it? Really I don't know
what to say," continued Nancy, biting the tip of her finger, as if
hesitating.

"Don't let them stop you," said Furness; "they will not be likely even
to hear of it; they left the village before me, and no one knows where
they are gone. I tried to find out myself, but could not. It's very
clear that they are gone to America."

"Indeed!" said Nancy, who had put the questions because she wished to
give Joey some information relative to his parents; "gone to America, do
you say?"

"Yes, I am inclined to think so, for I lost all trace of them."

"Well, then," replied Nancy, "that scruple of mine is got over."

She then pointed out to Furness the propriety of waiting an hour or two,
till people were in bed, that there might be no chance of a rescue; and
they returned to the public-house. Furness took another glass of ale,
and then fell fast asleep on the bench, with his head over the table.

"So," thought Nancy, as she left the public-house, "the drunken fool
makes sure of his 200 pounds; but there is no time to be lost."

Nancy hastened back to Mrs Chopper, whom she found sitting with a
candle turning over the leaves of one of the old account books.

"O, Nancy, is that you? I was just sighing over you, here's the things
that were ordered for your wedding. Poor girl! I fear you have not
often been to church since."

Nancy was silent for a short time. "I'm sick of my life and sick of
myself, Mrs Chopper: but what can I do?--a wretch like me! I wish I
could run away, as poor Peter must directly, and go to where I never was
known; I should be so happy."

"Peter must go, do you say, Nancy? Is that certain?"

"Most certain, Mrs Chopper, and he must be off directly I have been
with the marines, and the fellow has told me everything; he is only
waiting now for me to go back, to come and take him."

"But tell me, Nancy, has Peter been guilty?"

"I believe from my heart that he has done nothing; but still murder was
committed, and Peter will be apprehended, unless you give him the means
of running away. Where is he now?"

"Asleep, fast asleep: I didn't like to wake him, poor fellow!"

"Then he must be innocent, Mrs Chopper: they say the guilty never
sleep. But what will he do--he has no money?"

"He has saved me a mint of money, and he shall not want it," replied
Mrs Chopper. "What shall I do without him? I can't bear to part with
him."

"But you must, Mrs Chopper; and, if y