pitch of insatiable appetite, that when the door closed he made a swoop at it and drew Venus along with him.

“He mustn’t go,” he cried. “We mustn’t let him go! He has got that bottle about him. We must have that bottle.”

“Why, you wouldn’t take it by force?” said Venus, restraining him.

“Wouldn’t I? Yes I would. I’d take it by any force, I’d have it at any price! Are you so afraid of one old man as to let him go, you coward?”

“I am so afraid of you, as not to let you go,” muttered Venus, sturdily, clasping him in his arms.

“Did you hear him?” retorted Wegg. “Did you hear him say that he was resolved to disappoint us? Did you hear him say, you cur, that he was going to have the Mounds cleared off, when no doubt the whole place will be rummaged? If you haven’t the spirit of a mouse to defend your rights, I have. Let me go after him.”

As in his wildness he was making a strong struggle for it, Mr. Venus deemed it expedient to lift him, throw him, and fall with him; well knowing that, once down, he would not be up again easily with his wooden leg. So they both rolled on the floor, and, as they did so, Mr. Boffin shut the gate.