For some time he had the inhumanity to read
me a lecture as to the incredible silliness, 'not to say
immorality,' of my behaviour. 'I have the satisfaction in telling
you my opinion, because it appears that you are going to get off
scot free,' he continued, where, indeed, I thought he might have
begun.
'The man, Faa, has been discharged cured; and the two men, Todd and
Candlish, would have been leeberated lone ago if it had not been
for their extraordinary loyalty to yourself, Mr. Ducie--or Mr. St.
Ivey, as I believe I should now call you. Never a word would
either of the two old fools volunteer that in any manner pointed at
the existence of such a person; and when they were confronted with
Faa's version of the affair, they gave accounts so entirely
discrepant with their own former declarations, as well as with each
other, that the Fiscal was quite nonplussed, and imaigined there
was something behind it. You may believe I soon laughed him out of
that! And I had the satisfaction of seeing your two friends set
free, and very glad to be on the causeway again.'
'Oh, sir,' I cried, 'you should have brought them here.'
'No instructions, Mr. Ducie!' said he. 'How did I know you wished
to renew an acquaintance which you had just terminated so
fortunately? And, indeed, to be frank with you, I should have set
my face against it, if you had! Let them go! They are paid and
contented, and have the highest possible opinion of Mr.
Pages:
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369