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haggard and careworn； listening in the solitary house to every
sound that stirred； with the taper shining through the chinks until
the day should turn it pale and end his lonely watching。
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Chapter 43
ext morning brought no satisfaction to the locksmith’s
Nthoughts； nor next day； nor the next； nor many others。
Often after nightfall he entered the street； and turned his
eyes towards the well…known house； and as surely as he did so；
there was the solitary light； still gleaming through the crevices of
the window…shutter； while all within was motionless； noiseless；
cheerless； as a grave。 Unwilling to hazard Mr Haredale’s favour by
disobeying his strict injunction； he never ventured to knock at the
door or to make his presence known in any way。 But whenever
strong interest and curiosity attracted him to the spot—which was
not seldom—the light was always there。
If he could have known what passed within； the knowledge
would have yielded him no clue to this mysterious vigil。 At
twilight； Mr Haredale shut himself up； and at daybreak he came
forth。 He never missed a night； always came and went alone； and
never varied his proceedings in the least degree。
The manner of his watch was this。 At dusk； he entered the
house in the same way as when the locksmith bore him company；
kindled a light； went through the rooms； and narrowly examined
them。 That done； he returned to the chamber on the ground…floor；
and laying his sword and pistols on the table； sat by it until
morning。
He usually had a book with him； and often tried to read； but
never fixed his eyes or thoughts upon it for five minutes together。
The slightest noise without doors； caught his ear； a step upon the
pavement seemed to make his heart leap。
He was not without some refreshment during the long lonely
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hours； generally carrying in his pocket a sandwich of bread and
meat； and a small flask of wine。 The latter diluted with large
quantities of water； he drank in a heated； feverish way； as though
his throat were dried； but he scarcely ever broke his fast； by so
much as a crumb of bread。
If this voluntary sacrifice of sleep and comfort had its origin； as
the locksmith on consideration was disposed to think； in any
superstitious expectation of the fulfilment of a dream or vision
connected with the event on which he had brooded for so many
years； and if he waited for some ghostly visitor who walked abroad
when men lay sleeping in their beds； he showed no trace of fear or
wavering。 His stern features expressed inflexible resolution； his
brows were puckered； and his lips compressed； with deep and
settled purpose； and when he started at a noise and listened； it was
not with the start of fear but hope； and catching up his sword as
though the hour had come at last； he would clutch it in his tight…
clenched hand； and listen with sparkling eyes and eager looks；
until it died away。
These disappointments were numerous； for they ensued on
almost every sound； but his constancy was not shaken。 Still； every
night he was at his post； the same stern； sleepless； sentinel； and
still night passed； and morning dawned； and he must watch again。
This went on for weeks； he had taken a lodging at Vauxhall in
which to pass the day and rest himself； and from this place； when
the tide served； he usually came to London Bridge from
Westminster by water； in order that he might avoid the busy
streets。
One evening； shortly before twilight； he came his accustomed
road upon the river’s bank； intending to pass through Westminster
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Hall into Palace Yard； and there take boat to London Bridge as
usual。 There was a pretty large concourse of people assembled
round the Houses of Parliament； looking at the members as they
entered and departed； and giving vent to rather noisy
demonstrations of approval or dislike； according to their known
opinions。 As he made his way among the throng； he heard once or
twice the No…Popery cry； which was then becoming pretty familiar
to the ears of most men； but holding it in very slight regard； and
observing that the idlers were of the lowest grade； he neither
thought nor cared about it； but made his way along； with perfect
indifference。
There were many little knots and groups of persons in
Westminster Hall： some few looking upward at its noble ceiling；
and at the rays of evening light； tinted by the setting sun； which
streamed in aslant through its small windows； and growing
dimmer by degrees； were quenched in the gathering gloom below；
some； noisy passengers； mechanics going home from work； and
otherwise； who hurried quickly through； waking the echoes with
their voices； and soon darkening the small door in the distance； as
they passed into the street beyond； some； in busy conference
together on political or private matters； pacing slowly up and
down with eyes that sought the ground； and seeming； by their
attitudes； to listen earnestly from head to foot。 Here； a dozen
squabbling urchins made a very Babel in the air； there； a solitary
man； half clerk； half mendicant； paced up and down with hungry
dejection in his look and gait； at his elbow passed an errand…lad；
swinging his basket round and round； and with his shrill whistle
riving the very timbers of the roof； while a more observant
schoolboy； half…way through； pocketed his ball； and eyed the
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distant beadle as he came looming on。 It was that time of evening
when； if you shut your eyes and open them again； the darkness of
an hour appears to have gathered in a second。 The smooth…worn
pavement； dusty with footsteps； still called upon the lofty walls to
reiterate the shuffle and the tread of feet unceasingly； save when
the closing of some heavy door resounded through the building
like a clap of thunder； and drowned all other noises in its rolling
sound。
Mr Haredale； glancing only at such of these groups as he passed
nearest to； and then in a manner betokening that his thoughts
were elsewhere； had nearly traversed the Hall； when two persons
before him caught his attention。 One of these； a gentleman in
elegant attire； carried in his hand a cane； which he twirled in a
jaunty manner as he loitered on； the other； an obsequious；
crouching； fawning figure； listened to what he said—at times
throwing in a humble word himself—and； with his shoulders
shrugged up to his ears； rubbed his hands submissively； or
answered at intervals by an inclination of the head； half…way
between a nod of acquiescence； and a bow of most profound
respect。
In the abstract there was nothing very remarkable in this pair；
for servility waiting on a handsome suit of clothes and a cane—not
to speak of gold and silver sticks； or wands of office—is common
enough。 But there was that about the well…dressed man； yes； and
about the other likew