‘What are you going to do about the Smiths now?’ he said.
‘Do? Why, see’em right, come what may. Marston’s dead, and nothing as I can say will hurt him. I’m a-going to blow the whole gaff—make what they call a clean breast on it. I couldn’t die easy if I thought as I’d left that poor chap to be collared again.’
‘When are you going to do it?’
‘Bimeby,’ answered the old man uneasily; ‘bimeby.’
It was evident that although he had made up his mind to put himself at the mercy of the law, he was loth to do so while the least chance of life remained.
Gurth Egerton left him much perplexed about the disposal of his property, and went away charged with a message to Birnie.
‘Tell him to give us a look in if he can,’ groaned Josh ‘I’m deuced bad, and I can’t sleep. If he sees me he can give me summat as will let me sleep; he’s done it afore. Tell him I shan’t trouble him much longer, but I’d like for to see him if I can.’
Gurth took the thin, trembling hand of the old man and shook it gently.
‘I’ll tell him,’ he said. ‘He’ll come and see you, Josh. He doesn’t forget old friends, though he is such a big pot now.’
‘No, no,’ said Heckett; ‘he’ll come—he’ll come. I want him to tell me how long I shall live, for I’ve a lot to do—a lot to do.’