A cold and clammy perspiration broke out
upon him, as these sounds each moment more plainly fell upon his ear,
and as he gazed upon the profound darkness of the cell, his excited
fancy began to people it with strange unearthly beings, and he could
suppose that he saw hideous faces grinning at him, and huge mis-shapen
creatures crawling on the walls, and floating in the damp, pestiferous
atmosphere of the wretched cell. In vain he covered his eyes with his
hands; those creatures of his imagination were not to be shut out from
the mind, and he saw them, if possible, more vividly than before, and
presenting themselves in more frightfully tangible shapes. Truly, if
such visions should continue to haunt him, poor Tobias was likely enough
to follow the fate of many others who had been placed in that
establishment perfectly sane, but in a short time exhibited in it as
raving lunatics. *       *       *       *       *

"A nice clear cool glass of wine," said Sweeney Todd, as he held up his
glass between him and the light, "and pleasant drinking; so soft and
mild in the mouth, and yet gliding down the throat with a pleasant
strength of flavour!" "Yes," said Mr. Fogg, "it might be worse. You see some patients, who are
low and melancholy mad, require stimulants, and their friends send them
wine. This is some that was so sent." "Then you don't trouble the patients with it?" "What! give a madman wine, while I am here in my senses to drink it? Oh,
dear no! that won't do on any account." "I should certainly, Mr. Fogg, not expect such an act of indiscretion
from you, knowing you as I do to be quite a man of the world." "Thank you for the compliment. This wine, now, was sent for an old
gentleman who had turned so melancholy, that he not only would not take
food enough to keep life and soul together, but he really terrified his
friends so by threatening suicide that they sent him here for a few
months; and, as stimulants were recommended for him, they sent this
wine, you see; but I stimulated him without it quite as well, for I
drink the wine myself and give him an infernal good kick or two every
day, and that stimulates him, for it puts him in such a devil of a
passion that I am quite sure he doesn't want any wine." "A good plan," said Sweeney Todd, "but I wonder you don't contrive that
your own private room should be free from the annoyance of hearing such
sounds as those that have been coming upon my ears for the last five or
ten minutes." "It's impossible; you cannot get out of the way if you live in the house
at all; and you see, as regards these mad fellows, they are quite like a
pack of wolves, and when once one of them begins howling and shouting,
the others are sure to chime in, in full chorus, and make no end of
disturbance till we stop them, as I have already told you we do, with a
strong hand." "While I think of it," said Sweeney Todd, as he drew from his pocket a
leathern bag, "while I think of it, I may as well pay you the year's
money for the lad I have now brought you; you see I have not forgot the
excellent rule you have of being paid in advance. There is the amount." "Ah, Mr. Todd," said the madhouse-keeper as he counted the money, and
then placed it in his pocket, "it's a pleasure to do business with a
thorough business man like yourself. The bottle stands with you, Mr.
Todd, and I beg you will not spare it. Do you know, Mr. Todd, this is a
line of life which I have often thought would have suited you; I am
certain you have a genius for such things." "Not equal to you," said Todd; "but as I am fond, certainly, of what is
strange and out of the way, some of the scenes and characters you come
across would, I have no doubt, be highly entertaining to me." "Scenes and characters--I believe you! During the course of a business
like ours, we come across all sorts of strange things; and if I choose
to do it, which of course I don't, I could tell a few tales which would
make some people shake in their shoes; but I have no right to tell them,
for I have been paid, and what the deuce is it to me?" "Oh, nothing, of course nothing. But just while we are sipping our wine,
now, couldn't you tell me something that would not be betraying
anybody's confidence?" "I could, I could; I don't mean to say that I could not, and I don't
care much if I do to you." CHAPTER XXII. MR. FOGG'S STORY AT THE MADHOUSE TO SWEENEY TODD. After a short pause, during which Mr. Fogg appeared to be referring to
the cells of memory, with the view of being refreshed in a matter that
had long since been a by-gone, but which he desired to place as clearly
before his listener as he could, in fact, to make, if possible, the
relation real to him, and to omit nothing during its progress that
should be told; or possibly, that amiable individual was engaged in
considering if there were any salient point that might criminate
himself, or give even a friend a handle to make use of against him; but
apparently there was nothing of the kind, for, after a loud "hem!" he
filled the glasses, saying--

"Well, now, as you are a friend, I don't mind telling you how we do
business here--things that have been done, you know, by others; but I
have had my share as well as others--I have known a thing or two, Mr.
Todd, and I may say I have done a thing or two, too." "Well, we must live and let live," said Sweeney Todd, "there's no going
against that, you know; if all I have done could speak, why--but no
matter, I am listening to you--however, if deeds could speak, one or two
clever things would come out rather, I think." "Ay, 'tis well they don't," said Mr. Fogg, with much solemnity, "if they
did they would be constantly speaking at times when it would be very
inconvenient to hear them, and dangerous besides." "So it would," said Sweeney, "a still tongue makes a wise head--but then
the silent system would bring no grist to the mill, and we must speak
when we know we are right and among friends." "Of course," said Fogg, "of course, that's the right use of speech, and
one may as well be without it, as to have it and not use it; but
come--drink, and fill again before I begin, and then to my tale. But we
may as well have a sentiment. Sentiment, you know," continued Fogg, "is
the very soul of friendship. What do you say to 'The heart that can feel
for another?'" "With all my soul," said Sweeney Todd; "it's very touching--very
touching, indeed. 'The heart that can feel for another!'" and as he
spoke, he emptied the glass, which he pushed towards Fogg to refill. "Well," said Fogg, as he complied, "we have had the sentiment, we may as
well have the exemplification." "Ha! ha! ha!" said Todd, "very good, very good indeed; pray go on, that
will do capitally." "I may as well tell you the whole matter, as it occurred; I will then
let you know all I know, and in the same manner. None of the parties are
now living, or, at least, they are not in this country, which is just
the same thing, so far as I am concerned."