'I wouldn't have called you, boys, to-night, but I have a job on hand that must be done now or never.'
'We're ready,' said two of the persons addressed, who were now seated on a bench near the counter.
'You are all ready, I hope,' said Cross, who stood up before them, and eyed the individual who was the youngest of the three, and had not united in the assent. 'No skulking now, Jo.'
'No, no, I'm ready for any thing—that is, I s'pose you don't want no bloody work?'
'You are always afraid of blood, Jo. I've never set you at any such work, have I?'
'No, not exactly—but we have come pretty near it sometimes, you know.'
'"Pretty near it"—never hurt any body.'
'Well, let's have the story,' said the eldest of the gang; 'if there is any thing to do to-night, it's time to be about it.'
'You are the fellow, Dick;'—and Cross laid his hand familiarly on the ruffian, and gave him one or two hearty slaps on the back, in manifestation of his warm approval, and as a stimulant to the performance of his reasonable request.
The demand of Mr. Cross upon their services was made in a low tone, and listened to by them with the deepest attention, each head drooping, and with eyes in a gazing attitude fixed upon the floor.