There was no chance. He sank
down in a heap against the wall, and never hoped again from that moment.
'I am not his friend, although I have the honour to be his relative,'
said Mr Chuzzlewit. 'You may speak to me. Where have you watched, and
what have you seen?'
'I have watched in many places,' returned Nadgett, 'night and day. I
have watched him lately, almost without rest or relief;' his anxious
face and bloodshot eyes confirmed it. 'I little thought to what my
watching was to lead. As little as he did when he slipped out in the
night, dressed in those clothes which he afterwards sunk in a bundle at
London Bridge!'
Jonas moved upon the ground like a man in bodily torture. He uttered a
suppressed groan, as if he had been wounded by some cruel weapon; and
plucked at the iron band upon his wrists, as though (his hands being
free) he would have torn himself.
'Steady, kinsman!' said the chief officer of the party. 'Don't be
violent.'
'Whom do you call kinsman?' asked old Martin sternly.
'You,' said the man, 'among others.'
Martin turned his scrutinizing gaze upon him.
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