The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  “She has paid dearly for it,” muttered Blueskin.

  “She has,” rejoined Sheppard. “But I wish her hand had been as deadly as yours. On that night, — that fatal night, — Winifred crushed all the hopes that were rising in my heart. On that night, I surrendered myself to Jonathan Wild, and became — what I am.”

  “On that night, you first met me, love,” said Edgeworth Bess, endeavouring to take his hand, which he coldly withdrew.

  “And me,” added Mrs. Maggot tenderly.

  “Would I had never seen either of you!” cried Jack, rising and pacing the apartment with a hurried step.

  “Well, I’m sure Winifred could never have loved you as well as I do,” said Mrs. Maggot.

  “You!” cried Jack, scornfully. “Do you compare your love — a love which all may purchase — with hers? No one has ever loved me.”

  “Except me, dear,” insinuated Edgeworth Bess. “I’ve been always true to you.”

  “Peace!” retorted Jack, with increased bitterness. “I’m your dupe no longer.”

  “What the devil’s in the wind now, Captain?” cried Blueskin, in astonishment.

  “I’ll tell you,” replied Jack, with forced calmness. “Within the last few minutes, all my guilty life has passed before me. Nine years ago, I was honest — was happy. Nine years ago, I worked in this very house — had a kind indulgent master, whom I robbed — twice robbed, at your instigation, villain; a mistress, whom you have murdered; a companion, whose friendship I have for ever forfeited; a mother, whose heart I have well-nigh broken. In this room was my ruin begun: in this room it should be ended.”

  “Come, come, don’t take on thus, Captain,” cried Blueskin, rising and walking towards him. “If any one’s to blame, it’s me. I’m ready to bear it all.”

  “Can you make me honest?” cried Jack. “Can you make me other than a condemned felon? Can you make me not Jack Sheppard?”

  “No,” replied Blueskin; “and I wouldn’t if I could.”

  “Curse you!” cried Jack, furiously,— “curse you! — curse you!”

  “Swear away, Captain,” rejoined Blueskin, coolly. “It’ll ease your mind.”

  “Do you mock me?” cried Jack, levelling a pistol at him.

  “Not I,” replied Blueskin. “Take my life, if you’re so disposed. You’re welcome to it. And let’s see if either of these women, who prate of their love for you, will do as much.”

  “This is folly,” cried Jack, controlling himself by a powerful effort.

  “The worst of folly,” replied Blueskin, returning to the table, and taking up a glass; “and, to put an end to it, I shall drink the health of Jack Sheppard, the housebreaker, and success to him in all his enterprises. And now, let’s see who’ll refuse the pledge.”

  “I will,” replied Sheppard, dashing the glass from his hand. “Sit down, fool!”

  “Jack,” said Kneebone, who had been considerably interested by the foregoing scene, “are these regrets for your past life sincere?”

  “Suppose them so,” rejoined Jack, “what then?”

  “Nothing — nothing,” stammered Kneebone, his prudence getting the better of his sympathy. “I’m glad to hear it, that’s all,” he added, taking out his snuff-box, his never-failing resource in such emergencies. “It won’t do to betray the officer,” he muttered.

  “O lud! what an exquisite box!” cried Edgeworth Bess. “Is it gold?”

  “Pure gold,” replied Kneebone. “It was given me by poor dear Mrs. Wood, whose loss I shall ever deplore.”

  “Pray, let me have a pinch!” said Edgeworth Bess, with a captivating glance. “I am so excessively fond of snuff.”

  The woollen-draper replied by gallantly handing her the box, which was instantly snatched from her by Blueskin, who, after helping himself to as much of its contents as he could conveniently squeeze between his thumb and finger, put it very coolly in his pocket.

  The action did not pass unnoticed by Sheppard.

  “Restore it,” he cried, in an authoritative voice.

  “O’ons! Captain,” cried Blueskin, as he grumblingly obeyed the command; “if you’ve left off business yourself, you needn’t interfere with other people.”

  “I should like a little of that plum-tart,” said Mrs. Maggot; “but I don’t see a spoon.”

  “I’ll ring for one,” replied Kneebone, rising accordingly; “but I fear my servants are gone to bed.”

  Blueskin, meanwhile, having drained and replenished his glass, commenced chaunting a snatch of a ballad: —

  Once on a time, as I’ve heard tell.

  In Wych Street Owen Wood did dwell;

  A carpenter he was by trade,

  And money, I believe, he made.

  With his foodle doo!

  This carpenter he had a wife,

  The plague and torment of his life,

  Who, though she did her husband scold,

  Loved well a woollen-draper bold.

  With her foodle doo!

  “I’ve a toast to propose,” cried Sheppard, filling a bumper. “You won’t refuse it, Mr. Kneebone?”

  “He’d better not,” muttered Blueskin.

  “What is it?” demanded the woollen-draper, as he returned to the table, and took up a glass.

  “The speedy union of Thames Darrell with Winifred Wood,” replied Jack.

  Kneebone’s cheeks glowed with rage, and he set down the wine untasted, while Blueskin resumed his song.

  Now Owen Wood had one fair child,

  Unlike her mother, meek and mild;

  Her love the draper strove to gain,

  But she repaid him with disdain.

  With his foodle doo!

  “Peace!” cried Jack.

  But Blueskin was not to be silenced. He continued his ditty, in spite of the angry glances of his leader.

  In vain he fondly urged his suit,

  And, all in vain, the question put;

  She answered,— “Mr. William Kneebone,

  Of me, Sir, you shall never be bone.”

  With your foodle doo!

  “Thames Darrell has my heart alone,

  A noble youth, e’en you must own;

  And, if from him my love could stir,

  Jack Sheppard I should much prefer!”

  With his foodle doo!

  “Do you refuse my toast?” cried Jack, impatiently.

  “I do,” replied Kneebone.

  “Drink this, then,” roared Blueskin. And pouring the contents of a small powder-flask into a bumper of brandy, he tendered him the mixture.

  At this juncture, the door was opened by Rachel.

  “What did you ring for, Sir?” she asked, eyeing the group with astonishment.

  “Your master wants a few table-spoons, child,” said Mrs. Maggot.

  “Leave the room,” interposed Kneebone, angrily.

  “No, I shan’t,” replied Rachel, saucily. “I came to see Jack Sheppard, and I won’t go till you point him out to me. You told me he was going back to Newgate after supper, so I mayn’t have another opportunity.”

  “Oh! he told you that, did he?” said Blueskin, marching up to her, and chucking her under the chin. “I’ll show you Captain Sheppard, my dear. There he stands. I’m his lieutenant, — Lieutenant Blueskin. We’re two good-looking fellows, ain’t we?”

  “Very good-looking,” replied Rachel. “But, where’s the strange gentleman I saw under the table?”

  “Under the table!” echoed Blueskin, winking at Jack. “When did you see him, my love?”

  “A short time ago,” replied the housekeeper, unsuspiciously.

  “The plot’s out!” cried Jack. And, without another word, he seized the table with both hands, and upset it; scattering plates, dishes, bottles, jugs, and glasses far and wide. The crash was tremendous. The lights rolled over, and were extinguished. And, if Rachel had not carried a candle, the room would have been plunged in total darkness. Amid the confusion, Shotbolt sprang to his feet, and levelling a pistol at
Jack’s head, commanded him to surrender; but, before any reply could be made, the jailer’s arm was struck up by Blueskin, who, throwing himself upon him, dragged him to the ground. In the struggle the pistol went off, but without damage to either party. The conflict was of short duration; for Shotbolt was no match for his athletic antagonist. He was speedily disarmed; and the rope and gag being found upon him, were exultingly turned against him by his conqueror, who, after pinioning his arms tightly behind his back, forced open his mouth with the iron, and effectually prevented the utterance of any further outcries. While the strife was raging, Edgeworth Bess walked up to Rachel, and advised her, if she valued her life, not to scream or stir from the spot; a caution which the housekeeper, whose curiosity far outweighed her fears, received in very good part.

  In the interim, Jack advanced to the woollen-draper, and regarding him sternly, thus addressed him:

  “You have violated the laws of hospitality, Mr. Kneebone, I came hither as your guest. You have betrayed me.”

  “What faith is to be kept with a felon?” replied the woollen-draper, disdainfully.

  “He who breaks faith with his benefactor may well justify himself thus,” answered Jack. “I have not trusted you. Others who have done, have found you false.”

  “I don’t understand you,” replied Kneebone, in some confusion.

  “You soon shall,” rejoined Sheppard. “Where are the packets committed to your charge by Sir Rowland Trenchard?”

  “The packets!” exclaimed Kneebone, in alarm.

  “It is useless to deny it,” replied Jack. “You were watched to-night by Blueskin. You met Sir Rowland at the house of a Romisch priest, Father Spencer. Two packets were committed to your charge, which you undertook to deliver, — one to another priest, Sir Rowland’s chaplain, at Manchester, the other to Mr. Wood. Produce them!”

  “Never!” replied Kneebone.

  “Then, by Heaven! you are a dead man!” replied Jack, cocking a pistol, and pointing it deliberately at his head. “I give you one minute for reflection. After that time nothing shall save you.”

  There was a brief, breathless pause. Even Blueskin looked on with anxiety.

  “It is past,” said Jack, placing his finger on the trigger.

  “Hold!” cried Kneebone, flinging down the packets; “they are nothing to me.”

  “But they are everything to me,” cried Jack, stooping to pick them up. “These packets will establish Thames Darrell’s birth, win him his inheritance, and procure him the hand of Winifred Wood.”

  “Don’t be too sure of that,” rejoined Kneebone, snatching up the staff, and aiming a blow at his head, which was fortunately warded off by Mrs. Maggot, who promptly interposed her cudgel.

  “Defend yourself!” cried Jack, drawing his sword.

  “Leave his punishment to me, Jack,” said Mrs. Maggot. “I’ve the Bridewell account to settle.”

  “Be it so,” replied Jack, putting up his blade. “I’ve a good deal to do. Show him no quarter, Poll. He deserves none.”

  “And shall find none,” replied the Amazon. “Now, Mr. Kneebone,” she added, drawing up her magnificent figure to its full height, and making the heavy cudgel whistle through the air, “look to yourself.”

  “Stand off, Poll,” rejoined the woollen-draper; “I don’t want to hurt you. It shall never be said that I raised my arm willingly against a woman.”

  “I’ll forgive you all the harm you do me,” rejoined the Amazon. “What! you still hesitate! Will that rouse you, coward?” And she gave him a smart rap on the head.

  “Coward!” cried Kneebone. “Neither man nor woman shall apply that term to me. If you forget your sex, jade, I must forget mine.”

  With this, he attacked her vigorously in his turn.

  It was a curious sight to see how this extraordinary woman, who, it has been said, was not less remarkable for the extreme delicacy of her features, and the faultless symmetry of her figure, than for her wonderful strength and agility, conducted herself in the present encounter; with what dexterity she parried every blow aimed against her by her adversary, whose head and face, already marked by various ruddy streams, showed how successfully her own hits had been made; — how she drew him hither and thither, now leading him on, now driving him suddenly back; harassing and exhausting him in every possible way, and making it apparent that she could at any moment put an end to the fight, and only delayed the finishing stroke to make his punishment the more severe.

  Jack, meanwhile, with Blueskin’s assistance, had set the table once more upon its legs, and placing writing materials, which he took from a shelf, upon it, made Shotbolt, who was still gagged, but whose arms were for the moment unbound, sit down before them.

  “Write as I dictate,” he cried, placing a pen in the jailer’s hand and a pistol to his ear.

  Shotbolt nodded in token of acquiescence, and emitted an odd guttural sound.

  “Write as follows,” continued Jack. “‘I have succeeded in capturing Jack Sheppard. The reward is mine. Get all ready for his reception. In a few minutes after the delivery of this note he will be in Newgate.’ Sign it,” he added, as, after some further threats, the letter was indited according to his dictation, “and direct it to Mr. Austin. That’s well. And, now, to find a messenger.”

  “Mr. Kneebone’s man is in the shop,” said Rachel; “he’ll take it.”

  “Can I trust him?” mused Jack. “Yes; he’ll suspect nothing. Give him this letter, child, and bid him take it to the Lodge at Newgate without loss of time. Blueskin will go with you, — for fear of a mistake.”

  “You might trust me,” said Rachel, in an offended tone; “but never mind.”

  And she left the room with Blueskin, who very politely offered her his arm.

  Meanwhile, the combat between Kneebone and Mrs. Maggot had been brought to a termination. When the woollen-draper was nearly worn out, the Amazon watched her opportunity, and hitting him on the arm, disabled it.

  “That’s for Mrs. Wood,” she cried, as the staff fell from his grasp.

  “I’m at your mercy, Poll,” rejoined Kneebone, abjectly.

  “That’s for Winifred,” vociferated the Amazon, bringing the cudgel heavily upon his shoulder.

  “Damnation!” cried Kneebone.

  “That’s for myself,” rejoined Mrs. Maggot, dealing him a blow, which stretched him senseless on the floor.

  “Bravo, Poll!” cried Jack, who having again pinioned Shotbolt, was now tracing a few hasty lines on a sheet of paper. “You’ve given him a broken head, I perceive.”

  “He’ll scarcely need a plaister,” replied Mrs. Maggot, laughing. “Here, Bess, give me the cord, and I’ll tie him to this chest of drawers. I don’t think he’ll come to himself too soon. But it’s best to be on the safe side.”

  “Decidedly so,” replied Edgeworth Bess; “and I’ll take this opportunity, while Jack’s back is turned, — for he’s grown so strangely particular, — of easing him of his snuff-box. Perhaps,” she added, in a whisper, as she appropriated the before-named article, “he has a pocket-book.”

  “Hush!” replied Mrs. Maggot; “Jack will hear you. We’ll come back for that by and by, and the dressing-gown.”

  At this moment, Rachel and Blueskin returned. Their momentary absence seemed to have worked wonders; for now the most perfect understanding appeared to subsist between them.

  “Have you sent off the note?” inquired Jack.

  “We have, Captain,” replied Blueskin. “I say we, because Miss Rachel and I have struck up a match. Shall I bring off anything?” he added, looking eagerly round.

  “No,” replied Jack, peremptorily.

  Having now sealed his letter, Sheppard took a handkerchief, and tying it over Shotbolt’s face, so as completely to conceal the features, clapped his hat upon his head, and pushed it over his brows. He, next, seized the unlucky jailer, and forced him along, while Blueskin expedited his movements by administering a few kicks behind.

  When they got to the do
or, Jack opened it, and, mimicking the voice of the jailer, shouted, “Now, my lads, all’s ready?”

  “Here we are,” cried the chairmen, hurrying out of the court with their swinging vehicle, “where is he?”

  “Here,” replied Sheppard, dragging out Shotbolt by the collar, while Blueskin pushed him behind, and Mrs. Maggot held up a lantern, which she found in the shop. “In with him!”

  * * *

  “Ay — ay, yer hon’r,” cried the foremost chairman, lending a helping hand. “Get in wid ye, ye villin!”

  And, despite his resistance, Shotbolt was thrust into the chair, which was instantly fastened upon him.

  “There, he’s as safe as Jack Sheppard in the Condemned Hould,” laughed the man.

  “Off with you to Newgate!” cried Jack, “and don’t let him out till you get inside the Lodge. There’s a letter for the head turnkey, Mr. Irreton. D’ye hear.”

  “Yes, yer hon’r,” replied the chairman, taking the note.

  “What are you waiting for?” asked Jack, impatiently.

  “The gen’l’man as hired us,” replied the chairman.

  “Oh! he’ll be after you directly. He’s settling an account in the house. Lose no time. The letter will explain all.”

  The chair was then rapidly put in motion, and speedily disappeared.

  “What’s to be done next?” cried Blueskin, returning to Rachel, who was standing with Edgeworth Bess near the door.

  “I shall go back and finish my supper,” said Mrs. Maggot.

  “And so shall I,” replied Edgeworth Bess.

  “Stop a minute,” cried Jack, detaining his mistresses. “Here we part, — perhaps for ever. I’ve already told you I’m about to take a long journey, and it’s more than probable I shall never return.”

  “Don’t say so,” cried Mrs. Maggot. “I should be perfectly miserable if I thought you in earnest.”

  “The very idea is dreadful,” whimpered Edgeworth Bess.

  “Farewell!” cried Jack, embracing them. “Take this key to Baptist Kettleby. On seeing it, he’ll deliver you a box, which it will unlock, and in which you’ll find a matter of fifty guineas and a few trinkets. Divide the money between you, and wear the ornaments for my sake. But, if you’ve a spark of love for me, don’t meddle with anything in that house.”