“Very well, sir.”

And Gustavus admitted Malkiel to the dimly-lit hall and shut the door softly.

“What is your name, young man?” said Malkiel, whispering.

“Gustavus, sir.”

“Ah!  Gustavus, would you like to earn a hundred pounds to-night?”

Gustavus started.

“I don’t say as how I’d rather not, sir,” he replied.  “I don’t go so far as to say that.”

“Right!  Do as I tell you and you will earn a hundred pounds.”

The footman’s eyes began to glow, almost like a cat’s in the twilight.

“Why, I could buy the library near twelve times over,” he murmured.

“The library?” said Malkiel, whose brain had suddenly become strangely clear.

“Ah, sir—­Dr. Carter’s,” returned Gustavus, beginning to tremble.

“Dr. Carter’s!” whispered Malkiel, excitedly.  “I should think so.  Eight guineas and a half, and you pay in instalments.”

“I’ll do it, sir,” hissed Gustavus, utterly carried away by the prospect.  “What d’you want me to do?”

“First to let me change my clothes quickly, then to hide me somewhere so as I can get a sleep till dawn.  Call me directly it begins to get light and I shall be off to the docks.”

“The docks, sir?”

“Ay.  I start for—­for Java to-morrow.”

“Java, sir—­what, where the sparrows and the jelly—­”

“Ay, ay,” returned Malkiel, secretly rehearsing his new nautical role.

“I’ll do it sir.  And the hundred?”

“I’ll write you an order on my banker’s.  You can trust me.  Now let me change my clothes.  Quick!”

“They’re in Mr. Vivian’s bedroom, ain’t they?”

Malkiel nodded.

“You must go very soft, sir, because of the old lady.  She’s abed, but she might be wakeful, specially to-night.  She’s been awful upset.  My word, she has!”

“I’ll go as soft as a mouse,” whispered Malkiel.  “Show me the way.”

Gustavus advanced on tiptoe towards the staircase, followed by Malkiel, who held Mr. Ferdinand’s clothes together lest they should rustle, and proceeded with the most infinite precaution.  In this manner they gained the second floor and neared the bedroom door of Mrs. Merillia.  Here Gustavus turned round, pointed to the door, and put his finger to his pouting lips, at the same time rounding his hazel eyes and shaking his powdered head in a most warning manner.  Malkiel nodded, held Mr. Ferdinand’s clothes tighter, and stole on, as he thought, without making a sound.  What was his horror, then, just as he was passing Mrs. Merillia’s door, to hear a voice cry,—­

“Hennessey!  Hennessey!”

Gustavus and Malkiel stopped dead, as if they had both been shot.  They now perceived that the door was partially open, and that a faint light shone within the room.

“Hennessey!” cried the voice of Mrs. Merillia again.  “Come in here.  I must speak to you.”