'Well, it's this way,' said Rowley--'Mr. Powl have been at me!
It's to play the spy! I thought he was at it from the first! From
the first I see what he was after--coming round and round, and
hinting things! But to-night he outs with it plump! I'm to let
him hear all what you're to do beforehand, he says; and he gave me
this for an arnest'--holding up half a guinea; 'and I took it, so I
did! Strike me sky-blue scarlet?' says he, adducing the words of
the mock oath; and he looked askance at me as he did so.
I saw that he had forgotten himself, and that he knew it. The
expression of his eye changed almost in the passing of the glance
from the significant to the appealing--from the look of an
accomplice to that of a culprit; and from that moment he became the
model of a well-drilled valet.
'Sky-blue scarlet?' repeated the lawyer. 'Is the fool delirious?'
'No,' said I; 'he is only reminding me of something.'
'Well--and I believe the fellow will be faithful,' said Romaine.
'So you are a friend of Mr. Anne's' too?' he added to Rowley.
'If you please, sir,' said Rowley.
''Tis something sudden,' observed Romaine; 'but it may be genuine
enough. I believe him to be honest. He comes of honest people.
Well, George Rowley, you might embrace some early opportunity to
earn that half-guinea, by telling Mr.
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