barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第183章
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practical knowledge of the subject； and； being naturally of an
obliging and friendly disposition； would work the gentleman off
with a deal of pleasure。
These remarks； which were addressed in the midst of a frightful
din and turmoil to those immediately about him； were received
with great favour； not so much； perhaps； because of the
hangman’s eloquence； as on account of the locksmith’s obstinacy。
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Gabriel was in imminent peril； and he knew it； but he preserved a
steady silence； and would have done so； if they had been debating
whether they should roast him at a slow fire。
As the hangman spoke； there was some stir and confusion on
the ladder； and directly he was silent—so immediately upon his
holding his peace； that the crowd below had no time to learn what
he had been saying； or to shout in response—some one at the
window cried：
‘He has a grey head。 He is an old man： Don’t hurt him！’
The locksmith turned； with a start； towards the place from
which the words had come； and looked hurriedly at the people
who were hanging on the ladder and clinging to each other。
‘Pay no respect to my grey hair； young man；’ he said； answering
the voice and not any one he saw。 ‘I don’t ask it。 My heart is green
enough to scorn and despise every man among you； band of
robbers that you are！’
This incautious speech by no means tended to appease the
ferocity of the crowd。 They cried again to have him brought out；
and it would have gone hard with the honest locksmith； but that
Hugh reminded them； in answer； that they wanted his services；
and must have them。
‘So； tell him what we want；’ he said to Simon Tappertit； ‘and
quickly。 And open your ears； master； if you would ever use them
after to…night。’
Gabriel folded his arms； which were now at liberty； and eyed
his old ’prentice in silence。
‘Lookye； Varden；’ said Sim； ‘we’re bound for Newgate。’
‘I know you are；’ returned the locksmith。 ‘You never said a
truer word than that。’
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‘To burn it down； I mean；’ said Simon； ‘and force the gates； and
set the prisoners at liberty。 You helped to make the lock of the
great door。’
‘I did；’ said the locksmith。 ‘You owe me no thanks for that—as
you’ll find before long。’
‘Maybe；’ returned his journeyman； ‘but you must show us how
to force it。’
‘Must I！’
‘Yes； for you know； and I don’t。 You must come along with us；
and pick it with your own hands。’
‘When I do；’ said the locksmith quietly； ‘my hands shall drop off
at the wrists； and you shall wear them； Simon Tappertit； on your
shoulders for epaulettes。’
‘We’ll see that；’ cried Hugh； interposing； as the indignation of
the crowd again burst forth。 ‘You fill a basket with the tools he’ll
want； while I bring him downstairs。 Open the doors below； some of
you。 And light the great captain； others！ Is there no business afoot；
my lads； that you can do nothing but stand and grumble？’
They looked at one another； and quickly dispersing； swarmed
over the house； plundering and breaking； according to their
custom； and carrying off such articles of value as happened to
please their fancy。 They had no great length of time for these
proceedings； for the basket of tools was soon prepared and slung
over a man’s shoulders。 The preparations being now completed；
and everything ready for the attack； those who were pillaging and
destroying in the other rooms were called down to the workshop。
They were about to issue forth； when the man who had been last
upstairs； stepped forward； and asked if the young woman in the
garret （who was making a terrible noise； he said； and kept on
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screaming without the least cessation） was to be released？
For his own part； Simon Tappertit would certainly have replied
in the negative； but the mass of his companions； mindful of the
good service she had done in the matter of the gun； being of a
different opinion； he had nothing for it but to answer； Yes。 The
man； accordingly； went back again to the rescue； and presently
returned with Miss Miggs； limp and doubled up； and very damp
from much weeping。
As the young lady had given no tokens of consciousness on
their way downstairs； the bearer reported her either dead or
dying； and being at some loss what to do with her； was looking
round for a convenient bench or heap of ashes on which to place
her senseless form； when she suddenly came upon her feet by
some mysterious means； thrust back her hair； stared wildly at Mr
Tappertit； cried； ‘My Simmuns’s life is not a wictim！’ and dropped
into his arms with such promptitude that he staggered and reeled
some paces back； beneath his lovely burden。
‘Oh bother！’ said Mr Tappertit。 ‘Here。 Catch hold of her；
somebody。 Lock her up again； she never ought to have been let
out。’
‘My Simmun！’ cried Miss Miggs； in tears； and faintly。 ‘My for
ever； ever blessed Simmun！’
‘Hold up； will you；’ said Mr Tappertit； in a very unresponsive
tone； ‘I’ll let you fall if you don’t。 What are you sliding your feet off
the ground for？’
‘My angel Simmuns！’ murmured Miggs—‘he promised—’
‘Promised！ Well； and I’ll keep my promise；’ answered Simon；
testily。 ‘I mean to provide for you； don’t I？ Stand up！’
‘Where am I to go？ What is to become of me after my actions of
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this night！’ cried Miggs。 ‘What resting…places now remains but in
the silent tombses！’
‘I wish you was in the silent tombses； I do；’ cried Mr Tappertit；
‘and boxed up tight； in a good strong one。 Here；’ he cried to one of
the bystanders； in whose ear he whispered for a moment： ‘Take
her off； will you。 You understand where？’
The fellow nodded； and taking her in his arms； notwithstanding
her broken protestations； and her struggles （which latter species
of opposition； involving scratches； was much more difficult of
resistance）； carried her away。 They who were in the house poured
out into the street； the locksmith was taken to the head of the
crowd； and required to walk between his two conductors； the
whole body was put in rapid motion； and
