Pray, sir, what man was that, with whom I saw you in the street last night?'
`I don't know,' replied Newman.
`You had better refresh your memory, sir,' said Ralph, with a threatening look.
`I tell you,' returned Newman boldly, `that I don't know. He came here twice, and asked for you. You were out. He came again. You packed him off, yourself. He gave the name of Brooker.'
`I know he did,' said Ralph; `what then?'
`What then? Why, then he lurked about and dogged me in the street. He follows me, night after night, and urges me to bring him face to face with you; as he says he has been once, and not long ago either. He wants to see you face to face, he says, and you'll soon hear him out, he warrants.'
`And what say you to that?' inquired Ralph, looking keenly at his drudge.
`That it's no business of mine, and I won't. I told him he might catch you in the street, if that was all he wanted, but no! that wouldn't do.
You wouldn't hear a word there, he said. He must have you alone in a room with the door locked, where he could speak without fear, and you'd soon change your tone, and hear him patiently.'
`An audacious dog!' Ralph muttered.
`That's all I know,' said Newman. `I say again, I don't know what man he is. I don't believe he knows himself. You have seen him; perhaps you do.'
`I think I do,' replied Ralph.
`Well,' retored Newman, sulkily, `don't expect me to know him too; that's all. You'll ask me, next, why I never told you this before. What would you say, if I was to tell you all that people say of you? What do you call me when I sometimes do? "Brute, ass!" and snap at me like a dragon.'
This was true enough; though the question which Newman anticipated, was, in fact, upon Ralph's lips at the moment.
`He is an idle ruffian,' said Ralph; `a vagabond from beyond the sea where he travelled for his crimes; a felon let loose to run his neck into the halter; a swindler, who has the audacity to try his schemes on me who know him well. The next time he tampers with you, hand him over to the police, for attempting to extort money by lies and threats,--d'ye hear?--and leave the rest to me. He shall cool his heels in gaol a little time, and I'll be bound he looks for other folks to fleece, when he comes out. You mind what I say, do you?'
`I hear,' said Newman.
`Do it then,' returned Ralph, `and I'll reward you. Now, you may go.'
Newman readily availed himself of the permission, and, shutting himself up in his little office, remained there, in very serious cogitation, all day. When he was released at night, he proceeded, with all the expedition he could use, to the City, and took up his old position behind the pump, to watch for Nicholas--for Newman Noggs was proud in his way, and could not bear to appear as his friend, before the brothers Cheeryble, in the shabby and degraded state to which he was reduced.
He had not occupied this position many minutes, when he was rejoiced to see Nicholas approaching, and darted out from his ambuscade to meet him. Nicholas, on his part, was no less pleased to encounter his friend, whom he had not seen for some time; so, their greeting was a warm one.
`I was thinking of you at that moment,' said Nicholas.
`That's right,' rejoined Newman, `and I of you. I couldn't help coming up, tonight. I say, I think I am going to find out something.'
`And what may that be?' returned Nicholas, smiling at this odd communication.
