CHAPTER XXIII

NARRATIVE CONTINUED

When Redgauntlet left the room, in haste and discomposure, the first person he met on the stair, and indeed so close by the door of the apartment that Darsie thought he must have been listening there, was his attendant Nixon.

'What the devil do you here?' he said, abruptly and sternly.

'I wait your orders,' said Nixon. 'I hope all's right!--excuse my zeal.'

'All is wrong, sir. Where is the seafaring fellow--Ewart--what do you call him?'

'Nanty Ewart, sir. I will carry your commands,' said Nixon.

'I will deliver them myself to him,' said Redgauntlet; call him hither.'

'But should your honour leave the presence?' said Nixon, still lingering.

''Sdeath, sir, do you prate to me?' said Redgauntlet, bending his brows. 'I, sir, transact my own business; you, I am told, act by a ragged deputy.'

Without further answer, Nixon departed, rather disconcerted, as it seemed to Darsie.

'That dog turns insolent and lazy,' said Redgauntlet; but I must bear with him for a while.'

A moment after, Nixon returned with Ewart.

'Is this the smuggling fellow?' demanded Redgauntlet. Nixon nodded.

'Is he sober now? he was brawling anon.'

'Sober enough for business,' said Nixon.

'Well then, hark ye, Ewart;--man your boat with your best hands, and have her by the pier--get your other fellows on board the brig--if you have any cargo left, throw it overboard; it shall be all paid, five times over--and be ready for a start to Wales or the Hebrides, or perhaps for Sweden or Norway.'

1. Who met Nixon on the staircase?
2. What is Nixon's relationship to him?
3. What did the employer think his servant had been doing?
4. Why?
5. Whose location is asked about?
6. Is there a sailor discussed?
7. What's his name?
8. Is he drunk?
9. Does Redgauntlet think he's a criminal?
10. What crime does he think he's done?
11. Is the servant compared to an animal?
1. Nixon
2. his attendant
3. thought he must have been listening there
4. Because he was so close by the door
5. Wales
6. Yes
7. 'Nanty Ewart
8. No
9. Yes
10. smuggling
11. yes