I recognized "My Mary Anne," "Bobbin' Around," and "Old
Dog Tray," among other melodies. Whether these do or do not
represent secret signals by which he communicates
with his accomplices remains to be seen. After he had amused
himself for some time by humming, he got up and began to walk
about the room, occasionally stopping to add a sentence to the
paper on his desk. Before long he went to a locked cupboard and
opened it. I strained my eyes eagerly, in expectation of making a
discovery. I saw him take something carefully out of the
cupboard--he turned round--and it was only a pint bottle of
brandy! Having drunk some of the liquor, this extremely indolent
reprobate lay down on his bed again, and in five minutes was fast
asleep.
After hearing him snoring for at least two hours, I was recalled
to my peep-hole by a knock at his door. He jumped up and opened
it with suspicious activity.
A very small boy, with a very dirty face, walked in, said:
"Please, sir, they're waiting for you," sat down on a chair with
his legs a long way from the ground, and instantly fell asleep!
Mr. Jay swore an oath, tied a wet towel round his head, and,
going back to his paper, began to cover it with writing as fast
as his fingers could move the pen. Occasionally getting up to dip
the towel in water and tie it on again, he continued at this
employment for nearly three hours; then folded up the leaves of
writing, woke the boy, and gave them to him, with this remarkable
expression: "Now, then, young sleepy-head, quick march! If you
see the governor, tell him to have the money ready for me when I
call for it.
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