"If thou dost put it thus," I said, "I will go. It matters little where I drag out the few remaining years left to me. For thy sake I will go."
"Good!" he cried joyfully. "Remember what I have told thee. I will wait for thee on the outside. I pray that our plans may not miscarry. Be brave, and fear naught. I must hurry," and he opened the door and left me.
I could hear the sound of his feet upon the floor as he walked rapidly down the hall. I waited in silence a few minutes, then with both fists I pounded upon the door, and kicked upon it with my heels.
An unsteady voice answered me from the outside:
"What-cher-want? Can't-yer-be-quiet?" and then a hiccough.
"Open!" I cried. "I have a sovereign for thee if thou wilt do an errand for me."
I heard him fumbling with the lock, and then opening the door, he thrust his head inside, and gazed carefully around the room from the ceiling to the floor, until finally his eyes fell upon me, as I stood within three feet of him.
"What-yer-want?" he muttered again. "Can't-yer-lemme-sleep?" And a threatening look came over his drunken face.
"I have a dozen bright gold pieces for thee," I said. "Come inside and thou shalt have them," and I thrust my hand into my pocket, as though to draw them out.
He lurched inside and towards me, his hand outstretched. "Lemme-have-em," he cried in tipsy glee.