第18章

Chapter61

Onthatsamenight——eventssocrowduponeachotherinconvulsedanddistractedtimes，thatmorethanthestirringincidentsofawholelifeoftenbecomecompressedintothecompassoffour-and-

twentyhours——onthatsamenight，MrHaredale，havingstronglyboundhisprisoner，withtheassistanceofthesexton，andforcedhimtomounthishorse，conductedhimtoChigwell;bentuponprocuringaconveyancetoLondonfromthatplace，andcarryinghimatoncebeforeajustice。Thedisturbedstateofthetownwouldbe，heknew，asufficientreasonfordemandingthemurderer’scommittaltoprisonbeforedaybreak，asnomancouldanswerforthesecurityofanyofthewatch-housesorordinaryplacesofdetention;andtoconveyaprisonerthroughthestreetswhenthemobwereagainabroad，wouldnotonlybeataskofgreatdangerandhazard，butwouldbetochallengeanattemptatrescue。Directingthesextontoleadthehorse，hewalkedclosebythemurderer’sside，andinthisordertheyreachedthevillageaboutthemiddleofthenight。

Thepeoplewereallawakeandup，fortheywerefearfulofbeingburntintheirbeds，andsoughttocomfortandassureeachotherbywatchingincompany。Afewofthestoutest-heartedwerearmedandgatheredinabodyonthegreen。Tothese，whoknewhimwell，MrHaredaleaddressedhimself，brieflynarratingwhathadhappened，andbeseechingthemtoaidinconveyingthecriminaltoLondonbeforethedawnofday。

Butnotamanamongthemdaredtohelphimbysomuchasthemotionofafinger。Therioters，intheirpassagethroughthevillage，hadmenacedwiththeirfiercestvengeance，anypersonwhoshouldaidinextinguishingthefire，orrendertheleastassistancetohim，oranyCatholicwhomsoever。Theirthreatsextendedtotheirlivesandalltheypossessed。Theywereassembledfortheirownprotection，andcouldnotendangerthemselvesbylendinganyaidtohim。Thistheytoldhim，notwithouthesitationandregret，astheykeptaloofinthemoonlightandglancedfearfullyattheghostlyrider，who，withhisheaddroopingonhisbreastandhishatsloucheddownuponhisbrow，neithermovednorspoke。

Findingitimpossibletopersuadethem，andindeedhardlyknowinghowtodosoafterwhattheyhadseenofthefuryofthecrowd，MrHaredalebesoughtthemthatatleasttheywouldleavehimfreetoactforhimself，andwouldsufferhimtotaketheonlychaiseandpairofhorsesthattheplaceafforded。Thiswasnotaccededtowithoutsomedifficulty，butintheendtheytoldhimtodowhathewould，andgoawayfromtheminheaven’sname。

Leavingthesextonatthehorse’sbridle，hedrewoutthechaisewithhisownhands，andwouldhaveharnessedthehorses，butthatthepost-boyofthevillage——asoft-hearted，good-for-nothing，vagabondkindoffellow——wasmovedbyhisearnestnessandpassion，and，throwingdownapitchforkwithwhichhewasarmed，sworethattheriotersmightcuthimintomincemeatiftheyliked，buthewouldnotstandbyandseeanhonestgentlemanwhohaddonenowrong，reducedtosuchextremity，withoutdoingwhathecouldtohelphim。MrHaredaleshookhimwarmlybythehand，andthankedhimfromhisheart。Infiveminutes’timethechaisewasready，andthisgoodscapegraceinhissaddle。Themurdererwasputinside，theblindsweredrawnup，thesextontookhisseatuponthebar，MrHaredalemountedhishorseandrodeclosebesidethedoor;

andsotheystartedinthedeadofnight，andinprofoundsilence，forLondon。

TheconsternationwassoextremethateventhehorseswhichhadescapedtheflamesattheWarren，couldfindnofriendstoshelterthem。Theypassedthemontheroad，browsingonthestuntedgrass;

andthedrivertoldthem，thatthepoorbeastshadwanderedtothevillagefirst，buthadbeendrivenaway，lesttheyshouldbringthevengeanceofthecrowdonanyoftheinhabitants。

Norwasthisfeelingconfinedtosuchsmallplaces，wherethepeopleweretimid，ignorant，andunprotected。WhentheycamenearLondontheymet，inthegreylightofmorning，morethanonepoorCatholicfamilywho，terrifiedbythethreatsandwarningsoftheirneighbours，werequittingthecityonfoot，andwhotoldthemtheycouldhirenocartorhorsefortheremovaloftheirgoods，andhadbeencompelledtoleavethembehind，atthemercyofthecrowd。NearMileEndtheypassedahouse，themasterofwhich，aCatholicgentlemanofsmallmeans，havinghiredawaggontoremovehisfurniturebymidnight，hadhaditallbroughtdownintothestreet，towaitthevehicle’sarrival，andsavetimeinthepacking。Butthemanwithwhomhemadethebargain，alarmedbythefiresthatnight，andbythesightoftherioterspassinghisdoor，hadrefusedtokeepit:andthepoorgentleman，withhiswifeandservantandtheirlittlechildren，weresittingtremblingamongtheirgoodsintheopenstreet，dreadingthearrivalofdayandnotknowingwheretoturnorwhattodo。

Itwasthesame，theyheard，withthepublicconveyances。Thepanicwassogreatthatthemailsandstage-coacheswereafraidtocarrypassengerswhoprofessedtheobnoxiousreligion。Ifthedriversknewthem，ortheyadmittedthattheyheldthatcreed，theywouldnottakethem，no，thoughtheyofferedlargesums;andyesterday，peoplehadbeenafraidtorecogniseCatholicacquaintanceinthestreets，lesttheyshouldbemarkedbyspies，andburntout，asitwascalled，inconsequence。Onemildoldman——

apriest，whosechapelwasdestroyed;averyfeeble，patient，inoffensivecreature——whowastrudgingaway，alone，designingtowalksomedistancefromtown，andthentryhisfortunewiththecoaches，toldMrHaredalethathefearedhemightnotfindamagistratewhowouldhavethehardihoodtocommitaprisonertojail，onhiscomplaint。Butnotwithstandingthesediscouragingaccountstheywenton，andreachedtheMansionHousesoonaftersunrise。

MrHaredalethrewhimselffromhishorse，buthehadnoneedtoknockatthedoor，foritwasalreadyopen，andtherestooduponthestepaportlyoldman，withaveryred，orratherpurpleface，whowithananxiousexpressionofcountenance，wasremonstratingwithsomeunseenpersonageupstairs，whiletheporteressayedtoclosethedoorbydegreesandgetridofhim。Withtheintenseimpatienceandexcitementnaturaltooneinhiscondition，MrHaredalethrusthimselfforwardandwasabouttospeak，whenthefatoldgentlemaninterposed:

’Mygoodsir，’saidhe，’prayletmegetananswer。ThisisthesixthtimeIhavebeenhere。Iwasherefivetimesyesterday。Myhouseisthreatenedwithdestruction。Itistobeburneddownto-

night，andwastohavebeenlastnight，buttheyhadotherbusinessontheirhands。Prayletmegetananswer。’

’Mygoodsir，’returnedMrHaredale，shakinghishead，’myhouseisburnedtotheground。Butheavenforbidthatyoursshouldbe。

Getyouranswer。Bebrief，inmercytome。’

’Now，youhearthis，mylord？’——saidtheoldgentleman，callingupthestairs，towheretheskirtofadressing-gownflutteredonthelanding-place。’Hereisagentlemanhere，whosehousewasactuallyburntdownlastnight。’

’Dearme，dearme，’repliedatestyvoice，’Iamverysorryforit，butwhatamItodo？Ican’tbuilditupagain。Thechiefmagistrateofthecitycan’tgoandbearebuildingofpeople’shouses，mygoodsir。Stuffandnonsense！’

’Butthechiefmagistrateofthecitycanpreventpeople’shousesfromhavinganyneedtoberebuilt，ifthechiefmagistrate’saman，andnotadummy——can’the，mylord？’criedtheoldgentlemaninacholericmanner。

’Youaredisrespectable，sir，’saidtheLordMayor——’leastways，disrespectfulImean。’

’Disrespectful，mylord！’returnedtheoldgentleman。’Iwasrespectfulfivetimesyesterday。Ican’tberespectfulforever。

Mencan’tstandonbeingrespectfulwhentheirhousesaregoingtobeburntovertheirheads，withthemin’em。WhatamItodo，mylord？AMItohaveanyprotection！’

’Itoldyouyesterday，sir，’saidtheLordMayor，’thatyoumighthaveanaldermaninyourhouse，ifyoucouldgetonetocome。’

’Whatthedevil’sthegoodofanalderman？’returnedthecholericoldgentleman。

’——Toawethecrowd，sir，’saidtheLordMayor。

’OhLordha’mercy！’whimperedtheoldgentleman，ashewipedhisforeheadinastateofludicrousdistress，’tothinkofsendinganaldermantoaweacrowd！Why，mylord，iftheywereevensomanybabies，fedonmother’smilk，whatdoyouthinkthey’dcareforanalderman！WillYOUcome？’

’I！’saidtheLordMayor，mostemphatically:’Certainlynot。’

’Thenwhat，’returnedtheoldgentleman，’whatamItodo？AmIacitizenofEngland？AmItohavethebenefitofthelaws？AmItohaveanyreturnfortheKing’staxes？’

’Idon’tknow，Iamsure，’saidtheLordMayor;’whatapityitisyou’reaCatholic！Whycouldn’tyoubeaProtestant，andthenyouwouldn’thavegotyourselfintosuchamess？I’msureIdon’tknowwhat’stobedone——Therearegreatpeopleatthebottomoftheseriots——Ohdearme，whatathingitistobeapubliccharacter！——

Youmustlookinagaininthecourseoftheday——Wouldajavelin-

mando？——Orthere’sPhilipstheconstable，——HE’Sdisengaged，——he’snotveryoldforamanathistimeoflife，exceptinhislegs，andifyouputhimupatawindowhe’dlookquiteyoungbycandle-

light，andmightfrighten’emverymuch——Ohdear！——well！——we’llseeaboutit。’

’Stop！’criedMrHaredale，pressingthedooropenastheporterstrovetoshutit，andspeakingrapidly，’MyLordMayor，Ibegyounottogoaway。Ihaveamanhere，whocommittedamurdereight-

and-twentyyearsago。Half-a-dozenwordsfromme，onoath，willjustifyyouincommittinghimtoprisonforre-examination。Ionlyseek，justnow，tohavehimconsignedtoaplaceofsafety。Theleastdelaymayinvolvehisbeingrescuedbytherioters。’

’Ohdearme！’criedtheLordMayor。’Godblessmysoul——andbody——

ohLor！——wellI！——therearegreatpeopleatthebottomoftheseriots，youknow——Youreallymustn’t。’

’Mylord，’saidMrHaredale，’themurderedgentlemanwasmybrother;Isucceededtohisinheritance;therewerenotwantingslanderoustonguesatthattime，towhisperthattheguiltofthismostfoulandcrueldeedwasmine——mine，wholovedhim，asheknows，inHeaven，dearly。Thetimehascome，afteralltheseyearsofgloomandmisery，foravenginghim，andbringingtolightacrimesoartfulandsodevilishthatithasnoparallel。Everysecond’sdelayonyourpartloosensthisman’sbloodyhandsagain，andleadstohisescape。Mylord，Ichargeyouhearme，anddespatchthismatterontheinstant。’

’Ohdearme！’criedthechiefmagistrate;’thesean’tbusinesshours，youknow——Iwonderatyou——howungentlemanlyitisofyou——

youmustn’t——youreallymustn’t——AndIsupposeyouareaCatholictoo？’

’Iam，’saidMrHaredale。

’Godblessmysoul，IbelievepeopleturnCatholicsa’purposetovexandworritme，’criedtheLordMayor。’Iwishyouwouldn’tcomehere;they’llbesettingtheMansionHouseafirenext，andweshallhaveyoutothankforit。Youmustlockyourprisonerup，sir——givehimtoawatchman——and——callagainatapropertime。

Thenwe’llseeaboutit！’

BeforeMrHaredalecouldanswer，thesharpclosingofadooranddrawingofitsbolts，gavenoticethattheLordMayorhadretreatedtohisbedroom，andthatfurtherremonstrancewouldbeunavailing。

Thetwoclientsretreatedlikewise，andtheportershutthemoutintothestreet。

’That’sthewayheputsmeoff，’saidtheoldgentleman，’Icangetnoredressandnohelp。Whatareyougoingtodo，sir？’

’Totryelsewhere，’answeredMrHaredale，whowasbythistimeonhorseback。

’Ifeelforyou，Iassureyou——andwellImay，forweareinacommoncause，’saidtheoldgentleman。’Imaynothaveahousetoofferyouto-night;letmetenderitwhileIcan。Onsecondthoughtsthough，’headded，puttingupapocket-bookhehadproducedwhilespeaking，’I’llnotgiveyouacard，forifitwasfounduponyou，itmightgetyouintotrouble。Langdale——that’smyname——vintneranddistiller——HolbornHill——you’reheartilywelcome，ifyou’llcome。’

MrHaredalebowed，androdeoff，closebesidethechaiseasbefore;

determiningtorepairtothehouseofSirJohnFielding，whohadthereputationofbeingaboldandactivemagistrate，andfullyresolved，incasetheriotersshouldcomeuponthem，todoexecutiononthemurdererwithhisownhands，ratherthansufferhimtobereleased。

Theyarrivedatthemagistrate’sdwelling，however，withoutmolestation(forthemob，aswehaveseen，werethenintentondeeperschemes)，andknockedatthedoor。AsithadbeenprettygenerallyrumouredthatSirJohnwasproscribedbytherioters，abodyofthief-takershadbeenkeepingwatchinthehouseallnight。

TooneofthemMrHaredalestatedhisbusiness，whichappearingtothemanofsufficientmomenttowarranthisarousingthejustice，procuredhimanimmediateaudience。

NotimewaslostincommittingthemurderertoNewgate;thenanewbuilding，recentlycompletedatavastexpense，andconsideredtobeofenormousstrength。Thewarrantbeingmadeout，threeofthethief-takersboundhimafresh(hehadbeenstruggling，itseemed，inthechaise，andhadloosenedhismanacles);gaggedhimlesttheyshouldmeetwithanyofthemob，andheshouldcalltothemforhelp;andseatedthemselves，alongwithhim，inthecarriage。

Thesemenbeingallwellarmed，madeaformidableescort;buttheydrewuptheblindsagain，asthoughthecarriagewereempty，anddirectedMrHaredaletorideforward，thathemightnotattractattentionbyseemingtobelongtoit。

Thewisdomofthisproceedingwassufficientlyobvious，forastheyhurriedthroughthecitytheypassedamongseveralgroupsofmen，who，iftheyhadnotsupposedthechaisetobequiteempty，wouldcertainlyhavestoppedit。Butthosewithinkeepingquiteclose，andthedrivertarryingtobeaskednoquestions，theyreachedtheprisonwithoutinterruption，and，oncethere，hadhimout，andsafewithinitsgloomywalls，inatwinkling。

Witheagereyesandstrainedattention，MrHaredalesawhimchained，andlockedandbarredupinhiscell。Nay，whenhehadleftthejail，andstoodinthefreestreet，without，hefelttheironplatesuponthedoors，withhishands，anddrewthemoverthestonewall，toassurehimselfthatitwasreal;andtoexultinitsbeingsostrong，andrough，andcold。Itwasnotuntilheturnedhisbackuponthejail，andglancedalongtheemptystreets，solifelessandquietinthebrightmorning，thathefelttheweightuponhisheart;thatheknewhewastorturedbyanxietyforthosehehadleftathome;andthathomeitselfwasbutanotherbeadinthelongrosaryofhisregrets。

Chapter62

Theprisoner，lefttohimself，satdownuponhisbedstead:andrestinghiselbowsonhisknees，andhischinuponhishands，remainedinthatattitudeforhours。Itwouldbehardtosay，ofwhatnaturehisreflectionswere。Theyhadnodistinctness，and，savingforsomeflashesnowandthen，noreferencetohisconditionorthetrainofcircumstancesbywhichithadbeenbroughtabout。

Thecracksinthepavementofhiscell，thechinksinthewallwherestonewasjoinedtostone，thebarsinthewindow，theironringuponthefloor，——suchthingsasthese，subsidingstrangelyintooneanother，andawakeninganindescribablekindofinterestandamusement，engrossedhiswholemind;andalthoughatthebottomofhiseverythoughttherewasanuneasysenseofguilt，anddreadofdeath，hefeltnomorethanthatvagueconsciousnessofit，whichasleeperhasofpain。Itpursueshimthroughhisdreams，gnawsattheheartofallhisfanciedpleasures，robsthebanquetofitstaste，musicofitssweetness，makeshappinessitselfunhappy，andyetisnobodilysensation，butaphantomwithoutshape，orform，orvisiblepresence;pervadingeverything，buthavingnoexistence;recognisableeverywhere，butnowhereseen，ortouched，ormetwithfacetoface，untilthesleepispast，andwakingagonyreturns。

Afteralongtimethedoorofhiscellopened。Helookedup;sawtheblindmanenter;andrelapsedintohisformerposition。

Guidedbyhisbreathing，thevisitoradvancedtowherehesat;andstoppingbesidehim，andstretchingouthishandtoassurehimselfthathewasright，remained，foragoodspace，silent。

’Thisisbad，Rudge。Thisisbad，’hesaidatlength。

Theprisonershuffledwithhisfeetuponthegroundinturninghisbodyfromhim，butmadenootheranswer。

’Howwereyoutaken？’heasked。’Andwhere？Younevertoldmemorethanhalfyoursecret。Nomatter;Iknowitnow。Howwasit，andwhere，eh？’heaskedagain，comingstillnearertohim。

’AtChigwell，’saidtheother。

’AtChigwell！Howcameyouthere？’

’BecauseIwenttheretoavoidthemanIstumbledon，’heanswered。

’BecauseIwaschasedanddriventhere，byhimandFate。BecauseI

wasurgedtogothere，bysomethingstrongerthanmyownwill。

WhenIfoundhimwatchinginthehousesheusedtolivein，nightafternight，IknewInevercouldescapehim——never！andwhenI

heardtheBell——’

Heshivered;mutteredthatitwasverycold;pacedquicklyupanddownthenarrowcell;andsittingdownagain，fellintohisoldposture。

’Youweresaying，’saidtheblindman，afteranotherpause，’thatwhenyouheardtheBell——’

’Letitbe，willyou？’heretortedinahurriedvoice。’Ithangsthereyet。’

Theblindmanturnedawistfulandinquisitivefacetowardshim，buthecontinuedtospeak，withoutnoticinghim。

’IwenttoChigwell，insearchofthemob。Ihavebeensohuntedandbesetbythisman，thatIknewmyonlyhopeofsafetylayinjoiningthem。Theyhadgoneonbefore;Ifollowedthemwhenitleftoff。’

’Whenwhatleftoff？’

’TheBell。Theyhadquittedtheplace。Ihopedthatsomeofthemmightbestilllingeringamongtheruins，andwassearchingforthemwhenIheard——’hedrewalongbreath，andwipedhisforeheadwithhissleeve——’hisvoice。’

’Sayingwhat？’

’Nomatterwhat。Idon’tknow。Iwasthenatthefootoftheturret，whereIdidthe——’

’Ay，’saidtheblindman，noddinghisheadwithperfectcomposure，’Iunderstand。’

’Iclimbedthestair，orsomuchofitaswasleft;meaningtohidetillhehadgone。Butheheardme;andfollowedalmostassoonasIsetfootupontheashes。’

’Youmighthavehiddeninthewall，andthrownhimdown，orstabbedhim，’saidtheblindman。

’MightI？Betweenthatmanandme，wasonewholedhimon——Isawit，thoughhedidnot——andraisedabovehisheadabloodyhand。ItwasintheroomabovethatHEandIstoodglaringateachotheronthenightofthemurder，andbeforehefellheraisedhishandlikethat，andfixedhiseyesonme。Iknewthechasewouldendthere。’

’Youhaveastrongfancy，’saidtheblindman，withasmile。

’Strengthenyourswithblood，andseewhatitwillcometo。’

Hegroaned，androckedhimself，andlookingupforthefirsttime，said，inalow，hollowvoice:

’Eight-and-twentyyears！Eight-and-twentyyears！Hehasneverchangedinallthattime，nevergrownolder，noralteredintheleastdegree。Hehasbeenbeforemeinthedarknight，andthebroadsunnyday;inthetwilight，themoonlight，thesunlight，thelightoffire，andlamp，andcandle;andinthedeepestgloom。

Alwaysthesame！Incompany，insolitude，onland，onshipboard;

sometimesleavingmealoneformonths，andsometimesalwayswithme。Ihaveseenhim，atsea，comeglidinginthedeadofnightalongthebrightreflectionofthemooninthecalmwater;andI

haveseenhim，onquaysandmarket-places，withhishanduplifted，towering，thecentreofabusycrowd，unconsciousoftheterribleformthathaditssilentstandamongthem。Fancy！Areyoureal？

AmI？Aretheseironfetters，rivetedonmebythesmith’shammer，oraretheyfanciesIcanshatteratablow？’

Theblindmanlistenedinsilence。

’Fancy！DoIfancythatIkilledhim？DoIfancythatasIleftthechamberwherehelay，Isawthefaceofamanpeepingfromadarkdoor，whoplainlyshowedmebyhisfearfullooksthathesuspectedwhatIhaddone？DoIrememberthatIspokefairlytohim——thatIdrewnearer——neareryet——withthehotknifeinmysleeve？DoIfancyhowHEdied？DidhestaggerbackintotheangleofthewallintowhichIhadhemmedhim，and，bleedinginwardly，stand，notfail，acorpsebeforeme？DidIseehim，foraninstant，asIseeyounow，erectandonhisfeet——butdead！’

Theblindman，whoknewthathehadrisen，motionedhimtositdownagainuponhisbedstead;buthetooknonoticeofthegesture。

’ItwasthenIthought，forthefirsttime，offasteningthemurderuponhim。ItwasthenIdressedhiminmyclothes，anddraggedhimdowntheback-stairstothepieceofwater。DoIrememberlisteningtothebubblesthatcamerisingupwhenIhadrolledhimin？DoIrememberwipingthewaterfrommyface，andbecausethebodysplasheditthere，initsdescent，feelingasifitMUSTbeblood？

’DidIgohomewhenIhaddone？Andoh，myGod！howlongittooktodo！DidIstandbeforemywife，andtellher？DidIseeherfallupontheground;and，whenIstoopedtoraiseher，didshethrustmebackwithaforcethatcastmeoffasifIhadbeenachild，stainingthehandwithwhichsheclaspedmywrist？IsTHAT

fancy？

’Didshegodownuponherknees，andcallonHeaventowitnessthatsheandherunbornchildrenouncedmefromthathour;anddidshe，inwordssosolemnthattheyturnedmecold——me，freshfromthehorrorsmyownhandshadmade——warnmetoflywhiletherewastime;

forthoughshewouldbesilent，beingmywretchedwife，shewouldnotshelterme？DidIgoforththatnight，abjuredofGodandman，andanchoreddeepinhell，towanderatmycable’slengthabouttheearth，andsurelybedrawndownatlast？’

’Whydidyoureturn？saidtheblindman。

’Whyisbloodred？Icouldnomorehelpit，thanIcouldlivewithoutbreath。Istruggledagainsttheimpulse，butIwasdrawnback，througheverydifficultandadversecircumstance，asbyamightyengine。Nothingcouldstopme。Thedayandhourwerenoneofmychoice。Sleepingandwaking，Ihadbeenamongtheoldhauntsforyears——hadvisitedmyowngrave。WhydidIcomeback？Becausethisjailwasgapingforme，andhestoodbeckoningatthedoor。’

’Youwerenotknown？’saidtheblindman。

’Iwasamanwhohadbeentwenty-twoyearsdead。No。Iwasnotknown。’

’Youshouldhavekeptyoursecretbetter。’

’MYsecret？MINE？Itwasasecret，anybreathofaircouldwhisperatitswill。Thestarshaditintheirtwinkling，thewaterinitsflowing，theleavesintheirrustling，theseasonsintheirreturn。Itlurkedinstrangers’faces，andtheirvoices。

Everythinghadlipsonwhichitalwaystrembled——MYsecret！’

’Itwasrevealedbyyourownactatanyrate，’saidtheblindman。

’Theactwasnotmine。Ididit，butitwasnotmine。Iwasforcedattimestowanderround，andround，androundthatspot。

Ifyouhadchainedmeupwhenthefitwasonme，Ishouldhavebrokenaway，andgonethere。Astrulyastheloadstonedrawsirontowardsit，sohe，lyingatthebottomofhisgrave，coulddrawmenearhimwhenhewould。Wasthatfancy？DidIliketogothere，ordidIstriveandwrestlewiththepowerthatforcedme？’

Theblindmanshruggedhisshoulders，andsmiledincredulously。

Theprisoneragainresumedhisoldattitude，andforalongtimebothweremute。

’Isupposethen，’saidhisvisitor，atlengthbreakingsilence，’thatyouarepenitentandresigned;thatyoudesiretomakepeacewitheverybody(inparticular，withyourwifewhohasbroughtyoutothis);andthatyouasknogreaterfavourthantobecarriedtoTyburnassoonaspossible？Thatbeingthecase，Ihadbettertakemyleave。Iamnotgoodenoughtobecompanyforyou。’

’HaveInottoldyou，’saidtheotherfiercely，’thatIhavestrivenandwrestledwiththepowerthatbroughtmehere？Hasmywholelife，foreight-and-twentyyears，beenoneperpetualstruggleandresistance，anddoyouthinkIwanttoliedownanddie？Doallmenshrinkfromdeath——Imostofall！’

’That’sbettersaid。That’sbetterspoken，Rudge——butI’llnotcallyouthatagain——thananythingyouhavesaidyet，’returnedtheblindman，speakingmorefamiliarly，andlayinghishandsuponhisarm。’Lookye，——Ineverkilledamanmyself，forIhaveneverbeenplacedinapositionthatmadeitworthmywhile。Farther，Iamnotanadvocateforkillingmen，andIdon’tthinkIshouldrecommenditorlikeit——forit’sveryhazardous——underanycircumstances。ButasyouhadthemisfortunetogetintothistroublebeforeImadeyouracquaintance，andasyouhavebeenmycompanion，andhavebeenofusetomeforalongtimenow，I

overlookthatpartofthematter，andamonlyanxiousthatyoushouldn’tdieunnecessarily。Now，Idonotconsiderthat，atpresent，itisatallnecessary。’

’Whatelseisleftme？’returnedtheprisoner。’Toeatmywaythroughthesewallswithmyteeth？’

’Somethingeasierthanthat，’returnedhisfriend。’Promisemethatyouwilltalknomoreofthesefanciesofyours——idle，foolishthings，quitebeneathaman——andI’lltellyouwhatImean。’

’Tellme，’saidtheother。

’Yourworthyladywiththetenderconscience;yourscrupulous，virtuous，punctilious，butnotblindlyaffectionatewife——’

’Whatofher？’

’IsnowinLondon。’

’Acurseuponher，beshewhereshemay！’

’That’snaturalenough。Ifshehadtakenherannuityasusual，youwouldnothavebeenhere，andweshouldhavebeenbetteroff。Butthat’sapartfromthebusiness。She’sinLondon。Scared，asI

suppose，andhavenodoubt，bymyrepresentationwhenIwaiteduponher，thatyouwerecloseathand(whichI，ofcourse，urgedonlyasaninducementtocompliance，knowingthatshewasnotpiningtoseeyou)，sheleftthatplace，andtravelleduptoLondon。’

’Howdoyouknow？’

’Frommyfriendthenoblecaptain——theillustriousgeneral——thebladder，MrTappertit。IlearntfromhimthelasttimeIsawhim，whichwasyesterday，thatyoursonwhoiscalledBarnaby——notafterhisfather，Isuppose——’

’Death！doesthatmatternow！’

’——Youareimpatient，’saidtheblindman，calmly;’it’sagoodsign，andlookslikelife——thatyoursonBarnabyhadbeenluredawayfromherbyoneofhiscompanionswhoknewhimofold，atChigwell;andthatheisnowamongtherioters。’

’Andwhatisthattome？Iffatherandsonbehangedtogether，whatcomfortshallIfindinthat？’

’Stay——stay，myfriend，’returnedtheblindman，withacunninglook，’youtravelfasttojourneys’ends。SupposeItrackmyladyout，andsaythusmuch:“Youwantyourson，ma’am——good。I，knowingthosewhotempthimtoremainamongthem，canrestorehimtoyou，ma’am——good。Youmustpayaprice，ma’am，forhisrestoration——goodagain。Thepriceissmall，andeasytobepaid——

dearma’am，that’sbestofall。”’

’Whatmockeryisthis？’

’Verylikely，shemayreplyinthosewords。“Nomockeryatall。”I

answer:“Madam，apersonsaidtobeyourhusband(identityisdifficultofproofafterthelapseofmanyyears)isinprison，hislifeinperil——thechargeagainsthim，murder。Now，ma’am，yourhusbandhasbeendeadalong，longtime。Thegentlemannevercanbeconfoundedwithhim，ifyouwillhavethegoodnesstosayafewwords，onoath，astowhenhedied，andhow;andthatthisperson(whoIamtoldresembleshiminsomedegree)isnomorehethanI

am。Suchtestimonywillsetthequestionquiteatrest。Pledgeyourselftometogiveit，ma’am，andIwillundertaketokeepyourson(afinelad)outofharm’swayuntilyouhavedonethistriflingservice，whenheshallhedelivereduptoyou，safeandsound。Ontheotherhand，ifyoudeclinetodoso，Ifearhewillbebetrayed，andhandedovertothelaw，whichwillassuredlysentencehimtosufferdeath。Itis，infact，achoicebetweenhislifeanddeath。Ifyourefuse，heswings。Ifyoucomply，thetimberisnotgrown，northehempsown，thatshalldohimanyharm。”’

’Thereisagleamofhopeinthis！’criedtheprisoner。

’Agleam！’returnedhisfriend，’anoon-blaze;afullandgloriousdaylight。Hush！Ihearthetreadofdistantfeet。Relyonme。’

’WhenshallIhearmore？’

’AssoonasIdo。Ishouldhope，to-morrow。Theyarecomingtosaythatourtimefortalkisover。Ihearthejinglingofthekeys。Notanotherwordofthisjustnow，ortheymayoverhearus。’

Ashesaidthesewords，thelockwasturned，andoneoftheprisonturnkeysappearingatthedoor，announcedthatitwastimeforvisitorstoleavethejail。

’Sosoon！’saidStagg，meekly。’Butitcan’tbehelped。Cheerup，friend。Thismistakewillsoonbesetatrest，andthenyouareamanagain！Ifthischaritablegentlemanwillleadablindman(whohasnothinginreturnbutprayers)totheprison-porch，andsethimwithhisfacetowardsthewest，hewilldoaworthydeed。Thankyou，goodsir。Ithankyouverykindly。’

Sosaying，andpausingforaninstantatthedoortoturnhisgrinningfacetowardshisfriend，hedeparted。

Whentheofficerhadseenhimtotheporch，hereturned，andagainunlockingandunbarringthedoorofthecell，setitwideopen，informingitsinmatethathewasatlibertytowalkintheadjacentyard，ifhethoughtproper，foranhour。

Theprisoneransweredwithasullennod;andbeingleftaloneagain，satbroodingoverwhathehadheard，andponderinguponthehopestherecentconversationhadawakened;gazingabstractedly，thewhilehedidso，onthelightwithout，andwatchingtheshadowsthrownbyonewallonanother，andonthestone-pavedground。

Itwasadull，squareyard，madecoldandgloomybyhighwalls，andseemingtochilltheverysunlight。Thestone，sobare，andrough，andobdurate，filledevenhimwithlongingthoughtsofmeadow-landandtrees;andwithaburningwishtobeatliberty。

Ashelooked，herose，andleaningagainstthedoor-post，gazedupatthebrightbluesky，smilingevenonthatdrearyhomeofcrime。

Heseemed，foramoment，torememberlyingonhisbackinsomesweet-scentedplace，andgazingatitthroughmovingbranches，longago。

Hisattentionwassuddenlyattractedbyaclankingsound——heknewwhatitwas，forhehadstartledhimselfbymakingthesamenoiseinwalkingtothedoor。Presentlyavoicebegantosing，andhesawtheshadowofafigureonthepavement。Itstopped——wassilentallatonce，asthoughthepersonforamomenthadforgottenwherehewas，butsoonremembered——andso，withthesameclankingnoise，theshadowdisappeared。

Hewalkedoutintothecourtandpacedittoandfro;startlingtheechoes，ashewent，withtheharshjanglingofhisfetters。Therewasadoornearhis，which，likehis，stoodajar。

Hehadnottakenhalf-a-dozenturnsupanddowntheyard，when，standingstilltoobservethisdoor，heheardtheclankingsoundagain。Afacelookedoutofthegratedwindow——hesawitverydimly，forthecellwasdarkandthebarswereheavy——anddirectlyafterwards，amanappeared，andcametowardshim。

Forthesenseoflonelinesshehad，hemighthavebeeninjailayear。Madeeagerbythehopeofcompanionship，hequickenedhispace，andhastenedtomeetthemanhalfway——

Whatwasthis！Hisson！

Theystoodfacetoface，staringateachother。Heshrinkingandcowed，despitehimself;Barnahystrugglingwithhisimperfectmemory，andwonderingwherehehadseenthatfacebefore。Hewasnotuncertainlong，forsuddenlyhelaidhandsuponhim，andstrivingtobearhimtotheground，cried:

’Ah！Iknow！Youaretherobber！’

Hesaidnothinginreplyatfirst，buthelddownhishead，andstruggledwithhimsilently。Findingtheyoungermantoostrongforhim，heraisedhisface，lookedcloseintohiseyes，andsaid，’Iamyourfather。’

Godknowswhatmagicthenamehadforhisears;butBarnabyreleasedhishold，fellback，andlookedathimaghast。Suddenlyhesprungtowardshim，puthisarmsabouthisneck，andpressedhisheadagainsthischeek。

Yes，yes，hewas;hewassurehewas。Butwherehadhebeensolong，andwhyhadhelefthismotherbyherself，orworsethanbyherself，withherpoorfoolishboy？Andhadshereallybeenashappyastheysaid？Andwherewasshe？Wasshenearthere？Shewasnothappynow，andheinjail？Ah，no。

Notawordwassaidinanswer;butGripcroakedloudly，andhoppedaboutthem，roundandround，asifenclosingtheminamagiccircle，andinvokingallthepowersofmischief。

Chapter63

Duringthewholeofthisday，everyregimentinornearthemetropoliswasondutyinoneorotherpartofthetown;andtheregularsandmilitia，inobediencetotheorderswhichweresenttoeverybarrackandstationwithintwenty-fourhours’journey，begantopourinbyalltheroads。Butthedisturbancehadattainedtosuchaformidableheight，andtheriotershadgrown，withimpunity，tobesoaudacious，thatthesightofthisgreatforce，continuallyaugmentedbynewarrivals，insteadofoperatingasacheck，stimulatedthemtooutragesofgreaterhardihoodthananytheyhadyetcommitted;andhelpedtokindleaflameinLondon，thelikeofwhichhadneverbeenbeheld，eveninitsancientandrebellioustimes。

Allyesterday，andonthisdaylikewise，thecommander-in-chiefendeavouredtoarousethemagistratestoasenseoftheirduty，andinparticulartheLordMayor，whowasthefaintest-heartedandmosttimidofthemall。Withthisobject，largebodiesofthesoldierywereseveraltimesdespatchedtotheMansionHousetoawaithisorders:butashecould，bynothreatsorpersuasions，beinducedtogiveany，andasthemenremainedintheopenstreet，fruitlesslyforanygoodpurpose，andthrivinglyforaverybadone;theselaudableattemptsdidharmratherthangood。Forthecrowd，becomingspeedilyacquaintedwiththeLordMayor’stemper，didnotfailtotakeadvantageofitbyboastingthateventhecivilauthoritieswereopposedtothePapists，andcouldnotfinditintheirheartstomolestthosewhowereguiltyofnootheroffence。Thesevauntstheytookcaretomakewithinthehearingofthesoldiers;andthey，beingnaturallylothtoquarrelwiththepeople，receivedtheiradvanceskindlyenough:answering，whentheywereaskediftheydesiredtofireupontheircountrymen，’No，theywouldbedamnediftheydid;’andshowingmuchhonestsimplicityandgoodnature。ThefeelingthatthemilitarywereNo-

Poperymen，andwereripefordisobeyingordersandjoiningthemob，soonbecameveryprevalentinconsequence。Rumoursoftheirdisaffection，andoftheirleaningtowardsthepopularcause，spreadfrommouthtomouthwithastonishingrapidity;andwhenevertheyweredrawnupidlyinthestreetsorsquares，therewassuretobeacrowdaboutthem，cheeringandshakinghands，andtreatingthemwithagreatshowofconfidenceandaffection。

Bythistime，thecrowdwaseverywhere;allconcealmentanddisguisewerelaidaside，andtheypervadedthewholetown。Ifanymanamongthemwantedmoney，hehadbuttoknockatthedoorofadwelling-house，orwalkintoashop，anddemanditintheriotersname;andhisdemandwasinstantlycompliedwith。Thepeaceablecitizensbeingafraidtolayhandsuponthem，singlyandalone，itmaybeeasilysupposedthatwhengatheredtogetherinbodies，theywereperfectlysecurefrominterruption。Theyassembledinthestreets，traversedthemattheirwillandpleasure，andpubliclyconcertedtheirplans。Businesswasquitesuspended;thegreaterpartoftheshopswereclosed;mostofthehousesdisplayedablueflagintokenoftheiradherencetothepopularside;andeventheJewsinHoundsditch，Whitechapel，andthosequarters，wroteupontheirdoorsorwindow-shutters，’ThisHouseisaTrueProtestant。’

Thecrowdwasthelaw，andneverwasthelawheldingreaterdread，ormoreimplicitlyobeyed。

Itwasaboutsixo’clockintheevening，whenavastmobpouredintoLincoln’sInnFieldsbyeveryavenue，anddivided——evidentlyinpursuanceofapreviousdesign——intoseveralparties。Itmustnotbeunderstoodthatthisarrangementwasknowntothewholecrowd，butthatitwastheworkofafewleaders;who，minglingwiththemenastheycameupontheground，andcallingtothemtofallintothisorthatparry，effecteditasrapidlyasifithadbeendeterminedonbyacouncilofthewholenumber，andeverymanhadknownhisplace。

Itwasperfectlynotorioustotheassemblagethatthelargestbody，whichcomprehendedabouttwo-thirdsofthewhole，wasdesignedfortheattackonNewgate。Itcomprehendedalltherioterswhohadbeenconspicuousinanyoftheirformerproceedings;allthosewhomtheyrecommendedasdaringhandsandfitforthework;allthosewhosecompanionshadbeentakenintheriots;andagreatnumberofpeoplewhowererelativesorfriendsoffelonsinthejail。Thislastclassincluded，notonlythemostdesperateandutterlyabandonedvillainsinLondon，butsomewhowerecomparativelyinnocent。Therewasmorethanonewomanthere，disguisedinman’sattire，andbentupontherescueofachildorbrother。Therewerethetwosonsofamanwholayundersentenceofdeath，andwhowastobeexecutedalongwiththreeothers，onthenextdaybutone。Therewasagreatparryofboyswhosefellow-pickpocketswereintheprison;andattheskirtsofall，ascoreofmiserablewomen，outcastsfromtheworld，seekingtoreleasesomeotherfallencreatureasmiserableasthemselves，ormovedbyageneralsympathyperhaps——Godknows——withallwhowerewithouthope，andwretched。

Oldswords，andpistolswithoutballorpowder;sledge-hammers，knives，axes，saws，andweaponspillagedfromthebutchers’shops;

aforestofironbarsandwoodenclubs;longladdersforscalingthewalls，eachcarriedontheshouldersofadozenmen;lightedtorches;towsmearedwithpitch，andtar，andbrimstone;stavesroughlypluckedfromfenceandpaling;andevencrutchestakenfromcrippledbeggarsinthestreets;composedtheirarms。Whenallwasready，HughandDennis，withSimonTappertitbetweenthem，ledtheway。Roaringandchafinglikeanangrysea，thecrowdpressedafterthem。

InsteadofgoingstraightdownHolborntothejail，asallexpected，theirleaderstookthewaytoClerkenwell，andpouringdownaquietstreet，haltedbeforealocksmith’shouse——theGoldenKey。

’Beatatthedoor，’criedHughtothemenabouthim。’Wewantoneofhiscraftto-night。Beatitin，ifnooneanswers。’

Theshopwasshut。Bothdoorandshutterswereofastrongandsturdykind，andtheyknockedwithouteffect。Buttheimpatientcrowdraisingacryof’Setfiretothehouse！’andtorchesbeingpassedtothefront，anupperwindowwasthrownopen，andthestoutoldlocksmithstoodbeforethem。

’Whatnow，youvillains！’hedemanded。’Whereismydaughter？’

’Asknoquestionsofus，oldman，’retortedHugh，wavinghiscomradestobesilent，’butcomedown，andbringthetoolsofyourtrade。Wewantyou。’

’Wantme！’criedthelocksmith，glancingattheregimentaldresshewore:’Ay，andifsomethatIcouldnamepossessedtheheartsofmice，yeshouldhavehadmelongago。Markme，mylad——andyouabouthimdothesame。ThereareascoreamongyewhomIseenowandknow，whoaredeadmenfromthishour。Begone！androbanundertaker’swhileyoucan！You’llwantsomecoffinsbeforelong。’

’Willyoucomedown？’criedHugh。

’Willyougivememydaughter，ruffian？’criedthelocksmith。

’Iknownothingofher，’Hughrejoined。’Burnthedoor！’

’Stop！’criedthelocksmith，inavoicethatmadethemfalter——

presenting，ashespoke，agun。’Letanoldmandothat。Youcansparehimbetter。’

Theyoungfellowwhoheldthelight，andwhowasstoopingdownbeforethedoor，rosehastilyatthesewords，andfellback。Thelocksmithranhiseyealongtheupturnedfaces，andkepttheweaponlevelledatthethresholdofhishouse。Ithadnootherrestthanhisshoulder，butwasassteadyasthehouseitself。

’Letthemanwhodoesit，takeheedtohisprayers，’hesaidfirmly;’Iwarnhim。’

Snatchingatorchfromonewhostoodnearhim，Hughwassteppingforwardwithanoath，whenhewasarrestedbyashrillandpiercingshriek，and，lookingupward，sawaflutteringgarmentonthehouse-

top。

Therewasanothershriek，andanother，andthenashrillvoicecried，’IsSimmunbelow！’Atthesamemomentaleanneckwasstretchedovertheparapet，andMissMiggs，indistinctlyseeninthegatheringgloomofevening，screechedinafrenziedmanner，’Oh！deargentlemen，letmehearSimmuns’sanswerfromhisownlips。Speaktome，Simmun。Speaktome！’

MrTappertit，whowasnotatallflatteredbythiscompliment，lookedup，andbiddingherholdherpeace，orderedhertocomedownandopenthedoor，fortheywantedhermaster，andwouldtakenodenial。

’Ohgoodgentlemen！’criedMissMiggs。’Ohmyownprecious，preciousSimmun——’

’Holdyournonsense，willyou！’retortedMrTappertit;’andcomedownandopenthedoor——G。Varden，dropthatgun，oritwillbeworseforyou。’

’Don’tmindhisgun，’screamedMiggs。’Simmunandgentlemen，I

pouredamugoftable-beerrightdownthebarrel。’

Thecrowdgavealoudshout，whichwasfollowedbyaroaroflaughter。

’Itwouldn’tgooff，notifyouwastoloadituptothemuzzle，’

screamedMiggs。’Simmunandgentlemen，I’mlockedupinthefrontattic，throughthelittledoorontherighthandwhenyouthinkyou’vegottotheverytopofthestairs——anduptheflightofcornersteps，beingcarefulnottoknockyourheadsagainsttherafters，andnottotreadononesideincaseyoushouldfallintothetwo-pairbedroomthroughthelathandplasture，whichdonotbear，butthecontrairy。Simmunandgentlemen，I’vebeenlockeduphereforsafety，butmyendeavourshasalwaysbeen，andalwayswillbe，tobeontherightside——theblessedsideandtoprenouncethePopeofBabylon，andallherinwardandheroutwardworkings，whichisPagin。Mysentimentsisoflittleconsequences，Iknow，’criedMiggs，withadditionalshrillness，’formypositionsisbutaservant，andassich，ofhumilities，stillIgivesexpressionstomyfeelings，andplacesmyreliancesonthemwhichentertainsmyownopinions！’

WithouttakingmuchnoticeoftheseoutpouringsofMissMiggsaftershehadmadeherfirstannouncementinrelationtothegun，thecrowdraisedaladderagainstthewindowwherethelocksmithstood，andnotwithstandingthatheclosed，andfastened，anddefendeditmanfully，soonforcedanentrancebyshiveringtheglassandbreakingintheframes。Afterdealingafewstoutblowsabouthim，hefoundhimselfdefenceless，inthemidstofafuriouscrowd，whichoverflowedtheroomandsoftenedoffinaconfusedheapoffacesatthedoorandwindow。

Theywereverywrathfulwithhim(forhehadwoundedtwomen)，andevencalledouttothoseinfront，tobringhimforthandhanghimonalamp-post。ButGabrielwasquiteundaunted，andlookedfromHughandDennis，whoheldhimbyeitherarm，toSimonTappertit，whoconfrontedhim。

’Youhaverobbedmeofmydaughter，’saidthelocksmith，’whoisfardearertomethanmylife;andyoumaytakemylife，ifyouwill。IblessGodthatIhavebeenenabledtokeepmywifefreeofthisscene;andthatHehasmademeamanwhowillnotaskmercyatsuchhandsasyours。’

’Andawerygameoldgentlemanyouare，’saidMrDennis，approvingly;’andyouexpressyourselflikeaman。What’stheodds，brother，whetherit’salamp-postto-night，orafeather-

bedtenyeartocome，eh？’

Thelocksmithglancedathimdisdainfully，butreturnednootheranswer。

’Formypart，’saidthehangman，whoparticularlyfavouredthelamp-postsuggestion，’Ihonouryourprinciples。They’remineexactly。Insuchsentimentsasthem，’andhereheemphasisedhisdiscoursewithanoath，’I’mreadytomeetyouoranymanhalfway——

Haveyougotabitofcordanywhereshandy？Don’tputyourselfoutoftheway，ifyouhaven’t。Ahandkecherwilldo。’

’Don’tbeafool，master，’whisperedHugh，seizingVardenroughlybytheshoulder;’butdoasyou’rebid。You’llsoonhearwhatyou’rewantedfor。Doit！’

’I’lldonothingatyourrequest，orthatofanyscoundrelhere，’

returnedthelocksmith。’Ifyouwantanyservicefromme，youmayspareyourselvesthepainsoftellingmewhatitis。Itellyou，beforehand，I’lldonothingforyou。’

MrDenniswassoaffectedbythisconstancyonthepartofthestauncholdman，thatheprotested——almostwithtearsinhiseyes——

thattobaulkhisinclinationswouldbeanactofcrueltyandharddealingtowhichhe，forone，nevercouldreconcilehisconscience。

Thegentleman，hesaid，hadavowedinsomanywordsthathewasreadyforworkingoff;suchbeingthecase，heconsideredittheirduty，asacivilisedandenlightenedcrowd，toworkhimoff。Itwasnotoften，heobserved，thattheyhaditintheirpowertoaccommodatethemselvestothewishesofthosefromwhomtheyhadthemisfortunetodiffer。Havingnowfoundanindividualwhoexpressedadesirewhichtheycouldreasonablyindulge(andforhimselfhewasfreetoconfessthatinhisopinionthatdesiredidhonourtohisfeelings)，hehopedtheywoulddecidetoaccedetohispropositionbeforegoinganyfurther。Itwasanexperimentwhich，skilfullyanddexterouslyperformed，wouldbeoverinfiveminutes，withgreatcomfortandsatisfactiontoallparties;andthoughitdidnotbecomehim(MrDennis)tospeakwellofhimselfhetrustedhemightbeallowedtosaythathehadpracticalknowledgeofthesubject，and，beingnaturallyofanobligingandfriendlydisposition，wouldworkthegentlemanoffwithadealofpleasure。

Theseremarks，whichwereaddressedinthemidstofafrightfuldinandturmoiltothoseimmediatelyabouthim，werereceivedwithgreatfavour;notsomuch，perhaps，becauseofthehangman’seloquence，asonaccountofthelocksmith’sobstinacy。Gabrielwasinimminentperil，andheknewit;buthepreservedasteadysilence;andwouldhavedoneso，iftheyhadbeendebatingwhethertheyshouldroasthimataslowfire。

Asthehangmanspoke，therewassomestirandconfusionontheladder;anddirectlyhewassilent——soimmediatelyuponhisholdinghispeace，thatthecrowdbelowhadnotimetolearnwhathehadbeensaying，ortoshoutinresponse——someoneatthewindowcried:

’Hehasagreyhead。Heisanoldman:Don’thurthim！’

Thelocksmithturned，withastart，towardstheplacefromwhichthewordshadcome，andlookedhurriedlyatthepeoplewhowerehangingontheladderandclingingtoeachother。

’Paynorespecttomygreyhair，youngman，’hesaid，answeringthevoiceandnotanyonehesaw。’Idon’taskit。Myheartisgreenenoughtoscornanddespiseeverymanamongyou，bandofrobbersthatyouare！’

Thisincautiousspeechbynomeanstendedtoappeasetheferocityofthecrowd。Theycriedagaintohavehimbroughtout;anditwouldhavegonehardwiththehonestlocksmith，butthatHughremindedthem，inanswer，thattheywantedhisservices，andmusthavethem。

’So，tellhimwhatwewant，’hesaidtoSimonTappertit，’andquickly。Andopenyourears，master，ifyouwouldeverusethemafterto-night。’

Gabrielfoldedhisarms，whichwerenowatliberty，andeyedhisold’prenticeinsilence。

’Lookye，Varden，’saidSim，’we’reboundforNewgate。’

’Iknowyouare，’returnedthelocksmith。’Youneversaidatruerwordthanthat。’

’Toburnitdown，Imean，’saidSimon，’andforcethegates，andsettheprisonersatliberty。Youhelpedtomakethelockofthegreatdoor。’

’Idid，’saidthelocksmith。’Youowemenothanksforthat——asyou’llfindbeforelong。’

’Maybe，’returnedhisjourneyman，’butyoumustshowushowtoforceit。’

’MustI！’

’Yes;foryouknow，andIdon’t。Youmustcomealongwithus，andpickitwithyourownhands。’

’WhenIdo，’saidthelocksmithquietly，’myhandsshalldropoffatthewrists，andyoushallwearthem，SimonTappertit，onyourshouldersforepaulettes。’

’We’llseethat，’criedHugh，interposing，astheindignationofthecrowdagainburstforth。’Youfillabasketwiththetoolshe’llwant，whileIbringhimdownstairs。Openthedoorsbelow，someofyou。Andlightthegreatcaptain，others！Istherenobusinessafoot，mylads，thatyoucandonothingbutstandandgrumble？’

Theylookedatoneanother，andquicklydispersing，swarmedoverthehouse，plunderingandbreaking，accordingtotheircustom，andcarryingoffsucharticlesofvalueashappenedtopleasetheirfancy。Theyhadnogreatlengthoftimefortheseproceedings，forthebasketoftoolswassoonpreparedandslungoveraman’sshoulders。Thepreparationsbeingnowcompleted，andeverythingreadyfortheattack，thosewhowerepillaginganddestroyingintheotherroomswerecalleddowntotheworkshop。Theywereabouttoissueforth，whenthemanwhohadbeenlastupstairs，steppedforward，andaskediftheyoungwomaninthegarret(whowasmakingaterriblenoise，hesaid，andkeptonscreamingwithouttheleastcessation)wastobereleased？

Forhisownpart，SimonTappertitwouldcertainlyhaverepliedinthenegative，butthemassofhiscompanions，mindfulofthegoodserviceshehaddoneinthematterofthegun，beingofadifferentopinion，hehadnothingforitbuttoanswer，Yes。Theman，accordingly，wentbackagaintotherescue，andpresentlyreturnedwithMissMiggs，limpanddoubledup，andverydampfrommuchweeping。

Astheyoungladyhadgivennotokensofconsciousnessontheirwaydownstairs，thebearerreportedhereitherdeadordying;andbeingatsomelosswhattodowithher，waslookingroundforaconvenientbenchorheapofashesonwhichtoplacehersenselessform，whenshesuddenlycameuponherfeetbysomemysteriousmeans，thrustbackherhair，staredwildlyatMrTappertit，cried，’MySimmuns’slifeisnotawictim！’anddroppedintohisarmswithsuchpromptitudethathestaggeredandreeledsomepacesback，beneathhislovelyburden。

’Ohbother！’saidMrTappertit。’Here。Catchholdofher，somebody。Lockherupagain;sheneveroughttohavebeenletout。’

’MySimmun！’criedMissMiggs，intears，andfaintly。’Myforever，everblessedSimmun！’

’Holdup，willyou，’saidMrTappertit，inaveryunresponsivetone，’I’llletyoufallifyoudon’t。Whatareyouslidingyourfeetoffthegroundfor？’

’MyangelSimmuns！’murmuredMiggs——’hepromised——’

’Promised！Well，andI’llkeepmypromise，’answeredSimon，testily。’Imeantoprovideforyou，don’tI？Standup！’

’WhereamItogo？Whatistobecomeofmeaftermyactionsofthisnight！’criedMiggs。’Whatresting-placesnowremainsbutinthesilenttombses！’

’Iwishyouwasinthesilenttombses，Ido，’criedMrTappertit，’andboxeduptight，inagoodstrongone。Here，’hecriedtooneofthebystanders，inwhoseearhewhisperedforamoment:’Takeheroff，willyou。Youunderstandwhere？’

Thefellownodded;andtakingherinhisarms，notwithstandingherbrokenprotestations，andherstruggles(whichlatterspeciesofopposition，involvingscratches，wasmuchmoredifficultofresistance)，carriedheraway。Theywhowereinthehousepouredoutintothestreet;thelocksmithwastakentotheheadofthecrowd，andrequiredtowalkbetweenhistwoconductors;thewholebodywasputinrapidmotion;andwithoutanyshoutsornoisetheyboredownstraightonNewgate，andhaltedinadensemassbeforetheprison-gate。

Chapter64

Breakingthesilencetheyhadhithertopreserved，theyraisedagreatcryassoonastheywererangedbeforethejail，anddemandedtospeaktothegovernor。Thisvisitwasnotwhollyunexpected，forhishouse，whichfrontedthestreet，wasstronglybarricaded，thewicket-gateoftheprisonwasclosedup，andatnoloopholeorgratingwasanypersontobeseen。Beforetheyhadrepeatedtheirsummonsmanytimes，amanappearedupontheroofofthegovernor’shouse，andaskedwhatitwastheywanted。

Somesaidonething，someanother，andsomeonlygroanedandhissed。Itbeingnownearlydark，andthehousehigh，manypersonsinthethrongwerenotawarethatanyonehadcometoanswerthem，andcontinuedtheirclamouruntiltheintelligencewasgraduallydiffusedthroughthewholeconcourse。Tenminutesormoreelapsedbeforeanyonevoicecouldbeheardwithtolerabledistinctness;

duringwhichintervalthefigureremainedperchedalone，againstthesummer-eveningsky，lookingdownintothetroubledstreet。

’Areyou，’saidHughatlength，’MrAkerman，theheadjailerhere？’

’Ofcourseheis，brother，’whisperedDennis。ButHugh，withoutmindinghim，tookhisanswerfromthemanhimself。

’Yes，’hesaid。’Iam。’

’Youhavegotsomefriendsofoursinyourcustody，master。’

’Ihaveagoodmanypeopleinmycustody。’Heglanceddownward，ashespoke，intothejail:andthefeelingthathecouldseeintothedifferentyards，andthatheoverlookedeverythingwhichwashiddenfromtheirviewbytheruggedwalls，solashedandgoadedthemob，thattheyhowledlikewolves。

’Deliverupourfriends，’saidHugh，’andyoumaykeeptherest。’

’It’smydutytokeepthemall。Ishalldomyduty。’

’Ifyoudon’tthrowthedoorsopen，weshallbreak’emdown，’saidHugh;’forwewillhavetheriotersout。’

’AllIcando，goodpeople，’Akermanreplied，’istoexhortyoutodisperse;andtoremindyouthattheconsequencesofanydisturbanceinthisplace，willbeverysevere，andbitterlyrepentedbymostofyou，whenitistoolate。’

Hemadeasthoughhewouldretirewhenhesaidthesewords，buthewascheckedbythevoiceofthelocksmith。

’MrAkerman，’criedGabriel，’MrAkerman。’

’Iwillhearnomorefromanyofyou，’repliedthegovernor，turningtowardsthespeaker，andwavinghishand。

’ButIamnotoneofthem，’saidGabriel。’Iamanhonestman，MrAkerman;arespectabletradesman——GabrielVarden，thelocksmith。

Youknowme？’

’Youamongthecrowd！’criedthegovernorinanalteredvoice。

’Broughtherebyforce——broughtheretopickthelockofthegreatdoorforthem，’rejoinedthelocksmith。’Bearwitnessforme，MrAkerman，thatIrefusetodoit;andthatIwillnotdoit，comewhatmayofmyrefusal。Ifanyviolenceisdonetome，pleasetorememberthis。’

’Istherenoway(ifhelpingyou？’saidthegovernor。

’None，MrAkerman。You’lldoyourduty，andI’lldomine。Onceagain，yourobbersandcut-throats，’saidthelocksmith，turningrounduponthem，’Irefuse。Ah！Howltillyou’rehoarse。I

refuse。’

’Stay——stay！’saidthejailer，hastily。’MrVarden，Iknowyouforaworthyman，andonewhowoulddonounlawfulactexceptuponcompulsion——’

’Uponcompulsion，sir，’interposedthelocksmith，whofeltthatthetoneinwhichthiswassaid，conveyedthespeaker’simpressionthathehadampleexcuseforyieldingtothefuriousmultitudewhobesetandhemmedhimin，oneveryside，andamongwhomhestood，anoldman，quitealone;’uponcompulsion，sir，I’lldonothing。’

’Whereisthatman，’saidthekeeper，anxiously，’whospoketomejustnow？’

’Here！’Hughreplied。

’Doyouknowwhattheguiltofmurderis，andthatbykeepingthathonesttradesmanatyoursideyouendangerhislife！’

’Weknowitverywell，’heanswered，’forwhatelsedidwebringhimhere？Let’shaveourfriends，master，andyoushallhaveyourfriend。Isthatfair，lads？’

ThemobrepliedtohimwithaloudHurrah！

’Youseehowitis，sir？’criedVarden。’Keep’emout，inKingGeorge’sname。RememberwhatIhavesaid。Goodnight！’

Therewasnomoreparley。Ashowerofstonesandothermissilescompelledthekeeperofthejailtoretire;andthemob，pressingon，andswarmingroundthewalls，forcedGabrielVardencloseuptothedoor。

Invainthebasketoftoolswaslaiduponthegroundbeforehim，andhewasurgedinturnbypromises，byblows，byoffersofreward，andthreatsofinstantdeath，todotheofficeforwhichtheyhadbroughthimthere。’No，’criedthesturdylocksmith，’I

willnot！’

Hehadneverlovedhislifesowellasthen，butnothingcouldmovehim。Thesavagefacesthatglareduponhim，lookwherehewould;

thecriesofthosewhothirsted，likewildanimals，forhisblood;

thesightofmenpressingforward，andtramplingdowntheirfellows，astheystrovetoreachhim，andstruckathimabovetheheadsofothermen，withaxesandwithironbars;allfailedtodaunthim。Helookedfrommantoman，andfacetoface，andstill，withquickenedbreathandlesseningcolour，criedfirmly，’Iwillnot！’

Dennisdealthimablowuponthefacewhichfelledhimtotheground。Hesprungupagainlikeamanintheprimeoflife，andwithblooduponhisforehead，caughthimbythethroat。

’Youcowardlydog！’hesaid:’Givememydaughter。Givememydaughter。’

Theystruggledtogether。Somecried’Killhim，’andsome(buttheywerenotnearenough)strovetotramplehimtodeath。Tugashewouldattheoldman’swrists，thehangmancouldnotforcehimtounclenchhishands。

’Isthisallthereturnyoumakeme，youungratefulmonster？’hearticulatedwithgreatdifficulty，andwithmanyoaths。

’Givememydaughter！’criedthelocksmith，whowasnowasfierceasthosewhogatheredroundhim:’Givememydaughter！’

Hewasdownagain，andup，anddownoncemore，andbuffetingwithascoreofthem，whobandiedhimfromhandtohand，whenonetallfellow，freshfromaslaughter-house，whosedressandgreatthigh-

bootssmokedhotwithgreaseandblood，raisedapole-axe，andswearingahorribleoath，aimeditattheoldman’suncoveredhead。

Atthatinstant，andintheveryact，hefellhimself，asifstruckbylightning，andoverhisbodyaone-armedmancamedartingtothelocksmith’sside。Anothermanwaswithhim，andbothcaughtthelocksmithroughlyintheirgrasp。

’Leavehimtous！’theycriedtoHugh——struggling，astheyspoke，toforceapassagebackwardthroughthecrowd。’Leavehimtous。

Whydoyouwasteyourwholestrengthonsuchashe，whenacoupleofmencanfinishhiminasmanyminutes！Youlosetime。Remembertheprisoners！rememberBarnaby！’

Thecryranthroughthemob。Hammersbegantorattleonthewalls;

andeverymanstrovetoreachtheprison，andbeamongtheforemostrank。Fightingtheirwaythroughthepressandstruggle，asdesperatelyasiftheywereinthemidstofenemiesratherthantheirownfriends，thetwomenretreatedwiththelocksmithbetweenthem，anddraggedhimthroughtheveryheartoftheconcourse。

Andnowthestrokesbegantofalllikehailuponthegate，andonthestrongbuilding;forthosewhocouldnotreachthedoor，spenttheirfiercerageonanything——evenonthegreatblocksofstone，whichshiveredtheirweaponsintofragments，andmadetheirhandsandarmstotingleasifthewallswereactiveintheirstoutresistance，anddealtthembacktheirblows。Theclashofironringinguponiron，mingledwiththedeafeningtumultandsoundedhighaboveit，asthegreatsledge-hammersrattledonthenailedandplateddoor:thesparksflewoffinshowers;menworkedingangs，andatshortintervalsrelievedeachother，thatalltheirstrengthmightbedevotedtothework;buttherestoodtheportalstill，asgrimanddarkandstrongasever，and，savingforthedintsuponitsbatteredsurface，quiteunchanged。

Whilesomebroughtalltheirenergiestobearuponthistoilsometask;andsome，rearingladdersagainsttheprison，triedtoclambertothesummitofthewallstheyweretooshorttoscale;

andsomeagainengagedabodyofpoliceahundredstrong，andbeatthembackandtrodthemunderfootbyforceofnumbers;othersbesiegedthehouseonwhichthejailerhadappeared，anddrivinginthedoor，broughtouthisfurniture，andpileditupagainsttheprison-gate，tomakeabonfirewhichshouldburnitdown。Assoonasthisdevicewasunderstood，allthosewhohadlabouredhitherto，castdowntheirtoolsandhelpedtoswelltheheap;whichreachedhalf-wayacrossthestreet，andwassohigh，thatthosewhothrewmorefuelonthetop，gotupbyladders。Whenallthekeeper’sgoodswereflunguponthiscostlypile，tothelastfragment，theysmeareditwiththepitch，andtar，androsintheyhadbrought，andsprinkleditwithturpentine。Toallthewoodworkroundtheprison-doorstheydidthelike，leavingnotajoistorbeamuntouched。Thisinfernalchristeningperformed，theyfiredthepilewithlightedmatchesandwithblazingtow，andthenstoodby，awaitingtheresult。

Thefurniturebeingverydry，andrenderedmorecombustiblebywaxandoil，besidestheartstheyhadused，tookfireatonce。Theflamesroaredhighandfiercely，blackeningtheprison-wall，andtwiningupitsloftlyfrontlikeburningserpents。Atfirsttheycrowdedroundtheblaze，andventedtheirexultationonlyintheirlooks:butwhenitgrewhotterandfiercer——whenitcrackled，leaped，androared，likeagreatfurnace——whenitshoneupontheoppositehouses，andlightedupnotonlythepaleandwonderingfacesatthewindows，buttheinmostcornersofeachhabitation——

whenthroughthedeepredheatandglow，thefirewasseensportingandtoyingwiththedoor，nowclingingtoitsobduratesurface，nowglidingoffwithfierceinconstancyandsoaringhighintothesky，anonreturningtofolditinitsburninggraspandlureittoitsruin——whenitshoneandgleamedsobrightlythatthechurchclockofStSepulchre’ssooftenpointingtothehourofdeath，waslegibleasinbroadday，andthevaneuponitssteeple-topglitteredintheunwontedlightlikesomethingrichlyjewelled——

whenblackenedstoneandsombrebrickgrewruddyinthedeepreflection，andwindowsshonelikeburnishedgold，dottingthelongestdistanceinthefieryvistawiththeirspecksofbrightness——whenwallandtower，androofandchimney-stack，seemeddrunk，andintheflickeringglareappearedtoreelandstagger——

whenscoresofobjects，neverseenbefore，burstoutupontheview，andthingsthemostfamiliarputonsomenewaspect——thenthemobbegantojointhewhirl，andwithloudyells，andshouts，andclamour，suchashappilyisseldomheard，bestirredthemselvestofeedthefire，andkeepitatitsheight。

Althoughtheheatwassointensethatthepaintonthehousesoveragainsttheprison，parchedandcrackledup，andswellingintoboils，asitwerefromexcessoftorture，brokeandcrumbledaway;