"No, no, I don't mean that; I wish I did: they have been one too many for me as yet. Why, when they first started in business there worn't fewer than twenty men in that gang. Sixteen or seventeen on 'em have been hung or transported, and the rest is them that has been at your house. They have got a hiding-place somewhere in Pentonville. I'll tell you what, master," said Trott, taking the other by the button, and speaking in a hoarse whisper, "they are the worst of the lot; up to everything they are; and take my word for it, Mr. Grimaldi, they'll stick at nothing." Grimaldi looked anything but pleased at this intelligence, and Trott observing his disturbed countenance, added,-- "Don't you be alarmed, master; what they want is, their revenge for their former disappointment. That's what it is," said Trott, nodding his head sagaciously. "It appears very extraordinary," said Grimaldi. "This is a very distressing situation to be placed in." "Why, so it is," said the officer, after a little consideration;--"so it is, when you consider that they never talk without doing. But don't be afraid, Mr. Grimaldi." "Oh no, I'm not," replied the other; adding, in as cool a manner as he could assume, "they came again last night." "I know that," said the officer. "I'll let you into another secret, master. They are coming again to-night." "Again to-night!" exclaimed Grimaldi. "As sure as fate," replied the officer, nodding to a friend who was passing down the street on the other side of the way,--"and if your establishment an't large enough, and powerful enough to resist 'em--" "Large and powerful enough!" exclaimed the other,--"why there are only three women and one other male person besides myself in the house." "Ah!" said Mr. Trott, "that isn't near enough." "Enough! no!" rejoined Grimaldi; "and it would kill my mother." "I dare say it would," acquiesced the officer; "my mother was killed in a similar manner." This, like the rest of the officer's discourse, was far from consolatory, and Grimaldi looked anxiously in his face for something like a ray of hope. Mr. Trott meditated for some short time, and then, looking up with his head on one side, said, "I think I see a way now, master." "What is it? What do you propose? I'm agreeable to anything," said Grimaldi, in a most accommodating manner. "Never mind that," said the officer. "You put yourself into my hands, and I'll be the saving of your property, and the taking of them." Grimaldi burst into many expressions of admiration and gratitude, and put his hand into Mr. Trott's hands, as an earnest of his readiness to deposit himself there. "Only rid us," said Grimaldi, "of these dreadful visitors, who really keep us in a state of perpetual misery, and anything you think proper to accept shall be cheerfully paid you."