'You ha'n't hurt yourself, I hope, Sir?' said Sam, in a loud whisper, as

soon as he had recovered from the surprise consequent upon the

mysterious disappearance of his master.

'I have not hurt MYSELF, Sam, certainly,' replied Mr Pickwick, from

the other side of the wall, 'but I rather think that YOU have hurt me.'

'I hope not, Sir,' said Sam.

'Never mind,' said Mr Pickwick, rising, 'it's nothing but a few

scratches. Go away, or we shall be overheard.'

Good-bye, Sir.'

Good-bye.'

With stealthy steps Sam Weller departed, leaving Mr Pickwick alone in

the garden.

Lights occasionally appeared in the different windows of the house, or

glanced from the staircases, as if the inmates were retiring to rest. Not

caring to go too near the door, until the appointed time, Mr Pickwick

crouched into an angle of the wall, and awaited its arrival.

It was a situation which might well have depressed the spirits of many

a man. Mr Pickwick, however, felt neither depression nor misgiving.

He knew that his purpose was in the main a good one, and he placed

implicit reliance on the high-minded Job. it was dull, certainly; not to

say dreary; but a contemplative man can always employ himself in

meditation. Mr Pickwick had meditated himself into a doze, when he

was roused by the chimes of the neighbouring church ringing out the

hour - half-past eleven.

That's the time,' thought Mr Pickwick, getting cautiously on his feet.

He looked up at the house. The lights had disappeared, and the

shutters were closed - all in bed, no doubt. He walked on tiptoe to the

door, and gave a gentle tap. Two or three minutes passing without any

reply, he gave another tap rather louder, and then another rather

louder than that.

At length the sound of feet was audible upon the stairs, and then the

light of a candle shone through the keyhole of the door. There was a

good deal of unchaining and unbolting, and the door was slowly

opened.

Now the door opened outwards; and as the door opened wider and

wider, Mr Pickwick receded behind it, more and more. What was his

astonishment when he just peeped out, by way of caution, to see that

The Pickwick Papers