"Yes, sir."
"Then keep to the left till we meet."
Jones had made up his mind not to move from the rug, but on being thus commanded to go to the left, he went to the left on his hands and knees, and the consequence was that, when they met, the reverend gentleman fell fairly over him.
"Bless my life and soul, Jones, what are you about? Are you crazy?"
"Beg pardon, sir," replied Jones, assisting him to rise. "Didn't dream you was so nigh."
"But what in the name of goodness were you doing down there?"
"Thought 1 shouldn't come in contract with nothing, sir. Thought I shouldn't break no more things. Broke enough already as it is, I'm afeard. Oh, here's the door, sir: here it is, this is it."
"That's right," said the reverend gentleman. "Now, Jones, be firm. But, bless my heart, let me see. I locked the door! Tut! What could I have done with the key?"
"Pocket, p'raps, sir."
"No:—let me—oh, I recollect: I left it on the table. Remain here: now, don't stir an inch from the door."
"Not a ha'porth, sir: not if I know it," said Jones; and his reverend friend approached the table and anxiously felt for the key; and while he was thus engaged, Judkins, Cook, and Mary, came into the hall, and having stationed themselves at the door listened with very great intensity."
"They're here, sir," said Jones. "They're ony jist outside. I hear 'em now plain."
"Hush!" said the reverend gentleman. "If they hear us talking they'll be off."
Jones, at the time, felt that that was the best thing they could do. Shivering as he was with cold, and that too in total darkness, he was not then in a state fit to lament such a circumstance. But it did not occur. The people outside were not disposed to be off. On the contrary, the very moment that Judkins became convinced of the fact of there being persons then in the room, he proceeded to make arrangements in order to secure them.
"Do you run to Legge," said he to Mary, in a whisper, "and tell him to come over with a couple of men. We'll fix 'em now safe! And do you run up to missis, cook, and tell her all about it, and ask her what's best to be done. I'll keep guard here! They shall not pass me!"
Away flew Mary to the Crumpet and Crown, and the moment Legge had ascertained what had been discovered, he rushed, without looking for assistance, to the cottage, in a state of mind bordering on enthusiasm, before cook had had time to explain to her mistress what she really meant.
"Do you mean to say you've got 'em?" said Legge, as he entered.
"They're now in that room," replied Judkins, "safe."
"We'll have 'em out!—we'll soon see who they are.—Why they've locked themselves in!" he added, on trying the door.
"Who's there?" demanded the reverend gentleman.
