The Jew sighed and shook his head despondingly.
"We must make up for lost time when we've got things into a good train, that's all I know," said Sikes.
"That's the way to talk, my dear," replied the Jew, venturing to pat him on the shoulder. "It does me good to hear you."
"Does you good does it!" cried Sikes. "Well, so be it."
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the Jew, as if he were relieved by even this concession. "You're like yourself to-night, Bill—quite like yourself."
"I don't feel like myself when you lay that withered old claw on my shoulder, so take it away," said Sikes casting off the Jew's hand.
"It makes you nervous, Bill,—reminds you of being nabbed, does it?" said the Jew, determined not to be offended.
"Reminds me of being nabbed by the devil," returned Sikes. "Not by a trap. There never was another man with such a face as
