"You lost, then?"

"Oh, of course, even my size is against me, you see." Hereupon, once

more, and very suddenly, the Captain relapsed into his gloomy mood,

nor could Barnabas dispel it; his efforts were rewarded only by

monosyllables until, swinging round into a short and rather narrow

street, he brought his horses to a walk.

"Here we are, Beverley!"

"Where?" Barnabas inquired.

"Kirby Street,--his street. And there's the house,--his house," and

Captain Slingsby pointed his whip at a high, flat-fronted house. It

was a repellent-looking place with an iron railing before it, and

beyond this railing a deep and narrow area, where a flight of damp

steps led down to a gloomy door. The street was seemingly a quiet one,

and, at this hour, deserted save for themselves and a solitary man

who stood with his back to them upon the opposite side of the way,

apparently lost in profound thought. A very tall man he was, and

very upright, despite the long white hair that showed beneath his hat,

which, like his clothes, was old and shabby, and Barnabas noticed

that his feet were bare. This man Captain Slingsby incontinent

hailed in his characteristic fashion.

"Hi,--you over there!" he called. "Hallo!" The man never stirred.

"Oho! b'gad, are you deaf? Just come over here and hold my horses

for me, will you?" The man raised his head suddenly and turned. So

quickly did he turn that the countless gleaming buttons that he wore

upon his coat rang a jingling chime. Now, looking upon this strange

figure, Barnabas started up, and springing from the curricle,

crossed the street and looked upon the man with a smile.

"Have you forgotten me?" said Barnabas. The man smiled in turn, and

sweeping off the weather-beaten hat, saluted him with an old-time

bow of elaborate grace.

"Sir." he answered in his deep, rich voice, "Billy Button never

forgets--faces. You are Barnaby Bright--Barnabas, 't is all the same.

Sir, Billy Button salutes you."

"Why, then," said Barnabas, rather diffidently, seeing the other's

grave dignity, "will you oblige me by--by holding my friend's horses?

They are rather high-spirited and nervous."

"Nervous, sir? Ah, then they need me. Billy Button shall sing to them,

horses love music, and, like trees, are excellent listeners."

Forthwith Billy Button crossed the street with his long, stately

stride, and taking the leader's bridle, fell to soothing the horses

with soft words, and to patting them with gentle, knowing hands.

"B'gad!" exclaimed the Captain, staring, "that fellow has been used

to horses--once upon a time. Poor devil!" As he spoke he glanced

from Billy Button's naked feet and threadbare clothes to his own

glossy Hessians and immaculate garments, and Barnabas saw him wince

as he turned towards the door of Jasper Gaunt's house. Now when

Barnabas would have followed, Billy Button caught him suddenly by

the sleeve.




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