Thus, his
whole attention gradually became absorbed upon the cards; and he
thought of nothing else, until a hand upon his shoulder restored
him to a consciousness of Tackleton.
'I am sorry to disturb you--but a word, directly.'
'I'm going to deal,' returned the Carrier. 'It's a crisis.'
'It is,' said Tackleton. 'Come here, man!'
There was that in his pale face which made the other rise
immediately, and ask him, in a hurry, what the matter was.
'Hush! John Peerybingle,' said Tackleton. 'I am sorry for this.
I am indeed. I have been afraid of it. I have suspected it from
the first.'
'What is it?' asked the Carrier, with a frightened aspect.
'Hush! I'll show you, if you'll come with me.'
The Carrier accompanied him, without another word. They went
across a yard, where the stars were shining, and by a little side-
door, into Tackleton's own counting-house, where there was a glass
window, commanding the ware-room, which was closed for the night.
There was no light in the counting-house itself, but there were
lamps in the long narrow ware-room; and consequently the window was
bright.
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