"Yes; why it's the barber's boy."
"It is the same lad he called Tobias—shall we speak to him?"
"Let's make a bolder push, and offer him an ample reward for any information he may give us."
"Agreed, agreed."
They both walked up to Tobias, who was listlessly walking along the streets, and when they reached him, they were both struck with the appearance of care and sadness that was upon the boy's face. He looked perfectly haggard and careworn—an expression sad to see upon the face of one so young; and, when the colonel accosted him in a kindly tone, he seemed so unnerved that tears immediately darted to his eyes, although at the same time he shrank back as if alarmed.
"My lad," said the colonel, "you reside, I think, with Sweeney Todd, the barber. Is he not a kind master to you, that you seem so unhappy?"
"No, no—that is, I mean yes, I have nothing to tell. Let me pass on."
"What is the meaning of this confusion?"
"Nothing, nothing."
"I say, my lad, here is a guinea for you, if you will tell us what became of the man of a sea-faring appearance, who came with a dog to your master's house, some days since, to be shaved."