 been
too much for us with their kindness!«
    They had striven, all the previous day, to rescue Barnaby from his impending
fate. Failing in their attempts, in the first quarter to which they addressed
themselves, they renewed them in another. Failing there, likewise, they began
afresh at midnight; and made their way, not only to the judge and jury who had
tried him, but to men of influence at court, to the young Prince of Wales, and
even to the ante-chamber of the King himself. Successful, at last, in awakening
an interest in his favour, and an inclination to inquire more dispassionately
into his case, they had had an interview with the minister, in his bed, so late
as eight o'clock that morning. The result of a searching inquiry (in which they,
who had known the poor fellow from his childhood, did other good service,
besides bringing it about) was, that between eleven and twelve o'clock, a free
pardon to Barnaby Rudge was made out and signed, and entrusted to a
horse-soldier for instant conveyance to the place of execution. This courier
reached the spot just as the cart appeared in sight; and Barnaby being carried
back to jail, Mr. Haredale, assured that all was safe, had gone straight from
Bloomsbury Square to the Golden Key, leaving to Gabriel the grateful task of
bringing him home in triumph.
    »I needn't say,« observed the locksmith, when he had shaken hands with all
the males in the house, and hugged all the females, five-and forty-times, at
least, »that, except among ourselves, I didn't want to make a triumph of it.
But, directly we got into the street we were known, and this hubbub began. Of
the two,« he added, as he wiped his crimson face, »and after experience of both,
I think I'd rather be taken out of my house by a crowd of enemies, than escorted
home by a mob of friends!«
    It was plain enough, however, that this was mere talk on Gabriel's part, and
that the whole proceeding afforded him the keenest delight; for the people
continuing to make a great noise without, and to cheer as if their voices were
in the freshest order, and good for a fortnight, he sent up-stairs for Grip (who
had come home at his masters back, and had acknowledged the favours of the
multitude by drawing blood from every finger that came within his reach), and
