Chapter 64 - Page 2
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a€˜You among the crowd!a€™ cried the governor in an altered voice.
a€˜Brought here by forcea€"brought here to pick the lock of the great door for them,a€™ rejoined the locksmith. a€˜Bear witness for me, Mr Akerman, that I refuse to do it; and that I will not do it, come what may of my refusal. If any violence is done to me, please to remember this.a€™
a€˜Is there no way (if helping you?a€™ said the governor.
a€˜None, Mr Akerman. Youa€™ll do your duty, and Ia€™ll do mine. Once again, you robbers and cut-throats,a€™ said the locksmith, turning round upon them, a€˜I refuse. Ah! Howl till youa€™re hoarse. I refuse.a€™
a€˜Staya€"stay!a€™ said the jailer, hastily. a€˜Mr Varden, I know you for a worthy man, and one who would do no unlawful act except upon compulsiona€"a€™
a€˜Upon compulsion, sir,a€™ interposed the locksmith, who felt that the tone in which this was said, conveyed the speakera€™s impression that he had ample excuse for yielding to the furious multitude who beset and hemmed him in, on every side, and among whom he stood, an old man, quite alone; a€˜upon compulsion, sir, Ia€™ll do nothing.a€™
a€˜Where is that man,a€™ said the keeper, anxiously, a€˜who spoke to me just now?a€™
a€˜Here!a€™ Hugh replied.
a€˜Do you know what the guilt of murder is, and that by keeping that honest tradesman at your side you endanger his life!a€™
a€˜We know it very well,a€™ he answered, a€˜for what else did we bring him here? Leta€™s have our friends, master, and you shall have your friend. Is that fair, lads?a€™
The mob replied to him with a loud Hurrah!
a€˜You see how it is, sir?a€™ cried Varden. a€˜Keep a€™em out, in King Georgea€™s name. Remember what I have said. Good night!a€™
There was no more parley. A shower of stones and other missiles compelled the keeper of the jail to retire; and the mob, pressing on, and swarming round the walls, forced Gabriel Varden close up to the door.
In vain the basket of tools was laid upon the ground before him, and he was urged in turn by promises, by blows, by offers of reward, and threats of instant death, to do the office for which they had brought him there. a€˜No,a€™ cried the sturdy locksmith, a€˜I will
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