The three looking into each other’s faces, seemed
to breathe more freely.
‘There!’ said Monks, closing the trap-door,
which fell heavily back into its former position.
’If the sea ever gives up its dead, as books
say it will, it will keep its gold and silver to itself,
and that trash among it. We have nothing more
to say, and may break up our pleasant party.’
‘By all means,’ observed Mr. Bumble, with
great alacrity.
‘You’ll keep a quiet tongue in your head,
will you?’ said Monks, with a threatening look.
‘I am not afraid of your wife.’
‘You may depend upon me, young man,’ answered
Mr. Bumble, bowing himself gradually towards the ladder,
with excessive politeness. ’On everybody’s
account, young man; on my own, you know, Mr. Monks.’
‘I am glad, for your sake, to hear it,’
remarked Monks. ’Light your lantern!
And get away from here as fast as you can.’
It was fortunate that the conversation terminated
at this point, or Mr. Bumble, who had bowed himself
to within six inches of the ladder, would infallibly
have pitched headlong into the room below. He
lighted his lantern from that which Monks had detached
from the rope, and now carried in his hand; and making
no effort to prolong the discourse, descended in silence,
followed by his wife. Monks brought up the rear,
after pausing on the steps to satisfy himself that
there were no other sounds to be heard than the beating
of the rain without, and the rushing of the water.
They traversed the lower room, slowly, and with caution;
for Monks started at every shadow; and Mr. Bumble,
holding his lantern a foot above the ground, walked
not only with remarkable care, but with a marvellously
light step for a gentleman of his figure: looking
nervously about him for hidden trap-doors. The
gate at which they had entered, was softly unfastened
and opened by Monks; merely exchanging a nod with
their mysterious acquaintance, the married couple
emerged into the wet and darkness outside.
They were no sooner gone, than Monks, who appeared
to entertain an invincible repugnance to being left
alone, called to a boy who had been hidden somewhere
below. Bidding him go first, and bear the light,
he returned to the chamber he had just quitted.
INTRODUCES SOME RESPECTABLE CHARACTERS WITH WHOM THE
READER IS ALREADY ACQUAINTED, AND SHOWS HOW MONKS
AND THE JEW LAID THEIR WORTHY HEADS TOGETHER
On the evening following that upon which the three
worthies mentioned in the last chapter, disposed of
their little matter of business as therein narrated,
Mr. William Sikes, awakening from a nap, drowsily
growled forth an inquiry what time of night it was.
