"Perhaps not; but I made a good bit of money that way, taking one thing with another, Mr. Todd."
CHAPTER CXXXVIII.
CAEN WOOD AND HAMPSTEAD IN THE OLD TIMES.
In such discourse as this, the precious pair beguiled the way to Highgate, from which they proposed crossing to Hampstead.
Notwithstanding the liberal potations that they had taken at the Alderman's house; and notwithstanding the brandy that had since been discussed, they neither of them felt any the worse for the imbibition. Probably, the active exercise they took carried off all bad effects. But, certainly, when they reached Highgate, both Todd and Lupin were hungry.
"Let us turn into the Old Gate-House Tavern," said Lupin.
"Don't you think a more obscure place," suggested Todd, "would be better for us, as we do not by any means court popularity?"
"No; there is more safety in a large place like the Gate House, where plenty of guests are coming and going continually, than in a little bit of a public-house where we should be looked at, and scrutinised from top to toe, from the moment we went in to the moment we came out."
"Very good," said Todd. "I think you reason well enough upon the point, and I give in to your better judgment completely. Ah! my good friend, I really don't know what I should have done at all without you."
"Been hanged!" said Lupin.
Todd gave a shudder, which was a tolerably convincing proof of how fully he agreed in what Mr. Lupin said; and then they went into the Old Gate-House Tavern, at Highgate, where they had a very plentiful breakfast; and by getting into a corner of the room, in which they sat, they did not attract any observation beyond the mere casual regards of the visitors to the house.