。Inthenewhouse?\'
\'Thatwillbeasyouplease，MrBoffin。Iholdmyselfquiteatyourdisposal。YouknowwhereIliveatpresent。\'
\'Well！\'saidMrBoffin，afterconsideringthepoint；\'supposeyoukeepasyouareforthepresent，andwe\'lldecideby-and-by。You\'llbegintotakechargeatonce，ofallthat\'sgoingoninthenewhouse，willyou?\'
\'Mostwillingly。Iwillbeginthisveryday。Willyougivemetheaddress?\'
MrBoffinrepeatedit，andtheSecretarywroteitdowninhispocket-book。MrsBoffintooktheopportunityofhisbeingsoengaged，togetabetterobservationofhisfacethanshehadyettaken。Itimpressedherinhisfavour，forshenoddedasidetoMrBoffin，\'Ilikehim。\'
\'Iwillseedirectlythateverythingisintrain，MrBoffin。\'
\'Thank\'ee。Beinghere，wouldyoucareatalltolookroundtheBower?\'
\'Ishouldgreatlylikeit。Ihaveheardsomuchofitsstory。\'
\'Come！\'saidMrBoffin。AndheandMrsBoffinledtheway。
AgloomyhousetheBower，withsordidsignsonitofhavingbeen，throughitslongexistenceasHarmonyJail，inmiserlyholding。
Bareofpaint，bareofpaperonthewalls，bareoffurniture，bareofexperienceofhumanlife。Whateverisbuiltbymanforman\'soccupation，must，likenaturalcreations，fulfiltheintentionofitsexistence，orsoonperish。Thisoldhousehadwasted——morefromdesuetudethanitwouldhavewastedfromuse，twentyyearsforone。
Acertainleannessfallsuponhousesnotsufficientlyimbuedwithlife(asiftheywerenourisheduponit)，whichwasverynoticeablehere。Thestaircase，balustrades，andrails，hadasparelook——anairofbeingdenudedtothebone——whichthepanelsofthewallsandthejambsofthedoorsandwindowsalsobore。Thescantymoveablespartookofit；saveforthecleanlinessoftheplace，thedust——intowhichtheywereallresolvingwouldhavelainthickonthefloors；andthose，bothincolourandingrain，werewornlikeoldfacesthathadkeptmuchalone。
Thebedroomwheretheclutchingoldmanhadlosthisgriponlife，wasleftashehadleftit。Therewastheoldgrislyfour-postbedstead，withouthangings，andwithajail-likeupperrimofironandspikes；andtherewastheoldpatch-workcounterpane。Therewasthetight-clenchedoldbureau，recedingatoplikeabadandsecretforehead；therewasthecumbersomeoldtablewithtwistedlegs，atthebed-side；andtherewastheboxuponit，inwhichthewillhadlain。Afewoldchairswithpatch-workcovers，underwhichthemorepreciousstufftobepreservedhadslowlylostitsqualityofcolourwithoutimpartingpleasuretoanyeye，stoodagainstthewall。Ahardfamilylikenesswasonallthesethings。
\'Theroomwaskeptlikethis，Rokesmith，\'saidMrBoffin，\'againsttheson\'sreturn。Inshort，everythinginthehousewaskeptexactlyasitcametous，forhimtoseeandapprove。Evennow，nothingischangedbutourownroombelow-stairsthatyouhavejustleft。
Whenthesoncamehomeforthelasttimeinhislife，andforthelasttimeinhislifesawhisfather，itwasmostlikelyinthisroomthattheymet。\'
AstheSecretarylookedallroundit，hiseyesrestedonasidedoorinacorner。
\'Anotherstaircase，\'saidMrBoffin，unlockingthedoor，\'leadingdownintotheyard。We\'llgodownthisway，asyoumayliketoseetheyard，andit\'sallintheroad。Whenthesonwasalittlechild，itwasupanddownthesestairsthathemostlycameandwenttohisfather。Hewasverytimidofhisfather。I\'veseenhimsitonthesestairs，inhisshyway，poorchild，manyatime。MrandMrsBoffinhavecomfortedhim，sittingwithhislittlebookonthesestairs，often。\'
\'Ah！Andhispoorsistertoo，\'saidMrsBoffin。\'Andhere\'sthesunnyplaceonthewhitewallwheretheyonedaymeasuredoneanother。Theirownlittlehandswroteuptheirnameshere，onlywithapencil；butthenamesareherestill，andthepoordearsgoneforever。\'
\'Wemusttakecareofthenames，oldlady，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Wemusttakecareofthenames。Theyshan\'tberubbedoutinourtime，noryet，ifwecanhelpit，inthetimeafterus。Poorlittlechildren！\'
\'Ah，poorlittlechildren！\'saidMrsBoffin。
Theyhadopenedthedooratthebottomofthestaircasegivingontheyard，andtheystoodinthesunlight，lookingatthescrawlofthetwounsteadychildishhandstwoorthreestepsupthestaircase。
Therewassomethinginthissimplemementoofablightedchildhood，andinthetendernessofMrsBoffin，thattouchedtheSecretary。
MrBoffinthenshowedhisnewmanofbusinesstheMounds，andhisownparticularMoundwhichhadbeenlefthimashislegacyunderthewillbeforeheacquiredthewholeestate。
\'Itwouldhavebeenenoughforus，\'saidMrBoffin，\'incaseithadpleasedGodtosparethelastofthosetwoyounglivesandsorrowfuldeaths。Wedidn\'twanttherest。\'
Atthetreasuresoftheyard，andattheoutsideofthehouse，andatthedetachedbuildingwhichMrBoffinpointedoutastheresidenceofhimselfandhiswifeduringthemanyyearsoftheirservice，theSecretarylookedwithinterest。ItwasnotuntilMrBoffinhadshownhimeverywonderoftheBowertwiceover，thatherememberedhishavingdutiestodischargeelsewhere。
\'Youhavenoinstructionstogiveme，MrBoffin，inreferencetothisplace?\'
\'Notany，Rokesmith。No。\'
\'MightIask，withoutseemingimpertinent，whetheryouhaveanyintentionofsellingit?\'
\'Certainlynot。Inremembranceofouroldmaster，ouroldmaster\'schildren，andouroldservice，meandMrsBoffinmeantokeepitupasitstands。\'
TheSecretary\'seyesglancedwithsomuchmeaninginthemattheMounds，thatMrBoffinsaid，asifinanswertoaremark:
\'Ay，ay，that\'sanotherthing。ImaysellTHEM，thoughIshouldbesorrytoseetheneighbourhooddeprivedof\'emtoo。It\'lllookbutapoordeadflatwithouttheMounds。StillIdon\'tsaythatI\'mgoingtokeep\'emalwaysthere，forthesakeofthebeautyofthelandscape。There\'snohurryaboutit；that\'sallIsayatpresent。I
ain\'tascholarinmuch，Rokesmith，butI\'maprettyfairscholarindust。IcanpricetheMoundstoafraction，andIknowhowtheycanbebestdisposedof；andlikewisethattheytakenoharmbystandingwheretheydo。You\'lllookinto-morrow，willyoubesokind?\'
\'Everyday。AndthesoonerIcangetyouintoyournewhouse，complete，thebetteryouwillbepleased，sir?\'
\'Well，itain\'tthatI\'minamortalhurry，\'saidMrBoffin；\'onlywhenyouDOpaypeopleforlookingalive，it\'saswelltoknowthattheyARElookingalive。Ain\'tthatyouropinion?\'
\'Quite！\'repliedtheSecretary；andsowithdrew。
\'Now，\'saidMrBoffintohimself；subsidingintohisregularseriesofturnsintheyard，\'ifIcanmakeitcomfortablewithWegg，myaffairswillbegoingsmooth。\'
Themanoflowcunninghad，ofcourse，acquiredamasteryoverthemanofhighsimplicity。Themeanmanhad，ofcourse，gotthebetterofthegenerousman。Howlongsuchconquestslast，isanothermatter；thattheyareachieved，isevery-dayexperience，noteventobeflourishedawaybyPodsnapperyitself。TheundesigningBoffinhadbecomesofarimmeshedbythewilyWeggthathismindmisgavehimhewasaverydesigningmanindeedinpurposingtodomoreforWegg。Itseemedtohim(soskilfulwasWegg)thathewasplottingdarkly，whenhewascontrivingtodotheverythingthatWeggwasplottingtogethimtodo。Andthus，whilehewasmentallyturningthekindestofkindfacesonWeggthismorning，hewasnotabsolutelysurebutthathemightsomehowdeservethechargeofturninghisbackonhim。
ForthesereasonsMrBoffinpassedbutanxioushoursuntileveningcame，andwithitMrWegg，stumpingleisurelytotheRomanEmpire。AtaboutthisperiodMrBoffinhadbecomeprofoundlyinterestedinthefortunesofagreatmilitaryleaderknowntohimasBullySawyers，butperhapsbetterknowntofameandeasierofidentificationbytheclassicalstudent，underthelessBritannicnameofBelisarius。Eventhisgeneral\'scareerpaledininterestforMrBoffinbeforetheclearingofhisconsciencewithWegg；andhence，whenthatliterarygentlemanhadaccordingtocustomeatenanddrunkuntilhewasalla-glow，andwhenhetookuphisbookwiththeusualchirpingintroduction，\'Andnow，MrBoffin，sir，we\'lldeclineandwe\'llfall！\'MrBoffinstoppedhim。
\'Youremember，Wegg，whenIfirsttoldyouthatIwantedtomakeasortofoffertoyou?\'
\'Letmegetonmyconsideringcap，sir，\'repliedthatgentleman，turningtheopenbookfacedownward。\'Whenyoufirsttoldmethatyouwantedtomakeasortofoffertome?Nowletmethink。\'
(asifthereweretheleastnecessity)\'Yes，tobesureIdo，MrBoffin。Itwasatmycorner。Tobesureitwas！YouhadfirstaskedmewhetherIlikedyourname，andCandourhadcompelledareplyinthenegativecase。Ilittlethoughtthen，sir，howfamiliarthatnamewouldcometobe！\'
\'Ihopeitwillbemorefamiliarstill，Wegg。\'
\'Doyou，MrBoffin?Muchobligedtoyou，I\'msure。Isityourpleasure，sir，thatwedeclineandwefall?\'withafeintoftakingupthebook。
\'Notjustyetawhile，Wegg。Infact，Ihavegotanotheroffertomakeyou。\'
MrWegg(whohadhadnothingelseinhismindforseveralnights)tookoffhisspectacleswithanairofblandsurprise。
\'AndIhopeyou\'lllikeit，Wegg。\'
\'Thankyou，sir，\'returnedthatreticentindividual。\'Ihopeitmayproveso。Onallaccounts，Iamsure。\'(This，asaphilanthropicaspiration。)
\'Whatdoyouthink，\'saidMrBoffin，\'ofnotkeepingastall，Wegg?\'
\'Ithink，sir，\'repliedWegg，\'thatIshouldliketobeshownthegentlemanpreparedtomakeitworthmywhile！\'
\'Hereheis，\'saidMrBoffin。
MrWeggwasgoingtosay，MyBenefactor，andhadsaidMyBene，whenagrandiloquentchangecameoverhim。
\'No，MrBoffin，notyousir。Anybodybutyou。Donotfear，MrBoffin，thatIshallcontaminatethepremiseswhichyourgoldhasbought，withMYlowlypursuits。Iamaware，sir，thatitwouldnotbecomemetocarryonmylittletrafficunderthewindowsofyourmansion。Ihavealreadythoughtofthat，andtakenmymeasures。
Noneedtobeboughtout，sir。WouldStepneyFieldsbeconsideredintrusive?Ifnotremoteenough，Icangoremoter。Inthewordsofthepoet\'ssong，whichIdonotquiteremember:
Thrownonthewideworld，doom\'dtowanderandroam，Bereftofmyparents，bereftofahome，Astrangertosomethingandwhat\'shisnamejoy，BeholdlittleEdmundthepoorPeasantboy——
Andequally，\'saidMrWegg，repairingthewantofdirectapplicationinthelastline，\'beholdmyselfonasimilarfooting！\'
\'Now，Wegg，Wegg，Wegg，\'remonstratedtheexcellentBoffin。
\'Youaretoosensitive。\'
\'IknowIam，sir，\'returnedWegg，withobstinatemagnanimity。\'I
amacquaintedwithmyfaults。Ialwayswas，fromachild，toosensitive。\'
\'Butlisten，\'pursuedtheGoldenDustman；\'hearmeout，Wegg。
YouhavetakenitintoyourheadthatImeantopensionyouoff。\'
\'True，sir，\'returnedWegg，stillwithanobstinatemagnanimity。\'I
amacquaintedwithmyfaults。Farbeitfrommetodenythem。I
HAVEtakenitintomyhead。\'
\'ButIDON\'Tmeanit。\'
TheassuranceseemedhardlyascomfortingtoMrWegg，asMrBoffinintendedittobe。Indeed，anappreciableelongationofhisvisagemighthavebeenobservedashereplied:
\'Don\'tyou，indeed，sir?\'
\'No，\'pursuedMrBoffin；\'becausethatwouldexpress，asI
understandit，thatyouwerenotgoingtodoanythingtodeserveyourmoney。Butyouare；youare。\'
\'That，sir，\'repliedMrWegg，cheeringupbravely，\'isquiteanotherpairofshoes。Now，myindependenceasamanisagainelevated。
Now，InolongerWeepforthehour，WhentoBoffinsesbower，TheLordofthevalleywithofferscame；
NeitherdoesthemoonhideherlightFromtheheavensto-night，Andweepbehindhercloudso\'eranyindividualinthepresentCompany\'sshame——
Pleasetoproceed，MrBoffin。\'
