“A parsecutor—that is, they parsecutes me, and I gives them a dodge through the streets, you see; and they, coming rather quick, I bolts down this here street, and the first thing I sees is ‘wait—J.G.’ on your door.” “Well, what then?” “Why, then Popsy and me, we gives the door a drive and we gets in, then we shuts it again, and we’ve waited here ever since.” “And it was you who made the noise I heard just now, as I was ascending the stairs?” “Very like; and it has quite alarmed poor Popsy, and shattered his nerves by squeaking out in the passage.” “How long have you been here?” “A matter of half an hour.” “What have you stolen?” “Stole! Stole!” “Yes: tell me, for there are some things I value, and some I do not.” “Popsy, does ye hear what a opinion he has of your morals?” Gray walked across the room, and opening a door that led to an inner apartment, he entered it and remained absent some minutes. During that absence he took from a chest (the key of which he had about him) a large sum of money, being the bulk of what he had, from time to time, received of Learmont, and he stowed it carefully about his person; the greatest care, however, he bestowed upon a packet of papers that were at the bottom of the bag. These he placed carefully in his breast, and then returned to the room in which was the bear warden and his shaggy associate. “Hark you, friend,” said Gray, “I am going to leave this house.” “Good morning,” said the bear warden. “You seem a—a deserving man.” “Do I?” “Yes: I will give you the furniture you see about here, if you will defend it against all comers; and should a young girl come here, will you detain her for me?” “Well, that’s odd,” said Tibbs, “but I don’t know you, my master.” “Nor will you, I will take my own time and opportunity of calling upon you.” “Well” said the beat warden, “I don’t mind obliging you, particularly as I haven’t anything of my own. Is there anything worth having up stairs, old fellow?” “There is,” said Gray—“and recollect one thing.” “What’s that?” “Should a man come of burly frame and bloated aspect, be assured he comes to take from you, if he can, all that I have given to you—be assured of that.” “The deuce he does!” “You will know him. He is rough of speech, and coarse and bulky. Beware of him!” “But what shall I do with him?” “Kill him—slaughter him. Take his life how and when you will—or maim him—do him some deadly harm, for, on my soul, I do not believe he has written any confession. Stay, I had forgotten.” Gray hurried to the cupboard, and took from it the remainder of the poison he had given to Ada’s dog; then turning to the astonished bear warden, he said,— “Remember, we shall meet again.” He rapidly then descended the staircase, and was out of the house before the man could answer him. “Well, if ever I knew the like o’ that!” said the bear warden. “Popsy!”