barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第88节
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boiler； and to listen to the storm of wind and rain； which had not
yet abated one jot of its fury。
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Chapter 34
efore old John had looked at the boiler quite twenty
Bminutes； he got his ideas into a focus； and brought them
to bear upon Solomon Daisy’s story。 The more he thought
of it； the more impressed he became with a sense of his own
wisdom； and a desire that Mr Haredale should be impressed with
it likewise。 At length； to the end that he might sustain a principal
and important character in the affair； and might have the start of
Solomon and his two friends； through whose means he knew the
adventure； with a variety of exaggerations； would be known to at
least a score of people； and most likely to Mr Haredale himself； by
breakfast…time to…morrow； he determined to repair to the Warren
before going to bed。
‘He’s my landlord；’ thought John； as he took a candle in his
hand； and setting it down in a corner out of the wind’s way；
opened a casement in the rear of the house； looking towards the
stables。 ‘We haven’t met of late years so often as we used to do—
changes are taking place in the family—it’s desirable that I should
stand as well with them； in point of dignity； as possible—the
whispering about of this here tale will anger him—it’s good to
have confidences with a gentleman of his natur’； and set one’s…self
right besides。 Halloa there！ Hugh—Hugh。 Hal…loa！’
When he had repeated this shout a dozen times； and startled
every pigeon from its slumbers； a door in one of the ruinous old
buildings opened； and a rough voice demanded what was amiss
now； that a man couldn’t even have his sleep in quiet。
‘What！ Haven’t you sleep enough； growler； that you’re not to be
knocked up for once？’ said John。
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‘No；’ replied the voice； as the speaker yawned and shook
himself。 ‘Not half enough。’
‘I don’t know how you can sleep； with the wind a bellowsing
and roaring about you； making the tiles fly like a pack of cards；’
said John； ‘but no matter for that。 Wrap yourself up in something
or another； and come here； for you must go as far as the Warren
with me。 And look sharp about it。’
Hugh； with much low growling and muttering； went back into
his lair； and presently reappeared； carrying a lantern and a cudgel；
and enveloped from head to foot in an old； frowzy； slouching
horse…cloth。 Mr Willet received this figure at the back…door； and
ushered him into the bar； while he wrapped himself in sundry
greatcoats and capes； and so tied and knotted his face in shawls
and handkerchiefs； that how he breathed was a mystery。
‘You don’t take a man out of doors at near midnight in such
weather； without putting some heart into him； do you； master？’
said Hugh。
‘Yes I do； sir；’ returned Mr Willet。 ‘I put the heart （as you call it）
into him when he has brought me safe home again； and his
standing steady on his legs an’t of so much consequence。 So hold
that light up； if you please； and go on a step or two before； to show
the way。’
Hugh obeyed with a very indifferent grace； and a longing
glance at the bottles。 Old John； laying strict injunctions on his
cook to keep the doors locked in his absence； and to open to
nobody but himself on pain of dismissal； followed him into the
blustering darkness out of doors。
The way was wet and dismal； and the night so black； that if Mr
Willet had been his own pilot； he would have walked into a deep
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horse…pond within a few hundred yards of his own house； and
would certainly have terminated his career in that ignoble sphere
of action。 But Hugh； who had a sight as keen as any hawk’s； and；
apart from that endowment； could have found his way blindfold to
any place within a dozen miles； dragged old John along； quite deaf
to his remonstrances； and took his own course without the
slightest reference to； or notice of； his master。 So they made head
against the wind as they best could； Hugh crushing the wet grass
beneath his heavy tread； and stalking on after his ordinary savage
fashion； John Willet following at arm’s length； picking his steps；
and looking about him； now for bogs and ditches； and now for
such stray ghosts as might be wandering abroad； with looks of as
much dismay and uneasiness as his immovable face was capable
of expressing。
At length they stood upon the broad gravel…walk before the
Warren…house。 The building was profoundly dark； and none were
moving near it save themselves。 From one solitary turret…chamber；
however； there shone a ray of light； and towards this speck of
comfort in the cold； cheerless； silent scene； Mr Willet bade his pilot
lead him。
‘The old room；’ said John； looking timidly upward； ‘Mr
Reuben’s own apartment； God be with us！ I wonder his brother
likes to sit there； so late at night—on this night too。’
‘Why； where else should he sit？’ asked Hugh； holding the
lantern to his breast； to keep the candle from the wind； while he
trimmed it with his fingers。 ‘It’s snug enough； an’t it？’
‘Snug！’ said John indignantly。 ‘You have a comfortable idea of
snugness； you have； sir。 Do you know what was done in that room；
you ruffian？’
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‘Why； what is it the worse for that！’ cried Hugh； looking into
John’s fat face。 ‘Does it keep out the rain； and snow； and wind； the
less for that？ Is it less warm or dry； because a man was killed
there？ Ha； ha； ha！ Never believe it； master。 One man’s no such
matter as that comes to。’
Mr Willet fixed his dull eyes on his follower； and began—by a
species of inspiration—to think it just barely possible that he was
something of a dangerous character； and that it might be advisable
to get rid of him one of these days。 He was too prudent to say
anything； with the journey home before him； and therefore turned
to the iron gate before which this brief dialogue had passed； and
pulled the handle of the bell that hung beside it。 The turret in
which the light appeared being at one corner of the building； and
only divided from the path by one of the garden…walks； upon
which this gate opened； Mr Haredale threw up the window
directly； and demanded who was there。
‘Begging pardon； sir；’ said John； ‘I knew you sat up late； and
made bold to come round； having a word to say to you。’
‘Willet—is it not？’
‘Of the Maypole—at your service； sir。’
Mr Haredale closed the window； and withdrew。 He presently
appeared at a door in the bottom of the turret； and coming across
the garden…walk； unlocked the gate and let them in。
‘You are a late visitor； Willet。 What is the matter？’
‘Nothing to speak of； sir；’ said John； ‘an idle tale； I thought you
ought to know of； nothing more。’
‘Let your man go forward with the lantern； and give me your
hand。 The stairs are crooked and narrow。 Gently with your light；
friend。 You swing it like a censer。’
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Barnaby Rudg
