hey were all
gone save Basset, who was leisurely collecting his papers together and
fastening them with a string. I turned my eyes everywhere, to see if
Bubbleton had not remained. But no; he had left me like the rest, and I
was alone with the man I most dreaded and disliked of all the world.

"Well, sir," said Basset, as he thrust the papers into the pocket of his
greatcoat, "I'm ready now."

"Where to, sir?" replied I, sternly, as he moved to leave the room;
for without thinking of how and why I was to succeed in it, a vague
resolution of defiance flitted through my mind.

"To my house, sir; or to Newgate, if you prefer it. Don't mistake,
young gentleman, for a moment, the position you occupy; you owe your
liberation at this moment not to any merits of your own. Your connection
with the disaffected and rebellious body is well known: my interest with
the Government is your only protection. Again, sir, let me add, that
I have no peculiar desire for your company in my family; neither the
habits nor the opinions you have acquired will suit those you 'll meet
there."

"Why, then, have you interfered with me?" said I, passionately. "Why
not have left me to my fate? Be it what it might, it would have been not
less acceptable, I assure you, than to become an inmate of your house."

"That question were very easily answered," said he, interrupting me.

"Then, why not do so?"

"Come, come, sir; these are not the terms which are to subsist between
us, nor is this the place to discuss our difference. Follow me."

He led the way downstairs as he spoke, and, taking my arm within his,
turned into the street. Without a word on either side, we proceeded down
Parliament Street, and crossing Essex Bridge, followed the quays for
some time; then turning into Stafford Street, we arrived at a house,
when having taken a latchkey from his pocket. Basset opened the door and
ushered me in, muttering half aloud as he turned the key in the lock,
and fastened the bolt, "Safe at last!" We turned from the narrow hall
into a small parlor, which, from its dingy furniture of writing-desk and
stools, I guessed to serve as an office. Here my companion lit a candle
from the embers of the fire, and having carefully closed the door, he
motioned me to a seat.

"I have already told you, sir, that I am not in the least covetous of
your company in my house; circumstances which I may or may not
explain hereafter have led me to rescue you from the disgra