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‘‘Now；'' said the former； taking me by the collar； and pulling me into the room among my patients； ‘‘I want to know； my man； if this doctor said that it was likely I was the thief after all？''
‘‘That's what he said；'' replied the cripple； ‘‘just about that； sir。''
I do not desire to dwell on the after conduct of this hot…headed young man。 It was the more disgraceful as I offered but little resistance； and endured a beating such as I would have hesitated to inflict upon a dog。 Nor was this all。 He warned me that if I dared to remain in the city after a week he would shoot me。 In the East I should have thought but little of such a threat； but here it was only too likely to be practically carried out。 Accordingly； with my usual decision of character； but with much grief and reluctance； I collected my whole fortune； which now amounted to at least seven thousand dollars； and turned my back upon this ungrateful town。 I am sorry to say that I also left behind me the last of my good luck。
I traveled in a leisurely way until I reached Boston。 The country anywhere would have been safer； but I do not lean to agricultural pursuits。 It seemed an agreeable city； and I decided to remain。
I took good rooms at Parker's； and concluding to enjoy life； amused myself in the company of certain； I may say uncertain； young women who danced at some of the theaters。 I played billiards； drank rather too much； drove fast horses； and at the end of a delightful year was shocked to find myself in debt； and with only seven dollars and fifty…three cents leftI like to be accurate。 I had only one resource： I determined to visit my deaf aunt and Peninnah； and to see what I could do in the role of the prodigal nephew。 At all events； I should gain time to think of what new enterprise I could take up； but； above all； I needed a little capital and a house over my head。 I had pawned nearly everything of any value which I possessed。
I left my debts to gather interest； and went away to Woodbury。 It was the day before Christmas when I reached the little Jersey town； and it was also by good luck Sunday。 I was hungry and quite penniless。 I wandered about until church had begun； because I was sure then to find Aunt Rachel and Peninnah out at the service； and I desired to explore a little。 The house was closed； and even the one servant absent。 I got in with ease at the back through the kitchen； and having at least an hour and a half free from interruption； I made a leisurely search。 The role of prodigal was well enough； but here was a better chance and an indulgent opportunity。
In a few moments I found the famous Bible hid away under Aunt Rachel's mattress。 The Bible bank was fat with notes； but I intended to be moderate enough to escape suspicion。 Here were quite two thousand dollars。 I resolved to take； just now； only one hundred； so as to keep a good balance。 Then； alas！ I lit on a long envelop； my aunt's will。 Every cent was left to Christ Church； not a dime to poor Pen or to me。 I was in a rage。 I tore up the will and replaced the envelop。 To treat poor Pen that wayPen of all people！ There was a heap more will than testament； for all it was in the Bible。 After that I thought it was right to punish the old witch； and so I took every note I could find。 When I was through with this business； I put back the Bible under the mattress； and observing that I had been quite too long； I went down… stairs with a keen desire to leave the town as early as possible。 I was tempted； however； to look further； and was rewarded by finding in an old clock case a small reticule stuffed with bank…notes。 This I appropriated； and made haste to go out。 I was too late。 As I went into the little entry to get my hat and coat； Aunt Rachel entered； followed by Peninnah。
At sight of me my aunt cried out that I was a monster and fit for the penitentiary。 As she could not hear at all； she had the talk to herself； and went by me and up…stairs； rumbling abuse like distant thunder overhead。
Meanwhile I was taken up with Pen。 The pretty fool was seated on a chair； all dressed up in her Sunday finery； and rocking backward and forward； crying； ‘‘Oh； oh； ah！'' like a lamb saying； ‘‘Baa； baa； baa！'' She never had much sense。 I had to shake her to get a reasonable word。 She mopped her eyes； and I heard her gasp out that my aunt had at last decided that I was the person who had thinned her hoards。 This was bad； but involved less inconvenience than it might have done an hour earlier。 Amid tears Pen told me that a detective had been at the house inquiring for me。 When this happened it seems that the poor little goose had tried to fool deaf Aunt Rachel with some made…up story as to the man having come about taxes。 I suppose the girl was not any too sharp； and the old woman； I guess； read enough from merely seeing the man's lips。 You never could keep anything from her； and she was both curious and suspicious。 She assured the officer that I was a thief； and hoped I might be caught。 I could not learn whether the man told Pen any particulars； but as I was slowly getting at the facts we heard a loud scream and a heavy fall。
Pen said； ‘‘Oh； oh！'' and we hurried up… stairs。 There was the old woman on the floor； her face twitching to right； and her breathing a sort of hoarse croak。 The big Bible lay open on the floor； and I knew what had happened。 It was a fit of apoplexy。
At this very unpleasant sight Pen seemed to recover her wits； and said： ‘‘Go away； go away！ Oh； brother； brother； now I know you have stolen her money and killed her； andand I loved you； I was so proud of you！ Oh； oh！''
This was all very fine； but the advice was good。 I said： ‘‘Yes； I had better go。 Run and get some onea doctor。 It is a fit of hysterics； there is no danger。 I will write to you。 You are quite mistaken。''
This was too feeble even for Pen； and she cried：
‘‘No； never； I never want to see you again。 You would kill me next。''
‘‘Stuff！'' said I； and ran down…stairs。 I seized my coat and hat； and went to the tavern； where I got a man to drive me to Camden。 I have never seen Pen since。 As I crossed the ferry to Philadelphia I saw that I should have asked when the detective had been after me。 I suspected from Pen's terror that it had been recently。
It was Sunday and； as I reminded myself； the day before Christmas。 The ground was covered with snow； and as I walked up Market street my feet were soon soaked。 In my haste I had left my overshoes。 I was very cold； and； as I now see； foolishly fearful。 I kept thinking of what a conspicuous thing a fire…red head is； and of how many people knew me。 As I reached Woodbury early and without a cent； I had eaten nothing all day。 I relied on Pen。
Now I concluded to go down into my old neighborhood and get a lodging where no references were asked。 Next day I would secure a disguise and get out of the way。 I had passed the day without food； as I have just said； and having ample means； concluded to go somewhere and get a good dinner。 It was now close to three in the afternoon。 I was aware of two things： that I was making many plans； and giving them up as soon as made； and that I was suddenly afraid without cause； afraid to enter an eating…house； and in fear of eve