"Then I will."
"Very well, grannie," answered Lucy, putting her arms round her, and kissing her. "Shall I fetch your bonnet?"
Grannie vouchsafed no reply, but took her candle and went—up to bed.
CHAPTER LI.
JACK OF THE NINGPO.
My reader will know better than Lucy or Mr. Fuller what Thomas was after. Having only a hope, he did not like to say much, and therefore, as well as that he might not lose the chance of a night train, he hurried away. The first thing he did was to drive to a certain watchmaker's, to raise money if he could, once more on his watch and on Lucy's ring, which I need not say remained in his possession. But the shop was shut. Then he drove to the Mermaid, and came upon Captain Smith as he was emptying his tumbler of grog preparatory to going to bed.
"I say, captain, you must let Robins off this voyage. I want him to go to Newcastle with me."
"What's up now? Ain't he going to Newcastle? And you can go with him if you like."
"I want him at once. It's of the greatest importance."