Descending the hollow, or rather excavation, — for it was an old disused clay-pit, at the bottom of which the cottage was situated, — he speedily succeeded in arousing the ancient sibyl, and having committed Edgeworth Bess to her care, with a promise of an abundant reward in case she watched diligently over her safety, and attended to her comforts till his return, — to all which Black Mary readily agreed, — he departed with a heart lightened of half its load.
Jack’s first object was to seek out Blueskin, whom he had no doubt he should find at the New Mint, at Wapping, for the Old Mint no longer afforded a secure retreat to the robber; and, with this view, he made the best of his way along a bye-lane leading towards Hockley-in-the-Hole. He had not proceeded far when he was alarmed by the tramp of a horse, which seemed to be rapidly approaching, and he had scarcely time to leap the hedge and conceal himself behind a tree, when a tall man, enveloped in an ample cloak, with his hat pulled over his brows, rode by at full speed. Another horseman followed quickly at the heels of the first; but just as he passed the spot where Jack stood, his steed missed its footing, and fell. Either ignorant of the accident, or heedless of it, the foremost horseman pursued his way without even turning his head.
Conceiving the opportunity too favourable to be lost, Jack sprang suddenly over the hedge, and before the man, who was floundering on the ground with one foot in the stirrup, could extricate himself from his embarrassing position, secured his pistols, which he drew from the holsters, and held them to his head. The fellow swore lustily, in a voice which Jack instantly recognised as that of Quilt Arnold, and vainly attempted to rise and draw his sword.
“Dog!” thundered Sheppard, putting the muzzle of the pistol so close to the janizary’s ear, that the touch of the cold iron made him start, “don’t you know me?”
“Blood and thunder!” exclaimed Quilt, opening his eyes with astonishment. “It can’t be Captain Sheppard!”
“It is,” replied Jack; “and you had better have met the devil on your road than me. Do you remember what I said when you took me at the Mint four days ago? I told you my turn would come. It has come, — and sooner than you expected.”
“So I find, Captain,” rejoined Quilt, submissively; “but you’re too noble-hearted to take advantage of my situation. Besides, I acted for others, and not for myself.”
“I know it,” replied Sheppard, “and therefore I spare your life.”
“I was sure you wouldn’t injure me, Captain,” remarked Quilt, in a wheedling tone, while he felt about for his sword; “you’re far too brave to strike a fallen man.”
“Ah! traitor!” cried Jack, who had noticed the movement; “make such another attempt, and it shall cost you your life.” So saying, he unbuckled the belt to which the janizary’s hanger was attached, and fastened it to his own girdle.
“And now,” he continued, sternly, “was it your master who has just ridden by?”
“No,” answered Quilt, sullenly.
“Who, then?” demanded Jack. “Speak, or I fire!”
“Well, if you will have it, it’s Sir Rowland Trenchard.”
“Sir Rowland Trenchard!” echoed Jack, in amazement. “What are you doing with him?”
“It’s a long story, Captain, and I’ve no breath to tell it, — unless you choose to release me,” rejoined Quilt.
“Get up, then,” said Jack, freeing his foot from the stirrup. “Now — begin.”
Quilt, however, seemed unwilling to speak.
“I should be sorry to proceed to extremities,” continued Sheppard, again raising the pistol.
“Well, since you force me to betray my master’s secrets,” replied Quilt, sullenly, “I’ve ridden express to Manchester to deliver a message to Sir Rowland.”
“Respecting Thames Darrell?” observed Jack.
“Why, how the devil did you happen to guess that?” cried the janizary.
“No matter,” replied Sheppard. “I’m glad to find I’m right. You informed Sir Rowland that Thames Darrell was returned?”
“Exactly so,” replied Quilt, “and he instantly decided upon returning to London with me. We’ve ridden post all the way, and I’m horribly tired, or you wouldn’t have mastered me so easily.”
“Perhaps not,” replied Jack, to whom an idea had suddenly occurred. “Now, Sir, I’ll trouble you for your coat. I’ve left mine on the spikes of the New Prison, and must borrow yours.”
“Why, surely you can’t be in earnest, Captain. You wouldn’t rob Mr. Wild’s chief janizary?”
“I’d rob Mr. Wild himself if I met him,” retorted Jack. “Come, off with it, sirrah, or I’ll blow out your brains, in the first place, and strip you afterwards.”
“Well, rather than you should commit so great a crime, Captain, here it is,” replied Quilt, handing him the garment in question. “Anything else?”
“Your waistcoat.”
“‘Zounds! Captain, I shall get my death of cold. I was in hopes you’d be content with my hat and wig.”
“I shall require them as well,” rejoined Sheppard; “and your boots.”
“My boots! Fire and fury! They won’t fit you; they are too large. Besides, how am I to ride home without them?”
“Don’t distress yourself,” returned Jack, “you shall walk. Now,” he added, as his commands were reluctantly obeyed, “help me on with them.”
Quilt knelt down, as if he meant to comply; but, watching his opportunity, he made a sudden grasp at Sheppard’s leg, with the intention of overthrowing him.
But Jack was too nimble for him. Striking out his foot, he knocked half a dozen teeth down the janizary’s throat; and, seconding the kick with a blow on the head from the butt-end of the pistol, stretched him, senseless and bleeding on the ground.
“Like master like man,” observed Jack as he rolled the inanimate body to the side of the road. “From Jonathan Wild’s confidential servant what could be expected but treachery?”
With this, he proceeded to dress himself in Quilt Arnold’s clothes, pulled the wig over his face and eyes so as completely to conceal his features, slouched the hat over his brows, drew the huge boots above his knees, and muffled himself up in the best way he could. On searching the coat, he found, amongst other matters, a mask, a key, and a pocket-book. The latter appeared to contain several papers, which Jack carefully put by, in the hope that they might turn out of importance in a scheme of vengeance which he meditated against the thief-taker. He then mounted the jaded hack, which had long since regained its legs, and was quietly browsing the grass at the road-side, and, striking spurs into its side, rode off. He had not proceeded far when he encountered Sir Rowland, who, having missed his attendant, had returned to look after him.
“What has delayed you?” demanded the knight impatiently.
“My horse has had a fall,” replied Jack, assuming to perfection — for he was a capital mimic, — the tones of Quilt Arnold. “It was some time before I could get him to move.”
“I fancied I heard voices,” rejoined Sir Rowland.
“So did I,” answered Jack; “we had better move on. This is a noted place for highwaymen.”
“I thought you told me that the rascal who has so long been the terror of the town — Jack Sheppard — was in custody.”
“So he is,” returned Jack; “but there’s no saying how long he may remain so. Besides, there are greater rascals than Jack Sheppard at liberty, Sir Rowland.”
Sir Rowland made no reply, but angrily quickened his pace. The pair then descended Saffron-hill, threaded Field-lane, and, entering Holborn, passed over the little bridge which then crossed the muddy waters of Fleet-ditch, mounted Snow-hill, and soon drew in the bridle before Jonathan Wild’s door. Aware of Quilt Arnold’s mode of proceeding, Jack instantly dismounted, and, instead of knocking, opened the door with the pass-key. The porter instantly made his appearance, and Sheppard ordered him to take care of the horses.
“Well, what sort of journey have you had, Quilt?” asked the man as he hastened to
assist Sir Rowland to dismount.
“Oh! we’ve lost no time, as you perceive,” replied Jack. “Is the governor within?”
“Yes; you’ll find him in the audience-chamber. He has got Blueskin with him.”
“Ah! indeed! what’s he doing here?” inquired Jack.
“Come to buy off Jack Sheppard, I suppose,” replied the fellow. “But it won’t do. Mr. Wild has made up his mind, and, when that’s the case, all the persuasion on earth won’t turn him. Jack will be tried to-morrow; and, as sure as my name’s Obadiah Lemon he’ll take up his quarters at the King’s-Head,” pointing to Newgate, “over the way.”
“Well, we shall see,” replied Jack. “Look to the horses, Obadiah. This way, Sir Rowland.”
As familiar as Quilt Arnold himself with every part of Wild’s mysterious abode, as well as with the ways of its inmates, Jack, without a moment’s hesitation, took up a lamp which was burning in the hall, and led his companion up the great stone stairs. Arrived at the audience-chamber, he set down the light upon a stand, threw open the door, and announced in a loud voice, but with the perfect intonation of the person he represented,— “Sir Rowland Trenchard.”
Jonathan, who was engaged in conversation with Blueskin, instantly arose, and bowed with cringing ceremoniousness to the knight. The latter haughtily returned his salutation, and flung himself, as if exhausted, into a chair.
“You’ve arrived sooner than I expected, Sir Rowland,” observed the thief-taker. “Lost no time on the road — eh! — I didn’t expect you till to-morrow at the earliest. Excuse me an instant while I dismiss this person. — You’ve your answer, Blueskin,” he added, pushing that individual, who seemed unwilling to depart, towards the door; “it’s useless to urge the matter further. Jack is registered in the Black Book.”
“One word before I go,” urged Blueskin.
“Not a syllable,” replied Wild. “If you talk as long as an Old Bailey counsel, you’ll not alter my determination.”
“Won’t my life do as well as his?” supplicated the other.
“Humph!” exclaimed Jonathan, doubtfully. “And you would surrender yourself — eh?”
“I’ll surrender myself at once, if you’ll engage to bring him off; and you’ll get the reward from old Wood. It’s two hundred pounds. Recollect that.”
“Faithful fellow!” murmured Jack. “I forgive him his disobedience.”
“Will you do it?” persisted Blueskin.
“No,” replied Wild; “and I’ve only listened to your absurd proposal to see how far your insane attachment to this lad would carry you.”
“I do love him,” cried Blueskin, “and that’s the long and short of it. I’ve taught him all he can do; and there isn’t his fellow, and never will be again. I’ve seen many a clever cracksman, but never one like him. If you hang Jack Sheppard, you’ll cut off the flower o’ the purfession. But I’ll not believe it of you. It’s all very well to read him a lesson, and teach him obedience; but you’ve gone far enough for that.”
“Not quite,” rejoined the thief-taker, significantly.
“Well,” growled Blueskin, “you’ve had my offer.”
“And you my warning,” retorted Wild. “Good night!”
“Blueskin,” whispered Jack, in his natural tones, as the other passed him, “wait without.”
“Power o’ mercy!” cried Blueskin starting.
“What’s the matter?” demanded Jonathan, harshly.
“Nothin’ — nothin’,” returned Blueskin; “only I thought—”
“You saw the hangman, no doubt,” said Jack. “Take courage, man; it is only Quilt Arnold. Come, make yourself scarce. Don’t you see Mr. Wild’s busy.” And then he added, in an under tone, “Conceal yourself outside, and be within call.”
Blueskin nodded, and left the room. Jack affected to close the door, but left it slightly ajar.
“What did you say to him?” inquired Jonathan, suspiciously.
“I advised him not to trouble you farther about Jack Sheppard,” answered the supposed janizary.
“He seems infatuated about the lad,” observed Wild. “I shall be obliged to hang him to keep him company. And now, Sir Rowland,” he continued, turning to the knight, “to our own concerns. It’s a long time since we met, eight years and more. I hope you’ve enjoyed your health. ‘Slife! you are wonderfully altered. I should scarcely have known you.”
The knight was indeed greatly changed. Though not much passed the middle term of life, he seemed prematurely stricken with old age. His frame was wasted, and slightly bent; his eyes were hollow, his complexion haggard, and his beard, which had remained unshorn during his hasty journey, was perfectly white. His manner, however, was as stern and haughty as ever, and his glances retained their accustomed fire.
“I did not come hither to consult you as to the state of my health, Sir,” he observed, displeased by Jonathan’s allusion to the alteration in his appearance.
“True,” replied Wild. “You were no doubt surprised by the unlooked-for intelligence I sent you of your nephew’s return?”
“Was it unlooked-for on your part?” demanded the knight, distrustfully.
“On my soul, yes,” rejoined Jonathan. “I should as soon have expected the bones of Tom Sheppard to reunite themselves and walk out of that case, as Thames Darrell to return. The skipper, Van Galgebrok, affirmed to me, — nay, gave me the additional testimony of two of his crew, — that he was thrown overboard. But it appears he was picked up by fishermen, and carried to France, where he has remained ever since, and where it would have been well for him if he had remained altogether.”
“Have you seen him?” asked Trenchard.
“I have,” replied Wild; “and nothing but the evidence of my senses would have made me believe he was living, after the positive assurance I received to the contrary. He is at present with Mr. Wood, — the person whom you may remember adopted him, — at Dollis Hill, near Willesden; and it’s a singular but fortunate circumstance, so far as we are concerned, that Mrs. Wood chanced to be murdered by Blueskin, the fellow who just left the room, on the very night of his return, as it has thrown the house into such confusion, and so distracted them, that he has had no time as yet for hostile movements.”
“And what course do you propose to pursue in reference to him?” asked Sir Rowland.
“My plan is a very simple one,” rejoined the thief-taker smiling bitterly. “I would treat him as you treated his father, Sir Rowland.”
“Murder him!” cried Trenchard shuddering.
“Ay, murder him, if you like the term,” returned Wild. “I should call it putting him out of the way. But no matter how you phrase it, the end is the same.”
“I cannot consent to it,” replied Sir Rowland firmly. “Since the sea has spared him, I will spare him. It is in vain to struggle against the arm of fate. I will shed no more blood.”
“And perish upon the gibbet,” rejoined Jonathan contemptuously.
“Flight is still left me,” replied Trenchard. “I can escape to France.”
“And do you think I’ll allow you to depart,” cried Jonathan in a menacing tone, “and compromise my safety? No, no. We are linked together in this matter, and must go through with it. You cannot — shall not retreat.”
“Death and hell!” cried Sir Rowland, rising and drawing his sword; “do you think you can shackle my free will, villain?”
“In this particular instance I do, Sir Rowland,” replied Jonathan, calmly, “because you are wholly in my power. But be patient, I am your fast friend. Thames Darrell MUST die. Our mutual safety requires it. Leave the means to me.”
“More blood! more blood!” cried Trenchard, passing his hand with agony across his brow. “Shall I never banish those horrible phantoms from my couch — the father with his bleeding breast and dripping hair! — the mother with her wringing hands and looks of vengeance and reproach! — And must another be added to their number — their son! Horror! — let me be spared this new crime! And yet
the gibbet — my name tarnished — my escutcheon blotted by the hangman! — No, I cannot submit to that.”
“I should think not,” observed Jonathan, who had some practice in the knight’s moods, and knew how to humour him. “It’s a miserable weakness to be afraid of bloodshed. — The general who gives an order for wholesale carnage never sleeps a wink the less soundly for the midnight groans of his victims, and we should deride him as a coward if he did. And life is much the same, whether taken in battle, on the couch, or by the road-side. Besides those whom I’ve slain with my own hands, I’ve brought upwards of thirty persons to the gallows. Most of their relics are in yonder cases; but I don’t remember that any of them have disturbed my rest. The mode of destruction makes no difference. It’s precisely the same thing to me to bid my janizaries cut Thames Darrell’s throat, as to order Jack Sheppard’s execution.”
As Jonathan said this, Jack’s hand involuntarily sought a pistol.
“But to the point,” continued Wild, unconscious of the peril in which the remark had placed him,— “to the point. On the terms that procured your liberation from Newgate, I will free you from this new danger.”
“Those terms were a third of my estate,” observed Trenchard bitterly.
“What of that,” rejoined Jonathan. “Any price was better than your head. If Thames Darrell escapes, you will lose both life and property.”
“True, true,” replied the knight, with an agonized look; “there is no alternative.”
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 93