But even there, when Mr. Boffin had given his keeper good night, and had let himself in with his key, and had softly closed the door, even there and then, the all-powerful Silas must needs claim another assertion of his newly-asserted power.

“Bof⁠—fin!” he called through the keyhole.

“Yes, Wegg,” was the reply through the same channel.

“Come out. Show yourself again. Let’s have another look at you!” Mr. Boffin⁠—ah, how fallen from the high estate of his honest simplicity!⁠—opened the door and obeyed.

“Go in. You may get to bed now,” said Wegg, with a grin.

The door was hardly closed, when he again called through the keyhole: “Bof⁠—fin!”

“Yes, Wegg.”