For an instant the old man cast upon him a glance of searching inquiry, as if to penetrate into the most secret profundities of his soul; but the highwayman affected to be very intent in his contemplation of a picture, and the countenance of the fence grew more composed. "Well," said Rainford, after a few moments' pause, "there's no use in delaying the matter. I _must_ and _will_ make myself acquainted with every nook of this place." Old Death moved towards a door facing the one by which they entered the apartment; and Rainford was conducted into a smaller room, but fitted up with shelves like the first. On those shelves were several boxes, of various dimensions, and numerous jewel-cases wrapped up in paper. "Watches and plate, I suppose?" said Rainford, pointing to the boxes. "Something in that way, Tom," replied Old Death. "Would you like to see any of them?" "No, thank'ee," was the answer. "I am not particularly curious in that respect." Then, as he appeared to glance casually round the room, his eyes dwelt for an instant upon an iron safe let into the wall. "Well—have you seen enough?" asked Old Death. "It's getting very late." "It must be early, you mean," replied the highwayman, with a smile. "But still there is time for the business that I have in hand," he added, his manner suddenly changing to seriousness. Old Death glanced towards him uneasily. Indeed, for some time the fence had been suspecting that Rainford had an ulterior object in view, independent of the mere wish to become acquainted with his abode; and vague alarms now filled his mind. What could the highwayman mean? Was he other than he seemed? Did he intend to betray him? All these ideas rushed rapidly through the imagination of the horrible old man; and, though _he_ had formed a plan whereby to avenge himself on _the only individual who had ever yet dared to coerce him_, he trembled lest he should be unable to put it into execution. He knew that Rainford was a man of dauntless bravery, and believed him to be a desperate one; and now he found himself completely in this formidable person's power. Not that Old Death lacked courage himself: and he certainly was not deficient in treachery. But he wanted the strength—the physical strength to maintain a deadly struggle with the highwayman, if it should come to _that_! Thus was it that for the first time, perhaps, the hardened miscreant trembled for his life. To throw open the window and call for assistance, in case of danger, was to invite the entrance of persons who would discover all the mysteries of his abode; and death were an alternative scarcely more frightful! "Yes—there is time enough for the business that I have on hand!" repeated Rainford, his countenance assuming so stern—so determined an expression, that Old Death trembled with a colder shudder than before. "What do you mean?—what is that—that——" stammered Old Death.