Charles Dickens
Barnaby Rudge
A Tale of the Riots of Eighty
Preface
The late Mr Waterton having some time ago expressed his opinion that ravens
are gradually becoming extinct in England I offered the few following words
about my experience of these birds
The raven in this story is a compound of two great originals of whom I was
at different times the proud possessor The first was in the bloom of his
youth when he was discovered in a modest retirement in London by a friend of
mine and given to me He had from the first as Sir Hugh Evans says of Anne
Page good gifts which he improved by study and attention in a most exemplary
manner He slept in a stable generally on horseback and so terrified a
Newfoundland dog by his preternatural sagacity that he has been known by the
mere superiority of his genius to walk off unmolested with the dogs dinner
from before his face He was rapidly rising in acquirements and virtues when
in an evil hour his stable was newly painted He observed the workmen closely
saw that they were careful of the paint and immediately burned to possess it
On their going to dinner he ate up all they had left behind consisting of a
pound or two of white lead and this youthful indiscretion terminated in death
While I was yet inconsolable for his loss another friend of mine in
Yorkshire discovered an older and more gifted raven at a village publichouse
which he prevailed upon the landlord to part with for a consideration and sent
up to me The first act of this Sage was to administer to the effects of his
predecessor by disinterring all the cheese and halfpence he had buried in the
garden a work of immense labour and research to which he devoted all the
energies of his mind When he had achieved his task he applied himself to the
acquisition of stable language in which he soon became such an adept that he
would perch outside my window and drive imaginary horses with great skill all
day Perhaps even I never saw him at his best for his former master sent his
duty with him »and if I wished the bird to come out very strong would I be so
good as to show him a drunken man« which I never did having unfortunately
none but sober people at hand But I could hardly have respected him more
whatever the stimulating influences of this sight might have been He had not
the least respect I am sorry to say for me in return or for anybody but the
cook to whom he was attached but only I fear as a Policeman might have
been Once I met him unexpectedly about halfamile from my house walking
down the middle of a public street attended by a pretty large crowd and
spontaneously exhibiting the whole of his accomplishments His gravity under
those trying circumstances I can never forget nor the extraordinary gallantry
with which refusing to be brought home he defended himself behind a pump
until overpowered by numbers It may have been that he was too bright a genius
to live long or it may have been that he took some pernicious substance into
his bill and thence into his maw which is not improbable seeing that he
newpointed the greater part of the gardenwall by digging out the mortar broke
countless squares of glass by scraping away the putty all round the frames and
tore up and swallowed in splinters the greater part of a wooden staircase of
six steps and a landing but after some three years he too was taken ill and
died before the kitchen fire He kept his eye to the last upon the meat as it
roasted and suddenly turned over on his back with a sepulchral cry of »Cuckoo«
Since then I have been ravenless
No account of the Gordon Riots having been to my knowledge introduced into
any Work of Fiction and the subject presenting very extraordinary and
remarkable features I was led to project this Tale
It is unnecessary to say that those shameful tumults while they reflect
indelible disgrace upon the time in which they occurred and all who had act or
part in them teach a good lesson That what we falsely call a religious cry is
easily raised by men who have no religion and who in their daily practice set
at nought the commonest principles of right and wrong that it is begotten of
intolerance and persecution that it is senseless besotted inveterate and
unmerciful all History teaches us Bat perhaps we do not know it in our hearts
too well to profit by even so humble an example as the No Popery riots of
Seventeen Hundred and Eighty
However imperfectly those disturbances are set forth in the following pages
they are impartially painted by one who has no sympathy with the Romish Church
though he acknowledges as most men do some esteemed friends among the followers
of its creed
In the description of the principal outrages reference has been had to the
best authorities of that time such as they are the account given in this Tale
of all the main features of the Riots is substantially correct
Mr Denniss allusions to the flourishing condition of his trade in those
days have their foundation in Truth and not in the Authors fancy Any file of
old Newspapers or odd volume of the Annual Register will prove this with
terrible ease
Even the case of Mary Jones dwelt upon with so much pleasure by the same
character is no effort of invention The facts were stated exactly as they are
stated here in the House of Commons Whether they afforded as much
entertainment to the merry gentlemen assembled there as some other most
affecting circumstances of a similar nature mentioned by Sir Samuel Romilly is
not recorded
That the case of Mary Jones may speak the more emphatically for itself, I
subjoin it as related by SIR WILLIAM MEREDITH in a speech in Parliament »on
Frequent Executions« made in 1777
»Under this act« the Shoplifting Act »one Mary Jones was executed whose
case I shall just mention it was at the time when press warrants were issued
on the alarm about Falkland Islands The womans husband was pressed their
goods seized for some debts of his and she with two small children turned
into the streets abegging It is a circumstance not to be forgotten that she
was very young under nineteen and most remarkably handsome She went to a
linendrapers shop took some coarse linen off the counter and slipped it
under her cloak the shopman saw her and she laid it down for this she was
hanged Her defence was I have the trial in my pocket that she had lived in
credit and wanted for nothing till a pressgang came and stole her husband
from her but since then she had no bed to lie on nothing to give her children
to eat and they were almost naked and perhaps she might have done something
wrong for she hardly knew what she did The parish officers testified the truth
of this story but it seems there had been a good deal of shoplifting about
Ludgate an example was thought necessary and this woman was hanged for the
comfort and satisfaction of shopkeepers in Ludgate Street When brought to
receive sentence she behaved in such a frantic manner as proved her mind to be
in a distracted and desponding state and the child was suckling at her breast
when she set out for Tyburn«
Chapter I
In the year 1775 there stood upon the borders of Epping Forest at a distance
of about twelve miles from London measuring from the Standard in Cornhill or
rather from the spot on or near to which the Standard used to be in days of yore
a house of public entertainment called the Maypole which fact was
demonstrated to all such travellers as could neither read nor write and at that
time a vast number both of travellers and stayathomes were in this condition
by the emblem reared on the roadside over against the house which if not of
those goodly proportions that Maypoles were wont to present in olden times was
a fair young ash thirty feet in height and straight as any arrow that ever
English yeoman drew
The Maypole by which term from henceforth is meant the house and not its
sign the Maypole was an old building with more gable ends than a lazy man
would care to count on a sunny day huge zigzag chimneys out of which it
seemed as though even smoke could not choose but come in more than naturally
fantastic shapes imparted to it in its tortuous progress and vast stables
gloomy ruinous and empty The place was said to have been built in the days of
King Henry the Eighth and there was a legend not only that Queen Elizabeth had
slept there one night while upon a hunting excursion to wit in a certain
oakpanelled room with a deep bay window but that next morning while standing
on a mounting block before the door with one foot in the stirrup the virgin
monarch had then and there boxed and cuffed an unlucky page for some neglect of
duty The matterof-fact and doubtful folks of whom there were a few among the
Maypole customers as unluckily there always are in every little community were
inclined to look upon this tradition as rather apocryphal but whenever the
landlord of that ancient hostelry appealed to the mounting block itself as
evidence and triumphantly pointed out that there it stood in the same place to
that very day the doubters never failed to be put down by a large majority and
all true believers exulted as in a victory
Whether these and many other stories of the like nature were true or
untrue the Maypole was really an old house a very old house perhaps as old as
it claimed to be and perhaps older which will sometimes happen with houses of
an uncertain as with ladies of a certain age Its windows were old
diamondpane lattices its floors were sunken and uneven its ceilings blackened
by the hand of time and heavy with massive beams Over the doorway was an
ancient porch quaintly and grotesquely carved and here on summer evenings the
more favoured customers smoked and drank ay and sang many a good song too
sometimes reposing on two grimlooking highbacked settles which like the
twin dragons of some fairy tale guarded the entrance to the mansion
In the chimneys of the disused rooms swallows had built their nests for
many a long year and from earliest spring to latest autumn whole colonies of
sparrows chirped and twittered in the eaves There were more pigeons about the
dreary stable yard and outbuildings than anybody but the landlord could reckon
up The wheeling and circling flights of runts fantails tumblers and pouters
were perhaps not quite consistent with the grave and sober character of the
building but the monotonous cooing which never ceased to be raised by some
among them all day long suited it exactly and seemed to lull it to rest With
its overhanging stories drowsy little panes of glass and front bulging out and
projecting over the pathway the old house looked as if it were nodding in its
sleep Indeed it needed no very great stretch of fancy to detect in it other
resemblances to humanity The bricks of which it was built had originally been a
deep dark red but had grown yellow and discoloured like an old mans skin the
sturdy timbers had decayed like teeth and here and there the ivy like a warm
garment to comfort it in its age wrapt its green leaves closely round the
timeworn walls
It was a hale and hearty age though still and in the summer or autumn
evenings when the glow of the setting sun fell upon the oak and chestnut trees
of the adjacent forest the old house partaking of its lustre seemed their fit
companion and to have many good years of life in him yet
The evening with which we have to do was neither a summer nor an autumn
one but the twilight of a day in March when the wind howled dismally among the
bare branches of the trees and rumbling in the wide chimneys and driving the
rain against the windows of the Maypole Inn gave such of its frequenters as
chanced to be there at the moment an undeniable reason for prolonging their
stay and caused the landlord to prophesy that the night would certainly clear
at eleven oclock precisely which by a remarkable coincidence was the hour at
which he always closed his house
The name of him upon whom the spirit of prophecy thus descended was John
Willet a burly largeheaded man with a fat face which betokened profound
obstinacy and slowness of apprehension combined with a very strong reliance
upon his own merits It was John Willets ordinary boast in his more placid
moods that if he were slow he was sure which assertion could in one sense at
least be by no means gainsaid seeing that he was in everything unquestionably
the reverse of fast and withal one of the most dogged and positive fellows in
existence always sure that what he thought or said or did was right and
holding it as a thing quite settled and ordained by the laws of nature and
Providence that anybody who said or did or thought otherwise must be inevitably
and of necessity wrong
Mr Willet walked slowly up to the window flattened his fat nose against
the cold glass and shading his eyes that his sight might not be affected by the
ruddy glow of the fire looked abroad Then he walked slowly back to his old
seat in the chimney corner and composing himself in it with a slight shiver
such as a man might give way to and so acquire an additional relish for the warm
blaze said looking round upon his guests
»Itll clear at eleven oclock No sooner and no later Not before and not
arterwards«
»How do you make out that« said a little man in the opposite corner »The
moon is past the full and she rises at nine«
John looked sedately and solemnly at his questioner until he had brought his
mind to bear upon the whole of his observation and then made answer in a tone
which seemed to imply that the moon was peculiarly his business and nobody
elses
»Never you mind about the moon Dont you trouble yourself about her You
let the moon alone and Ill let you alone«
»No offence I hope« said the little man
Again John waited leisurely until the observation had thoroughly penetrated
to his brain and then replying »No offence as yet« applied a light to his
pipe and smoked in placid silence now and then casting a sidelong look at a man
wrapped in a loose ridingcoat with huge cuffs ornamented with tarnished silver
lace and large metal buttons who sat apart from the regular frequenters of the
house and wearing a hat flapped over his face which was still further shaded
by the hand on which his forehead rested looked unsociable enough
There was another guest who sat booted and spurred at some distance from
the fire also and whose thoughts to judge from his folded arms and knitted
brows and from the untasted liquor before him were occupied with other
matters than the topics under discussion or the persons who discussed them This
was a young man of about eightandtwenty rather above the middle height and
though of a somewhat slight figure gracefully and strongly made He wore his
own dark hair and was accoutred in a ridingdress which together with his
large boots resembling in shape and fashion those worn by our Life Guardsmen at
the present day showed indisputable traces of the bad condition of the roads
But travelstained though he was he was well and even richly attired and
without being overdressed looked a gallant gentleman
Lying upon the table beside him as he had carelessly thrown them down were
a heavy ridingwhip and a slouched hat the latter worn no doubt as being best
suited to the inclemency of the weather There too were a pair of pistols in a
holstercase and a short ridingcloak Little of his face was visible except
the long dark lashes which concealed his downcast eyes but an air of careless
ease and natural gracefulness of demeanour pervaded the figure and seemed to
comprehend even those slight accessories which were all handsome and in good
keeping
Towards this young gentleman the eyes of Mr Willet wandered but once and
then as if in mute inquiry whether he had observed his silent neighbour It was
plain that John and the young gentleman had often met before Finding that his
look was not returned or indeed observed by the person to whom it was
addressed John gradually concentrated the whole power of his eyes into one
focus and brought it to bear upon the man in the flapped hat at whom he came
to stare in course of time with an intensity so remarkable that it affected his
fireside cronies who all as with one accord took their pipes from their lips
and stared with open mouths at the stranger likewise
The sturdy landlord had a large pair of dull fishlike eyes and the little
man who had hazarded the remark about the moon and who was the parishclerk and
bellringer of Chigwell a village hard by had little round black shiny eyes
like beads moreover this little man wore at the knees of his rusty black
breeches and on his rusty black coat and all down his long flapped waistcoat
little queer buttons like nothing except his eyes but so like them that as
they twinkled and glistened in the light of the fire which shone too in his
bright shoebuckles he seemed all eyes from head to foot and to be gazing with
every one of them at the unknown customer No wonder that a man should grow
restless under such an inspection as this to say nothing of the eyes belonging
to short Tom Cobb the general chandler and postoffice keeper and long Phil
Parkes the ranger both of whom infected by the example of their companions
regarded him of the flapped hat no less attentively
The stranger became restless perhaps from being exposed to this raking fire
of eyes perhaps from the nature of his previous meditations most probably
from the latter cause for as he changed his position and looked hastily round
he started to find himself the object of such keen regard and darted an angry
and suspicious glance at the fireside group It had the effect of immediately
diverting all eyes to the chimney except those of John Willet who finding
himself as it were caught in the fact and not being as has been already
observed of a very ready nature remained staring at his guest in a
particularly awkward and disconcerted manner
»Well« said the stranger
Well There was not much in well It was not a long speech »I thought you
gave an order« said the landlord after a pause of two or three minutes for
consideration
The stranger took off his hat and disclosed the hard features of a man of
sixty or thereabouts much weatherbeaten and worn by time and the naturally
harsh expression of which was not improved by a dark handkerchief which was
bound tightly round his head and while it served the purpose of a wig shaded
his forehead and almost hid his eyebrows If it were intended to conceal or
divert attention from a deep gash now healed into an ugly seam which when it
was first inflicted must have laid bare his cheekbone the object was but
indifferently attained for it could scarcely fail to be noted at a glance His
complexion was of a cadaverous hue and he had a grizzly jagged beard of some
three weeks date Such was the figure very meanly and poorly clad that now
rose from the seat and stalking across the room sat down in a corner of the
chimney which the politeness or fears of the little clerk very readily assigned
to him
»A highwayman« whispered Tom Cobb to Parkes the ranger
»Do you suppose highwaymen dont dress handsomer than that« replied Parkes
»Its a better business than you think for Tom and highwaymen dont need or
use to be shabby take my word for it«
Meanwhile the subject of their speculations had done due honour to the house
by calling for some drink which was promptly supplied by the landlords son
Joe a broadshouldered strapping young fellow of twenty whom it pleased his
father still to consider a little boy and to treat accordingly Stretching out
his hands to warm them by the blazing fire the man turned his head towards the
company and after running his eye sharply over them said in a voice well
suited to his appearance
»What house is that which stands a mile or so from here«
»Publichouse« said the landlord with his usual deliberation
»Publichouse father« exclaimed Joe »wheres the publichouse within a
mile or so of the Maypole He means the great house the Warren naturally and
of course The old red brick house sir that stands in its own grounds «
»Aye« said the stranger
»And that fifteen or twenty years ago stood in a park five times as broad
which with other and richer property has bit by bit changed hands and dwindled
away mores the pity« pursued the young man
»Maybe« was the reply »But my question related to the owner What it has
been I dont care to know and what it is I can see for myself«
The heirapparent to the Maypole pressed his finger on his lips and
glancing at the young gentleman already noticed who had changed his attitude
when the house was first mentioned replied in a lower tone
»The owners name is Haredale Mr Geoffrey Haredale and« again he
glanced in the same direction as before »and a worthy gentleman too hem«
Paying as little regard to this admonitory cough as to the significant
gesture that had preceded it the stranger pursued his questioning
»I turned out of my way coming here and took the footpath that crosses the
grounds Who was the young lady that I saw entering a carriage His daughter«
»Why how should I know honest man« replied Joe contriving in the course
of some arrangements about the hearth to advance close to his questioner and
pluck him by the sleeve »I didnt see the young lady you know Whew Theres
the wind again and rain well it is a night«
»Rough weather indeed« observed the strange man
»Youre used to it« said Joe catching at anything which seemed to promise
a diversion of the subject
»Pretty well« returned the other »About the young lady has Mr Haredale
a daughter«
»No no« said the young fellow fretfully »hes a single gentleman hes
be quiet cant you man Dont you see this talk is not relished yonder«
Regardless of this whispered remonstrance and affecting not to hear it his
tormentor provokingly continued
»Single men have had daughters before now Perhaps she may be his daughter
though he is not married«
»What do you mean« said Joe adding in an under tone as he approached him
again »Youll come in for it presently I know you will«
»I mean no harm« returned the traveller boldly »and have said none that I
know of I ask a few questions as any stranger may and not unnaturally
about the inmates of a remarkable house in a neighbourhood which is new to me
and you are as aghast and disturbed as if I were talking treason against King
George Perhaps you can tell me why sir for as I say I am a stranger and
this is Greek to me«
The latter observation was addressed to the obvious cause of Joe Willets
discomposure who had risen and was adjusting his ridingcloak preparatory to
sallying abroad Briefly replying that he could give him no information the
young man beckoned to Joe and handing him a piece of money in payment of his
reckoning hurried out attended by young Willet himself who taking up a candle
followed to light him to the house door
While Joe was absent on this errand the elder Willet and his three
companions continued to smoke with profound gravity and in a deep silence each
having his eyes fixed on a huge copper boiler that was suspended over the fire
After some time John Willet slowly shook his head and thereupon his friends
slowly shook theirs but no man withdrew his eyes from the boiler or altered
the solemn expression of his countenance in the slightest degree
At length Joe returned very talkative and conciliatory as though with a
strong presentiment that he was going to be found fault with
»Such a thing as love is« he said drawing a chair near the fire and
looking round for sympathy »He has set off to walk to London all the way to
London His nag gone lame in riding out here this blessed afternoon and
comfortably littered down in our stable at this minute and he giving up a good
hot supper and our best bed because Miss Haredale has gone to a masquerade up
in town and he has set his heart upon seeing her I dont think I could
persuade myself to do that beautiful as she is but then Im not in love at
least I dont think I am and thats the whole difference«
»He is in love then« said the stranger
»Rather« replied Joe »Hell never be more in love and may very easily be
less«
»Silence sir« cried his father
»What a chap you are Joe« said Long Parkes
»Such a inconsiderate lad« murmured Tom Cobb
»Putting himself forward and wringing the very nose off his own fathers
face« exclaimed the parishclerk metaphorically
»What have I done« reasoned poor Joe
»Silence sir« returned his father »what do you mean by talking when you
see people that are more than two or three times your age sitting still and
silent and not dreaming of saying a word«
»Why thats the proper time for me to talk isnt it« said Joe
rebelliously
»The proper time sir« retorted his father »the proper times no time«
»Ah to be sure« muttered Parkes nodding gravely to the other two who
nodded likewise observing under their breaths that that was the point
»The proper times no time sir« repeated John Willet »when I was your age
I never talked I never wanted to talk I listened and improved myself thats
what I did«
»And youd find your father rather a tough customer in argeyment Joe if
anybody was to try and tackle him« said Parkes
»For the matter o that Phil« observed Mr Willet blowing a long thin
spiral cloud of smoke out of the corner of his mouth and staring at it
abstractedly as it floated away »For the matter o that Phil argeyment is a
gift of Natur If Natur has gifted a man with powers of argeyment a man has a
right to make the best of em and has not a right to stand on false delicacy
and deny that he is so gifted for that is a turning of his back on Natur a
flouting of her a slighting of her precious caskets and a proving of ones
self to be a swine that isnt worth her scattering pearls before«
The landlord pausing here for a very long time Mr Parkes naturally
concluded that he had brought his discourse to an end and therefore turning to
the young man with some austerity exclaimed
»You hear what your father says Joe You wouldnt much like to tackle him
in argeyment Im thinking sir«
»IF« said John Willet turning his eyes from the ceiling to the face of his
interrupter and uttering the monosyllable in capitals to apprise him that he
had put in his oar as the vulgar say with unbecoming and irreverent haste
»If sir Natur has fixed upon me the gift of argeyment why should I not own to
it and rather glory in the same Yes sir I am a tough customer that way You
are right sir My toughness has been proved sir in this room many and many a
time as I think you know and if you dont know« added John putting his pipe
in his mouth again »so much the better for I ant proud and am not going to
tell you«
A general murmur from his three cronies and a general shaking of heads at
the copper boiler assured John Willet that they had had good experience of his
powers and needed no further evidence to assure them of his superiority John
smoked with a little more dignity and surveyed them in silence
»Its all very fine talking« muttered Joe who had been fidgeting in his
chair with divers uneasy gestures »But if you mean to tell me that Im never to
open my lips «
»Silence sir« roared his father »No you never are When your opinions
wanted you give it When youre spoke to you speak When your opinions not
wanted and youre not spoke to dont give an opinion and dont you speak The
worlds undergone a nice alteration since my time certainly My belief is that
there ant any boys left that there isnt such a thing as a boy that theres
nothing now between a male baby and a man and that all the boys went out with
his blessed Majesty King George the Second«
»Thats a very true observation always excepting the young princes« said
the parishclerk who as the representative of church and state in that
company held himself bound to the nicest loyalty »If its godly and righteous
for boys being of the ages of boys to behave themselves like boys then the
young princes must be boys and cannot be otherwise«
»Did you ever hear tell of mermaids sir« said Mr Willet
»Certainly I have« replied the clerk
»Very good« said Mr Willet »According to the constitution of mermaids so
much of a mermaid as is not a woman must be a fish According to the
constitution of young princes so much of a young prince if anything as is not
actually an angel must be godly and righteous Therefore if its becoming and
godly and righteous in the young princes as it is at their ages that they
should be boys they are and must be boys and cannot by possibility be anything
else«
This elucidation of a knotty point being received with such marks of
approval as to put John Willet into a good humour he contented himself with
repeating to his son his command of silence and addressing the stranger said
»If you had asked your questions of a grownup person of me or any of
these gentlemen youd have had some satisfaction and wouldnt have wasted
breath Miss Haredale is Mr Geoffrey Haredales niece«
»Is her father alive« said the man carelessly
»No« rejoined the landlord »he is not alive and he is not dead «
»Not dead« cried the other
»Not dead in a common sort of way« said the landlord
The cronies nodded to each other and Mr Parkes remarked in an under tone
shaking his head meanwhile as who should say »let no man contradict me for I
wont believe him« that John Willet was in amazing force tonight and fit to
tackle a Chief Justice
The stranger suffered a short pause to elapse and then asked abruptly
»What do you mean«
»More than you think for friend« returned John Willet »Perhaps theres
more meaning in them words than you suspect«
»Perhaps there is« said the strange man gruffly »but what the devil do
you speak in such mysteries for You tell me first that a man is not alive
nor yet dead then that hes not dead in a common sort of way then that you
mean a great deal more than I think for To tell you the truth you may do that
easily for so far as I can make out you mean nothing What do you mean I ask
again«
»That« returned the landlord a little brought down from his dignity by the
strangers surliness »is a Maypole story and has been any time these
fourandtwenty years That story is Solomon Daisys story It belongs to the
house and nobody but Solomon Daisy has ever told it under this roof or ever
shall thats more«
The man glanced at the parishclerk whose air of consciousness and
importance plainly betokened him to be the person referred to and observing
that he had taken his pipe from his lips after a very long whiff to keep it
alight and was evidently about to tell his story without further solicitation
gathered his large coat about him and shrinking further back was almost lost in
the gloom of the spacious chimney corner except when the flame struggling from
under a great faggot whose weight almost crushed it for the time shot upward
with a strong and sudden glare and illumining his figure for a moment seemed
afterwards to cast it into deeper obscurity than before
By this flickering light which made the old room with its heavy timbers
and panelled walls look as if it were built of polished ebony the wind
roaring and howling without now rattling the latch and creaking the hinges of
the stout oaken door and now driving at the casement as though it would beat it
in by this light and under circumstances so auspicious Solomon Daisy began
his tale
»It was Mr Reuben Haredale Mr Geoffreys elder brother «
Here he came to a dead stop and made so long a pause that even John Willet
grew impatient and asked why he did not proceed
»Cobb« said Solomon Daisy dropping his voice and appealing to the
postoffice keeper »what day of the month is this«
»The nineteenth«
»Of March« said the clerk bending forward »the nineteenth of March
thats very strange«
In a low voice they all acquiesced and Solomon went on
»It was Mr Reuben Haredale Mr Geoffreys elder brother that twentytwo
years ago was the owner of the Warren which as Joe has said not that you
remember it Joe for a boy like you cant do that but because you have often
heard me say so was then a much larger and better place and a much more
valuable property than it is now His lady was lately dead and he was left with
one child the Miss Haredale you have been inquiring about who was then
scarcely a year old«
Although the speaker addressed himself to the man who had shown so much
curiosity about this same family and made a pause here as if expecting some
exclamation of surprise or encouragement the latter made no remark nor gave
any indication that he heard or was interested in what was said Solomon
therefore turned to his old companions whose noses were brightly illuminated by
the deep red glow from the bowls of their pipes assured by long experience of
their attention and resolved to show his sense of such indecent behaviour
»Mr Haredale« said Solomon turning his back upon the strange man »left
this place when his lady died feeling it lonely like and went up to London
where he stopped some months but finding that place as lonely as this as I
suppose and have always heard say he suddenly came back again with his little
girl to the Warren bringing with him besides that day only two women
servants and his steward and a gardener«
Mr Daisy stopped to take a whiff at his pipe which was going out and then
proceeded at first in a snuffling tone occasioned by keen enjoyment of the
tobacco and strong pulling at the pipe and afterwards with increasing
distinctness
» Bringing with him two women servants and his steward and a gardener
The rest stopped behind up in London and were to follow next day It happened
that that night an old gentleman who lived at Chigwellrow and had long been
poorly deceased and an order came to me at half after twelve oclock at night
to go and toll the passingbell«
There was a movement in the little group of listeners sufficiently
indicative of the strong repugnance any one of them would have felt to have
turned out at such a time upon such an errand The clerk felt and understood it
and pursued his theme accordingly
»It was a dreary thing especially as the gravedigger was laid up in his
bed from long working in a damp soil and sitting down to take his dinner on
cold tombstones and I was consequently under obligation to go alone for it was
too late to hope to get any other companion However I wasnt unprepared for
it as the old gentleman had often made it a request that the bell should be
tolled as soon as possible after the breath was out of his body and he had been
expected to go for some days I put as good a face upon it as I could and
muffling myself up for it was mortal cold started out with a lighted lantern
in one hand and the key of the church in the other«
At this point of the narrative the dress of the strange man rustled as if
he had turned himself to hear more distinctly Slightly pointing over his
shoulder Solomon elevated his eyebrows and nodded a silent inquiry to Joe
whether this was the case Joe shaded his eyes with his hand and peered into the
corner but could make out nothing and so shook his head
»It was just such a night as this blowing a hurricane raining heavily and
very dark I often think now darker than I ever saw it before or since that
may be my fancy but the houses were all close shut and the folks in doors and
perhaps there is only one other man who knows how dark it really was I got into
the church chained the door back so that it should keep ajar for to tell the
truth I didnt like to be shut in there alone and putting my lantern on the
stone seat in the little corner where the bellrope is sat down beside it to
trim the candle
I sat down to trim the candle and when I had done so I could not persuade
myself to get up again and go about my work I dont know how it was but I
thought of all the ghost stories I had ever heard even those that I had heard
when I was a boy at school and had forgotten long ago and they didnt come
into my head one after another but all crowding at once like I recollected
one story there was in the village how that on a certain night in the year it
might be that very night for anything I knew all the dead people came out of
the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning This made me
think how many people I had known were buried between the church door and the
churchyard gate and what a dreadful thing it would be to have to pass among
them and know them again so earthy and unlike themselves I had known all the
niches and arches in the church from a child still I couldnt persuade myself
that those were their natural shadows which I saw on the pavement but felt sure
there were some ugly figures hiding among em and peeping out Thinking on in
this way I began to think of the old gentleman who was just dead and I could
have sworn as I looked up the dark chancel that I saw him in his usual place
wrapping his shroud about him and shivering as if he felt it cold All this time
I sat listening and listening and hardly dared to breathe At length I started
up and took the bellrope in my hands At that minute there rang not that
bell for I had hardly touched the rope but another
I heard the ringing of another bell and a deep bell too plainly It was
only for an instant and even then the wind carried the sound away but I heard
it I listened for a long time but it rang no more I had heard of corpse
candles and at last I persuaded myself that this must be a corpse bell tolling
of itself at midnight for the dead I tolled my bell how or how long I dont
know and ran home to bed as fast as I could touch the ground
I was up early next morning after a restless night and told the story to my
neighbours Some were serious and some made light of it I dont think anybody
believed it real But that morning Mr Reuben Haredale was found murdered in
his bedchamber and in his hand was a piece of the cord attached to an
alarmbell outside the roof which hung in his room and had been cut asunder no
doubt by the murderer when he seized it
That was the bell I heard
A bureau was found opened and a cashbox which Mr Haredale had brought
down that day and was supposed to contain a large sum of money was gone The
steward and gardener were both missing and both suspected for a long time but
they were never found though hunted far and wide And far enough they might
have looked for poor Mr Rudge the steward whose body scarcely to be
recognised by his clothes and the watch and ring he wore was found months
afterwards at the bottom of a piece of water in the grounds with a deep gash
in the breast where he had been stabbed with a knife He was only partly
dressed and people all agreed that he had been sitting up reading in his own
room where there were many traces of blood and was suddenly fallen upon and
killed before his master
Everybody now knew that the gardener must be the murderer and though he has
never been heard of from that day to this he will be mark my words The crime
was committed this day twoandtwenty years on the nineteenth of March one
thousand seven hundred and fiftythree On the nineteenth of March in some year
no matter when I know it I am sure of it for we have always in some
strange way or other been brought back to the subject on that day ever since
on the nineteenth of March in some year sooner or later that man will be
discovered«
Chapter II
»A strange story« said the man who had been the cause of the narration
»Stranger still if it comes about as you predict Is that all«
A question so unexpected nettled Solomon Daisy not a little By dint of
relating the story very often and ornamenting it according to village report
with a few flourishes suggested by the various hearers from time to time he had
come by degrees to tell it with great effect and »is that all« after the
climax was not what he was accustomed to
»Is that all« he repeated »yes thats all sir And enough too I think«
»I think so too My horse young man He is but a hack hired from a roadside
posting house but he must carry me to London tonight«
»Tonight« said Joe
»Tonight« returned the other »What do you stare at This tavern would
seem to be a house of call for all the gaping idlers of the neighbourhood«
At this remark which evidently had reference to the scrutiny he had
undergone as mentioned in the foregoing chapter the eyes of John Willet and
his friends were diverted with marvellous rapidity to the copper boiler again
Not so with Joe who being a mettlesome fellow returned the strangers angry
glance with a steady look and rejoined
»It is not a very bold thing to wonder at your going on tonight Surely you
have been asked such a harmless question in an inn before and in better weather
than this I thought you mightnt know the way as you seem strange to this
part«
»The way « repeated the other irritably
»Yes Do you know it«
»Ill humph Ill find it« replied the man waving his hand and turning
on his heel »Landlord take the reckoning here«
John Willet did as he was desired for on that point he was seldom slow
except in the particulars of giving change and testing the goodness of any
piece of coin that was proffered to him by the application of his teeth or his
tongue or some other test or in doubtful cases by a long series of tests
terminating in its rejection The guest then wrapped his garments about him so
as to shelter himself as effectually as he could from the rough weather and
without any word or sign of farewell betook himself to the stableyard Here Joe
who had left the room on the conclusion of their short dialogue was protecting
himself and the horse from the rain under the shelter of an old penthouse roof
»Hes pretty much of my opinion« said Joe patting the horse upon the neck
»Ill wager that your stopping here tonight would please him better than it
would please me«
»He and I are of different opinions as we have been more than once on our
way here« was the short reply
»So I was thinking before you came out for he has felt your spurs poor
beast«
The stranger adjusted his coatcollar about his face and made no answer
»Youll know me again I see« he said marking the young fellows earnest
gaze when he had sprung into the saddle
»The mans worth knowing master who travels a road he dont know mounted
on a jaded horse and leaves good quarters to do it on such a night as this«
»You have sharp eyes and a sharp tongue I find«
»Both I hope by nature but the last grows rusty sometimes for want of
using«
»Use the first less too and keep their sharpness for your sweethearts
boy« said the man
So saying he shook his hand from the bridle struck him roughly on the head
with the butt end of his whip and galloped away dashing through the mud and
darkness with a headlong speed which few badly mounted horsemen would have
cared to venture even had they been thoroughly acquainted with the country and
which to one who knew nothing of the way he rode was attended at every step
with great hazard and danger
The roads even within twelve miles of London were at that time ill paved
seldom repaired and very badly made The way this rider traversed had been
ploughed up by the wheels of heavy waggons and rendered rotten by the frosts
and thaws of the preceding winter or possibly of many winters Great holes and
gaps had been worn into the soil which being now filled with water from the
late rains were not easily distinguishable even by day and a plunge into any
one of them might have brought down a surerfooted horse than the poor beast now
urged forward to the utmost extent of his powers Sharp flints and stones rolled
from under his hoofs continually the rider could scarcely see beyond the
animals head or farther on either side than his own arm would have extended
At that time too all the roads in the neighbourhood of the metropolis were
infested by footpads or highwaymen and it was a night of all others in which
any evildisposed person of this class might have pursued his unlawful calling
with little fear of detection
Still the traveller dashed forward at the same reckless pace regardless
alike of the dirt and wet which flew about his head the profound darkness of
the night and the probability of encountering some desperate characters abroad
At every turn and angle even where a deviation from the direct course might
have been least expected and could not possibly be seen until he was close upon
it he guided the bridle with an unerring hand and kept the middle of the road
Thus he sped onward raising himself in the stirrups leaning his body forward
until it almost touched the horses neck and flourishing his heavy whip above
his head with the fervour of a madman
There are times when the elements being in unusual commotion those who are
bent on daring enterprises or agitated by great thoughts whether of good or
evil feel a mysterious sympathy with the tumult of nature, and are roused into
corresponding violence In the midst of thunder lightning and storm many
tremendous deeds have been committed men selfpossessed before have given a
sudden loose to passions they could no longer control The demons of wrath and
despair have striven to emulate those who ride the whirlwind and direct the
storm and man lashed into madness with the roaring winds and boiling waters
has become for the time as wild and merciless as the elements themselves
Whether the traveller was possessed by thoughts which the fury of the night
had heated and stimulated into a quicker current or was merely impelled by some
strong motive to reach his journeys end on he swept more like a hunted phantom
than a man nor checked his pace until arriving at some cross roads one of
which led by a longer route to the place whence he had lately started he bore
down so suddenly upon a vehicle which was coming towards him that in the effort
to avoid it he wellnigh pulled his horse upon his haunches and narrowly
escaped being thrown
»Yoho« cried the voice of a man »Whats that who goes there«
»A friend« replied the traveller
»A friend« repeated the voice »Who calls himself a friend and rides like
that abusing Heavens gifts in the shape of horseflesh and endangering not
only his own neck which might be no great matter but the necks of other
people«
»You have a lantern there I see« said the traveller dismounting »lend it
me for a moment You have wounded my horse I think with your shaft or wheel«
»Wounded him« cried the other »if I havent killed him its no fault of
yours What do you mean by galloping along the kings highway like that eh«
»Give me the light« returned the traveller snatching it from his hand
»and dont ask idle questions of a man who is in no mood for talking«
»If you had said you were in no mood for talking before I should perhaps
have been in no mood for lighting« said the voice »Howsever as its the poor
horse thats damaged and not you one of you is welcome to the light at all
events but its not the crusty one«
The traveller returned no answer to this speech but holding the light near
to his panting and reeking breast examined him in limb and carcass Meanwhile
the other man sat very composedly in his vehicle which was a kind of chaise
with a depository for a large bag of tools and watched his proceedings with a
careful eye
The lookeron was a round redfaced sturdy yeoman with a double chin and
a voice husky with good living good sleeping good humour and good health He
was past the prime of life but Father Time is not always a hard parent and
though he tarries for none of his children often lays his hand lightly upon
those who have used him well making them old men and women inexorably enough
but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour With such people
the grey head is but the impression of the old fellows hand in giving them his
blessing and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a wellspent
life
The person whom the traveller had so abruptly encountered was of this kind
bluff hale hearty and in a green old age at peace with himself and
evidently disposed to be so with all the world Although muffled up in divers
coats and handkerchiefs one of which passed over his crown and tied in a
convenient crease of his double chin secured his threecornered hat and bobwig
from blowing off his head there was no disguising his plump and comfortable
figure neither did certain dirty fingermarks upon his face give it any other
than an odd and comical expression through which its natural good humour shone
with undiminished lustre
»He is not hurt« said the traveller at length raising his head and the
lantern together
»You have found that out at last have you« rejoined the old man »My eyes
have seen more light than yours but I wouldnt change with you«
»What do you mean«
»Mean I could have told you he wasnt hurt five minutes ago Give me the
light friend ride forward at a gentler pace and good night«
In handing up the lantern the man necessarily cast its rays full on the
speakers face Their eyes met at the instant He suddenly dropped it and
crushed it with his foot
»Did you never see a locksmith before that you start as if you had come
upon a ghost« cried the old man in the chaise »or is this« he added hastily
thrusting his hand into the tool basket and drawing out a hammer »a scheme for
robbing me I know these roads friend When I travel them I carry nothing but
a few shillings and not a crowns worth of them I tell you plainly to save us
both trouble that theres nothing to be got from me but a pretty stout arm
considering my years and this tool which mayhap from long acquaintance with
I can use pretty briskly You shall not have it all your own way I promise you
if you play at that game« With these words he stood upon the defensive
»I am not what you take me for Gabriel Varden« replied the other
»Then what and who are you« returned the locksmith »You know my name it
seems Let me know yours«
»I have not gained the information from any confidence of yours but from
the inscription on your cart which tells it to all the town« replied the
traveller
»You have better eyes for that than you had for your horse then« said
Varden descending nimbly from his chaise »who are you Let me see your face«
While the locksmith alighted the traveller had regained his saddle from
which he now confronted the old man who moving as the horse moved in chafing
under the tightened rein kept close beside him
»Let me see your face I say«
»Stand off«
»No masquerading tricks« said the locksmith »and tales at the club
tomorrow how Gabriel Varden was frightened by a surly voice and a dark night
Stand let me see your face«
Finding that further resistance would only involve him in a personal
struggle with an antagonist by no means to be despised the traveller threw back
his coat and stooping down looked steadily at the locksmith
Perhaps two men more powerfully contrasted never opposed each other face to
face The ruddy features of the locksmith so set off and heightened the
excessive paleness of the man on horseback that he looked like a bloodless
ghost while the moisture which hard riding had brought out upon his skin hung
there in dark and heavy drops like dews of agony and death The countenance of
the old locksmith lighted up with the smile of one expecting to detect in this
unpromising stranger some latent roguery of eye or lip which should reveal a
familiar person in that arch disguise and spoil his jest The face of the
other sullen and fierce but shrinking too was that of a man who stood at bay
while his firmly closed jaws his puckered mouth and more than all a certain
stealthy motion of the hand within his breast seemed to announce a desperate
purpose very foreign to acting or childs play
Thus they regarded each other for some time in silence
»Humph« he said when he had scanned his features »I dont know you«
»Dont desire to« returned the other muffling himself as before
»I dont« said Gabriel »to be plain with you friend you dont carry in
your countenance a letter of recommendation«
»Its not my wish« said the traveller »My humour is to be avoided«
»Well« said the locksmith bluntly »I think youll have your humour«
»I will at any cost« rejoined the traveller »In proof of it lay this to
heart that you were never in such peril of your life as you have been within
these few moments when you are within five minutes of breathing your last you
will not be nearer death than you have been tonight«
»Aye« said the sturdy locksmith
»Aye and a violent death«
»From whose hand«
»From mine« replied the traveller
With that he put spurs to his horse and rode away at first plashing
heavily through the mire at a smart trot but gradually increasing in speed
until the last sound of his horses hoofs died away upon the wind when he was
again hurrying on at the same furious gallop which had been his pace when the
locksmith first encountered him
Gabriel Varden remained standing in the road with the broken lantern in his
hand listening in stupefied silence until no sound reached his ear but the
moaning of the wind and the fastfalling rain when he struck himself one or
two smart blows in the breast by way of rousing himself and broke into an
exclamation of surprise
»What in the name of wonder can this fellow be a madman a highwayman a
cutthroat If he had not scoured off so fast wed have seen who was in most
danger he or I I never nearer death than I have been tonight I hope I may be
no nearer to it for a score of years to come if so Ill be content to be no
farther from it My stars a pretty brag this to a stout man pooh pooh«
Gabriel resumed his seat and looked wistfully up the road by which the
traveller had come murmuring in a half whisper
»The Maypole two miles to the Maypole I came the other road from the
Warren after a long days work at locks and bells on purpose that I should not
come by the Maypole and break my promise to Martha by looking in theres
resolution It would be dangerous to go on to London without a light and its
four miles and a good halfmile besides to the HalfwayHouse and between this
and that is the very place where one needs a light most Two miles to the
Maypole I told Martha I wouldnt I said I wouldnt and I didnt theres
resolution«
Repeating these two last words very often as if to compensate for the
little resolution he was going to show by piquing himself on the great
resolution he had shown Gabriel Varden quietly turned back determining to get
a light at the Maypole and to take nothing but a light
When he got to the Maypole however and Joe responding to his well known
hail came running out to the horses head leaving the door open behind him
and disclosing a delicious perspective of warmth and brightness when the ruddy
gleam of the fire streaming through the old red curtains of the common room
seemed to bring with it as part of itself, a pleasant hum of voices and a
fragrant odour of steaming grog and rare tobacco all steeped as it were in the
cheerful glow when the shadows flitting across the curtain showed that those
inside had risen from their snug seats and were making room in the snuggest
corner how well he knew that corner for the honest locksmith and a broad
glare suddenly streaming up bespoke the goodness of the crackling log from
which a brilliant train of sparks was doubtless at that moment whirling up the
chimney in honour of his coming when superadded to these enticements there
stole upon him from the distant kitchen a gentle sound of frying with a musical
clatter of plates and dishes and a savoury smell that made even the boisterous
wind a perfume Gabriel felt his firmness oozing rapidly away He tried to look
stoically at the tavern but his features would relax into a look of fondness
He turned his head the other way and the cold black country seemed to frown him
off and drive him for a refuge into its hospitable arms
»The merciful man Joe« said the locksmith »is merciful to his beast Ill
get out for a little while«
And how natural it was to get out And how unnatural it seemed for a sober
man to be plodding wearily along through miry roads encountering the rude
buffets of the wind and pelting of the rain when there was a clean floor
covered with crisp white sand a wellswept hearth a blazing fire a table
decorated with white cloth bright pewter flagons and other tempting
preparations for a wellcooked meal when there were these things and company
disposed to make the most of them all ready to his hand and entreating him to
enjoyment
Chapter III
Such were the locksmiths thoughts when first seated in the snug corner and
slowly recovering from a pleasant defect of vision pleasant because
occasioned by the wind blowing in his eyes which made it a matter of sound
policy and duty to himself that he should take refuge from the weather and
tempted him for the same reason to aggravate a slight cough and declare he
felt but poorly Such were still his thoughts more than a full hour afterwards
when supper over he still sat with shining jovial face in the same warm nook
listening to the cricketlike chirrup of little Solomon Daisy and bearing no
unimportant or slightly respected part in the social gossip round the Maypole
fire
»I wish he may be an honest man thats all« said Solomon winding up a
variety of speculations relative to the stranger concerning whom Gabriel had
compared notes with the company and so raised a grave discussion »I wish he
may be an honest man«
»So we all do I suppose dont we« observed the locksmith
»I dont« said Joe
»No« cried Gabriel
»No He struck me with his whip the coward when he was mounted and I
afoot and I should be better pleased that he turned out what I think him«
»And what may that be Joe«
»No good Mr Varden You may shake your head father but I say no good
and will say no good and I would say no good a hundred times over if that
would bring him back to have the drubbing he deserves«
»Hold your tongue sir« said John Willet
»I wont father Its all along of you that he ventured to do what he did
Seeing me treated like a child and put down like a fool he plucks up a heart
and has a fling at a fellow that he thinks and may well think too hasnt a
grain of spirit But hes mistaken as Ill show him and as Ill show all of
you before long«
»Does the boy know what hes a saying of« cried the astonished John Willet
»Father« returned Joe »I know what I say and mean well better than you
do when you hear me I can bear with you but I cannot bear the contempt that
your treating me in the way you do brings upon me from others every day Look
at other young men of my age Have they no liberty no will no right to speak
Are they obliged to sit mumchance and to be ordered about till they are the
laughingstock of young and old I am a byeword all over Chigwell and I say
and its fairer my saying so now than waiting till you are dead and I have got
your money I say that before long I shall be driven to break such bounds and
that when I do it wont be me that youll have to blame but your own self and
no other«
John Willet was so amazed by the exasperation and boldness of his hopeful
son that he sat as one bewildered staring in a ludicrous manner at the boiler
and endeavouring but quite ineffectually to collect his tardy thoughts and
invent an answer The guests scarcely less disturbed were equally at a loss
and at length with a variety of muttered halfexpressed condolences and
pieces of advice rose to depart being at the same time slightly muddled with
liquor
The honest locksmith alone addressed a few words of coherent and sensible
advice to both parties urging John Willet to remember that Joe was nearly
arrived at mans estate and should not be ruled with too tight a hand and
exhorting Joe himself to bear with his fathers caprices and rather endeavour
to turn them aside by temperate remonstrance than by illtimed rebellion This
advice was received as such advice usually is On John Willet it made almost as
much impression as on the sign outside the door while Joe who took it in the
best part avowed himself more obliged than he could well express but politely
intimated his intention nevertheless of taking his own course uninfluenced by
anybody
»You have always been a very good friend to me Mr Varden« he said as
they stood without in the porch and the locksmith was equipping himself for
his journey home »I take it very kind of you to say all this but the times
nearly come when the Maypole and I must part company«
»Roving stones gather no moss Joe« said Gabriel
»Nor milestones much« replied Joe »Im little better than one here and
see as much of the world«
»Then what would you do Joe« pursued the locksmith stroking his chin
reflectively »What could you be where could you go you see«
»I must trust to chance Mr Varden«
»A bad thing to trust to Joe I dont like it I always tell my girl when
we talk about a husband for her never to trust to chance but to make sure
beforehand that she has a good man and true and then chance will neither make
her nor break her What are you fidgeting about there Joe Nothing gone in the
harness I hope«
»No no« said Joe finding however something very engrossing to do in
the way of strapping and buckling »Miss Dolly quite well«
»Hearty thankye She looks pretty enough to be well and good too«
»Shes always both sir «
»So she is thank God«
»I hope« said Joe after some hesitation »that you wont tell this story
against me this of my having been beat like the boy theyd make of me at all
events till I have met this man again and settled the account Itll be a
better story then«
»Why who should I tell it to« returned Gabriel »They know it here and Im
not likely to come across anybody else who would care about it«
»Thats true enough« said the young fellow with a sigh »I quite forgot
that Yes thats true«
So saying he raised his face which was very red no doubt from the
exertion of strapping and buckling as aforesaid and giving the reins to the
old man who had by this time taken his seat sighed again and bade him good
night
»Good night« cried Gabriel »Now think better of what we have just been
speaking of and dont be rash theres a good fellow I have an interest in
you and wouldnt have you cast yourself away Good night«
Returning his cheery farewell with cordial goodwill Joe Willet lingered
until the sound of wheels ceased to vibrate in his ears and then shaking his
head mournfully reentered the house
Gabriel Varden went his way towards London thinking of a great many things
and most of all of flaming terms in which to relate his adventure and so
account satisfactorily to Mrs Varden for visiting the Maypole despite certain
solemn covenants between himself and that lady Thinking begets not only
thought but drowsiness occasionally and the more the locksmith thought the
more sleepy he became
A man may be very sober or at least firmly set upon his legs on that
neutral ground which lies between the confines of perfect sobriety and slight
tipsiness and yet feel a strong tendency to mingle up present circumstances
with others which have no manner of connection with them to confound all
consideration of persons things times and places and to jumble his
disjointed thoughts together in a kind of mental kaleidoscope producing
combinations as unexpected as they are transitory This was Gabriel Vardens
state as nodding in his dog sleep and leaving his horse to pursue a road with
which he was well acquainted he got over the ground unconsciously and drew
nearer and nearer home He had roused himself once when the horse stopped until
the turnpike gate was opened and had cried a lusty »good night« to the
tollkeeper but then he awoke out of a dream about picking a lock in the
stomach of the Great Mogul and even when he did wake mixed up the turnpike man
with his motherinlaw who had been dead twenty years It is not surprising
therefore that he soon relapsed and jogged heavily along quite insensible to
his progress
And now he approached the great city which lay outstretched before him
like a dark shadow on the ground reddening the sluggish air with a deep dull
light that told of labyrinths of public ways and shops and swarms of busy
people Approaching nearer and nearer yet this halo began to fade and the
causes which produced it slowly to develop themselves Long lines of poorly
lighted streets might be faintly traced with here and there a lighter spot
where lamps were clustered round a square or market or round some great
building after a time these grew more distinct and the lamps themselves were
visible slight yellow specks that seemed to be rapidly snuffed out one by
one as intervening obstacles hid them from the sight Then sounds arose the
striking of church clocks the distant bark of dogs the hum of traffic in the
streets then outlines might be traced tall steeples looming in the air and
piles of unequal roofs oppressed by chimneys then the noise swelled into a
louder sound and forms grew more distinct and numerous still and London
visible in the darkness by its own faint light and not by that of Heaven was
at hand
The locksmith however all unconscious of its near vicinity still jogged
on half sleeping and half waking when a loud cry at no great distance ahead
roused him with a start
For a moment or two he looked about him like a man who had been transported
to some strange country in his sleep but soon recognising familiar objects
rubbed his eyes lazily and might have relapsed again but that the cry was
repeated not once or twice or thrice but many times and each time if
possible with increased vehemence Thoroughly aroused Gabriel who was a bold
man and not easily daunted made straight to the spot urging on his stout
little horse as if for life or death
The matter indeed looked sufficiently serious for coming to the place
whence the cries had proceeded he descried the figure of a man extended in an
apparently lifeless state upon the pathway and hovering round him another
person with a torch in his hand which he waved in the air with a wild
impatience redoubling meanwhile those cries for help which had brought the
locksmith to the spot
»Whats here to do« said the old man alighting »Hows this what
Barnaby«
The bearer of the torch shook his long loose hair back from his eyes and
thrusting his face eagerly into that of the locksmith fixed upon him a look
which told his history at once
»You know me Barnaby« said Varden
He nodded not once or twice but a score of times and that with a
fantastic exaggeration which would have kept his head in motion for an hour but
that the locksmith held up his finger and fixing his eye sternly upon him
caused him to desist then pointed to the body with an inquiring look
»Theres blood upon him« said Barnaby with a shudder »It makes me sick«
»How came it there« demanded Varden
»Steel steel steel« he replied fiercely imitating with his hand the
thrust of a sword
»Is he robbed« said the locksmith
Barnaby caught him by the arm and nodded Yes then pointed towards the
city
»Oh« said the old man bending over the body and looking round as he spoke
into Barnabys pale face strangely lighted up by something that was not
intellect »The robber made off that way did he Well well never mind that
just now Hold your torch this way a little farther off so Now stand quiet
while I try to see what harm is done«
With these words he applied himself to a closer examination of the
prostrate form while Barnaby holding the torch as he had been directed looked
on in silence fascinated by interest or curiosity but repelled nevertheless by
some strong and secret horror which convulsed him in every nerve
As he stood at that moment half shrinking back and half bending forward
both his face and figure were full in the strong glare of the link and as
distinctly revealed as though it had been broad day He was about
threeandtwenty years old and though rather spare of a fair height and strong
make His hair of which he had a great profusion was red and hanging in
disorder about his face and shoulders gave to his restless looks an expression
quite unearthly enhanced by the paleness of his complexion and the glassy
lustre of his large protruding eyes Startling as his aspect was the features
were good and there was something even plaintive in his wan and haggard aspect
But the absence of the soul is far more terrible in a living man than in a dead
one and in this unfortunate being its noblest powers were wanting
His dress was of green clumsily trimmed here and there apparently by his
own hands with gaudy lace brightest where the cloth was most worn and soiled
and poorest where it was at the best A pair of tawdry ruffles dangled at his
wrists while his throat was nearly bare He had ornamented his hat with a
cluster of peacocks feathers but they were limp and broken and now trailed
negligently down his back Girt to his side was the steel hilt of an old sword
without blade or scabbard and some particoloured ends of ribands and poor
glass toys completed the ornamental portion of his attire The fluttered and
confused disposition of all the motley scraps that formed his dress bespoke in
a scarcely less degree than his eager and unsettled manner the disorder of his
mind and by a grotesque contrast set off and heightened the more impressive
wildness of his face
»Barnaby« said the locksmith after a hasty but careful inspection »this
man is not dead but he has a wound in his side and is in a faintingfit«
»I know him I know him« cried Barnaby clapping his hands
»Know him« repeated the locksmith
»Hush« said Barnaby laying his fingers upon his lips »He went out today
a wooing I wouldnt for a light guinea that he should never go a wooing again
for if he did some eyes would grow dim that are now as bright as see when I
talk of eyes the stars come out Whose eyes are they If they are angels eyes
why do they look down here and see good men hurt and only wink and sparkle all
the night«
»Now Heaven help this silly fellow« murmured the perplexed locksmith »can
he know this gentleman His mothers house is not far off I had better see if
she can tell me who he is Barnaby my man help me to put him in the chaise
and well ride home together«
»I cant touch him« cried the idiot falling back and shuddering as with a
strong spasm »hes bloody«
»Its in his nature I know« muttered the locksmith »its cruel to ask him
but I must have help Barnaby good Barnaby dear Barnaby if you know this
gentleman for the sake of his life and everybodys life that loves him help me
to raise him and lay him down«
»Cover him then wrap him close dont let me see it smell it hear the
word Dont speak the word dont«
»No no Ill not There you see hes covered now Gently Well done well
done«
They placed him in the carriage with great ease for Barnaby was strong and
active but all the time they were so occupied he shivered from head to foot
and evidently experienced an ecstasy of terror
This accomplished and the wounded man being covered with Vardens own
greatcoat which he took off for the purpose they proceeded onward at a brisk
pace Barnaby gaily counting the stars upon his fingers and Gabriel inwardly
congratulating himself upon having an adventure now which would silence Mrs
Varden on the subject of the Maypole for that night or there was no faith in
woman
Chapter IV
In the venerable suburb it was a suburb once of Clerkenwell towards that
part of its confines which is nearest to the Charter House and in one of those
cool shady streets of which a few widely scattered and dispersed yet remain
in such old parts of the metropolis each tenement quietly vegetating like an
ancient citizen who long ago retired from business and dozing on in its
infirmity until in course of time it tumbles down and is replaced by some
extravagant young heir flaunting in stucco and ornamental work and all the
vanities of modern days in this quarter and in a street of this description
the business of the present chapter lies
At the time of which it treats though only sixandsixty years ago a very
large part of what is London now had no existence Even in the brains of the
wildest speculators there had sprung up no long rows of streets connecting
Highgate with Whitechapel no assemblages of palaces in the swampy levels nor
little cities in the open fields Although this part of town was then as now
parcelled out in streets and plentifully peopled it wore a different aspect
There were gardens to many of the houses and trees by the pavement side with
an air of freshness breathing up and down which in these days would be sought
in vain Fields were nigh at hand through which the New River took its winding
course and where there was merry haymaking in the summer time Nature was not
so far removed or hard to get at as in these days and although there were
busy trades in Clerkenwell and working jewellers by scores it was a purer
place with farmhouses nearer to it than many modern Londoners would readily
believe and lovers walks at no great distance which turned into squalid
courts long before the lovers of this age were born or as the phrase goes
thought of
In one of these streets the cleanest of them all and on the shady side of
the way for good housewives know that sunlight damages their cherished
furniture and so choose the shade rather than its intrusive glare there stood
the house with which we have to deal It was a modest building not very
straight not large not tall not boldfaced with great staring windows but a
shy blinking house with a conical roof going up into a peak over its garret
window of four small panes of glass like a cocked hat on the head of an elderly
gentleman with one eye It was not built of brick or lofty stone but of wood
and plaster it was not planned with a dull and wearisome regard to regularity
for no one window matched the other or seemed to have the slightest reference
to anything besides itself.
The shop for it had a shop was with reference to the first floor where
shops usually are and there all resemblance between it and any other shop
stopped short and ceased People who went in and out didnt go up a flight of
steps to it or walk easily in upon a level with the street but dived down
three steep stairs as into a cellar Its floor was paved with stone and brick
as that of any other cellar might be and in lieu of window framed and glazed it
had a great black wooden flap or shutter nearly breast high from the ground
which turned back in the daytime admitting as much cold air as light and very
often more Behind this shop was a wainscoted parlour looking first into a
paved yard and beyond that again into a little terrace garden raised some feet
above it Any stranger would have supposed that this wainscoted parlour saving
for the door of communication by which he had entered was cut off and detached
from all the world and indeed most strangers on their first entrance were
observed to grow extremely thoughtful as weighing and pondering in their minds
whether the upper rooms were only approachable by ladders from without never
suspecting that two of the most unassuming and unlikely doors in existence
which the most ingenious mechanician on earth must of necessity have supposed to
be the doors of closets opened out of this room each without the smallest
preparation or so much as a quarter of an inch of passage upon two dark
winding flights of stairs the one upward the other downward which were the
sole means of communication between that chamber and the other portions of the
house
With all these oddities there was not a neater more scrupulously tidy or
more punctiliously ordered house in Clerkenwell in London in all England
There were not cleaner windows or whiter floors or brighter stoves or more
highly shining articles of furniture in old mahogany there was not more
rubbing scrubbing burnishing and polishing in the whole street put together
Nor was this excellence attained without some cost and trouble and great
expenditure of voice as the neighbours were frequently reminded when the good
lady of the house overlooked and assisted in its being put to rights on cleaning
days which were usually from Monday morning till Saturday night both days
inclusive
Leaning against the doorpost of this his dwelling the locksmith stood
early on the morning after he had met with the wounded man gazing
disconsolately at a great wooden emblem of a key painted in vivid yellow to
resemble gold which dangled from the housefront and swung to and fro with a
mournful creaking noise as if complaining that it had nothing to unlock
Sometimes he looked over his shoulder into the shop which was so dark and
dingy with numerous tokens of his trade and so blackened by the smoke of a
little forge near which his prentice was at work that it would have been
difficult for one unused to such espials to have distinguished anything but
various tools of uncouth make and shape great bunches of rusty keys fragments
of iron halffinished locks and suchlike things which garnished the walls
and hung in clusters from the ceiling
After a long and patient contemplation of the golden key and many such
backward glances Gabriel stepped into the road and stole a look at the upper
windows One of them chanced to be thrown open at the moment and a roguish face
met his a face lighted up by the loveliest pair of sparkling eyes that ever
locksmith looked upon the face of a pretty laughing girl dimpled and fresh
and healthful the very impersonation of goodhumour and blooming beauty
»Hush« she whispered bending forward and pointing archly to the window
underneath »Mother is still asleep«
»Still my dear« returned the locksmith in the same tone »You talk as if
she had been asleep all night instead of little more than half an hour But Im
very thankful Sleeps a blessing no doubt about it« The last few words he
muttered to himself
»How cruel of you to keep us up so late this morning and never tell us
where you were or send us word« said the girl
»Ah Dolly Dolly« returned the locksmith shaking his head and smiling
»how cruel of you to run upstairs to bed Come down to breakfast madcap and
come down lightly or youll wake your mother She must be tired I am sure I
am«
Keeping these latter words to himself and returning his daughters nod he
was passing into the workshop with the smile she had awakened still beaming on
his face when he just caught sight of his prentices brown paper cap ducking
down to avoid observation and shrinking from the window back to its former
place which the wearer no sooner reached than he began to hammer lustily
»Listening again Simon« said Gabriel to himself »Thats bad What in the
name of wonder does he expect the girl to say that I always catch him listening
when she speaks and never at any other time A bad habit Sim a sneaking
underhanded way Ah you may hammer but you wont beat that out of me if you
work at it till your times up«
So saying and shaking his head gravely he reentered the workshop and
confronted the subject of these remarks
»Theres enough of that just now« said the locksmith »You neednt make any
more of that confounded clatter Breakfasts ready«
»Sir« said Sim looking up with amazing politeness and a peculiar little
bow cut short off at the neck »I shall attend you immediately«
»I suppose« muttered Gabriel »thats out of the Prentices Garland or
the Prentices Delight or the Prentices Warbler or the Prentices Guide to
the Gallows or some such improving textbook Now hes going to beautify
himself heres a precious locksmith«
Quite unconscious that his master was looking on from the dark corner by the
parlour door Sim threw off the paper cap sprang from his seat and in two
extraordinary steps something between skating and minuet dancing bounded to a
washing place at the other end of the shop and there removed from his face and
hands all traces of his previous work practising the same step all the time
with the utmost gravity This done he drew from some concealed place a little
scrap of lookingglass and with its assistance arranged his hair and
ascertained the exact state of a little carbuncle on his nose Having now
completed his toilet he placed the fragment of mirror on a low bench and
looked over his shoulder at so much of his legs as could be reflected in that
small compass with the greatest possible complacency and satisfaction
Sim as he was called in the locksmiths family or Mr Simon Tappertit as
he called himself and required all men to style him out of doors on holidays
and Sundays out was an oldfashioned thinfaced sleekhaired sharpnosed
smalleyed little fellow very little more than five feet high and thoroughly
convinced in his own mind that he was above the middle size rather tall in
fact than otherwise Of his figure which was well enough formed though
somewhat of the leanest he entertained the highest admiration and with his
legs which in kneebreeches were perfect curiosities of littleness he was
enraptured to a degree amounting to enthusiasm He also had some majestic
shadowy ideas, which had never been quite fathomed by his intimate friends
concerning the power of his eye Indeed he had been known to go so far as to
boast that he could utterly quell and subdue the haughtiest beauty by a simple
process which he termed eyeing her over but it must be added that neither of
this faculty nor of the power he claimed to have through the same gift of
vanquishing and heaving down dumb animals even in a rabid state had he ever
furnished evidence which could be deemed quite satisfactory and conclusive
It may be inferred from these premises that in the small body of Mr
Tappertit there was locked up an ambitious and aspiring soul As certain
liquors confined in casks too cramped in their dimensions will ferment and
fret and chafe in their imprisonment so the spiritual essence or soul of Mr
Tappertit would sometimes fume within that precious cask his body until with
great foam and froth and splutter it would force a vent and carry all before
it It was his custom to remark in reference to any one of these occasions
that his soul had got into his head and in this novel kind of intoxication many
scrapes and mishaps befell him which he had frequently concealed with no small
difficulty from his worthy master
Sim Tappertit among the other fancies upon which his beforementioned soul
was for ever feasting and regaling itself and which fancies like the liver of
Prometheus grew as they were fed upon had a mighty notion of his order and
had been heard by the servantmaid openly expressing his regret that the
prentices no longer carried clubs wherewith to mace the citizens that was his
strong expression He was likewise reported to have said that in former times a
stigma had been cast upon the body by the execution of George Barnwell to which
they should not have basely submitted but should have demanded him of the
legislature temperately at first then by an appeal to arms if necessary to
be dealt with as they in their wisdom might think fit These thoughts always led
him to consider what a glorious engine the prentices might yet become if they
had but a master spirit at their head and then he would darkly and to the
terror of his hearers hint at certain reckless fellows that he knew of and at
a certain Lion Heart ready to become their captain who once afoot would make
the Lord Mayor tremble on his throne
In respect of dress and personal decoration Sim Tappertit was no less of an
adventurous and enterprising character He had been seen beyond dispute to
pull off ruffles of the finest quality at the corner of the street on Sunday
nights and to put them carefully in his pocket before returning home and it
was quite notorious that on all great holiday occasions it was his habit to
exchange his plain steel kneebuckles for a pair of glittering paste under
cover of a friendly post planted most conveniently in that same spot Add to
this that he was in years just twenty in his looks much older and in conceit
at least two hundred that he had no objection to be jested with touching his
admiration of his masters daughter and had even when called upon at a certain
obscure tavern to pledge the lady whom he honoured with his love toasted with
many winks and leers a fair creature whose Christian name he said began with
a D and as much is known of Sim Tappertit who has by this time followed the
locksmith in to breakfast as is necessary to be known in making his
acquaintance
It was a substantial meal for over and above the ordinary tea equipage
the board creaked beneath the weight of a jolly round of beef a ham of the
first magnitude and sundry towers of buttered Yorkshire cake piled slice upon
slice in most alluring order There was also a goodly jug of wellbrowned clay
fashioned into the form of an old gentleman not by any means unlike the
locksmith atop of whose bald head was a fine white froth answering to his wig
indicative beyond dispute of sparkling homebrewed ale But better far than
fair homebrewed or Yorkshire cake or ham or beef or anything to eat or
drink that earth or air or water can supply there sat presiding over all the
locksmiths rosy daughter before whose dark eyes even beef grew insignificant
and malt became as nothing
Fathers should never kiss their daughters when young men are by Its too
much There are bounds to human endurance So thought Sim Tappertit when Gabriel
drew those rosy lips to his those lips within Sims reach from day to day and
yet so far off He had a respect for his master but he wished the Yorkshire
cake might choke him
»Father« said the locksmiths daughter when this salute was over and they
took their seats at table »what is this I hear about last night«
»All true my dear true as the Gospel Doll«
»Young Mr Chester robbed and lying wounded in the road when you came up«
»Ay Mr Edward And beside him Barnaby calling for help with all his
might It was well it happened as it did for the roads a lonely one the hour
was late and the night being cold and poor Barnaby even less sensible than
usual from surprise and fright the young gentleman might have met his death in
a very short time«
»I dread to think of it« cried his daughter with a shudder »How did you
know him«
»Know him« returned the locksmith »I didnt know him how could I I had
never seen him often as I had heard and spoken of him I took him to Mrs
Rudges and she no sooner saw him than the truth came out«
»Miss Emma father If this news should reach her enlarged upon as it is
sure to be she will go distracted«
»Why lookye there again how a man suffers for being goodnatured« said
the locksmith »Miss Emma was with her uncle at the masquerade at Carlisle
House where she had gone as the people at the Warren told me sorely against
her will What does your blockhead father when he and Mrs Rudge have laid their
heads together but goes there when he ought to be abed makes interest with his
friend the doorkeeper slips him on a mask and domino and mixes with the
masquers«
»And like himself to do so« cried the girl putting her fair arm round his
neck and giving him a most enthusiastic kiss
»Like himself« repeated Gabriel affecting to grumble but evidently
delighted with the part he had taken and with her praise »Very like himself
so your mother said However he mingled with the crowd and prettily worried
and badgered he was I warrant you with people squeaking Dont you know me
and Ive found you out and all that kind of nonsense in his ears He might have
wandered on till now but in a little room there was a young lady who had taken
off her mask on account of the place being very warm and was sitting there
alone«
»And that was she« said his daughter hastily
»And that was she« replied the locksmith »and I no sooner whispered to her
what the matter was as softly Doll and with nearly as much art as you could
have used yourself than she gives a kind of scream and faints away«
»What did you do what happened next« asked his daughter
»Why the masks came flocking round with a general noise and hubbub and I
thought myself in luck to get clear off thats all« rejoined the locksmith
»What happened when I reached home you may guess if you didnt hear it Ah
Well its a poor heart that never rejoices Put Toby this way my dear«
This Toby was the brown jug of which previous mention has been made
Applying his lips to the worthy old gentlemans benevolent forehead the
locksmith who had all this time been ravaging among the eatables kept them
there so long at the same time raising the vessel slowly in the air that at
length Toby stood on his head upon his nose when he smacked his lips and set
him on the table again with fond reluctance
Although Sim Tappertit had taken no share in this conversation no part of
it being addressed to him he had not been wanting in such silent manifestations
of astonishment as he deemed most compatible with the favourable display of his
eyes Regarding the pause which now ensued as a particularly advantageous
opportunity for doing great execution with them upon the locksmiths daughter
who he had no doubt was looking at him in mute admiration he began to screw
and twist his face and especially those features into such extraordinary
hideous and unparalleled contortions that Gabriel who happened to look
towards him was stricken with amazement
»Why what the devils the matter with the lad« cried the locksmith »Is he
choking«
»Who« demanded Sim with some disdain
»Who why you« returned his master »What do you mean by making those
horrible faces over your breakfast«
»Faces are matters of taste sir« said Mr Tappertit rather discomfited
not the less so because he saw the locksmiths daughter smiling
»Sim« rejoined Gabriel laughing heartily »Dont be a fool for Id rather
see you in your senses These young fellows« he added turning to his daughter
»are always committing some folly or another There was a quarrel between Joe
Willet and old John last night though I cant say Joe was much in fault
either Hell be missing one of these mornings and will have gone away upon
some wildgoose errand seeking his fortune Why whats the matter Doll You
are making faces now The girls are as bad as the boys every bit«
»Its the tea« said Dolly turning alternately very red and very white
which is no doubt the effect of a slight scald »so very hot«
Mr Tappertit looked immensely big at a quartern loaf on the table and
breathed hard
»Is that all« returned the locksmith »Put some more milk in it Yes I
am sorry for Joe because he is a likely young fellow and gains upon one every
time one sees him But hell start off youll find Indeed he told me as much
himself«
»Indeed« cried Dolly in a faint voice »In deed«
»Is the tea tickling your throat still my dear« said the locksmith
But before his daughter could make him any answer she was taken with a
troublesome cough and it was such a very unpleasant cough that when she left
off the tears were starting in her bright eyes The goodnatured locksmith was
still patting her on the back and applying such gentle restoratives when a
message arrived from Mrs Varden making known to all whom it might concern
that she felt too much indisposed to rise after her great agitation and anxiety
of the previous night and therefore desired to be immediately accommodated with
the little black teapot of strong mixed tea a couple of rounds of buttered
toast a middlingsized dish of beef and ham cut thin and the Protestant Manual
in two volumes post octavo Like some other ladies who in remote ages flourished
upon this globe Mrs Varden was most devout when most illtempered Whenever
she and her husband were at unusual variance then the Protestant Manual was in
high feather
Knowing from experience what these requests portended the triumvirate broke
up Dolly to see the orders executed with all despatch Gabriel to some
outofdoor work in his little chaise and Sim to his daily duty in the
workshop to which retreat he carried the big look although the loaf remained
behind
Indeed the big look increased immensely and when he had tied his apron on
became quite gigantic It was not until he had several times walked up and down
with folded arms and the longest strides he could take and had kicked a great
many small articles out of his way that his lip began to curl At length a
gloomy derision came upon his features and he smiled uttering meanwhile with
supreme contempt the monosyllable »Joe«
»I eyed her over while he talked about the fellow« he said »and that was
of course the reason of her being confused Joe«
He walked up and down again much quicker than before and if possible with
longer strides sometimes stopping to take a glance at his legs and sometimes
to jerk out and cast from him another »Joe« In the course of a quarter of an
hour or so he again assumed the paper cap and tried to work No It could not be
done
»Ill do nothing today« said Mr Tappertit dashing it down again »but
grind Ill grind up all the tools Grinding will suit my present humour well
Joe«
Whirrrrr The grindstone was soon in motion the sparks were flying off
in showers This was the occupation for his heated spirit
Whirrrrrrrr
»Something will come of this« said Mr Tappertit pausing as if in triumph
and wiping his heated face upon his sleeve »Something will come of this I hope
it maynt be human gore«
Whirrrrrrrrr
Chapter V
As soon as the business of the day was over the locksmith sallied forth alone
to visit the wounded gentleman and ascertain the progress of his recovery The
house where he had left him was in a bystreet in Southwark not far from London
Bridge and thither he hied with all speed bent upon returning with as little
delay as might be and getting to bed betimes
The evening was boisterous scarcely better than the previous night had
been It was not easy for a stout man like Gabriel to keep his legs at the
street corners or to make head against the high wind which often fairly got
the better of him and drove him back some paces or in defiance of all his
energy forced him to take shelter in an arch or doorway until the fury of the
gust was spent Occasionally a hat or wig or both came spinning and trundling
past him like a mad thing while the more serious spectacle of falling tiles
and slates or of masses of brick and mortar or fragments of stonecoping
rattling upon the pavement near at hand and splitting into fragments did not
increase the pleasure of the journey or make the way less dreary
»A trying night for a man like me to walk in« said the locksmith as he
knocked softly at the widows door »Id rather be in old Johns chimneycorner
faith«
»Whos there« demanded a womans voice from within Being answered it
added a hasty word of welcome and the door was quickly opened
She was about forty perhaps two or three years older with a cheerful
aspect and a face that had once been pretty It bore traces of affliction and
care but they were of an old date and Time had smoothed them Any one who had
bestowed but a casual glance on Barnaby might have known that this was his
mother from the strong resemblance between them but where in his face there
was wildness and vacancy in hers there was the patient composure of long effort
and quiet resignation
One thing about this face was very strange and startling You could not look
upon it in its most cheerful mood without feeling that it had some extraordinary
capacity of expressing terror It was not on the surface It was in no one
feature that it lingered You could not take the eyes or mouth or lines upon
the cheek and say if this or that were otherwise it would not be so Yet
there it always lurked something for ever dimly seen but ever there and
never absent for a moment It was the faintest palest shadow of some look to
which an instant of intense and most unutterable horror only could have given
birth but indistinct and feeble as it was it did suggest what that look must
have been and fixed it in the mind as if it had had existence in a dream
More faintly imaged and wanting force and purpose as it were because of
his darkened intellect there was this same stamp upon the son Seen in a
picture it must have had some legend with it and would have haunted those who
looked upon the canvas They who knew the Maypole story and could remember what
the widow was before her husbands and his masters murder understood it well
They recollected how the change had come and could call to mind that when her
son was born upon the very day the deed was known he bore upon his wrist what
seemed a smear of blood but half washed out
»God save you neighbour« said the locksmith as he followed her with the
air of an old friend into a little parlour where a cheerful fire was burning
»And you« she answered smiling »Your kind heart has brought you here
again Nothing will keep you at home I know of old if there are friends to
serve or comfort out of doors«
»Tut tut« returned the locksmith rubbing his hands and warming them »You
women are such talkers What of the patient neighbour«
»He is sleeping now He was very restless towards daylight and for some
hours tossed and tumbled sadly But the fever has left him and the doctor says
he will soon mend He must not be removed until tomorrow«
»He has had visitors today humph« said Gabriel slyly
»Yes Old Mr Chester has been here ever since we sent for him and had not
been gone many minutes when you knocked«
»No ladies« said Gabriel elevating his eyebrows and looking disappointed
»A letter« replied the widow
»Come Thats better than nothing« replied the locksmith »Who was the
bearer«
»Barnaby of course«
»Barnabys a jewel« said Varden »and comes and goes with ease where we who
think ourselves much wiser would make but a poor hand of it He is not out
wandering again I hope«
»Thank Heaven he is in his bed having been up all night as you know and
on his feet all day He was quite tired out Ah neighbour if I could but see
him oftener so if I could but tame down that terrible restlessness «
»In good time« said the locksmith kindly »in good time dont be
downhearted To my mind he grows wiser every day«
The widow shook her head And yet though she knew the locksmith sought to
cheer her and spoke from no conviction of his own she was glad to hear even
this praise of her poor benighted son
»He will be a cute man yet« resumed the locksmith »Take care when we are
growing old and foolish Barnaby doesnt put us to the blush thats all But
our other friend« he added looking under the table and about the floor
»sharpest and cunningest of all the sharp and cunning ones wheres he«
»In Barnabys room« rejoined the widow with a faint smile
»Ah Hes a knowing blade« said Varden shaking his head »I should be
sorry to talk secrets before him Oh Hes a deep customer Ive no doubt he can
read and write and cast accounts if he chooses What was that Him tapping at
the door«
»No« returned the widow »It was in the street I think Hark Yes There
again Tis some one knocking softly at the shutter Who can it be«
They had been speaking in a low tone for the invalid lay overhead and the
walls and ceilings being thin and poorly built the sound of their voices might
otherwise have disturbed his slumber The party without whoever it was could
have stood close to the shutter without hearing anything spoken and seeing the
light through the chinks and finding all so quiet might have been persuaded
that only one person was there
»Some thief or ruffian maybe« said the locksmith »Give me the light«
»No no« she returned hastily »Such visitors have never come to this poor
dwelling Do you stay here Youre within call at the worst I would rather go
myself alone«
»Why« said the locksmith unwillingly relinquishing the candle he had
caught up from the table
»Because I dont know why because the wish is so strong upon me« she
rejoined »There again do not detain me I beg of you«
Gabriel looked at her in great surprise to see one who was usually so mild
and quiet thus agitated and with so little cause She left the room and closed
the door behind her She stood for a moment as if hesitating with her hand upon
the lock In this short interval the knocking came again and a voice close to
the window a voice the locksmith seemed to recollect and to have some
disagreeable association with whispered »Make haste«
The words were uttered in that low distinct voice which finds its way so
readily to sleepers ears and wakes them in a fright For a moment it startled
even the locksmith who involuntarily drew back from the window and listened
The wind rumbling in the chimney made it difficult to hear what passed but
he could tell that the door was opened that there was the tread of a man upon
the creaking boards and then a moments silence broken by a suppressed
something which was not a shriek or groan or cry for help and yet might have
been either or all three and the words »My God« uttered in a voice it chilled
him to hear
He rushed out upon the instant There at last was that dreadful look the
very one he seemed to know so well and yet had never seen before upon her
face There she stood frozen to the ground gazing with starting eyes and
livid cheeks and every feature fixed and ghastly upon the man he had
encountered in the dark last night His eyes met those of the locksmith It was
but a flash an instant a breath upon the polished glass and he was gone
The locksmith was upon him had the skirts of his streaming garment almost
in his grasp when his arms were tightly clutched and the widow flung herself
upon the ground before him
»The other way the other way« she cried »He went the other way Turn
turn«
»The other way I see him now« rejoined the locksmith pointing »yonder
there there is his shadow passing by that light What who is this Let me
go«
»Come back come back« exclaimed the woman clasping him »Do not touch him
on your life I charge you come back He carries other lives besides his own
Come back«
»What does this mean« cried the locksmith
»No matter what it means dont ask dont speak dont think about it He
is not to be followed checked or stopped Come back«
The old man looked at her in wonder as she writhed and clung about him
and borne down by her passion suffered her to drag him into the house It was
not until she had chained and doublelocked the door fastened every bolt and
bar with the heat and fury of a maniac and drawn him back into the room that
she turned upon him once again that stony look of horror and sinking down
into a chair covered her face and shuddered as though the hand of death were
on her
Chapter VI
Beyond all measure astonished by the strange occurrences which had passed with
so much violence and rapidity the locksmith gazed upon the shuddering figure in
the chair like one half stupefied and would have gazed much longer had not his
tongue been loosened by compassion and humanity
»You are ill« said Gabriel »Let me call some neighbour in«
»Not for the world« she rejoined motioning to him with her trembling hand
and holding her face averted »It is enough that you have been by to see this«
»Nay more than enough or less« said Gabriel
»Be it so« she returned »As you like Ask me no questions I entreat you«
»Neighbour« said the locksmith after a pause »Is this fair or
reasonable or just to yourself Is it like you who have known me so long and
sought my advice in all matters like you who from a girl have had a strong
mind and a staunch heart«
»I have need of them« she replied »I am growing old both in years and
care Perhaps that and too much trial have made them weaker than they used to
be Do not speak to me«
»How can I see what I have seen and hold my peace« returned the locksmith
»Who was that man and why has his coming made this change in you«
She was silent but held to the chair as though to save herself from falling
on the ground
»I take the licence of an old acquaintance Mary« said the locksmith »who
has ever had a warm regard for you and maybe has tried to prove it when he
could Who is this illfavoured man and what has he to do with you Who is this
ghost that is only seen in the black nights and bad weather How does he know
and why does he haunt this house whispering through chinks and crevices as if
there was that between him and you which neither durst so much as speak aloud
of Who is he«
»You do well to say he haunts this house« returned the widow faintly »His
shadow has been upon it and me in light and darkness at noonday and midnight
And now at last he has come in the body«
»But he wouldnt have gone in the body« returned the locksmith with some
irritation »if you had left my arms and legs at liberty What riddle is it«
»It is one« she answered rising as she spoke »that must remain for ever
as it is I dare not say more than that«
»Dare not« repeated the wondering locksmith
»Do not press me« she replied »I am sick and faint and every faculty of
life seems dead within me No Do not touch me either«
Gabriel who had stepped forward to render her assistance fell back as she
made this hasty exclamation and regarded her in silent wonder
»Let me go my way alone« she said in a low voice »and let the hands of no
honest man touch mine tonight« When she had tottered to the door she turned
and added with a stronger effort »This is a secret which of necessity I
trust to you You are a true man As you have ever been good and kind to me
keep it If any noise was heard above make some excuse say anything but what
you really saw and never let a word or look between us recall this
circumstance I trust to you Mind I trust to you How much I trust you never
can conceive«
Casting her eyes upon him for an instant she withdrew and left him there
alone
Gabriel not knowing what to think stood staring at the door with a
countenance full of surprise and dismay The more he pondered on what had
passed the less able he was to give it any favourable interpretation To find
this widow woman whose life for so many years had been supposed to be one of
solitude and retirement and who in her quiet suffering character had gained
the good opinion and respect of all who knew her to find her linked
mysteriously with an illomened man alarmed at his appearance and yet
favouring his escape was a discovery that pained as much as startled him Her
reliance on his secrecy and his tacit acquiescence increased his distress of
mind If he had spoken boldly persisted in questioning her detained her when
she rose to leave the room made any kind of protest instead of silently
compromising himself as he felt he had done he would have been more at ease
»Why did I let her say it was a secret and she trusted it to me« said
Gabriel putting his wig on one side to scratch his head with greater ease and
looking ruefully at the fire »I have no more readiness than old John himself
Why didnt I say firmly You have no right to such secrets and I demand of you
to tell me what this means instead of standing gaping at her like an old
mooncalf as I am But theres my weakness I can be obstinate enough with men if
need be but women may twist me round their fingers at their pleasure«
He took his wig off outright as he made this reflection and warming his
handkerchief at the fire began to rub and polish his bald head with it until
it glistened again
»And yet« said the locksmith softening under this soothing process and
stopping to smile »it may be nothing Any drunken brawler trying to make his
way into the house would have alarmed a quiet soul like her But then« and
here was the vexation »how came it to be that man how comes he to have this
influence over her how came she to favour his getting away from me and more
than all how came she not to say it was a sudden fright and nothing more Its
a sad thing to have in one minute reason to mistrust a person I have known so
long and an old sweetheart into the bargain but what else can I do with all
this upon my mind Is that Barnaby outside there«
»Ay« he cried looking in and nodding »Sure enough its Barnaby how did
you guess«
»By your shadow« said the locksmith
»Oho« cried Barnaby glancing over his shoulder »Hes a merry fellow that
shadow and keeps close to me though I am silly We have such pranks such
walks such runs such gambols on the grass Sometimes hell be half as tall as
a church steeple and sometimes no bigger than a dwarf Now he goes on before
and now behind and anon hell be stealing on on this side or on that
stopping whenever I stop and thinking I cant see him though I have my eye on
him sharp enough Oh hes a merry fellow Tell me is he silly too I think he
is«
»Why« asked Gabriel
»Because he never tires of mocking me but does it all day long Why dont
you come«
»Where«
»Upstairs He wants you Stay wheres his shadow Come Youre a wise
man tell me that«
»Beside him Barnaby beside him I suppose« returned the locksmith
»No« he replied shaking his head »Guess again«
»Gone out a walking maybe«
»He has changed shadows with a woman« the idiot whispered in his ear and
then fell back with a look of triumph »Her shadows always with him and his
with her Thats sport I think eh«
»Barnaby« said the locksmith with a grave look »come hither lad«
»I know what you want to say I know« he replied keeping away from him
»But Im cunning Im silent I only say so much to you are you ready« As he
spoke he caught up the light and waved it with a wild laugh above his head
»Softly gently« said the locksmith exerting all his influence to keep
him calm and quiet »I thought you had been asleep«
»So I have been asleep« he rejoined with widelyopened eyes »There have
been great faces coming and going close to my face and then a mile away low
places to creep through whether I would or no high churches to fall down from
strange creatures crowded up together neck and heels to sit upon the bed
thats sleep eh«
»Dreams Barnaby dreams« said the locksmith
»Dreams« he echoed softly drawing closer to him »Those are not dreams«
»What are« replied the locksmith »if they are not«
»I dreamed« said Barnaby passing his arm through Vardens and peering
close into his face as he answered in a whisper »I dreamed just now that
something it was in the shape of a man followed me came softly after me
wouldnt let me be but was always hiding and crouching like a cat in dark
corners waiting till I should pass when it crept out and came softly after me
Did you ever see me run«
»Many a time you know«
»You never saw me run as I did in this dream Still it came creeping on to
worry me Nearer nearer nearer I ran faster leaped sprung out of bed
and to the window and there in the street below but he is waiting for us
Are you coming«
»What in the street below Barnaby« said Varden imagining that he traced
some connection between this vision and what had actually occurred
Barnaby looked into his face muttered incoherently waved the light above
his head again laughed and drawing the locksmiths arm more tightly through
his own led him up the stairs in silence
They entered a homely bedchamber garnished in a scanty way with chairs
whose spindleshanks bespoke their age and other furniture of very little
worth but clean and neatly kept Reclining in an easychair before the fire
pale and weak from waste of blood was Edward Chester the young gentleman who
had been the first to quit the Maypole on the previous night and who extending
his hand to the locksmith welcomed him as his preserver and friend
»Say no more sir say no more« said Gabriel »I hope I would have done at
least as much for any man in such a strait and most of all for you sir A
certain young lady« he added with some hesitation »has done us many a kind
turn and we naturally feel I hope I give you no offence in saying this sir«
The young man smiled and shook his head at the same time moving in his
chair as if in pain
»Its no great matter« he said in answer to the locksmiths sympathising
look »a mere uneasiness arising at least as much from being cooped up here as
from the slight wound I have or from the loss of blood Be seated Mr Varden«
»If I may make so bold Mr Edward as to lean upon your chair« returned
the locksmith accommodating his action to his speech and bending over him
»Ill stand here for the convenience of speaking low Barnaby is not in his
quietest humour tonight and at such times talking never does him good«
They both glanced at the subject of this remark who had taken a seat on the
other side of the fire and smiling vacantly was making puzzles on his fingers
with a skein of string
»Pray tell me sir« said Varden dropping his voice still lower »exactly
what happened last night I have my reason for inquiring You left the Maypole
alone«
»And walked homeward alone until I had nearly reached the place where you
found me when I heard the gallop of a horse«
»Behind you« said the locksmith
»Indeed yes behind me It was a single rider who soon overtook me and
checking his horse inquired the way to London«
»You were on the alert sir knowing how many highwaymen there are scouring
the roads in all directions« said Varden
»I was but I had only a stick having imprudently left my pistols in their
holstercase with the landlords son I directed him as he desired Before the
words had passed my lips he rode upon me furiously as if bent on trampling me
down beneath his horses hoofs In starting aside I slipped and fell You found
me with this stab and an ugly bruise or two and without my purse in which he
found little enough for his pains And now Mr Varden« he added shaking the
locksmith by the hand »saving the extent of my gratitude to you you know as
much as I«
»Except« said Gabriel bending down yet more and looking cautiously
towards their silent neighbour »except in respect of the robber himself What
like was he sir Speak low if you please Barnaby means no harm but I have
watched him oftener than you and I know little as you would think it that
hes listening now«
It required a strong confidence in the locksmiths veracity to lead any one
to this belief for every sense and faculty that Barnaby possessed seemed to be
fixed upon his game to the exclusion of all other things Something in the
young mans face expressed this opinion for Gabriel repeated what he had just
said more earnestly than before and with another glance towards Barnaby again
asked what like the man was
»The night was so dark« said Edward »the attack so sudden and he so
wrapped and muffled up that I can hardly say It seems that «
»Dont mention his name sir« returned the locksmith following his look
towards Barnaby »I know he saw him I want to know what you saw«
»All I remember is« said Edward »that as he checked his horse his hat was
blown off He caught it and replaced it on his head which I observed was bound
with a dark handkerchief A stranger entered the Maypole while I was there whom
I had not seen for I had sat apart for reasons of my own and when I rose to
leave the room and glanced round he was in the shadow of the chimney and hidden
from my sight But if he and the robber were two different persons their
voices were strangely and most remarkably alike for directly the man addressed
me in the road I recognised his speech again«
»It is as I feared The very man was here tonight« thought the locksmith
changing colour »What dark history is this«
»Halloa« cried a hoarse voice in his ear »Halloa halloa halloa Bow wow
wow Whats the matter here Halloa«
The speaker who made the locksmith start as if he had seen some
supernatural agent was a large raven who had perched upon the top of the
easychair unseen by him and Edward and listened with a polite attention and a
most extraordinary appearance of comprehending every word to all they had said
up to this point turning his head from one to the other as if his office were
to judge between them and it were of the very last importance that he should
not lose a word
»Look at him« said Varden divided between admiration of the bird and a
kind of fear of him »Was there ever such a knowing imp as that Oh hes a
dreadful fellow«
The raven with his head very much on one side and his bright eye shining
like a diamond preserved a thoughtful silence for a few seconds and then
replied in a voice so hoarse and distant that it seemed to come through his
thick feathers rather than out of his mouth
»Halloa halloa halloa Whats the matter here Keep up your spirits Never
say die Bow wow wow Im a devil Im a devil Im a devil Hurrah« And
then as if exulting in his infernal character he began to whistle
»I more than half believe he speaks the truth Upon my word I do« said
Varden »Do you see how he looks at me as if he knew what I was saying«
To which the bird balancing himself on tiptoe as it were and moving his
body up and down in a sort of grave dance rejoined »Im a devil Im a devil
Im a devil« and flapped his wings against his sides as if he were bursting
with laughter Barnaby clapped his hands and fairly rolled upon the ground in
an ecstasy of delight
»Strange companions sir« said the locksmith shaking his head and looking
from one to the other »The bird has all the wit«
»Strange indeed« said Edward holding out his forefinger to the raven who
in acknowledgment of the attention made a dive at it immediately with his iron
bill »Is he old«
»A mere boy sir« replied the locksmith »A hundred and twenty or
thereabouts Call him down Barnaby my man«
»Call him« echoed Barnaby sitting upright upon the floor and staring
vacantly at Gabriel as he thrust his hair back from his face »But who can make
him come He calls me and makes me go where he will He goes on before and I
follow Hes the master and Im the man Is that the truth Grip«
The raven gave a short comfortable confidential kind of croak a most
expressive croak which seemed to say »You neednt let these fellows into our
secrets We understand each other Its all right«
»I make him come« cried Barnaby pointing to the bird »Him who never goes
to sleep or so much as winks Why any time of night you may see his eyes in
my dark room shining like two sparks And every night and all night too hes
broad awake talking to himself thinking what he shall do tomorrow where we
shall go and what he shall steal and hide and bury I make him come Ha ha
ha«
On second thoughts the bird appeared disposed to come of himself After a
short survey of the ground and a few sidelong looks at the ceiling and at
everybody present in turn he fluttered to the floor and went to Barnaby not
in a hop or walk or run but in a pace like that of a very particular
gentleman with exceedingly tight boots on trying to walk fast over loose
pebbles Then stepping into his extended hand and condescending to be held out
at arms length he gave vent to a succession of sounds not unlike the drawing
of some eight or ten dozen of long corks and again asserted his brimstone birth
and parentage with great distinctness
The locksmith shook his head perhaps in some doubt of the creatures being
really nothing but a bird perhaps in pity for Barnaby who by this time had
him in his arms and was rolling about with him on the ground As he raised
his eyes from the poor fellow he encountered those of his mother who had
entered the room and was looking on in silence
She was quite white in the face even to her lips but had wholly subdued
her emotion and wore her usual quiet look Varden fancied as he glanced at her
that she shrunk from his eye and that she busied herself about the wounded
gentleman to avoid him the better
It was time he went to bed she said He was to be removed to his own home
on the morrow and he had already exceeded his time for sitting up by a full
hour Acting on this hint the locksmith prepared to take his leave
»By the bye« said Edward as he shook him by the hand and looked from him
to Mrs Rudge and back again »what noise was that below I heard your voice in
the midst of it and should have inquired before but our other conversation
drove it from my memory What was it«
The locksmith looked towards her and bit his lip She leant against the
chair and bent her eyes upon the ground Barnaby too he was listening
»Some mad or drunken fellow sir« Varden at length made answer looking
steadily at the widow as he spoke »He mistook the house and tried to force an
entrance«
She breathed more freely but stood quite motionless As the locksmith said
»Good night« and Barnaby caught up the candle to light him down the stairs she
took it from him and charged him with more haste and earnestness than so
slight an occasion appeared to warrant not to stir The raven followed them to
satisfy himself that all was right below and when they reached the streetdoor
stood on the bottom stair drawing corks out of number.
With a trembling hand she unfastened the chain and bolts and turned the
key As she had her hand upon the latch the locksmith said in a low voice
»I have told a lie tonight for your sake Mary and for the sake of bygone
times and old acquaintance when I would scorn to do so for my own I hope I may
have done no harm or led to none I cant help the suspicions you have forced
upon me and I am loth I tell you plainly to leave Mr Edward here Take care
he comes to no hurt I doubt the safety of this roof and am glad he leaves it
so soon Now let me go«
For a moment she hid her face in her hands and wept but resisting the
strong impulse which evidently moved her to reply opened the door no wider
than was sufficient for the passage of his body and motioned him away As the
locksmith stood upon the step it was chained and locked behind him and the
raven in furtherance of these precautions barked like a lusty housedog
»In league with that illlooking figure that might have fallen from a gibbet
he listening and hiding here Barnaby first upon the spot last night can
she who has always borne so fair a name be guilty of such crimes in secret«
said the locksmith musing »Heaven forgive me if I am wrong and send me just
thoughts but she is poor the temptation may be great and we daily hear of
things as strange Ay bark away my friend If theres any wickedness going
on that ravens in it Ill be sworn«
Chapter VII
Mrs Varden was a lady of what is commonly called an uncertain temper a phrase
which being interpreted signifies a temper tolerably certain to make everybody
more or less uncomfortable Thus it generally happened that when other people
were merry Mrs Varden was dull and that when other people were dull Mrs
Varden was disposed to be amazingly cheerful Indeed the worthy housewife was of
such a capricious nature that she not only attained a higher pitch of genius
than Macbeth in respect of her ability to be wise amazed temperate and
furious loyal and neutral in an instant but would sometimes ring the changes
backwards and forwards on all possible moods and flights in one short quarter of
an hour performing as it were a kind of triple bob major on the peal of
instruments in the female belfry with a skilfulness and rapidity of execution
that astonished all who heard her
It had been observed in this good lady who did not want for personal
attractions being plump and buxom to look at though like her fair daughter
somewhat short in stature that this uncertainty of disposition strengthened and
increased with her temporal prosperity and divers wise men and matrons on
friendly terms with the locksmith and his family even went so far as to assert
that a tumble down some halfdozen rounds in the worlds ladder such as the
breaking of the bank in which her husband kept his money or some little fall of
that kind would be the making of her and could hardly fail to render her one
of the most agreeable companions in existence Whether they were right or wrong
in this conjecture certain it is that minds like bodies will often fall into
a pimpled illconditioned state from mere excess of comfort and like them are
often successfully cured by remedies in themselves very nauseous and
unpalatable
Mrs Vardens chief aider and abettor and at the same time her principal
victim and object of wrath was her single domestic servant one Miss Miggs or
as she was called in conformity with those prejudices of society which lop and
top from poor handmaidens all such genteel excrescences Miggs This Miggs was
a tall young lady very much addicted to pattens in private life slender and
shrewish of a rather uncomfortable figure and though not absolutely
illlooking of a sharp and acid visage As a general principle and abstract
proposition Miggs held the male sex to be utterly contemptible and unworthy of
notice to be fickle false base sottish inclined to perjury and wholly
undeserving When particularly exasperated against them which scandal said
was when Sim Tappertit slighted her most she was accustomed to wish with great
emphasis that the whole race of women could but die off in order that the men
might be brought to know the real value of the blessings by which they set so
little store nay her feeling for her order ran so high that she sometimes
declared if she could only have good security for a fair round number say
ten thousand of young virgins following her example she would to spite
mankind hang drown stab or poison herself with a joy past all expression
It was the voice of Miggs that greeted the locksmith when he knocked at his
own house with a shrill cry of »Whos there«
»Me girl me« returned Gabriel
»What already sir« said Miggs opening the door with a look of surprise
»We were just getting on our nightcaps to sit up me and mistress Oh she has
been so bad«
Miggs said this with an air of uncommon candour and concern but the
parlourdoor was standing open and as Gabriel very well knew for whose ears it
was designed he regarded her with anything but an approving look as he passed
in
»Masters come home mim« cried Miggs running before him into the parlour
»You was wrong mim and I was right I thought he wouldnt keep us up so late
two nights running mim Masters always considerate so far Im so glad mim
on your account Im a little« here Miggs simpered »a little sleepy myself
Ill own it now mim though I said I wasnt when you asked me It aint of no
consequence mim of course«
»You had better« said the locksmith who most devoutly wished that
Barnabys raven was at Miggss ankles »you had better get to bed at once then«
»Thanking you kindly sir« returned Miggs »I couldnt take my rest in
peace nor fix my thoughts upon my prayers otherways than that I knew mistress
was comfortable in her bed this night by rights she ought to have been there
hours ago«
»Youre talkative mistress« said Varden pulling off his greatcoat and
looking at her askew
»Taking the hint sir« cried Miggs with a flushed face »and thanking you
for it most kindly I will make bold to say that if I give offence by having
consideration for my mistress I do not ask your pardon but am content to get
myself into trouble and to be in suffering«
Here Mrs Varden who with her countenance shrouded in a large nightcap
had been all this time intent upon the Protestant Manual looked round and
acknowledged Miggss championship by commanding her to hold her tongue
Every little bone in Miggss throat and neck developed itself with a
spitefulness quite alarming as she replied »Yes mim I will«
»How do you find yourself now my dear« said the locksmith taking a chair
near his wife who had resumed her book and rubbing his knees hard as he made
the inquiry
»Youre very anxious to know ant you« returned Mrs Varden with her eyes
upon the print »You that have not been near me all day and wouldnt have been
if I was dying«
»My dear Martha « said Gabriel
Mrs Varden turned over to the next page then went back again to the bottom
line over leaf to be quite sure of the last words and then went on reading with
an appearance of the deepest interest and study
»My dear Martha« said the locksmith »how can you say such things when you
know you dont mean them If you were dying Why if there was anything serious
the matter with you Martha shouldnt I be in constant attendance upon you«
»Yes« cried Mrs Varden bursting into tears »yes you would I dont
doubt it Varden Certainly you would Thats as much as to tell me that you
would be hovering round me like a vulture waiting till the breath was out of my
body that you might go and marry somebody else«
Miggs groaned in sympathy a little short groan checked in its birth and
changed into a cough It seemed to say »I cant help it Its wrung from me by
the dreadful brutality of that monster master«
»But youll break my heart one of these days« added Mrs Varden with more
resignation »and then we shall both be happy My only desire is to see Dolly
comfortably settled and when she is you may settle me as soon as you like«
»Ah« cried Miggs and coughed again
Poor Gabriel twisted his wig about in silence for a long time and then said
mildly »Has Dolly gone to bed«
»Your master speaks to you« said Mrs Varden looking sternly over her
shoulder at Miss Miggs in waiting
»No my dear I spoke to you« suggested the locksmith
»Did you hear me Miggs« cried the obdurate lady stamping her foot upon
the ground »You are beginning to despise me now are you But this is example«
At this cruel rebuke Miggs whose tears were always ready for large or
small parties on the shortest notice and the most reasonable terms fell a
crying violently holding both her hands tight upon her heart meanwhile as if
nothing less would prevent its splitting into small fragments Mrs Varden who
likewise possessed that faculty in high perfection wept too against Miggs and
with such effect that Miggs gave in after a time and except for an occasional
sob which seemed to threaten some remote intention of breaking out again left
her mistress in possession of the field Her superiority being thoroughly
asserted that lady soon desisted likewise and fell into a quiet melancholy
The relief was so great and the fatiguing occurrences of last night so
completely overpowered the locksmith that he nodded in his chair and would
doubtless have slept there all night but for the voice of Mrs Varden which
after a pause of some five minutes awoke him with a start
»If I am ever« said Mrs V not scolding but in a sort of monotonous
remonstrance »in spirits if I am ever cheerful if I am ever more than
usually disposed to be talkative and comfortable this is the way I am treated«
»Such spirits as you was in too mim but half an hour ago« cried Miggs »I
never see such company«
»Because« said Mrs Varden »because I never interfere or interrupt
because I never question where anybody comes or goes because my whole mind and
soul is bent on saving where I can save and labouring in this house
therefore they try me as they do«
»Martha« urged the locksmith endeavouring to look as wakeful as possible
»what is it you complain of I really came home with every wish and desire to be
happy I did indeed«
»What do I complain of« retorted his wife »Is it a chilling thing to have
ones husband sulking and falling asleep directly he comes home to have him
freezing all ones warmheartedness and throwing cold water over the fireside
Is it natural when I know he went out upon a matter in which I am as much
interested as anybody can be that I should wish to know all that has happened
or that he should tell me without my begging and praying him to do it Is that
natural or is it not«
»I am very sorry Martha« said the goodnatured locksmith »I was really
afraid you were not disposed to talk pleasantly Ill tell you everything I
shall only be too glad my dear«
»No Varden« returned his wife rising with dignity »I dare say thank
you Im not a child to be corrected one minute and petted the next Im a
little too old for that Varden Miggs carry the light You can be cheerful
Miggs at least«
Miggs who to this moment had been in the very depths of compassionate
despondency passed instantly into the liveliest state conceivable and tossing
her head as she glanced towards the locksmith bore off her mistress and the
light together
»Now who would think« thought Varden shrugging his shoulders and drawing
his chair nearer to the fire »that that woman could ever be pleasant and
agreeable And yet she can be Well well all of us have our faults Ill not
be hard upon hers We have been man and wife too long for that«
He dozed again not the less pleasantly perhaps for his hearty temper
While his eyes were closed the door leading to the upper stairs was partially
opened and a head appeared which at sight of him hastily drew back again
»I wish« murmured Gabriel waking at the noise and looking round the room
»I wish somebody would marry Miggs But thats impossible I wonder whether
theres any madman alive who would marry Miggs«
This was such a vast speculation that he fell into a doze again and slept
until the fire was quite burnt out At last he roused himself and having
doublelocked the streetdoor according to custom and put the key in his
pocket went off to bed
He had not left the room in darkness many minutes when the head again
appeared and Sim Tappertit entered bearing in his hand a little lamp
»What the devil business has he to stop up so late« muttered Sim passing
into the workshop and setting it down upon the forge »Heres half the night
gone already Theres only one good that has ever come to me out of this cursed
old rusty mechanical trade and thats this piece of ironmongery upon my soul«
As he spoke he drew from the right hand or rather right leg pocket of his
smalls a clumsy largesized key which he inserted cautiously in the lock his
master had secured and softly opened the door That done he replaced his piece
of secret workmanship in his pocket and leaving the lamp burning and closing
the door carefully and without noise stole out into the street as little
suspected by the locksmith in his sound deep sleep as by Barnaby himself in his
phantomhaunted dreams
Chapter VIII
Clear of the locksmiths house Sim Tappertit laid aside his cautious manner
and assuming in its stead that of a ruffling swaggering roving blade who
would rather kill a man than otherwise and eat him too if needful made the
best of his way along the darkened streets
Half pausing for an instant now and then to smite his pocket and assure
himself of the safety of his master key he hurried on to Barbican and turning
into one of the narrowest of the narrow streets which diverged from that centre
slackened his pace and wiped his heated brow as if the termination of his walk
were near at hand
It was not a very choice spot for midnight expeditions being in truth one
of more than questionable character and of an appearance by no means inviting
From the main street he had entered itself little better than an alley a
lowbrowed doorway led into a blind court or yard profoundly dark unpaved
and reeking with stagnant odours Into this illfavoured pit the locksmiths
vagrant prentice groped his way and stopping at a house from whose defaced and
rotten front the rude effigy of a bottle swung to and fro like some gibbeted
malefactor struck thrice upon an iron grating with his foot After listening in
vain for some response to his signal Mr Tappertit became impatient and struck
the grating thrice again
A further delay ensued but it was not of long duration The ground seemed
to open at his feet and a ragged head appeared
»Is that the captain« said a voice as ragged as the head
»Yes« replied Mr Tappertit haughtily descending as he spoke »who should
it be«
»Its so late we gave you up« returned the voice as its owner stopped to
shut and fasten the grating »Youre late sir«
»Lead on« said Mr Tappertit with a gloomy majesty »and make remarks when
I require you Forward«
This latter word of command was perhaps somewhat theatrical and unnecessary
inasmuch as the descent was by a very narrow steep and slippery flight of
steps and any rashness or departure from the beaten track must have ended in a
yawning waterbutt But Mr Tappertit being like some other great commanders
favourable to strong effects and personal display cried »Forward« again in
the hoarsest voice he could assume and led the way with folded arms and
knitted brows to the cellar down below where there was a small copper fixed in
one corner a chair or two a form and table a glimmering fire and a
trucklebed covered with a ragged patchwork rug
»Welcome noble captain« cried a lanky figure rising as from a nap
The captain nodded Then throwing off his outer coat he stood composed in
all his dignity and eyed his follower over
»What news tonight« he asked when he had looked into his very soul
»Nothing particular« replied the other stretching himself and he was so
long already that it was quite alarming to see him do it »how come you to be
so late«
»No matter« was all the captain deigned to say in answer »Is the room
prepared«
»It is« replied the follower
»The comrade is he here«
»Yes And a sprinkling of the others you hear em«
»Playing skittles« said the captain moodily »Lighthearted revellers«
There was no doubt respecting the particular amusement in which these
heedless spirits were indulging for even in the close and stifling atmosphere
of the vault the noise sounded like distant thunder It certainly appeared at
first sight a singular spot to choose for that or any other purpose of
relaxation if the other cellars answered to the one in which this brief
colloquy took place for the floors were of sodden earth the walls and roof of
damp bare brick tapestried with the tracks of snails and slugs the air was
sickening tainted and offensive It seemed from one strong flavour which was
uppermost among the various odours of the place that it had at no very distant
period been used as a storehouse for cheeses a circumstance which while it
accounted for the greasy moisture that hung about it was agreeably suggestive
of rats It was naturally damp besides and little trees of fungus sprung from
every mouldering corner
The proprietor of this charming retreat and owner of the ragged head before
mentioned for he wore an old tiewig as bare and frouzy as a stunted
hearthbroom had by this time joined them and stood a little apart rubbing
his hands wagging his hoary bristled chin and smiling in silence His eyes
were closed but had they been wide open it would have been easy to tell from
the attentive expression of the face he turned towards them pale and
unwholesome as might be expected in one of his underground existence and from
a certain anxious raising and quivering of the lids that he was blind
»Even Stagg hath been asleep« said the long comrade nodding towards this
person
»Sound captain sound« cried the blind man »what does my noble captain
drink is it brandy rum usquebaugh Is it soaked gunpowder or blazing oil
Give it a name heart of oak and wed get it for you if it was wine from a
bishops cellar or melted gold from King Georges mint«
»See« said Mr Tappertit haughtily »that its something strong and comes
quick and so long as you take care of that you may bring it from the devils
cellar if you like«
»Boldly said noble captain« rejoined the blind man »Spoken like the
Prentices Glory Ha ha From the devils cellar A brave joke The captain
joketh Ha ha ha«
»Ill tell you what my fine feller« said Mr Tappertit eyeing the host
over as he walked to a closet and took out a bottle and glass as carelessly as
if he had been in full possession of his sight »if you make that row youll
find that the captains very far from joking and so I tell you«
»Hes got his eyes on me« cried Stagg stopping short on his way back and
affecting to screen his face with the bottle »I feel em though I cant see
em Take em off noble captain Remove em for they pierce like gimlets«
Mr Tappertit smiled grimly at his comrade and twisting out one more look
a kind of ocular screw under the influence of which the blind man feigned to
undergo great anguish and torture bade him in a softened tone approach and
hold his peace
»I obey you captain« cried Stagg drawing close to him and filling out a
bumper without spilling a drop by reason that he held his little finger at the
brim of the glass and stopped at the instant the liquor touched it »drink
noble governor Death to all masters life to all prentices and love to all
fair damsels Drink brave general and warm your gallant heart«
Mr Tappertit condescended to take the glass from his outstretched hand
Stagg then dropped on one knee and gently smoothed the calves of his legs with
an air of humble admiration
»That I had but eyes« he cried »to behold my captains symmetrical
proportions That I had but eyes to look upon these twin invaders of domestic
peace«
»Get out« said Mr Tappertit glancing downward at his favourite limbs »Go
along will you Stagg«
»When I touch my own afterwards« cried the host smiting them
reproachfully »I hate em Comparatively speaking theyve no more shape than
wooden legs beside these models of my noble captains«
»Yours« exclaimed Mr Tappertit »No I should think not Dont talk about
those precious old toothpicks in the same breath with mine thats rather too
much Here Take the glass Benjamin Lead on To business«
With these words he folded his arms again and frowning with a sullen
majesty passed with his companion through a little door at the upper end of the
cellar and disappeared leaving Stagg to his private meditations
The vault they entered strewn with sawdust and dimly lighted was between
the outer one from which they had just come and that in which the
skittleplayers were diverting themselves as was manifested by the increased
noise and clamour of tongues which was suddenly stopped however and replaced
by a dead silence at a signal from the long comrade Then this young
gentleman going to a little cupboard returned with a thighbone which in
former times must have been part and parcel of some individual at least as long
as himself and placed the same in the hands of Mr Tappertit who receiving it
as a sceptre and staff of authority cocked his threecornered hat fiercely on
the top of his head and mounted a large table whereon a chair of state
cheerfully ornamented with a couple of skulls was placed ready for his
reception
He had no sooner assumed this position than another young gentleman
appeared bearing in his arms a huge clasped book who made him a profound
obeisance and delivering it to the long comrade advanced to the table and
turning his back upon it stood there Atlaswise Then the long comrade got
upon the table too and seating himself in a lower chair than Mr Tappertits
with much state and ceremony placed the large book on the shoulders of their
mute companion as deliberately as if he had been a wooden desk and prepared to
make entries therein with a pen of corresponding size
When the long comrade had made these preparations he looked towards Mr
Tappertit and Mr Tappertit flourishing the bone knocked nine times therewith
upon one of the skulls At the ninth stroke a third young gentleman emerged
from the door leading to the skittleground and bowing low awaited his
commands
»Prentice« said the mighty captain »who waits without«
The prentice made answer that a stranger was in attendance who claimed
admission into that secret society of Prentice Knights and a free
participation in their rights privileges and immunities Thereupon Mr
Tappertit flourished the bone again and giving the other skull a prodigious rap
on the nose exclaimed »Admit him« At these dread words the prentice bowed
once more and so withdrew as he had come
There soon appeared at the same door two other prentices having between
them a third whose eyes were bandaged and who was attired in a bagwig and a
broadskirted coat trimmed with tarnished lace and who was girded with a
sword in compliance with the laws of the Institution regulating the
introduction of candidates which required them to assume this courtly dress
and kept it constantly in lavender for their convenience One of the conductors
of this novice held a rusty blunderbuss pointed towards his ear and the other a
very ancient sabre with which he carved imaginary offenders as he came along in
a sanguinary and anatomical manner
As this silent group advanced Mr Tappertit fixed his hat upon his bead
The novice then laid his hand upon his breast and bent before him When he had
humbled himself sufficiently the captain ordered the bandage to be removed and
proceeded to eye him over
»Ha« said the captain thoughtfully when he had concluded this ordeal
»Proceed«
The long comrade read aloud as follows »Mark Gilbert Age nineteen
Bound to Thomas Curzon hosier Golden Fleece Aldgate Loves Curzons daughter
Cannot say that Curzons daughter loves him Should think it probable Curzon
pulled his ears last Tuesday week«
»How« cried the captain starting
»For looking at his daughter please you« said the novice
»Write Curzon down Denounced« said the captain »Put a black cross against
the name of Curzon«
»So please you« said the novice »thats not the worst he calls his
prentice idle dog and stops his beer unless he works to his liking He gives
Dutch cheese too eating Cheshire sir himself and Sundays out are only once
a month«
»This« said Mr Tappertit gravely »is a flagrant case Put two black
crosses to the name of Curzon«
»If the society« said the novice who was an illlooking onesided
shambling lad with sunken eyes set close together in his head »if the society
would burn his house down for hes not insured or beat him as he comes home
from his club at night or help me to carry off his daughter and marry her at
the Fleet whether she gave consent or no «
Mr Tappertit waved his grizzly truncheon as an admonition to him not to
interrupt and ordered three black crosses to the name of Curzon
»Which means« he said in gracious explanation »vengeance complete and
terrible Prentice do you love the Constitution«
To which the novice being to that end instructed by his attendant sponsors
replied »I do«
»The Church the State and everything established but the masters« quoth
the captain
Again the novice said »I do«
Having said it he listened meekly to the captain who in an address
prepared for such occasions told him how that under that same Constitution
which was kept in a strong box somewhere but where exactly he could not find
out or he would have endeavoured to procure a copy of it the prentices had
in times gone by had frequent holidays of right broken peoples heads by
scores defied their masters nay even achieved some glorious murders in the
streets which privileges had gradually been wrested from them and in all which
noble aspirations they were now restrained how the degrading checks imposed
upon them were unquestionably attributable to the innovating spirit of the
times and how they united therefore to resist all change except such change as
would restore those good old English customs by which they would stand or fall
After illustrating the wisdom of going backward by reference to that sagacious
fish the crab and the not unfrequent practice of the mule and donkey he
described their general objects which were briefly vengeance on their Tyrant
Masters of whose grievous and insupportable oppression no prentice could
entertain a moments doubt and the restoration as aforesaid of their ancient
rights and holidays for neither of which objects were they now quite ripe
being barely twenty strong but which they pledged themselves to pursue with
fire and sword when needful Then he described the oath which every member of
that small remnant of a noble body took and which was of a dreadful and
impressive kind binding him at the bidding of his chief to resist and
obstruct the Lord Mayor swordbearer and chaplain to despise the authority of
the sheriffs and to hold the court of aldermen as nought but not on any
account in case the fulness of time should bring a general rising of
prentices to damage or in any way disfigure Temple Bar which was strictly
constitutional and always to be approached with reverence Having gone over
these several heads with great eloquence and force and having further informed
the novice that this society had its origin in his own teeming brain stimulated
by a swelling sense of wrong and outrage Mr Tappertit demanded whether he had
strength of heart to take the mighty pledge required or whether he would
withdraw while retreat was yet in his power
To this the novice made rejoinder that he would take the vow though it
should choke him and it was accordingly administered with many impressive
circumstances among which the lighting up of the two skulls with a candleend
inside of each and a great many flourishes with the bone were chiefly
conspicuous not to mention a variety of grave exercises with the blunderbuss
and sabre and some dismal groaning by unseen prentices without All these dark
and direful ceremonies being at length completed the table was put aside the
chair of state removed the sceptre locked up in its usual cupboard the doors
of communication between the three cellars thrown freely open and the Prentice
Knights resigned themselves to merriment
But Mr Tappertit who had a soul above the vulgar herd and who on account
of his greatness could only afford to be merry now and then threw himself on a
bench with the air of a man who was faint with dignity He looked with an
indifferent eye alike on skittles cards and dice thinking only of the
locksmiths daughter and the base degenerate days on which he had fallen
»My noble captain neither games nor sings nor dances« said his host
taking a seat beside him »Drink gallant general«
Mr Tappertit drained the proffered goblet to the dregs then thrust his
hands into his pockets and with a lowering visage walked among the skittles
while his followers such is the influence of superior genius restrained the
ardent ball and held his little shins in dumb respect
»If I had been born a corsair or a pirate a brigand genteel highwayman or
patriot and theyre the same thing« thought Mr Tappertit musing among the
ninepins »I should have been all right But to drag out a ignoble existence
unbeknown to mankind in general patience I will be famous yet A voice within
me keeps on whispering Greatness I shall burst out one of these days and when
I do what power can keep me down I feel my soul getting into my head at the
idea More drink there«
»The novice« pursued Mr Tappertit not exactly in a voice of thunder for
his tones to say the truth were rather cracked and shrill but very
impressively notwithstanding »where is he«
»Here noble captain« cried Stagg »One stands beside me who I feel is a
stranger«
»Have you« said Mr Tappertit letting his gaze fall on the party
indicated who was indeed the new knight by this time restored to his own
apparel »have you the impression of your streetdoor key in wax«
The long comrade anticipated the reply by producing it from the shelf on
which it had been deposited
»Good« said Mr Tappertit scrutinising it attentively while a breathless
silence reigned around for he had constructed secret doorkeys for the whole
society and perhaps owed something of his influence to that mean and trivial
circumstance on such slight accidents do even men of mind depend »This is
easily made Come hither friend«
With that he beckoned the new knight apart and putting the pattern in his
pocket motioned to him to walk by his side
»And so« he said when they had taken a few turns up and down »you you
love your masters daughter«
»I do« said the prentice »Honour bright No chaff you know«
»Have you« rejoined Mr Tappertit catching him by the wrist and giving
him a look which would have been expressive of the most deadly malevolence but
for an accidental hiccup that rather interfered with it »have you a a rival«
»Not as I know on« replied the prentice
»If you had now « said Mr Tappertit »what would you eh «
The prentice looked fierce and clenched his fists
»It is enough« cried Mr Tappertit hastily »we understand each other We
are observed I thank you«
So saying he cast him off again and calling the long comrade aside after
taking a few hasty turns by himself bade him immediately write and post against
the wall a notice proscribing one Joseph Willet commonly known as Joe of
Chigwell forbidding all Prentice Knights to succour comfort or hold
communion with him and requiring them on pain of excommunication to molest
hurt wrong annoy and pick quarrels with the said Joseph whensoever and
wheresoever they or any of them should happen to encounter him
Having relieved his mind by this energetic proceeding he condescended to
approach the festive board and warming by degrees at length deigned to
preside and even to enchant the company with a song After this he rose to
such a pitch as to consent to regale the society with a hornpipe which he
actually performed to the music of a fiddle played by an ingenious member with
such surpassing agility and brilliancy of execution that the spectators could
not be sufficiently enthusiastic in their admiration and their host protested
with tears in his eyes that he had never truly felt his blindness until that
moment
But the host withdrawing probably to weep in secret soon returned with
the information that it wanted little more than an hour of day and that all the
cocks in Barbican had already begun to crow as if their lives depended on it
At this intelligence the Prentice Knights arose in haste and marshalling into
a line filed off one by one and dispersed with all speed to their several
homes leaving their leader to pass the grating last
»Good night noble captain« whispered the blind man as he held it open for
his passage out »Farewell brave general Bye bye illustrious commander Good
luck go with you for a conceited bragging emptyheaded ducklegged idiot«
With which parting words coolly added as he listened to his receding
footsteps and locked the grate upon himself he descended the steps and
lighting the fire below the little copper prepared without any assistance for
his daily occupation which was to retail at the areahead above pennyworths of
broth and soup and savoury puddings compounded of such scraps as were to be
bought in the heap for the least money at Fleet Market in the evening time and
for the sale of which he had need to have depended chiefly on his private
connection for the court had no thoroughfare and was not that kind of place in
which many people were likely to take the air or to frequent as an agreeable
promenade
Chapter IX
Chroniclers are privileged to enter where they list to come and go through
keyholes to ride upon the wind to overcome in their soarings up and down all
obstacles of distance time and place Thrice blessed be this last
consideration since it enables us to follow the disdainful Miggs even into the
sanctity of her chamber and to hold her in sweet companionship through the
dreary watches of the night
Miss Miggs having undone her mistress as she phrased it which means
assisted to undress her and having seen her comfortably to bed in the back
room on the first floor withdrew to her own apartment in the attic story
Notwithstanding her declaration in the locksmiths presence she was in no mood
for sleep so putting her light upon the table and withdrawing the little
window curtain she gazed out pensively at the wild night sky
Perhaps she wondered what star was destined for her habitation when she had
run her little course below perhaps speculated which of those glimmering
spheres might be the natal orb of Mr Tappertit perhaps marvelled how they
could gaze down on that perfidious creature man and not sicken and turn green
as chemists lamps perhaps thought of nothing in particular Whatever she
thought about there she sat until her attention alive to anything connected
with the insinuating prentice was attracted by a noise in the next room to her
own his room the room in which he slept and dreamed it might be sometimes
dreamed of her
That he was not dreaming now unless he was taking a walk in his sleep was
clear for every now and then there came a shuffling noise as though he were
engaged in polishing the whitewashed wall then a gentle creaking of his door
then the faintest indication of his stealthy footsteps on the landingplace
outside Noting this latter circumstance Miss Miggs turned pale and shuddered
as mistrusting his intentions and more than once exclaimed below her breath
»Oh what a Providence it is as I am bolted in« which owing doubtless to
her alarm was a confusion of ideas on her part between a bolt and its use for
though there was one on the door it was not fastened
Miss Miggss sense of hearing however having as sharp an edge as her
temper and being of the same snappish and suspicious kind very soon informed
her that the footsteps passed her door and appeared to have some object quite
separate and disconnected from herself At this discovery she became more
alarmed than ever and was about to give utterance to those cries of »Thieves«
and »Murder« which she had hitherto restrained when it occurred to her to look
softly out and see that her fears had some good palpable foundation
Looking out accordingly and stretching her neck over the handrail she
descried to her great amazement Mr Tappertit completely dressed stealing
downstairs one step at a time with his shoes in one hand and a lamp in the
other Following him with her eyes and going down a little way herself to get
the better of an intervening angle she beheld him thrust his head in at the
parlourdoor draw it back again with great swiftness and immediately begin a
retreat upstairs with all possible expedition
»Heres mysteries« said the damsel when she was safe in her own room
again quite out of breath »Oh gracious heres mysteries«
The prospect of finding anybody out in anything would have kept Miss Miggs
awake under the influence of henbane Presently she heard the step again as
she would have done if it had been that of a feather endowed with motion and
walking down on tiptoe Then gliding out as before she again beheld the
retreating figure of the prentice again he looked cautiously in at the
parlourdoor but this time instead of retreating he passed in and disappeared
Miggs was back in her room and had her head out of the window before an
elderly gentleman could have winked and recovered from it Out he came at the
streetdoor shut it carefully behind him tried it with his knee and swaggered
off putting something in his pocket as he went along At this spectacle Miggs
cried »Gracious« again and then »Goodness gracious« and then »Goodness
gracious me« and then candle in hand went downstairs as he had done Coming
to the workshop she saw the lamp burning on the forge and everything as Sim
had left it
»Why I wish I may only have a walking funeral and never be buried decent
with a mourningcoach and feathers if the boy hasnt been and made a key for
his own self« cried Miggs »Oh the little villain«
This conclusion was not arrived at without consideration and much peeping
and peering about nor was it unassisted by the recollection that she had on
several occasions come upon the prentice suddenly and found him busy at some
mysterious occupation Lest the fact of Miss Miggs calling him on whom she
stooped to cast a favourable eye a boy should create surprise in any breast
it may be observed that she invariably affected to regard all male bipeds under
thirty as mere chits and infants which phenomenon is not unusual in ladies of
Miss Miggss temper and is indeed generally found to be the associate of such
indomitable and savage virtue
Miss Miggs deliberated within herself for some little time looking hard at
the shopdoor while she did so as though her eyes and thoughts were both upon
it and then taking a sheet of paper from a drawer twisted it into a long thin
spiral tube Having filled this instrument with a quantity of small coaldust
from the forge she approached the door and dropping on one knee before it
dexterously blew into the keyhole as much of these fine ashes as the lock would
hold When she had filled it to the brim in a very workmanlike and skilful
manner she crept upstairs again and chuckled as she went
»There« cried Miggs rubbing her hands »now lets see whether you wont be
glad to take some notice of me mister He he he Youll have eyes for
somebody besides Miss Dolly now I think A fatfaced puss she is as ever I
come across«
As she uttered this criticism she glanced approvingly at her small mirror
as who should say I thank my stars that cant be said of me as it certainly
could not for Miss Miggss style of beauty was of that kind which Mr Tappertit
himself had not inaptly termed in private scraggy
»I dont go to bed this night« said Miggs wrapping herself in a shawl and
drawing a couple of chairs near the window flouncing down upon one and putting
her feet upon the other »till you come home my lad I wouldnt« said Miggs
viciously »no not for fiveandforty pound«
With that and with an expression of face in which a great number of
opposite ingredients such as mischief cunning malice triumph and patient
expectation were all mixed up together in a kind of physiognomical punch Miss
Miggs composed herself to wait and listen like some fair ogress who had set a
trap and was watching for a nibble from a plump young traveller
She sat there with perfect composure all night At length just upon break
of day there was a footstep in the street and presently she could hear Mr
Tappertit stop at the door Then she could make out that he tried his key that
he was blowing into it that he knocked it on the nearest post to beat the dust
out that he took it under a lamp to look at it that he poked bits of stick
into the lock to clear it that he peeped into the keyhole first with one eye
and then with the other that he tried the key again that he couldnt turn
it and what was worse couldnt get it out that he bent it that then it was
much less disposed to come out than before that he gave it a mighty twist and
a great pull and then it came out so suddenly that be staggered backwards
that he kicked the door that he shook it finally that he smote his
forehead and sat down on the step in despair
When this crisis had arrived Miss Miggs affecting to be exhausted with
terror and to cling to the windowsill for support put out her nightcap and
demanded in a faint voice who was there
Mr Tappertit cried »Hush« and backing into the road exhorted her in
frenzied pantomime to secrecy and silence
»Tell me one thing« said Miggs »Is it thieves«
»No no no« cried Mr Tappertit
»Then« said Miggs more faintly than before »its fire Where is it sir
Its near this room I know Ive a good conscience sir and would much rather
die than go down a ladder All I wish is respecting my love to my married
sister Golden Lion Court number twentysivin second bellhandle on the
righthand doorpost«
»Miggs« cried Mr Tappertit »dont you know me Sim you know Sim «
»Oh what about him« cried Miggs clasping her hands »Is he in any danger
Is he in the midst of flames and blazes Oh gracious gracious«
»Why Im here ant I« rejoined Mr Tappertit knocking himself on the
breast »Dont you see me What a fool you are Miggs«
»There« cried Miggs unmindful of this compliment »Why so it Goodness
what is the meaning of If you please mim heres «
»No no« cried Mr Tappertit standing on tiptoe as if by that means he
in the street were any nearer being able to stop the mouth of Miggs in the
garret »Dont Ive been out without leave and something or anothers the
matter with the lock Come down and undo the shop window that I may get in
that way«
»I dursnt do it Simmun« cried Miggs for that was her pronunciation of
his Christian name »I dursnt do it indeed You know as well as anybody how
particular I am And to come down in the dead of night when the house is
wrapped in slumbers and weiled in obscurity« And there she stopped and
shivered for her modesty caught cold at the very thought
»But Miggs« cried Mr Tappertit getting under the lamp that she might
see his eyes »My darling Miggs «
Miggs screamed slightly
» That I love so much and never can help thinking of« and it is
impossible to describe the use he made of his eyes when he said this »do for
my sake do«
»Oh Simmun« cried Miggs »this is worse than all I know if I come down
youll go and «
»And what my precious« said Mr Tappertit
»And try« said Miggs hysterically »to kiss me or some such dreadfulness
I know you will«
»I swear I wont« said Mr Tappertit with remarkable earnestness »Upon my
soul I wont Its getting broad day and the watchmans waking up Angelic
Miggs If youll only come and let me in I promise you faithfully and truly I
wont«
Miss Miggs whose gentle heart was touched did not wait for the oath
knowing how strong the temptation was and fearing he might forswear himself
but tripped lightly down the stairs and with her own fair hands drew back the
rough fastenings of the workshop window Having helped the wayward prentice in
she faintly articulated the words »Simmun is safe« and yielding to her womans
nature immediately became insensible
»I knew I should quench her« said Sim rather embarrassed by this
circumstance »Of course I was certain it would come to this but there was
nothing else to be done if I hadnt eyed her over she wouldnt have come
down Here Keep up a minute Miggs What a slippery figure she is Theres no
holding her comfortably Do keep up a minute Miggs will you«
As Miggs however was deaf to all entreaties Mr Tappertit leant her
against the wall as one might dispose of a walkingstick or umbrella until he
had secured the window when he took her in his arms again and in short stages
and with great difficulty arising from her being tall and his being short
and perhaps in some degree from that peculiar physical conformation on which he
had already remarked carried her upstairs and planting her in the same
umbrella and walkingstick fashion just inside her own door left her to her
repose
»He may be as cool as he likes« said Miss Miggs recovering as soon as she
was left alone »but Im in his confidence and he cant help himself nor
couldnt if he was twenty Simmunses«
Chapter X
It was on one of those mornings common in early spring when the year fickle
and changeable in its youth like all other created things is undecided whether
to step backward into winter or forward into summer and in its uncertainty
inclines now to the one and now to the other and now to both at once wooing
summer in the sunshine and lingering still with winter in the shade it was
in short on one of those mornings when it is hot and cold wet and dry bright
and lowering sad and cheerful withering and genial in the compass of one
short hour that old John Willet who was dropping asleep over the copper
boiler was roused by the sound of a horses feet and glancing out at window
beheld a traveller of goodly promise checking his bridle at the Maypole door
He was none of your flippant young fellows who would call for a tankard of
mulled ale and make themselves as much at home as if they had ordered a
hogshead of wine none of your audacious young swaggerers who would even
penetrate into the bar that solemn sanctuary and smiting old John upon the
back inquire if there was never a pretty girl in the house and where he hid
his little chambermaids with a hundred other impertinences of that nature none
of your freeandeasy companions who would scrape their boots upon the
firedogs in the common room and be not at all particular on the subject of
spittoons none of your unconscionable blades requiring impossible chops and
taking unheardof pickles for granted He was a staid grave placid gentleman
something past the prime of life yet upright in his carriage for all that and
slim as a greyhound He was well mounted upon a sturdy chestnut cob and had the
graceful seat of an experienced horseman while his riding gear though free
from such fopperies as were then in vogue was handsome and well chosen He wore
a ridingcoat of a somewhat brighter green than might have been expected to suit
the taste of a gentleman of his years with a short black velvet cape and
laced pocketholes and cuffs all of a jaunty fashion his linen too was of
the finest kind worked in a rich pattern at the wrists and throat and
scrupulously white Although he seemed judging from the mud he had picked up on
the way to have come from London his horse was as smooth and cool as his own
irongrey periwig and pigtail Neither man nor beast had turned a single hair
and saving for his soiled skirts and spatterdashes this gentleman with his
blooming face white teeth exactlyordered dress and perfect calmness might
have come from making an elaborate and leisurely toilet to sit for an
equestrian portrait at old John Willets gate
It must not be supposed that John observed these several characteristics by
other than very slow degrees or that he took in more than half a one at a time
or that he even made up his mind upon that without a great deal of very serious
consideration Indeed if he had been distracted in the first instance by
questionings and orders it would have taken him at the least a fortnight to
have noted what is here set down but it happened that the gentleman being
struck with the old house or with the plump pigeons which were skimming and
curtseying about it or with the tall maypole on the top of which a
weathercock which had been out of order for fifteen years performed a
perpetual walk to the music of its own creaking sat for some little time
looking round in silence Hence John standing with his hand upon the horses
bridle and his great eyes on the rider and with nothing passing to divert his
thoughts had really got some of these little circumstances into his brain by
the time he was called upon to speak
»A quaint place this« said the gentleman and his voice was as rich as his
dress »Are you the landlord«
»At your service sir« replied John Willet
»You can give my horse good stabling can you and me an early dinner I am
not particular what so that it be cleanly served and a decent room of which
there seems to be no lack in this great mansion« said the stranger again
running his eyes over the exterior
»You can have sir« returned John with a readiness quite surprising
»anything you please«
»Its well I am easily satisfied« returned the other with a smile »or that
might prove a hardy pledge my friend« And saying so he dismounted with the
aid of the block before the door in a twinkling
»Halloa there Hugh« roared John »I ask your pardon sir for keeping you
standing in the porch but my son has gone to town on business and the boy
being as I may say of a kind of use to me Im rather put out when hes away
Hugh a dreadful idle vagrant fellow sir half a gipsy as I think always
sleeping in the sun in summer and in the straw in winter time sir Hugh Dear
Lord to keep a gentleman a waiting here through him Hugh I wish that chap
was dead I do indeed«
»Possibly he is« returned the other »I should think if he were living he
would have heard you by this time«
»In his fits of laziness he sleeps so desperate hard« said the distracted
host »that if you were to fire off cannonballs into his ears it wouldnt wake
him sir«
The guest made no remark upon this novel cure for drowsiness and recipe for
making people lively but with his hands clasped behind him stood in the porch
very much amused to see old John with the bridle in his hand wavering between
a strong impulse to abandon the animal to his fate and a half disposition to
lead him into the house and shut him up in the parlour while he waited on his
master
»Pillory the fellow here he is at last« cried John in the very height and
zenith of his distress »Did you hear me a calling villain«
The figure he addressed made no answer but putting his hand upon the
saddle sprung into it at a bound turned the horses head towards the stable
and was gone in an instant
»Brisk enough when he is awake« said the guest
»Brisk enough sir« replied John looking at the place where the horse had
been as if not yet understanding quite what had become of him »He melts I
think He goes like a drop of froth You look at him and there he is You look
at him again and there he isnt«
Having in the absence of any more words put this sudden climax to what he
had faintly intended should be a long explanation of the whole life and
character of his man the oracular John Willet led the gentleman up his wide
dismantled staircase into the Maypoles best apartment
It was spacious enough in all conscience occupying the whole depth of the
house and having at either end a great bay window as large as many modern
rooms in which some few panes of stained glass emblazoned with fragments of
armorial bearings though cracked and patched and shattered yet remained
attesting by their presence that the former owner had made the very light
subservient to his state and pressed the sun itself into his list of
flatterers bidding it when it shone into his chamber reflect the badges of
his ancient family and take new hues and colours from their pride
But those were old days and now every little ray came and went as it would
telling the plain bare searching truth Although the best room of the inn it
had the melancholy aspect of grandeur in decay and was much too vast for
comfort Rich rustling hangings waving on the walls and better far the
rustling of youth and beautys dress the light of womens eyes outshining the
tapers and their own rich jewels the sound of gentle tongues and music and
the tread of maiden feet had once been there and filled it with delight But
they were gone and with them all its gladness It was no longer a home
children were never born and bred there the fireside had become mercenary a
something to be bought and sold a very courtezan let who would die or sit
beside or leave it it was still the same it missed nobody cared for nobody
had equal warmth and smiles for all God help the man whose heart ever changes
with the world as an old mansion when it becomes an inn
No effort had been made to furnish this chilly waste but before the broad
chimney a colony of chairs and tables had been planted on a square of carpet
flanked by a ghostly screen enriched with figures grinning and grotesque
After lighting with his own hands the faggots which were heaped upon the hearth
old John withdrew to hold grave council with his cook touching the strangers
entertainment while the guest himself seeing small comfort in the yet
unkindled wood opened a lattice in the distant window and basked in a sickly
gleam of cold March sun
Leaving the window now and then to rake the crackling logs together or
pace the echoing room from end to end he closed it when the fire was quite
burnt up and having wheeled the easiest chair into the warmest corner summoned
John Willet
»Sir« said John
He wanted pen ink and paper There was an old standish on the high
mantelshelf containing a dusty apology for all three Having set this before
him the landlord was retiring when he motioned him to stay
»Theres a house not far from here« said the guest when he had written a
few lines »which you call the Warren I believe«
As this was said in the tone of one who knew the fact and asked the
question as a thing of course John contented himself with nodding his head in
the affirmative at the same time taking one hand out of his pockets to cough
behind and then putting it in again
»I want this note« said the guest glancing on what he had written and
folding it »conveyed there without loss of time and an answer brought back
here Have you a messenger at hand«
John was thoughtful for a minute or thereabouts and then said Yes
»Let me see him« said the guest
This was disconcerting for Joe being out and Hugh engaged in rubbing down
the chestnut cob he designed sending on the errand Barnaby who had just then
arrived in one of his rambles and who so that he thought himself employed on a
grave and serious business would go anywhere
»Why the truth is« said John after a long pause »that the person whod go
quickest is a sort of natural as one may say sir and though quick of foot
and as much to be trusted as the post itself hes not good at talking being
touched and flighty sir«
»You dont« said the guest raising his eyes to Johns fat face »you dont
mean whats the fellows name you dont mean Barnaby«
»Yes I do« returned the landlord his features turning quite expressive
with surprise
»How comes he to be here« inquired the guest leaning back in his chair
speaking in the bland even tone from which he never varied and with the same
soft courteous neverchanging smile upon his face »I saw him in London last
night«
»Hes for ever here one hour and there the next« returned old John
after the usual pause to get the question in his mind »Sometimes he walks and
sometimes runs Hes known along the road by everybody and sometimes comes here
in a cart or chaise and sometimes riding double He comes and goes through
wind rain snow and hail and on the darkest nights Nothing hurts him«
»He goes often to the Warren does he not« said the guest carelessly »I
seem to remember his mother telling me something to that effect yesterday But I
was not attending to the good woman much«
»Youre right sir« John made answer »he does His father sir was
murdered in that house«
»So I have heard« returned the guest taking a gold toothpick from his
pocket with the same sweet smile »A very disagreeable circumstance for the
family«
»Very« said John with a puzzled look as if it occurred to him dimly and
afar off that this might by possibility be a cool way of treating the subject
»All the circumstances after a murder« said the guest soliloquising »must
be dreadfully unpleasant so much bustle and disturbance no repose a
constant dwelling upon one subject and the running in and out and up and down
stairs intolerable I wouldnt have such a thing happen to anybody I was nearly
interested in on any account Twould be enough to wear ones life out You
were going to say friend « he added turning to John again
»Only that Mrs Rudge lives on a little pension from the family and that
Barnabys as free of the house as any cat or dog about it« answered John
»Shall he do your errand sir«
»Oh yes« replied the guest »Oh certainly Let him do it by all means
Please to bring him here that I may charge him to be quick If he objects to
come you may tell him its Mr Chester He will remember my name I dare say«
John was so very much astonished to find who his visitor was that he could
express no astonishment at all by looks or otherwise but left the room as if
he were in the most placid and imperturbable of all possible conditions It has
been reported that when he got downstairs he looked steadily at the boiler for
ten minutes by the clock and all that time never once left off shaking his
head for which statement there would seem to be some ground or truth and
feasibility inasmuch as that interval of time did certainly elapse before he
returned with Barnaby to the guests apartment
»Come hither lad« said Mr Chester »You know Mr Geoffrey Haredale«
Barnaby laughed and looked at the landlord as though he would say »You
hear him« John who was greatly shocked at this breach of decorum clapped his
finger to his nose and shook his head in mute remonstrance
»He knows him sir« said John frowning aside at Barnaby »as well as you
or I do«
»I havent the pleasure of much acquaintance with the gentleman« returned
his guest »You may have Limit the comparison to yourself my friend«
Although this was said with the same easy affability and the same smile
John felt himself put down and laying the indignity at Barnabys door
determined to kick his raven on the very first opportunity
»Give that« said the guest who had by this time sealed the note and who
beckoned his messenger towards him as he spoke »into Mr Haredales own hands
Wait for an answer and bring it back to me here If you should find that Mr
Haredale is engaged just now tell him can he remember a message landlord«
»When he chooses sir« replied John »He wont forget this one«
»How are you sure of that«
John merely pointed to him as he stood with his head bent forward and his
earnest gaze fixed closely on his questioners face and nodded sagely
»Tell him then Barnaby should he be engaged« said Mr Chester »that I
shall be glad to wait his convenience here and to see him if he will call at
any time this evening At the worst I can have a bed here Willet I suppose«
Old John immensely flattered by the personal notoriety implied in this
familiar form of address answered with something like a knowing look »I
should believe you could sir« and was turning over in his mind various forms
of eulogium with the view of selecting one appropriate to the qualities of his
best bed when his ideas were put to flight by Mr Chester giving Barnaby the
letter and bidding him make all speed away
»Speed« said Barnaby folding the little packet in his breast »Speed If
you want to see hurry and mystery come here Here«
With that he put his hand very much to John Willets horror on the
guests fine broadcloth sleeve and led him stealthily to the back window
»Look down there« he said softly »do you mark how they whisper in each
others ears then dance and leap to make believe they are in sport Do you see
how they stop for a moment when they think there is no one looking and mutter
among themselves again and then how they roll and gambol delighted with the
mischief theyve been plotting Look at em now See how they whirl and plunge
And now they stop again and whisper cautiously together little thinking
mind how often I have lain upon the grass and watched them I say what is it
that they plot and hatch Do you know«
»They are only clothes« returned the guest »such as we wear hanging on
those lines to dry and fluttering in the wind«
»Clothes« echoed Barnaby looking close into his face and falling quickly
back »Ha ha Why how much better to be silly than as wise as you You dont
see shadowy people there like those that live in sleep not you Nor eyes in
the knotted panes of glass nor swift ghosts when it blows hard nor do you hear
voices in the air nor see men stalking in the sky not you I lead a merrier
life than you with all your cleverness Youre the dull men Were the bright
ones Ha ha Ill not change with you clever as you are not I«
With that he waved his hat above his head and darted off
»A strange creature upon my word« said the guest pulling out a handsome
box and taking a pinch of snuff
»He wants imagination« said Mr Willet very slowly and after a long
silence »thats what he wants Ive tried to instil it into him many and
manys the time but« John added this in confidence »he ant made for it
thats the fact«
To record that Mr Chester smiled at Johns remark would be little to the
purpose for he preserved the same conciliatory and pleasant look at all times
He drew his chair nearer to the fire though as a kind of hint that he would
prefer to be alone and John having no reasonable excuse for remaining left
him to himself
Very thoughtful old John Willet was while the dinner was preparing and if
his brain were ever less clear at one time than another it is but reasonable to
suppose that he addled it in no slight degree by shaking his head so much that
day That Mr Chester between whom and Mr Haredale it was notorious to all
the neighbourhood a deep and bitter animosity existed should come down there
for the sole purpose as it seemed of seeing him and should choose the Maypole
for their place of meeting and should send to him express were
stumblingblocks John could not overcome The only resource he had was to
consult the boiler and wait impatiently for Barnabys return
But Barnaby delayed beyond all precedent The visitors dinner was served
removed his wine was set the fire replenished the hearth clean swept the
light waned without it grew dusk became quite dark and still no Barnaby
appeared Yet though John Willet was full of wonder and misgiving his guest
sat crosslegged in the easychair to all appearance as little ruffled in his
thoughts as in his dress the same calm easy cool gentleman without a care
or thought beyond his golden toothpick
»Barnabys late« John ventured to observe as he placed a pair of tarnished
candlesticks some three feet high upon the table and snuffed the lights they
held
»He is rather so« replied the guest sipping his wine »He will not be much
longer I dare say«
John coughed and raked the fire together
»As your roads bear no very good character if I may judge from my sons
mishap though« said Mr Chester »and as I have no fancy to be knocked on the
head which is not only disconcerting at the moment but places one besides
in a ridiculous position with respect to the people who chance to pick one up
I shall stop here tonight I think you said you had a bed to spare«
»Such a bed sir« returned John Willet »ay such a bed as few even of the
gentrys houses own A fixter here sir Ive heard say that bedstead is nigh
two hundred years of age Your noble son a fine young gentleman slept in it
last sir half a year ago«
»Upon my life a recommendation« said the guest shrugging his shoulders
and wheeling his chair nearer to the fire »See that it be well aired Mr
Willet and let a blazing fire be lighted there at once This house is something
damp and chilly«
John raked the faggots up again more from habit than presence of mind or
any reference to this remark and was about to withdraw when a bounding step
was heard upon the stair and Barnaby came panting in
»Hell have his foot in the stirrup in an hours time« he cried advancing
»He has been riding hard all day has just come home but will be in the
saddle again as soon as he has eat and drank to meet his loving friend«
»Was that his message« asked the visitor looking up but without the
smallest discomposure or at least without the show of any
»All but the last words« Barnaby rejoined »He meant those I saw that in
his face«
»This for your pains« said the other putting money in his hand and
glancing at him steadfastly »This for your pains sharp Barnaby«
»For Grip and me and Hugh to share among us« he rejoined putting it up
and nodding as he counted it on his fingers »Grip one me two Hugh three the
dog the goat the cats well we shall spend it pretty soon I warn you Stay
Look Do you wise men see nothing there now«
He bent eagerly down on one knee and gazed intently at the smoke which was
rolling up the chimney in a thick black cloud John Willet who appeared to
consider himself particularly and chiefly referred to under the term wise men
looked that way likewise and with great solidity of feature
»Now where do they go to when they spring so fast up there« asked
Barnaby »eh Why do they tread so closely on each others heels and why are
they always in a hurry which is what you blame me for when I only take
pattern by these busy folk about me More of em catching to each others
skirts and as fast as they go others come What a merry dance it is I would
that Grip and I could frisk like that«
»What has he in that basket at his back« asked the guest after a few
moments during which Barnaby was still bending down to look higher up the
chimney and earnestly watching the smoke
»In this« he answered jumping up before John Willet could reply shaking
it as he spoke and stooping his head to listen »In this What is there here
Tell him«
»A devil a devil a devil« cried a hoarse voice
»Heres money« said Barnaby chinking it in his hand »money for a treat
Grip«
»Hurrah Hurrah Hurrah« replied the raven »keep up your spirits Never
say die Bow wow wow«
Mr Willet who appeared to entertain strong doubts whether a customer in a
laced coat and fine linen could be supposed to have any acquaintance even with
the existence of such unpolite gentry as the bird claimed to belong to took
Barnaby off at this juncture with the view of preventing any other improper
declarations and quitted the room with his very best bow
Chapter XI
There was great news that night for the regular Maypole customers to each of
whom as he straggled in to occupy his allotted seat in the chimneycorner
John with a most impressive slowness of delivery and in an apoplectic whisper
communicated the fact that Mr Chester was alone in the large room upstairs
and was waiting the arrival of Mr Geoffrey Haredale to whom he had sent a
letter doubtless of a threatening nature by the hands of Barnaby then and
there present
For a little knot of smokers and solemn gossips who had seldom any new
topics of discussion this was a perfect Godsend Here was a good darklooking
mystery progressing under that very roof brought home to the fireside as it
were and enjoyable without the smallest pains or trouble It is extraordinary
what a zest and relish it gave to the drink and how it heightened the flavour
of the tobacco Every man smoked his pipe with a face of grave and serious
delight and looked at his neighbour with a sort of quiet congratulation Nay
it was felt to be such a holiday and special night that on the motion of
little Solomon Daisy every man including John himself put down his sixpence
for a can of flip which grateful beverage was brewed with all despatch and set
down in the midst of them on the brick floor both that it might simmer and stew
before the fire and that its fragrant steam rising up among them and mixing
with the wreaths of vapour from their pipes might shroud them in a delicious
atmosphere of their own and shut out all the world The very furniture of the
room seemed to mellow and deepen in its tone the ceiling and walls looked
blacker and more highly polished the curtains of a ruddier red the fire burnt
clear and high and the crickets in the hearthstone chirped with a more than
wonted satisfaction
There were present two however who showed but little interest in the
general contentment Of these one was Barnaby himself who slept or to avoid
being beset with questions feigned to sleep in the chimneycorner the other
Hugh who sleeping too lay stretched upon the bench on the opposite side in
the full glare of the blazing fire
The light that fell upon this slumbering form showed it in all its muscular
and handsome proportions It was that of a young man of a hale athletic figure
and a giants strength whose sunburnt face and swarthy throat overgrown with
jet black hair might have served a painter for a model Loosely attired in the
coarsest and roughest garb with scraps of straw and hay his usual bed
clinging here and there and mingling with his uncombed locks he had fallen
asleep in a posture as careless as his dress The negligence and disorder of the
whole man with something fierce and sullen in his features gave him a
picturesque appearance that attracted the regards even of the Maypole customers
who knew him well and caused Long Parkes to say that Hugh looked more like a
poaching rascal tonight than ever he had seen him yet
»Hes waiting here I suppose« said Solomon »to take Mr Haredales
horse«
»Thats it sir« replied John Willet »Hes not often in the house you
know Hes more at his ease among horses than men I look upon him as a animal
himself«
Following up this opinion with a shrug that seemed meant to say »we cant
expect everybody to be like us« John put his pipe into his mouth again and
smoked like one who felt his superiority over the general run of mankind
»That chap sir« said John taking it out again after a time and pointing
at him with the stem »though hes got all his faculties about him bottled up
and corked down if I may say so somewheres or another «
»Very good« said Parkes nodding his head »A very good expression Johnny
Youll be a tackling somebody presently Youre in twig tonight I see«
»Take care« said Mr Willet not at all grateful for the compliment »that
I dont tackle you sir which I shall certainly endeavour to do if you
interrupt me when Im making observations That chap I was a saying though
he has all his faculties about him somewheres or another bottled up and corked
down has no more imagination than Barnaby has And why hasnt he«
The three friends shook their heads at each other saying by that action
without the trouble of opening their lips »Do you observe what a philosophical
mind our friend has«
»Why hasnt he« said John gently striking the table with his open hand
»Because they was never drawed out of him when he was a boy Thats why What
would any of us have been if our fathers hadnt drawed our faculties out of us
What would my boy Joe have been if I hadnt drawed his faculties out of him
Do you mind what Im a saying of gentlemen«
»Ah we mind you« cried Parkes »Go on improving of us Johnny«
»Consequently then« said Mr Willet »that chap whose mother was hung
when he was a little boy along with six others for passing bad notes and
its a blessed thing to think how many people are hung in batches every six
weeks for that and suchlike offences as showing how wide awake our government
is that chap was then turned loose and had to mind cows and frighten birds
away and what not for a few pence to live on and so got on by degrees to mind
horses and to sleep in course of time in lofts and litter instead of under
haystacks and hedges till at last he come to be hostler at the Maypole for his
board and lodging and a annual trifle that chap that cant read nor write and
has never had much to do with anything but animals and has never lived in any
way but like the animals he has lived among is a animal And« said Mr Willet
arriving at his logical conclusion »is to be treated accordingly«
»Willet« said Solomon Daisy who had exhibited some impatience at the
intrusion of so unworthy a subject on their more interesting theme »when Mr
Chester come this morning did he order the large room«
»He signified sir« said John »that he wanted a large apartment Yes
Certainly«
»Why then Ill tell you what« said Solomon speaking softly and with an
earnest look »He and Mr Haredale are going to fight a duel in it«
Everybody looked at Mr Willet after this alarming suggestion Mr Willet
looked at the fire weighing in his own mind the effect which such an occurrence
would be likely to have on the establishment
»Well« said John »I dont know I am sure I remember that when I went
up last he had put the lights upon the mantelshelf«
»Its as plain« returned Solomon »as the nose on Parkess face« Mr
Parkes who had a large nose rubbed it and looked as if he considered this a
personal allusion »theyll fight in that room You know by the newspapers what
a common thing it is for gentlemen to fight in coffeehouses without seconds
One of em will be wounded or perhaps killed in this house«
»That was a challenge that Barnaby took then eh« said John
» Inclosing a slip of paper with the measure of his sword upon it Ill bet
a guinea« answered the little man »We know what sort of gentleman Mr Haredale
is You have told us what Barnaby said about his looks when he came back
Depend upon it Im right Now mind«
The flip had had no flavour till now The tobacco had been of mere English
growth compared with its present taste A duel in that great old rambling room
upstairs and the best bed ordered already for the wounded man
»Would it be swords or pistols now« said John
»Heaven knows Perhaps both« returned Solomon »The gentlemen wear swords
and may easily have pistols in their pockets most likely have indeed If they
fire at each other without effect then theyll draw and go to work in
earnest«
A shade passed over Mr Willets face as he thought of broken windows and
disabled furniture but bethinking himself that one of the parties would
probably be left alive to pay the damage he brightened up again
»And then« said Solomon looking from face to face »then we shall have one
of those stains upon the floor that never come out If Mr Haredale wins depend
upon it itll be a deep one or if he loses it will perhaps be deeper still
for hell never give in unless hes beaten down We know him better eh«
»Better indeed« they whispered all together
»As to its ever being got out again« said Solomon »I tell you it never
will or can be Why do you know that it has been tried at a certain house we
are acquainted with«
»The Warren« cried John »No sure«
»Yes sure yes Its only known by very few It has been whispered about
though for all that They planed the board away but there it was They went
deep but it went deeper They put new boards down but there was one great spot
that came through still and showed itself in the old place And harkye draw
nearer Mr Geoffrey made that room his study and sits there always with his
foot as I have heard upon it and he believes through thinking of it long and
very much that it will never fade until he finds the man who did the deed«
As this recital ended and they all drew closer round the fire the tramp of
a horse was heard without
»The very man« cried John starting up »Hugh Hugh«
The sleeper staggered to his feet and hurried after him John quickly
returned ushering in with great attention and deference for Mr Haredale was
his landlord the longexpected visitor who strode into the room clanking his
heavy boots upon the floor and looking keenly round upon the bowing group
raised his hat in acknowledgment of their profound respect
»You have a stranger here Willet who sent to me« he said in a voice
which sounded naturally stern and deep »Where is he«
»In the great room upstairs sir« answered John
»Show the way Your staircase is dark I know Gentlemen good night«
With that he signed to the landlord to go on before and went clanking out
and up the stairs old John in his agitation ingeniously lighting everything
but the way and making a stumble at every second step
»Stop« he said when they reached the landing »I can announce myself
Dont wait«
He laid his hand upon the door entered and shut it heavily Mr Willet was
by no means disposed to stand there listening by himself especially as the
walls were very thick so descended with much greater alacrity than he had come
up and joined his friends below
Chapter XII
There was a brief pause in the stateroom of the Maypole as Mr Haredale tried
the lock to satisfy himself that he had shut the door securely and striding up
the dark chamber to where the screen inclosed a little patch of light and
warmth presented himself abruptly and in silence before the smiling guest
If the two had no greater sympathy in their inward thoughts than in their
outward bearing and appearance the meeting did not seem likely to prove a very
calm or pleasant one With no great disparity between them in point of years
they were in every other respect as unlike and far removed from each other as
two men could well be The one was softspoken delicately made precise and
elegant the other a burly squarebuilt man negligently dressed rough and
abrupt in manner stern and in his present mood forbidding both in look and
speech The one preserved a calm and placid smile the other a distrustful
frown The newcomer indeed appeared bent on showing by his every tone and
gesture his determined opposition and hostility to the man he had come to meet
The guest who received him on the other hand seemed to feel that the contrast
between them was all in his favour and to derive a quiet exultation from it
which put him more at his ease than ever
»Haredale« said this gentleman without the least appearance of
embarrassment or reserve »I am very glad to see you«
»Let us dispense with compliments They are misplaced between us« returned
the other waving his hand »and say plainly what we have to say You have asked
me to meet you I am here Why do we stand face to face again«
»Still the same frank and sturdy character I see«
»Good or bad sir I am« returned the other leaning his arm upon the
chimneypiece and turning a haughty look upon the occupant of the easychair
»the man I used to be I have lost no old likings or dislikings my memory has
not failed me by a hairsbreadth You ask me to give you a meeting I say I am
here«
»Our meeting Haredale« said Mr Chester tapping his snuffbox and
following with a smile the impatient gesture he had made perhaps unconsciously
towards his sword »is one of conference and peace I hope«
»I have come here« returned the other »at your desire holding myself
bound to meet you when and where you would I have not come to bandy pleasant
speeches or hollow professions You are a smooth man of the world sir and at
such play have me at a disadvantage The very last man on this earth with whom I
would enter the lists to combat with gentle compliments and masked faces is Mr
Chester I do assure you I am not his match at such weapons and have reason to
believe that few men are«
»You do me a great deal of honour Haredale« returned the other most
composedly »and I thank you I will be frank with you «
»I beg your pardon will be what«
»Frank open perfectly candid«
»Hah« cried Mr Haredale drawing his breath »But dont let me interrupt
you«
»So resolved am I to hold this course« returned the other tasting his wine
with great deliberation »that I have determined not to quarrel with you and
not to be betrayed into a warm expression or a hasty word«
»There again« said Mr Haredale »you have me at a great advantage Your
selfcommand «
»Is not to be disturbed when it will serve my purpose you would say«
rejoined the other interrupting him with the same complacency »Granted I
allow it And I have a purpose to serve now So have you I am sure our object
is the same Let us attain it like sensible men who have ceased to be boys some
time Do you drink«
»With my friends« returned the other
»At least« said Mr Chester »you will be seated«
»I will stand« returned Mr Haredale impatiently »on this dismantled
beggared hearth and not pollute it fallen as it is with mockeries Go on«
»You are wrong Haredale« said the other crossing his legs and smiling as
he held his glass up in the bright glow of the fire »You are really very wrong
The world is a lively place enough in which we must accommodate ourselves to
circumstances sail with the stream as glibly as we can be content to take
froth for substance the surface for the depth the counterfeit for the real
coin I wonder no philosopher has ever established that our globe itself is
hollow It should be if Nature is consistent in her works«
»You think it is perhaps«
»I should say« he returned sipping his wine »there could be no doubt
about it Well we in trifling with this jingling toy have had the illluck to
jostle and fall out We are not what the world calls friends but we are as good
and true and loving friends for all that as nine out of every ten of those on
whom it bestows the title You have a niece and I a son a fine lad Haredale
but foolish They fall in love with each other and form what this same world
calls an attachment meaning a something fanciful and false like the rest
which if it took its own free time would break like any other bubble But it
may not have its own free time will not if they are left alone and the
question is shall we two because society calls us enemies stand aloof and
let them rush into each others arms when by approaching each other sensibly
as we do now we can prevent it and part them«
»I love my niece« said Mr Haredale after a short silence »It may sound
strangely in your ears but I love her«
»Strangely my good fellow« cried Mr Chester lazily filling his glass
again and pulling out his toothpick »Not at all I like Ned too or as you
say love him thats the word among such near relations Im very fond of Ned
Hes an amazingly good fellow and a handsome fellow foolish and weak as yet
thats all But the thing is Haredale for Ill be very frank as I told you I
would at first independently of any dislike that you and I might have to being
related to each other and independently of the religious differences between us
and damn it thats important I couldnt afford a match of this description
Ned and I couldnt do it Its impossible«
»Curb your tongue in Gods name if this conversation is to last« retorted
Mr Haredale fiercely »I have said I love my niece Do you think that loving
her I would have her fling her heart away on any man who had your blood in his
veins«
»You see« said the other not at all disturbed »the advantage of being so
frank and open Just what I was about to add upon my honour I am amazingly
attached to Ned quite doat upon him indeed and even if we could afford to
throw ourselves away that very objection would be quite insuperable I wish
youd take some wine«
»Mark me« said Mr Haredale striding to the table and laying his hand
upon it heavily »If any man believes presumes to think that I in word or
deed or in the wildest dream ever entertained remotely the idea of Emma
Haredales favouring the suit of any one who was akin to you in any way I
care not what he lies He lies and does me grievous wrong in the mere
thought«
»Haredale« returned the other rocking himself to and fro as in assent and
nodding at the fire »its extremely manly and really very generous in you to
meet me in this unreserved and handsome way Upon my word those are exactly my
sentiments only expressed with much more force and power than I could use you
know my sluggish nature and will forgive me I am sure«
»While I would restrain her from all correspondence with your son and sever
their intercourse here though it should cause her death« said Mr Haredale
who had been pacing to and fro »I would do it kindly and tenderly if I can I
have a trust to discharge which my nature is not formed to understand and for
this reason the bare fact of there being any love between them comes upon me
tonight almost for the first time«
»I am more delighted than I can possibly tell you« rejoined Mr Chester
with the utmost blandness »to find my own impression so confirmed You see the
advantage of our having met We understand each other We quite agree We have a
most complete and thorough explanation and we know what course to take Why
dont you taste your tenants wine Its really very good«
»Pray who« said Mr Haredale »have aided Emma or your son Who are their
gobetweens and agents do you know«
»All the good people hereabouts the neighbourhood in general I think«
returned the other with his most affable smile »The messenger I sent to you
today foremost among them all«
»The idiot Barnaby«
»You are surprised I am glad of that for I was rather so myself Yes I
wrung that from his mother a very decent sort of woman from whom indeed I
chiefly learnt how serious the matter had become and so determined to ride out
here today and hold a parley with you on this neutral ground Youre stouter
than you used to be Haredale but you look extremely well«
»Our business I presume is nearly at an end« said Mr Haredale with an
expression of impatience he was at no pains to conceal »Trust me Mr Chester
my niece shall change from this time I will appeal« he added in a lower tone
»to her womans heart her dignity her pride her duty «
»I shall do the same by Ned« said Mr Chester restoring some errant
faggots to their places in the grate with the toe of his boot »If there is
anything real in this world it is those amazingly fine feelings and those
natural obligations which must subsist between father and son I shall put it to
him on every ground of moral and religious feeling I shall represent to him
that we cannot possibly afford it that I have always looked forward to his
marrying well for a genteel provision for myself in the autumn of life that
there are a great many clamorous dogs to pay whose claims are perfectly just
and right and who must be paid out of his wifes fortune In short that the
very highest and most honourable feelings of our nature with every
consideration of filial duty and affection and all that sort of thing
imperatively demand that he should run away with an heiress«
»And break her heart as speedily as possible« said Mr Haredale drawing on
his glove
»There Ned will act exactly as he pleases« returned the other sipping his
wine »thats entirely his affair I wouldnt for the world interfere with my
son Haredale beyond a certain point The relationship between father and son
you know is positively quite a holy kind of bond Wont you let me persuade
you to take one glass of wine Well as you please as you please« he added
helping himself again
»Chester« said Mr Haredale after a short silence during which he had
eyed his smiling face from time to time intently »you have the head and heart
of an evil spirit in all matters of deception«
»Your health« said the other with a nod »But I have interrupted you «
»If now« pursued Mr Haredale »we should find it difficult to separate
these young people and break off their intercourse if for instance you find
it difficult on your side what course do you intend to take«
»Nothing plainer my good fellow nothing easier« returned the other
shrugging his shoulders and stretching himself more comfortably before the fire
»I shall then exert those powers on which you flatter me so highly though
upon my word I dont deserve your compliments to their full extent and resort
to a few little trivial subterfuges for rousing jealousy and resentment You
see«
»In short justifying the means by the end we are as a last resource for
tearing them asunder to resort to treachery and and lying« said Mr
Haredale
»Oh dear no Fie fie« returned the other relishing a pinch of snuff
extremely »Not lying Only a little management a little diplomacy a little
intriguing thats the word«
»I wish« said Mr Haredale moving to and fro and stopping and moving on
again like one who was ill at ease »that this could have been foreseen or
prevented But as it has gone so far and it is necessary for us to act it is
of no use shrinking or regretting Well I shall second your endeavours to the
utmost of my power There is one topic in the whole wide range of human thoughts
on which we both agree We shall act in concert but apart There will be no
need I hope for us to meet again«
»Are you going« said Mr Chester rising with a graceful indolence »Let me
light you down the stairs«
»Pray keep your seat« returned the other drily »I know the way« So
waving his hand slightly and putting on his hat as he turned upon his heel he
went clanking out as he had come shut the door behind him and tramped down the
echoing stairs
»Pah A very coarse animal indeed« said Mr Chester composing himself in
the easychair again »A rough brute Quite a human badger«
John Willet and his friends who had been listening intently for the clash
of swords or firing of pistols in the great room and had indeed settled the
order in which they should rush in when summoned in which procession old John
had carefully arranged that he should bring up the rear were very much
astonished to see Mr Haredale come down without a scratch call for his horse
and ride away thoughtfully at a footpace After some consideration it was
decided that he had left the gentleman above for dead and had adopted this
stratagem to divert suspicion or pursuit
As this conclusion involved the necessity of their going upstairs
forthwith they were about to ascend in the order they had agreed upon when a
smart ringing at the guests bell as if he had pulled it vigorously overthrew
all their speculations and involved them in great uncertainty and doubt At
length Mr Willet agreed to go upstairs himself escorted by Hugh and Barnaby
as the strongest and stoutest fellows on the premises who were to make their
appearance under pretence of clearing away the glasses
Under this protection the brave and broadfaced John boldly entered the
room half a foot in advance and received an order for a bootjack without
trembling But when it was brought and he leant his sturdy shoulder to the
guest Mr Willet was observed to look very hard into his boots as he pulled
them off and by opening his eyes much wider than usual to appear to express
some surprise and disappointment at not finding them full of blood He took
occasion too to examine the gentleman as closely as he could expecting to
discover sundry loopholes in his person pierced by his adversarys sword
Finding none however and observing in course of time that his guest was as
cool and unruffled both in his dress and temper as he had been all day old
John at last heaved a deep sigh and began to think no duel had been fought that
night
»And now Willet« said Mr Chester »if the rooms well aired Ill try the
merits of that famous bed«
»The room sir« returned John taking up a candle and nudging Barnaby and
Hugh to accompany them in case the gentleman should unexpectedly drop down
faint or dead from some internal wound »the rooms as warm as any toast in a
tankard Barnaby take you that other candle and go on before Hugh Follow up
sir with the easychair«
In this order and still in his earnest inspection holding his candle
very close to the guest now making him feel extremely warm about the legs now
threatening to set his wig on fire and constantly begging his pardon with great
awkwardness and embarrassment John led the party to the best bedroom which
was nearly as large as the chamber from which they had come and held drawn out
near the fire for warmth a great old spectral bedstead hung with faded
brocade and ornamented at the top of each carved post with a plume of
feathers that had once been white but with dust and age had now grown
hearselike and funereal
»Good night my friends« said Mr Chester with a sweet smile seating
himself when he had surveyed the room from end to end in the easychair which
his attendants wheeled before the fire »Good night Barnaby my good fellow
you say some prayers before you go to bed I hope«
Barnaby nodded »He has some nonsense that he calls his prayers sir«
returned old John officiously »Im afraid there ant much good in em«
»And Hugh« said Mr Chester turning to him
»Not I« he answered »I know his« pointing to Barnaby »theyre well
enough He sings em sometimes in the straw I listen«
»Hes quite a animal sir« John whispered in his ear with dignity »Youll
excuse him Im sure If he has any soul at all sir it must be such a very
small one that it dont signify what he does or doesnt in that way Good night
sir«
The guest rejoined »God bless you« with a fervour that was quite affecting
and John beckoning his guards to go before bowed himself out of the room and
left him to his rest in the Maypoles ancient bed
Chapter XIII
If Joseph Willet the denounced and proscribed of prentices had happened to be
at home when his fathers courtly guest presented himself before the Maypole
door that is if it had not perversely chanced to be one of the halfdozen
days in the whole year on which he was at liberty to absent himself for as many
hours without question or reproach he would have contrived by hook or crook
to dive to the very bottom of Mr Chesters mystery and to come at his purpose
with as much certainty as though he had been his confidential adviser In that
fortunate case the lovers would have had quick warning of the ills that
threatened them and the aid of various timely and wise suggestions to boot for
all Joes readiness of thought and action and all his sympathies and good
wishes were enlisted in favour of the young people and were staunch in
devotion to their cause Whether this disposition arose out of his old
prepossessions in favour of the young lady whose history had surrounded her in
his mind almost from his cradle with circumstances of unusual interest or
from his attachment towards the young gentleman into whose confidence he had
through his shrewdness and alacrity and the rendering of sundry important
services as a spy and messenger almost imperceptibly glided whether they had
their origin in either of these sources or in the habit natural to youth or in
the constant badgering and worrying of his venerable parent or in any hidden
little love affair of his own which gave him something of a fellowfeeling in
the matter it is needless to inquire especially as Joe was out of the way
and had no opportunity on that particular occasion of testifying to his
sentiments either on one side or the other
It was in fact the twentyfifth of March which as most people know to
their cost is and has been time out of mind one of those unpleasant epochs
termed quarterdays On this twentyfifth of March it was John Willets pride
annually to settle in hard cash his account with a certain vintner and
distiller in the city of London to give into whose hands a canvas bag
containing its exact amount and not a penny more or less was the end and
object of a journey for Joe so surely as the year and day came round
This journey was performed upon an old grey mare concerning whom John had
an indistinct set of ideas hovering about him to the effect that she could win
a plate or cup if she tried She never had tried and probably never would now
being some fourteen or fifteen years of age short in wind long in body and
rather the worse for wear in respect of her mane and tail Notwithstanding these
slight defects John perfectly gloried in the animal and when she was brought
round to the door by Hugh actually retired into the bar and there in a secret
grove of lemons laughed with pride
»Theres a bit of horseflesh Hugh« said John when he had recovered enough
selfcommand to appear at the door again »Theres a comely creature Theres
high mettle Theres bone«
There was bone enough beyond all doubt and so Hugh seemed to think as he
sat sideways in the saddle lazily doubled up with his chin nearly touching his
knees and heedless of the dangling stirrups and loose bridlerein sauntered up
and down on the little green before the door
»Mind you take good care of her sir« said John appealing from this
insensible person to his son and heir who now appeared fully equipped and
ready »Dont you ride hard«
»I should be puzzled to do that I think father« Joe replied casting a
disconsolate look at the animal
»None of your impudence sir if you please« retorted old John »What would
you ride sir A wild ass or zebra would be too tame for you wouldnt he eh
sir Youd like to ride a roaring lion wouldnt you sir eh sir Hold your
tongue sir« When Mr Willet in his differences with his son had exhausted
all the questions that occurred to him and Joe had said nothing at all in
answer he generally wound up by bidding him hold his tongue
»And what does the boy mean« added Mr Willet after he had stared at him
for a little time in a species of stupefaction »by cocking his hat to such an
extent Are you going to kill the wintner sir«
»No« said Joe tartly »Im not Now your minds at ease father«
»With a milintary air too« said Mr Willet surveying him from top to toe
»with a swaggering fireeating bilingwater drinking sort of way with him And
what do you mean by pulling up the crocuses and snowdrops eh sir«
»Its only a little nosegay« said Joe reddening »Theres no harm in that
I hope«
»Youre a boy of business you are sir« said Mr Willet disdainfully »to
go supposing that wintners care for nosegays«
»I dont suppose anything of the kind« returned Joe »Let them keep their
red noses for bottles and tankards These are going to Mr Vardens house«
»And do you suppose he minds such things as crocuses« demanded John
»I dont know and to say the truth I dont care« said Joe »Come father
give me the money and in the name of patience let me go«
»There it is sir« replied John »and take care of it and mind you dont
make too much haste back but give the mare a long rest Do you mind«
»Ay I mind« returned Joe »Shell need it Heaven knows«
»And dont you score up too much at the Black Lion« said John »Mind that
too«
»Then why dont you let me have some money of my own« retorted Joe
sorrowfully »why dont you father What do you send me into London for giving
me only the right to call for my dinner at the Black Lion which youre to pay
for next time you go as if I was not to be trusted with a few shillings Why do
you use me like this Its not right of you You cant expect me to be quiet
under it«
»Let him have money« cried John in a drowsy reverie »What does he call
money guineas Hasnt he got money Over and above the tolls hasnt he one
and sixpence«
»One and sixpence« repeated his son contemptuously
»Yes sir« returned John »one and sixpence When I was your age I had
never seen so much money in a heap A shilling of it is in case of accidents
the mare casting a shoe or the like of that The other sixpence is to spend in
the diversions of London and the diversion I recommend is to go to the top of
the Monument and sitting there Theres no temptation there sir no drink
no young women no bad characters of any sort nothing but imagination Thats
the way I enjoyed myself when I was your age sir«
To this Joe made no answer but beckoning Hugh leaped into the saddle and
rode away and a very stalwart manly horseman he looked deserving a better
charger than it was his fortune to bestride John stood staring after him or
rather after the grey mare for he had no eyes for her rider until man and
beast had been out of sight some twenty minutes when he began to think they
were gone and slowly reentering the house fell into a gentle doze
The unfortunate grey mare who was the agony of Joes life floundered along
at her own will and pleasure until the Maypole was no longer visible and then
contracting her legs into what in a puppet would have been looked upon as a
clumsy and awkward imitation of a canter mended her pace all at once and did
it of her own accord The acquaintance with her riders usual mode of
proceeding which suggested this improvement in hers impelled her likewise to
turn up a byeway leading not to London but through lanes running parallel
with the road they had come and passing within a few hundred yards of the
Maypole which led finally to an inclosure surrounding a large old redbrick
mansion the same of which mention was made as the Warren in the first chapter
of this history Coming to a dead stop in a little copse thereabout she
suffered her rider to dismount with right goodwill and to tie her to the trunk
of a tree
»Stay there old girl« said Joe »and let us see whether theres any little
commission for me today« So saying he left her to browse upon such stunted
grass and weeds as happened to grow within the length of her tether and passing
through a wicket gate entered the grounds on foot
The pathway after a very few minutes walking brought him close to the
house towards which and especially towards one particular window he directed
many covert glances It was a dreary silent building with echoing courtyards
desolated turretchambers and whole suites of rooms shut up and mouldering to
ruin
The terracegarden dark with the shade of overhanging trees had an air of
melancholy that was quite oppressive Great iron gates disused for many years
and red with rust drooping on their hinges and overgrown with long rank grass
seemed as though they tried to sink into the ground and hide their fallen state
among the friendly weeds The fantastic monsters on the walls green with age
and damp and covered here and there with moss looked grim and desolate There
was a sombre aspect even on that part of the mansion which was inhabited and
kept in good repair that struck the beholder with a sense of sadness of
something forlorn and failing whence cheerfulness was banished It would have
been difficult to imagine a bright fire blazing in the dull and darkened rooms
or to picture any gaiety of heart or revelry that the frowning walls shut in It
seemed a place where such things had been but could be no more the very ghost
of a house haunting the old spot in its old outward form and that was all
Much of this decayed and sombre look was attributable no doubt to the
death of its former master and the temper of its present occupant but
remembering the tale connected with the mansion it seemed the very place for
such a deed and one that might have been its predestined theatre years upon
years ago Viewed with reference to this legend the sheet of water where the
stewards body had been found appeared to wear a black and sullen character
such as no other pool might own the bell upon the roof that had told the tale
of murder to the midnight wind became a very phantom whose voice would raise
the listeners hair on end and every leafless bough that nodded to another had
its stealthy whispering of the crime
Joe paced up and down the path sometimes stopping in affected contemplation
of the building or the prospect sometimes leaning against a tree with an
assumed air of idleness and indifference but always keeping an eye upon the
window he had singled out at first After some quarter of an hours delay a
small white hand was waved to him for an instant from this casement and the
young man with a respectful bow departed saying under his breath as he
crossed his horse again »No errand for me today«
But the air of smartness the cock of the hat to which John Willet had
objected and the spring nosegay all betokened some little errand of his own
having a more interesting object than a vintner or even a locksmith So indeed
it turned out for when he had settled with the vintner whose place of
business was down in some deep cellars hard by Thamesstreet and who was as
purplefaced an old gentleman as if he had all his life supported their arched
roof on his head when he had settled the account and taken the receipt and
declined tasting more than three glasses of old sherry to the unbounded
astonishment of the purplefaced vintner who gimlet in hand had projected an
attack upon at least a score of dusty casks and who stood transfixed or
morally gimleted as it were to his own wall when he had done all this and
disposed besides of a frugal dinner at the Black Lion in Whitechapel spurning
the Monument and Johns advice he turned his steps towards the locksmiths
house attracted by the eyes of blooming Dolly Varden
Joe was by no means a sheepish fellow but for all that when he got to the
corner of the street in which the locksmith lived he could by no means make up
his mind to walk straight to the house First he resolved to stroll up another
street for five minutes then up another street for five minutes more and so on
until he had lost full half an hour when he made a bold plunge and found
himself with a red face and a beating heart in the smoky workshop
»Joe Willet or his ghost« said Varden rising from the desk at which he
was busy with his books and looking at him under his spectacles »Which is it
Joe in the flesh eh Thats hearty And how are all the Chigwell company Joe«
»Much as usual sir they and I agree as well as ever«
»Well well« said the locksmith »We must be patient Joe and bear with
old folks foibles Hows the mare Joe Does she do the four miles an hour as
easily as ever Ha ha ha Does she Joe Eh What have we there Joe a
nosegay«
»A very poor one sir I thought Miss Dolly «
»No no« said Gabriel dropping his voice and shaking his head »not
Dolly Give em to her mother Joe A great deal better give em to her mother
Would you mind giving em to Mrs Varden Joe«
»Oh no sir« Joe replied and endeavouring but not with the greatest
possible success to hide his disappointment »I shall be very glad Im sure«
»Thats right« said the locksmith patting him on the back »It dont
matter who has em Joe«
»Not a bit sir« Dear heart how the words stuck in his throat
»Come in« said Gabriel »I have just been called to tea Shes in the
parlour«
»She« thought Joe »Which of em I wonder Mrs or Miss« The locksmith
settled the doubt as neatly as if it had been expressed aloud by leading him to
the door and saying »Martha my dear heres young Mr Willet«
Now Mrs Varden regarding the Maypole as a sort of human mantrap or
decoy for husbands viewing its proprietor and all who aided and abetted him
in the light of so many poachers among Christian men and believing moreover
that the publicans coupled with sinners in Holy Writ were veritable licensed
victuallers was far from being favourably disposed towards her visitor
Wherefore she was taken faint directly and being duly presented with the
crocuses and snowdrops divined on further consideration that they were the
occasion of the languor which had seized upon her spirits »Im afraid I
couldnt bear the room another minute« said the good lady »if they remain
here Would you excuse my putting them out of window«
Joe begged she wouldnt mention it on any account and smiled feebly as he
saw them deposited on the sill outside If anybody could have known the pains
he had taken to make up that despised and misused bunch of flowers
»I feel it quite a relief to get rid of them I assure you« said Mrs
Varden »Im better already« And indeed she did appear to have plucked up her
spirits
Joe expressed his gratitude to Providence for this favourable dispensation
and tried to look as if he didnt wonder where Dolly was
»Youre sad people at Chigwell Mr Joseph« said Mrs V
»I hope not maam« returned Joe
»Youre the cruellest and most inconsiderate people in the world« said Mrs
Varden bridling »I wonder old Mr Willet having been a married man himself
doesnt know better than to conduct himself as he does His doing it for profit
is no excuse I would rather pay the money twenty times over and have Varden
come home like a respectable and sober tradesman If there is one character«
said Mrs Varden with great emphasis »that offends and disgusts me more than
another it is a sot«
»Come Martha my dear« said the locksmith cheerily »let us have tea and
dont let us talk about sots There are none here and Joe dont want to hear
about them I dare say«
At this crisis Miggs appeared with toast
»I dare say he does not« said Mrs Varden »and I dare say you do not
Varden Its a very unpleasant subject I have no doubt though I wont say its
personal« Miggs coughed »whatever I may be forced to think« Miggs sneezed
expressively »You never will know Varden and nobody at young Mr Willets age
youll excuse me sir can be expected to know what a woman suffers when she
is waiting at home under such circumstances If you dont believe me as I know
you dont heres Miggs who is only too often a witness of it ask her«
»Oh she were very bad the other night sir indeed she were« said Miggs
»If you hadnt the sweetness of an angel in you mim I dont think you could
abear it I raly dont«
»Miggs« said Mrs Varden »youre profane«
»Begging your pardon mim« returned Miggs with shrill rapidity »such was
not my intentions and such I hope is not my character though I am but a
servant«
»Answering me Miggs and providing yourself« retorted her mistress
looking round with dignity »is one and the same thing How dare you speak of
angels in connection with your sinful fellowbeings mere« said Mrs Varden
glancing at herself in a neighbouring mirror and arranging the ribbon of her
cap in a more becoming fashion »mere worms and grovellers as we are«
»I did not intend mim if you please to give offence« said Miggs
confident in the strength of her compliment and developing strongly in the
throat as usual »and I did not expect it would be took as such I hope I know
my own unworthiness and that I hate and despise myself and all my
fellowcreatures as every practicable Christian should«
»Youll have the goodness if you please« said Mrs Varden loftily »to
step upstairs and see if Dolly has finished dressing and to tell her that the
chair that was ordered for her will be here in a minute and that if she keeps
it waiting I shall send it away that instant Im sorry to see that you dont
take your tea Varden and that you dont take yours Mr Joseph though of
course it would be foolish of me to expect that anything that can be had at
home and in the company of females would please you«
This pronoun was understood in the plural sense and included both
gentlemen upon both of whom it was rather hard and undeserved for Gabriel had
applied himself to the meal with a very promising appetite until it was spoilt
by Mrs Varden herself and Joe had as great a liking for the female society of
the locksmiths house or for a part of it at all events as man could well
entertain
But he had no opportunity to say anything in his own defence for at that
moment Dolly herself appeared and struck him quite dumb with her beauty Never
had Dolly looked so handsome as she did then in all the glow and grace of
youth with all her charms increased a hundredfold by a most becoming dress by
a thousand little coquettish ways which nobody could assume with a better grace
and all the sparkling expectation of that accursed party It is impossible to
tell how Joe hated that party wherever it was and all the other people who were
going to it whoever they were
And she hardly looked at him no hardly looked at him And when the chair
was seen through the open door coming blundering into the workshop she actually
clapped her hands and seemed glad to go But Joe gave her his arm there was
some comfort in that and handed her into it To see her seat herself inside
with her laughing eyes brighter than diamonds and her hand surely she had the
prettiest hand in the world on the ledge of the open window and her little
finger provokingly and pertly tilted up as if it wondered why Joe didnt
squeeze or kiss it To think how well one or two of the modest snowdrops would
have become that delicate bodice and how they were lying neglected outside the
parlour window To see how Miggs looked on with a face expressive of knowing how
all this loveliness was got up and of being in the secret of every string and
pin and hook and eye and of saying it aint half as real as you think and I
could look quite as well myself if I took the pains To hear that provoking
precious little scream when the chair was hoisted on its poles and to catch
that transient but nottobeforgotten vision of the happy face within what
torments and aggravations and yet what delights were these The very chairmen
seemed favoured rivals as they bore her down the street
There never was such an alteration in a small room in a small time as in
that parlour when they went back to finish tea So dark so deserted so
perfectly disenchanted It seemed such sheer nonsense to be sitting tamely
there when she was at a dance with more lovers than man could calculate
fluttering about her with the whole party doting on and adoring her and
wanting to marry her Miggs was hovering about too and the fact of her
existence the mere circumstance of her ever having been born appeared after
Dolly such an unaccountable practical joke It was impossible to talk It
couldnt be done He had nothing left for it but to stir his tea round and
round and round and ruminate on all the fascinations of the locksmiths lovely
daughter
Gabriel was dull too It was a part of the certain uncertainty of Mrs
Vardens temper that when they were in this condition she should be gay and
sprightly
»I need have a cheerful disposition I am sure« said the smiling housewife
»to preserve any spirits at all and how I do it I can scarcely tell«
»Ah mim« sighed Miggs »begging your pardon for the interruption there
ant a many like you«
»Take away Miggs« said Mrs Varden rising »take away pray I know Im a
restraint here and as I wish everybody to enjoy themselves as they best can I
feel I had better go«
»No no Martha« cried the locksmith »Stop here Im sure we shall be very
sorry to lose you eh Joe« Joe started and said »Certainly«
»Thank you Varden my dear« returned his wife »but I know your wishes
better Tobacco and beer or spirits have much greater attractions than any I
can boast of and therefore I shall go and sit upstairs and look out of window
my love Good night Mr Joseph Im very glad to have seen you and I only wish
I could have provided something more suitable to your taste Remember me very
kindly if you please to old Mr Willet and tell him that whenever he comes here
I have a crow to pluck with him Good night«
Having uttered these words with great sweetness of manner the good lady
dropped a curtsey remarkable for its condescension and serenely withdrew
And it was for this Joe had looked forward to the twentyfifth of March for
weeks and weeks and had gathered the flowers with so much care and had cocked
his hat and made himself so smart This was the end of all his bold
determination resolved upon for the hundredth time to speak out to Dolly and
tell her how he loved her To see her for a minute for but a minute to find
her going out to a party and glad to go to be looked upon as a common
pipesmoker beerbibber spiritguzzler and tosspot He bade farewell to his
friend the locksmith and hastened to take horse at the Black Lion thinking as
he turned towards home as many another Joe has thought before and since that
here was an end to all his hopes that the thing was impossible and never could
be that she didnt care for him that he was wretched for life and that the
only congenial prospect left him was to go for a soldier or a sailor and get
some obliging enemy to knock his brains out as soon as possible
Chapter XIV
Joe Willet rode leisurely along in his desponding mood picturing the
locksmiths daughter going down long countrydances and poussetting dreadfully
with bold strangers which was almost too much to bear when he heard the
tramp of a horses feet behind him and looking back saw a wellmounted
gentleman advancing at a smart canter As this rider passed he checked his
steed and called him of the Maypole by his name Joe set spurs to the grey
mare and was at his side directly
»I thought it was you sir« he said touching his hat »A fair evening
sir Glad to see you out of doors again«
The gentleman smiled and nodded »What gay doings have been going on today
Joe Is she as pretty as ever Nay dont blush man«
»If I coloured at all Mr Edward« said Joe »which I didnt know I did it
was to think I should have been such a fool as ever to have any hope of her
Shes as far out of my reach as as Heaven is«
»Well Joe I hope thats not altogether beyond it« said Edward
goodhumouredly »Eh«
»Ah« sighed Joe »Its all very fine talking sir Proverbs are easily made
in cold blood But it cant be helped Are you bound for our house sir«
»Yes As I am not quite strong yet I shall stay there tonight and ride
home coolly in the morning«
»If youre in no particular hurry« said Joe after a short silence »and
will bear with the pace of this poor jade I shall be glad to ride on with you
to the Warren sir and hold your horse when you dismount Itll save you having
to walk from the Maypole there and back again I can spare the time well sir
for I am too soon«
»And so am I« returned Edward »though I was unconsciously riding fast just
now in compliment I suppose to the pace of my thoughts which were travelling
post We will keep together Joe willingly and be as good company as may be
And cheer up cheer up think of the locksmiths daughter with a stout heart
and you shall win her yet«
Joe shook his head but there was something so cheery in the buoyant hopeful
manner of this speech that his spirits rose under its influence and
communicated as it would seem some new impulse even to the grey mare who
breaking from her sober amble into a gentle trot emulated the pace of Edward
Chesters horse and appeared to flatter herself that he was doing his very
best
It was a fine dry night and the light of a young moon which was then just
rising shed around that peace and tranquillity which gives to evening time its
most delicious charm The lengthened shadows of the trees softened as if
reflected in still water threw their carpet on the path the travellers pursued
and the light wind stirred yet more softly than before as though it were
soothing Nature in her sleep By little and little they ceased talking and rode
on side by side in a pleasant silence
»The Maypole lights are brilliant tonight« said Edward as they rode along
the lane from which while the intervening trees were bare of leaves that
hostelry was visible
»Brilliant indeed sir« returned Joe rising in his stirrups to get a
better view »Lights in the large room and a fire glimmering in the best
bedchamber Why what company can this be for I wonder«
»Some benighted horseman wending towards London and deterred from going on
tonight by the marvellous tales of my friend the highwayman I suppose« said
Edward
»He must be a horseman of good quality to have such accommodations Your bed
too sir «
»No matter Joe Any other room will do for me But come theres nine
striking We may push on«
They cantered forward at as brisk a pace as Joes charger could attain and
presently stopped in the little copse where he had left her in the morning
Edward dismounted gave his bridle to his companion and walked with a light
step towards the house
A female servant was waiting at a side gate in the gardenwall and admitted
him without delay He hurried along the terracewalk and darted up a flight of
broad steps leading into an old and gloomy hall whose walls were ornamented
with rusty suits of armour antlers weapons of the chase and suchlike
garniture Here he paused but not long for as he looked round as if expecting
the attendant to have followed and wondering she had not done so a lovely girl
appeared whose dark hair next moment rested on his breast Almost at the same
instant a heavy hand was laid upon her arm Edward felt himself thrust away and
Mr Haredale stood between them
He regarded the young man sternly without removing his hat with one hand
clasped his niece and with the other in which he held his ridingwhip
motioned him towards the door The young man drew himself up and returned his
gaze
»This is well done of you sir to corrupt my servants and enter my house
unbidden and in secret like a thief« said Mr Haredale »Leave it sir and
return no more«
»Miss Haredales presence« returned the young man »and your relationship
to her give you a licence which if you are a brave man you will not abuse
You have compelled me to this course and the fault is yours not mine«
»It is neither generous nor honourable nor the act of a true man sir«
retorted the other »to tamper with the affections of a weak trusting girl
while you shrink in your unworthiness from her guardian and protector and
dare not meet the light of day More than this I will not say to you save that
I forbid you this house and require you to be gone«
»It is neither generous nor honourable nor the act of a true man to play
the spy« said Edward »Your words imply dishonour and I reject them with the
scorn they merit«
»You will find« said Mr Haredale calmly »your trusty gobetween in
waiting at the gate by which you entered I have played no spys part sir I
chanced to see you pass the gate and followed You might have heard me knocking
for admission had you been less swift of foot or lingered in the garden
Please to withdraw Your presence here is offensive to me and distressful to my
niece« As he said these words he passed his arm about the waist of the
terrified and weeping girl and drew her closer to him and though the habitual
severity of his manner was scarcely changed there was yet apparent in the
action an air of kindness and sympathy for her distress
»Mr Haredale« said Edward »your arm encircles her on whom I have set my
every hope and thought and to purchase one minutes happiness for whom I would
gladly lay down my life this house is the casket that holds the precious jewel
of my existence Your niece has plighted her faith to me and I have plighted
mine to her What have I done that you should hold me in this light esteem and
give me these discourteous words«
»You have done that sir« answered Mr Haredale »which must be undone You
have tied a loversknot here which must be cut asunder Take good heed of what
I say Must I cancel the bond between ye I reject you and all of your kith
and kin all the false hollow heartless stock«
»High words sir« said Edward scornfully
»Words of purpose and meaning as you will find« replied the other »Lay
them to heart«
»Lay you then these« said Edward »Your cold and sullen temper which
chills every breast about you which turns affection into fear and changes duty
into dread has forced us on this secret course repugnant to our nature and our
wish and far more foreign sir to us than you I am not a false a hollow or
a heartless man the character is yours who poorly venture on these injurious
terms against the truth and under the shelter whereof I reminded you just now
You shall not cancel the bond between us I will not abandon this pursuit I
rely upon your nieces truth and honour and set your influence at nought I
leave her with a confidence in her pure faith which you will never weaken and
with no concern but that I do not leave her in some gentler care«
With that he pressed her cold hand to his lips and once more encountering
and returning Mr Haredales steady look withdrew
A few words to Joe as he mounted his horse sufficiently explained what had
passed and renewed all that young gentlemans despondency with tenfold
aggravation They rode back to the Maypole without exchanging a syllable and
arrived at the door with heavy hearts
Old John who had peeped from behind the red curtain as they rode up
shouting for Hugh was out directly and said with great importance as he held
the young mans stirrup
»Hes comfortable in bed the best bed A thorough gentleman the
smilingest affablest gentleman I ever had to do with«
»Who Willet« said Edward carelessly as he dismounted
»Your worthy father sir« replied John »Your honourable venerable
father«
»What does he mean« said Edward looking with a mixture of alarm and doubt
at Joe
»What do you mean« said Joe »Dont you see Mr Edward doesnt understand
father«
»Why didnt you know of it sir« said John opening his eyes wide »How
very singular Bless you hes been here ever since noon today and Mr
Haredale has been having a long talk with him and hasnt been gone an hour«
»My father Willet«
»Yes sir he told me so a handsome slim upright gentleman in
greenandgold In your old room up yonder sir No doubt you can go in sir«
said John walking backwards into the road and looking up at the window »He
hasnt put out his candles yet I see«
Edward glanced at the window also and hastily murmuring that he had changed
his mind forgotten something and must return to London mounted his horse
again and rode away leaving the Willets father and son looking at each other
in mute astonishment
Chapter XV
At noon next day John Willets guest sat lingering over his breakfast in his
own home surrounded by a variety of comforts which left the Maypoles highest
flight and utmost stretch of accommodation at an infinite distance behind and
suggested comparisons very much to the disadvantage and disfavour of that
venerable tavern
In the broad oldfashioned windowseat as capacious as many modern sofas
and cushioned to serve the purpose of a luxurious settee in the broad
oldfashioned windowseat of a roomy chamber Mr Chester lounged very much at
his ease over a wellfurnished breakfasttable He had exchanged his
ridingcoat for a handsome morninggown his boots for slippers had been at
great pains to atone for the having been obliged to make his toilet when he rose
without the aid of dressingcase and tiring equipage and having gradually
forgotten through these means the discomforts of an indifferent night and an
early ride was in a state of perfect complacency indolence and satisfaction
The situation in which he found himself indeed was particularly favourable
to the growth of these feelings for not to mention the lazy influence of a
late and lonely breakfast with the additional sedative of a newspaper there
was an air of repose about his place of residence peculiar to itself, and which
hangs about it even in these times when it is more bustling and busy than it
was in days of yore
There are still worse places than the Temple on a sultry day for basking
in the sun or resting idly in the shade There is yet a drowsiness in its
courts and a dreamy dulness in its trees and gardens those who pace its lanes
and squares may yet hear the echoes of their footsteps on the sounding stones
and read upon its gates in passing from the tumult of the Strand or Fleet
Street »Who enters here leaves noise behind« There is still the plash of
falling water in fair Fountain Court and there are yet nooks and corners where
dunhaunted students may look down from their dusty garrets on a vagrant ray of
sunlight patching the shade of the tall houses and seldom troubled to reflect a
passing strangers form There is yet in the Temple something of a clerkly
monkish atmosphere which public offices of law have not disturbed and even
legal firms have failed to scare away In summer time its pumps suggest to
thirsty idlers springs cooler and more sparkling and deeper than other wells
and as they trace the spillings of full pitchers on the heated ground they
snuff the freshness and sighing cast sad looks towards the Thames and think
of baths and boats and saunter on despondent
It was in a room in Paper Buildings a row of goodly tenements shaded in
front by ancient trees and looking at the back upon the Temple Gardens that
this our idler lounged now taking up again the paper he had laid down a
hundred times now trifling with the fragments of his meal now pulling forth
his golden toothpick and glancing leisurely about the room or out at window
into the trim garden walks where a few early loiterers were already pacing to
and fro Here a pair of lovers met to quarrel and make up there a darkeyed
nurserymaid had better eyes for Templars than her charge on this hand an
ancient spinster with her lapdog in a string regarded both enormities with
scornful sidelong looks on that a weazen old gentleman ogling the
nurserymaid looked with like scorn upon the spinster and wondered she didnt
know she was no longer young Apart from all these on the rivers margin two or
three couple of businesstalkers walked slowly up and down in earnest
conversation and one young man sat thoughtfully on a bench alone
»Ned is amazingly patient« said Mr Chester glancing at this lastnamed
person as he set down his teacup and plied the golden toothpick »immensely
patient He was sitting yonder when I began to dress and has scarcely changed
his posture since A most eccentric dog«
As he spoke the figure rose and came towards him with a rapid pace
»Really as if he had heard me« said the father resuming his newspaper
with a yawn »Dear Ned«
Presently the roomdoor opened and the young man entered to whom his
father gently waved his hand and smiled
»Are you at leisure for a little conversation sir« said Edward
»Surely Ned I am always at leisure You know my constitution Have you
breakfasted«
»Three hours ago«
»What a very early dog« cried his father contemplating him from behind the
toothpick with a languid smile
»The truth is« said Edward bringing a chair forward and seating himself
near the table »that I slept but ill last night and was glad to rise The
cause of my uneasiness cannot but be known to you sir and it is upon that I
wish to speak«
»My dear boy« returned his father »confide in me I beg But you know my
constitution dont be prosy Ned«
»I will be plain and brief« said Edward
»Dont say you will my good fellow« returned his father crossing his
legs »or you certainly will not You are going to tell me «
»Plainly this then« said the son with an air of great concern »that I
know where you were last night from being on the spot indeed and whom you
saw and what your purpose was«
»You dont say so« cried his father »I am delighted to hear it It saves
us the worry and terrible wear and tear of a long explanation and is a great
relief for both At the very house Why didnt you come up I should have been
charmed to see you«
»I knew that what I had to say would be better said after a nights
reflection when both of us were cool« returned the son
»Fore Gad Ned« rejoined the father »I was cool enough last night That
detestable Maypole By some infernal contrivance of the builder it holds the
wind and keeps it fresh You remember the sharp east wind that blew so hard
five weeks ago I give you my honour it was rampant in that old house last
night though out of doors there was a dead calm But you were saying «
»I was about to say Heaven knows how seriously and earnestly that you have
made me wretched sir Will you hear me gravely for a moment«
»My dear Ned« said his father »I will hear you with the patience of an
anchorite Oblige me with the milk«
»I saw Miss Haredale last night« Edward resumed when he had complied with
this request »her uncle in her presence immediately after your interview
and as of course I know in consequence of it forbade me the house and with
circumstances of indignity which are of your creation I am sure commanded me to
leave it on the instant«
»For his manner of doing so I give you my honour Ned I am not
accountable« said his father »That you must excuse He is a mere boor a log
a brute with no address in life Positively a fly in the jug The first I
have seen this year«
Edward rose and paced the room His imperturbable parent sipped his tea
»Father« said the young man stopping at length before him »we must not
trifle in this matter We must not deceive each other or ourselves Let me
pursue the manly open part I wish to take and do not repel me by this unkind
indifference«
»Whether I am indifferent or no« returned the other »I leave you my dear
boy to judge A ride of twentyfive or thirty miles through miry roads a
Maypole dinner a têteàtête with Haredale which vanity apart was quite a
Valentine and Orson business a Maypole bed a Maypole landlord and a Maypole
retinue of idiots and centaurs whether the voluntary endurance of these
things looks like indifference dear Ned or like the excessive anxiety and
devotion and all that sort of thing of a parent you shall determine for
yourself«
»I wish you to consider sir« said Edward »in what a cruel situation I am
placed Loving Miss Haredale as I do «
»My dear fellow« interrupted his father with a compassionate smile »you do
nothing of the kind You dont know anything about it Theres no such thing I
assure you Now do take my word for it You have good sense Ned great good
sense I wonder you should be guilty of such amazing absurdities You really
surprise me«
»I repeat« said his son firmly »that I love her You have interposed to
part us and have to the extent I have just now told you of succeeded May I
induce you sir in time to think more favourably of our attachment or is it
your intention and your fixed design to hold us asunder if you can«
»My dear Ned« returned his father taking a pinch of snuff and pushing his
box towards him »that is my purpose most undoubtedly«
»The time that has elapsed« rejoined his son »since I began to know her
worth has flown in such a dream that until now I have hardly once paused to
reflect upon my true position What is it From my childhood I have been
accustomed to luxury and idleness and have been bred as though my fortune were
large and my expectations almost without a limit The idea of wealth has been
familiarised to me from my cradle I have been taught to look upon those means
by which men raise themselves to riches and distinction as being beyond my
breeding and beneath my care I have been as the phrase is liberally
educated and am fit for nothing I find myself at last wholly dependent upon
you with no resource but in your favour In this momentous question of my life
we do not and it would seem we never can agree I have shrunk instinctively
alike from those to whom you have urged me to pay court and from the motives of
interest and gain which have rendered them in your eyes visible objects for my
suit If there never has been thus much plainspeaking between us before sir
the fault has not been mine indeed If I seem to speak too plainly now it is
believe me father in the hope that there may be a franker spirit a worthier
reliance and a kinder confidence between us in time to come«
»My good fellow« said his smiling father »you quite affect me Go on my
dear Edward I beg But remember your promise There is great earnestness vast
candour a manifest sincerity in all you say but I fear I observe the faintest
indications of a tendency to prose«
»I am very sorry sir«
»I am very sorry too Ned but you know that I cannot fix my mind for any
long period upon one subject If youll come to the point at once Ill imagine
all that ought to go before and conclude it said Oblige me with the milk
again Listening invariably makes me feverish«
»What I would say then tends to this« said Edward »I cannot bear this
absolute dependence sir even upon you Time has been lost and opportunity
thrown away but I am yet a young man and may retrieve it Will you give me the
means of devoting such abilities and energies as I possess to some worthy
pursuit Will you let me try to make for myself an honourable path in life For
any term you please to name say for five years if you will I will pledge
myself to move no further in the matter of our difference without your full
concurrence During that period I will endeavour earnestly and patiently if
ever man did to open some prospect for myself and free you from the burden you
fear I should become if I married one whose worth and beauty are her chief
endowments Will you do this sir At the expiration of the term we agree upon
let us discuss this subject again Till then unless it is revived by you let
it never be renewed between us«
»My dear Ned« returned his father laying down the newspaper at which he
had been glancing carelessly and throwing himself back in the windowseat »I
believe you know how very much I dislike what are called family affairs which
are only fit for plebeian Christmas days and have no manner of business with
people of our condition But as you are proceeding upon a mistake Ned
altogether upon a mistake I will conquer my repugnance to entering on such
matters and give you a perfectly plain and candid answer if you will do me the
favour to shut the door«
Edward having obeyed him he took an elegant little knife from his pocket
and paring his nails continued
»You have to thank me Ned for being of good family for your mother
charming person as she was and almost brokenhearted and so forth as she left
me when she was prematurely compelled to become immortal had nothing to boast
of in that respect«
»Her father was at least an eminent lawyer sir« said Edward
»Quite right Ned perfectly so He stood high at the bar had a great name
and great wealth but having risen from nothing I have always closed my eyes
to the circumstance and steadily resisted its contemplation but I fear his
father dealt in pork and that his business did once involve cowheel and
sausages he wished to marry his daughter into a good family He had his
hearths desire Ned I was a younger sons younger son and I married her We
each had our object and gained it She stepped at once into the politest and
best circles and I stepped into a fortune which I assure you was very necessary
to my comfort quite indispensable Now my good fellow that fortune is among
the things that have been It is gone Ned and has been gone how old are you
I always forget«
»Sevenandtwenty sir«
»Are you indeed« cried his father raising his eyelids in a languishing
surprise »So much Then I should say Ned that as nearly as I remember its
skirts vanished from human knowledge about eighteen or nineteen years ago It
was about that time when I came to live in these chambers once your
grandfathers and bequeathed by that extremely respectable person to me and
commenced to live upon an inconsiderable annuity and my past reputation«
»You are jesting with me sir« said Edward
»Not in the slightest degree I assure you« returned his father with great
composure »These family topics are so extremely dry that I am sorry to say
they dont admit of any such relief It is for that reason and because they
have an appearance of business that I dislike them so very much Well You know
the rest A son Ned unless he is old enough to be a companion that is to
say unless he is some two or three and twenty is not the kind of thing to
have about one He is a restraint upon his father his father is a restraint
upon him and they make each other mutually uncomfortable Therefore until
within the last four years or so I have a poor memory for dates and if I
mistake you will correct me in your own mind you pursued your studies at a
distance and picked up a great variety of accomplishments Occasionally we
passed a week or two together here and disconcerted each other as only such
near relations can At last you came home I candidly tell you my dear boy
that if you had been awkward and overgrown I should have exported you to some
distant part of the world«
»I wish with all my soul you had sir« said Edward
»No you dont Ned« said his father coolly »you are mistaken I assure
you I found you a handsome prepossessing elegant fellow and I threw you into
the society I can still command Having done that my dear fellow I consider
that I have provided for you in life and rely upon your doing something to
provide for me in return«
»I do not understand your meaning sir«
»My meaning Ned is obvious I observe another fly in the creamjug but
have the goodness not to take it out as you did the first for their walk when
their legs are milky is extremely ungraceful and disagreeable my meaning is
that you must do as I did that you must marry well and make the most of
yourself«
»A mere fortunehunter« cried the son indignantly
»What in the devils name Ned would you be« returned the father »All men
are fortunehunters are they not The law the church the court the camp
see how they are all crowded with fortunehunters jostling each other in the
pursuit The Stockexchange the pulpit the countinghouse the royal
drawingroom the senate what but fortunehunters are they filled with A
fortunehunter Yes You are one and you would be nothing else my dear Ned if
you were the greatest courtier lawyer legislator prelate or merchant in
existence If you are squeamish and moral Ned console yourself with the
reflection that at the very worst your fortunehunting can make but one person
miserable or unhappy How many people do you suppose these other kinds of
huntsmen crush in following their sport hundreds at a step Or thousands«
The young man leant his head upon his hand and made no answer
»I am quite charmed« said the father rising and walking slowly to and fro
stopping now and then to glance at himself in the mirror or survey a picture
through his glass with the air of a connoisseur »that we have had this
conversation Ned unpromising as it was It establishes a confidence between us
which is quite delightful and was certainly necessary though how you can ever
have mistaken our positions and designs I confess I cannot understand I
conceived until I found your fancy for this girl that all these points were
tacitly agreed upon between us«
»I knew you were embarrassed sir« returned the son raising his head for a
moment and then falling into his former attitude »but I had no idea we were
the beggared wretches you describe How could I suppose it bred as I have been
witnessing the life you have always led and the appearance you have always
made«
»My dear child« said the father »for you really talk so like a child that
I must call you one you were bred upon a careful principle the very manner of
your education I assure you maintained my credit surprisingly As to the life
I lead I must lead it Ned I must have these little refinements about me I
have always been used to them and I cannot exist without them They must
surround me you observe and therefore they are here With regard to our
circumstances Ned you may set your mind at rest upon that score They are
desperate Your own appearance is by no means despicable and our joint
pocketmoney alone devours our income Thats the truth«
»Why have I never known this before Why have you encouraged me sir to an
expenditure and mode of life to which we have no right or title«
»My good fellow« returned his father more compassionately than ever »if
you made no appearance how could you possibly succeed in the pursuit for which
I destined you As to our mode of life every man has a right to live in the
best way he can and to make himself as comfortable as he can or he is an
unnatural scoundrel Our debts I grant are very great and therefore it the
more behoves you as a young man of principle and honour to pay them off as
speedily as possible«
»The villains part« muttered Edward »that I have unconsciously played I
to win the heart of Emma Haredale I would for her sake I had died first«
»I am glad you see Ned« returned his father »how perfectly selfevident
it is that nothing can be done in that quarter But apart from this and the
necessity of your speedily bestowing yourself on another as you know you could
tomorrow if you chose I wish youd look upon it pleasantly In a religious
point of view alone how could you ever think of uniting yourself to a Catholic
unless she was amazingly rich You ought to be so very Protestant coming of
such a Protestant family as you do Let us be moral Ned or we are nothing
Even if one could set that objection aside which is impossible we come to
another which is quite conclusive The very idea of marrying a girl whose father
was killed like meat Good God Ned how disagreeable Consider the
impossibility of having any respect for your fatherinlaw under such unpleasant
circumstances think of his having been viewed by jurors and sat upon by
coroners and of his very doubtful position in the family ever afterwards It
seems to me such an indelicate sort of thing that I really think the girl ought
to have been put to death by the state to prevent its happening But I tease you
perhaps You would rather be alone My dear Ned most willingly God bless you
I shall be going out presently but we shall meet tonight or if not tonight
certainly tomorrow Take care of yourself in the mean time for both our sakes
You are a person of great consequence to me Ned of vast consequence indeed
God bless you«
With these words the father who had been arranging his cravat in the
glass while he uttered them in a disconnected careless manner withdrew
humming a tune as he went The son who had appeared so lost in thought as not
to hear or understand them remained quite still and silent After the lapse of
half an hour or so the elder Chester gaily dressed went out The younger
still sat with his head resting on his hands in what appeared to be a kind of
stupor
Chapter XVI
A series of pictures representing the streets of London in the night even at
the comparatively recent date of this tale would present to the eye something
so very different in character from the reality which is witnessed in these
times that it would be difficult for the beholder to recognise his most
familiar walks in the altered aspect of little more than half a century ago
They were one and all from the broadest and best to the narrowest and
least frequented very dark The oil and cotton lamps though regularly trimmed
twice or thrice in the long winter nights burnt feebly at the best and at a
late hour when they were unassisted by the lamps and candles in the shops cast
but a narrow track of doubtful light upon the footway leaving the projecting
doors and housefronts in the deepest gloom Many of the courts and lanes were
left in total darkness those of the meaner sort where one glimmering light
twinkled for a score of houses being favoured in no slight degree Even in
these places the inhabitants had often good reason for extinguishing their lamp
as soon as it was lighted and the watch being utterly inefficient and powerless
to prevent them they did so at their pleasure Thus in the lightest
thoroughfares there was at every turn some obscure and dangerous spot whither a
thief might fly for shelter and few would care to follow and the city being
belted round by fields green lanes waste grounds and lonely roads dividing
it at that time from the suburbs that have joined it since escape even where
the pursuit was hot was rendered easy
It is no wonder that with these favouring circumstances in full and constant
operation street robberies often accompanied by cruel wounds and not
unfrequently by loss of life should have been of nightly occurrence in the very
heart of London or that quiet folks should have had great dread of traversing
its streets after the shops were closed It was not unusual for those who wended
home alone at midnight to keep the middle of the road the better to guard
against surprise from lurking footpads few would venture to repair at a late
hour to Kentish Town or Hampstead or even to Kensington or Chelsea unarmed and
unattended while he who had been loudest and most valiant at the suppertable
or the tavern and had but a mile or so to go was glad to fee a linkboy to
escort him home
There were many other characteristics not quite so disagreeable about
the thoroughfares of London then with which they had been long familiar Some
of the shops especially those to the eastward of Temple Bar still adhered to
the old practice of hanging out a sign and the creaking and swinging of these
boards in their iron frames on windy nights formed a strange and mournful
concert for the ears of those who lay awake in bed or hurried through the
streets Long stands of hackneychairs and groups of chairmen compared with
whom the coachmen of our day are gentle and polite obstructed the way and
filled the air with clamour nightcellars indicated by a little stream of
light crossing the pavement and stretching out halfway into the road and by
the stifled roar of voices from below yawned for the reception and
entertainment of the most abandoned of both sexes under every shed and bulk
small groups of linkboys gamed away the earnings of the day or one more weary
than the rest gave way to sleep and let the fragment of his torch fall hissing
on the puddled ground
Then there was the watch with staff and lantern crying the hour and the
kind of weather and those who woke up at his voice and turned them round in
bed were glad to hear it rained or snowed or blew or froze for very
comforts sake The solitary passenger was startled by the chairmens cry of »By
your leave there« as two came trotting past him with their empty vehicle
carried backwards to show its being disengaged and hurried to the nearest
stand Many a private chair too inclosing some fine lady monstrously hooped
and furbelowed and preceded by runningfootmen bearing flambeaux for which
extinguishers are yet suspended before the doors of a few houses of the better
sort made the way gay and light as it danced along and darker and more dismal
when it had passed It was not unusual for these running gentry who carried it
with a very high hand to quarrel in the servants hall while waiting for their
masters and mistresses and falling to blows either there or in the street
without to strew the place of skirmish with hairpowder fragments of bagwigs
and scattered nosegays Gaming the vice which ran so high among all classes
the fashion being of course set by the upper was generally the cause of these
disputes for cards and dice were as openly used and worked as much mischief
and yielded as much excitement below stairs as above While incidents like
these arising out of drums and masquerades and parties at quadrille were
passing at the west end of the town heavy stagecoaches and scarce heavier
waggons were lumbering slowly towards the city the coachmen guard and
passengers armed to the teeth and the coach a day or so perhaps behind its
time but that was nothing despoiled by highwaymen who made no scruple to
attack alone and singlehanded a whole caravan of goods and men and sometimes
shot a passenger or two and were sometimes shot themselves as the case might
be On the morrow rumours of this new act of daring on the road yielded matter
for a few hours conversation through the town and a Public Progress of some
fine gentleman half drunk to Tyburn dressed in the newest fashion and
damning the ordinary with unspeakable gallantry and grace furnished to the
populace at once a pleasant excitement and a wholesome and profound example
Among all the dangerous characters who in such a state of society prowled
and skulked in the metropolis at night there was one man from whom many as
uncouth and fierce as he shrunk with an involuntary dread Who he was or
whence he came was a question often asked but which none could answer His
name was unknown he had never been seen until within about eight days or
thereabouts and was equally a stranger to the old ruffians upon whose haunts
he ventured fearlessly as to the young He could be no spy for he never
removed his slouched hat to look about him entered into conversation with no
man heeded nothing that passed listened to no discourse regarded nobody that
came or went But so surely as the dead of night set in so surely this man was
in the midst of the loose concourse in the nightcellar where outcasts of every
grade resorted and there he sat till morning
He was not only a spectre at their licentious feasts a something in the
midst of their revelry and riot that chilled and haunted them but out of doors
he was the same Directly it was dark he was abroad never in company with any
one but always alone never lingering or loitering but always walking swiftly
and looking so they said who had seen him over his shoulder from time to time
and as he did so quickening his pace In the fields the lanes the roads in
all quarters of the town east west north and south that man was seen
gliding on like a shadow He was always hurrying away Those who encountered
him saw him steal past caught sight of the backward glance and so lost him in
the darkness
This constant restlessness and flitting to and fro gave rise to strange
stories He was seen in such distant and remote places at times so nearly
tallying with each other that some doubted whether there were not two of them
or more some whether he had not unearthly means of travelling from spot to
spot The footpad hiding in a ditch had marked him passing like a ghost along
its brink the vagrant had met him on the dark highroad the beggar had seen
him pause upon the bridge to look down at the water and then sweep on again
they who dealt in bodies with the surgeons could swear he slept in churchyards
and that they had beheld him glide away among the tombs on their approach And
as they told these stories to each other one who had looked about him would
pull his neighbour by the sleeve and there he would be among them
At last one man he was one of those whose commerce lay among the graves
resolved to question this strange companion Next night when he had eat his
poor meal voraciously he was accustomed to do that they had observed as
though he had no other in the day this fellow sat down at his elbow
»A black night master«
»It is a black night«
»Blacker than last though that was pitchy too Didnt I pass you near the
turnpike in the Oxfordroad«
»Its like you may I dont know«
»Come come master« cried the fellow urged on by the looks of his
comrades and slapping him on the shoulder »be more companionable and
communicative Be more the gentleman in this good company There are tales among
us that you have sold yourself to the devil and I know not what«
»We all have have we not« returned the stranger looking up »If we were
fewer in number perhaps he would give better wages«
»It goes rather hard with you indeed« said the fellow as the stranger
disclosed his haggard unwashed face and torn clothes »What of that Be merry
master A stave of a roaring song now «
»Sing you if you desire to hear one« replied the other shaking him
roughly off »and dont touch me if youre a prudent man I carry arms which go
off easily they have done so before now and make it dangerous for strangers
who dont know the trick of them to lay hands upon me«
»Do you threaten« said the fellow
»Yes« returned the other rising and turning upon him and looking fiercely
round as if in apprehension of a general attack
His voice and look and bearing all expressive of the wildest
recklessness and desperation daunted while they repelled the bystanders
Although in a very different sphere of action now they were not without much of
the effect they had wrought at the Maypole Inn
»I am what you all are and live as you all do« said the man sternly after
a short silence »I am in hiding here like the rest and if we were surprised
would perhaps do my part with the best of ye If its my humour to be left to
myself let me have it Otherwise« and here he swore a tremendous oath
»therell be mischief done in this place though there are odds of a score
against me«
A low murmur having its origin perhaps in a dread of the man and the
mystery that surrounded him or perhaps in a sincere opinion on the part of some
of those present that it would be an inconvenient precedent to meddle too
curiously with a gentlemans private affairs if he saw reason to conceal them
warned the fellow who had occasioned this discussion that he had best pursue it
no further After a short time the strange man lay down upon a bench to sleep
and when they thought of him again they found he was gone
Next night as soon as it was dark he was abroad again and traversing the
streets he was before the locksmiths house more than once but the family were
out and it was close shut This night he crossed London Bridge and passed into
Southwark As he glided down a byestreet a woman with a little basket on her
arm turned into it at the other end Directly he observed her he sought the
shelter of an archway and stood aside until she had passed Then he emerged
cautiously from his hidingplace and followed
She went into several shops to purchase various kinds of household
necessaries and round every place at which she stopped he hovered like her evil
spirit following her when she reappeared It was nigh eleven oclock and the
passengers in the streets were thinning fast when she turned doubtless to go
home The phantom still followed her
She turned into the same byestreet in which he had seen her first which
being free from shops and narrow was extremely dark She quickened her pace
here as though distrustful of being stopped and robbed of such trifling
property as she carried with her He crept along on the other side of the road
Had she been gifted with the speed of wind it seemed as if his terrible shadow
would have tracked her down
At length the widow for she it was reached her own door and panting
for breath paused to take the key from her basket In a flush and glow with
the haste she had made and the pleasure of being safe at home she stooped to
draw it out when raising her head she saw him standing silently beside her
the apparition of a dream
His hand was on her mouth but that was needless for her tongue clove to
its roof and her power of utterance was gone »I have been looking for you many
nights Is the house empty Answer me Is any one inside«
She could only answer by a rattle in her throat
»Make me a sign«
She seemed to indicate that there was no one there He took the key
unlocked the door carried her in and secured it carefully behind them
Chapter XVII
It was a chilly night and the fire in the widows parlour had burnt low Her
strange companion placed her in a chair and stooping down before the
halfextinguished ashes raked them together and fanned them with his hat From
time to time he glanced at her over his shoulder as though to assure himself of
her remaining quiet and making no effort to depart and that done busied
himself about the fire again
It was not without reason that he took these pains for his dress was dank
and drenched with wet his jaws rattled with cold and he shivered from head to
foot It had rained hard during the previous night and for some hours in the
morning but since noon it had been fine Wheresoever he had passed the hours of
darkness his condition sufficiently betokened that many of them had been spent
beneath the open sky Besmeared with mire his saturated clothes clinging with a
damp embrace about his limbs his beard unshaven his face unwashed his meagre
cheeks worn into deep hollows a more miserable wretch could hardly be than
this man who now cowered down upon the widows hearth and watched the
struggling flame with bloodshot eyes
She had covered her face with her hands fearing as it seemed to look
towards him So they remained for some short time in silence Glancing round
again he asked at length
»Is this your house«
»It is Why in the name of Heaven do you darken it«
»Give me meat and drink« he answered sullenly »or I dare do more than
that The very marrow in my bones is cold with wet and hunger I must have
warmth and food and I will have them here«
»You were the robber on the Chigwellroad«
»I was«
»And nearly a murderer then«
»The will was not wanting There was one came upon me and raised the
hueandcry that it would have gone hard with but for his nimbleness I made a
thrust at him«
»You thrust your sword at him« cried the widow looking upwards »You hear
this man you hear and saw«
He looked at her as with her head thrown back and her hands tight
clenched together she uttered these words in an agony of appeal Then starting
to his feet as she had done he advanced towards her
»Beware« she cried in a suppressed voice whose firmness stopped him
midway »Do not so much as touch me with a finger or you are lost body and
soul you are lost«
»Hear me« he replied menacing her with his hand »I that in the form of a
man live the life of a hunted beast that in the body am a spirit a ghost upon
the earth a thing from which all creatures shrink save those curst beings of
another world who will not leave me I am in my desperation of this night
past all fear but that of the hell in which I exist from day to day Give the
alarm cry out refuse to shelter me I will not hurt you But I will not be
taken alive and so surely as you threaten me above your breath I fall a dead
man on this floor The blood with which I sprinkle it be on you and yours in
the name of the Evil Spirit that tempts men to their ruin«
As he spoke he took a pistol from his breast and firmly clutched it in his
hand
»Remove this man from me good Heaven« cried the widow »In thy grace and
mercy give him one minutes penitence and strike him dead«
»It has no such purpose« he said confronting her »It is deaf Give me to
eat and drink lest I do that it cannot help my doing and will not do for you«
»Will you leave me if I do thus much Will you leave me and return no
more«
»I will promise nothing« he rejoined seating himself at the table
»nothing but this I will execute my threat if you betray me«
She rose at length and going to a closet or pantry in the room brought out
some fragments of cold meat and bread and put them on the table He asked for
brandy and for water These she produced likewise and he ate and drank with
the voracity of a famished hound All the time he was so engaged she kept at the
uttermost distance of the chamber and sat there shuddering but with her face
towards him She never turned her back upon him once and although when she
passed him as she was obliged to do in going to and from the cupboard she
gathered the skirts of her garment about her as if even its touching his by
chance were horrible to think of still in the midst of all this dread and
terror she kept her face towards his own and watched his every movement
His repast ended if that can be called one which was a mere ravenous
satisfying of the calls of hunger he moved his chair towards the fire again
and warming himself before the blaze which had now sprung brightly up accosted
her once more
»I am an outcast to whom a roof above his head is often an uncommon luxury
and the food a beggar would reject is delicate fare You live here at your ease
Do you live alone«
»I do not« she made answer with an effort
»Who dwells here besides«
»One it is no matter who You had best begone or he may find you here
Why do you linger«
»For warmth« he replied spreading out his hands before the fire »For
warmth You are rich perhaps«
»Very« she said faintly »Very rich No doubt I am very rich«
»At least you are not penniless You have some money You were making
purchases tonight«
»I have a little left It is but a few shillings«
»Give me your purse You had it in your hand at the door Give it to me«
She stepped to the table and laid it down He reached across took it up
and told the contents into his hand As he was counting them she listened for a
moment and sprung towards him
»Take what there is take all take more if more were there but go before
it is too late I have heard a wayward step without I know full well It will
return directly Begone«
»What do you mean«
»Do not stop to ask I will not answer Much as I dread to touch you I
would drag you to the door if I possessed the strength rather than you should
lose an instant Miserable wretch fly from this place«
»If there are spies without I am safer here« replied the man standing
aghast »I will remain here and will not fly till the danger is past«
»It is too late« cried the widow who had listened for the step and not to
him »Hark to that foot upon the ground Do you tremble to hear it It is my
son my idiot son«
As she said this wildly there came a heavy knocking at the door He looked
at her and she at him
»Let him come in« said the man hoarsely »I fear him less than the dark
houseless night He knocks again Let him come in«
»The dread of this hour« returned the widow »has been upon me all my life
and I will not Evil will fall upon him if you stand eye to eye My blighted
boy Oh all good angels who know the truth hear a poor mothers prayer and
spare my boy from knowledge of this man«
»He rattles at the shutters« cried the man »He calls you That voice and
cry It was he who grappled with me in the road Was it he«
She had sunk upon her knees and so knelt down moving her lips but
uttering no sound As he gazed upon her uncertain what to do or where to turn
the shutters flew open He had barely time to catch a knife from the table
sheathe it in the loose sleeve of his coat hide in the closet and do all with
the lightnings speed when Barnaby tapped at the bare glass and raised the
sash exultingly
»Why who can keep out Grip and me« he cried thrusting in his head and
staring round the room »Are you there mother How long you keep us from the
fire and light«
She stammered some excuse and tendered him her hand But Barnaby sprung
lightly in without assistance and putting his arms about her neck kissed her a
hundred times
»We have been afield mother leaping ditches scrambling through hedges
running down steep banks up and away and hurrying on The wind has been
blowing and the rushes and young plants bowing and bending to it lest it
should do them harm the cowards and Grip ha ha ha brave Grip who cares
for nothing and when the wind rolls him over in the dust turns manfully to
bite it Grip bold Grip has quarrelled with every little bowing twig
thinking he told me that it mocked him and has worried it like a bulldog
Ha ha ha«
The raven in his little basket at his masters back hearing this frequent
mention of his name in a tone of exultation expressed his sympathy by crowing
like a cock and afterwards running over his various phrases of speech with such
rapidity and in so many varieties of hoarseness that they sounded like the
murmurs of a crowd of people
»He takes such care of me besides« said Barnaby »Such care mother He
watches all the time I sleep and when I shut my eyes and makebelieve to
slumber he practises new learning softly but he keeps his eye on me the while
and if he sees me laugh though never so little stops directly He wont
surprise me till hes perfect«
The raven crowed again in a rapturous manner which plainly said »Those are
certainly some of my characteristics and I glory in them« In the meantime
Barnaby closed the window and secured it and coming to the fireplace prepared
to sit down with his face to the closet But his mother prevented this by
hastily taking that side herself and motioning him towards the other
»How pale you are tonight« said Barnaby leaning on his stick »We have
been cruel Grip and made her anxious«
Anxious in good truth and sick at heart The listener held the door of his
hidingplace open with his hand and closely watched her son Grip alive to
everything his master was unconscious of had his head out of the basket and
in return was watching him intently with his glistening eye
»He flaps his wings« said Barnaby turning almost quickly enough to catch
the retreating form and closing door »as if there were strangers here but Grip
is wiser than to fancy that Jump then«
Accepting this invitation with a dignity peculiar to himself the bird
hopped up on his masters shoulder from that to his extended hand and so to
the ground Barnaby unstrapping the basket and putting it down in a corner with
the lid open Grips first care was to shut it down with all possible despatch
and then to stand upon it Believing no doubt that he had now rendered it
utterly impossible and beyond the power of mortal man to shut him up in it any
more he drew a great many corks in triumph and uttered a corresponding number
of hurrahs
»Mother« said Barnaby laying aside his hat and stick and returning to the
chair from which he had risen »Ill tell you where we have been today and
what we have been doing shall I«
She took his hand in hers and holding it nodded the word she could not
speak
»You mustnt tell« said Barnaby holding up his finger »for its a secret
mind and only known to me and Grip and Hugh We had the dog with us but hes
not like Grip clever as he is and doesnt guess it yet Ill wager Why do
you look behind me so«
»Did I« she answered faintly »I didnt know I did Come nearer me«
»You are frightened« said Barnaby changing colour »Mother you dont see
«
»See what«
»Theres theres none of this about is there« he answered in a whisper
drawing closer to her and clasping the mark upon his wrist »I am afraid there
is somewhere You make my hair stand on end and my flesh creep Why do you
look like that Is it in the room as I have seen it in my dreams dashing the
ceiling and the walls with red Tell me Is it«
He fell into a shivering fit as he put the question and shutting out the
light with his hands sat shaking in every limb until it had passed away After
a time he raised his head and looked about him
»Is it gone«
»There has been nothing here« rejoined his mother soothing him »Nothing
indeed dear Barnaby Look You see there are but you and me«
He gazed at her vacantly and becoming reassured by degrees burst into a
wild laugh
»But let us see« he said thoughtfully »We were talking Was it you and
me Where have we been«
»Nowhere but here«
»Aye but Hugh and I« said Barnaby »thats it Maypole Hugh and I you
know and Grip we have been lying in the forest and among the trees by the
roadside with a dark lantern after night came on and the dog in a noose ready
to slip him when the man came by«
»What man«
»The robber him that the stars winked at We have waited for him after dark
these many nights and we shall have him Id know him in a thousand Mother
see here This is the man Look«
He twisted his handkerchief round his head pulled his hat upon his brow
wrapped his coat about him and stood up before her so like the original he
counterfeited that the dark figure peering out behind him might have passed for
his own shadow
»Ha ha ha We shall have him« he cried ridding himself of the semblance as
hastily as he had assumed it »You shall see him mother bound hand and foot
and brought to London at a saddlegirth and you shall hear of him at Tyburn
Tree if we have luck So Hugh says Youre pale again and trembling And why do
you look behind me so«
»It is nothing« she answered »I am not quite well Go you to bed dear
and leave me here«
»To bed« he answered »I dont like bed I like to lie before the fire
watching the prospects in the burning coals the rivers hills and dells in
the deep red sunset and the wild faces I am hungry too and Grip has eaten
nothing since broad noon Let us to supper Grip To supper lad«
The raven flapped his wings and croaking his satisfaction hopped to the
feet of his master and there held his bill open ready for snapping up such
lumps of meat as he should throw him Of these he received about a score in
rapid succession without the smallest discomposure
»Thats all« said Barnaby
»More« cried Grip »More«
But it appearing for a certainty that no more was to be had he retreated
with his store and disgorging the morsels one by one from his pouch hid them
in various corners taking particular care however to avoid the closet as
being doubtful of the hidden mans propensities and power of resisting
temptation When he had concluded these arrangements he took a turn or two
across the room with an elaborate assumption of having nothing on his mind but
with one eye hard upon his treasure all the time and then and not till then
began to drag it out piece by piece and eat it with the utmost relish
Barnaby for his part having pressed his mother to eat in vain made a
hearty supper too Once during the progress of his meal he wanted more bread
from the closet and rose to get it She hurriedly interposed to prevent him and
summoning her utmost fortitude passed into the recess and brought it out
herself
»Mother« said Barnaby looking at her steadfastly as she sat down beside
him after doing so »is today my birthday«
»Today« she answered »Dont you recollect it was but a week or so ago
and that summer autumn and winter have to pass before it comes again«
»I remember that it has been so till now« said Barnaby »But I think today
must be my birthday too for all that«
She asked him why »Ill tell you why« he said »I have always seen you I
didnt let you know it but I have on the evening of that day grow very sad I
have seen you cry when Grip and I were most glad and look frightened with no
reason and I have touched your hand and felt that it was cold as it is now
Once mother on a birthday that was also Grip and I thought of this after we
went upstairs to bed and when it was midnight striking one oclock we came
down to your door to see if you were well You were on your knees I forget what
it was you said Grip what was it we heard her say that night«
»Im a devil« rejoined the raven promptly
»No no« said Barnaby »But you said something in a prayer and when you
rose and walked about you looked as you have done ever since mother towards
night on my birthday just as you do now I have found that out you see though
I am silly So I say youre wrong and this must be my birthday my birthday
Grip«
The bird received this information with a crow of such duration as a cock
gifted with intelligence beyond all others of his kind might usher in the
longest day with Then as if he had well considered the sentiment and regarded
it as apposite to birthdays he cried »Never say die« a great many times and
flapped his wings for emphasis
The widow tried to make light of Barnabys remark and endeavoured to divert
his attention to some new subject too easy a task at all times as she knew
His supper done Barnaby regardless of her entreaties stretched himself on the
mat before the fire Grip perched upon his leg and divided his time between
dozing in the grateful warmth and endeavouring as it presently appeared to
recall a new accomplishment he had been studying all day
A long and profound silence ensued broken only by some change of position
on the part of Barnaby whose eyes were still wide open and intently fixed upon
the fire or by an effort of recollection on the part of Grip who would cry in
a low voice from time to time »Polly put the ket« and there stop short
forgetting the remainder and go off in a doze again
After a long interval Barnabys breathing grew more deep and regular and
his eyes were closed But even then the unquiet spirit of the raven interposed
»Polly put the ket« cried Grip and his master was broad awake again
At length Barnaby slept soundly and the bird with his bill sunk upon his
breast his breast itself puffed out into a comfortable aldermanlike form and
his bright eye growing smaller and smaller really seemed to be subsiding into a
state of repose Now and then he muttered in a sepulchral voice »Polly put the
ket« but very drowsily and more like a drunken man than a reflecting raven
The widow scarcely venturing to breathe rose from her seat The man glided
from the closet and extinguished the candle
»tle on« cried Grip suddenly struck with an idea and very much excited
»tle on Hurrah Polly put the kettle on well all have tea Polly put the
kettle on well all have tea Hurrah hurrah hurrah Im a devil Im a
devil Im a kettle on Keep up your spirits Never say die Bow wow wow Im
a devil Im a kettle Im a Polly put the kettle on well all have tea«
They stood rooted to the ground as though it had been a voice from the
grave
But even this failed to awaken the sleeper He turned over towards the fire
his arm fell to the ground and his head drooped heavily upon it The widow and
her unwelcome visitor gazed at him and at each other for a moment and then she
motioned him towards the door
»Stay« he whispered »You teach your son well«
»I have taught him nothing that you heard tonight Depart instantly or I
will rouse him«
»You are free to do so Shall I rouse him«
»You dare not do that«
»I dare do anything I have told you He knows me well it seems At least I
will know him«
»Would you kill him in his sleep« cried the widow throwing herself between
them
»Woman« he returned between his teeth as he motioned her aside »I would
see him nearer and I will If you want one of us to kill the other wake him«
With that he advanced and bending down over the prostrate form softly
turned back the head and looked into the face The light of the fire was upon
it and its every lineament was revealed distinctly He contemplated it for a
brief space, and hastily uprose
»Observe« he whispered in the widows ear »In him of whose existence I
was ignorant until tonight I have you in my power Be careful how you use me
Be careful how you use me I am destitute and starving and a wanderer upon the
earth I may take a sure and slow revenge«
»There is some dreadful meaning in your words I do not fathom it«
»There is a meaning in them and I see you fathom it to its very depth You
have anticipated it for years you have told me as much I leave you to digest
it Do not forget my warning«
He pointed as he left her to the slumbering form and stealthily
withdrawing made his way into the street She fell on her knees beside the
sleeper and remained like one stricken into stone until the tears which fear
had frozen so long came tenderly to her relief
»Oh Thou« she cried »who hast taught me such deep love for this one
remnant of the promise of a happy life out of whose affliction even perhaps
the comfort springs that he is ever a relying loving child to me never
growing old or cold at heart but needing my care and duty in his manly strength
as in his cradletime help him in his darkened walk through this sad world
or he is doomed and my poor heart is broken«
Chapter XVIII
Gliding along the silent streets and holding his course where they were darkest
and most gloomy the man who had left the widows house crossed London Bridge
and arriving in the City plunged into the backways lanes and courts between
Cornhill and Smithfield with no more fixedness of purpose than to lose himself
among their windings and baffle pursuit if any one were dogging his steps
It was the dead time of the night and all was quiet Now and then a drowsy
watchmans footsteps sounded on the pavement or the lamplighter on his rounds
went flashing past leaving behind a little track of smoke mingled with glowing
morsels of his redhot link He hid himself even from these partakers of his
lonely walk and shrinking in some arch or doorway while they passed issued
forth again when they were gone and so pursued his solitary way
To be shelterless and alone in the open country hearing the wind moan and
watching for day through the whole long weary night to listen to the falling
rain and crouch for warmth beneath the lee of some old barn or rick or in the
hollow of a tree are dismal things but not so dismal as the wandering up and
down where shelter is and beds and sleepers are by thousands a houseless
rejected creature To pace the echoing stones from hour to hour counting the
dull chimes of the clocks to watch the lights twinkling in chamber windows to
think what happy forgetfulness each house shuts in that here are children
coiled together in their beds here youth here age here poverty here wealth
all equal in their sleep and all at rest to have nothing in common with the
slumbering world around not even sleep Heavens gift to all its creatures and
be akin to nothing but despair to feel by the wretched contrast with
everything on every hand more utterly alone and cast away than in a trackless
desert this is a kind of suffering on which the rivers of great cities close
full many a time and which the solitude in crowds alone awakens
The miserable man paced up and down the streets so long so wearisome so
like each other and often cast a wistful look towards the east hoping to see
the first faint streaks of day But obdurate night had yet possession of the
sky and his disturbed and restless walk found no relief
One house in a back street was bright with the cheerful glare of lights
there was the sound of music in it too and the tread of dancers and there were
cheerful voices and many a burst of laughter To this place to be near
something that was awake and glad he returned again and again and more than
one of those who left it when the merriment was at its height felt it a check
upon their mirthful mood to see him flitting to and fro like an uneasy ghost At
last the guests departed one and all and then the house was close shut up and
became as dull and silent as the rest
His wanderings brought him at one time to the city jail Instead of
hastening from it as a place of ill omen and one he had cause to shun he sat
down on some steps hard by and resting his chin upon his hand gazed upon its
rough and frowning walls as though even they became a refuge in his jaded eyes
He paced it round and round came back to the same spot and sat down again He
did this often and once with a hasty movement crossed to where some men were
watching in the prison lodge and had his foot upon the steps as though
determined to accost them But looking round he saw that the day began to
break and failing in his purpose turned and fled
He was soon in the quarter he had lately traversed and pacing to and fro
again as he had done before He was passing down a mean street when from an
alley close at hand some shouts of revelry arose and there came straggling
forth a dozen madcaps whooping and calling to each other who parting noisily
took different ways and dispersed in smaller groups
Hoping that some low place of entertainment which would afford him a safe
refuge might be near at hand he turned into this court when they were all gone
and looked about for a halfopened door or lighted window or other indication
of the place whence they had come It was so profoundly dark however and so
illfavoured that he concluded they had but turned up there missing their way
and were pouring out again when he observed them With this impression and
finding there was no outlet but that by which he had entered he was about to
turn when from a grating near his feet a sudden stream of light appeared and
the sound of talking came He retreated into a doorway to see who these talkers
were and to listen to them
The light came to the level of the pavement as he did this and a man
ascended bearing in his hand a torch This figure unlocked and held open the
grating as for the passage of another who presently appeared in the form of a
young man of small stature and uncommon selfimportance dressed in an obsolete
and very gaudy fashion
»Good night noble captain« said he with the torch »Farewell commander
Good luck illustrious general«
In return to these compliments the other bade him hold his tongue and keep
his noise to himself and laid upon him many similar injunctions with great
fluency of speech and sternness of manner
»Commend me captain to the stricken Miggs« returned the torchbearer in a
lower voice »My captain flies at higher game than Miggses Ha ha ha My
captain is an eagle both as respects his eye and soaring wings My captain
breaketh hearts as other bachelors break eggs at breakfast«
»What a fool you are Stagg« said Mr Tappertit stepping on the pavement
of the court and brushing from his legs the dust he had contracted in his
passage upward
»His precious limbs« cried Stagg clasping one of his ankles »Shall a
Miggs aspire to these proportions No no my captain We will inveigle ladies
fair and wed them in our secret cavern We will unite ourselves with blooming
beauties captain«
»Ill tell you what my buck« said Mr Tappertit releasing his leg »Ill
trouble you not to take liberties and not to broach certain questions unless
certain questions are broached to you Speak when youre spoke to on particular
subjects and not otherways Hold the torch up till Ive got to the end of the
court and then kennel yourself do you hear«
»I hear you noble captain«
»Obey then« said Mr Tappertit haughtily »Gentlemen lead on« With which
word of command addressed to an imaginary staff or retinue he folded his arms
and walked with surpassing dignity down the court
His obsequious follower stood holding the torch above his head and then the
observer saw for the first time from his place of concealment that he was
blind Some involuntary motion on his part caught the quick ear of the blind
man before he was conscious of having moved an inch towards him for he turned
suddenly and cried »Whos there«
»A man« said the other advancing »A friend«
»A stranger« rejoined the blind man »Strangers are not my friends What do
you do there«
»I saw your company come out and waited here till they were gone I want a
lodging«
»A lodging at this time« returned Stagg pointing towards the dawn as
though he saw it »Do you know the day is breaking«
»I know it« rejoined the other »to my cost I have been traversing this
ironhearted town all night«
»You had better traverse it again« said the blind man preparing to
descend »till you find some lodgings suitable to your taste I dont let any«
»Stay« cried the other holding him by the arm
»Ill beat this light about that hangdog face of yours for hangdog it is
if it answers to your voice and rouse the neighbourhood besides if you detain
me« said the blind man »Let me go Do you hear«
»Do you hear« returned the other chinking a few shillings together and
hurriedly pressing them into his hand »I beg nothing of you I will pay for the
shelter you give me Death Is it much to ask of such as you I have come from
the country and desire to rest where there are none to question me I am faint
exhausted worn out almost dead Let me lie down like a dog before your fire
I ask no more than that If you would be rid of me I will depart tomorrow«
»If a gentleman has been unfortunate on the road« muttered Stagg yielding
to the other who pressing on him had already gained a footing on the steps
»and can pay for his accommodation «
»I will pay you with all I have I am just now past the want of food God
knows and wish but to purchase shelter What companion have you below«
»None«
»Then fasten your grate there and show me the way Quick«
The blind man complied after a moments hesitation and they descended
together The dialogue had passed as hurriedly as the words could be spoken and
they stood in his wretched room before he had had time to recover from his first
surprise
»May I see where that door leads to and what is beyond« said the man
glancing keenly round »You will not mind that«
»I will show you myself Follow me or go before Take your choice«
He bade him lead the way and by the light of the torch which his conductor
held up for the purpose inspected all three cellars narrowly Assured that the
blind man had spoken truth and that he lived there alone the visitor returned
with him to the first in which a fire was burning and flung himself with a
deep groan upon the ground before it
His host pursued his usual occupation without seeming to heed him any
further But directly he fell asleep and he noted his falling into a slumber
as readily as the keenestsighted man could have done he knelt down beside
him and passed his hand lightly but carefully over his face and person
His sleep was checkered with starts and moans and sometimes with a muttered
word or two His hands were clenched his brow bent and his mouth firmly set
All this the blind man accurately marked and as if his curiosity were strongly
awakened and he had already some inkling of his mystery he sat watching him
if the expression may be used and listening until it was broad day
Chapter XIX
Dolly Vardens pretty little head was yet bewildered by various recollections of
the party and her bright eyes were yet dazzled by a crowd of images dancing
before them like motes in the sunbeams among which the effigy of one partner in
particular did especially figure the same being a young coachmaker a master in
his own right who had given her to understand when he handed her into the
chair at parting that it was his fixed resolve to neglect his business from
that time and die slowly for the love of her Dollys head and eyes and
thoughts and seven senses were all in a state of flutter and confusion for
which the party was accountable although it was now three days old when as
she was sitting listlessly at breakfast reading all manner of fortunes that is
to say of married and flourishing fortunes in the grounds of her teacup a
step was heard in the workshop and Mr Edward Chester was descried through the
glass door standing among the rusty locks and keys like love among the roses
for which apt comparison the historian may by no means take any credit to
himself the same being the invention in a sentimental mood of the chaste and
modest Miggs who beholding him from the doorsteps she was then cleaning did
in her maiden meditation give utterance to the simile
The locksmith who happened at the moment to have his eyes thrown upward and
his head backward in an intense communing with Toby did not see his visitor
until Mrs Varden more watchful than the rest had desired Sim Tappertit to
open the glass door and give him admission from which untoward circumstance
the good lady argued for she could deduce a precious moral from the most
trifling event that to take a draught of small ale in the morning was to
observe a pernicious irreligious and Pagan custom the relish whereof should
be left to swine and Satan or at least to Popish persons and should be
shunned by the righteous as a work of sin and evil She would no doubt have
pursued her admonition much further and would have founded on it a long list of
precious precepts of inestimable value but that the young gentleman standing by
in a somewhat uncomfortable and discomfited manner while she read her spouse
this lecture occasioned her to bring it to a premature conclusion
»Im sure youll excuse me sir« said Mrs Varden rising and curtseying
»Varden is so very thoughtless and needs so much reminding Sim bring a chair
here«
Mr Tappertit obeyed with a flourish implying that he did so under
protest
»And you can go Sim« said the locksmith
Mr Tappertit obeyed again still under protest and betaking himself to the
workshop began seriously to fear that he might find it necessary to poison his
master before his time was out
In the meantime Edward returned suitable replies to Mrs Vardens
courtesies and that lady brightened up very much so that when he accepted a
dish of tea from the fair hands of Dolly she was perfectly agreeable
»I am sure if theres anything we can do Varden or I or Dolly either
to serve you sir at any time you have only to say it and it shall be done«
said Mrs V
»I am much obliged to you I am sure« returned Edward »You encourage me to
say that I have come here now to beg your good offices«
Mrs Varden was delighted beyond measure
»It occurred to me that probably your fair daughter might be going to the
Warren either today or tomorrow« said Edward glancing at Dolly »and if so
and you will allow her to take charge of this letter maam you will oblige me
more than I can tell you The truth is that while I am very anxious it should
reach its destination I have particular reasons for not trusting it to any
other conveyance so that without your help I am wholly at a loss«
»She was not going that way sir either today or tomorrow nor indeed
all next week« the lady graciously rejoined »but we shall be very glad to put
ourselves out of the way on your account and if you wish it you may depend
upon its going today You might suppose« said Mrs Varden frowning at her
husband »from Vardens sitting there so glum and silent that he objected to
this arrangement but you must not mind that sir if you please Its his way
at home Out of doors he can be cheerful and talkative enough«
Now the fact was that the unfortunate locksmith blessing his stars to
find his helpmate in such good humour had been sitting with a beaming face
hearing this discourse with a joy past all expression Wherefore this sudden
attack quite took him by surprise
»My dear Martha « he said
»Oh yes I dare say« interrupted Mrs Varden with a smile of mingled scorn
and pleasantry »Very dear We all know that«
»No but my good soul« said Gabriel »you are quite mistaken You are
indeed I was delighted to find you so kind and ready I waited my dear
anxiously I assure you to hear what you would say«
»You waited anxiously« repeated Mrs V »Yes Thank you Varden You
waited as you always do that I might bear the blame if any came of it But I
am used to it« said the lady with a kind of solemn titter »and thats my
comfort«
»I give you my word Martha « said Gabriel
»Let me give you my word my dear« interposed his wife with a Christian
smile »that such discussions as these between married people are much better
left alone Therefore if you please Varden well drop the subject I have no
wish to pursue it I could I might say a great deal But I would rather not
Pray dont say any more«
»I dont want to say any more« rejoined the goaded locksmith
»Well then dont« said Mrs Varden
»Nor did I begin it Martha« added the locksmith good humouredly »I must
say that«
»You did not begin it Varden« exclaimed his wife opening her eyes very
wide and looking round upon the company as though she would say You hear this
man »You did not begin it Varden But you shall not say I was out of temper
No you did not begin it oh dear no not you my dear«
»Well well« said the locksmith »Thats settled then«
»Oh yes« rejoined his wife »quite If you like to say Dolly began it my
dear I shall not contradict you I know my duty I need know it I am sure I
am often obliged to bear it in mind when my inclination perhaps would be for
the moment to forget it Thank you Varden« And so with a mighty show of
humility and forgiveness she folded her hands and looked round again with a
smile which plainly said »If you desire to see the first and foremost among
female martyrs here she is on view«
This little incident illustrative though it was of Mrs Vardens
extraordinary sweetness and amiability had so strong a tendency to check the
conversation and to disconcert all parties but that excellent lady that only a
few monosyllables were uttered until Edward withdrew which he presently did
thanking the lady of the house a great many times for her condescension and
whispering in Dollys ear that he would call on the morrow in case there should
happen to be an answer to the note which indeed she knew without his
telling as Barnaby and his friend Grip had dropped in on the previous night to
prepare her for the visit which was then terminating
Gabriel who had attended Edward to the door came back with his hands in
his pockets and after fidgeting about the room in a very uneasy manner and
casting a great many sidelong looks at Mrs Varden who with the calmest
countenance in the world was five fathoms deep in the Protestant Manual
inquired of Dolly how she meant to go Dolly supposed by the stagecoach and
looked at her lady mother who finding herself silently appealed to dived down
at least another fathom into the Manual and became unconscious of all earthly
things
»Martha « said the locksmith
»I hear you Varden« said his wife without rising to the surface
»I am sorry my dear you have such an objection to the Maypole and old
John for otherways as its a very fine morning and Saturdays not a busy day
with us we might have all three gone to Chigwell in the chaise and had quite a
happy day of it«
Mrs Varden immediately closed the Manual and bursting into tears
requested to be led upstairs
»What is the matter now Martha« inquired the locksmith
To which Martha rejoined »Oh dont speak to me« and protested in agony
that if anybody had told her so she wouldnt have believed it
»But Martha« said Gabriel putting himself in the way as she was moving
off with the aid of Dollys shoulder »wouldnt have believed what Tell me
whats wrong now Do tell me Upon my soul I dont know Do you know child
Damme« cried the locksmith plucking at his wig in a kind of frenzy »nobody
does know I verily believe but Miggs«
»Miggs« said Mrs Varden faintly and with symptoms of approaching
incoherence »is attached to me and that is sufficient to draw down hatred upon
her in this house She is a comfort to me whatever she may be to others«
»Shes no comfort to me« cried Gabriel made bold by despair »Shes the
misery of my life Shes all the plagues of Egypt in one«
»Shes considered so I have no doubt« said Mrs Varden »I was prepared
for that its natural its of a piece with the rest When you taunt me as you
do to my face how can I wonder that you taunt her behind her back« And here
the incoherence coming on very strong Mrs Varden wept and laughed and
sobbed and shivered and hiccoughed and choked and said she knew it was very
foolish but she couldnt help it and that when she was dead and gone perhaps
they would be sorry for it which really under the circumstances did not appear
quite so probable as she seemed to think with a great deal more to the same
effect In a word she passed with great decency through all the ceremonies
incidental to such occasions and being supported upstairs was deposited in a
highly spasmodic state on her own bed where Miss Miggs shortly afterwards flung
herself upon the body
The philosophy of all this was that Mrs Varden wanted to go to Chigwell
that she did not want to make any concession or explanation that she would only
go on being implored and entreated so to do and that she would accept no other
terms Accordingly after a vast amount of moaning and crying upstairs and
much damping of foreheads and vinegaring of temples and hartshorning of noses
and so forth and after most pathetic adjurations from Miggs assisted by warm
brandyandwater not overweak and divers other cordials also of a stimulating
quality administered at first in teaspoonfuls and afterwards in increasing
doses and of which Miss Miggs herself partook as a preventive measure for
fainting is infectious after all these remedies and many more too numerous to
mention but not to take had been applied and many verbal consolations moral
religious and miscellaneous had been superadded thereto the locksmith humbled
himself and the end was gained
»If its only for the sake of peace and quietness father« said Dolly
urging him to go upstairs
»Oh Doll Doll« said her goodnatured father »If you ever have a husband
of your own «
Dolly glanced at the glass
» Well when you have« said the locksmith »never faint my darling More
domestic unhappiness has come of easy fainting Doll than from all the greater
passions put together Remember that my dear if you would be really happy
which you never can be if your husband isnt And a word in your ear my
precious Never have a Miggs about you«
With this advice he kissed his blooming daughter on the cheek and slowly
repaired to Mrs Vardens room where that lady lying all pale and languid on
her couch was refreshing herself with a sight of her last new bonnet which
Miggs as a means of calming her scattered spirits displayed to the best
advantage at her bedside
»Heres master mim« said Miggs »Oh what a happiness it is when man and
wife come round again Oh gracious to think that him and her should ever have a
word together« In the energy of these sentiments which were uttered as an
apostrophe to the Heavens in general Miss Miggs perched the bonnet on the top
of her own head and folding her hands turned on her tears
»I cant help it« cried Miggs »I couldnt if I was to be drownded in em
She has such a forgiving spirit Shell forget all that has passed and go along
with you sir Oh if it was to the worlds end shed go along with you«
Mrs Varden with a faint smile gently reproved her attendant for this
enthusiasm and reminded her at the same time that she was far too unwell to
venture out that day
»Oh no youre not mim indeed youre not« said Miggs »I repeal to
master master knows youre not mim The hair and motion of the shay will do
you good mim and you must not give way you must not raly She must keep up
mustnt she sir for all our sakes I was a telling her that just now She
must remember us even if she forgets herself Master will persuade you mim
Im sure Theres Miss Dollys agoing you know and master and you and all so
happy and so comfortable Oh« cried Miggs turning on the tears again previous
to quitting the room in great emotion »I never see such a blessed one as she is
for the forgiveness of her spirit I never never never did Nor more did
master neither no nor no one never«
For five minutes or thereabouts Mrs Varden remained mildly opposed to all
her husbands prayers that she would oblige him by taking a days pleasure but
relenting at length she suffered herself to be persuaded and granting him her
free forgiveness the merit whereof she meekly said rested with the Manual and
not with her desired that Miggs might come and help her dress The handmaid
attended promptly and it is but justice to their joint exertions to record
that when the good lady came downstairs in course of time completely decked
out for the journey she really looked as if nothing had happened and appeared
in the very best health imaginable
As to Dolly there she was again the very pink and pattern of good looks
in a smart little cherrycoloured mantle with a hood of the same drawn over her
head and upon the top of that hood a little straw hat trimmed with
cherrycoloured ribbons and worn the merest trifle on one side just enough in
short to make it the wickedest and most provoking headdress that ever malicious
milliner devised And not to speak of the manner in which these cherrycoloured
decorations brightened her eyes or vied with her lips or shed a new bloom on
her face she wore such a cruel little muff and such a heartrending pair of
shoes and was so surrounded and hemmed in as it were by aggravations of all
kinds that when Mr Tappertit holding the horses head saw her come out of
the house alone such impulses came over him to decoy her into the chaise and
drive off like mad that he would unquestionably have done it but for certain
uneasy doubts besetting him as to the shortest way to Gretna Green whether it
was up the street or down or up the righthand turning or the left and
whether supposing all the turnpikes to be carried by storm the blacksmith in
the end would marry them on credit which by reason of his clerical office
appeared even to his excited imagination so unlikely that he hesitated And
while he stood hesitating and looking postchaisesandsix at Dolly out came
his master and his mistress and the constant Miggs and the opportunity was
gone for ever For now the chaise creaked upon its springs and Mrs Varden was
inside and now it creaked again and more than ever and the locksmith was
inside and now it bounded once as if its heart beat lightly and Dolly was
inside and now it was gone and its place was empty and he and that dreary
Miggs were standing in the street together
The hearty locksmith was in as good a humour as if nothing had occurred for
the last twelve months to put him out of his way Dolly was all smiles and
graces and Mrs Varden was agreeable beyond all precedent As they jogged
through the streets talking of this thing and of that who should be descried
upon the pavement but that very coachmaker looking so genteel that nobody would
have believed he had ever had anything to do with a coach but riding in it and
bowing like any nobleman To be sure Dolly was confused when she bowed again
and to be sure the cherrycoloured ribbons trembled a little when she met his
mournful eye which seemed to say »I have kept my word I have begun the
business is going to the devil and youre the cause of it« There he stood
rooted to the ground as Dolly said like a statue and as Mrs Varden said
like a pump till they turned the corner and when her father thought it was
like his impudence and her mother wondered what he meant by it Dolly blushed
again till her very hood was pale
But on they went not the less merrily for this and there was the locksmith
in the incautious fulness of his heart pullingup at all manner of places and
evincing a most intimate acquaintance with all the taverns on the road and all
the landlords and all the landladies with whom indeed the little horse was on
equally friendly terms for he kept on stopping of his own accord Never were
people so glad to see other people as these landlords and landladies were to
behold Mr Varden and Mrs Varden and Miss Varden and wouldnt they get out
said one and they really must walk upstairs said another and she would take
it ill and be quite certain they were proud if they wouldnt have a little taste
of something said a third and so on that it was really quite a Progress
rather than a ride and one continued scene of hospitality from beginning to
end It was pleasant enough to be held in such esteem not to mention the
refreshments so Mrs Varden said nothing at the time and was all affability
and delight but such a body of evidence as she collected against the
unfortunate locksmith that day to be used thereafter as occasion might require
never was got together for matrimonial purposes
In course of time and in course of a pretty long time too for these
agreeable interruptions delayed them not a little they arrived upon the
skirts of the Forest and riding pleasantly on among the trees came at last to
the Maypole where the locksmiths cheerful »Yoho« speedily brought to the
porch old John and after him young Joe both of whom were so transfixed at
sight of the ladies that for a moment they were perfectly unable to give them
any welcome and could do nothing but stare
It was only for a moment however that Joe forgot himself for speedily
reviving he thrust his drowsy father aside to Mr Willets mighty and
inexpressible indignation and darting out stood ready to help them to alight
It was necessary for Dolly to get out first Joe had her in his arms yes
though for a space of time no longer than you could count one in Joe had her in
his arms Here was a glimpse of happiness
It would be difficult to describe what a flat and commonplace affair the
helping Mrs Varden out afterwards was but Joe did it and did it too with the
best grace in the world Then old John who entertaining a dull and foggy sort
of idea that Mrs Varden wasnt fond of him had been in some doubt whether she
might not have come for purposes of assault and battery took courage hoped she
was well and offered to conduct her into the house This tender being amicably
received they marched in together Joe and Dolly followed arminarm
happiness again and Varden brought up the rear
Old John would have it that they must sit in the bar and nobody objecting
into the bar they went All bars are snug places but the Maypoles was the very
snuggest cosiest and completest bar that ever the wit of man devised Such
amazing bottles in old oaken pigeonholes such gleaming tankards dangling from
pegs at about the same inclination as thirsty men would hold them to their lips
such sturdy little Dutch kegs ranged in rows on shelves so many lemons hanging
in separate nets and forming the fragrant grove already mentioned in this
chronicle suggestive with goodly loaves of snowy sugar stowed away hard by of
punch idealised beyond all mortal knowledge such closets such presses such
drawers full of pipes such places for putting things away in hollow
windowseats all crammed to the throat with eatables drinkables or savoury
condiments lastly and to crown all as typical of the immense resources of the
establishment and its defiances to all visitors to cut and come again such a
stupendous cheese
It is a poor heart that never rejoices it must have been the poorest
weakest and most watery heart that ever beat which would not have warmed
towards the Maypole bar Mrs Vardens did directly She could no more have
reproached John Willet among those household gods the kegs and bottles lemons
pipes and cheese than she could have stabbed him with his own bright
carvingknife The order for dinner too it might have soothed a savage »A bit
of fish« said John to the cook »and some lamb chops breaded with plenty of
ketchup and a good salad and a roast spring chicken with a dish of sausages
and mashed potatoes or something of that sort« Something of that sort The
resources of these inns To talk carelessly about dishes which in themselves
were a firstrate holiday kind of dinner suitable to ones weddingday as
something of that sort meaning if you cant get a spring chicken any other
trifle in the way of poultry will do such as a peacock perhaps The kitchen
too with its great broad cavernous chimney the kitchen where nothing in the
way of cookery seemed impossible where you could believe in anything to eat
they chose to tell you of Mrs Varden returned from the contemplation of these
wonders to the bar again with a head quite dizzy and bewildered Her
housekeeping capacity was not large enough to comprehend them She was obliged
to go to sleep Waking was pain in the midst of such immensity
Dolly in the meanwhile whose gay heart and head ran upon other matters
passed out at the garden door and glancing back now and then but of course not
wondering whether Joe saw her tripped away by a path across the fields with
which she was well acquainted to discharge her mission at the Warren and this
deponent hath been informed and verily believes that you might have seen many
less pleasant objects than the cherrycoloured mantle and ribbons as they went
fluttering along the green meadows in the bright light of the day like giddy
things as they were
Chapter XX
The proud consciousness of her trust and the great importance she derived from
it might have advertised it to all the house if she had had to run the gauntlet
of its inhabitants but as Dolly had played in every dull room and passage many
and many a time when a child and had ever since been the humble friend of Miss
Haredale whose fostersister she was she was as free of the building as the
young lady herself So using no greater precaution than holding her breath and
walking on tiptoe as she passed the library door she went straight to Emmas
room as a privileged visitor
It was the liveliest room in the building The chamber was sombre like the
rest for the matter of that but the presence of youth and beauty would make a
prison cheerful saving alas that confinement withers them and lend some
charms of their own to the gloomiest scene Birds flowers books drawing
music and a hundred such graceful tokens of feminine loves and cares filled it
with more of life and human sympathy than the whole house besides seemed made to
hold There was heart in the room and who that has a heart ever fails to
recognise the silent presence of another
Dolly had one undoubtedly and it was not a tough one either though there
was a little mist of coquettishness about it such as sometimes surrounds that
sun of life in its morning and slightly dims its lustre Thus when Emma rose
to greet her and kissing her affectionately on the cheek told her in her
quiet way that she had been very unhappy the tears stood in Dollys eyes and
she felt more sorry than she could tell but next moment she happened to raise
them to the glass and really there was something there so exceedingly
agreeable that as she sighed she smiled and felt surprisingly consoled
»I have heard about it Miss« said Dolly »and its very sad indeed but
when things are at the worst they are sure to mend«
»But are you sure they are at the worst« asked Emma with a smile
»Why I dont see how they can very well be more unpromising than they are
I really dont« said Dolly »And I bring something to begin with«
»Not from Edward«
Dolly nodded and smiled and feeling in her pockets there were pockets in
those days with an affectation of not being able to find what she wanted which
greatly enhanced her importance at length produced the letter As Emma hastily
broke the seal and became absorbed in its contents Dollys eyes by one of
those strange accidents for which there is no accounting wandered to the glass
again She could not help wondering whether the coachmaker suffered very much
and quite pitied the poor man
It was a long letter a very long letter written close on all four sides
of the sheet of paper and crossed afterwards but it was not a consolatory
letter for as Emma read it she stopped from time to time to put her
handkerchief to her eyes To be sure Dolly marvelled greatly to see her in so
much distress for to her thinking a love affair ought to be one of the best
jokes and the slyest merriest kind of thing in life But she set it down in
her own mind that all this came from Miss Haredales being so constant and that
if she would only take on with some other young gentleman just in the most
innocent way possible to keep her first lover up to the mark she would find
herself inexpressibly comforted
»I am sure thats what I should do if it was me« thought Dolly »To make
ones sweetheart miserable is well enough and quite right but to be made
miserable ones self is a little too much«
However it wouldnt do to say so and therefore she sat looking on in
silence She needed a pretty considerable stretch of patience for when the long
letter had been read once all through it was read again and when it had been
read twice all through it was read again During this tedious process Dolly
beguiled the time in the most improving manner that occurred to her by curling
her hair on her fingers with the aid of the lookingglass before mentioned and
giving it some killing twists
Everything has an end Even young ladies in love cannot read their letters
for ever In course of time the packet was folded up and it only remained to
write the answer
But as this promised to be a work of time likewise Emma said she would put
it off until after dinner and that Dolly must dine with her As Dolly had made
up her mind to do so beforehand she required very little pressing and when
they had settled this point they went to walk in the garden
They strolled up and down the terrace walks talking incessantly at least
Dolly never left off once and making that quarter of the sad and mournful
house quite gay Not that they talked loudly or laughed much but they were both
so very handsome and it was such a breezy day and their light dresses and dark
curls appeared so free and joyous in their abandonment and Emma was so fair
and Dolly so rosy and Emma so delicately shaped and Dolly so plump and in
short there are no flowers for any garden like such flowers let
horticulturists say what they may and both house and garden seemed to know it
and to brighten up sensibly
After this came the dinner and the letter writing and some more talking
in the course of which Miss Haredale took occasion to charge upon Dolly certain
flirtish and inconstant propensities which accusations Dolly seemed to think
very complimentary indeed and to be mightily amused with Finding her quite
incorrigible in this respect Emma suffered her to depart but not before she
had confided to her that important and neversufficientlytobetakencareof
answer and endowed her moreover with a pretty little bracelet as a keepsake
Having clasped it on her arm and again advised her half in jest and half in
earnest to amend her roguish ways for she knew she was fond of Joe at heart
which Dolly stoutly denied with a great many haughty protestations that she
hoped she could do better than that indeed and so forth she bade her
farewell and after calling her back to give her more supplementary messages for
Edward than anybody with tenfold the gravity of Dolly Varden could be
reasonably expected to remember at length dismissed her
Dolly bade her goodbye and tripping lightly down the stairs arrived at the
dreaded library door and was about to pass it again on tiptoe when it opened
and behold there stood Mr Haredale Now Dolly had from her childhood
associated with this gentleman the idea of something grim and ghostly and being
at the moment consciencestricken besides the sight of him threw her into such
a flurry that she could neither acknowledge his presence nor run away so she
gave a great start and then with downcast eyes stood still and trembled
»Come here girl« said Mr Haredale taking her by the hand »I want to
speak to you«
»If you please sir Im in a hurry« faltered Dolly »and you have
frightened me by coming so suddenly upon me sir I would rather go sir if
youll be so good as to let me«
»Immediately« said Mr Haredale who had by this time led her into the room
and closed the door »You shall go directly You have just left Emma«
»Yes sir just this minute Fathers waiting for me sir if youll
please to have the goodness «
»I know I know« said Mr Haredale »Answer me a question What did you
bring here today«
»Bring here sir« faltered Dolly
»You will tell me the truth I am sure Yes«
Dolly hesitated for a little while and somewhat emboldened by his manner
said at last »Well then sir It was a letter«
»From Mr Edward Chester of course And you are the bearer of the answer«
Dolly hesitated again and not being able to decide upon any other course of
action burst into tears
»You alarm yourself without cause« said Mr Haredale »Why are you so
foolish Surely you can answer me You know that I have but to put the question
to Emma and learn the truth directly Have you the answer with you«
Dolly had what is popularly called a spirit of her own and being now fairly
at bay made the best of it
»Yes sir« she rejoined trembling and frightened as she was »Yes sir I
have You may kill me if you please sir but I wont give it up Im very
sorry but I wont There sir«
»I commend your firmness and your plainspeaking« said Mr Haredale »Rest
assured that I have as little desire to take your letter as your life You are a
very discreet messenger and a good girl«
Not feeling quite certain as she afterwards said whether he might not be
coming over her with these compliments Dolly kept as far from him as she could
cried again and resolved to defend her pocket for the letter was there to the
last extremity
»I have some design« said Mr Haredale after a short silence during which
a smile as he regarded her had struggled through the gloom and melancholy that
was natural to his face »of providing a companion for my niece for her life is
a very lonely one Would you like the office You are the oldest friend she has
and the best entitled to it«
»I dont know sir« answered Dolly not sure but he was bantering her »I
cant say I dont know what they might wish at home I couldnt give an
opinion sir«
»If your friends had no objection would you have any« said Mr Haredale
»Come Theres a plain question and easy to answer«
»None at all that I know of sir« replied Dolly »I should be very glad to
be near Miss Emma of course and always am«
»Thats well« said Mr Haredale »That is all I had to say You are anxious
to go Dont let me detain you«
Dolly didnt let him nor did she wait for him to try for the words had no
sooner passed his lips than she was out of the room out of the house and in
the fields again
The first thing to be done of course when she came to herself and
considered what a flurry she had been in was to cry afresh and the next thing
when she reflected how well she had got over it was to laugh heartily The
tears once banished gave place to the smiles and at last Dolly laughed so much
that she was fain to lean against a tree and give vent to her exultation When
she could laugh no longer and was quite tired she put her headdress to
rights dried her eyes looked back very merrily and triumphantly at the Warren
chimneys which were just visible and resumed her walk
The twilight had come on and it was quickly growing dusk but the path was
so familiar to her from frequent traversing that she hardly thought of this and
certainly felt no uneasiness at being left alone Moreover there was the
bracelet to admire and when she had given it a good rub and held it out at
arms length it sparkled and glittered so beautifully on her wrist that to
look at it in every point of view and with every possible turn of the arm was
quite an absorbing business There was the letter too and it looked so
mysterious and knowing when she took it out of her pocket and it held as she
knew so much inside that to turn it over and over and think about it and
wonder how it began and how it ended and what it said all through was another
matter of constant occupation Between the bracelet and the letter there was
quite enough to do without thinking of anything else and admiring each by
turns Dolly went on gaily
As she passed through a wicketgate to where the path was narrow and lay
between two hedges garnished here and there with trees she heard a rustling
close at hand which brought her to a sudden stop She listened All was very
quiet and she went on again not absolutely frightened but a little quicker
than before perhaps and possibly not quite so much at her ease for a check of
that kind is startling
She had no sooner moved on again than she was conscious of the same sound
which was like that of a person tramping stealthily among bushes and brushwood
Looking towards the spot whence it appeared to come she almost fancied she
could make out a crouching figure She stopped again All was quiet as before
On she went once more decidedly faster now and tried to sing softly to
herself It must be the wind
But how came the wind to blow only when she walked and cease when she stood
still She stopped involuntarily as she made the reflection and the rustling
noise stopped likewise She was really frightened now and was yet hesitating
what to do when the bushes crackled and snapped and a man came plunging
through them close before her
Chapter XXI
It was for the moment an inexpressible relief to Dolly to recognise in the
person who forced himself into the path so abruptly and now stood directly in
her way Hugh of the Maypole whose name she uttered in a tone of delighted
surprise that came from her heart
»Was it you« she said »How glad I am to see you and how could you terrify
me so«
In answer to which he said nothing at all but stood quite still looking
at her
»Did you come to meet me« asked Dolly
Hugh nodded and muttered something to the effect that he had been waiting
for her and had expected her sooner
»I thought it likely they would send« said Dolly greatly reassured by
this
»Nobody sent me« was his sullen answer »I came of my own accord«
The rough bearing of this fellow and his wild uncouth appearance had
often filled the girl with a vague apprehension even when other people were by
and had occasioned her to shrink from him involuntarily The having him for an
unbidden companion in so solitary a place with the darkness fast gathering
about them renewed and even increased the alarm she had felt at first
If his manner had been merely dogged and passively fierce as usual she
would have had no greater dislike to his company than she always felt perhaps
indeed would have been rather glad to have had him at hand But there was
something of coarse bold admiration in his look which terrified her very much
She glanced timidly towards him uncertain whether to go forward or retreat and
he stood gazing at her like a handsome satyr and so they remained for some
short time without stirring or breaking silence At length Dolly took courage
shot past him and hurried on
»Why do you spend so much breath in avoiding me« said Hugh accommodating
his pace to hers and keeping close at her side
»I wish to get back as quickly as I can and you walk too near me« answered
Dolly
»Too near« said Hugh stooping over her so that she could feel his breath
upon her forehead »Why too near Youre always proud to me mistress«
»I am proud to no one You mistake me« answered Dolly »Fall back if you
please or go on«
»Nay mistress« he rejoined endeavouring to draw her arm through his
»Ill walk with you«
She released herself and clenching her little hand struck him with right
good will At this Maypole Hugh burst into a roar of laughter and passing his
arm about her waist held her in his strong grasp as easily as if she had been a
bird
»Ha ha ha Well done mistress Strike again You shall beat my face and
tear my hair and pluck my beard up by the roots and welcome for the sake of
your bright eyes Strike again mistress Do Ha ha ha I like it«
»Let me go« she cried endeavouring with both her hands to push him off
»Let me go this moment«
»You had as good be kinder to me Sweetlips« said Hugh »You had indeed
Come Tell me now Why are you always so proud I dont quarrel with you for it
I love you when youre proud Ha ha ha You cant hide your beauty from a poor
fellow thats a comfort«
She gave him no answer but as he had not yet checked her progress
continued to press forward as rapidly as she could At length between the hurry
she had made her terror and the tightness of his embrace her strength failed
her and she could go no further
»Hugh« cried the panting girl »good Hugh if you will leave me I will give
you anything everything I have and never tell one word of this to any living
creature«
»You had best not« he answered »Harkye little dove ye had best not All
about here know me and what I dare do if I have a mind If ever you are going
to tell stop when the words are on your lips and think of the mischief youll
bring if you do upon some innocent heads that you wouldnt wish to hurt a hair
of Bring trouble on me and Ill bring trouble and something more on them in
return I care no more for them than for so many dogs not so much why should
I Id sooner kill a man than a dog any day Ive never been sorry for a mans
death in all my life and I have for a dogs«
There was something so thoroughly savage in the manner of these expressions
and the looks and gestures by which they were accompanied that her great fear
of him gave her new strength and enabled her by a sudden effort to extricate
herself and run fleetly from him But Hugh was as nimble strong and swift of
foot as any man in broad England and it was but a fruitless expenditure of
energy for he had her in his encircling arms again before she had gone a
hundred yards
»Softly darling gently would you fly from rough Hugh that loves you as
well as any drawingroom gallant«
»I would« she answered struggling to free herself again »I will Help«
»A fine for crying out« said Hugh »Ha ha ha A fine pretty one from your
lips I pay myself Ha ha ha«
»Help help help« As she shrieked with the utmost violence she could
exert a shout was heard in answer and another and another
»Thank Heaven« cried the girl in an ecstasy »Joe dear Joe this way
Help«
Her assailant paused and stood irresolute for a moment but the shouts
drawing nearer and coming quick upon them forced him to a speedy decision He
released her whispered with a menacing look »Tell him and see what follows«
and leaping the hedge was gone in an instant Dolly darted off and fairly ran
into Joe Willets open arms
»What is the matter are you hurt what was it who was it where is he
what was he like« with a great many encouraging expressions and assurances of
safety were the first words Joe poured forth But poor little Dolly was so
breathless and terrified that for some time she was quite unable to answer him
and hung upon his shoulder sobbing and crying as if her heart would break
Joe had not the smallest objection to have her hanging on his shoulder no
not the least though it crushed the cherrycoloured ribbons sadly and put the
smart little hat out of all shape But he couldnt bear to see her cry it went
to his very heart He tried to console her bent over her whispered to her
some say kissed her but thats a fable At any rate he said all the kind and
tender things he could think of and Dolly let him go on and didnt interrupt
him once and it was a good ten minutes before she was able to raise her head
and thank him
»What was it that frightened you« said Joe
A man whose person was unknown to her had followed her she answered he
began by begging and went on to threats of robbery which he was on the point
of carrying into execution and would have executed but for Joes timely aid
The hesitation and confusion with which she said this Joe attributed to the
fright she had sustained and no suspicion of the truth occurred to him for a
moment
»Stop when the words are on your lips« A hundred times that night and very
often afterwards when the disclosure was rising to her tongue Dolly thought of
that and repressed it A deeply rooted dread of the man the conviction that
his ferocious nature once roused would stop at nothing and the strong
assurance that if she impeached him the full measure of his wrath and vengeance
would be wreaked on Joe who had preserved her these were considerations she
had not the courage to overcome and inducements to secrecy too powerful for her
to surmount
Joe for his part was a great deal too happy to inquire very curiously into
the matter and Dolly being yet too tremulous to walk without assistance they
went forward very slowly and in his mind very pleasantly until the Maypole
lights were near at hand twinkling their cheerful welcome when Dolly stopped
suddenly and with a half scream exclaimed
»The letter«
»What letter« cried Joe
»That I was carrying I had it in my hand My bracelet too« she said
clasping her wrist »I have lost them both«
»Do you mean just now« said Joe
»Either I dropped them then or they were taken from me« answered Dolly
vainly searching her pocket and rustling her dress »They are gone both gone
What an unhappy girl I am« With these words poor Dolly who to do her justice
was quite as sorry for the loss of the letter as for her bracelet fell a crying
again and bemoaned her fate most movingly
Joe tried to comfort her with the assurance that directly he had housed her
in the Maypole he would return to the spot with a lantern for it was now quite
dark and make strict search for the missing articles which there was great
probability of his finding as it was not likely that anybody had passed that
way since and she was not conscious that they had been forcibly taken from her
Dolly thanked him very heartily for this offer though with no great hope of his
quest being successful and so with many lamentations on her side and many
hopeful words on his and much weakness on the part of Dolly and much tender
supporting on the part of Joe they reached the Maypole bar at last where the
locksmith and his wife and old John were yet keeping high festival
Mr Willet received the intelligence of Dollys trouble with that surprising
presence of mind and readiness of speech for which he was so eminently
distinguished above all other men Mrs Varden expressed her sympathy for her
daughters distress by scolding her roundly for being so late and the honest
locksmith divided himself between condoling with and kissing Dolly and shaking
hands heartily with Joe whom he could not sufficiently praise or thank
In reference to this latter point old John was far from agreeing with his
friend for besides that he by no means approved of an adventurous spirit in the
abstract, it occurred to him that if his son and heir had been seriously damaged
in a scuffle the consequences would assuredly have been expensive and
inconvenient and might perhaps have proved detrimental to the Maypole business
Wherefore and because he looked with no favourable eye upon young girls but
rather considered that they and the whole female sex were a kind of nonsensical
mistake on the part of Nature, he took occasion to retire and shake his head in
private at the boiler inspired by which silent oracle he was moved to give Joe
various stealthy nudges with his elbow as a parental reproof and gentle
admonition to mind his own business and not make a fool of himself
Joe however took down the lantern and lighted it and arming himself with
a stout stick asked whether Hugh was in the stable
»Hes lying asleep before the kitchen fire sir« said Mr Willet »What do
you want him for«
»I want him to come with me to look after this bracelet and letter«
answered Joe »Halloa there Hugh«
Dolly turned pale as death and felt as if she must faint forthwith After a
few moments Hugh came staggering in stretching himself and yawning according
to custom and presenting every appearance of having been roused from a sound
nap
»Here sleepyhead« said Joe giving him the lantern »Carry this and
bring the dog and that small cudgel of yours And woe betide the fellow if we
come upon him«
»What fellow« growled Hugh rubbing his eyes and shaking himself
»What fellow« returned Joe who was in a state of great valour and bustle
»a fellow you ought to know of and be more alive about Its well for the like
of you lazy giant that you are to be snoring your time away in
chimneycorners when honest mens daughters cant cross even our quiet meadows
at nightfall without being set upon by footpads and frightened out of their
precious lives«
»They never rob me« cried Hugh with a laugh »I have got nothing to lose
But Id as lief knock them at head as any other men How many are there«
»Only one« said Dolly faintly for everybody looked at her
»And what was he like mistress« said Hugh with a glance at young Willet
so slight and momentary that the scowl it conveyed was lost on all but her
»About my height«
»Not not so tall« Dolly replied scarce knowing what she said
»His dress« said Hugh looking at her keenly »like like any of ours now
I know all the people hereabouts and maybe could give a guess at the man if I
had anything to guide me«
Dolly faltered and turned paler yet then answered that he was wrapped in a
loose coat and had his face hidden by a handkerchief and that she could give no
other description of him
»You wouldnt know him if you saw him then belike« said Hugh with a
malicious grin
»I should not« answered Dolly bursting into tears again »I dont wish to
see him I cant bear to think of him I cant talk about him any more Dont go
to look for these things Mr Joe pray dont I entreat you not to go with that
man«
»Not to go with me« cried Hugh »Im too rough for them all Theyre all
afraid of me Why bless you mistress Ive the tenderest heart alive I love
all the ladies maam« said Hugh turning to the locksmiths wife
Mrs Varden opined that if he did he ought to be ashamed of himself such
sentiments being more consistent so she argued with a benighted Mussulman or
wild Islander than with a staunch Protestant Arguing from this imperfect state
of his morals Mrs Varden further opined that he had never studied the Manual
Hugh admitting that he never had and moreover that he couldnt read Mrs
Varden declared with much severity that he ought to be even more ashamed of
himself than before and strongly recommended him to save up his pocketmoney
for the purchase of one and further to teach himself the contents with all
convenient diligence She was still pursuing this train of discourse when Hugh
somewhat unceremoniously and irreverently followed his young master out and
left her to edify the rest of the company This she proceeded to do and finding
that Mr Willets eyes were fixed upon her with an appearance of deep attention
gradually addressed the whole of her discourse to him whom she entertained with
a moral and theological lecture of considerable length in the conviction that
great workings were taking place in his spirit The simple truth was however
that Mr Willet although his eyes were wide open and he saw a woman before him
whose head by long and steady looking at seemed to grow bigger and bigger until
it filled the whole bar was to all other intents and purposes fast asleep and
so sat leaning back in his chair with his hands in his pockets until his sons
return caused him to wake up with a deep sigh and a faint impression that he
had been dreaming about pickled pork and greens a vision of his slumbers which
was no doubt referable to the circumstance of Mrs Vardens having frequently
pronounced the word Grace with much emphasis which word entering the portals
of Mr Willets brain as they stood ajar and coupling itself with the words
before meat which were there ranging about did in time suggest a particular
kind of meat together with that description of vegetable which is usually its
companion
The search was wholly unsuccessful Joe had groped along the path a dozen
times and among the grass and in the dry ditch and in the hedge but all in
vain Dolly who was quite inconsolable for her loss wrote a note to Miss
Haredale giving her the same account of it that she had given at the Maypole
which Joe undertook to deliver as soon as the family were stirring next day
That done they sat down to tea in the bar where there was an uncommon display
of buttered toast and in order that they might not grow faint for want of
sustenance and might have a decent haltingplace or halfway house between
dinner and supper a few savoury trifles in the shape of great rashers of
broiled ham which being well cured done to a turn and smoking hot sent forth
a tempting and delicious fragrance
Mrs Varden was seldom very Protestant at meals unless it happened that
they were underdone or overdone or indeed that anything occurred to put her
out of humour Her spirits rose considerably on beholding these goodly
preparations and from the nothingness of good works she passed to the
somethingness of ham and toast with great cheerfulness Nay under the influence
of these wholesome stimulants she sharply reproved her daughter for being low
and despondent which she considered an unacceptable frame of mind and
remarked as she held her own plate for a fresh supply that it would be well
for Dolly who pined over the loss of a toy and a sheet of paper if she would
reflect upon the voluntary sacrifices of the missionaries in foreign parts who
lived chiefly on salads
The proceedings of such a day occasion various fluctuations in the human
thermometer and especially in instruments so sensitively and delicately
constructed as Mrs Varden Thus at dinner Mrs V stood at summer heat
genial smiling and delightful After dinner in the sunshine of the wine she
went up at least halfadozen degrees and was perfectly enchanting As its
effect subsided she fell rapidly went to sleep for an hour or so at temperate
and woke at something below freezing Now she was at summer heat again in the
shade and when tea was over and old John producing a bottle of cordial from
one of the oaken cases insisted on her sipping two glasses thereof in slow
succession she stood steadily at ninety for one hour and a quarter Profiting
by experience the locksmith took advantage of this genial weather to smoke his
pipe in the porch and in consequence of this prudent management he was fully
prepared when the glass went down again to start homewards directly
The horse was accordingly put in and the chaise brought round to the door
Joe who would on no account be dissuaded from escorting them until they had
passed the most dreary and solitary part of the road led out the grey mare at
the same time and having helped Dolly into her seat more happiness sprung
gaily into the saddle Then after many good nights and admonitions to wrap up
and glancing of lights and handing in of cloaks and shawls the chaise rolled
away and Joe trotted beside it on Dollys side no doubt and pretty close to
the wheel too
Chapter XXII
It was a fine bright night and for all her lowness of spirits Dolly kept
looking up at the stars in a manner so bewitching and she knew it that Joe
was clean out of his senses and plainly showed that if ever a man were not to
say over head and ears but over the Monument and the top of Saint Pauls in
love that man was himself The road was a very good one not at all a jolting
road or an uneven one and yet Dolly held the side of the chaise with one
little hand all the way If there had been an executioner behind him with an
uplifted axe ready to chop off his head if he touched that hand Joe couldnt
have helped doing it From putting his own hand upon it as if by chance and
taking it away again after a minute or so he got to riding along without taking
it off at all as if he the escort were bound to do that as an important part
of his duty and had come out for the purpose The most curious circumstance
about this little incident was that Dolly didnt seem to know of it She looked
so innocent and unconscious when she turned her eyes on Joe that it was quite
provoking
She talked though talked about her fright and about Joes coming up to
rescue her and about her gratitude and about her fear that she might not have
thanked him enough and about their always being friends from that time forth
and about all that sort of thing And when Joe said not friends he hoped Dolly
was quite surprised and said not enemies she hoped and when Joe said couldnt
they be something much better than either Dolly all of a sudden found out a
star which was brighter than all the other stars and begged to call his
attention to the same and was ten thousand times more innocent and unconscious
than ever
In this manner they travelled along talking very little above a whisper
and wishing the road could be stretched out to some dozen times its natural
length at least that was Joes desire when as they were getting clear of
the forest and emerging on the more frequented road they heard behind them the
sound of a horses feet at a round trot which growing rapidly louder as it drew
nearer elicited a scream from Mrs Varden and the cry »A friend« from the
rider who now came panting up and checked his horse beside them
»This man again« cried Dolly shuddering
»Hugh« said Joe »What errand are you upon«
»I come to ride back with you« he answered glancing covertly at the
locksmiths daughter »He sent me«
»My father« said poor Joe adding under his breath with a very unfilial
apostrophe »Will he never think me man enough to take care of myself«
»Aye« returned Hugh to the first part of the inquiry »The roads are not
safe just now he says and youd better have a companion«
»Ride on then« said Joe »Im not going to turn yet«
Hugh complied and they went on again It was his whim or humour to ride
immediately before the chaise and from this position he constantly turned his
head and looked back Dolly felt that he looked at her but she averted her
eyes and feared to raise them once so great was the dread with which he had
inspired her
This interruption and the consequent wakefulness of Mrs Varden who had
been nodding in her sleep up to this point except for a minute or two at a
time when she roused herself to scold the locksmith for audaciously taking hold
of her to prevent her nodding herself out of the chaise put a restraint upon
the whispered conversation and made it difficult of resumption Indeed before
they had gone another mile Gabriel stopped at his wifes desire and that good
lady protested she would not hear of Joes going a step further on any account
whatever It was in vain for Joe to protest on the other hand that he was by no
means tired and would turn back presently and would see them safely past such
a point and so forth Mrs Varden was obdurate and being so was not to be
overcome by mortal agency
»Good night if I must say it« said Joe sorrowfully
»Good night« said Dolly She would have added »Take care of that man and
pray dont trust him« but he had turned his horses head and was standing
close to them She had therefore nothing for it but to suffer Joe to give her
hand a gentle squeeze and when the chaise had gone on for some distance to
look back and wave it as he still lingered on the spot where they had parted
with the tall dark figure of Hugh beside him
What she thought about going home and whether the coachmaker held as
favourable a place in her meditations as he had occupied in the morning is
unknown They reached home at last at last for it was a long way made none
the shorter by Mrs Vardens grumbling Miggs hearing the sound of wheels was at
the door immediately
»Here they are Simmun Here they are« cried Miggs clapping her hands and
issuing forth to help her mistress to alight »Bring a chair Simmun Now ant
you the better for it mim Dont you feel more yourself than you would have
done if youd have stopped at home Oh gracious how cold you are Goodness me
sir shes a perfect heap of ice«
»I cant help it my good girl You had better take her in to the fire«
said the locksmith
»Master sounds unfeeling mim« said Miggs in a tone of commiseration »but
such is not his intentions Im sure After what he has seen of you this day I
never will believe but that he has a deal more affection in his heart than to
speak unkind Come in and sit yourself down by the fire theres a good dear
do«
Mrs Varden complied The locksmith followed with his hands in his pockets
and Mr Tappertit trundled off with the chaise to a neighbouring stable
»Martha my dear« said the locksmith when they reached the parlour »if
youll look to Dolly yourself or let somebody else do it perhaps it will be
only kind and reasonable She has been frightened you know and is not at all
well tonight«
In fact Dolly had thrown herself upon the sofa quite regardless of all the
little finery of which she had been so proud in the morning and with her face
buried in her hands was crying very much
At first sight of this phenomenon for Dolly was by no means accustomed to
displays of this sort rather learning from her mothers example to avoid them
as much as possible Mrs Varden expressed her belief that never was any woman
so beset as she that her life was a continued scene of trial that whenever she
was disposed to be well and cheerful so sure were the people around her to
throw by some means or other a damp upon her spirits and that as she had
enjoyed herself that day and Heaven knew it was very seldom she did enjoy
herself so she was now to pay the penalty To all such propositions Miggs
assented freely Poor Dolly however grew none the better for these
restoratives but rather worse indeed and seeing that she was really ill both
Mrs Varden and Miggs were moved to compassion and tended her in earnest
But even then their very kindness shaped itself into their usual course of
policy and though Dolly was in a swoon it was rendered clear to the meanest
capacity that Mrs Varden was the sufferer Thus when Dolly began to get a
little better and passed into that stage in which matrons hold that
remonstrance and argument may be successfully applied her mother represented to
her with tears in her eyes that if she had been flurried and worried that day
she must remember it was the common lot of humanity and in especial of
womankind who through the whole of their existence must expect no less and
were bound to make up their minds to meek endurance and patient resignation
Mrs Varden entreated her to remember that one of these days she would in all
probability have to do violence to her feelings so far as to be married and
that marriage as she might see every day of her life and truly she did was a
state requiring great fortitude and forbearance She represented to her in
lively colours that if she Mrs V had not in steering her course through
this vale of tears been supported by a strong principle of duty which alone
upheld and prevented her from drooping she must have been in her grave many
years ago in which case she desired to know what would have become of that
errant spirit meaning the locksmith of whose eye she was the very apple and
in whose path she was as it were a shining light and guiding star
Miss Miggs also put in her word to the same effect She said that indeed and
indeed Miss Dolly might take pattern by her blessed mother who she always had
said and always would say though she were to be hanged drawn and quartered
for it next minute was the mildest amiablest forgivingestspirited
longestsufferingest female as ever she could have believed the mere narration
of whose excellencies had worked such a wholesome change in the mind of her own
sisterinlaw that whereas before she and her husband lived like cat and
dog and were in the habit of exchanging brass candlesticks potlids
flatirons and other such strong resentments they were now the happiest and
affectionatest couple upon earth as could be proved any day on application at
Golden Lion Court number twentysivin second bellhandle on the righthand
doorpost After glancing at herself as a comparatively worthless vessel but
still as one of some desert she besought her to bear in mind that her aforesaid
dear and only mother was of a weakly constitution and excitable temperament who
had constantly to sustain afflictions in domestic life compared with which
thieves and robbers were as nothing and yet never sunk down or gave way to
despair or wrath but in prizefighting phraseology always came up to time
with a cheerful countenance and went in to win as if nothing had happened When
Miggs finished her solo her mistress struck in again and the two together
performed a duet to the same purpose the burden being that Mrs Varden was
persecuted perfection and Mr Varden as the representative of mankind in that
apartment a creature of vicious and brutal habits utterly insensible to the
blessings he enjoyed Of so refined a character indeed was their talent of
assault under the mask of sympathy that when Dolly recovering embraced her
father tenderly as in vindication of his goodness Mrs Varden expressed her
solemn hope that this would be a lesson to him for the remainder of his life
and that he would do some little justice to a womans nature ever afterwards
in which aspiration Miss Miggs by divers sniffs and coughs more significant
than the longest oration expressed her entire concurrence
But the great joy of Miggss heart was that she not only picked up a full
account of what had happened but had the exquisite delight of conveying it to
Mr Tappertit for his jealousy and torture For that gentleman on account of
Dollys indisposition had been requested to take his supper in the workshop
and it was conveyed thither by Miss Miggss own fair hands
»Oh Simmun« said the young lady »such goings on today Oh gracious me
Simmun«
Mr Tappertit who was not in the best of humours and who disliked Miss
Miggs more when she laid her hand on her heart and panted for breath than at any
other time as her deficiency of outline was most apparent under such
circumstances eyed her over in his loftiest style and deigned to express no
curiosity whatever
»I never heard the like nor nobody else« pursued Miggs »The idea of
interfering with her What people can see in her to make it worth their while to
do so thats the joke he he he«
Finding there was a lady in the case Mr Tappertit haughtily requested his
fair friend to be more explicit and demanded to know what she meant by her
»Why that Dolly« said Miggs with an extremely sharp emphasis on the name
»But oh upon my word and honour young Joseph Willet is a brave one and he do
deserve her that he do«
»Woman« said Mr Tappertit jumping off the counter on which he was seated
»beware«
»My stars Simmun« cried Miggs in affected astonishment »You frighten me
to death Whats the matter«
»There are strings« said Mr Tappertit flourishing his breadandcheese
knife in the air »in the human heart that had better not be wibrated Thats
whats the matter«
»Oh very well if youre in a huff« cried Miggs turning away
»Huff or no huff« said Mr Tappertit detaining her by the wrist »What do
you mean Jezebel What were you going to say Answer me«
Notwithstanding this uncivil exhortation Miggs gladly did as she was
required and told him how that their young mistress being alone in the meadows
after dark had been attacked by three or four tall men who would have
certainly borne her away and perhaps murdered her but for the timely arrival of
Joseph Willet who with his own single hand put them all to flight and rescued
her to the lasting admiration of his fellowcreatures generally and to the
eternal love and gratitude of Dolly Varden
»Very good« said Mr Tappertit fetching a long breath when the tale was
told and rubbing his hair up till it stood stiff and straight on end all over
his head »His days are numbered«
»Oh Simmun«
»I tell you« said the prentice »his days are numbered Leave me Get
along with you«
Miggs departed at his bidding but less because of his bidding than because
she desired to chuckle in secret When she had given vent to her satisfaction
she returned to the parlour where the locksmith stimulated by quietness and
Toby had become talkative and was disposed to take a cheerful review of the
occurrences of the day But Mrs Varden whose practical religion as is not
uncommon was usually of the retrospective order cut him short by declaiming on
the sinfulness of such junketings and holding that it was high time to go to
bed To bed therefore she withdrew with an aspect as grim and gloomy as that of
the Maypoles own state couch and to bed the rest of the establishment soon
afterwards repaired
Chapter XXIII
Twilight had given place to night some hours and it was high noon in those
quarters of the town in which the world condescended to dwell the world being
then as now of very limited dimensions and easily lodged when Mr Chester
reclined upon a sofa in his dressingroom in the Temple entertaining himself
with a book
He was dressing as it seemed by easy stages and having performed half the
journey was taking a long rest Completely attired as to his legs and feet in
the trimmest fashion of the day he had yet the remainder of his toilet to
perform The coat was stretched like a refined scarecrow on its separate
horse the waistcoat was displayed to the best advantage the various ornamental
articles of dress were severally set out in most alluring order and yet he lay
dangling his legs between the sofa and the ground as intent upon his book as if
there were nothing but bed before him
»Upon my honour« he said at length raising his eyes to the ceiling with
the air of a man who was reflecting seriously on what he had read »upon my
honour the most masterly composition the most delicate thoughts the finest
code of morality and the most gentlemanly sentiments in the universe Ah Ned
Ned if you would but from your mind by such precepts we should have but one
common feeling on every subject that could possibly arise between us«
This apostrophe was addressed like the rest of his remarks to empty air
for Edward was not present and the father was quite alone
»My Lord Chesterfield« he said pressing his hand tenderly upon the book as
he laid it down »if I could but have profited by your genius soon enough to
have formed my son on the model you have left to all wise fathers both he and I
would have been rich men Shakspeare was undoubtedly very fine in his way
Milton good though prosy Lord Bacon deep and decidedly knowing but the
writer who should be his countrys pride is my Lord Chesterfield«
He became thoughtful again and the toothpick was in requisition
»I thought I was tolerably accomplished as a man of the world« he
continued »I flattered myself that I was pretty well versed in all those little
arts and graces which distinguish men of the world from boors and peasants and
separate their character from those intensely vulgar sentiments which are called
the national character Apart from any natural prepossession in my own favour I
believed I was Still in every page of this enlightened writer I find some
captivating hypocrisy which has never occurred to me before or some superlative
piece of selfishness to which I was utterly a stranger I should quite blush for
myself before this stupendous creature if remembering his precepts one might
blush at anything An amazing man a nobleman indeed any King or Queen may make
a Lord but only the Devil himself and the Graces can make a Chesterfield«
Men who are thoroughly false and hollow seldom try to hide those vices from
themselves and yet in the very act of avowing them they lay claim to the
virtues they feign most to despise »For« say they »this is honesty this is
truth All mankind are like us but they have not the candour to avow it« The
more they affect to deny the existence of any sincerity in the world the more
they would be thought to possess it in its boldest shape and this is an
unconscious compliment to Truth on the part of these philosophers which will
turn the laugh against them to the Day of Judgment
Mr Chester having extolled his favourite author as above recited took up
the book again in the excess of his admiration and was composing himself for a
further perusal of its sublime morality when he was disturbed by a noise at the
outer door occasioned as it seemed by the endeavours of his servant to obstruct
the entrance of some unwelcome visitor
»A late hour for an importunate creditor« he said raising his eyebrows
with as indolent an expression of wonder as if the noise were in the street and
one with which he had not the smallest possible concern »Much after their
accustomed time The usual pretence I suppose No doubt a heavy payment to make
up tomorrow Poor fellow he loses time and time is money as the good proverb
says I never found it out though Well What now You know I am not at home«
»A man sir« replied the servant who was to the full as cool and negligent
in his way as his master »has brought home the ridingwhip you lost the other
day I told him you were out but he said he was to wait while I brought it in
and wouldnt go till I did«
»He was quite right« returned his master »and youre a blockhead
possessing no judgment or discretion whatever Tell him to come in and see that
he rubs his shoes for exactly five minutes first«
The man laid the whip on a chair and withdrew The master who had only
heard his foot upon the ground and had not taken the trouble to turn round and
look at him shut his book and pursued the train of ideas his entrance had
disturbed
»If time were money« he said handling his snuffbox »I would compound
with my creditors and give them let me see how much a day Theres my nap
after dinner an hour theyre extremely welcome to that and to make the most
of it In the morning between my breakfast and the paper I could spare them
another hour in the evening before dinner say another Three hours a day They
might pay themselves in calls with interest in twelve months I think I shall
propose it to them Ah my centaur are you there«
»Here I am« replied Hugh striding in followed by a dog as rough and
sullen as himself »and trouble enough Ive had to get here What do you ask me
to come for and keep me out when I do come«
»My good fellow« returned the other raising his head a little from the
cushion and carelessly surveying him from top to toe »I am delighted to see
you and to have in your being here the very best proof that you are not kept
out How are you«
»Im well enough« said Hugh impatiently
»You look a perfect marvel of health Sit down«
»Id rather stand« said Hugh
»Please yourself my good fellow« returned Mr Chester rising slowly
pulling off the loose robe he wore and sitting down before the dressingglass
»Please yourself by all means«
Having said this in the politest and blandest tone possible he went on
dressing and took no further notice of his guest who stood in the same spot as
uncertain what to do next eyeing him sulkily from time to time
»Are you going to speak to me master« he said after a long silence
»My worthy creature« returned Mr Chester »you are a little ruffled and
out of humour Ill wait till youre quite yourself again I am in no hurry«
This behaviour had its intended effect It humbled and abashed the man and
made him still more irresolute and uncertain Hard words he could have returned
violence he would have repaid with interest but this cool complacent
contemptuous selfpossessed reception caused him to feel his inferiority more
completely than the most elaborate arguments Everything contributed to this
effect His own rough speech contrasted with the soft persuasive accents of the
other his rude bearing and Mr Chesters polished manner the disorder and
negligence of his ragged dress and the elegant attire he saw before him with
all the unaccustomed luxuries and comforts of the room and the silence that
gave him leisure to observe these things and feel how ill at ease they made
him all these influences which have too often some effect on tutored minds and
become of almost resistless power when brought to bear on such a mind as his
quelled Hugh completely He moved by little and little nearer to Mr Chesters
chair and glancing over his shoulder at the reflection of his face in the
glass as if seeking for some encouragement in its expression said at length
with a rough attempt at conciliation
»Are you going to speak to me master or am I to go away«
»Speak you« said Mr Chester »speak you good fellow I have spoken have
I not I am waiting for you«
»Why lookee sir« returned Hugh with increased embarrassment »am I the
man that you privately left your whip with before you rode away from the
Maypole and told to bring it back whenever he might want to see you on a
certain subject«
»No doubt the same or you have a twin brother« said Mr Chester glancing
at the reflection of his anxious face »which is not probable I should say«
»Then I have come sir« said Hugh »and I have brought it back and
something else along with it A letter sir it is that I took from the person
who had charge of it« As he spoke he laid upon the dressingtable Dollys
lost epistle The very letter that had cost her so much trouble
»Did you obtain this by force my good fellow« said Mr Chester casting
his eye upon it without the least perceptible surprise or pleasure
»Not quite« said Hugh »Partly«
»Who was the messenger from whom you took it«
»A woman One Vardens daughter«
»Oh indeed« said Mr Chester gaily »What else did you take from her«
»What else«
»Yes« said the other in a drawling manner for he was fixing a very small
patch of sticking plaster on a very small pimple near the corner of his mouth
»What else«
»Well a kiss« replied Hugh after some hesitation
»And what else«
»Nothing«
»I think« said Mr Chester in the same easy tone and smiling twice or
thrice to try if the patch adhered »I think there was something else I have
heard a trifle of jewellery spoken of a mere trifle a thing of such little
value indeed that you may have forgotten it Do you remember anything of the
kind such as a bracelet now for instance«
Hugh with a muttered oath thrust his hand into his breast and drawing the
bracelet forth wrapped in a scrap of hay was about to lay it on the table
likewise when his patron stopped his hand and bade him put it up again
»You took that for yourself my excellent friend« he said »and may keep
it I am neither a thief nor a receiver Dont show it to me You had better
hide it again and lose no time Dont let me see where you put it either« he
added turning away his head
»Youre not a receiver« said Hugh bluntly despite the increasing awe in
which he held him »What do you call that master« striking the letter with his
heavy hand
»I call that quite another thing« said Mr Chester coolly »I shall prove
it presently as you will see You are thirsty I suppose«
Hugh drew his sleeve across his lips and gruffly answered yes
»Step to that closet and bring me a bottle you will see there and a glass«
He obeyed His patron followed him with his eyes and when his back was
turned smiled as he had never done when he stood beside the mirror On his
return he filled the glass and bade him drink That dram despatched he poured
him out another and another
»How many can you bear« he said filling the glass again
»As many as you like to give me Pour on Fill high A bumper with a bead in
the middle Give me enough of this« he added as he tossed it down his hairy
throat »and Ill do murder if you ask me«
»As I dont mean to ask you and you might possibly do it without being
invited if you went on much further« said Mr Chester with great composure »we
will stop if agreeable to you my good friend at the next glass You were
drinking before you came here«
»I always am when I can get it« cried Hugh boisterously waving the empty
glass above his head and throwing himself into a rude dancing attitude »I
always am Why not Ha ha ha Whats so good to me as this What ever has been
What else has kept away the cold on bitter nights and driven hunger off in
starving times What else has given me the strength and courage of a man when
men would have left me to die a puny child I should never have had a mans
heart but for this I should have died in a ditch Wheres he who when I was a
weak and sickly wretch with trembling legs and fading sight bade me cheer up
as this did I never knew him not I I drink to the drink master Ha ha ha«
»You are an exceedingly cheerful young man« said Mr Chester putting on
his cravat with great deliberation and slightly moving his head from side to
side to settle his chin in its proper place »Quite a boon companion«
»Do you see this hand master« said Hugh »and this arm« baring the brawny
limb to the elbow »It was once mere skin and bone and would have been dust in
some poor churchyard by this time but for the drink«
»You may cover it« said Mr Chester »its sufficiently real in your
sleeve«
»I should never have been spirited up to take a kiss from the proud little
beauty master but for the drink« cried Hugh »Ha ha ha It was a good one As
sweet as honeysuckle I warrant you I thank the drink for it Ill drink to the
drink again master Fill me one more Come One more«
»You are such a promising fellow« said his patron putting on his waistcoat
with great nicety and taking no heed of this request »that I must caution you
against having too many impulses from the drink and getting hung before your
time Whats your age«
»I dont know«
»At any rate« said Mr Chester »you are young enough to escape what I may
call a natural death for some years to come How can you trust yourself in my
hands on so short an acquaintance with a halter round your neck What a
confiding nature yours must be«
Hugh fell back a pace or two and surveyed him with a look of mingled terror
indignation and surprise Regarding himself in the glass with the same
complacency as before and speaking as smoothly as if he were discussing some
pleasant chitchat of the town his patron went on
»Robbery on the kings highway my young friend is a very dangerous and
ticklish occupation It is pleasant I have no doubt while it lasts but like
many other pleasures in this transitory world it seldom lasts long And really
if in the ingenuousness of youth you open your heart so readily on the
subject I am afraid your career will be an extremely short one«
»Hows this« said Hugh »What do you talk of master Who was it set me
on«
»Who« said Mr Chester wheeling sharply round and looking full at him for
the first time »I didnt hear you Who was it«
Hugh faltered and muttered something which was not audible
»Who was it I am curious to know« said Mr Chester with surpassing
affability »Some rustic beauty perhaps But be cautious my good friend They
are not always to be trusted Do take my advice now and be careful of
yourself« With these words he turned to the glass again and went on with his
toilet
Hugh would have answered him that he the questioner himself had set him
on but the words stuck in his throat The consummate art with which his patron
had led him to this point and managed the whole conversation perfectly baffled
him He did not doubt that if he had made the retort which was on his lips when
Mr Chester turned round and questioned him so keenly he would straightway have
given him into custody and had him dragged before a justice with the stolen
property upon him in which case it was as certain he would have been hung as it
was that he had been born The ascendency which it was the purpose of the man of
the world to establish over this savage instrument was gained from that time
Hughs submission was complete He dreaded him beyond description and felt that
accident and artifice had spun a web about him which at a touch from such a
masterhand as his would bind him to the gallows
With these thoughts passing through his mind and yet wondering at the very
same time how he who came there rioting in the confidence of this man as he
thought should be so soon and so thoroughly subdued Hugh stood cowering
before him regarding him uneasily from time to time while he finished
dressing When he had done so he took up the letter broke the seal and
throwing himself back in his chair read it leisurely through
»Very neatly worded upon my life Quite a womans letter full of what
people call tenderness and disinterestedness and heart and all that sort of
thing«
As he spoke he twisted it up and glancing lazily round at Hugh as though
he would say »You see this« held it in the flame of the candle When it was in
a full blaze he tossed it into the grate and there it smouldered away
»It was directed to my son« he said turning to Hugh »and you did quite
right to bring it here I opened it on my own responsibility and you see what I
have done with it Take this for your trouble«
Hugh stepped forward to receive the piece of money he held out to him As he
put it in his hand he added
»If you should happen to find anything else of this sort or to pick up any
kind of information you may think I would like to have bring it here will you
my good fellow«
This was said with a smile which implied or Hugh thought it did »fail to
do so at your peril« He answered that he would
»And dont« said his patron with an air of the very kindest patronage
»dont be at all downcast or uneasy respecting that little rashness we have been
speaking of Your neck is as safe in my hands my good fellow as though a
babys fingers clasped it I assure you Take another glass You are quieter
now«
Hugh accepted it from his hand and looking stealthily at his smiling face
drank the contents in silence
»Dont you ha ha dont you drink to the drink any more« said Mr
Chester in his most winning manner
»To you sir« was the sullen answer with something approaching to a bow
»I drink to you«
»Thank you God bless you By the bye what is your name my good soul You
are called Hugh I know of course your other name«
»I have no other name«
»A very strange fellow Do you mean that you never knew one or that you
dont choose to tell it Which«
»Id tell it if I could« said Hugh quickly »I cant I have been always
called Hugh nothing more I never knew nor saw nor thought about a father
and I was a boy of six thats not very old when they hung my mother up at
Tyburn for a couple of thousand men to stare at They might have let her live
She was poor enough«
»How very sad« exclaimed his patron with a condescending smile »I have no
doubt she was an exceedingly fine woman«
»You see that dog of mine« said Hugh abruptly
»Faithful I dare say« rejoined his patron looking at him through his
glass »and immensely clever Virtuous and gifted animals whether man or beast
always are so very hideous«
»Such a dog as that and one of the same breed was the only living thing
except me that howled that day« said Hugh »Out of the two thousand odd there
was a larger crowd for its being a woman the dog and I alone had any pity If
hed have been a man hed have been glad to be quit of her for she had been
forced to keep him lean and halfstarved but being a dog and not having a
mans sense he was sorry«
»It was dull of the brute certainly« said Mr Chester »and very like a
brute«
Hugh made no rejoinder but whistling to his dog who sprung up at the sound
and came jumping and sporting about him bade his sympathising friend good
night
»Good night« he returned »Remember youre safe with me quite safe So
long as you deserve it my good fellow as I hope you always will you have a
friend in me on whose silence you may rely Now do be careful of yourself pray
do and consider what jeopardy you might have stood in Good night bless you«
Hugh truckled before the hidden meaning of these words as much as such a
being could and crept out of the door so submissively and subserviently with
an air in short so different from that with which he had entered that his
patron on being left alone smiled more than ever
»And yet« he said as he took a pinch of snuff »I do not like their having
hanged his mother The fellow has a fine eye and I am sure she was handsome
But very probably she was coarse rednosed perhaps and had clumsy feet Aye
it was all for the best no doubt«
With this comforting reflection he put on his coat took a farewell glance
at the glass and summoned his man who promptly attended followed by a chair
and its two bearers
»Foh« said Mr Chester »The very atmosphere that centaur has breathed
seems tainted with the cart and ladder Here Peak Bring some scent and
sprinkle the floor and take away the chair he sat upon and air it and dash a
little of that mixture upon me I am stifled«
The man obeyed and the room and its master being both purified nothing
remained for Mr Chester but to demand his hat to fold it jauntily under his
arm to take his seat in the chair and be carried off humming a fashionable
tune
Chapter XXIV
How the accomplished gentleman spent the evening in the midst of a dazzling and
brilliant circle how he enchanted all those with whom he mingled by the grace
of his deportment the politeness of his manner the vivacity of his
conversation and the sweetness of his voice how it was observed in every
corner that Chester was a man of that happy disposition that nothing ruffled
him that he was one on whom the worlds cares and errors sat lightly as his
dress and in whose smiling face a calm and tranquil mind was constantly
reflected how honest men who by instinct knew him better bowed down before
him nevertheless deferred to his every word and courted his favourable notice
how people who really had good in them went with the stream and fawned and
flattered and approved and despised themselves while they did so and yet had
not the courage to resist how in short he was one of those who are received
and cherished in society as the phrase is by scores who individually would
shrink from and be repelled by the object of their lavish regard are things of
course which will suggest themselves Matter so commonplace needs but a
passing glance and there an end
The despisers of mankind apart from the mere fools and mimics of that
creed are of two sorts They who believe their merit neglected and
unappreciated make up one class they who receive adulation and flattery
knowing their own worthlessness compose the other Be sure that the
coldesthearted misanthropes are ever of this last order
Mr Chester sat up in bed next morning sipping his coffee and remembering
with a kind of contemptuous satisfaction how he had shone last night and how he
had been caressed and courted when his servant brought in a very small scrap of
dirty paper tightly sealed in two places on the inside whereof was inscribed
in pretty large text these words »A friend Desiring of a conference
Immediate Private Burn it when youve read it«
»Where in the name of the Gunpowder Plot did you pick up this« said his
master
It was given him by a person then waiting at the door the man replied
»With a cloak and dagger« said Mr Chester
With nothing more threatening about him it appeared than a leather apron
and a dirty face Let him come in In he came Mr Tappertit with his hair
still on end and a great lock in his hand which he put down on the floor in
the middle of the chamber as if he were about to go through some performances in
which it was a necessary agent
»Sir« said Mr Tappertit with a low bow »I thank you for this
condescension and am glad to see you Pardon the menial office in which I am
engaged sir and extend your sympathies to one who humble as his appearance
is has innard workings far above his station«
Mr Chester held the bedcurtain farther back and looked at him with a
vague impression that he was some maniac who had not only broken open the door
of his place of confinement but had brought away the lock Mr Tappertit bowed
again and displayed his legs to the best advantage
»You have heard sir« said Mr Tappertit laying his hand upon his breast
»of G Varden Locksmith and bellhanger and repairs neatly executed in town and
country Clerkenwell London«
»What then« asked Mr Chester
»Im his prentice sir«
»What then«
»Ahem« said Mr Tappertit »Would you permit me to shut the door sir and
will you further sir give me your honour bright that what passes between us
is in the strictest confidence«
Mr Chester laid himself calmly down in bed again and turning a perfectly
undisturbed face towards the strange apparition which had by this time closed
the door begged him to speak out and to be as rational as he could without
putting himself to any very great personal inconvenience
»In the first place sir« said Mr Tappertit producing a small
pockethandkerchief and shaking it out of the folds »as I have not a card
about me for the envy of masters debases us below that level allow me to offer
the best substitute that circumstances will admit of If you will take that in
your own hand sir and cast your eye on the righthand corner« said Mr
Tappertit offering it with a graceful air »you will meet with my credentials«
»Thank you« answered Mr Chester politely accepting and turning to some
bloodred characters at one end »Four Simon Tappertit One Is that the «
»Without the numbers sir that is my name« replied the prentice »They
are merely intended as directions to the washerwoman and have no connection
with myself or family Your name sir« said Mr Tappertit looking very hard at
his nightcap »is Chester I suppose You neednt pull it off sir thank you I
observe E C from here We will take the rest for granted«
»Pray Mr Tappertit« said Mr Chester »has that complicated piece of
ironmongery which you have done me the favour to bring with you any immediate
connection with the business we are to discuss«
»It has not sir« rejoined the prentice »Its going to be fitted on a
wareusdoor in Thamesstreet«
»Perhaps as that is the case« said Mr Chester »and as it has a stronger
flavour of oil than I usually refresh my bedroom with you will oblige me so far
as to put it outside the door«
»By all means sir« said Mr Tappertit suiting the action to the word
»Youll excuse my mentioning it I hope«
»Dont apologise sir I beg And now if you please to business«
During the whole of this dialogue Mr Chester had suffered nothing but his
smile of unvarying serenity and politeness to appear upon his face Sim
Tappertit who had far too good an opinion of himself to suspect that anybody
could be playing upon him thought within himself that this was something like
the respect to which he was entitled and drew a comparison from this courteous
demeanour of a stranger by no means favourable to the worthy locksmith
»From what passes in our house« said Mr Tappertit »I am aware sir that
your son keeps company with a young lady against your inclinations Sir your
son has not used me well«
»Mr Tappertit« said the other »you grieve me beyond description«
»Thank you sir« replied the prentice »Im glad to hear you say so Hes
very proud sir is your son very haughty«
»I am afraid he is haughty« said Mr Chester »Do you know I was really
afraid of that before and you confirm me«
»To recount the menial offices Ive had to do for your son sir« said Mr
Tappertit »the chairs Ive had to hand him the coaches Ive had to call for
him the numerous degrading duties wholly unconnected with my indenters that
Ive had to do for him would fill a family Bible Besides which sir he is but
a young man himself and I do not consider thankee Sim a proper form of
address on those occasions«
»Mr Tappertit your wisdom is beyond your years Pray go on«
»I thank you for your good opinion sir« said Sim much gratified »and
will endeavour so to do Now sir on this account and perhaps for another
reason or two which I neednt go into I am on your side And what I tell you is
this that as long as our people go backwards and forwards to and fro up and
down to that there jolly old Maypole lettering and messaging and fetching
and carrying you couldnt help your son keeping company with that young lady by
deputy not if he was minded night and day by all the Horse Guards and every
man of em in the very fullest uniform«
Mr Tappertit stopped to take breath after this and then started fresh
again
»Now sir I am a coming to the point You will inquire of me how is this
to be prevented Ill tell you how If an honest civil smiling gentleman like
you «
»Mr Tappertit really «
»No no Im serious« rejoined the prentice »I am upon my soul If an
honest civil smiling gentleman like you was to talk but ten minutes to our
old woman thats Mrs Varden and flatter her up a bit youd gain her over
for ever Then theres this point got that her daughter Dolly« here a flush
came over Mr Tappertits face »wouldnt be allowed to be a gobetween from
that time forward and till that points got theres nothing ever will prevent
her Mind that«
»Mr Tappertit your knowledge of human nature «
»Wait a minute« said Sim folding his arms with a dreadful calmness »Now I
come to THE point Sir there is a villain at that Maypole a monster in human
shape a vagabond of the deepest dye that unless you get rid of and have
kidnapped and carried off at the very least nothing less will do will marry
your son to that young woman as certainly and as surely as if he was the
Archbishop of Canterbury himself He will sir for the hatred and malice that
he bears to you let alone the pleasure of doing a bad action which to him is
its own reward If you knew how this chap this Joseph Willet thats his name
comes backwards and forwards to our house libelling and denouncing and
threatening you and how I shudder when I hear him youd hate him worse than I
do worse than I do sir« said Mr Tappertit wildly putting his hair up
straighter and making a crunching noise with his teeth »if such a thing is
possible«
»A little private vengeance in this Mr Tappertit«
»Private vengeance sir or public sentiment or both combined destroy
him« said Mr Tappertit »Miggs says so too Miggs and me both say so We cant
bear the plotting and undermining that takes place. Our souls recoil from it
Barnaby Rudge and Mrs Rudge are in it likewise but the villain Joseph Willet
is the ringleader Their plottings and schemes are known to me and Miggs If you
want information of em apply to us Put Joseph Willet down sir Destroy him
Crush him And be happy«
With these words Mr Tappertit who seemed to expect no reply and to hold
it as a necessary consequence of his eloquence that his hearer should be utterly
stunned dumbfoundered and overwhelmed folded his arms so that the palm of
each hand rested on the opposite shoulder and disappeared after the manner of
those mysterious warners of whom he had read in cheap storybooks
»That fellow« said Mr Chester relaxing his face when he was fairly gone
»is good practice I have some command of my features beyond all doubt He
fully confirms what I suspected though and blunt tools are sometimes found of
use where sharper instruments would fail I fear I may be obliged to make great
havoc among these worthy people A troublesome necessity I quite feel for
them«
With that he fell into a quiet slumber subsided into such a gentle
pleasant sleep that it was quite infantine
Chapter XXV
Leaving the favoured and wellreceived and flattered of the world him of the
world most worldly who never compromised himself by an ungentlemanly action
and never was guilty of a manly one to lie smilingly asleep for even sleep
working but little change in his dissembling face became with him a piece of
cold conventional hypocrisy we follow in the steps of two slow travellers on
foot making towards Chigwell
Barnaby and his mother Grip in their company of course
The widow to whom each painful mile seemed longer than the last toiled
wearily along while Barnaby yielding to every inconstant impulse fluttered
here and there now leaving her far behind now lingering far behind himself
now darting into some bylane or path and leaving her to pursue her way alone
until he stealthily emerged again and came upon her with a wild shout of
merriment as his wayward and capricious nature prompted Now he would call to
her from the topmost branch of some high tree by the roadside now using his
tall staff as a leapingpole come flying over ditch or hedge or fivebarred
gate now run with surprising swiftness for a mile or more on the straight road
and halting sport upon a patch of grass with Grip till she came up These were
his delights and when his patient mother heard his merry voice or looked into
his flushed and healthy face she would not have abated them by one sad word or
murmur though each had been to her a source of suffering in the same degree as
it was to him of pleasure
It is something to look upon enjoyment so that it be free and wild and in
the face of nature, though it is but the enjoyment of an idiot It is something
to know that Heaven has left the capacity of gladness in such a creatures
breast it is something to be assured that however lightly men may crush that
faculty in their fellows the Great Creator of mankind imparts it even to his
despised and slighted work Who would not rather see a poor idiot happy in the
sunlight than a wise man pining in a darkened jail
Ye men of gloom and austerity who paint the face of Infinite Benevolence
with an eternal frown read in the Everlasting Book wide open to your view the
lesson it would teach Its pictures are not in black and sombre hues but bright
and glowing tints its music save when ye drown it is not in sighs and
groans but songs and cheerful sounds Listen to the million voices in the
summer air and find one dismal as your own Remember if ye can the sense of
hope and pleasure which every glad return of day awakens in the breast of all
your kind who have not changed their nature and learn some wisdom even from the
witless when their hearts are lifted up they know not why by all the mirth and
happiness it brings
The widows breast was full of care was laden heavily with secret dread and
sorrow but her boys gaiety of heart gladdened her and beguiled the long
journey Sometimes he would bid her lean upon his arm and would keep beside her
steadily for a short distance but it was more his nature to be rambling to and
fro and she better liked to see him free and happy even than to have him near
her because she loved him better than herself
She had quitted the place to which they were travelling directly after the
event which had changed her whole existence; and for twoandtwenty years had
never had courage to revisit it It was her native village How many
recollections crowded on her mind when it appeared in sight
Twoandtwenty years Her boys whole life and history The last time she
looked back upon those roofs among the trees she carried him in her arms an
infant How often since that time had she sat beside him night and day watching
for the dawn of mind that never came how had she feared and doubted and yet
hoped long after conviction forced itself upon her The little stratagems she
had devised to try him the little tokens he had given in his childish way not
of dulness but of something infinitely worse so ghastly and unchildlike in its
cunning came back as vividly as if but yesterday had intervened The room in
which they used to be the spot in which his cradle stood he old and
elfinlike in face but ever dear to her gazing at her with a wild and vacant
eye and crooning some uncouth song as she sat by and rocked him every
circumstance of his infancy came thronging back and the most trivial perhaps
the most distinctly
His older childhood too the strange imaginings he had his terror of
certain senseless things familiar objects he endowed with life the slow and
gradual breaking out of that one horror in which before his birth his
darkened intellect began how in the midst of all she had found some hope and
comfort in his being unlike another child and had gone on almost believing in
the slow development of his mind until he grew a man and then his childhood was
complete and lasting one after another all these old thoughts sprung up within
her strong after their long slumber and bitterer than ever
She took his arm and they hurried through the village street It was the
same as it was wont to be in old times yet different too and wore another air
The change was in herself not it but she never thought of that and wondered
at its alteration and where it lay and what it was
The people all knew Barnaby and the children of the place came flocking
round him as she remembered to have done with their fathers and mothers round
some silly beggarman when a child herself None of them knew her they passed
each wellremembered house and yard and homestead and striking into the
fields were soon alone again
The Warren was the end of their journey Mr Haredale was walking in the
garden and seeing them as they passed the iron gate unlocked it and bade them
enter that way
»At length you have mustered heart to visit the old place« he said to the
widow »I am glad you have«
»For the first time and the last sir« she replied
»The first for many years but not the last«
»The very last«
»You mean« said Mr Haredale regarding her with some surprise »that
having made this effort you are resolved not to persevere and are determined to
relapse This is unworthy of you I have often told you you should return here
You would be happier here than elsewhere I know As to Barnaby its quite his
home«
»And Grips« said Barnaby holding the basket open The raven hopped
gravely out and perching on his shoulder and addressing himself to Mr
Haredale cried as a hint perhaps that some temperate refreshment would be
acceptable »Polly put the kettle on well all have tea«
»Hear me Mary« said Mr Haredale kindly as he motioned her to walk with
him towards the house »Your life has been an example of patience and fortitude
except in this one particular which has often given me great pain It is enough
to know that you were cruelly involved in the calamity which deprived me of an
only brother and Emma of her father without being obliged to suppose as I
sometimes am that you associate us with the author of our joint misfortunes«
»Associate you with him sir« she cried
»Indeed« said Mr Haredale »I think you do I almost believe that because
your husband was bound by so many ties to our relation and died in his service
and defence you have come in some sort to connect us with his murder«
»Alas« she answered »You little know my heart sir You little know the
truth«
»It is natural you should do so it is very probable you may without being
conscious of it« said Mr Haredale speaking more to himself than her »We are
a fallen house Money dispensed with the most lavish hand would be a poor
recompense for sufferings like yours and thinly scattered by hands so pinched
and tied as ours it becomes a miserable mockery I feel it so God knows« he
added hastily »Why should I wonder if she does«
»You do me wrong dear sir indeed« she rejoined with great earnestness
»and yet when you come to hear what I desire your leave to say «
»I shall find my doubts confirmed« he said observing that she faltered and
became confused »Well«
He quickened his pace for a few steps but fell back again to her side and
said
»And have you come all this way at last solely to speak to me«
She answered »Yes«
»A curse« he muttered »upon the wretched state of us proud beggars from
whom the poor and rich are equally at a distance the one being forced to treat
us with a show of cold respect the other condescending to us in their every
deed and word and keeping more aloof the nearer they approach us Why if it
were pain to you as it must have been to break for this slight purpose the
chain of habit forged through twoandtwenty years could you not let me know
your wish and beg me to come to you«
»There was not time sir« she rejoined »I took my resolution but last
night and taking it felt that I must not lose a day a day an hour in
having speech with you«
They had by this time reached the house Mr Haredale paused for a moment
and looked at her as if surprised by the energy of her manner Observing
however that she took no heed of him but glanced up shuddering at the old
walls with which such horrors were connected in her mind he led her by a
private stair into his library where Emma was seated in a window reading
The young lady seeing who approached hastily rose and laid aside her book
and with many kind words and not without tears gave her a warm and earnest
welcome But the widow shrunk from her embrace as though she feared her and
sunk down trembling on a chair
»It is the return to this place after so long an absence« said Emma gently
»Pray ring dear uncle or stay Barnaby will run himself and ask for wine «
»Not for the world« she cried »If would have another taste I could not
touch it I want but a minutes rest Nothing but that«
Miss Haredale stood beside her chair regarding her with silent pity She
remained for a little time quite still then rose and turned to Mr Haredale
who had sat down in his easy chair and was contemplating her with fixed
attention
The tale connected with the mansion borne in mind it seemed as has been
already said the chosen theatre for such a deed as it had known The room in
which this group were now assembled hard by the very chamber where the act was
done dull dark and sombre heavy with wormeaten books deadened and shut in
by faded hangings muffling every sound shadowed mournfully by trees whose
rustling boughs gave ever and anon a spectral knocking at the glass wore
beyond all others in the house a ghostly gloomy air Nor were the group
assembled there unfitting tenants of the spot The widow with her marked and
startling face and downcast eyes Mr Haredale stern and despondent ever his
niece beside him like yet most unlike the picture of her father which gazed
reproachfully down upon them from the blackened wall Barnaby with his vacant
look and restless eye were all in keeping with the place and actors in the
legend Nay the very raven who had hopped upon the table and with the air of
some old necromancer appeared to be profoundly studying a great folio volume
that lay open on a desk was strictly in unison with the rest and looked like
the embodied spirit of evil biding his time of mischief
»I scarcely know« said the widow breaking silence »how to begin You will
think my mind disordered«
»The whole tenor of your quiet and reproachless life since you were last
here« returned Mr Haredale mildly »shall bear witness for you Why do you
fear to awaken such a suspicion You do not speak to strangers You have not to
claim our interest or consideration for the first time Be more yourself Take
heart Any advice or assistance that I can give you you know is yours of right
and freely yours«
»What if I came sir« she rejoined »I who have but one other friend on
earth to reject your aid from this moment and to say that henceforth I launch
myself upon the world alone and unassisted to sink or swim as Heaven may
decree«
»You would have if you came to me for such a purpose« said Mr Haredale
calmly »some reason to assign for conduct so extraordinary which if one may
entertain the possibility of anything so wild and strange would have its
weight of course«
»That sir« she answered »is the misery of my distress I can give no
reason whatever My own bare word is all that I can offer It is my duty my
imperative and bounden duty If I did not discharge it I should be a base and
guilty wretch Having said that my lips are sealed and I can say no more«
As though she felt relieved at having said so much and had nerved herself
to the remainder of her task she spoke from this time with a firmer voice and
heightened courage
»Heaven is my witness as my own heart is and yours dear young lady will
speak for me I know that I have lived since that time we all have bitter
reason to remember in unchanging devotion and gratitude to this family Heaven
is my witness that go where I may I shall preserve those feelings unimpaired
And it is my witness too that they alone impel me to the course I must take
and from which nothing now shall turn me as I hope for mercy«
»These are strange riddles« said Mr Haredale
»In this world sir« she replied »they may perhaps never be explained
In another the Truth will be discovered in its own good time And may that
time« she added in a low voice »be far distant«
»Let me be sure« said Mr Haredale »that I understand you for I am
doubtful of my own senses Do you mean that you are resolved voluntarily to
deprive yourself of those means of support you have received from us so long
that you are determined to resign the annuity we settled on you twenty years ago
to leave house and home and goods and begin life anew and this for some
secret reason or monstrous fancy which is incapable of explanation which only
now exists and has been dormant all this time In the name of God under what
delusion are you labouring«
»As I am deeply thankful« she made answer »for the kindness of those
alive and dead who have owned this house and as I would not have its roof fall
down and crush me or its very walls drip blood my name being spoken in their
hearing I never will again subsist upon their bounty or let it help me to
subsistence You do not know« she added suddenly »to what uses it may be
applied into what hands it may pass I do and I renounce it«
»Surely« said Mr Haredale »its uses rest with you«
»They did They rest with me no longer It may be it is devoted to
purposes that mock the dead in their graves It never can prosper with me It
will bring some other heavy judgment on the head of my dear son whose innocence
will suffer for his mothers guilt«
»What words are these« cried Mr Haredale regarding her with wonder
»Among what associates have you fallen Into what guilt have you ever been
betrayed«
»I am guilty and yet innocent wrong yet right good in intention though
constrained to shield and aid the bad Ask me no more questions sir but
believe that I am rather to be pitied than condemned I must leave my house
tomorrow for while I stay there it is haunted My future dwelling if I am to
live in peace must be a secret If my poor boy should ever stray this way do
not tempt him to disclose it or have him watched when he returns for if we are
hunted we must fly again And now this load is off my mind I beseech you and
you dear Miss Haredale too to trust me if you can and think of me kindly as
you have been used to do If I die and cannot tell my secret even then for that
may come to pass it will sit the lighter on my breast in that hour for this
days work and on that day and every day until it comes I will pray for and
thank you both and trouble you no more«
With that she would have left them but they detained her and with many
soothing words and kind entreaties besought her to consider what she did and
above all to repose more freely upon them and say what weighed so sorely on her
mind Finding her deaf to their persuasions Mr Haredale suggested as a last
resource that she should confide in Emma of whom as a young person and one of
her own sex she might stand in less dread than of himself From this proposal
however she recoiled with the same indescribable repugnance she had manifested
when they met The utmost that could be wrung from her was a promise that she
would receive Mr Haredale at her own house next evening and in the mean time
reconsider her determination and their dissuasions though any change on her
part as she told them was quite hopeless This condition made at last they
reluctantly suffered her to depart since she would neither eat nor drink within
the house and she and Barnaby and Grip accordingly went out as they had
come by the private stair and gardengate seeing and being seen of no one by
the way
It was remarkable in the raven that during the whole interview he had kept
his eye on his book with exactly the air of a very sly human rascal who under
the mask of pretending to read hard was listening to everything He still
appeared to have the conversation very strongly in his mind for although when
they were alone again he issued orders for the instant preparation of
innumerable kettles for purposes of tea he was thoughtful and rather seemed to
do so from an abstract sense of duty than with any regard to making himself
agreeable or being what is commonly called good company
They were to return by the coach As there was an interval of full two hours
before it started and they needed rest and some refreshment Barnaby begged
hard for a visit to the Maypole But his mother who had no wish to be
recognised by any of those who had known her long ago and who feared besides
that Mr Haredale might on second thoughts despatch some messenger to that
place of entertainment in quest of her proposed to wait in the churchyard
instead As it was easy for Barnaby to buy and carry thither such humble viands
as they required he cheerfully assented and in the churchyard they sat down to
take their frugal dinner
Here again the raven was in a highly reflective state walking up and down
when he had dined with an air of elderly complacency which was strongly
suggestive of his having his hands under his coattails and appearing to read
the tombstones with a very critical taste Sometimes after a long inspection of
an epitaph he would strop his beak upon the grave to which it referred and cry
in his hoarse tones »Im a devil Im a devil Im a devil« but whether he
addressed his observations to any supposed person below or merely threw them
off as a general remark is matter of uncertainty
It was a quiet pretty spot but a sad one for Barnabys mother for Mr
Reuben Haredale lay there and near the vault in which his ashes rested was a
stone to the memory of her own husband with a brief inscription recording how
and when he had lost his life She sat here thoughtful and apart until their
time was out and the distant horn told that the coach was coming
Barnaby who had been sleeping on the grass sprung up quickly at the sound
and Grip who appeared to understand it equally well walked into his basket
straightway entreating society in general as though he intended a kind of
satire upon them in connection with churchyards never to say die on any terms
They were soon on the coachtop and rolling along the road
It went round by the Maypole and stopped at the door Joe was from home
and Hugh came sluggishly out to hand up the parcel that it called for There was
no fear of old John coming out They could see him from the coachroof fast
asleep in his cosy bar It was a part of Johns character He made a point of
going to sleep at the coachs time He despised gadding about he looked upon
coaches as things that ought to be indicted as disturbers of the peace of
mankind as restless bustling busy hornblowing contrivances quite beneath
the dignity of men and only suited to giddy girls that did nothing but chatter
and go ashopping »We know nothing about coaches here sir« John would say if
any unlucky stranger made inquiry touching the offensive vehicles »we dont
book for em wed rather not theyre more trouble than theyre worth with
their noise and rattle If you like to wait for em you can but we dont know
anything about em they may call and they may not theres a carrier he was
looked upon as quite good enough for us when I was a boy«
She dropped her veil as Hugh climbed up and while he hung behind and
talked to Barnaby in whispers But neither he nor any other person spoke to her
or noticed her or had any curiosity about her and so an alien she visited
and left the village where she had been born and had lived a merry child a
comely girl a happy wife where she had known all her enjoyment of life and
had entered on its hardest sorrows
Chapter XXVI
»And youre not surprised to hear this Varden« said Mr Haredale »Well You
and she have always been the best friends and you should understand her if
anybody does«
»I ask your pardon sir« rejoined the locksmith »I didnt say I understood
her I wouldnt have the presumption to say that of any woman Its not so
easily done But I am not so much surprised sir as you expected me to be
certainly«
»May I ask why not my good friend«
»I have seen sir« returned the locksmith with evident reluctance »I have
seen in connection with her something that has filled me with distrust and
uneasiness She has made bad friends how or when I dont know but that her
house is a refuge for one robber and cutthroat at least I am certain There
sir Now its out«
»Varden«
»My own eyes sir are my witnesses and for her sake I would be willingly
halfblind if I could but have the pleasure of mistrusting em I have kept the
secret till now and it will go no further than yourself I know but I tell you
that with my own eyes broad awake I saw in the passage of her house one
evening after dark the highwayman who robbed and wounded Mr Edward Chester
and on the same night threatened me«
»And you made no effort to detain him« said Mr Haredale quickly
»Sir« returned the locksmith »she herself prevented me held me with all
her strength and hung about me until he had got clear off« And having gone so
far he related circumstantially all that had passed upon the night in question
This dialogue was held in a low tone in the locksmiths little parlour into
which honest Gabriel had shown his visitor on his arrival Mr Haredale had
called upon him to entreat his company to the widows that he might have the
assistance of his persuasion and influence and out of this circumstance the
conversation had arisen
»I forbore« said Gabriel »from repeating one word of this to anybody as
it could do her no good and might do her great harm I thought and hoped to say
the truth that she would come to me and talk to me about it and tell me how
it was but though I have purposely put myself in her way more than once or
twice she has never touched upon the subject except by a look And indeed«
said the goodnatured locksmith »there was a good deal in the look more than
could have been put into a great many words It said among other matters Dont
ask me anything so imploringly that I didnt ask her anything Youll think me
an old fool I know sir If its any relief to call me one pray do«
»I am greatly disturbed by what you tell me« said Mr Haredale after a
silence »What meaning do you attach to it«
The locksmith shook his head and looked doubtfully out of window at the
failing light
»She cannot have married again« said Mr Haredale
»Not without our knowledge surely sir«
»She may have done so in the fear that it would lead if known to some
objection or estrangement Suppose she married incautiously it is not
improbable for her existence has been a lonely and monotonous one for many
years and the man turned out a ruffian she would be anxious to screen him
and yet would revolt from his crimes This might be It bears strongly on the
whole drift of her discourse yesterday and would quite explain her conduct Do
you suppose Barnaby is privy to these circumstances«
»Quite impossible to say sir« returned the locksmith shaking his head
again »and next to impossible to find out from him If what you suppose is
really the case I tremble for the lad a notable person sir to put to bad
uses «
»It is not possible Varden« said Mr Haredale in a still lower tone of
voice than he had spoken yet »that we have been blinded and deceived by this
woman from the beginning It is not possible that this connection was formed in
her husbands lifetime and led to his and my brothers «
»Good God sir« cried Gabriel interrupting him »dont entertain such dark
thoughts for a moment Fiveandtwenty years ago where was there a girl like
her A gay handsome laughing brighteyed damsel Think what she was sir It
makes my heart ache now even now though Im an old man with a woman for a
daughter to think what she was and what she is We all change but thats with
Time Time does his work honestly and I dont mind him A fig for Time sir
Use him well and hes a hearty fellow and scorns to have you at a
disadvantage But care and suffering and those have changed her are devils
sir secret stealthy undermining devils who tread down the brightest
flowers in Eden and do more havoc in a month than Time does in a year Picture
to yourself for one minute what Mary was before they went to work with her fresh
heart and face do her that justice and say whether such a thing is
possible«
»Youre a good fellow Varden« said Mr Haredale »and are quite right I
have brooded on that subject so long that every breath of suspicion carries me
back to it You are quite right«
»It isnt sir« cried the locksmith with brightened eyes and sturdy honest
voice »it isnt because I courted her before Rudge and failed that I say she
was too good for him She would have been as much too good for me But she was
too good for him he wasnt free and frank enough for her I dont reproach his
memory with it poor fellow I only want to put her before you as she really
was For myself Ill keep her old picture in my mind and thinking of that and
what has altered her Ill stand her friend and try to win her back to peace
And damme sir« cried Gabriel »with your pardon for the word Id do the same
if she had married fifty highwaymen in a twelvemonth and think it in the
Protestant Manual too though Martha said it wasnt tooth and nail till
doomsday«
If the dark little parlour had been filled with a dense fog which clearing
away in an instant left it all radiance and brightness it could not have been
more suddenly cheered than by this outbreak on the part of the hearty locksmith
In a voice nearly as full and round as his own Mr Haredale cried »Well said«
and bade him come away without more parley The locksmith complied right
willingly and both getting into a hackney coach which was waiting at the door
drove off straightway
They alighted at the street corner and dismissing their conveyance walked
to the house To their first knock at the door there was no response A second
met with the like result But in answer to the third which was of a more
vigorous kind the parlour windowsash was gently raised and a musical voice
cried
»Haredale my dear fellow I am extremely glad to see you How very much you
have improved in your appearance since our last meeting I never saw you looking
better How do you do«
Mr Haredale turned his eyes towards the casement whence the voice
proceeded though there was no need to do so to recognise the speaker and Mr
Chester waved his hand and smiled a courteous welcome
»The door will be opened immediately« he said »There is nobody but a very
dilapidated female to perform such offices You will excuse her infirmities If
she were in a more elevated station of society she would be gouty Being but a
hewer of wood and drawer of water she is rheumatic My dear Haredale these are
natural class distinctions depend upon it«
Mr Haredale whose face resumed its lowering and distrustful look the
moment he heard the voice inclined his head stiffly and turned his back upon
the speaker
»Not opened yet« said Mr Chester »Dear me I hope the aged soul has not
caught her foot in some unlucky cobweb by the way She is there at last Come
in I beg«
Mr Haredale entered followed by the locksmith Turning with a look of
great astonishment to the old woman who had opened the door he inquired for
Mrs Rudge for Barnaby They were both gone she replied wagging her ancient
head for good There was a gentleman in the parlour who perhaps could tell
them more That was all she knew
»Pray sir« said Mr Haredale presenting himself before this new tenant
»where is the person whom I came here to see«
»My dear friend« he returned »I have not the least idea«
»Your trifling is illtimed« retorted the other in a suppressed tone and
voice »and its subject illchosen Reserve it for those who are your friends
and do not expend it on me I lay no claim to the distinction, and have the
self-denial to reject it«
»My dear good sir« said Mr Chester »you are heated with walking Sit
down I beg Our friend is «
»Is but a plain honest man« returned Mr Haredale »and quite unworthy of
your notice«
»Gabriel Varden by name sir« said the locksmith bluntly
»A worthy English yeoman« said Mr Chester »A most worthy yeoman of whom
I have frequently heard my son Ned darling fellow speak and have often
wished to see Varden my good friend I am glad to know you You wonder now«
he said turning languidly to Mr Haredale »to see me here Now I am sure you
do«
Mr Haredale glanced at him not fondly or admiringly smiled and held
his peace
»The mystery is solved in a moment« said Mr Chester »in a moment Will
you step aside with me one instant You remember our little compact in reference
to Ned and your dear niece Haredale You remember the list of assistants in
their innocent intrigue You remember these two people being among them My dear
fellow congratulate yourself and me I have bought them off«
»You have done what« said Mr Haredale
»Bought them off« returned his smiling friend »I have found it necessary
to take some active steps towards setting this boy and girl attachment quite at
rest and have begun by removing these two agents You are surprised Who can
withstand the influence of a little money They wanted it and have been bought
off We have nothing more to fear from them They are gone«
»Gone« echoed Mr Haredale »Where«
»My dear fellow and you must permit me to say again that you never looked
so young so positively boyish as you do tonight the Lord knows where I
believe Columbus himself wouldnt find them Between you and me they have their
hidden reasons but upon that point I have pledged myself to secrecy She
appointed to see you here tonight I know but found it inconvenient and
couldnt wait Here is the key of the door I am afraid youll find it
inconveniently large but as the tenement is yours your goodnature will excuse
that Haredale I am certain«
Chapter XXVII
Mr Haredale stood in the widows parlour with the doorkey in his hand gazing
by turns at Mr Chester and at Gabriel Varden and occasionally glancing
downward at the key as in the hope that of its own accord it would unlock the
mystery until Mr Chester putting on his hat and gloves and sweetly inquiring
whether they were walking in the same direction recalled him to himself
»No« he said »Our roads diverge widely as you know For the present I
shall remain here«
»You will be hipped Haredale you will be miserable melancholy utterly
wretched« returned the other »Its a place of the very last description for a
man of your temper I know it will make you very miserable«
»Let it« said Mr Haredale sitting down »and thrive upon the thought
Good night«
Feigning to be wholly unconscious of the abrupt wave of the hand which
rendered this farewell tantamount to a dismissal Mr Chester retorted with a
bland and heartfelt benediction and inquired of Gabriel in what direction he
was going
»Yours sir would be too much honour for the like of me« replied the
locksmith hesitating
»I wish you to remain here a little while Varden« said Mr Haredale
without looking towards them »I have a word or two to say to you«
»I will not intrude upon your conference another moment« said Mr Chester
with inconceivable politeness »May it be satisfactory to you both God bless
you« So saying and bestowing upon the locksmith a most refulgent smile he
left them
»A deplorably constituted creature that rugged person« he said as he
walked along the street »he is an atrocity that carries its own punishment
along with it a bear that gnaws himself And here is one of the inestimable
advantages of having a perfect command over ones inclinations I have been
tempted in these two short interviews to draw upon that fellow fifty times
Five men in six would have yielded to the impulse By suppressing mine I wound
him deeper and more keenly than if I were the best swordsman in all Europe and
he the worst You are the wise mans very last resource« he said tapping the
hilt of his weapon »we can but appeal to you when all else is said and done To
come to you before and thereby spare our adversaries so much is a barbarian
mode of warfare quite unworthy of any man with the remotest pretensions to
delicacy of feeling or refinement«
He smiled so very pleasantly as he communed with himself after this manner
that a beggar was emboldened to follow for alms and to dog his footsteps for
some distance He was gratified by the circumstance feeling it complimentary to
his power of feature and as a reward suffered the man to follow him until he
called a chair when he graciously dismissed him with a fervent blessing
»Which is as easy as cursing« he wisely added as he took his seat »and
more becoming to the face To Clerkenwell my good creatures if you please«
The chairmen were rendered quite vivacious by having such a courteous burden
and to Clerkenwell they went at a fair round trot
Alighting at a certain point he had indicated to them upon the road and
paying them something less than they expected from a fare of such gentle speech
he turned into the street in which the locksmith dwelt and presently stood
beneath the shadow of the Golden Key Mr Tappertit who was hard at work by
lamplight in a corner of the workshop remained unconscious of his presence
until a hand upon his shoulder made him start and turn his head
»Industry« said Mr Chester »is the soul of business and the keystone of
prosperity Mr Tappertit I shall expect you to invite me to dinner when you
are Lord Mayor of London«
»Sir« returned the prentice laying down his hammer and rubbing his nose
on the back of a very sooty hand »I scorn the Lord Mayor and everything that
belongs to him We must have another state of society sir before you catch me
being Lord Mayor How de do sir«
»The better Mr Tappertit for looking into your ingenuous face once more
I hope you are well«
»I am as well sir« said Sim standing up to get nearer to his ear and
whispering hoarsely »as any man can be under the aggrawations to which I am
exposed My lifes a burden to me If it wasnt for wengeance Id play at pitch
and toss with it on the losing hazard«
»Is Mrs Varden at home« said Mr Chester
»Sir« returned Sim eyeing him over with a look of concentrated expression
»she is Did you wish to see her«
Mr Chester nodded
»Then come this way sir« said Sim wiping his face upon his apron »Follow
me sir Would you permit me to whisper in your ear one half a second«
»By all means«
Mr Tappertit raised himself on tiptoe applied his lips to Mr Chesters
ear drew back his head without saying anything looked hard at him applied
them to his ear again again drew back and finally whispered »The name is
Joseph Willet Hush I say no more«
Having said that much he beckoned the visitor with a mysterious aspect to
follow him to the parlour door where he announced him in the voice of a
gentleman usher »Mr Chester«
»And not Mr Eddard mind« said Sim looking into the door again and
adding this by way of postscript in his own person »its his father«
»But do not let his father« said Mr Chester advancing hat in hand as he
observed the effect of this last explanatory announcement »do not let his
father be any check or restraint on your domestic occupations Miss Varden«
»Oh Now There Ant I always asaying it« exclaimed Miggs clapping her
hands »If he ant been and took Missis for her own daughter Well she do look
like it that she do Only think of that mim«
»Is it possible« said Mr Chester in his softest tones »that this is Mrs
Varden I am amazed That is not your daughter Mrs Varden No no Your
sister«
»My daughter indeed sir« returned Mrs V blushing with great
juvenility
»Ah Mrs Varden« cried the visitor »Ah maam humanity is indeed a
happy lot when we can repeat ourselves in others and still be young as they
You must allow me to salute you the custom of the country my dear madam
your daughter too«
Dolly showed some reluctance to perform this ceremony but was sharply
reproved by Mrs Varden who insisted on her undergoing it that minute For
pride she said with great severity was one of the seven deadly sins and
humility and lowliness of heart were virtues Wherefore she desired that Dolly
would be kissed immediately on pain of her just displeasure at the same time
giving her to understand that whatever she saw her mother do she might safely
do herself without being at the trouble of any reasoning or reflection on the
subject which indeed was offensive and undutiful and in direct
contravention of the church catechism
Thus admonished Dolly complied though by no means willingly for there was
a broad bold look of admiration in Mr Chesters face refined and polished
though it sought to be which distressed her very much As she stood with
downcast eyes not liking to look up and meet his he gazed upon her with an
approving air and then turned to her mother
»My friend Gabriel whose acquaintance I only made this very evening should
be a happy man Mrs Varden«
»Ah« sighed Mrs V shaking her head
»Ah« echoed Miggs
»Is that the case« said Mr Chester compassionately »Dear me«
»Master has no intentions sir« murmured Miggs as she sidled up to him
»but to be as grateful as his natur will let him for everythink he owns which
it is in his powers to appreciate But we never sir« said Miggs looking
sideways at Mrs Varden and interlarding her discourse with a sigh »we never
know the full value of some wines and figtrees till we lose em So much the
worse sir for them as has the slighting of em on their consciences when
theyre gone to be in full blow elsewhere« And Miss Miggs cast up her eyes to
signify where that might be
As Mrs Varden distinctly heard and was intended to hear all that Miggs
said and as these words appeared to convey in metaphorical terms a presage or
foreboding that she would at some early period droop beneath her trials and take
an easy flight towards the stars she immediately began to languish and taking
a volume of the Manual from a neighbouring table leant her arm upon it as
though she were Hope and that her Anchor Mr Chester perceiving this and
seeing how the volume was lettered on the back took it gently from her hand
and turned the fluttering leaves
»My favourite book dear madam How often how very often in his early life
before he can remember« this clause was strictly true »have I deduced
little easy moral lessons from its pages for my dear son Ned You know Ned«
Mrs Varden had that honour and a fine affable young gentleman he was
»Youre a mother Mrs Varden« said Mr Chester taking a pinch of snuff
»and you know what I as a father feel when he is praised He gives me some
uneasiness much uneasiness hes of a roving nature maam from flower to
flower from sweet to sweet but his is the butterfly time of life and we
must not be hard upon such trifling«
He glanced at Dolly She was attending evidently to what he said Just what
he desired
»The only thing I object to in this little trait of Neds is« said Mr
Chester » and the mention of his name reminds me by the way that I am about
to beg the favour of a minutes talk with you alone the only thing I object to
in it is that it does partake of insincerity Now however I may attempt to
disguise the fact from myself in my affection for Ned still I always revert to
this that if we are not sincere we are nothing Nothing upon earth Let us be
sincere my dear madam «
» and Protestant« murmured Mrs Varden
» and Protestant above all things Let us be sincere and Protestant
strictly moral strictly just though always with a leaning towards mercy
strictly honest and strictly true and we gain it is a slight point
certainly but still it is something tangible we throw up a groundwork and
foundation so to speak of goodness on which we may afterwards erect some
worthy superstructure«
Now to be sure Mrs Varden thought here is a perfect character Here is a
meek righteous thoroughgoing Christian who having mastered all these
qualities so difficult of attainment who having dropped a pinch of salt on
the tails of all the cardinal virtues and caught them every one makes light of
their possession and pants for more morality For the good woman never doubted
as many good men and women never do that this slighting kind of profession
this setting so little store by great matters this seeming to say »I am not
proud I am what you hear but I consider myself no better than other people
let us change the subject pray« was perfectly genuine and true He so
contrived it and said it in that way that it appeared to have been forced from
him and its effect was marvellous
Aware of the impression he had made few men were quicker than he at such
discoveries Mr Chester followed up the blow by propounding certain virtuous
maxims somewhat vague and general in their nature doubtless and occasionally
partaking of the character of truisms worn a little out at elbow but delivered
in so charming a voice and with such uncommon serenity and peace of mind that
they answered as well as the best Nor is this to be wondered at for as hollow
vessels produce a far more musical sound in falling than those which are
substantial so it will oftentimes be found that sentiments which have nothing
in them make the loudest ringing in the world and are the most relished
Mr Chester with the volume gently extended in one hand and with the other
planted lightly on his breast talked to them in the most delicious manner
possible and quite enchanted all his hearers notwithstanding their conflicting
interests and thoughts Even Dolly who between his keen regards and her eyeing
over by Mr Tappertit was put quite out of countenance could not help owning
within herself that he was the sweetestspoken gentleman she had ever seen Even
Miss Miggs who was divided between admiration of Mr Chester and a mortal
jealousy of her young mistress had sufficient leisure to be propitiated Even
Mr Tappertit though occupied as we have seen in gazing at his hearts delight
could not wholly divert his thoughts from the voice of the other charmer Mrs
Varden to her own private thinking had never been so improved in all her life
and when Mr Chester rising and craving permission to speak with her apart
took her by the hand and led her at arms length upstairs to the best
sittingroom she almost deemed him something more than human
»Dear madam« he said pressing her hand delicately to his lips »be
seated«
Mrs Varden called up quite a courtly air and became seated
»You guess my object« said Mr Chester drawing a chair towards her »You
divine my purpose I am an affectionate parent my dear Mrs Varden«
»That I am sure you are sir« said Mrs V
»Thank you« returned Mr Chester tapping his snuffbox lid »Heavy moral
responsibilities rest with parents Mrs Varden«
Mrs Varden slightly raised her hands shook her head and looked at the
ground as though she saw straight through the globe out at the other end and
into the immensity of space beyond
»I may confide in you« said Mr Chester »without reserve I love my son
maam dearly and loving him as I do I would save him from working certain
misery You know of his attachment to Miss Haredale You have abetted him in it
and very kind of you it was to do so I am deeply obliged to you most deeply
obliged to you for your interest in his behalf but my dear maam it is a
mistaken one I do assure you«
Mrs Varden stammered that she was sorry
»Sorry my dear maam« he interposed »Never be sorry for what is so very
amiable so very good in intention so perfectly like yourself But there are
grave and weighty reasons pressing family considerations and apart even from
these points of religious difference which interpose themselves and render
their union impossible utterly impossible I should have mentioned these
circumstances to your husband but he has you will excuse my saying this so
freely he has not your quickness of apprehension or depth of moral sense What
an extremely airy house this is and how beautifully kept For one like myself
a widower so long these tokens of female care and superintendence have
inexpressible charms«
Mrs Varden began to think she scarcely knew why that the young Mr
Chester must be in the wrong and the old Mr Chester must be in the right
»My son Ned« resumed her tempter with his utmost winning air »has had I
am told your lovely daughters aid and your openhearted husbands«
» Much more than mine sir« said Mrs Varden »a great deal more I have
often had my doubts Its a «
»A bad example« suggested Mr Chester »It is No doubt it is Your
daughter is at that age when to set before her an encouragement for young
persons to rebel against their parents on this most important point is
particularly injudicious You are quite right I ought to have thought of that
myself but it escaped me I confess so far superior are your sex to ours
dear madam in point of penetration and sagacity«
Mrs Varden looked as wise as if she had really said something to deserve
this compliment firmly believed she had in short and her faith in her own
shrewdness increased considerably
»My dear maam« said Mr Chester »you embolden me to be plain with you My
son and I are at variance on this point The young lady and her natural guardian
differ upon it also And the closing point is that my son is bound by his duty
to me by his honour by every solemn tie and obligation to marry some one
else«
»Engaged to marry another lady« quoth Mrs Varden holding up her hands
»My dear madam brought up educated and trained expressly for that
purpose Expressly for that purpose Miss Haredale I am told is a very
charming creature«
»I am her fostermother and should know the best young lady in the
world« said Mrs Varden
»I have not the smallest doubt of it I am sure she is And you who have
stood in that tender relation towards her are bound to consult her happiness
Now can I as I have said to Haredale who quite agrees can I possibly stand
by and suffer her to throw herself away although she is of a Catholic family
upon a young fellow who as yet has no heart at all It is no imputation upon
him to say he has not because young men who have plunged deeply into the
frivolities and conventionalities of society very seldom have Their hearts
never grow my dear maam till after thirty I dont believe no I do not
believe that I had any heart myself when I was Neds age«
»Oh sir« said Mrs Varden »I think you must have had Its impossible
that you who have so much now can ever have been without any«
»I hope« he answered shrugging his shoulders meekly »I have a little I
hope a very little Heaven knows But to return to Ned I have no doubt you
thought and therefore interfered benevolently in his behalf that I objected to
Miss Haredale How very natural My dear madam I object to him to him
emphatically to Ned himself«
Mrs Varden was perfectly aghast at the disclosure
»He has if he honourably fulfils this solemn obligation of which I have
told you and he must be honourable dear Mrs Varden or he is no son of mine
a fortune within his reach He is of most expensive ruinously expensive
habits and if in a moment of caprice and wilfulness he were to marry this
young lady and so deprive himself of the means of gratifying the tastes to
which he had been so long accustomed he would my dear madam he would break
the gentle creatures heart Mrs Varden my good lady my dear soul I put it
to you is such a sacrifice to be endured Is the female heart a thing to be
trifled with in this way Ask your own my dear madam Ask your own I beseech
you«
»Truly« thought Mrs Varden »this gentleman is a saint But« she added
aloud and not unnaturally »if you take Miss Emmas lover away sir what
becomes of the poor things heart then«
»The very point« said Mr Chester not at all abashed »to which I wished
to lead you A marriage with my son whom I should be compelled to disown would
be followed by years of misery they would be separated my dear madam in a
twelvemonth To break off this attachment which is more fancied than real as
you and I know very well will cost the dear girl but a few tears and she is
happy again Take the case of your own daughter the young lady downstairs who
is your breathing image« Mrs Varden coughed and simpered »there is a young
man I am sorry to say a dissolute fellow of very indifferent character of
whom I have heard Ned speak Bullet was it Pullet Mullet «
»There is a young man of the name of Joseph Willet sir« said Mrs Varden
folding her hands loftily
»Thats he« cried Mr Chester »Suppose this Joseph Willet now were to
aspire to the affections of your charming daughter and were to engage them«
»It would be like his impudence« interposed Mrs Varden bridling »to dare
to think of such a thing«
»My dear madam thats the whole case I know it would be like his
impudence It is like Neds impudence to do as he has done but you would not on
that account or because of a few tears from your beautiful daughter refrain
from checking their inclinations in their birth I meant to have reasoned thus
with your husband when I saw him at Mrs Rudges this evening «
»My husband« said Mrs Varden interposing with emotion »would be a great
deal better at home than going to Mrs Rudges so often I dont know what he
does there I dont see what occasion he has to busy himself in her affairs at
all sir«
»If I dont appear to express my concurrence in those last sentiments of
yours« returned Mr Chester »quite so strongly as you might desire it is
because his being there my dear madam and not proving conversational led me
hither and procured me the happiness of this interview with one in whom the
whole management conduct and prosperity of her family are centred I
perceive«
With that he took Mrs Vardens hand again and having pressed it to his
lips with the highflown gallantry of the day a little burlesqued to render it
the more striking in the good ladys unaccustomed eyes proceeded in the same
strain of mingled sophistry cajolery and flattery to entreat that her utmost
influence might be exerted to restrain her husband and daughter from any further
promotion of Edwards suit to Miss Haredale and from aiding or abetting either
party in any way Mrs Varden was but a woman and had her share of vanity
obstinacy and love of power She entered into a secret treaty of alliance
offensive and defensive with her insinuating visitor and really did believe
as many others would have done who saw and heard him that in so doing she
furthered the ends of truth justice and morality in a very uncommon degree
Overjoyed by the success of his negotiation and mightily amused within
himself Mr Chester conducted her downstairs in the same state as before and
having repeated the previous ceremony of salutation which also as before
comprehended Dolly took his leave first completing the conquest of Miss
Miggss heart by inquiring if this young lady would light him to the door
»Oh mim« said Miggs returning with the candle »Oh gracious me mim
theres a gentleman Was there ever such an angel to talk as he is and such a
sweetlooking man So upright and noble that he seems to despise the very
ground he walks on and yet so mild and condescending that he seems to say but
I will take notice on it too And to think of his taking you for Miss Dolly and
Miss Dolly for your sister Oh my goodness me if I was master wouldnt I be
jealous of him«
Mrs Varden reproved her handmaid for this vainspeaking but very gently
and mildly quite smilingly indeed remarking that she was a foolish giddy
lightheaded girl whose spirits carried her beyond all bounds and who didnt
mean half she said or she would be quite angry with her
»For my part« said Dolly in a thoughtful manner »I half believe Mr
Chester is something like Miggs in that respect For all his politeness and
pleasant speaking I am pretty sure he was making game of us more than once«
»If you venture to say such a thing again and to speak ill of people behind
their backs in my presence Miss« said Mrs Varden »I shall insist upon your
taking a candle and going to bed directly How dare you Dolly Im astonished
at you The rudeness of your whole behaviour this evening has been disgraceful
Did anybody ever hear« cried the enraged matron bursting into tears »of a
daughter telling her own mother she has been made game of«
What a very uncertain temper Mrs Vardens was
Chapter XXVIII
Repairing to a noted coffeehouse in Covent Garden when he left the locksmiths
Mr Chester sat long over a late dinner entertaining himself exceedingly with
the whimsical recollection of his recent proceedings and congratulating himself
very much on his great cleverness Influenced by these thoughts his face wore
an expression so benign and tranquil that the waiter in immediate attendance
upon him felt he could almost have died in his defence and settled in his own
mind until the receipt of the bill and a very small fee for very great trouble
disabused it of the idea that such an apostolic customer was worth halfadozen
of the ordinary run of visitors at least
A visit to the gamingtable not as a heated anxious venturer but one whom
it was quite a treat to see staking his two or three pieces in deference to the
follies of society and smiling with equal benevolence on winners and losers
made it late before he reached home It was his custom to bid his servant go to
bed at his own time unless he had orders to the contrary and to leave a candle
on the common stair There was a lamp on the landing by which he could always
light it when he came home late and having a key of the door about him he could
enter and go to bed at his pleasure
He opened the glass of the dull lamp whose wick burnt up and swollen like
a drunkards nose came flying off in little carbuncles at the candles touch
and scattering hot sparks about rendered it matter of some difficulty to kindle
the lazy taper when a noise as of a man snoring deeply some steps higher up
caused him to pause and listen It was the heavy breathing of a sleeper close
at hand Some fellow had lain down on the open staircase and was slumbering
soundly Having lighted the candle at length and opened his own door he softly
ascended holding the taper high above his head and peering cautiously about
curious to see what kind of man had chosen so comfortless a shelter for his
lodging
With his head upon the landing and his great limbs flung over halfadozen
stairs as careless as though he were a dead man whom drunken bearers had thrown
down by chance there lay Hugh face uppermost his long hair drooping like some
wild weed upon his wooden pillow and his huge chest heaving with the sounds
which so unwontedly disturbed the place and hour
He who came upon him so unexpectedly was about to break his rest by
thrusting him with his foot when glancing at his upturned face he arrested
himself in the very action and stooping down and shading the candle with his
hand examined his features closely Close as his first inspection was it did
not suffice for he passed the light still carefully shaded as before across
and across his face and yet observed him with a searching eye
While he was thus engaged the sleeper without any starting or turning
round awoke There was a kind of fascination in meeting his steady gaze so
suddenly which took from the other the presence of mind to withdraw his eyes
and forced him as it were to meet his look So they remained staring at each
other until Mr Chester at last broke silence and asked him in a low voice
why he lay sleeping there
»I thought« said Hugh struggling into a sitting posture and gazing at him
intently still »that you were a part of my dream It was a curious one I hope
it may never come true master«
»What makes you shiver«
»The the cold I suppose« he growled as he shook himself and rose »I
hardly know where I am yet«
»Do you know me« said Mr Chester
»Ay I know you« he answered »I was dreaming of you were not where I
thought we were Thats a comfort«
He looked round him as he spoke and in particular looked above his head as
though he half expected to be standing under some object which had had existence
in his dream Then he rubbed his eyes and shook himself again and followed his
conductor into his own rooms
Mr Chester lighted the candles which stood upon his dressingtable and
wheeling an easychair towards the fire which was yet burning stirred up a
cheerful blaze sat down before it and bade his uncouth visitor Come here and
draw his boots off
»You have been drinking again my fine fellow« he said as Hugh went down
on one knee and did as he was told
»As Im alive master Ive walked the twelve long miles and waited here I
dont know how long and had no drink between my lips since dinnertime at
noon«
»And can you do nothing better my pleasant friend than fall asleep and
shake the very building with your snores« said Mr Chester »Cant you dream in
your straw at home dull dog as you are that you need come here to do it
Reach me those slippers and tread softly«
Hugh obeyed in silence
»And harkee my dear young gentleman« said Mr Chester as he put them on
»the next time you dream dont let it be of me but of some dog or horse with
whom you are better acquainted Fill the glass once youll find it and the
bottle in the same place and empty it to keep yourself awake«
Hugh obeyed again even more zealously and having done so presented
himself before his patron
»Now« said Mr Chester »what do you want with me«
»There was news today« returned Hugh »Your son was at our house came
down on horseback He tried to see the young woman but couldnt get sight of
her He left some letter or some message which our Joe had charge of but he and
the old one quarrelled about it when your son had gone and the old one wouldnt
let it be delivered He says thats the old one does that none of his people
shall interfere and get him into trouble Hes a landlord he says and lives on
everybodys custom«
»Hes a jewel« smiled Mr Chester »and the better for being a dull one
Well«
»Vardens daughter thats the girl I kissed «
» and stole the bracelet from upon the kings highway« said Mr Chester
composedly »Yes what of her«
»She wrote a note at our house to the young woman saying she lost the
letter I brought to you and you burnt Our Joe was to carry it but the old one
kept him at home all next day on purpose that he shouldnt Next morning he
gave it to me to take and here it is«
»You didnt deliver it then my good friend« said Mr Chester twirling
Dollys note between his finger and thumb and feigning to be surprised
»I supposed youd want to have it« retorted Hugh »Burn one burn all I
thought«
»My devilmaycare acquaintance« said Mr Chester »really if you do not
draw some nicer distinctions your career will be cut short with most surprising
suddenness Dont you know that the letter you brought to me was directed to my
son who resides in this very place And can you descry no difference between his
letters and those addressed to other people«
»If you dont want it« said Hugh disconcerted by this reproof for he had
expected high praise »give it me back and Ill deliver it I dont know how to
please you master«
»I shall deliver it« returned his patron putting it away after a moments
consideration »myself Does the young lady walk out on fine mornings«
»Mostly about noon is her usual time«
»Alone«
»Yes alone«
»Where«
»In the grounds before the house Them that the footpath crosses«
»If the weather should be fine I may throw myself in her way tomorrow
perhaps« said Mr Chester as coolly as if she were one of his ordinary
acquaintance »Mr Hugh if I should ride up to the Maypole door you will do me
the favour only to have seen me once You must suppress your gratitude and
endeavour to forget my forbearance in the matter of the bracelet It is natural
it should break out and it does you honour but when other folks are by you
must for your own sake and safety be as like your usual self as though you
owed me no obligation whatever and had never stood within these walls You
comprehend me«
Hugh understood him perfectly After a pause he muttered that he hoped his
patron would involve him in no trouble about this last letter for he had kept
it back solely with the view of pleasing him He was continuing in this strain
when Mr Chester with a most beneficent and patronising air cut him short by
saying
»My good fellow you have my promise my word my sealed bond for a verbal
pledge with me is quite as good that I will always protect you so long as you
deserve it Now do set your mind at rest Keep it at ease I beg of you When a
man puts himself in my power so thoroughly as you have done I really feel as
though he had a kind of claim upon me I am more disposed to mercy and
forbearance under such circumstances than I can tell you Hugh Do look upon me
as your protector and rest assured I entreat you that on the subject of that
indiscretion you may preserve as long as you and I are friends the lightest
heart that ever beat within a human breast Fill that glass once more to cheer
you on your road homewards I am really quite ashamed to think how far you have
to go and then God bless you for the night«
»They think« said Hugh when he had tossed the liquor down »that I am
sleeping soundly in the stable Ha ha ha The stable door is shut but the
steeds gone master«
»You are a most convivial fellow« returned his friend »and I love your
humour of all things Good night Take the greatest possible care of yourself
for my sake«
It was remarkable that during the whole interview each had endeavoured to
catch stolen glances of the others face and had never looked full at it They
interchanged one brief and hasty glance as Hugh went out averted their eyes
directly and so separated Hugh closed the double doors behind him carefully
and without noise and Mr Chester remained in his easychair with his gaze
intently fixed upon the fire
»Well« he said after meditating for a long time and said with a deep
sigh and an uneasy shifting of his attitude as though he dismissed some other
subject from his thoughts and returned to that which had held possession of
them all the day »the plot thickens I have thrown the shell it will explode
I think in eightandforty hours and should scatter these good folks
amazingly We shall see«
He went to bed and fell asleep but had not slept long when he started up
and thought that Hugh was at the outer door calling in a strange voice very
different from his own to be admitted The delusion was so strong upon him and
was so full of that vague terror of the night in which such visions have their
being that he rose and taking his sheathed sword in his hand opened the door
and looked out upon the staircase and towards the spot where Hugh had lain
asleep and even spoke to him by name But all was dark and quiet and creeping
back to bed again he fell after an hours uneasy watching into a second
sleep and woke no more till morning
Chapter XXIX
The thoughts of worldly men are for ever regulated by a moral law of
gravitation which like the physical one holds them down to earth The bright
glory of day and the silent wonders of a starlit night appeal to their minds
in vain There are no signs in the sun or in the moon or in the stars for
their reading They are like some wise men who learning to know each planet by
its Latin name have quite forgotten such small heavenly constellations as
Charity Forbearance Universal Love and Mercy although they shine by night
and day so brightly that the blind may see them and who looking upward at the
spangled sky see nothing there but the reflection of their own great wisdom and
booklearning
It is curious to imagine these people of the world busy in thought turning
their eyes towards the countless spheres that shine above us and making them
reflect the only images their minds contain The man who lives but in the breath
of princes has nothing in his sight but stars for courtiers breasts The
envious man beholds his neighbours honours even in the sky to the
moneyhoarder and the mass of worldly folk the whole great universe above
glitters with sterling coin fresh from the mint stamped with the sovereigns
head coming always between them and heaven turn where they may So do the
shadows of our own desires stand between us and our better angels and thus
their brightness is eclipsed
Everything was fresh and gay as though the world were but that morning
made when Mr Chester rode at a tranquil pace along the Forest road Though
early in the season it was warm and genial weather the trees were budding into
leaf the hedges and the grass were green the air was musical with songs of
birds and high above them all the lark poured out her richest melody In shady
spots the morning dew sparkled on each young leaf and blade of grass and where
the sun was shining some diamond drops yet glistened brightly as in
unwillingness to leave so fair a world and have such brief existence Even the
light wind whose rustling was as gentle to the ear as softlyfalling water had
its hope and promise and leaving a pleasant fragrance in its track as it went
fluttering by whispered of its intercourse with Summer and of his happy
coming
The solitary rider went glancing on among the trees from sunlight into
shade and back again at the same even pace looking about him certainly from
time to time but with no greater thought of the day or the scene through which
he moved than that he was fortunate being choicely dressed to have such
favourable weather He smiled very complacently at such times but rather as if
he were satisfied with himself than with anything else and so went riding on
upon his chestnut cob as pleasant to look upon as his own horse and probably
far less sensitive to the many cheerful influences by which he was surrounded
In the course of time the Maypoles massive chimneys rose upon his view
but he quickened not his pace one jot and with the same cool gravity rode up to
the tavern porch John Willet who was toasting his red face before a great fire
in the bar and who with surpassing foresight and quickness of apprehension
had been thinking as he looked at the blue sky that if that state of things
lasted much longer it might ultimately become necessary to leave off fires and
throw the windows open issued forth to hold his stirrup calling lustily for
Hugh
»Oh youre here are you sir« said John rather surprised by the
quickness with which he appeared »Take this here valuable animal into the
stable and have more than particular care of him if you want to keep your
place A mortal lazy fellow sir he needs a deal of looking after«
»But you have a son« returned Mr Chester giving his bridle to Hugh as he
dismounted and acknowledging his salute by a careless motion of his hand
towards his hat »Why dont you make him useful«
»Why the truth is sir« replied John with great importance »that my son
what youre alistening are you villain«
»Whos listening« returned Hugh angrily »A treat indeed to hear you
speak Would you have me take him in till hes cool«
»Walk him up and down further off then sir« cried old John »and when you
see me and a noble gentleman entertaining ourselves with talk keep your
distance If you dont know your distance sir« added Mr Willet after an
enormously long pause during which he fixed his great dull eyes on Hugh and
waited with exemplary patience for any little property in the way of ideas that
might come to him »well find a way to teach you pretty soon«
Hugh shrugged his shoulders scornfully and in his reckless swaggering way
crossed to the other side of the little green and there with the bridle slung
loosely over his shoulder led the horse to and fro glancing at his master
every now and then from under his bushy eyebrows with as sinister an aspect as
one would desire to see
Mr Chester who without appearing to do so had eyed him attentively
during this brief dispute stepped into the porch and turning abruptly to Mr
Willet said
»You keep strange servants John«
»Strange enough to look at sir certainly« answered the host »but out of
doors for horses dogs and the likes of that there ant a better man in
England than is that Maypole Hugh yonder He ant fit for indoors« added Mr
Willet with the confidential air of a man who felt his own superior nature »I
do that but if that chap had only a little imagination sir «
»Hes an active fellow now I dare swear« said Mr Chester in a musing
tone which seemed to suggest that he would have said the same had there been
nobody to hear him
»Active sir« retorted John with quite an expression in his face »that
chap Hallo there You sir Bring that horse here and go and hang my wig on
the weathercock to show this gentleman whether youre one of the lively sort or
not«
Hugh made no answer but throwing the bridle to his master and snatching
his wig from his head in a manner so unceremonious and hasty that the action
discomposed Mr Willet not a little though performed at his own special desire
climbed nimbly to the very summit of the maypole before the house and hanging
the wig upon the weathercock sent it twirling round like a roasting jack
Having achieved this performance he cast it on the ground and sliding down the
pole with inconceivable rapidity alighted on his feet almost as soon as it had
touched the earth
»There sir« said John relapsing into his usual stolid state »you wont
see that at many houses besides the Maypole where theres good accommodation
for man and beast nor that neither though that with him is nothing«
This last remark bore reference to his vaulting on horseback as upon Mr
Chesters first visit and quickly disappearing by the stable gate
»That with him is nothing« repeated Mr Willet brushing his wig with his
wrist and inwardly resolving to distribute a small charge for dust and damage
to that article of dress through the various items of his guests bill »hell
get out of amost any winder in the house There never was such a chap for
flinging himself about and never hurting his bones Its my opinion sir that
its pretty nearly all owing to his not having any imagination and if that
imagination could be which it cant knocked into him hed never be able to do
it any more But we was atalking sir about my son«
»True Willet true« said his visitor turning again towards the landlord
with that serenity of face »My good friend what about him«
It has been reported that Mr Willet previously to making answer winked
But as he was never known to be guilty of such lightness of conduct either
before or afterwards this may be looked upon as a malicious invention of his
enemies founded perhaps upon the undisputed circumstance of his taking his
guest by the third breast button of his coat counting downwards from the chin
and pouring his reply into his ear
»Sir« whispered John with dignity »I know my duty We want no lovemaking
here sir unbeknown to parents I respect a certain young gentleman taking him
in the light of a young gentleman I respect a certain young lady taking her in
the light of a young lady but of the two as a couple I have no knowledge sir
none whatever My son sir is upon his patrole«
»I thought I saw him looking through the corner window but this moment«
said Mr Chester who naturally thought that being on patrole implied walking
about somewhere
»No doubt you did sir« returned John »He is upon his patrole of honour
sir not to leave the premises Me and some friends of mine that use the Maypole
of an evening sir considered what was best to be done with him to prevent his
doing anything unpleasant in opposing your desires and weve put him on his
patrole And whats more sir he wont be off his patrole for a pretty long
time to come I can tell you that«
When he had communicated this bright idea which had its origin in the
perusal by the village cronies of a newspaper containing among other matters
an account of how some officer pending the sentence of some courtmartial had
been enlarged on parole Mr Willet drew back from his guests ear and without
any visible alteration of feature chuckled thrice audibly This nearest
approach to a laugh in which he ever indulged and that but seldom and only on
extreme occasions never even curled his lip or effected the smallest change in
no not so much as a slight wagging of his great fat double chin which at
these times as at all others remained a perfect desert in the broad map of his
face one changeless dull tremendous blank
Lest it should be matter of surprise to any that Mr Willet adopted this
bold course in opposition to one whom he had often entertained and who had
always paid his way at the Maypole gallantly it may be remarked that it was his
very penetration and sagacity in this respect which occasioned him to indulge
in those unusual demonstrations of jocularity just now recorded For Mr
Willet after carefully balancing father and son in his mental scales had
arrived at the distinct conclusion that the old gentleman was a better sort of a
customer than the young one Throwing his landlord into the same scale which
was already turned by this consideration and heaping upon him again his
strong desires to run counter to the unfortunate Joe and his opposition as a
general principle to all matters of love and matrimony it went down to the very
ground straightway and sent the light cause of the younger gentleman flying
upwards to the ceiling Mr Chester was not the kind of man to be by any means
dimsighted to Mr Willets motives but he thanked him as graciously as if he
had been one of the most disinterested martyrs that ever shone on earth and
leaving him with many complimentary reliances on his great taste and judgment
to prepare whatever dinner he might deem most fitting the occasion bent his
steps towards the Warren
Dressed with more than his usual elegance assuming a gracefulness of
manner which though it was the result of long study sat easily upon him and
became him well composing his features into their most serene and prepossessing
expression and setting in short that guard upon himself at every point which
denoted that he attached no slight importance to the impression he was about to
make he entered the bounds of Miss Haredales usual walk He had not gone far
or looked about him long when he descried coming towards him a female figure
A glimpse of the form and dress as she crossed a little wooden bridge which lay
between them satisfied him that he had found her whom he desired to see He
threw himself in her way and a very few paces brought them close together
He raised his hat from his head and yielding the path suffered her to pass
him Then as if the idea had but that moment occurred to him he turned hastily
back and said in an agitated voice
»I beg pardon do I address Miss Haredale«
She stopped in some confusion at being so unexpectedly accosted by a
stranger and answered »Yes«
»Something told me« he said looking a compliment to her beauty »that it
could be no other Miss Haredale I bear a name which is not unknown to you
which it is a pride and yet a pain to me to know sounds pleasantly in your
ears I am a man advanced in life as you see I am the father of him whom you
honour and distinguish above all other men May I for weighty reasons which fill
me with distress beg but a minutes conversation with you here«
Who that was inexperienced in deceit and had a frank and youthful heart
could doubt the speakers truth could doubt it too when the voice that spoke
was like the faint echo of one she knew so well and so much loved to hear She
inclined her head and stopping cast her eyes upon the ground
»A little more apart among these trees It is an old mans hand Miss
Haredale an honest one believe me«
She put hers in it as he said these words and suffered him to lead her to a
neighbouring seat
»You alarm me sir« she said in a low voice »You are not the bearer of any
ill news I hope«
»Of none that you anticipate« he answered sitting down beside her »Edward
is well quite well It is of him I wish to speak certainly but I have no
misfortune to communicate«
She bowed her head again and made as though she would have begged him to
proceed but said nothing
»I am sensible that I speak to you at a disadvantage dear Miss Haredale
Believe me that I am not so forgetful of the feelings of my younger days as not
to know that you are little disposed to view me with favour You have heard me
described as coldhearted calculating selfish «
»I have never sir« she interposed with an altered manner and a firmer
voice »I have never heard you spoken of in harsh or disrespectful terms You do
a great wrong to Edwards nature if you believe him capable of any mean or base
proceeding«
»Pardon me my sweet young lady but your uncle «
»Nor is it my uncles nature either« she replied with a heightened colour
in her cheek »It is not his nature to stab in the dark nor is it mine to love
such deeds«
She rose as she spoke and would have left him but he detained her with a
gentle hand and besought her in such persuasive accents to hear him but another
minute that she was easily prevailed upon to comply and so sat down again
»And it is« said Mr Chester looking upward and apostrophising the air
»it is this frank ingenuous noble nature Ned that you can wound so lightly
Shame shame upon you boy«
She turned towards him quickly and with a scornful look and flashing eyes
There were tears in Mr Chesters eyes but he dashed them hurriedly away as
though unwilling that his weakness should be known and regarded her with
mingled admiration and compassion
»I never until now« he said »believed that the frivolous actions of a
young man could move me like these of my own son I never knew till now the
worth of a womans heart which boys so lightly win and lightly fling away
Trust me dear young lady that I never until now did know your worth and
though an abhorrence of deceit and falsehood has impelled me to seek you out
and would have done so had you been the poorest and least gifted of your sex I
should have lacked the fortitude to sustain this interview could I have pictured
you to my imagination as you really are«
Oh If Mrs Varden could have seen the virtuous gentleman as he said these
words with indignation sparkling from his eyes if she could have heard his
broken quavering voice if she could have beheld him as he stood bareheaded in
the sunlight and with unwonted energy poured forth his eloquence
With a haughty face but pale and trembling too Emma regarded him in
silence She neither spoke nor moved but gazed upon him as though she would
look into his heart
»I throw off« said Mr Chester »the restraint which natural affection
would impose on some men and reject all bonds but those of truth and duty Miss
Haredale you are deceived you are deceived by your unworthy lover and my
unworthy son«
Still she looked at him steadily and still said not one word
»I have ever opposed his professions of love for you you will do me the
justice dear Miss Haredale to remember that Your uncle and myself were
enemies in early life and if I had sought retaliation I might have found it
here But as we grow older we grow wiser better I would fain hope and from
the first I have opposed him in this attempt I foresaw the end and would have
spared you if I could«
»Speak plainly sir« she faltered »You deceive me or are deceived
yourself I do not believe you I cannot I should not«
»First« said Mr Chester soothingly »for there may be in your mind some
latent angry feeling to which I would not appeal pray take this letter It
reached my hand by chance and by mistake and should have accounted to you as
I am told for my sons not answering some other note of yours God forbid Miss
Haredale« said the good gentleman with great emotion »that there should be in
your gentle breast one causeless ground of quarrel with him You should know
and you will see that he was in no fault here«
There appeared something so very candid so scrupulously honourable so very
truthful and just in this course something which rendered the upright person
who resorted to it so worthy of belief that Emmas heart for the first time
sunk within her She turned away and burst into tears
»I would« said Mr Chester leaning over her and speaking in mild and
quite venerable accents »I would dear girl it were my task to banish not
increase those tokens of your grief My son my erring son I will not call
him deliberately criminal in this for men so young who have been inconstant
twice or thrice before act without reflection almost without a knowledge of
the wrong they do will break his plighted faith to you has broken it even
now Shall I stop here and having given you this warning leave it to be
fulfilled or shall I go on«
»You will go on sir« she answered »and speak more plainly yet in justice
both to him and me«
»My dear girl« said Mr Chester bending over her more affectionately
still »whom I would call my daughter but the Fates forbid Edward seeks to
break with you upon a false and most unwarrantable pretence I have it on his
own showing in his own hand Forgive me if I have had a watch upon his
conduct I am his father I had a regard for your peace and his honour and no
better resource was left me There lies on his desk at this present moment
ready for transmission to you a letter in which he tells you that our poverty
our poverty his and mine Miss Haredale forbids him to pursue his claim
upon your hand in which he offers involuntarily proposes to free you from
your pledge and talks magnanimously men do so very commonly in such cases
of being in time more worthy of your regard and so forth A letter to be
plain in which he not only jilts you pardon the word I would summon to your
aid your pride and dignity not only jilts you I fear in favour of the object
whose slighting treatment first inspired his brief passion for yourself and gave
it birth in wounded vanity but affects to make a merit and a virtue of the
act«
She glanced proudly at him once more as by an involuntary impulse and with
a swelling breast rejoined »If what you say be true he takes much needless
trouble sir to compass his design He is very tender of my peace of mind I
quite thank him«
»The truth of what I tell you dear young lady« he replied »you will test
by the receipt or nonreceipt of the letter of which I speak Haredale my
dear fellow I am delighted to see you although we meet under singular
circumstances and upon a melancholy occasion I hope you are very well«
At these words the young lady raised her eyes which were filled with tears
and seeing that her uncle indeed stood before them and being quite unequal to
the trial of bearing or of speaking one word more hurriedly withdrew and left
them They stood looking at each other and at her retreating figure and for a
long time neither of them spoke
»What does this mean Explain it« said Mr Haredale at length »Why are you
here and why with her«
»My dear friend« rejoined the other resuming his accustomed manner with
infinite readiness and throwing himself upon the bench with a weary air »you
told me not very long ago at that delightful old tavern of which you are the
esteemed proprietor and a most charming establishment it is for persons of
rural pursuits and in robust health who are not liable to take cold that I
had the head and heart of an evil spirit in all matters of deception I thought
at the time I really did think you flattered me But now I begin to wonder at
your discernment and vanity apart do honestly believe you spoke the truth Did
you ever counterfeit extreme ingenuousness and honest indignation My dear
fellow you have no conception if you never did how faint the effort makes
one«
Mr Haredale surveyed him with a look of cold contempt »You may evade an
explanation I know« he said folding his arms »But I must have it I can
wait«
»Not at all Not at all my good fellow You shall not wait a moment«
returned his friend as he lazily crossed his legs »The simplest thing in the
world It lies in a nutshell Ned has written her a letter a boyish honest
sentimental composition which remains as yet in his desk because he hasnt had
the heart to send it I have taken a liberty for which my parental affection
and anxiety are a sufficient excuse and possessed myself of the contents I
have described them to your niece a most enchanting person Haredale quite an
angelic creature with a little colouring and description adapted to our
purpose Its done You may be quite easy Its all over Deprived of their
adherents and mediators her pride and jealousy roused to the utmost with
nobody to undeceive her and you to confirm me you will find that their
intercourse will close with her answer If she receives Neds letter by
tomorrow noon you may date their parting from tomorrow night No thanks I
beg you owe me none I have acted for myself and if I have forwarded our
compact with all the ardour even you could have desired I have done so
selfishly indeed«
»I curse the compact as you call it with my whole heart and soul«
returned the other »It was made in an evil hour I have bound myself to a lie
I have leagued myself with you and though I did so with a righteous motive and
though it cost me such an effort as haply few men know I hate and despise
myself for the deed«
»You are very warm« said Mr Chester with a languid smile
»I am warm I am maddened by your coldness Death Chester if your blood
ran warmer in your veins and there were no restraints upon me such as those
that hold and drag me back well it is done you tell me so and on such a
point I may believe you When I am most remorseful for this treachery I will
think of you and your marriage and try to justify myself in such remembrances
for having torn asunder Emma and your son at any cost Our bond is cancelled
now and we may part«
Mr Chester kissed his hand gracefully and with the same tranquil face he
had preserved throughout even when he had seen his companion so tortured and
transported by his passion that his whole frame was shaken lay in his lounging
posture on the seat and watched him as he walked away
»My scapegoat and my drudge at school« he said raising his head to look
after him »my friend of later days who could not keep his mistress when he had
won her and threw me in her way to carry off the prize I triumph in the
present and the past Bark on illfavoured illconditioned cur fortune has
ever been with me I like to hear you«
The spot where they had met was in an avenue of trees Mr Haredale not
passing out on either hand had walked straight on He chanced to turn his head
when at some considerable distance and seeing that his late companion had by
that time risen and was looking after him stood still as though he half
expected him to follow and waited for his coming up
»It may come to that one day but not yet« said Mr Chester waving his
hand as though they were the best of friends and turning away »Not yet
Haredale Life is pleasant enough to me dull and full of heaviness to you No
To cross swords with such a man to indulge his humour unless upon extremity
would be weak indeed«
For all that he drew his sword as he walked along and in an absent humour
ran his eye from hilt to point full twenty times But thoughtfulness begets
wrinkles remembering this he soon put it up smoothed his contracted brow
hummed a gay tune with greater gaiety of manner and was his unruffled self
again
Chapter XXX
A homely proverb recognises the existence of a troublesome class of persons who
having an inch conceded them will take an ell Not to quote the illustrious
examples of those heroic scourges of mankind whose amiable path in life has
been from birth to death through blood and fire and ruin and who would seem
to have existed for no better purpose than to teach mankind that as the absence
of pain is pleasure so the earth purged of their presence may be deemed a
blessed place not to quote such mighty instances it will be sufficient to
refer to old John Willet
Old John having long encroached a good standard inch full measure on the
liberty of Joe and having snipped off a Flemish ell in the matter of the
parole grew so despotic and so great that his thirst for conquest knew no
bounds The more young Joe submitted the more absolute old John became The ell
soon faded into nothing Yards furlongs miles arose and on went old John in
the pleasantest manner possible trimming off an exuberance in this place
shearing away some liberty of speech or action in that and conducting himself
in his small way with as much high mightiness and majesty as the most glorious
tyrant that ever had his statue reared in the public ways of ancient or of
modern times
As great men are urged on to the abuse of power when they need urging
which is not often by their flatterers and dependents so old John was
impelled to these exercises of authority by the applause and admiration of his
Maypole cronies who in the intervals of their nightly pipes and pots would
shake their heads and say that Mr Willet was a father of the good old English
sort that there were no newfangled notions or modern ways in him that he put
them in mind of what their fathers were when they were boys that there was no
mistake about him that it would be well for the country if there were more like
him and more was the pity that there were not with many other original remarks
of that nature Then they would condescendingly give Joe to understand that it
was all for his good and he would be thankful for it one day and in
particular Mr Cobb would acquaint him that when he was his age his father
thought no more of giving him a parental kick or a box on the ears or a cuff
on the head or some little admonition of that sort than he did of any other
ordinary duty of life and he would further remark with looks of great
significance that but for this judicious bringing up he might have never been
the man he was at that present speaking which was probable enough as he was
beyond all question the dullest dog of the party In short between old John
and old Johns friends there never was an unfortunate young fellow so bullied
badgered worried fretted and browbeaten so constantly beset or made so
tired of his life as poor Joe Willet
This had come to be the recognised and established state of things but as
John was very anxious to flourish his supremacy before the eyes of Mr Chester
he did that day exceed himself and did so goad and chafe his son and heir that
but for Joes having made a solemn vow to keep his hands in his pockets when
they were not otherwise engaged it is impossible to say what he might have done
with them But the longest day has an end and at length Mr Chester came
downstairs to mount his horse which was ready at the door
As old John was not in the way at the moment Joe who was sitting in the
bar ruminating on his dismal fate and the manifold perfections of Dolly Varden
ran out to hold the guests stirrup and assist him to mount Mr Chester was
scarcely in the saddle and Joe was in the very act of making him a graceful
bow when old John came diving out of the porch and collared him
»None of that sir« said John »none of that sir No breaking of patroles
How dare you come out of the door sir without leave Youre trying to get
away sir are you and to make a traitor of yourself again What do you mean
sir«
»Let me go father« said Joe imploringly as he marked the smile upon
their visitors face and observed the pleasure his disgrace afforded him »This
is too bad Who wants to get away«
»Who wants to get away« cried John shaking him »Why you do sir you do
Youre the boy sir« added John collaring with one hand and aiding the effect
of a farewell bow to the visitor with the other »that wants to sneak into
houses and stir up differences between noble gentlemen and their sons are you
eh Hold your tongue sir«
Joe made no effort to reply It was the crowning circumstance of his
degradation He extricated himself from his fathers grasp darted an angry look
at the departing guest and returned into the house
»But for her« thought Joe as he threw his arms upon a table in the common
room and laid his head upon them »but for Dolly who I couldnt bear should
think me the rascal they would make me out to be if I ran away this house and I
should part tonight«
It being evening by this time Solomon Daisy Tom Cobb and Long Parkes
were all in the common room too and had from the window been witnesses of what
had just occurred Mr Willet joining them soon afterwards received the
compliments of the company with great composure and lighting his pipe sat down
among them
»Well see gentlemen« said John after a long pause »whos the master of
this house and who isnt Well see whether boys are to govern men or men are
to govern boys«
»And quite right too« assented Solomon Daisy with some approving nods
»quite right Johnny Very good Johnny Well said Mr Willet Brayvo sir«
John slowly brought his eyes to bear upon him looked at him for a long
time and finally made answer to the unspeakable consternation of his hearers
»When I want encouragement from you sir Ill ask you for it You let me alone
sir I can get on without you I hope Dont you tackle me sir if you please«
»Dont take it ill Johnny I didnt mean any harm« pleaded the little man
»Very good sir« said John more than usually obstinate after his late
success »Never mind sir I can stand pretty firm of myself sir I believe
without being shored up by you« And having given utterance to this retort Mr
Willet fixed his eyes upon the boiler and fell into a kind of tobaccotrance
The spirits of the company being somewhat damped by this embarrassing line
of conduct on the part of their host nothing more was said for a long time but
at length Mr Cobb took upon himself to remark as he rose to knock the ashes
out of his pipe that he hoped Joe would thenceforth learn to obey his father in
all things that he had found that day he was not one of the sort of men who
were to be trifled with and that he would recommend him poetically speaking
to mind his eye for the future
»Id recommend you in return« said Joe looking up with a flushed face
»not to talk to me«
»Hold your tongue sir« cried Mr Willet suddenly rousing himself and
turning round
»I wont father« cried Joe smiting the table with his fist so that the
jugs and glasses rung again »these things are hard enough to bear from you
from anybody else I never will endure them any more Therefore I say Mr Cobb
dont talk to me«
»Why who are you« said Mr Cobb sneeringly »that youre not to be talked
to eh Joe«
To which Joe returned no answer but with a very ominous shake of the head
resumed his old position which he would have peacefully preserved until the
house shut up at night but that Mr Cobb stimulated by the wonder of the
company at the young mans presumption retorted with sundry taunts which
proved too much for flesh and blood to bear Crowding into one moment the
vexation and the wrath of years Joe started up overturned the table fell upon
his long enemy pummelled him with all his might and main and finished by
driving him with surprising swiftness against a heap of spittoons in one corner
plunging into which head foremost with a tremendous crash he lay at full
length among the ruins stunned and motionless Then without waiting to receive
the compliments on the bystanders on the victory he had won he retreated to his
own bedchamber and considering himself in a state of siege piled all the
portable furniture against the door by way of barricade
»I have done it now« said Joe as he sat down upon his bedstead and wiped
his heated face »I knew it would come at last The Maypole and I must part
company Im a roving vagabond she hates me for evermore its all over«
Chapter XXXI
Pondering on his unhappy lot Joe sat and listened for a long time expecting
every moment to hear their creaking footsteps on the stairs or to be greeted by
his worthy father with a summons to capitulate unconditionally and deliver
himself up straightway But neither voice nor footstep came and though some
distant echoes as of closing doors and people hurrying in and out of rooms
resounding from time to time through the great passages and penetrating to his
remote seclusion gave note of unusual commotion downstairs no nearer sound
disturbed his place of retreat which seemed the quieter for these faroff
noises and was as dull and full of gloom as any hermits cell
It came on darker and darker The oldfashioned furniture of the chamber
which was a kind of hospital for all the invalided movables in the house grew
indistinct and shadowy in its many shapes chairs and tables which by day were
as honest cripples as need be assumed a doubtful and mysterious character and
one old leprous screen of faded India leather and gold binding which had kept
out many a cold breath of air in days of yore and shut in many a jolly face
frowned on him with a spectral aspect and stood at full height in its allotted
corner like some gaunt ghost who waited to be questioned A portrait opposite
the window a queer old greyeyed general in an oval frame seemed to wink
and doze as the light decayed and at length when the last faint glimmering
speck of day went out to shut its eyes in good earnest and fall sound asleep
There was such a hush and mystery about everything that Joe could not help
following its example and so went off into a slumber likewise and dreamed of
Dolly till the clock of Chigwell church struck two
Still nobody came The distant noises in the house had ceased and out of
doors all was quiet too save for the occasional barking of some deepmouthed
dog and the shaking of the branches by the night wind He gazed mournfully out
of window at each wellknown object as it lay sleeping in the dim light of the
moon and creeping back to his former seat thought about the late uproar
until with long thinking of it seemed to have occurred a month ago Thus
between dozing and thinking and walking to the window and looking out the
night wore away the grim old screen and the kindred chairs and tables began
slowly to reveal themselves in their accustomed forms the greyeyed general
seemed to wink and yawn and rouse himself and at last he was broad awake again
and very uncomfortable and cold and haggard he looked in the dull grey light of
morning
The sun had begun to peep above the forest trees and already flung across
the curling mist bright bars of gold when Joe dropped from his window on the
ground below a little bundle and his trusty stick and prepared to descend
himself
It was not a very difficult task for there were so many projections and
gable ends in the way that they formed a series of clumsy steps with no
greater obstacle than a jump of some few feet at last Joe with his stick and
bundle on his shoulder quickly stood on the firm earth and looked up at the
old Maypole it might be for the last time
He didnt apostrophise it for he was no great scholar He didnt curse it
for he had little illwill to give to anything on earth He felt more
affectionate and kind to it than ever he had done in all his life before so
said with all his heart »God bless you« as a parting wish and turned away
He walked along at a brisk pace big with great thoughts of going for a
soldier and dying in some foreign country where it was very hot and sandy and
leaving God knows what unheardof wealth in prizemoney to Dolly who would be
very much affected when she came to know of it and full of such youthful
visions which were sometimes sanguine and sometimes melancholy but always had
her for their main point and centre pushed on vigorously until the noise of
London sounded in his ears and the Black Lion hove in sight
It was only eight oclock then and very much astonished the Black Lion was
to see him come walking in with dust upon his feet at that early hour with no
grey mare to bear him company But as he ordered breakfast to be got ready with
all speed and on its being set before him gave indisputable tokens of a hearty
appetite the Lion received him as usual with a hospitable welcome and
treated him with those marks of distinction which as a regular customer and
one within the freemasonry of the trade he had a right to claim
This Lion or landlord for he was called both man and beast by reason of
his having instructed the artist who painted his sign to convey into the
features of the lordly brute whose effigy it bore as near a counterpart of his
own face as his skill could compass and devise was a gentleman almost as
quick of apprehension and of almost as subtle a wit as the mighty John
himself But the difference between them lay in this that whereas Mr Willets
extreme sagacity and acuteness were the efforts of unassisted nature the Lion
stood indebted in no small amount to beer of which he swigged such copious
draughts that most of his faculties were utterly drowned and washed away
except the one great faculty of sleep which he retained in surprising
perfection The creaking Lion over the housedoor was therefore to say the
truth rather a drowsy tame and feeble lion and as these social
representatives of a savage class are usually of a conventional character being
depicted for the most part in impossible attitudes and of unearthly colours
he was frequently supposed by the more ignorant and uninformed among the
neighbours to be the veritable portrait of the host as he appeared on the
occasion of some great funeral ceremony or public mourning
»What noisy fellow is that in the next room« said Joe when he had disposed
of his breakfast and had washed and brushed himself
»A recruiting serjeant« replied the Lion
Joe started involuntarily Here was the very thing he had been dreaming of
all the way along
»And I wish« said the Lion »he was anywhere else but here The party make
noise enough but dont call for much Theres great cry there Mr Willet but
very little wool Your father wouldnt like em I know«
Perhaps not much under any circumstances Perhaps if he could have known
what was passing at that moment in Joes mind he would have liked them still
less
»Is he recruiting for a for a fine regiment« said Joe glancing at a
little round mirror that hung in the bar
»I believe he is« replied the host »Its much the same thing whatever
regiment hes recruiting for Im told there ant a deal of difference between a
fine man and another one when theyre shot through and through«
»Theyre not all shot« said Joe
»No« the Lion answered »not all Those that are supposing its done easy
are the best off in my opinion«
»Ah« retorted Joe »but you dont care for glory«
»For what« said the Lion
»Glory«
»No« returned the Lion with supreme indifference »I dont Youre right
in that Mr Willet When Glory comes here and calls for anything to drink and
changes a guinea to pay for it Ill give it him for nothing Its my belief
sir that the Glorys arms wouldnt do a very strong business«
These remarks were not at all comforting Joe walked out stopped at the
door of the next room and listened The serjeant was describing a military
life It was all drinking he said except that there were frequent intervals of
eating and lovemaking A battle was the finest thing in the world when your
side won it and Englishmen always did that »Supposing you should be killed
sir« said a timid voice in one corner »Well sir supposing you should be«
said the serjeant »what then Your country loves you sir his Majesty King
George the Third loves you your memory is honoured revered respected
everybodys fond of you and grateful to you your names wrote down at full
length in a book in the Waroffice Damme gentlemen we must all die some time
or another eh«
The voice coughed and said no more
Joe walked into the room A group of halfadozen fellows had gathered
together in the taproom and were listening with greedy ears One of them a
carter in a smock frock seemed wavering and disposed to enlist The rest who
were by no means disposed strongly urged him to do so according to the custom
of mankind backed the serjeants arguments and grinned among themselves »I
say nothing boys« said the serjeant who sat a little apart drinking his
liquor »For lads of spirit« here he cast an eye on Joe »this is the time I
dont want to inveigle you The kings not come to that I hope Brisk young
blood is what we want not milk and water We wont take five men out of six We
want topsawyers we do Im not agoing to tell tales out of school but
damme if every gentlemans son that carries arms in our corps through being
under a cloud and having little differences with his relations was counted up«
here his eye fell on Joe again and so goodnaturedly that Joe beckoned him
out He came directly
»Youre a gentleman by G« was his first remark as he slapped him on the
back »Youre a gentleman in disguise So am I Lets swear a friendship«
Joe didnt exactly do that but he shook hands with him and thanked him for
his good opinion
»You want to serve« said his new friend »You shall You were made for if
Youre one of us by nature Whatll you take to drink«
»Nothing just now« replied Joe smiling faintly »I havent quite made up
my mind«
»A mettlesome fellow like you and not made up his mind« cried the
serjeant »Here let me give the bell a pull and youll make up your mind in
half a minute I know«
»Youre right so far« answered Joe »for if you pull the bell here where
Im known therell be an end of my soldiering inclinations in no time Look in
my face You see me do you«
»I do« replied the serjeant with an oath »and a finer young fellow or one
better qualified to serve his king and country I never set my« he used an
adjective in this place »eyes on«
»Thank you« said Joe »I didnt ask you for want of a compliment but thank
you all the same Do I look like a sneaking fellow or a liar«
The serjeant rejoined with many choice asseverations that he didnt and
that if his the serjeants own father were to say he did he would run the old
gentleman through the body cheerfully and consider it a meritorious action
Joe expressed his obligations and continued »You can trust me then and
credit what I say I believe I shall enlist in your regiment tonight The
reason I dont do so now is because I dont want until tonight to do what I
cant recall Where shall I find you this evening«
His friend replied with some unwillingness and after much ineffectual
entreaty having for its object the immediate settlement of the business that
his quarters would be at the Crooked Billet in Towerstreet where he would be
found waking until midnight and sleeping until breakfast time tomorrow
»And if I do come which its a million to one I shall when will you
take me out of London« demanded Joe
»Tomorrow morning at half after eight oclock« replied the serjeant
»Youll go abroad a country where its all sunshine and plunder the finest
climate in the world«
»To go abroad« said Joe shaking hands with him »is the very thing I want
You may expect me«
»Youre the kind of lad for us« cried the serjeant holding Joes hand in
his in the excess of his admiration »Youre the boy to push your fortune I
dont say it because I bear you any envy or would take away from the credit of
the rise youll make but if I had been bred and taught like you Id have been
a colonel by this time«
»Tush man« said Joe »Im not so young as that Needs must when the devil
drives and the devil that drives me is an empty pocket and an unhappy home For
the present goodbye«
»For king and country« cried the serjeant flourishing his cap
»For bread and meat« cried Joe snapping his fingers And so they parted
He had very little money in his pocket so little indeed that after paying
for his breakfast which he was too honest and perhaps too proud to score up to
his fathers charge he had but a penny left He had courage notwithstanding
to resist all the affectionate importunities of the serjeant who waylaid him at
the door with many protestations of eternal friendship and did in particular
request that he would do him the favour to accept of only one shilling as a
temporary accommodation Rejecting his offers both of cash and credit Joe
walked away with stick and bundle as before bent upon getting through the day
as he best could and going down to the locksmiths in the dusk of the evening
for it should go hard he had resolved but he would have a parting word with
charming Dolly Varden
He went out by Islington and so on to Highgate and sat on many stones and
gates but there were no voices in the bells to bid him turn Since the time of
noble Whittington fair flower of merchants bells have come to have less
sympathy with humankind They only ring for money and on state occasions
Wanderers have increased in number ships leave the Thames for distant regions
carrying from stem to stern no other cargo the bells are silent they ring out
no entreaties or regrets they are used to it and have grown worldly
Joe bought a roll and reduced his purse to the condition with a
difference of that celebrated purse of Fortunatus which whatever were its
favoured owners necessities had one unvarying amount in it In these real
times when all the Fairies are dead and buried there are still a great many
purses which possess that quality The sumtotal they contain is expressed in
arithmetic by a circle and whether it be added to or multiplied by its own
amount the result of the problem is more easily stated than any known in
figures
Evening drew on at last With the desolate and solitary feeling of one who
had no home or shelter and was alone utterly in the world for the first time
he bent his steps towards the locksmiths house He had delayed till now
knowing that Mrs Varden sometimes went out alone or with Miggs for her sole
attendant to lectures in the evening and devoutly hoping that this might be
one of her nights of moral culture
He had walked up and down before the house on the opposite side of the way
two or three times when as he returned to it again he caught a glimpse of a
fluttering skirt at the door It was Dollys to whom else could it belong no
dress but hers had such a flow as that He plucked up his spirits and followed
it into the workshop of the Golden Key
His darkening the door caused her to look round Oh that face »If it hadnt
been for that« thought Joe »I should never have walked into poor Tom Cobb
Shes twenty times handsomer than ever She might marry a Lord«
He didnt say this He only thought it perhaps looked it also Dolly was
glad to see him and was so sorry her father and mother were away from home Joe
begged she wouldnt mention it on any account
Dolly hesitated to lead the way into the parlour for there it was nearly
dark at the same time she hesitated to stand talking in the workshop which was
yet light and open to the street They had got by some means too before the
little forge and Joe having her hand in his which he had no right to have for
Dolly only gave it him to shake it was so like standing before some homely
altar being married that it was the most embarrassing state of things in the
world
»I have come« said Joe »to say goodbye to say goodbye for I dont know
how many years perhaps for ever I am going abroad«
Now this was exactly what he should not have said Here he was talking like
a gentleman at large who was free to come and go and roam about the world at
pleasure when that gallant coachmaker had vowed but the night before that Miss
Varden held him bound in adamantine chains and had positively stated in so many
words that she was killing him by inches and that in a fortnight more or
thereabouts he expected to make a decent end and leave the business to his
mother
Dolly released her hand and said »Indeed« She remarked in the same breath
that it was a fine night and in short betrayed no more emotion than the forge
itself
»I couldnt go« said Joe »without coming to see you I hadnt the heart
to«
»Dolly was more sorry than she could tell that he should have taken so much
trouble It was such a long way and he must have such a deal to do And how was
Mr Willet that dear old gentleman «
»Is this all you say« cried Joe
All Good gracious what did the man expect She was obliged to take her
apron in her hand and run her eyes along the hem from corner to corner to keep
herself from laughing in his face not because his gaze confused her not at
all
Joe had small experience in love affairs and had no notion how different
young ladies are at different times he had expected to take Dolly up again at
the very point where he had left her after that delicious evening ride and was
no more prepared for such an alteration than to see the sun and moon change
places He had buoyed himself up all day with an indistinct idea that she would
certainly say »Dont go« or »Dont leave us« or »Why do you go« or »Why do
you leave us« or would give him some little encouragement of that sort he had
even entertained the possibility of her bursting into tears of her throwing
herself into his arms of her falling down in a fainting fit without previous
word or sign but any approach to such a line of conduct as this had been so
far from his thoughts that he could only look at her in silent wonder
Dolly in the meanwhile turned to the corners of her apron and measured the
sides and smoothed out the wrinkles and was as silent as he At last after a
long pause Joe said goodbye »Goodbye« said Dolly with as pleasant a
smile as if he were going into the next street and were coming back to supper
»goodbye«
»Come« said Joe putting out both hands »Dolly dear Dolly dont let us
part like this I love you dearly with all my heart and soul with as much
truth and earnestness as ever man loved woman in this world I do believe I am
a poor fellow as you know poorer now than ever for I have fled from home
not being able to bear it any longer and must fight my own way without help
You are beautiful admired are loved by everybody are well off and happy and
may you ever be so Heaven forbid I should ever make you otherwise but give me
a word of comfort Say something kind to me I have no right to expect it of
you I know but I ask it because I love you and shall treasure the slightest
word from you all through my life Dolly dearest have you nothing to say to
me«
No Nothing Dolly was a coquette by nature and a spoilt child She had no
notion of being carried by storm in this way The coachmaker would have been
dissolved in tears and would have knelt down and called himself names and
clasped his hands and beat his breast and tugged wildly at his cravat and
done all kinds of poetry Joe had no business to be going abroad He had no
right to be able to do it If he was in adamantine chains he couldnt
»I have said goodbye« said Dolly »twice Take your arm away directly Mr
Joseph or Ill call Miggs«
»Ill not reproach you« answered Joe »its my fault no doubt I have
thought sometimes that you didnt quite despise me but I was a fool to think
so Every one must who has seen the life I have led you most of all God
bless you«
He was gone actually gone Dolly waited a little while thinking he would
return peeped out at the door looked up the street and down as well as the
increasing darkness would allow came in again waited a little longer went
upstairs humming a tune bolted herself in laid her head down on her bed and
cried as if her heart would break And yet such natures are made up of so many
contradictions that if Joe Willet had come back that night next day next
week next month the odds are a hundred to one she would have treated him in
the very same manner and have wept for it afterwards with the very same
distress
She had no sooner left the workshop than there cautiously peered out from
behind the chimney of the forge a face which had already emerged from the same
concealment twice or thrice unseen and which after satisfying itself that it
was now alone was followed by a leg a shoulder and so on by degrees until
the form of Mr Tappertit stood confessed with a brownpaper cap stuck
negligently on one side of its head and its arms very much akimbo
»Have my ears deceived me« said the prentice »or do I dream am I to
thank thee Fortun or to cus thee which«
He gravely descended from his elevation took down his piece of
lookingglass planted it against the wall upon the usual bench twisted his
head round and looked closely at his legs
»If theyre a dream« said Sim »let sculptures have such wisions and
chisel em out when they wake This is reality Sleep has no such limbs as them
Tremble Willet and despair Shes mine Shes mine«
With these triumphant expressions he seized a hammer and dealt a heavy blow
at a vice which in his minds eye represented the sconce or head of Joseph
Willet That done he burst into a peal of laughter which startled Miss Miggs
even in her distant kitchen and dipping his head into a bowl of water had
recourse to a jacktowel inside the closet door which served the double purpose
of smothering his feelings and drying his face
Joe disconsolate and downhearted but full of courage too on leaving the
locksmiths house made the best of his way to the Crooked Billet and there
inquired for his friend the serjeant who expecting no man less received him
with open arms In the course of five minutes after his arrival at that house of
entertainment he was enrolled among the gallant defenders of his native land
and within half an hour was regaled with a steaming supper of boiled tripe and
onions prepared as his friend assured him more than once at the express
command of his most Sacred Majesty the King To this meal which tasted very
savoury after his long fasting he did ample justice and when he had followed
it up or down with a variety of loyal and patriotic toasts he was conducted
to a straw mattress in a loft over the stable and locked in there for the
night
The next morning he found that the obliging care of his martial friend had
decorated his hat with sundry particoloured streamers which made a very lively
appearance and in company with that officer and three other military gentlemen
newly enrolled who were under a cloud so dense that it only left three shoes a
boot and a coat and a half visible among them repaired to the riverside Here
they were joined by a corporal and four more heroes of whom two were drunk and
daring and two sober and penitent but each of whom like Joe had his dusty
stick and bundle The party embarked in a passageboat bound for Gravesend
whence they were to proceed on foot to Chatham the wind was in their favour
and they soon left London behind them a mere dark mist a giant phantom in the
air
Chapter XXXII
Misfortunes saith the adage never come singly There is little doubt that
troubles are exceedingly gregarious in their nature and flying in flocks are
apt to perch capriciously crowding on the heads of some poor wights until there
is not an inch of room left on their unlucky crowns and taking no more notice
of others who offer as good restingplaces for the soles of their feet than if
they had no existence It may have happened that a flight of troubles brooding
over London and looking out for Joseph Willet whom they couldnt find darted
down haphazard on the first young man that caught their fancy and settled on
him instead However this may be certain it is that on the very day of Joes
departure they swarmed about the ears of Edward Chester and did so buzz and
flap their wings and persecute him that he was most profoundly wretched
It was evening and just eight oclock when he and his father having wine
and dessert set before them were left to themselves for the first time that
day They had dined together but a third person had been present during the
meal and until they met at table they had not seen each other since the
previous night
Edward was reserved and silent Mr Chester was more than usually gay but
not caring as it seemed to open a conversation with one whose humour was so
different he vented the lightness of his spirit in smiles and sparkling looks
and made no effort to awaken his attention So they remained for some time the
father lying on a sofa with his accustomed air of negligence the son seated
opposite to him with downcast eyes busied it was plain with painful and
uneasy thoughts
»My dear Edward« said Mr Chester at length with a most engaging laugh
»do not extend your drowsy influence to the decanter Suffer that to circulate
let your spirits be never so stagnant«
Edward begged his pardon passed it and relapsed into his former state
»You do wrong not to fill your glass« said Mr Chester holding up his own
before the light »Wine in moderation not in excess for that makes men ugly
has a thousand pleasant influences It brightens the eye improves the voice
imparts a new vivacity to ones thoughts and conversation you should try it
Ned«
»Ah father« cried his son »if «
»My good fellow« interposed the parent hastily as he set down his glass
and raised his eyebrows with a startled and horrified expression »for Heavens
sake dont call me by that obsolete and ancient name Have some regard for
delicacy Am I grey or wrinkled do I go on crutches have I lost my teeth
that you adopt such a mode of address Good God how very coarse«
»I was about to speak to you from my heart sir« returned Edward »in the
confidence which should subsist between us and you check me in the outset«
»Now do Ned do not« said Mr Chester raising his delicate hand
imploringly »talk in that monstrous manner About to speak from your heart
Dont you know that the heart is an ingenious part of our formation the centre
of the bloodvessels and all that sort of thing which has no more to do with
what you say or think than your knees have How can you be so very vulgar and
absurd These anatomical allusions should be left to gentlemen of the medical
profession They are really not agreeable in society You quite surprise me
Ned«
»Well there are no such things to wound or heal or have regard for I
know your creed sir and will say no more« returned his son
»There again« said Mr Chester sipping his wine »you are wrong I
distinctly say there are such things We know there are The hearts of animals
of bullocks sheep and so forth are cooked and devoured as I am told by the
lower classes with a vast deal of relish Men are sometimes stabbed to the
heart shot to the heart but as to speaking from the heart or to the heart or
being warmhearted or coldhearted or brokenhearted or being all heart or
having no heart pah these things are nonsense Ned«
»No doubt sir« returned his son seeing that he paused for him to speak
»No doubt«
»Theres Haredales niece your late flame« said Mr Chester as a careless
illustration of his meaning »No doubt in your mind she was all heart once Now
she has none at all Yet she is the same person Ned exactly«
»She is a changed person sir« cried Edward reddening »and changed by
vile means I believe«
»You have had a cool dismissal have you« said his father »Poor Ned I
told you last night what would happen May I ask you for the nutcrackers«
»She has been tampered with and most treacherously deceived« cried Edward
rising from his seat »I never will believe that the knowledge of my real
position given her by myself has worked this change I know she is beset and
tortured But though our contract is at an end and broken past all redemption
though I charge upon her want of firmness and want of truth both to herself and
me I do not now and never will believe that any sordid motive or her own
unbiassed will has led her to this course never«
»You make me blush« returned his father gaily »for the folly of your
nature in which but we never know ourselves I devoutly hope there is no
reflection of my own With regard to the young lady herself she has done what
is very natural and proper my dear fellow what you yourself proposed as I
learn from Haredale and what I predicted with no great exercise of sagacity
she would do She supposed you to be rich or at least quite rich enough and
found you poor Marriage is a civil contract people marry to better their
worldly condition and improve appearances it is an affair of house and
furniture of liveries servants equipage and so forth The lady being poor
and you poor also there is an end of the matter You cannot enter upon these
considerations and have no manner of business with the ceremony I drink her
health in this glass and respect and honour her for her extreme good sense It
is a lesson to you Fill yours Ned«
»It is a lesson« returned his son »by which I hope I may never profit and
if years and experience impress it on «
»Dont say on the heart« interposed his father
»On men whom the world and its hypocrisy have spoiled« said Edward warmly
»Heaven keep me from its knowledge«
»Come sir« returned his father raising himself a little on the sofa and
looking straight towards him »we have had enough of this Remember if you
please your interest your duty your moral obligations your filial
affections and all that sort of thing which it is so very delightful and
charming to reflect upon or you will repent it«
»I shall never repent the preservation of my selfrespect sir« said
Edward »Forgive me if I say that I will not sacrifice it at your bidding and
that I will not pursue the track which you would have me take and to which the
secret share you have had in this late separation tends«
His father rose a little higher still and looking at him as though curious
to know if he were quite resolved and earnest dropped gently down again and
said in the calmest voice eating his nuts meanwhile
»Edward my father had a son who being a fool like you and like you
entertaining low and disobedient sentiments he disinherited and cursed one
morning after breakfast The circumstance occurs to me with a singular clearness
of recollection this evening I remember eating muffins at the time with
marmalade He led a miserable life the son I mean and died early it was a
happy release on all accounts he degraded the family very much It is a sad
circumstance Edward when a father finds it necessary to resort to such strong
measures«
»It is« replied Edward »and it is sad when a son proffering him his love
and duty in their best and truest sense finds himself repelled at every turn
and forced to disobey Dear father« he added more earnestly though in a
gentler tone »I have reflected many times on what occurred between us when we
first discussed this subject Let there be a confidence between us not in
terms but truth Hear what I have to say«
»As I anticipate what it is and cannot fail to do so Edward« returned his
father coldly »I decline I couldnt possibly I am sure it would put me out of
temper which is a state of mind I cant endure If you intend to mar my plans
for your establishment in life and the preservation of that gentility and
becoming pride which our family have so long sustained if in short you are
resolved to take your own course you must take it and my curse with it I am
very sorry but theres really no alternative«
»The curse may pass your lips« said Edward »but it will be but empty
breath I do not believe that any man on earth has greater power to call one
down upon his fellow least of all upon his own child than he has to make
one drop of rain or flake of snow fall from the clouds above us at his impious
bidding Beware sir what you do«
»You are so very irreligious so exceedingly undutiful so horribly
profane« rejoined his father turning his face lazily towards him and cracking
another nut »that I positively must interrupt you here It is quite impossible
we can continue to go on upon such terms as these If you will do me the favour
to ring the bell the servant will show you to the door Return to this roof no
more I beg you Go sir since you have no moral sense remaining and go to the
Devil at my express desire Good day«
Edward left the room without another word or look and turned his back upon
the house for ever
The fathers face was slightly flushed and heated but his manner was quite
unchanged as he rang the bell again and addressed the servant on his entrance
»Peak if that gentleman who has just gone out «
»I beg your pardon sir Mr Edward«
»Were there more than one dolt that you ask the question If that
gentleman should send here for his wardrobe let him have it do you hear If he
should call himself at any time Im not at home Youll tell him so and shut
the door«
So it soon got whispered about that Mr Chester was very unfortunate in his
son who had occasioned him great grief and sorrow And the good people who
heard this and told it again marvelled the more at his equanimity and even
temper and said what an amiable nature that man must have who having
undergone so much could be so placid and so calm And when Edwards name was
spoken Society shook its head and laid its finger on its lip and sighed and
looked very grave and those who had sons about his age waxed wrathful and
indignant and hoped for Virtues sake that he was dead And the world went on
turning round as usual for five years concerning which this Narrative is
silent
Chapter XXXIII
One wintry evening early in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
eighty a keen north wind arose as it grew dark and night came on with black
and dismal looks A bitter storm of sleet sharp dense and icycold swept the
wet streets and rattled on the trembling windows Signboards shaken past
endurance in their creaking frames fell crashing on the pavement old tottering
chimneys reeled and staggered in the blast and many a steeple rocked again that
night as though the earth were troubled
It was not a time for those who could by any means get light and warmth to
brave the fury of the weather In coffeehouses of the better sort guests
crowded round the fire forgot to be political and told each other with a
secret gladness that the blast grew fiercer every minute Each humble tavern by
the waterside had its group of uncouth figures round the hearth who talked of
vessels foundering at sea and all hands lost related many a dismal tale of
shipwreck and drowned men and hoped that some they knew were safe and shook
their heads in doubt In private dwellings children clustered near the blaze
listening with timid pleasure to tales of ghosts and goblins and tall figures
clad in white standing by bedsides and people who had gone to sleep in old
churches and being overlooked had found themselves alone there at the dead hour
of the night until they shuddered at the thought of the dark rooms upstairs
yet loved to hear the wind moan too and hoped it would continue bravely From
time to time these happy indoor people stopped to listen or one held up his
finger and cried »Hark« and then above the rumbling in the chimney and the
fast pattering on the glass was heard a wailing rushing sound which shook the
walls as though a giants hand were on them then a hoarse roar as if the sea
had risen then such a whirl and tumult that the air seemed mad and then with
a lengthened howl the waves of wind swept on and left a moments interval of
rest
Cheerily though there were none abroad to see it shone the Maypole light
that evening Blessings on the red deep ruby glowing red old curtain of
the window blending into one rich stream of brightness fire and candle meat
drink and company and gleaming like a jovial eye upon the bleak waste out of
doors Within what carpet like its crunching sand what music merry as its
crackling logs what perfume like its kitchens dainty breath what weather
genial as its hearty warmth Blessings on the old house how sturdily it stood
How did the vexed wind chafe and roar about its stalwart roof how did it pant
and strive with its wide chimneys which still poured forth from their
hospitable throats great clouds of smoke and puffed defiance in its face how
above all did it drive and rattle at the casement emulous to extinguish that
cheerful glow which would not be put down and seemed the brighter for the
conflict
The profusion too the rich and lavish bounty of that goodly tavern It was
not enough that one fire roared and sparkled on its spacious hearth in the
tiles which paved and compassed it five hundred flickering fires burnt brightly
also It was not enough that one red curtain shut the wild night out and shed
its cheerful influence on the room In every saucepan lid and candlestick and
vessel of copper brass or tin that hung upon the walls were countless ruddy
hangings flashing and gleaming with every motion of the blaze and offering
let the eye wander where it might interminable vistas of the same rich colour
The old oak wainscoting the beams the chairs the seats reflected it in a
deep dull glimmer There were fires and red curtains in the very eyes of the
drinkers in their buttons in their liquor in the pipes they smoked
Mr Willet sat in what had been his accustomed place five years before with
his eyes on the eternal boiler and had sat there since the clock struck eight
giving no other signs of life than breathing with a loud and constant snore
though he was wide awake and from time to time putting his glass to his lips
or knocking the ashes out of his pipe and filling it anew It was now halfpast
ten Mr Cobb and long Phil Parkes were his companions as of old and for two
mortal hours and a half none of the company had pronounced one word
Whether people by dint of sitting together in the same place and the same
relative positions and doing exactly the same things for a great many years
acquire a sixth sense or some unknown power of influencing each other which
serves them in its stead is a question for philosophy to settle But certain it
is that old John Willet Mr Parkes and Mr Cobb were one and all firmly of
opinion that they were very jolly companions rather choice spirits than
otherwise that they looked at each other every now and then as if there were a
perpetual interchange of ideas going on among them that no man considered
himself or his neighbour by any means silent and that each of them nodded
occasionally when he caught the eye of another as if he would say »You have
expressed yourself extremely well sir in relation to that sentiment and I
quite agree with you«
The room was so very warm the tobacco so very good and the fire so very
soothing that Mr Willet by degrees began to doze but as he had perfectly
acquired by dint of long habit the art of smoking in his sleep and as his
breathing was pretty much the same awake or asleep saving that in the latter
case he sometimes experienced a slight difficulty in respiration such as a
carpenter meets with when he is planing and comes to a knot neither of his
companions was aware of the circumstance until he met with one of these
impediments and was obliged to try again
»Johnnys dropped off« said Mr Parkes in a whisper
»Fast as a top« said Mr Cobb
Neither of them said any more until Mr Willet came to another knot one of
surpassing obduracy which bade fair to throw him into convulsions but which
he got over at last without waking by an effort quite superhuman
»He sleeps uncommon hard« said Mr Cobb
Mr Parkes who was possibly a hard sleeper himself replied with some
disdain »Not a bit on it« and directed his eyes towards a handbill pasted over
the chimneypiece which was decorated at the top with a woodcut representing a
youth of tender years running away very fast with a bundle over his shoulder at
the end of a stick and to carry out the idea a fingerpost and a milestone
beside him Mr Cobb likewise turned his eyes in the same direction and
surveyed the placard as if that were the first time he had ever beheld it Now
this was a document which Mr Willet had himself indited on the disappearance of
his son Joseph acquainting the nobility and gentry and the public in general
with the circumstances of his having left his home describing his dress and
appearance and offering a reward of five pounds to any person or persons who
would pack him up and return him safely to the Maypole at Chigwell or lodge him
in any of his Majestys jails until such time as his father should come and
claim him In this advertisement Mr Willet had obstinately persisted despite
the advice and entreaties of his friends in describing his son as a young boy
and furthermore as being from eighteen inches to a couple of feet shorter than
he really was two circumstances which perhaps acounted in some degree for its
never having been productive of any other effect than the transmission to
Chigwell at various times and at a vast expense of some fiveandforty runaways
varying from six years old to twelve
Mr Cobb and Mr Parkes looked mysteriously at this composition at each
other and at old John From the time he had pasted it up with his own hands
Mr Willet had never by word or sign alluded to the subject or encouraged any
one else to do so Nobody had the least notion what his thoughts or opinions
were connected with it whether he remembered it or forgot it whether he had
any idea that such an event had ever taken place Therefore even while he
slept no one ventured to refer to it in his presence and for such sufficient
reasons these his chosen friends were silent now
Mr Willet had got by this time into such a complication of knots that it
was perfectly clear he must wake or die He chose the former alternative and
opened his eyes
»If he dont come in five minutes« said John »I shall have supper without
him«
The antecedent of this pronoun had been mentioned for the last time at eight
oclock Messrs Parkes and Cobb being used to this style of conversation
replied without difficulty that to be sure Solomon was very late and they
wondered what had happened to detain him
»He ant blown away I suppose« said Parkes »Its enough to carry a man of
his figure off his legs and easy too Do you hear it It blows great guns
indeed Therell be many a crash in the Forest tonight I reckon and many a
broken branch upon the ground tomorrow«
»It wont break anything in the Maypole I take it sir« returned old John
»Let it try I give it leave whats that«
»The wind« cried Parkes »Its howling like a Christian and has been all
night long«
»Did you ever sir« asked John after a minutes contemplation »hear the
wind say Maypole«
»Why what man ever did« said Parkes
»Nor ahoy perhaps« added John
»No Nor that either«
»Very good sir« said Mr Willet perfectly unmoved »then if that was the
wind just now and youll wait a little time without speaking youll hear it
say both words very plain«
Mr Willet was right After listening for a few moments they could clearly
hear above the roar and tumult out of doors this shout repeated and that with
a shrillness and energy which denoted that it came from some person in great
distress or terror They looked at each other turned pale and held their
breath No man stirred
It was in this emergency that Mr Willet displayed something of that
strength of mind and plenitude of mental resource which rendered him the
admiration of all his friends and neighbours After looking at Messrs Parkes
and Cobb for some time in silence he clapped his two hands to his cheeks and
sent forth a roar which made the glasses dance and rafters ring a
longsustained discordant bellow that rolled onward with the wind and
startling every echo made the night a hundred times more boisterous a deep
loud dismal bray that sounded like a human gong Then with every vein in his
head and face swoln with the great exertion and his countenance suffused with a
lively purple he drew a little nearer to the fire and turning his back upon
it said with dignity
»If thats any comfort to anybody theyre welcome to it If it ant Im
sorry for em If either of you two gentlemen likes to go out and see whats the
matter you can Im not curious myself«
While he spoke the cry drew nearer and nearer footsteps passed the window
the latch of the door was raised it opened was violently shut again and
Solomon Daisy with a lighted lantern in his hand and the rain streaming from
his disordered dress dashed into the room
A more complete picture of terror than the little man presented it would be
difficult to imagine The perspiration stood in beads upon his face his knees
knocked together his every limb trembled the power of articulation was quite
gone and there he stood panting for breath gazing on them with such livid
ashy looks that they were infected with his fear though ignorant of its
occasion and reflecting his dismayed and horrorstricken visage stared back
again without venturing to question him until old John Willet in a fit of
temporary insanity made a dive at his cravat and seizing him by that portion
of his dress shook him to and fro until his very teeth appeared to rattle in
his head
»Tell us whats the matter sir« said John »or Ill kill you Tell us
whats the matter sir or in another second Ill have your head under the
biler How dare you look like that Is anybody afollowing of you What do you
mean Say something or Ill be the death of you I will«
Mr Willet in his frenzy was so near keeping his word to the very letter
Solomon Daisys eyes already beginning to roll in an alarming manner and
certain guttural sounds as of a choking man to issue from his throat that
the two bystanders recovering in some degree plucked him off his victim by
main force and placed the little clerk of Chigwell in a chair Directing a
fearful gaze all round the room he implored them in a faint voice to give him
some drink and above all to lock the housedoor and close and bar the shutters
of the room without a moments loss of time The latter request did not tend to
reassure his hearers or to fill them with the most comfortable sensations they
complied with it however with the greatest expedition and having handed him a
bumper of brandyandwater nearly boiling hot waited to hear what he might
have to tell them
»Oh Johnny« said Solomon shaking him by the hand »Oh Parkes Oh Tommy
Cobb Why did I leave this house tonight On the nineteenth of March of all
nights in the year on the nineteenth of March«
They all drew closer to the fire Parkes who was nearest to the door
started and looked over his shoulder Mr Willet with great indignation
inquired what the devil he meant by that and then said »God forgive me« and
glanced over his own shoulder and came a little nearer
»When I left here tonight« said Solomon Daisy »I little thought what day
of the month it was I have never gone alone into the church after dark on this
day for sevenandtwenty years I have heard it said that as we keep our
birthdays when we are alive so the ghosts of dead people who are not easy in
their graves keep the day they died upon How the wind roars«
Nobody spoke All eyes were fastened on Solomon
»I might have known« he said »what night it was by the foul weather
Theres no such night in the whole year round as this is always I never sleep
quietly in my bed on the nineteenth of March«
»Go on« said Tom Cobb in a low voice »Nor I neither«
Solomon Daisy raised his glass to his lips put it down upon the floor with
such a trembling hand that the spoon tinkled in it like a little bell and
continued thus
»Have I ever said that we are always brought back to this subject in some
strange way when the nineteenth of this month comes round Do you suppose it
was by accident I forgot to wind up the churchclock I never forgot it at any
other time though its such a clumsy thing that it has to be wound up every
day Why should it escape my memory on this day of all others
I made as much haste down there as I could when I went from here but I had
to go home first for the keys and the wind and rain being dead against me all
the way it was pretty well as much as I could do at times to keep my legs I
got there at last opened the churchdoor and went in I had not met a soul all
the way and you may judge whether it was dull or not Neither of you would bear
me company If you could have known what was to come youd have been in the
right
The wind was so strong that it was as much as I could do to shut the
churchdoor by putting my whole weight against it and even as it was it burst
wide open twice with such strength that any of you would have sworn if you had
been leaning against it as I was that somebody was pushing on the other side
However I got the key turned went into the belfry and wound up the clock
which was very near run down and would have stood stockstill in half an hour
As I took up my lantern again to leave the church it came upon me all at
once that this was the nineteenth of March It came upon me with a kind of
shock as if a hand had struck the thought upon my forehead at the very same
moment I heard a voice outside the tower rising from among the graves«
Here old John precipitately interrupted the speaker and begged that if Mr
Parkes who was seated opposite to him and was staring directly over his head
saw anything he would have the goodness to mention it Mr Parkes apologised
and remarked that he was only listening to which Mr Willet angrily retorted
that his listening with that kind of expression in his face was not agreeable
and that if he couldnt look like other people he had better put his
pockethandkerchief over his head Mr Parkes with great submission pledged
himself to do so if again required and John Willet turning to Solomon desired
him to proceed After waiting until a violent gust of wind and rain which
seemed to shake even that sturdy house to its foundation had passed away the
little man complied
»Never tell me that it was my fancy or that it was any other sound which I
mistook for that I tell you of I heard the wind whistle through the arches of
the church I heard the steeple strain and creak I heard the rain as it came
driving against the walls I felt the bells shake I saw the ropes sway to and
fro And I heard that voice«
»What did it say« asked Tom Cobb
»I dont know what I dont know that it spoke It gave a kind of cry as
any one of us might do if something dreadful followed us in a dream and came
upon us unawares and then it died off seeming to pass quite round the church«
»I dont see much in that« said John drawing a long breath and looking
round him like a man who felt relieved
»Perhaps not« returned his friend »but thats not all«
»What more do you mean to say sir is to come« asked John pausing in the
act of wiping his face upon his apron »What are you agoing to tell us of
next«
»What I saw«
»Saw« echoed all three bending forward
»When I opened the churchdoor to come out« said the little man with an
expression of face which bore ample testimony to the sincerity of his
conviction »when I opened the churchdoor to come out which I did suddenly
for I wanted to get it shut again before another gust of wind came up there
crossed me so close that by stretching out my finger I could have touched it
something in the likeness of a man It was bareheaded to the storm It turned
its face without stopping and fixed its eyes on mine It was a ghost a
spirit«
»Whose« they all three cried together
In the excess of his emotion for he fell back trembling in his chair and
waved his hand as if entreating them to question him no further his answer was
lost on all but old John Willet who happened to be seated close beside him
»Who« cried Parkes and Tom Cobb looking eagerly by turns at Solomon Daisy
and at Mr Willet »Who was it«
»Gentlemen« said Mr Willet after a long pause »you neednt ask The
likeness of a murdered man This is the nineteenth of March«
A profound silence ensued
»If youll take my advice« said John »we had better one and all keep
this a secret Such tales would not be liked at the Warren Let us keep it to
ourselves for the present time at all events or we may get into trouble and
Solomon may lose his place Whether it was really as he says or whether it
wasnt is no matter Right or wrong nobody would believe him As to the
probabilities I dont myself think« said Mr Willet eyeing the corners of the
room in a manner which showed that like some other philosophers he was not
quite easy in his theory »that a ghost as had been a man of sense in his
lifetime would be out awalking in such weather I only know that I wouldnt
if I was one«
But this heretical doctrine was strongly opposed by the other three who
quoted a great many precedents to show that bad weather was the very time for
such appearances and Mr Parkes who had had a ghost in his family by the
mothers side argued the matter with so much ingenuity and force of
illustration that John was only saved from having to retract his opinion by the
opportune appearance of supper to which they applied themselves with a dreadful
relish Even Solomon Daisy himself by dint of the elevating influences of fire
lights brandy and good company so far recovered as to handle his knife and
fork in a highly creditable manner and to display a capacity both of eating and
drinking such as banished all fear of his having sustained any lasting injury
from his fright
Supper done they crowded round the fire again and as is common on such
occasions propounded all manner of leading questions calculated to surround the
story with new horrors and surprises But Solomon Daisy notwithstanding these
temptations adhered so steadily to his original account and repeated it so
often with such slight variations and with such solemn asseverations of its
truth and reality that his hearers were with good reason more astonished than
at first As he took John Willets view of the matter in regard to the propriety
of not bruiting the tale abroad unless the spirit should appear to him again
in which case it would be necessary to take immediate counsel with the
clergyman it was solemnly resolved that it should be hushed up and kept quiet
And as most men like to have a secret to tell which may exalt their own
importance they arrived at this conclusion with perfect unanimity
As it was by this time growing late and was long past their usual hour of
separating the cronies parted for the night Solomon Daisy with a fresh candle
in his lantern repaired homewards under the escort of long Phil Parkes and Mr
Cobb who were rather more nervous than himself Mr Willet after seeing them
to the door returned to collect his thoughts with the assistance of the boiler
and to listen to the storm of wind and rain which had not yet abated one jot of
its fury
Chapter XXXIV
Before old John had looked at the boiler quite twenty minutes he got his ideas
into a focus and brought them to bear upon Solomon Daisys story The more he
thought of it the more impressed he became with a sense of his own wisdom and a
desire that Mr Haredale should be impressed with it likewise At length to the
end that he might sustain a principal and important character in the affair and
might have the start of Solomon and his two friends through whose means he knew
the adventure with a variety of exaggerations would be known to at least a
score of people and most likely to Mr Haredale himself by breakfasttime
tomorrow he determined to repair to the Warren before going to bed
»Hes my landlord« thought John as he took a candle in his hand and
setting it down in a corner out of the winds way opened a casement in the rear
of the house looking towards the stables »We havent met of late years so
often as we used to do changes are taking place in the family its desirable
that I should stand as well with them in point of dignity as possible the
whispering about of this here tale will anger him its good to have
confidences with a gentleman of his natur and set onesself right besides
Halloa there Hugh Hugh Halloa«
When he had repeated this shout a dozen times and started every pigeon from
its slumbers a door in one of the ruinous old buildings opened and a rough
voice demanded what was amiss now that a man couldnt even have his sleep in
quiet
»What Havent you sleep enough growler that youre not to be knocked up
for once« said John
»No« replied the voice as the speaker yawned and shook himself »Not half
enough«
»I dont know how you can sleep with the wind a bellowsing and roaring
about you making the tiles fly like a pack of cards« said John »but no matter
for that Wrap yourself up in something or another and come here for you must
go as far as the Warren with me And look sharp about it«
Hugh with much low growling and muttering went back into his lair and
presently reappeared carrying a lantern and a cudgel and enveloped from head
to foot in an old frowzy slouching horsecloth Mr Willet received this
figure at the backdoor and ushered him into the bar while he wrapped himself
in sundry greatcoats and capes and so tied and knotted his face in shawls and
handkerchiefs that how he breathed was a mystery
»You dont take a man out of doors at near midnight in such weather without
putting some heart into him do you master« said Hugh
»Yes I do sir« returned Mr Willet »I put the heart as you call it into
him when he has brought me safe home again and his standing steady on his legs
ant of so much consequence So hold that light up if you please and go on a
step or two before to show the way«
Hugh obeyed with a very indifferent grace and a longing glance at the
bottles Old John laying strict injunctions on his cook to keep the doors
locked in his absence and to open to nobody but himself on pain of dismissal
followed him into the blustering darkness out of doors
The way was wet and dismal and the night so black that if Mr Willet had
been his own pilot he would have walked into a deep horsepond within a few
hundred yards of his own house and would certainly have terminated his career
in that ignoble sphere of action But Hugh who had a sight as keen as any
hawks and apart from that endowment could have found his way blindfold to
any place within a dozen miles dragged old John along quite deaf to his
remonstrances and took his own course without the slightest reference to or
notice of his master So they made head against the wind as they best could
Hugh crushing the wet grass beneath his heavy tread and stalking on after his
ordinary savage fashion John Willet following at arms length picking his
steps and looking about him now for bogs and ditches and now for such stray
ghosts as might be wandering abroad with looks of as much dismay and uneasiness
as his immovable face was capable of expressing
At length they stood upon the broad gravelwalk before the Warrenhouse The
building was profoundly dark and none were moving near it save themselves From
one solitary turretchamber however there shone a ray of light and towards
this speck of comfort in the cold cheerless silent scene Mr Willet bade his
pilot lead him
»The old room« said John looking timidly upward »Mr Reubens own
apartment God be with us I wonder his brother likes to sit there so late at
night on this night too«
»Why where else should he sit« asked Hugh holding the lantern to his
breast to keep the candle from the wind while he trimmed it with his fingers
»Its snug enough ant it«
»Snug« said John indignantly »You have a comfortable idea of snugness you
have sir Do you know what was done in that room you ruffian«
»Why what is it the worse for that« cried Hugh looking into Johns fat
face »Does it keep out the rain and snow and wind the less for that Is it
less warm or dry because a man was killed there Ha ha ha Never believe it
master One mans no such matter as that comes to«
Mr Willet fixed his dull eyes on his follower and began by a species of
inspiration to think it just barely possible that he was something of a
dangerous character and that it might be advisable to get rid of him one of
these days He was too prudent to say anything with the journey home before
him and therefore turned to the iron gate before which this brief dialogue had
passed and pulled the handle of the bell that hung beside it The turret at
which the light appeared being at one corner of the building and only divided
from the path by one of the gardenwalks upon which this gate opened Mr
Haredale threw up the window directly and demanded who was there
»Begging pardon sir« said John »I knew you sat up late and made bold to
come round having a word to say to you«
»Willet is it not«
»Of the Maypole at your service sir«
Mr Haredale closed the window and withdrew He presently appeared at a
door in the bottom of the turret and coming across the gardenwalk unlocked
the gate and let them in
»You are a late visitor Willet What is the matter«
»Nothing to speak of sir« said John »an idle tale I thought you ought to
know of nothing more«
»Let your man go forward with the lantern and give me your hand The stairs
are crooked and narrow Gently with your light friend You swing it like a
censer«
Hugh who had already reached the turret held it more steadily and
ascended first turning round from time to time to shed his light downward on
the steps Mr Haredale following next eyed his lowering face with no great
favour and Hugh looking down on him returned his glances with interest as
they climbed the winding stairs
It terminated in a little anteroom adjoining that from which they had seen
the light Mr Haredale entered first and led the way through it into the
latter chamber where he seated himself at a writingtable from which he had
risen when they had rung the bell
»Come in« he said beckoning to old John who remained bowing at the door
»Not you friend« he added hastily to Hugh who entered also »Willet why do
you bring that fellow here«
»Why sir« returned John elevating his eyebrows and lowering his voice to
the tone in which the question had been asked him »hes a good guard you see«
»Dont be too sure of that« said Mr Haredale looking towards him as he
spoke »I doubt it He has an evil eye«
»Theres no imagination in his eye« returned Mr Willet glancing over his
shoulder at the organ in question »certainly«
»There is no good there be assured« said Mr Haredale »Wait in that
little room friend and close the door between us«
Hugh shrugged his shoulders and with a disdainful look which showed
either that he had overheard or that he guessed the purport of their
whispering did as he was told When he was shut out Mr Haredale turned to
John and bade him go on with what he had to say but not to speak too loud for
there were quick ears yonder
Thus cautioned Mr Willet in an oily whisper recited all that he had
heard and said that night laying particular stress upon his own sagacity upon
his great regard for the family and upon his solicitude for their peace of mind
and happiness The story moved his auditor much more than he had expected Mr
Haredale often changed his attitude rose and paced the room returned again
desired him to repeat as nearly as he could the very words that Solomon had
used and gave so many other signs of being disturbed and ill at ease that even
Mr Willet was surprised
»You did quite right« he said at the end of a long conversation »to bid
them keep this story secret It is a foolish fancy on the part of this
weakbrained man bred in his fears and superstition But Miss Haredale though
she would know it to be so would be disturbed by it if it reached her ears it
is too nearly connected with a subject very painful to us all to be heard with
indifference You were most prudent and have laid me under a great obligation
I thank you very much«
This was equal to Johns most sanguine expectations but he would have
preferred Mr Haredales looking at him when he spoke as if he really did thank
him to his walking up and down speaking by fits and starts often stopping
with his eyes fixed on the ground moving hurriedly on again like one
distracted and seeming almost unconscious of what he said or did
This however was his manner and it was so embarrassing to John that he
sat quite passive for a long time not knowing what to do At length he rose
Mr Haredale stared at him for a moment as though he had quite forgotten his
being present then shook hands with him and opened the door Hugh who was or
feigned to be fast asleep on the antechamber floor sprang up on their
entrance and throwing his cloak about him grasped his stick and lantern and
prepared to descend the stairs
»Stay« said Mr Haredale »Will this man drink«
»Drink Hed drink the Thames up if it was strong enough sir« replied
John Willet »Hell have something when he gets home Hes better without it
now sir«
»Nay Half the distance is done« said Hugh »What a hard master you are I
shall go home the better for one glassful halfway Come«
As John made no reply Mr Haredale brought out a glass of liquor and gave
it to Hugh who as he took it in his hand threw part of it upon the floor
»What do you mean by splashing your drink about a gentlemans house sir«
said John
»Im drinking a toast« Hugh rejoined holding the glass above his head and
fixing his eyes on Mr Haredales face »a toast to this house and its master«
With that he muttered something to himself and drank the rest and setting down
the glass preceded them without another word
John was a good deal scandalised by this observance but seeing that Mr
Haredale took little heed of what Hugh said or did and that his thoughts were
otherwise employed he offered no apology and went in silence down the stairs
across the walk and through the gardengate They stopped upon the outer side
for Hugh to hold the light while Mr Haredale locked it on the inner and then
John saw with wonder as he often afterwards related that he was very pale
and that his face had changed so much and grown so haggard since their entrance
that he almost seemed another man
They were in the open road again and John Willet was walking on behind his
escort as he had come thinking very steadily of what he had just now seen
when Hugh drew him suddenly aside and almost at the same instant three horsemen
swept past the nearest brushed his shoulder even then who checking their
steeds as suddenly as they could stood still and waited for their coming up
Chapter XXXV
When John Willet saw that the horsemen wheeled smartly round and drew up three
abreast in the narrow road waiting for him and his man to join them it
occurred to him with unusual precipitation that they must be highwaymen and had
Hugh been armed with a blunderbuss in place of his stout cudgel he would
certainly have ordered him to fire it off at a venture and would while the
word of command was obeyed have consulted his own personal safety in immediate
flight Under the circumstances of disadvantage however in which he and his
guard were placed he deemed it prudent to adopt a different style of
generalship and therefore whispered his attendant to address them in the most
peaceable and courteous terms By way of acting up to the spirit and letter of
this instruction Hugh stepped forward and flourishing his staff before the
very eyes of the rider nearest to him demanded roughly what he and his fellows
meant by so nearly galloping over them and why they scoured the kings highway
at that late hour of night
The man whom he addressed was beginning an angry reply in the same strain
when he was checked by the horseman in the centre who interposing with an air
of authority inquired in a somewhat loud but not harsh or unpleasant voice
»Pray is this the London road«
»If you follow it right it is« replied Hugh roughly
»Nay brother« said the same person »youre but a churlish Englishman if
Englishman you be which I should much doubt but for your tongue Your
companion I am sure will answer me more civilly How say you friend«
»I say it is the London road sir« answered John »And I wish« he added in
a subdued voice as he turned to Hugh »that you was in any other road you
vagabond Are you tired of your life sir that you go atrying to provoke three
great neckornothing chaps that could keep on running over us backards and
forards till we was dead and then take our bodies up behind em and drown us
ten miles off«
»How far is it to London« inquired the same speaker
»Why from here sir« answered John persuasively »its thirteen very easy
mile«
The adjective was thrown in as an inducement to the travellers to ride away
with all speed but instead of having the desired effect it elicited from the
same person the remark »Thirteen miles Thats a long distance« which was
followed by a short pause of indecision
»Pray« said the gentleman »are there any inns hereabouts«
At the word inns John plucked up his spirit in a surprising manner his
fears rolled off like smoke all the landlord stirred within him
»There are no inns« rejoined Mr Willet with a strong emphasis on the
plural number »but theres a Inn one Inn the Maypole Inn Thats a Inn
indeed You wont see the like of that Inn often«
»You keep it perhaps« said the horseman smiling
»I do sir« replied John greatly wondering how he had found this out
»And how far is the Maypole from here«
»About a mile« John was going to add that it was the easiest mile in all
the world when the third rider who had hitherto kept a little in the rear
suddenly interposed
»And have you one excellent bed landlord Hem A bed that you can recommend
a bed that you are sure is well aired a bed that has been slept in by some
perfectly respectable and unexceptionable person«
»We dont take in no tagrag and bobtail at our house sir« answered John
»And as to the bed itself «
»Say as to three beds« interposed the gentleman who had spoken before
»for we shall want three if we stay though my friend only speaks of one«
»No no my lord you are too good you are too kind but your life is of
far too much importance to the nation in these portentous times to be placed
upon a level with one so useless and so poor as mine A great cause my lord a
mighty cause depends on you You are its leader and its champion its advanced
guard and its van It is the cause of our altars and our homes our country and
our faith Let me sleep on a chair the carpet anywhere No one will repine
if I take cold or fever Let John Grueby pass the night beneath the open sky
no one will pine for him But forty thousand men of this our island in the wave
exclusive of women and children rivet their eyes and thoughts on Lord George
Gordon and every day from the rising up of the sun to the going down of the
same pray for his health and vigour My lord« said the speaker rising in his
stirrups »it is a glorious cause and must not be forgotten My lord it is a
mighty cause and must not be endangered My lord it is a holy cause and must
not be deserted«
»It is a holy cause« exclaimed his lordship lifting up his hat with great
solemnity »Amen«
»John Grueby« said the longwinded gentleman in a tone of mild reproof
»his lordship said Amen«
»I heard my lord sir« said the man sitting like a statue on his horse
»And do not you say Amen likewise«
To which John Grueby made no reply at all but sat looking straight before
him
»You surprise me Grueby« said the gentleman »At a crisis like the
present when Queen Elizabeth that maiden monarch weeps within her tomb and
Bloody Mary with a brow of gloom and shadow stalks triumphant «
»Oh sir« cried the man gruffly »wheres the use of talking of Bloody
Mary under such circumstances as the present when my lords wet through and
tired with hard riding Lets either go on to London sir or put up at once or
that unfortnate Bloody Mary will have more to answer for and shes done a
deal more harm in her grave than she ever did in her lifetime I believe«
By this time Mr Willet who had never heard so many words spoken together
at one time or delivered with such volubility and emphasis as by the
longwinded gentleman and whose brain being wholly unable to sustain or
compass them had quite given itself up for lost recovered so far as to observe
that there was ample accommodation at the Maypole for all the party good beds
neat wines excellent entertainment for man and beast private rooms for large
and small parties dinners dressed upon the shortest notice choice stabling
and a lockup coachhouse and in short to run over such recommendatory scraps
of language as were painted up on various portions of the building and which in
the course of some forty years he had learnt to repeat with tolerable
correctness He was considering whether it was at all possible to insert any
novel sentences to the same purpose when the gentleman who had spoken first
turning to him of the long wind exclaimed »What say you Gashford Shall we
tarry at this house he speaks of or press forward You shall decide«
»I would submit my lord then« returned the person he appealed to in a
silky tone »that your health and spirits so important under Providence to
our great cause our pure and truthful cause« here his lordship pulled off his
hat again though it was raining hard »require refreshment and repose«
»Go on before landlord and show the way« said Lord George Gordon »we
will follow at a footpace«
»If youll give me leave my lord« said John Grueby in a low voice »Ill
change my proper place and ride before you The looks of the landlords friend
are not over honest and it may be as well to be cautious with him«
»John Grueby is quite right« interposed Mr Gashford falling back hastily
»My lord a life so precious as yours must not be put in peril Go forward
John by all means If you have any reason to suspect the fellow blow his
brains out«
John made no answer but looking straight before him as his custom seemed
to be when the secretary spoke bade Hugh push on and followed close behind
him Then came his lordship with Mr Willet at his bridle rein and last of
all his lordships secretary for that it seemed was Gashfords office
Hugh strode briskly on often looking back at the servant whose horse was
close upon his heels and glancing with a leer at his holster case of pistols
by which he seemed to set great store He was a squarebuilt strongmade
bullnecked fellow of the true English breed and as Hugh measured him with his
eye he measured Hugh regarding him meanwhile with a look of bluff disdain He
was much older than the Maypole man being to all appearance fiveandforty but
was one of those selfpossessed hardheaded imperturbable fellows who if
they are ever beaten at fisticuffs or other kind of warfare never know it and
go on coolly till they win
»If I led you wrong now« said Hugh tauntingly »youd ha ha ha youd
shoot me through the head I suppose«
John Grueby took no more notice of this remark than if he had been deaf and
Hugh dumb but kept riding on quite comfortably with his eyes fixed on the
horizon
»Did you ever try a fall with a man when you were young master« said Hugh
»Can you make any play at singlestick«
John Grueby looked at him sideways with the same contented air but deigned
not a word in answer
» Like this« said Hugh giving his cudgel one of those skilful flourishes
in which the rustic of that time delighted »Whoop«
» Or that« returned John Grueby beating down his guard with his whip and
striking him on the head with its butt end »Yes I played a little once You
wear your hair too long I should have cracked your crown if it had been a
little shorter«
It was a pretty smart loudsounding rap as it was and evidently
astonished Hugh who for the moment seemed disposed to drag his new
acquaintance from his saddle But his face betokening neither malice triumph
rage nor any lingering idea that he had given him offence his eyes gazing
steadily in the old direction and his manner being as careless and composed as
if he had merely brushed away a fly Hugh was so puzzled and so disposed to
look upon him as a customer of almost supernatural toughness that he merely
laughed and cried »Well done« then sheering off a little led the way in
silence
Before the lapse of many minutes the party halted at the Maypole door Lord
George and his secretary quickly dismounting gave their horses to their
servant who under the guidance of Hugh repaired to the stables Right glad to
escape from the inclemency of the night they followed Mr Willet into the
common room and stood warming themselves and drying their clothes before the
cheerful fire while he busied himself with such orders and preparations as his
guests high quality required
As he bustled in and out of the room intent on these arrangements he had an
opportunity of observing the two travellers of whom as yet he knew nothing
but the voice The lord the great personage who did the Maypole so much honour
was about the middle height of a slender make and sallow complexion with an
aquiline nose and long hair of a reddish brown combed perfectly straight and
smooth about his ears and slightly powdered but without the faintest vestige
of a curl He was attired under his greatcoat in a full suit of black quite
free from any ornament and of the most precise and sober cut The gravity of
his dress together with a certain lankness of cheek and stiffness of
deportment added nearly ten years to his age but his figure was that of one
not yet past thirty As he stood musing in the red glow of the fire it was
striking to observe his very bright large eye which betrayed a restlessness of
thought and purpose singularly at variance with the studied composure and
sobriety of his mien and with his quaint and sad apparel It had nothing harsh
or cruel in its expression neither had his face which was thin and mild and
wore an air of melancholy but it was suggestive of an air of indefinable
uneasiness which infected those who looked upon him and filled them with a
kind of pity for the man though why it did so they would have had some trouble
to explain
Gashford the secretary was taller angularly made highshouldered bony
and ungraceful His dress in imitation of his superior was demure and staid in
the extreme his manner formal and constrained This gentleman had an
overhanging brow great hands and feet and ears and a pair of eyes that seemed
to have made an unnatural retreat into his head and to have dug themselves a
cave to hide in His manner was smooth and humble but very sly and slinking He
wore the aspect of a man who was always lying in wait for something that
wouldnt come to pass but he looked patient very patient and fawned like a
spaniel dog Even now while he warmed and rubbed his hands before the blaze he
had the air of one who only presumed to enjoy it in his degree as a commoner
and though he knew his lord was not regarding him he looked into his face from
time to time and with a meek and deferential manner smiled as if for practice
Such were the guests whom old John Willet with a fixed and leaden eye
surveyed a hundred times and to whom he now advanced with a state candlestick
in each hand beseeching them to follow him into a worthier chamber »For my
lord« said John it is odd enough but certain people seem to have as great a
pleasure in pronouncing titles as their owners have in wearing them »this
room my lord isnt at all the sort of place for your lordship and I have to
beg your lordships pardon for keeping you here my lord one minute«
With this address John ushered them upstairs into the state apartment
which like many other things of state was cold and comfortless Their own
footsteps reverberating through the spacious room struck upon their hearing
with a hollow sound and its damp and chilly atmosphere was rendered doubly
cheerless by contrast with the homely warmth they had deserted
It was of no use however to propose a return to the place they had
quitted for the preparations went on so briskly that there was no time to stop
them John with the tall candlesticks in his hands bowed them up to the
fireplace Hugh striding in with a lighted brand and pile of firewood cast
it down upon the hearth and set it in a blaze John Grueby who had a great
blue cockade in his hat which he appeared to despise mightily brought in the
portmanteau he had carried on his horse and placed it on the floor and
presently all three were busily engaged in drawing out the screen laying the
cloth inspecting the beds lighting fires in the bedrooms expediting the
supper and making everything as cosy and as snug as might be on so short a
notice In less than an hours time supper had been served and ate and
cleared away and Lord George and his secretary with slippered feet and legs
stretched out before the fire sat over some hot mulled wine together
»So ends my lord« said Gashford filling his glass with great complacency
»the blessed work of a most blessed day«
»And of a blessed yesterday« said his lordship raising his head
»Ah« and here the secretary clasped his hands »a blessed yesterday
indeed The Protestants of Suffolk are godly men and true Though others of our
countrymen have lost their way in darkness even as we my lord did lose our
road tonight theirs is the light and glory«
»Did I move them Gashford« said Lord George
»Move them my lord Move them They cried to be led on against the Papists
they vowed a dreadful vengeance on their heads they roared like men possessed
«
»But not by devils« said his lord
»By devils my lord By angels«
»Yes oh surely by angels no doubt« said Lord George thrusting his
hands into his pockets taking them out again to bite his nails and looking
uncomfortably at the fire »Of course by angels eh Gashford«
»You do not doubt it my lord« said the secretary
»No no« returned his lord »No Why should I I suppose it would be
decidedly irreligious to doubt it wouldnt it Gashford Though there
certainly were« he added without waiting for an answer »some plaguy
illlooking characters among them«
»When you warmed« said the secretary looking sharply at the others
downcast eyes which brightened slowly as he spoke »when you warmed into that
noble outbreak when you told them that you were never of the lukewarm or the
timid tribe and bade them take heed that they were prepared to follow one who
would lead them on though to the very death when you spoke of a hundred and
twenty thousand men across the Scottish border who would take their own redress
at any time if it were not conceded when you cried Perish the Pope and all his
base adherents the penal laws against them shall never be repealed while
Englishmen have hearts and hands and waved your own and touched your sword
and when they cried No Popery and you cried No not even if we wade in blood
and they threw up their hats and cried Hurrah not even if we wade in blood No
Popery Lord George Down with the Papists Vengeance on their heads when this
was said and done and a word from you my lord could raise or still the tumult
ah then I felt what greatness was indeed and thought When was there ever
power like this of Lord George Gordons«
»Its a great power Youre right It is a great power« he cried with
sparkling eyes »But dear Gashford did I really say all that«
»And how much more« cried the secretary looking upwards »Ah how much
more«
»And I told them what you say about the one hundred and forty thousand men
in Scotland did I« he asked with evident delight »That was bold«
»Our cause is boldness Truth is always bold«
»Certainly So is religion Shes bold Gashford«
»The true religion is my lord«
»And thats ours« he rejoined moving uneasily in his seat and biting his
nails as though he would pare them to the quick »There can be no doubt of ours
being the true one You feel as certain of that as I do Gashford dont you«
»Does my lord ask me« whined Gashford drawing his chair nearer with an
injured air and laying his broad flat hand upon the table »me« he repeated
bending the dark hollows of his eyes upon him with an unwholesome smile »who
stricken by the magic of his eloquence in Scotland but a year ago abjured the
errors of the Romish church and clung to him as one whose timely hand had
plucked me from a pit«
»True No no I I didnt mean it« replied the other shaking him by the
hand rising from his seat and pacing restlessly about the room »Its a proud
thing to lead the people Gashford« he added as he made a sudden halt
»By force of reason too« returned the pliant secretary
»Ay to be sure They may cough and jeer and groan in Parliament and call
me fool and madman but which of them can raise this human sea and make it swell
and roar at pleasure Not one«
»Not one« repeated Gashford
»Which of them can say for his honesty what I can say for mine which of
them has refused a ministers bribe of one thousand pounds a year to resign his
seat in favour of another Not one«
»Not one« repeated Gashford again taking the lions share of the mulled
wine between whiles
»And as we are honest true and in a sacred cause Gashford« said Lord
George with a heightened colour and in a louder voice as he laid his fevered
hand upon his shoulder »and are the only men who regard the mass of people out
of doors or are regarded by them we will uphold them to the last and will
raise a cry against these unEnglish Papists which shall reecho through the
country and roll with a noise like thunder I will be worthy of the motto on my
coat of arms Called and chosen and faithful«
»Called« said the secretary »by Heaven«
»I am«
»Chosen by the people«
»Yes«
»Faithful to both«
»To the block«
It would be difficult to convey an adequate idea of the excited manner in
which he gave these answers to the secretarys promptings of the rapidity of
his utterance or the violence of his tone and gesture in which struggling
through his Puritans demeanour was something wild and ungovernable which broke
through all restraint For some minutes he walked rapidly up and down the room
then stopping suddenly exclaimed
»Gashford You moved them yesterday too Oh yes You did«
»I shone with a reflected light my lord« replied the humble secretary
laying his hand upon his heart »I did my best«
»You did well« said his master »and are a great and worthy instrument If
you will ring for John Grueby to carry the portmanteau into my room and will
wait here while I undress we will dispose of business as usual if youre not
too tired«
»Too tired my lord But this is his consideration Christian from head to
foot« With which soliloquy the secretary tilted the jug and looked very hard
into the mulled wine to see how much remained
John Willet and John Grueby appeared together The one bearing the great
candlesticks and the other the portmanteau showed the deluded lord into his
chamber and left the secretary alone to yawn and shake himself and finally to
fall asleep before the fire
»Now Mr Gashford sir« said John Grueby in his ear after what appeared to
him a moment of unconsciousness »my lords abed«
»Oh Very good John« was his mild reply »Thank you John Nobody need sit
up I know my room«
»I hope youre not agoing to trouble your head tonight or my lords head
neither with anything more about Bloody Mary« said John »I wish the blessed
old creetur had never been born«
»I said you might go to bed John« returned the secretary »You didnt hear
me I think«
»Between Bloody Marys and blue cockades and glorious Queen Besses and no
Poperys and Protestant associations and making of speeches« pursued John
Grueby looking as usual a long way off and taking no notice of this hint
»my lords half off his head When we go out o doors such a set of ragamuffins
comes ashouting after us Gordon for ever that Im ashamed of myself and dont
know where to look When were indoors they come aroaring and screaming about
the house like so many devils and my lord instead of ordering them to be drove
away goes out into the balcony and demeans himself by making speeches to em
and calls em Men of England and Fellowcountrymen as if he was fond of em
and thanked em for coming I cant make it out but theyre all mixed up
somehow or another with that unfortnate Bloody Mary and call her name out till
theyre hoarse Theyre all Protestants too every man and boy among em and
Protestants are very fond of spoons I find and silverplate in general
whenever areagates is left open accidentally I wish that was the worst of it
and that no more harm might be to come but if you dont stop these ugly
customers in time Mr Gashford and I know you youre the man that blows the
fire youll find em grow a little bit too strong for you One of these
evenings when the weather gets warmer and Protestants are thirsty theyll be
pulling London down and I never heard that Bloody Mary went as far as that«
Gashford had vanished long ago and these remarks had been bestowed on empty
air Not at all discomposed by the discovery John Grueby fixed his hat on
wrong side foremost that he might be unconscious of the shadow of the obnoxious
cockade and withdrew to bed shaking his head in a very gloomy and pathetic
manner until he reached his chamber
Chapter XXXVI
Gashford with a smiling face but still with looks of profound deference and
humility betook himself towards his masters room smoothing his hair down as
he went and humming a psalm tune As he approached Lord Georges door he
cleared his throat and hummed more vigorously
There was a remarkable contrast between this mans occupation at the moment
and the expression of his countenance which was singularly repulsive and
malicious His beetling brow almost obscured his eyes his lip was curled
contemptuously his very shoulders seemed to sneer in stealthy whisperings with
his great flapped ears
»Hush« he muttered softly as he peeped in at the chamberdoor »He seems
to be asleep Pray Heaven he is Too much watching too much care too much
thought ah Lord preserve him for a martyr He is a saint if ever saint drew
breath on this bad earth«
Placing his light upon a table he walked on tiptoe to the fire and sitting
in a chair before it with his back towards the bed went on communing with
himself like one who thought aloud
»The saviour of his country and his countrys religion the friend of his
poor countrymen the enemy of the proud and harsh beloved of the rejected and
oppressed adored by forty thousand bold and loyal English hearts what happy
slumbers his should be« And here he sighed and warmed his hands and shook his
head as men do when their hearts are full and heaved another sigh and warmed
his hands again
»Why Gashford« said Lord George who was lying broad awake upon his side
and had been staring at him from his entrance
»My my lord« said Gashford starting and looking round as though in great
surprise »I have disturbed you«
»I have not been sleeping«
»Not sleeping« he repeated with assumed confusion »What can I say for
having in your presence given utterance to thoughts but they were sincere
they were sincere« exclaimed the secretary drawing his sleeve in a hasty way
across his eyes »and why should I regret your having heard them«
»Gashford« said the poor lord stretching out his hand with manifest
emotion »Do not regret it You love me well I know too well I dont deserve
such homage«
Gashford made no reply but grasped the hand and pressed it to his lips
Then rising and taking from the trunk a little desk he placed it on the table
near the fire unlocked it with a key he carried in his pocket sat down before
it took out a pen and before dipping it in the inkstand sucked it to
compose the fashion of his mouth perhaps on which a smile was hovering yet
»How do our numbers stand since last enrollingnight« inquired Lord George
»Are we really forty thousand strong or do we still speak in round numbers when
we take the Association at that amount«
»Our total now exceeds that number by a score and three« Gashford replied
casting his eyes upon his papers
»The funds«
»Not very improving but there is some manna in the wilderness my lord
Hem On Friday night the widows mites dropped in Forty scavengers three and
fourpence An aged pewopener of St Martins parish sixpence A bellringer of
the established church sixpence A Protestant infant newly born one
halfpenny The United Link Boys three shillings one bad The antipopish
prisoners in Newgate five and fourpence A friend in Bedlam halfacrown
Dennis the hangman one shilling«
»That Dennis« said his lordship »is an earnest man I marked him in the
crowd in Welbeckstreet last Friday«
»A good man« rejoined the secretary »a staunch sincere and truly zealous
man«
»He should be encouraged« said Lord George »Make a note of Dennis Ill
talk with him«
Gashford obeyed and went on reading from his list
»The Friends of Reason, halfaguinea The Friends of Liberty
halfaguinea The Friends of Peace halfaguinea The Friends of Charity
halfaguinea The Friends of Mercy halfaguinea The Associated Rememberers
of Bloody Mary halfaguinea The United Bulldogs halfaguinea«
»The United Bulldogs« said Lord George biting his nails most horribly
»are a new society are they not«
»Formerly the Prentice Knights my lord The indentures of the old members
expiring by degrees they changed their name it seems though they still have
prentices among them as well as workmen«
»What is their presidents name« inquired Lord George
»President« said Gashford reading »Mr Simon Tappertit«
»I remember him The little man who sometimes brings an elderly sister to
our meetings and sometimes another female too who is conscientious I have no
doubt but not wellfavoured«
»The very same my lord«
»Tappertit is an earnest man« said Lord George thoughtfully »Eh
Gashford«
»One of the foremost among them all my lord He snuffs the battle from
afar like the warhorse He throws his hat up in the street as if he were
inspired and makes most stirring speeches from the shoulders of his friends«
»Make a note of Tappertit« said Lord George Gordon »We may advance him to
a place of trust«
»That« rejoined the secretary doing as he was told »is all except Mrs
Vardens box fourteenth time of opening seven shillings and sixpence in
silver and copper and halfa guinea in gold and Miggs being the saving of a
quarters wages oneandthreepence«
»Miggs« said Lord George »Is that a man«
»The name is entered on the list as a woman« replied the secretary »I
think she is the tall spare female of whom you spoke just now my lord as not
being wellfavoured who sometimes comes to hear the speeches along with
Tappertit and Mrs Varden«
»Mrs Varden is the elderly lady then is she«
The secretary nodded and rubbed the bridge of his nose with the feather of
his pen
»She is a zealous sister« said Lord George »Her collection goes on
prosperously and is pursued with fervour Has her husband joined«
»A malignant« returned the secretary folding up his papers »Unworthy such
a wife He remains in outer darkness and steadily refuses«
»The consequences be upon his own head Gashford«
»My lord«
»You dont think« he turned restlessly in his bed as he spoke »these
people will desert me when the hour arrives I have spoken boldly for them
ventured much suppressed nothing Theyll not fall off will they«
»No fear of that my lord« said Gashford with a meaning look which was
rather the involuntary expression of his own thoughts than intended as any
confirmation of his words for the others face was turned away »Be sure there
is no fear of that«
»Nor« he said with a more restless motion than before »of their but they
can sustain no harm from leaguing for this purpose Right is on our side though
Might may be against us You feel as sure of that as I honestly you do«
The secretary was beginning with »You do not doubt« when the other
interrupted him and impatiently rejoined
»Doubt No Who says I doubt If I doubted should I cast away relatives
friends everything for this unhappy countrys sake this unhappy country« he
cried springing up in bed after repeating the phrase »unhappy countrys sake«
to himself at least a dozen times »forsaken of God and man delivered over to
a dangerous confederacy of Popish powers the prey of corruption idolatry and
despotism Who says I doubt Am I called and chosen and faithful Tell me Am
I or am I not«
»To God the country and yourself« cried Gashford
»I am I will be I say again I will be to the block Who says as much Do
you Does any man alive«
The secretary drooped his head with an expression of perfect acquiescence in
anything that had been said or might be and Lord George gradually sinking down
upon his pillow fell asleep
Although there was something very ludicrous in his vehement manner taken in
conjunction with his meagre aspect and ungraceful presence it would scarcely
have provoked a smile in any man of kindly feeling or even if it had he would
have felt sorry and almost angry with himself next moment for yielding to the
impulse This lord was sincere in his violence and in his wavering A nature
prone to false enthusiasm and the vanity of being a leader were the worst
qualities apparent in his composition All the rest was weakness sheer
weakness and it is the unhappy lot of thoroughly weak men that their very
sympathies affections confidences all the qualities which in better
constituted minds are virtues dwindle into foibles or turn into downright
vices
Gashford with many a sly look towards the bed sat chuckling at his
masters folly until his deep and heavy breathing warned him that he might
retire Locking his desk and replacing it within the trunk but not before he
had taken from a secret lining two printed handbills he cautiously withdrew
looking back as he went at the pale face of the slumbering man above whose
head the dusty plumes that crowned the Maypole couch waved drearily and sadly
as though it were a bier
Stopping on the staircase to listen that all was quiet and to take off his
shoes lest his footsteps should alarm any light sleeper who might be near at
hand he descended to the ground floor and thrust one of his bills beneath the
great door of the house That done he crept softly back to his own chamber and
from the window let another fall carefully wrapt round a stone to save it from
the wind into the yard below
They were addressed on the back »To every Protestant into whose hands this
shall come« and bore within what follows
»Men and Brethren Whoever shall find this letter will take it as a warning
to join without delay the friends of Lord George Gordon There are great
events at hand and the times are dangerous and troubled Read this carefully
keep it clean and drop it somewhere else For King and Country Union«
»More seed more seed« said Gashford as he closed the window »When will
the harvest come«
Chapter XXXVII
To surround anything however monstrous or ridiculous with an air of mystery
is to invest it with a secret charm and power of attraction which to the crowd
is irresistible False priests false prophets false doctors false patriots
fake prodigies of every kind veiling their proceedings in mystery have always
addressed themselves at an immense advantage to the popular credulity and have
been perhaps more indebted to that resource in gaining and keeping for a time
the upper hand of Truth and Common Sense than to any halfdozen items in the
whole catalogue of imposture Curiosity is and has been from the creation of
the world a masterpassion To awaken it to gratify it by slight degrees and
yet leave something always in suspense is to establish the surest hold that can
be had in wrong on the unthinking portion of mankind
If a man had stood on London Bridge calling till he was hoarse upon the
passersby to join with Lord George Gordon although for an object which no man
understood and which in that very incident had a charm of its own, the
probability is that he might have influenced a score of people in a month If
all zealous Protestants had been publicly urged to join an association for the
avowed purpose of singing a hymn or two occasionally and hearing some
indifferent speeches made and ultimately of petitioning Parliament not to pass
an act for abolishing the penal laws against Roman Catholic priests the penalty
of perpetual imprisonment denounced against those who educated children in that
persuasion and the disqualification of all members of the Romish church to
inherit real property in the United Kingdom by right of purchase or descent
matters so far removed from the business and bosoms of the mass might perhaps
have called together a hundred people But when vague rumours got abroad that
in this Protestant association a secret power was mustering against the
government for undefined and mighty purposes when the air was filled with
whispers of a confederacy among the Popish powers to degrade and enslave
England establish an inquisition in London and turn the pens of Smithfield
market into stakes and cauldrons when terrors and alarms which no man
understood were perpetually broached both in and out of Parliament by one
enthusiast who did not understand himself and bygone bugbears which had lain
quietly in their graves for centuries were raised again to haunt the ignorant
and credulous when all this was done as it were in the dark and secret
invitations to join the Great Protestant Association in defence of religion
life and liberty were dropped in the public ways thrust under the
housedoors tossed in at windows and pressed into the hands of those who trod
the streets by night when they glared from every wall and shone on every post
and pillar so that stocks and stones appeared infected with the common fear
urging all men to join together blindfold in resistance of they knew not what
they knew not why then the mania spread indeed and the body still
increasing every day grew forty thousand strong
So said at least in this month of March 1780 Lord George Gordon the
Associations president Whether it was the fact or otherwise few men knew or
cared to ascertain It had never made any public demonstration had scarcely
ever been heard of save through him had never been seen and was supposed by
many to be the mere creature of his disordered brain He was accustomed to talk
largely about numbers of men stimulated as it was inferred by certain
successful disturbances arising out of the same subject which had occurred in
Scotland in the previous year was looked upon as a crackedbrained member of
the lower house who attacked all parties and sided with none and was very
little regarded It was known that there was discontent abroad there always
is he had been accustomed to address the people by placard speech and
pamphlet upon other questions nothing had come in England of his past
exertions and nothing was apprehended from his present Just as he has come
upon the reader he had come from time to time upon the public and been
forgotten in a day as suddenly as he appears in these pages after a blank of
five long years did he and his proceedings begin to force themselves about
this period upon the notice of thousands of people who had mingled in active
life during the whole interval and who without being deaf or blind to passing
events had scarcely ever thought of him before
»My lord« said Gashford in his ear as he drew the curtains of his bed
betimes »my lord«
»Yes whos that What is it«
»The clock has struck nine« returned the secretary with meekly folded
hands »You have slept well I hope you have slept well If my prayers are
heard you are refreshed indeed«
»To say the truth I have slept so soundly« said Lord George rubbing his
eyes and looking round the room »that I dont remember quite what place is
this«
»My lord« cried Gashford with a smile
»Oh« returned his superior »Yes Youre not a Jew then«
»A Jew« exclaimed the pious secretary recoiling
»I dreamed that we were Jews Gashford You and I both of us Jews with
long beards«
»Heaven forbid my lord We might as well be Papists«
»I suppose we might« returned the other very quickly »Eh You really
think so Gashford«
»Surely I do« the secretary cried with looks of great surprise
»Humph« he muttered »Yes that seems reasonable«
»I hope my lord « the secretary began
»Hope« he echoed interrupting him »Why do you say you hope Theres no
harm in thinking of such things«
»Not in dreams« returned the secretary
»In dreams No nor waking either«
»Called and chosen and faithful« said Gashford taking up Lord Georges
watch which lay upon a chair and seeming to read the inscription on the seal
abstractedly
It was the slightest action possible not obtruded on his notice and
apparently the result of a moments absence of mind not worth remark But as
the words were uttered Lord George who had been going on impetuously stopped
short reddened and was silent Apparently quite unconscious of this change in
his demeanour the wily secretary stepped a little apart under pretence of
pulling up the windowblind and returning when the other had had time to
recover said
»The holy cause goes bravely on my lord I was not idle even last night I
dropped two of the handbills before I went to bed and both are gone this
morning Nobody in the house has mentioned the circumstance of finding them
though I have been downstairs full halfanhour One or two recruits will be
their first fruit I predict and who shall say how many more with Heavens
blessing on your inspired exertions«
»It was a famous device in the beginning« replied Lord George »an
excellent device and did good service in Scotland It was quite worthy of you
You remind me not to be a sluggard Gashford when the vineyard is menaced with
destruction and may be trodden down by Papist feet Let the horses be saddled
in halfanhour We must be up and doing«
He said this with a heightened colour and in a tone of such enthusiasm
that the secretary deemed all further prompting needless and withdrew
» Dreamed he was a Jew« he said thoughtfully as he closed the bedroom
door »He may come to that before he dies Its like enough Well After a time
and provided I lost nothing by it I dont see why that religion shouldnt suit
me as well as any other There are rich men among the Jews shaving is very
troublesome yes it would suit me well enough For the present though we
must be Christian to the core Our prophetic motto will suit all creeds in their
turn thats a comfort« Reflecting on this source of consolation he reached
the sittingroom and rang the bell for breakfast
Lord George was quickly dressed for his plain toilet was easily made and
as he was no less frugal in his repasts than in his Puritan attire his share of
the meal was soon dispatched The secretary however more devoted to the good
things of this world or more intent on sustaining his strength and spirits for
the sake of the Protestant cause ate and drank to the last minute and required
indeed some three or four reminders from John Grueby before he could resolve to
tear himself away from Mr Willets plentiful providing
At length he came downstairs wiping his greasy mouth and having paid John
Willets bill climbed into his saddle Lord George who had been walking up and
down before the house talking to himself with earnest gestures mounted his
horse and returning old John Willets stately bow as well as the parting
salutation of a dozen idlers whom the rumour of a live lord being about to leave
the Maypole had gathered round the porch they rode away with stout John Grueby
in the rear
If Lord George Gordon had appeared in the eyes of Mr Willet overnight a
nobleman of somewhat quaint and odd exterior the impression was confirmed this
morning and increased a hundredfold Sitting bolt upright upon his bony steed
with his long straight hair dangling about his face and fluttering in the
wind his limbs all angular and rigid his elbows stuck out on either side
ungracefully and his whole frame jogged and shaken at every motion of his
horses feet a more grotesque or more ungainly figure can hardly be conceived
In lieu of whip he carried in his hand a great goldheaded cane as large as
any footman carries in these days and his various modes of holding this
unwieldy weapon now upright before his face like the sabre of a horsesoldier
now over his shoulder like a musket now between his finger and thumb but
always in some uncouth and awkward fashion contributed in no small degree to
the absurdity of his appearance Stiff lank and solemn dressed in an unusual
manner and ostentatiously exhibiting whether by design or accident all his
peculiarities of carriage gesture and conduct all the qualities natural and
artificial in which he differed from other men he might have moved the
sternest lookeron to laughter and fully provoked the smiles and whispered
jests which greeted his departure from the Maypole inn
Quite unconscious however of the effect he produced he trotted on beside
his secretary talking to himself nearly all the way until they came within a
mile or two of London when now and then some passenger went by who knew him by
sight and pointed him out to some one else and perhaps stood looking after
him or cried in jest or earnest as it might be »Hurrah Geordie No Popery«
At which he would gravely pull off his hat and bow When they reached the town
and rode along the streets these notices became more frequent some laughed
some hissed some turned their heads and smiled some wondered who he was some
ran along the pavement by his side and cheered When this happened in a crush of
carts and chairs and coaches he would make a dead stop and pulling off his
hat cry »Gentlemen No Popery« to which the gentlemen would respond with
lusty voices and with three times three and then on he would go again with a
score or so of the raggedest following at his horses heels and shouting till
their throats were parched
The old ladies too there were a great many old ladies in the streets and
these all knew him Some of them not those of the highest rank but such as
sold fruit from baskets and carried burdens clapped their shrivelled hands
and raised a weazen piping shrill »Hurrah my lord« Others waved their hands
or handkerchiefs or shook their fans or parasols or threw up windows and
called in haste to those within to come and see All these marks of popular
esteem he received with profound gravity and respect bowing very low and so
frequently that his hat was more off his head than on and looking up at the
houses as he passed along with the air of one who was making a public entry
and yet was not puffed up or proud
So they rode to the deep and unspeakable disgust of John Grueby the whole
length of Whitechapel Leadenhallstreet and Cheapside and into St Pauls
Churchyard Arriving close to the cathedral he halted spoke to Gashford and
looking upward at its lofty dome shook his head as though he said »The Church
in Danger« Then to be sure the bystanders stretched their throats indeed and
he went on again with mighty acclamations from the mob and lower bows than
ever
So along the Strand up Swallowstreet into the Oxfordroad and thence to
his house in Welbeckstreet near Cavendishsquare whither he was attended by a
few dozen idlers of whom he took leave on the steps with this brief parting
»Gentlemen No Popery Good day God bless you« This being rather a shorter
address than they expected was received with some displeasure and cries of »A
speech a speech« which might have been complied with but that John Grueby
making a mad charge upon them with all three horses on his way to the stables
caused them to disperse into the adjoining fields where they presently fell to
pitch and toss chuckfarthing odd or even dogfighting and other Protestant
recreations
In the afternoon Lord George came forth again dressed in a black velvet
coat and trousers and waistcoat of the Gordon plaid all of the same Quaker
cut and in this costume which made him look a dozen times more strange and
singular than before went down on foot to Westminster Gashford meanwhile
bestirred himself in business matters with which he was still engaged when
shortly after dusk John Grueby entered and announced a visitor
»Let him come in« said Gashford
»Here come in« growled John to somebody without »Youre a Protestant
ant you«
»I should think so« replied a deep gruff voice
»Youve the looks of it« said John Grueby »Id have known you for one
anywhere« With which remark he gave the visitor admission retired and shut
the door
The man who now confronted Gashford was a squat thickset personage with a
low retreating forehead a coarse shock head of hair and eyes so small and
near together that his broken nose alone seemed to prevent their meeting and
fusing into one of the usual size A dingy handkerchief twisted like a cord
about his neck left its great veins exposed to view and they were swoln and
starting as though with gulping down strong passions malice and illwill His
dress was of threadbare velveteen a faded rusty whitened black like the
ashes of a pipe or a coal fire after a days extinction discoloured with the
soils of many a stale debauch and reeking yet with pothouse odours In lieu of
buckles at his knees he wore unequal loops of packthread and in his grimy
hands he held a knotted stick the knob of which was carved into a rough
likeness of his own vile face Such was the visitor who doffed his
threecornered hat in Gashfords presence and waited leering for his notice
»Ah Dennis« cried the secretary »Sit down«
»I see my lord down yonder « cried the man with a jerk of his thumb
towards the quarter that he spoke of »and he says to me says my lord If
youve nothing to do Dennis go up to my house and talk with Muster Gashford
Of course Id nothing to do you know These ant my working hours Ha ha I was
ataking the air when I see my lord thats what I was doing I takes the air by
night as the howls does Muster Gashford«
»And sometimes in the daytime eh« said the secretary »when you go out
in state you know«
»Ha ha« roared the fellow smiting his leg »for a gentleman as ull say a
pleasant thing in a pleasant way give me Muster Gashford agin all London and
Westminster My lord ant a bad un at that but hes a fool to you Ah to be
sure when I go out in state«
»And have your carriage« said the secretary »and your chaplain eh and
all the rest of it«
»Youll be the death of me« cried Dennis with another roar »you will But
whats in the wind now Muster Gashford« he asked hoarsely »eh Are we to be
under orders to pull down one of them Popish chapels or what«
»Hush« said the secretary suffering the faintest smile to play upon his
face »Hush God bless me Dennis We associate you know for strictly
peaceable and lawful purposes«
»I know bless you« returned the man thrusting his tongue into his cheek
»I entered a purpose didnt I«
»No doubt« said Gashford smiling as before And when he said so Dennis
roared again and smote his leg still harder and falling into fits of laughter
wiped his eyes with the corner of his neckerchief and cried »Muster Gashford
agin all England hollow«
»Lord George and I were talking of you last night« said Gashford after a
pause »He says you are a very earnest fellow«
»So I am« returned the hangman
»And that you truly hate the Papists«
»So I do« and he confirmed it with a good round oath »Lookye here Muster
Gashford« said the fellow laying his hat and stick upon the floor and slowly
beating the palm of one hand with the fingers of the other »Observe Im a
constitutional officer that works for my living and does my work creditable Do
I or do I not«
»Unquestionably«
»Very good Stop a minute My work is sound Protestant constitutional
English work Is it or is it not«
»No man alive can doubt it«
»Nor dead neither Parliament says this here says Parliament If any man
woman or child does anything which goes again a certain number of our acts
how many hanging laws may there be at this present time Muster Gashford
Fifty«
»I dont exactly know how many« replied Gashford leaning back in his chair
and yawning »a great number though«
»Well say fifty Parliament says If any man woman or child does anything
again any one of them fifty acts that man woman or child shall be worked off
by Dennis George the Third steps in when they number very strong at the end of
a sessions and says These are too many for Dennis Ill have half for myself
and Dennis shall have half for himself and sometimes he throws me in one over
that I dont expect as he did three year ago when I got Mary Jones a young
woman of nineteen who come up to Tyburn with a infant at her breast and was
worked off for taking a piece of cloth off the counter of a shop in
Ludgatehill and putting it down again when the shopman see her and who had
never done any harm before and only tried to do that in consequence of her
husband having been pressed three weeks previous and she being left to beg
with two young children as was proved upon the trial Ha ha Well That
being the law and the practice of England is the glory of England ant it
Muster Gashford«
»Certainly« said the secretary
»And in times to come« pursued the hangman »if our grandsons should think
of their grandfathers times and find these things altered theyll say Those
were days indeed and weve been going down hill ever since Wont they
Muster Gashford«
»I have no doubt they will« said the secretary
»Well then look here« said the hangman »If these Papists gets into power
and begins to boil and roast instead of hang what becomes of my work If they
touch my work thats a part of so many laws what becomes of the laws in
general what becomes of the religion what becomes of the country Did you
ever go to church Muster Gashford«
»Ever« repeated the secretary with some indignation »of course«
»Well« said the ruffian »Ive been once twice counting the time I was
christened and when I heard the Parliament prayed for and thought how many
new hanging laws they made every sessions I considered that I was prayed for
Now mind Muster Gashford« said the fellow taking up his stick and shaking it
with a ferocious air »I mustnt have my Protestant work touched nor this here
Protestant state of things altered in no degree if I can help it I mustnt
have no Papists interfering with me unless they come to be worked off in course
of law I mustnt have no biling no roasting no frying nothing but hanging
My lord may well call me an earnest fellow In support of the great Protestant
principle of having plenty of that Ill« and here he beat his club upon the
ground »burn fight kill do anything you bid me so that its bold and
devilish though the end of it was that I got hung myself There Muster
Gashford«
He appropriately followed up this frequent prostitution of a noble word to
the vilest purposes by pouring out in a kind of ecstasy at least a score of
most tremendous oaths then wiped his heated face upon his neckerchief and
cried »No Popery Im a religious man by G«
Gashford had leant back in his chair regarded him with eyes so sunken and
so shadowed by his heavy brows that for aught the hangman saw of them he might
have been stone blind He remained smiling in silence for a short time longer
and then said slowly and distinctly
»You are indeed an earnest fellow Dennis a most valuable fellow the
staunchest man I know of in our ranks But you must calm yourself you must be
peaceful lawful mild as any lamb I am sure you will be though«
»Ay ay we shall see Muster Gashford we shall see You wont have to
complain of me« returned the other shaking his head
»I am sure I shall not« said the secretary in the same mild tone and with
the same emphasis »We shall have we think about next month or May when this
Papist relief bill comes before the house to convene our whole body for the
first time My lord has thoughts of our walking in procession through the
streets just as an innocent display of strength and accompanying our
petition down to the door of the House of Commons«
»The sooner the better« said Dennis with another oath
»We shall have to draw up in divisions our numbers being so large and I
believe I may venture to say« resumed Gashford affecting not to hear the
interruption »though I have no direct instructions to that effect that Lord
George has thought of you as an excellent leader for one of these parties I
have no doubt you would be an admirable one«
»Try me« said the fellow with an ugly wink
»You would be cool I know« pursued the secretary still smiling and still
managing his eyes so that he could watch him closely and really not be seen in
turn »obedient to orders and perfectly temperate You would lead your party
into no danger I am certain«
»Id lead them Muster Gashford« the hangman was beginning in a reckless
way when Gashford started forward laid his finger on his lips and feigned to
write just as the door was opened by John Grueby
»Oh« said John looking in »heres another Protestant«
»Some other room John« cried Gashford in his blandest voice »I am engaged
just now«
But John had brought this new visitor to the door and he walked in
unbidden as the words were uttered giving to view the form and features rough
attire and reckless air of Hugh
Chapter XXXVIII
The secretary put his hand before his eyes to shade them from the glare of the
lamp and for some moments looked at Hugh with a frowning brow as if he
remembered to have seen him lately but could not call to mind where or on what
occasion His uncertainty was very brief for before Hugh had spoken a word he
said as his countenance cleared up
»Ay ay I recollect Its quite right John you neednt wait Dont go
Dennis«
»Your servant master« said Hugh as Grueby disappeared
»Yours friend« returned the secretary in his smoothest manner »What
brings you here We left nothing behind us I hope«
Hugh gave a short laugh and thrusting his hand into his breast produced
one of the handbills soiled and dirty from lying out of doors all night which
he laid upon the secretarys desk after flattening it upon his knee and
smoothing out the wrinkles with his heavy palm
»Nothing but that master It fell into good hands you see«
»What is this« said Gashford turning it over with an air of perfectly
natural surprise »Where did you get it from my good fellow what does it mean
I dont understand this at all«
A little disconcerted by this reception Hugh looked from the secretary to
Dennis who had risen and was standing at the table too observing the stranger
by stealth and seeming to derive the utmost satisfaction from his manners and
appearance Considering himself silently appealed to by this action Mr Dennis
shook his head thrice as if to say of Gashford »No He dont know anything at
all about it I know he dont Ill take my oath he dont« and hiding his
profile from Hugh with one long end of his frowzy neckerchief nodded and
chuckled behind this screen in extreme approval of the secretarys proceedings
»It tells the man that finds it to come here dont it« asked Hugh »Im
no scholar myself but I showed it to a friend and he said it did«
»It certainly does« said Gashford opening his eyes to their utmost width
»really this is the most remarkable circumstance I have ever known How did you
come by this piece of paper my good friend«
»Muster Gashford« wheezed the hangman under his breath »agin all
Newgate«
Whether Hugh heard him or saw by his manner that he was being played upon
or perceived the secretarys drift of himself he came in his blunt way to the
point at once
»Here« he said stretching out his hand and taking it back »never mind the
bill or what it says or what it dont say You dont know anything about it
master no more do I no more does he« glancing at Dennis »None of us know
what it means or where it comes from theres an end of that Now I want to
make one against the Catholics Im a NoPopery man and ready to be sworn in
Thats what Ive come here for«
»Put him down on the roll Muster Gashford« said Dennis approvingly
»Thats the way to go to work right to the end at once and no palaver«
»Whats the use of shooting wide of the mark eh old boy« cried Hugh
»My sentiments all over« rejoined the hangman »This is the sort of chap
for my division Muster Gashford Down with him sir Put him on the roll Id
stand godfather to him if he was to be christened in a bonfire made of the
ruins of the Bank of England«
With these and other expressions of confidence of the like flattering kind
Mr Dennis gave him a hearty slap on the back which Hugh was not slow to
return
»No Popery brother« cried the hangman
»No Property brother« responded Hugh
»Popery Popery« said the secretary with his usual mildness
»Its all the same« cried Dennis »Its all right Down with him Muster
Gashford Down with everybody down with everything Hurrah for the Protestant
religion Thats the time of day Muster Gashford«
The secretary regarded them both with a very favourable expression of
countenance while they gave loose to these and other demonstrations of their
patriotic purpose and was about to make some remark aloud when Dennis
stepping up to him and shading his mouth with his hand said in a hoarse
whisper as he nudged him with his elbow
»Dont split upon a constitutional officers profession Muster Gashford
There are popular prejudices you know and he mightnt like it Wait till he
comes to be more intimate with me Hes a finebuilt chap ant he«
»A powerful fellow indeed«
»Did you ever Muster Gashford« whispered Dennis with a horrible kind of
admiration such as that with which a cannibal might regard his intimate friend
when hungry »did you ever« and here he drew still closer to his ear and
fenced his mouth with both his open hands »see such a throat as his Do but
cast your eye upon it Theres a neck for stretching Muster Gashford«
The secretary assented to this proposition with the best grace he could
assume it is difficult to feign a true professional relish which is eccentric
sometimes and after asking the candidate a few unimportant questions
proceeded to enrol him a member of the Great Protestant Association of England
If anything could have exceeded Mr Denniss joy on the happy conclusion of this
ceremony it would have been the rapture with which he received the announcement
that the new member could neither read nor write those two arts being as Mr
Dennis swore the greatest possible curse a civilised community could know and
militating more against the professional emoluments and usefulness of the great
constitutional office he had the honour to hold than any adverse circumstances
that could present themselves to his imagination
The enrolment being completed and Hugh having been informed by Gashford in
his peculiar manner of the peaceful and strictly lawful objects contemplated by
the body to which he now belonged during which recital Mr Dennis nudged him
very much with his elbow and made divers remarkable faces the secretary gave
them both to understand that he desired to be alone Therefore they took their
leaves without delay and came out of the house together
»Are you walking brother« said Dennis
»Ay« returned Hugh »Where you will«
»Thats social« said his new friend »Which way shall we take Shall we go
and have a look at doors that we shall make a pretty good clattering at before
long eh brother«
Hugh answering in the affirmative they went slowly down to Westminster
where both houses of Parliament were then sitting Mingling in the crowd of
carriages horses servants chairmen linkboys porters and idlers of all
kinds they lounged about while Hughs new friend pointed out to him
significantly the weak parts of the building how easy it was to get into the
lobby and so to the very door of the House of Commons and how plainly when
they marched down there in grand array their roars and shouts would be heard by
the members inside with a great deal more to the same purpose all of which
Hugh received with manifest delight
He told him too who some of the Lords and Commons were by name as they
came in and out whether they were friendly to the Papists or otherwise and
bade him take notice of their liveries and equipages that he might be sure of
them in case of need Sometimes he drew him close to the windows of a passing
carriage that he might see its masters face by the light of the lamps and
both in respect of people and localities he showed so much acquaintance with
everything around that it was plain he had often studied there before as
indeed when they grew a little more confidential he confessed he had
Perhaps the most striking part of all this was the number of people never
in groups of more than two or three together who seemed to be skulking about
the crowd for the same purpose To the greater part of these a slight nod or a
look from Hughs companion was sufficient greeting but now and then some man
would come and stand beside him in the throng and without turning his head or
appearing to communicate with him would say a word or two in a low voice which
he would answer in the same cautious manner Then they would part like
strangers Some of these men often reappeared again unexpectedly in the crowd
close to Hugh and as they passed by pressed his hand or looked him sternly
in the face but they never spoke to him nor he to them no not a word
It was remarkable too that whenever they happened to stand where there was
any press of people and Hugh chanced to be looking downward he was sure to see
an arm stretched out under his own perhaps or perhaps across him which
thrust some paper into the hand or pocket of a bystander and was so suddenly
withdrawn that it was impossible to tell from whom it came nor could he see in
any face on glancing quickly round the least confusion or surprise They often
trod upon a paper like the one he carried in his breast but his companion
whispered him not to touch it or to take it up not even to look towards it
so there they let them lie and passed on
When they had paraded the street and all the avenues of the building in this
manner for near two hours they turned away and his friend asked him what he
thought of what he had seen and whether he was prepared for a good hot piece of
work if it should come to that »The hotter the better« said Hugh »Im
prepared for anything« »So am I« said his friend »and so are many of us«
and they shook hands upon it with a great oath and with many terrible
imprecations on the Papists
As they were thirsty by this time Dennis proposed that they should repair
together to The Boot where there was good company and strong liquor Hugh
yielding a ready assent they bent their steps that way with no loss of time
This Boot was a lone house of public entertainment situated in the fields
at the back of the Foundling Hospital a very solitary spot at that period and
quite deserted after dark The tavern stood at some distance from any high road
and was approachable only by a dark and narrow lane so that Hugh was much
surprised to find several people drinking there and great merriment going on
He was still more surprised to find among them almost every face that had caught
his attention in the crowd but his companion having whispered him outside the
door that it was not considered good manners at The Boot to appear at all
curious about the company he kept his own counsel and made no show of
recognition
Before putting his lips to the liquor which was brought for them Dennis
drank in a loud voice the health of Lord George Gordon President of the Great
Protestant Association which toast Hugh pledged likewise with corresponding
enthusiasm A fiddler who was present and who appeared to act as the appointed
minstrel of the company forthwith struck up a Scotch reel and that in tones so
invigorating that Hugh and his friend who had both been drinking before rose
from their seats as by previous concert and to the great admiration of the
assembled guests performed an extemporaneous NoPopery Dance
Chapter XXXIX
The applause which the performance of Hugh and his new friend elicited from the
company at The Boot had not yet subsided and the two dancers were still
panting from their exertions which had been of a rather extreme and violent
character when the party was reinforced by the arrival of some more guests
who being a detachment of United Bulldogs were received with very flattering
marks of distinction and respect
The leader of this small party for including himself they were but three
in number was our old acquaintance Mr Tappertit who seemed physically
speaking to have grown smaller with years particularly as to his legs which
were stupendously little but who in a moral point of view in personal
dignity and selfesteem had swelled into a giant Nor was it by any means
difficult for the most unobservant person to detect this state of feeling in the
quondam prentice for it not only proclaimed itself impressively and beyond
mistake in his majestic walk and kindling eye but found a striking means of
revelation in his turnedup nose which scouted all things of earth with deep
disdain and sought communion with its kindred skies
Mr Tappertit as chief or captain of the Bulldogs was attended by his two
lieutenants one the tall comrade of his younger life the other a Prentice
Knight in days of yore Mark Gilbert bound in the olden time to Thomas Curzon
of the Golden Fleece These gentlemen like himself were now emancipated from
their prentice thraldom and served as journeymen but they were in humble
emulation of his great example bold and daring spirits and aspired to a
distinguished state in great political events Hence their connection with the
Protestant Association of England sanctioned by the name of Lord George Gordon
and hence their present visit to The Boot
»Gentlemen« said Mr Tappertit taking off his hat as a great general might
in addressing his troops »Well met My lord does me and you the honour to send
his compliments per self«
»Youve seen my lord too have you« asked Dennis »I see him this
afternoon«
»My duty called me to the Lobby when our shop shut up and I saw him there
sir« Mr Tappertit replied as he and his lieutenants took their seats »How do
you do«
»Lively master lively« said the fellow »Heres a new brother regularly
put down in black and white by Muster Gashford a credit to the cause one of
the stickatnothing sort one arter my own heart Dye see him Has he got the
looks of a man thatll do do you think« he cried as he slapped Hugh on the
back
»Looks or no looks« said Hugh with a drunken flourish of his arm »Im the
man you want I hate the Papists every one of em They hate me and I hate
them They do me all the harm they can and Ill do them all the harm I can
Hurrah«
»Was there ever« said Dennis looking round the room when the echo of his
boisterous voice had died away »was there ever such a game boy Why I mean to
say brothers that if Muster Gashford had gone a hundred mile and got together
fifty men of the common run they wouldnt have been worth this one«
The greater part of the company implicitly subscribed to this opinion and
testified their faith in Hugh by nods and looks of great significance Mr
Tappertit sat and contemplated him for a long time in silence as if he
suspended his judgment then drew a little nearer to him and eyed him over more
carefully then went close up to him and took him apart into a dark corner
»I say« he began with a thoughtful brow »havent I seen you before«
»Its like you may« said Hugh in his careless way »I dont know
shouldnt wonder«
»No but its very easily settled« returned Sim »Look at me Did you ever
see me before You wouldnt be likely to forget it you know if you ever did
Look at me Dont be afraid I wont do you any harm Take a good look steady
now«
The encouraging way in which Mr Tappertit made this request and coupled it
with an assurance that he neednt be frightened amused Hugh mightily so much
indeed that he saw nothing at all of the small man before him through closing
his eyes in a fit of hearty laughter which shook his great broad sides until
they ached again
»Come« said Mr Tappertit growing a little impatient under this
disrespectful treatment »Do you know me feller«
»Not I« cried Hugh »Ha ha ha Not I But I should like to«
»And yet Id have wagered a sevenshilling piece« said Mr Tappertit
folding his arms and confronting him with his legs wide apart and firmly
planted on the ground »that you once were hostler at the Maypole«
Hugh opened his eyes on hearing this and looked at him in great surprise
» And so you were too« said Mr Tappertit pushing him away with a
condescending playfulness »When did my eyes ever deceive unless it was a
young woman Dont you know me now«
»Why it ant « Hugh faltered
»Ant it« said Mr Tappertit »Are you sure of that You remember G
Varden dont you«
Certainly Hugh did and he remembered D Varden too but that he didnt tell
him
»You remember coming down there before I was out of my time to ask after a
vagabond that had bolted off and left his disconsolate father a prey to the
bitterest emotions and all the rest of it dont you« said Mr Tappertit
»Of course I do« cried Hugh »And I saw you there«
»Saw me there« said Mr Tappertit »Yes I should think you did see me
there The place would be troubled to go on without me Dont you remember my
thinking you liked the vagabond and on that account going to quarrel with you
and then finding you detested him worse than poison going to drink with you
Dont you remember that«
»To be sure« cried Hugh
»Well and are you in the same mind now« said Mr Tappertit
»Yes« roared Hugh
»You speak like a man« said Mr Tappertit »and Ill shake hands with you«
With these conciliatory expressions he suited the action to the word and Hugh
meeting his advances readily they performed the ceremony with a show of great
heartiness
»I find« said Mr Tappertit looking round on the assembled guests »that
brother Whatshisname and I are old acquaintance You never heard anything
more of that rascal I suppose eh«
»Not a syllable« replied Hugh »I never want to I dont believe I ever
shall Hes dead long ago I hope«
»Its to be hoped for the sake of mankind in general and the happiness of
society that he is« said Mr Tappertit rubbing his palm upon his legs and
looking at it between whiles »Is your other hand at all cleaner Much the same
Well Ill owe you another shake Well suppose it done if youve no
objection«
Hugh laughed again and with such thorough abandonment to his mad humour
that his limbs seemed dislocated and his whole frame in danger of tumbling to
pieces but Mr Tappertit so far from receiving this extreme merriment with any
irritation was pleased to regard it with the utmost favour and even to join in
it so far as one of his gravity and station could with any regard to that
decency and decorum which men in high places are expected to maintain
Mr Tappertit did not stop here as many public characters might have done
but calling up his brace of lieutenants introduced Hugh to them with high
commendation declaring him to be a man who at such times as those in which
they lived could not be too much cherished Further he did him the honour to
remark that he would be an acquisition of which even the United Bulldogs might
be proud and finding upon sounding him that he was quite ready and willing to
enter the society for he was not at all particular and would have leagued
himself that night with anything or anybody for any purpose whatsoever
caused the necessary preliminaries to be gone into upon the spot This tribute
to his great merit delighted no man more than Mr Dennis as he himself
proclaimed with several rare and surprising oaths and indeed it gave unmingled
satisfaction to the whole assembly
»Make anything you like of me« cried Hugh flourishing the can he had
emptied more than once »Put me on any duty you please Im your man Ill do
it Heres my captain heres my leader Ha ha ha Let him give me the word of
command and Ill fight the whole parliament House singlehanded or set a
lighted torch to the Kings Throne itself« With that he smote Mr Tappertit on
the back with such violence that his little body seemed to shrink into a mere
nothing and roared again until the very foundlings near at hand were startled
in their beds
In fact a sense of something whimsical in their companionship seemed to
have taken entire possession of his rude brain The bare fact of being
patronised by a great man whom he could have crushed with one hand appeared in
his eyes so eccentric and humorous that a kind of ferocious merriment gained
the mastery over him and quite subdued his brutal nature He roared and roared
again toasted Mr Tappertit a hundred times declared himself a Bulldog to the
core and vowed to be faithful to him to the last drop of blood in his veins
All these compliments Mr Tappertit received as matters of course
flattering enough in their way but entirely attributable to his vast
superiority His dignified selfpossession only delighted Hugh the more and in
a word this giant and the dwarf struck up a friendship which bade fair to be of
long continuance as the one held it to be his right to command and the other
considered it an exquisite pleasantry to obey Nor was Hugh by any means a
passive follower who scrupled to act without precise and definite orders for
when Mr Tappertit mounted on an empty case which stood by way of rostrum in the
room and volunteered a speech upon the alarming crisis then at hand he placed
himself beside the orator and though he grinned from ear to ear at every word
he said threw out such expressive hints to scoffers in the management of his
cudgel that those who were at first the most disposed to interrupt became
remarkably attentive and were the loudest in their approbation
It was not all noise and jest however at The Boot nor were the whole
party listeners to the speech There were some men at the other end of the room
which was a long lowroofed chamber in earnest conversation all the time and
when any of this group went out fresh people were sure to come in soon
afterwards and sit down in their places as though the others had relieved them
on some watch or duty which it was pretty clear they did for these changes
took place by the clock at intervals of half an hour These persons whispered
very much among themselves and kept aloof and often looked round as jealous
of their speech being overheard some two or three among them entered in books
what seemed to be reports from the others when they were not thus employed one
of them would turn to the newspapers which were strewn upon the table and from
the St Jamess Chronicle the Herald Chronicle or Public Advertiser would
read to the rest in a low voice some passage having reference to the topic in
which they were all so deeply interested But the great attraction was a
pamphlet called The Thunderer which espoused their own opinions and was
supposed at that time to emanate directly from the Association This was always
in request and whether read aloud to an eager knot of listeners or by some
solitary man was certain to be followed by stormy talking and excited looks
In the midst of all his merriment and admiration of his captain Hugh was
made sensible by these and other tokens of the presence of an air of mystery
akin to that which had so much impressed him out of doors It was impossible to
discard a sense that something serious was going on and that under the noisy
revel of the publichouse there lurked unseen and dangerous matter Little
affected by this however he was perfectly satisfied with his quarters and
would have remained there till morning but that his conductor rose soon after
midnight to go home Mr Tappertit following his example left him no excuse to
stay So they all three left the house together roaring a NoPopery song until
the fields resounded with the dismal noise
»Cheer up captain« cried Hugh when they had roared themselves out of
breath »Another stave«
Mr Tappertit nothing loath began again and so the three went staggering
on arminarm shouting like madmen and defying the watch with great valour
Indeed this did not require any unusual bravery or boldness as the watchmen of
that time being selected for the office on account of excessive age and
extraordinary infirmity had a custom of shutting themselves up tight in their
boxes on the first symptoms of disturbance and remaining there until they
disappeared In these proceedings Mr Dennis who had a gruff voice and lungs
of considerable power distinguished himself very much and acquired great
credit with his two companions
»What a queer fellow you are« said Mr Tappertit »Youre so precious sly
and close Why dont you ever tell what trade youre of«
»Answer the captain instantly« cried Hugh beating his hat down on his
head »why dont you ever tell what trade youre of«
»Im of as genteel a calling brother as any man in England as light a
business as any gentleman could desire«
»Was you prenticed to it« asked Mr Tappertit
»No Natural genius« said Mr Dennis »No prenticing It comes by natur
Muster Gashford knows my calling Look at that hand of mine many and many a
job that hand has done with a neatness and dexterity never known afore When
I look at that hand« said Mr Dennis shaking it in the air »and remember the
helegant bits of work it has turned off I feel quite molloncholy to think it
should ever grow old and feeble But sich is life«
He heaved a deep sigh as he indulged in these reflections and putting his
fingers with an absent air on Hughs throat and particularly under his left
ear as if he were studying the anatomical development of that part of his
frame shook his head in a despondent manner and actually shed tears
»Youre a kind of artist I suppose eh« said Mr Tappertit
»Yes« rejoined Dennis »yes I may call myself a artist a fancy workman
art improves natur thats my motto«
»And what do you call this« said Mr Tappertit taking his stick out of his
hand
»Thats my portrait atop« Dennis replied »dye think its like«
»Why its a little too handsome« said Mr Tappertit »Who did it You«
»I« repeated Dennis gazing fondly on his image »I wish I had the talent
That was carved by a friend of mine as is now no more The very day afore he
died he cut that with his pocketknife from memory Ill die game says my
friend and my last moments shall be dewoted to making Denniss picter Thats
it«
»That was a queer fancy wasnt it« said Mr Tappertit
»It was a queer fancy« rejoined the other breathing on his fictitious
nose and polishing it with the cuff of his coat »but he was a queer subject
altogether a kind of gipsy one of the finest standup men you ever see
Ah He told me some things that would startle you a bit did that friend of
mine on the morning when he died«
»You were with him at the time were you« said Mr Tappertit
»Yes« he answered with a curious look »I was there Oh yes certainly I
was there He wouldnt have gone off half as comfortable without me I had been
with three or four of his family under the same circumstances They were all
fine fellows«
»They must have been fond of you« remarked Mr Tappertit looking at him
sideways
»I dont know that they was exactly fond of me« said Dennis with a little
hesitation »but they all had me near em when they departed I come in for
their wardrobes too This very handkecher that you see round my neck belonged
to him that Ive been speaking of him as did that likeness«
Mr Tappertit glanced at the article referred to and appeared to think that
the deceaseds ideas of dress were of a peculiar and by no means an expensive
kind He made no remark upon the point however and suffered his mysterious
companion to proceed without interruption
»These smalls« said Dennis rubbing his legs »these very smalls they
belonged to a friend of mine thats left off sich incumbrances for ever this
coat too Ive often walked behind this coat in the street and wondered
whether it would ever come to me this pair of shoes have danced a hornpipe for
another man afore my eyes full halfadozen times at least and as to my hat«
he said taking it off and whirling it round upon his fist »Lord Ive seen
this hat go up Holborn on the box of a hackneycoach ah many and many a day«
»You dont mean to say their old wearers are all dead I hope« said Mr
Tappertit falling a little distance from him as he spoke
»Every one of em« replied Dennis »Every man Jack«
There was something so very ghastly in this circumstance and it appeared
to account in such a very strange and dismal manner for his faded dress
which in this new aspect seemed discoloured by the earth from graves that
Mr Tappertit abruptly found he was going another way and stopping short bade
him good night with the utmost heartiness As they happened to be near the Old
Bailey and Mr Dennis knew there were turnkeys in the lodge with whom he could
pass the night and discuss professional subjects of common interest among them
before a rousing fire and over a social glass he separated from his companions
without any great regret and warmly shaking hands with Hugh and making an
early appointment for their meeting at The Boot left them to pursue their road
»Thats a strange sort of man« said Mr Tappertit watching the
hackneycoachmans hat as it went bobbing down the street »I dont know what to
make of him Why cant he have his smalls made to order or wear live clothes at
any rate«
»Hes a lucky man captain« cried Hugh »I should like to have such friends
as his«
»I hope he dont get em to make their wills and then knock em on the
head« said Mr Tappertit musing »But come The United Bs expect me On
Whats the matter«
»I quite forgot« said Hugh who had started at the striking of a
neighbouring clock »I have somebody to see tonight I must turn back
directly The drinking and singing put it out of my head Its well I remembered
it«
Mr Tappertit looked at him as though he were about to give utterance to
some very majestic sentiments in reference to this act of desertion but as it
was clear from Hughs hasty manner that the engagement was one of a pressing
nature he graciously forbore and gave him his permission to depart
immediately which Hugh acknowledged with a roar of laughter
»Good night captain« he cried »I am yours to the death remember«
»Farewell« said Mr Tappertit waving his hand »Be bold and vigilant«
»No Popery captain« roared Hugh
»England in blood first« cried his desperate leader Whereat Hugh cheered
and laughed and ran off like a greyhound
»That man will prove a credit to my corps« said Simon turning thoughtfully
upon his heel »And let me see In an altered state of society which must
ensue if we break out and are victorious when the locksmiths child is mine
Miggs must be got rid of somehow or shell poison the teakettle one evening
when Im out He might marry Miggs if he was drunk enough It shall be done
Ill make a note of it«
Chapter XL
Little thinking of the plan for his happy settlement in life which had suggested
itself to the teeming brain of his provident commander Hugh made no pause until
Saint Dunstans giants struck the hour above him when he worked the handle of a
pump which stood hard by with great vigour and thrusting his head under the
spout let the water gush upon him until a little stream ran down from every
uncombed hair and he was wet to the waist Considerably refreshed by this
ablution both in mind and body and almost sobered for the time he dried
himself as he best could then crossed the road and plied the knocker of the
Middle Temple gate
The nightporter looked through a small grating in the portal with a surly
eye and cried »Halloa« which greeting Hugh returned in kind and bade him open
quickly
»We dont sell beer here« cried the man »what else do you want«
»To come in« Hugh replied with a kick at the door
»Where to go«
»Paper Buildings«
»Whose chambers«
»Sir John Chesters« Each of which answers he emphasised with another
kick
After a little growling on the other side the gate was opened and he
passed in undergoing a close inspection from the porter as he did so
»You wanting Sir John at this time of night« said the man
»Ay« said Hugh »I What of that«
»Why I must go with you and see that you do for I dont believe it«
»Come along then«
Eyeing him with suspicious looks the man with key and lantern walked on
at his side and attended him to Sir John Chesters door at which Hugh gave one
knock that echoed through the dark staircase like a ghostly summons and made
the dull light tremble in the drowsy lamp
»Do you think he wants me now« said Hugh
Before the man had time to answer a footstep was heard within a light
appeared and Sir John in his dressinggown and slippers opened the door
»I ask your pardon Sir John« said the porter pulling off his hat »Heres
a young man says he wants to speak to you Its late for strangers I thought it
best to see that all was right«
»Aha« cried Sir John raising his eyebrows »Its you messenger is it Go
in Quite right friend I commend your prudence highly Thank you God bless
you Good night«
To be commended thanked Godblessed and bade good night by one who
carried Sir before his name and wrote himself MP to boot was something for a
porter He withdrew with much humility and reverence Sir John followed his late
visitor into the dressingroom and sitting in his easychair before the fire
and moving it so that he could see him as he stood hat in hand beside the
door looked at him from head to foot
The old face calm and pleasant as ever the complexion quite juvenile in
its bloom and clearness the same smile the wonted precision and elegance of
dress the white wellordered teeth the delicate hands the composed and quiet
manner everything as it used to be no mark of age or passion envy hate or
discontent all unruffled and serene and quite delightful to behold
He wrote himself MP but how Why thus It was a proud family more
proud indeed than wealthy He had stood in danger of arrest of bailiffs and
a jail a vulgar jail to which the common people with small incomes went
Gentlemen of ancient houses have no privilege of exemption from such cruel laws
unless they are of one great house and then they have A proud man of his
stock and kindred had the means of sending him there He offered not indeed to
pay his debts but to let him sit for a close borough until his own son came of
age which if he lived would come to pass in twenty years It was quite as
good as an Insolvent Act and infinitely more genteel So Sir John Chester was a
member of Parliament
But how Sir John Nothing so simple or so easy One touch with a sword of
state and the transformation was effected John Chester Esquire MP
attended court went up with an address headed a deputation Such elegance of
manner so many graces of deportment such powers of conversation could never
pass unnoticed Mr was too common for such merit A man so gentlemanly should
have been but Fortune is capricious born a Duke just as some dukes should
have been born labourers He caught the fancy of the king knelt down a grub
and rose a butterfly John Chester Esquire was knighted and became Sir John
»I thought when you left me this evening my esteemed acquaintance« said
Sir John after a pretty long silence »that you intended to return with all
despatch«
»So I did master«
»And so you have« he retorted glancing at his watch »Is that what you
would say«
Instead of replying Hugh changed the leg on which he leant shuffled his
cap from one hand to the other looked at the ground the wall the ceiling and
finally at Sir John himself before whose pleasant face he lowered his eyes
again and fixed them on the floor
»And how have you been employing yourself in the meanwhile« quoth Sir John
lazily crossing his legs »Where have you been what harm have you been doing«
»No harm at all master« growled Hugh with humility »I have only done as
you ordered«
»As I what« returned Sir John
»Well then« said Hugh uneasily »as you advised or said I ought or said I
might or said that you would do if you was me Dont be so hard upon me
master«
Something like an expression of triumph in the perfect control he had
established over this rough instrument appeared in the knights face for an
instant but it vanished directly as he said paring his nails while speaking
»When you say I ordered you my good fellow you imply that I directed you
to do something for me something I wanted done something for my own ends and
purposes you see Now I am sure I neednt enlarge upon the extreme absurdity
of such an idea however unintentional so please« and here he turned his eyes
upon him »to be more guarded Will you«
»I meant to give you no offence« said Hugh »I dont know what to say You
catch me up so very short«
»You will be caught up much shorter my good friend infinitely shorter
one of these days depend upon it« replied his patron calmly »Bythebye
instead of wondering why you have been so long my wonder should be why you came
at all Why did you«
»You know master« said Hugh »that I couldnt read the bill I found and
that supposing it to be something particular from the way it was wrapped up I
brought it here«
»And could you ask no one else to read it Bruin« said Sir John
»No one that I could trust with secrets master Since Barnaby Rudge was
lost sight of for good and all and thats five years ago I havent talked
with any one but you«
»You have done me honour I am sure«
»I have come to and fro master all through that time when there was
anything to tell because I knew that youd be angry with me if I stayed away«
said Hugh blurting the words out after an embarrassed silence »and because I
wished to please you if I could and not to have you go against me There
Thats the true reason why I came tonight You know that master I am sure«
»You are a specious fellow« returned Sir John fixing his eyes upon him
»and carry two faces under your hood as well as the best Didnt you give me in
this room this evening any other reason no dislike of anybody who has
slighted you lately on all occasions abused you treated you with rudeness
acted towards you more as if you were a mongrel dog than a man like himself«
»To be sure I did« cried Hugh his passion rising as the other meant it
should »and I say it all over now again Id do anything to have some revenge
on him anything And when you told me that he and all the Catholics would
suffer from those who joined together under that handbill I said Id make one
of em if their master was the devil himself I am one of em See whether I am
as good as my word and turn out to be among the foremost or no I maynt have
much head master but Ive head enough to remember those that use me ill You
shall see and so shall he and so shall hundreds more how my spirit backs me
when the time comes My bark is nothing to my bite Some that I know had better
have a wild lion among them than me when I am fairly loose they had«
The knight looked at him with a smile of far deeper meaning than ordinary
and pointing to the old cupboard followed him with his eyes while he filled and
drank a glass of liquor and smiled when his back was turned with deeper
meaning yet
»You are in a blustering mood my friend« he said when Hugh confronted him
again
»Not I master« cried Hugh »I dont say half I mean I cant I havent
got the gift There are talkers enough among us Ill be one of the doers«
»Oh you have joined those fellows then« said Sir John with an air of most
profound indifference
»Yes I went up to the house you told me of and got put down upon the
muster There was another man there named Dennis «
»Dennis eh« cried Sir John laughing »Ay ay a pleasant fellow I
believe«
»A roaring dog master one after my own heart hot upon the matter too
red hot«
»So I have heard« replied Sir John carelessly »You dont happen to know
his trade do you«
»He wouldnt say« cried Hugh »He keeps it secret«
»Ha ha« laughed Sir John »A strange fancy a weakness with some persons
youll know it one day I dare swear«
»Were intimate already« said Hugh
»Quite natural And have been drinking together eh« pursued Sir John »Did
you say what place you went to in company when you left Lord Georges«
Hugh had not said or thought of saying but he told him and this inquiry
being followed by a long train of questions he related all that had passed both
in and out of doors the kind of people he had seen their numbers state of
feeling mode of conversation apparent expectations and intentions His
questioning was so artfully contrived that he seemed even in his own eyes to
volunteer all this information rather than to have it wrested from him and he
was brought to this state of feeling so naturally that when Mr Chester yawned
at length and declared himself quite wearied out he made a rough kind of excuse
for having talked so much
»There get you gone« said Sir John holding the door open in his hand
»You have made a pretty evenings work I told you not to do this You may get
into trouble Youll have an opportunity of revenging yourself on your proud
friend Haredale though and for that youd hazard anything I suppose«
»I would« retorted Hugh stopping in his passage out and looking back »but
what do I risk What do I stand a chance of losing master Friends home A fig
for em all I have none they are nothing to me Give me a good scuffle let me
pay off old scores in a bold riot where there are men to stand by me and then
use me as you like it dont matter much to me what the end is«
»What have you done with that paper« said Sir John
»I have it here master«
»Drop it again as you go along its as well not to keep such things about
you«
Hugh nodded and touching his cap with an air of as much respect as he could
summon up departed
Sir John fastening the doors behind him went back to his dressingroom
and sat down once again before the fire at which he gazed for a long time in
earnest meditation
»This happens fortunately« he said breaking into a smile »and promises
well Let me see My relative and I who are the most Protestant fellows in the
world give our worst wishes to the Roman Catholic cause and to Saville who
introduces their bill I have a personal objection besides but as each of us
has himself for the first article in his creed we cannot commit ourselves by
joining with a very extravagant madman such as this Gordon most undoubtedly is
Now really to foment his disturbances in secret through the medium of such a
very apt instrument as my savage friend here may further our real ends and to
express at all becoming seasons in moderate and polite terms a disapprobation
of his proceedings though we agree with him in principle will certainly be to
gain a character for honesty and uprightness of purpose which cannot fail to do
us infinite service and to raise us into some importance Good So much for
public grounds As to private considerations I confess that if these vagabonds
would make some riotous demonstration which does not appear impossible and
would inflict some little chastisement on Haredale as a not inactive man among
his sect it would be extremely agreeable to my feelings and would amuse me
beyond measure Good again Perhaps better«
When he came to this point he took a pinch of snuff then beginning slowly
to undress he resumed his meditations by saying with a smile
»I fear I do fear exceedingly that my friend is following fast in the
footsteps of his mother His intimacy with Mr Dennis is very ominous But I
have no doubt he must have come to that end any way If I lend him a helping
hand the only difference is that he may upon the whole possibly drink a few
gallons or puncheons or hogsheads less in this life than he otherwise would
Its no business of mine Its a matter of very small importance«
So he took another pinch of snuff and went to bed
Chapter XLI
From the workshop of the Golden Key there issued forth a tinkling sound so
merry and goodhumoured that it suggested the idea of some one working
blithely and made quite pleasant music No man who hammered on at a dull
monotonous duty could have brought such cheerful notes from steel and iron
none but a chirping healthy honesthearted fellow who made the best of
everything and felt kindly towards everybody could have done it for an
instant He might have been a coppersmith and still been musical If he had sat
in a jolting waggon full of rods of iron it seemed as if he would have brought
some harmony out of it
Tink tink tink clear as a silver bell and audible at every pause of the
streets harsher noises as though it said »I dont care nothing puts me out
I am resolved to be happy« Women scolded children squalled heavy carts went
rumbling by horrible cries proceeded from the lungs of hawkers still it struck
in again no higher no lower no louder no softer not thrusting itself on
peoples notice a bit the more for having been outdone by louder sounds tink
tink tink tink tink
It was a perfect embodiment of the still small voice free from all cold
hoarseness huskiness or unhealthiness of any kind footpassengers slackened
their pace and were disposed to linger near it neighbours who had got up
splenetic that morning felt goodhumour stealing on them as they heard it and
by degrees became quite sprightly mothers danced their babies to its ringing
still the same magical tink tink tink came gaily from the workshop of the
Golden Key
Who but the locksmith could have made such music A gleam of sun shining
through the unsashed window and chequering the dark workshop with a broad patch
of light fell full upon him as though attracted by his sunny heart There he
stood working at his anvil his face all radiant with exercise and gladness his
sleeves turned up his wig pushed off his shining forehead the easiest
freest happiest man in all the world Beside him sat a sleek cat purring and
winking in the light and falling every now and then into an idle dose as from
excess of comfort Toby looked on from a tall bench hard by one beaming smile
from his broad nutbrown face down to the slackbaked buckles in his shoes The
very locks that hung around had something jovial in their rust and seemed like
gouty gentlemen of hearty natures disposed to joke on their infirmities There
was nothing surly or severe in the whole scene It seemed impossible that any
one of the innumerable keys could fit a churlish strongbox or a prisondoor
Cellars of beer and wine rooms where there were fires books gossip and
cheering laughter these were their proper sphere of action Places of distrust
and cruelty and restraint they would have left quadruplelocked for ever
Tink tink tink The locksmith paused at last and wiped his brow The
silence roused the cat who jumping softly down crept to the door and watched
with tiger eyes a birdcage in an opposite window Gabriel lifted Toby to his
mouth and took a hearty draught
Then as he stood upright with his head flung back and his portly chest
thrown out you would have seen that Gabriels lower man was clothed in military
gear Glancing at the wall beyond there might have been espied hanging on
their several pegs a cap and feather broadsword sash and coat of scarlet
which any man learned in such matters would have known from their make and
pattern to be the uniform of a serjeant in the Royal East London Volunteers
As the locksmith put his mug down empty on the bench whence it had smiled
on him before he glanced at these articles with a laughing eye and looking at
them with his head a little on one side as though he would get them all into a
focus said leaning on his hammer
»Time was now I remember when I was like to run mad with the desire to
wear a coat of that colour If any one except my father had called me a fool
for my pains how I should have fired and fumed But what a fool I must have
been surely«
»Ah« sighed Mrs Varden who had entered unobserved »A fool indeed A man
at your time of life Varden should know better now«
»Why what a ridiculous woman you are Martha« said the locksmith turning
round with a smile
»Certainly« replied Mrs V with great demureness »Of course I am I know
that Varden Thank you«
»I mean « began the locksmith
»Yes« said his wife »I know what you mean You speak quite plain enough to
be understood Varden Its very kind of you to adapt yourself to my capacity I
am sure«
»Tut tut Martha« rejoined the locksmith »dont take offence at nothing
I mean how strange it is of you to run down volunteering when its done to
defend you and all the other women and our own fireside and everybody elses
in case of need«
»Its unchristian« cried Mrs Varden shaking her head
»Unchristian« said the locksmith »Why what the devil «
Mrs Varden looked at the ceiling as in expectation that the consequence of
this profanity would be the immediate descent of the fourpost bedstead on the
second floor together with the best sittingroom on the first but no visible
judgment occurring she heaved a deep sigh and begged her husband in a tone of
resignation to go on and by all means to blaspheme as much as possible
because he knew she liked it
The locksmith did for a moment seem disposed to gratify her but he gave a
great gulp and mildly rejoined
»I was going to say what on earth do you call it unchristian for Which
would be most unchristian Martha to sit quietly down and let our houses be
sacked by a foreign army or to turn out like men and drive em off Shouldnt I
be a nice sort of a Christian if I crept into a corner of my own chimney and
looked on while a parcel of whiskered savages bore off Dolly or you«
When he said »or you« Mrs Varden despite herself relaxed into a smile
There was something complimentary in the idea »In such a state of things as
that indeed « she simpered
»As that« repeated the locksmith »Well that would be the state of things
directly Even Miggs would go Some black tambourineplayer with a great turban
on would be bearing her off and unless the tambourineplayer was proof
against kicking and scratching its my belief hed have the worst of it Ha ha
ha Id forgive the tambourineplayer I wouldnt have him interfered with on
any account poor fellow« And here the locksmith laughed again so heartily
that tears came into his eyes much to Mrs Vardens indignation who thought
the capture of so sound a Protestant and estimable a private character as Miggs
by a pagan negro a circumstance too shocking and awful for contemplation
The picture Gabriel had drawn indeed threatened serious consequences and
would indubitably have led to them but luckily at that moment a light footstep
crossed the threshold and Dolly running in threw her arms round her old
fathers neck and hugged him tight
»Here she is at last« cried Gabriel »And how well you look Doll and how
late you are my darling«
How well she looked Well Why if he had exhausted every laudatory
adjective in the dictionary it wouldnt have been praise enough When and where
was there ever such a plump roguish comely brighteyed enticing bewitching
captivating maddening little puss in all this world as Dolly What was the
Dolly of five years ago to the Dolly of that day How many coachmakers
saddlers cabinetmakers and professors of other useful arts had deserted
their fathers mothers sisters brothers and most of all their cousins for
the love of her How many unknown gentlemen supposed to be of mighty fortunes
if not titles had waited round the corner after dark and tempted Miggs the
incorruptible with golden guineas to deliver offers of marriage folded up in
loveletters How many disconsolate fathers and substantial tradesmen had waited
on the locksmith for the same purpose with dismal tales of how their sons had
lost their appetites and taken to shut themselves up in dark bedrooms and
wandering in desolate suburbs with pale faces and all because of Dolly Vardens
loveliness and cruelty How many young men in all previous times of
unprecedented steadiness had turned suddenly wild and wicked for the same
reason and in an ecstasy of unrequited love taken to wrench off
doorknockers and invert the boxes of rheumatic watchmen How had she recruited
the kings service both by sea and land through rendering desperate his loving
subjects between the ages of eighteen and twentyfive How many young ladies had
publicly professed with tears in their eyes that for their tastes she was much
too short too tall too bold too cold too stout too thin too fair too dark
too everything but handsome How many old ladies taking counsel together had
thanked Heaven their daughters were not like her and had hoped she might come
to no harm and had thought she would come to no good and had wondered what
people saw in her and had arrived at the conclusion that she was going off in
her looks or had never come on in them and that she was a thorough imposition
and a popular mistake
And yet here was this same Dolly Varden so whimsical and hard to please
that she was Dolly Varden still all smiles and dimples and pleasant looks and
caring no more for the fifty or sixty young fellows who at that very moment were
breaking their hearts to marry her than if so many oysters had been crossed in
love and opened afterwards
Dolly hugged her father as has been already stated and having hugged her
mother also accompanied both into the little parlour where the cloth was
already laid for dinner and where Miss Miggs a trifle more rigid and bony
than of yore received her with a sort of hysterical gasp intended for a
smile Into the hands of that young virgin she delivered her bonnet and walking
dress all of a dreadful artful and designing kind and then said with a
laugh which rivalled the locksmiths music »How glad I always am to be at home
again«
»And how glad we always are Doll« said her father putting back the dark
hair from her sparkling eyes »to have you at home Give me a kiss«
If there had been anybody of the male kind there to see her do it but
there was not it was a mercy
»I dont like your being at the Warren« said the locksmith »I cant bear
to have you out of my sight And what is the news over yonder Doll«
»What news there is I think you know already« replied his daughter »I am
sure you do though«
»Ay« cried the locksmith »Whats that«
»Come come« said Dolly »you know very well I want you to tell me why Mr
Haredale eh how gruff he is again to be sure has been away from home for
some days past and why he is travelling about we know he is travelling
because of his letters without telling his own niece why or wherefore«
»Miss Emma doesnt want to know Ill swear« returned the locksmith
»I dont know that« said Dolly »but I do at any rate Do tell me Why is
he so secret and what is this ghost story which nobody is to tell Miss Emma
and which seems to be mixed up with his going away Now I see you know by your
colouring so«
»What the story means or is or has to do with it I know no more than you
my dear« returned the locksmith »except that its some foolish fear of little
Solomons which has indeed no meaning in it I suppose As to Mr Haredales
journey he goes as I believe «
»Yes« said Dolly
»As I believe« resumed the locksmith pinching her cheek »on business
Doll What it may be is quite another matter Read Blue Beard and dont be too
curious pet its no business of yours or mine depend upon that and heres
dinner which is much more to the purpose«
Dolly might have remonstrated against this summary dismissal of the subject
notwithstanding the appearance of dinner but at the mention of Blue Beard Mrs
Varden interposed protesting she could not find it in her conscience to sit
tamely by and hear her child recommended to peruse the adventures of a Turk and
Mussulman far less of a fabulous Turk which she considered that potentate to
be She held that in such stirring and tremendous times as those in which they
lived it would be much more to the purpose if Dolly became a regular subscriber
to the Thunderer where she would have an opportunity of reading Lord George
Gordons speeches word for word which would be a greater comfort and solace to
her than a hundred and fifty Blue Beards ever could impart She appealed in
support of this proposition to Miss Miggs then in waiting who said that indeed
the peace of mind she had derived from the perusal of that paper generally but
especially of one article of the very last week as ever was entitled »Great
Britain drenched in gore« exceeded all belief the same composition she added
had also wrought such a comforting effect on the mind of a married sister of
hers then resident at Golden Lion Court number twentysivin second
bellhandle on the righthand doorpost that being in a delicate state of
health and in fact expecting an addition to her family she had been seized
with fits directly after its perusal and had raved of the Inquisition ever
since to the great improvement of her husband and friends Miss Miggs went on
to say that she would recommend all those whose hearts were hardened to hear
Lord George themselves whom she commended first in respect of his steady
Protestantism then of his oratory then of his eyes then of his nose then of
his legs and lastly of his figure generally which she looked upon as fit for
any statue prince or angel to which sentiment Mrs Varden fully subscribed
Mrs Varden having cut in looked at a box upon the mantelshelf painted in
imitation of a very redbrick dwellinghouse with a yellow roof having at top
a real chimney down which voluntary subscribers dropped their silver gold or
pence into the parlour and on the door the counterfeit presentment of a brass
plate whereon was legibly inscribed »Protestant Association« and looking at
it said that it was to her a source of poignant misery to think that Varden
never had of all his substance dropped anything into that temple save one in
secret as she afterwards discovered two fragments of tobaccopipe which she
hoped would not be put down to his last account That Dolly she was grieved to
say was no less backward in her contributions better loving as it seemed to
purchase ribbons and such gauds than to encourage the great cause then in such
heavy tribulation and that she did entreat her her father she much feared
could not be moved not to despise but imitate the bright example of Miss
Miggs who flung her wages as it were into the very countenance of the Pope
and bruised his features with her quarters money
»Oh mim« said Miggs »dont relude to that I had no intentions mim that
nobody should know Such sacrifices as I can make are quite a widders mite
Its all I have« cried Miggs with a great burst of tears for with her they
never came on by degrees »but its made up to me in other ways its well made
up«
This was quite true though not perhaps in the sense that Miggs intended As
she never failed to keep her selfdenial full in Mrs Vardens view it drew
forth so many gifts of caps and gowns and other articles of dress that upon the
whole the redbrick house was perhaps the best investment for her small capital
she could possibly have hit upon returning her interest at the rate of seven
or eight per cent in money and fifty at least in personal repute and credit
»You neednt cry Miggs« said Mrs Varden herself in tears »you neednt
be ashamed of it though your poor mistress is on the same side«
Miggs howled at this remark in a peculiarly dismal way and said she knowed
that master hated her That it was a dreadful thing to live in families and have
dislikes and not give satisfactions That to make divisions was a thing she
could not abear to think of neither could her feelings let her do it That if
it was masters wishes as she and him should part it was best they should part
and she hoped he might be the happier for it and always wishes him well and
that he might find somebody as would meet his dispositions It would be a hard
trial she said to part from such a missis but she could meet any suffering
when her conscience told her she was in the rights and therefore she was
willing even to go that lengths She did not think she added that she could
long survive the separations but as she was hated and looked upon unpleasant
perhaps her dying as soon as possible would be the best endings for all parties
With this affecting conclusion Miss Miggs shed more tears and sobbed
abundantly
»Can you bear this Varden« said his wife in a solemn voice laying down
her knife and fork
»Why not very well my dear« rejoined the locksmith »but I try to keep my
temper«
»Dont let there be words on my account mim« sobbed Miggs »Its much the
best that we should part I wouldnt stay oh gracious me and make
dissensions not for a annual gold mine and found in tea and sugar«
Lest the reader should be at any loss to discover the cause of Miss Miggss
deep emotion it may be whispered apart that happening to be listening as her
custom sometimes was when Gabriel and his wife conversed together she had
heard the locksmiths joke relative to the foreign black who played the
tambourine and bursting with the spiteful feelings which the taunt awoke in her
fair breast exploded in the manner we have witnessed Matters having now
arrived at a crisis the locksmith as usual and for the sake of peace and
quietness gave in
»What are you crying for girl« he said »Whats the matter with you What
are you talking about hatred for I dont hate you I dont hate anybody Dry
your eyes and make yourself agreeable in Heavens name and let us all be happy
while we can«
The allied powers deeming it good generalship to consider this a sufficient
apology on the part of the enemy and confession of having been in the wrong
did dry their eyes and take it in good part Miss Miggs observed that she bore
no malice no not to her greatest foe whom she rather loved the more indeed
the greater persecution she sustained Mrs Varden approved of this meek and
forgiving spirit in high terms and incidentally declared as a closing article
of agreement, that Dolly should accompany her to the Clerkenwell branch of the
association that very night This was an extraordinary instance of her great
prudence and policy having had this end in view from the first and
entertaining a secret misgiving that the locksmith who was bold when Dolly was
in question would object she had backed Miss Miggs up to this point in order
that she might have him at a disadvantage The manoeuvre succeeded so well that
Gabriel only made a wry face and with the warning he had just had fresh in his
mind did not dare to say one word
The difference ended therefore in Miggs being presented with a gown by
Mrs Varden and halfacrown by Dolly as if she had eminently distinguished
herself in the paths of morality and goodness Mrs V according to custom
expressed her hope that Varden would take a lesson from what had passed and
learn more generous conduct for the time to come and the dinner being now cold
and nobodys appetite very much improved by what had passed they went on with
it as Mrs Varden said »like Christians«
As there was to be a grand parade of the Royal East London Volunteers that
afternoon the locksmith did no more work but sat down comfortably with his
pipe in his mouth and his arm round his pretty daughters waist looking
lovingly on Mrs V from time to time and exhibiting from the crown of his
head to the sole of his foot one smiling surface of good humour And to be
sure when it was time to dress him in his regimentals and Dolly hanging about
him in all kinds of graceful winning ways helped to button and buckle and brush
him up and get him into one of the tightest coats that ever was made by mortal
tailor he was the proudest father in all England
»What a handy jade it is« said the locksmith to Mrs Varden who stood by
with folded hands rather proud of her husband too while Miggs held his cap
and sword at arms length as if mistrusting that the latter might run some one
through the body of its own accord »but never marry a soldier Doll my dear«
Dolly didnt ask why not or say a word indeed but stooped her head down
very low to tie his sash
»I never wear this dress« said honest Gabriel »but I think of poor Joe
Willet I loved Joe he was always a favourite of mine Poor Joe Dear heart
my girl dont tie me in so tight«
Dolly laughed not like herself at all the strangest little laugh that
could be and held her head down lower still
»Poor Joe« resumed the locksmith muttering to himself »I always wish he
had come to me I might have made it up between them if he had Ah old John
made a great mistake in his way of acting by that lad a great mistake Have
you nearly tied that sash my dear«
What an illmade sash it was There it was loose again and trailing on the
ground Dolly was obliged to kneel down and recommence at the beginning
»Never mind young Willet Varden« said his wife frowning »you might find
some one more deserving to talk about I think«
Miss Miggs gave a great sniff to the same effect
»Nay Martha« cried the locksmith »dont let us bear too hard upon him If
the lad is dead indeed well deal kindly by his memory«
»A runaway and a vagabond« said Mrs Varden
Miss Miggs expressed her concurrence as before
»A runaway my dear but not a vagabond« returned the locksmith in a gentle
tone »He behaved himself well did Joe always and was a handsome manly
fellow Dont call him a vagabond Martha«
Mrs Varden coughed and so did Miggs
»He tried hard to gain your good opinion Martha I can tell you« said the
locksmith smiling and stroking his chin »Ah that he did It seems but
yesterday that he followed me out to the Maypole door one night and begged me
not to say how like a boy they used him say here at home he meant though at
the time I recollect I didnt understand And hows Miss Dolly sir says
Joe« pursued the locksmith musing sorrowfully »Ah Poor Joe«
»Well I declare« cried Miggs »Oh Goodness gracious me«
»Whats the matter now« said Gabriel turning sharply to her
»Why if here ant Miss Dolly« said the handmaid stooping down to look
into her face »agiving way to floods of tears Oh mim oh sir Raly its
give me such a turn« cried the susceptible damsel pressing her hand upon her
side to quell the palpitation of her heart »that you might knock me down with a
feather«
The locksmith after glancing at Miss Miggs as if he could have wished to
have a feather brought straightway looked on with a broad stare while Dolly
hurried away followed by that sympathising young woman then turning to his
wife stammered out »Is Dolly ill Have I done anything Is it my fault«
»Your fault« cried Mrs V reproachfully »There you had better make
haste out«
»What have I done« said poor Gabriel »It was agreed that Mr Edwards name
was never to be mentioned and I have not spoken of him have I«
Mrs Varden merely replied that she had no patience with him and bounced
off after the other two The unfortunate locksmith wound his sash about him
girded on his sword put on his cap and walked out
»I am not much of a dab at my exercise« he said under his breath »but I
shall get into fewer scrapes at that work than at this Every man came into the
world for something my department seems to be to make every woman cry without
meaning it Its rather hard«
But he forgot it before he reached the end of the street and went on with a
shining face nodding to the neighbours and showering about his friendly
greetings like mild spring rain
Chapter XLII
The Royal East London Volunteers made a brilliant sight that day formed into
lines squares circles triangles and what not to the beating of drums and
the streaming of flags and performed a vast number of complex evolutions in
all of which Serjeant Varden bore a conspicuous share Having displayed their
military prowess to the utmost in these warlike shows they marched in
glittering order to the Chelsea Bunhouse and regaled in the adjacent taverns
until dark Then at sound of drum they fell in again and returned amidst the
shouting of His Majestys lieges to the place from whence they came
The homeward march being somewhat tardy owing to the unsoldierlike
behaviour of certain corporals who being gentlemen of sedentary pursuits in
private life and excitable out of doors broke several windows with their
bayonets and rendered it imperative on the commanding officer to deliver them
over to a strong guard with whom they fought at intervals as they came along
it was nine oclock when the locksmith reached home A hackneycoach was waiting
near his door and as he passed it Mr Haredale looked from the window and
called him by his name
»The sight of you is good for sore eyes sir« said the locksmith stepping
up to him »I wish you had walked in though rather than waited here«
»There is nobody at home I find« Mr Haredale answered »besides I
desired to be as private as I could«
»Humph« muttered the locksmith looking round at his house »Gone with
Simon Tappertit to that precious Branch no doubt«
Mr Haredale invited him to come into the coach and if he were not tired
or anxious to go home to ride with him a little way that they might have some
talk together Gabriel cheerfully complied and the coachman mounting his box
drove off
»Varden« said Mr Haredale after a minutes pause »you will be amazed to
hear what errand I am on it will seem a very strange one«
»I have no doubt its a reasonable one sir and has a meaning in it«
replied the locksmith »or it would not be yours at all Have you just come back
to town sir«
»But half an hour ago«
»Bringing no news of Barnaby or his mother« said the locksmith dubiously
»Ah you neednt shake your head sir It was a wildgoose chase I feared that
from the first You exhausted all reasonable means of discovery when they went
away To begin again after so long a time has passed is hopeless sir quite
hopeless«
»Why where are they« he returned impatiently »Where can they be Above
ground«
»God knows« rejoined the locksmith »many that I knew above it five years
ago have their beds under the grass now And the world is a wide place Its a
hopeless attempt sir believe me We must leave the discovery of this mystery
like all others to time and accident and Heavens pleasure«
»Varden my good fellow« said Mr Haredale »I have a deeper meaning in my
present anxiety to find them out than you can fathom It is not a mere whim it
is not the casual revival of my old wishes and desires but an earnest solemn
purpose My thoughts and dreams all tend to it and fix it in my mind I have no
rest by day or night I have no peace or quiet I am haunted«
His voice was so altered from its usual tones and his manner bespoke so
much emotion that Gabriel in his wonder could only sit and look towards him
in the darkness and fancy the expression of his face
»Do not ask me« continued Mr Haredale »to explain myself If I were to do
so you would think me the victim of some hideous fancy It is enough that this
is so and that I cannot no I can not lie quietly in my bed without doing
what will seem to you incomprehensible«
»Since when sir« said the locksmith after a pause »has this uneasy
feeling been upon you«
Mr Haredale hesitated for some moments and then replied »Since the night
of the storm In short since the last nineteenth of March«
As though he feared that Varden might express surprise or reason with him
he hastily went on
»You will think I know I labour under some delusion Perhaps I do But it
is not a morbid one it is a wholesome action of the mind, reasoning on actual
occurrences You know the furniture remains in Mrs Rudges house and that it
has been shut up by my orders since she went away save once aweek or so
when an old neighbour visits it to scare away the rats I am on my way there
now«
»For what purpose« asked the locksmith
»To pass the night there« he replied »and not tonight alone but many
nights This is a secret which I trust to you in case of any unexpected
emergency You will not come unless in case of strong necessity to me from
dusk to broad day I shall be there Emma your daughter and the rest suppose
me out of London as I have been until within this hour Do not undeceive them
This is the errand I am bound upon I know I may confide it to you and I rely
upon your questioning me no more at this time«
With that as if to change the theme he led the astounded locksmith back to
the night of the Maypole highwayman to the robbery of Edward Chester to the
reappearance of the man at Mrs Rudges house and to all the strange
circumstances which afterwards occurred He even asked him carelessly about the
mans height his face his figure whether he was like any one he had ever seen
like Hugh for instance or any man he had known at any time and put many
questions of that sort which the locksmith considering them as mere devices to
engage his attention and prevent his expressing the astonishment he felt
answered pretty much at random
At length they arrived at the corner of the street in which the house
stood where Mr Haredale alighting dismissed the coach »If you desire to see
me safely lodged« he said turning to the locksmith with a gloomy smile »you
can«
Gabriel to whom all former marvels had been nothing in comparison with
this followed him along the narrow pavement in silence When they reached the
door Mr Haredale softly opened it with a key he had about him and closing it
when Varden entered they were left in thorough darkness
They groped their way into the groundfloor room Here Mr Haredale struck a
light and kindled a pocket taper he had brought with him for the purpose It
was then when the flame was full upon him that the locksmith saw for the first
time how haggard pale and changed he looked how worn and thin he was how
perfectly his whole appearance coincided with all that he had said so strangely
as they rode along It was not an unnatural impulse in Gabriel after what he
had heard to note curiously the expression of his eyes It was perfectly
collected and rational so much so indeed that he felt ashamed of his
momentary suspicion and drooped his own when Mr Haredale looked towards him
as if he feared they would betray his thoughts
»Will you walk through the house« said Mr Haredale with a glance towards
the window the crazy shutters of which were closed and fastened »Speak low«
There was a kind of awe about the place which would have rendered it
difficult to speak in any other manner Gabriel whispered »Yes« and followed
him upstairs
Everything was just as they had seen it last There was a sense of closeness
from the exclusion of fresh air and a gloom and heaviness around as though
long imprisonment had made the very silence sad The homely hangings of the beds
and windows had begun to droop the dust lay thick upon their dwindling folds
and damps had made their way through ceiling wall and floor The boards
creaked beneath their tread as if resenting the unaccustomed intrusion nimble
spiders paralysed by the tapers glare checked the motion of their hundred
legs upon the wall or dropped like lifeless things upon the ground the
deathwatch ticked and the scampering feet of rats and mice rattled behind the
wainscot
As they looked about them on the decaying furniture it was strange to find
how vividly it presented those to whom it had belonged and with whom it was
once familiar Grip seemed to perch again upon his highbacked chair Barnaby to
crouch in his old favourite corner by the fire the mother to resume her usual
seat and watch him as of old Even when they could separate these objects from
the phantoms of the mind which they invoked the latter only glided out of
sight but lingered near them still for then they seemed to lurk in closets and
behind the doors ready to start out and suddenly accost them in wellremembered
tones
They went downstairs and again into the room they had just now left Mr
Haredale unbuckled his sword and laid it on the table with a pair of pocket
pistols then told the locksmith he would light him to the door
»But this is a dull place sir« said Gabriel lingering »may no one share
your watch«
He shook his head and so plainly evinced his wish to be alone that Gabriel
could say no more In another moment the locksmith was standing in the street
whence he could see that the light once more travelled upstairs and soon
returning to the room below shone brightly through the chinks of the shutters
If ever man were sorely puzzled and perplexed the locksmith was that
night Even when snugly seated by his own fireside with Mrs Varden opposite in
a nightcap and nightjacket and Dolly beside him in a most distracting
dishabille curling her hair and smiling as if she had never cried in all her
life and never could even then with Toby at his elbow and his pipe in his
mouth and Miggs but that perhaps was not much falling asleep in the
background he could not quite discard his wonder and uneasiness So in his
dreams still there was Mr Haredale haggard and careworn listening in the
solitary house to every sound that stirred with the taper shining through the
chinks until the day should turn it pale and end his nightly watching
Chapter XLIII
Next morning brought no satisfaction to the locksmiths thoughts nor next day
nor the next nor many others Often after nightfall he entered the street and
turned his eyes towards the wellknown house and as surely as he did so there
was the solitary light still gleaming through the crevices of the
windowshutter while all within was motionless noiseless cheerless as a
grave Unwilling to hazard Mr Haredales favour by disobeying his strict
injunction he never ventured to knock at the door or to make his presence known
in any way But whenever strong interest and curiosity attracted him to the spot
which was not seldom the light was always there
If he could have known what passed within the knowledge would have yielded
him no clue to this mysterious vigil At twilight Mr Haredale shut himself up
and at daybreak he came forth He never missed a night always came and went
alone and never varied his proceedings in the least degree
The manner of his watch was this At dusk he entered the house in the same
way as when the locksmith bore him company kindled a light went through the
rooms and narrowly examined them That done he returned to the chamber on the
groundfloor and laying his sword and pistols on the table sat by it until
morning
He usually had a book with him and often tried to read but never fixed his
eyes or thoughts upon it for five minutes together The slightest noise without
doors caught his ear a step upon the pavement seemed to make his heart leap
He was not without some refreshment during the long lonely hours generally
carrying in his pocket a sandwich of bread and meat and a small flask of wine
The latter diluted with large quantities of water he drank in a heated
feverish way as though his throat were dried but he scarcely ever broke his
fast by so much as a crumb of bread
If this voluntary sacrifice of sleep and comfort had its origin as the
locksmith on consideration was disposed to think in any superstitious
expectation of the fulfilment of a dream or vision connected with the event on
which he had brooded for so many years and if he waited for some ghostly
visitor who walked abroad when men lay sleeping in their beds he showed no
trace of fear or wavering His stern features expressed inflexible resolution
his brows were puckered and his lips compressed with deep and settled purpose
and when he started at a noise and listened it was not with the start of fear
but hope and catching up his sword as though the hour had come at last he
would clutch it in his tightclenched hand and listen with sparkling eyes and
eager looks until it died away
These disappointments were numerous for they ensued on almost every sound
but his constancy was not shaken Still every night he was at his post the
same stern sleepless sentinel and still night passed and morning dawned and
he must watch again
This went on for weeks he had taken a lodging at Vauxhall in which to pass
the day and rest himself and from this place when the tide served he usually
came to London Bridge from Westminster by water in order that he might avoid
the busy streets
One evening shortly before twilight he came his accustomed road upon the
rivers bank intending to pass through Westminster Hall into Palace Yard and
there take boat to London Bridge as usual There was a pretty large concourse of
people assembled round the Houses of Parliament looking at the members as they
entered and departed and giving vent to rather noisy demonstrations of approval
or dislike according to their known opinions As he made his way among the
throng he heard once or twice the NoPopery cry which was then becoming pretty
familiar to the ears of most men but holding it in very slight regard and
observing that the idlers were of the lowest grade he neither thought nor cared
about it but made his way along with perfect indifference
There were many little knots and groups of persons in Westminster Hall some
few looking upward at its noble ceiling and at the rays of evening light
tinted by the setting sun which streamed in aslant through its small windows
and growing dimmer by degrees were quenched in the gathering gloom below some
noisy passengers mechanics going home from work and otherwise who hurried
quickly through waking the echoes with their voices and soon darkening the
small door in the distance as they passed into the street beyond some in busy
conference together on political or private matters pacing slowly up and down
with eyes that sought the ground and seeming by their attitudes to listen
earnestly from head to foot Here a dozen squabbling urchins made a very Babel
in the air there a solitary man half clerk half mendicant paced up and down
with hungry dejection in his look and gait at his elbow passed an errandlad
swinging his basket round and round and with his shrill whistle riving the very
timbers of the roof while a more observant schoolboy halfway through
pocketed his ball and eyed the distant beadle as he came looming on It was
that time of evening when if you shut your eyes and open them again the
darkness of an hour appears to have gathered in a second The smoothworn
pavement dusty with footsteps still called upon the lofty walls to reiterate
the shuffle and the tread of feet unceasingly save when the closing of some
heavy door resounded through the building like a clap of thunder and drowned
all other noises in its rolling sound
Mr Haredale glancing only at such of these groups as he passed nearest to
and then in a manner betokening that his thoughts were elsewhere had nearly
traversed the Hall when two persons before him caught his attention One of
these a gentleman in elegant attire carried in his hand a cane which he
twirled in a jaunty manner as he loitered on the other an obsequious
crouching fawning figure listened to what he said at times throwing in a
humble word himself and with his shoulders shrugged up to his ears rubbed
his hands submissively or answered at intervals by an inclination of the head
halfway between a nod of acquiescence and a bow of most profound respect
In the abstract there was nothing very remarkable in this pair for
servility waiting on a handsome suit of clothes and a cane not to speak of
gold and silver sticks or wands of office is common enough But there was
that about the welldressed man yes and about the other likewise which struck
Mr Haredale with no pleasant feeling He hesitated stopped and would have
stepped aside and turned out of his path but at the moment the other two faced
about quickly and stumbled upon him before he could avoid them
The gentleman with the cane lifted his hat and had begun to tender an
apology which Mr Haredale had begun as hastily to acknowledge and walk away
when he stopped short and cried »Haredale Gad bless me this is strange
indeed«
»It is« he returned impatiently »yes a «
»My dear friend« cried the other detaining him »why such great speed One
minute Haredale for the sake of old acquaintance«
»I am in haste« he said »Neither of us has sought this meeting Let it be
a brief one Good night«
»Fie fie« replied Sir John for it was he »how very churlish We were
speaking of you Your name was on my lips perhaps you heard me mention it No
I am sorry for that I am really sorry You know our friend here Haredale
This is really a most remarkable meeting«
The friend plainly very ill at ease had made bold to press Sir Johns arm
and to give him other significant hints that he was desirous of avoiding this
introduction As it did not suit Sir Johns purpose however that it should be
evaded he appeared quite unconscious of these silent remonstrances and
inclined his hand towards him as he spoke to call attention to him more
particularly
The friend therefore had nothing for it but to muster up the pleasantest
smile he could and to make a conciliatory bow as Mr Haredale turned his eyes
upon him Seeing that he was recognised he put out his hand in an awkward and
embarrassed manner which was not mended by its contemptuous rejection
»Mr Gashford« said Haredale coldly »It is as I have heard then You have
left the darkness for the light sir and hate those whose opinions you formerly
held with all the bitterness of a renegade You are an honour sir to any
cause I wish the one you espouse at present much joy of the acquisition it has
made«
The secretary rubbed his hands and bowed as though he would disarm his
adversary by humbling himself before him Sir John Chester again exclaimed with
an air of great gaiety »Now really this is a most remarkable meeting« and
took a pinch of snuff with his usual selfpossession
»Mr Haredale« said Gashford stealthily raising his eyes and letting them
drop again when they met the others steady gaze »is too conscientious too
honourable too manly I am sure to attach unworthy motives to an honest change
of opinions even though it implies a doubt of those he holds himself Mr
Haredale is too just too generous too clearsighted in his moral vision to «
»Yes sir« he rejoined with a sarcastic smile finding the secretary
stopped »You were saying «
Gashford meekly shrugged his shoulders and looking on the ground again was
silent
»No but let us really« interposed Sir John at this juncture »let us
really for a moment contemplate the very remarkable character of this meeting
Haredale my dear friend pardon me if I think you are not sufficiently
impressed with its singularity Here we stand by no previous appointment or
arrangement three old schoolfellows in Westminster Hall three old boarders in
a remarkably dull and shady seminary at Saint Omers where you being Catholics
and of necessity educated out of England were brought up and where I being a
promising young Protestant at that time was sent to learn the French tongue
from a native of Paris«
»Add to the singularity Sir John« said Mr Haredale »that some of you
Protestants of promise are at this moment leagued in yonder building to prevent
our having the surpassing and unheardof privilege of teaching our children to
read and write here in this land where thousands of us enter your service
every year and to preserve the freedom of which, we die in bloody battles
abroad in heaps and that others of you to the number of some thousands as I
learn are led on to look on all men of my creed as wolves and beasts of prey
by this man Gashford Add to it besides the bare fact that this man lives in
society walks the streets in broad day I was about to say holds up his head
but that he does not and it will be strange and very strange I grant you«
»Oh you are hard upon our friend« replied Sir John with an engaging
smile »You are really very hard upon our friend«
»Let him go on Sir John« said Gashford fumbling with his gloves »Let him
go on I can make allowances Sir John I am honoured with your good opinion
and I can dispense with Mr Haredales Mr Haredale is a sufferer from the
penal laws and I cant expect his favour«
»You have so much of my favour sir« retorted Mr Haredale with a bitter
glance at the third party in their conversation »that I am glad to see you in
such good company You are the essence of your great Association in
yourselves«
»Now there you mistake« said Sir John in his most benignant way »There
which is a most remarkable circumstance for a man of your punctuality and
exactness Haredale you fall into error I dont belong to the body I have an
immense respect for its members but I dont belong to it although I am it is
certainly true the conscientious opponent of your being relieved I feel it my
duty to be so it is a most unfortunate necessity and cost me a bitter
struggle Will you try this box If you dont object to a trifling infusion of
a very chaste scent youll find its flavour exquisite«
»I ask your pardon Sir John« said Mr Haredale declining the proffer with
a motion of his hand »for having ranked you among the humble instruments who
are obvious and in all mens sight I should have done more justice to your
genius Men of your capacity plot in secrecy and safety and leave exposed posts
to the duller wits«
»Dont apologise for the world« replied Sir John sweetly »old friends
like you and I may be allowed some freedoms or the deuce is in it«
Gashford who had been very restless all this time but had not once looked
up now turned to Sir John and ventured to mutter something to the effect that
he must go or my lord would perhaps be waiting
»Dont distress yourself good sir« said Mr Haredale »Ill take my leave
and put you at your ease « which he was about to do without ceremony when he
was stayed by a buzz and murmur at the upper end of the hall and looking in
that direction saw Lord George Gordon coming in with a crowd of people round
him
There was a lurking look of triumph though very differently expressed in
the faces of his two companions which made it a natural impulse on Mr
Haredales part not to give way before this leader but to stand there while he
passed He drew himself up and clasping his hands behind him looked on with a
proud and scornful aspect while Lord George slowly advanced for the press was
great about him towards the spot where they were standing
He had left the House of Commons but that moment and had come straight down
into the Hall bringing with him as his custom was intelligence of what had
been said that night in reference to the Papists and what petitions had been
presented in their favour and who had supported them and when the bill was to
be brought in and when it would be advisable to present their own Great
Protestant petition All this he told the persons about him in a loud voice and
with great abundance of ungainly gesture Those who were nearest him made
comments to each other and vented threats and murmurings those who were
outside the crowd cried »Silence« and »Stand back« or closed in upon the
rest endeavouring to make a forcible exchange of places and so they came
driving on in a very disorderly and irregular way as it is the manner of a
crowd to do
When they were very near to where the secretary Sir John and Mr Haredale
stood Lord George turned round and making a few remarks of a sufficiently
violent and incoherent kind concluded with the usual sentiment and called for
three cheers to back it While these were in the act of being given with great
energy he extricated himself from the press and stepped up to Gashfords side
Both he and Sir John being well known to the populace they fell back a little
and left the four standing together
»Mr Haredale Lord George« said Sir John Chester seeing that the nobleman
regarded him with an inquisitive look »A Catholic gentleman unfortunately
most unhappily a Catholic but an esteemed acquaintance of mine and once of
Mr Gashfords My dear Haredale this is Lord George Gordon«
»I should have known that had I been ignorant of his lordships person«
said Mr Haredale »I hope there is but one gentleman in England who addressing
an ignorant and excited throng would speak of a large body of his
fellowsubjects in such injurious language as I heard this moment For shame my
lord for shame«
»I cannot talk to you sir« replied Lord George in a loud voice and waving
his hand in a disturbed and agitated manner »we have nothing in common«
»We have much in common many things all that the Almighty gave us« said
Mr Haredale »and common charity not to say common sense and common decency
should teach you to refrain from these proceedings If every one of those men
had arms in their hands at this moment as they have them in their heads I
would not leave this place without telling you that you disgrace your station«
»I dont hear you sir« he replied in the same manner as before »I cant
hear you It is indifferent to me what you say Dont retort Gashford« for the
secretary had made a show of wishing to do so »I can hold no communion with the
worshippers of idols«
As he said this he glanced at Sir John who lifted his hands and eyebrows
as if deploring the intemperate conduct of Mr Haredale and smiled in
admiration of the crowd and of their leader
»He retort« cried Haredale »Look you here my lord Do you know this man«
Lord George replied by laying his hand upon the shoulder of his cringing
secretary and viewing him with a smile of confidence
»This man« said Mr Haredale eyeing him from top to toe »who in his
boyhood was a thief and has been from that time to this a servile false and
truckling knave this man who has crawled and crept through life wounding the
hands he licked and biting those he fawned upon this sycophant who never knew
what honour truth or courage meant who robbed his benefactors daughter of
her virtue and married her to break her heart and did it with stripes and
cruelty this creature who has whined at kitchen windows for the broken food
and begged for halfpence at our chapel doors this apostle of the faith whose
tender conscience cannot bear the altars where his vicious life was publicly
denounced Do you know this man«
»Oh really you are very very hard upon our friend« exclaimed Sir John
»Let Mr Haredale go on« said Gashford upon whose unwholesome face the
perspiration had broken out during this speech in blotches of wet »I dont
mind him Sir John its quite as indifferent to me what he says as it is to my
lord If he reviles my lord as you have heard Sir John how can I hope to
escape«
»It is not enough my lord« Mr Haredale continued »that I as good a
gentleman as you must hold my property such as it is by a trick at which the
state connives because of these hard laws and that we may not teach our youth
in schools the common principles of right and wrong but must we be denounced
and ridden by such men as this Here is a man to head your NoPopery cry For
shame For shame«
The infatuated nobleman had glanced more than once at Sir John Chester as
if to inquire whether there was any truth in these statements concerning
Gashford and Sir John had as often plainly answered by a shrug or look »Oh
dear me no« He now said in the same loud key and in the same strange manner
as before
»I have nothing to say sir in reply and no desire to hear anything more
I beg you wont obtrude your conversation or these personal attacks upon me I
shall not be deterred from doing my duty to my country and my countrymen by any
such attempts whether they proceed from emissaries of the Pope or not I assure
you Come Gashford«
They had walked on a few paces while speaking and were now at the
Halldoor through which they passed together Mr Haredale without any
leavetaking turned away to the river stairs which were close at hand and
hailed the only boatman who remained there
But the throng of people the foremost of whom had heard every word that
Lord George Gordon said and among all of whom the rumour had been rapidly
dispersed that the stranger was a Papist who was bearding him for his advocacy
of the popular cause came pouring out pellmell and forcing the nobleman
his secretary and Sir John Chester on before them so that they appeared to be
at their head crowded to the top of the stairs where Mr Haredale waited until
the boat was ready and there stood still leaving him on a little clear space
by himself
They were not silent however though inactive At first some indistinct
mutterings arose among them which were followed by a hiss or two and these
swelled by degrees into a perfect storm Then one voice said »Down with the
Papists« and there was a pretty general cheer but nothing more After a lull
of a few moments one man cried out »Stone him« another »Duck him« another
in a stentorian voice »No Popery« This favourite cry the rest reechoed and
the mob which might have been two hundred strong joined in a general shout
Mr Haredale had stood calmly on the brink of the steps until they made
this demonstration when he looked round contemptuously and walked at a slow
pace down the stairs He was pretty near the boat when Gashford as if without
intention turned about and directly afterwards a great stone was thrown by
some hand in the crowd which struck him on the head and made him stagger like
a drunken man
The blood sprung freely from the wound and trickled down his coat He
turned directly and rushing up the steps with a boldness and passion which made
them all fall back demanded
»Who did that Show me the man who hit me«
Not a soul moved except some in the rear who slunk off and escaping to
the other side of the way looked on like indifferent spectators
»Who did that« he repeated »Show me the man who did it Dog was it you
It was your deed if not your hand I know you«
He threw himself on Gashford as he said the words and hurled him to the
ground There was a sudden motion in the crowd and some laid hands upon him
but his sword was out and they fell off again
»My lord Sir John« he cried »draw one of you you are responsible
for this outrage and I look to you Draw if you are gentlemen« With that he
struck Sir John upon the breast with the flat of his weapon and with a burning
face and flashing eyes stood upon his guard alone before them all
For an instant for the briefest space of time the mind can readily
conceive there was a change in Sir Johns smooth face such as no man ever saw
there The next moment he stepped forward and laid one hand on Mr Haredales
arm while with the other he endeavoured to appease the crowd
»My dear friend my good Haredale you are blinded with passion its very
natural extremely natural but you dont know friends from foes«
»I know them all sir I can distinguish well « he retorted almost mad
with rage »Sir John Lord George do you hear me Are you cowards«
»Never mind sir« said a man forcing his way between and pushing him
towards the stairs with friendly violence »never mind asking that For Gods
sake get away What can you do against this number And there are as many more
in the next street wholl be round directly« indeed they began to pour in as
he said the words »youd be giddy from that cut in the first heat of a
scuffle Now do retire sir or take my word for it youll be worse used than
you would be if every man in the crowd was a woman and that woman Bloody Mary
Come sir make haste as quick as you can«
Mr Haredale who began to turn faint and sick felt how sensible this
advice was and descended the steps with his unknown friends assistance John
Grueby for John it was helped him into the boat and giving her a shove off
which sent her thirty feet into the tide bade the waterman pull away like a
Briton and walked up again as composedly as if he had just landed
There was at first a slight disposition on the part of the mob to resent
this interference but John looking particularly strong and cool and wearing
besides Lord Georges livery they thought better of it and contented
themselves with sending a shower of small missiles after the boat which plashed
harmlessly in the water for she had by this time cleared the bridge and was
darting swiftly down the centre of the stream
From this amusement they proceeded to giving Protestant knocks at the doors
of private houses breaking a few lamps and assaulting some stray constables
But it being whispered that a detachment of Life Guards had been sent for they
took to their heels with great expedition and left the street quite clear
Chapter XLIV
When the concourse separated and dividing into chance clusters drew off in
various directions there still remained upon the scene of the late disturbance
one man This man was Gashford who bruised by his late fall and hurt in a
much greater degree by the indignity he had undergone and the exposure of which
he had been the victim limped up and down breathing curses and threats of
vengeance
It was not the secretarys nature to waste his wrath in words While he
vented the froth of his malevolence in those effusions he kept a steady eye on
two men who having disappeared with the rest when the alarm was spread had
since returned and were now visible in the moonlight at no great distance as
they walked to and fro and talked together
He made no move towards them but waited patiently on the dark side of the
street until they were tired of strolling backwards and forwards and walked
away in company Then he followed but at some distance keeping them in view
without appearing to have that object or being seen by them
They went up Parliamentstreet past Saint Martins church and away by
Saint Giless to Tottenham Court Road at the back of which upon the western
side was then a place called the Green Lanes This was a retired spot not of
the choicest kind leading into the fields Great heaps of ashes stagnant
pools overgrown with rank grass and duckweed broken turnstiles and the
upright posts of palings long since carried off for firewood which menaced all
heedless walkers with their jagged and rusty nails were the leading features of
the landscape while here and there a donkey or a ragged horse tethered to a
stake and cropping off a wretched meal from the coarse stunted turf were quite
in keeping with the scene and would have suggested if the houses had not done
so sufficiently of themselves how very poor the people were who lived in the
crazy huts adjacent and how foolhardy it might prove for one who carried
money or wore decent clothes to walk that way alone unless by daylight
Poverty has its whims and shows of taste as wealth has Some of these
cabins were turreted some had false windows painted on their rotten walls one
had a mimic clock upon a crazy tower of four feet high which screened the
chimney each in its little patch of ground had a rude seat or arbour The
population dealt in bones in rags in broken glass in old wheels in birds
and dogs These in their several ways of stowage filled the gardens and
shedding a perfume not of the most delicious nature in the air filled it
besides with yelps and screams and howling
Into this retreat the secretary followed the two men whom he had held in
sight and here he saw them safely lodged in one of the meanest houses which
was but a room and that of small dimensions He waited without until the sound
of their voices joined in a discordant song assured him they were making
merry and then approaching the door by means of a tottering plank which crossed
the ditch in front knocked at it with his hand
»Muster Gashford« said the man who opened it taking his pipe from his
mouth in evident surprise »Why whod have thought of this here honour Walk
in Muster Gashford walk in sir«
Gashford required no second invitation and entered with a gracious air
There was a fire in the rusty grate for though the spring was pretty far
advanced the nights were cold and on a stool beside it Hugh sat smoking
Dennis placed a chair his only one for the secretary in front of the hearth
and took his seat again upon the stool he had left when he rose to give the
visitor admission
»Whats in the wind now Muster Gashford« he said as he resumed his pipe
and looked at him askew »Any orders from headquarters Are we going to begin
What is it Muster Gashford«
»Oh nothing nothing« rejoined the secretary with a friendly nod to Hugh
»We have broken the ice though We had a little spurt today eh Dennis«
»A very little one« growled the hangman »Not half enough for me«
»Nor me neither« cried Hugh »Give us something to do with life in it
with life in it master Ha ha«
»Why you wouldnt« said the secretary with his worst expression of face
and in his mildest tones »have anything to do with with death in it«
»I dont know that« replied Hugh »Im open to orders I dont care not
I«
»Nor I« vociferated Dennis
»Brave fellows« said the secretary in as pastorlike a voice as if he were
commending them for some uncommon act of valour and generosity »By the bye«
and here he stopped and warmed his hands then suddenly looked up »who threw
that stone today«
Mr Dennis coughed and shook his head as who should say »A mystery
indeed« Hugh sat and smoked in silence
»It was well done« said the secretary warming his hands again »I should
like to know that man«
»Would you« said Dennis after looking at his face to assure himself that
he was serious »Would you like to know that man Muster Gashford«
»I should indeed« replied the secretary
»Why then Lord love you« said the hangman in his hoarsest chuckle as he
pointed with his pipe to Hugh »there he sits Thats the man My stars and
halters Muster Gashford« he added in a whisper as he drew his stool close to
him and jogged him with his elbow »what a interesting blade he is He wants as
much holding in as a thoroughbred bulldog If it hadnt been for me today
hed have had that ere Roman down and made a riot of it in another minute«
»And why not« cried Hugh in a surly voice as he overheard this last
remark »Wheres the good of putting things off Strike while the irons hot
thats what I say«
»Ah« retorted Dennis shaking his head with a kind of pity for his
friends ingenuous youth »but suppose the iron ant hot brother You must get
peoples blood up afore you strike and have em in the humour There wasnt
quite enough to provoke em today I tell you If youd had your way youd
have spoilt the fun to come and ruined us«
»Dennis is quite right« said Gashford smoothly »He is perfectly correct
Dennis has great knowledge of the world«
»I ought to have Muster Gashford seeing what a many people Ive helped out
of it eh« grinned the hangman whispering the words behind his hand
The secretary laughed at this just as much as Dennis could desire and when
he had done said turning to Hugh
»Denniss policy was mine as you may have observed You saw for instance
how I fell when I was set upon I made no resistance I did nothing to provoke
an outbreak Oh dear no«
»No by the Lord Harry« cried Dennis with a noisy laugh »you went down
very quiet Muster Gashford and very flat besides I thinks to myself at the
time its all up with Muster Gashford I never see a man lay flatter nor more
still with the life in him than you did today Hes a rough un to play
with is that ere Papist and thats the fact«
The secretarys face as Dennis roared with laughter and turned his
wrinkled eyes on Hugh who did the like might have furnished a study for the
devils picture He sat quite silent until they were serious again and then
said looking round
»We are very pleasant here so very pleasant Dennis that but for my lords
particular desire that I should sup with him and the time being very near at
hand I should be inclined to stay until it would be hardly safe to go
homeward I come upon a little business yes I do as you supposed Its very
flattering to you being this If we ever should be obliged and we cant tell
you know this is a very uncertain world «
»I believe you Muster Gashford« interposed the hangman with a grave nod
»The uncertainties as Ive seen in reference to this here state of existence
the unexpected contingencies as have come about Oh my eye« Feeling the
subject much too vast for expression he puffed at his pipe again and looked
the rest
»I say« resumed the secretary in a slow impressive way »we cant tell
what may come to pass and if we should be obliged against our wills to have
recourse to violence my lord who has suffered terribly today as far as words
can go consigns to you two bearing in mind my recommendation of you both as
good staunch men beyond all doubt and suspicion the pleasant task of
punishing this Haredale You may do as you please with him or his provided
that you show no mercy and no quarter and leave no two beams of his house
standing where the builder placed them You may sack it burn it do with it as
you like but it must come down it must be razed to the ground and he and all
belonging to him left as shelterless as newborn infants whom their mothers
have exposed Do you understand me« said Gashford pausing and pressing his
hands together gently
»Understand you master« cried Hugh »You speak plain now Why this is
hearty«
»I knew you would like it« said Gashford shaking him by the hand »I
thought you would Good night Dont rise Dennis I would rather find my way
alone I may have to make other visits here and its pleasant to come and go
without disturbing you I can find my way perfectly well Good night«
He was gone and had shut the door behind him They looked at each other
and nodded approvingly Dennis stirred up the fire
»This looks a little more like business« he said
»Ay indeed« cried Hugh »this suits me«
»Ive heerd it said of Muster Gashford« said the hangman »that hed a
surprising memory and wonderful firmness that he never forgot and never
forgave Lets drink his health«
Hugh readily complied pouring no liquor on the floor when he drank this
toast and they pledged the secretary as a man after their own hearts in a
bumper
Chapter XLV
While the worst passions of the worst men were thus working in the dark and the
mantle of religion assumed to cover the ugliest deformities threatened to
become the shroud of all that was good and peaceful in society a circumstance
occurred which once more altered the position of two persons from whom this
history has long been separated and to whom it must now return
In a small English country town the inhabitants of which supported
themselves by the labour of their hands in plaiting and preparing straw for
those who made bonnets and other articles of dress and ornament from that
material concealed under an assumed name and living in a quiet poverty which
knew no change no pleasures and few cares but that of struggling on from day
to day in one great toil for bread dwelt Barnaby and his mother Their poor
cottage had known no strangers foot since they sought the shelter of its roof
five years before nor had they in all that time held any commerce or
communication with the old world from which they had fled To labour in peace
and devote her labour and her life to her poor son was all the widow sought If
happiness can be said at any time to be the lot of one on whom a secret sorrow
preys she was happy now Tranquillity resignation and her strong love of him
who needed it so much formed the small circle of her quiet joys and while that
remained unbroken she was contented
For Barnaby himself the time which had flown by had passed him like the
wind The daily suns of years had shed no brighter gleam of reason on his mind
no dawn had broken on his long dark night He would sit sometimes often for
days together on a low seat by the fire or by the cottage door busy at work
for he had learnt the art his mother plied and listening God help him to
the tales she would repeat as a lure to keep him in her sight He had no
recollection of these little narratives the tale of yesterday was new to him
upon the morrow but he liked them at the moment and when the humour held him
would remain patiently within doors hearing her stories like a little child
and working cheerfully from sunrise until it was too dark to see
At other times and then their scanty earnings were barely sufficient to
furnish them with food though of the coarsest sort he would wander abroad
from dawn of day until the twilight deepened into night Few in that place even
of the children could be idle and he had no companions of his own kind Indeed
there were not many who could have kept up with him in his rambles had there
been a legion But there were a score of vagabond dogs belonging to the
neighbours who served his purpose quite as well With two or three of these or
sometimes with a full halfdozen barking at his heels he would sally forth on
some long expedition that consumed the day and though on their return at
nightfall the dogs would come home limping and sorefooted and almost spent
with their fatigue Barnaby was up and off again at sunrise with some new
attendants of the same class with whom he would return in like manner On all
these travels Grip in his little basket at his masters back was a constant
member of the party and when they set off in fine weather and in high spirits
no dog barked louder than the raven
Their pleasures on these excursions were simple enough A crust of bread and
scrap of meat with water from the brook or spring sufficed for their repast
Barnabys enjoyments were to walk and run and leap till he was tired then
to lie down in the long grass or by the growing corn or in the shade of some
tall tree looking upward at the light clouds as they floated over the blue
surface of the sky and listening to the lark as she poured out her brilliant
song There were wildflowers to pluck the bright red poppy the gentle
harebell the cowslip and the rose There were birds to watch fish ants
worms hares or rabbits as they darted across the distant pathway in the wood
and so were gone millions of living things to have an interest in and lie in
wait for and clap hands and shout in memory of when they had disappeared In
default of these or when they wearied there was the merry sunlight to hunt
out as it crept in aslant through leaves and boughs of trees and hid far down
deep deep in hollow places like a silver pool where nodding branches
seemed to bathe and sport sweet scents of summer air breathing over fields of
beans or clover the perfume of wet leaves or moss the life of waving trees
and shadows always changing When these or any of them tired or in excess of
pleasing tempted him to shut his eyes there was slumber in the midst of all
these soft delights with the gentle wind murmuring like music in his ears and
everything around melting into one delicious dream
Their hut for it was little more stood on the outskirts of the town at
a short distance from the high road but in a secluded place where few chance
passengers strayed at any season of the year It had a plot of gardenground
attached which Barnaby in fits and starts of working trimmed and kept in
order Within doors and without his mother laboured for their common good and
hail rain snow or sunshine found no difference in her
Though so far removed from the scenes of her past life and with so little
thought or hope of ever visiting them again she seemed to have a strange desire
to know what happened in the busy world Any old newspaper or scrap of
intelligence from London she caught at with avidity The excitement it produced
was not of a pleasurable kind for her manner at such times expressed the
keenest anxiety and dread but it never faded in the least degree Then and in
stormy winter nights when the wind blew loud and strong the old expression
came into her face and she would be seized with a fit of trembling like one
who had an ague But Barnaby noted little of this and putting a great
constraint upon herself she usually recovered her accustomed manner before the
change had caught his observation
Grip was by no means an idle or unprofitable member of the humble household
Partly by dint of Barnabys tuition and partly by pursuing a species of
self-instruction common to his tribe and exerting his powers of observation to
the utmost he had acquired a degree of sagacity which rendered him famous for
miles round His conversational powers and surprising performances were the
universal theme and as many persons came to see the wonderful raven and none
left his exertions unrewarded when he condescended to exhibit which was not
always for genius is capricious his earnings formed an important item in the
common stock Indeed the bird himself appeared to know his value well for
though he was perfectly free and unrestrained in the presence of Barnaby and his
mother he maintained in public an amazing gravity and never stooped to any
other gratuitous performances than biting the ankles of vagabond boys an
exercise in which he much delighted killing a fowl or two occasionally and
swallowing the dinners of various neighbouring dogs of whom the boldest held
him in great awe and dread
Time had glided on in this way and nothing had happened to disturb or
change their mode of life when one summers night in June they were in their
little garden resting from the labours of the day The widows work was yet
upon her knee and strewn upon the ground about her and Barnaby stood leaning
on his spade gazing at the brightness in the west and singing softly to
himself
»A brave evening mother If we had chinking in our pockets but a few
specks of that gold which is piled up yonder in the sky we should be rich for
life«
»We are better as we are« returned the widow with a quiet smile »Let us be
contented and we do not want and need not care to have it though it lay
shining at our feet«
»Ay« said Barnaby resting with crossed arms on his spade and looking
wistfully at the sunset »thats well enough mother but golds a good thing to
have I wish that I knew where to find it Grip and I could do much with gold
be sure of that«
»What would you do« she asked
»What A world of things Wed dress finely you and I I mean not Grip
keep horses dogs wear bright colours and feathers do no more work live
delicately and at our ease Oh wed find uses for it mother and uses that
would do us good I would I knew where gold was buried How hard Id work to dig
it up«
»You do not know« said his mother rising from her seat and laying her hand
upon his shoulder »what men have done to win it and how they have found too
late that it glitters brightest at a distance and turns quite dim and dull
when handled«
»Ay ay so you say so you think« he answered still looking eagerly in
the same direction »For all that mother I should like to try«
»Do you not see« she said »how red it is Nothing bears so many stains of
blood as gold Avoid it None have such cause to hate its name as we have Do
not so much as think of it dear love It has brought such misery and suffering
on your head and mine as few have known and God grant few may have to undergo
I would rather we were dead and laid down in our graves than you should ever
come to love it«
For a moment Barnaby withdrew his eyes and looked at her with wonder Then
glancing from the redness in the sky to the mark upon his wrist as if he would
compare the two he seemed about to question her with earnestness when a new
object caught his wandering attention and made him quite forgetful of his
purpose
This was a man with dusty feet and garments who stood bareheaded behind
the hedge that divided their patch of garden from the pathway and leant meekly
forward as if he sought to mingle with their conversation and waited for his
time to speak His face was turned towards the brightness too but the light
that fell upon it showed that he was blind and saw it not
»A blessing on those voices« said the wayfarer »I feel the beauty of the
night more keenly when I hear them They are like eyes to me Will they speak
again and cheer the heart of a poor traveller«
»Have you no guide« asked the widow after a moments pause
»None but that« he answered pointing with his staff towards the sun »and
sometimes a milder one at night but she is idle now«
»Have you travelled far«
»A weary way and long« rejoined the traveller as he shook his head »A
weary weary way I struck my stick just now upon the bucket of your well be
pleased to let me have a draught of water lady«
»Why do you call me lady« she returned »I am as poor as you«
»Your speech is soft and gentle and I judge by that« replied the man »The
coarsest stuffs and finest silks are apart from the sense of touch alike to
me I cannot judge you by your dress«
»Come round this way« said Barnaby who had passed out at the gardengate
and now stood close beside him »Put your hand in mine Youre blind and always
in the dark eh Are you frightened in the dark Do you see great crowds of
faces now Do they grin and chatter«
»Alas« returned the other »I see nothing Waking or sleeping nothing«
Barnaby looked curiously at his eyes and touching them with his fingers as
an inquisitive child might led him towards the house
»You have come a long distance« said the widow meeting him at the door
»How have you found your way so far«
»Use and necessity are good teachers as I have heard the best of any«
said the blind man sitting down upon the chair to which Barnaby had led him
and putting his hat and stick upon the redtiled floor »May neither you nor
your son ever learn under them They are rough masters«
»You have wandered from the road too« said the widow in a tone of pity
»Maybe maybe« returned the blind man with a sigh and yet with something
of a smile upon his face »thats likely Handposts and milestones are dumb
indeed to me Thank you the more for this rest and this refreshing drink«
As he spoke he raised the mug of water to his mouth It was clear and
cold and sparkling but not to his taste nevertheless or his thirst was not
very great for he only wetted his lips and put it down again
He wore hanging with a long strap round his neck a kind of scrip or
wallet in which to carry food The widow set some bread and cheese before him
but he thanked her and said that through the kindness of the charitable he had
broken his fast once since morning and was not hungry When he had made her
this reply he opened his wallet and took out a few pence which was all it
appeared to contain
»Might I make bold to ask« he said turning towards where Barnaby stood
looking on »that one who has the gift of sight would lay this out for me in
bread to keep me on my way Heavens blessing on the young feet that will bestir
themselves in aid of one so helpless as a sightless man«
Barnaby looked at his mother who nodded assent in another moment he was
gone upon his charitable errand The blind man sat listening with an attentive
face until long after the sound of his retreating footsteps was inaudible to
the widow and then said suddenly and in a very altered tone
»There are various degrees and kinds of blindness widow There is the
connubial blindness maam which perhaps you may have observed in the course of
your own experience, and which is a kind of wilful and selfbandaging blindness
There is the blindness of party maam and public men which is the blindness
of a mad bull in the midst of a regiment of soldiers clothed in red There is
the blind confidence of youth which is the blindness of young kittens whose
eyes have not yet opened on the world and there is that physical blindness
maam of which I am contrary to my own desire a most illustrious example
Added to these maam is that blindness of the intellect of which we have a
specimen in your interesting son and which having sometimes glimmerings and
dawnings of the light is scarcely to be trusted as a total darkness Therefore
maam I have taken the liberty to get him out of the way for a short time
while you and I confer together and this precaution arising out of the delicacy
of my sentiments towards yourself you will excuse me maam I know«
Having delivered himself of this speech with many flourishes of manner he
drew from beneath his coat a flat stone bottle and holding the cork between his
teeth qualified his mug of water with a plentiful infusion of the liquor it
contained He politely drained the bumper to her health and the ladies and
setting it down empty smacked his lips with infinite relish
»I am a citizen of the world maam« said the blind man corking his
bottle »and if I seem to conduct myself with freedom it is therefore. You
wonder who I am maam and what has brought me here Such experience of human
nature as I have leads me to that conclusion without the aid of eyes by which
to read the movements of your soul as depicted in your feminine features I will
satisfy your curiosity immediately maam immediately« With that he slapped
his bottle on its broad back and having put it under his garment as before
crossed his legs and folded his hands and settled himself in his chair
previous to proceeding any further
The change in his manner was so unexpected the craft and wickedness of his
deportment were so much aggravated by his condition for we are accustomed to
see in those who have lost a human sense something in its place almost divine
and this alteration bred so many fears in her whom he addressed that she could
not pronounce one word After waiting as it seemed for some remark or answer
and waiting in vain the visitor resumed
»Madam my name is Stagg A friend of mine who has desired the honour of
meeting with you any time these five years past has commissioned me to call
upon you I should be glad to whisper that gentlemans name in your ear
Zounds maam are you deaf Do you hear me say that I should be glad to whisper
my friends name in your ear«
»You need not repeat it« said the widow with a stifled groan »I see too
well from whom you come«
»But as a man of honour maam« said the blind man striking himself on the
breast »whose credentials must not be disputed I take leave to say that I will
mention that gentlemans name Ay ay« he added seeming to catch with his
quick ear the very motion of her hand »but not aloud With your leave maam I
desire the favour of a whisper«
She moved towards him and stooped down He muttered a word in her ear and
wringing her hands she paced up and down the room like one distracted The
blind man with perfect composure produced his bottle again mixed another
glassfull put it up as before and drinking from time to time followed her
with his face in silence
»You are slow in conversation widow« he said after a time pausing in his
draught »We shall have to talk before your son«
»What would you have me do« she answered »What do you want«
»We are poor widow we are poor« he retorted stretching out his right
hand and rubbing his thumb upon its palm
»Poor« she cried »And what am I«
»Comparisons are odious« said the blind man »I dont know I dont care I
say that we are poor My friends circumstances are indifferent and so are
mine We must have our rights widow or we must be bought off But you know
that as well as I so where is the use of talking«
She still walked wildly to and fro At length stopping abruptly before him
she said
»Is he near here«
»He is Close at hand«
»Then I am lost«
»Not lost widow« said the blind man calmly »only found Shall I call
him«
»Not for the world« she answered with a shudder
»Very good« he replied crossing his legs again for he had made as though
he would rise and walk to the door »As you please widow His presence is not
necessary that I know of But both he and I must live to live we must eat and
drink to eat and drink we must have money I say no more«
»Do you know how pinched and destitute I am« she retorted »I do not think
you do or can If you had eyes and could look around you on this poor place
you would have pity on me Oh let your heart be softened by your own
affliction friend and have some sympathy with mine«
The blind man snapped his fingers as he answered
» Beside the question maam beside the question I have the softest heart
in the world but I cant live upon it Many a gentleman lives well upon a soft
head who would find a heart of the same quality a very great drawback Listen
to me This is a matter of business with which sympathies and sentiments have
nothing to do As a mutual friend I wish to arrange it in a satisfactory
manner if possible and thus the case stands If you are very poor now its
your own choice You have friends who in case of need are always ready to help
you My friend is in a more destitute and desolate situation than most men and
you and he being linked together in a common cause he naturally looks to you to
assist him He has boarded and lodged with me a long time for as I said just
now I am very softhearted and I quite approve of his entertaining this
opinion You have always had a roof over your head he has always been an
outcast You have your son to comfort and assist you he has nobody at all The
advantages must not be all one side You are in the same boat and we must
divide the ballast a little more equally«
She was about to speak but he checked her and went on
»The only way of doing this is by making up a little purse now and then for
my friend and thats what I advise He bears you no malice that I know of
maam so little that although you have treated him harshly more than once and
driven him I may say out of doors he has that regard for you that I believe
even if you disappointed him now he would consent to take charge of your son
and to make a man of him«
He laid a great stress on these latter words and paused as if to find out
what effect they had produced She only answered by her tears
»He is a likely lad« said the blind man thoughtfully »for many purposes
and not illdisposed to try his fortune in a little change and bustle if I may
judge from what I heard of his talk with you tonight Come In a word my
friend has pressing necessity for twenty pounds You who can give up an
annuity can get that sum for him Its a pity you should be troubled You seem
very comfortable here and its worth that much to remain so Twenty pounds
widow is a moderate demand You know where to apply for it a post will bring
it you Twenty pounds«
She was about to answer him again but again he stopped her
»Dont say anything hastily you might be sorry for it Think of it a little
while Twenty pounds of other peoples money how easy Turn it over in your
mind Im in no hurry Nights coming on and if I dont sleep here I shall not
go far Twenty pounds Consider of it maam for twenty minutes give each
pound a minute thats a fair allowance Ill enjoy the air the while which is
very mild and pleasant in these parts«
With these words he groped his way to the door carrying his chair with him
Then seating himself under a spreading honeysuckle and stretching his legs
across the threshold so that no person could pass in or out without his
knowledge he took from his pocket a pipe flint steel and tinderbox and
began to smoke It was a lovely evening of that gentle kind and at that time
of year when the twilight is most beautiful Pausing now and then to let his
smoke curl slowly off and to sniff the grateful fragrance of the flowers he
sat there at his ease as though the cottage were his proper dwelling and he
had held undisputed possession of it all his life waiting for the widows
answer and for Barnabys return
Chapter XLVI
When Barnaby returned with the bread the sight of the pious old pilgrim smoking
his pipe and making himself so thoroughly at home appeared to surprise even
him the more so as that worthy person instead of putting up the loaf in his
wallet as a scarce and precious article tossed it carelessly on the table and
producing his bottle bade him sit down and drink
»For I carry some comfort you see« he said »Taste that Is it good«
The water stood in Barnabys eyes as he coughed from the strength of the
draught and answered in the affirmative
»Drink some more« said the blind man »dont be afraid of it You dont
taste anything like that often eh«
»Often« cried Barnaby »Never«
»Too poor« returned the blind man with a sigh »Ay Thats bad Your
mother poor soul would be happier if she was richer Barnaby«
»Why so I tell her the very thing I told her just before you came
tonight when all that gold was in the sky« said Barnaby drawing his chair
nearer to him and looking eagerly in his face »Tell me Is there any way of
being rich that I could find out«
»Any way A hundred ways«
»Ay ay« he returned »Do you say so What are they Nay mother its
for your sake I ask not mine for yours indeed What are they«
The blind man turned his face on which there was a smile of triumph to
where the widow stood in great distress and answered
»Why they are not to be found out by stayathomes my good friend«
»By stayathomes« cried Barnaby plucking at his sleeve »But I am not
one Now there you mistake I am often out before the sun and travel home when
he has gone to rest I am away in the woods before the day has reached the shady
places and am often there when the bright moon is peeping through the boughs
and looking down upon the other moon that lives in the water As I walk along I
try to find among the grass and moss some of that small money for which she
works so hard and used to shed so many tears As I lie asleep in the shade I
dream of it dream of digging it up in heaps and spying it out hidden under
bushes and seeing it sparkle as the dewdrops do among the leaves But I
never find it Tell me where it is Id go there if the journey were a whole
year long because I know she would be happier when I came home and brought some
with me Speak again Ill listen to you if you talk all night«
The blind man passed his hand lightly over the poor fellows face and
finding that his elbows were planted on the table that his chin rested on his
two hands that he leaned eagerly forward and that his whole manner expressed
the utmost interest and anxiety paused for a minute as though he desired the
widow to observe this fully and then made answer
»Its in the world bold Barnaby the merry world not in solitary places
like those you pass your time in but in crowds and where theres noise and
rattle«
»Good good« cried Barnaby rubbing his hands »Yes I love that Grip
loves it too It suits us both Thats brave«
» The kind of places« said the blind man »that a young fellow likes and
in which a good son may do more for his mother and himself to boot in a month
than he could here in all his life that is if he had a friend you know and
some one to advise with«
»You hear this mother« cried Barnaby turning to her with delight »Never
tell me we shouldnt heed it if it lay shining at our feet Why do we heed it
so much now Why do you toil from morning until night«
»Surely« said the blind man »surely Have you no answer widow Is your
mind« he slowly added »not made up yet«
»Let me speak with you« she answered »apart«
»Lay your hand upon my sleeve« said Stagg arising from the table »and
lead me where you will Courage bold Barnaby Well talk more of this Ive a
fancy for you Wait there till I come back Now widow«
She led him out at the door and into the little garden where they stopped
»You are a fit agent« she said in a half breathless manner »and well
represent the man who sent you here«
»Ill tell him that you said so« Stagg retorted »He has a regard for you
and will respect me the more if possible for your praise We must have our
rights widow«
»Rights Do you know« she said »that a word from me «
»Why do you stop« returned the blind man calmly after a long pause »Do I
know that a word from you would place my friend in the last position of the
dance of life Yes I do What of that It will never be spoken widow«
»You are sure of that«
»Quite so sure that I dont come here to discuss the question I say we
must have our rights or we must be bought off Keep to that point or let me
return to my young friend for I have an interest in the lad and desire to put
him in the way of making his fortune Bah you neednt speak« he added hastily
»I know what you would say you have hinted at it once already Have I no
feeling for you because I am blind No I have not Why do you expect me being
in darkness to be better than men who have their sight why should you Is the
hand of Heaven more manifest in my having no eyes than in your having two Its
the cant of you folks to be horrified if a blind man robs or lies or steals
oh yes its far worse in him who can barely live on the few halfpence that are
thrown to him in streets than in you who can see and work and are not
dependent on the mercies of the world A curse on you You who have five senses
may be wicked at your pleasure we who have four and want the most important
are to live and be moral on our affliction The true charity and justice of rich
to poor all the world over«
He paused a moment when he had said these words and caught the sound of
money jingling in her hand
»Well« he cried quickly resuming his former manner »That should lead to
something The point widow«
»First answer me one question« she replied »You say he is close at hand
Has he left London«
»Being close at hand widow it would seem he has« returned the blind man
»I mean for good You know that«
»Yes for good The truth is widow that his making a longer stay there
might have had disagreeable consequences He has come away for that reason«
»Listen« said the widow telling some money out upon a bench beside them
»Count«
»Six« said the blind man listening attentively »Any more«
»They are the savings« she answered »of five years Six guineas«
He put out his hand for one of the coins felt it carefully put it between
his teeth rung it on the bench and nodded to her to proceed
»These have been scraped together and laid by lest sickness or death should
separate my son and me They have been purchased at the price of much hunger
hard labour and want of rest If you can take them do on condition that you
leave this place upon the instant and enter no more into that room where he
sits now expecting your return«
»Six guineas« said the blind man shaking his head »though of the fullest
weight that were ever coined fall very far short of twenty pounds widow«
»For such a sum as you know I must write to a distant part of the country
To do that and receive an answer I must have time«
»Two days« said Stagg
»More«
»Four days«
»A week Return on this day week at the same hour but not to the house
Wait at the corner of the lane«
»Of course« said the blind man with a crafty look »I shall find you
there«
»Where else can I take refuge Is it not enough that you have made a beggar
of me and that I have sacrificed my whole store so hardly earned to preserve
this home«
»Humph« said the blind man after some consideration »Set me with my face
towards the point you speak of and in the middle of the road Is this the
spot«
»It is«
»On this day week at sunset And think of him within doors For the
present good night«
She made him no answer nor did he stop for any He went slowly away
turning his head from time to time and stopping to listen as if he were
curious to know whether he was watched by any one The shadows of night were
closing fast around and he was soon lost in the gloom It was not however
until she had traversed the lane from end to end and made sure that he was
gone that she reentered the cottage and hurriedly barred the door and window
»Mother« said Barnaby »What is the matter Where is the blind man«
»He is gone«
»Gone« he cried starting up »I must have more talk with him Which way
did he take«
»I dont know« she answered folding her arms about him »You must not go
out tonight There are ghosts and dreams abroad«
»Ay« said Barnaby in a frightened whisper
»It is not safe to stir We must leave this place tomorrow«
»This place This cottage and the little garden mother«
»Yes Tomorrow morning at sunrise We must travel to London lose ourselves
in that wide place there would be some trace of us in any other town then
travel on again and find some new abode«
Little persuasion was required to reconcile Barnaby to anything that
promised change In another minute he was wild with delight in another full
of grief at the prospect of parting with his friends the dogs in another wild
again then he was fearful of what she had said to prevent his wandering abroad
that night and full of terrors and strange questions His lightheartedness in
the end surmounted all his other feelings and lying down in his clothes to the
end that he might be ready on the morrow he soon fell fast asleep before the
poor turf fire
His mother did not close her eyes but sat beside him watching Every
breath of wind sounded in her ears like that dreaded footstep at the door or
like that hand upon the latch and made the calm summer night a night of
horror At length the welcome day appeared When she had made the little
preparations which were needful for their journey and had prayed upon her knees
with many tears she roused Barnaby who jumped up gaily at her summons
His clothes were few enough and to carry Grip was a labour of love As the
sun shed his earliest beams upon the earth they closed the door of their
deserted home and turned away The sky was blue and bright The air was fresh
and filled with a thousand perfumes Barnaby looked upward and laughed with all
his heart
But it was a day he usually devoted to a long ramble and one of the dogs
the ugliest of them all came bounding up and jumping round him in the fulness
of his joy He had to bid him go back in a surly tone and his heart smote him
while he did so The dog retreated turned with a halfincredulous
halfimploring look came a little back and stopped
It was the last appeal of an old companion and a faithful friend cast off
Barnaby could bear no more and as he shook his head and waved his playmate
home he burst into tears
»Oh mother mother how mournful he will be when he scratches at the door
and finds it always shut«
There was such a sense of home in the thought that though her own eyes
overflowed she would not have obliterated the recollection of it either from
her own mind or from his for the wealth of the whole wide world
Chapter XLVII
In the exhaustless catalogue of Heavens mercies to mankind the power we have
of finding some germs of comfort in the hardest trials must ever occupy the
foremost place not only because it supports and upholds us when we most require
to be sustained but because in this source of consolation there is something
we have reason to believe of the divine spirit something of that goodness
which detects amidst our own evil doings a redeeming quality something which
even in our fallen nature we possess in common with the angels which had its
being in the old time when they trod the earth and lingers on it yet in pity
How often on their journey did the widow remember with a grateful heart
that out of his deprivation Barnabys cheerfulness and affection sprung How
often did she call to mind that but for that he might have been sullen morose
unkind far removed from her vicious perhaps and cruel How often had she
cause for comfort in his strength and hope and in his simple nature Those
feeble powers of mind which rendered him so soon forgetful of the past save in
brief gleams and flashes even they were a comfort now The world to him was
full of happiness in every tree and plant and flower in every bird and
beast and tiny insect whom a breath of summer wind laid low upon the ground he
had delight His delight was hers and where many a wise son would have made her
sorrowful this poor lighthearted idiot filled her breast with thankfulness and
love
Their stock of money was low but from the hoard she had told into the blind
mans hand the widow had withheld one guinea This with the few pence she
possessed besides was to two persons of their frugal habits a goodly sum in
bank Moreover they had Grip in company and when they must otherwise have
changed the guinea it was but to make him exhibit outside an alehouse door or
in a village street or in the grounds or gardens of a mansion of the better
sort and scores who would have given nothing in charity were ready to bargain
for more amusement from the talking bird
One day for they moved slowly and although they had many rides in carts
and waggons were on the road a week Barnaby with Grip upon his shoulder and
his mother following begged permission at a trim lodge to go up to the great
house at the other end of the avenue and show his raven The man within was
inclined to give them admittance and was indeed about to do so when a stout
gentleman with a long whip in his hand and a flushed face which seemed to
indicate that he had had his mornings draught rode up to the gate and called
in a loud voice and with more oaths than the occasion seemed to warrant to have
it opened directly
»Who hast thou got here« said the gentleman angrily as the man threw the
gate wide open and pulled off his hat »who are these Eh art a beggar
woman«
The widow answered with a curtsey that they were poor travellers
»Vagrants« said the gentleman »vagrants and vagabonds Thee wish to be
made acquainted with the cage dost thee the cage the stocks and the
whippingpost Where dost come from«
She told him in a timid manner for he was very loud hoarse and
redfaced and besought him not to be angry for they meant no harm and would
go upon their way that moment
»Dont be too sure of that« replied the gentleman »we dont allow vagrants
to roam about this place I know what thou wantst stray linen drying on
hedges and stray poultry eh What hast got in that basket lazy hound«
»Grip Grip Grip Grip the clever Grip the wicked Grip the knowing
Grip Grip Grip« cried the raven whom Barnaby had shut up on the approach of
this stern personage »Im a devil Im a devil Im a devil Never say die Hurrah
Bow wow wow Polly put the kettle on well all have tea«
»Take the vermin out scoundrel« said the gentleman »and let me see him«
Barnaby thus condescendingly addressed produced his bird but not without
much fear and trembling and set him down upon the ground which he had no
sooner done than Grip drew fifty corks at least and then began to dance at the
same time eyeing the gentleman with surprising insolence of manner and screwing
his head so much on one side that he appeared desirous of screwing it off upon
the spot
The corkdrawing seemed to make a greater impression on the gentlemans
mind than the ravens power of speech and was indeed particularly adapted to
his habits and capacity He desired to have that done again but despite his
being very peremptory and notwithstanding that Barnaby coaxed to the utmost
Grip turned a deaf ear to the request and preserved a dead silence
»Bring him along« said the gentleman pointing to the house But Grip who
had watched the action anticipated his master by hopping on before them
constantly flapping his wings and screaming »cook« meanwhile as a hint
perhaps that there was company coming and a small collation would be
acceptable
Barnaby and his mother walked on on either side of the gentleman on
horseback who surveyed each of them from time to time in a proud and coarse
manner and occasionally thundered out some question the tone of which alarmed
Barnaby so much that he could find no answer and as a matter of course could
make him no reply On one of these occasions when the gentleman appeared
disposed to exercise his horsewhip the widow ventured to inform him in a low
voice and with tears in her eyes that her son was of weak mind
»An idiot eh« said the gentleman looking at Barnaby as he spoke »And how
long hast thou been an idiot«
»She knows« was Barnabys timid answer pointing to his mother »I
always I believe«
»From his birth« said the widow
»I dont believe it« cried the gentleman »not a bit of it Its an excuse
not to work Theres nothing like flogging to cure that disorder Id make a
difference in him in ten minutes Ill be bound«
»Heaven has made none in more than twice ten years sir« said the widow
mildly
»Then why dont you shut him up we pay enough for county institutions damn
em But thoud rather drag him about to excite charity of course Ay I know
thee«
Now this gentleman had various endearing appellations among his intimate
friends By some he was called a country gentleman of the true school by some a
fine old country gentleman by some a sporting gentleman by some a
thoroughbred Englishman by some a genuine John Bull but they all agreed in
one respect and that was that it was a pity there were not more like him and
that because there were not the country was going to rack and ruin every day
He was in the commission of the peace and could write his name almost legibly
but his greatest qualifications were that he was more severe with poachers was
a better shot a harder rider had better horses kept better dogs could eat
more solid food drink more strong wine go to bed every night more drunk and
get up every morning more sober than any man in the county In knowledge of
horseflesh he was almost equal to a farrier in stable learning he surpassed his
own head groom and in gluttony not a pig on his estate was a match for him He
had no seat in Parliament himself but he was extremely patriotic and usually
drove his voters up to the poll with his own hands He was warmly attached to
church and state and never appointed to the living in his gift any but a
threebottle man and a firstrate foxhunter He mistrusted the honesty of all
poor people who could read and write and had a secret jealousy of his own wife
a young lady whom he had married for what his friends called the good old
English reason that her fathers property adjoined his own for possessing
those accomplishments in a greater degree than himself In short Barnaby being
an idiot and Grip a creature of mere brute instinct it would be very hard to
say what this gentleman was
He rode up to the door of a handsome house approached by a great flight of
steps where a man was waiting to take his horse and led the way into a large
hall which spacious as it was was tainted with the fumes of last nights
stale debauch Greatcoats ridingwhips bridles topboots spurs and such
gear were strewn about on all sides and formed with some huge stags antlers
and a few portraits of dogs and horses its principal embellishments
Throwing himself into a great chair in which by the bye he often snored
away the night when he had been according to his admirers a finer country
gentleman than usual he bade the man to tell his mistress to come down and
presently there appeared a little flurried as it seemed by the unwonted
summons a lady much younger than himself who had the appearance of being in
delicate health and not too happy
»Here Thoust no delight in following the hounds as an Englishwoman should
have« said the gentleman »See to this here Thatll please thee perhaps«
The lady smiled sat down at a little distance from him and glanced at
Barnaby with a look of pity
»Hes an idiot the woman says« observed the gentleman shaking his head
»I dont believe it«
»Are you his mother« asked the lady
She answered yes
»Whats the use of asking her« said the gentleman thrusting his hands into
his breeches pockets »Shell tell thee so of course Most likely hes hired
at so much a day There Get on Make him do something«
Grip having by this time recovered his urbanity condescended at Barnabys
solicitation to repeat his various phrases of speech and to go through the
whole of his performances with the utmost success The corks and the never say
die afforded the gentleman so much delight that he demanded the repetition of
this part of the entertainment until Grip got into his basket and positively
refused to say another word good or bad The lady too was much amused with
him and the closing point of his obstinacy so delighted her husband that he
burst into a roar of laughter and demanded his price
Barnaby looked as though he didnt understand his meaning Probably he did
not
»His price« said the gentleman rattling the money in his pockets »what
dost want for him How much«
»Hes not to be sold« replied Barnaby shutting up the basket in a great
hurry and throwing the strap over his shoulder »Mother come away«
»Thou seest how much of an idiot he is booklearner« said the gentleman
looking scornfully at his wife »He can make a bargain What dost want for him
old woman«
»He is my sons constant companion« said the widow »He is not to be sold
sir indeed«
»Not to be sold« cried the gentleman growing ten times redder hoarser
and louder than before »Not to be sold«
»Indeed no« she answered »We have never thought of parting with him sir
I do assure you«
He was evidently about to make a very passionate retort when a few murmured
words from his wife happening to catch his ear he turned sharply round and
said »Eh What«
»We can hardly expect them to sell the bird against their own desire« she
faltered »If they prefer to keep him «
»Prefer to keep him« he echoed »These people who go tramping about the
country apilfering and vagabondising on all hands prefer to keep a bird when
a landed proprietor and a justice asks his price That old womans been to
school I know she has Dont tell me no« he roared to the widow »I say yes«
Barnabys mother pleaded guilty to the accusation and hoped there was no
harm in it
»No harm« said the gentleman »No No harm No harm ye old rebel not a
bit of harm If my clerk was here Id set ye in the stocks I would or lay ye
in jail for prowling up and down on the lookout for petty larcenies ye limb
of a gipsy Here Simon put these pilferers out shove em into the road out
with em Ye dont want to sell the bird ye that come here to beg dont ye If
they ant out in doublequick set the dogs upon em«
They waited for no further dismissal but fled precipitately leaving the
gentleman to storm away by himself for the poor lady had already retreated
and making a great many vain attempts to silence Grip who excited by the
noise drew corks enough for a city feast as they hurried down the avenue and
appeared to congratulate himself beyond measure on having been the cause of the
disturbance When they had nearly reached the lodge another servant emerging
from the shrubbery feigned to be very active in ordering them off but this man
put a crown into the widows hand and whispering that his lady sent it thrust
them gently from the gate
This incident only suggested to the widows mind when they halted at an
alehouse some miles further on and heard the justices character as given by
his friends that perhaps something more than capacity of stomach and tastes for
the kennel and the stable were required to form either a perfect country
gentleman a thoroughbred Englishman or a genuine John Bull and that possibly
the terms were sometimes misappropriated not to say disgraced She little
thought then that a circumstance so slight would ever influence their future
fortunes but time and experience enlightened her in this respect
»Mother« said Barnaby as they were sitting next day in a waggon which was
to take them within ten miles of the capital »were going to London first you
said Shall we see that blind man there«
She was about to answer »Heaven forbid« but checked herself and told him
No she thought not why did he ask
»Hes a wise man« said Barnaby with a thoughtful countenance »I wish that
we may meet with him again What was it that he said of crowds That gold was to
be found where people crowded and not among the trees and in such quiet places
He spoke as if he loved it London is a crowded place I think we shall meet him
there«
»But why do you desire to see him love« she asked
»Because« said Barnaby looking wistfully at her »he talked to me about
gold which is a rare thing and say what you will a thing you would like to
have I know And because he came and went away so strangely just as
whiteheaded old men come sometimes to my beds foot in the night and say what
I cant remember when the bright day returns He told me hed come back I
wonder why he broke his word«
»But you never thought of being rich or gay before dear Barnaby You have
always been contented«
He laughed and bade her say that again then cried »Ay ay oh yes« and
laughed once more Then something passed that caught his fancy and the topic
wandered from his mind and was succeeded by another just as fleeting
But it was plain from what he had said and from his returning to the point
more than once that day and on the next that the blind mans visit and indeed
his words had taken strong possession of his mind Whether the idea of wealth
had occurred to him for the first time on looking at the golden clouds that
evening and images were often presented to his thoughts by outward objects
quite as remote and distant or whether their poor and humble way of life had
suggested it by contrast long ago or whether the accident as he would deem
it of the blind mans pursuing the current of his own remarks had done so at
the moment or he had been impressed by the mere circumstance of the man being
blind and therefore unlike any one with whom he had talked before it was
impossible to tell She tried every means to discover but in vain and the
probability is that Barnaby himself was equally in the dark
It filled her with uneasiness to find him harping on this string but all
that she could do was to lead him quickly to some other subject and to dismiss
it from his brain To caution him against their visitor to show any fear or
suspicion in reference to him would only be she feared to increase that
interest with which Barnaby regarded him and to strengthen his desire to meet
him once again She hoped by plunging into the crowd to rid herself of her
terrible pursuer and then by journeying to a distance and observing increased
caution if that were possible to live again unknown in secrecy and peace
They reached in course of time their haltingplace within ten miles of
London and lay there for the night after bargaining to be carried on for a
trifle next day in a light van which was returning empty and was to start at
five oclock in the morning The driver was punctual the road good save for
the dust the weather being very hot and dry and at seven in the forenoon of
Friday the second of June one thousand seven hundred and eighty they alighted
at the foot of Westminster Bridge bade their conductor farewell and stood
alone together on the scorching pavement For the freshness which night sheds
upon such busy thoroughfares had already departed and the sun was shining with
uncommon lustre
Chapter XLVIII
Uncertain where to go next and bewildered by the crowd of people who were
already astir they sat down in one of the recesses on the bridge to rest They
soon became aware that the stream of life was all pouring one way and that a
vast throng of persons were crossing the river from the Middlesex to the Surrey
shore in unusual haste and evident excitement They were for the most part in
knots of two or three or sometimes halfadozen they spoke little together
many of them were quite silent and hurried on as if they had one absorbing
object in view which was common to them all
They were surprised to see that nearly every man in this great concourse
which still came pouring past without slackening in the least wore in his hat
a blue cockade and that the chance passengers who were not so decorated
appeared timidly anxious to escape observation or attack and gave them the wall
as if they would conciliate them This however was natural enough considering
their inferiority in point of numbers for the proportion of those who wore blue
cockades to those who were dressed as usual was at least forty or fifty to
one There was no quarrelling however the blue cockades went swarming on
passing each other when they could and making all the speed that was possible
in such a multitude and exchanged nothing more than looks and very often not
even those with such of the passersby as were not of their number
At first the current of people had been confined to the two pathways and
but a few more eager stragglers kept the road But after half an hour or so the
passage was completely blocked up by the great press which being now closely
wedged together and impeded by the carts and coaches it encountered moved but
slowly and was sometimes at a stand for five or ten minutes together
After the lapse of nearly two hours the numbers began to diminish visibly
and gradually dwindling away by little and little left the bridge quite clear
save that now and then some hot and dusty man with the cockade in his hat
and his coat thrown over his shoulder went panting by fearful of being too
late or stopped to ask which way his friends had taken and being directed
hastened on again like one refreshed In this comparative solitude which seemed
quite strange and novel after the late crowd the widow had for the first time
an opportunity of inquiring of an old man who came and sat beside them what was
the meaning of that great assemblage
»Why where have you come from« he returned »that you havent heard of
Lord George Gordons great association This is the day that he presents the
petition against the Catholics God bless him«
»What have all these men to do with that« she said
»What have they to do with it« the old man replied »Why how you talk
Dont you know his lordship has declared he wont present it to the house at
all unless it is attended to the door by forty thousand good and true men at
least Theres a crowd for you«
»A crowd indeed« said Barnaby »Do you hear that mother«
»And theyre mustering yonder as I am told« resumed the old man »nigh
upon a hundred thousand strong Ah Let Lord George alone He knows his power
Therell be a good many faces inside them three windows over there« and he
pointed to where the House of Commons overlooked the river »thatll turn pale
when good Lord George gets up this afternoon and with reason too Ay ay Let
his lordship alone Let him alone He knows« And so with much mumbling and
chuckling and shaking of his forefinger he rose with the assistance of his
stick and tottered off
»Mother« said Barnaby »thats a brave crowd he talks of Come«
»Not to join it« cried his mother
»Yes yes« he answered plucking at her sleeve »Why not Come«
»You dont know« she urged »what mischief they may do where they may lead
you what their meaning is Dear Barnaby for my sake «
»For your sake« he cried patting her hand »Well It is for your sake
mother You remember what the blind man said about the gold Heres a brave
crowd Come Or wait till I come back yes yes wait here«
She tried with all the earnestness her fears engendered to turn him from
his purpose but in vain He was stooping down to buckle on his shoe when a
hackneycoach passed them rather quickly and a voice inside called to the
driver to stop
»Young man« said a voice within
»Whos that« cried Barnaby looking up
»Do you wear this ornament« returned the stranger holding out a blue
cockade
»In Heavens name no Pray do not give it him« exclaimed the widow
»Speak for yourself woman« said the man within the coach coldly »Leave
the young man to his choice hes old enough to make it and to snap your
apronstrings He knows without your telling whether he wears the sign of a
loyal Englishman or not«
Barnaby trembling with impatience cried »Yes yes yes I do« as he had
cried a dozen times already The man threw him a cockade and crying »Make haste
to St Georges Fields« ordered the coachman to drive on fast and left them
With hands that trembled with his eagerness to fix the bauble in his hat
Barnaby was adjusting it as he best could and hurriedly replying to the tears
and entreaties of his mother when two gentlemen passed on the opposite side of
the way Observing them and seeing how Barnaby was occupied they stopped
whispered together for an instant turned back and came over to them
»Why are you sitting here« said one of them who was dressed in a plain
suit of black wore long lank hair and carried a great cane »Why have you not
gone with the rest«
»I am going sir« replied Barnaby finishing his task and putting his hat
on with an air of pride »I shall be there directly«
»Say my lord young man when his lordship does you the honour of speaking
to you« said the second gentleman mildly »If you dont know Lord George Gordon
when you see him its high time you should«
»Nay Gashford« said Lord George as Barnaby pulled off his hat again and
made him a low bow »its no great matter on a day like this which every
Englishman will remember with delight and pride Put on your hat friend and
follow us for you lag behind and are late Its past ten now Didnt you know
that the hour for assembling was ten oclock«
Barnaby shook his head and looked vacantly from one to the other
»You might have known it friend« said Gashford »it was perfectly
understood How came you to be so ill informed«
»He cannot tell you sir« the widow interposed »Its of no use to ask him
We are but this morning come from a long distance in the country and know
nothing of these matters«
»The cause has taken a deep root and has spread its branches far and wide«
said Lord George to his secretary »This is a pleasant hearing I thank Heaven
for it«
»Amen« cried Gashford with a solemn face
»You do not understand me my lord« said the widow »Pardon me but you
cruelly mistake my meaning We know nothing of these matters We have no desire
or right to join in what you are about to do This is my son my poor afflicted
son dearer to me than my own life In mercys name my lord go your way alone
and do not tempt him into danger«
»My good woman« said Gashford »how can you Dear me What do you mean
by tempting and by danger Do you think his lordship is a roaring lion going
about and seeking whom he may devour God bless me«
»No no my lord forgive me« implored the widow laying both her hands
upon his breast and scarcely knowing what she did or said in the earnestness
of her supplication »but there are reasons why you should hear my earnest
mothers prayer and leave my son with me Oh do He is not in his right senses
he is not indeed«
»It is a bad sign of the wickedness of these times« said Lord George
evading her touch and colouring deeply »that those who cling to the truth and
support the right cause are set down as mad Have you the heart to say this of
your own son unnatural mother«
»I am astonished at you« said Gashford with a kind of meek severity »This
is a very sad picture of female depravity«
»He has surely no appearance« said Lord George glancing at Barnaby and
whispering in his secretarys ear »of being deranged And even if he had we
must not construe any trifling peculiarity into madness Which of us« and here
he turned red again »would be safe if that were made the law«
»Not one« replied the secretary »in that case the greater the zeal the
truth and talent the more direct the call from above the clearer would be the
madness With regard to this young man my lord« he added with a lip that
slightly curled as he looked at Barnaby who stood twirling his hat and
stealthily beckoning them to come away »he is as sensible and selfpossessed as
any one I ever saw«
»And you desire to make one of this great body« said Lord George
addressing him »and intended to make one did you«
»Yes yes« said Barnaby with sparkling eyes »To be sure I did I told
her so myself«
»I see« replied Lord George with a reproachful glance at the unhappy
mother »I thought so Follow me and this gentleman and you shall have your
wish«
Barnaby kissed his mother tenderly on the cheek and bidding her be of good
cheer for their fortunes were both made now did as he was desired She poor
woman followed too with how much fear and grief it would be hard to tell
They passed quickly through the Bridgeroad where the shops were all shut
up for the passage of the great crowd and the expectation of their return had
alarmed the tradesmen for their goods and windows and where in the upper
stories all the inhabitants were congregated looking down into the street
below with faces variously expressive of alarm of interest expectancy and
indignation Some of these applauded and some hissed but regardless of these
interruptions for the noise of a vast congregation of people at a little
distance sounded in his ears like the roaring of the sea Lord George Gordon
quickened his pace and presently arrived before St Georges Fields
They were really fields at that time and of considerable extent Here an
immense multitude was collected bearing flags of various kinds and sizes but
all of the same colour blue like the cockades some sections marching to and
fro in military array and others drawn up in circles squares and lines A
large portion both of the bodies which paraded the ground and of those which
remained stationary were occupied in singing hymns or psalms With whomsoever
this originated it was well done for the sound of so many thousand voices in
the air must have stirred the heart of any man within him and could not fail to
have a wonderful effect upon enthusiasts however mistaken
Scouts had been posted in advance of the great body to give notice of their
leaders coming These falling back the word was quickly passed through the
whole host and for a short interval there ensued a profound and deathlike
silence during which the mass was so still and quiet that the fluttering of a
banner caught the eye and became a circumstance of note Then they burst into a
tremendous shout into another and another and the air seemed rent and shaken
as if by the discharge of cannon
»Gashford« cried Lord George pressing his secretarys arm tight within his
own and speaking with as much emotion in his voice as in his altered face »I
am called indeed now I feel and know it I am the leader of a host If they
summoned me at this moment with one voice to lead them on to death Id do it
Yes and fall first myself«
»It is a proud sight« said the secretary »It is a noble day for England
and for the great cause throughout the world Such homage my lord as I an
humble but devoted man can render «
»What are you doing« cried his master catching him by both hands for he
had made a show of kneeling at his feet »Do not unfit me dear Gashford for
the solemn duty of this glorious day « the tears stood in the eyes of the poor
gentleman as he said the words »Let us go among them we have to find a place
in some division for this new recruit give me your hand«
Gashford slid his cold insidious palm into his masters grasp and so hand
in hand and followed still by Barnaby and by his mother too they mingled with
the concourse
They had by this time taken to their singing again and as their leader
passed between their ranks they raised their voices to their utmost Many of
those who were banded together to support the religion of their country even
unto death had never heard a hymn or psalm in all their lives But these
fellows having for the most part strong lungs and being naturally fond of
singing chanted any ribaldry or nonsense that occurred to them feeling pretty
certain that it would not be detected in the general chorus and not caring much
if it were Many of these voluntaries were sung under the very nose of Lord
George Gordon who quite unconscious of their burden passed on with his usual
stiff and solemn deportment very much edified and delighted by the pious
conduct of his followers
So they went on and on up this line down that round the exterior of this
circle and on every side of that hollow square and still there were lines and
squares and circles out of number to review The day being now intensely hot
and the sun striking down his fiercest rays upon the field those who carried
heavy banners began to grow faint and weary most of the number assembled were
fain to pull off their neckcloths and throw their coats and waistcoats open
and some towards the centre quite overpowered by the excessive heat which was
of course rendered more unendurable by the multitude around them lay down upon
the grass and offered all they had about them for a drink of water Still no
man left the ground not even of those who were so distressed still Lord
George streaming from every pore went on with Gashford and still Barnaby and
his mother followed close behind them
They had arrived at the top of a long line of some eight hundred men in
single file and Lord George had turned his head to look back when a loud cry
of recognition in that peculiar and halfstifled tone which a voice has when
it is raised in the open air and in the midst of a great concourse of persons
was heard and a man stepped with a shout of laughter from the rank and smote
Barnaby on the shoulders with his heavy hand
»How now« he cried »Barnaby Rudge Why where have you been hiding for
these hundred years«
Barnaby had been thinking within himself that the smell of the trodden grass
brought back his old days at cricket when he was a young boy and played on
Chigwell Green Confused by this sudden and boisterous address he stared in a
bewildered manner at the man and could scarcely say »What Hugh«
»Hugh« echoed the other »ay Hugh Maypole Hugh You remember my dog
Hes alive now and will know you I warrant What you wear the colour do you
Well done Ha ha ha«
»You know this young man I see« said Lord George
»Know him my lord as well as I know my own right hand My captain knows
him We all know him«
»Will you take him into your division«
»It hasnt in it a better nor a nimbler nor a more active man than
Barnaby Rudge« said Hugh »Show me the man who says it has Fall in Barnaby
He shall march my lord between me and Dennis and he shall carry« he added
taking a flag from the hand of a tired man who tendered it »the gayest silken
streamer in this valiant army«
»In the name of God no« shrieked the widow darting forward »Barnaby my
lord see hell come back Barnaby Barnaby«
»Women in the field« cried Hugh stepping between them and holding her
off »Holloa My captain there«
»Whats the matter here« cried Simon Tappertit bustling up in a great
heat »Do you call this order«
»Nothing like it captain« answered Hugh still holding her back with his
outstretched hand »Its against all orders Ladies are carrying off our gallant
soldiers from their duty The word of command captain Theyre filing off the
ground Quick«
»Close« cried Simon with the whole power of his lungs »Form March«
She was thrown to the ground the whole field was in motion Barnaby was
whirled away into the heart of a dense mass of men and she saw him no more
Chapter XLIX
The mob had been divided from its first assemblage into four divisions the
London the Westminster the Southwark and the Scotch Each of these divisions
being subdivided into various bodies and these bodies being drawn up in various
forms and figures the general arrangement was except to the few chiefs and
leaders as unintelligible as the plan of a great battle to the meanest soldier
in the field It was not without its method however for in a very short space
of time after being put in motion the crowd had resolved itself into three
great parties and were prepared as had been arranged to cross the river by
different bridges and make for the House of Commons in separate detachments
At the head of that division which had Westminster Bridge for its approach
to the scene of action Lord George Gordon took his post with Gashford at his
right hand and sundry ruffians of most unpromising appearance forming a kind
of staff about him The conduct of a second party whose route lay by
Blackfriars was entrusted to a committee of management including perhaps a
dozen men while the third which was to go by London Bridge and through the
main streets in order that their numbers and their serious intentions might be
the better known and appreciated by the citizens were led by Simon Tappertit
assisted by a few subalterns selected from the Brotherhood of United
Bulldogs Dennis the hangman Hugh and some others
The word of command being given each of these great bodies took the road
assigned to it and departed on its way in perfect order and profound silence
That which went through the City greatly exceeded the others in number and was
of such prodigious extent that when the rear began to move the front was nearly
four miles in advance notwithstanding that the men marched three abreast and
followed very close upon each other
At the head of this party in the place where Hugh in the madness of his
humour had stationed him and walking between that dangerous companion and the
hangman went Barnaby as many a man among the thousands who looked on that day
afterwards remembered well Forgetful of all other things in the ecstasy of the
moment his face flushed and his eyes sparkling with delight heedless of the
weight of the great banner he carried and mindful only of its flashing in the
sun and rustling in the summer breeze on he went proud happy elated past all
telling the only lighthearted undesigning creature in the whole assembly
»What do you think of this« asked Hugh as they passed through the crowded
streets and looked up at the windows which were thronged with spectators »They
have all turned out to see our flags and streamers Eh Barnaby Why Barnabys
the greatest man of all the pack His flags the largest of the lot the
brightest too Theres nothing in the show like Barnaby All eyes are turned on
him Ha ha ha«
»Dont make that din brother« growled the hangman glancing with no very
approving eyes at Barnaby as he spoke »I hope he dont think theres nothing to
be done but carrying that there piece of blue rag like a boy at a breaking up
Youre ready for action I hope eh You I mean« he added nudging Barnaby
roughly with his elbow »What are you staring at Why dont you speak«
Barnaby had been gazing at his flag and looked vacantly from his questioner
to Hugh
»He dont understand your way« said the latter »Here Ill explain it to
him Barnaby old boy attend to me«
»Ill attend« said Barnaby looking anxiously round »but I wish I could
see her somewhere«
»See who« demanded Dennis in a gruff tone »You ant in love I hope
brother That ant the sort of thing for us you know We mustnt have no love
here«
»She would be proud indeed to see me now eh Hugh« said Barnaby »Wouldnt
it make her glad to see me at the head of this large show Shed cry for joy I
know she would Where can she be She never sees me at my best and what do I
care to be gay and fine if shes not by«
»Why what palavers this« asked Mr Dennis with supreme disdain »We ant
got no sentimental members among us I hope«
»Dont be uneasy brother« cried Hugh »hes only talking of his mother«
»Of his what« said Mr Dennis with a strong oath
»His mother«
»And have I combined myself with this here section and turned out on this
here memorable day to hear men talk about their mothers« growled Mr Dennis
with extreme disgust »The notion of a mans sweethearts bad enough but a
mans mother« and here his disgust was so extreme that he spat upon the
ground and could say no more
»Barnabys right« cried Hugh with a grin »and I say it Lookee bold lad
If shes not here to see its because Ive provided for her and sent
halfadozen gentlemen every one of em with a blue flag but not half as fine
as yours to take her in state to a grand house all hung round with gold and
silver banners and everything else you please where shell wait till you come
and want for nothing«
»Ay« said Barnaby his face beaming with delight »have you indeed Thats
a good hearing Thats fine Kind Hugh«
»But nothing to what will come bless you« retorted Hugh with a wink at
Dennis who regarded his new companion in arms with great astonishment
»No indeed« cried Barnaby
»Nothing at all« said Hugh »Money cocked hats and feathers red coats and
gold lace all the fine things there are ever were or will be will belong to
us if we are true to that noble gentleman the best man in the world carry
our flags for a few days and keep em safe Thats all weve got to do«
»Is that all« cried Barnaby with glistening eyes as he clutched his pole
the tighter »I warrant you I keep this one safe then You have put it in good
hands You know me Hugh Nobody shall wrest this flag away«
»Well said« cried Hugh »Ha ha Nobly said Thats the old stout Barnaby
that I have climbed and leaped with many and many a day I knew I was not
mistaken in Barnaby Dont you see man« he added in a whisper as he slipped
to the other side of Dennis »that the lads a natural and can be got to do
anything if you take him the right way Letting alone the fun he is hes worth
a dozen men in earnest as youd find if you tried a fall with him Leave him
to me You shall soon see whether hes of use or not«
Mr Dennis received these explanatory remarks with many nods and winks and
softened his behaviour towards Barnaby from that moment Hugh laying his finger
on his nose stepped back into his former place and they proceeded in silence
It was between two and three oclock in the afternoon when the three great
parties met at Westminster and uniting into one huge mass raised a tremendous
shout This was not only done in token of their presence but as a signal to
those on whom the task devolved that it was time to take possession of the
lobbies of both Houses and of the various avenues of approach and of the
gallery stairs To the lastnamed place Hugh and Dennis still with their pupil
between them rushed straightway Barnaby having given his flag into the hands
of one of their own party who kept them at the outer door Their followers
pressing on behind they were borne as on a great wave to the very doors of the
gallery whence it was impossible to retreat even if they had been so inclined
by reason of the throng which choked up the passages It is a familiar
expression in describing a great crowd that a person might have walked upon the
peoples heads In this case it was actually done for a boy who had by some
means got among the concourse and was in imminent danger of suffocation
climbed to the shoulders of a man beside him and walked upon the peoples hats
and heads into the open street traversing in his passage the whole length of
two staircases and a long gallery Nor was the swarm without less dense for a
basket which had been tossed into the crowd was jerked from head to head and
shoulder to shoulder and went spinning and whirling on above them until it was
lost to view without ever once falling in among them or coming near the ground
Through this vast throng sprinkled doubtless here and there with honest
zealots but composed for the most part of the very scum and refuse of London
whose growth was fostered by bad criminal laws bad prison regulations and the
worst conceivable police such of the members of both Houses of Parliament as
had not taken the precaution to be already at their posts were compelled to
fight and force their way Their carriages were stopped and broken the wheels
wrenched off the glasses shivered to atoms the panels beaten in drivers
footmen and masters pulled from their seats and rolled in the mud Lords
commoners and reverend bishops with little distinction of person or party
were kicked and pinched and hustled passed from hand to hand through various
stages of illusage and sent to their fellowsenators at last with their
clothes hanging in ribands about them their bagwigs torn off themselves
speechless and breathless and their persons covered with the powder which had
been cuffed and beaten out of their hair One lord was so long in the hands of
the populace that the Peers as a body resolved to sally forth and rescue him
and were in the act of doing so when he happily appeared among them covered
with dirt and bruises and hardly to be recognised by those who knew him best
The noise and uproar were on the increase every moment The air was filled with
execrations hoots and howlings The mob raged and roared like a mad monster
as it was unceasingly and each new outrage served to swell its fury
Within doors matters were even yet more threatening Lord George preceded
by a man who carried the immense petition on a porters knot through the lobby
to the door of the House of Commons where it was received by two officers of
the House who rolled it up to the table ready for presentation had taken his
seat at an early hour before the Speaker went to prayers His followers pouring
in at the same time the lobby and all the avenues were immediately filled as
we have seen Thus the members were not only attacked in their passage through
the streets but were set upon within the very walls of Parliament while the
tumult both within and without was so great that those who attempted to speak
could scarcely hear their own voices far less consult upon the course it would
be wise to take in such extremity or animate each other to dignified and firm
resistance So sure as any member just arrived with dress disordered and
dishevelled hair came struggling through the crowd in the lobby it yelled and
screamed in triumph and when the door of the House partially and cautiously
opened by those within for his admission gave them a momentary glimpse of the
interior they grew more wild and savage like beasts at the sight of prey and
made a rush against the portal which strained its locks and bolts in their
staples and shook the very beams
The strangers gallery which was immediately above the door of the House
had been ordered to be closed on the first rumour of disturbance and was empty
save that now and then Lord George took his seat there for the convenience of
coming to the head of the stairs which led to it and repeating to the people
what had passed within It was on these stairs that Barnaby Hugh and Dennis
were posted There were two flights short steep and narrow running parallel
to each other and leading to two little doors communicating with a low passage
which opened on the gallery Between them was a kind of well or unglazed
skylight for the admission of light and air into the lobby which might be some
eighteen or twenty feet below
Upon one of these little staircases not that at the head of which Lord
George appeared from time to time but the other Gashford stood with his elbow
on the banister and his cheek resting on his hand with his usual crafty
aspect Whenever he varied this attitude in the slightest degree so much as by
the gentlest motion of his arm the uproar was certain to increase not merely
there but in the lobby below from which place no doubt some man who acted as
fugleman to the rest was constantly looking up and watching him
»Order« cried Hugh in a voice which made itself heard even above the roar
and tumult as Lord George appeared at the top of the staircase »News News
from my lord«
The noise continued notwithstanding his appearance until Gashford looked
round There was silence immediately even among the people in the passages
without and on the other staircases who could neither see nor hear but to
whom notwithstanding the signal was conveyed with marvellous rapidity
»Gentlemen« said Lord George who was very pale and agitated »we must be
firm They talk of delays but we must have no delays They talk of taking your
petition into consideration next Tuesday but we must have it considered now
Present appearances look bad for our success but we must succeed and will«
»We must succeed and will« echoed the crowd And so among their shouts and
cheers and other cries he bowed to them and retired and presently came back
again There was another gesture from Gashford and a dead silence directly
»I am afraid« he said this time »that we have little reason gentlemen
to hope for any redress from the proceedings of Parliament But we must redress
our own grievances we must meet again we must put our trust in Providence and
it will bless our endeavours«
This speech being a little more temperate than the last was not so
favourably received When the noise and exasperation were at their height he
came back once more and told them that the alarm had gone forth for many miles
round that when the King heard of their assembling together in that great body
he had no doubt His Majesty would send down private orders to have their wishes
complied with and with the manner of his speech as childish irresolute and
uncertain as his matter was proceeding in this strain when two gentlemen
suddenly appeared at the door where he stood and pressing past him and coming a
step or two lower down upon the stairs confronted the people
The boldness of this action quite took them by surprise They were not the
less disconcerted when one of the gentlemen turning to Lord George spoke thus
in a loud voice that they might hear him well but quite coolly and
collectedly
»You may tell these people if you please my lord that I am General Conway
of whom they have heard and that I oppose this petition and all their
proceedings and yours I am a soldier you may tell them and I will protect
the freedom of this place with my sword You see my lord that the members of
this House are all in arms today you know that the entrance to it is a narrow
one you cannot be ignorant that there are men within these walls who are
determined to defend that pass to the last and before whom many lives must fall
if your adherents persevere Have a care what you do«
»And my Lord George« said the other gentleman addressing him in like
manner »I desire them to hear this from me Colonel Gordon your near
relation If a man among this crowd whose uproar strikes us deaf crosses the
threshold of the House of Commons I swear to run my sword that moment not
into his but into your body«
With that they stepped back again keeping their faces towards the crowd
took each an arm of the misguided nobleman drew him into the passage and shut
the door which they directly locked and fastened on the inside
This was so quickly done and the demeanour of both gentlemen who were not
young men either was so gallant and resolute that the crowd faltered and
stared at each other with irresolute and timid looks Many tried to turn towards
the door some of the faintesthearted cried they had best go back and called
to those behind to give way and the panic and confusion were increasing
rapidly when Gashford whispered Hugh
»What now« Hugh roared aloud turning towards them »Why go back Where can
you do better than here boys One good rush against these doors and one below
at the same time will do the business Rush on then As to the door below let
those stand back who are afraid Let those who are not afraid try who shall be
the first to pass it Here goes Look out down there«
Without the delay of an instant he threw himself headlong over the
banisters into the lobby below He had hardly touched the ground when Barnaby
was at his side The chaplains assistant and some members who were imploring
the people to retire immediately withdrew and then with a great shout both
crowds threw themselves against the doors pellmell and besieged the House in
earnest
At that moment when a second onset must have brought them into collision
with those who stood on the defensive within in which case great loss of life
and bloodshed would inevitably have ensued the hindmost portion of the crowd
gave way and the rumour spread from mouth to mouth that a messenger had been
despatched by water for the military who were forming in the street Fearful of
sustaining a charge in the narrow passages in which they were so closely wedged
together the throng poured out as impetuously as they had flocked in As the
whole stream turned at once Barnaby and Hugh went with it and so fighting and
struggling and trampling on fallen men and being trampled on in turn
themselves they and the whole mass floated by degrees into the open street
where a large detachment of the Guards both horse and foot came hurrying up
clearing the ground before them so rapidly that the people seemed to melt away
as they advanced
The word of command to halt being given the soldiers formed across the
street the rioters breathless and exhausted with their late exertions formed
likewise though in a very irregular and disorderly manner The commanding
officer rode hastily into the open space between the two bodies accompanied by
a magistrate and an officer of the House of Commons for whose accommodation a
couple of troopers had hastily dismounted The Riot Act was read but not a man
stirred
In the first rank of the insurgents Barnaby and Hugh stood side by side
Somebody had thrust into Barnabys hands when he came out into the street his
precious flag which being now rolled up and tied round the pole looked like a
giant quarterstaff as he grasped it firmly and stood upon his guard If ever
man believed with his whole heart and soul that he was engaged in a just cause
and that he was bound to stand by his leader to the last poor Barnaby believed
it of himself and Lord George Gordon
After an ineffectual attempt to make himself heard the magistrate gave the
word and the Horse Guards came riding in among the crowd But even then he
galloped here and there exhorting the people to disperse and although heavy
stones were thrown at the men and some were desperately cut and bruised they
had no orders but to make prisoners of such of the rioters as were the most
active and to drive the people back with the flat of their sabres As the
horses came in among them the throng gave way at many points and the Guards
following up their advantage were rapidly clearing the ground when two or
three of the foremost who were in a manner cut off from the rest by the people
closing round them made straight towards Barnaby and Hugh who had no doubt
been pointed out as the two men who dropped into the lobby laying about them
now with some effect and inflicting on the more turbulent of their opponents a
few slight flesh wounds under the influence of which a man dropped here and
there into the arms of his fellows amid much groaning and confusion
At the sight of gashed and bloody faces seen for a moment in the crowd
then hidden by the press around them Barnaby turned pale and sick But he stood
his ground and grasping his pole more firmly yet kept his eye fixed upon the
nearest soldier nodding his head meanwhile as Hugh with a scowling visage
whispered in his ear
The soldier came spurring on making his horse rear as the people pressed
about him cutting at the hands of those who would have grasped his rein and
forced his charger back and waving to his comrades to follow and still
Barnaby without retreating an inch waited for his coming Some called to him
to fly and some were in the very act of closing round him to prevent his being
taken when the pole swept into the air above the peoples heads and the mans
saddle was empty in an instant
Then he and Hugh turned and fled the crowd opening to let them pass and
closing up again so quickly that there was no clue to the course they had taken
Panting for breath hot dusty and exhausted with fatigue they reached the
riverside in safety and getting into a boat with all despatch were soon out of
any immediate danger
As they glided down the river they plainly heard the people cheering and
supposing they might have forced the soldiers to retreat lay upon their oars
for a few minutes uncertain whether to return or not But the crowd passing
along Westminster Bridge soon assured them that the populace were dispersing
and Hugh rightly guessed from this that they had cheered the magistrate for
offering to dismiss the military on condition of their immediate departure to
their several homes and that he and Barnaby were better where they were He
advised therefore that they should proceed to Blackfriars and going ashore
at the bridge make the best of their way to The Boot where there was not only
good entertainment and safe lodging but where they would certainly be joined by
many of their late companions Barnaby assenting they decided on this course of
action and pulled for Blackfriars accordingly
They landed at a critical time and fortunately for themselves at the right
moment For coming into Fleetstreet they found it in an unusual stir and
inquiring the cause were told that a body of Horse Guards had just galloped
past and that they were escorting some rioters whom they had made prisoners to
Newgate for safety Not at all illpleased to have so narrowly escaped the
cavalcade they lost no more time in asking questions but hurried to The Boot
with as much speed as Hugh considered it prudent to make without appearing
singular or attracting an inconvenient share of public notice
Chapter L
They were among the first to reach the tavern but they had not been there many
minutes when several groups of men who had formed part of the crowd came
straggling in Among them were Simon Tappertit and Mr Dennis both of whom but
especially the latter greeted Barnaby with the utmost warmth and paid him many
compliments on the prowess he had shown
»Which« said Dennis with an oath as he rested his bludgeon in a corner
with his hat upon it and took his seat at the same table with them »it does me
good to think of There was a opportunity But it led to nothing For my part I
dont know what would Theres no spirit among the people in these here times
Bring something to eat and drink here Im disgusted with humanity«
»On what account« asked Mr Tappertit who had been quenching his fiery
face in a halfgallon can »Dont you consider this a good beginning mister«
»Give me security that it ant a ending« rejoined the hangman »When that
soldier went down we might have made London ours but no we stand and gape
and look on the justice I wish he had had a bullet in each eye as he would
have had if wed gone to work my way says My lads if youll give me your word
to disperse Ill order off the military our people sets up a hurrah throws
up the game with the winning cards in their hands and skulks away like a pack
of tame curs as they are Ah« said the hangman in a tone of deep disgust »it
makes me blush for my feller creeturs I wish I had been born a ox I do«
»Youd have been quite as agreeable a character if you had been I think«
returned Simon Tappertit going out in a lofty manner
»Dont be too sure of that« rejoined the hangman calling after him »if I
was a horned animal at the present moment with the smallest grain of sense, Id
toss every man in this company excepting them two« meaning Hugh and Barnaby
»for his manner of conducting himself this day«
With which mournful review of their proceedings Mr Dennis sought
consolation in cold boiled beef and beer but without at all relaxing the grim
and dissatisfied expression of his face the gloom of which was rather deepened
than dissipated by their grateful influence
The company who were thus libelled might have retaliated by strong words if
not by blows but they were dispirited and worn out The greater part of them
had fasted since morning all had suffered extremely from the excessive heat
and between the days shouting exertion and excitement many had quite lost
their voices and so much of their strength that they could hardly stand Then
they were uncertain what to do next fearful of the consequences of what they
had done already and sensible that after all they had carried no point but had
indeed left matters worse than they had found them Of those who had come to The
Boot many dropped off within an hour such of them as were really honest and
sincere never after the mornings experience to return or to hold any
communication with their late companions Others remained but to refresh
themselves and then went home desponding others who had theretofore been
regular in their attendance avoided the place altogether The halfdozen
prisoners whom the Guards had taken were magnified by report into
halfahundred at least and their friends being faint and sober so slackened
in their energy and so drooped beneath these dispiriting influences that by
eight oclock in the evening Dennis Hugh and Barnaby were left alone Even
they were fast asleep upon the benches when Gashfords entrance roused them
»Oh you are here then« said the secretary »Dear me«
»Why where should we be Muster Gashford« Dennis rejoined as he rose into
a sitting posture
»Oh nowhere nowhere« he returned with excessive mildness »The streets are
filled with blue cockades I rather thought you might have been among them I am
glad you are not«
»You have orders for us master then« said Hugh
»Oh dear no Not I No orders my good fellow What orders should I have
You are not in my service«
»Muster Gashford« remonstrated Dennis »we belong to the cause dont we«
»The cause« repeated the secretary looking at him in a sort of
abstraction »There is no cause The cause is lost«
»Lost«
»Oh yes You have heard I suppose The petition is rejected by a hundred
and ninetytwo to six Its quite final We might have spared ourselves some
trouble That and my lords vexation are the only circumstances I regret I am
quite satisfied in all other respects«
As he said this he took a penknife from his pocket and putting his hat
upon his knee began to busy himself in ripping off the blue cockade which he
had worn all day at the same time humming a psalm tune which had been very
popular in the morning and dwelling on it with a gentle regret
His two adherents looked at each other and at him as if they were at a
loss how to pursue the subject At length Hugh after some elbowing and winking
between himself and Mr Dennis ventured to stay his hand and to ask him why he
meddled with that riband in his hat
»Because« said the secretary looking up with something between a snarl and
a smile »because to sit still and wear it or to fall asleep and wear it is a
mockery Thats all friend«
»What would you have us do master« cried Hugh
»Nothing« returned Gashford shrugging his shoulders »nothing When my
lord was reproached and threatened for standing by you I as a prudent man
would have had you do nothing When the soldiers were trampling you under their
horses feet I would have had you do nothing When one of them was struck down
by a daring hand and I saw confusion and dismay in all their faces I would
have had you do nothing just what you did in short This is the young man who
had so little prudence and so much boldness Ah I am sorry for him«
»Sorry master« cried Hugh
»Sorry Muster Gashford« echoed Dennis
»In case there should be a proclamation out tomorrow offering five hundred
pounds or some such trifle for his apprehension and in case it should include
another man who dropped into the lobby from the stairs above« said Gashford
coldly »still do nothing«
»Fire and fury master« cried Hugh starting up »What have we done that
you should talk to us like this«
»Nothing« returned Gashford with a sneer »If you are cast into prison if
the young man« here he looked hard at Barnabys attentive face »is dragged
from us and from his friends perhaps from people whom he loves and whom his
death would kill is thrown into jail brought out and hanged before their eyes
still do nothing Youll find it your best policy I have no doubt«
»Come on« cried Hugh striding towards the door »Dennis Barnaby come
on«
»Where To do what« said Gashford slipping past him and standing with his
back against it
»Anywhere Anything« cried Hugh »Stand aside master or the window will
serve our turn as well Let us out«
»Ha ha ha You are of such of such an impetuous nature« said Gashford
changing his manner for one of the utmost good fellowship and the pleasantest
raillery »you are such an excitable creature but youll drink with me before
you go«
»Oh yes certainly« growled Dennis drawing his sleeve across his thirsty
lips »No malice brother Drink with Muster Gashford«
Hugh wiped his heated brow and relaxed into a smile The artful secretary
laughed outright
»Some liquor here Be quick or hell not stop even for that He is a man
of such desperate ardour« said the smooth secretary whom Mr Dennis
corroborated with sundry nods and muttered oaths »Once roused he is a fellow
of such fierce determination«
Hugh poised his sturdy arm aloft and clapping Barnaby on the back bade him
fear nothing They shook hands together poor Barnaby evidently possessed with
the idea that he was among the most virtuous and disinterested heroes in the
world and Gashford laughed again
»I hear« he said smoothly as he stood among them with a great measure of
liquor in his hand and filled their glasses as quickly and as often as they
chose »I hear but I cannot say whether it be true or false that the men who
are loitering in the streets tonight are half disposed to pull down a Romish
chapel or two and that they only want leaders I even heard mention of those in
Dukestreet LincolnsInn Fields and in Warwickstreet Goldensquare but
common report you know You are not going«
» To do nothing master eh« cried Hugh »No jails and halter for Barnaby
and me They must be frightened out of that Leaders are wanted are they Now
boys«
»A most impetuous fellow« cried the secretary »Ha ha A courageous
boisterous most vehement fellow A man who «
There was no need to finish the sentence for they had rushed out of the
house and were far beyond hearing He stopped in the middle of a laugh
listened drew on his gloves and clasping his hands behind him paced the
deserted room for a long time then bent his steps towards the busy town and
walked into the streets
They were filled with people for the rumour of that days proceedings had
made a great noise Those persons who did not care to leave home were at their
doors or windows and one topic of discourse prevailed on every side Some
reported that the riots were effectually put down others that they had broken
out again some said that Lord George Gordon had been sent under a strong guard
to the Tower others that an attempt had been made upon the Kings life that
the soldiers had been again called out and that the noise of musketry in a
distant part of the town had been plainly heard within an hour As it grew
darker these stories became more direful and mysterious and often when some
frightened passenger ran past with tidings that the rioters were not far off
and were coming up the doors were shut and barred lower windows made secure
and as much consternation engendered as if the city were invaded by a foreign
army
Gashford walked stealthily about listening to all he heard and diffusing
or confirming whenever he had an opportunity such false intelligence as suited
his own purpose and busily occupied in this way turned into Holborn for the
twentieth time when a great many women and children came flying along the
street often panting and looking back and the confused murmur of numerous
voices struck upon his ear Assured by these tokens and by the red light which
began to flash upon the houses on either side that some of his friends were
indeed approaching he begged a moments shelter at a door which opened as he
passed and running with some other persons to an upper window looked out upon
the crowd
They had torches among them and the chief faces were distinctly visible
That they had been engaged in the destruction of some building was sufficiently
apparent and that it was a Catholic place of worship was evident from the
spoils they bore as trophies which were easily recognisable for the vestments
of priests and rich fragments of altar furniture Covered with soot and dirt
and dust and lime their garments torn to rags their hair hanging wildly about
them their hands and faces jagged and bleeding with the wounds of rusty nails
Barnaby Hugh and Dennis hurried on before them all like hideous madmen After
them the dense throng came fighting on some singing some shouting in triumph
some quarrelling among themselves some menacing the spectators as they passed
some with great wooden fragments on which they spent their rage as if they had
been alive rending them limb from limb and hurling the scattered morsels high
into the air some in a drunken state unconscious of the hurts they had
received from falling bricks and stones and beams one borne upon a shutter
in the very midst covered with a dingy cloth a senseless ghastly heap Thus
a vision of coarse faces with here and there a blot of flaring smoky light a
dream of demon heads and savage eyes and sticks and iron bars uplifted in the
air and whirled about a bewildering horror in which so much was seen and yet
so little which seemed so long and yet so short in which there were so many
phantoms not to be forgotten all through life and yet so many things that
could not be observed in one distracting glimpse it flitted onward and was
gone
As it passed away upon its work of wrath and ruin a piercing scream was
heard A knot of persons ran towards the spot Gashford who just then emerged
into the street among them He was on the outskirts of the little concourse
and could not see or hear what passed within but one who had a better place
informed him that a widow woman had descried her son among the rioters
»Is that all« said the secretary turning his face homewards »Well I
think this looks a little more like business«
Chapter LI
Promising as these outrages were to Gashfords view and much like business as
they looked they extended that night no farther The soldiers were again called
out again they took halfadozen prisoners and again the crowd dispersed after
a short and bloodless scuffle Hot and drunken though they were they had not
yet broken all bounds and set all law and government at defiance Something of
their habitual deference to the authority erected by society for its own
preservation yet remained among them and had its majesty been vindicated in
time the secretary would have had to digest a bitter disappointment
By midnight the streets were clear and quiet and save that there stood in
two parts of the town a heap of nodding walls and pile of rubbish where there
had been at sunset a rich and handsome building everything wore its usual
aspect Even the Catholic gentry and tradesmen of whom there were many resident
in different parts of the City and its suburbs had no fear for their lives or
property and but little indignation for the wrong they had already sustained in
the plunder and destruction of their temples of worship An honest confidence in
the government under whose protection they had lived for many years and a
wellfounded reliance on the good feeling and right thinking of the great mass
of the community with whom notwithstanding their religious differences they
were every day in habits of confidential affectionate and friendly
intercourse reassured them even under the excesses that had been committed
and convinced them that they who were Protestants in anything but the name were
no more to be considered as abettors of these disgraceful occurrences than they
themselves were chargeable with the uses of the block the rack the gibbet and
the stake in cruel Marys reign
The clock was on the stroke of one when Gabriel Varden with his lady and
Miss Miggs sat waiting in the little parlour This fact the toppling wicks of
the dull wasted candles the silence that prevailed and above all the
nightcaps of both maid and matron were sufficient evidence that they had been
prepared for bed some time ago and had some reason for sitting up so far beyond
their usual hour
If any other corroborative testimony had been required it would have been
abundantly furnished in the actions of Miss Miggs who having arrived at that
restless state and sensitive condition of the nervous system which are the
result of long watching did by a constant rubbing and tweaking of her nose a
perpetual change of position arising from the sudden growth of imaginary knots
and knobs in her chair a frequent friction of her eyebrows the incessant
recurrence of a small cough a small groan a gasp a sigh a sniff a spasmodic
start and by other demonstrations of that nature so file down and rasp as it
were the patience of the locksmith that after looking at her in silence for
some time he at last broke out into this apostrophe
»Miggs my good girl go to bed do go to bed Youre really worse than the
dripping of a hundred waterbutts outside the window or the scratching of as
many mice behind the wainscot I cant bear it Do go to bed Miggs To oblige
me do«
»You havent got nothing to untie sir« returned Miss Miggs »and therefore
your requests does not surprise me But missis has and while you sit up mim«
she added turning to the locksmiths wife »I couldnt no not if twenty
times the quantity of cold water was aperiently running down my back at this
moment go to bed with a quiet spirit«
Having spoken these words Miss Miggs made divers efforts to rub her
shoulders in an impossible place and shivered from head to foot thereby giving
the beholders to understand that the imaginary cascade was still in full flow
but that a sense of duty upheld her under that and all other sufferings and
nerved her to endurance
Mrs Varden being too sleepy to speak and Miss Miggs having as the phrase
is said her say the locksmith had nothing for it but to sigh and be as quiet
as he could
But to be quiet with such a basilisk before him was impossible If he looked
another way it was worse to feel that she was rubbing her cheek or twitching
her ear or winking her eye or making all kinds of extraordinary shapes with
her nose than to see her do it If she was for a moment free from any of these
complaints it was only because of her foot being asleep or of her arm having
got the fidgets or of her leg being doubled up with the cramp or of some other
horrible disorder which racked her whole frame If she did enjoy a moments
ease then with her eyes shut and her mouth wide open she would be seen to sit
very stiff and upright in her chair then to nod a little way forward and stop
with a jerk then to nod a little farther forward and stop with another jerk
then to recover herself then to come forward again lower lower lower by
very slow degrees until just as it seemed impossible that she could preserve
her balance for another instant and the locksmith was about to call out in an
agony to save her from dashing down upon her forehead and fracturing her skull
then all of a sudden and without the smallest notice she would come upright and
rigid again with her eyes open and in her countenance an expression of
defiance sleepy but yet most obstinate which plainly said »Ive never once
closed em since I looked at you last and Ill take my oath of it«
At length after the clock had struck two there was a sound at the street
door as if somebody had fallen against the knocker by accident Miss Miggs
immediately jumping up and clapping her hands cried with a drowsy mingling of
the sacred and profane »Ally Looyer mim theres Simmunss knock«
»Whos there« said Gabriel
»Me« cried the wellknown voice of Mr Tappertit Gabriel opened the door
and gave him admission
He did not cut a very insinuating figure for a man of his stature suffers
in a crowd and having been active in yesterday mornings work his dress was
literally crushed from head to foot his hat being beaten out of all shape and
his shoes trodden down at heel like slippers His coat fluttered in strips about
him the buckles were torn away both from his knees and feet half his
neckerchief was gone and the bosom of his shirt was rent to tatters Yet
notwithstanding all these personal disadvantages despite his being very weak
from heat and fatigue and so begrimed with mud and dust that he might have been
in a case for anything of the real texture either of his skin or apparel that
the eye could discern he stalked haughtily into the parlour and throwing
himself into a chair and endeavouring to thrust his hands into the pockets of
his smallclothes which were turned inside out and displayed upon his legs
like tassels surveyed the household with a gloomy dignity
»Simon« said the locksmith gravely »how comes it that you return home at
this time of night and in this condition Give me an assurance that you have
not been among the rioters and I am satisfied«
»Sir« replied Mr Tappertit with a contemptuous look »I wonder at your
assurance in making such demands«
»You have been drinking« said the locksmith
»As a general principle and in the most offensive sense of the words sir«
returned his journeyman with great selfpossession »I consider you a liar In
that last observation you have unintentionally unintentionally sir struck
upon the truth«
»Martha« said the locksmith turning to his wife and shaking his head
sorrowfully while a smile at the absurd figure before him still played upon his
open face »I trust it may turn out that this poor lad is not the victim of the
knaves and fools we have so often had words about and who have done so much
harm today If he has been at Warwickstreet or Dukestreet tonight «
»He has been at neither sir« cried Mr Tappertit in a loud voice which he
suddenly dropped into a whisper as he repeated with eyes fixed upon the
locksmith »he has been at neither«
»I am glad of it with all my heart« said the locksmith in a serious tone
»for if he had been and it could be proved against him Martha your Great
Association would have been to him the cart that draws men to the gallows and
leaves them hanging in the air It would as sure as were alive«
Mrs Varden was too much scared by Simons altered manner and appearance
and by the accounts of the rioters which had reached her ears that night to
offer any retort or to have recourse to her usual matrimonial policy Miss
Miggs wrung her hands and wept
»He was not at Dukestreet or at Warwickstreet G Varden« said Simon
sternly »but he was at Westminster Perhaps sir he kicked a county member
perhaps sir he tapped a lord you may stare sir I repeat it blood flowed
from noses and perhaps he tapped a lord Who knows This« he added putting
his hand into his waistcoatpocket and taking out a large tooth at the sight
of which both Miggs and Mrs Varden screamed »this was a bishops Beware G
Varden«
»Now I would rather« said the locksmith hastily »have paid five hundred
pounds than had this come to pass You idiot do you know what peril you stand
in«
»I know it sir« replied his journeyman »and it is my glory I was there
everybody saw me there I was conspicuous and prominent I will abide the
consequences«
The locksmith really disturbed and agitated paced to and fro in silence
glancing at his former prentice every now and then and at length stopping
before him said
»Get to bed and sleep for a couple of hours that you may wake penitent and
with some of your senses about you Be sorry for what you have done and we will
try to save you If I call him by five oclock« said Varden turning hurriedly
to his wife »and he washes himself clean and changes his dress he may get to
the Tower Stairs and away by the Gravesend tideboat before any search is made
for him From there he can easily get on to Canterbury where your cousin will
give him work till this storm has blown over I am not sure that I do right in
screening him from the punishment he deserves but he has lived in this house
man and boy for a dozen years and I should be sorry if for this one days work
he made a miserable end Lock the frontdoor Miggs and show no light towards
the street when you go upstairs Quick Simon Get to bed«
»And do you suppose sir« retorted Mr Tappertit with a thickness and
slowness of speech which contrasted forcibly with the rapidity and earnestness
of his kindhearted master »and do you suppose sir that I am base and mean
enough to accept your servile proposition Miscreant«
»Whatever you please Sim but get to bed Every minute is of consequence
The light here Miggs«
»Yes yes oh do Go to bed directly« cried the two women together
Mr Tappertit stood upon his feet and pushing his chair away to show that
he needed no assistance answered swaying himself to and fro and managing his
head as if it had no connection whatever with his body
»You spoke of Miggs sir Miggs may be smothered«
»Oh Simmun« ejaculated that young lady in a faint voice »Oh mim Oh sir
Oh goodness gracious what a turn he has give me«
»This family may all be smothered sir« returned Mr Tappertit after
glancing at her with a smile of ineffable disdain »excepting Mrs V I have
come here sir for her sake this night Mrs Varden take this piece of paper
Its a protection maam You may need it«
With these words he held out at arms length a dirty crumpled scrap of
writing The locksmith took it from him opened it and read as follows
»All good friends to our cause I hope will be particular and do no
injury to the property of any true Protestant I am well assured that
the proprietor of this house is a staunch and worthy friend to the
cause
GEORGE GORDON«
»Whats this« said the locksmith with an altered face
»Something thatll do you good service young feller« replied his
journeyman »as youll find Keep that safe and where you can lay your hand
upon it in an instant And chalk No Popery on your door tomorrow night and for
a week to come thats all«
»This is a genuine document« said the locksmith »I know for I have seen
the hand before What threat does it imply What devil is abroad«
»A fiery devil« retorted Sim »a flaming furious devil Dont you put
yourself in its way or youre done for my buck Be warned in time G Varden
Farewell«
But here the two women threw themselves in his way especially Miss Miggs
who fell upon him with such fervour that she pinned him against the wall and
conjured him in moving words not to go forth till he was sober to listen to
reason to think of it to take some rest and then determine
»I tell you« said Mr Tappertit »that my mind is made up My bleeding
country calls me and I go Miggs if you dont get out of the way Ill pinch
you«
Miss Miggs still clinging to the rebel screamed once vociferously but
whether in the distraction of her mind or because of his having executed his
threat is uncertain
»Release me« said Simon struggling to free himself from her chaste but
spiderlike embrace »Let me go I have made arrangements for you in an altered
state of society and mean to provide for you comfortably in life there Will
that satisfy you«
»Oh Simmun« cried Miss Miggs »Oh my blessed Simmun Oh mim what are my
feelings at this conflicting moment«
Of a rather turbulent description it would seem for her nightcap had been
knocked off in the scuffle and she was on her knees upon the floor making a
strange revelation of blue and yellow curlpapers straggling locks of hair
tags of staylaces and strings of its impossible to say what panting for
breath clasping her hands turning her eyes upwards shedding abundance of
tears and exhibiting various other symptoms of the acutest mental suffering
»I leave« said Simon turning to his master with an utter disregard of
Miggss maidenly affliction »a box of things upstairs Do what you like with
em I dont want em Im never coming back here any more Provide yourself
sir with a journeyman Im my countrys journeyman henceforward thats my line
of business«
»Be what you like in two hours time but now go up to bed« returned the
locksmith planting himself in the doorway »Do you hear me Go to bed«
»I hear you and defy you Varden« rejoined Simon Tappertit »This night
sir I have been in the country planning an expedition which shall fill your
bellhanging soul with wonder and dismay The plot demands my utmost energy Let
me pass«
»Ill knock you down if you come near the door« replied the locksmith »You
had better go to bed«
Simon made no answer but gathering himself up as straight as he could
plunged head foremost at his old master and the two went driving out into the
workshop together plying their hands and feet so briskly that they looked like
halfadozen while Miggs and Mrs Varden screamed for twelve
It would have been easy for Varden to knock his old prentice down and bind
him hand and foot but as he was loth to hurt him in his then defenceless state
he contented himself with parrying his blows when he could taking them in
perfect good part when he could not and keeping between him and the door until
a favourable opportunity should present itself for forcing him to retreat
upstairs and shutting him up in his own room But in the goodness of his
heart he calculated too much upon his adversarys weakness and forgot that
drunken men who have lost the power of walking steadily can often run Watching
his time Simon Tappertit made a cunning show of falling back staggered
unexpectedly forward brushed past him opened the door he knew the trick of
that lock well and darted down the street like a mad dog The locksmith paused
for a moment in the excess of his astonishment and then gave chase
It was an excellent season for a run for at that silent hour the streets
were deserted the air was cool and the flying figure before him distinctly
visible at a great distance as it sped away with a long gaunt shadow following
at its heels But the shortwinded locksmith had no chance against a man of
Sims youth and spare figure though the day had been when he could have run him
down in no time The space between them rapidly increased and as the rays of
the rising sun streamed upon Simon in the act of turning a distant corner
Gabriel Varden was fain to give up and sit down on a doorstep to fetch his
breath Simon meanwhile without once stopping fled at the same degree of
swiftness to The Boot where as he well knew some of his company were lying
and at which respectable hostelry for he had already acquired the distinction
of being in great peril of the law a friendly watch had been expecting him all
night and was even now on the lookout for his coming
»Go thy ways Sim go thy ways« said the locksmith as soon as he could
speak »I have done my best for thee poor lad and would have saved thee but
the rope is round thy neck I fear«
So saying and shaking his head in a very sorrowful and disconsolate manner
he turned back and soon reentered his own house where Mrs Varden and the
faithful Miggs had been anxiously expecting his return
Now Mrs Varden and by consequence Miss Miggs likewise was impressed with
a secret misgiving that she had done wrong that she had to the utmost of her
small means aided and abetted the growth of disturbances the end of which it
was impossible to foresee that she had led remotely to the scene which had just
passed and that the locksmiths time for triumph and reproach had now arrived
indeed And so strongly did Mrs Varden feel this and so crestfallen was she in
consequence that while her husband was pursuing their lost journeyman she
secreted under her chair the little redbrick dwellinghouse with the yellow
roof lest it should furnish new occasion for reference to the painful theme
and now hid the same still more with the skirts of her dress
But it happened that the locksmith had been thinking of this very article on
his way home and that coming into the room and not seeing it he at once
demanded where it was
Mrs Varden had no resource but to produce it which she did with many
tears and broken protestations that if she could have known
»Yes yes« said Varden »of course I know that I dont mean to reproach
you my dear But recollect from this time that all good things perverted to
evil purposes are worse than those which are naturally bad A thoroughly wicked
woman is wicked indeed When religion goes wrong she is very wrong for the
same reason Let us say no more about it my dear«
So he dropped the redbrick dwellinghouse on the floor and setting his
heel upon it crushed it into pieces The halfpence and sixpences and other
voluntary contributions rolled about in all directions but nobody offered to
touch them or to take them up
»That« said the locksmith »is easily disposed of and I would to Heaven
that everything growing out of the same society could be settled as easily«
»It happens very fortunately Varden« said his wife with her handkerchief
to her eyes »that in case any more disturbances should happen which I hope
not I sincerely hope not «
»I hope so too my dear«
» That in case any should occur we have the piece of paper which that poor
misguided young man brought«
»Ay to be sure« said the locksmith turning quickly round »Where is that
piece of paper«
Mrs Varden stood aghast as he took it from her outstretched hand tore it
into fragments and threw them under the grate
»Not use it« she said
»Use it« cried the locksmith »No Let them come and pull the roof about
our ears let them burn us out of house and home Id neither have the
protection of their leader nor chalk their howl upon my door though for not
doing it they shot me on my own threshold Use it Let them come and do their
worst The first man who crosses my doorstep on such an errand as theirs had
better be a hundred miles away Let him look to it The others may have their
will I wouldnt beg or buy them off if instead of every pound of iron in the
place there was a hundredweight of gold Get you to bed Martha I shall take
down the shutters and go to work«
»So early« said his wife
»Ay« replied the locksmith cheerily »so early Come when they may they
shall not find us skulking and hiding as if we feared to take our portion of
the light of day and left it all to them So pleasant dreams to you my dear
and cheerful sleep«
With that he gave his wife a hearty kiss and bade her delay no longer or
it would be time to rise before she lay down to rest Mrs Varden quite amiably
and meekly walked upstairs followed by Miggs who although a good deal
subdued could not refrain from sundry stimulative coughs and sniffs by the way
or from holding up her hands in astonishment at the daring conduct of master
Chapter LII
A mob is usually a creature of very mysterious existence particularly in a
large city Where it comes from or whither it goes few men can tell Assembling
and dispersing with equal suddenness it is as difficult to follow to its
various sources as the sea itself nor does the parallel stop here for the
ocean is not more fickle and uncertain more terrible when roused more
unreasonable or more cruel
The people who were boisterous at Westminster upon the Friday morning and
were eagerly bent upon the work of devastation in Dukestreet and Warwickstreet
at night were in the mass the same Allowing for the chance accessions of
which any crowd is morally sure in a town where there must always be a large
number of idle and profligate persons one and the same mob was at both places
Yet they spread themselves in various directions when they dispersed in the
afternoon made no appointment for reassembling had no definite purpose or
design and indeed for anything they knew were scattered beyond the hope of
future union
At The Boot which as has been shown was in a manner the headquarters of
the rioters there were not upon this Friday night a dozen people Some slept
in the stable and outhouses some in the common room some two or three in beds
The rest were in their usual homes or haunts Perhaps not a score in all lay in
the adjacent fields and lanes and under haystacks or near the warmth of
brickkilns who had not their accustomed place of rest beneath the open sky As
to the public ways within the town they had their ordinary nightly occupants
and no others the usual amount of vice and wretchedness but no more
The experience of one evening however had taught the reckless leaders of
disturbance that they had but to show themselves in the streets to be
immediately surrounded by materials which they could only have kept together
when their aid was not required at great risk expense and trouble Once
possessed of this secret they were as confident as if twenty thousand men
devoted to their will had been encamped about them and assumed a confidence
which could not have been surpassed though that had really been the case All
day Saturday they remained quiet On Sunday they rather studied how to keep
their men within call and in full hope than to follow out by any fierce
measure their first days proceedings
»I hope« said Dennis as with a loud yawn he raised his body from a heap
of straw on which he had been sleeping and supporting his head upon his hand
appealed to Hugh on Sunday morning »that Muster Gashford allows some rest
Perhaps hed have us at work again already eh«
»Its not his way to let matters drop you may be sure of that« growled
Hugh in answer »Im in no humour to stir yet though Im as stiff as a dead
body and as full of ugly scratches as if I had been fighting all day yesterday
with wild cats«
»Youve so much enthusiasm thats it« said Dennis looking with great
admiration at the uncombed head matted beard and torn hands and face of the
wild figure before him »youre such a devil of a fellow You hurt yourself a
hundred times more than you need because you will be foremost in everything
and will do more than the rest«
»For the matter of that« returned Hugh shaking back his ragged hair and
glancing towards the door of the stable in which they lay »theres one yonder
as good as me What did I tell you about him Did I say he was worth a dozen
when you doubted him«
Mr Dennis rolled lazily over upon his breast and resting his chin upon his
hand in imitation of the attitude in which Hugh lay said as he too looked
towards the door
»Ay ay you knew him brother you knew him But whod suppose to look at
that chap now that he could be the man he is Isnt it a thousand cruel pities
brother that instead of taking his natral rest and qualifying himself for
further exertions in this here honourable cause he should be playing at
soldiers like a boy And his cleanliness too« said Mr Dennis who certainly
had no reason to entertain a fellow feeling with anybody who was particular on
that score »what weakness hes guilty of with respect to his cleanliness At
five oclock this morning there he was at the pump though any one would think
he had gone through enough the day before yesterday to be pretty fast asleep
at that time But no when I woke for a minute or two there he was at the
pump and if youd seen him sticking them peacocks feathers into his hat when
hed done washing ah Im sorry hes such a imperfect character but the best
on us is incomplete in some pint of view or another«
The subject of this dialogue and of these concluding remarks which were
uttered in a tone of philosophical meditation was as the reader will have
divined no other than Barnaby who with his flag in his hand stood sentry in
the little patch of sunlight at the distant door or walked to and fro outside
singing softly to himself and keeping time to the music of some clear church
bells Whether he stood still leaning with both hands on the flagstaff or
bearing it upon his shoulder paced slowly up and down the careful arrangement
of his poor dress and his erect and lofty bearing showed how high a sense he
had of the great importance of his trust and how happy and how proud it made
him To Hugh and his companion who lay in a dark corner of the gloomy shed he
and the sunlight and the peaceful Sabbath sound to which he made response
seemed like a bright picture framed by the door and set off by the stables
blackness The whole formed such a contrast to themselves as they lay
wallowing like some obscene animals in their squalor and wickedness on the two
heaps of straw that for a few moments they looked on without speaking and felt
almost ashamed
»Ah« said Hugh at length carrying it off with a laugh »hes a rare fellow
is Barnaby and can do more with less rest or meat or drink than any of us
As to his soldiering I put him on duty there«
»Then there was a object in it and a proper good one too Ill be sworn«
retorted Dennis with a broad grin and an oath of the same quality »What was
it brother«
»Why you see« said Hugh crawling a little nearer to him »that our noble
captain yonder came in yesterday morning rather the worse for liquor and was
like you and me ditto last night«
Dennis looked to where Simon Tappertit lay coiled upon a truss of hay
snoring profoundly and nodded
»And our noble captain« continued Hugh with another laugh »our noble
captain and I have planned for tomorrow a roaring expedition with good profit
in it«
»Again the Papists« asked Dennis rubbing his hands
»Ay against the Papists against one of em at least that some of us and
I for one owe a good heavy grudge to«
»Not Muster Gashfords friend that he spoke to us about in my house eh«
said Dennis brimful of pleasant expectation
»The same man« said Hugh
»Thats your sort« cried Mr Dennis gaily shaking hands with him »thats
the kind of game Lets have revenges and injuries and all that and we shall
get on twice as fast Now you talk indeed«
»Ha ha ha The captain« added Hugh »has thoughts of carrying off a woman
in the bustle and ha ha ha and so have I«
Mr Dennis received this part of the scheme with a wry face observing that
as a general principle he objected to women altogether as being unsafe and
slippery persons on whom there was no calculating with any certainty and who
were never in the same mind for fourandtwenty hours at a stretch He might
have expatiated on this suggestive theme at much greater length but that it
occurred to him to ask what connection existed between the proposed expedition
and Barnabys being posted at the stabledoor as sentry to which Hugh
cautiously replied in these words
»Why the people we mean to visit were friends of his once upon a time
and I know that much of him to feel pretty sure that if he thought we were going
to do them any harm hed be no friend to our side but would lend a ready hand
to the other So Ive persuaded him for I know him of old that Lord George has
picked him out to guard this place tomorrow while were away and that its a
great honour and so hes on duty now and as proud of it as if he was a
general Ha ha What do you say to me for a careful man as well as a devil of a
one«
Mr Dennis exhausted himself in compliments and then added
»But about the expedition itself «
»About that« said Hugh »you shall hear all particulars from me and the
great captain conjointly and both together for see hes waking up Rouse
yourself lionheart Ha ha Put a good face upon it and drink again Another
hair of the dog that bit you captain Call for drink Theres enough of gold
and silver cups and candlesticks buried underneath my bed« he added rolling
back the straw and pointing to where the ground was newly turned »to pay for
it if it was a score of casks full Drink captain«
Mr Tappertit received these jovial promptings with a very bad grace being
much the worse both in mind and body for his two nights of debauch and but
indifferently able to stand upon his legs With Hughs assistance however he
contrived to stagger to the pump and having refreshed himself with an abundant
draught of cold water and a copious shower of the same refreshing liquid on his
head and face he ordered some rum and milk to be served and upon that innocent
beverage and some biscuits and cheese made a pretty hearty meal That done he
disposed himself in an easy attitude on the ground beside his two companions
who were carousing after their own tastes and proceeded to enlighten Mr
Dennis in reference to tomorrows project
That their conversation was an interesting one was rendered manifest by its
length and by the close attention of all three That it was not of an
oppressively grave character but was enlivened by various pleasantries arising
out of the subject was clear from their loud and frequent roars of laughter
which startled Barnaby on his post and made him wonder at their levity But he
was not summoned to join them until they had eaten and drunk and slept and
talked together for some hours not indeed until the twilight when they
informed him that they were about to make a slight demonstration in the streets
just to keep the peoples hands in as it was Sunday night and the public
might otherwise be disappointed and that he was free to accompany them if he
would
Without the slightest preparation saving that they carried clubs and wore
the blue cockade they sallied out into the streets and with no more settled
design than that of doing as much mischief as they could paraded them at
random Their numbers rapidly increasing they soon divided into parties and
agreeing to meet byandby in the fields near Welbeckstreet scoured the town
in various directions The largest body and that which augmented with the
greatest rapidity was the one to which Hugh and Barnaby belonged This took its
way towards Moorfields where there was a rich chapel and in which
neighbourhood several Catholic families were known to reside
Beginning with the private houses so occupied they broke open the doors and
windows and while they destroyed the furniture and left but the bare walls
made a sharp search for tools and engines of destruction such as hammers
pokers axes saws and suchlike instruments Many of the rioters made belts of
cord of handkerchiefs or any material they found at hand and wore these
weapons as openly as pioneers upon a fieldday There was not the least disguise
or concealment indeed on this night very little excitement or hurry From
the chapels they tore down and took away the very altars benches pulpits
pews and flooring from the dwellinghouses the very wainscoting and stairs
This Sunday evenings recreation they pursued like mere workmen who had a
certain task to do and did it Fifty resolute men might have turned them at any
moment a single company of soldiers could have scattered them like dust but no
man interposed no authority restrained them and except by the terrified
persons who fled from their approach they were as little heeded as if they were
pursuing their lawful occupations with the utmost sobriety and good conduct
In the same manner they marched to the place of rendezvous agreed upon
made great fires in the fields and reserving the most valuable of their spoils
burnt the rest Priestly garments images of saints rich stuffs and ornaments
altarfurniture and household goods were cast into the flames and shed a glare
on the whole country round but they danced and howled and roared about these
fires till they were tired and were never for an instant checked
As the main body filed off from this scene of action and passed down
Welbeckstreet they came upon Gashford who had been a witness of their
proceedings and was walking stealthily along the pavement Keeping up with him
and yet not seeming to speak Hugh muttered in his ear
»Is this better master«
»No« said Gashford »It is not«
»What would you have« said Hugh »Fevers are never at their height at once
They must get on by degrees«
»I would have you« said Gashford pinching his arm with such malevolence
that his nails seemed to meet in the skin »I would have you put some meaning
into your work Fools Can you make no better bonfires than of rags and scraps
Can you burn nothing whole«
»A little patience master« said Hugh »Wait but a few hours and you shall
see Look for a redness in the sky tomorrow night«
With that he fell back into his place beside Barnaby and when the
secretary looked after him both were lost in the crowd
Chapter LIII
The next day was ushered in by merry peals of bells and by the firing of the
Tower guns flags were hoisted on many of the churchsteeples the usual
demonstrations were made in honour of the anniversary of the Kings birthday
and every man went about his pleasure or business as if the city were in perfect
order and there were no halfsmouldering embers in its secret places which on
the approach of night would kindle up again and scatter ruin and dismay abroad
The leaders of the riot rendered still more daring by the success of last night
and by the booty they had acquired kept steadily together and only thought of
implicating the mass of their followers so deeply that no hope of pardon or
reward might tempt them to betray their more notorious confederates into the
hands of justice
Indeed the sense of having gone too far to be forgiven held the timid
together no less than the bold Many who would readily have pointed out the
foremost rioters and given evidence against them felt that escape by that means
was hopeless when their every act had been observed by scores of people who had
taken no part in the disturbances who had suffered in their persons peace or
property by the outrages of the mob who would be most willing witnesses and
whom the government would no doubt prefer to any Kings evidence that might be
offered Many of this class had deserted their usual occupations on the Saturday
morning some had been seen by their employers active in the tumult others knew
they must be suspected and that they would be discharged if they returned
others had been desperate from the beginning and comforted themselves with the
homely proverb that being hanged at all they might as well be hanged for a
sheep as a lamb They all hoped and believed in a greater or less degree that
the government they seemed to have paralysed would in its terror come to
terms with them in the end and suffer them to make their own conditions The
least sanguine among them reasoned with himself that at the worst they were
too many to be all punished and that he had as good a chance of escape as any
other man The great mass never reasoned or thought at all but were stimulated
by their own headlong passions by poverty by ignorance by the love of
mischief and the hope of plunder
One other circumstance is worthy of remark and that is that from the
moment of their first outbreak at Westminster every symptom of order or
preconcerted arrangement among them vanished When they divided into parties and
ran to different quarters of the town it was on the spontaneous suggestion of
the moment Each party swelled as it went along like rivers as they roll
towards the sea new leaders sprang up as they were wanted disappeared when the
necessity was over and reappeared at the next crisis Each tumult took shape
and form from the circumstances of the moment sober workmen going home from
their days labour were seen to cast down their baskets of tools and become
rioters in an instant mere boys on errands did the like In a word a moral
plague ran through the city The noise and hurry and excitement had for
hundreds and hundreds an attraction they had no firmness to resist The
contagion spread like a dread fever an infectious madness as yet not near its
height seized on new victims every hour and society began to tremble at their
ravings
It was between two and three oclock in the afternoon when Gashford looked
into the lair described in the last chapter and seeing only Barnaby and Dennis
there inquired for Hugh
He was out Barnaby told him had gone out more than an hour ago and had
not yet returned
»Dennis« said the smiling secretary in his smoothest voice as he sat down
crosslegged on a barrel »Dennis«
The hangman struggled into a sitting posture directly and with his eyes
wide open looked towards him
»How do you do Dennis« said Gashford nodding »I hope you have suffered
no inconvenience from your late exertions Dennis«
»I always will say of you Muster Gashford« returned the hangman staring
at him »that that ere quiet way of yours might almost wake a dead man It is«
he added with a muttered oath still staring at him in a thoughtful manner
»so awful sly«
»So distinct eh Dennis«
»Distinct« he answered scratching his head and keeping his eyes upon the
secretarys face »I seem to hear it Muster Gashford in my wery bones«
»I am very glad your sense of hearing is so sharp and that I succeed in
making myself so intelligible« said Gashford in his unvarying even tone
»Where is your friend«
Mr Dennis looked round as in expectation of beholding him asleep upon his
bed of straw then remembering he had seen him go out replied
»I cant say where he is Muster Gashford I expected him back afore now I
hope it isnt time that we was busy Muster Gashford«
»Nay« said the secretary »who should know that as well as you How can I
tell you Dennis You are perfect master of your own actions you know and
accountable to nobody except sometimes to the law eh«
Dennis who was very much baffled by the cool matterofcourse manner of
this reply recovered his selfpossession on his professional pursuits being
referred to and pointing towards Barnaby shook his head and frowned
»Hush« cried Barnaby
»Ah Do hush about that Muster Gashford« said the hangman in a low voice
»poplar prejudices you always forget well Barnaby my lad whats the
matter«
»I hear him coming« he answered »Hark Do you mark that Thats his foot
Bless you I know his step and his dogs too Tramp tramp pitpat on they
come together and ha ha ha and here they are« he cried joyfully welcoming
Hugh with both hands and then patting him fondly on the back as if instead of
being the rough companion he was he had been one of the most prepossessing of
men »Here he is and safe too I am glad to see him back again old Hugh«
»Im a Turk if he dont give me a warmer welcome always than any man of
sense,« said Hugh shaking hands with him with a kind of ferocious friendship
strange enough to see »How are you boy«
»Hearty« cried Barnaby waving his hat »Ha ha ha And merry too Hugh And
ready to do anything for the good cause and the right and to help the kind
mild palefaced gentleman the lord they used so ill eh Hugh«
»Ay« returned his friend dropping his hand and looking at Gashford for an
instant with a changed expression before he spoke to him »Good day master«
»And good day to you« replied the secretary nursing his leg »And many
good days whole years of them I hope You are heated«
»So would you have been master« said Hugh wiping his face »if youd been
running here as fast as I have«
»You know the news then Yes I supposed you would have heard it«
»News what news«
»You dont« cried Gashford raising his eyebrows with an exclamation of
surprise »Dear me Come then I am the first to make you acquainted with your
distinguished position after all Do you see the Kings Arms atop« he
smilingly asked as he took a large paper from his pocket unfolded it and held
it out for Hughs inspection
»Well« said Hugh »Whats that to me«
»Much A great deal« replied the secretary »Read it«
»I told you the first time I saw you that I couldnt read« said Hugh
impatiently »What in the Devils names inside of it«
»It is a proclamation from the King in Council« said Gashford »dated
today and offering a reward of five hundred pounds five hundred pounds is a
great deal of money and a large temptation to some people to any one who will
discover the person or persons most active in demolishing those chapels on
Saturday night«
»Is that all« cried Hugh with an indifferent air »I knew of that«
»Truly I might have known you did« said Gashford smiling and folding up
the document again »Your friend I might have guessed indeed I did guess
was sure to tell you«
»My friend« stammered Hugh with an unsuccessful effort to appear
surprised »What friend«
»Tut tut do you suppose I dont know where you have been« retorted
Gashford rubbing his hands and beating the back of one on the palm of the
other and looking at him with a cunning eye »How dull you think me Shall I
say his name«
»No« said Hugh with a hasty glance towards Dennis
»You have also heard from him no doubt« resumed the secretary after a
moments pause »that the rioters who have been taken poor fellows are
committed for trial and that some very active witnesses have had the temerity
to appear against them Among others « and here he clenched his teeth as if he
would suppress by force some violent words that rose upon his tongue and spoke
very slowly »Among others a gentleman who saw the work going on in
Warwickstreet a Catholic gentleman one Haredale«
Hugh would have prevented his uttering the word but it was out already
Hearing the name Barnaby turned swiftly round
»Duty duty bold Barnaby« cried Hugh assuming his wildest and most rapid
manner and thrusting into his hand his staff and flag which leant against the
wall »Mount guard without loss of time for we are off upon our expedition Up
Dennis and get ready Take care that no one turns the straw upon my bed brave
Barnaby we know whats underneath it eh Now master quick What you have to
say say speedily for the little captain and a cluster of em are in the
fields and only waiting for us Sharps the word and strikes the action
Quick«
Barnaby was not proof against this bustle and despatch The look of mingled
astonishment and anger which had appeared in his face when he turned towards
them faded from it as the words passed from his memory like breath from a
polished mirror and grasping the weapon which Hugh forced upon him he proudly
took his station at the door beyond their hearing
»You might have spoiled our plans master« said Hugh »You too of all
men«
»Who would have supposed that he would be so quick« urged Gashford
»Hes as quick sometimes I dont mean with his hands for that you know
but with his head as you or any man« said Hugh »Dennis its time we were
going theyre waiting for us I came to tell you Reach me my stick and belt
Here Lend a hand master Fling this over my shoulder and buckle it behind
will you«
»Brisk as ever« said the secretary adjusting it for him as he desired
»A man need be brisk today theres brisk work afoot«
»There is is there« said Gashford He said it with such a provoking
assumption of ignorance that Hugh looking over his shoulder and angrily down
upon him replied
»Is there You know there is Who knows better than you master that the
first great step to be taken is to make examples of these witnesses and
frighten all men from appearing against us or any of our body any more«
»Theres one we know of« returned Gashford with an expressive smile »who
is at least as well informed upon that subject as you or I«
»If we mean the same gentleman as I suppose we do« Hugh rejoined softly
»I tell you this hes as good and quick information about everything as«
here he paused and looked round as if to make quite sure that the person in
question was not within hearing »as Old Nick himself Have you done that
master How slow you are«
»Its quite fast now« said Gashford rising »I say you didnt find that
your friend disapproved of todays little expedition Ha ha ha It is fortunate
it jumps so well with the witnesss policy for once planned it must have been
carried out And now you are going eh«
»Now we are going master« Hugh replied »Any parting words«
»Oh dear no« said Gashford sweetly »None«
»Youre sure« cried Hugh nudging the grinning Dennis
»Quite sure eh Muster Gashford« chuckled the hangman
Gashford paused a moment struggling with his caution and his malice then
putting himself between the two men and laying a hand upon the arm of each
said in a cramped whisper
»Do not my good friends I am sure you will not forget our talk one
night in your house Dennis about this person No mercy no quarter no two
beams of his house to be left standing where the builder placed them Fire the
saying goes is a good servant but a bad master Make it his master he
deserves no better But I am sure you will be firm I am sure you will be very
resolute I am sure you will remember that he thirsts for your lives and those
of all your brave companions If you ever acted like staunch fellows you will
do so today Wont you Dennis wont you Hugh«
The two looked at him and at each other then bursting into a roar of
laughter brandished their staves above their heads shook hands and hurried
out
When they had been gone a little time Gashford followed They were yet in
sight and hastening to that part of the adjacent fields in which their fellows
had already mustered Hugh was looking back and flourishing his hat to Barnaby
who delighted with his trust replied in the same way and then resumed his
pacing up and down before the stabledoor where his feet had worn a path
already And when Gashford himself was far distant and looked back for the last
time he was still walking to and fro with the same measured tread the most
devoted and the blithest champion that ever maintained a post and felt his
heart lifted up with a brave sense of duty and determination to defend it to
the last
Smiling at the simplicity of the poor idiot Gashford betook himself to
Welbeckstreet by a different path from that which he knew the rioters would
take and sitting down behind a curtain in one of the upper windows of Lord
George Gordons house waited impatiently for their coming They were so long
that although he knew it had been settled they should come that way he had a
misgiving they must have changed their plans and taken some other route But at
length the roar of voices was heard in the neighbouring fields and soon
afterwards they came thronging past in a great body
However they were not all nor nearly all in one body but were as he
soon found divided into four parties each of which stopped before the house to
give three cheers and then went on the leaders crying out in what direction
they were going and calling on the spectators to join them The first
detachment carrying by way of banners some relics of the havoc they had made
in Moorfields proclaimed that they were on their way to Chelsea whence they
would return in the same order to make of the spoil they bore a great bonfire
near at hand The second gave out that they were bound for Wapping to destroy a
chapel the third that their place of destination was East Smithfield and
their object the same All this was done in broad bright summer day Gay
carriages and chairs stopped to let them pass or turned back to avoid them
people on foot stood aside in doorways or perhaps knocked and begged permission
to stand at a window or in the hall until the rioters had passed but nobody
interfered with them and when they had gone by everything went on as usual
There still remained the fourth body and for that the secretary looked with
a most intense eagerness At last it came up It was numerous and composed of
picked men for as he gazed down among them he recognised many upturned faces
which he knew well those of Simon Tappertit Hugh and Dennis in the front of
course They halted and cheered as the others had done but when they moved
again they did not like them proclaim what design they had Hugh merely
raised his hat upon the bludgeon he carried and glancing at a spectator on the
opposite side of the way was gone
Gashford followed the direction of his glance instinctively and saw
standing on the pavement and wearing the blue cockade Sir John Chester He
held his hat an inch or two above his head to propitiate the mob and resting
gracefully on his cane smiling pleasantly and displaying his dress and person
to the very best advantage looked on in the most tranquil state imaginable For
all that and quick and dexterous as he was Gashford had seen him recognise
Hugh with the air of a patron He had no longer any eyes for the crowd but
fixed his keen regards upon Sir John
He stood in the same place and posture until the last man in the concourse
had turned the corner of the street then very deliberately took the blue
cockade out of his hat put it carefully in his pocket ready for the next
emergency refreshed himself with a pinch of snuff put up his box and was
walking slowly off when a passing carriage stopped and a ladys hand let down
the glass Sir Johns hat was off again immediately After a minutes
conversation at the carriagewindow in which it was apparent that he was vastly
entertaining on the subject of the mob he stepped lightly in and was driven
away
The secretary smiled but he had other thoughts to dwell upon and soon
dismissed the topic Dinner was brought him but he sent it down untasted and
in restless pacings up and down the room and constant glances at the clock and
many futile efforts to sit down and read or go to sleep or look out of the
window consumed four weary hours When the dial told him thus much time had
crept away he stole upstairs to the top of the house and coming out upon the
roof sat down with his face towards the east
Heedless of the fresh air that blew upon his heated brow of the pleasant
meadows from which he turned of the piles of roofs and chimneys upon which he
looked of the smoke and rising mist he vainly sought to pierce of the shrill
cries of children at their evening sports the distant hum and turmoil of the
town the cheerful country breath that rustled past to meet it and to droop
and die he watched and watched till it was dark save for the specks of
light that twinkled in the streets below and far away and as the darkness
deepened strained his gaze and grew more eager yet
»Nothing but gloom in that direction still« he muttered restlessly »Dog
where is the redness in the sky you promised me«
Chapter LIV
Rumours of the prevailing disturbances had by this time begun to be pretty
generally circulated through the towns and villages round London and the
tidings were everywhere received with that appetite for the marvellous and love
of the terrible which have probably been among the natural characteristics of
mankind since the creation of the world These accounts however appeared to
many persons at that day as they would to us at the present but that we know
them to be matter of history so monstrous and improbable that a great number
of those who were resident at a distance and who were credulous enough on other
points were really unable to bring their minds to believe that such things
could be and rejected the intelligence they received on all hands as wholly
fabulous and absurd
Mr Willet not so much perhaps on account of his having argued and
settled the matter with himself as by reason of his constitutional obstinacy
was one of those who positively refused to entertain the current topic for a
moment On this very evening and perhaps at the very time when Gashford kept
his solitary watch old John was so red in the face with perpetually shaking his
head in contradiction of his three ancient cronies and pot companions that he
was quite a phenomenon to behold and lighted up the Maypole Porch wherein they
sat together like a monstrous carbuncle in a fairy tale
»Do you think sir« said Mr Willet looking hard at Solomon Daisy for it
was his custom in cases of personal altercation to fasten upon the smallest man
in the party »do you think sir that Im a born fool«
»No no Johnny« returned Solomon looking round upon the little circle of
which he formed a part »we all know better than that Youre no fool Johnny
No no«
Mr Cobb and Mr Parkes shook their heads in unison muttering »No no
Johnny not you« But as such compliments had usually the effect of making Mr
Willet rather more dogged than before he surveyed them with a look of deep
disdain and returned for answer
»Then what do you mean by coming here and telling me that this evening
youre a going to walk up to London together you three you and have the
evidence of your own senses Ant« said Mr Willet putting his pipe in his
mouth with an air of solemn disgust »ant the evidence of my senses enough for
you«
»But we havent got it Johnny« pleaded Parkes humbly
»You havent got it sir« repeated Mr Willet eyeing him from top to toe
»You havent got it sir You have got it sir Dont I tell you that His
blessed Majesty King George the Third would no more stand a rioting and
rollicking in his streets than hed stand being crowed over by his own
Parliament«
»Yes Johnny but thats your sense not your senses« said the adventurous
Mr Parkes
»How do you know« retorted John with great dignity »Youre a contradicting
pretty free you are sir How do you know which it is Im not aware I ever
told you sir«
Mr Parkes finding himself in the position of having got into metaphysics
without exactly seeing his way out of them stammered forth an apology and
retreated from the argument There then ensued a silence of some ten minutes or
a quarter of an hour at the expiration of which period Mr Willet was observed
to rumble and shake with laughter and presently remarked in reference to his
late adversary »that he hoped he had tackled him enough« Thereupon Messrs
Cobb and Daisy laughed and nodded and Parkes was looked upon as thoroughly and
effectually put down
»Do you suppose if all this was true that Mr Haredale would be constantly
away from home as he is« said John after another silence »Do you think he
wouldnt be afraid to leave his house with them two young women in it and only
a couple of men or so«
»Ay but then you know« returned Solomon Daisy »his house is a goodish way
out of London and they do say that the rioters wont go more than two mile or
three at the farthest off the stones Besides you know some of the Catholic
gentlefolks have actually sent trinkets and suchlike down here for safety at
least so the story goes«
»The story goes« said Mr Willet testily »Yes sir The story goes that
you saw a ghost last March But nobody believes it«
»Well« said Solomon rising to divert the attention of his two friends
who tittered at this retort »believed or disbelieved its true and true or
not if we mean to go to London we must be going at once So shake hands
Johnny and good night«
»I shall shake hands« returned the landlord putting his into his pockets
»with no man as goes to London on such nonsensical errands«
The three cronies were therefore reduced to the necessity of shaking his
elbows having performed that ceremony and brought from the house their hats
and sticks and greatcoats they bade him good night and departed promising to
bring him on the morrow full and true accounts of the real state of the city
and if it were quiet to give him the full merit of his victory
John Willet looked after them as they plodded along the road in the rich
glow of a summer evening and knocking the ashes out of his pipe laughed
inwardly at their folly until his sides were sore When he had quite exhausted
himself which took some time for he laughed as slowly as he thought and spoke
he sat himself comfortably with his back to the house put his legs upon the
bench then his apron over his face and fell sound asleep
How long he slept matters not but it was for no brief space for when he
awoke the rich light had faded the sombre hues of night were falling fast upon
the landscape and a few bright stars were already twinkling overhead The birds
were all at roost the daisies on the green had closed their fairy hoods the
honeysuckle twining round the porch exhaled its perfume in a twofold degree as
though it lost its coyness at that silent time and loved to shed its fragrance
on the night the ivy scarcely stirred its deep green leaves How tranquil and
how beautiful it was
Was there no sound in the air besides the gentle rustling of the trees and
the grasshoppers merry chirp Hark Something very faint and distant not
unlike the murmuring in a seashell Now it grew louder fainter now and now it
altogether died away Presently it came again subsided came once more grew
louder fainter swelled into a roar It was on the road and varied with its
windings All at once it burst into a distinct sound the voices and the
tramping feet of many men
It is questionable whether old John Willet even then would have thought of
the rioters but for the cries of his cook and housemaid who ran screaming
upstairs and locked themselves into one of the old garrets shrieking
dismally when they had done so by way of rendering their place of refuge
perfectly secret and secure These two females did afterwards depone that Mr
Willet in his consternation uttered but one word and called that up the stairs
in a stentorian voice six distinct times But as this word was a monosyllable
which however inoffensive when applied to the quadruped it denotes is highly
reprehensible when used in connection with females of unimpeachable character
many persons were inclined to believe that the young women laboured under some
hallucination caused by excessive fear and that their ears deceived them
Be this as it may John Willet in whom the very uttermost extent of
dullheaded perplexity supplied the place of courage stationed himself in the
porch and waited for their coming up Once it dimly occurred to him that there
was a kind of door to the house which had a lock and bolts and at the same
time some shadowy ideas of shutters to the lower windows flitted through his
brain But he stood stock still looking down the road in the direction in which
the noise was rapidly advancing and did not so much as take his hands out of
his pockets
He had not to wait long A dark mass looming through a cloud of dust soon
became visible the mob quickened their pace shouting and whooping like
savages they came rushing on pellmell and in a few seconds he was bandied
from hand to hand in the heart of a crowd of men
»Halloa« cried a voice he knew as the man who spoke came cleaving through
the throng »Where is he Give him to me Dont hurt him How now old Jack Ha
ha ha«
Mr Willet looked at him and saw it was Hugh but he said nothing and
thought nothing
»These lads are thirsty and must drink« cried Hugh thrusting him back
towards the house »Bustle Jack bustle Show us the best the very best the
overproof that you keep for your own drinking Jack«
John faintly articulated the words »Whos to pay«
»He says Whos to pay« cried Hugh with a roar of laughter which was loudly
echoed by the crowd Then turning to John he added »Pay Why nobody«
John stared round at the mass of faces some grinning some fierce some
lighted up by torches some indistinct some dusky and shadowy some looking at
him some at his house some at each other and while he was as he thought in
the very act of doing so found himself without any consciousness of having
moved in the bar sitting down in an armchair and watching the destruction of
his property as if it were some queer play or entertainment of an astonishing
and stupefying nature but having no reference to himself that he could make
out at all
Yes Here was the bar the bar that the boldest never entered without
special invitation the sanctuary the mystery the hallowed ground here it
was crammed with men clubs sticks torches pistols filled with a deafening
noise oaths shouts screams hootings changed all at once into a beargarden
a madhouse an infernal temple men darting in and out by door and window
smashing the glass turning the taps drinking liquor out of China punchbowls
sitting astride of casks smoking private and personal pipes cutting down the
sacred grove of lemons hacking and hewing at the celebrated cheese breaking
open inviolable drawers putting things in their pockets which didnt belong to
them dividing his own money before his own eyes wantonly wasting breaking
pulling down and tearing up nothing quiet nothing private men everywhere
above below overhead in the bedrooms in the kitchen in the yard in the
stables clambering in at windows when there were doors wide open dropping out
of windows when the stairs were handy leaping over the banisters into chasms of
passages new faces and figures presenting themselves every instant some
yelling some singing some fighting some breaking glass and crockery some
laying the dust with the liquor they couldnt drink some ringing the bells till
they pulled them down others beating them with pokers till they beat them into
fragments more men still more more more swarming on like insects noise
smoke light darkness frolic anger laughter groans plunder fear and
ruin
Nearly all the time while John looked on at this bewildering scene Hugh
kept near him and though he was the loudest wildest most destructive villain
there he saved his old masters bones a score of times Nay even when Mr
Tappertit excited by liquor came up and in assertion of his prerogative
politely kicked John Willet on the shins Hugh bade him return the compliment
and if old John had had sufficient presence of mind to understand this whispered
direction and to profit by it he might no doubt under Hughs protection have
done so with impunity
At length the band began to reassemble outside the house and to call to
those within to join them for they were losing time These murmurs increasing
and attaining a high pitch Hugh and some of those who yet lingered in the bar
and who plainly were the leaders of the troop took counsel together apart as
to what was to be done with John to keep him quiet until their Chigwell work
was over Some proposed to set the house on fire and leave him in it others
that he should be reduced to a state of temporary insensibility by knocking on
the head others that he should be sworn to sit where he was until tomorrow at
the same hour others again that he should be gagged and taken off with them
under a sufficient guard All these propositions being overruled it was
concluded at last to bind him in his chair and the word was passed for
Dennis
»Lookee here Jack« said Hugh striding up to him »We are going to tie
you hand and foot but otherwise you wont be hurt Dye hear«
John Willet looked at another man as if he didnt know which was the
speaker and muttered something about an ordinary every Sunday at two oclock
»You wont be hurt I tell you Jack do you hear me« roared Hugh
impressing the assurance upon him by means of a heavy blow on the back »Hes so
dead scared hes woolgathering I think Give him a drop of something to drink
here Hand over one of you«
A glass of liquor being passed forward Hugh poured the contents down old
Johns throat Mr Willet feebly smacked his lips thrust his hand into his
pocket and inquired what was to pay adding as he looked vacantly round that
he believed there was a trifle of broken glass
»Hes out of his senses for the time its my belief« said Hugh after
shaking him without any visible effect upon his system until his keys rattled
in his pocket
»Wheres that Dennis«
The word was again passed and presently Mr Dennis with a long cord bound
about his middle something after the manner of a friar came hurrying in
attended by a bodyguard of halfadozen of his men
»Come Be alive here« cried Hugh stamping his foot upon the ground »Make
haste«
Dennis with a wink and a nod unwound the cord from about his person and
raising his eyes to the ceiling looked all over it and round the walls and
cornice with a curious eye then shook his head
»Move man cant you« cried Hugh with another impatient stamp of his
foot »Are we to wait here till the cry has gone for ten miles round and our
works interrupted«
»Its all very fine talking brother« answered Dennis stepping towards
him »but unless« and here he whispered in his ear »unless we do it over the
door it cant be done at all in this here room«
»What cant« Hugh demanded
»What cant« retorted Dennis »Why the old man cant«
»Why you werent going to hang him« cried Hugh
»No brother« returned the hangman with a stare »What else«
Hugh made no answer but snatching the rope from his companions hand
proceeded to bind old John himself but his very first move was so bungling and
unskilful that Mr Dennis entreated almost with tears in his eyes that he
might be permitted to perform the duty Hugh consenting he achieved it in a
twinkling
»There« he said looking mournfully at John Willet who displayed no more
emotion in his bonds than he had shown out of them »Thats what I call pretty
and workmanlike Hes quite a picter now But brother just a word with you
now that hes ready trussed as one may say wouldnt it be better for all
parties if we was to work him off It would read uncommon well in the
newspapers it would indeed The public would think a great deal more on us«
Hugh inferring what his companion meant rather from his gestures than his
technical mode of expressing himself to which as he was ignorant of his
calling he wanted the clue rejected this proposition for the second time and
gave the word »Forward« which was echoed by a hundred voices from without
»To the Warren« shouted Dennis as he ran out followed by the rest »A
witnesss house my lads«
A loud yell followed and the whole throng hurried off mad for pillage and
destruction Hugh lingered behind for a few moments to stimulate himself with
more drink and to set all the taps running a few of which had accidentally
been spared then glancing round the despoiled and plundered room through
whose shattered window the rioters had thrust the Maypole itself for even
that had been sawn down lighted a torch clapped the mute and motionless John
Willet on the back and waving his light above his head and uttering a fierce
shout hastened after his companions
Chapter LV
John Willet left alone in his dismantled bar continued to sit staring about
him awake as to his eyes certainly but with all his powers of reason and
reflection in a sound and dreamless sleep He looked round upon the room which
had been for years and was within an hour ago the pride of his heart and not
a muscle of his face was moved The night without looked black and cold
through the dreary gaps in the casement the precious liquids now nearly leaked
away dripped with a hollow sound upon the floor the Maypole peered ruefully in
through the broken window like the bowsprit of a wrecked ship the ground might
have been the bottom of the sea it was so strewn with precious fragments
Currents of air rushed in as the old doors jarred and creaked upon their
hinges the candles flickered and guttered down and made long windingsheets
the cheery deepred curtains flapped and fluttered idly in the wind even the
stout Dutch kegs overthrown and lying empty in dark corners seemed the mere
husks of good fellows whose jollity had departed and who could kindle with a
friendly glow no more John saw this desolation and yet saw it not He was
perfectly contented to sit there staring at it and felt no more indignation or
discomfort in his bonds than if they had been robes of honour So far as he was
personally concerned old Time lay snoring and the world stood still
Save for the dripping from the barrels the rustling of such light fragments
of destruction as the wind affected and the dull creaking of the open doors
all was profoundly quiet indeed these sounds like the ticking of the
deathwatch in the night only made the silence they invaded deeper and more
apparent But quiet or noisy it was all one to John If a train of heavy
artillery could have come up and commenced ball practice outside the window it
would have been all the same to him He was a long way beyond surprise A ghost
couldnt have overtaken him
By and by he heard a footstep a hurried and yet cautious footstep
coming on towards the house It stopped advanced again then seemed to go quite
round it Having done that it came beneath the window and a head looked in
It was strongly relieved against the darkness outside by the glare of the
guttering candles A pale worn withered face the eyes but that was owing to
its gaunt condition unnaturally large and bright the hair a grizzled black
It gave a searching glance all round the room and a deep voice said
»Are you alone in this house«
John made no sign though the question was repeated twice and he heard it
distinctly After a moments pause the man got in at the window John was not
at all surprised at this either There had been so much getting in and out of
window in the course of the last hour or so that he had quite forgotten the
door and seemed to have lived among such exercises from infancy
The man wore a large dark faded cloak and a slouched hat he walked up
close to John and looked at him John returned the compliment with interest
»How long have you been sitting thus« said the man
John considered but nothing came of it
»Which way have the party gone«
Some wandering speculations relative to the fashion of the strangers boots
got into Mr Willets mind by some accident or other but they got out again in
a hurry and left him in his former state
»You would do well to speak« said the man »you may keep a whole skin
though you have nothing else left that can be hurt Which way have the party
gone«
»That« said John finding his voice all at once and nodding with perfect
good faith he couldnt point he was so tightly bound in exactly the
opposite direction to the right one
»You lie« said the man angrily and with a threatening gesture »I came
that way You would betray me«
It was so evident that Johns imperturbability was not assumed but was the
result of the late proceedings under his roof that the man stayed his hand in
the very act of striking him and turned away
John looked after him without so much as a twitch in a single nerve of his
face He seized a glass and holding it under one of the little casks until a
few drops were collected drank them greedily off then throwing it down upon
the floor impatiently he took the vessel in his hands and drained it into his
throat Some scraps of bread and meat were scattered about and on these he fell
next eating them with voracity and pausing every now and then to listen for
some fancied noise outside When he had refreshed himself in this manner with
violent haste and raised another barrel to his lips he pulled his hat upon his
brow as though he were about to leave the house and turned to John
»Where are your servants«
Mr Willet indistinctly remembered to have heard the rioters calling to them
to throw the key of the room in which they were out of window for their
keeping He therefore replied »Locked up«
»Well for them if they remain quiet and well for you if you do the like«
said the man »Now show me the way the party went«
This time Mr Willet indicated it correctly The man was hurrying to the
door when suddenly there came towards them on the wind the loud and rapid
tolling of an alarmbell and then a bright and vivid glare streamed up which
illumined not only the whole chamber but all the country
It was not the sudden change from darkness to this dreadful light it was
not the sound of distant shrieks and shouts of triumph it was not this dread
invasion of the serenity and peace of night that drove the man back as though a
thunderbolt had struck him It was the Bell If the ghastliest shape the human
mind has ever pictured in its wildest dreams had risen up before him he could
not have staggered backward from its touch as he did from the first sound of
that loud iron voice With eyes that started from his head his limbs convulsed
his face most horrible to see he raised one arm high up into the air and
holding something visionary back and down with his other hand drove at it as
though he held a knife and stabbed it to the heart He clutched his hair and
stopped his ears and travelled madly round and round then gave a frightful
cry and with it rushed away still still the Bell tolled on and seemed to
follow him louder and louder hotter and hotter yet The glare grew brighter
the roar of voices deeper the crash of heavy bodies falling shook the air
bright streams of sparks rose up into the sky but louder than them all rising
faster far to Heaven a million times more fierce and furious pouring forth
dreadful secrets after its long silence speaking the language of the dead
the Bell the Bell
What hunt of spectres could surpass that dread pursuit and flight Had there
been a legion of them on his track he could have better borne it They would
have had a beginning and an end but here all space was full The one pursuing
voice was everywhere it sounded in the earth the air shook the long grass
and howled among the trembling trees The echoes caught it up the owls hooted
as it flew upon the breeze the nightingale was silent and hid herself among the
thickest boughs it seemed to goad and urge the angry fire and lash it into
madness everything was steeped in one prevailing red the glow was everywhere
nature was drenched in blood still the remorseless crying of that awful voice
the Bell the Bell
It ceased but not in his ears The knell was at his heart No work of man
had ever voice like that which sounded there and warned him that it cried
unceasingly to Heaven Who could hear that bell and not know what it said
There was murder in its every note cruel relentless savage murder the
murder of a confiding man by one who held his every trust Its ringing summoned
phantoms from their graves What face was that in which a friendly smile
changed to a look of half incredulous horror which stiffened for a moment into
one of pain then changed again into an imploring glance at Heaven and so fell
idly down with upturned eyes like the dead stags he had often peeped at when a
little child shrinking and shuddering there was a dreadful thing to think of
now and clinging to an apron as he looked He sank upon the ground and
grovelling down as if he would dig himself a place to hide in covered his face
and ears but no no no a hundred walls and roofs of brass would not shut
out that bell for in it spoke the wrathful voice of God and from that voice
the whole wide universe could not afford a refuge
While he rushed up and down not knowing where to turn and while he lay
crouching there the work went briskly on indeed When they left the Maypole
the rioters formed into a solid body and advanced at a quick pace towards the
Warren Rumour of their approach having gone before they found the gardendoors
fast closed the windows made secure and the house profoundly dark not a light
being visible in any portion of the building After some fruitless ringing at
the bells and beating at the iron gates they drew off a few paces to
reconnoitre and confer upon the course it would be best to take
Very little conference was needed when all were bent upon one desperate
purpose infuriated with liquor and flushed with successful riot The word being
given to surround the house some climbed the gates or dropped into the shallow
trench and scaled the garden wall while others pulled down the solid iron
fence and while they made a breach to enter by made deadly weapons of the
bars The house being completely encircled a small number of men were
despatched to break open a toolshed in the garden and during their absence on
this errand the remainder contented themselves with knocking violently at the
doors and calling to those within to come down and open them on peril of their
lives
No answer being returned to this repeated summons and the detachment who
had been sent away coming back with an accession of pickaxes spades and hoes
they together with those who had such arms already or carried as many did
axes poles and crowbars struggled into the foremost rank ready to beset
the doors and windows They had not at this time more than a dozen lighted
torches among them but when these preparations were completed flaming links
were distributed and passed from hand to hand with such rapidity that in a
minutes time at least twothirds of the whole roaring mass bore each man in
his hand a blazing brand Whirling these about their heads they raised a loud
shout and fell to work upon the doors and windows
Amidst the clattering of heavy blows the rattling of broken glass the
cries and execrations of the mob and all the din and turmoil of the scene Hugh
and his friends kept together at the turretdoor where Mr Haredale had last
admitted him and old John Willet and spent their united force on that It was a
strong old oaken door guarded by good bolts and a heavy bar but it soon went
crashing in upon the narrow stairs behind and made as it were a platform to
facilitate their tearing up into the rooms above Almost at the same moment a
dozen other points were forced and at every one the crowd poured in like water
A few armed servantmen were posted in the hall and when the rioters forced
an entrance there they fired some halfadozen shots But these taking no
effect and the concourse coming on like an army of devils they only thought of
consulting their own safety and retreated echoing their assailants cries and
hoping in the confusion to be taken for rioters themselves in which stratagem
they succeeded with the exception of one old man who was never heard of again
and was said to have had his brains beaten out with an iron bar one of his
fellows reported that he had seen the old man fall and to have been afterwards
burnt in the flames
The besiegers being now in complete possession of the house spread
themselves over it from garret to cellar and plied their demon labours
fiercely While some small parties kindled bonfires underneath the windows
others broke up the furniture and cast the fragments down to feed the flames
below where the apertures in the wall windows no longer were large enough
they threw out tables chests of drawers beds mirrors pictures and flung
them whole into the fire while every fresh addition to the blazing masses was
received with shouts and howls and yells which added new and dismal terrors
to the conflagration Those who had axes and had spent their fury on the
movables chopped and tore down the doors and window frames broke up the
flooring hewed away the rafters and buried men who lingered in the upper
rooms in heaps of ruins Some searched the drawers the chests the boxes
writingdesks and closets for jewels plate and money while others less
mindful of gain and more mad for destruction cast their whole contents into the
courtyard without examination and called to those below to heap them on the
blaze Men who had been into the cellars and had staved the casks rushed to
and fro stark mad setting fire to all they saw often to the dresses of their
own friends and kindling the building in so many parts that some had no time
for escape and were seen with drooping hands and blackened faces hanging
senseless on the windowsills to which they had crawled until they were sucked
and drawn into the burning gulf The more the fire crackled and raged the
wilder and more cruel the men grew as though moving in that element they became
fiends and changed their earthly nature for the qualities that give delight in
hell
The burning pile revealing rooms and passages red hot through gaps made in
the crumbling walls the tributary fires that licked the outer bricks and
stones with their long forked tongues and ran up to meet the glowing mass
within the shining of the flames upon the villains who looked on and fed them
the roaring of the angry blaze so bright and high that it seemed in its
rapacity to have swallowed up the very smoke the living flakes the wind bore
rapidly away and hurried on with like a storm of fiery snow the noiseless
breaking of great beams of wood which fell like feathers on the heap of ashes
and crumbled in the very act to sparks and powder the lurid tinge that
overspread the sky and the darkness very deep by contrast which prevailed
around the exposure to the coarse common gaze of every little nook which
usages of home had made a sacred place and the destruction by rude hands of
every little household favourite which old associations made a dear and precious
thing all this taking place not among pitying looks and friendly murmurs of
compassion but brutal shouts and exultations which seemed to make the very
rats who stood by the old house too long creatures with some claim upon the
pity and regard of those its roof had sheltered combined to form a scene
never to be forgotten by those who saw it and were not actors in the work so
long as life endured
And who were they The alarmbell rang and it was pulled by no faint or
hesitating hands for a long time but not a soul was seen Some of the
insurgents said that when it ceased they heard the shrieks of women and saw
some garments fluttering in the air as a party of men bore away no unresisting
burdens No one could say that this was true or false in such an uproar but
where was Hugh Who among them had seen him since the forcing of the doors The
cry spread through the body Where was Hugh
»Here« he hoarsely cried appearing from the darkness out of breath and
blackened with the smoke »We have done all we can the fire is burning itself
out and even the corners where it hasnt spread are nothing but heaps of
ruins Disperse my lads while the coasts clear get back by different ways
and meet as usual« With that he disappeared again contrary to his wont for
he was always first to advance and last to go away leaving them to follow
homewards as they would
It was not an easy task to draw off such a throng If Bedlam gates had been
flung open wide there would not have issued forth such maniacs as the frenzy of
that night had made There were men there who danced and trampled on the beds
of flowers as though they trod down human enemies and wrenched them from the
stalks like savages who twisted human necks There were men who cast their
lighted torches in the air and suffered them to fall upon their heads and
faces blistering the skin with deep unseemly burns There were men who rushed
up to the fire and paddled in it with their hands as if in water and others
who were restrained by force from plunging in to gratify their deadly longing
On the skull of one drunken lad not twenty by his looks who lay upon the
ground with a bottle to his mouth the lead from the roof came streaming down in
a shower of liquid fire white hot melting his head like wax When the
scattered parties were collected men living yet but singed as with hot irons
were plucked out of the cellars and carried off upon the shoulders of others
who strove to wake them as they went along with ribald jokes and left them
dead in the passages of hospitals But of all the howling throng not one learnt
mercy from nor sickened at these sights nor was the fierce besotted
senseless rage of one man glutted
Slowly and in small clusters with hoarse hurrahs and repetitions of their
usual cry the assembly dropped away The last few redeyed stragglers reeled
after those who had gone before the distant noise of men calling to each other
and whistling for others whom they missed grew fainter and fainter at length
even these sounds died away and silence reigned alone
Silence indeed The glare of the flames had sunk into a fitful flashing
light and the gentle stars invisible till now looked down upon the blackening
heap A dull smoke hung upon the ruin as though to hide it from those eyes of
Heaven and the wind forbore to move it Bare walls roof open to the sky
chambers where the beloved dead had many and many a fair day risen to new
life and energy where so many dear ones had been sad and merry which were
connected with so many thoughts and hopes regrets and changes all gone
Nothing left but a dull and dreary blank a smouldering heap of dust and ashes
the silence and solitude of utter desolation
Chapter LVI
The Maypole cronies little dreaming of the change so soon to come upon their
favourite haunt struck through the Forest path upon their way to London and
avoiding the main road which was hot and dusty kept to the bypaths and the
fields As they drew nearer to their destination they began to make inquiries
of the people whom they passed concerning the riots and the truth or falsehood
of the stories they had heard The answers went far beyond any intelligence that
had spread to quiet Chigwell One man told them that that afternoon the Guards
conveying to Newgate some rioters who had been reexamined had been set upon by
the mob and compelled to retreat another that the houses of two witnesses near
Clare Market were about to be pulled down when he came away another that Sir
George Savilles house in Leicester Fields was to be burned that night and that
it would go hard with Sir George if he fell into the peoples hands as it was
he who had brought in the Catholic bill All accounts agreed that the mob were
out in stronger numbers and more numerous parties than had yet appeared that
the streets were unsafe that no mans house or life was worth an hours
purchase that the public consternation was increasing every moment and that
many families had already fled the city One fellow who wore the popular colour
damned them for not having cockades in their hats and bade them set a good
watch tomorrow night upon their prison doors for the locks would have a
straining another asked if they were fireproof that they walked abroad
without the distinguishing mark of all good and true men and a third who rode
on horseback and was quite alone ordered them to throw each man a shilling in
his hat towards the support of the rioters Although they were afraid to refuse
compliance with this demand and were much alarmed by these reports they
agreed having come so far to go forward and see the real state of things with
their own eyes So they pushed on quicker as men do who are excited by
portentous news and ruminating on what they had heard spoke little to each
other
It was now night and as they came nearer to the city they had dismal
confirmation of this intelligence in three great fires all close together
which burnt fiercely and were gloomily reflected in the sky Arriving in the
immediate suburbs they found that almost every house had chalked upon its door
in large characters No Popery that the shops were shut and that alarm and
anxiety were depicted in every face they passed
Noting these things with a degree of apprehension which neither of the three
cared to impart in its full extent to his companions they came to a
turnpikegate which was shut They were passing through the turnstile on the
path when a horseman rode up from London at a hard gallop and called to the
tollkeeper in a voice of great agitation to open quickly in the name of God
The adjuration was so earnest and vehement that the man with a lantern in
his hand came running out tollkeeper though he was and was about to throw
the gate open when happening to look behind him he exclaimed »Good Heaven
whats that Another fire«
At this the three turned their heads and saw in the distance straight in
the direction whence they had come a broad sheet of flame casting a
threatening light upon the clouds which glimmered as though the conflagration
were behind them and showed like a wrathful sunset
»My mind misgives me« said the horseman »or I know from what far building
those flames come Dont stand aghast my good fellow Open the gate«
»Sir« cried the man laying his hand upon his horses bridle as he let him
through »I know you now sir be advised by me do not go on I saw them pass
and know what kind of men they are You will be murdered«
»So be it« said the horseman looking intently towards the fire and not at
him who spoke
»But sir sir« cried the man grasping at his rein more tightly yet »if
you do go on wear the blue riband Here sir« he added taking one from his
own hat »its necessity not choice that makes me wear it its love of life
and home sir Wear it for this one night sir only for this one night«
»Do« cried the three friends pressing round his horse »Mr Haredale
worthy sir good gentleman pray be persuaded«
»Whos that« cried Mr Haredale stooping down to look »Did I hear Daisys
voice«
»You did sir« cried the little man »Do be persuaded sir This gentleman
says very true Your life may hang upon it«
»Are you« said Mr Haredale abruptly »afraid to come with me«
»I sir Nnno«
»Put that riband in your hat If we meet the rioters swear that I took you
prisoner for wearing it I will tell them so with my own lips for as I hope for
mercy when I die I will take no quarter from them nor shall they have quarter
from me if we come hand to hand tonight Up here behind me quick Clasp me
tight round the body and fear nothing«
In an instant they were riding away at full gallop in a dense cloud of
dust and speeding on like hunters in a dream
It was well the good horse knew the road he traversed for never once no
never once in all the journey did Mr Haredale cast his eyes upon the ground
or turn them for an instant from the light towards which they sped so madly
Once he said in a low voice »It is my house« but that was the only time he
spoke When they came to dark and doubtful places he never forgot to put his
hand upon the little man to hold him more securely in his seat but he kept his
head erect and his eyes fixed on the fire then and always
The road was dangerous enough for they went the nearest way headlong
far from the highway by lonely lanes and paths where waggonwheels had worn
deep ruts where hedge and ditch hemmed in the narrow strip of ground and tall
trees arching overhead made it profoundly dark But on on on with neither
stop nor stumble till they reached the Maypole door and could plainly see that
the fire began to fade as if for want of fuel
»Down for one moment for but one moment« said Mr Haredale helping
Daisy to the ground and following himself »Willet Willet where are my
niece and servants Willet«
Crying to him distractedly he rushed into the bar The landlord bound and
fastened to his chair the place dismantled stripped and pulled about his
ears nobody could have taken shelter here
He was a strong man accustomed to restrain himself and suppress his strong
emotions but this preparation for what was to follow though he had seen that
fire burning and knew that his house must be razed to the ground was more
than he could bear He covered his face with his hands for a moment and turned
away his head
»Johnny Johnny« said Solomon and the simplehearted fellow cried
outright and wrung his hands »Oh dear old Johnny heres a change That the
Maypole bar should come to this and we should live to see it The old Warren
too Johnny Mr Haredale oh Johnny what a piteous sight this is«
Pointing to Mr Haredale as he said these words little Solomon Daisy put
his elbows on the back of Mr Willets chair and fairly blubbered on his
shoulder
While Solomon was speaking old John sat mute as a stockfish staring at
him with an unearthly glare and displaying by every possible symptom entire
and complete unconsciousness But when Solomon was silent again John followed
with his great round eyes the direction of his looks and did appear to have
some dawning distant notion that somebody had come to see him
»You know us dont you Johnny« said the little clerk rapping himself on
the breast »Daisy you know Chigwell Church bellringer little desk on
Sundays eh Johnny«
Mr Willet reflected for a few moments and then muttered as it were
mechanically »Let us sing to the praise and glory of «
»Yes to be sure« cried the little man hastily »thats it thats me
Johnny Youre all right now ant you Say youre all right Johnny«
»All right« pondered Mr Willet as if that were a matter entirely between
himself and his conscience »All right Ah«
»They havent been misusing you with sticks or pokers or any other blunt
instruments have they Johnny« asked Solomon with a very anxious glance at
Mr Willets head »They didnt beat you did they«
John knitted his brow looked downwards as if he were mentally engaged in
some arithmetical calculation then upwards as if the total would not come at
his call then at Solomon Daisy from his eyebrow to his shoebuckle then very
slowly round the bar And then a great round leadenlooking and not at all
transparent tear came rolling out of each eye and he said as he shook his
head
»If theyd only had the goodness to murder me Id have thanked em kindly«
»No no no dont say that Johnny« whimpered his little friend »Its
very very bad but not quite so bad as that No no«
»Lookee here sir« cried John turning his rueful eyes on Mr Haredale
who had dropped on one knee and was hastily beginning to untie his bonds
»Lookee here sir The very Maypole the old dumb Maypole stares in at the
winder as if it said John Willet John Willet lets go and pitch ourselves in
the nighest pool of water as is deep enough to hold us for our day is over«
»Dont Johnny dont« cried his friend no less affected with this
mournful effort of Mr Willets imagination than by the sepulchral tone in
which he had spoken of the Maypole »Please dont Johnny«
»Your loss is great and your misfortune a heavy one« said Mr Haredale
looking restlessly towards the door »and this is not a time to comfort you If
it were I am in no condition to do so Before I leave you tell me one thing
and try to tell me plainly I implore you Have you seen or heard of Emma«
»No« said Mr Willet
»Nor any one but these bloodhounds«
»No«
»They rode away I trust in Heaven before these dreadful scenes began«
said Mr Haredale who between his agitation his eagerness to mount his horse
again and the dexterity with which the cords were tied had scarcely yet undone
one knot »A knife Daisy«
»You didnt« said John looking about as though he had lost his
pockethandkerchief or some such slight article »either of you gentlemen
see a a coffin anywheres did you«
»Willet« cried Mr Haredale Solomon dropped the knife and instantly
becoming limp from head to foot exclaimed »Good gracious«
» Because« said John not at all regarding them »a dead man called a
little time ago on his way yonder I could have told you what name was on the
plate if he had brought his coffin with him and left it behind If he didnt
it dont signify«
His landlord who had listened to these words with breathless attention
started that moment to his feet and without a word drew Solomon Daisy to the
door mounted his horse took him up behind again and flew rather than galloped
towards the pile of ruins which that days sun had shone upon a stately house
Mr Willet stared after them listened looked down upon himself to make quite
sure that he was still unbound and without any manifestation of impatience
disappointment or surprise gently relapsed into the condition from which he
had so imperfectly recovered
Mr Haredale tied his horse to the trunk of a tree and grasping his
companions arm stole softly along the footpath and into what had been the
garden of his house He stopped for an instant to look upon its smoking walls
and at the stars that shone through roof and floor upon the heap of crumbling
ashes Solomon glanced timidly in his face but his lips were tightly pressed
together a resolute and stern expression sat upon his brow and not a tear a
look or gesture indicating grief escaped him
He drew his sword felt for a moment in his breast as though he carried
other arms about him then grasping Solomon by the wrist again went with a
cautious step all round the house He looked into every doorway and gap in the
wall retraced his steps at every rustling of the air among the leaves and
searched in every shadowed nook with outstretched hands Thus they made the
circuit of the building but they returned to the spot from which they had set
out without encountering any human being, or finding the least trace of any
concealed straggler
After a short pause Mr Haredale shouted twice or thrice Then cried aloud
»Is there any one in hiding here who knows my voice There is nothing to fear
now If any of my people are near I entreat them to answer« He called them all
by name his voice was echoed in many mournful tones then all was silent as
before
They were standing near the foot of the turret where the alarmbell hung
The fire had raged there and the floors had been sawn and hewn and beaten
down besides It was open to the night but a part of the staircase still
remained winding upward from a great mound of dust and cinders Fragments of
the jagged and broken steps offered an insecure and giddy footing here and
there and then were lost again behind protruding angles of the wall or in the
deep shadows cast upon it by other portions of the ruin for by this time the
moon had risen and shone brightly
As they stood here listening to the echoes as they died away and hoping in
vain to hear a voice they knew some of the ashes in this turret slipped and
rolled down Startled by the least noise in that melancholy place Solomon
looked up in his companions face and saw that he had turned towards the spot
and that he watched and listened keenly
He covered the little mans mouth with his hand and looked again
Instantly with kindling eyes he bade him on his life keep still and neither
speak nor move Then holding his breath and stooping down he stole into the
turret with his drawn sword in his hand and disappeared
Terrified to be left there by himself under such desolate circumstances
and after all he had seen and heard that night Solomon would have followed but
there had been something in Mr Haredales manner and his look the recollection
of which held him spellbound He stood rooted to the spot and scarcely
venturing to breathe looked up with mingled fear and wonder
Again the ashes slipped and rolled very very softly again and then
again as though they crumbled underneath the tread of a stealthy foot And now
a figure was dimly visible climbing very softly and often stopping to look
down now it pursued its difficult way and now it was hidden from the view
again
It emerged once more into the shadowy and uncertain light higher now but
not much for the way was steep and toilsome and its progress very slow What
phantom of the brain did he pursue and why did he look down so constantly He
knew he was alone Surely his mind was not affected by that nights loss and
agony He was not about to throw himself headlong from the summit of the
tottering wall Solomon turned sick and clasped his hands His limbs trembled
beneath him and a cold sweat broke out upon his pallid face
If he complied with Mr Haredales last injunction now it was because he
had not the power to speak or move He strained his gaze and fixed it on a
patch of moonlight into which if he continued to ascend he must soon emerge
When he appeared there he would try to call to him
Again the ashes slipped and crumbled some stones rolled down and fell with
a dull heavy sound upon the ground below He kept his eyes upon the piece of
moonlight The figure was coming on for its shadow was already thrown upon the
wall Now it appeared and now looked round at him and now
The horrorstricken clerk uttered a scream that pierced the air and cried
»The ghost The ghost«
Long before the echo of his cry had died away another form rushed out into
the light flung itself upon the foremost one knelt down upon its breast and
clutched its throat with both hands
»Villain« cried Mr Haredale in a terrible voice for it was he »Dead
and buried as all men supposed through your infernal arts but reserved by
Heaven for this at last at last I have you You whose hands are red with
my brothers blood and that of his faithful servant shed to conceal your own
atrocious guilt You Rudge double murderer and monster I arrest you in the
name of God who has delivered you into my hands No Though you had the
strength of twenty men« he added as the murderer writhed and struggled »you
could not escape me or loosen my grasp tonight«
Chapter LVII
Barnaby armed as we have seen continued to pace up and down before the
stabledoor glad to be alone again and heartily rejoicing in the unaccustomed
silence and tranquillity After the whirl of noise and riot in which the last
two days had been passed the pleasures of solitude and peace were enhanced a
thousandfold He felt quite happy and as he leaned upon his staff and mused a
bright smile overspread his face and none but cheerful visions floated into his
brain
Had he no thought of her whose sole delight he was and whom he had
unconsciously plunged in such bitter sorrow and such deep affliction Oh yes
She was at the heart of all his cheerful hopes and proud reflections It was she
whom all this honour and distinction were to gladden the joy and profit were
for her What delight it gave her to hear of the bravery of her poor boy Ah He
would have known that without Hughs telling him And what a precious thing it
was to know she lived so happily and heard with so much pride he pictured to
himself her look when they told her that he was in such high esteem bold among
the boldest and trusted before them all And when these frays were over and
the good lord had conquered his enemies and they were all at peace again and
he and she were rich what happiness they would have in talking of these
troubled times when he was a great soldier and when they sat alone together in
the tranquil twilight and she had no longer reason to be anxious for the
morrow what pleasure would he have in the reflection that this was his doing
his poor foolish Barnabys and in patting her on the cheek and saying with a
merry laugh »Am I silly now mother am I silly now«
With a lighter heart and step and eyes the brighter for the happy tear that
dimmed them for a moment Barnaby resumed his walk and singing gaily to
himself kept guard upon his quiet post
His comrade Grip the partner of his watch though fond of basking in the
sunshine preferred today to walk about the stable having a great deal to do
in the way of scattering the straw hiding under it such small articles as had
been casually left about and haunting Hughs bed to which he seemed to have
taken a particular attachment Sometimes Barnaby looked in and called him and
then he came hopping out but he merely did this as a concession to his masters
weakness and soon returned again to his own grave pursuits peering into the
straw with his bill and rapidly covering up the place as if Midaslike he
were whispering secrets to the earth and burying them constantly busying
himself upon the sly and affecting whenever Barnaby came past to look up in
the clouds and have nothing whatever on his mind in short conducting himself
in many respects in a more than usually thoughtful deep and mysterious
manner
As the day crept on Barnaby who had no directions forbidding him to eat
and drink upon his post but had been on the contrary supplied with a bottle
of beer and a basket of provisions determined to break his fast which he had
not done since morning To this end he sat down on the ground before the door
and putting his staff across his knees in case of alarm or surprise summoned
Grip to dinner
This call the bird obeyed with great alacrity crying as he sidled up to
his master »Im a devil Im a Polly Im a kettle Im a Protestant No
Popery« Having learnt this latter sentiment from the gentry among whom he had
lived of late he delivered it with uncommon emphasis
»Well said Grip« cried his master as he fed him with the daintiest bits
»Well said old boy«
»Never say die bow wow wow keep up your spirits Grip Grip Grip Holloa
Well all have tea Im a Protestant kettle No Popery« cried the raven
»Gordon for ever Grip« cried Barnaby
The raven placing his head upon the ground looked at his master sideways
as though he would have said »Say that again« Perfectly understanding his
desire Barnaby repeated the phrase a great many times The bird listened with
profound attention sometimes repeating the popular cry in a low voice as if to
compare the two and try if it would at all help him to this new accomplishment
sometimes flapping his wings or barking and sometimes in a kind of desperation
drawing a multitude of corks with extraordinary viciousness
Barnaby was so intent upon his favourite that he was not at first aware of
the approach of two persons on horseback who were riding at a footpace and
coming straight towards his post When he perceived them however which he did
when they were within some fifty yards of him he jumped hastily up and
ordering Grip within doors stood with both hands on his staff waiting until he
should know whether they were friends or foes
He had hardly done so when he observed that those who advanced were a
gentleman and his servant almost at the same moment he recognised Lord George
Gordon before whom he stood uncovered with his eyes turned towards the ground
»Good day« said Lord George not reining in his horse until he was close
beside him »Well«
»All quiet sir all safe« cried Barnaby »The rest are Away they went by
that path that one A grand party«
»Ay« said Lord George looking thoughtfully at him »And you«
»Oh They left me here to watch to mount guard to keep everything secure
till they come back Ill do it sir for your sake Youre a good gentleman a
kind gentleman ay you are There are many against you but well be a match
for them never fear«
»Whats that« said Lord George pointing to the raven who was peeping out
of the stabledoor but still looking thoughtfully and in some perplexity it
seemed at Barnaby
»Why dont you know« retorted Barnaby with a wondering laugh »Not know
what he is A bird to be sure My bird my friend Grip«
»A devil a kettle a Grip a Polly a Protestant no Popery« cried the
raven
»Though indeed« added Barnaby laying his hand upon the neck of Lord
Georges horse and speaking softly »you had good reason to ask me what he is
for sometimes it puzzles me and I am used to him to think hes only a bird
Hes my brother Grip is always with me always talking always merry eh
Grip«
The raven answered by an affectionate croak and hopping on his masters
arm which he held downward for that purpose submitted with an air of perfect
indifference to be fondled and turned his restless curious eye now upon Lord
George and now upon his man
Lord George biting his nails in a discomfited manner regarded Barnaby for
some time in silence then beckoning to his servant said
»Come hither John«
John Grueby touched his hat and came
»Have you ever seen this young man before« his master asked in a low voice
»Twice my lord« said John »I see him in the crowd last night and
Saturday«
»Did did it seem to you that his manner was at all wild or strange« Lord
George demanded faltering
»Mad« said John with emphatic brevity
»And why do you think him mad sir« said his master speaking in a peevish
tone »Dont use that word too freely Why do you think him mad«
»My lord« John Grueby answered »look at his dress look at his eyes look
at his restless way hear him cry No Popery Mad my lord«
»So because one man dresses unlike another« returned his angry master
glancing at himself »and happens to differ from other men in his carriage and
manner and to advocate a great cause which the corrupt and irreligious desert
he is to be accounted mad is he«
»Stark staring raving roaring mad my lord« returned the unmoved John
»Do you say this to my face« cried his master turning sharply upon him
»To any man my lord who asks me« answered John
»Mr Gashford I find was right« said Lord George »I thought him
prejudiced though I ought to have known a man like him better than to have
supposed it possible«
»I shall never have Mr Gashfords good word my lord« replied John
touching his hat respectfully »and I dont covet it«
»You are an illconditioned most ungrateful fellow« said Lord George »a
spy for anything I know Mr Gashford is perfectly correct as I might have
felt convinced he was I have done wrong to retain you in my service It is a
tacit insult to him as my choice and confidential friend to do so remembering
the cause you sided with on the day he was maligned at Westminster You will
leave me tonight nay as soon as we reach home The sooner the better«
»If it comes to that I say so too my lord Let Mr Gashford have his will
As to my being a spy my lord you know me better than to believe it I am sure
I dont know much about causes My cause is the cause of one man against two
hundred and I hope it always will be«
»You have said quite enough« returned Lord George motioning him to go
back »I desire to hear no more«
»If youll let me have another word my lord« returned John Grueby »Id
give this silly fellow a caution not to stay here by himself The proclamation
is in a good many hands already and its well known that he was concerned in
the business it relates to He had better get to a place of safety if he can
poor creature«
»You hear what this man says« cried Lord George addressing Barnaby who
had looked on and wondered while this dialogue passed »He thinks you may be
afraid to remain upon your post and are kept here perhaps against your will
What do you say«
»I think young man« said John in explanation »that the soldiers may turn
out and take you and that if they do you will certainly be hung by the neck
till youre dead dead dead And I think you had better go from here as fast
as you can Thats what I think«
»Hes a coward Grip a coward« cried Barnaby putting the raven on the
ground and shouldering his staff »Let them come Gordon for ever Let them
come«
»Ay« said Lord George »let them Let us see who will venture to attack a
power like ours the solemn league of a whole people This a madman You have
said well very well I am proud to be the leader of such men as you«
Barnabys heart swelled within his bosom as he heard these words He took
Lord Georges hand and carried it to his lips patted his horses crest as if
the affection and admiration he had conceived for the man extended to the animal
he rode then unfurling his flag and proudly waving it resumed his pacing up
and down
Lord George with a kindling eye and glowing cheek took off his hat and
flourishing it above his head bade him exultingly Farewell then cantered off
at a brisk pace after glancing angrily round to see that his servant followed
Honest John set spurs to his horse and rode after his master but not before he
had again warned Barnaby to retreat with many significant gestures which
indeed he continued to make and Barnaby to resist until the windings of the
road concealed them from each others view
Left to himself again with a still higher sense of the importance of his
post and stimulated to enthusiasm by the special notice and encouragement of
his leader Barnaby walked to and fro in a delicious trance rather than as a
waking man The sunshine which prevailed around was in his mind He had but one
desire ungratified If she could only see him now
The day wore on its heat was gently giving place to the cool of evening a
light wind sprung up fanning his long hair and making the banner rustle
pleasantly above his head There was a freedom and freshness in the sound and in
the time which chimed exactly with his mood He was happier than ever
He was leaning on his staff looking towards the declining sun and
reflecting with a smile that he stood sentinel at that moment over buried gold
when two or three figures appeared in the distance making towards the house at
a rapid pace and motioning with their hands as though they urged its inmates to
retreat from some approaching danger As they drew nearer they became more
earnest in their gestures and they were no sooner within hearing than the
foremost among them cried that the soldiers were coming up
At these words Barnaby furled his flag and tied it round the pole His
heart beat high while he did so but he had no more fear or thought of
retreating than the pole itself. The friendly stragglers hurried past him after
giving him notice of his danger and quickly passed into the house where the
utmost confusion immediately prevailed As those within hastily closed the
windows and the doors they urged him by looks and signs to fly without loss of
time and called to him many times to do so but he only shook his head
indignantly in answer and stood the firmer on his post Finding that he was not
to be persuaded they took care of themselves and leaving the place with only
one old woman in it speedily withdrew
As yet there had been no symptom of the news having any better foundation
than in the fears of those who brought it but The Boot had not been deserted
five minutes when there appeared coming across the fields a body of men who
it was easy to see by the glitter of their arms and ornaments in the sun and
by their orderly and regular mode of advancing for they came on as one man
were soldiers In a very little time Barnaby knew that they were a strong
detachment of the Foot Guards having along with them two gentlemen in private
clothes and a small party of Horse the latter brought up the rear and were
not in number more than six or eight
They advanced steadily neither quickening their pace as they came nearer
nor raising any cry nor showing the least emotion or anxiety Though this was a
matter of course in the case of regular troops even to Barnaby there was
something particularly impressive and disconcerting in it to one accustomed to
the noise and tumult of an undisciplined mob For all that he stood his ground
not a whit the less resolutely and looked on undismayed
Presently they marched into the yard and halted The commandingofficer
despatched a messenger to the horsemen one of whom came riding back Some words
passed between them and they glanced at Barnaby who well remembered the man he
had unhorsed at Westminster and saw him now before his eyes The man being
speedily dismissed saluted and rode back to his comrades who were drawn up
apart at a short distance
The officer then gave the word to prime and load The heavy ringing of the
musketstocks upon the ground and the sharp and rapid rattling of the ramrods
in their barrels were a kind of relief to Barnaby deadly though he knew the
purport of such sounds to be When this was done other commands were given and
the soldiers instantaneously formed in single file all round the house and
stables completely encircling them in every part at a distance perhaps of
some halfdozen yards at least that seemed in Barnabys eyes to be about the
space left between himself and those who confronted him The horsemen remained
drawn up by themselves as before
The two gentlemen in private clothes who had kept aloof now rode forward
one on either side the officer The proclamation having been produced and read
by one of them the officer called on Barnaby to surrender
He made no answer but stepping within the door before which he had kept
guard held his pole crosswise to protect it In the midst of a profound
silence he was again called upon to yield
Still he offered no reply Indeed he had enough to do to run his eye
backward and forward along the halfdozen men who immediately fronted him and
settle hurriedly within himself at which of them he would strike first when
they pressed on him He caught the eye of one in the centre and resolved to hew
that fellow down though he died for it
Again there was a dead silence and again the same voice called upon him to
deliver himself up
Next moment he was back in the stable dealing blows about him like a
madman Two of the men lay stretched at his feet the one he had marked dropped
first he had a thought for that even in the hot blood and hurry of the
struggle Another blow another Down mastered wounded in the breast by a
heavy blow from the buttend of a gun he saw the weapon in the act of falling
breathless and a prisoner
An exclamation of surprise from the officer recalled him in some degree to
himself He looked round Grip after working in secret all the afternoon and
with redoubled vigour while everybodys attention was distracted had plucked
away the straw from Hughs bed and turned up the loose ground with his iron
bill The hole had been recklessly filled to the brim and was merely sprinkled
with earth Golden cups spoons candlesticks coined guineas all the riches
were revealed
They brought spades and a sack dug up everything that was hidden there and
carried away more than two men could lift They handcuffed him and bound his
arms searched him and took away all he had Nobody questioned or reproached
him or seemed to have much curiosity about him The two men he had stunned were
carried off by their companions in the same businesslike way in which
everything else was done Finally he was left under a guard of four soldiers
with fixed bayonets while the officer directed in person the search of the
house and the other buildings connected with it
This was soon completed The soldiers formed again in the yard he was
marched out with his guard about him and ordered to fall in where a space was
left The others closed up all round and so they moved away with the prisoner
in the centre
When they came into the streets he felt he was a sight and looking up as
they passed quickly along could see people running to the windows a little too
late and throwing up the sashes to look after him Sometimes he met a staring
face beyond the heads about him or under the arms of his conductors or peering
down upon him from a waggontop or coachbox but this was all he saw being
surrounded by so many men The very noises of the streets seemed muffled and
subdued and the air came stale and hot upon him like the sickly breath of an
oven
Tramp tramp Tramp tramp Heads erect shoulders square every man
stepping in exact time all so orderly and regular nobody looking at him
nobody seeming conscious of his presence he could hardly believe he was a
Prisoner But at the word though only thought not spoken he felt the
handcuffs galling his wrists the cord pressing his arms to his sides the
loaded guns levelled at his head and those cold bright sharp shining points
turned towards him the mere looking down at which now that he was bound and
helpless made the warm current of his life run cold
Chapter LVIII
They were not long in reaching the barracks for the officer who commanded the
party was desirous to avoid rousing the people by the display of military force
in the streets and was humanely anxious to give as little opportunity as
possible for any attempt at rescue knowing that it must lead to bloodshed and
loss of life and that if the civil authorities by whom he was accompanied
empowered him to order his men to fire many innocent persons would probably
fall whom curiosity or idleness had attracted to the spot He therefore led the
party briskly on avoiding with a merciful prudence the more public and crowded
thoroughfares and pursuing those which he deemed least likely to be infested by
disorderly persons This wise proceeding not only enabled them to gain their
quarters without any interruption but completely baffled a body of rioters who
had assembled in one of the main streets through which it was considered
certain they would pass and who remained gathered together for the purpose of
releasing the prisoner from their hands long after they had deposited him in a
place of security closed the barrackgates and set a double guard at every
entrance for its better protection
Arrived at this place poor Barnaby was marched into a stonefloored room
where there was a very powerful smell of tobacco a strong thorough draught of
air and a great wooden bedstead large enough for a score of men Several
soldiers in undress were lounging about or eating from tin cans military
accoutrements dangled on rows of pegs along the whitewashed wall and some
halfdozen men lay fast asleep upon their backs snoring in concert After
remaining here just long enough to note these things he was marched out again
and conveyed across the paradeground to another portion of the building
Perhaps a man never sees so much at a glance as when he is in a situation of
extremity The chances are a hundred to one that if Barnaby had lounged in at
the gate to look about him he would have lounged out again with a very
imperfect idea of the place and would have remembered very little about it But
as he was taken handcuffed across the gravelled area nothing escaped his
notice The dry arid look of the dusty square and of the bare brick building
the clothes hanging at some of the windows and the men in their shirtsleeves
and braces lolling with half their bodies out of the others the green
sunblinds at the officers quarters and the little scanty trees in front the
drummerboys practising in a distant courtyard the men at drill on the parade
the two soldiers carrying a basket between them who winked to each other as he
went by and slily pointed to their throats the spruce Serjeant who hurried
past with a cane in his hand and under his arm a clasped book with a vellum
cover the fellows in the groundfloor rooms furbishing and brushing up their
different articles of dress who stopped to look at him and whose voices as
they spoke together echoed loudly through the empty galleries and passages
everything down to the stand of muskets before the guardhouse and the drum
with a pipeclayed belt attached in one corner impressed itself upon his
observation as though he had noticed them in the same place a hundred times or
had been a whole day among them in place of one brief hurried minute
He was taken into a small paved back yard and there they opened a great
door plated with iron and pierced some five feet above the ground with a few
holes to let in air and light Into this dungeon he was walked straightway and
having locked him up there and placed a sentry over him they left him to his
meditations
The cell or black hole for it had those words painted on the door was
very dark and having recently accommodated a drunken deserter by no means
clean Barnaby felt his way to some straw at the farther end and looking
towards the door tried to accustom himself to the gloom which coming from the
bright sunshine out of doors was not an easy task
There was a kind of portico or colonnade outside and this obstructed even
the little light that at the best could have found its way through the small
apertures in the door The footsteps of the sentinel echoed monotonously as he
paced its stone pavement to and fro reminding Barnaby of the watch he had so
lately kept himself and as he passed and repassed the door he made the cell
for an instant so black by the interposition of his body that his going away
again seemed like the appearance of a new ray of light and was quite a
circumstance to look for
When the prisoner had sat some time upon the ground gazing at the chinks
and listening to the advancing and receding footsteps of his guard the man
stood still upon his post Barnaby quite unable to think or to speculate on
what would be done with him had been lulled into a kind of doze by his regular
pace but his stopping roused him and then he became aware that two men were in
conversation under the colonnade and very near the door of his cell
How long they had been talking there he could not tell for he had fallen
into an unconsciousness of his real position and when the footsteps ceased was
answering aloud some question which seemed to have been put to him by Hugh in
the stable though of the fancied purport either of question or reply
notwithstanding that he awoke with the latter on his lips he had no
recollection whatever The first words that reached his ears were these
»Why is he brought here then if he has to be taken away again so soon«
»Why where would you have him go Damme hes not as safe anywhere as among
the kings troops is he What would you do with him Would you hand him over to
a pack of cowardly civilians that shake in their shoes till they wear the soles
out with trembling at the threats of the ragamuffins he belongs to«
»Thats true enough«
»True enough Ill tell you what I wish Tom Green that I was a
commissioned instead of a noncommissioned officer and that I had the command
of two companies only two companies of my own regiment Call me out to stop
these riots give me the needful authority and halfadozen rounds of ball
cartridge «
»Ay« said the other voice »Thats all very well but they wont give the
needful authority If the magistrate wont give the word whats the officer to
do«
Not very well knowing as it seemed how to overcome this difficulty the
other man contented himself with damning the magistrates
»With all my heart« said his friend
»Wheres the use of a magistrate« returned the other voice »Whats a
magistrate in this case but an impertinent unnecessary unconstitutional sort
of interference Heres a proclamation Heres a man referred to in that
proclamation Heres proof against him and a witness on the spot Damme Take
him out and shoot him sir Who wants a magistrate«
»When does he go before Sir John Fielding« asked the man who had spoken
first
»Tonight at eight oclock« returned the other »Mark what follows The
magistrate commits him to Newgate Our people take him to Newgate The rioters
pelt our people Our people retire before the rioters Stones are thrown
insults are offered not a shots fired Why Because of the magistrates Damn
the magistrates«
When he had in some degree relieved his mind by cursing the magistrates in
various other forms of speech the man was silent save for a low growling
still having reference to those authorities which from time to time escaped
him
Barnaby who had wit enough to know that this conversation concerned and
very nearly concerned himself remained perfectly quiet until they ceased to
speak when he groped his way to the door and peeping through the airholes
tried to make out what kind of men they were to whom he had been listening
The one who condemned the civil power in such strong terms was a serjeant
engaged just then as the streaming ribands in his cap announced on the
recruiting service He stood leaning sideways against a pillar nearly opposite
the door and as he growled to himself drew figures on the pavement with his
cane The other man had his back towards the dungeon and Barnaby could only see
his form To judge from that he was a gallant manly handsome fellow but he
had lost his left arm It had been taken off between the elbow and the shoulder
and his empty coatsleeve hung across his breast
It was probably this circumstance which gave him an interest beyond any that
his companion could boast of and attracted Barnabys attention There was
something soldierly in his bearing and he wore a jaunty cap and jacket Perhaps
he had been in the service at one time or other If he had it could not have
been very long ago for he was but a young fellow now
»Well well« he said thoughtfully »let the fault be where it may it makes
a man sorrowful to come back to old England and see her in this condition«
»I suppose the pigs will join em next« said the serjeant with an
imprecation on the rioters »now that the birds have set em the example«
»The birds« repeated Tom Green
»Ah birds« said the serjeant testily »thats English ant it«
»I dont know what you mean«
»Go to the guardhouse and see Youll find a bird there thats got their
cry as pat as any of em and bawls No Popery like a man or like a devil as
he says he is I shouldnt wonder The devils loose in London somewhere Damme
if I wouldnt twist his neck round on the chance if I had my way«
The young man had taken two or three steps away as if to go and see this
creature when he was arrested by the voice of Barnaby
»Its mine« he called out half laughing and half weeping »my pet my
friend Grip Ha ha ha Dont hurt him he has done no harm I taught him its
my fault Let me have him if you please Hes the only friend I have left now
Hell not dance or talk or whistle for you I know but he will for me
because he knows me and loves me though you wouldnt think it very well You
wouldnt hurt a bird Im sure Youre a brave soldier sir and wouldnt harm a
woman or a child no no nor a poor bird Im certain«
This latter adjuration was addressed to the serjeant whom Barnaby judged
from his red coat to be high in office and able to seal Grips destiny by a
word But that gentleman in reply surlily damned him for a thief and rebel as
he was and with many disinterested imprecations on his own eyes liver blood
and body assured him that if it rested with him to decide he would put a final
stopper on the bird and his master too
»You talk boldly to a caged man« said Barnaby in anger »If I was on the
other side of the door and there were none to part us youd change your note
ay you may toss your head you would Kill the bird do Kill anything you
can and so revenge yourself on those who with their bare hands untied could do
as much to you«
Having vented his defiance he flung himself into the furthest corner of his
prison and muttering »Goodbye Grip goodbye dear old Grip« shed tears
for the first time since he had been taken captive and hid his face in the
straw
He had had some fancy at first that the onearmed man would help him or
would give him a kind word in answer He hardly knew why but he hoped and
thought so The young fellow had stopped when he called out and checking
himself in the very act of turning round stood listening to every word he said
Perhaps he built his feeble trust on this perhaps on his being young and
having a frank and honest manner However that might be he built on sand The
other went away directly he had finished speaking and neither answered him nor
returned No matter They were all against him here he might have known as
much »Goodbye old Grip goodbye«
After some time they came and unlocked the door and called to him to come
out He rose directly and complied for he would not have them think he was
subdued or frightened He walked out like a man and looked from face to face
None of them returned his gaze or seemed to notice it They marched him back
to the parade by the way they had brought him and there they halted among a
body of soldiers at least twice as numerous as that which had taken him
prisoner in the afternoon The officer he had seen before bade him in a few
brief words take notice that if he attempted to escape no matter how favourable
a chance he might suppose he had certain of the men had orders to fire upon
him that moment They then closed round him as before and marched him off
again
In the same unbroken order they arrived at Bowstreet followed and beset on
all sides by a crowd which was continually increasing Here he was placed before
a blind gentleman and asked if he wished to say anything Not he What had he
got to tell them After a very little talking which he was careless of and
quite indifferent to they told him he was to go to Newgate and took him away
He went out into the street so surrounded and hemmed in on every side by
soldiers that he could see nothing but he knew there was a great crowd of
people by the murmur and that they were not friendly to the soldiers was soon
rendered evident by their yells and hisses How often and how eagerly he
listened for the voice of Hugh No There was not a voice he knew among them
all Was Hugh a prisoner too Was there no hope
As they came nearer and nearer to the prison the hootings of the people
grew more violent stones were thrown and every now and then a rush was made
against the soldiers which they staggered under One of them close before him
smarting under a blow upon the temple levelled his musket but the officer
struck it upwards with his sword and ordered him on peril of his life to
desist This was the last thing he saw with any distinctness for directly
afterwards he was tossed about and beaten to and fro as though in a
tempestuous sea But go where he would there were the same guards about him
Twice or thrice he was thrown down and so were they but even then he could
not elude their vigilance for a moment They were up again and had closed about
him before he with his wrists so tightly bound could scramble to his feet
Fenced in thus he felt himself hoisted to the top of a low flight of steps
and then for a moment he caught a glimpse of the fighting in the crowd and of a
few red coats sprinkled together here and there struggling to rejoin their
fellows Next moment everything was dark and gloomy and he was standing in the
prison lobby the centre of a group of men
A smith was speedily in attendance who riveted upon him a set of heavy
irons Stumbling on as well as he could beneath the unusual burden of these
fetters he was conducted to a strong stone cell where fastening the door with
locks and bolts and chains they left him well secured having first unseen
by him thrust in Grip who with his head drooping and his deep black plumes
rough and rumpled appeared to comprehend and to partake his masters fallen
fortunes
Chapter LIX
It is necessary at this juncture to return to Hugh who having as we have
seen called to the rioters to disperse from about the Warren and meet again as
usual glided back into the darkness from which he had emerged and reappeared
no more that night
He paused in the copse which sheltered him from the observation of his mad
companions and waited to ascertain whether they drew off at his bidding or
still lingered and called to him to join them Some few he saw were indisposed
to go away without him and made towards the spot where he stood concealed as
though they were about to follow in his footsteps and urge him to come back
but these men being in their turn called to by their friends and in truth not
greatly caring to venture into the dark parts of the grounds where they might
be easily surprised and taken if any of the neighbours or retainers of the
family were watching them from among the trees soon abandoned the idea and
hastily assembling such men as they found of their mind at the moment straggled
off
When he was satisfied that the great mass of the insurgents were imitating
this example and that the ground was rapidly clearing he plunged into the
thickest portion of the little wood and crashing the branches as he went made
straight towards a distant light guided by that and by the sullen glow of the
fire behind him
As he drew nearer and nearer to the twinkling beacon towards which he bent
his course the red glare of a few torches began to reveal itself, and the
voices of men speaking together in a subdued tone broke the silence which save
for a distant shouting now and then already prevailed At length he cleared the
wood and springing across a ditch stood in a dark lane where a small body of
illlooking vagabonds whom he had left there some twenty minutes before waited
his coming with impatience
They were gathered round an old postchaise or chariot driven by one of
themselves who sat postilionwise upon the near horse The blinds were drawn
up and Mr Tappertit and Dennis kept guard at the two windows The former
assumed the command of the party for he challenged Hugh as he advanced towards
them and when he did so those who were resting on the ground about the
carriage rose to their feet and clustered round him
»Well« said Simon in a low voice »is all right«
»Right enough« replied Hugh in the same tone »Theyre dispersing now
had begun before I came away«
»And is the coast clear«
»Clear enough before our men I take it« said Hugh »There are not many
who knowing of their work over yonder will want to meddle with em tonight
Whos got some drink here«
Everybody had some plunder from the cellar halfadozen flasks and bottles
were offered directly He selected the largest and putting it to his mouth
sent the wine gurgling down his throat Having emptied it he threw it down and
stretched out his hand for another which he emptied likewise at a draught
Another was given him and this he half emptied too Reserving what remained to
finish with he asked
»Have you got anything to eat any of you Im as ravenous as a hungry wolf
Which of you was in the larder come«
»I was brother« said Dennis pulling off his hat and fumbling in the
crown »Theres a matter of cold venison pasty somewhere or another here if
thatll do«
»Do« cried Hugh seating himself on the pathway »Bring it out Quick Show
a light here and gather round Let me sup in state my lads Ha ha ha«
Entering into his boisterous humour for they all had drunk deeply and were
as wild as he they crowded about him while two of their number who had
torches held them up one on either side of him that his banquet might not be
despatched in the dark Mr Dennis having by this time succeeded in extricating
from his hat a great mass of pasty which had been wedged in so tightly that it
was not easily got out put it before him and Hugh having borrowed a notched
and jagged knife from one of the company fell to work upon it vigorously
»I should recommend you to swallow a little fire every day about an hour
afore dinner brother« said Dennis after a pause »It seems to agree with you
and to stimulate your appetite«
Hugh looked at him and at the blackened faces by which he was surrounded
and stopping for a moment to flourish his knife above his head answered with a
roar of laughter
»Keep order there will you« said Simon Tappertit
»Why isnt a man allowed to regale himself noble captain« retorted his
lieutenant parting the men who stood between them with his knife that he
might see him »to regale himself a little bit after such work as mine What a
hard captain What a strict captain What a tyrannical captain Ha ha ha«
»I wish one of you fellers would hold a bottle to his mouth to keep him
quiet« said Simon »unless you want the military to be down upon us«
»And what if they are down upon us« retorted Hugh »Who cares Whos
afraid Let em come I say let em come The more the merrier Give me bold
Barnaby at my side and we two will settle the military without troubling any
of you Barnabys the man for the military Barnabys health«
But as the majority of those present were by no means anxious for a second
engagement that night being already weary and exhausted they sided with Mr
Tappertit and pressed him to make haste with his supper for they had already
delayed too long Knowing even in the height of his frenzy that they incurred
great danger by lingering so near the scene of the late outrages Hugh made an
end of his meal without more remonstrance and rising stepped up to Mr
Tappertit and smote him on the back
»Now then« he cried »Im ready There are brave birds inside this cage
eh Delicate birds tender loving little doves I caged em I caged em
one more peep«
He thrust the little man aside as he spoke and mounting on the steps which
were half let down pulled down the blind by force and stared into the chaise
like an ogre into his larder
»Ha ha ha and did you scratch and pinch and struggle pretty mistress«
he cried as he grasped a little hand that sought in vain to free itself from
his grip »you so brighteyed and cherrylipped and daintily made But I love
you better for it mistress Ay I do You should stab me and welcome so that
it pleased you and you had to cure me afterwards I love to see you proud and
scornful It makes you handsomer than ever and who so handsome as you at any
time my pretty one«
»Come« said Mr Tappertit who had waited during this speech with
considerable impatience »Theres enough of that Come down«
The little hand seconded this admonition by thrusting Hughs great head away
with all its force and drawing up the blind amidst his noisy laughter and
vows that he must have another look for the last glimpse of that sweet face had
provoked him past all bearing However as the suppressed impatience of the
party now broke out into open murmurs he abandoned this design and taking his
seat upon the bar contented himself with tapping at the front windows of the
carriage and trying to steal a glance inside Mr Tappertit mounting the steps
and hanging on by the door issued his directions to the driver with a
commanding voice and attitude the rest got up behind or ran by the side of the
carriage as they could some in imitation of Hugh endeavoured to see the face
he had praised so highly and were reminded of their impertinence by hints from
the cudgel of Mr Tappertit Thus they pursued their journey by circuitous and
winding roads preserving except when they halted to take breath or to quarrel
about the best way of reaching London pretty good order and tolerable silence
In the mean time Dolly beautiful bewitching captivating little Dolly
her hair dishevelled her dress torn her dark eyelashes wet with tears her
bosom heaving her face now pale with fear now crimsoned with indignation
her whole self a hundred times more beautiful in this heightened aspect than
ever she had been before vainly strove to comfort Emma Haredale and to impart
to her the consolation of which she stood in so much need herself The soldiers
were sure to come they must be rescued it would be impossible to convey them
through the streets of London when they set the threats of their guards at
defiance and shrieked to the passengers for help If they did this when they
came into the more frequented ways she was certain she was quite certain
they must be released So poor Dolly said and so poor Dolly tried to think but
the invariable conclusion of all such arguments was that Dolly burst into
tears cried as she wrung her hands what would they do or think or who would
comfort them at home at the Golden Key and sobbed most piteously
Miss Haredale whose feelings were usually of a quieter kind than Dollys
and not so much upon the surface was dreadfully alarmed and indeed had only
just recovered from a swoon She was very pale and the hand which Dolly held
was quite cold but she bade her nevertheless remember that under Providence
much must depend upon their own discretion that if they remained quiet and
lulled the vigilance of the ruffians into whose hands they had fallen the
chances of their being able to procure assistance when they reached the town
were very much increased that unless society were quite unhinged that pursuit
must be immediately commenced and that her uncle she might be sure would
never rest until he had found them out and rescued them But as she said these
latter words the idea that he had fallen in a general massacre of the Catholics
that night no very wild or improbable supposition after what they had seen and
undergone struck her dumb and lost in the horrors they had witnessed and
those they might be yet reserved for she sat incapable of thought or speech
or outward show of grief as rigid and almost as white and cold as marble
Oh how many many times in that long ride did Dolly think of her old
lover poor fond slighted Joe How many many times did she recall that
night when she ran into his arms from the very man now projecting his hateful
gaze into the darkness where she sat and leering through the glass in monstrous
admiration And when she thought of Joe and what a brave fellow he was and how
he would have rode boldly up and dashed in among these villains now yes
though they were double the number and here she clenched her little hand and
pressed her foot upon the ground the pride she felt for a moment in having won
his heart faded in a burst of tears and she sobbed more bitterly than ever
As the night wore on and they proceeded by ways which were quite unknown to
them for they could recognise none of the objects of which they sometimes
caught a hurried glimpse their fears increased nor were they without good
foundation it was not difficult for two beautiful young women to find in their
being borne they knew not whither by a band of daring villains who eyed them as
some among these fellows did reasons for the worst alarm When they at last
entered London by a suburb with which they were wholly unacquainted it was
past midnight and the streets were dark and empty Nor was this the worst for
the carriage stopping in a lonely spot Hugh suddenly opened the door jumped
in and took his seat between them
It was in vain they cried for help He put his arm about the neck of each
and swore to stifle them with kisses if they were not as silent as the grave
»I come here to keep you quiet« he said »and thats the means I shall
take So dont be quiet pretty mistresses make a noise do and I shall
like it all the better«
They were proceeding at a rapid pace and apparently with fewer attendants
than before though it was so dark the torches being extinguished that this
was mere conjecture They shrunk from his touch each into the farthest corner
of the carriage but shrink as Dolly would his arm encircled her waist and
held her fast She neither cried nor spoke for terror and disgust deprived her
of the power but she plucked at his hand as though she would die in the effort
to disengage herself and crouching on the ground with her head averted and
held down repelled him with a strength she wondered at as much as he The
carriage stopped again
»Lift this one out« said Hugh to the man who opened the door as he took
Miss Haredales hand and felt how heavily it fell »Shes fainted«
»So much the better« growled Dennis it was that amiable gentleman »Shes
quiet I always like em to faint unless theyre very tender and composed«
»Can you take her by yourself« asked Hugh
»I dont know till I try I ought to be able to Ive lifted up a good many
in my time« said the hangman »Up then Shes no small weight brother none of
these here fine gals are Up again Now we have her«
Having by this time hoisted the young lady into his arms he staggered off
with his burden
»Look ye pretty bird« said Hugh drawing Dolly towards him »Remember what
I told you a kiss for every cry Scream if you love me darling Scream once
mistress Pretty mistress only once if you love me«
Thrusting his face away with all her force and holding down her head Dolly
submitted to be carried out of the chaise and borne after Miss Haredale into a
miserable cottage where Hugh after hugging her to his breast set her gently
down upon the floor
Poor Dolly Do what she would she only looked the better for it and
tempted them the more When her eyes flashed angrily and her ripe lips slightly
parted to give her rapid breathing vent who could resist it When she wept and
sobbed as though her heart would break and bemoaned her miseries in the
sweetest voice that ever fell upon a listeners ear who could be insensible to
the little winning pettishness which now and then displayed itself even in the
sincerity and earnestness of her grief When forgetful for a moment of herself
as she was now she fell on her knees beside her friend and bent over her and
laid her cheek to hers and put her arms about her what mortal eyes could have
avoided wandering to the delicate bodice the streaming hair the neglected
dress the perfect abandonment and unconsciousness of the blooming little
beauty Who could look on and see her lavish caresses and endearments and not
desire to be in Emma Haredales place to be either her or Dolly either the
hugging or the hugged Not Hugh Not Dennis
»I tell you what it is young women« said Mr Dennis »I ant much of a
ladys man myself nor am I a party in the present business further than lending
a willing hand to my friends but if I see much more of this here sort of thing
I shall become a principal instead of a accessory I tell you candid«
»Why have you brought us here« said Emma »Are we to be murdered«
»Murdered« cried Dennis sitting down upon a stool and regarding her with
great favour »Why my dear whod murder sich chickabiddies as you If you was
to ask me now whether you was brought here to be married there might be
something in it«
And here he exchanged a grin with Hugh who removed his eyes from Dolly for
the purpose
»No no« said Dennis »therell be no murdering my pets Nothing of that
sort Quite the contrairy«
»You are an older man than your companion sir« said Emma trembling »Have
you no pity for us Do you not consider that we are women«
»I do indeed my dear« retorted Dennis »It would be very hard not to with
two such specimens afore my eyes Ha ha Oh yes I consider that We all
consider that miss«
He shook his head waggishly leered at Hugh again and laughed very much as
if he had said a noble thing and rather thought he was coming out
»Therell be no murdering my dear Not a bit on it I tell you what though
brother« said Dennis cocking his hat for the convenience of scratching his
head and looking gravely at Hugh »its worthy of notice as a proof of the
amazing equalness and dignity of our law that it dont make no distinction
between men and women Ive heerd the judge say sometimes to a highwayman or
housebreaker as had tied the ladies neck and heels youll excuse me making
mention of it my darlings and put em in a cellar that he showed no
consideration to women Now I say that there judge didnt know his business
brother and that if I had been that there highwayman or housebreaker I should
have made answer What are you talking of my lord I showed the women as much
consideration as the law does and what more would you have me do If you was to
count up in the newspapers the number of females as have been worked off in this
here city alone in the last ten year« said Mr Dennis thoughtfully »youd be
surprised at the total quite amazed you would Theres a dignified and equal
thing a beautiful thing But weve no security for its lasting Now that
theyve begun to favour these here Papists I shouldnt wonder if they went and
altered even that one of these days Upon my soul I shouldnt«
The subject perhaps from being of too exclusive and professional a nature
failed to interest Hugh as much as his friend had anticipated But he had no
time to pursue it for at this crisis Mr Tappertit entered precipitately at
sight of whom Dolly uttered a scream of joy and fairly threw herself into his
arms
»I knew it I was sure of it« cried Dolly »My dear fathers at the door
Thank God thank God Bless you Sim Heaven bless you for this«
Simon Tappertit who had at first implicitly believed that the locksmiths
daughter unable any longer to suppress her secret passion for himself was
about to give it full vent in its intensity and to declare that she was his for
ever looked extremely foolish when she said these words the more so as they
were received by Hugh and Dennis with a loud laugh which made her draw back
and regard him with a fixed and earnest look
»Miss Haredale« said Sim after a very awkward silence »I hope youre as
comfortable as circumstances will permit of Dolly Varden my darling my own
my lovely one I hope youre pretty comfortable likewise«
Poor little Dolly She saw how it was hid her face in her hands and sobbed
more bitterly than ever
»You meet in me Miss V« said Simon laying his hand upon his breast »not
a prentice not a workman not a slave not the wictim of your fathers
tyrannical behaviour but the leader of a great people the captain of a noble
band in which these gentlemen are as I may say corporals and serjeants You
behold in me not a private individual but a public character not a mender of
locks but a healer of the wounds of his unhappy country Dolly V sweet Dolly
V for how many years have I looked forward to this present meeting For how
many years has it been my intention to exalt and ennoble you I redeem it
Behold in me your husband Yes beautiful Dolly charmer enslaver S
Tappertit is all your own«
As he said these words he advanced towards her Dolly retreated till she
could go no farther and then sank down upon the floor Thinking it very
possible that this might be maiden modesty Simon essayed to raise her on which
Dolly goaded to desperation wound her hands in his hair and crying out amidst
her tears that he was a dreadful little wretch and always had been shook and
pulled and beat him until he was fain to call for help most lustily Hugh had
never admired her half so much as at that moment
»Shes in an excited state tonight« said Simon as he smoothed his rumpled
feathers »and dont know when shes well off Let her be by herself till
tomorrow and thatll bring her down a little Carry her into the next house«
Hugh had her in his arms directly It might be that Mr Tappertits heart
was really softened by her distress or it might be that he felt it in some
degree indecorous that his intended bride should be struggling in the grasp of
another man He commanded him on second thoughts to put her down again and
looked moodily on as she flew to Miss Haredales side and clinging to her
dress hid her flushed face in its folds
»They shall remain here together till tomorrow« said Simon who had now
quite recovered his dignity »till tomorrow Come away«
»Ay« cried Hugh »Come away captain Ha ha ha«
»What are you laughing at« demanded Simon sternly
»Nothing captain nothing« Hugh rejoined and as he spoke and clapped his
hand upon the shoulder of the little man he laughed again for some unknown
reason with tenfold violence
Mr Tappertit surveyed him from head to foot with lofty scorn this only
made him laugh the more and turning to the prisoners said
»Youll take notice ladies that this place is well watched on every side
and that the least noise is certain to be attended with unpleasant consequences
Youll hear both of you more of our intentions tomorrow In the mean time
dont show yourselves at the window or appeal to any of the people you may see
pass it for if you do itll be known directly that you come from a Catholic
house and all the exertions our men can make may not be able to save your
lives«
With this last caution which was true enough he turned to the door
followed by Hugh and Dennis They paused for a moment going out to look at
them clasped in each others arms and then left the cottage fastening the
door and setting a good watch upon it and indeed all round the house
»I say« growled Dennis as they walked in company »thats a dainty pair
Muster Gashfords one is as handsome as the other eh«
»Hush« said Hugh hastily »Dont you mention names Its a bad habit«
»I wouldnt like to be him then as you dont like names when he breaks
it out to her thats all« said Dennis »Shes one of them fine blackeyed
proud gals as I wouldnt trust at such times with a knife too near em Ive
seen some of that sort afore now I recollect one that was worked off many
year ago and there was a gentleman in that case too that says to me with
her lip a trembling but her hand as steady as ever I see one Dennis Im near
my end but if I had a dagger in these fingers and he was within my reach Id
strike him dead afore me ah she did and shed have done it too«
»Strike who dead« demanded Hugh
»How should I know brother« answered Dennis »She never said not she«
Hugh looked for a moment as though he would have made some further inquiry
into this incoherent recollection but Simon Tappertit who had been meditating
deeply gave his thoughts a new direction
»Hugh« said Sim »You have done well today You shall be rewarded So have
you Dennis Theres no young woman you want to carry off is there«
»Nno« returned that gentleman stroking his grizzly beard which was some
two inches long »None in partikler I think«
»Very good« said Sim »then well find some other way of making it up to
you As to you old boy« he turned to Hugh »you shall have Miggs her that I
promised you you know within three days Mind I pass my word for it«
Hugh thanked him heartily and as he did so his laughing fit returned with
such violence that he was obliged to hold his side with one hand and to lean
with the other on the shoulder of his small captain without whose support he
would certainly have rolled upon the ground
Chapter LX
The three worthies turned their faces towards The Boot with the intention of
passing the night in that place of rendezvous and of seeking the repose they so
much needed in the shelter of their old den for now that the mischief and
destruction they had purposed were achieved and their prisoners were safely
bestowed for the night they began to be conscious of exhaustion and to feel
the wasting effects of the madness which had led to such deplorable results
Notwithstanding the lassitude and fatigue which oppressed him now in common
with his two companions and indeed with all who had taken an active share in
that nights work Hughs boisterous merriment broke out afresh whenever he
looked at Simon Tappertit and vented itself much to that gentlemans
indignation in such shouts of laughter as bade fair to bring the watch upon
them and involve them in a skirmish to which in their present wornout
condition they might prove by no means equal Even Mr Dennis who was not at
all particular on the score of gravity or dignity and who had a great relish
for his young friends eccentric humours took occasion to remonstrate with him
on this imprudent behaviour which he held to be a species of suicide
tantamount to a mans working himself off without being overtaken by the law
than which he could imagine nothing more ridiculous or impertinent
Not abating one jot of his noisy mirth for these remonstrances Hugh reeled
along between them having an arm of each until they hove in sight of The Boot
and were within a field or two of that convenient tavern He happened by great
good luck to have roared and shouted himself into silence by this time They
were proceeding onward without noise when a scout who had been creeping about
the ditches all night to warn any stragglers from encroaching further on what
was now such dangerous ground peeped cautiously from his hidingplace and
called to them to stop
»Stop and why« said Hugh
Because the scout replied the house was filled with constables and
soldiers having been surprised that afternoon The inmates had fled or been
taken into custody he could not say which He had prevented a great many people
from approaching nearer and he believed they had gone to the markets and such
places to pass the night He had seen the distant fires but they were all out
now He had heard the people who passed and repassed speaking of them too and
could report that the prevailing opinion was one of apprehension and dismay He
had not heard a word of Barnaby didnt even know his name but it had been
said in his hearing that some man had been taken and carried off to Newgate
Whether this was true or false he could not affirm
The three took counsel together on hearing this and debated what it might
be best to do Hugh deeming it possible that Barnaby was in the hands of the
soldiers and at that moment under detention at The Boot was for advancing
stealthily and firing the house but his companions who objected to such rash
measures unless they had a crowd at their backs represented that if Barnaby
were taken he had assuredly been removed to a stronger prison they would never
have dreamed he said of keeping him all night in a place so weak and open to
attack Yielding to this reasoning and to their persuasions Hugh consented to
turn back and to repair to Fleet Market for which place it seemed a few of
their boldest associates had shaped their course on receiving the same
intelligence
Feeling their strength recruited and their spirits roused now that there
was a new necessity for action they hurried away quite forgetful of the fatigue
under which they had been sinking but a few minutes before and soon arrived at
their new place of destination
Fleet Market at that time was a long irregular row of wooden sheds and
penthouses occupying the centre of what is now called Farringdonstreet They
were jumbled together in a most unsightly fashion in the middle of the road to
the great obstruction of the thoroughfare and the annoyance of passengers who
were fain to make their way as they best could among carts baskets barrows
trucks casks bulks and benches and to jostle with porters hucksters
waggoners and a motley crowd of buyers sellers pickpockets vagrants and
idlers The air was perfumed with the stench of rotten leaves and faded fruit
the refuse of the butchers stalls and offal and garbage of a hundred kinds It
was indispensable to most public conveniences in those days that they should be
public nuisances likewise and Fleet Market maintained the principle to
admiration
To this place perhaps because its sheds and baskets were a tolerable
substitute for beds or perhaps because it afforded the means of a hasty
barricade in case of need many of the rioters had straggled not only that
night but for two or three nights before It was now broad day but the morning
being cold a group of them were gathered round a fire in a publichouse
drinking hot purl and smoking pipes and planning new schemes for tomorrow
Hugh and his two friends being known to most of these men were received
with signal marks of approbation and inducted into the most honourable seats
The roomdoor was closed and fastened to keep intruders at a distance and then
they proceeded to exchange news
»The soldiers have taken possession of The Boot I hear« said Hugh »Who
knows anything about it«
Several cried that they did but the majority of the company having been
engaged in the assault upon the Warren and all present having been concerned in
one or other of the nights expeditions it proved that they knew no more than
Hugh himself having been merely warned by each other or by the scout and
knowing nothing of their own knowledge
»We left a man on guard there today« said Hugh looking round him »who is
not here You know who it is Barnaby who brought the soldier down at
Westminster Has any man seen or heard of him«
They shook their heads and murmured an answer in the negative, as each man
looked round and appealed to his fellow when a noise was heard without and a
man was heard to say that he wanted Hugh that he must see Hugh
»He is but one man« cried Hugh to those who kept the door »let him come
in«
»Ay ay« muttered the others »Let him come in Let him come in«
The door was accordingly unlocked and opened A onearmed man with his head
and face tied up with a bloody cloth as though he had been severely beaten his
clothes torn and his remaining hand grasping a thick stick rushed in among
them and panting for breath demanded which was Hugh
»Here he is« replied the person he inquired for »I am Hugh What do you
want with me«
»I have a message for you« said the man »You know one Barnaby«
»What of him Did he send the message«
»Yes Hes taken Hes in one of the strong cells in Newgate He defended
himself as well as he could but was overpowered by numbers Thats his
message«
»When did you see him« asked Hugh hastily
»On his way to prison where he was taken by a party of soldiers They took
a byroad and not the one we expected I was one of the few who tried to rescue
him and he called to me and told me to tell Hugh where he was We made a good
struggle though it failed Look here«
He pointed to his dress and to his bandaged head and still panting for
breath glanced round the room then faced towards Hugh again
»I know you by sight« he said »for I was in the crowd on Friday and on
Saturday and yesterday but I didnt know your name Youre a bold fellow I
know So is he He fought like a lion tonight but it was of no use I did my
best considering that I want this limb«
Again he glanced inquisitively round the room or seemed to do so for his
face was nearly hidden by the bandage and again facing sharply towards Hugh
grasped his stick as if he half expected to be set upon and stood on the
defensive
If he had any such apprehension however he was speedily reassured by the
demeanour of all present None thought of the bearer of the tidings He was lost
in the news he brought Oaths threats and execrations were vented on all
sides Some cried that if they bore this tamely another day would see them all
in jail some that they should have rescued the other prisoners and this would
not have happened One man cried in a loud voice »Wholl follow me to Newgate«
and there was a loud shout and general rush towards the door
But Hugh and Dennis stood with their backs against it and kept them back
until the clamour had so far subsided that their voices could be heard when
they called to them together that to go now in broad day would be madness and
that if they waited until night and arranged a plan of attack they might
release not only their own companions but all the prisoners and burn down the
jail
»Not that jail alone« cried Hugh »but every jail in London They shall
have no place to put their prisoners in Well burn them all down make bonfires
of them every one Here« he cried catching at the hangmans hand »Let all
whore men here join with us Shake hands upon it Barnaby out of jail and not
a jail left standing Who joins«
Every man there And they swore a great oath to release their friends from
Newgate next night to force the doors and burn the jail or perish in the fire
themselves
Chapter LXI
On that same night events so crowd upon each other in convulsed and distracted
times that more than the stirring incidents of a whole life often become
compressed into the compass of fourandtwenty hours on that same night Mr
Haredale having strongly bound his prisoner with the assistance of the sexton
and forced him to mount his horse conducted him to Chigwell bent upon
procuring a conveyance to London from that place and carrying him at once
before a justice The disturbed state of the town would be he knew a
sufficient reason for demanding the murderers committal to prison before
daybreak as no man could answer for the security of any of the watchhouses or
ordinary places of detention and to convey a prisoner through the streets when
the mob were again abroad would not only be a task of great danger and hazard
but would be to challenge an attempt at rescue Directing the sexton to lead the
horse he walked close by the murderers side and in this order they reached
the village about the middle of the night
The people were all awake and up for they were fearful of being burnt in
their beds and sought to comfort and assure each other by watching in company
A few of the stoutesthearted were armed and gathered in a body on the green To
these who knew him well Mr Haredale addressed himself briefly narrating what
had happened and beseeching them to aid in conveying the criminal to London
before the dawn of day
But not a man among them dared to help him by so much as the motion of a
finger The rioters in their passage through the village had menaced with
their fiercest vengeance any person who should aid in extinguishing the fire
or render the least assistance to him or any Catholic whomsoever Their threats
extended to their lives and all they possessed They were assembled for their
own protection and could not endanger themselves by lending any aid to him
This they told him not without hesitation and regret as they kept aloof in the
moonlight and glanced fearfully at the ghostly rider who with his head
drooping on his breast and his hat slouched down upon his brow neither moved
nor spoke
Finding it impossible to persuade them and indeed hardly knowing how to do
so after what they had seen of the fury of the crowd Mr Haredale besought them
that at least they would leave him free to act for himself and would suffer him
to take the only chaise and pair of horses that the place afforded This was not
acceded to without some difficulty but in the end they told him to do what he
would and go away from them in Heavens name
Leaving the sexton at the horses bridle he drew out the chaise with his
own hands and would have harnessed the horses but that the postboy of the
village a softhearted goodfornothing vagabond kind of fellow was moved
by his earnestness and passion and throwing down a pitchfork with which he was
armed swore that the rioters might cut him into mincemeat if they liked but
he would not stand by and see an honest gentleman who had done no wrong reduced
to such extremity without doing what he could to help him Mr Haredale shook
him warmly by the hand and thanked him from his heart In five minutes time
the chaise was ready and this good scapegrace in his saddle The murderer was
put inside the blinds were drawn up the sexton took his seat upon the bar Mr
Haredale mounted his horse and rode close beside the door and so they started
in the dead of night and in profound silence for London
The consternation was so extreme that even the horses which had escaped the
flames at the Warren could find no friends to shelter them They passed them on
the road browsing on the stunted grass and the driver told them that the poor
beasts had wandered to the village first but had been driven away lest they
should bring the vengeance of the crowd on any of the inhabitants
Nor was this feeling confined to such small places where the people were
timid ignorant and unprotected When they came near London they met in the
grey light of morning more than one poor Catholic family who terrified by the
threats and warnings of their neighbours were quitting the city on foot and
who told them they could hire no cart or horse for the removal of their goods
and had been compelled to leave them behind at the mercy of the crowd Near
Mileend they passed a house the master of which a Catholic gentleman of small
means having hired a waggon to remove his furniture by midnight had had it all
brought down into the street to wait the vehicles arrival and save time in
the packing But the man with whom he made the bargain alarmed by the fires
that night and by the sight of the rioters passing his door had refused to
keep it and the poor gentleman with his wife and servant and their little
children were sitting trembling among their goods in the open street dreading
the arrival of day and not knowing where to turn or what to do
It was the same they heard with the public conveyances The panic was so
great that the mails and stagecoaches were afraid to carry passengers who
professed the obnoxious religion If the drivers knew them or they admitted
that they held that creed they would not take them no though they offered
large sums and yesterday people had been afraid to recognise Catholic
acquaintance in the streets lest they should be marked by spies and burnt out
as it was called in consequence One mild old man a priest whose chapel was
destroyed a very feeble patient inoffensive creature who was trudging away
alone designing to walk some distance from town and then try his fortune with
the coaches told Mr Haredale that he feared he might not find a magistrate who
would have the hardihood to commit a prisoner to jail on his complaint But
notwithstanding these discouraging accounts they went on and reached the
Mansion House soon after sunrise
Mr Haredale threw himself from his horse but he had no need to knock at
the door for it was already open and there stood upon the step a portly old
man with a very red or rather purple face who with an anxious expression of
countenance was remonstrating with some unseen personage upstairs while the
porter essayed to close the door by degrees and get rid of him With the intense
impatience and excitement natural to one in his condition Mr Haredale thrust
himself forward and was about to speak when the fat old gentleman interposed
»My good sir« said he »pray let me get an answer This is the sixth time I
have been here I was here five times yesterday My house is threatened with
destruction It is to be burned down tonight and was to have been last night
but they had other business on their hands Pray let me get an answer«
»My good sir« returned Mr Haredale shaking his head »my house is burned
to the ground But Heaven forbid that yours should be Get your answer Be
brief in mercy to me«
»Now you hear this my lord« said the old gentleman calling up the
stairs to where the skirt of a dressinggown fluttered on the landingplace
»Here is a gentleman here whose house was actually burnt down last night«
»Dear me dear me« replied a testy voice »I am very sorry for it but what
am I to do I cant build it up again The chief magistrate of the city cant go
and be a rebuilding of peoples houses my good sir Stuff and nonsense«
»But the chief magistrate of the city can prevent peoples houses from
having any need to be rebuilt if the chief magistrates a man and not a dummy
cant he my lord« cried the old gentleman in a choleric manner
»You are disrespectable sir« said the Lord Mayor »leastways
disrespectful I mean«
»Disrespectful my lord« returned the old gentleman »I was respectful five
times yesterday I cant be respectful for ever Men cant stand on being
respectful when their houses are going to be burnt over their heads with them
in em What am I to do my lord Am I to have any protection«
»I told you yesterday sir« said the Lord Mayor »that you might have an
alderman in your house if you could get one to come«
»What the devils the good of an alderman« returned the choleric old
gentleman
» To awe the crowd sir« said the Lord Mayor
»Oh Lord ha mercy« whimpered the old gentleman as he wiped his forehead
in a state of ludicrous distress »to think of sending an alderman to awe a
crowd Why my lord if they were even so many babies fed on mothers milk
what do you think theyd care for an alderman Will you come«
»I« said the Lord Mayor most emphatically »Certainly not«
»Then what« returned the old gentleman »what am I to do Am I a citizen of
England Am I to have the benefit of the laws? Am I to have any return for the
Kings taxes«
»I dont know I am sure« said the Lord Mayor »what a pity it is youre a
Catholic Why couldnt you be a Protestant and then you wouldnt have got
yourself into such a mess Im sure I dont know whats to be done There are
great people at the bottom of these riots Oh dear me what a thing it is to
be a public character You must look in again in the course of the day
Would a javelinman do Or theres Philips the constable hes disengaged
hes not very old for a man at his time of life except in his legs and if you
put him up at a window hed look quite young by candlelight and might frighten
em very much Oh dear well well see about it«
»Stop« cried Mr Haredale pressing the door open as the porter strove to
shut it and speaking rapidly »My Lord Mayor I beg you not to go away I have
a man here who committed a murder eightandtwenty years ago Halfadozen
words from me on oath will justify you in committing him to prison for
reexamination I only seek just now to have him consigned to a place of
safety The least delay may involve his being rescued by the rioters«
»Oh dear me« cried the Lord Mayor »God bless my soul and body oh Lor
well I there are great people at the bottom of these riots you know You
really mustnt«
»My lord« said Mr Haredale »the murdered gentleman was my brother I
succeeded to his inheritance there were not wanting slanderous tongues at that
time to whisper that the guilt of this most foul and cruel deed was mine
mine who loved him as he knows in Heaven dearly The time has come after all
these years of gloom and misery for avenging him and bringing to light a crime
so artful and so devilish that it has no parallel Every seconds delay on your
part loosens this mans bloody hands again and leads to his escape My lord I
charge you hear me and despatch this matter on the instant«
»Oh dear me« cried the chief magistrate »these ant business hours you
know I wonder at you how ungentlemanly it is of you you mustnt you
really mustnt And I suppose you are a Catholic too«
»I am« said Mr Haredale
»God bless my soul I believe people turn Catholics a purpose to vex and
worrit me« cried the Lord Mayor »I wish you wouldnt come here theyll be
setting the Mansion House afire next and we shall have you to thank for it You
must lock your prisoner up sir give him to a watchman and and call again
at a proper time Then well see about it«
Before Mr Haredale could answer the sharp closing of a door and drawing of
its bolts gave notice that the Lord Mayor had retreated to his bedroom and
that further remonstrance would be unavailing The two clients retreated
likewise and the porter shut them out into the street
»Thats the way he puts me off« said the old gentleman »I can get no
redress and no help What are you going to do sir«
»To try elsewhere« answered Mr Haredale who was by this time on
horseback
»I feel for you I assure you and well I may for we are in a common
cause« said the old gentleman »I may not have a house to offer you tonight
let me tender it while I can On second thoughts though« he added putting up a
pocketbook he had produced while speaking »Ill not give you a card for if it
was found upon you it might get you into trouble Langdale thats my name
vintner and distiller Holborn Hill youre heartily welcome if youll come«
Mr Haredale bowed and rode off close beside the chaise as before
determining to repair to the house of Sir John Fielding who had the reputation
of being a bold and active magistrate and fully resolved in case the rioters
should come upon them to do execution on the murderer with his own hands
rather than suffer him to be released
They arrived at the magistrates dwelling however without molestation for
the mob as we have seen were then intent on deeper schemes and knocked at
the door As it had been pretty generally rumoured that Sir John was proscribed
by the rioters a body of thieftakers had been keeping watch in the house all
night To one of them Mr Haredale stated his business which appearing to the
man of sufficient moment to warrant his arousing the justice procured him an
immediate audience
No time was lost in committing the murderer to Newgate then a new building
recently completed at a vast expense and considered to be of enormous strength
The warrant being made out three of the thieftakers bound him afresh he had
been struggling it seemed in the chaise and had loosened his manacles
gagged him lest they should meet with any of the mob and he should call to them
for help and seated themselves along with him in the carriage These men being
all well armed made a formidable escort but they drew up the blinds again as
though the carriage were empty and directed Mr Haredale to ride forward that
he might not attract attention by seeming to belong to it
The wisdom of this proceeding was sufficiently obvious for as they hurried
through the city they passed among several groups of men who if they had not
supposed the chaise to be quite empty would certainly have stopped it But
those within keeping quite close and the driver tarrying to be asked no
questions they reached the prison without interruption and once there had
him out and safe within its gloomy walls in a twinkling
With eager eyes and strained attention Mr Haredale saw him chained and
locked and barred up in his cell Nay when he had left the jail and stood in
the free street without he felt the iron plates upon the doors with his hands
and drew them over the stone wall to assure himself that it was real and to
exult in its being so strong and rough and cold It was not until he turned
his back upon the jail and glanced along the empty streets so lifeless and
quiet in the bright morning that he felt the weight upon his heart that he
knew he was tortured by anxiety for those he had left at home and that home
itself was but another bead in the long rosary of his regrets
Chapter LXII
The prisoner left to himself sat down upon his bedstead and resting his
elbows on his knees and his chin upon his hands remained in that attitude for
hours It would be hard to say of what nature his reflections were They had no
distinctness and saving for some flashes now and then no reference to his
condition or the train of circumstances by which it had been brought about The
cracks in the pavement of his cell the chinks in the wall where stone was
joined to stone the bars in the window the iron ring upon the floor such
things as these subsiding strangely into one another, and awakening an
indescribable kind of interest and amusement engrossed his whole mind and
although at the bottom of his every thought there was an uneasy sense of guilt
and dread of death he felt no more than that vague consciousness of it which a
sleeper has of pain It pursues him through his dreams gnaws at the heart of
all his fancied pleasures robs the banquet of its taste music of its
sweetness makes happiness itself unhappy and yet is no bodily sensation but a
phantom without shape or form or visible presence pervading everything but
having no existence recognisable everywhere but nowhere seen or touched or
met with face to face until the sleep is past and waking agony returns
After a long time the door of his cell opened He looked up saw the blind
man enter and relapsed into his former position
Guided by his breathing the visitor advanced to where he sat and stopping
beside him and stretching out his hand to assure himself that he was right
remained for a good space silent
»This is bad Rudge This is bad« he said at length
The prisoner shuffled with his feet upon the ground in turning his body from
him but made no other answer
»How were you taken« he asked »And where You never told me more than half
your secret No matter I know it now How was it and where eh« he asked
again coming still nearer to him
»At Chigwell« said the other
»At Chigwell How came you there«
»Because I went there to avoid the man I stumbled on« he answered »Because
I was chased and driven there by him and Fate Because I was urged to go there
by something stronger than my own will When I found him watching in the house
she used to live in night after night I knew I never could escape him never
and when I heard the Bell «
He shivered muttered that it was very cold paced quickly up and down the
narrow cell and sitting down again fell into his old posture
»You were saying« said the blind man after another pause »that when you
heard the Bell «
»Let it be will you« he retorted in a hurried voice »It hangs there yet«
The blind man turned a wistful and inquisitive face towards him but he
continued to speak without noticing him
»I went to Chigwell in search of the mob I have been so hunted and beset
by this man that I knew my only hope of safety lay in joining them They had
gone on before I followed them when it left off«
»When what left off«
»The Bell They had quitted the place I hoped that some of them might be
still lingering among the ruins and was searching for them when I heard« he
drew a long breath and wiped his forehead with his sleeve »his voice«
»Saying what«
»No matter what I dont know I was then at the foot of the turret where I
did the «
»Ay« said the blind man nodding his head with perfect composure »I
understand«
»I climbed the stair or so much of it as was left meaning to hide till he
had gone But he heard me and followed almost as soon as I set foot upon the
ashes«
»You might have hidden in the wall and thrown him down or stabbed him«
said the blind man
»Might I Between that man and me was one who led him on I saw it though
he did not and raised above his head a bloody hand It was in the room above
that he and I stood glaring at each other on the night of the murder and before
he fell he raised his hand like that and fixed his eyes on me I knew the chase
would end there«
»You have a strong fancy« said the blind man with a smile
»Strengthen yours with blood and see what it will come to«
He groaned and rocked himself and looking up for the first time said in
a low hollow voice
»Eightandtwenty years Eightandtwenty years He has never changed in all
that time never grown older nor altered in the least degree He has been
before me in the dark night and the broad sunny day in the twilight the
moonlight the sunlight the light of fire and lamp and candle and in the
deepest gloom Always the same In company in solitude on land on shipboard
sometimes leaving me alone for months and sometimes always with me I have seen
him at sea come gliding in the dead of night along the bright reflection of
the moon in the calm water and I have seen him on quays and marketplaces
with his hand uplifted towering the centre of a busy crowd unconscious of the
terrible form that had its silent stand among them Fancy Are you real Am I
Are these iron fetters riveted on me by the smiths hammer or are they fancies
I can shatter at a blow«
The blind man listened in silence
»Fancy Do I fancy that I killed him Do I fancy that as I left the chamber
where he lay I saw the face of a man peeping from a dark door who plainly
showed me by his fearful looks that he suspected what I had done Do I remember
that I spoke fairly to him that I drew nearer nearer yet with the hot
knife in my sleeve Do I fancy how he died Did he stagger back into the angle
of the wall into which I had hemmed him and bleeding inwardly stand not
fall a corpse before me Did I see him for an instant as I see you now erect
and on his feet but dead«
The blind man who knew that he had risen motioned him to sit down again
upon his bedstead but he took no notice of the gesture
»It was then I thought for the first time of fastening the murder upon
him It was then I dressed him in my clothes and dragged him down the
backstairs to the piece of water Do I remember listening to the bubbles that
came rising up when I had rolled him in Do I remember wiping the water from my
face and because the body splashed it there in its descent feeling as if it
must be blood
Did I go home when I had done And oh my God how long it took to do Did I
stand before my wife and tell her Did I see her fall upon the ground and
when I stooped to raise her did she thrust me back with a force that cast me
off as if I had been a child staining the hand with which she clasped my wrist
Is that fancy
Did she go down upon her knees and call on Heaven to witness that she and
her unborn child renounced me from that hour and did she in words so solemn
that they turned me cold me fresh from the horrors my own hands had made
warn me to fly while there was time for though she would be silent being my
wretched wife she would not shelter me Did I go forth that night abjured of
God and man and anchored deep in hell to wander at my cables length about the
earth and surely be drawn down at last«
»Why did you return« said the blind man
»Why is blood red I could no more help it than I could live without
breath I struggled against the impulse but I was drawn back through every
difficult and adverse circumstance as by a mighty engine Nothing could stop
me The day and hour were none of my choice Sleeping and waking I had been
among the old haunts for years had visited my own grave Why did I come back
Because this jail was gaping for me and he stood beckoning at the door«
»You were not known« said the blind man
»I was a man who had been twentytwo years dead No I was not known«
»You should have kept your secret better«
»My secret Mine It was a secret any breath of air could whisper at its
will The stars had it in their twinkling the water in its flowing the leaves
in their rustling the seasons in their return It lurked in strangers faces
and their voices Everything had lips on which it always trembled My secret«
»It was revealed by your own act at any rate« said the blind man
»The act was not mine I did it but it was not mine I was forced at times
to wander round and round and round that spot If you had chained me up when
the fit was on me I should have broken away and gone there As truly as the
loadstone draws iron towards it so he lying at the bottom of his grave could
draw me near him when he would Was that fancy Did I like to go there or did I
strive and wrestle with the power that forced me«
The blind man shrugged his shoulders and smiled incredulously The prisoner
again resumed his old attitude and for a long time both were mute
»I suppose then« said his visitor at length breaking silence »that you
are penitent and resigned that you desire to make peace with everybody in
particular with your wife who has brought you to this and that you ask no
greater favour than to be carried to Tyburn as soon as possible That being the
case I had better take my leave I am not good enough to be company for you«
»Have I not told you« said the other fiercely »that I have striven and
wrestled with the power that brought me here Has my whole life for
eightandtwenty years been one perpetual struggle and resistance and do you
think I want to lie down and die Do all men shrink from death I most of all«
»Thats better said Thats better spoken Rudge but Ill not call you
that again than anything you have said yet« returned the blind man speaking
more familiarly and laying his hands upon his arm »Lookye I never killed a
man myself for I have never been placed in a position that made it worth my
while Farther I am not an advocate for killing men and I dont think I should
recommend it or like it for its very hazardous under any circumstances But
as you had the misfortune to get into this trouble before I made your
acquaintance and as you have been my companion and have been of use to me for
a long time now I overlook that part of the matter and am only anxious that
you shouldnt die unnecessarily Now I do not consider that at present it is
at all necessary«
»What else is left me« returned the prisoner »To eat my way through these
walls with my teeth«
»Something easier than that« returned his friend »Promise me that you will
talk no more of these fancies of yours idle foolish things quite beneath a
man and Ill tell you what I mean«
»Tell me« said the other
»Your worthy lady with the tender conscience your scrupulous virtuous
punctilious but not blindly affectionate wife «
»What of her«
»Is now in London«
»A curse upon her be she where she may«
»Thats natural enough If she had taken her annuity as usual you would not
have been here and we should have been better off But thats apart from the
business Shes in London Scared as I suppose and have no doubt by my
representation when I waited upon her that you were close at hand which I of
course urged only as an inducement to compliance knowing that she was not
pining to see you she left that place and travelled up to London«
»How do you know«
»From my friend the noble captain the illustrious general the bladder
Mr Tappertit I learnt from him the last time I saw him which was yesterday
that your son who is called Barnaby not after his father I suppose «
»Death does that matter now«
» You are impatient« said the blind man calmly »its a good sign and
looks like life that your son Barnaby had been lured away from her by one of
his companions who knew him of old at Chigwell and that he is now among the
rioters«
»And what is that to me If father and son be hanged together what comfort
shall I find in that«
»Stay stay my friend« returned the blind man with a cunning look »you
travel fast to journeys ends Suppose I track my lady out and say thus much
You want your son maam good I knowing those who tempt him to remain among
them can restore him to you maam good You must pay a price maam for his
restoration good again The price is small and easy to be paid dear maam
thats best of all«
»What mockery is this«
»Very likely she may reply in those words No mockery at all I answer
Madam a person said to be your husband identity is difficult of proof after
the lapse of many years is in prison his life in peril the charge against
him murder Now maam your husband has been dead a long long time The
gentleman never can be confounded with him if you will have the goodness to say
a few words on oath as to when he died and how and that this person who I
am told resembles him in some degree is no more he than I am Such testimony
will set the question quite at rest Pledge yourself to me to give it maam
and I will undertake to keep your son a fine lad out of harms way until you
have done this trifling service when he shall be delivered up to you safe and
sound On the other hand if you decline to do so I fear he will be betrayed
and handed over to the law which will assuredly sentence him to suffer death
It is in fact a choice between his life and death If you refuse he swings
If you comply the timber is not grown nor the hemp sown that shall do him any
harm«
»There is a gleam of hope in this« cried the prisoner
»A gleam« returned his friend »a noonblaze a full and glorious daylight
Hush I hear the tread of distant feet Rely on me«
»When shall I hear more«
»As soon as I do I should hope tomorrow They are coming to say that our
time for talk is over I hear the jingling of the keys Not another word of this
just now or they may overhear us«
As he said these words the lock was turned and one of the prison turnkeys
appearing at the door announced that it was time for visitors to leave the
jail
»So soon« said Stagg meekly »But it cant be helped Cheer up friend
This mistake will soon be set at rest and then you are a man again If this
charitable gentleman will lead a blind man who has nothing in return but
prayers to the prisonporch and set him with his face towards the west he
will do a worthy deed Thank you good sir I thank you very kindly«
So saying and pausing for an instant at the door to turn his grinning face
towards his friend he departed
When the officer had seen him to the porch he returned and again unlocking
and unbarring the door of the cell set it wide open informing its inmate that
he was at liberty to walk in the adjacent yard if he thought proper for an
hour
The prisoner answered with a sullen nod and being left alone again sat
brooding over what he had heard and pondering upon the hopes the recent
conversation had awakened gazing abstractedly the while he did so on the
light without and watching the shadows thrown by one wall on another and on
the stonepaved ground
It was a dull square yard made cold and gloomy by high walls and seeming
to chill the very sunlight The stone so bare and rough and obdurate filled
even him with longing thoughts of meadowland and trees and with a burning wish
to be at liberty As he looked he rose and leaning against the doorpost
gazed up at the bright blue sky smiling even on that dreary home of crime He
seemed for a moment to remember lying on his back in some sweetscented place
and gazing at it through moving branches long ago
His attention was suddenly attracted by a clanking sound he knew what it
was for he had startled himself by making the same noise in walking to the
door Presently a voice began to sing and he saw the shadow of a figure on the
pavement It stopped was silent all at once as though the person for a moment
had forgotten where he was but soon remembered and so with the same clanking
noise the shadow disappeared
He walked out into the court and paced it to and fro startling the echoes
as he went with the harsh jangling of his fetters There was a door near his
which like his stood ajar
He had not taken halfadozen turns up and down the yard when standing
still to observe this door he heard the clanking sound again A face looked out
of the grated window he saw it very dimly for the cell was dark and the bars
were heavy and directly afterwards a man appeared and came towards him
For the sense of loneliness he had he might have been in jail a year Made
eager by the hope of companionship he quickened his pace and hastened to meet
the man halfway
What was this His son
They stood face to face staring at each other He shrinking and cowed
despite himself Barnaby struggling with his imperfect memory and wondering
where he had seen that face before He was not uncertain long for suddenly he
laid hands upon him and striving to bear him to the ground cried
»Ah I know You are the robber«
He said nothing in reply at first but held down his head and struggled
with him silently Finding the younger man too strong for him he raised his
face looking close into his eyes and said
»I am your father«
God knows what magic the name had for his ears but Barnaby released his
hold fell back and looked at him aghast Suddenly he sprung towards him put
his arms about his neck and pressed his head against his cheek
Yes yes he was he was sure he was But where had he been so long and why
had he left his mother by herself or worse than by herself with her poor
foolish boy And had she really been as happy as they said And where was she
Was she near there She was not happy now and he in jail Ah no
Not a word was said in answer but Grip croaked loudly and hopped about
them round and round as if enclosing them in a magic circle and invoking all
the powers of mischief
Chapter LXIII
During the whole of this day every regiment in or near the metropolis was on
duty in one or other part of the town and the regulars and militia in
obedience to the orders which were sent to every barrack and station within
twentyfour hours journey began to pour in by all the roads But the
disturbance had attained to such a formidable height and the rioters had grown
with impunity to be so audacious that the sight of this great force
continually augmented by new arrivals instead of operating as a check
stimulated them to outrages of greater hardihood than any they had yet
committed and helped to kindle a flame in London the like of which had never
been beheld even in its ancient and rebellious times
All yesterday and on this day likewise the commanderinchief endeavoured
to arouse the magistrates to a sense of their duty and in particular the Lord
Mayor who was the faintesthearted and most timid of them all With this
object large bodies of the soldiery were several times despatched to the
Mansion House to await his orders but as he could by no threats or
persuasions be induced to give any and as the men remained in the open street
fruitlessly for any good purpose and thrivingly for a very bad one these
laudable attempts did harm rather than good For the crowd becoming speedily
acquainted with the Lord Mayors temper did not fail to take advantage of it by
boasting that even the civil authorities were opposed to the Papists and could
not find in their hearts to molest those who were guilty of no other offence
These vaunts they took care to make within the hearing of the soldiers and
they being naturally loth to quarrel with the people received their advances
kindly enough answering when they were asked if they desired to fire upon
their countrymen »No they would be damned if they did« and showing much
honest simplicity and good nature The feeling that the military were NoPopery
men and were ripe for disobeying orders and joining the mob soon became very
prevalent in consequence Rumours of their disaffection and of their leaning
towards the popular cause spread from mouth to mouth with astonishing rapidity
and whenever they were drawn up idly in the streets or squares there was sure
to be a crowd about them cheering and shaking hands and treating them with a
great show of confidence and affection
By this time the crowd was everywhere all concealment and disguise were
laid aside and they pervaded the whole town If any man among them wanted
money he had but to knock at the door of a dwellinghouse or walk into a shop
and demand it in the rioters name and his demand was instantly complied with
The peaceable citizens being afraid to lay hands upon them singly and alone it
may be easily supposed that when gathered together in bodies they were
perfectly secure from interruption They assembled in the streets traversed
them at their will and pleasure and publicly concerted their plans Business
was quite suspended the greater part of the shops were closed most of the
houses displayed a blue flag in token of their adherence to the popular side
and even the Jews in Houndsditch Whitechapel and those quarters wrote upon
their doors or windowshutters »This House is a True Protestant« The crowd was
the law and never was the law held in greater dread or more implicitly obeyed
It was about six oclock in the evening when a vast mob poured into
Lincolns Inn Fields by every avenue and dividedevidently in pursuance of a
previous design into several parties It must not be understood that this
arrangement was known to the whole crowd but that it was the work of a few
leaders who mingling with the men as they came upon the ground and calling to
them to fall into this or that party effected it as rapidly as if it had been
determined on by a council of the whole number and every man had known his
place
It was perfectly notorious to the assemblage that the largest body which
comprehended about twothirds of the whole was designed for the attack on
Newgate It comprehended all the rioters who had been conspicuous in any of
their former proceedings all those whom they recommended as daring hands and
fit for the work all those whose companions had been taken in the riots and a
great number of people who were relatives or friends of felons in the jail This
last class included not only the most desperate and utterly abandoned villains
in London but some who were comparatively innocent There was more than one
woman there disguised in mans attire and bent upon the rescue of a child or
brother There were the two sons of a man who lay under sentence of death and
who was to be executed along with three others on the next day but one There
was a great party of boys whose fellowpickpockets were in the prison and at
the skirts of all a score of miserable women outcasts from the world seeking
to release some other fallen creature as miserable as themselves or moved by a
general sympathy perhaps God knows with all who were without hope and
wretched
Old swords and pistols without ball or powder sledgehammers knives
axes saws and weapons pillaged from the butchers shops a forest of iron bars
and wooden clubs long ladders for scaling the walls each carried on the
shoulders of a dozen men lighted torches tow smeared with pitch and tar and
brimstone staves roughly plucked from fence and paling and even crutches taken
from crippled beggars in the streets composed their arms When all was ready
Hugh and Dennis with Simon Tappertit between them led the way Roaring and
chafing like an angry sea the crowd pressed after them
Instead of going straight down Holborn to the jail as all expected their
leaders took the way to Clerkenwell and pouring down a quiet street halted
before a locksmiths house the Golden Key
»Beat at the door« cried Hugh to the men about him »We want one of his
craft tonight Beat it in if no one answers«
The shop was shut Both door and shutters were of a strong and sturdy kind
and they knocked without effect But the impatient crowd raising a cry of »Set
fire to the house« and torches being passed to the front an upper window was
thrown open and the stout old locksmith stood before them
»What now you villains« he demanded »Where is my daughter«
»Ask no questions of us old man« retorted Hugh waving his comrades to be
silent »but come down and bring the tools of your trade We want you«
»Want me« cried the locksmith glancing at the regimental dress he wore
»Ay and if some that I could name possessed the hearts of mice ye should have
had me long ago Mark me my lad and you about him do the same There are a
score among ye whom I see now and know who are dead men from this hour Begone
and rob an undertakers while you can Youll want some coffins before long«
»Will you come down« cried Hugh
»Will you give me my daughter ruffian« cried the locksmith
»I know nothing of her« Hugh rejoined »Burn the door«
»Stop« cried the locksmith in a voice that made them falter presenting
as he spoke a gun »Let an old man do that You can spare him better«
The young fellow who held the light and who was stooping down before the
door rose hastily at these words and fell back The locksmith ran his eye
along the upturned faces and kept the weapon levelled at the threshold of his
house It had no other rest than his shoulder but was as steady as the house
itself
»Let the man who does it take heed to his prayers« he said firmly »I warn
him«
Snatching a torch from one who stood near him Hugh was stepping forward
with an oath when he was arrested by a shrill and piercing shriek and looking
upward saw a fluttering garment on the housetop
There was another shriek and another and then a shrill voice cried »Is
Simmun below« At the same moment a lean neck was stretched over the parapet
and Miss Miggs indistinctly seen in the gathering gloom of evening screeched
in a frenzied manner »Oh dear gentlemen let me hear Simmunss answer from his
own lips Speak to me Simmun Speak to me«
Mr Tappertit who was not at all flattered by this compliment looked up
and bidding her hold her peace ordered her to come down and open the door for
they wanted her master and would take no denial
»Oh good gentlemen« cried Miss Miggs »Oh my own precious precious Simmun
«
»Hold your nonsense will you« retorted Mr Tappertit »and come down and
open the door G Varden drop that gun or it will be worse for you«
»Dont mind his gun« screamed Miggs »Simmun and gentlemen I poured a mug
of tablebeer right down the barrel«
The crowd gave a loud shout which was followed by a roar of laughter
»It wouldnt go off not if you was to load it up to the muzzle« screamed
Miggs »Simmun and gentlemen Im locked up in the front attic through the
little door on the right hand when you think youve got to the very top of the
stairs and up the flight of corner steps being careful not to knock your
heads against the rafters and not to tread on one side in case you should fall
into the twopair bedroom through the lath and plasture which do not bear but
the contrairy Simmun and gentlemen Ive been locked up here for safety but my
endeavours has always been and always will be to be on the right side the
blessed side and to prenounce the Pope of Babylon and all her inward and her
outward workings which is Pagin My sentiments is of little consequences I
know« cried Miggs with additional shrillness »for my positions is but a
servant and as sich of humilities still I gives expressions to my feelings
and places my reliances on them which entertains my own opinions«
Without taking much notice of these outpourings of Miss Miggs after she had
made her first announcement in relation to the gun the crowd raised a ladder
against the window where the locksmith stood and notwithstanding that he
closed and fastened and defended it manfully soon forced an entrance by
shivering the glass and breaking in the frames After dealing a few stout blows
about him he found himself defenceless in the midst of a furious crowd which
overflowed the room and softened off in a confused heap of faces at the door and
window
They were very wrathful with him for he had wounded two men and even
called out to those in front to bring him forth and hang him on a lamppost
But Gabriel was quite undaunted and looked from Hugh and Dennis who held him
by either arm to Simon Tappertit who confronted him
»You have robbed me of my daughter« said the locksmith »who is far dearer
to me than my life and you may take my life if you will I bless God that I
have been enabled to keep my wife free of this scene and that He has made me a
man who will not ask mercy at such hands as yours«
»And a wery game old gentleman you are« said Mr Dennis approvingly »and
you express yourself like a man Whats the odds brother whether its a
lamppost tonight or a featherbed ten year to come eh«
The locksmith glanced at him disdainfully but returned no other answer
»For my part« said the hangman who particularly favoured the lamppost
suggestion »I honour your principles Theyre mine exactly In such sentiments
as them« and here he emphasised his discourse with an oath »Im ready to meet
you or any man halfway Have you got a bit of cord anywheres handy Dont put
yourself out of the way if you havent A handkecher will do«
»Dont be a fool master« whispered Hugh seizing Varden roughly by the
shoulder »but do as youre bid Youll soon hear what youre wanted for Do
it«
»Ill do nothing at your request or that of any scoundrel here« returned
the locksmith »If you want any service from me you may spare yourselves the
pains of telling me what it is I tell you beforehand Ill do nothing for
you«
Mr Dennis was so affected by this constancy on the part of the staunch old
man that he protested almost with tears in his eyes that to baulk his
inclinations would be an act of cruelty and hard dealing to which he for one
never could reconcile his conscience The gentleman he said had avowed in so
many words that he was ready for working off such being the case he considered
it their duty as a civilised and enlightened crowd to work him off It was not
often he observed that they had it in their power to accommodate themselves to
the wishes of those from whom they had the misfortune to differ Having now
found an individual who expressed a desire which they could reasonably indulge
and for himself he was free to confess that in his opinion that desire did
honour to his feelings he hoped they would decide to accede to his proposition
before going any further It was an experiment which skilfully and dexterously
performed would be over in five minutes with great comfort and satisfaction to
all parties and though it did not become him Mr Dennis to speak well of
himself he trusted he might be allowed to say that he had practical knowledge
of the subject and being naturally of an obliging and friendly disposition
would work the gentleman off with a deal of pleasure
These remarks which were addressed in the midst of a frightful din and
turmoil to those immediately about him were received with great favour not so
much perhaps because of the hangmans eloquence as on account of the
locksmiths obstinacy Gabriel was in imminent peril and he knew it but he
preserved a steady silence and would have done so if they had been debating
whether they should roast him at a slow fire
As the hangman spoke there was some stir and confusion on the ladder and
directly he was silent so immediately upon his holding his peace that the
crowd below had no time to learn what he had been saying or to shout in
response some one at the window cried
»He has a grey head He is an old man Dont hurt him«
The locksmith turned with a start towards the place from which the words
had come and looked hurriedly at the people who were hanging on the ladder and
clinging to each other
»Pay no respect to my grey hair young man« he said answering the voice
and not any one he saw »I dont ask it My heart is green enough to scorn and
despise every man among you band of robbers that you are«
This incautious speech by no means tended to appease the ferocity of the
crowd They cried again to have him brought out and it would have gone hard
with the honest locksmith but that Hugh reminded them in answer that they
wanted his services and must have them
»So tell him what we want« he said to Simon Tappertit »and quickly And
open your ears master if you would ever use them after tonight«
Gabriel folded his arms which were now at liberty and eyed his old
prentice in silence
»Lookye Varden« said Sim »were bound for Newgate«
»I know you are« returned the locksmith »You never said a truer word than
that«
»To burn it down I mean« said Simon »and force the gates and set the
prisoners at liberty You helped to make the lock of the great door«
»I did« said the locksmith »You owe me no thanks for that as youll find
before long«
»Maybe« returned his journeyman »but you must show us how to force it«
»Must I«
»Yes for you know and I dont You must come along with us and pick it
with your own hands«
»When I do« said the locksmith quietly »my hands shall drop off at the
wrists and you shall wear them Simon Tappertit on your shoulders for
epaulettes«
»Well see that« cried Hugh interposing as the indignation of the crowd
again burst forth »You fill a basket with the tools hell want while I bring
him downstairs Open the doors below some of you And light the great captain
others Is there no business afoot my lads that you can do nothing but stand
and grumble«
They looked at one another, and quickly dispersing swarmed over the house
plundering and breaking according to their custom and carrying off such
articles of value as happened to please their fancy They had no great length of
time for these proceedings for the basket of tools was soon prepared and slung
over a mans shoulders The preparations being now completed and everything
ready for the attack those who were pillaging and destroying in the other rooms
were called down to the workshop They were about to issue forth when the man
who had been last upstairs stepped forward and asked if the young woman in
the garret who was making a terrible noise he said and kept on screaming
without the least cessation was to be released
For his own part Simon Tappertit would certainly have replied in the
negative, but the mass of his companions mindful of the good service she had
done in the matter of the gun being of a different opinion he had nothing for
it but to answer Yes The man accordingly went back again to the rescue and
presently returned with Miss Miggs limp and doubled up and very damp from much
weeping
As the young lady had given no tokens of consciousness on their way
downstairs the bearer reported her either dead or dying and being at some
loss what to do with her was looking round for a convenient bench or heap of
ashes on which to place her senseless form when she suddenly came upon her feet
by some mysterious means thrust back her hair stared wildly at Mr Tappertit
cried »My Simmunss life is not a wictim« and dropped into his arms with such
promptitude that he staggered and reeled some paces back beneath his lovely
burden
»Oh bother« said Mr Tappertit »Here Catch hold of her somebody Lock
her up again she never ought to have been let out«
»My Simmun« cried Miss Miggs in tears and faintly »My for ever ever
blessed Simmun«
»Hold up will you« said Mr Tappertit in a very unresponsive tone »Ill
let you fall if you dont What are you sliding your feet off the ground for«
»My angel Simmuns« murmured Miggs »he promised «
»Promised Well and Ill keep my promise« answered Simon testily »I mean
to provide for you dont I Stand up«
»Where am I to go What is to become of me after my actions of this night«
cried Miggs »What restingplaces now remains but in the silent tombses«
»I wish you was in the silent tombses I do« cried Mr Tappertit »and
boxed up tight in a good strong one Here« he cried to one of the bystanders
in whose ear he whispered for a moment »Take her off will you You understand
where«
The fellow nodded and taking her in his arms notwithstanding her broken
protestations and her struggles which latter species of opposition involving
scratches was much more difficult of resistance carried her away They who
were in the house poured out into the street the locksmith was taken to the
head of the crowd and required to walk between his two conductors the whole
body was put in rapid motion and without any shouting or noise they bore down
straight on Newgate and halted in a dense mass before the prisongate
Chapter LXIV
Breaking the silence they had hitherto preserved they raised a great cry as
soon as they were ranged before the jail and demanded to speak to the governor
This visit was not wholly unexpected for his house which fronted the street
was strongly barricaded the wicketgate of the prison was closed up and at no
loophole or grating was any person to be seen Before they had repeated their
summons many times a man appeared upon the roof of the governors house and
asked what it was they wanted
Some said one thing some another and some only groaned and hissed It
being now nearly dark and the house high many persons in the throng were not
aware that any one had come to answer them and continued their clamour until
the intelligence was gradually diffused through the whole concourse Ten minutes
or more elapsed before any one voice could be heard with tolerable distinctness
during which interval the figure remained perched alone against the
summerevening sky looking down into the troubled street
»Are you« said Hugh at length »Mr Akerman the head jailer here«
»Of course he is brother« whispered Dennis But Hugh without minding him
took his answer from the man himself
»Yes« he said »I am«
»You have got some friends of ours in your custody master«
»I have a good many people in my custody« He glanced downward as he spoke
into the jail and the feeling that he could see into the different yards and
that he overlooked everything which was hidden from their view by the rugged
walls so lashed and goaded the mob that they howled like wolves
»Deliver up our friends« said Hugh »and you may keep the rest«
»Its my duty to keep them all I shall do my duty«
»If you dont throw the doors open we shall break em down« said Hugh
»for we will have the rioters out«
»All I can do good people« Akerman replied »is to exhort you to disperse
and to remind you that the consequences of any disturbance in this place will
be very severe and bitterly repented by most of you when it is too late«
He made as though he would retire when he had said these words but he was
checked by the voice of the locksmith
»Mr Akerman« cried Gabriel »Mr Akerman«
»I will hear no more from any of you« replied the governor turning towards
the speaker and waving his hand
»But I am not one of them« said Gabriel »I am an honest man Mr Akerman
a respectable tradesman Gabriel Varden the locksmith You know me«
»You among the crowd« cried the governor in an altered voice
»Brought here by force brought here to pick the lock of the great door for
them« rejoined the locksmith »Bear witness for me Mr Akerman that I refuse
to do it and that I will not do it come what may of my refusal If any
violence is done to me please to remember this«
»Is there no way of helping you« said the governor
»None Mr Akerman Youll do your duty and Ill do mine Once again you
robbers and cutthroats« said the locksmith turning round upon them »I
refuse Ah Howl till youre hoarse I refuse«
»Stay stay« said the jailer hastily »Mr Varden I know you for a
worthy man and one who would do no unlawful act except upon compulsion «
»Upon compulsion sir« interposed the locksmith who felt that the tone in
which this was said conveyed the speakers impression that he had ample excuse
for yielding to the furious multitude who beset and hemmed him in on every
side and among whom he stood an old man quite alone »upon compulsion sir
Ill do nothing«
»Where is that man« said the keeper anxiously »who spoke to me just now«
»Here« Hugh replied
»Do you know what the guilt of murder is and that by keeping that honest
tradesman at your side you endanger his life«
»We know it very well« he answered »for what else did we bring him here
Lets have our friends master and you shall have your friend Is that fair
lads«
The mob replied to him with a loud Hurrah
»You see how it is sir« cried Varden »Keep em out in King Georges
name Remember what I have said Good night«
There was no more parley A shower of stones and other missiles compelled
the keeper of the jail to retire and the mob pressing on and swarming round
the walls forced Gabriel Varden close up to the door
In vain the basket of tools was laid upon the ground before him and he was
urged in turn by promises by blows by offers of reward and threats of instant
death to do the office for which they had brought him there »No« cried the
sturdy locksmith »I will not«
He had never loved his life so well as then but nothing could move him The
savage faces that glared upon him look where he would the cries of those who
thirsted like wild animals for his blood the sight of men pressing forward
and trampling down their fellows as they strove to reach him and struck at him
above the heads of other men with axes and with iron bars all failed to daunt
him He looked from man to man and face to face and still with quickened
breath and lessening colour cried firmly »I will not«
Dennis dealt him a blow upon the face which felled him to the ground He
sprung up again like a man in the prime of life and with blood upon his
forehead caught him by the throat
»You cowardly dog« he said »Give me my daughter Give me my daughter«
They struggled together Some cried »Kill him« and some but they were not
near enough strove to trample him to death Tug as he would at the old mans
wrists the hangman could not force him to unclench his hands
»Is this all the return you make me you ungrateful monster« he articulated
with great difficulty and with many oaths
»Give me my daughter« cried the locksmith who was now as fierce as those
who gathered round him »Give me my daughter«
He was down again and up and down once more and buffeting with a score of
them who bandied him from hand to hand when one tall fellow fresh from a
slaughterhouse whose dress and great thighboots smoked hot with grease and
blood raised a poleaxe and swearing a horrible oath aimed it at the old
mans uncovered head At that instant and in the very act he fell himself as
if struck by lightning and over his body a onearmed man came darting to the
locksmiths side Another man was with him and both caught the locksmith
roughly in their grasp
»Leave him to us« they cried to Hugh struggling as they spoke to force
a passage backward through the crowd »Leave him to us Why do you waste your
whole strength on such as he when a couple of men can finish him in as many
minutes You lose time Remember the prisoners remember Barnaby«
The cry ran through the mob Hammers began to rattle on the walls and every
man strove to reach the prison and be among the foremost rank Fighting their
way through the press and struggle as desperately as if they were in the midst
of enemies rather than their own friends the two men retreated with the
locksmith between them and dragged him through the very heart of the concourse
And now the strokes began to fall like hail upon the gate and on the strong
building for those who could not reach the door spent their fierce rage on
anything even on the great blocks of stone which shivered their weapons into
fragments and made their hands and arms to tingle as if the walls were active
in their stout resistance and dealt them back their blows The clash of iron
ringing upon iron mingled with the deafening tumult and sounded high above it
as the great sledgehammers rattled on the nailed and plated door the sparks
flew off in showers men worked in gangs and at short intervals relieved each
other that all their strength might be devoted to the work but there stood the
portal still as grim and dark and strong as ever and saving for the dints
upon its battered surface quite unchanged
While some brought all their energies to bear upon this toilsome task and
some rearing ladders against the prison tried to clamber to the summit of the
walls they were too short to scale and some again engaged a body of police a
hundred strong and beat them back and trod them under foot by force of numbers
others besieged the house on which the jailer had appeared and driving in the
door brought out his furniture and piled it up against the prisongate to
make a bonfire which should burn it down As soon as this device was understood
all those who had laboured hitherto cast down their tools and helped to swell
the heap which reached halfway across the street and was so high that those
who threw more fuel on the top got up by ladders When all the keepers goods
were flung upon this costly pile to the last fragment they smeared it with the
pitch and tar and rosin they had brought and sprinkled it with turpentine To
all the woodwork round the prisondoors they did the like leaving not a joist
or beam untouched This infernal christening performed they fired the pile with
lighted matches and with blazing tow and then stood by awaiting the result
The furniture being very dry and rendered more combustible by wax and oil
besides the arts they had used took fire at once The flames roared high and
fiercely blackening the prisonwall and twining up its lofty front like
burning serpents At first they crowded round the blaze and vented their
exultation only in their looks but when it grew hotter and fiercer when it
crackled leaped and roared like a great furnace when it shone upon the
opposite houses and lighted up not only the pale and wondering faces at the
windows but the inmost corners of each habitation when through the deep red
heat and glow the fire was seen sporting and toying with the door now clinging
to its obdurate surface now gliding off with fierce inconstancy and soaring
high into the sky anon returning to fold it in its burning grasp and lure it to
its ruin when it shone and gleaned so brightly that the church clock of St
Sepulchres so often pointing to the hour of death was legible as in broad day
and the vane upon its steepletop glittered in the unwonted light like something
richly jewelled when blackened stone and sombre brick grew ruddy in the deep
reflection and windows shone like burnished gold dotting the longest distance
in the fiery vista with their specks of brightness when wall and tower and
roof and chimneystack seemed drunk and in the flickering glare appeared to
reel and stagger when scores of objects, never seen before burst out upon the
view and things the most familiar put on some new aspect then the mob began
to join the whirl and with loud yells and shouts and clamour such as happily
is seldom heard bestirred themselves to feed the fire and keep it at its
height
Although the heat was so intense that the paint on the houses over against
the prison parched and crackled up and swelling into boils as it were from
excess of torture broke and crumbled away although the glass fell from the
windowsashes and the lead and iron on the roofs blistered the incautious hand
that touched them and the sparrows in the eaves took wing and rendered giddy
by the smoke fell fluttering down upon the blazing pile still the fire was
tended unceasingly by busy hands and round it men were going always They
never slackened in their zeal or kept aloof but pressed upon the flames so
hard that those in front had much ado to save themselves from being thrust in
if one man swooned or dropped a dozen struggled for his place and that
although they knew the pain and thirst and pressure to be unendurable Those
who fell down in faintingfits and were not crushed or burnt were carried to
an innyard close at hand and dashed with water from a pump of which buckets
full were passed from man to man among the crowd but such was the strong desire
of all to drink and such the fighting to be first that for the most part the
whole contents were spilled upon the ground without the lips of one man being
moistened
Meanwhile and in the midst of all the roar and outcry those who were
nearest to the pile heaped up again the burning fragments that came toppling
down and raked the fire about the door which although a sheet of flame was
still a door fast locked and barred and kept them out Great pieces of blazing
wood were passed besides above the peoples heads to such as stood about the
ladders and some of these climbing up to the topmost stave and holding on
with one hand by the prison wall exerted all their skill and force to cast
these firebrands on the roof or down into the yards within In many instances
their efforts were successful which occasioned a new and appalling addition to
the horrors of the scene for the prisoners within seeing from between their
bars that the fire caught in many places and thrived fiercely and being all
locked up in strong cells for the night began to know that they were in danger
of being burnt alive This terrible fear spreading from cell to cell and from
yard to yard vented itself in such dismal cries and wailings and in such
dreadful shrieks for help that the whole jail resounded with the noise which
was loudly heard even above the shouting of the mob and roaring of the flames
and was so full of agony and despair that it made the boldest tremble
It was remarkable that these cries began in that quarter of the jail which
fronted Newgatestreet where it was well known the men who were to suffer
death on Thursday were confined And not only were these four who had so short a
time to live the first to whom the dread of being burnt occurred but they
were throughout the most importunate of all for they could be plainly heard
notwithstanding the great thickness of the walls crying that the wind set that
way and that the flames would shortly reach them and calling to the officers
of the jail to come and quench the fire from a cistern which was in their yard
and full of water Judging from what the crowd outside the walls could hear from
time to time these four doomed wretches never ceased to call for help and that
with as much distraction and in as great a frenzy of attachment to existence
as though each had an honoured happy life before him instead of
eightandforty hours of miserable imprisonment and then a violent and shameful
death
But the anguish and suffering of the two sons of one of these men when they
heard or fancied that they heard their fathers voice is past description
After wringing their hands and rushing to and fro as if they were stark mad one
mounted on the shoulders of his brother and tried to clamber up the face of the
high wall guarded at the top with spikes and points of iron And when he fell
among the crowd he was not deterred by his bruises but mounted up again and
fell again and when he found the feat impossible began to beat the stones and
tear them with his hands as if he could that way make a breach in the strong
building and force a passage in At last they cleft their way among the mob
about the door though many men a dozen times their match had tried in vain to
do so and were seen in yes in the fire striving to prize it down with
crowbars
Nor were they alone affected by the outcry from within the prison The women
who were looking on shrieked loudly beat their hands together stopped their
ears and many fainted the men who were not near the walls and active in the
siege rather than do nothing tore up the pavement of the street and did so
with a haste and fury they could not have surpassed if that had been the jail
and they were near their object Not one living creature in the throng was for
an instant still The whole great mass was mad
A shout Another Another yet though few knew why or what it meant But
those around the gate had seen it slowly yield and drop from its topmost hinge
It hung on that side by but one but it was upright still because of the bar
and its having sunk of its own weight into the heap of ashes at its foot
There was now a gap at the top of the doorway through which could be descried a
gloomy passage cavernous and dark Pile up the fire
It burnt fiercely The door was redhot and the gap wider They vainly
tried to shield their faces with their hands and standing as if in readiness
for a spring watched the place Dark figures some crawling on their hands and
knees some carried in the arms of others were seen to pass along the roof It
was plain the jail could hold out no longer The keeper and his officers and
their wives and children were escaping Pile up the fire
The door sank down again it settled deeper in the cinders tottered
yielded was down
As they shouted again they fell back for a moment and left a clear space
about the fire that lay between them and the jail entry Hugh leapt upon the
blazing heap and scattering a train of sparks into the air and making the dark
lobby glitter with those that hung upon his dress dashed into the jail
The hangman followed And then so many rushed upon their track that the
fire got trodden down and thinly strewn about the street but there was no need
of it now for inside and out the prison was in flames
Chapter LXV
During the whole course of the terrible scene which was now at its height one
man in the jail suffered a degree of fear and mental torment which had no
parallel in the endurance even of those who lay under sentence of death
When the rioters first assembled before the building the murderer was
roused from sleep if such slumbers as his may have that blessed name by the
roar of voices and the struggling of a great crowd He started up as these
sounds met his ear and sitting on his bedstead listened
After a short interval of silence the noise burst out again Still listening
attentively he made out in course of time that the jail was besieged by a
furious multitude His guilty conscience instantly arrayed these men against
himself and brought the fear upon him that he would be singled out and torn to
pieces
Once impressed with the terror of this conceit everything tended to confirm
and strengthen it His double crime the circumstances under which it had been
committed the length of time that had elapsed and its discovery in spite of
all made him as it were the visible object of the Almightys wrath In all
the crime and vice and moral gloom of the great pest of the capital he stood
alone marked and singled out by his great guilt a Lucifer among the devils
The other prisoners were a host hiding and sheltering each other a crowd like
that without the walls He was one man against the whole united concourse a
single solitary lonely man from whom the very captives in the jail fell off
and shrunk appalled
It might be that the intelligence of his capture having been bruited abroad
they had come there purposely to drag him out and kill him in the street or it
might be that they were the rioters and in pursuance of an old design had
come to sack the prison But in either case he had no belief or hope that they
would spare him Every shout they raised and every sound they made was a blow
upon his heart As the attack went on he grew more wild and frantic in his
terror tried to pull away the bars that guarded the chimney and prevented him
from climbing up called loudly on the turnkeys to cluster round the cell and
save him from the fury of the rabble or put him in some dungeon underground no
matter of what depth how dark it was or loathsome or beset with rats and
creeping things so that it hid him and was hard to find
But no one came or answered him Fearful even while he cried to them of
attracting attention he was silent By and bye he saw as he looked from his
grated window a strange glimmering on the stone walls and pavement of the yard
It was feeble at first and came and went as though some officers with torches
were passing to and fro upon the roof of the prison Soon it reddened and
lighted brands came whirling down spattering the ground with fire and burning
sullenly in corners One rolled beneath a wooden bench and set it in a blaze
another caught a waterspout and so went climbing up the wall leaving a long
straight track of fire behind it After a time a slow thick shower of burning
fragments from some upper portion of the prison which was blazing nigh began
to fall before his door Remembering that it opened outwards he knew that every
spark which fell upon the heap and in the act lost its bright life and died an
ugly speck of dust and rubbish helped to entomb him in a living grave Still
though the jail resounded with shrieks and cries for help though the fire
bounded up as if each separate flame had had a tigers life and roared as
though in every one there were a hungry voice though the heat began to grow
intense and the air suffocating and the clamour without increased and the
danger of his situation even from one merciless element was every moment more
extreme still he was afraid to raise his voice again lest the crowd should
break in and should of their own ears or from the information given them by
the other prisoners get the clue to his place of confinement Thus fearful
alike of those within the prison and of those without of noise and silence
light and darkness of being released and being left there to die he was so
tortured and tormented that nothing man has ever done to man in the horrible
caprice of power and cruelty exceeds his selfinflicted punishment
Now now the door was down Now they came rushing through the jail calling
to each other in the vaulted passages clashing the iron gates dividing yard
from yard beating at the doors of cells and wards wrenching off bolts and
locks and bars tearing down the doorposts to get men out endeavouring to drag
them by main force through gaps and windows where a child could scarcely pass
whooping and yelling without a moments rest and running through the heat and
flames as if they were cased in metal By their legs their arms the hair upon
their heads they dragged the prisoners out Some threw themselves upon their
captives as they got towards the door and tried to file away their irons some
danced about them with a frenzied joy and rent their clothes and were ready
as it seemed to tear them limb from limb Now a party of a dozen men came
darting through the yard into which the murderer cast fearful glances from his
darkened window dragging a prisoner along the ground whose dress they had
nearly torn from his body in their mad eagerness to set him free and who was
bleeding and senseless in their hands Now a score of prisoners ran to and fro
who had lost themselves in the intricacies of the prison and were so bewildered
with the noise and glare that they knew not where to turn or what to do and
still cried out for help as loudly as before Anon some famished wretch whose
theft had been a loaf of bread or scrap of butchers meat came skulking past
barefooted going slowly away because that jail his house was burning not
because he had any other or had friends to meet or old haunts to revisit or
any liberty to gain but liberty to starve and die And then a knot of highwaymen
went trooping by conducted by the friends they had among the crowd who muffled
their fetters as they went along with handkerchiefs and bands of hay and
wrapped them in coats and cloaks and gave them drink from bottles and held it
to their lips because of their handcuffs which there was no time to remove All
this and Heaven knows how much more was done amidst a noise a hurry and
distraction like nothing that we know of even in our dreams which seemed for
ever on the rise and never to decrease for the space of a single instant
He was still looking down from his window upon these things when a band of
men with torches ladders axes and many kinds of weapons poured into the
yard and hammering at his door inquired if there were any prisoner within He
left the window when he saw them coming and drew back into the remotest corner
of the cell but although he returned them no answer they had a fancy that some
one was inside for they presently set ladders against it and began to tear
away the bars at the casement not only that indeed but with pickaxes to hew
down the very stones in the wall
As soon as they had made a breach at the window large enough for the
admission of a mans head one of them thrust in a torch and looked all round
the room He followed this mans gaze until it rested on himself and heard him
demand why he had not answered but made him no reply
In the general surprise and wonder they were used to this without saying
anything more they enlarged the breach until it was large enough to admit the
body of a man and then came dropping down upon the floor one after another
until the cell was full They caught him up among them handed him to the
window and those who stood upon the ladders passed him down upon the pavement
of the yard Then the rest came out one after another and bidding him fly
and lose no time or the way would be choked up hurried away to rescue others
It seemed not a minutes work from first to last He staggered to his feet
incredulous of what had happened when the yard was filled again and a crowd
rushed on hurrying Barnaby among them In another minute not so much another
minute the same instant with no lapse or interval between he and his son
were being passed from hand to hand through the dense crowd in the street and
were glancing backward at a burning pile which some one said was Newgate
From the moment of their first entrance into the prison the crowd dispersed
themselves about it and swarmed into every chink and crevice as if they had a
perfect acquaintance with its innermost parts and bore in their minds an exact
plan of the whole For this immediate knowledge of the place they were no
doubt in a great degree indebted to the hangman who stood in the lobby
directing some to go this way some that and some the other and who materially
assisted in bringing about the wonderful rapidity with which the release of the
prisoners was effected
But this functionary of the law reserved one important piece of
intelligence and kept it snugly to himself When he had issued his instructions
relative to every other part of the building and the mob were dispersed from
end to end and busy at their work he took a bundle of keys from a kind of
cupboard in the wall and going by a kind of passage near the chapel it joined
the governors house and was then on fire betook himself to the condemned
cells which were a series of small strong dismal rooms opening on a low
gallery guarded at the end at which he entered by a strong iron wicket and
at its opposite extremity by two doors and a thick gate Having double locked
the wicket and assured himself that the other entrances were well secured he
sat down on a bench in the gallery and sucked the head of his stick with the
utmost complacency tranquillity and contentment
It would have been strange enough a mans enjoying himself in this quiet
manner while the prison was burning and such a tumult was cleaving the air
though he had been outside the walls But here in the very heart of the
building and moreover with the prayers and cries of the four men under sentence
sounding in his ears and their hands stretched out through the gratings in
their celldoors clasped in frantic entreaty before his very eyes it was
particularly remarkable Indeed Mr Dennis appeared to think it an uncommon
circumstance and to banter himself upon it for he thrust his hat on one side
as some men do when they are in a waggish humour sucked the head of his stick
with a higher relish and smiled as though he would say »Dennis youre a rum
dog youre a queer fellow youre capital company Dennis and quite a
character«
He sat in this way for some minutes while the four men in the cells
certain that somebody had entered the gallery but could not see who gave vent
to such piteous entreaties as wretches in their miserable condition may be
supposed to have been inspired with urging whoever it was to set them at
liberty for the love of Heaven and protesting with great fervour and truly
enough perhaps for the time that if they escaped they would amend their
ways and would never never never again do wrong before God or man but would
lead penitent and sober lives and sorrowfully repent the crimes they had
committed The terrible energy with which they spoke would have moved any
person no matter how good or just if any good or just person could have
strayed into that sad place that night to have set them at liberty and while
he would have left any other punishment to its free course to have saved them
from this last dreadful and repulsive penalty which never turned a man inclined
to evil and has hardened thousands who were half inclined to good
Mr Dennis who had been bred and matured in the good old school and had
administered the good old laws on the good old plan always once and sometimes
twice every six weeks for a long time bore these appeals with a deal of
philosophy Being at last however rather disturbed in his pleasant reflection
by their repetition he rapped at one of the doors with his stick and cried
»Hold your noise there will you«
At this they all cried together that they were to be hanged on the next day
but one and again implored his aid
»Aid For what« said Mr Dennis playfully rapping the knuckles of the hand
nearest him
»To save us« they cried
»Oh certainly« said Mr Dennis winking at the wall in the absence of any
friend with whom he could humour the joke »And so youre to be worked off are
you brothers«
»Unless we are released tonight« one of them cried »we are dead men«
»I tell you what it is« said the hangman gravely »Im afraid my friend
that youre not in that ere state of mind thats suitable to your condition
then youre not agoing to be released dont think it Will you leave off
that ere indecent row I wonder you ant ashamed of yourselves I do«
He followed up this reproof by rapping every set of knuckles one after the
other and having done so resumed his seat again with a cheerful countenance
»Youve had law« he said crossing his legs and elevating his eyebrows
»laws have been made a purpose for you a wery handsome prisons been made a
purpose for you a parsons kept a purpose for you a constitootional officers
appointed a purpose for you carts is maintained a purpose for you and yet
youre not contented Will you hold that noise you sir in the furthest«
A groan was the only answer
»So well as I can make out« said Mr Dennis in a tone of mingled badinage
and remonstrance »theres not a man among you I begin to think Im on the
opposite side and among the ladies though for the matter of that Ive seen a
many ladies face it out in a manner that did honour to the sex You in number
two dont grind them teeth of yours Worse manners« said the hangman rapping
at the door with his stick »I never see in this place afore Im ashamed of
you Youre a disgrace to the Bailey«
After pausing for a moment to hear if anything could be pleaded in
justification Mr Dennis resumed in a sort of coaxing tone
»Now lookee here you four Im come here to take care of you and see that
you ant burnt instead of the other thing Its no use your making any noise
for you wont be found out by them as has broken in and youll only be hoarse
when you come to the speeches which is a pity What I say in respect to the
speeches always is Give it mouth Thats my maxim Give it mouth Ive heerd«
said the hangman pulling off his hat to take his handkerchief from the crown
and wipe his face and then putting it on again a little more on one side than
before »Ive heerd a eloquence on them boards you know what boards I mean
and have heerd a degree of mouth given to them speeches that they was as clear
as a bell and as good as a play Theres a pattern And always when a thing of
this naturs to come off what I stand up for is a proper frame of mind Lets
have a proper frame of mind and we can go through with it creditable
pleasant sociable Whatever you do and I address myself in particular to
you in the furthest never snivel Id sooner by half though I lose by it see
a man tear his clothes a purpose to spile em before they come to me than find
him snivelling Its ten to one a better frame of mind every way«
While the hangman addressed them to this effect in the tone and with the
air of a pastor in familiar conversation with his flock the noise had been in
some degree subdued for the rioters were busy in conveying the prisoners to the
Sessions House which was beyond the main walls of the prison though connected
with it and the crowd were busy too in passing them from thence along the
street But when he had got thus far in his discourse the sound of voices in
the yard showed plainly that the mob had returned and were coming that way and
directly afterwards a violent crashing at the grate below gave note of their
attack upon the cells as they were called at last
It was in vain the hangman ran from door to door and covered the grates
one after another with his hat in futile efforts to stifle the cries of the
four men within it was in vain he dogged their outstretched hands and beat
them with his stick or menaced them with new and lingering pains in the
execution of his office the place resounded with their cries These together
with the feeling that they were now the last men in the jail so worked upon and
stimulated the besiegers that in an incredibly short space of time they forced
the strong grate down below which was formed of iron rods two inches square
drove in the two other doors as if they had been but deal partitions and stood
at the end of the gallery with only a bar or two between them and the cell
»Halloa« cried Hugh who was the first to look into the dusky passage
»Dennis before us Well done old boy Be quick and open here for we shall be
suffocated in the smoke going out«
»Go out at once then« said Dennis »What do you want here«
»Want« echoed Hugh »The four men«
»Four devils« cried the hangman »Dont you know theyre left for death on
Thursday Dont you respect the law the constitootion nothing Let the four
men be«
»Is this a time for joking« cried Hugh »Do you hear em Pull away these
bars that have got fixed between the door and the ground and let us in«
»Brother« said the hangman in a low voice as he stooped under pretence of
doing what Hugh desired but only looked up in his face »cant you leave these
here four men to me if Ive the whim You do what you like and have what you
like of everything for your share give me my share I want these four men
left alone I tell you«
»Pull the bars down or stand out of the way« was Hughs reply
»You can turn the crowd if you like you know that well enough brother«
said the hangman slowly »What You will come in will you«
»Yes«
»You wont let these men alone and leave em to me Youve no respect for
nothing havent you« said the hangman retreating to the door by which he had
entered and regarding his companion with a scowl »You will come in will you
brother«
»I tell you yes What the devil ails you Where are you going«
»No matter where Im going« rejoined the hangman looking in again at the
iron wicket which he had nearly shut upon himself and held ajar »Remember
where youre coming Thats all«
With that he shook his likeness at Hugh and giving him a grin compared
with which his usual smile was amiable disappeared and shut the door
Hugh paused no longer but goaded alike by the cries of the convicts and by
the impatience of the crowd warned the man immediately behind him the way was
only wide enough for one abreast to stand back and wielded a sledge hammer
with such strength that after a few blows the iron bent and broke and gave
them free admittance
If the two sons of one of these men of whom mention has been made were
furious in their zeal before they had now the wrath and vigour of lions
Calling to the man within each cell to keep as far back as he could lest the
axes crashing through the door should wound him a party went to work upon each
one to beat it in by sheer strength and force the bolts and staples from their
hold But although these two lads had the weakest party and the worst armed
and did not begin until after the others having stopped to whisper to him
through the grate that door was the first open and that man was the first out
As they dragged him into the gallery to knock off his irons he fell down among
them a mere heap of chains and was carried out in that state on mens
shoulders with no sign of life
The release of these four wretched creatures and conveying them astounded
and bewildered into the streets so full of life a spectacle they had never
thought to see again until they emerged from solitude and silence upon that
last journey when the air should be heavy with the pentup breath of thousands
and the streets and houses should be built and roofed with human faces not with
bricks and tiles and stones was the crowning horror of the scene Their pale
and haggard looks and hollow eyes their staggering feet and hands stretched
out as if to save themselves from falling their wandering and uncertain air
the way they heaved and gasped for breath as though in water when they were
first plunged into the crowd all marked them for the men No need to say this
one was doomed to die for there were the words broadly stamped and branded on
his face The crowd fell off as if they had been laid out for burial and had
risen in their shrouds and many were seen to shudder as though they had been
actually dead men when they chanced to touch or brush against their garments
At the bidding of the mob the houses were all illuminated that night
lighted up from top to bottom as at a time of public gaiety and joy Many years
afterwards old people who lived in their youth near this part of the city
remembered being in a great glare of light within doors and without and as
they looked timid and frightened children from the windows seeing a face go
by Though the whole great crowd and all its other terrors had faded from their
recollection this one object remained alone distinct and well remembered
Even in the unpractised minds of infants one of these doomed men darting past
and but an instant seen was an image of force enough to dim the whole
concourse to find itself an allabsorbing place and hold it ever after
When this last task had been achieved the shouts and cries grew fainter
the clank of fetters which had resounded on all sides as the prisoners escaped
was heard no more all the noises of the crowd subsided into a hoarse and sullen
murmur as it passed into the distance and when the human tide had rolled away
a melancholy heap of smoking ruins marked the spot where it had lately chafed
and roared
Chapter LXVI
Although he had had no rest upon the previous night and had watched with little
intermission for some weeks past sleeping only in the day by starts and
snatches Mr Haredale from the dawn of morning until sunset sought his niece
in every place where he deemed it possible she could have taken refuge All day
long nothing save a draught of water passed his lips though he prosecuted
his inquiries far and wide and never so much as sat down once
In every quarter he could think of at Chigwell and in London at the houses
of the tradespeople with whom he dealt and of the friends he knew he pursued
his search A prey to the most harrowing anxieties and apprehensions he went
from magistrate to magistrate and finally to the Secretary of State The only
comfort he received was from this minister who assured him that the Government
being now driven to the exercise of the extreme prerogatives of the Crown were
determined to exert them that a proclamation would probably be out upon the
morrow giving to the military discretionary and unlimited power in the
suppression of the riots that the sympathies of the King the Administration
and both Houses of Parliament and indeed of all good men of every religious
persuasion were strongly with the injured Catholics and that justice should be
done them at any cost or hazard He told him moreover that other persons whose
houses had been burnt had for a time lost sight of their children or their
relatives but had in every case within his knowledge succeeded in
discovering them that his complaint should be remembered and fully stated in
the instructions given to the officers in command and to all the inferior
myrmidons of justice and that everything that could be done to help him should
be done with a goodwill and in good faith
Grateful for this consolation feeble as it was in its reference to the
past and little hope as it afforded him in connection with the subject of
distress which lay nearest to his heart and really thankful for the interest
the minister expressed and seemed to feel in his condition Mr Haredale
withdrew He found himself with the night coming on alone in the streets and
destitute of any place in which to lay his head
He entered an hotel near Charing Cross and ordered some refreshment and a
bed He saw that his faint and worn appearance attracted the attention of the
landlord and his waiters and thinking that they might suppose him to be
penniless took out his purse and laid it on the table It was not that the
landlord said in a faltering voice If he were one of those who had suffered by
the rioters he durst not give him entertainment He had a family of children
and had been twice warned to be careful in receiving guests He heartily prayed
his forgiveness but what could he do
Nothing No man felt that more sincerely than Mr Haredale He told the man
as much and left the house
Feeling that he might have anticipated this occurrence after what he had
seen at Chigwell in the morning where no man dared to touch a spade though he
offered a large reward to all who would come and dig among the ruins of his
house he walked along the Strand too proud to expose himself to another
refusal and of too generous a spirit to involve in distress or ruin any honest
tradesman who might be weak enough to give him shelter He wandered into one of
the streets by the side of the river and was pacing in a thoughtful manner up
and down thinking of things that had happened long ago when he heard a
servantman at an upper window call to another at the opposite side of the
street that the mob were setting fire to Newgate
To Newgate where that man was His failing strength returned his energies
came back with tenfold vigour on the instant If it were possible if they
should set the murderer free was he after all he had undergone to die with
the suspicion of having slain his own brother dimly gathering about him
He had no consciousness of going to the jail but there he stood before it
There was the crowd wedged and pressed together in a dense dark moving mass
and there were the flames soaring up into the air His head turned round and
round lights flashed before his eyes and he struggled hard with two men
»Nay nay« said one »Be more yourself my good sir We attract attention
here Come away What can you do among so many men«
»The gentlemans always for doing something« said the other forcing him
along as he spoke »I like him for that I do like him for that«
They had by this time got him into a court hard by the prison He looked
from one to the other and as he tried to release himself felt that he tottered
on his feet He who had spoken first was the old gentleman whom he had seen at
the Lord Mayors The other was John Grueby who had stood by him so manfully at
Westminster
»What does this mean« he asked them faintly »How came we together«
»On the skirts of the crowd« returned the distiller »but come with us
Pray come with us You seem to know my friend here«
»Surely« said Mr Haredale looking in a kind of stupor at John
»Hell tell you then« returned the old gentleman »that I am a man to be
trusted Hes my servant He was lately as you know I have no doubt in Lord
George Gordons service but he left it and brought in pure goodwill to me
and others who are marked by the rioters such intelligence as he had picked
up of their designs«
» On one condition please sir« said John touching his hat »No evidence
against my lord a misled man a kindhearted man sir My lord never intended
this«
»The condition will be observed of course« rejoined the old distiller
»Its a point of honour But come with us sir pray come with us«
John Grueby added no entreaties but he adopted a different kind of
persuasion by putting his arm through one of Mr Haredales while his master
took the other and leading him away with all speed
Sensible from a strange lightness in his head and a difficulty in fixing
his thoughts on anything even to the extent of bearing his companions in his
mind for a minute together without looking at them that his brain was affected
by the agitation and suffering through which he had passed and to which he was
still a prey Mr Haredale let them lead him where they would As they went
along he was conscious of having no command over what he said or thought and
that he had a fear of going mad
The distiller lived as he had told him when they first met on Holborn
Hill where he had great storehouses and drove a large trade They approached
his house by a back entrance lest they should attract the notice of the crowd
and went into an upper room which faced towards the street the windows
however in common with those of every other room in the house were boarded up
inside in order that out of doors all might appear quite dark
They laid him on a sofa in this chamber perfectly insensible but John
immediately fetching a surgeon who took from him a large quantity of blood he
gradually came to himself As he was for the time too weak to walk they had
no difficulty in persuading him to remain there all night and got him to bed
without loss of a minute That done they gave him cordial and some toast and
presently a pretty strong composingdraught under the influence of which he
soon fell into a lethargy and for a time forgot his troubles
The vintner who was a very hearty old fellow and a worthy man had no
thoughts of going to bed himself for he had received several threatening
warnings from the rioters and had indeed gone out that evening to try and
gather from the conversation of the mob whether his house was to be the next
attacked He sat all night in an easychair in the same room dozing a little
now and then and received from time to time the reports of John Grueby and two
or three other trustworthy persons in his employ who went out into the streets
as scouts and for whose entertainment an ample allowance of good cheer which
the old vintner despite his anxiety now and then attacked himself was set
forth in an adjoining chamber
These accounts were of a sufficiently alarming nature from the first but as
the night wore on they grew so much worse and involved such a fearful amount
of riot and destruction that in comparison with these new tidings all the
previous disturbances sunk to nothing
The first intelligence that came was of the taking of Newgate and the
escape of all the prisoners whose track as they made up Holborn and into the
adjacent streets was proclaimed to those citizens who were shut up in their
houses by the rattling of their chains which formed a dismal concert and was
heard in every direction as though so many forges were at work The flames
too shone so brightly through the vintners skylights that the rooms and
staircases below were nearly as light as in broad day while the distant
shouting of the mob seemed to shake the very walls and ceilings
At length they were heard approaching the house and some minutes of
terrible anxiety ensued They came close up and stopped before it but after
giving three loud yells went on And although they returned several times that
night creating new alarms each time they did nothing there having their hands
full Shortly after they had gone away for the first time one of the scouts
came running in with the news that they had stopped before Lord Mansfields
house in Bloomsbury Square
Soon afterwards there came another and another and then the first returned
again and so by little and little their tale was this That the mob
gathering round Lord Mansfields house had called on those within to open the
door and receiving no reply for Lord and Lady Mansfield were at that moment
escaping by the backway forced an entrance according to their usual custom
That they then began to demolish the house with great fury and setting fire to
it in several parts involved in a common ruin the whole of the costly
furniture the plate and jewels a beautiful gallery of pictures the rarest
collection of manuscripts ever possessed by any one private person in the world
and worse than all because nothing could replace this loss the great Law
Library on almost every page of which were notes in the Judges own hand of
inestimable value being the results of the study and experience of his whole
life That while they were howling and exulting round the fire a troop of
soldiers with a magistrate among them came up and being too late for the
mischief was by that time done began to disperse the crowd That the Riot Act
being read and the crowd still resisting the soldiers received orders to fire
and levelling their muskets shot dead at the first discharge six men and a
woman and wounded many persons and loading again directly fired another
volley but over the peoples heads it was supposed as none were seen to fall
That thereupon and daunted by the shrieks and tumult the crowd began to
disperse and the soldiers went away leaving the killed and wounded on the
ground which they had no sooner done than the rioters came back again and
taking up the dead bodies and the wounded people formed into a rude
procession having the bodies in the front That in this order they paraded off
with a horrible merriment fixing weapons in the dead mens hands to make them
look as if alive and preceded by a fellow ringing Lord Mansfields dinnerbell
with all his might
The scouts reported further that this party meeting with some others who
had been at similar work elsewhere they all united into one and drafting off a
few men with the killed and wounded marched away to Lord Mansfields country
seat at Caen Wood between Hampstead and Highgate bent upon destroying that
house likewise and lighting up a great fire there which from that height
should be seen all over London But in this they were disappointed for a party
of horse having arrived before them they retreated faster than they went and
came straight back to town
There being now a great many parties in the streets each went to work
according to its humour and a dozen houses were quickly blazing including
those of Sir John Fielding and two other justices and four in Holborn one of
the greatest thoroughfares in London which were all burning at the same time
and burned until they went out of themselves for the people cut the engine
hose and would not suffer the firemen to play upon the flames At one house
near Moorfields they found in one of the rooms some canary birds in cages and
these they cast into the fire alive The poor little creatures screamed it was
said like infants when they were flung upon the blaze and one man was so
touched that he tried in vain to save them which roused the indignation of the
crowd and nearly cost him his life
At this same house one of the fellows who went through the rooms breaking
the furniture and helping to destroy the building found a childs doll a poor
toy which he exhibited at the window to the mob below as the image of some
unholy saint which the late occupants had worshipped While he was doing this
another man with an equally tender conscience they had both been foremost in
throwing down the canary birds for roasting alive took his seat on the parapet
of the house and harangued the crowd from a pamphlet circulated by the
Association relative to the true principles of Christianity Meanwhile the Lord
Mayor with his hands in his pockets looked on as an idle man might look at any
other show and seem mightily satisfied to have got a good place
Such were the accounts brought to the old vintner by his servants as he sat
at the side of Mr Haredales bed having been unable even to doze after the
first part of the night too much disturbed by his own fears by the cries of
the mob the light of the fires and the firing of the soldiers Such with the
addition of the release of all the prisoners in the New Jail at Clerkenwell and
as many robberies of passengers in the streets as the crowd had leisure to
indulge in were the scenes of which Mr Haredale was happily unconscious and
which were all enacted before midnight
Chapter LXVII
When darkness broke away and morning began to dawn the town wore a strange
aspect indeed
Sleep had hardly been thought of all night The general alarm was so
apparent in the faces of the inhabitants and its expression was so aggravated
by want of rest few persons with any property to lose having dared go to bed
since Monday that a stranger coming into the streets would have supposed some
mortal pest or plague to have been raging In place of the usual cheerfulness
and animation of morning everything was dead and silent The shops remained
unopened offices and warehouses were shut the coach and chair stands were
deserted no carts or waggons rumbled through the slowly waking streets the
early cries were all hushed a universal gloom prevailed Great numbers of
people were out even at daybreak but they flitted to and fro as though they
shrank from the sound of their own footsteps the public ways were haunted
rather than frequented and round the smoking ruins people stood apart from one
another and in silence not venturing to condemn the rioters or to be supposed
to do so even in whispers
At the Lord Presidents in Piccadilly at Lambeth Palace at the Lord
Chancellors in Great Ormond Street in the Royal Exchange the Bank the
Guildhall the Inns of Court the Courts of Law and every chamber fronting the
streets near Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament parties of soldiers
were posted before daylight A body of Horse Guards paraded Palaceyard an
encampment was formed in the Park where fifteen hundred men and five battalions
of Militia were under arms the Tower was fortified the drawbridges were
raised the cannon loaded and pointed and two regiments of artillery busied in
strengthening the fortress and preparing it for defence A numerous detachment
of soldiers were stationed to keep guard at the New River Head which the people
had threatened to attack and where it was said they meant to cut off the
mainpipes so that there might be no water for the extinction of the flames In
the Poultry and on Cornhill and at several other leading points iron chains
were drawn across the street parties of soldiers were distributed in some of
the old city churches while it was yet dark and in several private houses
among them Lord Rockinghams in Grosvenor Square which were blockaded as
though to sustain a siege and had guns pointed from the windows When the sun
rose it shone into handsome apartments filled with armed men the furniture
hastily heaped away in corners and made of little or no account in the terror
of the time on arms glittering in city chambers among desks and stools and
dusty books into little smoky churchyards in odd lanes and byways with
soldiers lying down among the tombs or lounging under the shade of the one old
tree and their pile of muskets sparkling in the light on solitary sentries
pacing up and down in courtyards silent now but yesterday resounding with the
din and hum of business everywhere on guardrooms garrisons and threatening
preparations
As the day crept on still more unusual sights were witnessed in the
streets The gates of the Kings Bench and Fleet Prisons being opened at the
usual hour were found to have notices affixed to them announcing that the
rioters would come that night to burn them down The wardens too well knowing
the likelihood there was of this promise being fulfilled were fain to set their
prisoners at liberty and give them leave to move their goods so all day such
of them as had any furniture were occupied in conveying it some to this place
some to that and not a few to the brokers shops where they gladly sold it
for any wretched price those gentry chose to give There were some broken men
among these debtors who had been in jail so long and were so miserable and
destitute of friends so dead to the world and utterly forgotten and uncared
for that they implored their jailers not to set them free and to send them if
need were to some other place of custody But they refusing to comply lest
they should incur the anger of the mob turned them into the streets where they
wandered up and down hardly remembering the ways untrodden by their feet so
long and crying such abject things those rottenhearted jails had made them
as they slunk off in their rags and dragged their slipshod feet along the
pavement
Even of the three hundred prisoners who had escaped from Newgate there were
some a few but there were some who sought their jailers out and delivered
themselves up preferring imprisonment and punishment to the horrors of such
another night as the last Many of the convicts drawn back to their old place
of captivity by some indescribable attraction or by a desire to exult over it
in its downfall and glut their revenge by seeing it in ashes actually went back
in broad noon and loitered about the cells Fifty were retaken at one time on
this next day within the prison walls but their fate did not deter others for
there they went in spite of everything and there they were taken in twos and
threes twice or thrice a day all through the week Of the fifty just
mentioned some were occupied in endeavouring to rekindle the fire but in
general they seemed to have no object in view but to prowl and lounge about the
old place being often found asleep in the ruins or sitting talking there or
even eating and drinking as in a choice retreat
Besides the notices on the gates of the Fleet and the Kings Bench many
similar announcements were left before one oclock at noon at the houses of
private individuals and further the mob proclaimed their intention of seizing
on the Bank the Mint the Arsenal at Woolwich and the Royal Palaces The
notices were seldom delivered by more than one man who if it were at a shop
went in and laid it with a bloody threat perhaps upon the counter or if it
were at a private house knocked at the door and thrust it in the servants
hand Notwithstanding the presence of the military in every quarter of the town
and the great force in the Park these messengers did their errands with
impunity all through the day So did two boys who went down Holborn alone armed
with bars taken from the railings of Lord Mansfields house and demanded money
for the rioters So did a tall man on horseback who made a collection for the
same purpose in Fleetstreet and refused to take anything but gold
A rumour had now got into circulation too which diffused a greater dread
all through London even than these publicly announced intentions of the
rioters though all men knew that if they were successfully effected there must
ensue a national bankruptcy and general ruin It was said that they meant to
throw the gates of Bedlam open and let all the madmen loose This suggested
such dreadful images to the peoples minds and was indeed an act so fraught
with new and unimaginable horrors in the contemplation that it beset them more
than any loss or cruelty of which they could foresee the worst and drove many
sane men nearly mad themselves
So the day passed on the prisoners moving their goods people running to
and fro in the streets carrying away their property groups standing in silence
round the ruins all business suspended and the soldiers disposed as has been
already mentioned remaining quite inactive So the day passed on and dreaded
night drew near again
At last at seven oclock in the evening the Privy Council issued a solemn
proclamation that it was now necessary to employ the military and that the
officers had most direct and effectual orders by an immediate exertion of their
utmost force to repress the disturbances and warning all good subjects of the
King to keep themselves their servants and apprentices within doors that
night There was then delivered out to every soldier on duty thirtysix rounds
of powder and ball the drums beat and the whole force was under arms at
sunset
The City authorities stimulated by these vigorous measures held a Common
Council passed a vote thanking the military associations who had tendered their
aid to the civil authorities accepted it and placed them under the direction
of the two sheriffs At the Queens palace a double guard the yeomen on duty
the groomporters and all other attendants were stationed in the passages and
on the staircases at seven oclock with strict instructions to be watchful on
their posts all night and all the doors were locked The gentlemen of the
Temple and the other Inns mounted guard within their gates and strengthened
them with the great stones of the pavement which they took up for the purpose
In Lincolns Inn they gave up the hall and commons to the Northumberland
Militia under the command of Lord Algernon Percy in some few of the city
wards the burgesses turned out and without making a very fierce show looked
brave enough Some hundreds of stout gentlemen threw themselves armed to the
teeth into the halls of the different companies doublelocked and bolted all
the gates and dared the rioters among themselves to come on at their peril
These arrangements being all made simultaneously or nearly so were completed
by the time it got dark and then the streets were comparatively clear and were
guarded at all the great corners and chief avenues by the troops while parties
of the officers rode up and down in all directions ordering chance stragglers
home and admonishing the residents to keep within their houses and if any
firing ensued not to approach the windows More chains were drawn across such
of the thoroughfares as were of a nature to favour the approach of a great
crowd and at each of these points a considerable force was stationed All these
precautions having been taken and it being now quite dark those in command
awaited the result in some anxiety and not without a hope that such vigilant
demonstrations might of themselves dishearten the populace and prevent any new
outrages
But in this reckoning they were cruelly mistaken for in half an hour or
less as though the setting in of night had been their preconcerted signal the
rioters having previously in small parties prevented the lighting of the
street lamps rose like a great sea and that in so many places at once and
with such inconceivable fury that those who had the direction of the troops
knew not at first where to turn or what to do One after another new fires
blazed up in every quarter of the town as though it were the intention of the
insurgents to wrap the city in a circle of flames which contracting by
degrees should burn the whole to ashes the crowd swarmed and roared in every
street and none but rioters and soldiers being out of doors it seemed to the
latter as if all London were arrayed against them and they stood alone against
the town
In two hours sixandthirty fires were raging sixandthirty great
conflagrations Among them the Borough Clink in Tooleystreet the Kings Bench
the Fleet and the New Bridewell In almost every street there was a battle
and in every quarter the muskets of the troops were heard above the shouts and
tumult of the mob The firing began in the Poultry where the chain was drawn
across the road where nearly a score of people were killed on the first
discharge Their bodies having been hastily carried into St Mildreds Church by
the soldiers the latter fired again and following fast upon the crowd who
began to give way when they saw the execution that was done formed across
Cheapside and charged them at the point of the bayonet
The streets were now a dreadful spectacle The shouts of the rabble the
shrieks of women the cries of the wounded and the constant firing formed a
deafening and an awful accompaniment to the sights which every corner presented
Wherever the road was obstructed by the chains there the fighting and the loss
of life were greatest but there was hot work and bloodshed in almost every
leading thoroughfare
At Holborn Bridge and on Holborn Hill the confusion was greater than in
any other part for the crowd that poured out of the city in two great streams
one by Ludgate Hill and one by Newgatestreet united at that spot and formed
a mass so dense that at every volley the people seemed to fall in heaps At
this place a large detachment of soldiery were posted who fired now up Fleet
Market now up Holborn now up Snow Hill constantly raking the streets in each
direction At this place too several large fires were burning so that all the
terrors of that terrible night seemed to be concentrated in one spot
Full twenty times the rioters headed by one man who wielded an axe in his
right hand and bestrode a brewers horse of great size and strength
caparisoned with fetters taken out of Newgate which clanked and jingled as he
went made an attempt to force a passage at this point and fire the vintners
house Full twenty times they were repulsed with loss of life and still came
back again and though the fellow at their head was marked and singled out by
all and was a conspicuous object as the only rioter on horseback not a man
could hit him So surely as the smoke cleared away so surely there was he
calling hoarsely to his companions brandishing his axe above his head and
dashing on as though he bore a charmed life and was proof against ball and
powder
This man was Hugh and in every part of the riot he was seen He headed two
attacks upon the Bank helped to break open the Tollhouses on Blackfriars
Bridge and cast the money into the street fired two of the prisons with his
own hand was here and there and everywhere always foremost always active
striking at the soldiers cheering on the crowd making his horses iron music
heard through all the yell and uproar but never hurt or stopped Turn him at
one place and he made a new struggle in another force him to retreat at this
point and he advanced on that directly Driven from Holborn for the twentieth
time he rode at the head of a great crowd straight upon Saint Pauls attacked
a guard of soldiers who kept watch over a body of prisoners within the iron
railings forced them to retreat rescued the men they had in custody and with
this accession to his party came back again mad with liquor and excitement
and hallooing them on like a demon
It would have been no easy task for the most careful rider to sit a horse in
the midst of such a throng and tumult but though this madman rolled upon his
back he had no saddle like a boat upon the sea he never for an instant lost
his seat or failed to guide him where he would Through the very thickest of
the press over dead bodies and burning fragments now on the pavement now in
the road now riding up a flight of steps to make himself the more conspicuous
to his party and now forcing a passage through a mass of human beings so
closely squeezed together that it seemed as if the edge of a knife would
scarcely part them on he went as though he could surmount all obstacles by
the mere exercise of his will And perhaps his not being shot was in some degree
attributable to this very circumstance for his extreme audacity and the
conviction that he must be one of those to whom the proclamation referred
inspired the soldiers with a desire to take him alive and diverted many an aim
which otherwise might have been more near the mark
The vintner and Mr Haredale unable to sit quietly listening to the noise
without seeing what went on had climbed to the roof of the house and hiding
behind a stack of chimneys were looking cautiously down into the street almost
hoping that after so many repulses the rioters would be foiled when a great
shout proclaimed that a party were coming round the other way and the dismal
jingling or those accursed fetters warned them next moment that they too were
led by Hugh The soldiers had advanced into Fleet Market and were dispersing the
people there so that they came on with hardly any check and were soon before
the house
»Alls over now« said the vintner »Fifty thousand pounds will be scattered
in a minute We must save ourselves We can do no more and shall have reason to
be thankful if we do as much«
Their first impulse was to clamber along the roofs of the houses and
knocking at some garret window for admission pass down that way into the
street and so escape But another fierce cry from below and a general
upturning of the faces of the crowd apprised them that they were discovered
and even that Mr Haredale was recognised for Hugh seeing him plainly in the
bright glare of the fire which in that part made it as light as day called to
him by his name and swore to have his life
»Leave me here« said Mr Haredale »and in Heavens name my good friend
save yourself Come on« he muttered as he turned towards Hugh and faced him
without any further effort at concealment »This roof is high and if we close
we will die together«
»Madness« said the honest vintner pulling him back »sheer madness Hear
reason sir My good sir hear reason I could never make myself heard by
knocking at a window now and even if I could no one would be bold enough to
connive at my escape Through the cellars theres a kind of passage into the
back street by which we roll casks in and out We shall have time to get down
there before they can force an entry Do not delay an instant but come with me
for both our sakes for mine my dear good sir«
As he spoke and drew Mr Haredale back they had both a glimpse of the
street It was but a glimpse but it showed them the crowd gathering and
clustering round the house some of the armed men pressing to the front to break
down the doors and windows some bringing brands from the nearest fire some
with lifted faces following their course upon the roof and pointing them out to
their companions all raging and roaring like the flames they lighted up They
saw some men thirsting for the treasures of strong liquor which they knew were
stored within they saw others who had been wounded sinking down into the
opposite doorways and dying solitary wretches in the midst of all the vast
assemblage here a frightened woman trying to escape and there a lost child
and there a drunken ruffian unconscious of the deathwound on his head raving
and fighting to the last All these things and even such trivial incidents as a
man with his hat off or turning round or stooping down or shaking hands with
another they marked distinctly yet in a glance so brief that in the act of
stepping back they lost the whole and saw but the pale faces of each other
and the red sky above them
Mr Haredale yielded to the entreaties of his companion more because he
was resolved to defend him than for any thought he had of his own life or any
care he entertained for his own safety and quickly reentering the house they
descended the stairs together Loud blows were thundering on the shutters
crowbars were already thrust beneath the door the glass fell from the sashes a
deep light shone through every crevice and they heard the voices of the
foremost in the crowd so close to every chink and keyhole that they seemed to
be hoarsely whispering their threats into their very ears They had but a moment
reached the bottom of the cellarsteps and shut the door behind them when the
mob broke in
The vaults were profoundly dark and having no torch or candle for they
had been afraid to carry one lest it should betray their place of refuge they
were obliged to grope with their hands But they were not long without light
for they had not gone far when they heard the crowd forcing the door and
looking back among the lowarched passages could see them in the distance
hurrying to and fro with flashing links broaching the casks staving the great
vats turning off upon the right hand and the left into the different cellars
and lying down to drink at the channels of strong spirits which were already
flowing on the ground
They hurried on not the less quickly for this and had reached the only
vault which lay between them and the passage out when suddenly from the
direction in which they were going a strong light gleamed upon their faces and
before they could slip aside or turn back or hide themselves two men one
bearing a torch came upon them and cried in an astonished whisper »Here they
are«
At the same instant they pulled off what they wore upon their heads Mr
Haredale saw before him Edward Chester and then saw when the vintner gasped
his name Joe Willet
Ay the same Joe though with an arm the less who used to make the
quarterly journey on the grey mare to pay the bill to the purplefaced vintner
and that very same purplefaced vintner formerly of Thamesstreet now looked
him in the face and challenged him by name
»Give me your hand« said Joe softly taking it whether the astonished
vintner would or no »Dont fear to shake it its a friendly one and a hearty
one though it has no fellow Why how well you look and how bluff you are And
you God bless you sir Take heart take heart Well find them Be of good
cheer we have not been idle«
There was something so honest and frank in Joes speech that Mr Haredale
put his hand in his involuntarily though their meeting was suspicious enough
But his glance at Edward Chester and that gentlemans keeping aloof were not
lost upon Joe who said bluntly glancing at Edward while he spoke
»Times are changed Mr Haredale and times have come when we ought to know
friends from enemies and make no confusion of names Let me tell you that but
for this gentleman you would most likely have been dead by this time or badly
wounded at the best«
»What do you say« cried Mr Haredale
»I say« said Joe »first that it was a bold thing to be in the crowd at
all disguised as one of them though I wont say much about that on second
thoughts for thats my case too Secondly that it was a brave and glorious
action thats what I call it to strike that fellow off his horse before
their eyes«
»What fellow Whose eyes«
»What fellow sir« cried Joe »a fellow who has no goodwill to you and
who has the daring and devilry in him of twenty fellows I know him of old Once
in the house he would have found you here or anywhere The rest owe you no
particular grudge and unless they see you will only think of drinking
themselves dead But we lose time Are you ready«
»Quite« said Edward »Put out the torch Joe and go on And be silent
theres a good fellow«
»Silent or not silent« murmured Joe as he dropped the flaring link upon
the ground crushed it with his foot and gave his hand to Mr Haredale »it was
a brave and glorious action no man can alter that«
Both Mr Haredale and the worthy vintner were too amazed and too much
hurried to ask any further questions so followed their conductors in silence
It seemed from a short whispering which presently ensued between them and the
vintner relative to the best way of escape that they had entered by the
backdoor with the connivance of John Grueby who watched outside with the key
in his pocket and whom they had taken into their confidence A party of the
crowd coming up that way just as they entered John had doublelocked the door
again and made off for the soldiers so that means of retreat was cut off from
under them
However as the frontdoor had been forced and this minor crowd being
anxious to get at the liquor had no fancy for losing time in breaking down
another but had gone round and got in from Holborn with the rest the narrow
lane in the rear was quite free of people So when they had crawled through the
passage indicated by the vintner which was a mere shelvingtrap for the
admission of casks and had managed with some difficulty to unchain and raise
the door at the upper end they emerged into the street without being observed
or interrupted Joe still holding Mr Haredale tight and Edward taking the same
care of the vintner they hurried through the streets at a rapid pace
occasionally standing aside to let some fugitives go by or to keep out of the
way of the soldiers who followed them and whose questions when they halted to
put any were speedily stopped by one whispered word from Joe
Chapter LXVIII
While Newgate was burning on the previous night Barnaby and his father having
been passed among the crowd from hand to hand stood in Smithfield on the
outskirts of the mob gazing at the flames like men who had been suddenly roused
from sleep Some moments elapsed before they could distinctly remember where
they were or how they got there or recollected that while they were standing
idle and listless spectators of the fire they had tools in their hands which
had been hurriedly given them that they might free themselves from their
fetters
Barnaby heavily ironed as he was if he had obeyed his first impulse or if
he had been alone would have made his way back to the side of Hugh who to his
clouded intellect now shone forth with the new lustre of being his preserver and
truest friend But his fathers terror of remaining in the streets communicated
itself to him when he comprehended the full extent of his fears and impressed
him with the same eagerness to fly to a place of safety
In a corner of the market among the pens for cattle Barnaby knelt down and
pausing every now and then to pass his hand over his fathers face or look up
to him with a smile knocked off his irons When he had seen him spring a free
man to his feet and had given vent to the transport of delight which the sight
awakened he went to work upon his own which soon fell rattling down upon the
ground and left his limbs unfettered
Gliding away together when this task was accomplished and passing several
groups of men each gathered round a stooping figure to hide him from those who
passed but unable to repress the clanking sound of hammers which told that
they too were busy at the same work the two fugitives made towards
Clerkenwell and passing thence to Islington as the nearest point of egress
were quickly in the fields After wandering about for a long time they found in
a pasture near Finchley a poor shed with walls of mud and roof of grass and
brambles built for some cowherd but now deserted Here they lay down for the
rest of the night
They wandered to and fro when it was day and once Barnaby went off alone to
a cluster of little cottages two or three miles away to purchase some bread and
milk But finding no better shelter they returned to the same place and lay
down again to wait for night
Heaven alone can tell with what vague hopes of duty and affection with
what strange promptings of nature, intelligible to him as to a man of radiant
mind and most enlarged capacity with what dim memories of children he had
played with when a child himself who had prattled of their fathers and of
loving them and being loved with how many halfremembered dreamy associations
of his mothers grief and tears and widowhood he watched and tended this man
But that a vague and shadowy crowd of such ideas came slowly on him that they
taught him to be sorry when he looked upon his haggard face that they
overflowed his eyes when he stooped to kiss him that they kept him waking in a
tearful gladness shading him from the sun fanning him with leaves soothing
him when he started in his sleep ah what a troubled sleep it was and
wondering when she would come to join them and be happy is the truth He sat
beside him all that day listening for her footsteps in every breath of air
looking for her shadow on the gentlewaving grass twining the hedge flowers for
her pleasure when she came and his when he awoke and stooping down from time
to time to listen to his mutterings and wonder why he was so restless in that
quiet place The sun went down and night came on and he was still quite
tranquil busied with these thoughts as if there were no other people in the
world and the dull cloud of smoke hanging on the immense city in the distance
hid no vices no crimes no life or death or cause of disquiet nothing but
clear air
But the hour had now come when he must go alone to find out the blind man
a task that filled him with delight and bring him to that place taking
especial care that he was not watched or followed on his way back He listened
to the directions he must observe repeated them again and again and after
twice or thrice returning to surprise his father with a lighthearted laugh
went forth at last upon his errand leaving Grip whom he had carried from the
jail in his arms to his care
Fleet of foot and anxious to return he sped swiftly on towards the city
but could not reach it before the fires began and made the night angry with
their dismal lustre When he entered the town it might be that he was changed
by going there without his late companions and on no violent errand or by the
beautiful solitude in which he had passed the day or by the thoughts that had
come upon him but it seemed peopled by a legion of devils This flight and
pursuit this cruel burning and destroying these dreadful cries and stunning
noises were they the good lords noble cause
Though almost stupefied by the bewildering scene still he found the blind
mans house It was shut up and tenantless
He waited for a long while but no one came At last he withdrew and as he
knew by this time that the soldiers were firing and many people must have been
killed he went down into Holborn where he heard the great crowd was to try if
he could find Hugh and persuade him to avoid the danger and return with him
If he had been stunned and shocked before his horror was increased a
thousandfold when he got into this vortex of the riot and not being an actor in
the terrible spectacle had it all before his eyes But there in the midst
towering above them all close before the house they were attacking now was
Hugh on horseback calling to the rest
Sickened by the sights surrounding him on every side and by the heat and
roar and crash he forced his way among the crowd where many recognised him
and with shouts pressed back to let him pass and in time was nearly up with
Hugh who was savagely threatening some one but whom or what he said he could
not in the great confusion understand At that moment the crowd forced their
way into the house and Hugh it was impossible to see by what means in such a
concourse fell headlong down
Barnaby was beside him when he staggered to his feet It was well he made
him hear his voice or Hugh with his uplifted axe would have cleft his skull
in twain
»Barnaby you Whose hand was that that struck me down«
»Not mine«
»Whose I say whose« he cried reeling back and looking wildly round
»What are you doing Where is he Show me«
»You are hurt« said Barnaby as indeed he was in the head both by the
blow he had received and by his horses hoof »Come away with me«
As he spoke he took the horses bridle in his hand turned him and dragged
Hugh several paces This brought them out of the crowd which was pouring from
the street into the vintners cellars
»Wheres wheres Dennis« said Hugh coming to a stop and checking
Barnaby with his strong arm »Where has he been all day What did he mean by
leaving me as he did in the jail last night Tell me you dye hear«
With a flourish of his dangerous weapon he fell down upon the ground like a
log After a minute though already frantic with drinking and with the wound in
his head he crawled to a stream of burning spirit which was pouring down the
kennel and began to drink at it as if it were a brook of water
Barnaby drew him away and forced him to rise Though he could neither stand
nor walk he involuntarily staggered to his horse climbed upon his back and
clung there After vainly attempting to divest the animal of his clanking
trappings Barnaby sprung up behind him snatched the bridle turned into
Leather Lane which was close at hand and urged the frightened horse into a
heavy trot
He looked back once before he left the street and looked upon a sight not
easily to be erased even from his remembrance so long as he had life
The vintners house with halfadozen others near at hand was one great
glowing blaze All night no one had essayed to quench the flames or stop their
progress but now a body of soldiers were actively engaged in pulling down two
old wooden houses which were every moment in danger of taking fire and which
could scarcely fail if they were left to burn to extend the conflagration
immensely The tumbling down of nodding walls and heavy blocks of wood the
hooting and the execrations of the crowd the distant firing of other military
detachments the distracted looks and cries of those whose habitations were in
danger the hurrying to and fro of frightened people with their goods the
reflections in every quarter of the sky of deep red soaring flames as though
the last day had come and the whole universe were burning the dust and smoke
and drift of fiery particles scorching and kindling all it fell upon the hot
unwholesome vapour the blight on everything the stars and moon and very sky
obliterated made up such a sum of dreariness and ruin that it seemed as if
the face of Heaven were blotted out and night in its rest and quiet and
softened light never could look upon the earth again
But there was a worse spectacle than this worse by far than fire and
smoke or even the rabbles unappeasable and maniac rage The gutters of the
street and every crack and fissure in the stones ran with scorching spirit
which being dammed up by busy hands overflowed the road and pavement and
formed a great pool into which the people dropped down dead by dozens They lay
in heaps all round this fearful pond husbands and wives fathers and sons
mothers and daughters women with children in their arms and babies at their
breasts and drank until they died While some stooped with their lips to the
brink and never raised their heads again others sprang up from their fiery
draught and danced half in a mad triumph and half in the agony of
suffocation until they fell and steeped their corpses in the liquor that had
killed them Nor was even this the worst or most appalling kind of death that
happened on this fatal night From the burning cellars where they drank out of
hats pails buckets tubs and shoes some men were drawn alive but all
alight from head to foot who in their unendurable anguish and suffering
making for anything that had the look of water rolled hissing in this hideous
lake and splashed up liquid fire which lapped in all it met with as it ran
along the surface and neither spared the living nor the dead On this last
night of the great riots for the last night it was the wretched victims of a
senseless outcry became themselves the dust and ashes of the flames they had
kindled and strewed the public streets of London
With all he saw in this last glance fixed indelibly upon his mind Barnaby
hurried from the city which enclosed such horrors and holding down his head
that he might not even see the glare of the fires upon the quiet landscape was
soon in the still country roads
He stopped at about halfamile from the shed where his father lay and with
some difficulty making Hugh sensible that he must dismount sunk the horses
furniture in a pool of stagnant water and turned the animal loose That done
he supported his companion as well as he could and led him slowly forward
Chapter LXIX
It was the dead of night and very dark when Barnaby with his stumbling
comrade approached the place where he had left his father but he could see him
stealing away into the gloom distrustful even of him and rapidly retreating
After calling to him twice or thrice that there was nothing to fear but without
effect he suffered Hugh to sink upon the ground and followed to bring him
back
He continued to creep away until Barnaby was close upon him then turned
and said in a terrible though suppressed voice
»Let me go Do not lay hands upon me You have told her and you and she
together have betrayed me«
Barnaby looked at him in silence
»You have seen your mother«
»No« cried Barnaby eagerly »Not for a long time longer than I can tell
A whole year I think Is she here«
His father looked upon him steadfastly for a few moments and then said
drawing nearer to him as he spoke for seeing his face and hearing his words
it was impossible to doubt his truth
»What man is that«
»Hugh Hugh Only Hugh You know him He will not harm you Why youre
afraid of Hugh Ha ha ha Afraid of gruff old noisy Hugh«
»What man is he I ask you« he rejoined so fiercely that Barnaby stopped
in his laugh and shrinking back surveyed him with a look of terrified
amazement
»Why how stern you are You make me fear you though you are my father Why
do you speak to me so«
» I want« he answered putting away the hand which his son with a timid
desire to propitiate him laid upon his sleeve »I want an answer and you
give me only jeers and questions Who have you brought with you to this
hidingplace poor fool and where is the blind man«
»I dont know where His house was close shut I waited but no person came
that was no fault of mine This is Hugh brave Hugh who broke into that ugly
jail and set us free Aha You like him now do you You like him now«
»Why does he lie upon the ground«
»He has had a fall and has been drinking The fields and trees go round
and round and round with him and the ground heaves under his feet You know
him You remember See«
They had by this time returned to where he lay and both stooped over him to
look into his face
»I recollect the man« his father murmured »Why did you bring him here«
»Because he would have been killed if I had left him over yonder They were
firing guns and shedding blood Does the sight of blood turn you sick father I
see it does by your face Thats like me What are you looking at«
»At nothing« said the murderer softly as he started back a pace or two
and gazed with sunken jaw and staring eyes above his sons head »At nothing«
He remained in the same attitude and with the same expression on his face
for a minute or more then glanced slowly round as if he had lost something and
went shivering back towards the shed
»Shall I bring him in father« asked Barnaby who had looked on wondering
He only answered with a suppressed groan and lying down upon the ground
wrapped his cloak about his head and shrunk into the darkest corner
Finding that nothing would rouse Hugh now or make him sensible for a
moment Barnaby dragged him along the grass and laid him on a little heap of
refuse hay and straw which had been his own bed first having brought some water
from a running stream hard by and washed his wound and laved his hands and
face Then he lay down himself between the two to pass the night and looking
at the stars fell fast asleep
Awakened early in the morning by the sunshine and the songs of birds and
hum of insects he left them sleeping in the hut and walked into the sweet and
pleasant air But he felt that on his jaded senses oppressed and burdened with
the dreadful scenes of last night and many nights before all the beauties of
opening day which he had so often tasted and in which he had had such deep
delight fell heavily He thought of the blithe mornings when he and the dogs
went bounding on together through the woods and fields and the recollection
filled his eyes with tears He had no consciousness God help him of having
done wrong nor had he any new perception of the merits of the cause in which he
had been engaged or those of the men who advocated it but he was full of cares
now and regrets and dismal recollections and wishes quite unknown to him
before that this or that event had never happened and that the sorrow and
suffering of so many people had been spared And now he began to think how happy
they would be his father mother he and Hugh if they rambled away
together and lived in some lonely place where there were none of these
troubles and that perhaps the blind man who had talked so wisely about gold
and told him of the great secrets he knew could teach them how to live without
being pinched by want As this occurred to him he was the more sorry that he
had not seen him last night and he was still brooding over this regret when
his father came and touched him on the shoulder
»Ah« cried Barnaby starting from his fit of thoughtfulness »Is it only
you«
»Who should it be«
»I almost thought« he answered »it was the blind man I must have some
talk with him father«
»And so must I for without seeing him I dont know where to fly or what to
do and lingering here is death You must go to him again and bring him here«
»Must I« cried Barnaby delighted »thats brave father Thats what I
want to do«
»But you must bring only him and none other And though you wait at his
door a whole day and night still you must wait and not come back without him«
»Dont you fear that« he cried gaily »He shall come he shall come«
»Trim off these gewgaws« said his father plucking the scraps of ribbon and
the feathers from his hat »and over your own dress wear my cloak Take heed how
you go and they will be too busy in the streets to notice you Of your coming
back you need take no account for hell manage that safely«
»To be sure« said Barnaby »To be sure he will A wise man father and one
who can teach us to be rich Oh I know him I know him«
He was speedily dressed and as well disguised as he could be With a
lighter heart he then set off upon his second journey leaving Hugh who was
still in a drunken stupor stretched upon the ground within the shed and his
father walking to and fro before it
The murderer full of anxious thoughts looked after him and paced up and
down disquieted by every breath of air that whispered among the boughs and by
every light shadow thrown by the passing clouds upon the daisied ground He was
anxious for his safe return and yet though his own life and safety hung upon
it felt a relief while he was gone In the intense selfishness which the
constant presence before him of his great crimes and their consequences here
and hereafter engendered every thought of Barnaby as his son was swallowed
up and lost Still his presence was a torture and reproach in his wild eyes
there were terrible images of that guilty night with his unearthly aspect and
his halfformed mind he seemed to the murderer a creature who had sprung into
existence from his victims blood He could not bear his look his voice his
touch and yet he was forced by his own desperate condition and his only hope
of cheating the gibbet to have him by his side and to know that he was
inseparable from his single chance of escape
He walked to and fro with little rest all day revolving these things in
his mind and still Hugh lay unconscious in the shed At length when the sun
was setting Barnaby returned leading the blind man and talking earnestly to
him as they came along together
The murderer advanced to meet them and bidding his son go on and speak to
Hugh who had just then staggered to his feet took his place at the blind mans
elbow and slowly followed towards the shed
»Why did you send him« said Stagg »Dont you know it was the way to have
him lost as soon as found«
»Would you have had me come myself« returned the other
»Humph Perhaps not I was before the jail on Tuesday night but missed you
in the crowd I was out last night too There was good work last night gay
work profitable work« he added rattling the money in his pockets
»Have you «
» Seen your good lady Yes«
»Do you mean to tell me more or not«
»Ill tell you all« returned the blind man with a laugh »Excuse me but
I love to see you so impatient Theres energy in it«
»Does she consent to say the word that may save me«
»No« returned the blind man emphatically as he turned his face towards
him »No Thus it is She has been at deaths door since she lost her darling
has been insensible and I know not what I tracked her to a hospital and
presented myself with your leave at her bedside Our talk was not a long one
for she was weak and there being people near I was not quite easy But I told
her all that you and I agreed upon and pointed out the young gentlemans
position in strong terms She tried to soften me but that of course as I
told her was lost time She cried and moaned you may be sure all women do
Then of a sudden she found her voice and strength and said that Heaven would
help her and her innocent son and that to Heaven she appealed against us
which she did in really very pretty language I assure you I advised her as a
friend not to count too much on assistance from any such distant quarter
recommended her to think of it told her where I lived said I knew she would
send to me before noon next day and left her either in a faint or shamming«
When he had concluded this narration during which he had made several
pauses for the convenience of cracking and eating nuts of which he seemed to
have a pocketful the blind man pulled a flask from his pocket took a draught
himself and offered it to his companion
»You wont wont you« he said feeling that he pushed it from him »Well
Then the gallant gentleman whos lodging with you will Hallo bully«
»Death« said the other holding him back »Will you tell me what I am to
do«
»Do Nothing easier Make a moonlight flitting in two hours time with the
young gentleman hes quite ready to go I have been giving him good advice as
we came along and get as far from London as you can Let me know where you
are and leave the rest to me She must come round she cant hold out long and
as to the chances of your being retaken in the meanwhile why it wasnt one man
who got out of Newgate but three hundred Think of that for your comfort«
»We must support life How«
»How« repeated the blind man »By eating and drinking And how get meat and
drink but by paying for it Money« he cried slapping his pocket »Is money
the word Why the streets have been running money Devil send that the sports
not over yet for these are jolly times golden rare roaring scrambling
times Hallo bully Hallo Hallo Drink bully drink Where are ye there
Hallo«
With such vociferations and with a boisterous manner which bespoke his
perfect abandonment to the general licence and disorder he groped his way
towards the shed where Hugh and Barnaby were sitting on the ground
»Put it about« he cried handing his flask to Hugh »The kennels run with
wine and gold Guineas and strong water flow from the very pumps About with it
dont spare it«
Exhausted unwashed unshorn begrimed with smoke and dust his hair clotted
with blood his voice quite gone so that he spoke in whispers his skin parched
up by fever his whole body bruised and cut and beaten about Hugh still took
the flask and raised it to his lips He was in the act of drinking when the
front of the shed was suddenly darkened and Dennis stood before them
»No offence no offence« said that personage in a conciliatory tone as
Hugh stopped in his draught and eyed him with no pleasant look from head to
foot »No offence brother Barnaby here too eh How are you Barnaby And two
other gentlemen Your humble servant gentlemen No offence to you either I
hope Eh brothers«
Notwithstanding that he spoke in this very friendly and confident manner he
seemed to have considerable hesitation about entering and remained outside the
roof He was rather better dressed than usual wearing the same suit of
threadbare black it is true but having round his neck an unwholesomelooking
cravat of a yellowish white and on his hands great leather gloves such as a
gardener might wear in following his trade His shoes were newly greased and
ornamented with a pair of rusty iron buckles the packthread at his knees had
been renewed and where he wanted buttons he wore pins Altogether he had
something the look of a tipstaff or a bailiffs follower desperately faded
but who had a notion of keeping up the appearance of a professional character
and making the best of the worst means
»Youre very snug here« said Mr Dennis pulling out a mouldy
pockethandkerchief which looked like a decomposed halter and wiping his
forehead in a nervous manner
»Not snug enough to prevent your finding us it seems« Hugh answered
sulkily
»Why Ill tell you what brother« said Dennis with a friendly smile
»when you dont want me to know which way youre riding you must wear another
sort of bells on your horse Ah I know the sound of them you wore last night
and have got quick ears for em thats the truth Well but how are you
brother«
He had by this time approached and now ventured to sit down by him
»How am I« answered Hugh »Where were you yesterday Where did you go when
you left me in the jail Why did you leave me And what did you mean by rolling
your eyes and shaking your fist at me eh«
»I shake my fist at you brother« said Dennis gently checking Hughs
uplifted hand which looked threatening
»Your stick then its all one«
»Lord love you brother I meant nothing You dont understand me by half I
shouldnt wonder now« he added in the tone of a desponding and an injured man
»but you thought because I wanted them chaps left in the prison that I was a
going to desert the banners«
Hugh told him with an oath that he had thought so
»Well« said Mr Dennis mournfully »if you ant enough to make a man
mistrust his fellercreeturs I dont know what is Desert the banners Me Ned
Dennis as was so christened by his own father Is this axe yourn brother«
»Yes its mine« said Hugh in the same sullen manner as before »it might
have hurt you if you had come in its way once or twice last night Put it
down«
»Might have hurt me« said Mr Dennis still keeping it in his hand and
feeling the edge with an air of abstraction »Might have hurt me and me
exerting myself all the time to the wery best advantage Heres a world And
youre not agoing to ask me to take a sup out of that ere bottle eh«
Hugh passed it towards him As he raised it to his lips Barnaby jumped up
and motioning them to be silent looked eagerly out
»Whats the matter Barnaby« said Dennis glancing at Hugh and dropping the
flask but still holding the axe in his hand
»Hush« he answered softly »What do I see glittering behind the hedge«
»What« cried the hangman raising his voice to its highest pitch and
laying hold of him and Hugh »Not SOLDIERS surely«
That moment the shed was filled with armed men and a body of horse
galloping into the field drew up before it
»There« said Dennis who remained untouched among them when they had seized
their prisoners »its them two young ones gentlemen that the proclamation
puts a price on This others an escaped felon Im sorry for it brother« he
added in a tone of resignation addressing himself to Hugh »but youve brought
it on yourself you forced me to do it you wouldnt respect the soundest
constitootional principles you know you went and wiolated the wery framework
of society I had sooner have given away a trifle in charity than done this I
would upon my soul If youll keep fast hold on em gentlemen I think I can
make a shift to tie em better than you can«
But this operation was postponed for a few moments by a new occurrence The
blind man whose ears were quicker than most peoples sight had been alarmed
before Barnaby by a rustling in the bushes under cover of which the soldiers
had advanced He retreated instantly had hidden somewhere for a minute and
probably in his confusion mistaking the point at which he had emerged was now
seen running across the open meadow
An officer cried directly that he had helped to plunder a house last night
He was loudly called on to surrender He ran the harder and in a few seconds
would have been out of gunshot The word was given and the men fired
There was a breathless pause and a profound silence during which all eyes
were fixed upon him He had been seen to start at the discharge as if the
report had frightened him But he neither stopped nor slackened his pace in the
least and ran on full forty yards further Then without one reel or stagger
or sign of faintness or quivering of any limb he dropped
Some of them hurried up to where he lay the hangman with them Everything
had passed so quickly that the smoke had not yet scattered but curled slowly
off in a little cloud which seemed like the dead mans spirit moving solemnly
away There were a few drops of blood upon the grass more when they turned
him over that was all
»Look here Look here« said the hangman stooping one knee beside the body
and gazing up with a disconsolate face at the officer and men »Heres a pretty
sight«
»Stand out of the way« replied the officer »Serjeant see what he had
about him«
The man turned his pockets out upon the grass and counted besides some
foreign coins and two rings fiveandforty guineas in gold These were bundled
up in a handkerchief and carried away the body remained there for the present
but six men and the serjeant were left to take it to the nearest publichouse
»Now then if youre going« said the serjeant clapping Dennis on the back
and pointing after the officer who was walking towards the shed
To which Mr Dennis only replied »Dont talk to me« and then repeated what
he had said before namely »Heres a pretty sight«
»Its not one that you care for much I should think« observed the serjeant
coolly
»Why who« said Mr Dennis rising »should care for it if I dont«
»Oh I didnt know you was so tenderhearted« said the serjeant »Thats
all«
»Tenderhearted« echoed Dennis »Tenderhearted Look at this man Do you
call this constitootional Do you see him shot through and through instead of
being worked off like a Briton Damme if I know which party to side with
Youre as bad as the other Whats to become of the country if the military
powers to go a superseding the ciwilians in this way Wheres this poor
fellercreeturs rights as a citizen that he didnt have me in his last
moments I was here I was willing I was ready These are nice times brother
to have the dead crying out against us in this way and sleep comfortably in our
beds arterwards wery nice«
Whether he derived any material consolation from binding the prisoners is
uncertain most probably he did At all events his being summoned to that work
diverted him for the time from these painful reflections and gave his
thoughts a more congenial occupation
They were not all three carried off together but in two parties Barnaby
and his father going by one road in the centre of a body of foot and Hugh
fast bound upon a horse and strongly guarded by a troop of cavalry being taken
by another
They had no opportunity for the least communication in the short interval
which preceded their departure being kept strictly apart Hugh only observed
that Barnaby walked with a drooping head among his guard and without raising
his eyes that he tried to wave his fettered hand when he passed For himself
he buoyed up his courage as he rode along with the assurance that the mob would
force his jail wherever it might be and set him at liberty But when they got
into London and more especially into Fleet Market lately the stronghold of the
rioters where the military were rooting out the last remnant of the crowd he
saw that this hope was gone and felt that he was riding to his death
Chapter LXX
Mr Dennis having despatched this piece of business without any personal hurt or
inconvenience and having now retired into the tranquil respectability of
private life resolved to solace himself with half an hour or so of female
society With this amiable purpose in his mind he bent his steps towards the
house where Dolly and Miss Haredale were still confined and whither Miss Miggs
had also been removed by order of Mr Simon Tappertit
As he walked along the streets with his leather gloves clasped behind him
and his face indicative of cheerful thought and pleasant calculation Mr Dennis
might have been likened unto a farmer ruminating among his crops and enjoying
by anticipation the bountiful gifts of Providence Look where he would some
heap of ruins afforded him rich promise of a working off the whole town
appeared to have been ploughed and sown and nurtured by most genial weather
and a goodly harvest was at hand
Having taken up arms and resorted to deeds of violence with the great main
object of preserving the Old Bailey in all its purity and the gallows in all
its pristine usefulness and moral grandeur it would perhaps be going too far to
assert that Mr Dennis had ever distinctly contemplated and foreseen this happy
state of things He rather looked upon it as one of those beautiful
dispensations which are inscrutably brought about for the behoof and advantage
of good men He felt as it were personally referred to in this prosperous
ripening for the gibbet and had never considered himself so much the pet and
favourite child of Destiny or loved that lady so well or with such a calm and
virtuous reliance in all his life
As to being taken up himself for a rioter and punished with the rest Mr
Dennis dismissed that possibility from his thoughts as an idle chimera arguing
that the line of conduct he had adopted at Newgate and the service he had
rendered that day would be more than a setoff against any evidence which might
identify him as a member of the crowd That any charge of companionship which
might be made against him by those who were themselves in danger would
certainly go for nought And that if any trivial indiscretion on his part should
unluckily come out the uncommon usefulness of his office at present and the
great demand for the exercise of its functions would certainly cause it to be
winked at and passed over In a word he had played his cards throughout with
great care had changed sides at the very nick of time had delivered up two of
the most notorious rioters and a distinguished felon to boot and was quite at
his ease
Saving for there is a reservation and even Mr Dennis was not perfectly
happy saving for one circumstance to wit the forcible detention of Dolly and
Miss Haredale in a house almost adjoining his own This was a stumblingblock
for if they were discovered and released they could by the testimony they had
it in their power to give place him in a situation of great jeopardy and to
set them at liberty first extorting from them an oath of secrecy and silence
was a thing not to be thought of It was more perhaps with an eye to the
danger which lurked in this quarter than from his abstract love of conversation
with the sex that the hangman quickening his steps now hastened into their
society cursing the amorous natures of Hugh and Mr Tappertit with great
heartiness at every step he took
When he entered the miserable room in which they were confined Dolly and
Miss Haredale withdrew in silence to the remotest corner But Miss Miggs who
was particularly tender of her reputation immediately fell upon her knees and
began to scream very loud crying »What will become of me« »Where is my
Simmuns« »Have mercy good gentleman on my sexs weaknesses« with other
doleful lamentations of that nature which she delivered with great propriety
and decorum
»Miss miss« whispered Dennis beckoning to her with his forefinger »come
here I wont hurt you Come here my lamb will you«
On hearing this tender epithet Miss Miggs who had left off screaming when
he opened his lips and had listened to him attentively began again crying »Oh
Im his lamb He says Im his lamb Oh gracious why wasnt I born old and ugly
Why was I ever made to be the youngest of six and all of em dead and in their
blessed graves excepting one married sister which is settled in Golden Lion
Court number twentysivin second bellhandle on the «
»Dont I say I ant agoing to hurt you« said Dennis pointing to a chair
»Why miss whats the matter«
»I dont know what maynt be the matter« cried Miss Miggs clasping her
hands distractedly »Anything may be the matter«
»But nothing is I tell you« said the hangman »First stop that noise and
come and sit down here will you chuckey«
The coaxing tone in which he said these latter words might have failed in
its object, if he had not accompanied them with sundry sharp jerks of his thumb
over one shoulder and with divers winks and thrustings of his tongue into his
cheek from which signals the damsel gathered that he sought to speak to her
apart concerning Miss Haredale and Dolly Her curiosity being very powerful
and her jealousy by no means inactive she arose and with a great deal of
shivering and starting back and much muscular action among all the small bones
in her throat gradually approached him
»Sit down« said the hangman
Suiting the action to the word he thrust her rather suddenly and
prematurely into a chair and designing to reassure her by a little harmless
jocularity such as is adapted to please and fascinate the sex converted his
right forefinger into an ideal bradawl or gimlet and made as though he would
screw the same into her side whereat Miss Miggs shrieked again and evinced
symptoms of faintness
»Lovey my dear« whispered Dennis drawing his chair close to hers »When
was your young man here last eh«
»My young man good gentleman« answered Miggs in a tone of exquisite
distress
»Ah Simmuns you know him« said Dennis
»Mine indeed« cried Miggs with a burst of bitterness and as she said it
she glanced towards Dolly »Mine good gentleman«
This was just what Mr Dennis wanted and expected
»Ah« he said looking so soothingly not to say amorously on Miggs that
she sat as she afterwards remarked on pins and needles of the sharpest
Whitechapel kind not knowing what intentions might be suggesting that
expression to his features »I was afraid of that I saw as much myself Its
her fault She will entice em«
»I wouldnt« cried Miggs folding her hands and looking upwards with a kind
of devout blankness »I wouldnt lay myself out as she does I wouldnt be as
bold as her I wouldnt seem to say to all male creeturs Come and kiss me« and
here a shudder quite convulsed her frame »for any earthly crowns as might be
offered Worlds« Miggs added solemnly »should not reduce me No Not if I was
Wenis«
»Well but you are Wenus you know« said Mr Dennis confidentially
»No I am not good gentleman« answered Miggs shaking her head with an air
of self-denial which seemed to imply that she might be if she chose but she
hoped she knew better »No I am not good gentleman Dont charge me with it«
Up to this time she had turned round every now and then to where Dolly and
Miss Haredale had retired and uttered a scream or groan or laid her hand upon
her heart and trembled excessively with a view of keeping up appearances and
giving them to understand that she conversed with the visitor under protest and
on compulsion and at a great personal sacrifice for their common good But at
this point Mr Dennis looked so very full of meaning and gave such a
singularly expressive twitch to his face as a request to her to come still
nearer to him that she abandoned these little arts and gave him her whole and
undivided attention
»When was Simmuns here I say« quoth Dennis in her ear
»Not since yesterday morning and then only for a few minutes Not all day
the day before«
»You know he meant all along to carry off that one« said Dennis indicating
Dolly by the slightest possible jerk of his head »and to hand you over to
somebody else«
Miss Miggs who had fallen into a terrible state of grief when the first
part of this sentence was spoken recovered a little at the second and seemed
by the sudden check she put upon her tears to intimate that possibly this
arrangement might meet her views and that it might perhaps remain an open
question
» But unfortnately« pursued Dennis who observed this »somebody else was
fond of her too you see and even if he wasnt somebody else is took for a
rioter and its all over with him«
Miss Miggs relapsed
»Now I want« said Dennis »to clear this house and to see you righted
What if I was to get her off out of the way eh«
Miss Miggs brightening again rejoined with many breaks and pauses from
excess of feeling that temptations had been Simmunss bane That it was not his
faults but hers meaning Dollys That men did not see through these dreadful
arts as women did and therefore was caged and trapped as Simmun had been That
she had no personal motives to serve far from it on the contrary her
intentions was good towards all parties But forasmuch as she knowed that
Simmun if united to any designing and artful minxes she would name no names
for that was not her dispositions to any designing and artful minxes must
be made miserable and unhappy for life she did incline towards prewentions
Such she added was her free confessions But as this was private feelings and
might perhaps be looked upon as wengeance she begged the gentleman would say no
more Whatever he said wishing to do her duty by all mankind even by them as
had ever been her bitterest enemies she would not listen to him With that she
stopped her ears and shook her head from side to side to intimate to Mr
Dennis that though he talked until he had no breath left she was as deaf as any
adder
»Lookee here my sugarstick« said Mr Dennis »if your views the same as
mine and youll only be quiet and slip away at the right time I can have the
house clear tomorrow and be out of this trouble Stop though theres the
other«
»Which other sir« asked Miggs still with her fingers in her ears and her
head shaking obstinately
»Why the tallest one yonder« said Dennis as he stroked his chin and
added in an undertone to himself something about not crossing Muster Gashford
Miss Miggs replied still being profoundly deaf that if Miss Haredale stood
in the way at all he might make himself quite easy on that score as she had
gathered from what passed between Hugh and Mr Tappertit when they were last
there that she was to be removed alone not by them but by somebody else
tomorrow night
Mr Dennis opened his eyes very wide at this piece of information whistled
once considered once and finally slapped his head once and nodded once as if
he had got the clue to this mysterious removal and so dismissed it Then he
imparted his design concerning Dolly to Miss Miggs who was taken more deaf than
before when he began and so remained all through
The notable scheme was this Mr Dennis was immediately to seek out from
among the rioters some daring young fellow and he had one in his eye he
said who terrified by the threats he could hold out to him and alarmed by
the capture of so many who were no better and no worse than he would gladly
avail himself of any help to get abroad and out of harms way with his
plunder even though his journey were incumbered by an unwilling companion
indeed the unwilling companion being a beautiful girl would probably be an
additional inducement and temptation Such a person found he proposed to bring
him there on the ensuing night when the tall one was taken off and Miss Miggs
had purposely retired and then that Dolly should be gagged muffled in a cloak
and carried in any handy conveyance down to the rivers side where there were
abundant means of getting her smuggled snugly off in any small craft of doubtful
character and no questions asked With regard to the expense of this removal
he would say at a rough calculation that two or three silver tea or coffee
pots with something additional for drink such as a muffineer or toastrack
would more than cover it Articles of plate of every kind having been buried by
the rioters in several lonely parts of London and particularly as he knew in
St Jamess Square which though easy of access was little frequented after
dark and had a convenient piece of water in the midst the needful funds were
close at hand and could be had upon the shortest notice With regard to Dolly
the gentleman would exercise his own discretion He would be bound to do nothing
but to take her away and keep her away All other arrangements and dispositions
would rest entirely with himself
If Miss Miggs had had her hearing no doubt she would have been greatly
shocked by the indelicacy of a young females going away with a stranger by
night for her moral feelings as we have said were of the tenderest kind but
directly Mr Dennis ceased to speak she reminded him that he had only wasted
breath She then went on to say still with her fingers in her ears that
nothing less than a severe practical lesson would save the locksmiths daughter
from utter ruin and that she felt it as it were a moral obligation and a
sacred duty to the family to wish that some one would devise one for her
reformation Miss Miggs remarked and very justly as an abstract sentiment
which happened to occur to her at the moment that she dared to say the
locksmith and his wife would murmur and repine if they were ever by forcible
abduction or otherwise to lose their child but that we seldom knew in this
world what was best for us such being our sinful and imperfect natures that
very few arrived at that clear understanding
Having brought their conversation to this satisfactory end they parted
Dennis to pursue his design and take another walk about his farm Miss Miggs
to launch when he left her into such a burst of mental anguish which she gave
them to understand was occasioned by certain tender things he had had the
presumption and audacity to say that little Dollys heart was quite melted
Indeed she said and did so much to soothe the outraged feelings of Miss Miggs
and looked so beautiful while doing so that if that young maid had not had
ample vent for her surpassing spite in a knowledge of the mischief that was
brewing she must have scratched her features on the spot
Chapter LXXI
All next day Emma Haredale Dolly and Miggs remained cooped up together in
what had now been their prison for so many days without seeing any person or
hearing any sound but the murmured conversation in an outer room of the men
who kept watch over them There appeared to be more of these fellows than there
had been hitherto and they could no longer hear the voices of women which they
had before plainly distinguished Some new excitement too seemed to prevail
among them for there was much stealthy going in and out and a constant
questioning of those who were newly arrived They had previously been quite
reckless in their behaviour often making a great uproar quarrelling among
themselves fighting dancing and singing They were now very subdued and
silent conversing almost in whispers and stealing in and out with a soft and
stealthy tread very different from the boisterous trampling in which their
arrivals and departures had hitherto been announced to the trembling captives
Whether this change was occasioned by the presence among them of some person
of authority in their ranks or by any other cause they were unable to decide
Sometimes they thought it was in part attributable to there being a sick man in
the chamber for last night there had been a shuffling of feet as though a
burden were brought in and afterwards a moaning noise But they had no means of
ascertaining the truth for any question or entreaty on their parts only
provoked a storm of execrations or something worse and they were too happy to
be left alone unassailed by threats or admiration to risk even that comfort
by any voluntary communication with those who held them in durance
It was sufficiently evident both to Emma and to the locksmiths poor little
daughter herself that she Dolly was the great object of attraction and that
so soon as they should have leisure to indulge in the softer passion Hugh and
Mr Tappertit would certainly fall to blows for her sake in which latter case
it was not very difficult to see whose prize she would become With all her old
horror of that man revived and deepened into a degree of aversion and
abhorrence which no language can describe with a thousand old recollections and
regrets and causes of distress anxiety and fear besetting her on all sides
poor Dolly Varden sweet blooming buxom Dolly began to hang her head and
fade and droop like a beautiful flower The colour fled from her cheeks her
courage forsook her her gentle heart failed Unmindful of all her provoking
caprices forgetful of all her conquests and inconstancy with all her winning
little vanities quite gone she nestled all the livelong day in Emma Haredales
bosom and sometimes calling on her dear old greyhaired father sometimes on
her mother and sometimes even on her old home pined slowly away like a poor
bird in its cage
Light hearts light hearts that float so gaily on a smooth stream that are
so sparkling and buoyant in the sunshine down upon fruit bloom upon flowers
blush in summer air life of the winged insect whose whole existence is a day
how soon ye sink in troubled water Poor Dollys heart a little gentle idle
fickle thing giddy restless fluttering constant to nothing but bright looks
and smiles and laughter Dollys heart was breaking
Emma had known grief and could bear it better She had little comfort to
impart but she could soothe and tend her and she did so and Dolly clung to
her like a child to its nurse In endeavouring to inspire her with some
fortitude she increased her own and though the nights were long and the days
dismal and she felt the wasting influence of watching and fatigue and had
perhaps a more defined and clear perception of their destitute condition and its
worse dangers she uttered no complaint Before the ruffians in whose power
they were she bore herself so calmly and with such an appearance in the midst
of all her terror of a secret conviction that they dared not harm her that
there was not a man among them but held her in some degree of dread and more
than one believed she had a weapon hidden in her dress and was prepared to use
it
Such was their condition when they were joined by Miss Miggs who gave them
to understand that she too had been taken prisoner because of her charms and
detailed such feats of resistance she had performed her virtue having given her
supernatural strength that they felt it quite a happiness to have her for a
champion Nor was this the only comfort they derived at first from Miggss
presence and society for that young lady displayed such resignation and
longsuffering and so much meek endurance under her trials and breathed in
all her chaste discourse a spirit of such holy confidence and resignation and
devout belief that all would happen for the best that Emma felt her courage
strengthened by the bright example never doubting but that everything she said
was true and that she like them was torn from all she loved and agonised by
doubt and apprehension As to poor Dolly she was roused at first by seeing
one who came from home but when she heard under what circumstances she had left
it and into whose hands her father had fallen she wept more bitterly than
ever and refused all comfort
Miss Miggs was at some trouble to reprove her for this state of mind and to
entreat her to take example by herself who she said was now receiving back
with interest tenfold the amount of her subscriptions to the redbrick
dwellinghouse in the articles of peace of mind and a quiet conscience And
while on serious topics Miss Miggs considered it her duty to try her hand at
the conversion of Miss Haredale for whose improvement she launched into a
polemical address of some length in the course whereof she likened herself
unto a chosen missionary and that young lady to a cannibal in darkness Indeed
she returned so often to these subjects and so frequently called upon them to
take a lesson from her at the same time vaunting and as it were rioting in
her huge unworthiness and abundant excess of sin that in the course of a
short time she became in that small chamber rather a nuisance than a comfort
and rendered them if possible even more unhappy than they had been before
The night had now come and for the first time for their jailers had been
regular in bringing food and candles they were left in darkness Any change in
their condition in such a place inspired new fears and when some hours had
passed and the gloom was still unbroken Emma could no longer repress her
alarm
They listened attentively There was the same murmuring in the outer room
and now and then a moan which seemed to be wrung from a person in great pain
who made an effort to subdue it but could not Even these men seemed to be in
darkness too for no light shone through the chinks in the door nor were they
moving as their custom was but quite still the silence being unbroken by so
much as the creaking of a board
At first Miss Miggs wondered greatly in her own mind who this sick person
might be but arriving on second thoughts at the conclusion that he was a part
of the schemes on foot and an artful device soon to be employed with great
success she opined for Miss Haredales comfort that it must be some misguided
Papist who had been wounded and this happy supposition encouraged her to say
under her breath »Ally Looyer« several times
»Is it possible« said Emma with some indignation »that you who have seen
these men committing the outrages you have told us of and who have fallen into
their hands like us can exult in their cruelties«
»Personal considerations miss« rejoined Miggs »sinks into nothing afore
a noble cause Ally Looyer Ally Looyer Ally Looyer good gentlemen«
It seemed from the shrill pertinacity with which Miss Miggs repeated this
form of acclamation that she was calling the same through the keyhole of the
door but in the profound darkness she could not be seen
»If the time has come Heaven knows it may come at any moment when they
are bent on prosecuting the designs whatever they may be with which they have
brought us here can you still encourage and take part with them« demanded
Emma
»I thank my goodnessgraciousblessedstars I can miss« returned Miggs
with increased energy »Ally Looyer good gentlemen«
Even Dolly cast down and disappointed as she was revived at this and bade
Miggs hold her tongue directly
»Which was you pleased to observe Miss Varden« said Miggs with a strong
emphasis on the irrelative pronoun
Dolly repeated her request
»Ho gracious me« cried Miggs with hysterical derision »Ho gracious me
Yes to be sure I will Ho yes I am a abject slave and a toiling moiling
constantworking alwaysbeingfoundfaultwith nevergivingsatisfactions
norhavingnotimetocleanoneself potters wessel ant I miss Ho yes My
situations is lowly and my capacities is limited and my duties is to humble
myself afore the base degenerating daughters of their blessed mothers as is fit
to keep companies with holy saints but is born to persecutions from wicked
relations and to demean myself before them as is no better than Infidels
ant it miss Ho yes My only becoming occupations is to help young flaunting
pagins to brush and comb and titiwate theirselves into whitening and
suppulchres and leave the young men to think that there ant a bit of padding
in it nor no pinching ins nor fillings out nor pomatums nor deceits nor earthly
wanities ant it miss Yes to be sure it is ho yes«
Having delivered these ironical passages with a most wonderful volubility
and with a shrillness perfectly deafening especially when she jerked out the
interjections Miss Miggs from mere habit and not because weeping was at all
appropriate to the occasion which was one of triumph concluded by bursting
into a flood of tears and calling in an impassioned manner on the name of
Simmuns
What Emma Haredale and Dolly would have done or how long Miss Miggs now
that she had hoisted her true colours would have gone on waving them before
their astonished senses it is impossible to say Nor is it necessary to
speculate on these matters for a startling interruption occurred at that
moment which took their whole attention by storm
This was a violent knocking at the door of the house and then its sudden
bursting open which was immediately succeeded by a scuffle in the room without
and the clash of weapons Transported with the hope that rescue had at length
arrived Emma and Dolly shrieked aloud for help nor were their shrieks
unanswered for after a hurried interval a man bearing in one hand a drawn
sword and in the other a taper rushed into the chamber where they were
confined
It was some check upon their transport to find in this person an entire
stranger but they appealed to him nevertheless and besought him in
impassioned language to restore them to their friends
»For what other purpose am I here« he answered closing the door and
standing with his back against it »With what object have I made my way to this
place through difficulty and danger but to preserve you«
With a joy for which it was impossible to find adequate expression they
embraced each other and thanked Heaven for this most timely aid Their
deliverer stepped forward for a moment to put the light upon the table and
immediately returning to his former position against the door bared his head
and looked on smilingly
»You have news of my uncle sir« said Emma turning hastily towards him
»And of my father and mother« added Dolly
»Yes« he said »Good news«
»They are alive and unhurt« they both cried at once
»Yes and unhurt« he rejoined
»And close at hand«
»I did not say close at hand« he answered smoothly »they are at no great
distance Your friends sweet one« he added addressing Dolly »are within a
few hours journey You will be restored to them I hope tonight«
»My uncle sir « faltered Emma
»Your uncle dear Miss Haredale happily I say happily because he has
succeeded where many of our creed have failed and is safe has crossed the
sea and is out of Britain«
»I thank God for it« said Emma faintly
»You say well You have reason to be thankful greater reason than it is
possible for you who have seen but one night of these cruel outrages to
imagine«
»Does he desire« said Emma »that I should follow him«
»Do you ask if he desires it« cried the stranger in surprise »If he
desires it But you do not know the danger of remaining in England the
difficulty of escape or the price hundreds would pay to secure the means when
you make that inquiry Pardon me I had forgotten that you could not being
prisoner here«
»I gather sir« said Emma after a moments pause »from what you hint at
but fear to tell me that I have witnessed but the beginning and the least of
the violence to which we are exposed and that it has not yet slackened in its
fury«
He shrugged his shoulders shook his head lifted up his hands and with the
same smooth smile which was not a pleasant one to see cast his eyes upon the
ground and remained silent
»You may venture sir to speak plain« said Emma »and to tell me the
worst We have undergone some preparation for it«
But here Dolly interposed and entreated her not to hear the worst but the
best and besought the gentleman to tell them the best and to keep the
remainder of his news until they were safe among their friends again
»It is told in three words« he said glancing at the locksmiths daughter
with a look of some displeasure »The people have risen to a man against us
the streets are filled with soldiers who support them and do their bidding We
have no protection but from above and no safety but in flight and that is a
poor resource for we are watched on every hand and detained here both by
force and fraud Miss Haredale I cannot bear believe me that I cannot bear
by speaking of myself or what I have done or am prepared to do to seem to
vaunt my services before you But having powerful Protestant connections and
having my whole wealth embarked with theirs in shipping and commerce I happily
possessed the means of saving your uncle I have the means of saving you and in
redemption of my sacred promise made to him I am here pledged not to leave
you until I have placed you in his arms The treachery or penitence of one of
the men about you led to the discovery of your place of confinement and that I
have forced my way here sword in hand you see«
»You bring« said Emma faltering »some note or token from my uncle«
»No he doesnt« cried Dolly pointing at him earnestly »now I am sure he
doesnt Dont go with him for the world«
»Hush pretty fool be silent« he replied frowning angrily upon her »No
Miss Haredale I have no letter nor any token of any kind for while I
sympathise with you and such as you on whom misfortune so heavy and so
undeserved has fallen I value my life I carry therefore no writing which
found upon me would lead to its certain loss I never thought of bringing any
other token nor did Mr Haredale think of entrusting me with one possibly
because he had good experience of my faith and honesty and owed his life to
me«
There was a reproof conveyed in these words which to a nature like Emma
Haredales was well addressed But Dolly who was differently constituted was
by no means touched by it and still conjured her in all the terms of affection
and attachment she could think of not to be lured away
»Time presses« said their visitor who although he sought to express the
deepest interest had something cold and even in his speech that grated on the
ear »and danger surrounds us If I have exposed myself to it in vain let it
be so but if you and he should ever meet again do me justice If you decide to
remain as I think you do remember Miss Haredale that I left you with a
solemn caution and acquitting myself of all the consequences to which you
expose yourself«
»Stay sir« cried Emma »one moment I beg you Cannot we« and she drew
Dolly closer to her »cannot we go together«
»The task of conveying one female in safety through such scenes as we must
encounter to say nothing of attracting the attention of those who crowd the
streets« he answered »is enough I have said that she will be restored to her
friends tonight If you accept the service I tender Miss Haredale she shall
be instantly placed in safe conduct and that promise redeemed Do you decide to
remain People of all ranks and creeds are flying from the town which is sacked
from end to end Let me be of use in some quarter Do you stay or go«
»Dolly« said Emma in a hurried manner »my dear girl this is our last
hope If we part now it is only that we may meet again in happiness and honour
I will trust to this gentleman«
»No no no« cried Dolly clinging to her »Pray pray do not«
»You hear« said Emma »that tonight only tonight within a few hours
think of that you will be among those who would die of grief to lose you and
who are now plunged in the deepest misery for your sake Pray for me dear girl
as I will for you and never forget the many quiet hours we have passed
together Say one God bless you Say that at parting«
But Dolly could say nothing no not when Emma kissed her cheek a hundred
times and covered it with tears could she do more than hang upon her neck and
sob and clasp and hold her tight
»We have time for no more of this« cried the man unclenching her hands
and pushing her roughly off as he drew Emma Haredale towards the door »Now
Quick outside there are you ready«
»Ay« cried a loud voice which made him start »Quite ready Stand back
here for your lives«
And in an instant he was felled like an ox in the butchers shambles
struck down as though a block of marble had fallen from the roof and crushed him
and cheerful light and beaming faces came pouring in and Emma was clasped
in her uncles embrace and Dolly with a shriek that pierced the air fell into
the arms of her father and mother
What fainting there was what laughing what crying what sobbing what
smiling how much questioning no answering all talking together all beside
themselves with joy what kissing congratulating embracing shaking of hands
and falling into all these raptures over and over and over again no language
can describe
At length and after a long time the old locksmith went up and fairly
hugged two strangers who had stood apart and left them to themselves and then
they saw whom Yes Edward Chester and Joseph Willet
»See here« cried the locksmith »See here where would any of us have been
without these two Oh Mr Edward Mr Edward oh Joe Joe how light and yet
how full you have made my old heart tonight«
»It was Mr Edward that knocked him down sir« said Joe »I longed to do
it but I gave it up to him Come you brave and honest gentleman Get your
senses together for you havent long to lie here«
He had his foot upon the breast of their sham deliverer in the absence of a
spare arm and gave him a gentle roll as he spoke Gashford for it was no
other crouching yet malignant raised his scowling face like sin subdued and
pleaded to be gently used
»I have access to all my lords papers Mr Haredale« he said in a
submissive voice Mr Haredale keeping his back towards him and not once
looking round »there are very important documents among them There are a great
many in secret drawers and distributed in various places known only to my lord
and me I can give some very valuable information and render important
assistance to any inquiry You will have to answer it if I receive ill usage«
»Pah« cried Joe in deep disgust »Get up man youre waited for outside
Get up do you hear«
Gashford slowly rose and picking up his hat and looking with a baffled
malevolence yet with an air of despicable humility all round the room crawled
out
»And now gentlemen« said Joe who seemed to be the spokesman of the party
for all the rest were silent »the sooner we get back to the Black Lion the
better perhaps«
Mr Haredale nodded assent and drawing his nieces arm through his and
taking one of her hands between his own passed out straightway followed by the
locksmith Mrs Varden and Dolly who would scarcely have presented a
sufficient surface for all the hugs and caresses they bestowed upon her though
she had been a dozen Dollys Edward Chester and Joe followed
And did Dolly never once look behind not once Was there not one little
fleeting glimpse of the dark eyelash almost resting on her flushed cheek and
of the downcast sparkling eye it shaded Joe thought there was and he is not
likely to have been mistaken for there were not many eyes like Dollys thats
the truth
The outer room through which they had to pass was full of men among them
Mr Dennis in safe keeping and there had been since yesterday lying in hiding
behind a wooden screen which was now thrown down Simon Tappertit the recreant
prentice burnt and bruised and with a gunshot wound in his body and his
legs his perfect legs the pride and glory of his life the comfort of his
existence crushed into shapeless ugliness Wondering no longer at the moans
they had heard Dolly kept closer to her father and shuddered at the sight but
neither bruises burns nor gunshot wound nor all the torture of his shattered
limbs sent half so keen a pang to Simons breast as Dolly passing out with
Joe for her preserver
A coach was ready at the door and Dolly found herself safe and whole
inside between her father and mother with Emma Haredale and her uncle quite
real sitting opposite But there was no Joe no Edward and they had said
nothing They had only bowed once and kept at a distance Dear heart what a
long way it was to the Black Lion
Chapter LXXII
The Black Lion was so far off and occupied such a length of time in the getting
at that notwithstanding the strong presumptive evidence she had about her of
the late events being real and of actual occurrence Dolly could not divest
herself of the belief that she must be in a dream which was lasting all night
Nor was she quite certain that she saw and heard with her own proper senses
even when the coach in the fulness of time stopped at the Black Lion and the
host of that tavern approached in a gush of cheerful light to help them to
dismount and give them hearty welcome
There too at the coach door one on one side one upon the other were
already Edward Chester and Joe Willet who must have followed in another coach
and this was such a strange and unaccountable proceeding that Dolly was the
more inclined to favour the idea of her being fast asleep But when Mr Willet
appeared old John himself so heavyheaded and obstinate and with such a
double chin as the liveliest imagination could never in its boldest flights have
conjured up in all its vast proportions then she stood corrected and
unwillingly admitted to herself that she was broad awake
And Joe had lost an arm he that wellmade handsome gallant fellow As
Dolly glanced towards him and thought of the pain he must have suffered and
the faroff places in which he had been wandering and wondered who had been his
nurse and hoped that whoever it was she had been as kind and gentle and
considerate as she would have been the tears came rising to her bright eyes
one by one little by little until she could keep them back no longer and so
before them all wept bitterly
»We are all safe now Dolly« said her father kindly »We shall not be
separated any more Cheer up my love cheer up«
The locksmiths wife knew better perhaps than he what ailed her daughter
But Mrs Varden being quite an altered woman for the riots had done that good
added her word to his and comforted her with similar representations
»Mayhap« said Mr Willet senior looking round upon the company »shes
hungry Thats what it is depend upon it I am myself«
The Black Lion who like old John had been waiting supper past all
reasonable and conscionable hours hailed this as a philosophical discovery of
the profoundest and most penetrating kind and the table being already spread
they sat down to supper straightway
The conversation was not of the liveliest nature nor were the appetites of
some among them very keen But in both these respects old John more than
atoned for any deficiency on the part of the rest and very much distinguished
himself
It was not in point of actual conversation that Mr Willet shone so
brilliantly for he had none of his old cronies to tackle and was rather
timorous of venturing on Joe having certain vague misgivings within him that
he was ready on the shortest notice and on receipt of the slightest offence to
fell the Black Lion to the floor of his own parlour and immediately to withdraw
to China or some other remote and unknown region there to dwell for evermore
or at least until he had got rid of his remaining arm and both legs and perhaps
an eye or so into the bargain It was with a peculiar kind of pantomime that
Mr Willet filled up every pause and in this he was considered by the Black
Lion who had been his familiar for some years quite to surpass and go beyond
himself and outrun the expectations of his most admiring friends
The subject that worked in Mr Willets mind and occasioned these
demonstrations was no other than his sons bodily disfigurement which he had
never yet got himself thoroughly to believe or comprehend Shortly after their
first meeting he had been observed to wander in a state of great perplexity
to the kitchen and to direct his gaze towards the fire as if in search of his
usual adviser in all matters of doubt and difficulty But there being no boiler
at the Black Lion and the rioters having so beaten and battered his own that it
was quite unfit for further service he wandered out again in a perfect bog of
uncertainty and mental confusion and in that state took the strangest means of
resolving his doubts such as feeling the sleeve of his sons greatcoat as
deeming it possible that his arm might be there looking at his own arms and
those of everybody else as if to assure himself that two and not one was the
usual allowance sitting by the hour together in a brown study as if he were
endeavouring to recall Joes image in his younger days and to remember whether
he really had in those times one arm or a pair and employing himself in many
other speculations of the same kind
Finding himself at this supper surrounded by faces with which he had been
so well acquainted in old times Mr Willet recurred to the subject with
uncommon vigour apparently resolved to understand it now or never Sometimes
after every two or three mouthfuls he laid down his knife and fork and stared
at his son with all his might particularly at his maimed side then he looked
slowly round the table until he caught some persons eye when he shook his head
with great solemnity patted his shoulder winked or as one may say for
winking was a very slow process with him went to sleep with one eye for a
minute or two and so with another solemn shaking of his head took up his
knife and fork again and went on eating Sometimes he put his food into his
mouth abstractedly and with all his faculties concentrated on Joe gazed at
him in a fit of stupefaction as he cut his meat with one hand until he was
recalled to himself by symptoms of choking on his own part and was by that
means restored to consciousness At other times he resorted to such small
devices as asking him for the salt the pepper the vinegar the mustard
anything that was on his maimed side and watching him as he handed it By dint
of these experiments he did at last so satisfy and convince himself that
after a longer silence than he had yet maintained he laid down his knife and
fork on either side his plate drank a long draught from a tankard beside him
still keeping his eyes on Joe and leaning backward in his chair and fetching
a long breath said as he looked all round the board
»Its been took off«
»By George« said the Black Lion striking the table with his hand »hes
got it«
»Yes sir« said Mr Willet with the look of a man who felt that he had
earned a compliment and deserved it »Thats where it is Its been took off«
»Tell him where it was done« said the Black Lion to Joe
»At the defence of the Savannah father«
»At the defence of the Salwanners« repeated Mr Willet softly again
looking round the table
»In America where the war is« said Joe
»In America where the war is« repeated Mr Willet »It was took off in the
defence of the Salwanners in America where the war is« Continuing to repeat
these words to himself in a low tone of voice the same information had been
conveyed to him in the same terms at least fifty times before Mr Willet
arose from table walked round to Joe felt his empty sleeve all the way up
from the cuff to where the stump of his arm remained shook his hand lighted
his pipe at the fire took a long whiff walked to the door turned round once
when he had reached it wiped his left eye with the back of his forefinger and
said in a faltering voice »My sons arm was took off at the defence of the
Salwanners in America where the war is« with which words he withdrew
and returned no more that night
Indeed on various pretences they all withdrew one after another save
Dolly who was left sitting there alone It was a great relief to be alone and
she was crying to her hearts content when she heard Joes voice at the end of
the passage bidding somebody good night
Good night Then he was going elsewhere to some distance perhaps To what
kind of home could he be going now that it was so late
She heard him walk along the passage and pass the door But there was a
hesitation in his footsteps He turned back Dollys heart beat high he
looked in
»Good night« he didnt say Dolly but there was comfort in his not saying
Miss Varden
»Good night« sobbed Dolly
»I am sorry you take on so much for what is past and gone« said Joe
kindly »Dont I cant bear to see you do it Think of it no longer You are
safe and happy now«
Dolly cried the more
»You must have suffered very much within these few days and yet youre not
changed unless its for the better They said you were but I dont see it You
were you were always very beautiful« said Joe »but you are more beautiful
than ever now You are indeed There can be no harm in my saying so for you
must know it You are told so very often I am sure«
As a general principle Dolly did know it and was told so very often But
the coachmaker had turned out years ago to be a special donkey and whether
she had been afraid of making similar discoveries in others or had grown by
dint of long custom to be careless of compliments generally certain it is that
although she cried so much she was better pleased to be told so now than ever
she had been in all her life
»I shall bless your name« sobbed the locksmiths little daughter »as long
as I live I shall never hear it spoken without feeling as if my heart would
burst I shall remember it in my prayers every night and morning till I die«
»Will you« said Joe eagerly »Will you indeed It makes me well it
makes me very glad and proud to hear you say so«
Dolly still sobbed and held her handkerchief to her eyes Joe still stood
looking at her
»Your voice« said Joe »brings up old times so pleasantly that for the
moment I feel as if that night there can be no harm in talking of that night
now had come back and nothing had happened in the mean time I feel as if I
hadnt suffered any hardships but had knocked down poor Tom Cobb only
yesterday and had come to see you with my bundle on my shoulder before running
away You remember«
Remember But she said nothing She raised her eyes for an instant It was
but a glance a little tearful timid glance It kept Joe silent though for a
long time
»Well« he said stoutly »it was to be otherwise and was I have been
abroad fighting all the summer and frozen up all the winter ever since I have
come back as poor in purse as I went and crippled for life besides But Dolly
I would rather have lost this other arm ay I would rather have lost my head
than have come back to find you dead or anything but what I always pictured you
to myself and what I always hoped and wished to find you Thank God for all«
Oh how much and how keenly the little coquette of five years ago felt
now She had found her heart at last Never having known its worth till now she
had never known the worth of his How priceless it appeared
»I did hope once« said Joe in his homely way »that I might come back a
rich man and marry you But I was a boy then and have long known better than
that I am a poor maimed discharged soldier and must be content to rub
through life as I can I cant say even now that I shall be glad to see you
married Dolly but I am glad yes I am and glad to think I can say so to
know that you are admired and courted and can pick and choose for a happy life
Its a comfort to me to know that youll talk to your husband about me and I
hope the time will come when I may be able to like him and to shake hands with
him and to come and see you as a poor friend who knew you when you were a girl
God bless you«
His hand did tremble but for all that he took it away again and left her
Chapter LXXIII
By this Friday night for it was on Friday in the riot week that Emma and
Dolly were rescued by the timely aid of Joe and Edward Chester the
disturbances were entirely quelled and peace and order were restored to the
affrighted city True after what had happened it was impossible for any man to
say how long this better state of things might last or how suddenly new
outrages exceeding even those so lately witnessed might burst forth and fill
its streets with ruin and bloodshed for this reason those who had fled from
the recent tumults still kept at a distance and many families hitherto unable
to procure the means of flight now availed themselves of the calm and withdrew
into the country The shops too from Tyburn to Whitechapel were still shut
and very little business was transacted in any of the places of great commercial
resort But notwithstanding and in spite of the melancholy forebodings of that
numerous class of society who see with the greatest clearness into the darkest
perspectives the town remained perfectly quiet The strong military force
disposed in every advantageous quarter and stationed at every commanding point
held the scattered fragments of the mob in check the search after rioters was
prosecuted with unrelenting vigour and if there were any among them so
desperate and reckless as to be inclined after the terrible scenes they had
beheld to venture forth again they were so daunted by these resolute measures
that they quickly shrunk into their hidingplaces and had no thought but for
their safety
In a word the crowd was utterly routed Upwards of two hundred had been
shot dead in the streets Two hundred and fifty more were lying badly wounded
in the hospitals of whom seventy or eighty died within a short time afterwards
A hundred were already in custody and more were taken every hour How many
perished in the conflagrations or by their own excesses is unknown but that
numbers found a terrible grave in the hot ashes of the flames they had kindled
or crept into vaults and cellars to drink in secret or to nurse their sores and
never saw the light again is certain When the embers of the fires had been
black and cold for many weeks the labourers spades proved this beyond a
doubt
Seventytwo private houses and four strong jails were destroyed in the four
great days of these riots The total loss of property as estimated by the
sufferers was one hundred and fiftyfive thousand pounds at the lowest and
least partial estimate of disinterested persons it exceeded one hundred and
twentyfive thousand pounds For this immense loss compensation was soon
afterwards made out of the public purse in pursuance of a vote of the House of
Commons the sum being levied on the various wards in the city on the county
and the borough of Southwark Both Lord Mansfield and Lord Saville however who
had been great sufferers refused to accept of any compensation whatever
The House of Commons sitting on Tuesday with locked and guarded doors had
passed a resolution to the effect that as soon as the tumults subsided it
would immediately proceed to consider the petitions presented from many of his
Majestys Protestant subjects and would take the same into its serious
consideration While this question was under debate Mr Herbert one of the
members present indignantly rose and called upon the House to observe that Lord
George Gordon was then sitting under the gallery with the blue cockade the
signal of rebellion in his hat He was not only obliged by those who sat near
to take it out but offering to go into the street to pacify the mob with the
somewhat indefinite assurance that the House was prepared to give them the
satisfaction they sought was actually held down in his seat by the combined
force of several members In short the disorder and violence which reigned
triumphant out of doors penetrated into the senate and there as elsewhere
terror and alarm prevailed and ordinary forms were for the time forgotten
On the Thursday both Houses had adjourned until the following Monday
sennight declaring it impossible to pursue their deliberations with the
necessary gravity and freedom while they were surrounded by armed troops And
now that the rioters were dispersed the citizens were beset with a new fear
for finding the public thoroughfares and all their usual places of resort
filled with soldiers entrusted with the free use of fire and sword they began
to lend a greedy ear to the rumours which were afloat of martial law being
declared and to dismal stories of prisoners having been seen hanging on
lampposts in Cheapside and Fleetstreet These terrors being promptly dispelled
by a Proclamation declaring all the rioters in custody would be tried by a
special commission in due course of law a fresh alarm was engendered by its
being whispered abroad that French money had been found on some of the rioters
and that the disturbances had been fomented by foreign powers who sought to
compass the overthrow and ruin of England This report which was strengthened
by the diffusion of anonymous handbills but which if it had any foundation at
all probably owed its origin to the circumstance of some few coins which were
not English money having been swept into the pockets of the insurgents with
other miscellaneous booty and afterwards discovered on the prisoners or the
dead bodies caused a great sensation and mens minds being in that excited
state when they are most apt to catch at any shadow of apprehension was bruited
about with much industry
All remaining quiet however during the whole of this Friday and on this
Friday night and no new discoveries being made confidence began to be
restored and the most timid and desponding breathed again In Southwark no
fewer than three thousand of the inhabitants formed themselves into a watch and
patrolled the streets every hour Nor were the citizens slow to follow so good
an example and it being the manner of peaceful men to be very bold when the
danger is over they were abundantly fierce and daring not scrupling to
question the stoutest passenger with great severity and carrying it with a very
high hand over all errandboys servantgirls and prentices
As day deepened into evening and darkness crept into the nooks and corners
of the town as if it were mustering in secret and gathering strength to venture
into the open ways Barnaby sat in his dungeon wondering at the silence and
listening in vain for the noise and outcry which had ushered in the night of
late Beside him with his hand in hers sat one in whose companionship he felt
at peace She was worn and altered full of grief and heavyhearted but the
same to him
»Mother« he said after a long silence »how long how many days and
nights shall I be kept here«
»Not many dear I hope not many«
»You hope Ay but your hoping will not undo these chains I hope but they
dont mind that Grip hopes but who cares for Grip«
The raven gave a short dull melancholy croak It said »Nobody« as plainly
as a croak could speak
»Who cares for Grip except you and me« said Barnaby smoothing the birds
rumpled feathers with his hand »He never speaks in this place he never says a
word in jail he sits and mopes all day in his dark corner dozing sometimes
and sometimes looking at the light that creeps in through the bars and shines
in his bright eye as if a spark from those great fires had fallen into the room
and was burning yet But who cares for Grip«
The raven croaked again Nobody
»And by the way« said Barnaby withdrawing his hand from the bird and
laying it upon his mothers arm as he looked eagerly in her face »if they kill
me they may I heard it said they would what will become of Grip when I am
dead«
The sound of the word or the current of his own thoughts suggested to Grip
his old phrase »Never say die« But he stopped short in the middle of it drew a
dismal cork and subsided into a faint croak as if he lacked the heart to get
through the shortest sentence
»Will they take his life as well as mine« said Barnaby »I wish they would
If you and I and he could die together there would be none to feel sorry or to
grieve for us But do what they will I dont fear them mother«
»They will not harm you« she said her tears choking her utterance »They
never will harm you when they know all I am sure they never will«
»Oh Dont be too sure of that« cried Barnaby with a strange pleasure in
the belief that she was selfdeceived and in his own sagacity »They have
marked me from the first I heard them say so to each other when they brought me
to this place last night and I believe them Dont you cry for me They said
that I was bold and so I am and so I will be You may think that I am silly
but I can die as well as another I have done no harm have I« he added
quickly
»None before Heaven« she answered
»Why then« said Barnaby »let them do their worst You told me once you
when I asked you what death meant that it was nothing to be feared if we did
no harm Aha mother you thought I had forgotten that«
His merry laugh and playful manner smote her to the heart She drew him
closer to her and besought him to talk to her in whispers and to be very quiet
for it was getting dark and their time was short and she would soon have to
leave him for the night
»You will come tomorrow« said Barnaby
Yes And every day And they would never part again
He joyfully replied that this was well and what he wished and what he had
felt quite certain she would tell him and then he asked her where she had been
so long and why she had not come to see him when he had been a great soldier
and ran through the wild schemes he had had for their being rich and living
prosperously and with some faint notion in his mind that she was sad and he had
made her so tried to console and comfort her and talked of their former life
and his old sports and freedom little dreaming that every word he uttered only
increased her sorrow and that her tears fell faster at the freshened
recollection of their lost tranquillity
»Mother« said Barnaby as they heard the man approaching to close the cells
for the night »when I spoke to you just now about my father you cried Hush and
turned away your head Why did you do so Tell me why in a word You thought he
was dead You are not sorry that he is alive and has come back to us Where is
he Here«
»Do not ask any one where he is or speak about him« she made answer
»Why not« said Barnaby »Because he is a stern man and talks roughly
Well I dont like him or want to be with him by myself but why not speak
about him«
»Because I am sorry that he is alive sorry that he has come back and sorry
that he and you have ever met Because dear Barnaby the endeavour of my life
has been to keep you two asunder«
»Father and son asunder Why«
»He has« she whispered in his ear »he has shed blood The time has come
when you must know it He has shed the blood of one who loved him well and
trusted him and never did him wrong in word or deed«
Barnaby recoiled in horror and glancing at his stained wrist for an
instant wrapped it shuddering in his dress
»But« she added hastily as the key turned in the lock »although we shun
him he is your father dearest and I am his wretched wife They seek his life
and he will lose it It must not be by our means nay if we could win him back
to penitence we should be bound to love him yet Do not seem to know him
except as one who fled with you from the jail and if they question you about
him do not answer them God be with you through the night dear boy God be
with you«
She tore herself away and in a few seconds Barnaby was alone He stood for
a long time rooted to the spot with his face hidden in his hands then flung
himself sobbing on his miserable bed
But the moon came slowly up in all her gentle glory and the stars looked
out and through the small compass of the grated window as through the narrow
crevice of one good deed in a murky life of guilt the face of Heaven shone
bright and merciful He raised his head gazed upward at the quiet sky which
seemed to smile upon the earth in sadness as if the night more thoughtful than
the day looked down in sorrow on the sufferings and evil deeds of men and felt
its peace sink deep into his heart He a poor idiot caged in his narrow cell
was as much lifted up to God while gazing on the mild light as the freest and
most favoured man in all the spacious city and in his illremembered prayer
and in the fragment of the childish hymn with which he sung and crooned himself
asleep there breathed as true a spirit as ever studied homily expressed or old
cathedral arches echoed
As his mother crossed a yard on her way out she saw through a grated door
which separated it from another court her husband walking round and round
with his hands folded on his breast and his head hung down She asked the man
who conducted her if she might speak a word with this prisoner Yes but she
must be quick for he was locking up for the night and there was but a minute
or so to spare Saying this he unlocked the door and bade her go in
It grated harshly as it turned upon its hinges but he was deaf to the
noise and still walked round and round the little court without raising his
head or changing his attitude in the least She spoke to him but her voice was
weak and failed her At length she put herself in his track and when he came
near stretched out her hand and touched him
He started backward trembling from head to foot but seeing who it was
demanded why she came there Before she could reply he spoke again
»Am I to live or die Do you murder too or spare«
»My son our son« she answered »is in this prison«
»What is that to me« he cried stamping impatiently on the stone pavement
»I know it He can no more aid me than I can aid him If you are come to talk of
him begone«
As he spoke he resumed his walk and hurried round the court as before When
he came again to where she stood he stopped and said
»Am I to live or die Do you repent«
»Oh do you« she answered »Will you while time remains Do not believe
that I could save you if I dared«
»Say if you would« he answered with an oath as he tried to disengage
himself and pass on »Say if you would«
»Listen to me for one moment« she returned »for but a moment I am but
newly risen from a sickbed from which I never hoped to rise again The best
among us think at such a time of good intentions halfperformed and duties
left undone If I have ever since that fatal night omitted to pray for your
repentance before death if I omitted even then anything which might tend to
urge it on you when the horror of your crime was fresh if in our later
meeting I yielded to the dread that was upon me and forgot to fall upon my
knees and solemnly adjure you in the name of him you sent to his account with
Heaven to prepare for the retribution which must come and which is stealing on
you now I humbly before you and in the agony of supplication in which you see
me beseech that you will let me make atonement«
»What is the meaning of your canting words« he answered roughly »Speak so
that I may understand you«
»I will« she answered »I desire to Bear with me for a moment more The
hand of Him who set His curse on murder is heavy on us now You cannot doubt
it Our son our innocent boy on whom His anger fell before his birth is in
this place in peril of his life brought here by your guilt yes by that
alone as Heaven sees and knows for he has been led astray in the darkness of
his intellect and that is the terrible consequence of your crime«
»If you come womanlike to load me with reproaches « he muttered again
endeavouring to break away
»I do not I have a different purpose You must hear it If not tonight
tomorrow if not tomorrow at another time You must hear it Husband escape
is hopeless impossible«
»You tell me so do you« he said raising his manacled hand and shaking
it »You«
»Yes« she said with indescribable earnestness »But why«
»To make me easy in this jail To make the time twixt this and death pass
pleasantly For my good yes for my good of course« he said grinding his
teeth and smiling at her with a livid face
»Not to load you with reproaches« she replied »not to aggravate the
tortures and miseries of your condition not to give you one hard word but to
restore you to peace and hope Husband dear husband if you will but confess
this dreadful crime if you will but implore forgiveness of Heaven and of those
whom you have wronged on earth if you will dismiss these vain uneasy thoughts
which never can be realised and will rely on Penitence and on the Truth I
promise you in the great name of the Creator whose image you have defaced
that He will comfort and console you And for myself« she cried clasping her
hands and looking upward »I swear before Him as He knows my heart and reads
it now that from that hour I will love and cherish you as I did of old and
watch you night and day in the short interval that will remain to us and soothe
you with my truest love and duty and pray with you that one threatening
judgment may be arrested and that our boy may be spared to bless God in his
poor way in the free air and light«
He fell back and gazed at her while she poured out these words as though he
were for a moment awed by her manner and knew not what to do But anger and
fear soon got the mastery of him and he spurned her from him
»Begone« he cried »Leave me You plot do you You plot to get speech with
me and let them know I am the man they say I am A curse on you and on your
boy«
»On him the curse has already fallen« she replied wringing her hands
»Let it fall heavier Let it fall on one and all I hate you both The worst
has come to me The only comfort that I seek or I can have will be the
knowledge that it comes to you Now go«
She would have urged him gently even then but he menaced her with his
chain
»I say go I say it for the last time The gallows has me in its grasp and
it is a black phantom that may urge me on to something more Begone I curse the
hour that I was born the man I slew and all the living world«
In a paroxysm of wrath and terror and the fear of death he broke from
her and rushed into the darkness of his cell where he cast himself jangling
down upon the stone floor and smote it with his iron hands The man returned to
lock the dungeon door and having done so carried her away
On that warm balmy night in June there were glad faces and light hearts in
all quarters of the town and sleep banished by the late horrors was doubly
welcomed On that night families made merry in their houses and greeted each
other on the common danger they had escaped and those who had been denounced
ventured into the streets and they who had been plundered got good shelter
Even the timorous Lord Mayor who was summoned that night before the Privy
Council to answer for his conduct came back contented observing to all his
friends that he had got off very well with a reprimand and repeating with huge
satisfaction his memorable defence before the Council »that such was his
temerity he thought death would have been his portion«
On that night too more of the scattered remnants of the mob were traced to
their lurkingplaces and taken and in the hospitals and deep among the ruins
they had made and in the ditches and fields many unshrouded wretches lay
dead envied by those who had been active in the disturbances and who pillowed
their doomed heads in the temporary jails
And in the Tower in a dreary room whose thick stone walls shut out the hum
of life and made a stillness which the records left by former prisoners with
those silent witnesses seemed to deepen and intensify remorseful for every act
that had been done by every man among the cruel crowd feeling for the time
their guilt his own and their lives put in peril by himself and finding
amidst such reflections little comfort in fanaticism or in his fancied call
sat the unhappy author of all Lord George Gordon
He had been made prisoner that evening »If you are sure its me you want«
he said to the officers who waited outside with the warrant for his arrest on a
charge of High Treason »I am ready to accompany you« which he did without
resistance He was conducted first before the Privy Council and afterwards to
the Horse Guards and then was taken by way of Westminster Bridge and back over
London Bridge for the purpose of avoiding the main streets to the Tower
under the strongest guard ever known to enter its gates with a single prisoner
Of all his forty thousand men not one remained to bear him company
Friends dependents followers none were there His fawning secretary had
played the traitor and he whose weakness had been goaded and urged on by so
many for their own purposes was desolate and alone
Chapter LXXIV
Mr Dennis having been made prisoner late in the evening was removed to a
neighbouring roundhouse for that night and carried before a justice for
examination on the next day Saturday The charges against him being numerous
and weighty and it being in particular proved by the testimony of Gabriel
Varden that he had shown a special desire to take his life he was committed
for trial Moreover he was honoured with the distinction of being considered a
chief among the insurgents and received from the magistrates lips the
complimentary assurance that he was in a position of imminent danger and would
do well to prepare himself for the worst
To say that Mr Denniss modesty was not somewhat startled by these honours
or that he was altogether prepared for so flattering a reception would be to
claim for him a greater amount of stoical philosophy than even he possessed
Indeed this gentlemans stoicism was of that not uncommon kind which enables a
man to bear with exemplary fortitude the afflictions of his friends but renders
him by way of counterpoise rather selfish and sensitive in respect of any that
happen to befall himself It is therefore no disparagement to the great officer
in question to state without disguise or concealment that he was at first very
much alarmed and that he betrayed divers emotions of fear until his reasoning
powers came to his relief and set before him a more hopeful prospect
In proportion as Mr Dennis exercised these intellectual qualities with
which he was gifted in reviewing his best chances of coming off handsomely and
with small personal inconvenience his spirits rose and his confidence
increased When he remembered the great estimation in which his office was held
and the constant demand for his services when he bethought himself how the
Statute Book regarded him as a kind of Universal Medicine applicable to men
women and children of every age and variety of criminal constitution and how
high he stood in his official capacity in the favour of the Crown and both
Houses of Parliament the Mint the Bank of England and the Judges of the land
when he recollected that whatever Ministry was in or out he remained their
peculiar pet and panacea and that for his sake England stood single and
conspicuous among the civilised nations of the earth when he called these
things to mind and dwelt upon them he felt certain that the national gratitude
must relieve him from the consequences of his late proceedings and would
certainly restore him to his old place in the happy social system
With these crumbs or as one may say with these whole loaves of comfort to
regale upon Mr Dennis took his place among the escort that awaited him and
repaired to jail with a manly indifference Arriving at Newgate where some of
the ruined cells had been hastily fitted up for the safe keeping of rioters he
was warmly received by the turnkeys as an unusual and interesting case which
agreeably relieved their monotonous duties In this spirit he was fettered with
great care and conveyed into the interior of the prison
»Brother« cried the hangman as following an officer he traversed under
these novel circumstances the remains of passages with which he was well
acquainted »am I going to be along with anybody«
»If youd have left more walls standing youd have been alone« was the
reply »As it is were cramped for room and youll have company«
»Well« returned Dennis »I dont object to company brother I rather like
company I was formed for society I was«
»Thats rather a pity ant it« said the man
»No« answered Dennis »Im not aware that it is Why should it be a pity
brother«
»Oh I dont know« said the man carelessly »I thought that was what you
meant Being formed for society and being cut off in your flower you know «
»I say« interposed the other quickly »what are you talking of Dont
Whos agoing to be cut off in their flowers«
»Oh nobody particular I thought you was perhaps« said the man
Mr Dennis wiped his face which had suddenly grown very hot and remarking
in a tremulous voice to his conductor that he had always been fond of his joke
followed him in silence until he stopped at a door
»This is my quarters is it« he asked facetiously
»This is the shop sir« replied his friend
He was walking in but not with the best possible grace when he suddenly
stopped and started back
»Halloa« said the officer »Youre nervous«
»Nervous« whispered Dennis in great alarm »Well I may be Shut the door«
»I will when youre in« returned the man
»But I cant go in there« whispered Dennis »I cant be shut up with that
man Do you want me to be throttled brother«
The officer seemed to entertain no particular desire on the subject one way
or other but briefly remarking that he had his orders and intended to obey
them pushed him in turned the key and retired
Dennis stood trembling with his back against the door and involuntarily
raising his arm to defend himself stared at a man the only other tenant of the
cell who lay stretched at his full length upon a stone bench and who paused
in his deep breathing as if he were about to wake But he rolled over on one
side let his arm fall negligently down drew a long sigh and murmuring
indistinctly fell fast asleep again
Relieved in some degree by this the hangman took his eyes for an instant
from the slumbering figure and glanced round the cell in search of some
vantageground or weapon of defence There was nothing moveable within it but
a clumsy table which could not be displaced without noise and a heavy chair
Stealing on tiptoe towards this latter piece of furniture he retired with it
into the remotest corner and intrenching himself behind it watched the enemy
with the utmost vigilance and caution
The sleeping man was Hugh and perhaps it was not unnatural for Dennis to
feel in a state of very uncomfortable suspense and to wish with his whole soul
that he might never wake again Tired of standing he crouched down in his
corner after some time and rested on the cold pavement but although Hughs
breathing still proclaimed that he was sleeping soundly he could not trust him
out of his sight for an instant He was so afraid of him and of some sudden
onslaught that he was not content to see his closed eyes through the
chairback but every now and then rose stealthily to his feet and peered at
him with outstretched neck to assure himself that he really was still asleep
and was not about to spring upon him when he was off his guard
He slept so long and so soundly that Mr Dennis began to think he might
sleep on until the turnkey visited them He was congratulating himself upon
these promising appearances and blessing his stars with much fervour when one
or two unpleasant symptoms manifested themselves such as another motion of the
arm another sigh a restless tossing of the head Then just as it seemed that
he was about to fall heavily to the ground from his narrow bed Hughs eyes
opened
It happened that his face was turned directly towards his unexpected
visitor He looked lazily at him for some halfdozen seconds without any aspect
of surprise or recognition then suddenly jumped up and with a great oath
pronounced his name
»Keep off brother keep off« cried Dennis dodging behind the chair
»Dont do me a mischief Im a prisoner like you I havent the free use of my
limbs Im quite an old man Dont hurt me«
He whined out the last three words in such piteous accents that Hugh who
had dragged away the chair and aimed a blow at him with it checked himself
and bade him get up
»Ill get up certainly brother« cried Dennis anxious to propitiate him by
any means in his power »Ill comply with any request of yours Im sure There
Im up now What can I do for you Only say the word and Ill do it«
»What can you do for me« cried Hugh clutching him by the collar with both
hands and shaking him as though he were bent on stopping his breath by that
means »What have you done for me«
»The best The best that could be done« returned the hangman
Hugh made him no answer but shaking him in his strong gripe until his teeth
chattered in his head cast him down upon the floor and flung himself on the
bench again
»If it wasnt for the comfort it is to me to see you here« he muttered
»Id have crushed your head against it I would«
It was some time before Dennis had breath enough to speak but as soon as he
could resume his propitiatory strain he did so
»I did the best that could be done brother« he whined »I did indeed I
was forced with two bayonets and I dont know how many bullets on each side of
me to point you out If you hadnt been taken youd have been shot and what a
sight that would have been a fine young man like you«
»Will it be a better sight now« asked Hugh raising his head with such a
fierce expression that the other durst not answer him just then
»A deal better« said Dennis meekly after a pause »First theres all the
chances of the law and theyre five hundred strong We may get off scotfree
Unlikelier things than that have come to pass Even if we shouldnt and the
chances fail we can but be worked off once and when its well done its so
neat so skilful so captiwating if that dont seem too strong a word that
youd hardly believe it could be brought to sich perfection Kill ones
fellowcreeturs off with muskets Pah« and his nature so revolted at the
bare idea that he spat upon the dungeon pavement
His warming on this topic which to one unacquainted with his pursuits and
tastes appeared like courage together with his artful suppression of his own
secret hopes and mention of himself as being in the same condition with Hugh
did more to soothe that ruffian than the most elaborate arguments could have
done or the most abject submission He rested his arms upon his knees and
stooping forward looked from beneath his shaggy hair at Dennis with something
of a smile upon his face
»The fact is brother« said the hangman in a tone of greater confidence
»that you have got into bad company The man that was with you was looked after
more than you and it was him I wanted As to me what have I got by it Here we
are in one and the same plight«
»Lookee rascal« said Hugh contracting his brows »Im not altogether such
a shallow blade but I know you expected to get something by it or you wouldnt
have done it But its done and youre here and it will soon be all over with
you and me and Id as soon die as live or live as die Why should I trouble
myself to have revenge on you To eat and drink and go to sleep as long as I
stay here is all I care for If there was but a little more sun to bask in than
can find its way into this cursed place Id lie in it all day and not trouble
myself to sit or stand up once Thats all the care I have for myself Why
should I care for you«
Finishing this speech with a growl like the yawn of a wild beast he
stretched himself upon the bench again and closed his eyes once more
After looking at him in silence for some moments Dennis who was greatly
relieved to find him in this mood drew the chair towards his rough couch and
sat down near him taking the precaution however to keep out of the range of
his brawny arm
»Well said brother nothing could be better said« he ventured to observe
»Well eat and drink of the best and sleep our best and make the best of it
every way Anything can be got for money Lets spend it merrily«
»Ay« said Hugh coiling himself into a new position »Where is it«
»Why they took mine from me at the lodge« said Mr Dennis »but mines a
peculiar case«
»Is it They took mine too«
»Why then I tell you what brother« Dennis began »You must look up your
friends «
»My friends« cried Hugh starting up and resting on his hands »Where are
my friends«
»Your relations then« said Dennis
»Ha ha ha« laughed Hugh waving one arm above his head »He talks of
friends to me talks of relations to a man whose mother died the death in store
for her son and left him a hungry brat without a face he knew in all the
world He talks of this to me«
»Brother« cried the hangman whose features underwent a sudden change »you
dont mean to say «
»I mean to say« Hugh interposed »that they hung her up at Tyburn What was
good enough for her is good enough for me Let them do the like by me as soon
as they please the sooner the better Say no more to me Im going to sleep«
»But I want to speak to you I want to hear more about that« said Dennis
changing colour
»If youre a wise man« growled Hugh raising his head to look at him with a
frown »youll hold your tongue I tell you Im going to sleep«
Dennis venturing to say something more in spite of this caution the
desperate fellow struck at him with all his force and missing him lay down
again with many muttered oaths and imprecations and turned his face towards the
wall After two or three ineffectual twitches at his dress which he was hardy
enough to venture upon notwithstanding his dangerous humour Mr Dennis who
burnt for reasons of his own to pursue the conversation had no alternative
but to sit as patiently as he could waiting his further pleasure
Chapter LXXV
A month has elapsed and we stand in the bedchamber of Sir John Chester
Through the halfopened window the Temple Garden looks green and pleasant the
placid river gay with boat and barge and dimpled with the plash of many an
oar sparkles in the distance the sky is blue and clear and the summer air
steals gently in filling the room with perfume The very town the smoky town
is radiant High roofs and steeple tops wont to look black and sullen smile a
cheerful grey every old gilded vane and ball and cross glitters anew in the
bright morning sun and high among them all St Pauls towers up showing its
lofty crest in burnished gold
Sir John was breakfasting in bed His chocolate and toast stood upon a
little table at his elbow books and newspapers lay ready to his hand upon the
coverlet and sometimes pausing to glance with an air of tranquil satisfaction
round the wellordered room and sometimes to gaze indolently at the summer sky
he ate and drank and read the news luxuriously
The cheerful influence of the morning seemed to have some effect even upon
his equable temper His manner was unusually gay his smile more placid and
agreeable than usual his voice more clear and pleasant He laid down the
newspaper he had been reading leaned back upon his pillow with the air of one
who resigned himself to a train of charming recollections and after a pause
soliloquised as follows
»And my friend the centaur goes the way of his mamma I am not surprised
And his mysterious friend Mr Dennis likewise I am not surprised And my old
postman the exceedingly freeandeasy young madman of Chigwell I am quite
rejoiced Its the very best thing that could possibly happen to him«
After delivering himself of these remarks he fell again into his smiling
train of reflection from which he roused himself at length to finish his
chocolate which was getting cold and ring the bell for more
The new supply arriving he took the cup from his servants hand and
saying with a charming affability »I am obliged to you Peak« dismissed him
»It is a remarkable circumstance« he mused dallying lazily with the
teaspoon »that my friend the madman should have been within an ace of escaping
on his trial and it was a good stroke of chance or as the world would say a
providential occurrence that the brother of my Lord Mayor should have been in
court with other country justices into whose very dense heads curiosity had
penetrated For though the brother of my Lord Mayor was decidedly wrong and
established his near relationship to that amusing person beyond all doubt in
stating that my friend was sane and had to his knowledge wandered about the
country with a vagabond parent avowing revolutionary and rebellious sentiments
I am not the less obliged to him for volunteering that evidence These insane
creatures make such very odd and embarrassing remarks that they really ought to
be hanged for the comfort of society«
The country justice had indeed turned the wavering scale against poor
Barnaby and solved the doubt that trembled in his favour Grip little thought
how much he had to answer for
»They will be a singular party« said Sir John leaning his head upon his
hand and sipping his chocolate »a very curious party The hangman himself the
centaur and the madman The centaur would make a very handsome preparation in
Surgeons Hall and would benefit science extremely I hope they have taken care
to bespeak him Peak I am not at home of course to anybody but the
hairdresser«
This reminder to his servant was called forth by a knock at the door which
the man hastened to open After a prolonged murmur of question and answer he
returned and as he cautiously closed the roomdoor behind him a man was heard
to cough in the passage
»Now it is of no use Peak« said Sir John raising his hand in deprecation
of his delivering any message »I am not at home I cannot possibly hear you I
told you I was not at home and my word is sacred Will you never do as you are
desired«
Having nothing to oppose to this reproof the man was about to withdraw
when the visitor who had given occasion to it probably rendered impatient by
delay knocked with his knuckles at the chamberdoor and called out that he had
urgent business with Sir John Chester which admitted of no delay
»Let him in« said Sir John »My good fellow« he added when the door was
opened »how come you to intrude yourself in this extraordinary manner upon the
privacy of a gentleman How can you be so wholly destitute of self-respect as to
be guilty of such remarkable illbreeding«
»My business Sir John is not of a common kind I do assure you« returned
the person he addressed »If I have taken any uncommon course to get admission
to you I hope I shall be pardoned on that account«
»Well we shall see we shall see« returned Sir John whose face cleared up
when he saw who it was and whose prepossessing smile was now restored »I am
sure we have met before« he added in his winning tone »but really I forget
your name«
»My name is Gabriel Varden sir«
»Varden of course Varden« returned Sir John tapping his forehead »Dear
me how very defective my memory becomes Varden to be sure Mr Varden the
locksmith You have a charming wife Mr Varden and a most beautiful daughter
They are well«
Gabriel thanked him and said they were
»I rejoice to hear it« said Sir John »Commend me to them when you return
and say that I wished I were fortunate enough to convey myself the salute
which I entrust you to deliver And what« he asked very sweetly after a
moments pause »can I do for you You may command me freely«
»I thank you Sir John« said Gabriel with some pride in his manner »but I
have come to ask no favour of you though I come on business Private« he
added with a glance at the man who stood looking on »and very pressing
business«
»I cannot say you are the more welcome for being independent and having
nothing to ask of me« returned Sir John graciously »for I should have been
happy to render you a service still you are welcome on any terms Oblige me
with some more chocolate Peak and dont wait«
The man retired and left them alone
»Sir John« said Gabriel »I am a workingman and have been so all my
life If I dont prepare you enough for what I have to tell if I come to the
point too abruptly and give you a shock which a gentleman could have spared
you or at all events lessened very much I hope you will give me credit for
meaning well I wish to be careful and considerate and I trust that in a
straightforward person like me youll take the will for the deed«
»Mr Varden« returned the other perfectly composed under this exordium »I
beg youll take a chair Chocolate perhaps you dont relish Well it is an
acquired taste no doubt«
»Sir John« said Gabriel who had acknowledged with a bow the invitation to
be seated but had not availed himself of it »Sir John« he dropped his voice
and drew nearer to the bed »I am just now come from Newgate «
»Good Gad« cried Sir John hastily sitting up in bed »from Newgate Mr
Varden How could you be so very imprudent as to come from Newgate Newgate
where there are jailfevers and ragged people and barefooted men and women
and a thousand horrors Peak bring the camphor quick Heaven and earth Mr
Varden my dear good soul how could you come from Newgate«
Gabriel returned no answer but looked on in silence while Peak who had
entered with the hot chocolate ran to a drawer and returning with a bottle
sprinkled his masters dressinggown and the bedding and besides moistening the
locksmith himself plentifully described a circle round about him on the
carpet When he had done this he again retired and Sir John reclining in an
easy attitude upon his pillow once more turned a smiling face towards his
visitor
»You will forgive me Mr Varden I am sure for being at first a little
sensitive both on your account and my own I confess I was startled
notwithstanding your delicate exordium Might I ask you to do me the favour not
to approach any nearer You have really come from Newgate«
The locksmith inclined his head
»Indeed And now Mr Varden all exaggeration and embellishment apart«
said Sir John Chester confidentially as he sipped his chocolate »what kind of
place is Newgate«
»A strange place Sir John« returned the locksmith »of a sad and doleful
kind A strange place where many strange things are heard and seen but few
more strange than that I come to tell you of The case is urgent I am sent
here«
»Not no no not from the jail«
»Yes Sir John from the jail«
»And my good credulous openhearted friend« said Sir John setting down
his cup and laughing »by whom«
»By a man called Dennis for many years the hangman and tomorrow morning
the hanged« returned the locksmith
Sir John had expected had been quite certain from the first that he
would say he had come from Hugh and was prepared to meet him on that point But
this answer occasioned him a degree of astonishment which for the moment he
could not with all his command of feature prevent his face from expressing He
quickly subdued it however and said in the same light tone
»And what does the gentleman require of me My memory may be at fault again
but I dont recollect that I ever had the pleasure of an introduction to him or
that I ever numbered him among my personal friends I do assure you Mr
Varden«
»Sir John« returned the locksmith gravely »I will tell you as nearly as
I can in the words he used to me what he desires that you should know and
what you ought to know without a moments loss of time«
Sir John Chester settled himself in a position of greater repose and looked
at his visitor with an expression of face which seemed to say »This is an
amusing fellow Ill hear him out«
»You may have seen in the newspapers sir« said Gabriel pointing to the
one which lay by his side »that I was a witness against this man upon his trial
some days since and that it was not his fault I was alive and able to speak to
what I knew«
»May have seen« cried Sir John »My dear Mr Varden you are quite a public
character and live in all mens thoughts most deservedly Nothing can exceed
the interest with which I read your testimony and remembered that I had the
pleasure of a slight acquaintance with you I hope we shall have your portrait
published«
»This morning sir« said the locksmith taking no notice of these
compliments »early this morning a message was brought to me from Newgate at
this mans request desiring that I would go and see him for he had something
particular to communicate I neednt tell you that he is no friend of mine and
that I had never seen him until the rioters beset my house«
Sir John fanned himself gently with the newspaper and nodded
»I knew however from the general report« resumed Gabriel »that the order
for his execution tomorrow went down to the prison last night and looking
upon him as a dying man I complied with his request«
»You are quite a Christian Mr Varden« said Sir John »and in that amiable
capacity you increase my desire that you should take a chair«
»He said« continued Gabriel looking steadily at the knight »that he had
sent to me because he had no friend or companion in the whole world being the
common hangman and because he believed from the way in which I had given my
evidence that I was an honest man and would act truly by him He said that
being shunned by every one who knew his calling even by people of the lowest
and most wretched grade and finding when he joined the rioters that the men
he acted with had no suspicion of it which I believe is true enough for a poor
fool of an old prentice of mine was one of them he had kept his own counsel
up to the time of his being taken and put in jail«
»Very discreet of Mr Dennis« observed Sir John with a slight yawn though
still with the utmost affability »but except for your admirable and lucid
manner of telling it which is perfect not very interesting to me«
»When« pursued the locksmith quite unabashed and wholly regardless of
these interruptions »when he was taken to the jail he found that his
fellowprisoner in the same room was a young man Hugh by name a leader in
the riots who had been betrayed and given up by himself From something which
fell from this unhappy creature in the course of the angry words they had at
meeting he discovered that his mother had suffered the death to which they both
are now condemned The time is very short Sir John«
The knight laid down his paper fan replaced his cup upon the table at his
side and saving for the smile that lurked about his mouth looked at the
locksmith with as much steadiness as the locksmith looked at him
»They have been in prison now a month One conversation led to many more
and the hangman soon found from a comparison of time and place and dates
that he had executed the sentence of the law upon this woman himself She had
been tempted by want as so many people are into the easy crime of passing
forged notes She was young and handsome and the traders who employ men women
and children in this traffic looked upon her as one who was well adapted for
their business and who would probably go on without suspicion for a long time
But they were mistaken for she was stopped in the commission of her very first
offence and died for it She was of gipsy blood Sir John «
It might have been the effect of a passing cloud which obscured the sun and
cast a shadow on his face but the knight turned deadly pale Still he met the
locksmiths eye as before
»She was of gipsy blood Sir John« repeated Gabriel »and had a high free
spirit This and her good looks and her lofty manner interested some
gentlemen who were easily moved by dark eyes and efforts were made to save her
They might have been successful if she would have given them any clue to her
history But she never would or did There was reason to suspect that she would
make an attempt upon her life A watch was set upon her night and day and from
that time she never spoke again «
Sir John stretched out his hand towards his cup The locksmith going on
arrested it halfway
» Until she had but a minute to live Then she broke silence and said in
a low firm voice which no one heard but this executioner for all other living
creatures had retired and left her to her fate If I had a dagger within these
fingers and he was within my reach I would strike him dead before me even now
The man asked Who She said The father of her boy«
Sir John drew back his outstretched hand and seeing that the locksmith
paused signed to him with easy politeness and without any new appearance of
emotion to proceed
»It was the first word she had ever spoken from which it could be
understood that she had any relative on earth Was the child alive he asked
Yes He asked her where it was its name and whether she had any wish
respecting it She had but one she said It was that the boy might live and
grow in utter ignorance of his father so that no arts might teach him to be
gentle and forgiving When he became a man she trusted to the God of their tribe
to bring the father and the son together and revenge her through her child He
asked her other questions but she spoke no more Indeed he says she scarcely
said this much to him but stood with her face turned upwards to the sky and
never looked towards him once«
Sir John took a pinch of snuff glanced approvingly at an elegant little
sketch entitled »Nature« on the wall and raising his eyes to the locksmiths
face again said with an air of courtesy and patronage »You were observing
Mr Varden «
»That she never« returned the locksmith who was not to be diverted by any
artifice from his firm manner and his steady gaze »that she never looked
towards him once Sir John and so she died and he forgot her But some years
afterwards a man was sentenced to die the same death who was a gipsy too a
sunburnt swarthy fellow almost a wild man and while he lay in prison under
sentence he who had seen the hangman more than once while he was free cut an
image of him on his stick by way of braving death and showing those who
attended on him how little he cared or thought about it He gave this stick
into his hands at Tyburn and told him then that the woman I had spoken of had
left her own people to join a fine gentleman and that being deserted by him
and cast off by her old friends she had sworn within her own proud breast that
whatever her misery might be she would ask no help of any human being He told
him that she had kept her word to the last and that meeting even him in the
streets he had been fond of her once it seems she had slipped from him by a
trick and he never saw her again until being in one of the frequent crowds at
Tyburn with some of his rough companions he had been driven almost mad by
seeing in the criminal under another name whose death he had come to witness
herself Standing in the same place in which she had stood he told the hangman
this and told him too her real name which only her own people and the
gentleman for whose sake she had left them knew That name he will tell
again Sir John to none but you«
»To none but me« exclaimed the knight pausing in the act of raising his
cup to his lips with a perfectly steady hand and curling up his little finger
for the better display of a brilliant ring with which it was ornamented »but
me My dear Mr Varden how very preposterous to select me for his
confidence With you at his elbow too who are so perfectly trustworthy«
»Sir John Sir John« returned the locksmith »at twelve tomorrow these
men die Hear the words I have to add and do not hope to deceive me for though
I am a plain man of humble station and you are a gentleman of rank and
learning the truth raises me to your level and I KNOW that you anticipate the
disclosure with which I am about to end and that you believe this doomed man
Hugh to be your son«
»Nay« said Sir John bantering him with a gay air »the wild gentleman who
died so suddenly scarcely went as far as that I think«
»He did not« returned the locksmith »for she had bound him by some pledge
known only to these people and which the worst among them respect not to tell
your name but in a fantastic pattern on the stick he had carved some letters
and when the hangman asked it he bade him especially if he should ever meet
with her son in after life remember that place well«
»What place«
»Chester«
The knight finished his cup of chocolate with an appearance of infinite
relish and carefully wiped his lips upon his handkerchief
»Sir John« said the locksmith »this is all that has been told to me but
since these two men have been left for death they have conferred together
closely See them and hear what they can add See this Dennis and learn from
him what he has not trusted to me If you who hold the clue to all want
corroboration which you do not the means are easy«
»And to what« said Sir John Chester rising on his elbow after smoothing
the pillow for its reception »my dear goodnatured estimable Mr Varden
with whom I cannot be angry if I would to what does all this tend«
»I take you for a man Sir John and I suppose it tends to some pleading of
natural affection in your breast« returned the locksmith »I suppose to the
straining of every nerve and the exertion of all the influence you have or can
make in behalf of your miserable son and the man who has disclosed his
existence to you At the worst I suppose to your seeing your son and awakening
him to a sense of his crime and danger He has no such sense now Think what his
life must have been when he said in my hearing that if I moved you to
anything it would be to hastening his death and ensuring his silence if you
had it in your power«
»And have you my good Mr Varden« said Sir John in a tone of mild reproof
»have you really lived to your present age and remained so very simple and
credulous as to approach a gentleman of established character with such
credentials as these from desperate men in their last extremity catching at
any straw Oh dear Oh fie fie«
The locksmith was going to interpose but he stopped him
»On any other subject Mr Varden I shall be delighted I shall be charmed
to converse with you but I owe it to my own character not to pursue this
topic for another moment«
»Think better of it sir when I am gone« returned the locksmith »think
better of it sir Although you have thrice within as many weeks turned your
lawful son Mr Edward from your door you may have time you may have years to
make your peace with him Sir John but that twelve oclock will soon be here
and soon be past for ever«
»I thank you very much« returned the knight kissing his delicate hand to
the locksmith »for your guileless advice and I only wish my good soul
although your simplicity is quite captivating that you had a little more
worldly wisdom I never so much regretted the arrival of my hairdresser as I do
at this moment God bless you Good morning Youll not forget my message to the
ladies Mr Varden Peak show Mr Varden to the door«
Gabriel said no more but gave the knight a parting look and left him As
he quitted the room Sir Johns face changed and the smile gave place to a
haggard and anxious expression like that of a weary actor jaded by the
performance of a difficult part He rose from his bed with a heavy sigh and
wrapped himself in his morninggown
»So she kept her word« he said »and was constant to her threat I would I
had never seen that dark face of hers I might have read these consequences in
it from the first This affair would make a noise abroad if it rested on
better evidence but as it is and by not joining the scattered links of the
chain I can afford to slight it Extremely distressing to be the parent of
such an uncouth creature Still I gave him very good advice I told him he
would certainly be hanged I could have done no more if I had known of our
relationship and there are a great many fathers who have never done as much for
their natural children The hairdresser may come in Peak«
The hairdresser came in and saw in Sir John Chester whose accommodating
conscience was soon quieted by the numerous precedents that occurred to him in
support of his last observation the same imperturbable fascinating elegant
gentleman he had seen yesterday and many yesterdays before
Chapter LXXVI
As the locksmith walked slowly away from Sir John Chesters chambers he
lingered under the trees which shaded the path almost hoping that he might be
summoned to return He had turned back thrice and still loitered at the corner
when the clock struck twelve
It was a solemn sound and not merely for its reference to tomorrow for he
knew that in that chime the murderers knell was rung He had seen him pass
along the crowded street amidst the execration of the throng and marked his
quivering lip and trembling limbs the ashy hue upon his face his clammy brow
the wild distraction of his eye the fear of death that swallowed up all other
thoughts and gnawed without cessation at his heart and brain He had marked the
wandering look seeking for hope and finding turn where it would despair He
had seen the remorseful pitiful desolate creature riding with his coffin by
his side to the gibbet He knew that to the last he had been an unyielding
obdurate man that in the savage terror of his condition he had hardened rather
than relented to his wife and child and that the last words which had passed
his white lips were curses on them as his enemies
Mr Haredale had determined to be there and see it done Nothing but the
evidence of his own senses could satisfy that gloomy thirst for retribution
which had been gathering upon him for so many years The locksmith knew this
and when the chimes had ceased to vibrate hurried away to meet him
»For these two men« he said as he went »I can do no more Heaven have
mercy on them Alas I say I can do no more for them but whom can I help
Mary Rudge will have a home and a firm friend when she most wants one but
Barnaby poor Barnaby willing Barnaby what aid can I render him There are
many many men of sense, God forgive me« cried the honest locksmith stopping
in a narrow court to pass his hand across his eyes »I could better afford to
lose than Barnaby We have always been good friends but I never knew till now
how much I loved the lad«
There were not many in the great city who thought of Barnaby that day
otherwise than as an actor in a show which was to take place tomorrow But if
the whole population had had him in their minds and had wished his life to be
spared not one among them could have done so with a purer zeal or greater
singleness of heart than the good locksmith
Barnaby was to die There was no hope It is not the least evil attendant
upon the frequent exhibition of this last dread punishment of Death that it
hardens the minds of those who deal it out and makes them though they be
amiable men in other respects indifferent to or unconscious of their great
responsibility The word had gone forth that Barnaby was to die It went forth
every month for lighter crimes It was a thing so common that very few were
startled by the awful sentence or cared to question its propriety Just then
too when the law had been so flagrantly outraged its dignity must be asserted
The symbol of its dignity stamped upon every page of the criminal
statutebook was the gallows and Barnaby was to die
They had tried to save him The locksmith had carried petitions and
memorials to the fountainhead with his own hands But the well was not one of
mercy and Barnaby was to die
From the first his mother had never left him save at night and with her
beside him he was as usual contented On this last day he was more elated and
more proud than he had been yet and when she dropped the book she had been
reading to him aloud and fell upon his neck he stopped in his busy task of
folding a piece of crape about his hat and wondered at her anguish Grip
uttered a feeble croak half in encouragement it seemed and half in
remonstrance but he wanted heart to sustain it and lapsed abruptly into
silence
With them who stood upon the brink of the great gulf which none can see
beyond Time so soon to lose itself in vast Eternity rolled on like a mighty
river swoln and rapid as it nears the sea It was morning but now they had sat
and talked together in a dream and here was evening The dreadful hour of
separation which even yesterday had seemed so distant was at hand
They walked out into the courtyard clinging to each other but not
speaking Barnaby knew that the jail was a dull sad miserable place and
looked forward to tomorrow as to a passage from it to something bright and
beautiful He had a vague impression too that he was expected to be brave
that he was a man of great consequence and that the prison people would be glad
to make him weep He trod the ground more firmly as he thought of this and bade
her take heart and cry no more and feel how steady his hand was »They call me
silly mother They shall see tomorrow«
Dennis and Hugh were in the courtyard Hugh came forth from his cell as
they did stretching himself as though he had been sleeping Dennis sat upon a
bench in a corner with his knees and chin huddled together and rocked himself
to and fro like a person in severe pain
The mother and son remained on one side of the court and these two men upon
the other Hugh strode up and down glancing fiercely every now and then at the
bright summer sky and looking round when he had done so at the walls
»No reprieve no reprieve Nobody comes near us Theres only the night left
now« moaned Dennis faintly as he wrung his hands »Do you think theyll
reprieve me in the night brother Ive known reprieves come in the night afore
now Ive known em come as late as five six and seven oclock in the morning
Dont you think theres a good chance yet dont you Say you do Say you do
young man« whined the miserable creature with an imploring gesture towards
Barnaby »or I shall go mad«
»Better be mad than sane here« said Hugh »Go mad«
»But tell me what you think Somebody tell me what he thinks« cried the
wretched object so mean and wretched and despicable that even Pitys self
might have turned away at sight of such a being in the likeness of a man
»isnt there a chance for me isnt there a good chance for me Isnt it
likely they may be doing this to frighten me Dont you think it is Oh« he
almost shrieked as he wrung his hands »wont anybody give me comfort«
»You ought to be the best instead of the worst« said Hugh stopping before
him »Ha ha ha See the hangman when it comes home to him«
»You dont know what it is« cried Dennis actually writhing as he spoke »I
do That I should come to be worked off I I That I should come«
»And why not« said Hugh as he thrust back his matted hair to get a better
view of his late associate »How often before I knew your trade did I hear you
talking of this as if it was a treat«
»I ant unconsistent« screamed the miserable creature »Id talk so again
if I was hangman Some other man has got my old opinions at this minute That
makes it worse Somebodys longing to work me off I know by myself that
somebody must be«
»Hell soon have his longing« said Hugh resuming his walk »Think of that
and be quiet«
Although one of these men displayed in his speech and bearing the most
reckless hardihood and the other in his every word and action testified such
an extreme of abject cowardice that it was humiliating to see him it would be
difficult to say which of them would most have repelled and shocked an observer
Hughs was the dogged desperation of a savage at the stake the hangman was
reduced to a condition little better if any than that of a hound with the
halter round his neck Yet as Mr Dennis knew and could have told them these
were the two commonest states of mind in persons brought to their pass Such was
the wholesale growth of the seed sown by the law that this kind of harvest was
usually looked for as a matter of course
In one respect they all agreed The wandering and uncontrollable train of
thought suggesting sudden recollections of things distant and long forgotten
and remote from each other the vague restless craving for something undefined
which nothing could satisfy the swift flight of the minutes fusing themselves
into hours as if by enchantment the rapid coming of the solemn night the
shadow of death always upon them and yet so dim and faint that objects the
meanest and most trivial started from the gloom beyond and forced themselves
upon the view the impossibility of holding the mind, even if they had been so
disposed to penitence and preparation or of keeping it to any point while one
hideous fascination tempted it away these things were common to them all and
varied only in their outward tokens
»Fetch me the book I left within upon your bed« she said to Barnaby as
the clock struck »Kiss me first«
He looked in her face and saw there that the time was come After a long
embrace he tore himself away and ran to bring it to her bidding her not stir
till he came back He soon returned for a shriek recalled him but she was
gone
He ran to the yardgate and looked through They were carrying her away
She had said her heart would break It was better so
»Dont you think« whimpered Dennis creeping up to him as he stood with
his feet rooted to the ground gazing at the blank walls »dont you think
theres still a chance Its a dreadful end its a terrible end for a man like
me Dont you think theres a chance I dont mean for you I mean for me Dont
let him hear us« meaning Hugh »hes so desperate«
»Now then« said the officer who had been lounging in and out with his
hands in his pockets and yawning as if he were in the last extremity for some
subject of interest »its time to turn in boys«
»Not yet« cried Dennis »not yet Not for an hour yet«
»I say your watch goes different from what it used to« returned the man
»Once upon a time it was always too fast Its got the other fault now«
»My friend« cried the wretched creature falling on his knees »my dear
friend you always were my dear friend theres some mistake Some letter has
been mislaid or some messenger has been stopped upon the way He may have
fallen dead I saw a man once fall down dead in the street myself and he had
papers in his pocket Send to inquire Let somebody go to inquire They never
will hang me They never can Yes they will« he cried starting to his feet
with a terrible scream »Theyll hang me by a trick and keep the pardon back
Its a plot against me I shall lose my life« And uttering another yell he
fell in a fit upon the ground
»See the hangman when it comes home to him« cried Hugh again as they bore
him away »Ha ha ha Courage bold Barnaby what care we Your hand They do
well to put us out of the world for if we got loose a second time we wouldnt
let them off so easy eh Another shake A man can die but once If you wake in
the night sing that out lustily and fall asleep again Ha ha ha«
Barnaby glanced once more through the grate into the empty yard and then
watched Hugh as he strode to the steps leading to his sleepingcell He heard
him shout and burst into a roar of laughter and saw him flourish his hat Then
he turned away himself like one who walked in his sleep and without any sense
of fear or sorrow lay down on his pallet listening for the clock to strike
again
Chapter LXXVII
The time wore on The noises in the streets became less frequent by degrees
until silence was scarcely broken save by the bells in the church towers
marking the progress softer and more stealthy while the city slumbered of
that Great Watcher with the hoary head who never sleeps or rests In the brief
interval of darkness and repose which feverish towns enjoy all busy sounds were
hushed and those who awoke from dreams lay listening in their beds and longed
for dawn and wished the dead of the night were past
Into the street outside the jails main wall workmen came straggling at
this solemn hour in groups of two or three and meeting in the centre cast
their tools upon the ground and spoke in whispers Others soon issued from the
jail itself bearing on their shoulders planks and beams these materials being
all brought forth the rest bestirred themselves and the dull sound of hammers
began to echo through the stillness
Here and there among this knot of labourers one with a lantern or a smoky
link stood by to light his fellows at their work and by its doubtful aid some
might be dimly seen taking up the pavement of the road while others held great
upright posts or fixed them in the holes thus made for their reception Some
dragged slowly on towards the rest an empty cart which they brought rumbling
from the prisonyard while others erected strong barriers across the street
All were busily engaged Their dusky figures moving to and fro at that unusual
hour so active and so silent might have been taken for those of shadowy
creatures toiling at midnight on some ghostly unsubstantial work which like
themselves would vanish with the first gleam of day and leave but morning mist
and vapour
While it was yet dark a few lookerson collected who had plainly come
there for the purpose and intended to remain even those who had to pass the
spot on their way to some other place lingered and lingered yet as though the
attraction of that were irresistible Meanwhile the noise of saw and mallet went
on briskly mingled with the clattering of boards on the stone pavement of the
road and sometimes with the workmens voices as they called to one another.
Whenever the chimes of the neighbouring church were heard and that was every
quarter of an hour a strange sensation instantaneous and indescribable but
perfectly obvious seemed to pervade them all
Gradually a faint brightness appeared in the east and the air which had
been very warm all through the night felt cool and chilly Though there was no
daylight yet the darkness was diminished and the stars looked pale The
prison which had been a mere black mass with little shape or form put on its
usual aspect and ever and anon a solitary watchman could be seen upon its roof
stopping to look down upon the preparations in the street This man from
forming as it were a part of the jail and knowing or being supposed to know
all that was passing within became an object of as much interest and was as
eagerly looked for and as awfully pointed out as if he had been a spirit
By and by the feeble light grew stronger and the houses with their
signboards and inscriptions stood plainly out in the dull grey morning Heavy
stage waggons crawled from the innyard opposite and travellers peeped out and
as they rolled sluggishly away cast many a backward look towards the jail And
now the suns first beams came glancing into the street and the nights work
which in its various stages and in the varied fancies of the lookerson had
taken a hundred shapes wore its own proper form a scaffold and a gibbet
As the warmth of the cheerful day began to shed itself upon the scanty
crowd the murmur of tongues was heard shutters were thrown open and blinds
drawn up and those who had slept in rooms over against the prison where places
to see the execution were let at high prices rose hastily from their beds In
some of the houses people were busy taking out the window sashes for the better
accommodation of spectators in others the spectators were already seated and
beguiling the time with cards or drink or jokes among themselves Some had
purchased seats upon the housetops and were already crawling to their stations
from parapet and garretwindow Some were yet bargaining for good places and
stood in them in a state of indecision gazing at the slowlyswelling crowd and
at the workmen as they rested listlessly against the scaffold affecting to
listen with indifference to the proprietors eulogy of the commanding view his
house afforded and the surpassing cheapness of his terms
A fairer morning never shone From the roofs and upper stories of these
buildings the spires of city churches and the great cathedral dome were
visible rising up beyond the prison into the blue sky and clad in the colour
of light summer clouds and showing in the clear atmosphere their every scrap of
tracery and fretwork and every niche and loophole All was brightness and
promise excepting in the street below into which for it yet lay in shadow
the eye looked down as into a dark trench where in the midst of so much life
and hope and renewal of existence stood the terrible instrument of death It
seemed as if the very sun forbore to look upon it
But it was better grim and sombre in the shade than when the day being
more advanced it stood confessed in the full glare and glory of the sun with
its black paint blistering and its nooses dangling in the light like loathsome
garlands It was better in the solitude and gloom of midnight with a few forms
clustering about it than in the freshness and the stir of morning the centre
of an eager crowd It was better haunting the street like a spectre when men
were in their beds and influencing perchance the citys dreams than braving
the broad day and thrusting its obscene presence upon their waking senses
Five oclock had struck six seven and eight Along the two main
streets at either end of the crossway a living stream had now set in rolling
towards the marts of gain and business Carts coaches waggons trucks and
barrows forced a passage through the outskirts of the throng and clattered
onward in the same direction Some of these which were public conveyances and
had come from a short distance in the country stopped and the driver pointed
to the gibbet with his whip though he might have spared himself the pains for
the heads of all the passengers were turned that way without his help and the
coachwindows were stuck full of staring eyes In some of the carts and waggons
women might be seen glancing fearfully at the same unsightly thing and even
little children were held up above the peoples heads to see what kind of a toy
a gallows was and learn how men were hanged
Two rioters were to die before the prison who had been concerned in the
attack upon it and one directly afterwards in Bloomsbury Square At nine
oclock a strong body of military marched into the street and formed and lined
a narrow passage into Holborn which had been indifferently kept all night by
constables Through this another cart was brought the one already mentioned
had been employed in the construction of the scaffold and wheeled up to the
prisongate These preparations made the soldiers stood at ease the officers
lounged to and fro in the alley they had made or talked together at the
scaffolds foot and the concourse which had been rapidly augmenting for some
hours and still received additions every minute waited with an impatience
which increased with every chime of St Sepulchres clock for twelve at noon
Up to this time they had been very quiet comparatively silent save when
the arrival of some new party at a window hitherto unoccupied gave them
something new to look at or to talk of But as the hour approached a buzz and
hum arose which deepening every moment soon swelled into a roar and seemed
to fill the air No words or even voices could be distinguished in this clamour
nor did they speak much to each other though such as were better informed upon
the topic than the rest would tell their neighbours perhaps that they might
know the hangman when he came out by his being the shorter one and that the
man who was to suffer with him was named Hugh and that it was Barnaby Rudge who
would be hanged in Bloomsbury Square
The hum grew as the time drew near so loud that those who were at the
windows could not hear the churchclock strike though it was close at hand Nor
had they any need to hear it either for they could see it in the peoples
faces So surely as another quarter chimed there was a movement in the crowd
as if something had passed over it as if the light upon them had been changed
in which the fact was readable as on a brazen dial figured by a giants hand
Three quarters past eleven The murmur now was deafening yet every man
seemed mute Look where you would among the crowd you saw strained eyes and
lips compressed it would have been difficult for the most vigilant observer to
point this way or that and say that yonder man had cried out It were as easy
to detect the motion of lips in a seashell
Three quarters past eleven Many spectators who had retired from the
windows came back refreshed as though their watch had just begun Those who
had fallen asleep roused themselves and every person in the crowd made one
last effort to better his position which caused a press against the sturdy
barriers that made them bend and yield like twigs The officers who until now
had kept together fell into their several positions and gave the words of
command Swords were drawn muskets shouldered and the bright steel winding its
way among the crowd gleamed and glittered in the sun like a river Along this
shining path two men came hurrying on leading a horse which was speedily
harnessed to the cart at the prisondoor Then a profound silence replaced the
tumult that had so long been gathering and a breathless pause ensued Every
window was now choked up with heads the housetops teemed with people
clinging to chimneys peering over gableends and holding on where the sudden
loosening of any brick or stone would dash them down into the street The church
tower the church roof the church yard the prison leads the very waterspouts
and lampposts every inch of room swarmed with human life
At the first stroke of twelve the prisonbell began to toll Then the roar
mingled now with cries of »Hats off« and »Poor fellows« and from some specks
in the great concourse with a shriek or groan burst forth again It was
terrible to see if any one in that distraction of excitement could have seen
the world of eager eyes all strained upon the scaffold and the beam
The hollow murmuring was heard within the jail as plainly as without The
three were brought forth into the yard together as it resounded through the
air They knew its import well
»Dye hear« cried Hugh undaunted by the sound »They expect us I heard
them gathering when I woke in the night and turned over on tother side and
fell asleep again We shall see how they welcome the hangman now that it comes
home to him Ha ha ha«
The Ordinary coming up at this moment reproved him for his indecent mirth
and advised him to alter his demeanour
»And why master« said Hugh »Can I do better than bear it easily You bear
it easily enough Oh never tell me« he cried as the other would have spoken
»for all your sad look and your solemn air you think little enough of it They
say youre the best maker of lobster salads in London Ha ha Ive heard that
you see before now Is it a good one this morning is your hand in How does
the breakfast look I hope theres enough and to spare for all this hungry
company thatll sit down to it when the sights over«
»I fear« observed the clergyman shaking his head »that you are
incorrigible«
»Youre right I am« rejoined Hugh sternly »Be no hypocrite master You
make a merrymaking of this every month let me be merry too If you want a
frightened fellow theres one thatll suit you Try your hand upon him«
He pointed as he spoke to Dennis who with his legs trailing on the
ground was held between two men and who trembled so that all his joints and
limbs seemed racked by spasms Turning from this wretched spectacle he called
to Barnaby who stood apart
»What cheer Barnaby Dont be downcast lad Leave that to him«
»Bless you« cried Barnaby stepping lightly towards him »Im not
frightened Hugh Im quite happy I wouldnt desire to live now if theyd let
me Look at me Am I afraid to die Will they see me tremble«
Hugh gazed for a moment at his face on which there was a strange unearthly
smile and at his eye which sparkled brightly and interposing between him and
the Ordinary gruffly whispered to the latter
»I wouldnt say much to him master if I was you He may spoil your
appetite for breakfast though you are used to it«
He was the only one of the three who had washed or trimmed himself that
morning Neither of the others had done so since their doom was pronounced He
still wore the broken peacocks feathers in his hat and all his usual scraps of
finery were carefully disposed about his person His kindling eye his firm
step his proud and resolute bearing might have graced some lofty act of
heroism some voluntary sacrifice born of a noble cause and pure enthusiasm
rather than that felons death
But all these things increased his guilt They were mere assumptions The
law had declared it so and so it must be The good minister had been greatly
shocked not a quarter of an hour before at his parting with Grip For one in
his condition to fondle a bird
The yard was filled with people bluff civic functionaries officers of
justice soldiers the curious in such matters and guests who had been bidden
as to a wedding Hugh looked about him nodded gloomily to some person in
authority who indicated with his hand in what direction he was to proceed and
clapping Barnaby on the shoulder passed out with the gait of a lion
They entered a large room so near to the scaffold that the voices of those
who stood about it could be plainly heard some beseeching the javelinmen to
take them out of the crowd others crying to those behind to stand back for
they were pressed to death and suffocating for want of air
In the middle of this chamber two smiths with hammers stood beside an
anvil Hugh walked straight up to them and set his foot upon it with a sound as
though it had been struck by a heavy weapon Then with folded arms he stood to
have his irons knocked off scowling haughtily round as those who were present
eyed him narrowly and whispered to each other
It took so much time to drag Dennis in that this ceremony was over with
Hugh and nearly over with Barnaby before he appeared He no sooner came into
the place he knew so well however and among faces with which he was so
familiar than he recovered strength and sense enough to clasp his hands and
make a last appeal
»Gentlemen good gentlemen« cried the abject creature grovelling down upon
his knees and actually prostrating himself upon the stone floor »Governor
dear governor honourable sheriffs worthy gentlemen have mercy upon a
wretched man that has served His Majesty and the Law and Parliament for so
many years and dont dont let me die because of a mistake«
»Dennis« said the governor of the jail »you know what the course is and
that the order came with the rest You know that we could do nothing even if we
would«
»All I ask sir all I want and beg is time to make it sure« cried the
trembling wretch looking wildly round for sympathy »The King and Government
cant know its me Im sure they cant know its me or they never would bring
me to this dreadful slaughterhouse They know my name but they dont know its
the same man Stop my execution for charitys sake stop my execution
gentlemen till they can be told that Ive been hangman here nigh thirty year
Will no one go and tell them« he implored clenching his hands and glaring
round and round and round again »will no charitable person go and tell
them«
»Mr Akerman« said a gentleman who stood by after a moments pause »since
it may possibly produce in this unhappy man a better frame of mind even at this
last minute let me assure him that he was well known to have been the hangman
when his sentence was considered«
» But perhaps they think on that account that the punishments not so
great« cried the criminal shuffling towards this speaker on his knees and
holding up his folded hands »whereas its worse its worse a hundred times to
me than any man Let them know that sir Let them know that Theyve made it
worse to me by giving me so much to do Stop my execution till they know that«
The governor beckoned with his hand and the two men who had supported him
before approached He uttered a piercing cry
»Wait Wait Only a moment only one moment more Give me a last chance of
reprieve One of us three is to go to Bloomsbury Square Let me be the one It
may come in that time its sure to come In the Lords name let me be sent to
Bloomsbury Square Dont hang me here Its murder«
They took him to the anvil but even then he could be heard above the
clinking of the smiths hammers and the hoarse raging of the crowd crying that
he knew of Hughs birth that his father was living and was a gentleman of
influence and rank that he had family secrets in his possession that he
could tell nothing unless they gave him time but must die with them on his
mind and he continued to rave in this sort until his voice failed him and he
sank down a mere heap of clothes between the two attendants
It was at this moment that the clock struck the first stroke of twelve and
the bell began to toll The various officers with the two sheriffs at their
head moved towards the door All was ready when the last chime came upon the
ear
They told Hugh this and asked if he had anything to say
»To say« he cried »Not I Im ready Yes« he added as his eye fell
upon Barnaby »I have a word to say too Come hither lad«
There was for the moment something kind and even tender struggling in
his fierce aspect as he wrung his poor companion by the hand
»Ill say this« he cried looking firmly round »that if I had ten lives to
lose and the loss of each would give me ten times the agony of the hardest
death Id lay them all down ay I would though you gentlemen may not believe
it to save this one This one« he added wringing his hand again »that will
be lost through me«
»Not through you« said the idiot mildly »Dont say that You were not to
blame You have always been very good to me Hugh we shall know what makes
the stars shine now«
»I took him from her in a reckless mood and didnt think what harm would
come of it« said Hugh laying his hand upon his head and speaking in a lower
voice »I ask her pardon and his Look here« he added roughly in his former
tone »You see this lad«
They murmured »Yes« and seemed to wonder why he asked
»That gentleman yonder« pointing to the clergyman »has often in the last
few days spoken to me of faith and strong belief You see what I am more
brute than man as I have been often told but I had faith enough to believe
and did believe as strongly as any of you gentlemen can believe anything that
this one life would be spared See what he is Look at him«
Barnaby had moved towards the door and stood beckoning him to follow
»If this was not faith and strong belief« cried Hugh raising his right
arm aloft and looking upward like a savage prophet whom the near approach of
Death had filled with inspiration »where are they What else should teach me
me born as I was born and reared as I have been reared to hope for any mercy
in this hardened cruel unrelenting place Upon these human shambles I who
never raised my hand in prayer till now call down the wrath of God On that
black tree of which I am the ripened fruit I do invoke the curse of all its
victims past and present and to come On the head of that man who in his
conscience owns me for his son I leave the wish that he may never sicken on
his bed of down but die a violent death as I do now and have the nightwind
for his only mourner To this I say Amen amen«
His arm fell downward by his side he turned and moved towards them with a
steady step the man he had been before
»There is nothing more« said the governor
Hugh motioned Barnaby not to come near him though without looking in the
direction where he stood and answered »There is nothing more«
»Move forward«
» Unless« said Hugh glancing hurriedly back »unless any person here
has a fancy for a dog and not then unless he means to use him well Theres
one belongs to me at the house I came from and it wouldnt be easy to find a
better Hell whine at first but hell soon get over that You wonder that I
think about a dog just now« he added with a kind of laugh »If any man
deserved it of me half as well Id think of him«
He spoke no more but moved onward in his place with a careless air though
listening at the same time to the Service for the Dead with something between
sullen attention and quickened curiosity As soon as he had passed the door his
miserable associate was carried out and the crowd beheld the rest
Barnaby would have mounted the steps at the same time indeed he would have
gone before them but in both attempts he was restrained as he was to undergo
the sentence elsewhere In a few minutes the sheriffs reappeared the same
procession was again formed and they passed through various rooms and passages
to another door that at which the cart was waiting He held down his head to
avoid seeing what he knew his eyes must otherwise encounter and took his seat
sorrowfully and yet with something of a childish pride and pleasure in the
vehicle The officers fell into their places at the sides in front and in the
rear the sheriffs carriages rolled on a guard of soldiers surrounded the
whole and they moved slowly forward through the throng and pressure toward Lord
Mansfields ruined house
It was a sad sight all the show and strength and glitter assembled
round one helpless creature and sadder yet to note as he rode along how his
wandering thoughts found strange encouragement in the crowded windows and the
concourse in the streets and how even then he felt the influence of the
bright sky and looked up smiling into its deep unfathomable blue But there
had been many such sights since the riots were over some so moving in their
nature and so repulsive too that they were far more calculated to awaken pity
for the sufferers than respect for that law whose strong arm seemed in more
than one case to be as wantonly stretched forth now that all was safe as it had
been basely paralysed in time of danger
Two cripples both mere boys one with a leg of wood one who dragged his
twisted limbs along by the help of a crutch were hanged in this same Bloomsbury
Square As the cart was about to glide from under them it was observed that
they stood with their faces from not to the house they had assisted to
despoil and their misery was protracted that this omission might be remedied
Another boy was hanged in Bowstreet other young lads in various quarters of
the town Four wretched women too were put to death In a word those who
suffered as rioters were for the most part the weakest meanest and most
miserable among them It was a most exquisite satire upon the false religious
cry which had led to so much misery that some of these people owned themselves
to be Catholics and begged to be attended by their own priests
One young man was hanged in Bishopsgatestreet whose aged greyheaded
father waited for him at the gallows kissed him at its foot when he arrived
and sat there on the ground till they took him down They would have given him
the body of his child but he had no hearse no coffin nothing to remove it in
being too poor and walked meekly away beside the cart that took it back to
prison trying as he went to touch its lifeless hand
But the crowd had forgotten these matters or cared little about them if
they lived in their memory and while one great multitude fought and hustled to
get near the gibbet before Newgate for a parting look another followed in the
train of poor lost Barnaby to swell the throng that waited for him on the spot
Chapter LXXVIII
On this same day and about this very hour Mr Willet the elder sat smoking his
pipe in a chamber at the Black Lion Although it was hot summer weather Mr
Willet sat close to the fire He was in a state of profound cogitation with his
own thoughts and it was his custom at such times to stew himself slowly under
the impression that that process of cookery was favourable to the melting out of
his ideas, which, when he began to simmer sometimes oozed forth so copiously as
to astonish even himself
Mr Willet had been several thousand times comforted by his friends and
acquaintance with the assurance that for the loss he had sustained in the
damage done to the Maypole he could come upon the county But as this phrase
happened to bear an unfortunate resemblance to the popular expression of »coming
on the parish« it suggested to Mr Willets mind no more consolatory visions
than pauperism on an extensive scale and ruin in a capacious aspect
Consequently he had never failed to receive the intelligence with a rueful
shake of the head or a dreary stare and had been always observed to appear
much more melancholy after a visit of condolence than at any other time in the
whole fourandtwenty hours
It chanced however that sitting over the fire on this particular occasion
perhaps because he was as it were done to a turn perhaps because he was in
an unusually bright state of mind perhaps because he had considered the subject
so long perhaps because of all these favouring circumstances taken together
it chanced that sitting over the fire on this particular occasion Mr Willet
did afar off and in the remotest depths of his intellect perceive a kind of
lurking hint or faint suggestion that out of the public purse there might issue
funds for the restoration of the Maypole to its former high place among the
taverns of the earth And this dim ray of light did so diffuse itself within
him and did so kindle up and shine that at last he had it as plainly and
visibly before him as the blaze by which he sat and fully persuaded that he
was the first to make the discovery and that he had started hunted down
fallen upon and knocked on the head a perfectly original idea which had never
presented itself to any other man alive or dead he laid down his pipe rubbed
his hands and chuckled audibly
»Why father« cried Joe entering at the moment »youre in spirits
today«
»Its nothing partickler« said Mr Willet chuckling again »Its nothing
at all partickler Joseph Tell me something about the Salwanners« Having
preferred this request Mr Willet chuckled a third time and after these
unusual demonstrations of levity he put his pipe in his mouth again
»What shall I tell you father« asked Joe laying his hand upon his sires
shoulder and looking down into his face »That I have come back poorer than a
church mouse You know that That I have come back maimed and crippled You
know that«
»It was took off« muttered Mr Willet with his eyes upon the fire »at the
defence of the Salwanners in America where the war is«
»Quite right« returned Joe smiling and leaning with his remaining elbow
on the back of his fathers chair »the very subject I came to speak to you
about A man with one arm father is not of much use in the busy world«
This was one of those vast propositions which Mr Willet had never
considered for an instant and required time to tackle Wherefore he made no
answer
»At all events« said Joe »he cant pick and choose his means of earning a
livelihood as another man may He cant say I will turn my hand to this or I
wont turn my hand to that but must take what he can do and be thankful its
no worse What did you say«
Mr Willet had been softly repeating to himself in a musing tone the words
defence of the Salwanners but he seemed embarrassed at having been overheard
and answered »Nothing«
»Now look here father Mr Edward has come to England from the West
Indies When he was lost sight of I ran away on the same day father he made
a voyage to one of the islands where a schoolfriend of his had settled and
finding him wasnt too proud to be employed on his estate and and in short
got on well and is prospering and has come over here on business of his own
and is going back again speedily Our returning nearly at the same time and
meeting in the course of the late troubles has been a good thing every way for
it has not only enabled us to do old friends some service but has opened a path
in life for me which I may tread without being a burden upon you To be plain
father he can employ me I have satisfied myself that I can be of real use to
him and I am going to carry my one arm away with him and to make the most of
it«
In the mind's eye of Mr Willet the West Indies and indeed all foreign
countries were inhabited by savage nations who were perpetually burying pipes
of peace flourishing tomahawks and puncturing strange patterns in their
bodies He no sooner heard this announcement therefore than he leaned back in
his chair took his pipe from his lips and stared at his son with as much
dismay as if he already beheld him tied to a stake and tortured for the
entertainment of a lively population In what form of expression his feelings
would have found a vent it is impossible to say Nor is it necessary for
before a syllable occurred to him Dolly Varden came running into the room in
tears threw herself on Joes breast without a word of explanation and clasped
her white arms round his neck
»Dolly« cried Joe »Dolly«
»Ay call me that call me that always« exclaimed the locksmiths little
daughter »never speak coldly to me never be distant never again reprove me
for the follies I have long repented or I shall die Joe«
»I reprove you« said Joe
»Yes for every kind and honest word you uttered went to my heart For
you who have borne so much from me for you who owe your sufferings and pain
to my caprice for you to be so kind so noble to me Joe «
He could say nothing to her Not a syllable There was an odd sort of
eloquence in his one arm which had crept round her waist but his lips were
mute
»If you had reminded me by a word only by one short word« sobbed Dolly
clinging yet closer to him »how little I deserved that you should treat me with
so much forbearance if you had exulted only for one moment in your triumph I
could have borne it better«
»Triumph« repeated Joe with a smile which seemed to say »I am a pretty
figure for that«
»Yes triumph« she cried with her whole heart and soul in her earnest
voice and gushing tears »for it is one I am glad to think and know it is I
wouldnt be less humbled dear I wouldnt be without the recollection of that
last time we spoke together in this place no not if I could recall the past
and make our parting yesterday«
Did ever lover look as Joe looked now
»Dear Joe« said Dolly »I always loved you in my own heart I always did
although I was so vain and giddy I hoped you would come back that night I made
quite sure you would I prayed for it on my knees Through all these long long
years I have never once forgotten you or left off hoping that this happy time
might come«
The eloquence of Joes arm surpassed the most impassioned language and so
did that of his lips yet he said nothing either
»And now at last« cried Dolly trembling with the fervour of her speech
»if you were sick and shattered in your every limb if you were ailing weak
and sorrowful if instead of being what you are you were in everybodys eyes
but mine the wreck and ruin of a man I would be your wife dear love with
greater pride and joy than if you were the stateliest lord in England«
»What have I done« cried Joe »what have I done to meet with this reward«
»You have taught me« said Dolly raising her pretty face to his »to know
myself and your worth to be something better than I was to be more deserving
of your true and manly nature In years to come dear Joe you shall find that
you have done so for I will be not only now when we are young and full of
hope but when we have grown old and weary your patient gentle nevertiring
wife I will never know a wish or care beyond our home and you and I will
always study how to please you with my best affection and my most devoted love
I will indeed I will«
Joe could only repeat his former eloquence but it was very much to the
purpose
»They know of this at home« said Dolly »For your sake I would leave even
them but they know it and are glad of it and are as proud of you as I am and
as full of gratitude Youll not come and see me as a poor friend who knew me
when I was a girl will you dear Joe«
Well well It dont matter what Joe said in answer but he said a great
deal and Dolly said a great deal too and he folded Dolly in his one arm pretty
tight considering that it was but one and Dolly made no resistance and if
ever two people were happy in this world which is not an utterly miserable
one with all its faults we may with some appearance of certainty conclude
that they were
To say that during these proceedings Mr Willet the elder underwent the
greatest emotions of astonishment of which our common nature is susceptible to
say that he was in a perfect paralysis of surprise and that he wandered into
the most stupendous and theretofore unattainable heights of complicated
amazement would be to shadow forth his state of mind in the feeblest and
lamest terms If a roc an eagle a griffin a flying elephant a winged
seahorse had suddenly appeared and taking him on its back carried him
bodily into the heart of the Salwanners it would have been to him as an
everyday occurrence in comparison with what he now beheld To be sitting
quietly by seeing and hearing these things to be completely overlooked
unnoticed and disregarded while his son and a young lady were talking to each
other in the most impassioned manner kissing each other and making themselves
in all respects perfectly at home was a position so tremendous so
inexplicable so utterly beyond the widest range of his capacity of
comprehension that he fell into a lethargy of wonder and could no more rouse
himself than an enchanted sleeper in the first year of his fairy lease a
century long
»Father« said Joe presenting Dolly »You know who this is«
Mr Willet looked first at her then at his son then back again at Dolly
and then made an ineffectual effort to extract a whiff from his pipe which had
gone out long ago
»Say a word father if its only how dye do« urged Joe
»Certainly Joseph« answered Mr Willet »Oh yes Why not«
»To be sure« said Joe »Why not«
»Ah« replied his father »Why not« and with this remark which he uttered
in a low voice as though he were discussing some grave question with himself he
used the little finger if any of his fingers can be said to have come under
that denomination of his right hand as a tobaccostopper and was silent
again
And so he sat for half an hour at least although Dolly in the most
endearing of manners hoped a dozen times that he was not angry with her So
he sat for half an hour quite motionless and looking all the while like
nothing so much as a great Dutch Pin or Skittle At the expiration of that
period he suddenly and without the least notice burst to the great
consternation of the young people into a very loud and very short laugh and
repeating »Certainly Joseph Oh yes Why not« went out for a walk
Chapter LXXIX
Old John did not walk near the Golden Key for between the Golden Key and the
Black Lion there lay a wilderness of streets as everybody knows who is
acquainted with the relative bearings of Clerkenwell and Whitechapel and he
was by no means famous for pedestrian exercises But the Golden Key lies in our
way though it was out of his so to the Golden Key this chapter goes
The Golden Key itself fair emblem of the locksmiths trade had been pulled
down by the rioters and roughly trampled under foot But now it was hoisted
up again in all the glory of a new coat of paint and showed more bravely even
than in days of yore Indeed the whole housefront was spruce and trim and so
freshened up throughout that if there yet remained at large any of the rioters
who had been concerned in the attack upon it the sight of the old goodly
prosperous dwelling so revived must have been to them as gall and wormwood
The shutters of the shop were closed however and the windowblinds above
were all pulled down and in place of its usual cheerful appearance the house
had a look of sadness and an air of mourning which the neighbours who in old
days had often seen poor Barnaby go in and out were at no loss to understand
The door stood partly open but the locksmiths hammer was unheard the cat sat
moping on the ashy forge all was deserted dark and silent
On the threshold of this door Mr Haredale and Edward Chester met The
younger man gave place and both passing in with a familiar air which seemed to
denote that they were tarrying there or were well accustomed to go to and fro
unquestioned shut it behind them
Entering the old backparlour and ascending the flight of stairs abrupt
and steep and quaintly fashioned as of old they turned into the best room the
pride of Mrs Vardens heart and erst the scene of Miggss household labours
»Varden brought the mother here last evening he told me« said Mr
Haredale
»She is abovestairs now in the room over here« Edward rejoined »Her
grief they say is past all telling I neednt add for that you know
beforehand sir that the care humanity and sympathy of these good people
have no bounds«
»I am sure of that Heaven repay them for it and for much more Varden is
out«
»He returned with your messenger who arrived almost at the moment of his
coming home himself He was out the whole night but that of course you know
He was with you the greater part of it«
»He was Without him I should have lacked my right hand He is an older man
than I but nothing can conquer him«
»The cheeriest stoutesthearted fellow in the world«
»He has a right to be He has a right to be A better creature never lived
He reaps what he has sown no more«
»It is not all men« said Edward after a moments hesitation »who have the
happiness to do that«
»More than you imagine« returned Mr Haredale »We note the harvest more
than the seedtime You do so in me«
In truth his pale and haggard face and gloomy bearing had so far
influenced the remark that Edward was for the moment at a loss to answer him
»Tut tut« said Mr Haredale »twas not very difficult to read a thought
so natural But you are mistaken nevertheless I have had my share of sorrows
more than the common lot perhaps but I have borne them ill I have broken
where I should have bent and have mused and brooded when my spirit should have
mixed with all Gods great creation The men who learn endurance are they who
call the whole world brother I have turned from the world and I pay the
penalty«
Edward would have interposed but he went on without giving him time
»It is too late to evade it now I sometimes think that if I had to live my
life once more I might amend this fault not so much I discover when I search
my mind for the love of what is right as for my own sake But even when I make
these better resolutions I instinctively recoil from the idea of suffering
again what I have undergone and in this circumstance I find the unwelcome
assurance that I should still be the same man though I could cancel the past
and begin anew with its experience to guide me«
»Nay you make too sure of that« said Edward
»You think so« Mr Haredale answered »and I am glad you do I know myself
better and therefore distrust myself more Let us leave this subject for
another not so far removed from it as it might at first sight seem to be
Sir you still love my niece and she is still attached to you«
»I have that assurance from her own lips« said Edward »and you know I am
sure you know that I would not exchange it for any blessing life could yield
me«
»You are frank honourable and disinterested« said Mr Haredale »you have
forced the conviction that you are so even on my oncejaundiced mind and I
believe you Wait here till I come back«
He left the room as he spoke but soon returned with his niece
»On that first and only time« he said looking from the one to the other
»when we three stood together under her fathers roof I told you to quit it
and charged you never to return«
»It is the only circumstance arising out of our love« observed Edward
»that I have forgotten«
»You own a name« said Mr Haredale »I had deep reason to remember I was
moved and goaded by recollections of personal wrong and injury I know but
even now I cannot charge myself with having then or ever lost sight of a
heartfelt desire for her true happiness or with having acted however much I
was mistaken with any other impulse than the one pure single earnest wish to
be to her as far as in my inferior nature lay the father she had lost«
»Dear uncle« cried Emma »I have known no parent but you I have loved the
memory of others but I have loved you all my life Never was father kinder to
his child than you have been to me without the interval of one harsh hour
since I can first remember«
»You speak too fondly« he answered »and yet I cannot wish you were less
partial for I have a pleasure in hearing those words and shall have in calling
them to mind when we are far asunder which nothing else could give me Bear
with me for a moment longer Edward for she and I have been together many
years and although I believe that in resigning her to you I put the seal upon
her future happiness I find it needs an effort«
He pressed her tenderly to his bosom and after a minutes pause resumed
»I have done you wrong sir and I ask your forgiveness in no common
phrase or show of sorrow but with earnestness and sincerity In the same
spirit I acknowledge to you both that the time has been when I connived at
treachery and falsehood which if I did not perpetrate myself I still
permitted to rend you two asunder«
»You judge yourself too harshly« said Edward »Let these things rest«
»They rise in judgment against me when I look back and not now for the
first time« he answered »I cannot part from you without your full forgiveness
for busy life and I have little left in common now and I have regrets enough to
carry into solitude without addition to the stock«
»You bear a blessing from us both« said Emma »Never mingle thoughts of me
of me who owe you so much love and duty with anything but undying affection
and gratitude for the past and bright hopes for the future«
»The future« returned her uncle with a melancholy smile »is a bright word
for you and its image should be wreathed with cheerful hopes Mine is of
another kind but it will be one of peace and free I trust from care or
passion When you quit England I shall leave it too There are cloisters abroad
and now that the two great objects of my life are set at rest I know no better
home You droop at that forgetting that I am growing old and that my course is
nearly run Well we will speak of it again not once or twice but many times
and you shall give me cheerful counsel Emma«
»And you will take it« asked his niece
»Ill listen to it« he answered with a kiss »and it will have its weight
be certain What have I left to say You have of late been much together It
is better and more fitting that the circumstances attendant on the past which
wrought your separation and sowed between you suspicion and distrust should
not be entered on by me«
»Much much better« whispered Emma
»I avow my share in them« said Mr Haredale »though I held it at the
time in detestation Let no man turn aside ever so slightly from the broad
path of honour on the plausible pretence that he is justified by the goodness
of his end All good ends can be worked out by good means Those that cannot
are bad and may be counted so at once and left alone«
He looked from her to Edward and said in a gentler tone
»In goods and fortune you are now nearly equal I have been her faithful
steward and to that remnant of a richer property which my brother left her I
desire to add in token of my love a poor pittance scarcely worth the mention
for which I have no longer any need I am glad you go abroad Let our illfated
house remain the ruin it is When you return after a few thriving years you
will command a better and a more fortunate one We are friends«
Edward took his extended hand and grasped it heartily
»You are neither slow nor cold in your response« said Mr Haredale doing
the like by him »and when I look upon you now and know you I feel that I
would choose you for her husband Her father had a generous nature and you
would have pleased him well I give her to you in his name and with his
blessing If the world and I part in this act we part on happier terms than we
have lived for many a day«
He placed her in his arms and would have left the room but that he was
stopped in his passage to the door by a great noise at a distance which made
them start and pause
It was a loud shouting mingled with boisterous acclamations that rent the
very air It drew nearer and nearer every moment and approached so rapidly
that even while they listened it burst into a deafening confusion of sounds at
the street corner
»This must be stopped quieted« said Mr Haredale hastily »We should
have foreseen this and provided against it I will go out to them at once«
But before he could reach the door and before Edward could catch up his
hat and follow him they were again arrested by a loud shriek from abovestairs
and the locksmiths wife bursting in and fairly running in Mr Haredales
arms cried out
»She knows it all dear sir she knows it all We broke it out to her by
degrees and she is quite prepared« Having made this communication and
furthermore thanked Heaven with great fervour and heartiness the good lady
according to the custom of matrons on all occasions of excitement fainted away
directly
They ran to the window drew up the sash and looked into the crowded
street Among a dense mob of persons of whom not one was for an instant still
the locksmiths ruddy face and burly form could be descried beating about as
though he was struggling with a rough sea Now he was carried back a score of
yards now onward nearly to the door now back again now forced against the
opposite houses now against those adjoining his own now carried up a flight of
steps and greeted by the outstretched hands of half a hundred men while the
whole tumultuous concourse stretched their throats and cheered with all their
might Though he was really in a fair way to be torn to pieces in the general
enthusiasm the locksmith nothing discomposed echoed their shouts till he was
as hoarse as they and in a glow of joy and right goodhumour waved his hat
until the daylight shone between its brim and crown
But in all the bandyings from hand to hand and strivings to and fro and
sweepings here and there which saving that he looked more jolly and more
radiant after every struggle troubled his peace of mind no more than if he had
been a straw upon the waters surface he never once released his firm grasp of
an arm drawn tight through his He sometimes turned to clap this friend upon
the back or whisper in his ear a word of staunch encouragement or cheer him
with a smile but his great care was to shield him from the pressure and force
a passage for him to the Golden Key Passive and timid scared pale and
wondering and gazing at the throng as if he were newly risen from the dead and
felt himself a ghost among the living Barnaby not Barnaby in the spirit but
in flesh and blood with pulses sinews nerves and beating heart and strong
affections clung to his stout old friend and followed where he led
And thus in course of time they reached the door held ready for their
entrance by no unwilling hands Then slipping in and shutting out the crowd by
main force Gabriel stood between Mr Haredale and Edward Chester and Barnaby
rushing up the stairs fell upon his knees beside his mothers bed
»Such is the blessed end sir« cried the panting locksmith to Mr
Haredale »of the best days work we ever did The rogues its been hard
fighting to get away from em I almost thought once or twice theyd have 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 antechamber 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 oclock 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 oclock a free
pardon to Barnaby Rudge was made out and signed and entrusted to a
horsesoldier 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 neednt say« observed the locksmith when he had shaken hands with all
the males in the house and hugged all the females fiveand fortytimes at
least »that except among ourselves I didnt 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 Id 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 Gabriels 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 upstairs 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
with the bird upon his arm presented himself at the firstfloor window and
waved his hat again until it dangled by a shred between his finger and thumb
This demonstration having been received with appropriate shouts and silence
being in some degree restored he thanked them for their sympathy and taking
the liberty to inform them that there was a sick person in the house proposed
that they should give three cheers for King George three more for Old England
and three more for nothing particular as a closing ceremony The crowd
assenting substituted Gabriel Varden for the nothing particular and giving him
one over for good measure dispersed in high goodhumour
What congratulations were exchanged among the inmates at the Golden Key
when they were left alone what an overflowing of joy and happiness there was
among them how incapable it was of expression in Barnabys own person and how
he went wildly from one to another until he became so far tranquillised as to
stretch himself on the ground beside his mothers couch and fall into a deep
sleep are matters that need not be told And it is well they happened to be of
this class for they would be very hard to tell were their narration ever so
indispensable
Before leaving this bright picture it may be well to glance at a dark and
very different one which was presented to only a few eyes that same night
The scene was a churchyard the time midnight the persons Edward Chester
a clergyman a gravedigger and the four bearers of a homely coffin They stood
about a grave which had been newly dug and one of the bearers held up a dim
lantern the only light there which shed its feeble ray upon the book of
prayer He placed it for a moment on the coffin when he and his companions were
about to lower it down There was no inscription on the lid
The mould fell solemnly upon the last house of this nameless man and the
rattling dust left a dismal echo even in the accustomed ears of those who had
borne it to its restingplace The grave was filled in to the top and trodden
down They all left the spot together
»You never saw him living« asked the clergyman of Edward
»Often years ago not knowing him for my brother«
»Never since«
»Never Yesterday he steadily refused to see me It was urged upon him
many times at my desire«
»Still he refused That was hardened and unnatural«
»Do you think so«
»I infer that you do not«
»You are right We hear the world wonder every day at monsters of
ingratitude Did it never occur to you that it often looks for monsters of
affection as though they were things of course«
They had reached the gate by this time and bidding each other good night
departed on their separate ways
Chapter LXXX
That afternoon when he had slept off his fatigue had shaved and washed and
dressed and freshened himself from top to toe when he had dined comforted
himself with a pipe an extra Toby a nap in the great armchair and a quiet
chat with Mrs Varden on everything that had happened was happening or about
to happen within the sphere of their domestic concern the locksmith sat
himself down at the teatable in the little backparlour the rosiest cosiest
merriest heartiest bestcontented old buck in Great Britain or out of it
There he sat with his beaming eye on Mrs V and his shining face suffused
with gladness and his capacious waistcoat smiling in every wrinkle and his
jovial humour peeping from under the table in the very plumpness of his legs a
sight to turn the vinegar of misanthropy into purest milk of human kindness
There he sat watching his wife as she decorated the room with flowers for the
greater honour of Dolly and Joseph Willet who had gone out walking and for
whom the teakettle had been singing gaily on the hob full twenty minutes
chirping as never kettle chirped before for whom the best service of real
undoubted china patterned with divers roundfaced mandarins holding up broad
umbrellas was now displayed in all its glory to tempt whose appetites a clear
transparent juicy ham garnished with cool green lettuceleaves and fragrant
cucumber reposed upon a shady table covered with a snowwhite cloth for whose
delight preserves and jams crisp cakes and other pastry short to eat with
cunning twists and cottage loaves and rolls of bread both white and brown
were all set forth in rich profusion in whose youth Mrs V herself had grown
quite young and stood there in a gown of red and white symmetrical in figure
buxom in bodice ruddy in cheek and lip faultless in ankle laughing in face
and mood in all respects delicious to behold there sat the locksmith among
all and every these delights the sun that shone upon them all the centre of
the system the source of light heat life and frank enjoyment in the bright
household world
And when had Dolly ever been the Dolly of that afternoon To see how she
came in arminarm with Joe and how she made an effort not to blush or seem at
all confused and how she made believe she didnt care to sit on his side of the
table and how she coaxed the locksmith in a whisper not to joke and how her
colour came and went in a little restless flutter of happiness which made her
do everything wrong and yet so charmingly wrong that it was better than right
why the locksmith could have looked on at this as he mentioned to Mrs
Varden when they retired for the night for fourandtwenty hours at a stretch
and never wished it done
The recollections too with which they made merry over that long protracted
tea The glee with which the locksmith asked Joe if he remembered that stormy
night at the Maypole when he first asked after Dolly the laugh they all had
about that night when she was going out to the party in the sedanchair the
unmerciful manner in which they rallied Mrs Varden about putting those flowers
outside that very window the difficulty Mrs Varden found in joining the laugh
against herself at first and the extraordinary perception she had of the joke
when she overcame it the confidential statements of Joe concerning the precise
day and hour when he was first conscious of being fond of Dolly and Dollys
blushing admissions half volunteered and half extorted as to the time from
which she dated the discovery that she didnt mind Joe here was an exhaustless
fund of mirth and conversation
Then there was a great deal to be said regarding Mrs Vardens doubts and
motherly alarms and shrewd suspicions and it appeared that from Mrs Vardens
penetration and extreme sagacity nothing had ever been hidden She had known it
all along She had seen it from the first She had always predicted it She had
been aware of it before the principals She had said within herself for she
remembered the exact words »that young Willet is certainly looking after our
Dolly and I must look after him« Accordingly she had looked after him and
had observed many little circumstances all of which she named so exceedingly
minute that nobody else could make anything out of them even now and had it
seemed from first to last displayed the most unbounded tact and most
consummate generalship
Of course the night when Joe would ride homeward by the side of the chaise
and when Mrs Varden would insist upon his going back again was not forgotten
nor the night when Dolly fainted on his name being mentioned nor the times
upon times when Mrs Varden ever watchful and prudent had found her pining in
her own chamber In short nothing was forgotten and everything by some means
or other brought them back to the conclusion that that was the happiest hour in
all their lives consequently that everything must have occurred for the best
and nothing could be suggested which would have made it better
While they were in the full glow of such discourse as this there came a
startling knock at the door opening from the street into the workshop which
had been kept closed all day that the house might be more quiet Joe as in duty
bound would hear of nobody but himself going to open it and accordingly left
the room for that purpose
It would have been odd enough certainly if Joe had forgotten the way to
this door and even if he had as it was a pretty large one and stood straight
before him he could not easily have missed it But Dolly perhaps because she
was in the flutter of spirits before mentioned or perhaps because she thought
he would not be able to open it with his one arm she could have no other
reason hurried out after him and they stopped so long in the passage no
doubt owing to Joes entreaties that she would not expose herself to the draught
of July air which must infallibly come rushing in on this same door being opened
that the knock was repeated in a yet more startling manner than before
»Is anybody going to open that door« cried the locksmith »Or shall I
come«
Upon that Dolly went running back into the parlour all dimples and
blushes and Joe opened it with a mighty noise and other superfluous
demonstrations of being in a violent hurry
»Well« said the locksmith when he reappeared »what is it eh Joe what
are you laughing at«
»Nothing sir Its coming in«
»Whos coming in whats coming in« Mrs Varden as much at a loss as her
husband could only shake her head in answer to his inquiring look so the
locksmith wheeled his chair round to command a better view of the roomdoor and
stared at it with his eyes wide open and a mingled expression of curiosity and
wonder shining in his jolly face
Instead of some person or persons straightway appearing divers remarkable
sounds were heard first in the workshop and afterwards in the little dark
passage between it and the parlour as though some unwieldy chest or heavy piece
of furniture were being brought in by an amount of human strength inadequate to
the task At length after much struggling and bumping and bruising of the wall
on both sides the door was forced open as by a batteringram and the
locksmith steadily regarding what appeared beyond smote his thigh elevated
his eyebrows opened his mouth and cried in a loud voice expressive of the
utmost consternation
»Damme if it ant Miggs come back«
The young damsel whom he named no sooner heard these words than deserting a
small boy and a very large box by which she was accompanied and advancing with
such precipitation that her bonnet flew off her head burst into the room
clasped her hands in which she held a pair of pattens one in each raised her
eyes devotedly to the ceiling and shed a flood of tears
»The old story« cried the locksmith looking at her in inexpressible
desperation »She was born to be a damper this young woman nothing can prevent
it«
»Ho master ho mim« cried Miggs »can I constrain my feelings in these here
once agin united moments Ho Mr Warden heres blessedness among relations
sir Heres forgivenesses of injuries heres amicablenesses«
The locksmith looked from his wife to Dolly and from Dolly to Joe and from
Joe to Miggs with his eyebrows still elevated and his mouth still open When
his eyes got back to Miggs they rested on her fascinated
»To think« cried Miggs with hysterical joy »that Mr Joe and dear Miss
Dolly has raly come together after all as has been said and done contrairy To
see them two asettin along with him and her so pleasant and in all respects
so affable and mild and me not knowing of it and not being in the ways to make
no preparations for their teas Ho what a cutting thing it is and yet what
sweet sensations is awoke within me«
Either in clasping her hands again or in an ecstasy of pious joy Miss
Miggs clinked her pattens after the manner of a pair of cymbals at this
juncture and then resumed in the softest accents
»And did my missis think ho goodness did she think as her own Miggs
which supported her under so many trials and understood her natur when them as
intended well but acted rough went so deep into her feelings did she think as
her own Miggs would ever leave her Did she think as Miggs though she was but a
servant and knowed that servitudes was no inheritances would forgit that she
was the humble instruments as always made it comfortable between them two when
they fell out and always told master of the meekness and forgiveness of her
blessed dispositions Did she think as Miggs had no attachments Did she think
that wages was her only object«
To none of these interrogatories whereof every one was more pathetically
delivered than the last did Mrs Varden answer one word but Miggs not at all
abashed by this circumstance turned to the small boy in attendance her eldest
nephew son of her own married sister born in Golden Lion Court number
twentysivin and bred in the very shadow of the second bellhandle on the
righthand doorpost and with a plentiful use of her pockethandkerchief
addressed herself to him requesting that on his return home he would console
his parents for the loss of her his aunt by delivering to them a faithful
statement of his having left her in the bosom of that family with which as his
aforesaid parents well knew her best affections were incorporated that he
would remind them that nothing less than her imperious sense of duty and
devoted attachment to her old master and missis likewise Miss Dolly and young
Mr Joe should ever have induced her to decline that pressing invitation which
they his parents had as he could testify given her to lodge and board with
them free of all cost and charge for evermore lastly that he would help her
with her box upstairs and then repair straight home bearing her blessing and
her strong injunctions to mingle in his prayers a supplication that he might in
course of time grow up a locksmith or a Mr Joe and have Mrs Vardens and Miss
Dollys for his relations and friends
Having brought this admonition to an end upon which to say the truth the
young gentleman for whose benefit it was designed bestowed little or no heed
having to all appearance his faculties absorbed in the contemplation of the
sweetmeats Miss Miggs signified to the company in general that they were not
to be uneasy for she would soon return and with her nephews aid prepared to
bear her wardrobe up the staircase
»My dear« said the locksmith to his wife »Do you desire this«
»I desire it« she answered »I am astonished I am amazed at her
audacity Let her leave the house this moment«
Miggs hearing this let her end of the box fall heavily to the floor gave
a very loud sniff crossed her arms screwed down the corners of her mouth and
cried in an ascending scale »Ho good gracious« three distinct times
»You hear what your mistress says my love« remarked the locksmith »You
had better go I think Stay take this with you for the sake of old service«
Miss Miggs clutched the banknote he took from his pocketbook and held out
to her deposited it in a small red leather purse put the purse in her pocket
displaying as she did so a considerable portion of some undergarment made
of flannel and more black cotton stocking than is commonly seen in public
and tossing her head as she looked at Mrs Varden repeated
»Ho good gracious«
»I think you said that once before my dear« observed the locksmith
»Times is changed is they mim« cried Miggs bridling »you can spare me
now can you You can keep em down without me Youre not in wants of any one
to scold or throw the blame upon no longer ant you mim Im glad to find
youve grown so independent I wish you joy Im sure«
With that she dropped a curtsey and keeping her head erect her ear towards
Mrs Varden and her eye on the rest of the company as she alluded to them in
her remarks proceeded
»Im quite delighted Im sure to find sich independency feeling sorry
though at the same time mim that you should have been forced into submissions
when you couldnt help yourself he he he It must be great vexations
specially considering how ill you always spoke of Mr Joe to have him for a
soninlaw at last and I wonder Miss Dolly can put up with him either after
being off and on for so many years with a coachmaker But I have heerd say that
the coachmaker thought twice about it he he he and that he told a young man
as was a frind of his that he hoped he knowed better than to be drawed into
that though she and all the family did pull uncommon strong«
Here she paused for a reply and receiving none went on as before
»I have heerd say mim that the illnesses of some ladies was all
pretensions and that they could faint away stone dead whenever they had the
inclinations so to do Of course I never see sich cases with my own eyes ho
no He he he Nor master neither ho no He he he I have heerd the neighbours
make remark as some one as they was acquainted with was a poor goodnaturd
meanspirited creetur as went out fishing for a wife one day and caught a
Tartar Of course I never to my knowledge see the poor person himself Nor did
you neither mim ho no I wonder who it can be dont you mim No doubt you
do mim Ho yes He he he«
Again Miggs paused for a reply and none being offered was so oppressed
with teeming spite and spleen that she seemed like to burst
»Im glad Miss Dolly can laugh« cried Miggs with a feeble titter »I like
to see folks alaughing so do you mim dont you You was always glad to see
people in spirits wasnt you mim And you always did your best to keep em
cheerful didnt you mim Though there ant such a great deal to laugh at now
either is there mim It ant so much of a catch after looking out sharp ever
since she was a little chit and costing such a deal in dress and show to get a
poor common soldier with one arm is it mim He he I wouldnt have a husband
with one arm anyways I would have two arms I would have two arms if it was
me though instead of hands theyd only got hooks at the end like our dustman«
Miss Miggs was about to add and had indeed begun to add that taking
them in the abstract, dustmen were far more eligible matches than soldiers
though to be sure when people were past choosing they must take the best they
could get and think themselves well off too but her vexation and chagrin being
of that internally bitter sort which finds no relief in words and is aggravated
to madness by want of contradiction she could hold out no longer and burst
into a storm of sobs and tears
In this extremity she fell on the unlucky nephew tooth and nail and
plucking a handful of hair from his head demanded to know how long she was to
stand there to be insulted and whether or no he meant to help her to carry out
the box again and if he took a pleasure in hearing his family reviled with
other inquiries of that nature at which disgrace and provocation the small
boy who had been all this time gradually lashed into rebellion by the sight of
unattainable pastry walked off indignant leaving his aunt and the box to
follow at their leisure Somehow or other by dint of pushing and pulling they
did attain the street at last where Miss Miggs all blowzed with the exertion
of getting there and with her sobs and tears sat down upon her property to
rest and grieve until she could ensnare some other youth to help her home
»Its a thing to laugh at Martha not to care for« whispered the
locksmith as he followed his wife to the window and goodhumouredly dried her
eyes »What does it matter You had seen your fault before Come Bring up Toby
again my dear Dolly shall sing us a song and well be all the merrier for
this interruption«
Chapter LXXXI
Another month had passed and the end of August had nearly come when Mr
Haredale stood alone in the mailcoach office at Bristol Although but a few
weeks had intervened since his conversation with Edward Chester and his niece
in the locksmiths house and he had made no change in the mean time in his
accustomed style of dress his appearance was greatly altered He looked much
older and more careworn Agitation and anxiety of mind scattered wrinkles and
grey hairs with no unsparing hand but deeper traces follow on the silent
uprooting of old habits and severing of dear familiar ties The affections may
not be so easily wounded as the passions but their hurts are deeper and more
lasting He was now a solitary man and the heart within him was dreary and
lonesome
He was not the less alone for having spent so many years in seclusion and
retirement This was no better preparation than a round of social cheerfulness
perhaps it even increased the keenness of his sensibility He had been so
dependent upon her for companionship and love she had come to be so much a part
and parcel of his existence they had had so many cares and thoughts in common
which no one else had shared that losing her was beginning life anew and being
required to summon up the hope and elasticity of youth amid the doubts
distrusts and weakened energies of age
The effort he had made to part from her with seeming cheerfulness and hope
and they had parted only yesterday left him the more depressed With these
feelings he was about to revisit London for the last time and look once more
upon the walls of their old home before turning his back upon it for ever
The journey was a very different one in those days from what the present
generation find it but it came to an end as the longest journey will and he
stood again in the streets of the metropolis He lay at the inn where the coach
stopped and resolved before he went to bed that he would make his arrival
known to no one would spend but another night in London and would spare
himself the pang of parting even with the honest locksmith
Such conditions of the mind as that to which he was a prey when he lay down
to rest are favourable to the growth of disordered fancies and uneasy visions
He knew this even in the horror with which he started from his first sleep and
threw up the window to dispel it by the presence of some object beyond the
room which had not been as it were the witness of his dream But it was not a
new terror of the night it had been present to him before in many shapes it
had haunted him in bygone times and visited his pillow again and again If it
had been but an ugly object a childish spectre haunting his sleep its return
in its old form might have awakened a momentary sensation of fear which
almost in the act of waking would have passed away This disquiet however
lingered about him and would yield to nothing When he closed his eyes again
he felt it hovering near as he slowly sunk into a slumber he was conscious of
its gathering strength and purpose and gradually assuming its recent shape
when he sprang up from his bed the same phantom vanished from his heated brain
and left him filled with a dread against which reason and waking thought were
powerless
The sun was up before he could shake it off He rose late but not
refreshed and remained within doors all that day He had a fancy for paying his
last visit to the old spot in the evening for he had been accustomed to walk
there at that season and desired to see it under the aspect that was most
familiar to him At such an hour as would afford him time to reach it a little
before sunset he left the inn and turned into the busy street
He had not gone far and was thoughtfully making his way among the noisy
crowd when he felt a hand upon his shoulder and turning recognised one of
the waiters from the inn who begged his pardon but he had left his sword
behind him
»Why have you brought it to me« he asked stretching out his hand and yet
not taking it from the man but looking at him in a disturbed and agitated
manner
The man was sorry to have disobliged him and would carry it back again The
gentleman had said that he was going a little way into the country and that he
might not return until late The roads were not very safe for single travellers
after dark and since the riots gentlemen had been more careful than ever not
to trust themselves unarmed in lonely places »We thought you were a stranger
sir« he added »and that you might believe our roads to be better than they
are but perhaps you know them well and carry firearms «
He took the sword and putting it up at his side thanked the man and
resumed his walk
It was long remembered that he did this in a manner so strange and with
such a trembling hand that the messenger stood looking after his retreating
figure doubtful whether he ought not to follow and watch him It was long
remembered that he had been heard pacing his bedroom in the dead of the night
and the attendants had mentioned to each other in the morning how fevered and
how pale he looked and that when this man went back to the inn he told a
fellowservant that what he had observed in this short interview lay very heavy
on his mind and that he feared the gentleman intended to destroy himself and
would never come back alive
With a halfconsciousness that his manner had attracted the mans attention
remembering the expression of his face when they parted Mr Haredale
quickened his steps and arriving at a stand of coaches bargained with the
driver of the best to carry him so far on his road as the point where the
footway struck across the fields and to await his return at a house of
entertainment which was within a stonesthrow of that place Arriving there in
due course he alighted and pursued his way on foot
He passed so near the Maypole that he could see its smoke rising from among
the trees while a flock of pigeons some of its old inhabitants doubtless
sailed gaily home to roost between him and the unclouded sky »The old house
will brighten up now« he said as he looked towards it »and there will be a
merry fireside beneath its ivied roof It is some comfort to know that
everything will not be blighted hereabouts I shall be glad to have one picture
of life and cheerfulness to turn to in my mind«
He resumed his walk and bent his steps towards the Warren It was a clear
calm silent evening with hardly a breath of wind to stir the leaves or any
sound to break the stillness of the time but drowsy sheepbells tinkling in the
distance and at intervals the faroff lowing of cattle or bark of village
dogs The sky was radiant with the softened glory of sunset and on the earth
and in the air a deep repose prevailed At such an hour he arrived at the
deserted mansion which had been his home so long and looked for the last time
upon its blackened walls
The ashes of the commonest fire are melancholy things for in them there is
an image of death and ruin of something that has been bright and is but
dull cold dreary dust with which our nature forces us to sympathise How
much more sad the crumbled embers of a home the casting down of that great
altar where the worst among us sometimes perform the worship of the heart and
where the best have offered up such sacrifices and done such deeds of heroism
as chronicled would put the proudest temples of old Time with all their
vaunting annals to the blush
He roused himself from a long train of meditation and walked slowly round
the house It was by this time almost dark
He had nearly made the circuit of the building when he uttered a
halfsuppressed exclamation started and stood still Reclining in an easy
attitude with his back against a tree and contemplating the ruin with an
expression of pleasure a pleasure so keen that it overcame his habitual
indolence and command of feature and displayed itself utterly free from all
restraint or reserve before him on his own ground and triumphing then as
he had triumphed in every misfortune and disappointment of his life stood the
man whose presence of all mankind in any place and least of all in that he
could the least endure
Although his blood so rose against this man and his wrath so stirred within
him that he could have struck him dead he put such fierce constraint upon
himself that he passed him without a word or look Yes and he would have gone
on and not turned though to resist the Devil who poured such hot temptation in
his brain required an effort scarcely to be achieved if this man had not
himself summoned him to stop and that with an assumed compassion in his voice
which drove him wellnigh mad and in an instant routed all the self-command it
had been anguish acute poignant anguish to sustain
All consideration reflection mercy forbearance everything by which a
goaded man can curb his rage and passion fled from him as he turned back And
yet he said slowly and quite calmly far more calmly than he had ever spoken
to him before
»Why have you called to me«
»To remark« said Sir John Chester with his wonted composure »what an odd
chance it is that we should meet here«
»It is a strange chance«
»Strange The most remarkable and singular thing in the world I never ride
in the evening I have not done so for years The whim seized me quite
unaccountably in the middle of last night How very picturesque this is«
He pointed as he spoke to the dismantled house and raised his glass to his
eye
»You praise your own work very freely«
Sir John let fall his glass inclined his face towards him with an air of
the most courteous inquiry and slightly shook his head as though he were
remarking to himself »I fear this animal is going mad«
»I say you praise your own work very freely« repeated Mr Haredale
»Work« echoed Sir John looking smilingly round »Mine I beg your
pardon I really beg your pardon «
»Why you see« said Mr Haredale »those walls You see those tottering
gables You see on every side where fire and smoke have raged You see the
destruction that has been wanton here Do you not«
»My good friend« returned the knight gently checking his impatience with
his hand »of course I do I see everything you speak of when you stand aside
and do not interpose yourself between the view and me I am very sorry for you
If I had not had the pleasure to meet you here I think I should have written to
tell you so But you dont bear it as well as I had expected excuse me no
you dont indeed«
He pulled out his snuffbox and addressing him with the superior air of a
man who by reason of his higher nature has a right to read a moral lesson to
another continued
»For you are a philosopher you know one of that stern and rigid school
who are far above the weaknesses of mankind in general You are removed a long
way from the frailties of the crowd You contemplate them from a height and
rail at them with a most impressive bitterness I have heard you«
» And shall again« said Mr Haredale
»Thank you« returned the other »Shall we walk as we talk The damp falls
rather heavily Well as you please But I grieve to say that I can spare you
only a very few moments«
»I would« said Mr Haredale »you had spared me none I would with all my
soul you had been in Paradise if such a monstrous lie could be enacted
rather than here tonight«
»Nay« returned the other »really you do yourself injustice You are a
rough companion but I would not go so far to avoid you«
»Listen to me« said Mr Haredale »Listen to me«
»While you rail« inquired Sir John
»While I deliver your infamy You urged and stimulated to do your work a fit
agent but one who in his nature in the very essence of his being is a
traitor and who has been false to you despite the sympathy you two should have
together as he has been to all others With hints and looks and crafty words
which told again are nothing you set on Gashford to this work this work
before us now With these same hints and looks and crafty words which told
again are nothing you urged him on to gratify the deadly hate he owes me I
have earned it I thank Heaven by the abduction and dishonour of my niece You
did I see denial in your looks« he cried abruptly pointing in his face and
stepping back »and denial is a lie«
He had his hand upon his sword but the knight with a contemptuous smile
replied to him as coldly as before
»You will take notice sir if you can discriminate sufficiently that I
have taken the trouble to deny nothing Your discernment is hardly fine enough
for the perusal of faces not of a kind as coarse as your speech nor has it
ever been that I remember or in one face that I could name you would have
read indifference not to say disgust somewhat sooner than you did I speak of
a long time ago but you understand me«
»Disguise it as you will you mean denial Denial explicit or reserved
expressed or left to be inferred is still a lie You say you dont deny Do you
admit«
»You yourself« returned Sir John suffering the current of his speech to
flow as smoothly as if it had been stemmed by no one word of interruption
»publicly proclaimed the character of the gentleman in question I think it was
in Westminster Hall in terms which relieve me from the necessity of making any
further allusion to him You may have been warranted you may not have been I
cant say Assuming the gentleman to be what you described and to have made to
you or any other person any statements that may have happened to suggest
themselves to him for the sake of his own security or for the sake of money
or for his own amusement or for any other consideration I have nothing to
say of him except that his extremely degrading situation appears to me to be
shared with his employers You are so very plain yourself that you will excuse
a little freedom in me I am sure«
»Attend to me again Sir John but once« cried Mr Haredale »in your
every look and word and gesture you tell me this was not your act I tell you
that it was and that you tampered with the man I speak of and with your
wretched son whom God forgive to do this deed You talk of degradation and
character You told me once that you had purchased the absence of the poor idiot
and his mother when as I have discovered since and then suspected you had
gone to tempt them and had found them flown To you I traced the insinuation
that I alone reaped any harvest from my brothers death and all the foul
attacks and whispered calumnies that followed in its train In every action of
my life from that first hope which you converted into grief and desolation you
have stood like an adverse fate between me and peace In all you have ever
been the same coldblooded hollow false unworthy villain For the second
time and for the last I cast these charges in your teeth and spurn you from
me as I would a faithless dog«
With that he raised his arm and struck him on the breast so that he
staggered Sir John the instant he recovered drew his sword threw away the
scabbard and his hat and running on his adversary made a desperate lunge at his
heart which but that his guard was quick and true would have stretched him
dead upon the grass
In the act of striking him the torrent of his opponents rage had reached a
stop He parried his rapid thrusts without returning them and called to him
with a frantic kind of terror in his face to keep back
»Not tonight not tonight« he cried »In Gods name not tonight«
Seeing that he lowered his weapon and that he would not thrust in turn Sir
John lowered his
»Not tonight« his adversary cried »Be warned in time«
»You told me it must have been in a sort of inspiration « said Sir John
quite deliberately though now he dropped his mask and showed his hatred in his
face »that this was the last time Be assured it is Did you believe our last
meeting was forgotten Did you believe that your every word and look was not to
be accounted for and was not well remembered Do you believe that I have waited
your time or you mine What kind of man is he who entered with all his
sickening cant of honesty and truth into a bond with me to prevent a marriage
he affected to dislike and when I had redeemed my part to the spirit and the
letter skulked from his and brought the match about in his own time to rid
himself of a burden he had grown tired of and cast a spurious lustre on his
house«
»I have acted« cried Mr Haredale »with honour and in good faith I do so
now Do not force me to renew this duel tonight«
»You said my wretched son I think« said Sir John with a smile »Poor
fool The dupe of such a shallow knave trapped into marriage by such an uncle
and by such a niece he well deserves your pity But he is no longer a son of
mine you are welcome to the prize your craft has made sir«
»Once more« cried his opponent wildly stamping on the ground »although
you tear me from my better angel I implore you not to come within the reach of
my sword tonight Oh why were you here at all Why have we met Tomorrow
would have cast us apart for ever«
»That being the case« returned Sir John without the least emotion »it is
very fortunate we have met tonight Haredale I have always despised you as
you know but I have given you credit for a species of brute courage For the
honour of my judgment which I had thought a good one I am sorry to find you a
coward«
Not another word was spoken on either side They crossed swords though it
was now quite dusk and attacked each other fiercely They were well matched
and each was thoroughly skilled in the management of his weapon
After a few seconds they grew hotter and more furious and pressing on each
other inflicted and received several slight wounds It was directly after
receiving one of these in his arm that Mr Haredale making a keener thrust as
he felt the warm blood spirting out plunged his sword through his opponents
body to the hilt
Their eyes met and were on each other as he drew it out He put his arm
about the dying man who repulsed him feebly and dropped upon the turf
Raising himself upon his hands he gazed at him for an instant with scorn and
hatred in his look but seeming to remember even then that this expression
would distort his features after death he tried to smile and faintly moving
his right hand as if to hide his bloody linen in his vest fell back dead the
phantom of last night
Chapter the Last
A parting glance at such of the actors in this little history as it has not in
the course of its events dismissed will bring it to an end
Mr Haredale fled that night Before pursuit could be begun indeed before
Sir John was traced or missed he had left the kingdom Repairing straight to a
religious establishment known throughout Europe for the rigour and severity of
its discipline and for the merciless penitence it exacted from those who sought
its shelter as a refuge from the world he took the vows which thenceforth shut
him out from nature and its kind and after a few remorseful years was buried in
its gloomy cloisters
Two days elapsed before the body of Sir John was found As soon as it was
recognised and carried home the faithful valet true to his masters creed
eloped with all the cash and movables he could lay his hands on and started as
a finished gentleman upon his own account In this career he met with great
success and would certainly have married an heiress in the end but for an
unlucky check which led to his premature decease He sank under a contagious
disorder very prevalent at that time and vulgarly termed the jail fever
Lord George Gordon remaining in his prison in the Tower until Monday the
Fifth of February in the following year was on that day solemnly tried at
Westminster for High Treason Of this crime he was after a patient
investigation declared Not Guilty upon the ground that there was no proof of
his having called the multitude together with any traitorous or unlawful
intentions Yet so many people were there still to whom those riots taught no
lesson of reproof or moderation that a public subscription was set on foot in
Scotland to defray the cost of his defence
For seven years afterwards he remained at the strong intercession of his
friends comparatively quiet saving that he every now and then took occasion
to display his zeal for the Protestant faith in some extravagant proceeding
which was the delight of its enemies and saving besides that he was formally
excommunicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury for refusing to appear as a
witness in the Ecclesiastical Court when cited for that purpose In the year
1788 he was stimulated by some new insanity to write and publish an injurious
pamphlet reflecting on the Queen of France in very violent terms Being
indicted for the libel and after various strange demonstrations in court
found guilty he fled into Holland in place of appearing to receive sentence
from whence as the quiet burgomasters of Amsterdam had no relish for his
company he was sent home again with all speed Arriving in the month of July at
Harwich and going thence to Birmingham he made in the latter place in August
a public profession of the Jewish religion and figured there as a Jew until he
was arrested and brought back to London to receive the sentence he had evaded
By virtue of this sentence he was in the month of December cast into Newgate
for five years and ten months and required besides to pay a large fine and to
furnish heavy securities for his future good behaviour
After addressing in the midsummer of the following year an appeal to the
commiseration of the National Assembly of France which the English minister
refused to sanction he composed himself to undergo his full term of punishment
and suffering his beard to grow nearly to his waist and conforming in all
respects to the ceremonies of his new religion he applied himself to the study
of history and occasionally to the art of painting in which in his younger
days he had shown some skill Deserted by his former friends and treated in
all respects like the worst criminal in the jail he lingered on quite cheerful
and resigned until the 1st of November 1793 when he died in his cell being
then only threeandforty years of age
Many men with fewer sympathies for the distressed and needy with less
abilities and harder hearts have made a shining figure and left a brilliant
fame He had his mourners The prisoners bemoaned his loss and missed him for
though his means were not large his charity was great and in bestowing alms
among them he considered the necessities of all alike and knew no distinction
of sect or creed There are wise men in the highways of the world who may learn
something even from this poor crazy lord who died in Newgate
To the last he was truly served by bluff John Grueby John was at his side
before he had been fourandtwenty hours in the Tower and never left him until
he died He had one other constant attendant in the person of a beautiful
Jewish girl who attached herself to him from feelings half religious half
romantic but whose virtuous and disinterested character appears to have been
beyond the censure even of the most censorious
Gashford deserted him of course He subsisted for a time upon his traffic
in his masters secrets and this trade failing when the stock was quite
exhausted procured an appointment in the honourable corps of spies and
eavesdroppers employed by the government As one of these wretched underlings
he did his drudgery sometimes abroad sometimes at home and long endured the
various miseries of such a station Ten or a dozen years ago not more a
meagre wan old man diseased and miserably poor was found dead in his bed at
an obscure inn in the Borough where he was quite unknown He had taken poison
There was no clue to his name but it was discovered from certain entries in a
pocketbook he carried that he had been secretary to Lord George Gordon in the
time of the famous riots
Many months after the reestablishment of peace and order and even when it
had ceased to be the towntalk that every military officer kept at free
quarters by the City during the late alarms had cost for his board and lodging
four pounds four per day and every private soldier two and twopence halfpenny
many months after even this engrossing topic was forgotten and the United
Bulldogs were to a man all killed imprisoned or transported Mr Simon
Tappertit being removed from a hospital to prison and thence to his place of
trial was discharged by proclamation on two wooden legs Shorn of his graceful
limbs and brought down from his high estate to circumstances of utter
destitution and the deepest misery he made shift to stump back to his old
master and beg for some relief By the locksmiths advice and aid he was
established in business as a shoeblack and opened shop under an archway near
the Horse Guards This being a central quarter he quickly made a very large
connection and on levee days was sometimes known to have as many as twenty
halfpay officers waiting their turn for polishing Indeed his trade increased
to that extent that in course of time he entertained no less than two
apprentices besides taking for his wife the widow of an eminent bone and rag
collector formerly of Millbank With this lady who assisted in the business
he lived in great domestic happiness only chequered by those little storms
which serve to clear the atmosphere of wedlock and brighten its horizon In
some of these gusts of bad weather Mr Tappertit would in the assertion of his
prerogative so far forget himself as to correct his lady with a brush or
boot or shoe while she but only in extreme cases would retaliate by taking
off his legs and leaving him exposed to the derision of those urchins who
delight in mischief
Miss Miggs baffled in all her schemes matrimonial and otherwise and cast
upon a thankless undeserving world turned very sharp and sour and did at
length become so acid and did so pinch and slap and tweak the hair and noses of
the youth of Golden Lion Court that she was by one consent expelled that
sanctuary and desired to bless some other spot of earth in preference It
chanced at that moment that the justices of the peace for Middlesex proclaimed
by public placard that they stood in need of a female turnkey for the County
Bridewell and appointed a day and hour for the inspection of candidates Miss
Miggs attending at the time appointed was instantly chosen and selected from
one hundred and twentyfour competitors and at once promoted to the office
which she held until her decease more than thirty years afterwards remaining
single all that time It was observed of this lady that while she was inflexible
and grim to all her female flock she was particularly so to those who could
establish any claim to beauty and it was often remarked as a proof of her
indomitable virtue and severe chastity that to such as had been frail she
showed no mercy always falling upon them on the slightest occasion or on no
occasion at all with the fullest measure of her wrath Among other useful
inventions which she practised upon this class of offenders and bequeathed to
posterity was the art of inflicting an exquisitely vicious poke or dig with the
wards of a key in the small of the back near the spine She likewise originated
a mode of treading by accident in pattens on such as had small feet also very
remarkable for its ingenuity and previously quite unknown
It was not very long you may be sure before Joe Willet and Dolly Varden
were made husband and wife and with a handsome sum in bank for the locksmith
could afford to give his daughter a good dowry reopened the Maypole It was
not very long you may be sure before a redfaced little boy was seen
staggering about the Maypole passage and kicking up his heels on the green
before the door It was not very long counting by years before there was a
redfaced little girl another redfaced little boy and a whole troop of girls
and boys so that go to Chigwell when you would there would surely be seen
either in the village street or on the green or frolicking in the farmyard
for it was a farm now as well as a tavern more small Joes and small Dollys
than could be easily counted It was not a very long time before these
appearances ensued but it was a very long time before Joe looked five years
older or Dolly either or the locksmith either or his wife either for
cheerfulness and content are great beautifiers and are famous preservers of
youthful looks depend upon it
It was a long time too before there was such a country inn as the Maypole
in all England indeed it is a great question whether there has ever been such
another to this hour or ever will be It was a long time too for Never as
the proverb says is a long day before they forgot to have an interest in
wounded soldiers at the Maypole or before Joe omitted to refresh them for the
sake of his old campaign or before the serjeant left off looking in there now
and then or before they fatigued themselves or each other by talking on these
occasions of battles and sieges and hard weather and hard service and a
thousand things belonging to a soldiers life As to the great silver snuffbox
which the King sent Joe with his own hand because of his conduct in the Riots
what guest ever went to the Maypole without putting finger and thumb into that
box and taking a great pinch though he had never taken a pinch of snuff
before and almost sneezed himself into convulsions even then As to the
purplefaced vintner where is the man who lived in those times and never saw
him at the Maypole to all appearance as much at home in the best room as if he
lived there And as to the feastings and christenings and revellings at
Christmas and celebrations of birthdays weddingdays and all manner of days
both at the Maypole and the Golden Key if they are not notorious what facts
are
Mr Willet the elder having been by some extraordinary means possessed with
the idea that Joe wanted to be married and that it would be well for him his
father to retire into private life and enable him to live in comfort took up
his abode in a small cottage at Chigwell where they widened and enlarged the
fireplace for him hung up the boiler and furthermore planted in the little
garden outside the frontdoor a fictitious Maypole so that he was quite at
home directly To this his new habitation Tom Cobb Phil Parkes and Solomon
Daisy went regularly every night and in the chimneycorner they all four
quaffed and smoked and prosed and dozed as they had done of old It being
accidentally discovered after a short time that Mr Willet still appeared to
consider himself a landlord by profession Joe provided him with a slate upon
which the old man regularly scored up vast accounts for meat drink and
tobacco As he grew older this passion increased upon him and it became his
delight to chalk against the name of each of his cronies a sum of enormous
magnitude and impossible to be paid and such was his secret joy in these
entries that he would be perpetually seen going behind the door to look at
them and coming forth again suffused with the liveliest satisfaction
He never recovered the surprise the Rioters had given him and remained in
the same mental condition down to the last moment of his life It was like to
have been brought to a speedy termination by the first sight of his first
grandchild which appeared to fill him with the belief that some alarming
miracle had happened to Joe Being promptly blooded however by a skilful
surgeon he rallied and although the doctors all agreed on his being attacked
with symptoms of apoplexy six months afterwards that he ought to die and took
it very ill that he did not he remained alive possibly on account of his
constitutional slowness for nearly seven years more when he was one morning
found speechless in his bed He lay in this state free from all tokens of
uneasiness for a whole week when he was suddenly restored to consciousness by
hearing the nurse whisper in his sons ears that he was going »Im agoing
Joseph« said Mr Willet turning round upon the instant »to the Salwanners«
and immediately gave up the ghost
He left a large sum of money behind him even more than he was supposed to
have been worth although the neighbours according to the custom of mankind in
calculating the wealth that other people ought to have saved had estimated his
property in good round numbers Joe inherited the whole so that he became a man
of great consequence in those parts and was perfectly independent
Some time elapsed before Barnaby got the better of the shock he had
sustained or regained his old health and gaiety But he recovered by degrees
and although he could never separate his condemnation and escape from the idea
of a terrific dream he became in other respects more rational Dating from
the time of his recovery he had a better memory and greater steadiness of
purpose but a dark cloud overhung his whole previous existence, and never
cleared away
He was not the less happy for this for his love of freedom and interest in
all that moved or grew or had its being in the elements remained to him
unimpaired He lived with his mother on the Maypole farm tending the poultry
and the cattle working in a garden of his own and helping everywhere He was
known to every bird and beast about the place and had a name for every one
Never was there a lighterhearted husbandman a creature more popular with young
and old a blither or more happy soul than Barnaby and though he was free to
ramble where he would he never quitted Her but was for evermore her stay and
comfort
It was remarkable that although he had that dim sense of the past he sought
out Hughs dog and took him under his care and that he never could be tempted
into London When the Riots were many years old and Edward and his wife came
back to England with a family almost as numerous as Dollys and one day
appeared at the Maypole porch he knew them instantly and wept and leaped for
joy But neither to visit them nor on any other pretence no matter how full of
promise and enjoyment could he be persuaded to set foot in the streets nor did
he ever conquer his repugnance or look upon the town again
Grip soon recovered his looks and became as glossy and sleek as ever But
he was profoundly silent Whether he had forgotten the art of Polite
Conversation in Newgate or had made a vow in those troubled times to forego
for a period the display of his accomplishments is matter of uncertainty but
certain it is that for a whole year he never indulged in any other sound than a
grave decorous croak At the expiration of that term the morning being very
bright and sunny he was heard to address himself to the horses in the stable
upon the subject of the Kettle so often mentioned in these pages and before
the witness who overheard him could run into the house with the intelligence
and add to it upon his solemn affirmation the statement that he had heard him
laugh the bird himself advanced with fantastic steps to the very door of the
bar and there cried »Im a devil Im a devil Im a devil« with extraordinary
rapture
From that period although he was supposed to be much affected by the death
of Mr Willet senior he constantly practised and improved himself in the
vulgar tongue and as he was a mere infant for a raven when Barnaby was grey
he has very probably gone on talking to the present time