‘And they’ll lag you if they see you. You said they would,’ said Edward, not at all sure what lagging was, but sure that it was something dreadful. ‘Write a letter and put it in his letter-box. They’ll find it in the morning.’
‘And leave you pinned by the hand all night? Likely—I don’t think,’ said Gustus.
‘I’d rather,’ said Edward, bravely, but his voice was weak. ‘I couldn’t bear you to be lagged, Gustus. I do love you so.’
‘None of that,’ said Gustus, sternly. ‘I’ll leave you the lamp; I can find my way with matches. Keep up your pecker, and never say die.’
[p54]
‘I won’t,’ said Edward, bravely. ‘Oh, Gustus!’
That was how it happened that Edward’s father was roused from slumbers by violent shakings from an unknown hand, while an unknown voice uttered these surprising words:—
‘Edward is in the gold and silver and copper mine that we’ve found under your garden. Come and get him out.’
When Edward’s father was at last persuaded that Gustus was not a silly dream—and this took some time—he got up.
He did not believe a word that Gustus said, even when Gustus added ‘S’welp me!’ which he did several times.
But Edward’s bed was empty—his clothes gone.