 CHAPTER V As soon as the business of the day was over, the locksmith sellied forth alone to visit the wounded gentleman and ascertained the progress of his recovery. The house where he had left him was in a by-street in Southwark, not far from London Bridge, and thither he hide, with all speed, bent upon returning, but as little delay as might be, and getting to bed betimes. The evening was boisterous, scarcely better than the previous night had been. It was not easy for a stout man like Gabriel to keep his legs of the street corners, or to make head against the high wind, which often fairly got the better of him, and drove him back some paces, or in defiance of all his energy, forced him to take shelter in an arch or doorway until the fury of the gust was spent. Occasionally, a hat, or wig, or both, came spinning and trundling past him like a mad thing, while the more serious spectacle of falling tiles and slates, or of masses of brick and mortar, or fragments of stone coping rattling upon the pavement near at hand, and splitting into fragments, did not increase the pleasure of the journey, or make the way less dreary. A trying night for a man like me to walk in, said the locksmith, as he knocked softly at the widow's door, I'd rather be an old John's chimney-corner of faith. Who's there? demanded a woman's voice from within. Being answered, it added a hasty word of welcome, and the door was quickly opened. She was about forty, perhaps two or three years older, with a cheerful aspect, and a face that had once been pretty. It bore traces of affliction and care, but they were of an old date, and time had smoothed them. One who had bestowed but a casual glance on Barnaby, might have known that this was his mother, and the strong resemblance between them. But where in his face there was wildness and vacancy, in hers there was the patient composure of long effort and quiet resignation. One thing about this face was very strange and startling. You could not look upon it in its most cheerful mood, without feeling that it had some extraordinary capacity of expressing terror. It was not on the surface. It was in no one feature that it lingered. You could not take the eyes, or mouth, or lines upon the cheek, and say, if this or that were otherwise, it would not be so. Yet there it always lurked. Something for ever dimly seen, but ever there, and never absent for a moment. It was the faintest, palest shadow of some look, to which an instant of intense and most unutterable horror only could have given birth. But indistinct and feeble as it was, it did suggest what that look must have been, and fixed it in the mind as if it had had existence in a dream. More faintly imaged, and wanting force and purpose as it were, because of his darkened intellect, there was this same stamp upon the sun. Seen in a picture, it must have had some legend with it, and would have haunted those who looked upon the canvas. They who knew the Maypole story, and could remember what the widow was before her husband and his master's murder, understood it well. They recollected how the change had come, and would call to mind that when her son was born upon the very day the deed was known, he bore upon his wrist what seemed a smear of blood, but half washed out. "'God save you, neighbour,' said the locksmith, as he followed her, with the air of an old friend, and to a little parlor where a cheerful fire was burning. "'And you,' she answered, smiling, "'your kind heart has brought you here again. Nothing will keep you at home. I know of old. If there are friends to serve or comfort out of doors—'tut, tut,' returned the locksmith, rubbing his hands and warbing them, "'You women are such talkers. What of the patient, neighbour?' He's sleeping now. He was very restless towards daylight, and for some hours tossed and tumbled sadly. But the fevers left him, and the doctors say he will soon mend. He must not be removed until to-morrow.' "'He has had visitors to-day,' said Gabriel, slyly. "'Yes. Our Mr. Chester's been here ever since we sent for him, and had not been gone many minutes when you knocked.' "'No, ladies,' said Gabriel, elevating his eyebrows and looking disappointed. "'A letter,' replied the widow, "'Come! That's better than nothing,' replied the locksmith. "'Who was the bearer?' "'Barnaby, of course.' "'Barnaby's a jewel,' said Varden, "'and comes and goes with ease, where we who think ourselves much wiser would make but a poor hand of it. He is not out wandering again, I hope.' Thank heaven he is in his bed, having been up all night, as you know, and on his feet all day. He was quite tired out. Ah, neighbour, if I could but see him often or so, if I could but tame down that terrible restlessness.' "'In good time,' said the locksmith kindly, "'In good time, don't be down-hearted. To my mind he grows wiser every day.' The widow shook her head, and yet, though she knew the locksmith sought to cheer her, and spoke from no conviction of his own, she was glad to hear even this praise of her poor, benighted son. "'He will be a cute man yet,' resumed the locksmith. They care when we are growing old and foolish, Barnaby doesn't put us to the blush. That's all.' "'But our other friend,' he added, looking under the table and about the floor, sharpest and cunningest of all the sharp and cunning ones, where's he?' "'In Barnaby's room,' rejoined the widow with a faint smile. "'Ah, he's a knowing blade,' said Varden, shaking his head. "'I should be sorry to talk secrets before him. Oh, he's a deep customer. I have no doubt he can read and write and cast accounts if he chooses. What was that, him tapping at the door?' "'No,' returned the widow. "'It was in the street, I think.' "'Hark! Yes, there again. It is someone knocking softly at the shutter. Who can it be?' They had been speaking in a low tone, for the invalid lay overhead, and the walls and ceilings being thin and poorly built, the sound of their voices might otherwise have disturbed his slumber. The party without, whoever it was, could have stood close to the shutter without hearing anything spoken, and seeing the light through the chinks and finding all so quiet, might have been persuaded that only one person was there. "'Some thief or ruffian, maybe?' said the locksmith. "'Give me the light.' "'No, no,' she returned hastily. "'Such visitors have never come to this poor dwelling. Do you stay here? You're within call at the worst. I would rather go myself, alone.' "'Why?' said the locksmith, unwillingly relinquishing the candle he had caught up from the table. "'Because—I don't know why, because the wish is so strong upon me.' She rejoined. "'There again. Do not detain me. I beg of you.' Gabriel looked at her in great surprise, to see one who was usually so mild and quiet, thus agitated and with so little cause. She left the room and closed the door behind her. She stood for a moment, as if hesitating, with her hand upon the lock. In this short interval the knocking came again, and a voice close to the window, a voice the locksmith seemed to recollect, and to have some disagreeable association with, whispered, "'Mike haste!' The words were uttered in that low, distinct voice, which finds its way so readily to sleeper's ears, and wakes them in a fright. For a moment it startled even the locksmith, who involuntarily drew back from the window, and listened. The wind rumbling in the chimney made it difficult to hear what passed, but he could tell that the door was opened, that there was the tread of a man upon the creaking boards, and then a moment's silence, broken by a suppressed something, which was not a shriek, or groan, or cry for help, and yet might have been either, or all three, and the words, "'My God!' uttered in a voice, it chilled him to hear. He rushed out upon the instant. There at last was that dreadful look, the very one he seemed to know so well, and yet had never seen before, upon her face. There she stood, frozen to the ground, gazing with starting eyes, and livid cheeks, and every feature fixed and ghastly, upon the man he had encountered in the dark last night. His eyes met those of the locksmith. It was but a flesh, an instant, a breath upon a polished glass, and he was gone. The locksmith was upon him, had the skirts of his streaming garment almost in his grasp, when his arms were tightly clutched, and the widow flung herself upon the ground before him. "'The other way! The other way!' she cried. "'He went the other way! Turn! Turn!' "'The other way! I see him now!' rejoined the locksmith, pointing. "'Yonder! There! There is his shadow passing by that light. "'What? Who is this? Let me go!' "'Come back! Come back!' exclaimed the woman, clasping him. "'Do not touch him on your life! I charge you! Come back!' "'He carries other lives besides his own. Come back!' "'What does this mean?' cried the locksmith. "'No matter what it means! Don't ask! Don't speak! Don't think about it! "'He is not to be followed! Checked or stopped! Come back!' The old man looked at her in wonder, as she writhed and clung about him, and, born down by her passion, suffered her to drag him into the house. It was not until she had chained and double-locked the door, fastened every bolt and bar with the heat and fury of a maniac, and drawn him back into the room, that she turned upon him, once again, that stony look of horror, and, sinking down into a chair, covered her face and shuddered as though the hand of death were on her. End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Barnaby-Rudge, A Tale of the Riots of Eighty Chapter 6 On all measure, astonished by the strange occurrences which had passed with so much violence and rapidity, the locksmith gazed upon the shuddering figure in the chair, like one half stupefied, and would have gazed much longer had not his tongue been loosened by compassion and humanity. "'You are ill!' said Gabriel. "'Let me call some neighbour in.' "'It's not for the world,' she rejoined, motioning to him with a trembling hand and holding her face averted. "'It is enough that you have been by to see this.'" "'No, more than enough, or less,' said Gabriel. "'Be it so,' she returned. "'As you like. Ask me no questions. I entreat you.' "'Neighbour,' said the locksmith, after a pause. "'Is this fair or reasonable or just to yourself? "'Is it like you, who have known me so long and sought my advice "'in all matters, like you, who from a girl have had a strong mind "'and a staunch heart?' "'I have need of them,' she replied. "'I'm growing old, both in years and care. "'Perhaps that and too much trial have made them weaker than they used to be. "'Do not speak to me.'" "'How can I see what I have seen and hold my peace?' returned the locksmith. "'Who was that man, and why has his coming made this change in you?' She was silent, but held to the chair as though to save herself from falling on the ground. "'I take the license of an old acquaintance, Mary,' said the locksmith, "'who has ever had a warm regard for you, "'and maybe has tried to prove it when he could. "'Who is this ill-favoured man, and what has he to do with you? "'Who is this ghost that has only seen in the black nights and bad weather? "'How does he know, and why does he haunt this house, "'whispering through chinks and crevices as if there was that between him and you, "'which neither durst so much as speak aloud of? "'Who is he?' "'You do well to say he haunts this house,' returned the widow faintly. "'The shadow has been upon it and me in light and darkness "'at noonday and midnight, and thou at last he has come in the body.' "'But he wouldn't have gone in the body,' returned the locksmith with some irritation, "'if you had left my arms and legs at liberty. "'What riddle is this?' "'It is one,' she answered, rising as she spoke, "'that must remain for ever as it is. "'I dare not say more than that.' "'Dare not,' repeated the wondering locksmith. "'Do not press me,' she replied. "'I'm sick and faint, and every faculty of life seems dead within me. "'No, no, do not touch me, either.' Gabriel, who had stepped forward to render her assistance, fell back as she made this hasty exclamation and regarded her in silent wonder. "'Let me go my way alone,' she said in a low voice, "'and let the haunts of no honest man touch mine tonight.' When she had tottered to the door, she turned and added with a stronger effort, "'This is a secret which of necessity I trust to you. "'You are a true man, as you have ever been good and kind to me. "'Keep it. "'If any noise was heard above, make some excuse, say anything, "'but what you really saw had never let a word or look between us. "'Recall this circumstance. "'I trust you, mind I trust to you. "'How much I trust you never can conceive.' Casting her eyes upon him for an instant, she withdrew and left him there alone. Gabriel, not knowing what to think, stood staring at the door with the countenance full of surprise and dismay. The more he pondered on what had passed, the less able he was to give it any favourable interpretation. To find this widow-woman whose life for so many years had been supposed to be one of solitude and retirement, and who, in her quiet suffering character, had gained the good opinion and respect of all who knew her, to find her linked mysteriously with an ill-oamened man alarmed at his appearance and yet, favouring his escape, was a discovery that pained as much as startled him. Her reliance on his secrecy and his tacit acquiescence increased his distress of mind. If he had spoken boldly, persisted in questioning her, detained her when she rose to leave the room, made any kind of protest, instead of silently compromising himself, as he felt he had done, he would have been more at ease. "'Why did I let her say it was a secret, and she trusted it to me?' said Gabriel, putting his wig on one side to scratch his head with greater ease, and looking ruefully at the fire. "'I have no more readiness than old John himself. "'Why didn't I say firmly, you have no right to such secrets, and I demand of you to tell me what this means?' Instead of standing gaping at her, I can old moon-carve as I am. "'But there's my weakness. I can be obstant enough with men if need be, but women may twist me round their fingers at their pleasure.' He took his wig off outright as he made this reflection, and warming his handkerchief at the fire began to rub and polish his bald head with it until it listened again. "'And yet,' said the locksmith, softening under this soothing process and stopping to smile, it may be nothing. Any drunken brawler trying to make his way into the house would have alarmed a quiet soul like her. But then—' And here was the vexation. How came it to be that man? How comes he to have this influence over her? How came she to favour his getting away from me? And more than all, how came she not to say it was a sudden fright and nothing more?' "'It's a sad thing to have in one minute. Reason to mistrust a person I have known so long and an old sweetheart into the bargain. But what else can I do with all this upon my mind? Is that Barnaby outside there?' "'I,' he cried, looking in and nodding. "'Sure enough, it's Barnaby. How did you guess?' "'By your shadow,' said the locksmith. "'Oh, ho!' cried Barnaby, glancing over his shoulder. "'He's a merry fellow, that shadow, and keeps close to me, though I am silly. We have such pranks, such walks, such runs, such gambles on the grass. Sometimes he'll be half as tall as a church steeple and sometimes no bigger than a dwarf. Now he goes on before, and now behind, and anon he'll be stealing on on this side, or on that, stopping whenever I stop, and thinking I can't see him, though I have my eye on him sharp enough. Ho, ho, ho, he's a merry fellow. Tell me, is he silly too? I think he is.' "'Why?' asked Gabriel. "'Because he never tires of mocking me. But does it all day long. Why don't you come?' "'Where?' "'Upstairs. He wants you. Stay. Where's his shadow? Come, you're a wise man. Tell me that.' "'Beside him, Barnaby. Beside him, I suppose.' Returned the locksmith. "'No,' he replied, shaking his head. "'Guess again.' "'Gone out walking, maybe?' "'He has changed shadows with a woman.' The idiot whispered in his ear and then fell back with a look of triumph. Her shadow's always with him, and his with her. That's sport, I think, eh?' "'Bornaby,' said the locksmith, with a grave look. "'Come hither, lad.' "'I know what you want to say, I know,' he replied, keeping away from him. "'That I'm cunning. I'm silent. I only say so much to you. "'Are you ready?' As he spoke, he caught up the light and waved it with a wild laugh above his head. "'Softly, gently,' said the locksmith, exerting all his influence to keep him calm and quiet. "'I thought you had been asleep.' "'So I have been asleep,' he rejoined with widely-opened eyes. "'They have been great faces coming and going, "'close to my face, and then a mile away, "'low places to creep through, whether I would or know, "'high churches to fall down from, "'strange creatures crowded up together, "'neck and heels to sit upon the bed. "'That's sleep, eh?' "'Dreams, Barnaby, dreams,' said the locksmith. "'Dreams,' he echoed softly, drawing closer to him. "'Those are not dreams.' "'What are?' replied the locksmith, "'if they are not.' "'I dreamed,' said Barnaby, passing his arm through Vardens, and peering close into his face as he answered in a whisper, "'I dreamed just now that something "'it was in the shape of a man, "'followed me, came softly after me, "'wouldn't let me be, "'but was always hiding and crouching "'like a cat in dark corners, "'waiting till I should pass, "'when it crept out and came softly after me. "'Did you ever see me run?' "'Many a time, you know.' "'You never saw me run as I did in this dream. "'Still, it came creeping on to worry me. "'Nearer, nearer, nearer, I run faster, "'leapt, sprang out a bed into the window, "'and there in the street below. "'But he is waiting for us. "'Are you coming?' "'What in the street below, Barnaby?' said Varden, imagining that he had traced some connection between this vision and what had actually occurred. Barnaby looked into his face, muttered incoherently, waved the light above his head again, laughed, and drawing the locksmith's arm more tightly through his own, let him up the stairs in silence. They entered a homely bed-chamber, garnished in a scanty way with chairs, whose spindle-shanks bespoke their age, and other furniture of very little worth, but clean and neatly kept. Shining in an easy chair before the fire, pale and weak from waste of blood, was Edward Chester, the young gentleman who had been the first to quit the maypole on the previous night, and who, extending his hand to the locksmith, welcomed him as his preserver and friend. "'Say no more, sir, say no more,' said Gabriel. "'I hope I would have done at least as much as any man in such a street, and most of all for you, sir. "'A certain young lady,' he added with some hesitation, "'has done us many a kind turn, "'and we naturally feel, I hope I give you no offence "'in saying this, sir.'" The young man smiled and shook his head, at the same time moving in his chair as if in pain. "'It's no great matter,' he said, in answer to the locksmith's sympathising look. "'A mere uneasiness arising at least as much "'from being cooped up here as from the slight wound I have, "'or from the loss of blood, be seated, Mr. Varden.' "'If I may make so bold, Mr. Edward, "'as to lean upon your chair,' returned the locksmith, "'accommodating his action to his speech and bending over him, "'I'll stand here for the convenience of speaking low. "'Barnaby is not in his quietest humour to-night, "'and at such times talking never does him good.'" They both glanced at the subject of this remark, who had taken a seat on the other side of the fire, and smiling vacantly was making puzzles on his fingers with a skein of string. "'Pray tell me, sir,' said Varden, dropping his voice still lower, "'exactly what happened last night. "'I have my reason for inquiring. "'You left the maypole alone,' and walked homeward alone "'until I had nearly reached the place where you found me "'when I heard the gallop of a horse.' "'Behind you?' said the locksmith. "'Indeed, yes, behind me. "'It was a single rider who soon overtook me "'and, checking his horse, inquired the way to London.' "'You were on the alert, sir, knowing how many highwaymen there are "'scouring the roads in all directions?' said Varden. "'I was, but I had only a stick, "'having imprudently left my pistols in their holster case "'with the landlord's son. "'I directed him as he desired. "'Before the words had passed my lips. "'He rode upon me furiously as if bent on trampling me down "'beneath his horse's hoofs. "'In starting aside, I slipped and fell. "'You found me with this stab and an ugly bruise or two "'and without my purse, in which he found little enough "'for his pains. "'And now, Mr. Varden,' he added, "'shaking the locksmith by the hand, "'saving the extent of my gratitude to you, "'you know as much as I.' "'Except,' said Gabriel, "'bending down yet more and looking cautiously "'towards their silent neighbour, "'except in respect of the robber himself. "'What like was he, sir? "'Speak low, if you please. "'It seems no harm, but I have watched him oftener than you "'and I know, little as you would think it, "'that he is listening now. "'It required a strong confidence in the locksmith's veracity "'to lead anyone to this belief, "'for every sense and faculty that Barnaby possessed "'seemed to be fixed upon his game "'to the exclusion of all other things.' "'Something in the young man's face expressed this opinion, "'for Gabriel repeated what he had just said "'more earnestly than before "'and with another glance towards Barnaby "'again asked what like the man was.' "'The night was so dark,' said Edward. "'The attack so sudden, and he so wrapped and muffled up, "'that I can hardly say, "'it seems that... "'Don't mention his name, sir,' turned the locksmith, "'following his look towards Barnaby. "'I know he saw him. "'I want to know what you saw.' "'All I remember is,' said Edward, "'that as he checked his horse, his hat was blown off. "'He caught it and replaced it on his head, "'which I observed, was bound with a dark handkerchief. "'A stranger entered the maypole while I was there, "'whom I had not seen, "'for I had sat apart for reasons of my own, "'and when I rose to leave the room and glanced round "'he was in the shadow of the chimney "'and hidden from my sight. "'But if he and the robber were two different persons, "'their voices were strangely and most remarkably alike, "'for directly the man addressed me in the road, "'I recognized his speech again.' "'It is as I feared. "'The very man was here to-night,' "'thought the locksmith, changing colour. "'What dark history is this?' "'Hallo!' cried a hoarse voice in his ear. "'Hallo! "'Hallo! "'Hallo! "'Hallo! "'Hallo! "'What's the matter here? "'Hallo!'' The speaker who made the locksmith's start as if he had been some supernatural agent was a large raven who had perched upon the top of the easy-chair unseen by him and Edward listened with a polite attention and a most extraordinary appearance of comprehending every word to all they had set up to this point, turning his head from one to the other as if his office were to judge between them and it were of the very last importance that he should not lose a word. "'Look at him!' said Varden, divided between admiration of the bird and a kind of fear of him. "'Was there ever such a knowing imp as that?' "'Oh, he's a dreadful fellow!' The raven with his head very much on one side and his bright eye shining like a diamond preserved a thoughtful silence for a few seconds and then replied in a voice so hoarse and distant that it seemed to come through his thick feathers rather than out of his mouth. "'Hallo! "'Hallo! "'Hallo! "'What's the matter here? "'Give up your sparks "'and I'll say die!' "'Oh, wow, wow! "'I'm a cusser! "'I'm a cusser! "'I'm a cusser! "'Raaah!'' And then as if exulting in his infernal character he began to whistle. "'I more than half believe he speaks the truth "'upon my word I do,' said Varden, "'do you see how he looks at me "'as if he knew what I was saying?' "'To which the bird, balancing himself on tiptoe as it were "'and moving his body up and down "'in a sort of grave-dance rejoined, "'I'm a devil! "'I'm a devil! "'I'm a devil!' and flapped his wings against his sides as if he were bursting with laughter. Barnaby clapped his hands and fairly rolled upon the ground in an ecstasy of delight. "'Strange companion, sir,' said the locksmith, shaking his head and looking from one to the other, "'the bird has all the wit!' "'Strange indeed,' said Edward, holding out his forefinger to the raven, who, in acknowledgment of the attention, made a dive at it immediately with his iron bill. "'Is he old?' "'A mere boy, sir,' replied the locksmith, "'a hundred and twenty or thereabouts. "'Call him down, Barnaby, my man!' "'Call him,' echoed Barnaby, sitting upright upon the floor and staring vagantly at Gabriel as he thrust his hair back from his face. "'But who can make him come?' "'He calls me and makes me go where he will. "'He goes on before and I follow. "'He's the master and I'm the man.' "'Is that the truth, Grip?' The raven gave a short, comfortable, confidential kind of crook, a most expressive crook, which seemed to say, "'You needn't let these fellows into our secrets. "'We understand each other. It's all right.' "'I make him come,' cried Barnaby, pointing to the bird, "'him, who never goes to sleep or so much as winks. "'Anytime of night you may see "'his eyes in my dark room shining like two sparks. "'And every night and all night too "'he's broad awake, talking to himself, "'thinking what he shall do tomorrow, "'where we shall go and what he shall steal "'and hide and bury. "'I make him come.' On second thoughts the bird appeared, disposed to come of himself. After a short survey of the ground and a few side-long looks at the ceiling and at everybody present in turn, he fluttered to the floor and went to Barnaby, not in a hop or walk or run, but in a pace like that of a very particular gentleman with exceedingly tight boots on, trying to walk fast over loose pebbles. Then, stepping into his extended hand and condescending to be held out at arm's length, he gave vent to a succession of sounds, unlike the drawing of some eight or ten dozen of long corks, and again asserted his brimstone berth and parentage with great distinctness. The locksmith shook his head, perhaps in some doubt of the creatures being really nothing but a bird, perhaps in pity for Barnaby, who by this time had him in his arms and was rolling about with him on the ground. As he raised his eyes from the poor fellow, he encountered those of his mother who had entered the room in silence. She was quite white in the face, even to her lips, but had wholly subdued her emotion and wore her usual quiet look. Barton fancied as he glanced at her as she shrunk from his eye, and that she busied herself about the wounded gentleman to avoid him the better. It was time he went to bed, she said, and he was to be removed to his own home on the morrow, and he had already exceeded his time for a full hour. Acting on this hint, the locksmith repaired Taker's leave. By the by, said Edward, as she shook him by the hand and looked from him to Mrs. Rudge and back again, what noise was that below? I heard your voice in the midst of it and should have inquired before, but our other conversation drove it from my memory. What was it? The locksmith looked towards her and bit his lip. She leaned against the chair and bent her eyes upon the ground. Barnaby, too, he was listening. Some mad or drunken fellow, sir! Barton at length made answer, looking steadily at the widow as he spoke. He mistook the house and tried to force an entrance. She breathed more freely, but stood quite motionless. As the locksmith said, good night, and Barnaby caught up the candle to light him down the stairs, she took it from him and charged him with more hasten earnestness and so slight an occasion appeared to warrant not to stir. The raven followed them to satisfy himself that all was right below and when they reached the street door stood on the bottom stair drawing corks out of number. With a trembling hand she unfastened the chain and bolts as she had her hand upon the latch, the locksmith said in a low voice, I have told a lie tonight for your sake, Mary, and for the sake of bygone times in old acquaintance when I was scorned to do so for my own. I hope I may have done no harm or led to none. I can't help the suspicions you have forced upon me and I am loath I tell you plainly that it was to Edward here. Take care he comes to no heart. I doubt the safety of this roof and I am glad he leaves it so soon. Now, let me go. For a moment she hid her face in her hands and wept but resisting the strong impulse which evidently moved her to reply opened the door no wider than was sufficient for the passage of his body and motioned him away. When death stood upon the step it was chained and locked behind him and the raven in furtherance of these precautions barked like a lusty house dog. In league with that ill-looking figure that might have fallen from a gibbet he listening and hiding here barnaby first upon the spot last night can she who has always borne so fair a name that be guilty of such crimes in secret said the locksmith musing have and forgive me if I am wrong and send me just thoughts but she is poor the temptation may be great and we daily hear of things are strange I bark away my friend if there's any wickedness going on that ravens in it I'll be sworn end of chapter 6 chapter 7 of barnaby rudge a tale of the riots of 80 this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recorded by Mill Nicholson barnaby rudge a tale of the riots of 80 by Charles Dickens chapter 7 mrs. Varden was a lady of what is commonly called uncertain temper a phrase which being interpreted signifies a temper tolerably certain to make everybody more or less uncomfortable thus it generally happened that when other people were merry mrs. Varden was dull and that when other people were dull mrs. Varden was disposed to be amazingly cheerful indeed the worthy housewife was of such a capricious nature that she not only attained a higher birth in respect of her ability to be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, loyal and neutral in an instant but would sometimes ring the changes backwards and forwards on all possible moods and flights in one short quarter of an hour performing as it were a kind of triple bob major on the peel of instruments in the female belfry with a skillfulness and rapidity of execution that astonished all who heard her it had been observed in this good lady who did not want for personal attractions being plump and buxom to look at though like her fair daughter somewhat short in stature that this uncertainty of disposition strengthened and increased with her temporal prosperity and diverse wise men and matrons, unfriendly terms with the locksmith and his family even went so far as to assert that a tumble down some half dozen rounds in the world's ladder such as the breaking of the bank in which her husband kept his money or some little fall of that kind would be the making of her and could hardly fail to render her one of the most agreeable companions in existence. Whether they were right or wrong in this conjecture certain it is that minds like bodies will often fall into a pimpled ill conditioned state from mere excess of comfort and like them are often successfully cured by remedies very nauseous and unpalatable. Mrs. Varden's chief aider and a batter and at the same time her principal victim and object of wrath was her single domestic servant one Miss Miggs or as she was called in conformity with those prejudices of society which lop and top from poor handmaidens all such gentile expressances Miggs This Miggs was a tall young lady very much addicted to patterns in private life slender and shrewish of a rather uncomfortable figure and though not absolutely ill looking of a sharp and acid visage as a general principal and abstract proposition Miggs held the male sex to be utterly contemptible and unworthy of notice to be fickle, false, base sottish, inclined to perjury and wholly undeserving when particularly exasperated against them which Scandal said was when Sim Tabatit slighted her most she was accustomed to wish with great emphasis that the whole race of women could but die off in order that the men might be brought to know the real value of the blessings by which they set so little store nay, her feeling for her order ran so high that she sometimes declared if she could only have good security her number say ten thousand of young virgins following her example she would to spite mankind hang, drown, stab or poison herself with a joy past all expression it was the voice of Miggs that greeted the locksmith when he knocked at its own house with a shill cry of who's there me girl me returned Gabriel already sir said Miggs, opening the door with a look of surprise we were just getting on our night-caps to sit up me and mistress oh, she's been so bad Miggs said this with an air of uncommon candor and concern but the parlour door was standing open and as Gabriel very well knew for whose ears it was designed he regarded her with anything but an approving look as he passed in Masters come home, mim cried Miggs running before him into the parlour he was wrong, mim and I was right I thought he wouldn't keep us up so late two nights running, mim Masters always consider it so far I'm so glad, mim, on your account I'm a little here, Miggs, simpered a little sleep myself I'll own it now, mim though I said I wasn't when you asked me it ain't no no consequence, mim of course you had better said the locksmith who most devoutly wished that Barnaby's raven was at Miggs ankles you had better get to bed at once then thanking you kindly sir returned Miggs I couldn't take my rest in peace nor fix my thoughts upon my prayers other ways in that I knew Masters was comfortable in her bed this night by rights she ought to have been there hours ago you're talkative, Mistress said Barnaby pulling off his greatcoat and looking at her askew taking the hint sir cried Miggs with a flushed face and thanking you for it most kindly I will make bold to say that if I give a fence by having consideration for my mysteries I do not ask you or pardon but am content to get myself into travel and to be in Saffrin here Mrs. Varden who, with her countenance shrouded in a large nightcap had been all this time intent upon the Protestant manual looked around and acknowledged Miggs's championship by commanding her to hold her tongue every little bone in Miggs's throat and neck developed itself with a spitefulness quite alarming as she replied yes, Mim, I will oh, do you find yourself now, my dear said the locksmith taking a chair near his wife who had resumed her book and rubbing his knees hard as he made the inquiry you're very anxious to know, aren't you? returned Mrs. Varden with her eyes upon the print of you that had not been near me all day and wouldn't have been if I was dying my dear Martha said Gabriel Mrs. Varden turned over to the next page then went back again to the bottom line over leaf to be quite sure of the last words and then went on reading with an appearance of the deepest interest and study my dear Martha said the locksmith how can you say such things when you know you don't mean them if you were dying if there was anything serious that mattered with you, Martha shouldn't I be in constant attendance upon you? yes cried Mrs. Varden bursting into tears yes, you would I don't doubt it, Varden certainly you would just to tell me that you would be hovering round me like a vulture waiting till the breath was out of my body that you might go and marry somebody else migs groaned in sympathy a little short grown checked in its berth and changed into a cough it seemed to say I can't help it it's rung from me by the dreadful brutality of that monster-master but you break my heart one of these days added Mrs. Varden with more resignation and then we shall both be happy my only desire is to see Dolly comfortably settled and when she is you may settle me as soon as you like ah cried migs and coughed again poor Gabriel twisted his wig about in silence for a long time and then said mildly has Dolly gone to bed? your master speaks to you said Mrs. Varden looking sternly over her shoulder at Miss Mig's in waiting no, my dear, I spoke to you suggested the locksmith did you hear me, migs cried the obdurate lady stamping her foot upon the ground you are beginning to despise me now are you? but this is example at this cruel rebuke Mig's were always ready for large or small parties on the shortest notice and the most reasonable terms fell a-crying violently holding both her hands tight upon her heart meanwhile as if nothing less would prevent it splitting into small fragments Mrs. Varden who likewise possessed that faculty in high perfection wept too against Mig's and with such effect that Mig's gave in after a time and except for an occasional sob which seemed to threaten some remote intention of breaking out again left her mistress in possession of the field her superiority being thoroughly asserted that lady soon desisted likewise and fell into a quiet melancholy the relief was so great and the fatiguing occurrences of last night so completely overpowered the locksmith that he nodded in his chair and would doubtless have slept there all night but for the voice of Mrs. Varden which after a pause of some five minutes awoke him with a start if I am ever said Mrs. V not scolding but in a sort of monotonous remonstrance in spirits if I am ever cheerful if I am ever more than usually disposed to be talkative and comfortable this is the way I am treated sat spirits as you was in to Mim but half an hour ago cried Migs I never see such company because said Mrs. Varden because I never interfere or interrupt because I never question where anybody comes or goes because my whole mind and soul is bent on saving where I can save and laboring in this house therefore they try me as they do mother urged the locksmith endeavouring to look as wakeful as possible what is it you complain of I really came home with every wish and desire to be happy I did indeed what do I complain of retorted his wife is it a chilling thing to have one's husband sulking and falling asleep directly he comes home to have him freezing all one's warm heartedness and throwing cold water over the fireside is it natural when I know he went out upon a matter in which I am as much interested as anybody can be that I should wish to know all that has happened or that he should tell me without my begging and praying him to do it is that natural or is it not I very sorry Martha said the good natured locksmith I was really afraid you were not disposed to talk pleasantly I'll tell you everything I shall only be too glad my dear no Varden returned his wife rising with dignity I dare say thank you I'm not a child to be corrected one minute and petted the next I'm a little too old for that Varden Miggs carry the light you can be cheerful Miggs at least Miggs who to this moment had been in the very depths of compassionate despondency passed instantly into the liveliest state conceivable and tossing her head as she glanced towards the locksmith bore off her mistress and the light together now who would think thought Varden shrugging his shoulders and drawing his chair nearer to the fire that that woman could ever be pleasant and agreeable and yet you can be well well all of us have our faults I'll not be hard upon hers we have been man and wife too long for that he dozed again not the less pleasantly perhaps for his hearty temper while his eyes were closed the door leading to the upper stairs was partially opened and a head appeared which at sight of him hastily drew back again I wish mermit Gabriel waking at the noise and looking round the room I wish somebody would marry Miggs that's impossible I wonder whether there's any madman alive who would marry Miggs this was such a vast speculation that he fell into a doze again and slept until the fire was quite burnt out at last he roused himself and having double locked the street door according to custom and put the key in his pocket went off to bed he had not left the room in darkness many minutes when the head again appeared and Sim Tappet had entered bearing in his hand a little lamp what the devil business has he to stop up so late muttered Sim passing into the workshop and setting it down upon the forge here's half the night gone already there's only one good that has ever come to me out of this cursed old rusty mechanical trade and that's this piece of iron mongry upon my soul as he spoke he drew from the right hand or rather right leg pocket of his smalls a clumsy large sized key which he inserted cautiously in the lock his master had secured and softly opened the door that done replaced his piece of secret workmanship in his pocket and leaving the lamp burning and closing the door carefully and without noise stole out into the street as little suspected by the locksmith in his sound deep sleep as by Barnaby himself in his phantom haunted dreams End of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 of Barnaby Rudge a tale of the riots of 80 this Libra Vox recording in its domain recorded by Mill Nicholson Barnaby Rudge a tale of the riots of 80 by Charles Dickens Chapter 8 clear of the locksmith's house Sim tappeted laid aside his cautious manner and assuming in its stead that of a ruffling swaggering roving blade who would rather kill a man than otherwise and eat him too if needful made the best of his way along the darkened streets half pausing for an instant now and then to smite his pocket and assure himself of the safety of his master key he hurried on to Barbican and turning into one of the narrowest of the narrow streets which diverged from that centre slackened his pace and wiped his heated brow as if the termination of his walk were near his hand and walked from midnight expeditions being in truth one of more than questionable character and of an appearance by no means inviting from the main street he had entered itself little better than an alley a low-browed doorway led into a blind court or yard profoundly dark unpaved and reeking with stagnant odours into this ill favoured pit the locksmith's vagrant prentice groped his way and stopping at a house from whose defaced and rotten front the rude effigy of a bottle swung to and fro like some gibbeted malfactor struck thrice upon an iron grating with his foot after listening in vain for some response to his signal Mr. Tabatid became impatient and struck the grating thrice again a further delay ensued but it was not of long duration ground seemed to open at his feet and a ragged head appeared is that the captain said a voice as ragged as the head yes replied Mr. Tabatid heartily descending as he spoke who should it be it's so late we gave you up returned the voice as its owner stopped to shut and fasten the grating you're late sir lead on lead on said Mr. Tabatid with a gloomy majesty and make remarks when I require you forward this latter word of command was perhaps somewhat theatrical and unnecessary in as much as the descent was by a very narrow, steep and slippery flight of steps and any rashness or departure from the beaten track must have ended in a yawning water-but but Mr. Tabatid being like some other great commanders favourable to strong effects and personal display cried forward again in the hoarsest voice he could assume and led the way with folded arms and knitted brows to the cellar down below where there was a small copper fixed in one corner a chair or two, a form and table a glimmering fire and a chuckle-bed patchwork rug welcome noble captain cried a lanky figure rising from a nap the captain nodded then, throwing off his outer coat he stood composed in all his dignity and eyed his follower over what new tonight? he asked when he had looked into his very soul nothing particular by the other, stretching himself and he was so long already that it was quite alarming to see him do it now come you be so late no matter was all the captain danged to say in answer is the room prepared it is replied the follower now comrade is he here yes, and a sprinkling of the others you hear him playing skittles said the captain moodily light-hearted revelers there was no doubt respecting the particular amusement in which these heedless spirits were indulging for even in the close and stifling atmosphere of the vault the noise sounded like distant thunder it certainly appeared at first sight a singular spot to choose for that or any other purpose of relaxation if the other cellars answered to the one in which this brief colloquy took place for the floors were of sudden earth the walls and roof of damp bare brick tapestried with the tracks of snails and slugs the air was sickening, tainted and offensive it seemed from one strong flavour which was uppermost among the various odours of the place that it had at no very distant period been used as a storehouse for cheeses a circumstance which, while it accounted for the greasy moisture that hung about it was agreeably suggestive of rats it was naturally damp besides and little trees of fungus sprung from every mouldering corner the proprietor of this charming retreat and owner of the ragged head before mentioned for he wore an old tie wig as bare and frowsy as a stunted hearth broom had by this time joined them and stood a little apart rubbing his hands wagging his hoary bristled chin and smiling in silence his eyes were closed but had they been wide open it would have been easy to tell from the attentive expression of the face he turned towards them pale and unwholesome as might be expected in one of his underground existence and from a certain anxious raising and quivering of the lids that he was blind even stag hearth been asleep said the long comrade nodding towards this person sound captain sound cried the blind man what does my noble captain drink is it a brandy rum a squibar is it soaked gunpowder or blazing oil given a name heart of oak and we get it for you if it was wine from a bishop's cellar or melted gold from King George's mint see said Mr. Tappett it orderly and that it's something strong and comes quick so long as you take care of that you may bring it from the devil's cellar if you like boldly said noble captain rejoined the blind man spoken like the prentice's glory from the devil's cellar a brave joke the captain joketh I'll tell you what my fine fella said Mr. Tappett it eyeing the host over as he walked to a closet and took out a bottle and glass as carelessly as if he had been in full possession of his sight if you make that row you'll find that the captain's very far from joking I'll tell you he's got his eyes on me cried stag stopping short on his way back and affecting to screen his face with the bottle I feel him though I can't see him take him off noble captain remove him for their pierce like gimlets Mr. Tappett smiled grimly at his comrade and twisting out one more look a kind of oculus screw under the influence of which the blind man feigned to undergo great anguish and torture bade him in a softened tone approach and hold his peace I obey you captain cried stag drawing close to him and filling out a bumper without spilling a drop by reason that he held his little finger at the brim of the glass and stopped at the instant the liquor touched it drink noble governor death to all masters life to all prentices and love to all fair damsels drink brave general and warm your gallant heart Mr. Tappett condescended to take the glass from his outstretched hand stag then dropped on one knee and gently smoothed the calves of his legs with an air of humble admiration that I had but eyes he cried to behold my captain's symmetrical proportions that I had but eyes to look upon these twin invaders of domestic peace get her out said Mr. Tappett glancing down at his favourite limbs go along will you stag when I touch my own afterwards smiting them reproachfully I hate them comparatively speaking they've no more shape than wooden legs beside these models of my noble captains yours exclaimed Mr. Tappett it now I should think not don't talk about those precious old toothpicks and the same breath with mine that's rather too much here take the glass Benjamin, lead on to business with these words he folded his arms again and frowning with a sullen majesty passed with his companion through a little door at the upper end of the cellar and disappeared leaving stag to his private meditations the vault they entered stoned the sawdust and dimly lighted was between the outer one from which they had just come and that in which the skittle players were diverting themselves so it manifested by the increased noise and clamour of tongues which was suddenly stopped however and replaced by a dead silence at a signal from the long comrade then this young gentleman going to a little cupboard returned with a thigh bone which in former times must have been part and parcel of some individual at least as long as himself and placed the same in the hands of Mr. Tappett it who receiving it as a scepter and staff of authority cocked his three cornered hat fiercely on the top of his head and mounted a large table where on a chair of state cheerfully ornamented with a couple of skulls was placed ready for his reception he had no sooner assumed this position than another young gentleman appeared bearing in his arms a huge clasped book who made him a profound obeisance and delivering it to the long comrade advanced to the table and turning his back upon it stood there atlas-wise then the long comrade got upon the table too and seating himself in a lower chair than Mr. Tappett it's as much state and ceremony placed the large book on the shoulders of their mute companion as deliberately as if he had been a wooden desk and prepared to make entries therein with a pen of corresponding size when the long comrade had made these preparations he looked towards Mr. Tappett and Mr. Tappett flourishing the bone knocked nine times therewith upon one of the skulls at the ninth stroke a third young gentleman emerged from the door leading to the skittle ground and bowing low awaited his commands Prentice said the mighty captain who waits without the Prentice made answer that a stranger was in attendance who claimed admission into that secret society of Prentice knights and a free participation in their rights privileges and immunities thereupon Mr. Tappett flourished the bone again and giving the other skull a prodigious wrap on the nose exclaimed and met him at these dread words the Prentice bowed once more and so withdrew as he had come there soon appeared at the same door two other Prentices having between them a third whose eyes were bandaged and who was a tired and a bag wig and a broad skirted coat trimmed with tarnished lace and who was girded with a sword in compliance with the laws of the institution regulating the introduction of candidates which required them to assume this courtly dress and kept it constantly in lavender for their convenience the conductors of this novice held a rusty blunderbuss pointed towards his ear and the other a very ancient sabre with which he carved imaginary offenders as he came along in a sanguinary and anatomical manner as this silent group advanced Mr. Tappett fixed his hat upon his head the novice then laid his hand upon his breast and bent before him when he had humbled himself sufficiently the captain ordered the bandage to be removed and proceeded to eye him over Ha! said the captain thoughtfully when he had concluded this ordeal Proceed the long comrade that allowed as follows Mark Gilbert age 19 bound to Thomas Curson Hosea Golden Fleece Aldgate loves Curson's daughter cannot say that he was a man cannot say that Curson's daughter loves him should think it's probable Curson pulled his ears last Tuesday week How? cried the captain starting for looking at his daughter please you said the novice right Curson down denounced said the captain put a black cross against the name of Curson so please you said the novice that's not the worst he causes Prentice idle dog and stops his beer unless he works to his liking he gives Dutch cheese to eat in Cheshire sir himself and Sunday's out around me once a month this said Mr. Tapetit gravely is a flagrant case put two black crosses to the name of Curson if the society said the novice who was an ill looking one sided shambling lad with sunken eyes set close together in his head if the society would burn his house down for he's not insured or beat him as he comes home from his club at night or help me to carry off his daughter fleet whether she gave consent or no Mr. Tapetit waived his grisly truncheon as an admonition to him not to interrupt and ordered three black crosses to the name of Curson which means he said in gracious explanation vengeance complete and terrible Prentice do you love the constitution to which the novice being to that end was constructed by his attendant sponsors replied I do the church, the state and everything established but the masters co-the captain again the novice said I do having said it he listened meekly to the captain who in an address prepared for such occasions told him how that under that same constitution he could not find out or he would have endeavoured to procure a copy of it the Prentices had in times gone by had frequent holidays of right broken people's heads by scores defied their masters nay even achieved some glorious murders in the streets which privileges had gradually been rested from them and in all which noble aspirations they were now restrained how the degrading checks imposed upon them were unquestionably attributable to the innovating spirit of the times and how they united therefore to resist all change except such change as would restore those good old English customs by which they would stand or fall after illustrating the wisdom of going backward by reference to that sagacious fish the crab and the not unfrequent practice of the mule and donkey he described their general objects which were briefly vengeance on their tyrant masters of whose grievous and insupportable oppression no Prentice could entertain a moment's doubt and the restoration as aforesaid of their ancient rites and holidays for neither of which objects were they now quite ripe being barely twenty strong but which they pledged themselves to pursue with fire and sword when needful then he described the oath which every member of that small remnant of a noble body took and which was of a dreadful and impressive kind binding him at the bidding of his chief to resist and obstruct the lord mayor sword bearer and chaplain to despise the authority of the sheriffs and to hold the court of alderman as nought but not on any account in case the fullness of time should bring a general rising of Prentices to damage or in any way disfigure temple bar which was strictly constitutional and always to be approached with reverence having gone over these several heads with great eloquence and force and having further informed the novice that this society had its origin in his own teeming brain stimulated by a swelling sense of wrong and outrage Mr. Tappet it demanded whether he had strength of heart to take the mighty pledge required or whether he would withdraw while retreat was yet in his power to this the novice made rejoinder that he would take the vow though it should choke him and it was accordingly administered with many impressive circumstances among which the lighting up of the two skulls with the candle end inside of each and a great many flourishes with the bone were chiefly conspicuous not to mention a variety of grave exercises with the blunderbus and sabre and some dismal groaning by unseen Prentices without all these dark and direful ceremonies being at length completed the table was put aside the chair of state removed the scepter locked up in its usual cupboard the doors of communication between the three cellars thrown freely open and the Prentice knights resigned themselves to merriment but Mr. Tappet it who had a soul above the vulgar herd and who on account of his greatness could only afford to be merry now and then threw himself on a bench with the air of a man who was faint with dignity he looked with an indifferent eye alike on skittles, cards and dice thinking only of the locksmith's daughter and the base to generate days on which he had fallen my noble captain neither games nor sings nor dances said his host taking a seat beside him drink gallant general Mr. Tappet it drained the prophet goblet to the dregs and thrust his hands into his pockets and with a lowering visage walked among the skittles while his followers such as the influence of superior genius restrained the ardent ball and held his little shins in dumb respect if I had been born a corsair or a pirate a brigand, gentile highwayman or patriot and they're the same thing thought Mr. Tappet it using among the nine pins I should have been all right but to drag out a ignoble existence unbeknown to mankind in general patience I will be famous yet a voice within me keeps on whispering greatness I shall burst out one of these days and when I do what power can keep me down I feel my soul getting into my head at the idea more drink there than novice pursued Mr. Tappet it not exactly in a voice of thunder for his tomes to say the truth were rather cracked and shrill but very impressively notwithstanding where is he here noble captain cried stag one stands beside me who I feel is a stranger have you said Mr. Tappet it letting his gaze fall on the party indicated who is indeed the new knight by this time restored to his own apparel have you the impression of your street door key in wax the long comrade anticipated the reply by producing it from the shelf on which it had been deposited good said Mr. Tappet it scrutinizing it attentively while a breathless silence reigned around for he had constructed secret door keys for the whole society and perhaps owed something of his influence to that mean and trivial circumstance on such slight accidents to even men of mind depend this is easily made come hither friend with that he beckoned the new knight apart and putting the pattern in his pocket motioned to him to walk by his side and so he said when they had taken a few turns up and down you you love your master's daughter I do said the apprentice on a bright no chaff you know have you rejoined Mr. Tappet it catching him by the wrist and giving him a look which would have been expressive of the most deadly malevolence but for an accidental hiccup that rather interfered with it have you arrival not as I know on replied the apprentice if you had now said Mr. Tappet it what would you eh the apprentice looked fierce and clenched his fists it is enough cried Mr. Tappet it hastily and we understand each other we are observed now thank you so saying he cast him off again and calling the long comrade aside after taking a few hasty turns by himself bade him immediately right and post against the wall and noticed prescribing one Joseph Willet commonly known as Joe of Chigwell forbidding all prentice knights to succour, comfort or hold communion with him and requiring them on pain of excommunication to molest, hurt wrong, annoy and pick quarrels with the said Joseph when so ever and where so ever they or any of them should happen to encounter him having relieved his mind by this energetic proceeding he condescended to approach the festive board and warming by degrees at length deigned to preside and even to enchant the company with a song after this he rose to such a pitch as to consent to regale the society with a hornpipe which he actually performed to the music of a fiddle played by an ingenious member with such surpassing agility and brilliancy of execution that the spectators could not be sufficiently enthusiastic in their admiration and their host protested that he would never truly felt his blindness until that moment but the host withdrawing probably to weep in secret soon returned with the information that it wanted little more than an hour of day and that all the cocks in Barbican had already begun to crow as if their lives depended on it at this intelligence the prentice knights arose in haste and marshalling into a line filed off one by one and dispersed with all speed leaving their leader to pass the grating last good night noble captain whispered the blind man as he held it open for his passage out farewell brave general bye bye illustrious commander good luck go with you for a conceited bragging empty-headed duck-legged idiot with which parting words coolly added as he listened to his receding footsteps and locked the grate upon himself he descended the steps and lighting the fire below the little copper prepared without any assistance for his daily occupation which was to retail at the area ahead above Pennyworths of broth and soup and savoury puddings compounded of such scraps as were to be bought in the heap at Fleet Market in the evening time and for the sale of which he had need to have depended chiefly on his private connection for the court had no thoroughfare and was not that kind of place in which many people were likely to take the air or to frequent as an agreeable promenade End of chapter 8 Mill Nicholson Barnaby Rudge A Tale of the Riots of Eighty by Charles Dickens Chapter 9 Chroniclers are privileged to enter where they list to come and go through keyholes to ride upon the wind to overcome in their soaring up and down all obstacles of distance, time and place thrice-blessed be this last consideration since it enables us to follow the disdainful Miggs even into the sanctity of her chamber and to hold her in sweet companionship through the dreary watches of the night. Miss Miggs having undone her mistress as she phrased it which means assisted to undress her and having seen her comfortably to bed in the back room on the first floor was drew to her own apartment in the attic story notwithstanding her declaration in the locksmith's presence she was in no mood for sleep so putting her light upon the table and withdrawing the little window-curtain she gazed out pensively at the wild night sky perhaps she wondered what star was destined for her habitation when she had run her little course below perhaps speculated which of those glimmering spheres might be the natal orb of Mr. Tabatit perhaps marvelled how they could gaze down on that perfidious creature man and not sicken and turn green as chemists' lamps perhaps thought of nothing in particular whatever she thought about there she sat until her attention alive to anything connected with the insinuating prentice was attracted by a noise in the next room to her own his room the room in which he slept and dreamed it might be sometimes dreamed of her but he was not dreaming now unless he was taking a walk in his sleep was clear for every now and then there came a shuffling noise as though he were engaged in polishing the white-washed wall the energental creaking of his door and the faintest indication of his stealthy footsteps on the landing-place outside noting this latter circumstance Miss Miggs turned pale and shuddered as mistrusting his intentions and more than once exclaimed below her breath ow! what a prophetence it is as I am bolted in which, owing doubtless to her alarm was a confusion of ideas on her part between a bolt and its use for though there was one on the door it was not fastened Miss Miggs' sense of hearing, however having a sharpened edge as her temper and being of the same snappish and suspicious kind very soon informed her that the footsteps passed her door and appeared to have some object quite separate and disconnected from herself at this discovery she became more alarmed than ever and was about to give utterance to those cries of thieves and murder which she had hitherto restrained when it occurred to her to look softly out and see that her fears had some good palpable foundation looking out accordingly and stretching her neck over the handrail she described to her great amazement Mr. Tapetit completely dressed stealing downstairs one step at a time with his shoes in one hand and a lamp in the other following him with her eyes and going down a little way herself to get the better of an intervening angle she beheld him thrust his head in at the parlor door draw it back again with great swiftness and immediately begin a retreat upstairs with all possible expedition here's mysteries said the damsel when she was safe in her own room again quite out of breath oh, gracious, here's mysteries the prospect of finding anybody out in anything would have kept Miss Mig's awake under the influence of henbane presently she heard the step again as she would have done if it had been that of a feather endowed with motion tiptoe then gliding out as before she again beheld the retreating figure of the Prentice again he looked cautiously in at the parlor door but this time instead of retreating he passed in and disappeared Mig's was back in her room and had her head out of the window before an elderly gentleman could have winked and recovered from it out he came at the street door shut it carefully behind him with his knee and swaggered off putting something in his pocket as he went along at this spectacle Mig's cried gracious again and then goodness gracious and then goodness gracious me and then candle in hand went downstairs as he had done coming to the workshop she saw the lamp burning on the forge everything as Sim had left it why I wish I may only have a walking funeral and never be very decent with a morning couch and feathers if the boy hasn't been and made a key for his own self cried Mig's ha-ha-oh the little fillin this conclusion was not arrived at without consideration and much peeping and peering about nor was it unassisted by the recollection that she had on several occasions come upon the Prentice suddenly and found him busy at some mysterious occupation lest the fact of Miss Mig's calling him on whom she stooped to cast a favourable eye a boy should create surprise in any breast it may be observed that she invariably affected to regard all male bipeds under thirty as mere chits and infants which phenomenon is not unusual in ladies of Miss Mig's's temper and is indeed generally found to be the associate of such indomitable and savage virtue Miss Mig's deliberated within herself for some little time working hard at the shop door while she did so as though her eyes and thoughts were both upon it and then taking a sheet of paper from a drawer twisted it into a long thin spiral tube having filled this instrument with a quantity of small cold dust from the forge she approached the door and dropping on one knee before it dexterously blew into the keyhole as much of these fine ashes as the lock would hold when she had filled it to the brim in a very workman-like and skillful manner she crept upstairs again and chuckled as she went there cried Mig's rubbing her hands now let's see whether you won't be glad to take some pictures of me, mister you'll have eyes for somebody besides Miss Dolly now I think a fat-faced pus she is as ever I come across as she uttered this criticism she glanced approvingly at her small mirror as who should say I thank my stars that can't be said of me as it certainly could not for Miss Mig's style of beauty was of that kind which Mr. Tapetit himself had not in aptly termed in private scraggy I don't go to bed this night said Mig's wrapping herself in a shawl and drawing a couple of chairs near the window flouncing down upon one and putting a feet upon the other till you come home my lad I wouldn't said Mig's viciously no, not for five and forty pound with that with an expression of face in which a great number of opposite ingredients such as mischief, cunning, malice triumph and patient expectation were all mixed up together in a kind of physiognomical punch Miss Mig's composed herself to wait and listen like some fair ogre's who had set a trap and was watching for a nibble from a plump young traveller she sat there with perfect composure all night at length just upon break of day there was footstep in the street and presently she could hear Mr. Tapetit stop at the door then she could make out that he tried his key that he was blowing into it that he knocked it on the nearest post to beat the dust out that he took it under a lamp to look at it that he poked bits of stick into the lock to clear it that he peeped into the keyhole first with one eye and then with the other that he tried the key again to turn it and what was worse couldn't get it out that he bent it that then it was much less disposed to come out than before that he gave it a mighty twist and a great pull and then it came out so suddenly that he staggered backwards that he kicked the door that he shook it finally that he smote his forehead and sat down on the step in despair when this crisis had arrived Miss Mig's affecting to be exhausted and a cling to the window sill for support put out her nightcap and demanded in a faint voice who was there Mr. Tapetit cried ush and back into the road exhorted her in frenzied pantomime to secrecy and silence tell me one thing said Mig's is it thieves no, no, no cried Mr. Tapetit said Mig's more faintly than before it's fire where is it sir it's near this room I know I have a good conscience sir would much rather die than go down a ladder all I wish he is respecting my love to my married sister golden lion caught number 27 second bell handle on the right and door post Mig's cried Mr. Tapetit don't you know me you know him oh, what about him cried Mig's clasping her hands is he in danger is he in the midst of flames and blazes oh, gracious, gracious I am here aren't I the join Mr. Tapetit knocking himself on the breast don't you see me what a fool you are Mig's there so unmindful of this compliment why so goodness if you please mim he is no, no cried Mr. Tapetit standing on tiptoe as if by that means he in the street were any nearer being able to stop the mouth of Mig's in the garret don't I've been out without leave and something or another's the meadow of the lock come down and undo the shop window that I may get in that way oh, I do, sir do it, Simon cried Mig's for that was her pronunciation of his Christian name oh, I do, sir, do it, indeed you don't as well as anybody how particular I am and it come down in the dead of night when the house is wrapped in slambas and wailed in obscurity and there she stopped and shivered for her modesty caught cold at the very thought but Mig's cried Mr. Tapetit getting under the lamp that she might see his eyes my darling Mig's Mig's screamed slightly that I love so much and never can help thinking of and it is impossible to describe the use he made of his eyes when he said this do for my sake do oh, Simon cried Mig's this is worse than all I know if I come down you'll go and don't and what, my precious said Mr. Tapetit and try said Mig's hysterically to kiss me oh, some such dreadfulness I know you will oh, I swear I won't said Mr. Tapetit with remarkable earnestness upon my soul I won't it is getting broad day and the watchman's waking up angelic Mig's if you'll only come and let me in I promise you faithfully and truly I won't Miss Mig's whose gentle heart was touched did not wait for the oath knowing how strong the temptation was and fearing he might forswear himself but tripped lightly down the stairs and with her own fair hands drew back the rough fastenings of the workshop window having helped the wayward apprentice in she faintly articulated the words Simon is safe and yielding to a woman's nature immediately became insensible oh, new law should quench her said Sim rather embarrassed by this circumstance of course I was certain it would come to this but there was nothing else to be done if I hadn't eyed her over she wouldn't have come down here keep up a minute, Mig's what a slippery figure she is there's no hold in her comfortably do keep up a minute, Mig's will you as Mig's however was deaf to all entreaties Mr Tappeted lent her against the wall as one might dispose of a walking stick or umbrella until he had secured the window when he took her in his arms again and in short stages and with great difficulty arising from her being tall and his being short and perhaps in some degree from that peculiar physical conformation on which he had already remarked carried her upstairs and planting her in the same umbrella and walking stick fashion just inside her own door left her to her oppose he may be as cool as he likes said Miss Mig's recovering as soon as she was left alone that I'm in his confidence and he can't help himself nor couldn't if he was twenty simonses End of chapter nine