Varney the Vampire; Or, the Feast of Blood

by Thomas Preskett Prest

  CHAPTER XCII.

  THE MISADVENTURE OF THE DOCTOR WITH THE PICTURE.

  The situation of Dr. Chillingworth and Jack Pringle was not of thatcharacter that permitted much conversation or even congratulation. Theywere victors it was true, and yet they had but little to boast ofbesides the victory.

  Victory is a great thing; it is like a gilded coat, it bewilders anddazzles. Nobody can say much when you are victorious. What a sound! andyet how much misery is there not hidden beneath it.

  This victory of the worthy doctor and his aid amounted to this, theywere as they were before, without being any better, but much the worse,seeing they were so much buffetted that they could hardly speak, but satfor some moments opposite to each other, gasping for breath, and staringeach other in the face without speaking.

  The moonlight came in through the window and fell upon the floor, andthere were no sounds that came to disturb the stillness of the scene,nor any object that moved to cast a shadow upon the floor. All was stilland motionless, save the two victors, who were much distressed andbruised.

  "Well!" said Jack Pringle, with a hearty execration, as he wiped hisface with the back of his hand; "saving your presence, doctor, we aremasters of the field, doctor; but it's plaguey like capturing an emptybandbox after a hard fight."

  "But we have got the picture, Jack--we have got the picture, you see,and that is something. I am sure we saved that."

  "Well, that may be; and a pretty d----d looking picture it is after all.Why, it's enough to frighten a lady into the sulks. I think it would bea very good thing if it were burned."

  "Well," said the doctor, "I would sooner see it burned than in the handsof that--"

  "What?" exclaimed Jack.

  "I don't know," said Mr. Chillingworth; "but thief I should say, for itwas somewhat thief-like to break into another man's house and carry offthe furniture."

  "A pirate--a regular land shark."

  "Something that is not the same as an honest man, Jack; but, at allevents, we have beaten him back this time."

  "Yes," said Jack, "the ship's cleared; no company is better than badcompany, doctor."

  "So it is, and yet it don't seem clear in terms. But, Jack, it youhadn't come in time, I should have been but scurvily treated. He was toopowerful for me; I was as nigh being killed as ever I have been; but youwere just in time to save me."

  "Well, he was a large, ugly fellow, sure enough, and looked like an oldtree."

  "Did you see him?"

  "Yes, to be sure I did."

  "Well, I could not catch a glimpse of his features. In fact, I was toomuch employed to see anything, and it was much too dark to noticeanything particular, even if I had had leisure."

  "Why, you had as much to do as you could well manage, I must say that,at all events. I didn't see much of him myself; only he was a tall,out-of-the-way sort of chap--a long-legged shark. He gave me such a digor two as I haven't had for a long while, nor don't want to get again;though I don't care if I face the devil himself. A man can't do morethan do his best, doctor."

  "No, Jack; but there are very few who do do their best, and that's thetruth. You have, and have done it to some purpose too. But I have hadenough for one day; he was almost strong enough to contend against usboth."

  "Yes, so he was."

  "And, besides that, he almost carried away the picture--that was a greathindrance to him. Don't you think we could have held him if we had notbeen fighting over the picture?"

  "Yes, to be sure we could; we could have gone at him bodily, and heldhim. He would not have been able to use his hands. We could have hung onhim, and I am sure if I came to grapple yard-arm and yard-arm, he wouldhave told a different tale; however, that is neither here nor there. Howlong had you been here?"

  "Not very long," replied the doctor, whose head was a little confused bythe blows which he had received. "I can't now tell how long, but only ashort time, I think."

  "Where did he come from?" inquired Jack.

  "Come from, Jack?"

  "Yes, doctor, where did he came from?--the window, I suppose--the sameway he went out, I dare say--it's most likely."

  "Oh, no, no; he come down from behind the picture. There's some mysteryin that picture, I'll swear to it; it's very strange he should make sucha desperate attempt to carry it away."

  "Yes; one would think," said Jack, "there was more in it than we cansee--that it is worth more than we can believe; perhaps somebody setsparticular store by it."

  "I don't know," said Mr. Chillingworth, shaking his head, "I don't knowhow that may be; but certain it is, the picture was the object of hisvisit here--that is very certain."

  "It was; he was endeavouring to carry it off," said Jack; "it would be avery good ornament to the black hole at Calcutta."

  "The utility of putting it where it cannot be seen," remarked Mr.Chillingworth, "I cannot very well see; though I dare say it might beall very well."

  "Yes--its ugly features would be no longer seen; so far, it would be agood job. But are you going to remain here all night, and so make a longwatch of it, doctor?"

  "Why, Jack," said the doctor, "I did intend watching here; but now thegame is disturbed, it is of no use remaining here. We have secured thepicture, and now there will be no need of remaining in the house; infact, there is no fear of robbery now."

  "Not so long as we are here," said Jack Pringle; "the smugglers won'tshow a head while the revenue cutter is on the look out."

  "Certainly not, Jack," said Mr. Chillingworth; "I think we have scaredthem away--the picture is safe."

  "Yes--so long as we are here."

  "And longer, too, I hope."

  Jack shook his head, as much as to intimate that he had many doubts uponsuch a point, and couldn't be hurried into any concession of opinion ofthe safety of such a picture as that--much as he disliked it, and aspoor an opinion as he had of it.

  "Don't you think it will be safe?"

  "No," said Jack.

  "And why not?" said Mr. Chillingworth, willing to hear what Jack couldadvance against the opinion he had expressed, especially as he haddisturbed the marauder in the very act of robbery.

  "Why, you'll be watched by this very man; and when you are gone, he willreturn in safety, and take this plaguey picture away with him."

  "Well, he might do so," said Mr. Chillingworth, after some thought; "heeven endangered his own escape for the purpose of carrying it off."

  "He wants it," said Jack.

  "What, the picture?"

  "Aye, to be sure; do you think anybody would have tried so hard to getaway with it? He wants it; and the long and the short of it is, he willhave it, despite all that can be done to prevent it; that's my opinion."

  "Well, there is much truth in that; but what to do I don't know."

  "Take it to the cottage," suggested Jack. "The picture must be more thanwe think for; suppose we carry it along."

  "That is no bad plan of yours, Jack," said Mr. Chillingworth; "and,though a little awkward, yet it is not the worst I have heard;but--but--what will they say, when they see this frightful face in thatquiet, yet contented house?"

  "Why, they'll say you brought it," said Jack; "I don't see what elsethey can say, but that you have done well; besides, when you come toexplain, you will make the matter all right to 'em."

  "Yes, yes," said Chillingworth; "and, as the picture now seems to be theincomprehensible object of attack, I will secure that, at all events."

  "I'll help you."

  "Thank you, Jack; your aid will be welcome; at least, it was so justnow."

  "All right, doctor," said Jack. "I may be under your hands some day."

  "I'll physic you for nothing," said Mr. Chillingworth. "You saved mylife. One good turn deserves another; I'll not forget."

  "Thank you," said Jack, as he made a wry face. "I hope you won't haveoccasion. I'd sooner have a can of grog than any bottle of medicine youcan give me; I ain't ungrateful, neither."

  "You needn't name it; I am getting my bre
ath again. I suppose we hadbetter leave this place, as soon as we conveniently can."

  "Exactly. The sooner the better; we can take it the more leisurely as wego."

  The moon was up; there were no clouds now, but there was not a verystrong light, because the moon was on the wane. It was one of thosenights during which an imperceptible vapour arises, and renders the moonsomewhat obscure, or, at least, it robs the earth of her rays; and thenthere were shadows cast by the moon, yet they grew fainter, and thosecast upon the floor of the apartment were less distinct than at first.

  There seemed scarce a breath of air stirring; everything was quiet andstill; no motion--no sound, save that of the breathing of the two whosat in that mysterious apartment, who gazed alternately round the place,and then in each other's countenances. Suddenly, the silence of thenight was disturbed by a very slight, but distinct noise, which struckupon them with peculiar distinctness; it was a gentle tap, tap, at thewindow, as if some one was doing it with their fingernail.

  They gazed on each other, for some moments, in amazement, and then atthe window, but they saw nothing; and yet, had there been anything, theymust have seen it, but there was not even a shadow.

  "Well," said Mr. Chillingworth, after he had listened to the tap, tap,several times, without being able to find out or imagine what it couldarise from, "what on earth can it be?"

  "Don't know," said Jack, very composedly, squinting up at the window."Can't see anything."

  "Well, but it must be something," persisted Mr. Chillingworth; "it mustbe something."

  "I dare say it is; but I don't see anything. I can't think what it canbe, unless--"

  "Unless what? Speak out," said the doctor, impatiently.

  "Why, unless it is Davy Jones himself, tapping with his longfinger-nails, a-telling us as how we've been too long already here."

  "Then, I presume, we may as well go; and yet I am more disposed to deemit some device of the enemy to dislodge us from this place, for thepurpose of enabling them to effect some nefarious scheme or other theyhave afloat."

  "It may be, and is, I dare say, a do of some sort or other," said Jack;"but what' can it be?"

  "There it is again," said the doctor; "don't you hear it? I can, asplain as I can hear myself."

  "Yes," said Jack; "I can hear it plain enough, and can see it, too; andthat is more. Yes, yes, I can tell all about it plain enough."

  "You can? Well, then, shew me," said the doctor, as he strode up to thewindow, before which Jack was standing gazing upon one particular spotof the shattered window with much earnestness.

  "Where is it?"

  "Look there," said Jack, pointing with his finger to a particular spot,to which the doctor directed his attention, expecting to see a long,skinny hand tapping against the glass; but he saw nothing.

  "Where is it?"

  "Do you see that twig of ivy, or something of the sort?" inquired Jack.

  "Yes, I do."

  "Very well, watch that; and when the wind catches it--and there is butvery little--it lifts it up, and then, falling down again, it taps theglass."

  Just as he spoke, there came a slight gust of wind; and it gave apractical illustration to his words; for the tapping was heard as oftenas the plant was moved by the wind.

  "Well," said Mr. Chillingworth, "however simple and unimportant thematter may be, yet I cannot but say I am always well pleased to find apractical explanation of it, so that there will be no part left indoubt."

  "There is none about that," said Jack.

  "None. Well, we are not beset, then. We may as well consider of themanner of our getting clear of this place. What sort of burthen thispicture may be I know not; but I will make the attempt to carry it."

  "Avast, there," said Jack; "I will carry it: at all events, I'll takethe first spell, and, if I can't go on, we'll turn and turn about."

  "We can divide the weight from the first, and then neither of us will betired at all."

  "Just as you please, sir," said Jack Pringle. "I am willing to obeyorders; and, if we are to get in to-night before they are all a-bed, wehad better go at once; and then we shall not disturb them."

  "Good, Jack," said Mr. Chillingworth; "very good: let us begin to beatour retreat at once."

  "Very good," said Jack.

  They both rose and approached the picture, which stood up in one corner,half reclining against the wall; the light, at least so much as therewas, fell upon it, and gave it a ghastly and deathly hue, which made Mr.Chillingworth feel an emotion he could not at all understand; but, assoon as he could, he withdrew his eyes from off the picture, and theyproceeded to secure it with some cord, so that they might carry itbetween them the easier--with less trouble and more safety.

  These preparations did not take long in making, and, when completed,they gave another inquiring look round the chamber, and Mr.Chillingworth again approached the window, and gazed out upon the gardenbelow, but saw nothing to attract his attention.

  Turning away, he came to the picture, with which Jack Pringle had beenstanding. They proceeded towards the stairs, adopting every precautionthey could take to prevent any surprise and any attempt upon the objectof their solicitude.

  Then they came to the great hall, and, having opened the door, theycarried it out; then shutting the door, they both stood outside ofBannerworth Hall; and, before taking the picture up in their hands, theyonce more looked suspiciously around them.

  There was nothing to be seen, and so, shouldering the ominous portrait,they proceeded along the garden till they conveyed it into the roadway.

  "Now," said Jack, "we are off; we can scud along under press of sail,you know."

  "I would rather not," said the doctor, "for two reasons; one of whichis, I can't do it myself, and the other is, we should run the risk ofinjuring the picture; besides this, there is no reason for so doing."

  "Very well," said Jack, "make it agreeable to yourself, doctor. See you,Jack's alive, and I am willing to do all I can to help you."

  "I am very glad of your aid," said Mr. Chillingworth; "so we willproceed slowly. I shall be glad when we are there; for there are fewthings more awkward than this picture to carry."

  "It is not heavy," said Jack, giving it a hitch up, that first pulledthe doctor back, and then pushed him forward again.

  "No; but stop, don't do that often, Jack, or else I shall be obliged tolet go, to save myself from falling," said the doctor.

  "Very sorry," said Jack; "hope it didn't inconvenience you; but I couldcarry this by myself."

  "And so could I," returned Mr. Chillingworth; "but the probability isthere would be some mischief done to it, and then we should be doingmore harm than good."

  "So we should," said Jack.

  They proceeded along with much care and caution. It was growing latenow, and no one was about--at least, they met none. People did not roamabout much after dark, especially since the reports of the vampyrebecame current, for, notwithstanding all their bravery and violencewhile in a body, yet to meet and contend with him singly, and unseen,was not at all a popular notion among them; indeed, they would sooner goa mile out of their way, or remain in doors, which they usually did.

  The evening was not precisely dark, there was moonlight enough to saveit from that, but there was a mist hanging about, that rendered objects,at a short distance, very indistinct.

  Their walk was uninterrupted by any one, and they had got through halfthe distance without any disturbance or interruption whatever.

  When they arrived at the precincts of the village, Jack Pringle said toDr. Chillingworth, "Do you intend going through the village, doctor?"

  "Why not? there will be nobody about, and if there should be, we shallbe safe enough from any molestation, seeing there are none here whowould dare to harm us; it is the shortest way, too."

  "Very good," said Jack; "I am agreeable, and as for any one harming me,they know better; but, at all events, there's company, and there's lessdanger, you know, doctor; though I'm always company to myself, buthaven
't any objection to a messmate, now and then."

  They pursued their way in silence, for some distance, the doctor notcaring about continuing the talk of Jack, which amounted to nothing;besides, he had too much to do, for, notwithstanding the lightness ofthe picture, which Jack had endeavoured to persuade the doctor of, hefound it was heavy and ungainly; indeed, had he been by himself he wouldhave had some trouble to have got it away.

  "We are nearly there," said Jack, putting down his end of the picture,which brought Doctor Chillingworth to a standstill.

  "Yes, we are; but what made you stop?"

  "Why, you see," said Jack, giving his trowsers a hitch, "as I saidbefore, we are nearly there."

  "Well, what of that? we intended to go there, did we not?" inquiredChillingworth.

  "Yes, exactly; that is, you intended to do so, I know, but I didn't."

  "What do you mean by that?" inquired Chillingworth; "you are a completeriddle to-night, Jack; what is the matter with you?"

  "Nothing; only, you see, I don't want to go into the cottage, 'cause,you see, the admiral and I have had what you may call a bit of a growl,and I am in disgrace there a little, though I don't know why, orwherefore; I always did my duty by him, as I did by my country. The ouldman, however, takes fits into his head; at the same time I shall takesome too; Jack's as good as his master, ashore, at all events."

  "Well, then, you object to go in?" said Chillingworth.

  "That is the state of the case; not that I'm afraid, or have any causeto be ashamed of myself; but I don't want to make anybody elseuncomfortable, by causing black looks."

  "Very well, Jack," said the doctor. "I am much obliged to you, and, ifyou don't like to come, I won't press you against your inclination."

  "I understand, doctor. I will leave you here, if you can manage the restof the way by yourself; there are not two hundred yards now to go, soyou are all safe; so good bye."

  "Good bye, Jack," said Doctor Chillingworth, who stood wiping hisforehead, whilst the picture was standing up against the poles.

  "Do you want a hand up first?"

  "No, thank you; I can get it up very well without any trouble--it's notso heavy."

  "Good bye, then," said Jack; and, in a few moments more, Jack Pringlewas out of sight, and the doctor was alone with the ominous picture. Hehad not far to go, and was within hail of the cottage; but it was late,and yet he believed he should find them up, for the quietude andcalmness of the evening hour was that which most chimed with theirfeelings. At such a time they could look out upon the face of nature,and the freedom of thought appeared the greater, because there was nohuman being to clash with the silence and stillness of the scene.

  "Well," muttered Chillingworth, "I'll go at once to the cottage with myburthen. How they will look at me, and wonder what could induce me tobring this away. I can hardly help smiling at the thought of how theywill look at the apparition I shall make."

  Thus filled with notions that appeared to please him, the doctorshouldered the picture, and walked slowly along until he reached thedead wall that ran up to the entrance, or nearly so, of the gardens.

  There was a plantation of young trees that overhung the path, and cast adeep shadow below--a pleasant spot in hot weather.

  The doctor had been carrying the picture, resting the side of it on thesmall of his arm, and against his shoulder; but this was an inconvenientposture, because the weight of the picture cut his arm so much, that hewas compelled to pause, and shift it more on his shoulder.

  "There," he muttered, "that will do for the present, and last until Ireach the cottage garden."

  He was proceeding along at a slow and steady pace, bestowing all hiscare and attention to the manner of holding the picture, when he wassuddenly paralysed by the sound of a great shout of such a peculiarcharacter, that he involuntarily stopped, and the next moment, somethingheavy came against him with great force, just as if a man had jumpedfrom the wall on to him.

  This was the truth, for, in another moment, and before he could recoverhimself, he found that there was an attempt to deprive him of thepicture.

  This at once aroused him, and he made an instant and a vigorous defence;but he was compelled to let go his hold of the picture, and turn toresist the infuriated attack that was now commenced upon himself.

  For some moments it was doubtful who would be the victor; but the windand strength of the doctor were not enough to resist the powerfuladversary against whom he had to contend, and the heavy blows that wereshowered down upon him.

  At first he was enabled to bear up against this attack; and then hereturned many of the blows with interest; but the stunning effect of theblows he received himself, was such that he could not help himself, andfelt his senses gradually failing, his strength becoming less and less.

  In a short time, he received such a blow, that he was laid senseless onthe earth in an instant.

  How long he remained thus he could not say; but it could not have beenlong, for all around him seemed just as it was before he was attacked.

  The moon had scarcely moved, and the shadows, such as they were, werefalling in the same direction as before.

  "I have not been long here," he muttered, after a few moments'reflection; "but--but--"

  He stopped short; for, on looking around him, he saw the object of hissolicitude was gone. The picture was nowhere to be seen. It had beencarried off the instant he had been vanquished.

  "Gone!" he said, in a low, disconsolate tone; "and after all I havedone!"

  He wiped his hand across his brow, and finding it cut, he looked at theback of his hand, and saw by the deep colour that it was blood, indeed,he could now feel it trickle down his face.

  What to do he hardly knew; he could stand, and after having got upon hisfeet, he staggered back against the wall, against which he leaned forsupport, and afterwards he crept along with the aid of its support,until he came to the door.

  He was observed from the window, where Henry and Charles Holland, seeinghim come up with such an unsteady gait, rushed to the door to ascertainwhat was the matter.

  "What, doctor!" exclaimed Henry Bannerworth; "what is the matter?"

  "I am almost dead, I think," said Chillingworth. "Lend me your arm,Henry."

  Henry and Charles Holland immediately stepped out, and took him betweenthem into the parlour, and placed him upon a couch.

  "What on earth has happened, doctor?--have you got into disgrace withthe populace?"

  "No, no; give me some drink--some water, I am very faint--very faint."

  "Give him some wine, or, what's better, some grog," said the admiral."Why, he's been yard-arm with some pirate or other, and he's damagedabout the figure-head. You ain't hurt in your lower works, are you,doctor?" said the admiral.

  But the doctor took no notice of the inquiry; but eagerly sipped thecontents of a glass that Charles Holland had poured out of a bottlecontaining some strong Hollands, and which appeared to nerve him much.

  "There!" said the admiral, "that will do you good. How did all thisdamage to your upper works come about, eh?"

  "Let him wash his face and hands first; he will be better able to talkafterwards."

  "Oh, thank you," said Chillingworth. "I am much better; but I have hadsome hard bruises."

  "How did it happen?"

  "I went by myself to watch in the room where the picture was inBannerworth Hall."

  "Where the picture was!" said Henry; "where it is, you mean, do you not,doctor?"

  "No; where it was, and where it is not now."

  "Gone!"

  "Yes, gone away; I'll tell you all about it. I went there to watch, butfound nobody or nothing there; but suddenly a man stepped out frombehind the picture, and we had a fight over it; after which, just as Iwas getting the worst of it, Jack Pringle came in."

  "The dog!" muttered the admiral.

  "Yes, he came in just in time, I believe, to save my life; for the man,whoever he was, would not have hesitated about it."

  "Well, Jack is a good m
an," said the admiral; "there may be worse, atleast."

  "Well, we had a desperate encounter for some minutes, during which thisfellow wanted to carry off the picture."

  "Carry off the picture?"

  "Yes; we had a struggle for that; but we could not capture him; he wasso violent that he broke away and got clear off."

  "With the picture?"

  "No, he left the picture behind. Well, we were very tired and bruised,and we sat down to recover ourselves from our fatigue, and to considerwhat was best to be done; but we were some time before we could leave,and then we determined that we would take the picture away with us, asit seemed to be coveted by the robber, for what object we cannot tell."

  "Well, well--where is the picture?"

  "You shall hear all about it in a minute, if you'll let me take my time.I am tired and sore. Well, we brought the picture out, and Jack helpedme carry it till he came within a couple of hundred yards of thecottage, and there left me."

  "The lubber!" said the admiral, interjectionally.

  "Well, I rested awhile, and then taking the picture on my shoulders, Iproceeded along with it until I came to the wall, when suddenly I hearda great shout, and then down came something heavy upon me, just as if aman had jumped down upon me."

  "And--and--"

  "Yes," said the doctor, "it was--"

  "Was what?" inquired the admiral.

  "Just what you all seemed to anticipate; you are all before me, but thatwas it."

  "A man?"

  "Yes; I had a struggle with him, and got nearly killed, for I am notequal to him in strength. I was sadly knocked about, and finally all thesenses were knocked out of me, and I was, I suppose, left for dead."

  "And what became of the picture?"

  "I don't know; but I suppose it was taken away, as, when I came tomyself, it was gone; indeed, I have some faint recollection of seeinghim seize the portrait as I was falling."

  There was a pause of some moments, during which all the party appearedto be employed with their own thoughts, and the whole were silent.

  "Do you think it was the same man who attacked you in the house thatobtained the picture?" at last inquired Henry Bannerworth.

  "I cannot say, but I think it most probable that it was the same;indeed, the general appearance, as near as I could tell in the dark, wasthe same; but what I look upon as much stronger is, the object appearsto be the same in both cases."

  "That is very true," said Henry Bannerworth--"very true; and I think itmore than probable myself. But come, doctor, you will require rest andnursing after your dangers."