"But, Hatteraick, this,--that is, if it be true, which I do not believe,--this will ruin us both, for he cannot but remember your neat job; and for me--it will be productive of the worst consequences. It will ruin us both, I tell you."
"I tell you," said the seaman, "it will ruin none but you--for I am done up already, and if I must strap for it, all shall out."
"Zounds!" said the justice impatiently, "what brought you back to this coast like a madman?"
"Why, all the gelt was gone, and the house was shaking, and I thought the job was clayed over and forgotten," answered the worthy skipper.
"Stay--what can be done?" said Glossin anxiously. I dare not discharge you--but might you not be rescued in the way--ay sure--a word to Lieutenant Brown,--and I would send the people with you by the coast-road."
"No, no! that won't do--Brown's dead-shot--laid in the locker, man--the devil has the picking of him."
"Dead?--shot?--at Woodbourne, I suppose?" replied Glossin.
Glossin paused--the sweat broke upon his brow with the agony of his feelings, while the hard-featured miscreant who sat opposite, coolly rolled his tobacco in his cheek, and squirted the juice into the fire-grate. "It would be ruin," said Glossin to himself, "absolute ruin, if the heir should reappear--and then what might be the consequence of conniving with these men?--yet there is so little time to take measures--Hark you, Hatteraick; I can't set you at liberty--but I can put you where you may set yourself at liberty--I always like to assist an old friend. I shall confine you in the old castle for tonight, and give these people double allowance of grog. Mac-Guffog will fall in the trap in which he caught you. The stanchions on the window of the strong room, as they call it, are wasted to pieces, and it is not above twelve feet from the level of the ground without, and the snow lies thick."
