Vol.1 f.066 recto

" He will be a 'cute man yet,' resumed the locksmith. " Take 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've no doubt he can read, and write, and east 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!'Tis some one 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[dash]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 " Make haste.'