“Well, granny,” said he, when Nell entered, “any word of the money?”
Nell cautiously shut the door, and stood immediately fronting him, her hand at some distance from her side, supported by her staff, and her gray glittering eyes fixed upon him with that malicious look which she never could banish from her countenance.
“The money will come,” she replied, “in good time. I've a charm near ready that'll get a clue to it. I'm watchin' him—and I'm watched myself—an' Ellen's watched. He has hardly a house to put his head in; but nabockish! I'll bring you an' him together—ay, dher manim, an' I'll make him give you the first blow; afther that, if you don't give him one, it's your own fau't.”
“Get the money first, granny. I won't give him the blow till it is safe.”
“Won't you?” replied the beldame; “ay, dher Creestha, will you, whin you know what. I have to tell you about him an'—an'——”
“And who, granny?”
“Diououl, man, but I'm afeard to tell you, for fraid you'd kill me.”
“Tut, Nelly; I'd not strike an Obeah-wo-man,” said he, laughing.
“I suspect foul play between him an'—her.”
“Eh? Fury of hell, no!”