Page:Marietta, or the Two Students.djvu/37

Rh attempted to relight it; but the oil was spilled, and the wick gone, consequently he faded to do so.

"Follow me to the other room, and I will find my lamp," said Thick.

Groping his way into the other apartment, he commenced searching for the lamp, which much to his annoyance he was unable to find.

"Well, no matter, we can do without it. Sit down and tell me the result of your last interview," said the body-catcher, dragging a block to his friend for that purpose.

"She still refuses to receive any visits, does she?"

"That she does in good earnest. She said moreover, that you were a savage, a monster, or even worse."

"Why did you not frighten her into obedience," cried Thick, angrily.

"Frighten her, I could not. I made the attempt. It only increased her obstinancy."

"Curse her obstinacy. I can find a way to subdue her."

"Nothing but violence can make her submit—the hussy."

"She shall, whether she will or not, I swear it!"

"She by some means has come in possession of our secret, and she threatens to disclose, if we urge her submission to your wishes. What do you think of that?"

"D—n her! how did she learn?" cried Thick, losing all patience. "How unfortunate, the vixen will expose us if an opportunity offers."

"An opportunity must not offer," repeated the woman in a serious tone, "Do you understand?"

"Ha! yes; you are right. She must be secured.'

"It is a very easy matter to do that. We have her completely in our power, and she has no friends in the city. None except the young man, Eugene."

"Yes, 'tis Eugene alone, that I shall fear. He loves her, and would raise all h—ll to find her, especially if he had the least suspicion that all was not as it should be."

"We must deceive him."

"He will visit her to-morrow night, and she will tell him what has passed. Perhaps she has already told him of our doings."

"What then do you propose," said the body-snatcher, "to do with her?"

"Tell him she is sick, and don't wish to see him."

"Well, say on. What then?"

"We will then compel her to write a letter to Eugene, stating that she has gone into the country for her health."

"Good, very good," replied Thick, but"but [sic] do you think we can do this?"

"We can try the experiment, at least."

"If it should fail—what then?"

"Then it will," responded the virago, laying great stress on the last word.

"Yes, but what will be the result?"

"That we shall be detected, arrested, go to prison, &c."

"The devil we shall—you take it very coolly. You may go to prison if you wish, I shall not. We must try some other plan if that fails. I think that would be better than going into the service of the State. However, I believe your scheme is a good one, and we will try it."

"I have some business to attend to now, and we will talk over the affair further to-morrow."

Saying this, the worthy couple went away as they came, leaving Levator alone, and thankful for the accident that prevented his detection, as well as for what he had heard.

Darting from his hiding-place with as much speed as the darkness of the room would allow, he made his way to the street. There he waited until he was