CHAPTER XXIII. ESCAPE.

 Humpy made up his mind to accept our hero's offer. Fifty dollars was to him a small fortune, and he saw no reason why he should not earn it. The brutal¹ treatment he had received from Smith removed all the objections he had at first felt.

 

Now, how was he going to fulfil his part of the compact?

 

To release Rufus would be comparatively easy. He happened to know that the key of his own room in the attic² would also fit the door of the chamber³ in which our hero was confined. The difficulty was to get possession of the tin box. He did not even know where it was concealed⁴, and must trust to his own sagacity to find out.

 

To this end he watched his employer carefully whenever he got a chance to do so without being observed, hoping he might take the box out from its place of concealment⁵. Finally Smith noticed the boy's glances, and said, roughly, "What are you looking at, boy? Do you think you shall know me the next time you see me?"

 

Humpy did not reply, but this made him more careful.

 

In the morning he took up our hero's breakfast, meeting Martin on his way downstairs.

 

"Well," said Rufus, eagerly, as he entered the room, "have you found out anything about the box?"

 

"Not yet," said Humpy. "I'm tryin' to find where he's hid it. I can let you out any time."

 

"How?"

 

"I've got a key that fits this lock."

 

"That's well, but I'd rather wait till I can carry the box with me."

 

"I'll do what I can," said Humpy. "I'm goin' to watch him sharp. I'd better go down now, or maybe he'll be suspectin' something."

 

Humpy went downstairs, leaving Rufus to eat his breakfast. On his way down his attention was drawn⁶ by angry voices, proceeding⁷ from the room in which he had left Smith. He comprehended at once that Smith and Martin were having a dispute about something. He stood still and listened attentively⁸, and caught the following conversation:—

 

"The boy tells me," said Martin, doggedly⁹, "that there was four hundred dollars in the box. You only gave me fifty."

 

"Then the boy lies!" said Smith, irritated.

 

"I don't believe he does," said Martin. "I don't like him myself, but he aint in the habit of telling lies."

 

"Perhaps you believe him sooner than you do me."

 

"I don't see where the three hundred dollars went," persisted Martin. "Considerin' that I did all the work, fifty dollars was very small for me."

 

"You got half what there was. If there'd been more, you'd have got more."

 

"Why didn't you wait and open the box when I was there?"

 

"Look here," said Smith, menacingly, "if you think I cheated you, you might as well say so right out. I don't like beating around the bush."

 

"The boy says there was four hundred dollars. Turner told him so."

 

"Then Turner lies!" exclaimed Smith, who was the more angry, because the charge was a true one. "The box is just as it was when I opened it. I'll bring it out and show you just where I found the money."

 

When Humpy heard this, his eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation¹⁰. Now, if ever, he would find out the whereabouts of the tin box. Luckily for him the door was just ajar, and by standing¹¹ on the upper part of the staircase he could manage to see into the room.

 

He saw Smith go to a desk at the centre of one side of the room, and open a drawer in it. From this he drew out the box, and, opening it, displayed the contents to Martin.

 

"There," said he, "that's where I found the money. There was a roll of ten ten-dollar bills. I divided them into two equal parts, and gave you your share. I was disappointed myself, for I expected more. I didn't think you'd suspect me of cheating you. But I don't want any fuss. I'll give you ten dollars off my share, and then you can't complain."

 

So saying, he took out a ten from his pocket-book, and handed it to Martin.

 

"Are you satisfied now?" he asked.

 

"I suppose I shall have to be," said Martin, rather sullenly¹³, for he was by no means sure of the veracity¹⁴ of his confederate.

 

"It's all I can do for you at any rate," said Smith. "And now suppose we take breakfast. I shall want you to go to Newark to-day."

 

He replaced the box in the drawer, and, locking it, put the key in his pocket.

 

By this time Humpy thought it would do to reappear.

 

"Where've you been all the time?" asked Smith, roughly.

 

"The boy upstairs was talkin' to me."

 

"What did he say?"

 

"He asked what was your business."

 

"What did you tell him?"

 

"I told him I didn't rightly know; but I thought you was a manufacturer."

 

"Right, Humpy; you're a smart boy," laughed Smith. "You know a thing or two."

 

The boy showed his teeth, and appeared pleased with the compliment.

 

"What else did he ask?"

 

"He asked, would I let him out?"

 

"Did he, the young rascal¹⁵? And what did you tell him?"

 

"Not for Joe!"

 

"Good for you! There's a quarter;" and Smith offered the boy twenty-five cents.

 

"If he'd done that yesterday instead of hittin' me," thought Humpy, "I wouldn't have gone ag'inst him."

 

But the money came too late. Humpy had a brooding sense of wrong, not easily removed, and he had made up his mind to betray his employer.

 

The breakfast proceeded, Humpy waiting upon the table. When the meal was over, Smith gave Martin some instructions, and the latter set out for Newark, which was to be the scene of his operations during the day. About half an hour later Smith said, "Humpy, I've got to go down town; I may be gone all the forenoon. Stay in the house while I am gone, and look out, above all, that that boy upstairs don't escape."

 

"Yes, sir," said Humpy.

 

When Smith left, the coast was clear. There were none in the house except Rufus and the boy who was expected to stand guard over him. The giant had gone to Philadelphia on some business, precisely¹⁶ what Humpy did not understand, and there was nothing to prevent his carrying out his plans.

 

He had two or three old keys in his pocket, and with these he eagerly tried the lock of the drawer. But none exactly fitted. One was too large, the other two were too small.

 

Humpy decided¹⁷ what to do. He left the house, and went to a neighboring locksmith.

 

"I want to get a key," he said.

 

"What size?"

 

"A little smaller than this."

 

"I must know the exact size, or I can't suit you. What is it the key of?"

 

"A drawer."

 

"I can go with you to the house."

 

"That won't do," said Humpy. "I've lost the key, and I don't want the boss to know it. He'd find out if you went to the house."

 

"Then I'll tell you what you can do. Take an impression of the lock in wax. I'll give you some wax, and show you how. Then I'll make a key for you."

 

"Can you do it right off? I'm in a great hurry."

 

"Yes, my son, I'll attend to it right away."

 

He brought a piece of wax, and showed Humpy how to take an impression of a lock.

 

"There," said he, laughing, "that's the first lesson in burglary."

 

Humpy lost no time in hurrying back and following the locksmith's instructions. He then returned to the shop.

 

"How soon can I have the key?"

 

"In an hour. I'm pretty sure I've got a key that will fit this impression with a little filing down. Come back in an hour, and you shall have it."

 

Humpy went back, and seeing that there were some traces of wax on the lock, he carefully washed them off with soap. A little before the hour was up, he reported himself at the locksmith's.

 

"Your key is all ready for you," said the smith. "I guess it will answer."

 

"How much is it?"

 

"Twenty-five cents."

 

Humpy paid the money, and hurried to the house, anxious to make his experiment.

 

The locksmith's assurance was verified. The key did answer. The drawer opened, and the errand-boy's eyes sparkled with pleasure as they rested on the box. He snatched it, hastily relocked the drawer, and went up the stairs two at a time. He had the key of his attic room in his pocket. With this he opened the door of the chamber, and, entering triumphantly¹⁸, displayed to Rufus the tin box.

 

"I've got it!" he ejaculated.

 

Rufus sprang to his feet, and hurried up to him.

 

"You're a trump¹⁹!" he said. "How did you get hold of it?"

 

"I haven't time to tell you now. We must be goin', or Mr. Smith may come back and stop us."

 

"All right!" said Rufus; "I'm ready."

 

The two boys ran downstairs, and, opening the front door, made their egress²⁰ into the street, Rufus with the tin box under his arm.

 

"Where will we go?" asked Humpy.

 

"Are you going with me?"

 

"Yes, I want that money."

 

"You shall have it. You have fairly earned it, and I'll see that you get it, if I have to pay it out of my own pocket."

 

"I shan't go back," said Humpy.

 

"Why not?"

 

"He'll know I let you out. He'll murder me if I go back."

 

"I'll be your friend. I'll get you something to do," said Rufus.

 

"Will you?" said the hunchback, brightening up.

 

"Yes. I won't forget the service you have done me."

 

Rufus had hardly got out these words when Humpy clutched him violently by the arm, and pulled him into a passageway, the door of which was open to the street.

 

"What's that for?" demanded Rufus, inclined to be angry.

 

Humpy put his finger to his lip, and pointed¹² to the street. On the opposite sidewalk Rufus saw Smith sauntering easily along with a cigar in his mouth.

1 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。

2 attic   

n.顶楼，屋顶室

参考例句：

• Leakiness in the roof caused a damp attic.屋漏使顶楼潮湿。
• What's to be done with all this stuff in the attic?顶楼上的材料怎么处理？

3 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

4 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

5 concealment   

n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒

参考例句：

• the concealment of crime 对罪行的隐瞒
• Stay in concealment until the danger has passed. 把自己藏起来，待危险过去后再出来。

6 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

7 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

8 attentively   

adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神

参考例句：

• She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时，她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着，把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 doggedly   

adv.顽强地，固执地

参考例句：

• He was still doggedly pursuing his studies.他仍然顽强地进行着自己的研究。
• He trudged doggedly on until he reached the flat.他顽强地、步履艰难地走着，一直走回了公寓。

10 anticipation   

n.预期，预料，期望

参考例句：

• We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着，期待她的到来。
• The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安，像是感到了地震即将发生。

11 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

12 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

13 sullenly   

不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地

参考例句：

• 'so what?" Tom said sullenly. “那又怎么样呢？”汤姆绷着脸说。
• Emptiness after the paper, I sIt'sullenly in front of the stove. 报看完，想不出能找点什么事做，只好一人坐在火炉旁生气。

14 veracity   

n.诚实

参考例句：

• I can testify to this man's veracity and good character.我可以作证，此人诚实可靠品德良好。
• There is no reason to doubt the veracity of the evidence.没有理由怀疑证据的真实性。

15 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

16 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

17 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

18 triumphantly   

ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地

参考例句：

• The lion was roaring triumphantly. 狮子正在发出胜利的吼叫。
• Robert was looking at me triumphantly. 罗伯特正得意扬扬地看着我。

19 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

20 egress   

n.出去；出口

参考例句：

• Safe access and egress can be achieved by various methods.可以采用各种方法安全的进入或离开。
• Drains achieve a ready egress of the liquid blood.引流能为血液提供一个容易的出口。