Having groped about for a few moments, he found a match, struck it, and obtained a light. One of the secret recesses furnished a candle; and the flickering glare fell upon the haggard, unshaven, and dirty countenance of the ruffian. Scarcely had he lighted the candle, when a peculiar whistle was heard in the street, just under the window. The features of Bolter became suddenly animated with joy; and, as he hastily descended the stairs, he muttered to himself, "Well, at all events here's one on 'em." The individual to whom he opened the door was Dick Flairer--in no better plight, mentally and bodily, than himself. "Is there any bingo, Bill?" demanded Dick, the moment he set foot in the up-stairs room. "Not a drain," answered Bolter, after a close inspection of the cupboard in the wall between the windows; "and not a morsel of grub neither." "Blow the grub," said Dick. "I ain't in no humour for eating; but I could drink a gallon. I've been thinking as I come along, and after the first shock was over, wot cursed fools you and me was to be humbugged in this here affair. Either that young feller was the brother of the one which we threw down the trap----" "No: I could swear that he is the same," interrupted Bill. "Well--then he must have made his escape--and that's all," added Dick Flairer. "That must be it," observed Bolter, after a long pause. "But it was so sudden upon us--and then without no time to think--and all that----" "You may say what you like, Bill--but I shall never forgive myself. I was the first to bolt; and I was a coward. How shall I ever be able to look the Cracksman in the face again, or go to the parlour of the boozing-ken?" "It's no use complaining like this, Dick. You was used to be the bold 'un--and now it seems as if it was me that must say 'Cheer up.' The fact is, someot must be done without delay. I told you and Tom what had happened at my crib; and so, lay up for some time I must. Come, now--Dick, you won't desert a pal in trouble?" "There's my hand, Bill. On'y say wot you want done, and I'm your man." "In the first place, do you think it's safe for me to stay here? Won't that young feller give the alarm, and say as how his house was attempted by the same cracksmen that wanted to make a stiff 'un of him between four and five years ago at this old crib; and then won't the blue-bottles come and search the place from chimley-pot down to foundation-stone?"