Havetheynoliberty，nowill，norighttospeak？Aretheyobligedtositmumchance，andtobeorderedabouttilltheyarethelaughing-stockofyoungandold？Iamabye-wordalloverChigwell，andIsay——andit’sfairermysayingsonow，thanwaitingtillyouaredead，andIhavegotyourmoney——Isay，thatbeforelongIshallbedriventobreaksuchbounds，andthatwhenIdo，itwon’tbemethatyou’llhavetoblame，butyourownself，andnoother。’
JohnWilletwassoamazedbytheexasperationandboldnessofhishopefulson，thathesatasonebewildered，staringinaludicrousmannerattheboiler，andendeavouring，butquiteineffectually，tocollecthistardythoughts，andinventananswer。Theguests，scarcelylessdisturbed，wereequallyataloss;andatlength，withavarietyofmuttered，half-expressedcondolences，andpiecesofadvice，rosetodepart;beingatthesametimeslightlymuddledwithliquor。
Thehonestlocksmithaloneaddressedafewwordsofcoherentandsensibleadvicetobothparties，urgingJohnWillettorememberthatJoewasnearlyarrivedatman’sestate，andshouldnotberuledwithtootightahand，andexhortingJoehimselftobearwithhisfather’scaprices，andratherendeavourtoturnthemasidebytemperateremonstrancethanbyill-timedrebellion。Thisadvicewasreceivedassuchadviceusuallyis。OnJohnWilletitmadealmostasmuchimpressionasonthesignoutsidethedoor，whileJoe，whotookitinthebestpart，avowedhimselfmoreobligedthanhecouldwellexpress，butpolitelyintimatedhisintentionneverthelessoftakinghisowncourseuninfluencedbyanybody。
’Youhavealwaysbeenaverygoodfriendtome，MrVarden，’hesaid，astheystoodwithout，intheporch，andthelocksmithwasequippinghimselfforhisjourneyhome;’Itakeitverykindofyoutosayallthis，butthetime’snearlycomewhentheMaypoleandImustpartcompany。’
’Rovingstonesgathernomoss，Joe，’saidGabriel。
’Normilestonesmuch，’repliedJoe。’I’mlittlebetterthanonehere，andseeasmuchoftheworld。’
’Then，whatwouldyoudo，Joe？’pursuedthelocksmith，strokinghischinreflectively。’Whatcouldyoube？Wherecouldyougo，yousee？’
’Imusttrusttochance，MrVarden。’
’Abadthingtotrustto，Joe。Idon’tlikeit。Ialwaystellmygirlwhenwetalkaboutahusbandforher，nevertotrusttochance，buttomakesurebeforehandthatshehasagoodmanandtrue，andthenchancewillneithermakehernorbreakher。Whatareyoufidgetingaboutthere，Joe？Nothinggoneintheharness，I
hope？’
’Nono，’saidJoe——finding，however，somethingveryengrossingtodointhewayofstrappingandbuckling——’MissDollyquitewell？’
’Hearty，thankye。Shelooksprettyenoughtobewell，andgoodtoo。’
’She’salwaysboth，sir’——
’Sosheis，thankGod！’
’Ihope，’saidJoeaftersomehesitation，’thatyouwon’ttellthisstoryagainstme——thisofmyhavingbeenbeatliketheboythey’dmakeofme——atallevents，tillIhavemetthismanagainandsettledtheaccount。It’llbeabetterstorythen。’
’WhywhoshouldItellitto？’returnedGabriel。’Theyknowithere，andI’mnotlikelytocomeacrossanybodyelsewhowouldcareaboutit。’
’That’strueenough，’saidtheyoungfellowwithasigh。’Iquiteforgotthat。Yes，that’strue！’
Sosaying，heraisedhisface，whichwasveryred，——nodoubtfromtheexertionofstrappingandbucklingasaforesaid，——andgivingthereinstotheoldman，whohadbythistimetakenhisseat，sighedagainandbadehimgoodnight。
’Goodnight！’criedGabriel。’Nowthinkbetterofwhatwehavejustbeenspeakingof;anddon’tberash，there’sagoodfellow！I
haveaninterestinyou，andwouldn’thaveyoucastyourselfaway。
Goodnight！’
Returninghischeeryfarewellwithcordialgoodwill，JoeWilletlingereduntilthesoundofwheelsceasedtovibrateinhisears，andthen，shakinghisheadmournfully，re-enteredthehouse。
GabrielVardenwenthiswaytowardsLondon，thinkingofagreatmanythings，andmostofallofflamingtermsinwhichtorelatehisadventure，andsoaccountsatisfactorilytoMrsVardenforvisitingtheMaypole，despitecertainsolemncovenantsbetweenhimselfandthatlady。Thinkingbegets，notonlythought，butdrowsinessoccasionally，andthemorethelocksmiththought，themoresleepyhebecame。
Amanmaybeverysober——oratleastfirmlysetuponhislegsonthatneutralgroundwhichliesbetweentheconfinesofperfectsobrietyandslighttipsiness——andyetfeelastrongtendencytomingleuppresentcircumstanceswithotherswhichhavenomannerofconnectionwiththem;toconfoundallconsiderationofpersons，things，times，andplaces;andtojumblehisdisjointedthoughtstogetherinakindofmentalkaleidoscope，producingcombinationsasunexpectedastheyaretransitory。ThiswasGabrielVarden’sstate，as，noddinginhisdogsleep，andleavinghishorsetopursuearoadwithwhichhewaswellacquainted，hegotoverthegroundunconsciously，anddrewnearerandnearerhome。Hehadrousedhimselfonce，whenthehorsestoppeduntiltheturnpikegatewasopened，andhadcriedalusty’goodnight！’tothetoll-
keeper;butthenheawokeoutofadreamaboutpickingalockinthestomachoftheGreatMogul，andevenwhenhedidwake，mixeduptheturnpikemanwithhismother-in-lawwhohadbeendeadtwentyyears。Itisnotsurprising，therefore，thathesoonrelapsed，andjoggedheavilyalong，quiteinsensibletohisprogress。
And，now，heapproachedthegreatcity，whichlayoutstretchedbeforehimlikeadarkshadowontheground，reddeningthesluggishairwithadeepdulllight，thattoldoflabyrinthsofpublicwaysandshops，andswarmsofbusypeople。Approachingnearerandneareryet，thishalobegantofade，andthecauseswhichproduceditslowlytodevelopthemselves。Longlinesofpoorlylightedstreetsmightbefaintlytraced，withhereandtherealighterspot，wherelampswereclusteredroundasquareormarket，orroundsomegreatbuilding;afteratimethesegrewmoredistinct，andthelampsthemselveswerevisible;slightyellowspecks，thatseemedtoberapidlysnuffedout，onebyone，asinterveningobstacleshidthemfromthesight。Then，soundsarose——thestrikingofchurchclocks，thedistantbarkofdogs，thehumoftrafficinthestreets;thenoutlinesmightbetraced——tallsteeplesloomingintheair，andpilesofunequalroofsoppressedbychimneys;then，thenoiseswelledintoaloudersound，andformsgrewmoredistinctandnumerousstill，andLondon——visibleinthedarknessbyitsownfaintlight，andnotbythatofHeaven——wasathand。
Thelocksmith，however，allunconsciousofitsnearvicinity，stilljoggedon，halfsleepingandhalfwaking，whenaloudcryatnogreatdistanceahead，rousedhimwithastart。
Foramomentortwohelookedabouthimlikeamanwhohadbeentransportedtosomestrangecountryinhissleep，butsoonrecognisingfamiliarobjects，rubbedhiseyeslazilyandmighthaverelapsedagain，butthatthecrywasrepeated——notonceortwiceorthrice，butmanytimes，andeachtime，ifpossible，withincreasedvehemence。Thoroughlyaroused，Gabriel，whowasaboldmanandnoteasilydaunted，madestraighttothespot，urgingonhisstoutlittlehorseasifforlifeordeath。
Thematterindeedlookedsufficientlyserious，for，comingtotheplacewhencethecrieshadproceeded，hedescriedthefigureofamanextendedinanapparentlylifelessstateuponthepathway，and，hoveringroundhim，anotherpersonwithatorchinhishand，whichhewavedintheairwithawildimpatience，redoublingmeanwhilethosecriesforhelpwhichhadbroughtthelocksmithtothespot。
’What’sheretodo？’saidtheoldman，alighting。’How’sthis——
what——Barnaby？’
Thebearerofthetorchshookhislongloosehairbackfromhiseyes，andthrustinghisfaceeagerlyintothatofthelocksmith，fixeduponhimalookwhichtoldhishistoryatonce。
’Youknowme，Barnaby？’saidVarden。
Henodded——notonceortwice，butascoreoftimes，andthatwithafantasticexaggerationwhichwouldhavekepthisheadinmotionforanhour，butthatthelocksmithhelduphisfinger，andfixinghiseyesternlyuponhimcausedhimtodesist;thenpointedtothebodywithaninquiringlook。
’There’sblooduponhim，’saidBarnabywithashudder。’Itmakesmesick！’
’Howcameitthere？’demandedVarden。
’Steel，steel，steel！’herepliedfiercely，imitatingwithhishandthethrustofasword。
’Isherobbed？’saidthelocksmith。
Barnabycaughthimbythearm，andnodded’Yes;’thenpointedtowardsthecity。
’Oh！’saidtheoldman，bendingoverthebodyandlookingroundashespokeintoBarnaby’spaleface，strangelylightedupbysomethingthatwasNOTintellect。’Therobbermadeoffthatway，didhe？Well，well，nevermindthatjustnow。Holdyourtorchthisway——alittlefartheroff——so。Nowstandquiet，whileItrytoseewhatharmisdone。’
Withthesewords，heappliedhimselftoacloserexaminationoftheprostrateform，whileBarnaby，holdingthetorchashehadbeendirected，lookedoninsilence，fascinatedbyinterestorcuriosity，butrepelledneverthelessbysomestrongandsecrethorrorwhichconvulsedhimineverynerve。
Ashestood，atthatmoment，halfshrinkingbackandhalfbendingforward，bothhisfaceandfigurewerefullinthestrongglareofthelink，andasdistinctlyrevealedasthoughithadbeenbroadday。Hewasaboutthree-and-twentyyearsold，andthoughratherspare，ofafairheightandstrongmake。Hishair，ofwhichhehadagreatprofusion，wasred，andhangingindisorderabouthisfaceandshoulders，gavetohisrestlesslooksanexpressionquiteunearthly——enhancedbythepalenessofhiscomplexion，andtheglassylustreofhislargeprotrudingeyes。Startlingashisaspectwas，thefeaturesweregood，andtherewassomethingevenplaintiveinhiswanandhaggardaspect。But，theabsenceofthesoulisfarmoreterribleinalivingmanthaninadeadone;andinthisunfortunatebeingitsnoblestpowerswerewanting。
Hisdresswasofgreen，clumsilytrimmedhereandthere——apparentlybyhisownhands——withgaudylace;brightestwheretheclothwasmostwornandsoiled，andpoorestwhereitwasatthebest。Apairoftawdryrufflesdangledathiswrists，whilehisthroatwasnearlybare。Hehadornamentedhishatwithaclusterofpeacock’sfeathers，buttheywerelimpandbroken，andnowtrailednegligentlydownhisback。Girttohissidewasthesteelhiltofanoldswordwithoutbladeorscabbard;andsomeparticolouredendsofribandsandpoorglasstoyscompletedtheornamentalportionofhisattire。Theflutteredandconfuseddispositionofallthemotleyscrapsthatformedhisdress，bespoke，inascarcelylessdegreethanhiseagerandunsettledmanner，thedisorderofhismind，andbyagrotesquecontrastsetoffandheightenedthemoreimpressivewildnessofhisface。
’Barnaby，’saidthelocksmith，afterahastybutcarefulinspection，’thismanisnotdead，buthehasawoundinhisside，andisinafainting-fit。’
’Iknowhim，Iknowhim！’criedBarnaby，clappinghishands。
’Knowhim？’repeatedthelocksmith。
’Hush！’saidBarnaby，layinghisfingersuponhislips。’Hewentoutto-dayawooing。Iwouldn’tforalightguineathatheshouldnevergoawooingagain，for，ifhedid，someeyeswouldgrowdimthatarenowasbrightas——see，whenItalkofeyes，thestarscomeout！Whoseeyesarethey？Iftheyareangels’eyes，whydotheylookdownhereandseegoodmenhurt，andonlywinkandsparkleallthenight？’
’NowHeavenhelpthissillyfellow，’murmuredtheperplexedlocksmith;’canheknowthisgentleman？Hismother’shouseisnotfaroff;Ihadbetterseeifshecantellmewhoheis。Barnaby，myman，helpmetoputhiminthechaise，andwe’llridehometogether。’
’Ican’ttouchhim！’criedtheidiotfallingback，andshudderingaswithastrongspasm;he’sbloody！’
’It’sinhisnature，Iknow，’mutteredthelocksmith，’it’scrueltoaskhim，butImusthavehelp。Barnaby——goodBarnaby——dearBarnaby——ifyouknowthisgentleman，forthesakeofhislifeandeverybody’slifethatloveshim，helpmetoraisehimandlayhimdown。’
’Coverhimthen，wraphimclose——don’tletmeseeit——smellit——
heartheword。Don’tspeaktheword——don’t！’
’No，no，I’llnot。There，youseehe’scoverednow。Gently。Welldone，welldone！’
Theyplacedhiminthecarriagewithgreatease，forBarnabywasstrongandactive，butallthetimetheyweresooccupiedheshiveredfromheadtofoot，andevidentlyexperiencedanecstasyofterror。
Thisaccomplished，andthewoundedmanbeingcoveredwithVarden’sowngreatcoatwhichhetookoffforthepurpose，theyproceededonwardatabriskpace:Barnabygailycountingthestarsuponhisfingers，andGabrielinwardlycongratulatinghimselfuponhavinganadventurenow，whichwouldsilenceMrsVardenonthesubjectoftheMaypole，forthatnight，ortherewasnofaithinwoman。
Chapter4
Inthevenerablesuburb——itwasasuburbonce——ofClerkenwell，towardsthatpartofitsconfineswhichisnearesttotheCharterHouse，andinoneofthosecool，shadyStreets，ofwhichafew，widelyscatteredanddispersed，yetremaininsucholdpartsofthemetropolis，——eachtenementquietlyvegetatinglikeanancientcitizenwholongagoretiredfrombusiness，anddozingoninitsinfirmityuntilincourseoftimeittumblesdown，andisreplacedbysomeextravagantyoungheir，flauntinginstuccoandornamentalwork，andallthevanitiesofmoderndays，——inthisquarter，andinastreetofthisdescription，thebusinessofthepresentchapterlies。
Atthetimeofwhichittreats，thoughonlysix-and-sixtyyearsago，averylargepartofwhatisLondonnowhadnoexistence。
Eveninthebrainsofthewildestspeculators，therehadsprungupnolongrowsofstreetsconnectingHighgatewithWhitechapel，noassemblagesofpalacesintheswampylevels，norlittlecitiesintheopenfields。Althoughthispartoftownwasthen，asnow，parcelledoutinstreets，andplentifullypeopled，itworeadifferentaspect。Thereweregardenstomanyofthehouses，andtreesbythepavementside;withanairoffreshnessbreathingupanddown，whichinthesedayswouldbesoughtinvain。Fieldswerenighathand，throughwhichtheNewRivertookitswindingcourse，andwheretherewasmerryhaymakinginthesummertime。Naturewasnotsofarremoved，orhardtogetat，asinthesedays;andalthoughtherewerebusytradesinClerkenwell，andworkingjewellersbyscores，itwasapurerplace，withfarm-housesnearertoitthanmanymodernLondonerswouldreadilybelieve，andlovers’
walksatnogreatdistance，whichturnedintosqualidcourts，longbeforetheloversofthisagewereborn，or，asthephrasegoes，thoughtof。
Inoneofthesestreets，thecleanestofthemall，andontheshadysideoftheway——forgoodhousewivesknowthatsunlightdamagestheircherishedfurniture，andsochoosetheshaderatherthanitsintrusiveglare——therestoodthehousewithwhichwehavetodeal。
Itwasamodestbuilding，notverystraight，notlarge，nottall;
notbold-faced，withgreatstaringwindows，butashy，blinkinghouse，withaconicalroofgoingupintoapeakoveritsgarretwindowoffoursmallpanesofglass，likeacockedhatontheheadofanelderlygentlemanwithoneeye。Itwasnotbuiltofbrickorloftystone，butofwoodandplaster;itwasnotplannedwithadullandwearisomeregardtoregularity，fornoonewindowmatchedtheother，orseemedtohavetheslightestreferencetoanythingbesidesitself。
Theshop——forithadashop——was，withreferencetothefirstfloor，whereshopsusuallyare;andthereallresemblancebetweenitandanyothershopstoppedshortandceased。Peoplewhowentinandoutdidn’tgoupaflightofstepstoit，orwalkeasilyinuponalevelwiththestreet，butdiveddownthreesteepstairs，asintoacellar。Itsfloorwaspavedwithstoneandbrick，asthatofanyothercellarmightbe;andinlieuofwindowframedandglazedithadagreatblackwoodenflaporshutter，nearlybreasthighfromtheground，whichturnedbackintheday-time，admittingasmuchcoldairaslight，andveryoftenmore。Behindthisshopwasawainscotedparlour，lookingfirstintoapavedyard，andbeyondthatagainintoalittleterracegarden，raisedsomefeetaboveit。Anystrangerwouldhavesupposedthatthiswainscotedparlour，savingforthedoorofcommunicationbywhichhehadentered，wascutoffanddetachedfromalltheworld;andindeedmoststrangersontheirfirstentrancewereobservedtogrowextremelythoughtful，asweighingandponderingintheirmindswhethertheupperroomswereonlyapproachablebyladdersfromwithout;neversuspectingthattwoofthemostunassumingandunlikelydoorsinexistence，whichthemostingeniousmechanicianonearthmustofnecessityhavesupposedtobethedoorsofclosets，openedoutofthisroom——eachwithoutthesmallestpreparation，orsomuchasaquarterofaninchofpassage——upontwodarkwindingflightsofstairs，theoneupward，theotherdownward，whichwerethesolemeansofcommunicationbetweenthatchamberandtheotherportionsofthehouse。
Withalltheseoddities，therewasnotaneater，morescrupulouslytidy，ormorepunctiliouslyorderedhouse，inClerkenwell，inLondon，inallEngland。Therewerenotcleanerwindows，orwhiterfloors，orbrighterStoves，ormorehighlyshiningarticlesoffurnitureinoldmahogany;therewasnotmorerubbing，scrubbing，burnishingandpolishing，inthewholestreetputtogether。Norwasthisexcellenceattainedwithoutsomecostandtroubleandgreatexpenditureofvoice，astheneighbourswerefrequentlyremindedwhenthegoodladyofthehouseoverlookedandassistedinitsbeingputtorightsoncleaningdays——whichwereusuallyfromMondaymorningtillSaturdaynight，bothdaysinclusive。
Leaningagainstthedoor-postofthis，hisdwelling，thelocksmithstoodearlyonthemorningafterhehadmetwiththewoundedman，gazingdisconsolatelyatagreatwoodenemblemofakey，paintedinvividyellowtoresemblegold，whichdangledfromthehouse-front，andswungtoandfrowithamournfulcreakingnoise，asifcomplainingthatithadnothingtounlock。Sometimes，helookedoverhisshoulderintotheshop，whichwassodarkanddingywithnumeroustokensofhistrade，andsoblackenedbythesmokeofalittleforge，nearwhichhis’prenticewasatwork，thatitwouldhavebeendifficultforoneunusedtosuchespialstohavedistinguishedanythingbutvarioustoolsofuncouthmakeandshape，greatbunchesofrustykeys，fragmentsofiron，half-finishedlocks，andsuchlikethings，whichgarnishedthewallsandhunginclustersfromtheceiling。
Afteralongandpatientcontemplationofthegoldenkey，andmanysuchbackwardglances，Gabrielsteppedintotheroad，andstolealookattheupperwindows。Oneofthemchancedtobethrownopenatthemoment，andaroguishfacemethis;afacelightedupbytheloveliestpairofsparklingeyesthateverlocksmithlookedupon;
thefaceofapretty，laughing，girl;dimpledandfresh，andhealthful——theveryimpersonationofgood-humourandbloomingbeauty。
’Hush！’shewhispered，bendingforwardandpointingarchlytothewindowunderneath。’Motherisstillasleep。’
’Still，mydear，’returnedthelocksmithinthesametone。’Youtalkasifshehadbeenasleepallnight，insteadoflittlemorethanhalfanhour。ButI’mverythankful。Sleep’sablessing——nodoubtaboutit。’Thelastfewwordshemutteredtohimself。
’Howcruelofyoutokeepusupsolatethismorning，andnevertelluswhereyouwere，orsendusword！’saidthegirl。
’AhDolly，Dolly！’returnedthelocksmith，shakinghishead，andsmiling，’howcruelofyoutorunupstairstobed！Comedowntobreakfast，madcap，andcomedownlightly，oryou’llwakeyourmother。Shemustbetired，Iamsure——Iam。’
Keepingtheselatterwordstohimself，andreturninghisdaughter’snod，hewaspassingintotheworkshop，withthesmileshehadawakenedstillbeamingonhisface，whenhejustcaughtsightofhis’prentice’sbrownpapercapduckingdowntoavoidobservation，andshrinkingfromthewindowbacktoitsformerplace，whichthewearernosoonerreachedthanhebegantohammerlustily。
’Listeningagain，Simon！’saidGabrieltohimself。’That’sbad。
Whatinthenameofwonderdoesheexpectthegirltosay，thatI
alwayscatchhimlisteningwhenSHEspeaks，andneveratanyothertime！Abadhabit，Sim，asneaking，underhandedway。Ah！youmayhammer，butyouwon’tbeatthatoutofme，ifyouworkatittillyourtime’sup！’
Sosaying，andshakinghisheadgravely，here-enteredtheworkshop，andconfrontedthesubjectoftheseremarks。
’There’senoughofthatjustnow，’saidthelocksmith。’Youneedn’tmakeanymoreofthatconfoundedclatter。Breakfast’sready。’
’Sir，’saidSim，lookingupwithamazingpoliteness，andapeculiarlittlebowcutshortoffattheneck，’Ishallattendyouimmediately。’
’Isuppose，’mutteredGabriel，’that’soutofthe’Prentice’sGarlandorthe’Prentice’sDelight，orthe’Prentice’sWarbler，orthePrentice’sGuidetotheGallows，orsomesuchimprovingtextbook。Nowhe’sgoingtobeautifyhimself——here’sapreciouslocksmith！’
Quiteunconsciousthathismasterwaslookingonfromthedarkcornerbytheparlourdoor，Simthrewoffthepapercap，sprangfromhisseat，andintwoextraordinarysteps，somethingbetweenskatingandminuetdancing，boundedtoawashingplaceattheotherendoftheshop，andthereremovedfromhisfaceandhandsalltracesofhispreviouswork——practisingthesamestepallthetimewiththeutmostgravity。Thisdone，hedrewfromsomeconcealedplacealittlescrapoflooking-glass，andwithitsassistancearrangedhishair，andascertainedtheexactstateofalittlecarbuncleonhisnose。Havingnowcompletedhistoilet，heplacedthefragmentofmirroronalowbench，andlookedoverhisshoulderatsomuchofhislegsascouldbereflectedinthatsmallcompass，withthegreatestpossiblecomplacencyandsatisfaction。
Sim，ashewascalledinthelocksmith’sfamily，orMrSimonTappertit，ashecalledhimself，andrequiredallmentostylehimoutofdoors，onholidays，andSundaysout，——wasanold-fashioned，thin-faced，sleek-haired，sharp-nosed，small-eyedlittlefellow，verylittlemorethanfivefeethigh，andthoroughlyconvincedinhisownmindthathewasabovethemiddlesize;rathertall，infact，thanotherwise。Ofhisfigure，whichwaswellenoughformed，thoughsomewhatoftheleanest，heentertainedthehighestadmiration;andwithhislegs，which，inknee-breeches，wereperfectcuriositiesoflittleness，hewasenrapturedtoadegreeamountingtoenthusiasm。Healsohadsomemajestic，shadowyideas，whichhadneverbeenquitefathomedbyhisintimatefriends，concerningthepowerofhiseye。Indeedhehadbeenknowntogosofarastoboastthathecouldutterlyquellandsubduethehaughtiestbeautybyasimpleprocess，whichhetermed’eyeingherover;’butitmustbeadded，thatneitherofthisfaculty，norofthepowerheclaimedtohave，throughthesamegift，ofvanquishingandheavingdowndumbanimals，eveninarabidstate，hadheeverfurnishedevidencewhichcouldbedeemedquitesatisfactoryandconclusive。
Itmaybeinferredfromthesepremises，thatinthesmallbodyofMrTappertittherewaslockedupanambitiousandaspiringsoul。
Ascertainliquors，confinedincaskstoocrampedintheirdimensions，willferment，andfret，andchafeintheirimprisonment，sothespiritualessenceorsoulofMrTappertitwouldsometimesfumewithinthatpreciouscask，hisbody，until，withgreatfoamandfrothandsplutter，itwouldforceavent，andcarryallbeforeit。Itwashiscustomtoremark，inreferencetoanyoneoftheseoccasions，thathissoulhadgotintohishead;
andinthisnovelkindofintoxicationmanyscrapesandmishapsbefellhim，whichhehadfrequentlyconcealedwithnosmalldifficultyfromhisworthymaster。
SimTappertit，amongtheotherfanciesuponwhichhisbefore-
mentionedsoulwasforeverfeastingandregalingitself(andwhichfancies，liketheliverofPrometheus，grewastheywerefedupon)，hadamightynotionofhisorder;andhadbeenheardbytheservant-maidopenlyexpressinghisregretthatthe’prenticesnolongercarriedclubswherewithtomacethecitizens:thatwashisstrongexpression。HewaslikewisereportedtohavesaidthatinformertimesastigmahadbeencastuponthebodybytheexecutionofGeorgeBarnwell，towhichtheyshouldnothavebaselysubmitted，butshouldhavedemandedhimofthelegislature——
temperatelyatfirst;thenbyanappealtoarms，ifnecessary——tobedealtwithastheyintheirwisdommightthinkfit。Thesethoughtsalwaysledhimtoconsiderwhatagloriousenginethe’prenticesmightyetbecomeiftheyhadbutamasterspiritattheirhead;andthenhewoulddarkly，andtotheterrorofhishearers，hintatcertainrecklessfellowsthatheknewof，andatacertainLionHeartreadytobecometheircaptain，who，onceafoot，wouldmaketheLordMayortrembleonhisthrone。
Inrespectofdressandpersonaldecoration，SimTappertitwasnolessofanadventurousandenterprisingcharacter。Hehadbeenseen，beyonddispute，topulloffrufflesofthefinestqualityatthecornerofthestreetonSundaynights，andtoputthemcarefullyinhispocketbeforereturninghome;anditwasquitenotoriousthatonallgreatholidayoccasionsitwashishabittoexchangehisplainsteelknee-bucklesforapairofglitteringpaste，undercoverofafriendlypost，plantedmostconvenientlyinthatsamespot。Addtothisthathewasinyearsjusttwenty，inhislooksmucholder，andinconceitatleasttwohundred;thathehadnoobjectiontobejestedwith，touchinghisadmirationofhismaster’sdaughter;andhadeven，whencalleduponatacertainobscuretaverntopledgetheladywhomhehonouredwithhislove，toasted，withmanywinksandleers，afaircreaturewhoseChristianname，hesaid，beganwithaD——;——andasmuchisknownofSimTappertit，whohasbythistimefollowedthelocksmithintobreakfast，asisnecessarytobeknowninmakinghisacquaintance。
Itwasasubstantialmeal;for，overandabovetheordinaryteaequipage，theboardcreakedbeneaththeweightofajollyroundofbeef，ahamofthefirstmagnitude，andsundrytowersofbutteredYorkshirecake，piledsliceuponsliceinmostalluringorder。
Therewasalsoagoodlyjugofwell-brownedclay，fashionedintotheformofanoldgentleman，notbyanymeansunlikethelocksmith，atopofwhosebaldheadwasafinewhitefrothansweringtohiswig，indicative，beyonddispute，ofsparklinghome-brewedale。But，betterfarthanfairhome-brewed，orYorkshirecake，orham，orbeef，oranythingtoeatordrinkthatearthorairorwatercansupply，theresat，presidingoverall，thelocksmith’srosydaughter，beforewhosedarkeyesevenbeefgrewinsignificant，andmaltbecameasnothing。
Fathersshouldneverkisstheirdaughterswhenyoungmenareby。
It’stoomuch。Thereareboundstohumanendurance。SothoughtSimTappertitwhenGabrieldrewthoserosylipstohis——thoselipswithinSim’sreachfromdaytoday，andyetsofaroff。Hehadarespectforhismaster，buthewishedtheYorkshirecakemightchokehim。
’Father，’saidthelocksmith’sdaughter，whenthissalutewasover，andtheytooktheirseatsattable，’whatisthisIhearaboutlastnight？’
’Alltrue，mydear;trueastheGospel，Doll。’
’YoungMrChesterrobbed，andlyingwoundedintheroad，whenyoucameup！’
’Ay——MrEdward。Andbesidehim，Barnaby，callingforhelpwithallhismight。Itwaswellithappenedasitdid;fortheroad’salonelyone，thehourwaslate，and，thenightbeingcold，andpoorBarnabyevenlesssensiblethanusualfromsurpriseandfright，theyounggentlemanmighthavemethisdeathinaveryshorttime。’
’Idreadtothinkofit！’criedhisdaughterwithashudder。’Howdidyouknowhim？’
’Knowhim！’returnedthelocksmith。’Ididn’tknowhim——howcouldI？Ihadneverseenhim，oftenasIhadheardandspokenofhim。
ItookhimtoMrsRudge’s;andshenosoonersawhimthanthetruthcameout。’
’MissEmma，father——Ifthisnewsshouldreachher，enlargeduponasitissuretobe，shewillgodistracted。’
’Why，lookyethereagain，howamansuffersforbeinggood-
natured，’saidthelocksmith。’MissEmmawaswithheruncleatthemasqueradeatCarlisleHouse，whereshehadgone，asthepeopleattheWarrentoldme，sorelyagainstherwill。WhatdoesyourblockheadfatherwhenheandMrsRudgehavelaidtheirheadstogether，butgoestherewhenheoughttobeabed，makesinterestwithhisfriendthedoorkeeper，slipshimonamaskanddomino，andmixeswiththemasquers。’
’Andlikehimselftodoso！’criedthegirl，puttingherfairarmroundhisneck，andgivinghimamostenthusiastickiss。
’Likehimself！’repeatedGabriel，affectingtogrumble，butevidentlydelightedwiththeparthehadtaken，andwithherpraise。’Verylikehimself——soyourmothersaid。However，hemingledwiththecrowd，andprettilyworriedandbadgeredhewas，I
warrantyou，withpeoplesqueaking，“Don’tyouknowme？”and“I’vefoundyouout。”andallthatkindofnonsenseinhisears。Hemighthavewanderedontillnow，butinalittleroomtherewasayoungladywhohadtakenoffhermask，onaccountoftheplacebeingverywarm，andwassittingtherealone。’
’Andthatwasshe？’saidhisdaughterhastily。
’Andthatwasshe，’repliedthelocksmith;’andInosoonerwhisperedtoherwhatthematterwas——assoftly，Doll，andwithnearlyasmuchartasyoucouldhaveusedyourself——thanshegivesakindofscreamandfaintsaway。’
’Whatdidyoudo——whathappenednext？’askedhisdaughter。’Why，themaskscameflockinground，withageneralnoiseandhubbub，andIthoughtmyselfinlucktogetclearoff，that’sall，’rejoinedthelocksmith。’WhathappenedwhenIreachedhomeyoumayguess，ifyoudidn’thearit。Ah！Well，it’sapoorheartthatneverrejoices——PutTobythisway，mydear。’
ThisTobywasthebrownjugofwhichpreviousmentionhasbeenmade。Applyinghislipstotheworthyoldgentleman’sbenevolentforehead，thelocksmith，whohadallthistimebeenravagingamongtheeatables，keptthemtheresolong，atthesametimeraisingthevesselslowlyintheair，thatatlengthTobystoodonhisheaduponhisnose，whenhesmackedhislips，andsethimonthetableagainwithfondreluctance。
AlthoughSimTappertithadtakennoshareinthisconversation，nopartofitbeingaddressedtohim，hehadnotbeenwantinginsuchsilentmanifestationsofastonishment，ashedeemedmostcompatiblewiththefavourabledisplayofhiseyes。Regardingthepausewhichnowensued，asaparticularlyadvantageousopportunityfordoinggreatexecutionwiththemuponthelocksmith’sdaughter(whohehadnodoubtwaslookingathiminmuteadmiration)，hebegantoscrewandtwisthisface，andespeciallythosefeatures，intosuchextraordinary，hideous，andunparalleledcontortions，thatGabriel，whohappenedtolooktowardshim，wasstrickenwithamazement。
’Why，whatthedevil’sthematterwiththelad？’criedthelocksmith。’Ishechoking？’
’Who？’demandedSim，withsomedisdain。
’Who？Why，you，’returnedhismaster。’Whatdoyoumeanbymakingthosehorriblefacesoveryourbreakfast？’
’Facesaremattersoftaste，sir，’saidMrTappertit，ratherdiscomfited;notthelesssobecausehesawthelocksmith’sdaughtersmiling。
’Sim，’rejoinedGabriel，laughingheartily。’Don’tbeafool，forI’dratherseeyouinyoursenses。Theseyoungfellows，’headded，turningtohisdaughter，’arealwayscommittingsomefollyoranother。TherewasaquarrelbetweenJoeWilletandoldJohnlastnightthoughIcan’tsayJoewasmuchinfaulteither。He’llbemissingoneofthesemornings，andwillhavegoneawayuponsomewild-gooseerrand，seekinghisfortune——Why，what’sthematter，Doll？YOUaremakingfacesnow。Thegirlsareasbadastheboyseverybit！’
’It’sthetea，’saidDolly，turningalternatelyveryredandverywhite，whichisnodoubttheeffectofaslightscald——’soveryhot。’
MrTappertitlookedimmenselybigataquarternloafonthetable，andbreathedhard。
’Isthatall？’returnedthelocksmith。’Putsomemoremilkinit——
Yes，IamsorryforJoe，becauseheisalikelyyoungfellow，andgainsupononeeverytimeoneseeshim。Buthe’llstartoff，you’llfind。Indeedhetoldmeasmuchhimself！’
’Indeed！’criedDollyinafaintvoice。’In-deed！’
’Istheteaticklingyourthroatstill，mydear？’saidthelocksmith。
But，beforehisdaughtercouldmakehimanyanswer，shewastakenwithatroublesomecough，anditwassuchaveryunpleasantcough，that，whensheleftoff，thetearswerestartinginherbrighteyes。Thegood-naturedlocksmithwasstillpattingheronthebackandapplyingsuchgentlerestoratives，whenamessagearrivedfromMrsVarden，makingknowntoallwhomitmightconcern，thatshefelttoomuchindisposedtoriseafterhergreatagitationandanxietyofthepreviousnight;andthereforedesiredtobeimmediatelyaccommodatedwiththelittleblackteapotofstrongmixedtea，acoupleofroundsofbutteredtoast，amiddling-sizeddishofbeefandhamcutthin，andtheProtestantManualintwovolumespostoctavo。Likesomeotherladieswhoinremoteagesflourisheduponthisglobe，MrsVardenwasmostdevoutwhenmostill-tempered。Wheneversheandherhusbandwereatunusualvariance，thentheProtestantManualwasinhighfeather。
Knowingfromexperiencewhattheserequestsportended，thetriumviratebrokeup;Dolly，toseetheordersexecutedwithalldespatch;Gabriel，tosomeout-of-doorworkinhislittlechaise;
andSim，tohisdailydutyintheworkshop，towhichretreathecarriedthebiglook，althoughtheloafremainedbehind。
Indeedthebiglookincreasedimmensely，andwhenhehadtiedhisapronon，becamequitegigantic。Itwasnotuntilhehadseveraltimeswalkedupanddownwithfoldedarms，andthelongeststridesbecouldtake，andhadkickedagreatmanysmallarticlesoutofhisway，thathislipbegantocurl。Atlength，agloomyderisioncameuponhisfeatures，andhesmiled;utteringmeanwhilewithsupremecontemptthemonosyllable’Joe！’
’Ieyedherover，whilehetalkedaboutthefellow，’hesaid，’andthatwasofcoursethereasonofherbeingconfused。Joe！’
Hewalkedupanddownagainmuchquickerthanbefore，andifpossiblewithlongerstrides;sometimesstoppingtotakeaglanceathislegs，andsometimestojerkout，andcastfromhim，another’Joe！’Inthecourseofaquarterofanhourorsoheagainassumedthepapercapandtriedtowork。No。Itcouldnotbedone。
’I’lldonothingto-day，’saidMrTappertit，dashingitdownagain，’butgrind。I’llgrindupallthetools。Grindingwillsuitmypresenthumourwell。Joe！’
Whirr-r-r-r。Thegrindstonewassooninmotion;thesparkswereflyingoffinshowers。Thiswastheoccupationforhisheatedspirit。
Whirr-r-r-r-r-r-r。
’Somethingwillcomeofthis！’saidMrTappertit，pausingasifintriumph，andwipinghisheatedfaceuponhissleeve。’Somethingwillcomeofthis。Ihopeitmayn’tbehumangore！’
Whirr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r。
Chapter5
Assoonasthebusinessofthedaywasover，thelocksmithsalliedforth，alone，tovisitthewoundedgentlemanandascertaintheprogressofhisrecovery。Thehousewherehehadlefthimwasinaby-streetinSouthwark，notfarfromLondonBridge;andthitherhehiedwithallspeed，bentuponreturningwithaslittledelayasmightbe，andgettingtobedbetimes。
Theeveningwasboisterous——scarcelybetterthanthepreviousnighthadbeen。ItwasnoteasyforastoutmanlikeGabrieltokeephislegsatthestreetcorners，ortomakeheadagainstthehighwind，whichoftenfairlygotthebetterofhim，anddrovehimbacksomepaces，or，indefianceofallhisenergy，forcedhimtotakeshelterinanarchordoorwayuntilthefuryofthegustwasspent。
Occasionallyahatorwig，orboth，camespinningandtrundlingpasthim，likeamadthing;whilethemoreseriousspectacleoffallingtilesandslates，orofmassesofbrickandmortarorfragmentsofstone-copingrattlinguponthepavementnearathand，andsplittingintofragments，didnotincreasethepleasureofthejourney，ormakethewaylessdreary。
’Atryingnightforamanlikemetowalkin！’saidthelocksmith，asheknockedsoftlyatthewidow’sdoor。’I’dratherbeinoldJohn’schimney-corner，faith！’
’Who’sthere？’demandedawoman’svoicefromwithin。Beinganswered，itaddedahastywordofwelcome，andthedoorwasquicklyopened。
Shewasaboutforty——perhapstwoorthreeyearsolder——withacheerfulaspect，andafacethathadoncebeenpretty。Itboretracesofafflictionandcare，buttheywereofanolddate，andTimehadsmoothedthem。AnyonewhohadbestowedbutacasualglanceonBarnabymighthaveknownthatthiswashismother，fromthestrongresemblancebetweenthem;butwhereinhisfacetherewaswildnessandvacancy，inherstherewasthepatientcomposureoflongeffortandquietresignation。
Onethingaboutthisfacewasverystrangeandstartling。Youcouldnotlookuponitinitsmostcheerfulmoodwithoutfeelingthatithadsomeextraordinarycapacityofexpressingterror。Itwasnotonthesurface。Itwasinnoonefeaturethatitlingered。
Youcouldnottaketheeyesormouth，orlinesuponthecheek，andsay，ifthisorthatwereotherwise，itwouldnotbeso。Yetthereitalwayslurked——somethingforeverdimlyseen，buteverthere，andneverabsentforamoment。Itwasthefaintest，palestshadowofsomelook，towhichaninstantofintenseandmostunutterablehorroronlycouldhavegivenbirth;butindistinctandfeebleasitwas，itdidsuggestwhatthatlookmusthavebeen，andfixeditinthemindasifithadhadexistenceinadream。
Morefaintlyimaged，andwantingforceandpurpose，asitwere，becauseofhisdarkenedintellect，therewasthissamestampupontheson。Seeninapicture，itmusthavehadsomelegendwithit，andwouldhavehauntedthosewholookeduponthecanvas。TheywhoknewtheMaypolestory，andcouldrememberwhatthewidowwas，beforeherhusband’sandhismaster’smurder，understooditwell。
Theyrecollectedhowthechangehadcome，andcouldcalltomindthatwhenhersonwasborn，upontheverydaythedeedwasknown，heboreuponhiswristwhatseemedasmearofbloodbuthalfwashedout。
’Godsaveyou，neighbour！’saidthelocksmith，ashefollowedher，withtheairofanoldfriend，intoalittleparlourwhereacheerfulfirewasburning。
’Andyou，’sheansweredsmiling。’Yourkindhearthasbroughtyouhereagain。Nothingwillkeepyouathome，Iknowofold，iftherearefriendstoserveorcomfort，outofdoors。’
’Tut，tut，’returnedthelocksmith，rubbinghishandsandwarmingthem。’Youwomenaresuchtalkers。Whatofthepatient，neighbour？’
’Heissleepingnow。Hewasveryrestlesstowardsdaylight，andforsomehourstossedandtumbledsadly。Butthefeverhaslefthim，andthedoctorsayshewillsoonmend。Hemustnotberemoveduntilto-morrow。’
’Hehashadvisitorsto-day——humph？’saidGabriel，slyly。
’Yes。OldMrChesterhasbeenhereeversincewesentforhim，andhadnotbeengonemanyminuteswhenyouknocked。’
’Noladies？’saidGabriel，elevatinghiseyebrowsandlookingdisappointed。
’Aletter，’repliedthewidow。
’Come。That’sbetterthannothing！’repliedthelocksmith。’Whowasthebearer？’
’Barnaby，ofcourse。’
’Barnaby’sajewel！’saidVarden;’andcomesandgoeswitheasewherewewhothinkourselvesmuchwiserwouldmakebutapoorhandofit。Heisnotoutwandering，again，Ihope？’
’ThankHeavenheisinhisbed;havingbeenupallnight，asyouknow，andonhisfeetallday。Hewasquitetiredout。Ah，neighbour，ifIcouldbutseehimoftenerso——ifIcouldbuttamedownthatterriblerestlessness——’
’Ingoodtime，’saidthelocksmith，kindly，’ingoodtime——don’tbedown-hearted。Tomymindhegrowswisereveryday。’
Thewidowshookherhead。Andyet，thoughsheknewthelocksmithsoughttocheerher，andspokefromnoconvictionofhisown，shewasgladtoheareventhispraiseofherpoorbenightedson。
’Hewillbea’cutemanyet，’resumedthelocksmith。’Takecare，whenwearegrowingoldandfoolish，Barnabydoesn’tputustotheblush，that’sall。Butourotherfriend，’headded，lookingunderthetableandaboutthefloor——’sharpestandcunningestofallthesharpandcunningones——where’she？’
’InBarnaby’sroom，’rejoinedthewidow，withafaintsmile。
’Ah！He’saknowingblade！’saidVarden，shakinghishead。’I
shouldbesorrytotalksecretsbeforehim。Oh！He’sadeepcustomer。I’venodoubthecanread，andwrite，andcastaccountsifhechooses。Whatwasthat？Himtappingatthedoor？’
’No，’returnedthewidow。’Itwasinthestreet，Ithink。Hark！
Yes。Thereagain！’Tissomeoneknockingsoftlyattheshutter。
Whocanitbe！’
Theyhadbeenspeakinginalowtone，fortheinvalidlayoverhead，andthewallsandceilingsbeingthinandpoorlybuilt，thesoundoftheirvoicesmightotherwisehavedisturbedhisslumber。Thepartywithout，whoeveritwas，couldhavestoodclosetotheshutterwithouthearinganythingspoken;and，seeingthelightthroughthechinksandfindingallsoquiet，mighthavebeenpersuadedthatonlyonepersonwasthere。
’Somethieforruffianmaybe，’saidthelocksmith。’Givemethelight。’
’No，no，’shereturnedhastily。’Suchvisitorshavenevercometothispoordwelling。Doyoustayhere。You’rewithincall，attheworst。Iwouldrathergomyself——alone。’
’Why？’saidthelocksmith，unwillinglyrelinquishingthecandlehehadcaughtupfromthetable。
’Because——Idon’tknowwhy——becausethewishissostronguponme，’
sherejoined。’Thereagain——donotdetainme，Ibegofyou！’
Gabriellookedather，ingreatsurprisetoseeonewhowasusuallysomildandquietthusagitated，andwithsolittlecause。Shelefttheroomandclosedthedoorbehindher。Shestoodforamomentasifhesitating，withherhanduponthelock。Inthisshortintervaltheknockingcameagain，andavoiceclosetothewindow——avoicethelocksmithseemedtorecollect，andtohavesomedisagreeableassociationwith——whispered’Makehaste。’
Thewordswereutteredinthatlowdistinctvoicewhichfindsitswaysoreadilytosleepers’ears，andwakestheminafright。Foramomentitstartledeventhelocksmith;whoinvoluntarilydrewbackfromthewindow，andlistened。
Thewindrumblinginthechimneymadeitdifficulttohearwhatpassed，buthecouldtellthatthedoorwasopened，thattherewasthetreadofamanuponthecreakingboards，andthenamoment’ssilence——brokenbyasuppressedsomethingwhichwasnotashriek，orgroan，orcryforhelp，andyetmighthavebeeneitherorallthree;andthewords’MyGod！’utteredinavoiceitchilledhimtohear。
Herushedoutupontheinstant。There，atlast，wasthatdreadfullook——theveryoneheseemedtoknowsowellandyethadneverseenbefore——uponherface。Thereshestood，frozentotheground，gazingwithstartingeyes，andlividcheeks，andeveryfeaturefixedandghastly，uponthemanhehadencounteredinthedarklastnight。Hiseyesmetthoseofthelocksmith。Itwasbutaflash，aninstant，abreathuponapolishedglass，andhewasgone。
Thelocksmithwasuponhim——hadtheskirtsofhisstreaminggarmentalmostinhisgrasp——whenhisarmsweretightlyclutched，andthewidowflungherselfuponthegroundbeforehim。
’Theotherway——theotherway，’shecried。’Hewenttheotherway。
Turn——turn！’
’Theotherway！Iseehimnow，’rejoinedthelocksmith，pointing——
’yonder——there——thereishisshadowpassingbythatlight。What——
whoisthis？Letmego。’
’Comeback，comeback！’exclaimedthewoman，claspinghim;’Donottouchhimonyourlife。Ichargeyou，comeback。Hecarriesotherlivesbesideshisown。Comeback！’
’Whatdoesthismean？’criedthelocksmith。
’Nomatterwhatitmeans，don’task，don’tspeak，don’tthinkaboutit。Heisnottobefollowed，checked，orstopped。Comeback！’
Theoldmanlookedatherinwonder，asshewrithedandclungabouthim;and，bornedownbyherpassion，sufferedhertodraghimintothehouse。Itwasnotuntilshehadchainedanddouble-lockedthedoor，fastenedeveryboltandbarwiththeheatandfuryofamaniac，anddrawnhimbackintotheroom，thatsheturneduponhim，onceagain，thatstonylookofhorror，and，sinkingdownintoachair，coveredherface，andshuddered，asthoughthehandofdeathwereonher。
Chapter6
Beyondallmeasureastonishedbythestrangeoccurrenceswhichhadpassedwithsomuchviolenceandrapidity，thelocksmithgazedupontheshudderingfigureinthechairlikeonehalfstupefied，andwouldhavegazedmuchlonger，hadnothistonguebeenloosenedbycompassionandhumanity。
’Youareill，’saidGabriel。’Letmecallsomeneighbourin。’
’Notfortheworld，’sherejoined，motioningtohimwithhertremblinghand，andholdingherfaceaverted。’Itisenoughthatyouhavebeenby，toseethis。’
’Nay，morethanenough——orless，’saidGabriel。
’Beitso，’shereturned。’Asyoulike。Askmenoquestions，I
entreatyou。’
’Neighbour，’saidthelocksmith，afterapause。’Isthisfair，orreasonable，orjusttoyourself？Isitlikeyou，whohaveknownmesolongandsoughtmyadviceinallmatters——likeyou，whofromagirlhavehadastrongmindandastaunchheart？’
’Ihaveneedofthem，’shereplied。’Iamgrowingold，bothinyearsandcare。Perhapsthat，andtoomuchtrial，havemadethemweakerthantheyusedtobe。Donotspeaktome。’
’HowcanIseewhatIhaveseen，andholdmypeace！’returnedthelocksmith。’Whowasthatman，andwhyhashiscomingmadethischangeinyou？’
Shewassilent，butheldtothechairasthoughtosaveherselffromfallingontheground。
’Itakethelicenceofanoldacquaintance，Mary，’saidthelocksmith，’whohaseverhadawarmregardforyou，andmaybehastriedtoproveitwhenhecould。Whoisthisill-favouredman，andwhathashetodowithyou？Whoisthisghost，thatisonlyseenintheblacknightsandbadweather？Howdoesheknow，andwhydoeshehaunt，thishouse，whisperingthroughchinksandcrevices，asiftherewasthatbetweenhimandyou，whichneitherdurstsomuchasspeakaloudof？Whoishe？’
’Youdowelltosayhehauntsthishouse，’returnedthewidow，faintly。’Hisshadowhasbeenuponitandme，inlightanddarkness，atnoondayandmidnight。Andnow，atlast，hehascomeinthebody！’
’Buthewouldn’thavegoneinthebody，’returnedthelocksmithwithsomeirritation，’ifyouhadleftmyarmsandlegsatliberty。
Whatriddleisthis？’
’Itisone，’sheanswered，risingasshespoke，’thatmustremainforeverasitis。Idarenotsaymorethanthat。’
’Darenot！’repeatedthewonderinglocksmith。
’Donotpressme，’shereplied。’Iamsickandfaint，andeveryfacultyoflifeseemsdeadwithinme——No！——Donottouchme，either。’
Gabriel，whohadsteppedforwardtorenderherassistance，fellbackasshemadethishastyexclamation，andregardedherinsilentwonder。
’Letmegomywayalone，’shesaidinalowvoice，’andletthehandsofnohonestmantouchmineto-night。’Whenshehadtotteredtothedoor，sheturned，andaddedwithastrongereffort，’Thisisasecret，which，ofnecessity，Itrusttoyou。Youareatrueman。Asyouhaveeverbeengoodandkindtome，——keepit。Ifanynoisewasheardabove，makesomeexcuse——sayanythingbutwhatyoureallysaw，andneverletawordorlookbetweenus，recallthiscircumstance。Itrusttoyou。Mind，Itrusttoyou。HowmuchItrust，younevercanconceive。’
Castinghereyesuponhimforaninstant，shewithdrew，andlefthimtherealone。
Gabriel，notknowingwhattothink，stoodstaringatthedoorwithacountenancefullofsurpriseanddismay。Themoreheponderedonwhathadpassed，thelessablehewastogiveitanyfavourableinterpretation。Tofindthiswidowwoman，whoselifeforsomanyyearshadbeensupposedtobeoneofsolitudeandretirement，andwho，inherquietsufferingcharacter，hadgainedthegoodopinionandrespectofallwhoknewher——tofindherlinkedmysteriouslywithanill-omenedman，alarmedathisappearance，andyetfavouringhisescape，wasadiscoverythatpainedasmuchasstartledhim。Herrelianceonhissecrecy，andhistacitacquiescence，increasedhisdistressofmind。Ifhehadspokenboldly，persistedinquestioningher，detainedherwhensherosetoleavetheroom，madeanykindofprotest，insteadofsilentlycompromisinghimself，ashefelthehaddone，hewouldhavebeenmoreatease。
’WhydidIlethersayitwasasecret，andshetrustedittome！’
saidGabriel，puttinghiswigononesidetoscratchhisheadwithgreaterease，andlookingruefullyatthefire。’IhavenomorereadinessthanoldJohnhimself。Whydidn’tIsayfirmly，“Youhavenorighttosuchsecrets，andIdemandofyoutotellmewhatthismeans。”insteadofstandinggapingather，likeanoldmoon-
calfasIam！Butthere’smyweakness。Icanbeobstinateenoughwithmenifneedbe，butwomenmaytwistmeroundtheirfingersattheirpleasure。’
Hetookhiswigoffoutrightashemadethisreflection，and，warminghishandkerchiefatthefirebegantorubandpolishhisbaldheadwithit，untilitglistenedagain。
’Andyet，’saidthelocksmith，softeningunderthissoothingprocess，andstoppingtosmile，’itMAYbenothing。Anydrunkenbrawlertryingtomakehiswayintothehouse，wouldhavealarmedaquietsoullikeher。Butthen’——andherewasthevexation——’howcameittobethatman;howcomeshetohavethisinfluenceoverher;howcameshetofavourhisgettingawayfromme;and，morethanall，howcameshenottosayitwasasuddenfright，andnothingmore？It’sasadthingtohave，inoneminute，reasontomistrustapersonIhaveknownsolong，andanoldsweetheartintothebargain;butwhatelsecanIdo，withallthisuponmymind！——
IsthatBarnabyoutsidethere？’
’Ay！’hecried，lookinginandnodding。’Sureenoughit’sBarnaby——howdidyouguess？’
’Byyourshadow，’saidthelocksmith。
’Oho！’criedBarnaby，glancingoverhisshoulder，’He’samerryfellow，thatshadow，andkeepsclosetome，thoughIAMsilly。Wehavesuchpranks，suchwalks，suchruns，suchgambolsonthegrass！
Sometimeshe’llbehalfastallasachurchsteeple，andsometimesnobiggerthanadwarf。Now，hegoesonbefore，andnowbehind，andanonhe’llbestealingon，onthisside，oronthat，stoppingwheneverIstop，andthinkingIcan’tseehim，thoughIhavemyeyeonhimsharpenough。Oh！he’samerryfellow。Tellme——ishesillytoo？Ithinkheis。’
’Why？’askedGabriel。
’Becausebenevertiresofmockingme，butdoesitalldaylong——
Whydon’tyoucome？’
’Where？’
’Upstairs。Hewantsyou。Stay——where’sHISshadow？Come。You’reawiseman;tellmethat。’
’Besidehim，Barnaby;besidehim，Isuppose，’returnedthelocksmith。
’No！’hereplied，shakinghishead。’Guessagain。’
’Goneoutawalking，maybe？’
’Hehaschangedshadowswithawoman，’theidiotwhisperedinhisear，andthenfellbackwithalookoftriumph。’Hershadow’salwayswithhim，andhiswithher。That’ssportIthink，eh？’
’Barnaby，’saidthelocksmith，withagravelook;’comehither，lad。’
’Iknowwhatyouwanttosay。Iknow！’hereplied，keepingawayfromhim。’ButI’mcunning，I’msilent。Ionlysaysomuchtoyou——areyouready？’Ashespoke，hecaughtupthelight，andwaveditwithawildlaughabovehishead。
’Softly——gently，’saidthelocksmith，exertingallhisinfluencetokeephimcalmandquiet。’Ithoughtyouhadbeenasleep。’
’SoIHAVEbeenasleep，’herejoined，withwidely-openedeyes。
’Therehavebeengreatfacescomingandgoing——closetomyface，andthenamileaway——lowplacestocreepthrough，whetherIwouldorno——highchurchestofalldownfrom——strangecreaturescrowdeduptogetherneckandheels，tosituponthebed——that’ssleep，eh？’
’Dreams，Barnaby，dreams，’saidthelocksmith。
’Dreams！’heechoedsoftly，drawingclosertohim。’Thosearenotdreams。’
’Whatare，’repliedthelocksmith，’iftheyarenot？’
’Idreamed，’saidBarnaby，passinghisarmthroughVarden’s，andpeeringcloseintohisfaceasheansweredinawhisper，’Idreamedjustnowthatsomething——itwasintheshapeofaman——followedme——
camesoftlyafterme——wouldn’tletmebe——butwasalwayshidingandcrouching，likeacatindarkcorners，waitingtillIshouldpass;whenitcreptoutandcamesoftlyafterme——Didyoueverseemerun？’
’Manyatime，youknow。’
’YouneversawmerunasIdidinthisdream。Stillitcamecreepingontoworryme。Nearer，nearer，nearer——Iranfaster——
leaped——sprungoutofbed，andtothewindow——andthere，inthestreetbelow——butheiswaitingforus。Areyoucoming？’
’Whatinthestreetbelow，Barnaby？’saidVarden，imaginingthathetracedsomeconnectionbetweenthisvisionandwhathadactuallyoccurred。
Barnabylookedintohisface，mutteredincoherently，wavedthelightabovehisheadagain，laughed，anddrawingthelocksmith’sarmmoretightlythroughhisown，ledhimupthestairsinsilence。
Theyenteredahomelybedchamber，garnishedinascantywaywithchairs，whosespindle-shanksbespoketheirage，andotherfurnitureofverylittleworth;butcleanandneatlykept。Reclininginaneasy-chairbeforethefire，paleandweakfromwasteofblood，wasEdwardChester，theyounggentlemanwhohadbeenthefirsttoquittheMaypoleonthepreviousnight，andwho，extendinghishandtothelocksmith，welcomedhimashispreserverandfriend。
’Saynomore，sir，saynomore，’saidGabriel。’IhopeIwouldhavedoneatleastasmuchforanymaninsuchastrait，andmostofallforyou，sir。Acertainyounglady，’headded，withsomehesitation，’hasdoneusmanyakindturn，andwenaturallyfeel——I
hopeIgiveyounooffenceinsayingthis，sir？’
Theyoungmansmiledandshookhishead;atthesametimemovinginhischairasifinpain。
’It’snogreatmatter，’hesaid，inanswertothelocksmith’ssympathisinglook，’amereuneasinessarisingatleastasmuchfrombeingcoopeduphere，asfromtheslightwoundIhave，orfromthelossofblood。Beseated，MrVarden。’
’IfImaymakesobold，MrEdward，astoleanuponyourchair，’
returnedthelocksmith，accommodatinghisactiontohisspeech，andbendingoverhim，’I’llstandherefortheconvenienceofspeakinglow。Barnabyisnotinhisquietesthumourto-night，andatsuchtimestalkingneverdoeshimgood。’
Theybothglancedatthesubjectofthisremark，whohadtakenaseatontheothersideofthefire，and，smilingvacantly，wasmakingpuzzlesonhisfingerswithaskeinofstring。
’Pray，tellme，sir，’saidVarden，droppinghisvoicestilllower，’exactlywhathappenedlastnight。Ihavemyreasonforinquiring。
YoulefttheMaypole，alone？’
’Andwalkedhomewardalone，untilIhadnearlyreachedtheplacewhereyoufoundme，whenIheardthegallopofahorse。’
’Behindyou？’saidthelocksmith。
’Indeed，yes——behindme。Itwasasinglerider，whosoonovertookme，andcheckinghishorse，inquiredthewaytoLondon。’
’Youwereonthealert，sir，knowinghowmanyhighwaymenthereare，scouringtheroadsinalldirections？’saidVarden。
’Iwas，butIhadonlyastick，havingimprudentlyleftmypistolsintheirholster-casewiththelandlord’sson。Idirectedhimashedesired。Beforethewordshadpassedmylips，herodeuponmefuriously，asifbentontramplingmedownbeneathhishorse’shoofs。Instartingaside，Islippedandfell。Youfoundmewiththisstabandanuglybruiseortwo，andwithoutmypurse——inwhichhefoundlittleenoughforhispains。Andnow，MrVarden，’headded，shakingthelocksmithbythehand，’savingtheextentofmygratitudetoyou，youknowasmuchasI。’
’Except，’saidGabriel，bendingdownyetmore，andlookingcautiouslytowardstheirsilentneighhour，’exceptinrespectoftherobberhimself。Whatlikewashe，sir？Speaklow，ifyouplease。Barnabymeansnoharm，butIhavewatchedhimoftenerthanyou，andIknow，littleasyouwouldthinkit，thathe’slisteningnow。’
Itrequiredastrongconfidenceinthelocksmith’sveracitytoleadanyonetothisbelief，foreverysenseandfacultythatBarnahypossessed，seemedtobefixeduponhisgame，totheexclusionofallotherthings。Somethingintheyoungman’sfaceexpressedthisopinion，forGabrielrepeatedwhathehadjustsaid，moreearnestlythanbefore，andwithanotherglancetowardsBarnaby，againaskedwhatlikethemanwas。
’Thenightwassodark，’saidEdward，’theattacksosudden，andhesowrappedandmuffledup，thatIcanhardlysay。Itseemsthat——’
’Don’tmentionhisname，sir，’returnedthelocksmith，followinghislooktowardsBarnaby;’IknowHEsawhim。IwanttoknowwhatYOUsaw。’
’AllIrememberis，’saidEdward，’thatashecheckedhishorsehishatwasblownoff。Hecaughtit，andreplaceditonhishead，whichIobservedwasboundwithadarkhandkerchief。AstrangerenteredtheMaypolewhileIwasthere，whomIhadnotseen——forI
hadsatapartforreasonsofmyown——andwhenIrosetoleavetheroomandglancedround，hewasintheshadowofthechimneyandhiddenfrommysight。But，ifheandtherobberweretwodifferentpersons，theirvoiceswerestrangelyandmostremarkablyalike;fordirectlythemanaddressedmeintheroad，Irecognisedhisspeechagain。’
’ItisasIfeared。Theverymanwashereto-night，’thoughtthelocksmith，changingcolour。’Whatdarkhistoryisthis！’
’Halloa！’criedahoarsevoiceinhisear。’Halloa，halloa，halloa！Bowwowwow。What’sthematterhere！Hal-loa！’
Thespeaker——whomadethelocksmithstartasifhehadbeensomesupernaturalagent——wasalargeraven，whohadpercheduponthetopoftheeasy-chair，unseenbyhimandEdward，andlistenedwithapoliteattentionandamostextraordinaryappearanceofcomprehendingeveryword，toalltheyhadsaiduptothispoint;
turninghisheadfromonetotheother，asifhisofficeweretojudgebetweenthem，anditwereoftheverylastimportancethatheshouldnotloseaword。
’Lookathim！’saidVarden，dividedbetweenadmirationofthebirdandakindoffearofhim。’Wasthereeversuchaknowingimpasthat！Ohhe’sadreadfulfellow！’
Theraven，withhisheadverymuchononeside，andhisbrighteyeshininglikeadiamond，preservedathoughtfulsilenceforafewseconds，andthenrepliedinavoicesohoarseanddistant，thatitseemedtocomethroughhisthickfeathersratherthanoutofhismouth。
’Halloa，halloa，halloa！What’sthematterhere！Keepupyourspirits。Neversaydie。Bowwowwow。I’madevil，I’madevil，I’madevil。Hurrah！’——Andthen，asifexultinginhisinfernalcharacter，hebegantowhistle。
’Imorethanhalfbelievehespeaksthetruth。UponmywordIdo，’
saidVarden。’Doyouseehowhelooksatme，asifheknewwhatI
wassaying？’
