Part 24 (1/2)
'Of course it could be done, but there would be the deuce to pay about it. Besides, you couldn't keep her when you had her. She would go back, and as likely as not Jim Dennis would shoot you or burn your place over your head.'
'I'll risk all that. Can you get her? Your gang ought to be able to manage it.'
'It's a difficult job, but it could be done. What's your price?'
'A hundred pounds when she is brought to my house,' said Shaw.
'I'll think it over and let you know, but you are a fool for your pains.
Fancy risking so much for a black gin.'
'She is not a black gin, she is a very fine woman,' said Shaw.
Abe Dalton shrugged his shoulders and looked at the speaker with undisguised contempt, which was, however, lost upon him.
'Is it a bargain?' asked Rodney Shaw.
'I'll do my best. Money down, mind you, and you take all the blame,'
said Dalton.
'Agreed,' said Rodney Shaw; 'and the sooner you kidnap her the better.'
'A little bit of ”blackbirding” ash.o.r.e,' laughed Dalton, and Shaw joined him in his mirth.
When Dr Tom and Jim Dennis had seen Neptune safely locked up for the night, with the black fellow inside his box, they walked home together.
'Willie's asleep,' said Jim, as he saw him lying on the floor.
'Funny little chap. Why didn't he lie on the couch?' said Dr Tom; then, with his practised eyes, he noticed how still and unnaturally calm the lad was. He stooped over him and gave an exclamation of surprise, with a tone of alarm in it.
Jim Dennis was down on his knees beside the boy in a moment.
'He must have fainted and fallen out of his chair,' said Dr Tom, picking him up and placing him on the sofa.
Jim Dennis was in an agony of fear. He seemed utterly helpless. Dr Tom felt Willie's head, and found a lump at the back where he had been struck with the pestle.
'Jim, he's been hit on the head, and a heavy blow it must have been.
Keep quiet and I'll soon pull him round.'
Jim Dennis looked on half dazed. He could not realise what had happened.
In a short time, under Dr Tom's treatment, Willie came round, and, opening his eyes, looked about him.
'Oh, my head,' he said faintly, and seemed on the verge of going off again.
The blow was severe, but not so serious as might have been expected.