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Miss Staggles got tired after awhile, and so there was relief in that quarter, while my seat was most comfortable, and I did not want to be disturbed. Hour after hour passed by, until night came on; then the wind blew colder, and I began to wonder how soon the journey would end, when the collector came to take all the tickets from the Leeds passengers.
Blake convinced?" said Miss Staggles, leering towards me. "Of what?" I asked. "Of Mr. Voltaire's power." "Undoubtedly." "Come," said Kaffar, "Mr. Blake is still a sceptic. I think it fair that he should consent to test this for himself." "Certainly not," I replied. "But I think it our right," said Voltaire.
"And what for all this?" I said. "Surely you haven't taken me up here to give me your impressions concerning Miss Staggles?" "Well, I hev partly, yer honour. The truth is" here he sunk his voice to a whisper "she's very thick with that willain with a hinfidel's name. They're in league, sur." "How do you know?"
Know, man, that you are punishable by the law of England." "How?" "You are guilty of many things that I need not enumerate here; some Kaffar has told me about, some I knew before. So, instead of my lying in a felon's cell, it will be you." Then we all received a great shock. Miss Staggles arose from her chair and rushed towards me. "No, no, Mr. Blake," she cried; "no, not for my sake.
Evidently she was cold, for she stamped her feet against the wood floor with great vehemence. Minute after minute passed by, and still there was no third party. Then I heard a low "hist." "You're late," said the woman's voice, which I recognized as Miss Staggles'. "Yes; and we must not stay long." "Why?" "Because I think we are watched." "But why should we be watched?
"'But if he can be made to leave her, and never speak to her again, will it not show to her that he's what you said he was, and thus turn her against him? "'I don't know. She's been cool enough to drive him away, said that 'ere Miss Staggles. "'But if he leaves disgraced, proved to be a villain, a deceiver, a blackleg, or worse than that, while I show up as an angel of light?
I did not like having confidences in this way; but my brain was confused, and I could not rid myself from the idea that some plot was being concocted against me. Simon looked around to make sure there were no eavesdroppers; then he said, "There's a hancient wirgin 'ere called Miss Staggles, ain't there, Mr. Blake?" "There is. Why?"
Ah, I long for vengeance on the man who murdered my dear friend." "Then you will not release Miss Forrest?" "Never!" "Then I shall make you." "You make me?" he cried savagely. Meanwhile Miss Forrest had clung tremblingly to my arm; Miss Forrest's aunt had looked fearfully, first at Voltaire, then at me; while Miss Staggles had been mumbling something about showing me out of doors.
"You have expressed your want of faith in our power; now, if you have the courage of a man with an opinion, test the matter. Sit here as Simon did, and see whether you are right." I thought I heard a voice saying "Don't!" close to my ear, and I hesitated. At this there was a titter among the young ladies. "Evidently our Thomas is afraid," said Miss Staggles.
Oh, spare him for my sake!" I need not enter into the further explanations she made, nor how she pleaded for mercy for him, for they were painful to all. And did I spare him? Yes; on condition that he left England, never to return again, besides stipulating for Kaffar's safety. He left the house soon after, and we all felt a sense of relief when he had gone, save Miss Staggles, or rather Mrs.
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