The corpulent lady gave a loud scream, and Jacob Gray sneaked under the bed again.
“Beware,” he said, “beware!”
“Oh! Mr. Murderer, spare my life,” she gasped.
“What’s the matter?” said the husband, who had come scuffling down stairs, upon hearing the scream.
“Beware!” whispered Gray.
“N—n—,” gasped the corpulent lady, with the fear of having her throat cut, “nothing—only a—a dream.”
CHAPTER LXXXIV.
The Mystery Explained.—The Escape.—Jacob Gray’s New Lodging.
Jacob Gray was almost distilled with fear as this little dialogue proceeded, and it seemed as if a mountain was taken off his breast when he heard the husband go away, muttering something that was not intended to meet his lady’s ear.
The corpulent lady then commenced a series of groans, which, however, Jacob Gray soon put an end to, by appearing at the bedside, and saying,—