CHAPTER VI

HOW DADDY SHARPPHIZ IMPARTED HIS VILLANOUS DESIGNS TO
NICHOLAS CRANKEY.

SO then Daddy Sharpphiz began to look about him for
an accomplice. His first thought had been to choose him
among the servants of the household; but he reflected that
they were all of them on the best terms with Dame Mit-
chell, that they might sell him, and have him ignominiously
expelled from a mansion in which he filled so honourable
and lucrative a post; and yet he wanted an accomplice.
From what rank ought he to choose him? what should be

‘ his age? and on what terms
F ought he to agree with him?
Brooding over these thoughts,
the butler went out one morn-
\ ing, about half-past six o'clock,
to saunter along the river-side.
As soon as he had passed the
doorway, he remarked, on the
opposite side of the street, a tall
rawbonéd woman, clad in a dress
“#e=) of showy colours. This good
woman had hollow eyes, a yellow, tawny skin, a nose peaked
like a parrot’s, and a face all covered with wriakles. She was