"Begad! you're right," said the latter. "He be a load, surely."
"Well," said Bill, "the doctor has got the full worth of his money, and no mistake. For less than ten guineas I wouldn't have undertaken the task on such a night as this. Hark! how the wind howls. My teeth chatter in spite of myself. Poor Jack! Many's the good draught of malt he has drawn for me in his father's tap-room!"
"Peace, you fool!" cried Tom; "don't talk so loud, or the thing will get wind in the village, and we shall get torn to pieces. Hush! there is someone behind the hedge."
Then they walked on in silence for some time, and on the way I was once more hoisted on to the shoulders of Bill.
"Oh, you beggar, what a weight you be!" said Bill, addressing me. "Well, we're paid for it, so I suppose I must carry you," and off we trudged again.
"This is the way to Dr. Slasher's house," said Tom. "I see a light in the windows; he is awaiting us."
"Well," said Bill, "we've been pretty punctual. It is not much past twelve o'clock. Here we are at last."
The two men stopped, and one threw some earth against the doctor's window. The next moment I heard footsteps within, and the door was opened noiselessly.
"Hush!" said the doctor's voice.
The two men entered the house, when I was taken out of my sack and deposited upon a table in the doctor's study. It was the same doctor who had attended me during my illness.