At the least sound he would start up, and would go to Billings's door and listen.

Wood used to hear him creeping through the passages, and returning stealthily to his own chamber.
One day the woman and her son had been angrily taunting him in the presence of a neighbour.

The neighbour retired soon; and Hayes, who had gone with him to the door, heard, on returning, the voice of Wood in the parlour.

The old man laughed in his usual saturnine way, and said, "Have a care, Mrs.Cat; for if Hayes were to die suddenly, by the laws, the neighbours would accuse thee of his death." Hayes started as if he had been shot.

"He too is in the plot," thought he.