That I had not fallen into unfriendly hands was about the extent to which my deductions led me; and with this consolatory fact, and a steady resolve to remain awake three days, if necessary, so as to interrogate the first visitor who should approach me, I mustered all my patience, and waited quietly. What hour of the day it was when first I awoke to even thus much of consciousness I cannot say; but I well remember watching what appeared to me twelve mortal hours in my anxious expectation. At last a key turned in an outer lock, a door opened, and I heard a heavy foot enter. This was shortly followed by another step, whose less imposing tread was, I suspected, a woman's. “Where, in the devil's name, is the candle?” said a gruff voice, that actually seemed to me not unknown. “I left it on the table when I went out. Oh, my shin's broke!--that infernal table!” “Oh, Lord! oh, Lord!” screamed the female voice. “Ah, you 've caught it too!” cried the other, in glee; “did you think you saw a little blue flame before you when your shin was barked?” “You're a monster!” said the lady, in a tone of passionate indignation. “Here it is,--I have it,” replied the other, not paying the slightest attention to the endearing epithet last bestowed; “and damn me, if it 's not burned down to the socket. Halloo there, Peter Dodd! You scoundrel, where are you?” “Call him Saladin,” said the lady, with a sneer, “and perhaps he 'll answer.” “Imp of darkness, where are you gone to? Peter--Dodd--Dodd--Peter! Ah, you young blackguard! where were you all this time?” “Asleep, sir; sure you know well, sir, it 's little rest I get,” said a thin, childish voice in answer. “Wasn't it five o'clock this morning when I devilled the two kidneys ye had for supper for the four officers, and had to borrey the kian pepper over the way?” “I'll bore a gimlet hole through your pineal gland, and stuff it with brass-headed nails, if you reply to me. Anna Maria, that was a fine thought, eh? glorious, by Jove! There, put the candle there, hand your mistress a chair; give me my robe-de'chambre. Confound me, if it's not getting like the kingdom of Prussia on the map, full of very straggling dependencies. Supper, Saladin!” “The sorrow taste--” “What, thou piece of human ebony! what do you say?” “Me hab no--a--ting in de larder,” cried the child, in a broken voice. “Isn't there a back of a duck and two slices of cold bacon?” asked the lady, in the tone of a cross-examining barrister. “I poisoned the bacon for the rats, Miss; and for the duck--”