Quick!'
Barnaby was not proof against this bustle and despatch. The look of
mingled astonishtnent and anger which had appeared in his face when he
turned towards them, faded from it as the words passed from his memory,
like breath from a polished mirror; and grasping the weapon which Hugh
forced upon him, he proudly took his station at the door, beyond their
hearing.
'You might have spoiled our plans, master,' said Hugh. 'YOU, too, of all
men!'
'Who would have supposed that HE would be so quick?' urged Gashford.
'He's as quick sometimes--I don't mean with his hands, for that you
know, but with his head--as you or any man,' said Hugh. 'Dennis, it's
time we were going; they're waiting for us; I came to tell you. Reach
me my stick and belt. Here! Lend a hand, master. Fling this over my
shoulder, and buckle it behind, will you?'
'Brisk as ever!' said the secretary, adjusting it for him as he desired.
'A man need be brisk to-day; there's brisk work a-foot.'
'There is, is there?' said Gashford. He said it with such a provoking
assumption of ignorance, that Hugh, looking over his shoulder and
angrily down upon him, replied:
'Is there! You know there is! Who knows better than you, master, that
the first great step to be taken is to make examples of these witnesses,
and frighten all men from appearing against us or any of our body, any
more?'
'There's one we know of,' returned Gashford, with an expressive smile,
'who is at least as well informed upon that subject as you or I.
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