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diff --git a/old/12151-h.zip b/old/12151-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9152b62 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12151-h.zip diff --git a/old/12151-h/001.jpg b/old/12151-h/001.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..54258f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12151-h/001.jpg diff --git a/old/12151-h/12151-h.htm b/old/12151-h/12151-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f74f4c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12151-h/12151-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1278 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<meta content="pg2html (binary version 0.11)" + name="generator"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + Night Watches: BACK TO BACK + by W.W. Jacobs. +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7;} + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: cursive} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> + + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Back to Back, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Back to Back + Night Watches, Part 1. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 26, 2004 [EBook #12151] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BACK TO BACK *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="cover (127K)" src="cover.jpg" height="899" width="725" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (37K)" src="title.jpg" height="655" width="462" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + + + +<hr> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> + +<a name="2H_4_1"></a> +<h1> + BACK TO BACK +</h1> +<br /><br /> +<p> + Mrs. Scutts, concealed behind the curtain, gazed at the cab in uneasy + amazement. The cabman clambered down from the box and, opening the door, + stood by with his hands extended ready for any help that might be needed. + A stranger was the first to alight, and, with his back towards Mrs. + Scutts, seemed to be struggling with something in the cab. He placed a + dangling hand about his neck and, staggering under the weight, reeled + backwards supporting Mr. Scutts, whose other arm was round the neck of a + third man. In a flash Mrs. Scutts was at the door. +</p> + + +<a name="image-1"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="001.jpg" height="684" width="585" +alt="'oh, Bill!' She Gasped. 'and by Daylight, Too!' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + +<p> + "Oh, Bill!" she gasped. "And by daylight, too!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts raised his head sharply and his lips parted; then his head + sank again, and he became a dead weight in the grasp of his assistants. +</p> +<p> + "He's all right," said one of them, turning to Mrs. Scutts. +</p> +<p> + A deep groan from Mr. Scutts confirmed the statement. +</p> +<p> + "What is it?" inquired his wife, anxiously. +</p> +<p> + "Just a little bit of a railway accident," said one of the strangers. + "Train ran into some empty trucks. Nobody hurt—seriously," he added, in + response to a terrible and annoyed groan from Mr. Scutts. +</p> +<p> + With his feet dragging helplessly, Mr. Scutts was conveyed over his own + doorstep and placed on the sofa. +</p> +<p> + "All the others went off home on their own legs," said one of the + strangers, reproachfully. "He said he couldn't walk, and he wouldn't go + to a hospital." +</p> +<p> + "Wanted to die at home," declared the sufferer. "I ain't going to be cut + about at no 'ospitals." +</p> + +<p> + The two strangers stood by watching him; then they looked at each other. +</p> +<p> + I don't want—no—'ospitals," gasped Mr. Scutts, "I'm going to have my + own doctor." +</p> +<p> + "Of course the company will pay the doctor's bill," said one of the + strangers to Mrs. Scutts or they'll send their own doctor. I expect + he'll be all right to-morrow." +</p> +<p> + "I 'ope so," said Mr. Scutts, "but I don't think it. Thank you for + bringing of me 'ome." +</p> +<p> + He closed his eyes languidly, and kept them closed until the men had + departed. +</p> +<p> + "Can't you walk, Bill?" inquired the tearful Mrs. Scutts. +</p> +<p> + Her husband shook his head. "You go and fetch the doctor," he said, + slowly. "That new one round the corner." +</p> +<p> + "He looks such a boy," objected Mrs. Scutts. +</p> +<p> + "You go and fetch 'im," said Mr. Scutts, raising his voice. "D'ye hear!" +</p> +<p> + "But—" began his wife. +</p> +<p> + "If I get up to you, my gal," said the forgetful Mr. Scutts, "you'll know + it." +</p> +<p> + "Why, I thought—" said his wife, in surprise. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts raised himself on the sofa and shook his fist at her. Then, + as a tribute to appearances, he sank back and groaned again. Mrs. + Scutts, looking somewhat relieved, took her bonnet from a nail and + departed. +</p> +<p> + The examination was long and tedious, but Mr. Scutts, beyond remarking + that he felt chilly, made no complaint. He endeavoured, but in vain, to + perform the tests suggested, and even did his best to stand, supported by + his medical attendant. Self-preservation is the law of Nature, and when + Mr. Scutts's legs and back gave way he saw to it that the doctor was + underneath. +</p> +<p> + "We'll have to get you up to bed," said the latter, rising slowly and + dusting himself. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts, who was lying full length on the floor, acquiesced, and sent + his wife for some neighbours. One of them was a professional furniture- + remover, and, half-way up the narrow stairs, the unfortunate had to + remind him that he was dealing with a British working man, and not a + piano. Four pairs of hands deposited Mr. Scutts with mathematical + precision in the centre of the bed and then proceeded to tuck him in, + while Mrs. Scutts drew the sheet in a straight line under his chin. +</p> +<p> + "Don't look much the matter with 'im," said one of the assistants. +</p> +<p> + "You can't tell with a face like that," said the furniture-remover. + "It's wot you might call a 'appy face. Why, he was 'arf smiling as we, + carried 'im up the stairs." +</p> +<p> + "You're a liar," said Mr. Scutts, opening his eyes. +</p> +<p> + "All right, mate," said the furniture-remover; "all right. There's no + call to get annoyed about it. Good old English pluck, I call it. Where + d'you feel the pain?" +</p> +<p> + "All over," said Mr. Scutts, briefly. +</p> +<p> + His neighbours regarded him with sympathetic eyes, and then, led by the + furniture-remover, filed out of the room on tip-toe. The doctor, with a + few parting instructions, also took his departure. +</p> +<p> + "If you're not better by the morning," he said, pausing at the door, "you + must send for your club doctor." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts, in a feeble voice, thanked him, and lay with a twisted smile + on his face listening to his wife's vivid narrative to the little crowd + which had collected at the front door. She came back, followed by the + next-door neighbour, Mr. James Flynn, whose offers of assistance ranged + from carrying Mr. Scutts out pick-a-back when he wanted to take the air, + to filling his pipe for him and fetching his beer. +</p> +<p> + "But I dare say you'll be up and about in a couple o' days," he + concluded. "You wouldn't look so well if you'd got anything serious the + matter; rosy, fat cheeks and——" +</p> +<p> + "That'll do," said the indignant invalid. "It's my back that's hurt, not + my face." +</p> +<p> + "I know," said Mr. Flynn, nodding sagely; "but if it was hurt bad your + face would be as white as that sheet-whiter." +</p> +<p> + "The doctor said as he was to be kep' quiet," remarked Mrs. Scutts, + sharply. +</p> +<p> + "Right-o," said Mr. Flynn. "Ta-ta, old pal. Keep your pecker up, and if + you want your back rubbed with turps, or anything of that sort, just + knock on the wall." +</p> +<p> + He went, before Mr. Scutts could think of a reply suitable for an invalid + and, at the same time, bristling with virility. A sinful and foolish + desire to leap out of bed and help Mr. Flynn downstairs made him more + rubicund than ever. +</p> +<p> + He sent for the club doctor next morning, and, pending his arrival, + partook of a basin of arrowroot and drank a little beef-tea. A bottle of + castor-oil and an empty pill-box on the table by the bedside added a + little local colour to the scene. +</p> +<p> + "Any pain?" inquired the doctor, after an examination in which bony and + very cold fingers had played a prominent part. +</p> +<p> + "Not much pain," said Mr. Scutts. "Don't seem to have no strength in my + back." +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" said the doctor. +</p> +<p> + "I tried to get up this morning to go to my work," said Mr. Scutts, "but + I can't stand! couldn't get out of bed." +</p> +<p> + "Fearfully upset, he was, pore dear," testified Mrs. Scutts. "He can't + bear losing a day. I s'pose—I s'pose the railway company will 'ave to + do something if it's serious, won't they, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing to do with me," said the doctor. "I'll put him on the club for + a few days; I expect he will be all right soon. He's got a healthy + colour—a very healthy colour." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts waited until he had left the house and then made a few remarks + on the colour question that for impurity of English and strength of + diction have probably never been surpassed. +</p> +<p> + A second visitor that day came after dinner—a tall man in a frock-coat, + bearing in his hand a silk hat, which, after a careful survey of the + room, he hung on a knob of the bedpost. +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Scutts?" he inquired, bowing. +</p> +<p> + "That's me," said Mr. Scutts, in a feeble voice. +</p> +<p> + "I've called from the railway company," said the stranger. "We have seen + now all those who left their names and addresses on Monday afternoon, and + I am glad to say that nobody was really hurt. Nobody." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts, in a faint voice, said he was glad to hear it. +</p> +<p> + "Been a wonder if they had," said the other, cheerfully. "Why, even the + paint wasn't knocked off the engine. The most serious damage appears to + be two top-hats crushed and an umbrella broken." +</p> +<p> + He leaned over the bed-rail and laughed joyously. Mr. Scutts, through + half-closed eyes, gazed at him in silent reproach. +</p> +<p> + "I don't say that one or two people didn't receive a little bit of a + shock to their nerves," said the visitor, thoughtfully. "One lady even + stayed in bed next day. However, I made it all right with them. The + company is very generous, and although of course there is no legal + obligation, they made several of them a present of a few pounds, so that + they could go away for a little change, or anything of that sort, to + quiet their nerves." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts, who had been listening with closed eyes, opened them + languidly and said, "Oh." +</p> +<p> + "I gave one gentleman twen-ty pounds!" said the visitor, jingling some + coins in his trouser-pocket. "I never saw a man so pleased and grateful + in my life. When he signed the receipt for it—I always get them to sign + a receipt, so that the company can see that I haven't kept the money for + myself—he nearly wept with joy." +</p> +<p> + "I should think he would," said Mr. Scutts, slowly—"if he wasn't hurt." +</p> +<p> + "You're the last on my list," said the other, hastily. He produced a + slip of paper from his pocket-book and placed it on the small table, with + a fountain pen. Then, with a smile that was both tender and playful, he + plunged his hand in his pocket and poured a stream of gold on the table. +</p> +<p> + "What do you say to thir-ty pounds?" he said, in a hushed voice. + "Thirty golden goblins?" +</p> +<p> + "What for?" inquired Mr. Scutts, with a notable lack of interest. +</p> +<p> + "For—well, to go away for a day or two," said the visitor. "I find you + in bed; it may be a cold or a bilious attack; or perhaps you had a little + upset of the nerves when the trains kissed each other." +</p> +<p> + "I'm in bed—because—I can't walk-or stand," said Mr. Scutts, speaking + very distinctly. "I'm on my club, and if as 'ow I get well in a day or + two, there's no reason why the company should give me any money. I'm + pore, but I'm honest." +</p> +<p> + "Take my advice as a friend," said the other; "take the money while you + can get it." +</p> +<p> + He nodded significantly at Mr. Scutts and closed one eye. Mr. Scutts + closed both of his. +</p> +<p> + "I 'ad my back hurt in the collision," he said, after a long pause. "I + 'ad to be helped 'ome. So far it seems to get worse, but I 'ope for the + best." +</p> +<p> + "Dear me," said the visitor; "how sad! I suppose it has been coming on + for a long time. Most of these back cases do. At least all the doctors + say so." +</p> +<p> + "It was done in the collision," said Mr. Scutts, mildly but firmly. + "I was as right as rain before then." +</p> +<p> + The visitor shook his head and smiled. "Ah! you would have great + difficulty in proving that," he said, softly; "in fact, speaking as man + to man, I don't mind telling you it would be impossible. I'm afraid I'm + exceeding my duty, but, as you're the last on my list, suppose—suppose + we say forty pounds. Forty! A small fortune." +</p> +<p> + He added some more gold to the pile on the table, and gently tapped Mr. + Scutts's arm with the end of the pen. +</p> +<p> + "Good afternoon," said the invalid. +</p> +<p> + The visitor, justly concerned at his lack of intelligence, took a seat on + the edge of the bed and spoke to him as a friend and a brother, but in + vain. Mr. Scutts reminded him at last that it was medicine-time, after + which, pain and weakness permitting, he was going to try to get a little + sleep. +</p> +<p> + "Forty pounds!" he said to his wife, after the official had departed. + "Why didn't 'e offer me a bag o' sweets?" +</p> +<p> + "It's a lot o' money," said Mrs. Scutts, wistfully. +</p> +<p> + "So's a thousand," said her husband. "I ain't going to 'ave my back + broke for nothing, I can tell you. Now, you keep that mouth o' yours + shut, and if I get it, you shall 'ave a new pair o' boots." +</p> +<p> + "A thousand!" exclaimed the startled Mrs. Scutts. "Have you took leave + of your senses, or what?" +</p> +<p> + "I read a case in the paper where a man got it," said Mr. Scutts. "He + 'ad his back 'urt too, pore chap. How would you like to lay on your back + all your life for a thousand pounds?" +</p> +<p> + "Will you 'ave to lay abed all your life?" inquired his wife, staring. +</p> +<p> + "Wait till I get the money," said Mr. Scutts; "then I might be able to + tell you better." +</p> +<p> + He gazed wistfully at the window. It was late October, but the sun shone + and the air was clear. The sound of traffic and cheerful voices ascended + from the little street. To Mr. Scutts it all seemed to be a part of a + distant past. +</p> +<p> + "If that chap comes round to-morrow and offers me five hundred," he said, + slowly, "I don't know as I won't take it. I'm sick of this mouldy bed." +</p> +<p> + He waited expectantly next day, but nothing happened, and after a week of + bed he began to realize that the job might be a long one. The monotony, + to a man of his active habits, became almost intolerable, and the + narrated adventures of Mr. James Flynn, his only caller, filled him with + an uncontrollable longing to be up and doing. +</p> +<p> + The fine weather went, and Mr. Scutts, in his tumbled bed, lay watching + the rain beating softly on the window-panes. Then one morning he awoke + to the darkness of a London fog. +</p> +<p> + "It gets worse and worse," said Mrs. Scutts, as she returned home in the + afternoon with a relish for his tea. "Can't see your 'and before your + face." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts looked thoughtful. He ate his tea in silence, and after he + had finished lit his pipe and sat up in bed smoking. +</p> +<p> + "Penny for your thoughts," said his wife. +</p> +<p> + "I'm going out," said Mr. Scutts, in a voice that defied opposition. + "I'm going to 'ave a walk, and when I'm far enough away I'm going to 'ave + one or two drinks. I believe this fog is sent a-purpose to save my + life." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Scutts remonstrated, but in vain, and at half-past six the invalid, + with his cap over his eyes and a large scarf tied round the lower part of + his face, listened for a moment at his front door and then disappeared in + the fog. +</p> +<p> + Left to herself, Mrs. Scutts returned to the bedroom and, poking the tiny + fire into a blaze, sat and pondered over the willfulness of men. +</p> +<p> + She was awakened from a doze by a knocking at the street-door. It was + just eight o'clock, and, inwardly congratulating her husband on his + return to common sense and home, she went down and opened it. Two tall + men in silk hats entered the room. +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Scutts?" said one of them. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Scutts, in a dazed fashion, nodded. +</p> +<p> + "We have come to see your husband," said the intruder. "I am a doctor." +</p> +<p> + The panic-stricken Mrs. Scutts tried in vain to think. +</p> +<p> + "He-he's asleep," she said, at last. +</p> +<p> + "Doesn't matter," said the doctor. +</p> +<p> + "Not a bit," said his companion. +</p> +<p> + "You—you can't see him," protested Mrs. Scutts. "He ain't to be seen." +</p> +<p> + "He'd be sorry to miss me," said the doctor, eyeing her keenly as she + stood on guard by the inner door. "I suppose he's at home?" +</p> +<p> + "Of course," said Mrs. Scutts, stammering and flushing. "Why, the pore + man can't stir from his bed." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I'll just peep in at the door, then," said the doctor. "I won't + wake him. You can't object to that. If you do—" +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Scutts's head began to swim. "I'll go up and see whether he's + awake," she said. +</p> +<p> + She closed the door on them and stood with her hand to her throat, + thinking. Then, instead of going upstairs, she passed into the yard and, + stepping over the fence, opened Mr. Flynn's back door. +</p> +<p> + "Halloa!" said that gentleman, who was standing in the scullery removing + mud from his boots. "What's up?" +</p> +<p> + In a frenzied gabble Mrs. Scutts told him. "You must be 'im," she said, + clutching him by the coat and dragging him towards the door. "They've + never seen 'im, and they won't know the difference." +</p> +<p> + "But—" exclaimed the astonished James. +</p> +<p> + "Quick!" she said, sharply. "Go into the back room and undress, then + nip into his room and get into bed. And mind, be fast asleep all the + time." +</p> +<p> + Still holding the bewildered Mr. Flynn by the coat, she led him into the + house and waved him upstairs, and stood below listening until a slight + creaking of the bed announced that he had obeyed orders. Then she + entered the parlour. +</p> +<p> + "He's fast asleep," she said, softly; "and mind, I won't 'ave him + disturbed. It's the first real sleep he's 'ad for nearly a week. If you + promise not to wake 'im you may just have a peep." +</p> +<p> + "We won't disturb him," said the doctor, and, followed by his companion, + noiselessly ascended the stairs and peeped into the room. Mr. Flynn was + fast asleep, and not a muscle moved as the two men approached the bed on + tip-toe and stood looking at him. The doctor turned after a minute and + led the way out of the room. +</p> +<p> + "We'll call again," he said, softly. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir," said Mrs. Scutts. "When?" +</p> +<p> + The doctor and his companion exchanged glances. "I'm very busy just at + present," he said, slowly. "We'll look in some time and take our chance + of catching him awake." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Scutts bowed them out, and in some perplexity returned to Mr. Flynn. + "I don't like the look of 'em," she said, shaking her head. "You'd + better stay in bed till Bill comes 'ome in case they come back." +</p> +<p> + "Right-o," said the obliging Mr. Flynn. "Just step in and tell my + landlady I'm 'aving a chat with Bill." +</p> +<p> + He lit his pipe and sat up in bed smoking until a knock at the front door + at half-past eleven sent him off to sleep again. Mrs. Scutts, who was + sitting downstairs, opened it and admitted her husband. +</p> +<p> + "All serene?" he inquired. "What are you looking like that for? What's + up?" +</p> +<p> + He sat quivering with alarm and rage as she told him, and then, mounting + the stairs with a heavy tread, stood gazing in helpless fury at the + slumbering form of Mr. James Flynn. +</p> +<p> + "Get out o' my bed," he said at last, in a choking voice. +</p> +<p> + "What, Bill!" said Mr. Flynn, opening his eyes. +</p> +<p> + "Get out o' my bed," repeated the other. "You've made a nice mess of it + between you. It's a fine thing if a man can't go out for 'arf a pint + without coming home and finding all the riffraff of the neighbourhood in + 'is bed." +</p> +<p> + "'Ow's the pore back, Bill?" inquired Mr. Flynn, with tenderness. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts gurgled at him. "Outside!" he said as soon as he could get + his breath. +</p> +<p> + "Bill," said the voice of Mrs. Scutts, outside the door. +</p> +<p> + "Halloa," growled her husband. +</p> +<p> + "He mustn't go," said Mrs. Scutts. "Those gentlemen are coming again, + and they think he is you." +</p> +<p> + "WHAT!" roared the infuriated Mr. Scutts. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you see? It's me what's got the pore back now, Bill," said Mr. + Flynn. "You can't pass yourself off as me, Bill; you ain't good-looking + enough." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts, past speech, raised his clenched fists to the ceiling. +</p> +<p> + "He'll 'ave to stay in your bed," continued the voice of Mrs. Scutts. + "He's got a good 'art, and I know he'll do it; won't you, Jim?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Flynn pondered. "Tell my landlady in the morning that I've took your + back room," he said. "What a fortunit thing it is I'm out o' work. What + are you walking up and down like that for, Bill? Back coming on agin?" +</p> +<p> + "Then o' course," pursued the voice of Mrs. Scutts, in meditative + accents, "there's the club doctor and the other gentleman that knows + Bill. They might come at any moment. There's got to be two Bills in + bed, so that if one party comes one Bill can nip into the back room, and + if the other Bill—party, I mean—comes, the other Bill—you know what I + mean!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts swore himself faint. +</p> +<p> + "That's 'ow it is, mate," said Mr. Flynn. "It's no good standing there + saying your little piece of poetry to yourself. Take off your clo'es and + get to bed like a little man. Now! now! Naughty! Naughty!" +</p> +<p> + "P'r'aps I oughtn't to 'ave let 'em up, Bill," said his wife; "but I was + afraid they'd smell a rat if I didn't. Besides, I was took by surprise." +</p> +<p> + "You get off to bed," said Mr. Scutts. "Get off to bed while you're + safe." +</p> +<p> + "And get a good night's rest," added the thoughtful Mr. Flynn. "If + Bill's back is took bad in the night I'll look after it." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts turned a threatening face on him. "For two pins—" he began. +</p> +<p> + "For two pins I'll go back 'ome and stay there," said Mr. Flynn. +</p> +<p> + He put one muscular leg out of bed, and then, at the earnest request of + Mr. Scutts, put it back again. In a few simple, manly words the latter + apologized, by putting all the blame on Mrs. Scutts, and, removing his + clothes, got into bed. +</p> +<p> + Wrapped in bedclothes, they passed the following day listening for knocks + at the door and playing cards. By evening both men were weary, and Mr. + Scutts made a few pointed remarks concerning dodging doctors and + deceitful visitors to which Mr. Flynn listened in silent approval. +</p> +<p> + "They mightn't come for a week," he said, dismally. "It's all right for + you, but where do I come in? Halves?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts had a rush of blood to the head. +</p> +<p> + "You leave it to me, mate," he said, controlling himself by an effort. + "If I get ten quid, say, you shall have 'arf." +</p> +<p> + "And suppose you get more?" demanded the other. +</p> +<p> + "We'll see," said Mr. Scutts, vaguely. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Flynn returned to the charge next day, but got no satisfaction. Mr. + Scutts preferred to talk instead of the free board and lodging his friend + was getting. On the subject of such pay for such work he was almost + eloquent. +</p> +<p> + "I'll bide my time," said Mr. Flynn, darkly. "Treat me fair and I'll + treat you fair." +</p> +<p> + His imprisonment came to an end on the fourth day. There was a knock at + the door, and the sound of men's voices, followed by the hurried + appearance of Mrs. Scutts. +</p> +<p> + "It's <i>Jim's</i> lot," she said, in a hurried whisper. "I've just come up + to get the room ready." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Scutts took his friend by the hand, and after warmly urging him not + to forget the expert instructions he had received concerning his back, + slipped into the back room, and, a prey to forebodings, awaited the + result. +</p> +<p> + "Well, he looks better," said the doctor, regarding Mr. Flynn. +</p> +<p> + "Much better," said his companion. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Scutts shook her head. "His pore back don't seem no better, sir," + she said in a low voice. "Can't you do something for it?" +</p> +<p> + "Let me have a look at it," said the doctor. "Undo your shirt." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Flynn, with slow fingers, fumbled with the button at his neck and + looked hard at Mrs. Scutts. +</p> +<p> + "She can't bear to see me suffer," he said, in a feeble voice, as she + left the room. +</p> +<p> + He bore the examination with the fortitude of an early Christian martyr. + In response to inquiries he said he felt as though the mainspring of his + back had gone. +</p> +<p> + "How long since you walked?" inquired the doctor. +</p> +<p> + "Not since the accident," said Mr. Flynn, firmly. +</p> +<p> + "Try now," said the doctor. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Flynn smiled at him reproachfully. +</p> +<p> + "You can't walk because you think you can't," said the doctor; "that is + all. You'll have to be encouraged the same way that a child is. I + should like to cure you, and I think I can." +</p> +<p> + He took a small canvas bag from the other man and opened it. "Forty + pounds," he said. "Would you like to count it?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Flynn's eyes shone. +</p> +<p> + "It is all yours," said the doctor, "if you can walk across the room and + take it from that gentleman's hand." +</p> +<p> + "Honour bright?" asked Mr. Flynn, in tremulous tones, as the other man + held up the bag and gave him an encouraging smile. +</p> +<p> + "Honour bright," said the doctor. +</p> +<p> + With a spring that nearly broke the bed, Mr. Flynn quitted it and + snatched the bag, and at the same moment Mrs. Scutts, impelled by a + maddened arm, burst into the room. +</p> +<p> + "Your back!" she moaned. "It'll kill you Get back to bed." +</p> +<p> + "I'm cured, lovey," said Mr. Flynn, simply. +</p> +<p> + "His back is as strong as ever," said the doctor, giving it a thump. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Flynn, who had taken his clothes from a chair and was hastily + dressing himself, assented. +</p> +<p> + "But if you'll wait 'arf a tick I'll walk as far as the corner with you," + he said, quickly. "I'd like to make sure it's all right." +</p> +<p> + He paused at the foot of the stairs and, glancing up at the palid and + murderous face of Mr. Scutts, which protruded from the back bedroom, + smiled at him rapturously. Then, with a lordly air, he tossed him five + pieces of gold. +</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Back to Back, by W.W. 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Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Back to Back + Night Watches, Part 1. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 26, 2004 [EBook #12151] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BACK TO BACK *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +NIGHT WATCHES + +by W.W. Jacobs + + + + +BACK TO BACK + +Mrs. Scutts, concealed behind the curtain, gazed at the cab in uneasy +amazement. The cabman clambered down from the box and, opening the +door, stood by with his hands extended ready for any help that might be +needed. A stranger was the first to alight, and, with his back towards +Mrs. Scutts, seemed to be struggling with something in the cab. He +placed a dangling hand about his neck and, staggering under the weight, +reeled backwards supporting Mr. Scutts, whose other arm was round the +neck of a third man. In a flash Mrs. Scutts was at the door. + +"Oh, Bill!" she gasped. "And by daylight, too!" + +Mr. Scutts raised his head sharply and his lips parted; then his head +sank again, and he became a dead weight in the grasp of his assistants. + +"He's all right," said one of them, turning to Mrs. Scutts. + +A deep groan from Mr. Scutts confirmed the statement. + +"What is it?" inquired his wife, anxiously. + +"Just a little bit of a railway accident," said one of the strangers. +"Train ran into some empty trucks. Nobody hurt--seriously," he added, +in response to a terrible and annoyed groan from Mr. Scutts. + +With his feet dragging helplessly, Mr. Scutts was conveyed over his own +doorstep and placed on the sofa. + +"All the others went off home on their own legs," said one of the +strangers, reproachfully. "He said he couldn't walk, and he wouldn't go +to a hospital." + +"Wanted to die at home," declared the sufferer. "I ain't going to be +cut about at no 'ospitals." + +The two strangers stood by watching him; then they looked at each other. + +I don't want--no--'ospitals," gasped Mr. Scutts, "I'm going to have my +own doctor." + +"Of course the company will pay the doctor's bill," said one of the +strangers to Mrs. Scutts or they'll send their own doctor. I expect +he'll be all right to-morrow." + +"I 'ope so," said Mr. Scutts, "but I don't think it. Thank you for +bringing of me 'ome." + +He closed his eyes languidly, and kept them closed until the men had +departed. + +"Can't you walk, Bill?" inquired the tearful Mrs. Scutts. + +Her husband shook his head. "You go and fetch the doctor," he said, +slowly. "That new one round the corner." + +"He looks such a boy," objected Mrs. Scutts. + +"You go and fetch 'im," said Mr. Scutts, raising his voice. "D'ye +hear!" + +"But--" began his wife. + +"If I get up to you, my gal," said the forgetful Mr. Scutts, "you'll +know it." + +"Why, I thought--" said his wife, in surprise. + +Mr. Scutts raised himself on the sofa and shook his fist at her. Then, +as a tribute to appearances, he sank back and groaned again. Mrs. +Scutts, looking somewhat relieved, took her bonnet from a nail and +departed. + +The examination was long and tedious, but Mr. Scutts, beyond remarking +that he felt chilly, made no complaint. He endeavoured, but in vain, to +perform the tests suggested, and even did his best to stand, supported +by his medical attendant. Self-preservation is the law of Nature, and +when Mr. Scutts's legs and back gave way he saw to it that the doctor +was underneath. + +"We'll have to get you up to bed," said the latter, rising slowly and +dusting himself. + +Mr. Scutts, who was lying full length on the floor, acquiesced, and sent +his wife for some neighbours. One of them was a professional furniture- +remover, and, half-way up the narrow stairs, the unfortunate had to +remind him that he was dealing with a British working man, and not a +piano. Four pairs of hands deposited Mr. Scutts with mathematical +precision in the centre of the bed and then proceeded to tuck him in, +while Mrs. Scutts drew the sheet in a straight line under his chin. + +"Don't look much the matter with 'im," said one of the assistants. + +"You can't tell with a face like that," said the furniture-remover. +"It's wot you might call a 'appy face. Why, he was 'arf smiling as we, +carried 'im up the stairs." + +"You're a liar," said Mr. Scutts, opening his eyes. + +"All right, mate," said the furniture-remover; "all right. There's no +call to get annoyed about it. Good old English pluck, I call it. Where +d'you feel the pain?" + +"All over," said Mr. Scutts, briefly. + +His neighbours regarded him with sympathetic eyes, and then, led by the +furniture-remover, filed out of the room on tip-toe. The doctor, with a +few parting instructions, also took his departure. + +"If you're not better by the morning," he said, pausing at the door, +"you must send for your club doctor." + +Mr. Scutts, in a feeble voice, thanked him, and lay with a twisted smile +on his face listening to his wife's vivid narrative to the little crowd +which had collected at the front door. She came back, followed by the +next-door neighbour, Mr. James Flynn, whose offers of assistance ranged +from carrying Mr. Scutts out pick-a-back when he wanted to take the air, +to filling his pipe for him and fetching his beer. + +"But I dare say you'll be up and about in a couple o' days," he +concluded. "You wouldn't look so well if you'd got anything serious the +matter; rosy, fat cheeks and----" + +"That'll do," said the indignant invalid. "It's my back that's hurt, +not my face." + +"I know," said Mr. Flynn, nodding sagely; "but if it was hurt bad your +face would be as white as that sheet-whiter." + +"The doctor said as he was to be kep' quiet," remarked Mrs. Scutts, +sharply. + +"Right-o," said Mr. Flynn. "Ta-ta, old pal. Keep your pecker up, and +if you want your back rubbed with turps, or anything of that sort, just +knock on the wall." + +He went, before Mr. Scutts could think of a reply suitable for an +invalid and, at the same time, bristling with virility. A sinful and +foolish desire to leap out of bed and help Mr. Flynn downstairs made him +more rubicund than ever. + +He sent for the club doctor next morning, and, pending his arrival, +partook of a basin of arrowroot and drank a little beef-tea. A bottle +of castor-oil and an empty pill-box on the table by the bedside added a +little local colour to the scene. + +"Any pain?" inquired the doctor, after an examination in which bony and +very cold fingers had played a prominent part. + +"Not much pain," said Mr. Scutts. "Don't seem to have no strength in my +back." + +"Ah!" said the doctor. + +"I tried to get up this morning to go to my work," said Mr. Scutts, "but +I can't stand! couldn't get out of bed." + +"Fearfully upset, he was, pore dear," testified Mrs. Scutts. "He can't +bear losing a day. I s'pose--I s'pose the railway company will 'ave to +do something if it's serious, won't they, sir?" + +"Nothing to do with me," said the doctor. "I'll put him on the club for +a few days; I expect he will be all right soon. He's got a healthy +colour--a very healthy colour." + +Mr. Scutts waited until he had left the house and then made a few +remarks on the colour question that for impurity of English and strength +of diction have probably never been surpassed. + +A second visitor that day came after dinner--a tall man in a frock-coat, +bearing in his hand a silk hat, which, after a careful survey of the +room, he hung on a knob of the bedpost. + +"Mr. Scutts?" he inquired, bowing. + +"That's me," said Mr. Scutts, in a feeble voice. + +"I've called from the railway company," said the stranger. "We have +seen now all those who left their names and addresses on Monday +afternoon, and I am glad to say that nobody was really hurt. Nobody." + +Mr. Scutts, in a faint voice, said he was glad to hear it. + +"Been a wonder if they had," said the other, cheerfully. "Why, even the +paint wasn't knocked off the engine. The most serious damage appears to +be two top-hats crushed and an umbrella broken." + +He leaned over the bed-rail and laughed joyously. Mr. Scutts, through +half-closed eyes, gazed at him in silent reproach. + +"I don't say that one or two people didn't receive a little bit of a +shock to their nerves," said the visitor, thoughtfully. "One lady even +stayed in bed next day. However, I made it all right with them. The +company is very generous, and although of course there is no legal +obligation, they made several of them a present of a few pounds, so that +they could go away for a little change, or anything of that sort, to +quiet their nerves." + +Mr. Scutts, who had been listening with closed eyes, opened them +languidly and said, "Oh." + +"I gave one gentleman twen-ty pounds!" said the visitor, jingling some +coins in his trouser-pocket. "I never saw a man so pleased and grateful +in my life. When he signed the receipt for it--I always get them to +sign a receipt, so that the company can see that I haven't kept the +money for myself--he nearly wept with joy." + +"I should think he would," said Mr. Scutts, slowly--"if he wasn't hurt." + +"You're the last on my list," said the other, hastily. He produced a +slip of paper from his pocket-book and placed it on the small table, +with a fountain pen. Then, with a smile that was both tender and +playful, he plunged his hand in his pocket and poured a stream of gold +on the table. + +"What do you say to thir-ty pounds?" he said, in a hushed voice. +"Thirty golden goblins?" + +"What for?" inquired Mr. Scutts, with a notable lack of interest. + +"For--well, to go away for a day or two," said the visitor. "I find you +in bed; it may be a cold or a bilious attack; or perhaps you had a +little upset of the nerves when the trains kissed each other." + +"I'm in bed--because--I can't walk-or stand," said Mr. Scutts, speaking +very distinctly. "I'm on my club, and if as 'ow I get well in a day or +two, there's no reason why the company should give me any money. I'm +pore, but I'm honest." + +"Take my advice as a friend," said the other; "take the money while you +can get it." + +He nodded significantly at Mr. Scutts and closed one eye. Mr. Scutts +closed both of his. + +"I 'ad my back hurt in the collision," he said, after a long pause. "I +'ad to be helped 'ome. So far it seems to get worse, but I 'ope for the +best." + +"Dear me," said the visitor; "how sad! I suppose it has been coming on +for a long time. Most of these back cases do. At least all the doctors +say so." + +"It was done in the collision," said Mr. Scutts, mildly but firmly. "I +was as right as rain before then." + +The visitor shook his head and smiled. "Ah! you would have great +difficulty in proving that," he said, softly; "in fact, speaking as man +to man, I don't mind telling you it would be impossible. I'm afraid I'm +exceeding my duty, but, as you're the last on my list, suppose--suppose +we say forty pounds. Forty! A small fortune." + +He added some more gold to the pile on the table, and gently tapped Mr. +Scutts's arm with the end of the pen. + +"Good afternoon," said the invalid. + +The visitor, justly concerned at his lack of intelligence, took a seat +on the edge of the bed and spoke to him as a friend and a brother, but +in vain. Mr. Scutts reminded him at last that it was medicine-time, +after which, pain and weakness permitting, he was going to try to get a +little sleep. + +"Forty pounds!" he said to his wife, after the official had departed. +"Why didn't 'e offer me a bag o' sweets?" + +"It's a lot o' money," said Mrs. Scutts, wistfully. + +"So's a thousand," said her husband. "I ain't going to 'ave my back +broke for nothing, I can tell you. Now, you keep that mouth o' yours +shut, and if I get it, you shall 'ave a new pair o' boots." + +"A thousand!" exclaimed the startled Mrs. Scutts. "Have you took leave +of your senses, or what?" + +"I read a case in the paper where a man got it," said Mr. Scutts. "He +'ad his back 'urt too, pore chap. How would you like to lay on your +back all your life for a thousand pounds?" + +"Will you 'ave to lay abed all your life?" inquired his wife, staring. + +"Wait till I get the money," said Mr. Scutts; "then I might be able to +tell you better." + +He gazed wistfully at the window. It was late October, but the sun +shone and the air was clear. The sound of traffic and cheerful voices +ascended from the little street. To Mr. Scutts it all seemed to be a +part of a distant past. + +"If that chap comes round to-morrow and offers me five hundred," he +said, slowly, "I don't know as I won't take it. I'm sick of this mouldy +bed." + +He waited expectantly next day, but nothing happened, and after a week +of bed he began to realize that the job might be a long one. The +monotony, to a man of his active habits, became almost intolerable, and +the narrated adventures of Mr. James Flynn, his only caller, filled him +with an uncontrollable longing to be up and doing. + +The fine weather went, and Mr. Scutts, in his tumbled bed, lay watching +the rain beating softly on the window-panes. Then one morning he awoke +to the darkness of a London fog. + +"It gets worse and worse," said Mrs. Scutts, as she returned home in the +afternoon with a relish for his tea. "Can't see your 'and before your +face." + +Mr. Scutts looked thoughtful. He ate his tea in silence, and after he +had finished lit his pipe and sat up in bed smoking. + +"Penny for your thoughts," said his wife. + +"I'm going out," said Mr. Scutts, in a voice that defied opposition. +"I'm going to 'ave a walk, and when I'm far enough away I'm going to +'ave one or two drinks. I believe this fog is sent a-purpose to save my +life." + +Mrs. Scutts remonstrated, but in vain, and at half-past six the invalid, +with his cap over his eyes and a large scarf tied round the lower part +of his face, listened for a moment at his front door and then +disappeared in the fog. + +Left to herself, Mrs. Scutts returned to the bedroom and, poking the +tiny fire into a blaze, sat and pondered over the willfulness of men. + +She was awakened from a doze by a knocking at the street-door. It was +just eight o'clock, and, inwardly congratulating her husband on his +return to common sense and home, she went down and opened it. Two tall +men in silk hats entered the room. + +"Mrs. Scutts?" said one of them. + +Mrs. Scutts, in a dazed fashion, nodded. + +"We have come to see your husband," said the intruder. "I am a doctor." + +The panic-stricken Mrs. Scutts tried in vain to think. + +"He-he's asleep," she said, at last. + +"Doesn't matter," said the doctor. + +"Not a bit," said his companion. + +"You--you can't see him," protested Mrs. Scutts. "He ain't to be seen." + +"He'd be sorry to miss me," said the doctor, eyeing her keenly as she +stood on guard by the inner door. "I suppose he's at home?" + +"Of course," said Mrs. Scutts, stammering and flushing. "Why, the pore +man can't stir from his bed." + +"Well, I'll just peep in at the door, then," said the doctor. "I won't +wake him. You can't object to that. If you do--" + +Mrs. Scutts's head began to swim. "I'll go up and see whether he's +awake," she said. + +She closed the door on them and stood with her hand to her throat, +thinking. Then, instead of going upstairs, she passed into the yard +and, stepping over the fence, opened Mr. Flynn's back door. + +"Halloa!" said that gentleman, who was standing in the scullery +removing mud from his boots. "What's up?" + +In a frenzied gabble Mrs. Scutts told him. "You must be 'im," she said, +clutching him by the coat and dragging him towards the door. "They've +never seen 'im, and they won't know the difference." + +"But--" exclaimed the astonished James. + +"Quick!" she said, sharply. "Go into the back room and undress, then +nip into his room and get into bed. And mind, be fast asleep all the +time." + +Still holding the bewildered Mr. Flynn by the coat, she led him into the +house and waved him upstairs, and stood below listening until a slight +creaking of the bed announced that he had obeyed orders. Then she +entered the parlour. + +"He's fast asleep," she said, softly; "and mind, I won't 'ave him +disturbed. It's the first real sleep he's 'ad for nearly a week. If +you promise not to wake 'im you may just have a peep." + +"We won't disturb him," said the doctor, and, followed by his companion, +noiselessly ascended the stairs and peeped into the room. Mr. Flynn was +fast asleep, and not a muscle moved as the two men approached the bed on +tip-toe and stood looking at him. The doctor turned after a minute and +led the way out of the room. + +"We'll call again," he said, softly. + +"Yes, sir," said Mrs. Scutts. "When?" + +The doctor and his companion exchanged glances. "I'm very busy just at +present," he said, slowly. "We'll look in some time and take our chance +of catching him awake." + +Mrs. Scutts bowed them out, and in some perplexity returned to Mr. +Flynn. "I don't like the look of 'em," she said, shaking her head. +"You'd better stay in bed till Bill comes 'ome in case they come back." + +"Right-o," said the obliging Mr. Flynn. "Just step in and tell my +landlady I'm 'aving a chat with Bill." + +He lit his pipe and sat up in bed smoking until a knock at the front +door at half-past eleven sent him off to sleep again. Mrs. Scutts, who +was sitting downstairs, opened it and admitted her husband. + +"All serene?" he inquired. "What are you looking like that for? +What's up?" + +He sat quivering with alarm and rage as she told him, and then, mounting +the stairs with a heavy tread, stood gazing in helpless fury at the +slumbering form of Mr. James Flynn. + +"Get out o' my bed," he said at last, in a choking voice. + +"What, Bill!" said Mr. Flynn, opening his eyes. + +"Get out o' my bed," repeated the other. "You've made a nice mess of it +between you. It's a fine thing if a man can't go out for 'arf a pint +without coming home and finding all the riffraff of the neighbourhood in +'is bed." + +"'Ow's the pore back, Bill?" inquired Mr. Flynn, with tenderness. + +Mr. Scutts gurgled at him. "Outside!" he said as soon as he could get +his breath. + +"Bill," said the voice of Mrs. Scutts, outside the door. + +"Halloa," growled her husband. + +"He mustn't go," said Mrs. Scutts. "Those gentlemen are coming again, +and they think he is you." + +"WHAT!" roared the infuriated Mr. Scutts. + +"Don't you see? It's me what's got the pore back now, Bill," said Mr. +Flynn. "You can't pass yourself off as me, Bill; you ain't good-looking +enough." + +Mr. Scutts, past speech, raised his clenched fists to the ceiling. + +"He'll 'ave to stay in your bed," continued the voice of Mrs. Scutts. +"He's got a good 'art, and I know he'll do it; won't you, Jim?" + +Mr. Flynn pondered. "Tell my landlady in the morning that I've took +your back room," he said. "What a fortunit thing it is I'm out o' work. +What are you walking up and down like that for, Bill? Back coming on +agin?" + +"Then o' course," pursued the voice of Mrs. Scutts, in meditative +accents, "there's the club doctor and the other gentleman that knows +Bill. They might come at any moment. There's got to be two Bills in +bed, so that if one party comes one Bill can nip into the back room, and +if the other Bill--party, I mean--comes, the other Bill--you know what I +mean!" + +Mr. Scutts swore himself faint. + +"That's 'ow it is, mate," said Mr. Flynn. "It's no good standing there +saying your little piece of poetry to yourself. Take off your clo'es +and get to bed like a little man. Now! now! Naughty! Naughty!" + +"P'r'aps I oughtn't to 'ave let 'em up, Bill," said his wife; "but I was +afraid they'd smell a rat if I didn't. Besides, I was took by +surprise." + +"You get off to bed," said Mr. Scutts. "Get off to bed while you're +safe." + +"And get a good night's rest," added the thoughtful Mr. Flynn. "If +Bill's back is took bad in the night I'll look after it." + +Mr. Scutts turned a threatening face on him. "For two pins--" he began. + +"For two pins I'll go back 'ome and stay there," said Mr. Flynn. + +He put one muscular leg out of bed, and then, at the earnest request of +Mr. Scutts, put it back again. In a few simple, manly words the latter +apologized, by putting all the blame on Mrs. Scutts, and, removing his +clothes, got into bed. + +Wrapped in bedclothes, they passed the following day listening for +knocks at the door and playing cards. By evening both men were weary, +and Mr. Scutts made a few pointed remarks concerning dodging doctors and +deceitful visitors to which Mr. Flynn listened in silent approval. + +"They mightn't come for a week," he said, dismally. "It's all right for +you, but where do I come in? Halves?" + +Mr. Scutts had a rush of blood to the head. + +"You leave it to me, mate," he said, controlling himself by an effort. +"If I get ten quid, say, you shall have 'arf." + +"And suppose you get more?" demanded the other. + +"We'll see," said Mr. Scutts, vaguely. + +Mr. Flynn returned to the charge next day, but got no satisfaction. Mr. +Scutts preferred to talk instead of the free board and lodging his +friend was getting. On the subject of such pay for such work he was +almost eloquent. + +"I'll bide my time," said Mr. Flynn, darkly. "Treat me fair and I'll +treat you fair." + +His imprisonment came to an end on the fourth day. There was a knock at +the door, and the sound of men's voices, followed by the hurried +appearance of Mrs. Scutts. + +"It's Jim's lot," she said, in a hurried whisper. "I've just come up to +get the room ready." + +Mr. Scutts took his friend by the hand, and after warmly urging him not +to forget the expert instructions he had received concerning his back, +slipped into the back room, and, a prey to forebodings, awaited the +result. + +"Well, he looks better," said the doctor, regarding Mr. Flynn. + +"Much better," said his companion. + +Mrs. Scutts shook her head. "His pore back don't seem no better, sir," +she said in a low voice. "Can't you do something for it?" + +"Let me have a look at it," said the doctor. "Undo your shirt." + +Mr. Flynn, with slow fingers, fumbled with the button at his neck and +looked hard at Mrs. Scutts. + +"She can't bear to see me suffer," he said, in a feeble voice, as she +left the room. + +He bore the examination with the fortitude of an early Christian martyr. +In response to inquiries he said he felt as though the mainspring of his +back had gone. + +"How long since you walked?" inquired the doctor. + +"Not since the accident," said Mr. Flynn, firmly. + +"Try now," said the doctor. + +Mr. Flynn smiled at him reproachfully. + +"You can't walk because you think you can't," said the doctor; "that is +all. You'll have to be encouraged the same way that a child is. I +should like to cure you, and I think I can." + +He took a small canvas bag from the other man and opened it. "Forty +pounds," he said. "Would you like to count it?" + +Mr. Flynn's eyes shone. + +"It is all yours," said the doctor, "if you can walk across the room and +take it from that gentleman's hand." + +"Honour bright?" asked Mr. Flynn, in tremulous tones, as the other man +held up the bag and gave him an encouraging smile. + +"Honour bright," said the doctor. + +With a spring that nearly broke the bed, Mr. Flynn quitted it and +snatched the bag, and at the same moment Mrs. Scutts, impelled by a +maddened arm, burst into the room. + +"Your back!" she moaned. "It'll kill you Get back to bed." + +"I'm cured, lovey," said Mr. Flynn, simply. + +"His back is as strong as ever," said the doctor, giving it a thump. + +Mr. Flynn, who had taken his clothes from a chair and was hastily +dressing himself, assented. + +"But if you'll wait 'arf a tick I'll walk as far as the corner with +you," he said, quickly. "I'd like to make sure it's all right." + +He paused at the foot of the stairs and, glancing up at the palid and +murderous face of Mr. Scutts, which protruded from the back bedroom, +smiled at him rapturously. Then, with a lordly air, he tossed him five +pieces of gold. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Back to Back, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BACK TO BACK *** + +***** This file should be named 12151.txt or 12151.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/1/5/12151/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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