Alas! the five shillings, so easily and so unexpectedly earned, did, for the time, satisfy all my scruples:  so easily are we bribed into what is wrong.  I wished Old Grumble a good-night and left him.  As I returned home, I thought of what he had said about night work, and, instead of making my way to Fisher’s Alley, I returned to the landing-steps, resolving to watch for a time and see what occurred.

I thought of what had passed.  I was not satisfied with myself.  I thought of what Anderson would say, and I felt that I had done wrong.  And then I attempted to exculpate myself.  I could not prove that the things were stolen.  I did not go with any intent to help in such a business.  Old Grumble had only paid me for my work; but then, why did he pay me so much money?  My conscience told me that it was because the dealings were unfair.  I could not persuade myself that I was right.  I looked up at the heavens—­for it was a clear night, and there was a very bright star just above me; and as I looked at it it appeared as if it were an eye beaming down upon me, and piercing into my breast.  I turned away from it, and then looked at it again—­still it had the same appearance.  I thought it was the eye of God—­I trembled, and I resolved to reveal the whole to Anderson the next day, when I heard the sound of oars.  I looked in the direction, and perceived a wherry with two men pulling in.  I was down on the steps, under the shadow of the wall, and they did not see me.  They landed, and handed out of the wherry three large and full canvas bags.  “It’s more than we can carry,” said the voice of a waterman I well knew; “we must leave one in the boat; and be quick, for they are on our scent.  Hollo! who’s that? what are you doing here?  Poor Jack, I declare.”

“Well, mayn’t I have a little night work as well as you?”

“Oh! you’ve come to that, have you?” replied he.  “Well, as you’re waiting for something else, I suppose you could not help us with one of these bags?”

“Yes, I can,” replied I, forgetting all my resolutions; “put it on my back, if it’s not too heavy.”

“No, no; you’re stout enough to carry it.  I say, Jack, can you tell us, does old Nanny fence again, or has she given it up?”

“I believe she does not,” replied I.

“Well,” said he, “just put the question to her to-morrow morning, for she used to be a good ’un; now follow us.”

I walked after them with my load until we came to a by-street; at the shutters of a shop they rapped three times on the iron bar outside which fixed them up; the door was opened, and we put the bags down in the passage, walked out again without a word, and the door was immediately closed.

“Well, Jack,” said the waterman, “I suppose we must tip handsome for the first time:  here’s ten shillings for you, and we’ll let you know when we want you to be on the lookout for us.”

Ten shillings! and five before—­fifteen shillings!  I felt as I were a rich man; all scruples of conscience were, for the time, driven away.  I hurried home rattling the silver in my pocket, and opening the door softly, I crept to bed.  Did I say my prayers that night?  No!!