按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Mr Haredale yielded to the entreaties of his companion—more
because he was resolved to defend him； than for any thought he
had of his own life； or any care he entertained for his own safety—
and quickly re…entering the house； they descended the stairs
together。 Loud blows were thundering on the shutters； crowbars
were already thrust beneath the door； the glass fell from the
sashes； a deep light shone through every crevice； and they heard
the voices of the foremost in the crowd so close to every chink and
keyhole； that they seemed to be hoarsely whispering their threats
into their very ears。 They had but a moment reached the bottom of
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 725…
Barnaby Rudge 726
the cellar…steps and shut the door behind them； when the mob
broke in。
The vaults were profoundly dark； and having no torch or
candle—for they had been afraid to carry one； lest it should betray
their place of refuge—they were obliged to grope with their hands。
But they were not long without light； for they had not gone far
when they heard the crowd forcing the door； and； looking back
among the low…arched passages； could see them in the distance；
hurrying to and fro with flashing links； broaching the casks；
staving the great vats； turning off upon the right hand and the left；
into the different cellars； and lying down to drink at the channels
of strong spirits which were already flowing on the ground。
They hurried on； not the less quickly for this； and had reached
the only vault which lay between them and the passage out； when
suddenly； from the direction in which they were going； a strong
light gleamed upon their faces； and before they could slip aside； or
turn back； or hide themselves； two men （one bearing a torch） came
upon them； and cried in an astonished whisper； ‘Here they are！’
At the same instant they pulled off what they wore upon their
heads。 Mr Haredale saw before him Edward Chester； and then
saw； when the vintner gasped his name； Joe Willet。
Ay； the same Joe； though with an arm the less； who used to
make the quarterly journey on the grey mare to pay the bill to the
purple…faced vintner； and that very same purple…faced vintner；
formerly of Thames Street； now looked him in the face； and
challenged him by name。
‘Give me your hand；’ said Joe softly； taking it whether the
astonished vintner would or no。 ‘Don’t fear to shake it； it’s a
friendly one and a hearty one； though it has no fellow。 Why； how
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 726…
Barnaby Rudge 727
well you look and how bluff you are！ And you—God bless you； sir。
Take heart； take heart。 We’ll find them。 Be of good cheer； we have
not been idle。’
There was something so honest and frank in Joe’s speech； that
Mr Haredale put his hand in his involuntarily； though their
meeting was suspicious enough。 But his glance at Edward
Chester； and that gentleman’s keeping aloof； were not lost upon
Joe； who said bluntly； glancing at Edward while he spoke：
‘Times are changed； Mr Haredale； and times have come when
we ought to know friends from enemies； and make no confusion of
names。 Let me tell you that but for this gentleman； you would
most likely have been dead by this time； or badly wounded at the
best。’
‘What do you say？’ cried Mr Haredale。
‘I say；’ said Joe； ‘first； that it was a bold thing to be in the crowd
at all disguised as one of them； though I won’t say much about
that； on second thoughts； for that’s my case too。 Secondly； that it
was a brave and glorious action—that’s what I call it—to strike
that fellow off his horse before their eyes！’
‘What fellow！ Whose eyes！’
‘What fellow； sir！’ cried Joe： ‘a fellow who has no goodwill to
you； and who has the daring and devilry in him of twenty fellows。 I
know him of old。 Once in the house； he would have found you；
here or anywhere。 The rest owe you no particular grudge； and；
unless they see you； will only think of drinking themselves dead。
But we lose time。 Are you ready？’
‘Quite；’ said Edward。 ‘Put out the torch； Joe； and go on。 And be
silent； there’s a good fellow。’
‘Silent or not silent；’ murmured Joe； as he dropped the flaring
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 727…
Barnaby Rudge 728
link upon the ground； crushed it with his foot； and gave his hand
to Mr Haredale； ‘it was a brave and glorious action；—no man can
alter that。’
Both Mr Haredale and the worthy vintner were too amazed and
too much hurried to ask any further questions； so followed their
conductors in silence。 It seemed； from a short whispering which
presently ensued between them and the vintner relative to the
best way of escape； that they had entered by the back…door； with
the connivance of John Grueby； who watched outside with the key
in his pocket； and whom they had taken into their confidence。 A
party of the crowd coming up that way； just as they entered； John
had double…locked the door again； and made off for the soldiers； so
that means of retreat was cut off from under them。
However； as the front…door had been forced； and this minor
crowd； being anxious to get at the liquor； had no fancy for losing
time in breaking down another； but had gone round and got in
from Holborn with the rest； the narrow lane in the rear was quite
free of people。 So； when they had crawled through the passage
indicated by the vintner （which was a mere shelving…trap for the
admission of casks）； and had managed with some difficulty to
unchain and raise the door at the upper end； they emerged into
the street without being observed or interrupted。 Joe still holding
Mr Haredale tight； and Edward taking the same care of the
vin