g a personal
survey of the premises would have been my first thought; but unluckily
I found one of my arms bandaged, and enclosed in a brace of wooden
splints; a very considerable general impression pervaded me of bruises
and injuries all over my body; and, worse still, a kind of megrim
accompanied every attempt to lift my head from the pillow, that made me
heartily glad to lie down again and be at rest.

That I had not fallen into unfriendly hands was about the extent to
which my deductions led me; and with this consolatory fact, and a steady
resolve to remain awake three days, if necessary, so as to interrogate
the first visitor who should approach me, I mustered all my patience,
and waited quietly. What hour of the day it was when first I awoke
to even thus much of consciousness I cannot say; but I well remember
watching what appeared to me twelve mortal hours in my anxious
expectation. At last a key turned in an outer lock, a door opened, and
I heard a heavy foot enter. This was shortly followed by another step,
whose less imposing tread was, I suspected, a woman's.

"Where, in the devil's name, is the candle?" said a gruff voice, that
actually seemed to me not unknown. "I left it on the table when I went
out. Oh, my shin's broke!--that infernal table!"

"Oh, Lord! oh, Lord!" screamed the female voice.

"Ah, you 've caught it too!" cried the other, in glee; "did you think
you saw a little blue flame before you when your shin was barked?"

"You're a monster!" said the lady, in a tone of passionate indignation.

"Here it is,--I have it," replied the other, not paying the slightest
attention to the endearing epithet last bestowed; "and damn me, if it 's
not burned down to the socket. Halloo there, Peter Dodd! You scoundrel,
where are you?"

"Call him Saladin," said the lady, with a sneer, "and perhaps he 'll
answer."

"Imp of darkness, where are you gone to? Peter--Dodd--Dodd--Peter! Ah,
you young blackguard! where were you all this time?"

"Asleep, sir; sure you know well, sir, it 's little rest I get," said
a thin, childish voice in answer. "Wasn't it five o'clock this morning
when I devilled the two kidneys ye had for supper for the four officers,
and had to borrey the kian pepper over the way?"

"I'll bore a gimlet hole through your pineal gland, and stuff it with
brass-headed nails, if you reply to me. Anna Maria, that was a fine
thought, eh? glorious, by Jove! There, put the candle there, hand your
mi