Wright came to himself with a start, and looked foolishly around.
"What did you mean by disobeying me just now?" asked the Dumpling with sudden fierceness.
"I'm sorry, sir; I never done it before, as you know, and I'm sorry if I opened my mouth too wide and made a noise. Me and mine has gone through hard times since you were here last. The money you left us was finished nigh upon two weeks ago, and not knowing where you was, and not being able to get any work, we've had nothing to eat. This gentleman here has been very kind to us, and though I've never disobeyed you before, sir, I couldn't lift hand against him, and that's a fact."
The Dumpling seemed genuinely concerned.
"Has it been so bad as that with you, my poor fellow?" he said gravely. "Humphreys shall answer to me for this. I had to be away, it's true, but I left plenty of money with him for all requirements, and I particularly told him that no one, who is in with us, should be allowed to want.
"I'm glad my friend on the floor has been good to you," he continued. "He's of the right stuff, and ought to be with us, Wright—will be with us one day, I hope and believe. You needn't be anxious about him. I don't mean to do him any harm. On the contrary, I want to do him a good turn, if he'll let me. My reason for gagging him was because, when I first came in, I thought you and he were quarrelling. One doesn't do a man any serious amount of damage by sticking a piece of rag in his mouth and tying him up for a half-hour. He, on the other hand, not understanding the situation, and supposing himself to be in danger, might have called out and brought the police about our ears. He'd be sorry for it after, when he knew the facts, so we protected ourselves, and protected him against himself, by taking the precaution of making sure of him first. See?
"Well, now, I want to have a few words with the gentleman, and I can do so better if he and I are alone. You stay outside the door meanwhile, Wright, and see that no one comes in."
Wright gone, and the door closed and locked, the Dumpling turned to me.
"Now, Mr. Rissler, to finish our interrupted conversation of the other night. But first of all about that gag. If I take it off, will you give me your promise, your parole, not to call or cry out, or do anything to bring outsiders in? Nod if you agree. Shake your head, if not."
I nodded.