and criminate the real
murderers. If, therefore, it be possible to carry off Dawson, after
having secured his confession, we must. I think it right to insist more
particularly on this point, as you appeared to me rather averse to it
this morning."

"I say ditto to your honour," returned Job; "and you may be sure that I
shall do all in my power to effect your object, not only from that love
of virtue which is implanted in my mind, when no stronger inducement
leads me astray, but from the more worldly reminiscence, that the
annuity we have agreed upon is only to be given in case of success--not
merely for well meaning attempts. To say that I have no objection to the
release of Dawson, would be to deceive your honour; I own that I have;
and the objection is, first, my fear lest he should peach respecting
other affairs besides the murder of Sir John Tyrrell; and, secondly,
my scruples as to appearing to interfere with his escape. Both of these
chances expose me to great danger; however, one does not get three
hundred a year for washing one's hands, and I must balance the one by
the other."

"You are a sensible man, Mr. Job," said I; "and I am sure you will
richly earn, and long enjoy your annuity."

As I said this, the watchman beneath our window, called "past eleven,"
and Jonson, starting up, hastily changed his own gay gear for a more
simple dress, and throwing over all a Scotch plaid, gave me a similar
one, in which I closely wrapped myself. We descended the stairs softly,
and Jonson let us out into the street, by the "open sesame" of a key,
which he retained about his person.

CHAPTER LXXXII.

Et cantare pares, et respondere parati.--Virgil.

As we walked on into Tottenham-court-road, where we expected to find a
hackney-coach, my companion earnestly and strenuously impressed on my
mind, the necessity of implicitly obeying any instructions or hints
he might give me in the course of our adventure. "Remember," said he,
forcibly, "that the least deviation from them, will not only defeat
our object of removing Dawson, but even expose our lives to the most
imminent peril." I faithfully promised to conform to the minutest tittle
of his instructions.

We came to a stand of coaches. Jonson selected one, and gave the
coachman an order; he took care it should not reach my ears. During the
half hour we passed in this vehicle, Job examined and reexamined me
in my "canting catechism," as he termed it. He expressed hims