Chapter 34

Before old John had looked at the boiler quite twenty minutes, he got his ideas into a focus, and brought them to bear upon Solomon Daisya€™s story. The more he thought of it, the more impressed he became with a sense of his own wisdom, and a desire that Mr Haredale should be impressed with it likewise. At length, to the end that he might sustain a principal and important character in the affair; and might have the start of Solomon and his two friends, through whose means he knew the adventure, with a variety of exaggerations, would be known to at least a score of people, and most likely to Mr Haredale himself, by breakfast-time to-morrow; he determined to repair to the Warren before going to bed.

a€˜Hea€™s my landlord,a€™ thought John, as he took a candle in his hand, and setting it down in a corner out of the winda€™s way, opened a casement in the rear of the house, looking towards the stables. a€˜We havena€™t met of late years so often as we used to doa€"changes are taking place in the familya€"ita€™s desirable that I should stand as well with them, in point of dignity, as possiblea€"the whispering about of this here tale will anger hima€"ita€™s good to have confidences with a gentleman of his natura€™, and set onea€™s-self right besides. Halloa there! Hugha€"Hugh. Hal-loa!a€™

When he had repeated this shout a dozen times, and startled every pigeon from its slumbers, a door in one of the ruinous old buildings opened, and a rough voice demanded what was amiss now, that a man couldna€™t even have his sleep in quiet.

a€˜What! Havena€™t you sleep enough, growler, that youa€™re not to be knocked up for once?a€™ said John.

a€˜No,a€™ replied the voice, as the speaker yawned and shook himself. a€˜Not half enough.a€™

a€˜I dona€™t know how you can sleep, with the wind a bellowsing and roaring about you, making the tiles fly like a pack of cards,a€™ said John; a€˜but no matter for that. Wrap yourself up in something or another, and come here, for you must go as far as the Warren with me. And look sharp about it.a€™

Hugh, with much low growling and muttering, went back into his lair; and presently reappeared, carrying a lantern and a cudgel, and enveloped from head to foot in an old, frowzy, slouching horse- cloth. Mr Willet received this figure at the back-door, and ushered him into the bar, while he wrapped himself in sundry greatcoats and capes, and so tied and knotted his face in shawls and handkerchiefs, that how he breathed was a mystery.

a€˜You dona€™t take a man out of doors at near midnight in such weather, without putting some heart