第2章

’Ican’tstayhereamonth，’hecried。’Noonecould。Thething’snonsense，Morris。ThepartiesthatlivedintheBastillewouldriseagainstaplacelikethis。’ Withanadmirableaffectationofindifference，Morrisproposedagameofpitch—and—toss。Towhatwillnotthediplomatistcondescend！ItwasJohn’sfavouritegame;indeedhisonlygame——hehadfoundalltheresttoointellectual——andheplayeditwithequalskillandgoodfortune。ToMorrishimself，ontheotherhand，thewholebusinesswasdetestable;hewasabadpitcher，hehadnoluckintossing，andhewasonewhosufferedtormentswhenhelost。ButJohnwasinadangeroushumour，andhisbrotherwaspreparedforanysacrifice。 Byseveno’clock，Morris，withincredibleagony，hadlostacoupleofhalf—crowns。Evenwiththetontinebeforehiseyes，thiswasasmuchashecouldbear;and，remarkingthathewouldtakehisrevengesomeothertime，heproposedabitofsupperandagrog。 Beforetheyhadmadeanendofthisrefreshmentitwastimetobeatwork。Abucketofwaterforpresentnecessitieswaswithdrawnfromthewater—butt，whichwasthenemptiedandrolledbeforethekitchenfiretodry;andthetwobrotherssetforthontheiradventureunderastarlessheaven。 CHAPTERIII。TheLectureratLargeWhethermankindisreallypartialtohappinessisanopenquestion。Notamonthpassesbybutsomecherishedsonrunsoffintothemerchantservice，orsomevaluedhusbanddecampstoTexaswithaladyhelp;clergymenhavefledfromtheirparishioners;andevenjudgeshavebeenknowntoretire。Toanopenmind，itwillappear（uponthewhole）lessstrangethatJosephFinsburyshouldhavebeenledtoentertainideasofescape。Hislot（Ithinkwemaysay）wasnotahappyone。Myfriend，MrMorris，withwhomItraveluptwiceorthriceaweekfromSnaresbrookPark，iscertainlyagentlemanwhomIesteem; buthewasscarceamodelnephew。AsforJohn，heisofcourseanexcellentfellow;butifhewastheonlylinkthatboundonetoahome，Ithinkthemostofuswouldvoteforforeigntravel。InthecaseofJoseph，John（ifhewerealinkatall）wasnottheonlyone;endearingbondshadlongenchainedtheoldgentlemantoBloomsbury;andbytheseexpressionsIdonotintheleastrefertoJuliaHazeltine（ofwhom，however，hewasfondenough），buttothatcollectionofmanuscriptnotebooksinwhichhislifelayburied。Thatheshouldeverhavemadeuphismindtoseparatehimselffromthesecollections，andgoforthupontheworldwithnootherresourcesthanhismemorysupplied，isacircumstancehighlypatheticinitself，andbutlittlecreditabletothewisdomofhisnephews。 Thedesign，oratleastthetemptation，wasalreadysomemonthsold;andwhenabillforeighthundredpounds，payabletohimself，wassuddenlyplacedinJoseph’shand，itbroughtmatterstoanissue。Heretainedthatbill，which，tooneofhisfrugality，meantwealth;andhepromisedhimselftodisappearamongthecrowdsatWaterloo，or（ifthatshouldproveimpossible）toslinkoutofthehouseinthecourseoftheeveningandmeltlikeadreamintothemillionsofLondon。ByapeculiarinterpositionofProvidenceandrailwaymismanagementhehadnotsolongtowait。 HewasoneofthefirsttocometohimselfandscrambletohisfeetaftertheBrowndeancatastrophe，andhehadnosoonerremarkedhisprostratenephewsthanheunderstoodhisopportunityandfled。Amanofupwardsofseventy，whohasjustmetwitharailwayaccident，andwhoiscumberedbesideswiththefulluniformofSirFaradayBond，isnotverylikelytofleefar，butthewoodwascloseathandandofferedthefugitiveatleastatemporarycovert。Hither，then，theoldgentlemanskippedwithextraordinaryexpedition，and，beingsomewhatwindedandagooddealshaken，herehelaydowninaconvenientgroveandwaspresentlyoverwhelmedbyslumber。Thewayoffateisoftenhighlyentertainingtothelooker—on，anditiscertainlyapleasantcircumstance，thatwhileMorrisandJohnweredelvinginthesandtoconcealthebodyofatotalstranger，theirunclelayindreamlesssleepafewhundredyardsdeeperinthewood。 Hewasawakenedbythejollynoteofabuglefromtheneighbouringhighroad，whereachar—a—bancwasbowlingbywithsomebelatedtourists。Thesoundcheeredhisoldheart，itdirectedhisstepsintothebargain，andsoonhewasonthehighway，lookingeastandwestfromunderhisvizor，anddoubtfullyrevolvingwhatheoughttodo。Adeliberatesoundofwheelsaroseinthedistance，andthenacartwasseenapproaching，wellfilledwithparcels，drivenbyagood—naturedlookingmanonadoublebench，anddisplayingonaboardthelegend，’IChandler，carrier’。IntheinfamouslyprosaicmindofMrFinsbury，certainstreaksofpoetrysurvivedandwerestillefficient;theyhadcarriedhimtoAsiaMinorasagiddyyouthofforty，andnow，inthefirsthoursofhisrecoveredfreedom，theysuggestedtohimtheideaofcontinuinghisflightinMrChandler’scart。Itwouldbecheap;properlybroached，itmightevencostnothing，and，afteryearsofmittensandhygienicflannel，hisheartleapedouttomeetthenotionofexposure。 MrChandlerwasperhapsalittlepuzzledtofindsooldagentleman，sostrangelyclothed，andbeggingforaliftonsoretiredaroadside。Buthewasagood—naturedman，gladtodoaservice，andsohetookthestrangerup;andhehadhisownideaofcivility，andsoheaskednoquestions。Silence，infact，wasquitegoodenoughforMrChandler;butthecarthadscarcelybeguntomoveforwarderehefoundhimselfinvolvedinaone—sidedconversation。 ’Icansee，’beganMrFinsbury，’bythemixtureofparcelsandboxesthatarecontainedinyourcart，eachmarkedwithitsindividuallabel，andbythegoodFlemishmareyoudrive，thatyouoccupythepostofcarrierinthatgreatEnglishsystemoftransportwhich，withallitsdefects，istheprideofourcountry。’ ’Yes，sir，’returnedMrChandlervaguely，forhehardlyknewwhattoreply;’themparcelspostshasdoneuscarriersaworldofharm。’ ’Iamnotaprejudicedman，’continuedJosephFinsbury。’AsayoungmanItravelledmuch。Nothingwastoosmallortooobscureformetoacquire。AtseaIstudiedseamanship，learnedthecomplicatedknotsemployedbymariners，andacquiredthetechnicalterms。AtNaples，Iwouldlearntheartofmakingmacaroni;atNice，theprinciplesofmakingcandiedfruit。I neverwenttotheoperawithoutfirstbuyingthebookofthepiece，andmakingmyselfacquaintedwiththeprincipalairsbypickingthemoutonthepianowithonefinger。’ ’Youmusthaveseenadeal，sir，’remarkedthecarrier，touchinguphishorse;’IwishIcouldhavehadyouradvantages。’ ’DoyouknowhowoftenthewordwhipoccursintheOldTestament？’continuedtheoldgentleman。’Onehundredand（ifI rememberexactly）forty—seventimes。’ ’Doitindeed，sir？’saidMrChandler。’Inevershouldhavethoughtit。’ ’TheBiblecontainsthreemillionfivehundredandonethousandtwohundredandforty—nineletters。OfversesIbelievethereareupwardofeighteenthousand。TherehavebeenmanyeditionsoftheBible;WycliffwasthefirsttointroduceitintoEnglandabouttheyear1300。The\"ParagraphBible\"，asitiscalled，isawell—knownedition，andissocalledbecauseitisdividedintoparagraphs。The\"BreechesBible\"isanotherwell—knowninstance，andgetsitsnameeitherbecauseitwasprintedbyoneBreeches，orbecausetheplaceofpublicationborethatname。’ Thecarrierremarkeddrilythathethoughtthatwasonlynatural，andturnedhisattentiontothemorecongenialtaskofpassingacartofhay;itwasamatterofsomedifficulty，fortheroadwasnarrow，andtherewasaditchoneitherhand。 ’Iperceive，’beganMrFinsbury，whentheyhadsuccessfullypassedthecart，’thatyouholdyourreinswithonehand;youshouldemploytwo。’ ’Well，Ilikethat！’criedthecarriercontemptuously。’Why？’ ’Youdonotunderstand，’continuedMrFinsbury。’WhatItellyouisascientificfact，andreposesonthetheoryofthelever，abranchofmechanics。Therearesomeveryinterestinglittleshillingbooksuponthefieldofstudy，whichIshouldthinkamaninyourstationwouldtakeapleasuretoread。ButIamafraidyouhavenotcultivatedtheartofobservation;atleastwehavenowdriventogetherforsometime，andIcannotrememberthatyouhavecontributedasinglefact。Thisisaveryfalseprinciple，mygoodman。Forinstance，Idonotknowifyouobservedthat（asyoupassedthehay—cartman）youtookyourleft？’ ’OfcourseIdid，’criedthecarrier，whowasnowgettingbelligerent;’he’dhavethelawonmeifIhadn’t。’ ’InFrance，now，’resumedtheoldman，’andalso，Ibelieve，intheUnitedStatesofAmerica，youwouldhavetakentheright。’ ’Iwouldnot，’criedMrChandlerindignantly。’Iwouldhavetakentheleft。’ ’Iobserveagain，’continuedMrFinsbury，scorningtoreply，’thatyoumendthedilapidatedpartsofyourharnesswithstring。 IhavealwaysprotestedagainstthiscarelessnessandslovenlinessoftheEnglishpoor。InanessaythatIoncereadbeforeanappreciativeaudience——’ ’Itain’tstring，’saidthecarriersullenly，’it’spack—thread。’ ’Ihavealwaysprotested，’resumedtheoldman，’thatintheirprivateanddomesticlife，aswellasintheirlabouringcareer，thelowerclassesofthiscountryareimprovident，thriftless，andextravagant。Astitchintime——’ ’WhothedevilAREthelowerclasses？’criedthecarrier。’Youarethelowerclassesyourself！IfIthoughtyouwereabloomingaristocrat，Ishouldn’thavegivenyoualift。’ Thewordswereutteredwithundisguisedill—feeling;itwasplainthepairwerenotcongenial，andfurtherconversation，eventooneofMrFinsbury’spatheticloquacity，wasoutofthequestion。 Withanangrygesture，hepulleddownthebrimoftheforage—capoverhiseyes，and，producinganotebookandabluepencilfromoneofhisinnermostpockets，soonbecameabsorbedincalculations。 Onhispartthecarrierfelltowhistlingwithfreshzest;andif（nowandagain）heglancedatthecompanionofhisdrive，itwaswithmingledfeelingsoftriumphandalarm——triumphbecausehehadsucceededinarrestingthatprodigyofspeech，andalarmlest（byanyaccident）itshouldbeginagain。Eventheshower，whichpresentlyovertookandpassedthem，wasenduredbybothinsilence;anditwasstillinsilencethattheydroveatlengthintoSouthampton。 Duskhadfallen;theshopwindowsglimmeredforthintothestreetsoftheoldseaport;inprivatehouseslightswerekindledfortheeveningmeal;andMrFinsburybegantothinkcomplacentlyofhisnight’slodging。Heputhispapersby，clearedhisthroat，andlookeddoubtfullyatMrChandler。 ’Willyoubecivilenough，’saidhe，’torecommendmetoaninn？’ MrChandlerponderedforamoment。 ’Well，’hesaidatlast，’Iwonderhowaboutthe\"TregonwellArms\"。’ ’The\"TregonwellArms\"willdoverywell，’returnedtheoldman，’ifit’scleanandcheap，andthepeoplecivil。’ ’Iwasn’tthinkingsomuchofyou，’returnedMrChandlerthoughtfully。’IwasthinkingofmyfriendWattsaskeepsthe’ouse;he’safriendofmine，yousee，andhehelpedmethroughmytroublelastyear。AndIwasthinking，woulditbefair—likeonWattstosaddlehimwithanoldpartylikeyou，whomightbethedeathofhimwithgeneralinformation。Woulditbefairtothe’ouse？’enquiredMrChandler，withanairofcandidappeal。 ’Markme，’criedtheoldgentlemanwithspirit。’Itwaskindinyoutobringmeherefornothing，butitgivesyounorighttoaddressmeinsuchterms。Here’sashillingforyourtrouble; and，ifyoudonotchoosetosetmedownatthe\"TregonwellArms\"，Icanfinditformyself。’ Chandlerwassurprisedandalittlestartled;mutteringsomethingapologetic，hereturnedtheshilling，droveinsilencethroughseveralintricatelanesandsmallstreets，drewupatlengthbeforethebrightwindowsofaninn，andcalledloudlyforMrWatts。 ’Isthatyou，Jem？’criedaheartyvoicefromthestableyard。 ’Comeinandwarmyourself。’ ’Ionlystoppedhere，’MrChandlerexplained，’toletdownanoldgentthatwantsfoodandlodging。Mind，Iwarnyouaginhim;he’sworsenoratemperancelecturer。’ MrFinsburydismountedwithdifficulty，forhewascrampedwithhislongdrive，andtheshakinghehadreceivedintheaccident。 ThefriendlyMrWatts，inspiteofthecarter’sscarcelyagreeableintroduction，treatedtheoldgentlemanwiththeutmostcourtesy，andledhimintothebackparlour，wheretherewasabigfireburninginthegrate。Presentlyatablewasspreadinthesameroom，andhewasinvitedtoseathimselfbeforeastewedfowl——somewhattheworseforhavingseenservicebefore——andabigpewtermugofalefromthetap。 Herosefromsupperagiantrefreshed;and，changinghisseattoonenearerthefire，begantoexaminetheotherguestswithaneyetothedelightsoforatory。Therewerenearadozenpresent，allmen，and（asJosephexultedtoperceive）allworkingmen。 Oftenalreadyhadheseencausetoblessthatappetitefordisconnectedfactandrotatoryargumentwhichissomarkedacharacterofthemechanic。Butevenanaudienceofworkingmenhastobecourted，andtherewasnomanmoredeeplyversedinthenecessaryartsthanJosephFinsbury。Heplacedhisglassesonhisnose，drewfromhispocketabundleofpapers，andspreadthembeforehimonatable。Hecrumpledthem，hesmoothedthemout; nowheskimmedthemover，apparentlywellpleasedwiththeircontents;now，withtappingpencilandcontractedbrows，heseemedmaturelytoconsidersomeparticularstatement。Astealthyglanceabouttheroomassuredhimofthesuccessofhismanoeuvres;alleyeswereturnedontheperformer，mouthswereopen，pipeshungsuspended;thebirdswerecharmed。AtthesamemomenttheentranceofMrWattsaffordedhimanopportunity。 ’Iobserve，’saidhe，addressingthelandlord，buttakingatthesametimethewholeroomintohisconfidencewithanencouraginglook，’Iobservethatsomeofthesegentlemenarelookingwithcuriosityinmydirection;andcertainlyitisunusualtoseeanyoneimmersedinliteraryandscientificlaboursinthepublicapartmentofaninn。IhaveheresomecalculationsImadethismorninguponthecostoflivinginthisandothercountries——asubject，Ineedscarcelysay，highlyinterestingtotheworkingclasses。Ihavecalculatedascaleoflivingforincomesofeighty，onehundredandsixty，twohundred，andtwohundredandfortypoundsayear。Imustconfessthattheincomeofeightypoundshassomewhatbaffledme，andtheothersarenotsoexactasIcouldwish;forthepriceofwashingvarieslargelyinforeigncountries，andthedifferentcokes，coalsandfirewoodsfluctuatesurprisingly。Iwillreadmyresearches，andIhopeyouwon’tscrupletopointouttomeanylittleerrorsthatImayhavecommittedeitherfromoversightorignorance。Iwillbegin，gentlemen，withtheincomeofeightypoundsayear。’ Whereupontheoldgentleman，withlesscompassionthanhewouldhavehadforbrutebeasts，deliveredhimselfofallhistediouscalculations。Asheoccasionallygavenineversionsofasingleincome，placingtheimaginarypersoninLondon，Paris，Bagdad，Spitzbergen，Bassorah，Heligoland，theScillyIslands，Brighton，Cincinnati，andNijni—Novgorod，withanappropriateoutfitforeachlocality，itisnowonderthathishearerslookbackonthateveningasthemosttiresometheyeverspent。 LongbeforeMrFinsburyhadreachedNijni—Novgorodwiththeincomeofonehundredandsixtypounds，thecompanyhaddwindledandfadedawaytoafewoldtopersandtheboredbutaffableWatts。Therewasaconstantstreamofcustomersfromtheouterworld，butsosoonastheywereservedtheydranktheirliquorquicklyanddepartedwiththeutmostcelerityforthenextpublic—house。 BythetimetheyoungmanwithtwohundredayearwasvegetatingintheScillyIslands，MrWattswasleftalonewiththeeconomist;andthatimaginarypersonhadscarcecommencedlifeatBrightonbeforethelastofhispursuersdesistedfromthechase。 MrFinsburysleptsoundlyafterthemanifoldfatiguesoftheday。 Heroselate，and，afteragoodbreakfast，orderedthebill。Thenitwasthathemadeadiscoverywhichhasbeenmadebymanyothers，bothbeforeandsince：thatitisonethingtoorderyourbill，andanothertodischargeit。Theitemsweremoderateand（whatdoesnotalwaysfollow）thetotalsmall;but，afterthemostsedulousreviewofallhispockets，oneandninepencehalfpennyappearedtobethetotaloftheoldgentleman’savailableassets。HeaskedtoseeMrWatts。 ’HereisabillonLondonforeighthundredpounds，’saidMrFinsbury，asthatworthyappeared。’Iamafraid，unlessyouchoosetodiscountityourself，itmaydetainmeadayortwotillIcangetitcashed。’ MrWattslookedatthebill，turneditover，anddogs—eareditwithhisfingers。’Itwillkeepyouadayortwo？’hesaid，repeatingtheoldman’swords。’Youhavenoothermoneywithyou？’ ’Sometriflingchange，’respondedJoseph。’Nothingtospeakof。’ ’Thenyoucansenditme;Ishouldbepleasedtotrustyou。’ ’Totellthetruth，’answeredtheoldgentleman，’Iammorethanhalfinclinedtostay;Iaminneedoffunds。’ ’Ifaloanoftenshillingswouldhelpyou，itisatyourservice，’respondedWatts，witheagerness。 ’No，IthinkIwouldratherstay，’saidtheoldman，’andgetmybilldiscounted。’ ’Youshallnotstayinmyhouse，’criedMrWatts。’Thisisthelasttimeyoushallhaveabedatthe\"TregonwellArms\"。’ ’Iinsistuponremaining，’repliedMrFinsbury，withspirit;’I remainbyActofParliament;turnmeoutifyoudare。’ ’Thenpayyourbill，’saidMrWatts。 ’Takethat，’criedtheoldman，tossinghimthenegotiablebill。 ’Itisnotlegaltender，’repliedMrWatts。’Youmustleavemyhouseatonce。’ ’YoucannotappreciatethecontemptIfeelforyou，MrWatts，’ saidtheoldgentleman，resigninghimselftocircumstances。’Butyoushallfeelitinoneway：Irefusetopaymybill。’ ’Idon’tcareforyourbill，’respondedMrWatts。’WhatIwantisyourabsence。’ ’Thatyoushallhave！’saidtheoldgentleman，and，takinguphisforagecapashespoke，hecrammeditonhishead。’Perhapsyouaretooinsolent，’headded，’toinformmeofthetimeofthenextLondontrain？’ ’Itleavesinthree—quartersofanhour，’returnedtheinnkeeperwithalacrity。’Youcaneasilycatchit。’ Joseph’spositionwasoneofconsiderableweakness。Ontheonehand，itwouldhavebeenwelltoavoidthedirectlineofrailway，sinceitwastherehemightexpecthisnephewstolieinwaitforhisrecapture;ontheother，itwashighlydesirable，itwasevenstrictlyneedful，togetthebilldiscountedereitshouldbestopped。ToLondon，therefore，hedecidedtoproceedonthefirsttrain;andthereremainedbutonepointtobeconsidered，howtopayhisfare。 Joseph’snailswereneverclean;heatealmostentirelywithhisknife。Idoubtifyoucouldsayhehadthemannersofagentleman;buthehadbetterthanthat，atouchofgenuinedignity。WasitfromhisstayinAsiaMinor？WasitfromastrainintheFinsburybloodsometimesalludedtobycustomers？Atleast，whenhepresentedhimselfbeforethestation—master，hissalaamwastrulyOriental，palm—treesappearedtocrowdaboutthelittleoffice，andthesimoomorthebulbul——butIleavethisimagetopersonsbetteracquaintedwiththeEast。Hisappearance，besides，washighlyinhisfavour;theuniformofSirFaraday，howeverinconvenientandconspicuous，was，atleast，acostumeinwhichnoswindlercouldhavehopedtoprosper;andtheexhibitionofavaluablewatchandabillforeighthundredpoundscompletedwhatdeportmenthadbegun。Aquarterofanhourlater，whenthetraincameup，MrFinsburywasintroducedtotheguardandinstalledinafirst—classcompartment，thestation—mastersmilinglyassumingallresponsibility。 Astheoldgentlemansatwaitingthemomentofdeparture，hewasthewitnessofanincidentstrangelyconnectedwiththefortunesofhishouse。Apacking—caseofcyclopeanbulkwasbornealongtheplatformbysomedozenoftotteringporters，andultimately，tothedelightofaconsiderablecrowd，hoistedonboardthevan。 Itisoftenthecheeringtaskofthehistoriantodirectattentiontothedesignsand（ifitmaybereverentlysaid）theartificesofProvidence。Intheluggagevan，asJosephwasborneoutofthestationofSouthamptonEastuponhiswaytoLondon，theeggofhisromancelay（sotospeak）unhatched。Thehugepacking—casewasdirectedtolieatWaterlootillcalledfor，andaddressedtoone’WilliamDentPitman’;andtheverynextarticle，agoodlybarreljammedintothecornerofthevan，borethesuperscription，’M。Finsbury，16JohnStreet，Bloomsbury。 Carriagepaid。’ Inthisjuxtaposition，thetrainofpowderwasprepared;andtherewasnowwantingonlyanidlehandtofireitoff。 CHAPTERIV。TheMagistrateintheLuggageVanThecityofWinchesterisfamedforacathedral，abishop——buthewasunfortunatelykilledsomeyearsagowhileriding——apublicschool，aconsiderableassortmentofthemilitary，andthedeliberatepassageofthetrainsoftheLondonandSouth—Westernline。TheseandmanysimilarassociationswouldhavedoubtlesscrowdedonthemindofJosephFinsbury;buthisspirithadatthattimeflittedfromtherailwaycompartmenttoaheavenofpopulouslecture—hallsandendlessoratory。Hisbody，inthemeanwhile，laydoubledonthecushions，theforage—caprakishlytiltedbackafterthefashionofthosethatlieinwaitfornursery—maids，thepooroldfacequiescent，onearmclutchingtohisheartLloyd’sWeeklyNewspaper。 Tohim，thusunconscious，enterandexeuntagainapairofvoyagers。Thesetwohadsavedthetrainandnomore。Atandemurgedtoitslastspeed，anactofsomethingcloselyborderingonbrigandageattheticketoffice，andaspasmofrunning，hadbroughtthemontheplatformjustastheengineuttereditsdepartingsnort。Therewasbutonecarriageeasilywithintheirreach;andtheyhadsprungintoit，andtheleaderandelderalreadyhadhisfeetuponthefloor，whenheobservedMrFinsbury。 ’GoodGod！’hecried。’UncleJoseph！This’llneverdo。’ Andhebackedout，almostupsettinghiscompanion，andoncemoreclosedthedooruponthesleepingpatriarch。 Thenextmomentthepairhadjumpedintothebaggagevan。 ’What’stherowaboutyourUncleJoseph？’enquiredtheyoungertraveller，moppinghisbrow。’Doesheobjecttosmoking？’ ’Idon’tknowthatthere’sanythingtherowwithhim，’returnedtheother。’He’sbynomeansthefirstcomer，myUncleJoseph，I cantellyou！Veryrespectableoldgentleman;interestedinleather;beentoAsiaMinor;nofamily，noassets——andatongue，mydearWickham，sharperthanaserpent’stooth。’ ’Cantankerousoldparty，eh？’suggestedWickham。 ’Notintheleast，’criedtheother;’onlyamanwithasolidtalentforbeingabore;rathercheeryIdaresay，onadesertisland，butonarailwayjourneyinsupportable。YoushouldhearhimonTonti，theassthatstartedtontines。He’sincredibleonTonti。’ ’ByJove！’criedWickham，’thenyou’reoneoftheseFinsburytontinefellows。Ihadn’taguessofthat。’ ’Ah！’saidtheother，’doyouknowthatoldboyinthecarriageisworthahundredthousandpoundstome？Therehewasasleep，andnobodytherebutyou！ButIsparedhim，becauseI’maConservativeinpolitics。’ MrWickham，pleasedtobeinaluggagevan，wasflittingtoandfrolikeagentlemanlybutterfly。 ’ByJingo！’hecried，’here’ssomethingforyou！\"M。Finsbury，16 JohnStreet，Bloomsbury，London。\"M。standsforMichael，youslydog;youkeeptwoestablishments，doyou？’ ’O，that’sMorris，’respondedMichaelfromtheotherendofthevan，wherehehadfoundacomfortableseatuponsomesacks。’He’salittlecousinofmine。Ilikehimmyself，becausehe’safraidofme。He’soneoftheornamentsofBloomsbury，andhasacollectionofsomekind——birds’eggsorsomethingthat’ssupposedtobecurious。Ibetit’snothingtomyclients！’ ’Whatalarkitwouldbetoplaybillywiththelabels！’chuckledMrWickham。’ByGeorge，here’satack—hammer！Wemightsendallthesethingsskippingaboutthepremiseslikewhat’s—his—name！’ Atthismoment，theguard，surprisedbythesoundofvoices，openedthedoorofhislittlecabin。 ’Youhadbeststepinhere，gentlemen，’saidhe，whenhehadheardtheirstory。 ’Won’tyoucome，Wickham？’askedMichael。 ’Catchme——Iwanttotravelinavan，’repliedtheyouth。 Andsothedoorofcommunicationwasclosed;andfortherestoftherunMrWickhamwasleftaloneoverhisdiversionsontheoneside，andontheotherMichaelandtheguardwereclosetedtogetherinfamiliartalk。 ’Icangetyouacompartmenthere，sir，’observedtheofficial，asthetrainbegantoslackenspeedbeforeBishopstokestation。 ’Youhadbestgetoutatmydoor，andIcanbringyourfriend。’ MrWickham，whomweleft（asthereaderhasshrewdlysuspected） beginningto’playbilly’withthelabelsinthevan，wasayounggentlemanofmuchwealth，apleasingbutsandyexterior，andahighlyvacantmind。Notmanymonthsbefore，hehadcontrivedtogethimselfblackmailedbythefamilyofaWallachianHospodar，residentforpoliticalreasonsinthegaycityofParis。Acommonfriend（towhomhehadconfidedhisdistress）recommendedhimtoMichael;andthelawyerwasnosoonerinpossessionofthefactsthanheinstantlyassumedtheoffensive，fellontheflankoftheWallachianforces，and，intheinsideofthreedays，hadthesatisfactiontobeholdthemroutedandfleeingfortheDanube。Itisnobusinessofourstofollowthemonthisretreat，overwhichthepoliceweresoobligingastopresidepaternally。ThusrelievedfromwhathelovedtorefertoastheBulgarianAtrocity，MrWickhamreturnedtoLondonwiththemostunboundedandembarrassinggratitudeandadmirationforhissaviour。Thesesentimentswerenotrepaideitherinkindordegree;indeed，Michaelwasatrifleashamedofhisnewclient’sfriendship;ithadtakenmanyinvitationstogethimtoWinchesterandWickhamManor;buthehadgoneatlast，andwasnowreturning。Ithasbeenremarkedbysomejudiciousthinker（possiblyJ。F。Smith） thatProvidencedespisestoemploynoinstrument，howeverhumble; anditisnowplaintothedullestthatbothMrWickhamandtheWallachianHospodarwereliquidleadandwedgesinthehandofDestiny。 SmittenwiththedesiretoshineinMichael’seyesandshowhimselfapersonoforiginalhumourandresources，theyounggentleman（whowasamagistrate，morebytoken，inhisnativecounty）wasnosooneraloneinthevanthanhefelluponthelabelswithallthezealofareformer;and，whenherejoinedthelawyeratBishopstoke，hisfacewasflushedwithhisexertions，andhiscigar，whichhehadsufferedtogooutwasalmostbittenintwo。 ’ByGeorge，butthishasbeenalark！’hecried。’I’vesentthewrongthingtoeverybodyinEngland。Thesecousinsofyourshaveapacking—caseasbigasahouse。I’vemuddledthewholebusinessuptothatextent，Finsbury，thatifitweretogetoutit’smybeliefweshouldgetlynched。’ ItwasuselesstobeseriouswithMrWickham。’Takecare，’saidMichael。’Iamgettingtiredofyourperpetualscrapes;myreputationisbeginningtosuffer。’ ’Yourreputationwillbeallgonebeforeyoufinishwithme，’ repliedhiscompanionwithagrin。’Clapitinthebill，myboy。 \"Fortotallossofreputation，sixandeightpence。\"But，’ continuedMrWickhamwithmoreseriousness，’couldIbebowledoutoftheCommissionforthislittlejest？Iknowit’ssmall，butIliketobeaJP。Speakingasaprofessionalman，doyouthinkthere’sanyrisk？’ ’Whatdoesitmatter？’respondedMichael，’they’llchuckyououtsoonerorlater。Somehowyoudon’tgivetheeffectofbeingagoodmagistrate。’ ’IonlywishIwasasolicitor，’retortedhiscompanion，’insteadofapoordevilofacountrygentleman。Supposewestartoneofthosetontineaffairsourselves;Itopayfivehundredayear，andyoutoguaranteemeagainsteverymisfortuneexceptillnessormarriage。’ ’Itstrikesme，’remarkedthelawyerwithameditativelaugh，ashelightedacigar，’itstrikesmethatyoumustbeacursednuisanceinthisworldofours。’ ’Doyoureallythinkso，Finsbury？’respondedthemagistrate，leaningbackinhiscushions，delightedwiththecompliment。 ’Yes，IsupposeIamanuisance。But，mindyou，Ihaveastakeinthecountry：don’tforgetthat，dearboy。’ CHAPTERV MrGideonForsythandtheGiganticBoxIthasbeenmentionedthatatBournemouthJuliasometimesmadeacquaintances;itistrueshehadbutaglimpseofthembeforethedoorsofJohnStreetclosedagainuponitscaptives，buttheglimpsewassometimesexhilarating，andtheconsequentregretwastemperedwithhope。AmongthosewhomshehadthusmetayearbeforewasayoungbarristerofthenameofGideonForsyth。 Aboutthreeo’clockoftheeventfuldaywhenthemagistratetamperedwiththelabels，asomewhatmoodyanddistemperedramblehadcarriedMrForsythtothecornerofJohnStreet;andaboutthesamemomentMissHazeltinewascalledtothedoorofNo。16 byathunderingdoubleknock。 MrGideonForsythwasahappyenoughyoungman;hewouldhavebeenhappierifhehadhadmoremoneyandlessuncle。Onehundredandtwentypoundsayearwasallhisstore;buthisuncle，MrEdwardHughBloomfield，supplementedthiswithahandsomeallowanceandagreatdealofadvice，couchedinlanguagethatwouldprobablyhavebeenjudgedintemperateonboardapirateship。MrBloomfieldwasindeedafigurequitepeculiartothedaysofMrGladstone;whatwemaycall（forthelackofanacceptedexpression）aSquirradical。Havingacquiredyearswithoutexperience，hecarriedintotheRadicalsideofpoliticsthosenoisy，after—dinner—tablepassions，whichwearemoreaccustomedtoconnectwithToryisminitssevereandsenileaspects。TotheopinionsofMrBradlaugh，infact，headdedthetemperandthesympathiesofthatextinctanimal，theSquire;headmiredpugilism，hecarriedaformidableoakenstaff，hewasareverentchurchman，anditwashardtoknowwhichwouldhavemorevolcanicallystirredhischoler——apersonwhoshouldhavedefendedtheestablishedchurch，oronewhoshouldhaveneglectedtoattenditscelebrations。Hehadbesidessomelevellingcatchwords，justlydreadedinthefamilycircle;andwhenhecouldnotgosofarastodeclareastepun—English，hemightstill（andwithhardlylesseffect）denounceitasunpractical。 ItwasunderthebanofthislesserexcommunicationthatGideonhadfallen。Hisviewsonthestudyoflawhadbeenpronouncedunpractical;andithadbeenintimatedtohim，inavociferousinterviewpunctuatedwiththeoakenstaff，thathemusteithertakeanewstartandgetabriefortwo，orpreparetoliveonhisownmoney。 NowonderifGideonwasmoody。Hehadnottheslightestwishtomodifyhispresenthabits;buthewouldnotstandonthat，sincetherecallofMrBloomfield’sallowancewouldrevolutionizethemstillmoreradically。Hehadnottheleastdesiretoacquainthimselfwithlaw;hehadlookedintoitalready，anditseemednottorepayattention;butuponthisalsohewasreadytogiveway。Infact，hewouldgoasfarashecouldtomeettheviewsofhisuncle，theSquirradical。Buttherewasonepartoftheprogrammethatappearedindependentofhiswill。Howtogetabrief？therewasthequestion。Andtherewasanotherandaworse。 Supposehegotone，shouldheprovethebetterman？ Suddenlyhefoundhiswaybarredbyacrowd。Agarishlyilluminatedvanwasbackedagainstthekerb;fromitsopenstern，halfrestingonthestreet，halfsupportedbysomeglisteningathletes，theendofthelargestpacking—caseinthecountyofMiddlesexmighthavebeenseenprotruding;while，onthestepsofthehouse，theburlypersonofthedriverandtheslimfigureofayounggirlstoodasuponastage，disputing。 ’Itisnotforus，’thegirlwassaying。’Ibegyoutotakeitaway;itcouldn’tgetintothehouse，evenifyoumanagedtogetitoutofthevan。’ ’Ishallleaveitonthepavement，then，andM。FinsburycanarrangewiththeVestryashelikes，’saidthevanman。 ’ButIamnotM。Finsbury，’expostulatedthegirl。 ’Itdoesn’tmatterwhoyouare，’saidthevanman。 ’Youmustallowmetohelpyou，MissHazeltine，’saidGideon，puttingouthishand。 Juliagavealittlecryofpleasure。’O，MrForsyth，’shecried，’Iamsogladtoseeyou;wemustgetthishorridthing，whichcanonlyhavecomeherebymistake，intothehouse。Themansayswe’llhavetotakeoffthedoor，orknocktwoofourwindowsintoone，orbefinedbytheVestryorCustomHouseorsomethingforleavingourparcelsonthepavement。’ Themenbythistimehadsuccessfullyremovedtheboxfromthevan，hadplumpeditdownonthepavement，andnowstoodleaningagainstit，orgazingatthedoorofNo。16，invisiblephysicaldistressandmentalembarrassment。Thewindowsofthewholestreethadfilled，asifbymagic，withinterestedandentertainedspectators。 Withasthoughtfulandscientificanexpressionashecouldassume，Gideonmeasuredthedoorwaywithhiscane，whileJuliaenteredhisobservationsinadrawing—book。Hethenmeasuredthebox，and，uponcomparinghisdata，foundthattherewasjustenoughspaceforittoenter。Next，throwingoffhiscoatandwaistcoat，heassistedthementotakethedoorfromitshinges。 Andlastly，allbystandersbeingpressedintotheservice，thepacking—casemountedthestepsuponsomefifteenpairsofwaveringlegs——scraped，loudlygrinding，throughthedoorway——andwasdepositedatlength，withaformidableconvulsion，inthefarendofthelobby，whichitalmostblocked。Theartisansofthisvictorysmileduponeachotherasthedustsubsided。ItwastruetheyhadsmashedabustofApolloandploughedthewallintodeepruts;but，atleast，theywerenolongeroneofthepublicspectaclesofLondon。 ’Well，sir，’saidthevanman，’Ineverseesuchajob。’ Gideoneloquentlyexpressedhisconcurrenceinthissentimentbypressingacoupleofsovereignsintheman’shand。 ’Makeitthree，sir，andI’llstandSamtoeverybodyhere！’criedthelatter，and，thishavingbeendone，thewholebodyofvolunteerportersswarmedintothevan，whichdroveoffinthedirectionofthenearestreliablepublic—house。Gideonclosedthedoorontheirdeparture，andturnedtoJulia;theireyesmet;themostuncontrollablemirthseizeduponthemboth，andtheymadethehouseringwiththeirlaughter。ThencuriosityawokeinJulia’smind，andshewentandexaminedthebox，andmoreespeciallythelabel。 ’Thisisthestrangestthingthateverhappened，’shesaid，withanotherburstoflaughter。’ItiscertainlyMorris’shandwriting，andIhadaletterfromhimonlythismorning，tellingmetoexpectabarrel。Isthereabarrelcomingtoo，doyouthink，MrForsyth？’ \"’StatuarywithCare，Fragile，’\"readGideonaloudfromthepaintedwarningonthebox。’Thenyouweretoldnothingaboutthis？’ ’No，’respondedJulia。’O，MrForsyth，don’tyouthinkwemighttakeapeepatit？’ ’Yes，indeed，’criedGideon。’Justletmehaveahammer。’ ’Comedown，andI’llshowyouwhereitis，’criedJulia。’Theshelfistoohighformetoreach’;and，openingthedoorofthekitchenstair，shebadeGideonfollowher。Theyfoundboththehammerandachisel;butGideonwassurprisedtoseenosignofaservant。HealsodiscoveredthatMissHazeltinehadaveryprettylittlefootandankle;andthediscoveryembarrassedhimsomuchthathewasgladtofallatonceuponthepacking—case。 Heworkedhardandearnestly，anddealthisblowswiththeprecisionofablacksmith;Juliathewhilestandingsilentlybyhisside，andregardingrathertheworkmanthanthework。Hewasahandsomefellow;shetoldherselfshehadneverseensuchbeautifularms。Andsuddenly，asthoughhehadoverheardthesethoughts，Gideonturnedandsmiledtoher。She，too，smiledandcoloured;andthedoublechangebecamehersoprettilythatGideonforgottoturnawayhiseyes，and，swingingthehammerwithawill，dischargedasmashingblowonhisownknuckles。Withadmirablepresenceofmindhecrusheddownanoathandsubstitutedtheharmlesscomment，’Butterfingers！’Butthepainwassharp，hisnervewasshaken，andafteranabortivetrialhefoundhemustdesistfromfurtheroperations。 InamomentJuliawasofftothepantry;inamomentshewasbackagainwithabasinofwaterandasponge，andhadbeguntobathehiswoundedhand。 ’Iamdreadfullysorry！’saidGideonapologetically。’IfIhadhadanymannersIshouldhaveopenedtheboxfirstandsmashedmyhandafterward。Itfeelsmuchbetter，’headded。’Iassureyouitdoes。’ ’AndnowIthinkyouarewellenoughtodirectoperations，’saidshe。’Tellmewhattodo，andI’llbeyourworkman。’ ’Averyprettyworkman，’saidGideon，ratherforgettinghimself。 Sheturnedandlookedathim，withasuspicionofafrown;andtheindiscreetyoungmanwasgladtodirectherattentiontothepacking—case。Thebulkoftheworkhadbeenaccomplished;andpresentlyJuliahadburstthroughthelastbarrieranddisclosedazoneofstraw。inamomenttheywerekneelingsidebyside，engagedlikehaymakers;thenexttheywererewardedwithaglimpseofsomethingwhiteandpolished;andthenextagainlaidbareanunmistakablemarbleleg。 ’Heissurelyaveryathleticperson，’saidJulia。 ’Ineversawanythinglikeit，’respondedGideon。’Hismusclesstandoutlikepennyrolls。’ Anotherlegwassoondisclosed，andthenwhatseemedtobeathird。Thisresolveditself，however，intoaknottedclubrestinguponapedestal。 ’ItisaHercules，’criedGideon;’Imighthaveguessedthatfromhiscalf。I’msupposedtoberatherpartialtostatuary，butwhenitcomestoHercules，thepoliceshouldinterfere。Ishouldsay，’ headded，glancingwithdisaffectionattheswollenleg，’thatthiswasaboutthebiggestandtheworstinEurope。Whatinheaven’snamecanhaveinducedhimtocomehere？’ ’Isupposenobodyelsewouldhaveagiftofhim，’saidJulia。 ’Andforthatmatter，Ithinkwecouldhavedonewithoutthemonsterverywell。’ ’O，don’tsaythat，’returnedGideon。’Thishasbeenoneofthemostamusingexperiencesofmylife。’ ’Idon’tthinkyou’llforgetitverysoon，’saidJulia。’Yourhandwillremindyou。’ ’Well，IsupposeImustbegoing，’saidGideonreluctantly。’No，’ pleadedJulia。’Whyshouldyou？Stayandhaveteawithme。’ ’IfIthoughtyoureallywishedmetostay，’saidGideon，lookingathishat，’ofcourseIshouldonlybetoodelighted。’ ’Whatasillypersonyoumusttakemefor！’returnedthegirl。 ’Why，ofcourseIdo;and，besides，Iwantsomecakesfortea，andI’venobodytosend。Hereisthelatchkey。’ Gideonputonhishatwithalacrity，andcastingonelookatMissHazeltine，andanotheratthelegsofHercules，threwopenthedooranddepartedonhiserrand。 Hereturnedwithalargebagofthechoicestandmosttemptingofcakesandtartlets，andfoundJuliaintheactofspreadingasmalltea—tableinthelobby。 \"Theroomsareallinsuchastate，’shecried，’thatIthoughtweshouldbemorecosyandcomfortableinourownlobby，andunderourownvineandstatuary。’ ’Eversomuchbetter，’criedGideondelightedly。 ’Owhatadorablecreamtarts！’saidJulia，openingthebag，’andthedearestlittlecherrytartlets，withallthecherriesspilledoutintothecream！’ ’Yes，’saidGideon，concealinghisdismay，’Iknewtheywouldmixbeautifully;thewomanbehindthecountertoldmeso。’ ’Now，’saidJulia，astheybegantheirlittlefestival，’IamgoingtoshowyouMorris’sletter;readitaloud，please;perhapsthere’ssomethingIhavemissed。’ Gideontooktheletter，andspreadingitoutonhisknee，readasfollows： DEARJULIA，IwriteyoufromBrowndean，wherewearestoppingoverforafewdays。Unclewasmuchshakeninthatdreadfulaccident，ofwhich，Idaresay，youhaveseentheaccount。 TomorrowIleavehimherewithJohn，andcomeupalone;butbeforethat，youwillhavereceivedabarrelCONTAININGSPECIMENS FORAFRIEND。Donotopenitonanyaccount，butleaveitinthelobbytillIcome。 Yoursinhaste，M。FINSBURY。 P。S。——Besureandleavethebarrelinthelobby。 ’No，’saidGideon，’thereseemstobenothingaboutthemonument，’andhenodded，ashespoke，atthemarblelegs。’MissHazeltine，’hecontinued，’wouldyoumindmeaskingafewquestions？’ ’Certainlynot，’repliedJulia;’andifyoucanmakemeunderstandwhyMorrishassentastatueofHerculesinsteadofabarrelcontainingspecimensforafriend，Ishallbegratefultillmydyingday。Andwhatarespecimensforafriend？’ ’Ihaven’taguess，’saidGideon。’Specimensareusuallybitsofstone，butrathersmallerthanourfriendthemonument。Still，thatisnotthepoint。Areyouquitealoneinthisbighouse？’ ’Yes，Iamatpresent，’returnedJulia。’Icameupbeforethemtopreparethehouse，andgetanotherservant。ButIcouldn’tgetoneIliked。’ ’Thenyouareutterlyalone，’saidGideoninamazement。’Areyounotafraid？’ ’No，’respondedJuliastoutly。’Idon’tseewhyIshouldbemoreafraidthanyouwouldbe;Iamweaker，ofcourse，butwhenI foundImustsleepaloneinthehouseIboughtarevolverwonderfullycheap，andmadethemanshowmehowtouseit。’ ’Andhowdoyouuseit？’demandedGideon，muchamusedathercourage。 ’Why，’saidshe，withasmile，’youpullthelittletriggerthingontop，andthenpointingitverylow，foritspringsupasyoufire，youpulltheunderneathlittletriggerthing，anditgoesoffaswellasifamanhaddoneit。’ ’Andhowoftenhaveyouusedit？’askedGideon。 ’O，Ihavenotusedityet，’saidthedeterminedyounglady;’butIknowhow，andthatmakesmewonderfullycourageous，especiallywhenIbarricademydoorwithachestofdrawers。’ ’I’mawfullygladtheyarecomingbacksoon，’saidGideon。’Thisbusinessstrikesmeasexcessivelyunsafe;ifitgoesonmuchlonger，Icouldprovideyouwithamaidenauntofmine，ormylandladyifyoupreferred。’ ’Lendmeanaunt！’criedJulia。’O，whatgenerosity！IbegintothinkitmusthavebeenyouthatsenttheHercules。’ ’Believeme，’criedtheyoungman，’Iadmireyoutoomuchtosendyousuchaninfamousworkofart……’ Juliawasbeginningtoreply，whentheywerebothstartledbyaknockingatthedoor。 ’O，MrForsyth！’ ’Don’tbeafraid，mydeargirl，’saidGideon，layinghishandtenderlyonherarm。 ’Iknowit’sthepolice，’shewhispered。’Theyarecomingtocomplainaboutthestatue。’ Theknockwasrepeated。Itwaslouderthanbefore，andmoreimpatient。 ’It’sMorris，’criedJulia，inastartledvoice，andsherantothedoorandopenedit。 ItwasindeedMorristhatstoodbeforethem;nottheMorrisofordinarydays，butawild—lookingfellow，paleandhaggard，withbloodshoteyes，andatwo—days’bearduponhischin。 ’Thebarrel！’hecried。’Where’sthebarrelthatcamethismorning？’Andhestaredaboutthelobby，hiseyes，astheyfelluponthelegsofHercules，literallygogglinginhishead。’Whatisthat？’hescreamed。’Whatisthatwaxwork？Speak，youfool！ Whatisthat？Andwhere’sthebarrel——thewater—butt？’ ’Nobarrelcame，Morris，’respondedJuliacoldly。’Thisistheonlythingthathasarrived。’ ’This！’shriekedthemiserableman。’Ineverheardofit！’ ’Itcameaddressedinyourhand，’repliedJulia;’wehadnearlytopullthehousedowntogetitin，thatisallthatIcantellyou。’ Morrisgazedatherinutterbewilderment。Hepassedhishandoverhisforehead;heleanedagainstthewalllikeamanabouttofaint。Thenhistonguewasloosed，andheoverwhelmedthegirlwithtorrentsofabuse。Suchfire，suchdirectness，suchachoiceofungentlemanlylanguage，nonehadeverbeforesuspectedMorristopossess;andthegirltrembledandshrankbeforehisfury。 ’YoushallnotspeaktoMissHazeltineinthatway，’saidGideonsternly。’ItiswhatIwillnotsuffer。’ ’IshallspeaktothegirlasIlike，’returnedMorris，withafreshoutburstofanger。’I’llspeaktothehussyasshedeserves。’ ’Notawordmore，sir，notoneword，’criedGideon。’MissHazeltine，’hecontinued，addressingtheyounggirl，’youcannotstayamomentlongerinthesamehousewiththisunmanlyfellow。 Hereismyarm;letmetakeyouwhereyouwillbesecurefrominsult。’ ’MrForsyth，’returnedJulia，’youareright;Icannotstayherelonger，andIamsureItrustmyselftoanhonourablegentleman。’ Paleandresolute，Gideonofferedherhisarm，andthepairdescendedthesteps，followedbyMorrisclamouringforthelatchkey。 JuliahadscarcelyhandedthekeytoMorrisbeforeanemptyhansomdrovesmartlyintoJohnStreet。Itwashailedbybothmen，andasthecabmandrewuphisrestivehorse，Morrismadeadashintothevehicle。 ’Sixpenceabovefare，’hecriedrecklessly。’WaterlooStationforyourlife。Sixpenceforyourself！’ ’Makeitashilling，guv’ner，’saidtheman，withagrin;’theotherpartieswerefirst。’ ’Ashillingthen，’criedMorris，withtheinwardreflectionthathewouldreconsideritatWaterloo。Themanwhippeduphishorse，andthehansomvanishedfromJohnStreet。 CHAPTERVI。TheTribulationsofMorris：ParttheFirstAsthehansomspanthroughthestreetsofLondon，Morrissoughttorallytheforcesofhismind。Thewater—buttwiththedeadbodyhadmiscarried，anditwasessentialtorecoverit。Somuchwasclear;andif，bysomeblestgoodfortune，itwasstillatthestation，allmightbewell。Ifithadbeensentout，however，ifitwerealreadyinthehandsofsomewrongperson，matterslookedmoreominous。Peoplewhoreceiveunexplainedpackagesareusuallykeentohavethemopen;theexampleofMissHazeltine（whomhecursedagain）wastheretoremindhimofthecircumstance;andifanyonehadopenedthewater—butt——’OLord！’ criedMorrisatthethought，andcarriedhishandtohisdampforehead。Theprivateconceptionofanybreachoflawisapttobeinspiriting，forthescheme（whileyetinchoate）wearsdashingandattractivecolours。Notsointheleastthatpartofthecriminal’slaterreflectionswhichdealwiththepolice。Thatusefulcorps（asMorrisnowbegantothink）hadscarcebeenkeptsufficientlyinviewwhenheembarkeduponhisenterprise。’I mustplaydevilishclose，’hereflected，andhewasawareofanexquisitethrilloffearintheregionofthespine。 ’Mainlineorloop？’enquiredthecabman，throughthescuttle。