five minutes before one
This being the case , it was useless to attempt to follow him ; and not altogether sorry that circumstances had rendered it impossible for me to be his captor , I turned to assist my ally , the turnpike-man , who , to use the language of the `` Chicken , '' immortalised by Dickens , appeared in the act of being `` gone into and finished '' by the redoubtable Captain Spicer . Not wishing to have my facial development disfigured by the addition of a black eye , however , I watched my opportunity , and springing aside to avoid the blow with which he greeted me , succeeded in inserting my fingers within the folds of his neckcloth , after which I had little difficulty in choking him into a state of incapacity , when he submitted to the indignity of having his hands tied behind him , and was induced to resume his seat in the rumble as a prisoner , till such time as I should learn Mr. Framp-ton 's opinion as to the fittest manner of disposing of him . I then replaced Clara in the carriage , which by my orders had turned round , rewarded the turnpike-man , as well as the boy to whose forethought and able guidance I was mainly indebted for my success , and taking my seat beside my prisoner , we started on our return . One naturally feels a certain degree of awkwardness in attempting to make conversation to a man , whom only five minutes before one has nearly succeeded in strangling , however thoroughly the discipline may have been deserved -- and yet silence is worse ; at least I found it so ; and ~ 461 ~ ~ after clearing my throat once or twice , as if I had been the person half-throttled rather than the throttler , I began : -- `` It is some years since we have met , Captain Spicer '' . The individual thus addressed turned round quickly as I spoke , and favoured me with a scrutinising glance -- it was evident he did not recognise me . `` Have you forgotten the billiard-room in F -- Street , and the way in which your pupil and associate , Mr. Cumberland , cheated my friend Oaklands ? '' The captain , on having this somewhat unpleasant reminiscence of bygone hours forced upon him , turned -- I was going to say pale , but that was an impossibility -- rather less red than usual ere he replied : -- `` I beg pardon , Mr. Fairlegh , but I 'd quite forgotten you , sir ; ` pon my conscience I had .