By way of reply to this menace, Titus deliberately filled a stiff glass of whisky and water.
“That’s your last glass,” said the inexorable Coates.
To return once more to Luke. He slept uneasily for some short space, and was awakened by a sound which reached his dreaming ears, and connected itself with the visions that slumber was weaving around him. It was some moments before he could distinctly remember where he was. He would not venture to sleep again, though he felt overwhelmed by drowsiness—there was a fixed pain at his heart, as if circulation were suspended. Changing his posture, he raised himself upon one arm; he then became aware of a scratching noise, somewhat similar to the sound he had heard in his dream, and perceived a light gleaming through a crevice in the oaken partition. His attention was immediately arrested, and placing his eye close to the chink, distinctly saw a dark lantern burning; and by its light, a man filing some implement of house-breaking. The light fell before the hard features of the man, with whose countenance Luke was familiar; and although only one person came within the scope of his view, Luke could make out, from a muttered conversation that was carried on, that he had a companion. The parties were near to him, and though speaking in a low tone, Luke’s quick ear caught the following:
“What keeps Jack Palmer, I wonder?” said he of the file. “We’re all ready for the fakement—pops primed—and I tell you what, Rob Rust, I’ve made my clasp-knife as sharp as a razor, and dammee, if Lady Rookwood offers any resistance, I’ll spoil her talking in future, I promise you.”
Suppressed laughter, from Rust, followed this speech. That laugh made Luke’s blood run cold within his veins.
“Harkee, Dick Wilder, you’re a reg’lar out-and-outer, and stops at nothing, and curse me if I’d think any more of it than yourself. But Jack’s as squeamish of bloodshed as young miss that cries at her cut finger. It’s the safer plan. Say what you will, nothing but that will stop a woman’s tongue.”
“I shall make short work with her ladyship to-night, anyhow. Hist! here Jack comes.”
A footstep crossed in the room, and, presently afterwards, exclamations of surprise and smothered laughter were heard from the parties.
“Bravo, Jack! famous! That disguise would deceive the devil himself.”
“And now, my lads,” said the newcomer, “is all right?”
“Right and tight.”
“Nothing forgotten?”
“Nothing.”
“Then off with your stamps, and on with your list slippers; not a word. Follow me, and for your lives, don’t move a step, but as I direct you. The word must be, ‘Sir Piers Rookwood calls.’ We’ll overhaul the swag here, when the speak is spoken over. This crack may make us all for life; and if you’ll follow my directions implicitly, we’ll do the trick in style. This slum must be our rendezvous, when all’s over; for hark ye, my lads, I’ll not budge an inch till Luke Bradley be set free. He’s an old friend, and I always stick by old friends. I’d do the same for one of you if you were in the same scrape, so damn you, no flinching; besides, I owe that spider-shank’d, snivelling split-cause Coates, who stands sentry, a grudge, and I’ll pay him off, as Paul did the Ephesians. You may crop his ears, or slit his tongue as you would a magpie’s, or any other chattering varmint; make him sign his own testament, or treat him with a touch of your Habeas Corpus Act, if you think proper, or give him a taste of blue plumb. One thing only I stipulate, that you don’t hurt that fat, mutton-headed Broganeer, whatever he may say or do; he’s a devilish good fellow. And now to business.”
Saying which, they noiselessly departed. But carefully as the door was closed, Luke’s ear could detect the sound. His blood boiled with indignation; and he experienced what all must have felt, who have been similarly situated, with the will, but not the power, to assist another—a sensation almost approaching to torture. At this moment a distant scream burst upon his ears—another—he hesitated no longer. With all his force, he thundered at the door.
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