Oldal 164 [164]
OCR
118 There were assembleu iv that lower house of the domestic women servants, Mr. Brittles, Mr. Giles, the tinker, (who had received a special invitation to regale himself for the remainder of the day in consideration of his services, and the constable. The latter gentleman had a large staff, a large head, large features, and large half-boots, and looked as if he had been taking a proportionate allowance of ale, as indeed he had. The adventures of the previous night were still under discussion, for Mr. Giles was expatiating upon his presence of mind when the doctor entered; and Mr. Brittles, with a mug of ale in his hand, was corroborating every thing before his superior said it. cc Sit still,” said the doctor, waving his hand. s "Thank you, sir,” said Mr. Giles. cc Misses wishes some ale to be given out, sir, and as I felt noways inclined for my own little room, sir, and disposed for company, | am taking mine among "em here.” Brittles headed a low murmur by which the ladies and gentlemen generally, were understood to express the gratification they derived from Mr. Giles’s condescension; and Mr. Giles looked round with a patronising air, as much as to say, that so long as they behaved properly, he would never desert them. “How is the patient to-night, sir?" asked Giles. sc So-so ;”’ returned the doctor. “Iam afraid you have got yourself into a scrape there, Mr. Giles. “] hope you don’t mean to say, sir,” said Mr. Giles, trembling, “that he’s going to die. If I thought it, I should never be happy again. I would n’t cut a boy off, no, not even Brittles here, not for all the plate in the country, sir.” “'That’s not the point,” said the docProtestant ?" “Yes, sir, I hope so;” faltered Mr. Giles, who had turned very pale. “And what are you, boy?” said the doctor, turning sharply upon Brittles. *“ Lord bless me, sir!” replied Brittles, starting violently; “I’m the same as Mr. Giles, sir.” 6 "Then tell me this,” said the doctor fiercely, “ both of you—both of you: are you going to take upon yourselves to swear that that boy up stairs is the boy that was put through the little window The doctor, who was universally conred creatures on earth, made this demand in su a dreadful tone of anger, that Giles Brittles, who were considerably muddled by ale and excitement, stared -at each . other in a state of stupefaction. ; “ Pay attention to the reply, constable, will you,” said the doctor, shaking his forefinger with great solemnity of manner, and tapping the bridge of his nose with it, to bespeak the exercise of that worthy’s utmost acuteness. " Something may come of this before long.” The constable looked as wise as he could, and took up his staff of office which had been reclining indolently in the chimney-corner. ude “Tt’s a simple question of identity, you will observe,” said the doctor. “That "s what it is, sir," replied the constable, coughing with great violence ; for he had finished his ale in a hurry, and c Here’s a house broken into,” said the doctor, “and a couple of men catch one moment’s glimpse of a boy in the midst of gunpowder smoke, and in all the distraction of alarm and darkness. Here’s a boy comes to that very same house next morning, and because he happens to . have his arm tied up, those men lay violent hands upon him—by doing which, they place his life in great danger—and swear he is the thief. Now, the question is, whether those men are justified by the fact, and if not, what situation do they place themselves in?” The constable nodded profoundly, and said that if that was n’t law, he should be glad to know what was. “Task you again,” thundered the doctor, “are you on your solemn oaths able Brittles looked doubtfully at Mr. Giles, Mr. Giles looked doubtfully at Brittles ; the constable put his hand behind his ear to catch the reply; the two women and the tinker leant forward to listen; and the doctor glanced keenly round, when a ring was heard at the gate, and at the same moment the sound of wheels. “Tt’s the runners!” cried Brittles, to all appearance much relieved. ‘The what!” exclaimed the doctor, aghast in his turn. | c "The Bow-street officers, sir,” replied Brittles, taking up a candle, " me and Mr. Giles sent for ’em this morning.” c What !” cried the doctor. “ Yes,” replied Brittles, “I sent a mesprepared for you. wonder they were n’t here before, sir.”
