“For God’s sake protect me!” exclaimed the young girl, as above stated; “but do not—do not hurt my uncle,” she added in a tone which proved the sincerity of the prayer.
“Come, come, Master Smithers,” said the constable, “this won’t do: you musn’t alarm the neighbourhood in this manner.”
“Why, then, does she interfere between me and Gibbet?” cried the man brutally, at the same time flourishing a thick leathern thong in his right hand.
“She does it out of good-nature, I suppose,” observed the constable. “Every one knows how shameful you treat your son Gibbet; and this poor gal takes her cousin’s part.”
At these words the hump-back cast a timid but affectionate glance towards Katherine, who, on her part, threw a look of profound compassion upon the unfortunate lad.
“She does it out of good-nature, does she?” repeated the man: “then why won’t he learn my business? He never can be fit for any other. But, no—the moment I leave him, he is off to the side of Miss there; and she makes him read in her outlandish books, so that he despises his father and the business that he must take to, sooner or later.”
“But you ought not to beat Miss Katherine, Smithers,” reiterated the policeman. “The next time I hear the cry of ‘Murder’ in your house I’ll walk you off to the station—and that’s all about it.”
“I suppose that I may leather my own son if I choose?” said the man, savagely.
“You ought to remember that he is deformed through your cruelty,” cried the constable, “and that his mother died of fright and grief——”
“Hold your tongue, blue-bottle!” interrupted Smithers, his lips quivering with rage. “It isn’t for you to come and make mischief in a family. Get out with you!”
“But if we leave this poor girl to the rage of her uncle,” said Markham to the constable, whom he drew aside and thus addressed in a whisper, “he will do her some injury.”
“What is to be done with her, sir?” demanded the officer. “Smithers says she is his niece——”
“Is it not certain that she stands in such a degree of relationship towards him?” inquired our hero, whose humane heart was moved in favour of the suffering girl.
“Now, then, what are you chattering about there?” ejaculated Smithers. “I want to go to bed: Gibbet, you be off to your room—and, Kate, you go to yours. This is mine—and I should advise the blue-bottle with his spy in plain clothes to make themselves scarce.”
“Remember, I shall report you to our serjeant,” said the policeman; “and he will tell the Division to keep an eye on you.”
“Tell him whatever you like,” returned the man doggedly.
The hump-back and Katherine had already left the room in obedience to the command of Smithers.
The constable repeated a caution to the ruffian who had ill-used them, and then took his departure, followed by Richard Markham.
When they were once more in the street, our hero said to his companion, “Who is that man?”
“The PUBLIC EXECUTIONER,” was the reply.
CHAPTER CXXXIX.
THE CONFIDENCE.
So astounded was Markham by this information, that for some moments he was unable to utter a word.
“I see that you are surprised, sir,” said the policeman; “but couldn’t you guess where you was when you saw the room filled with gibbets, real or in pictures?”
“It never struck me who the owner of those terrific symbols might be,” answered Richard. “I considered that some man of morbid taste dwelt there; but not for one moment did I imagine that I was in the presence of the public executioner.”
“Did you ever see such a horrible-looking object as his son is?” asked the policeman.
“Poor creature—he is greatly to be pitied! Surely his father cannot in reality have conferred upon him the name by which you called him?”
“I don’t suppose that Gibbet is his real name, sir, but it is the only one I ever heard him called by. You see, sir, Smithers wishes to bring the lad up to the same line: he wants an assistant, and he thinks that Gibbet is old enough to help him. Besides, there’s plenty of work always after Assizes in the country; and the London hangman may get the jobs if he likes. He’s considered more skilful than any one else; and, after all, practice makes perfect. As it is, he is forced to refuse a good many offers, because he can’t be here, there, and everywhere. Now if Gibbet would only take to the business kindly, he might help his father to earn a fortune!”
“But if the poor lad have a loathing for the horrible avocation—as well he may,” observed Markham, with a shudder, “why should he be forced to embrace it?”
“Because he can never do himself good elsewhere,” answered the constable. “Who will employ the son of Jack Ketch? Why, will you believe it, sir, that not a soul visits Smithers’ family? Although he lives in this neighbourhood, where, God knows, people ain’t over nice and partickler, not a human being would cross his threshold.”
“Does that aversion arise from disgust or superstition?” demanded Markham.
“From both, sir,” was the reply. “The people that live in this district are of two kinds—the poor and ignorant, and the rogues and vagabonds. The poor and ignorant are afraid of the public executioner; and the rogues and vagabonds hate him, although he’s merely an instrument. Miss Kate goes to market for him; and the shop-keepers that know who she is, are scarcely civil to her. They seem as if they’d rather she’d keep away.”
“And you say that she is the executioner’s niece?” observed Markham.
“Smithers says so himself,” was the reply; “and of course I know nothing to the contrary; but it does seem strange that so amiable, genteel, and clever, a young gal should belong to such a family!”
“Her own parents are dead, I presume?”
“Yes, sir,—she is an orphan. When Smithers is very dull and miserable with his lonely situation, he sometimes comes down to the station and has a chat with us constables; and then he’s pretty communicative. He told me one day that Katherine’s parents had died when she was very young, and so he was compelled to take care of her. All the while she was a child Smithers let her do pretty well as she liked; and it is a wonder that she has turned out a good gal. But she regularly frequented the School established in the parish of Saint David’s by the Rev. Mr. Tracy; and in that way she picked up a tolerable smattering of knowledge. Since then she’s instructed herself as much as she could, and has bought books with the little money that her needle has produced her.”
“But who employs her as a sempstress, if, as you say, so terrible a stigma affixes itself to each member of the hangman’s family?” inquired Richard.
“The old housekeeper at Mr. Tracy’s is very friendly disposed towards the poor creature, and gives her work,” answered the policeman. “Katherine does all she can to console that poor hump-back Gibbet; and she has taught him to read and write—aye, and what’s more, sir, to pray.”
“Policeman,” said Richard, after a pause, “the manner in which you have spoken relative to that poor girl, shows me that you have a good heart. Is there any mode of ameliorating her wretched situation? I feel the deepest compassion for her miserable lot; and all you have told me of her excellent character makes me anxious to see her removed from the vile society of that ruffian under whose roof she lives.”
“I believe she is anxious to go out to service, sir, or open a little school,” answered the constable; “but her family connection is against her. Or else I don’t think that Smithers would care about parting with her.”
“What induces you to suppose that such are her wishes?” asked Markham.
“Because she told me so, sir,” was the reply. “One evening I went to Smithers’ house, with a certain message from the Sheriff of London—you can guess what, I dare say——”
“To acquaint him with the day fixed for some wretch’s execution, no doubt?”
“Precisely, sir; but Smithers wasn’t at home, and so I sate down and waited for him. It wasn’t in Jack Ketch’s own room up stairs where we went just now, and where he teaches his son how to hang by means of that puppet; but it was in a little parlour they have got down stairs, and which Miss Kate keeps as clean and comfortable as if they saw no end of company. Well, I got talking to the young gal; and though she never said a single word against her uncle, but spoke of him in a grateful and kind manner, she let out that if he could spare her, she should like to earn her own bread by her own exertions. And then the poor creature burst out crying, and said, that no one would take her as a servant, and that she should get no scholars even if she was to open a school.”
Markham made no answer; but he reflected profoundly on all that he had just heard.
“Poor gal!” continued the policeman, after a few moments’ silence; “she don’t deserve to suffer as she does. My beat is about this quarter: and I know pretty well all that’s going on. I see more than other people about here, because I’ve opportunity and leisure. Besides, it’s my business. Well, sir, I can assure you that there isn’t a more charitable or generous-hearted gal in all London than Miss Katherine. If a poor neighbour’s ill, it’s ten to one but some female muffled up in her shawl knocks at the door of the sick person’s house, leaves a parcel, and runs away; and then there’s tea, and sugar, and gruel, for the invalid—and no one knows who brought it, or where it comes from. Or if a family’s in want, the baker calls with bread that’s paid for, but won’t say who sent it. Or may be it’s the butcher with a small joint—but always sent in the same quiet manner. Then, while the poor creatures whose hearts are made glad by this unlooked-for charity, are wondering whether it was the parson, or the parson’s wife, or this benevolent gentleman, or that good lady, who sent the things, Kate buries herself in her room, and doesn’t even think that she has done any thing out of the way.”
“Is this possible?” cried Markham.
“I know it, sir—for I’ve seen her do it all,” answered the policeman, “when she couldn’t see me and little thought that any body noticed her.”
“And she the niece of the public executioner!” exclaimed Richard: “a pearl concealed in this horrible swamp!”
The conversation between Markham and the good-hearted constable was cut short by the sudden appearance of the other two policemen, who had undertaken to visit the low houses in Plumptre Street.
“Well, what news?” asked Richard’s companion.
“None,” was the reply. “We have been in every flash crib down yonder, and can’t hear or see any thing of the Resurrection Man.”
“Then we must abandon the search for to-night, I presume,” said Richard. “The clock has struck one, and I begin to be wearied of this fruitless ramble.”
“We will exert ourselves to discover the miscreant that blew up our comrades in Bethnal Green,” observed the constable who had been our hero’s companion that night. “Should we succeed in capturing him, sir, where can I wait upon you to communicate the tidings?”
“My name is Markham,” was the reply, “and I live at Holloway. If you discover the villain Anthony Tidkins, lose not a moment in making me acquainted with the circumstance.”
Richard then rewarded the three constables liberally for the trouble they had taken; and ere he parted from them, he drew aside the one who had been his companion.
“My good fellow,” he said, slipping an additional sovereign into his hand, “you have too kind a heart for the situation which you fill. Should you ever require a friend, hesitate not to come to me.”
“And should you, sir, ever need the humble aid of Morris Benstead, you know the Division I belong to, and a note to the chief station will always command my attention.”
Markham thanked the officer for his civility, and then struck into the nearest street leading from the Holy Land to Tottenham Court Road, where he hoped to find a vehicle to take him home.
But scarcely had he proceeded twenty paces, when he heard hasty footsteps behind him; and, turning round, was accosted by a man whose slouched hat almost entirely shaded his countenance.
“I beg your pardon, sir,” said the man; “but I heard you mention two names a few moments ago that are familiar to me.”
“Indeed!” cried our hero, surprised at this strange mode of address.
“Yes:—I was lurking in a court, and I heard you say that you were Mr. Richard Markham,” resumed the man: “and you mentioned a certain Anthony Tidkins.”
“I did. Do you know him?” demanded Richard.
“But too well,” answered the man bitterly.
“Who are you?” inquired Markham.
“No matter who I am: I know you—and I know him. I was in a certain place at the same time that you were there; though we were not in the same ward. But I heard all about you then; and when you mentioned your name just now, I felt sure you was the same person. Has Tidkins ever injured you?”
“Cruelly,” replied Richard. “But I am not influenced by petty motives of revenge: I am anxious to deliver a monster into the grasp of justice.”
“And what should you say if you heard that Tidkins was beyond your reach in this world?”
“I should rejoice that society was relieved from such a fiend.”
“Then I think that I can make your mind easy on that score,” said the man.
“What do you mean?” cried Richard, eagerly.
“I mean that this hand has done the law’s work,” responded the stranger.
“You mean—you mean that you yourself have acted the part of an avenger?” said Markham.
“Precisely what I do mean: in plain terms, I’ve killed him.”
“My God! and you tell me this so coolly!” exclaimed Richard. “Whatever that man’s crimes may be, you are not the less a murderer!”
“Pooh—pooh! I should have thought you’d more pluck than to talk in this way. What does it matter whether Jack Ketch or a private enemy did the job?”
“Where did this happen? when?—how long ago?” inquired Markham, not knowing whether to believe the statement thus strangely made to him, or not.
“If you really wish to know all about it,” said the man, “step up this court, where we can talk in peace, and I will tell you. What! you think I am going to hurt you too? Well, be it so. Good night—or rather good morning.”
At that moment Saint Giles’s Church struck two.
“Stay,” cried Richard, catching the man by the arm: “I will accompany you.”
They walked together into a dark court, our hero keeping himself in readiness to resist any sudden hostility, were such a proceeding intended.
But the man appeared to have no such aim in view, for, leaning himself tranquilly against the wall, he said, “Can you keep a secret?”
“If I promise to do so,” answered Richard.
“Then promise not to betray what I am going to tell you.”
“I promise,” said Markham, after some hesitation.
“You must know,” continued the man, satisfied with this assurance, “that I have lately partaken of the hospitality of a race of persons, at whose head-quarters—not a hundred miles from where we are now standing—I met Anthony Tidkins——”
“When?” demanded Richard impatiently.
“About two hours ago.”
“Ah! then it may be true——”
“True! what interest have I to tell you a lie! I have been some time in search of that villain; and accident threw us together to-night. This dagger——” here he took Markham’s hand, and made him feel the point of the elastic poniard,—“this dagger drank his life’s best blood!”
Richard could not suppress an ejaculation of horror.
The assassin laughed.
“Unhappy man,” said our hero, “are you not aware that your life may be forfeited on account of this deed?”
“And this good blade should reach the heart of any one that attempted to take me,” was the resolute and indeed significant reply.
“I promised to betray nothing that you might communicate to me, and I shall keep my word,” rejoined Markham, in a firm tone, and without retreating a single step. “Did I wish to forfeit my pledge, your dagger would not intimidate me.”
“You are a brave fellow,” cried the stranger; “and all brave men may be trusted. Would you like to satisfy yourself, with your own eyes, that Anthony Tidkins has received his death wound?”
“I should,” answered Markham; “both on my own account and on that of society.”
“And you will not betray the place that I shall take you to, or the people that you may see there?”
“Most solemnly will I keep your secret.”
“Come with me, then. I will leave you at the door; and your own ingenuity must obtain you admittance. But, one word more: you will not state to any one there that you have met me?”
“I will not even allow my motive for visiting the place you speak of to transpire.”
“I believe all you say. Come!”
The man led the way out of the court, accompanied by our hero.
They threaded several narrow streets and alleys, and at length stopped at the door of a large house.
“Knock, and demand shelter: admittance will not, I fancy, be refused.”
“Is there any danger to be encountered?” asked Markham: “not that I fear it—but I am unarmed.”
The Mysteries of London, Vol. II [Unabridged & Illustrated] (Valancourt Classics) Page 4
