Page:Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist (1844).djvu/440

"Then he ought to be ashamed of himself for sticking out so."

"These men are paid, you know, to take a certain side; and they feel themselves bound—be it right or wrong, just or unjust—to do the best they can for those who employ them."

"Well, it mayn't become me, sir, to speak in this way before you, but I'd rather get my twenty pound a-year in an honest way, than I'd get twenty thousand in a way like that there."

"So would I; so would I; and should feel myself a happier, because a more honourable man. It matters not to them whom they injure: it matters not to them what misery they may cause. If I were a wealthy villain, and required their assistance in oppressing the fatherless and the widow, or involving any honest man in ruin, hundreds of them would jump at the job."

"Then they ain't fit to live on a civilised scale, sir; and that's my sentiments. Poor as I am, sir, I'll never sell myself in that there way. I knowed before that some on 'em wasn't over nice. There was that Jerry Smith which was sent out of the country last 'sizes: they employed one of these here counsel for him, and he knew that he was guilty—Jerry told him so himself before the trial—and yet how he tried to knock it into the heads of the jury that he was innocent! how he tried to get him off, to be sure!"

"Aye! To prey upon society again."

"But lor, sir! What an escape you had on the top of the house there: I shuddered when I read it."

"Yes, it was a dangerous position for a man to be in."

"Dangerous, sir! It made my very blood run cold. But it shan't occur again, sir—leastways, not while you're here. I'll take care of that, sir, I'll warrant!"

"Well, then, finish your glass, and I'll show you how it is to be prevented."

Judkins did as he was desired, and wasn't long about it; and then followed Sylvester up to his chamber and closed the door, and waited for further instructions, while Sylvester opened and searched a trunk.

"Now then," said Sylvester, having produced the chain with the handcuffs attached, "we'll turn in." And, as Judkins began to strip immediately, it was not long before he was safely in bed. Sylvester's movements were not quite so rapid; but he didn't linger long: he got into bed very soon after Judkins, and then at once drew his attention to the chain.

"Now," said he, "this chain, you perceive, is quite long enough to reach from me to you; and that round affair at the end is for your wrist, while this is for mine."

"Very good, sir," said Judkins; "but I can't get it on."

"No; it must be opened first. And that is what I wish to explain. These things will close by mere pressure; but they cannot be opened without a key. Yours is somewhat larger than mine; but the same key will open them both—thus. Now try it. There; it fits you, does it not?"

"Exact, sir."