hard cash-第80章

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In　the　morning；　Alfred　remembered　this　substantial　vision；　and　determined　to　find　out　which　of　those　two　it　was。　〃I　shall　know　by　her　looks；〃　said　he；　〃she　won't　be　able　to　meet　my　eye。　Well；　the　first　he　saw　was　Mrs。　Archbold。　She　met　his　eye　full　with　a　mild　and　pensive　dignity。　〃Come；　it　is　not　you；〃　thought　Alfred。　Presently　he　fell　in　with　Hannah。　She　wore　a　serene；　infantine　face；　the　picture　of　unobtrusive　modesty。　Alfred　was　dumbfoundered。　〃It's　not　this　one；　either；〃　said　he。　〃But　then；　it　must。　Confound　her　impudence　for　looking　so　modest。〃　However；　he　did　not　speak　to　her；　he　was　looking　out　for　a　face　that　interested　him　far　more：　the　weather…beaten　countenance　of　Giles　Brown。　He　saw　him　once　or　twice；　but　could　not　get　him　alone　till　the　afternoon。　He　invited　him　into　his　room：　and　when　he　got　him　there；　lost　no　time。　〃Just　look　me　in　the　face；　Brown；〃　said　he　quietly。　Brown　looked　him　in　the　face。

〃Now；　sir；　am　I　mad　or　sane？〃

Brown　turned　his　head　away。　Alfred　laughed。　〃No；　no；　none　of　your　tricks；　old　fellow：　look　me　in　the　face　while　you　answer。〃

The　man　coloured。　〃I　can't　look　a　gentleman　like　you　in　the　face；　and　tell　him　he　is　mad。〃

〃I　should　think　not。　Well；　now；　what　shall　I　give　you　to　help　me　escape？〃

〃Hush！　don't　mention　that；　sir；　it's　as　much　as　my　place　is　worth　even　to　listen　to　you。〃

〃Well！　then　I　must　give　you　as　much　as　your　place　is　worth。　Please　to　calculate　that；　and　name　the　figure。〃

〃My　place！　I　wouldn't　lose　it　for　a　hundred　pounds。〃

〃Exactly。　Then　I'll　give　you　a　hundred　guineas。〃

〃And　how　am　I　to　get　my　money；　sir？〃

〃The　first　time　you　are　out；　come　to　Albion　Villa；　in　Barkington；　and　I'll　have　it　all　ready　for　you。〃

〃And　suppose　you　were　to　say；　'No：　you　didn't　ought　ever　to　have　been　confined'？〃

〃I　must　trouble　you　to　look　in　my　face　again；　Mr。　Brown。　Now；　do　you　see　treason；　bad　faith；　avarice；　ingratitude；　rascality　in　it？〃

〃Not　a　grain　of　'em；〃　said　Brown；　with　an　accent　of　conviction。　〃Well；　now；　I'll　tell　you　the　truth；　I　can　read　a　gent　by　this　time：　and　I'm　no　more　afeared　for　the　money　than　if　I　had　it　in　my　hand。　But　ye　see；　my　stomach　won't　let　me　do　it。〃

This　was　a　sad　disappointment；　so　sudden；　too。　〃　Your　stomach？〃　said　Alfred　ruefully。　〃'What　do　you　mean？〃

〃Ay；　my　stomach。　Wouldn't　_your_stomach　rise　against　serving　a　man　that　had　done　you　the　worst　turn　one　man　can　do　anotherbeen　and　robbed　you　of　your　sweetheart？〃

Alfred　stared　with　amazement。

Brown　continued；　and　now　with　some　emotion：　〃Hannah　Blake　and　I　were　very　good　friends　till　you　came；　and　I　was　thinking　of　asking　her　to　name　the　day；　but　now　she　won't　look　at　me。　'Don't　come　teasing　me；'　says　she；　'I　am　meat　for　your　master。'　It's　you　that　have　turned　the　girl's　head；　sir。〃

〃Bother　the　women！〃　said　Alfred　cordially。　〃Oh；　what　plagues　they　are！　And　how　unjust　_you_　are；　to　spite　me　for　the　fault　of　another。　Can　I　help　the　fools　from　spooning　upon　me？〃　He　reflected　a　moment　then　burst　out：　〃Brown；　you　are　a　duffer；　a　regular　duffer。　What；　don't　you　see　your　game　is　to　get　me　out　of　the　place？　If　you　do；　in　forty…eight　hours　I　shall　be　married　to　my　Julia；　and　that　dumpling…faced　girl　will　be　cured。　But　if　you　keep　me　here；　by　Gee；　sir；　I'll　make　hot　love　to　your　Hannah；　boiling　hot；　hotter　than　ever　wasout　of　the　isles　of　Greece。　Oh　do　help　me　out；　and　I'll　give　you　the　hundred　pounds；　and　I'll　give　Hannah　another　hundred　pounds；　on　condition　she　marries　you：　and；　if　she　won't　marry　you；　she　shan't　have　a　farthing；　only　a　good　hiding。〃

Brown　was　overpowered　by　his　maniac's　logic。　〃You　have　a　head；〃　said　he；　〃there's　my　hand；　I'll　go　in；　if　I　die　for　it。〃

They　now　put　their　heads　together　over　the　means。　Brown's　plan　was　to　wait；　and　wait；　for　an　opportunity。　Alfred's　was　to　make　one　this　very　night。

〃But　how　can　I？〃　said　Brown。　〃I　shan't　have　the　key　of　your　room。　I　am　not　on　watch　in　your　part　to…night。〃

〃Borrow　Hannah's。〃

〃Hannah's？　She　has　got　no　key　of　the　male　patients　rooms。〃

〃Oh　yes；　she　has；　of　mine；　at　all　events。〃

〃What　makes　you　think　that；　sir？〃　said　Brown　suspiciously。

Alfred　didn't　know　what　to　say：　he　could　not　tell　him　why　he　felt　sure　she　had　a　key。

〃Just　go　quietly　and　ask　her　for　it〃　said　he：　〃don't　tell　her　I　sent　you；　now。〃

Brown　obeyed；　and　returned　in　half…an…hour　with　the　key　of　the　vacant　bedroom；　where　the　hobbles　and　chains　were　hidden　on　the　arrival　of　the　justices。

She　tells　me　this　is　the　only　key　she　has　of　any　room　in　this　corridor。　But　dear　heart；〃　said　Brown；　〃how　quicksighted　the　women　are。　She　said；　says　she；　'If　it　is　to　bring　sorrowful　true　lovers　together　again；　Giles；　or　the　like　of　that　I'll　try　and　get　the　key　you　want　off　Mrs。　Archbold's　bunch；　though　I　get　the　sack　for　it；'　says　she。　'I　know　she　heaves　them　in　the　parlour　at　night'　says　Hannah。　She　is　a　trump；　you　must　allow。〃

Alfred　coloured　up。　He　suspected　he　had　been　unjust。

〃She　is　a　good；　kind；　single…hearted　girl；〃　said　he；　〃and　neither　of　you　shall　find　me　ungrateful。〃

It　was　evident　by　the　alacrity　Brown　now　showed；　that　he　had　got　his　orders　from　Hannah。

It　was　agreed　that　Alfred　should　be　down　at　night　in　his　clothes；　ready　to　seize　the　right　moment；　that　Hannah　should　get　the　key；　and　watch　the　coast　clear；　and　let　him　out　into　the　corridor；　and　Brown　get　him　down　by　a　back　stairs；　and　out　on　the　lawn；　There　he　would　find　a　ladder　close　by　the　wall；　and　his　own　arms　and　legs　must　do　the　rest。

And　now　Alfred　was　a　changed　creature：　his　eye　sparkled；　he　walked　on　air；　and　already　sniffed　the　air　of　liberty。

After　tea　Brown　brought　in　some　newspapers；　and　made　Alfred　a　signal；　previously　agreed　on；　that　the　ladder　was　under　the　east　wall。　He　went　to　bed　early；　put　on　his　tweed　shooting…jacket　and　trousers；　and　lay　listening　to　the　clock　with　beating　heart。

At　first；　feet　passed　to　and　fro　from　time　to　time。　These　became　less　frequent　as　the　night　wore　on。

Presently　a　light　foot　passed；　stopped　at　the　door；　and　made　a　sharp　scratch　on　it　with　some　metal　instrument。

It　was　the　key。　The　time　was　not　ripe　to　use　it；　but　good　Hannah　had　taken　this　way　to　let　him　know　she　had　got　it。

This　little　scratch　outside　his　door；　oh　it　made　his　heart　leap　and　thrill。　One　great　difficulty　was　overcome。　He　waited；　and　waited；　but　with　glowing；　hopeful　heart；　and　at　last　a　foot　came　swiftly；　the　key　turned；　and　Hannah　opened　the　door。　She　had　a　bull's…eye　lantern。

〃Take　your　shoes　in　your　hand；〃　she　whispered；　〃and　follow　me。〃

He　followed　her。　She　led　him　in　and　out；　to　the　door　of　the　public　room　belonging　to　the　second…class　patients。　Then　she　drew　her　whistle；　and　breathed　very　softly。　Brown　answered　as　softly　from　the　other　end。　He　was　waiting　at　the　opposite　door。

〃All　right；〃　said　she；　〃the　dangerous　part　is　over。〃　She　put　a　key　into　the　door；　and　said　very　softly；　〃Good…bye。〃

〃God　bless　you；　Hannah；〃　said　Alfred；　with　deep　emotion。　〃God　in　heaven　bless　you　for　this！〃

〃He　will；　He　does；〃　said　the　single…hearted　girl；　and　put　her　other　hand　to　her　breast　with　a　great　gulp。　She　opened　the　door　slowly。　〃Good…bye；　dear。　I　shall　never　see　you　again。〃

And　so　these　two　parted；　for　Hannah　could　not　bear　the　sight　of　Giles　at　that　moment。　He　was　welcome　to　Alfred；　though；　most　welcome；　and　conducted　him　by　devious　ways　to　the　kitchen；　lantern　in　hand。

He　opened　the　kitchen　door　softly；　and　saw　two　burly　strangers　seated　at　the　table；　eating　with　all　their　souls；　and　Mrs。　Archbold　standing　before　the　fire；　but　looking　towards　him：　for　she　had　heard　his　footsteps　ever　so　far　off。

The　men　looked　up；　and　saw　Alfred。　They　rose　to　their　feet；　and　said；　〃This　will　be　the　gentleman；　madam？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Mrs。　Archbold。

〃Your　servant；　sir；〃　said　the　man　very　civilly。　〃If　you　are　ready　we　are。〃



CHAPTER　XXXIV

SAMPSON'S　placard　was　on　Barkington　walls；　and　inside　the　asylum　Alfred　was　softening　hearts　and　buying　consciences；　as　related；　so；　in　fact；　he　had　two　strings　to　his　bow。

But　mark　how　strangely　things　turn；　these　two　strings　got　entangled。　His　father；　alarmed　by　the　placard；　had　called　at　the　pawnbroker's　shop；　and　told　him　he　must　move　Alfred　directly　to　a　London　asylum。　Baker　raised　objections；　Mr。　Hardie　crushed　them　with　his　purse；　_i。e。；_　with　his　son's　and　victim's　sweetheart's　father's　money。　So　then；　as　Baker　after　all　could　not　resist　the　project；　but　only　postpone　it　for　a　day　or　two；　he　preferred　to　take　a　handsome　present；　and　cooperate。　He　even　connived　at　Mr。　Hardie's　signing　the　requisite　name　to　the　new　order。　This　the　giddy　world　calls　forgery；　but；　in　these　calm　retreats；　far　from　the　public's　inquisitive　eye；　it　goes　for　nothing。　Why；　Mrs。　Archbold　had　signed　Baker's　name　and　Dr。　Bailey's　more　than　a　hundred　several　times　to　orders；　statements；　and　certificates；　depriving　Englishmen　of　their　liberty　and　their　property　with　a　gesture　of　her　taper　fingers；　and　venting　the　conventional　terms；　〃Aberration；〃　〃Exaltation；〃　〃Depression；〃　〃Debility；〃　〃Paralysis；〃　〃Excitable；〃　〃Abnormal；〃　as　boldly　and　blindly　as　any　male　starling　in　the　flock。

On　the　very　night；　then；　of　Alfred's　projected　escape；　two　keepers　came　down　from　Dr。　Wycherley's　asylum　to　Silverton　station：　Baker　met　them　and　drove　them　to　Silverton　House　in　his　dog…cart。　They　were　to　take　Alfred　up　by　the　night　train；　and；　when　he　came　into　the　kitchen　with　Brown；　they　suspected　nothing；　nor　did　Baker　or　Cooper；　who　presently　emerged　from　the　back　kitchen。　Brown　saw；　and　recovered　his　wits　partially。　〃Shall　I　go　for　his　portmanteau；　sir？〃　stammered　he；　making　a　shrewd　and　fortunate　guess　at　what　was　up。　Baker　assented；　and　soon　after　went　out　to　get　the　horse　harnessed。　On　this　Mrs。　Archbold；　pale；　sorrowful；　and　silent　hitherto；　beckoned　Alfred　into　the　back　kitchen；　and　there　gave　him　his　watch　and　his　loose　money。　〃I　took　care　of　them　for　you；〃　said　she；　〃for　the　like　have　often　been　stolen　in　this　place。　Put　the　money　in　your　shoes；　it　may　be　useful　to　you。〃

He　thanked　her　somewhat　sullenly；　for　his　disappointment　was　so　deep　and　bitter　that　small　kindnesses　almost　irritated　him。

She　sighed。　〃It　is　cruel　to　be　angry　with　_me；_〃　she　said：　〃I　am　not　the　cause　of　this；　it　is　a　heavier　blow　to　me　than　to　you。　Sooner　or　later　you　will　be　freeand　then　you　will　not　waste　a　thought　on　me；　I　fearbut　I　must　remain　in　this　odious　prison　without　your　eyes　and　your　smile　to　lighten　me；　yet　unable　to　forget　you。　Oh；　Alfred；　for　mercy's　sake；　whisper　me　one　kind　word　at　parting；　give　me　one　kind　look　to　remember　and　dote　upon。〃

She　put　out　both　hands　as　eloquently　as　she　spoke；　and　overpowered　his　prudence　so　far　that　he　took　her　offered　handsthey　were　as　cold　now　as　they　were　burning　hot　the　last　timeand　pressed　them；　and　said

〃I　shall　be　grateful　to　you　while　I　live。〃

The　passionate　woman　snatched　her　hands　away。　〃Gratitude　is　too　cold　for　me；〃　she　cried；　〃I　scorn　even　yours。　Love　me　or　hate　me。〃

He　made　no　reply。　And　so　they　parted。

〃Will　you　pledge　your　honour　to　make　no　attempt　at　escape　on　the　road？〃　asked　the　pawnbroker　on　his　return。

〃I'll　see　you　dd　first；〃　replied　the　prisoner。

On　this　he　was　handcuffed；　and　helped　into　the　dog…cart。

They　went　up　to　town　by　the　midnight　train；　but；　to　Alfred's