"I, sir?" said Johanna, creeping closer still to the sharpening stone.
"Yes, villain, you. At least, I think so—I am pretty sure; but mark me, if I were quite sure, you should suffer for it."
He closed the door again; and then when he was alone, he placed his two hands upon his head for a few moments, and said—
"What does it mean? A boy brought him a letter; I saw him come and go. At least it looked like a letter. Could it be the bill he spoke of, and then the sudden upset of that chair, which prevented me from hearing if the piece of cat-gut I had fastened to the handle of the door had been moved, before I touched it or not. I will kill him. That is safe. It is the only plan; I will kill all who is now in my way. All—all. Yes, I will, if needs be, wade up to my neck in blood to the accomplishment of my wishes."
Todd went to a cupboard and got out a large knife, such as is used by slaughtermen in the shambles, and hid it under the table cover, but in such a place that he could lay hold of it and draw it out in a moment.
"Charley," he cried, "Charley."
"Yes, sir."
"Step in here a moment; I want you, my boy."
"Shall I or shall I not," thought Johanna. "Is this danger, or only the appearance of it? Heaven direct me now! Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do?"
"Charley? Are you coming, my boy?"