"All," replied Tidkins. "This is my mate's wife; she answers to the name of Moll, and is stanch to the back-bone."
"Well and good," said Swot. "Now I've as pretty a little idea in my head as ever was born there; but it requires two or three daring—I may say desperate fellers to carry it out."
"You couldn't come to a better shop for them kind of chaps," remarked the Buffer.
"And if it's necessary, I'll deuced soon dress myself up like a lighterman and help you," added Moll.
"I am very much pleased with your pluck, ma'am," said Mr. Swot; "and I drink to your excellent health—and our better acquaintance."
Mr. Swot emptied his mug at a draught, lighted a pipe, and then continued thus:—
"But now, my fine fellers, s'pose I was to start some scheme which is about as dangerous as walking slap into a house on fire to get the iron safe that's full of gold and silver?"
"Well—we're the men to do it," said Tidkins.
"That is," observed the Buffer, "if so be the inducement is equal to the risk."
"Of course," returned Mr. Swot. "Now one more question:—would you sleep in the same room with a man who had the cholera or the small-pox, for instance—supposing you got a thousand pounds each to do it?"