Page:Under the Gaslight.djvu/43

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Byke. I've provided for that. I ve &quot;had the same idea as you—while she's in the way, and unmarried, our plans are all smoke, and we might as well be sitting on the hob with a keg of powder in the coals.

Judas. That we might. But what have you thought to do?

Byke. Why, I ve thought what an unfortunate creature is,—robbed of her mother, her home, and her lover; nothing to live for; it would be a mercy to put her out of the way.

Judas. That's it; but how—how—how—

Byke. It's plain she wasn't born to be drowned, or the materials are very handy down here. What made you talk about cutting her throat? It was very wrong! When 'a thing gets into my head, it sticks there.

Judas. You oughtn't to mind me.

Byke. Make your mind easy on that score.

Judas. (Alarmed.), I heard some one in the bushes just there. (Points off )

Byke. (Nervously and quickly.) Who? Where? (Going )

Judas. Where the hedge is broken. I could swear I saw the shadow of a man.

Byke. Stop here. I'll see.

Judas. (Solus.) I begin to shiver. But it must be done or we starve. Why should I tremble? it's the safest job we ever planned. If they discover us, our secret will save us;—we know too much to be sent to jail.

Byke. Ther are traces, but I can see no one. (Looking off )

Judas. Suppose we should have been overheard!

Byke. (Glaring at her.) Overheard? Bah! no one could understand.

Judas. Come, let us go to the wagon and be off.

Byke. (Always looking off ) Go you, I will follow. Bring it round by the station, and wait for me in the shadows of the trees. I will follow. ( goes off, after a moment,—still looking , buttons up his coat and hides behind wood, ) Heigho! I must be off.

Snorkey. Tracked 'em again! We re the latest fashionable arrivals at Long-Branch. "Mr. and, and Brigadier-General , of New York;"—there's and item for the papers! With a horse and wagon, they'll be at the seaside in two hours; but in the train I think I'll beat em. Then to find Cap'n, and give him the wink, and be ready to receive the distinguished visitors with all the honors. Robbery; Burglary; Murder; that's catechism:—"What's to be done when you're hard up ? Steal! What's to be done if you're caught at it? Kill!" It's short and easy, and he lives up to it like a good many Christians don't live up to their laws. (Looking off ) They're out of sight. Phew! it's midsummer, but I'm chilled to the bone; something like a piece of ice has been stuck between my shoulders all day, and something like a black mist is always before me. ( is behind tree.) Just like old told me he felt, the night before Fredericksburg;—and next day he was past all feeling,—hit with a shell, and knocked into so many pieces, I didn't know which to call my old friend. Well,