"What did you do that for?" demanded Old Death savagely.
"Because I suspect you of treachery," returned the highwayman, in a severe tone. "But, remember—I am well armed—and, at the least appearance of evil intent on your part, I fire!"
"You are wrong, Tom—my dear fellow," said Old Death, coaxingly, as he still lingered at the top of the steps.
"Well—I may be; and I shall be glad to find that I am," exclaimed Tom: "and now lead on."
Old Death ascended the few remaining steps; and Rainford followed with his pistol in one hand and the candle in the other.
They were now in a small room furnished as a bed-chamber; and when Old Death had let down the trap-door again, he unrolled and spread a small carpet over it.
"This is your residence?" said Rainford inquiringly.
The old man nodded a grim assent.
"And your store-rooms are in this house?—for I can perfectly well understand that we have come into another house—and, by the direction of the subterranean, I should say it must be in Red Lion Street."
"You know London well," said Old Death.