human
Who are you? and who sent you?
gpt
No one sent me ma'am, replied I,
human
You were one of the men in the boat. I trust no one was hurt when they fired at you?
gpt
No ma'am.
human
And where is the box?
gpt
In the house of the person who was with me.
human
Can he be trusted? For they will offer large rewards for it.
gpt
I should think so, ma'am, replied I, smiling;
human
Good heavens, how fortunate! Am I to believe you?
gpt
I should hope so, ma'am.
human
And what are you, then? You are not a waterman?
gpt
Yes, ma'am, I am.
human
How did you learn the air you whistled?
gpt
The young gentleman whistled it six or seven times last night before you came. I tried it this morning coming up, as I thought it would be the means of attracting your attention. Can I be of any service to you, ma'am?
human
Service--yes, if I could be sure you were to be trusted--of the greatest service. I am confined here--cannot send a letter--watched as I move--only allowed the garden, and even watched while I walk here. They are most of them in quest of the tin box to-day, or I should not be able to talk to you so long. She looked round at the house anxiously, and then said,
gpt
Stop here a minute, while I walk a little. She then retreated, and paced up and down the garden walk. I still remained under the wall, so as not to be perceived from the house. In about three or four minutes she returned and said,
human
It would be very cruel--it would be more than cruel--it would be very wicked of you to deceive me, for I am very unfortunate and very unhappy. The tears started in her eyes.
gpt
You do not look as if you would. What is your name?
human
Jacob Faithful, ma'am, and I will be true to my name, if you will put your trust in me. I never deceived any one that I can recollect; and I'm sure I would not you--now that I've seen you.
gpt
Yes, but money will seduce everybody.
human
Not me, ma'am. I've as much as I wish for.
gpt
Well, then, I will trust you, and think you sent from heaven to my aid; but how am I to see you? To-morrow my uncle will be back, and then I shall not be able to speak to you one moment, and if seen to speak to you, you will be laid in wait for, and perhaps shot.
human
Well, ma'am, replied I, after a pause,
gpt
How very clever! Good heavens, what an excellent idea!
human
Was the young gentleman hurt, ma'am, in the scuffle last night?
gpt
No, I believe not much, but I wish to know where he is, to write to him; could you find out? I told her where we had met him, and what had passed.
human
That was Lady Auburn's, replied she;
gpt
Yes, ma'am, with a little trouble it might be done. They ought to know where he is at Lady Auburn's.
human
Yes, some of the servants might--but how will you get to them?
gpt
That, ma'am, I must find out. It may not be done in one day, or two days, but if you will look every morning under this brick, if there is anything to communicate you will find it there.
human
You can write and read, then?
gpt
I should hope so, ma'am,
human
I don't know what to make of you. Are you really a waterman?
gpt
Really, and--
human
You must go--don't forget the brick;
gpt
I am waiting below, with my boat, for Mr Wharncliffe; has he come yet?
human
Mr Wharncliffe! No--he's not come; nor did he say that he would come; when did you see him?
gpt
Yesterday. Is Lady Auburn at home?
human
Lady Auburn--no; she went to town this morning; everybody goes to London now, that they may not see the flowers and green trees, I suppose.
gpt
But I suppose Mr Wharncliffe will come, continued I,
human
You can do just as you like,
gpt
May I request a favour of you, ma'am, before you shut the gate--which is, to bring me a little water to drink, for the sun is hot, and I have had a long pull up here;
human
Yes, I'll fetch you some,
gpt
This don't seem to answer very well,
human
I am very tired, said I;
gpt
I should like to sit down and wait for the gentleman.
human
Don't you sit down when you pull?
gpt
Yes,
human
Then you must be tired of sitting, I should think, not of standing; at all events, if you want to sit, you can sit in your boat, and mind it at the same time.
gpt
Well, said he, as we finished,
human
Yes, sir; you cannot hire me to-morrow.
gpt
Still I shall, as I want to see you to-morrow morning before you go. Here's Stapleton's money for yesterday and to-day and now good-night.
human
I expected this, Jacob, said he;
gpt
I read as follows:--
human
Whereas, on Friday night last, between the hours of nine and ten, a tin box, containing deeds and papers, was handed into a wherry from the grounds of a villa between Brentford and Kew, and the parties who owned it were prevented from accompanying the same. This is to give notice, that a reward of twenty pounds will be paid to the watermen, upon their delivering up the same to Messrs. James and John White, of Number 14 Lincoln's Inn Fields. As no other parties are authorised to receive the said tin box of papers, all other applications for it must be disregarded. An early attention to this advertisement will oblige.
gpt
There must be papers of no little consequence in that box, Jacob, depend upon it, said Mr Turnbull;