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jaded senses； oppressed and burdened with the dreadful scenes of
last night； and many nights before； all the beauties of opening day；
which he had so often tasted； and in which he had had such deep
delight； fell heavily。 He thought of the blithe mornings when he
and the dogs went bounding on together through the woods and
fields； and the recollection filled his eyes with tears。 He had no
consciousness； God help him； of having done wrong； nor had he
any new perception of the merits of the cause in which he had
been engaged； or those of the men who advocated it； but he was
full of cares now； and regrets； and dismal recollections； and wishes
（quite unknown to him before） that this or that event had never
happened； and that the sorrow and suffering of so many people
had been spared。 And now he began to think how happy they
would be—his father； mother； he； and Hugh—if they rambled
away together； and lived in some lonely place； where there were
none of these troubles； and that perhaps the blind man； who had
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talked so wisely about gold； and told him of the great secrets he
knew； could teach them how to live without being pinched by
want。 As this occurred to him； he was the more sorry that he had
not seen him last night； and he was still brooding over this regret；
when his father came； and touched him on the shoulder。
‘Ah！’ cried Barnaby； starting from his fit of thoughtfulness。 ‘Is it
only you？’
‘Who should it be？’
‘I almost thought；’ he answered； ‘it was the blind man。 I must
have some talk with him； father。’
‘And so must I； for without seeing him； I don’t know where to
fly or what to do； and lingering here； is death。 You must go to him
again； and bring him here。’
‘Must I！’ cried Barnaby； delighted； ‘that’s brave； father。 That’s
what I want to do。’
‘But you must bring only him； and none other。 And though you
wait at his door a whole day and night； still you must wait； and not
come back without him。’
‘Don’t you fear that；’ he cried gaily。 ‘He shall come； he shall
come。’
‘Trim off these gewgaws；’ said his father； plucking the scraps of
ribbon and the feathers from his hat； ‘and over your own dress
wear my cloak。 Take heed how you go； and they will be too busy in
the streets to notice you。 Of your coming back you need take no
account； for he’ll manage that； safely。’
‘To be sure！’ said Barnaby。 ‘To be sure he will！ A wise man；
father； and one who can teach us to be rich。 Oh！ I know him； I
know him。’
He was speedily dressed； and as well disguised as he could be。
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With a lighter heart he then set off upon his second journey；
leaving Hugh； who was still in a drunken stupor； stretched upon
the ground within the shed； and his father walking to and fro
before it。
The murderer； full of anxious thoughts； looked after him； and
paced up and down； disquieted by every breath of air that
whispered among the boughs； and by every light shadow thrown
by the passing clouds upon the daisied ground。 He was anxious for
his safe return； and yet； though his own life and safety hung upon
it； felt a relief while he was gone。 In the intense selfishness which
the constant presence before him of his great crimes； and their
consequences here and hereafter； engendered； every thought of
Barnaby； as his son； was swallowed up and lost。 Still； his presence
was a torture and reproach； in his wild eyes； there were terrible
images of that guilty night； with his unearthly aspect； and his half…
formed mind； he seemed to the murderer a creature who had
sprung into existence from his victim’s blood。 He could not bear
his look； his voice； his touch； and yet he was forced； by his own
desperate condition and his only hope of cheating the gibbet； to
have him by his side； and to know that he was inseparable from
his single chance of escape。
He walked to and fro； with little rest； all day； revolving these
things in his mind； and still Hugh lay； unconscious； in the shed。 At
length； when the sun was setting； Barnaby returned； leading the
blind man； and talking earnestly to him as they came along
together。
The murderer advanced to meet them； and bidding his son go
on and speak to Hugh； who had just then staggered to his feet；
took his place at the blind man’s elbow； and slowly followed；
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towards the shed。
‘Why did you send him？’ said Stagg。 ‘Don’t you know it was the
way to have him lost； as soon as found？’
‘Would you have had me come myself？’ returned the other。
‘Humph！ Perhaps not。 I was before the jail on Tuesday night；
but missed you in the crowd。 I was out last night； too。 There was
good work last night—gay work—profitable work’—he added；
rattling the money in his pockets。
‘Have you—’
—‘Seen your good lady？ Yes。’
‘Do you mean to tell me more； or not？’
‘I’ll tell you all；’ returned the blind man； with a laugh。 ‘Excuse
me—but I love to see you so impatient。 There’s energy in it。’
‘Does she consent to say the word that may save me？’
‘No；’ returned the blind man emphatically； as he turned his face
towards him。 ‘No。 Thus it is。 She has been at death’s door since
she lost her darling—has been insensible； and I know not what。 I
tracked her to a hospital； and presented myself （with your leave） at
her bedside。 Our talk was not a long one； for she was weak； and
there being people near I was not quite easy。 But I