e. I could see his fingers twitching nervously. The smell of perfumes
and of ether entered the room with him.

Dudley was trembling now like a man in an ague-fit.

'Look what you made me do!' he said, maniacally.

'Steady, sir!' said the old man, close beside me.

'Yes, you damned old murderer! I've a mind to do for you.'

'There, Dudley, like a dear boy, don't give way; it's done. Right or wrong,
we can't help it. You must be quiet,' said the old man, with a stern
gentleness.

Dudley groaned.

'Whoever advised it, you're a gainer, Dudley,' said Uncle Silas.

Then there was a pause.

'I hope that was not heard,' said Uncle Silas.

Dudley walked to the window and stood there.

'Come, Dudley, you and Hawkes must use expedition. You know you must get
that out of the way.'

'I've done too much. I won't do nout; I'll not touch it. I wish my hand was
off first; I wish I was a soger. Do as ye like, you an' Hawkes. I won't go
nigh it; damn ye both--and _that_!' and he hurled the hammer with all his
force upon the floor.

'Come, come, be reasonable, Dudley, dear boy. There's nothing to fear but
your own folly. You won't make a noise?'

'Oh, oh, my God!' said Dudley, hoarsely, and wiped his forehead with his
open hand.

'There now, you'll be all well in a minute,' continued the old man.

'You said 'twouldn't hurt her. If I'd a known she'd a screeched like that
I'd never a done it. 'Twas a damn lie. You're the damndest villain on
earth.'

'Come, Dudley!' said the old man under his breath, but very sternly, 'make
up your mind. If you don't choose to go on, it can't be helped; only it's
a pity you began. For _you_ it is a good deal--it does not much matter for
_me_.'

'Ay, for _you_!' echoed Dudley, through his set teeth. 'The old talk!'

'Well, sir,' snarled the old man, in the same low tones, 'you should have
thought of all this before. It's only taking leave of the world a year or
two sooner, but a year or two's something. I'll leave you to do as you
please.'

'Stop, will you? Stop here. I know it's a fixt thing now. If a fella does
a thing he's damned for, you might let him talk a bit anyhow. I don't care
much if I was shot.'

'There now--_there_--just stick to that, and don't run off again. There's a
box and a bag here; we must change the direction, and take them away. The
box has some jewels. Can you see them? I wish we had a light.'

'No, I'd rayther not; I can see well enough. I wish we were out o