With the light of the candles--well, at all events
you could see what was happening; you could see where you were, and where
anybody else was. But in the dark--left to torches which illuminated only
bits of the place, and which perhaps you mightn't switch on in time or
turn in the right direction; if you were left like that, anybody might be
anywhere, and on to you before you knew it!
"Let them lights alone, Mike!" he whispered hoarsely. "I'll smash your
'ead in if you put them lights out!"
Mike had conquered his own fit of nerves, not without some exercise of
will, and had not given any notice to his companion's, which was
considerably more acute; perhaps the constant use of that roomy flask
had contributed to that, though lack of a liberal education (such as Mike
had enjoyed and misused) must also bear its share of responsibility. He
was amazed at this violent and threatening interruption. He gave a funny
little skip backwards on the dais; his heel came thereby in contact with
the high hassock on which Mr. Saffron's feet rested. The hassock was
shifted; one foot fell from it on to the dais, and Mr.
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