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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36481-8.txt b/36481-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..97aaf8c --- /dev/null +++ b/36481-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7513 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Auriol, by W. Harrison Ainsworth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Auriol + or, The Elixir of Life + +Author: W. Harrison Ainsworth + +Illustrator: H. K. Browne + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36481] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AURIOL *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + + AURIOL + + OR + + THE ELIXIR OF LIFE + + BY W. HARRISON AINSWORTH + + AUTHOR OF "THE TOWER OF LONDON" + + + WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY H. K. BROWNE + + _AUTHOR'S COPYRIGHT EDITION_ + + LONDON + GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, LIMITED + BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL + + 1898 + + Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. + At the Ballantyne Press + + + + +[Illustration: The mysterious interview in Hyde Park] + + +CONTENTS + + +PROLOGUE--1599-- + +DR. LAMB + + +BOOK THE FIRST--EBBA-- + +I. THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD + +II. THE DOG-FANCIER + +III. THE HAND AND THE CLOAK + +IV. THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER + +V. THE MEETING NEAR THE STATUE + +VI. THE CHARLES THE SECOND SPANIEL + +VII. THE HAND AGAIN! + +VIII. THE BARBER OF LONDON + +IX. THE MOON IN THE FIRST QUARTER + +X. THE STATUE AT CHARING CROSS + +XI. PREPARATIONS + +XII. THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY + + +INTERMEAN--1800-- + +I. THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN + +II. THE COMPACT + +III. IRRESOLUTION + +IV. EDITH TALBOT + +V. THE SEVENTH NIGHT + + +BOOK THE SECOND--CYPRIAN ROUGEMONT-- + +I. THE CELL + +II. THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS + +III. GERARD PASTON + +IV. THE PIT + +V. NEW PERPLEXITIES + +VI. DR. LAMB AGAIN + + +THE OLD LONDON MERCHANT + + +A NIGHT'S ADVENTURE IN ROME-- + +I. SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE + +II. THE MARCHESA + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +THE MYSTERIOUS INTERVIEW IN HYDE PARK + +THE ELIXIR OF LONG LIFE + +THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD + +THE DOG-FANCIER + +THE HAND AND THE CLOAK + +THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER + +THE BARBER OF LONDON + +SEIZURE OF EBBA + +THE ANTIQUARIES + +THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY + +THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN + +THE COMPACT + +THE SIGNIFICANT WHISPER + +THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS + +ROUGEMONT'S DEVICE TO PERPLEX AURIOL + + + + +PROLOGUE + +1599 + +_DR. LAMB_ + + +The Sixteenth Century drew to a close. It was the last day of the last +year, and two hours only were wanting to the birth of another year and +of another century. + +The night was solemn and beautiful. Myriads of stars paved the deep +vault of heaven; the crescent moon hung like a silver lamp in the midst +of them; a stream of rosy and quivering light, issuing from the north, +traversed the sky, like the tail of some stupendous comet; while from +its point of effluence broke forth, ever and anon, coruscations +rivalling in splendour and variety of hue the most brilliant discharge +of fireworks. + +A sharp frost prevailed; but the atmosphere was clear and dry, and +neither wind nor snow aggravated the wholesome rigour of the season. The +water lay in thick congealed masses around the conduits and wells, and +the buckets were frozen on their stands. The thoroughfares were sheeted +with ice, and dangerous to horsemen and vehicles; but the footways were +firm and pleasant to the tread. + +Here and there, a fire was lighted in the streets, round which ragged +urchins and mendicants were collected, roasting fragments of meat stuck +upon iron prongs, or quaffing deep draughts of metheglin and ale out of +leathern cups. Crowds were collected in the open places, watching the +wonders in the heavens, and drawing auguries from them, chiefly +sinister, for most of the beholders thought the signs portended the +speedy death of the queen, and the advent of a new monarch from the +north--a safe and easy interpretation, considering the advanced age and +declining health of the illustrious Elizabeth, together with the known +appointment of her successor, James of Scotland. + +Notwithstanding the early habits of the times, few persons had retired +to rest, an universal wish prevailing among the citizens to see the new +year in, and welcome the century accompanying it. Lights glimmered in +most windows, revealing the holly-sprigs and laurel-leaves stuck thickly +in their diamond panes; while, whenever a door was opened, a ruddy gleam +burst across the street, and a glance inside the dwelling showed its +inmates either gathered round the glowing hearth, occupied in mirthful +sports--fox-i'-th'-hole, blind-man's buff, or shoe-the-mare--or seated +at the ample board groaning with Christmas cheer. + +Music and singing were heard at every corner, and bands of comely +damsels, escorted by their sweethearts, went from house to house, +bearing huge brown bowls dressed with ribands and rosemary, and filled +with a drink called "lamb's-wool," composed of sturdy ale, sweetened +with sugar, spiced with nutmeg, and having toasts and burnt crabs +floating within it--a draught from which seldom brought its pretty +bearers less than a groat, and occasionally a more valuable coin. + +Such was the vigil of the year sixteen hundred. + +On this night, and at the tenth hour, a man of striking and venerable +appearance was seen to emerge upon a small wooden balcony, projecting +from a bay-window near the top of a picturesque structure situated at +the southern extremity of London Bridge. + +The old man's beard and hair were as white as snow--the former +descending almost to his girdle; so were the thick, overhanging brows +that shaded his still piercing eyes. His forehead was high, bald, and +ploughed by innumerable wrinkles. His countenance, despite its +death-like paleness, had a noble and majestic cast; and his figure, +though worn to the bone by a life of the severest study, and bent by the +weight of years, must have been once lofty and commanding. His dress +consisted of a doublet and hose of sad-coloured cloth, over which he +wore a loose gown of black silk. His head was covered by a square black +cap, from beneath which his silver locks strayed over his shoulders. + +Known by the name of Doctor Lamb, and addicted to alchemical and +philosophical pursuits, this venerable personage was esteemed by the +vulgar as little better than a wizard. Strange tales were reported and +believed of him. Amongst others, it was said that he possessed a +familiar, because he chanced to employ a deformed, crack-brained dwarf, +who assisted him in his operations, and whom he appropriately enough +denominated Flapdragon. + +Doctor Lamb's gaze was fixed intently upon the heavens, and he seamed +to be noting the position of the moon with reference to some particular +star. + +After remaining in this posture for a few minutes, he was about to +retire, when a loud crash arrested him, and he turned to see whence it +proceeded. + +Immediately before him stood the Southwark Gateway--a square stone +building, with a round, embattled turret at each corner, and a flat +leaden roof, planted with a forest of poles, fifteen or sixteen feet +high, garnished with human heads. To his surprise, the doctor perceived +that two of these poles had just been overthrown by a tall man, who was +in the act of stripping them of their grisly burdens. + +Having accomplished his object, the mysterious plunderer thrust his +spoil into a leathern bag with which he was provided, tied its mouth, +and was about to take his departure by means of a rope-ladder attached +to the battlements, when his retreat was suddenly cut off by the +gatekeeper, armed with a halberd, and bearing a lantern, who issued from +a door opening upon the leads. + +The baffled marauder looked round, and remarking the open window at +which Doctor Lamb was stationed, hurled the sack and its contents +through it. He then tried to gain the ladder, but was intercepted by the +gatekeeper, who dealt him a severe blow on the head with his halberd. +The plunderer uttered a loud cry, and attempted to draw his sword; but +before he could do so, he received a thrust in the side from his +opponent. He then fell, and the gatekeeper would have repeated the blow, +if the doctor had not called to him to desist. + +"Do not kill him, good Baldred," he cried. "The attempt may not be so +criminal as it appears. Doubtless, the mutilated remains which the poor +wretch has attempted to carry off are those of his kindred, and horror +at their exposure must have led him to commit the offence." + +"It may be, doctor," replied Baldred; "and if so I shall be sorry I have +hurt him. But I am responsible for the safe custody of these traitorous +relics, and it is as much as my own head is worth to permit their +removal." + +"I know it," replied Doctor Lamb; "and you are fully justified in what +you have done. It may throw some light upon the matter, to know whose +miserable remains have been disturbed." + +"They were the heads of two rank papists," replied Baldred, "who were +decapitated on Tower Hill, on Saint Nicholas's Day, three weeks ago, for +conspiring against the queen." + +"But their names?" demanded the doctor. "How were they called?" + +"They were father and son," replied Baldred--"Sir Simon Darcy and Master +Reginald Darcy. Perchance they were known to your worship?" + +"Too well--too well!" replied Doctor Lamb, in a voice of emotion that +startled his hearer. "They were near kinsmen of mine own. What is he +like who has made this strange attempt?" + +"Of a verity, a fair youth," replied Baldred, holding down the lantern. +"Heaven grant I have not wounded him to the death! No, his heart still +beats. Ha! here are his tablets," he added, taking a small book from +his doublet; "these may give the information you seek. You were right +in your conjecture, doctor. The name herein inscribed is the same as +that borne by the others--Auriol Darcy." + +"I see it all," cried Lamb. "It was a pious and praiseworthy deed. Bring +the unfortunate youth to my dwelling, Baldred, and you shall be well +rewarded. Use despatch, I pray you." + +As the gatekeeper essayed to comply, the wounded man groaned deeply, as +if in great pain. + +"Fling me the weapon with which you smote him," cried Doctor Lamb, in +accents of commiseration, "and I will anoint it with the powder of +sympathy. His anguish will be speedily abated." + +"I know your worship can accomplish wonders," cried Baldred, throwing +the halberd into the balcony. "I will do my part as gently as I can." + +And as the alchemist took up the weapon, and disappeared through the +window, the gatekeeper lifted the wounded man by the shoulders, and +conveyed him down a narrow, winding staircase to a lower chamber. Though +he proceeded carefully, the sufferer was put to excruciating pain; and +when Baldred placed him on a wooden bench, and held a lamp towards him, +he perceived that his features were darkened and distorted. + +"I fear it's all over with him," murmured the gatekeeper; "I shall have +a dead body to take to Doctor Lamb. It would be a charity to knock him +on the head, rather than let him suffer thus. The doctor passes for a +cunning man, but if he can cure this poor youth without seeing him, by +the help of his sympathetic ointment, I shall begin to believe, what +some folks avouch, that he has relations with the devil." + +While Baldred was ruminating in this manner, a sudden and extraordinary +change took place in the sufferer. As if by magic, the contraction of +the muscles subsided; the features assumed a wholesome hue, and the +respiration was no longer laborious. Baldred stared as if a miracle had +been wrought. + +Now that the countenance of the youth had regained its original +expression, the gatekeeper could not help being struck by its extreme +beauty. The face was a perfect oval, with regular and delicate features. +A short silken moustache covered the upper lip, which was short and +proud, and a pointed beard terminated the chin. The hair was black, +glossy, and cut short, so as to disclose a highly intellectual expanse +of brow. + +The youth's figure was slight, but admirably proportioned. His attire +consisted of a black satin doublet, slashed with white, hose of black +silk, and a short velvet mantle. His eyes were still closed, and it was +difficult to say what effect they might give to the face when they +lighted it up; but notwithstanding its beauty, it was impossible not to +admit that a strange, sinister, and almost demoniacal expression +pervaded the countenance. + +All at once, and with as much suddenness as his cure had been effected, +the young man started, uttering a piercing cry, and placed his hand to +his side. + +"Caitiff!" he cried, fixing his blazing eyes on the gatekeeper, "why do +you torture me thus? Finish me at once--Oh!" + +And overcome by anguish, he sank back again. + +"I have not touched you, sir," replied Baldred. "I brought you here to +succour you. You will be easier anon. Doctor Lamb must have wiped the +halberd," he added to himself. + +Another sudden change. The pain fled from the sufferer's countenance, +and he became easy as before. + +"What have you done to me?" he asked, with a look of gratitude; "the +torture of my wound has suddenly ceased, and I feel as if a balm had +been dropped into it. Let me remain in this state if you have any +pity--or despatch me, for my late agony was almost insupportable." + +"You are cared for by one who has greater skill than any chirurgeon in +London," replied Baldred. "If I can manage to transport you to his +lodgings, he will speedily heal your wounds." + +"Do not delay, then," replied Auriol faintly; "for though I am free from +pain, I feel that my life is ebbing fast away." + +"Press this handkerchief to your side, and lean on me," said Baldred. +"Doctor Lamb's dwelling is but a step from the gateway--in fact, the +first house on the bridge. By the way, the doctor declares he is your +kinsman." + +"It is the first I ever heard of him," replied Auriol faintly; "but take +me to him quickly, or it will be too late." + +In another moment they were at the doctor's door. Baldred tapped against +it, and the summons was instantly answered by a diminutive personage, +clad in a jerkin of coarse grey serge, and having a leathern apron tied +round his waist. This was Flapdragon. + +Blear-eyed, smoke-begrimed, lantern-jawed, the poor dwarf seemed as if +his whole life had been spent over the furnace. And so, in fact, it had +been. He had become little better than a pair of human bellows. In his +hand he held the halberd with which Auriol had been wounded. + +"So you have been playing the leech, Flapdragon, eh?" cried Baldred. + +"Ay, marry have I," replied the dwarf, with a wild grin, and displaying +a wolfish set of teeth. "My master ordered me to smear the halberd with +the sympathetic ointment. I obeyed him: rubbed the steel point, first on +one side, then on the other; next wiped it; and then smeared it again." + +"Whereby you put the patient to exquisite pain," replied Baldred; "but +help me to transport him to the laboratory." + +"I know not if the doctor will care to be disturbed," said Flapdragon. +"He is busily engaged on a grand operation." + +"I will take the risk on myself," said Baldred. "The youth will die if +he remains here. See, he has fainted already!" + +Thus urged, the dwarf laid down the halberd, and between the two, Auriol +was speedily conveyed up a wide oaken staircase to the laboratory. +Doctor Lamb was plying the bellows at the furnace, on which a large +alembic was placed, and he was so engrossed by his task that he scarcely +noticed the entrance of the others. + +"Place the youth on the ground, and rear his head against the chair," he +cried, hastily, to the dwarf. "Bathe his brows with the decoction in +that crucible. I will attend to him anon. Come to me on the morrow, +Baldred, and I will repay thee for thy trouble. I am busy now." + +"These relics, doctor," cried the gatekeeper, glancing at the bag, which +was lying on the ground, and from which a bald head protruded--"I ought +to take them back with me." + +"Heed them not--they will be safe in my keeping," cried Doctor Lamb +impatiently; "to-morrow--to-morrow." + +Casting a furtive glance round the laboratory, and shrugging his +shoulders, Baldred departed; and Flapdragon having bathed the sufferer's +temples with the decoction, in obedience to his master's injunctions, +turned to inquire what he should do next. + +"Begone!" cried the doctor, so fiercely that the dwarf darted out of the +room, clapping the door after him. + +Doctor Lamb then applied himself to his task with renewed ardour, and in +a few seconds became wholly insensible of the presence of a stranger. + +Revived by the stimulant, Auriol presently opened his eyes, and gazing +round the room, thought he must be dreaming, so strange and fantastical +did all appear. The floor was covered with the implements used by the +adept--bolt-heads, crucibles, cucurbites, and retorts, scattered about +without any attempt at arrangement. In one corner was a large +terrestrial sphere: near it was an astrolabe, and near that a +heap of disused glass vessels. On the other side lay a black, +mysterious-looking book, fastened with brazen clasps. Around it were a +ram's horn, a pair of forceps, a roll of parchment, a pestle and mortar, +and a large plate of copper, graven with the mysterious symbols of the +Isaical table. Near this was the leathern bag containing the two +decapitated heads, one of which had burst forth. On a table at the +farther end of the room, stood a large open volume, with parchment +leaves, covered with cabalistical characters, referring to the names of +spirits. Near it were two parchment scrolls, written in letters, +respectively denominated by the Chaldaic sages, "the Malachim," and "the +Passing of the River." One of these scrolls was kept in its place by a +skull. An ancient and grotesque-looking brass lamp, with two +snake-headed burners, lighted the room. From the ceiling depended a huge +scaly sea-monster, with outspread fins, open jaws garnished with +tremendous teeth, and great goggling eyes. Near it hung a celestial +sphere. The chimney-piece, which was curiously carved, and projected far +into the room, was laden with various implements of hermetic science. +Above it were hung dried bats and flitter-mice, interspersed with the +skulls of birds and apes. Attached to the chimney-piece was a horary, +sculptured in stone, near which hung a large starfish. The fireplace was +occupied by the furnace, on which, as has been stated, was placed an +alembic, communicating by means of a long serpentine pipe with a +receiver. Within the room were two skeletons, one of which, placed +behind a curtain in the deep embrasure of the window, where its polished +bones glistened in the white moonlight, had a horrible effect. The +other enjoyed more comfortable quarters near the chimney, its fleshless +feet dangling down in the smoke arising from the furnace. + +Doctor Lamb, meanwhile, steadily pursued his task, though he ever and +anon paused, to fling certain roots and drugs upon the charcoal. As he +did this, various-coloured flames broke forth--now blue, now green, now +blood-red. + +Tinged by these fires, the different objects in the chamber seemed to +take other forms, and to become instinct with animation. The +gourd-shaped cucurbites were transformed into great bloated toads +bursting with venom; the long-necked bolt-heads became monstrous +serpents; the worm-like pipes turned into adders; the alembics looked +like plumed helmets; the characters on the Isaical table, and those on +the parchments, seemed traced in fire, and to be ever changing; the +sea-monster bellowed and roared, and, flapping his fins, tried to burst +from his hook; the skeletons wagged their jaws, and raised their +fleshless fingers in mockery, while blue lights burnt in their eyeless +sockets; the bellows became a prodigious bat fanning the fire with its +wings; and the old alchemist assumed the appearance of the archfiend +presiding over a witches' sabbath. + +Auriol's brain reeled, and he pressed his hand to his eyes, to exclude +these phantasms from his sight. But even thus they pursued him; and he +imagined he could hear the infernal riot going on around him. + +Suddenly, he was roused by a loud joyful cry, and, uncovering his eyes, +he beheld Doctor Lamb pouring the contents of the matrass--a bright, +transparent liquid--into a small phial. Having carefully secured the +bottle with a glass stopper, the old man held it towards the light, and +gazed at it with rapture. + +"At length," he exclaimed aloud--"at length, the great work is achieved. +With the birth of the century now expiring I first saw light, and the +draught I hold in my hand shall enable me to see the opening of +centuries and centuries to come. Composed of the lunar stones, the solar +stones, and the mercurial stones--prepared according to the instructions +of the Rabbi Ben Lucca--namely, by the separation of the pure from the +impure, the volatilisation of the fixed, and the fixing of the +volatile--this elixir shall renew my youth, like that of the eagle, and +give me length of days greater than any patriarch ever enjoyed." + +While thus speaking, he held up the sparkling liquid, and gazed at it +like a Persian worshipping the sun. + +"To live for ever!" he cried, after a pause--"to escape the jaws of +death just when they are opening to devour me!--to be free from all +accidents!--'tis a glorious thought! Ha! I bethink me, the rabbi said +there was _one_ peril against which the elixir could not guard me--_one_ +vulnerable point, by which, like the heel of Achilles, death might reach +me! What is it!--where can it lie?" + +And he relapsed into deep thought. + +"This uncertainty will poison all my happiness," he continued; "I shall +live in constant dread, as of an invisible enemy. But no matter! +Perpetual life!--perpetual youth!--what more need be desired?" + +"What more, indeed!" cried Auriol. + +"Ha!" exclaimed the doctor, suddenly recollecting the wounded man, and +concealing the phial beneath his gown. + +"Your caution is vain, doctor," said Auriol. "I have heard what you have +uttered. You fancy you have discovered the _elixir vitæ_." + +"Fancy I have discovered it!" cried Doctor Lamb. "The matter is past all +doubt. I am the possessor of the wondrous secret, which the greatest +philosophers of all ages have sought to discover--the miraculous +preservative of the body against decay." + +"The man who brought me hither told me you were my kinsman," said +Auriol. "Is it so?" + +"It is," replied the doctor, "and you shall now learn the connection +that subsists between us. Look at that ghastly relic," he added, +pointing to the head protruding from the bag: "that was once my son +Simon. His son's head is within the sack--your father's head--so that +four generations are brought together." + +"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed the young man, raising himself on his +elbow. "You, then, are my great-grandsire. My father supposed you had +died in his infancy. An old tale runs in the family that you were +charged with sorcery, and fled to avoid the stake." + +"It is true that I fled, and took the name I bear at present," replied +the old man, "but I need scarcely say that the charge brought against me +was false. I have devoted myself to abstrusest science, have held +commune with the stars, and have wrested the most hidden secrets from +Nature--but that is all. Two crimes alone have stained my soul; but +both, I trust, have been expiated by repentance." + +"Were they deeds of blood?" asked Auriol. + +"One was so," replied Darcy, with a shudder. "It was a cowardly and +treacherous deed, aggravated by the basest ingratitude. Listen, and you +shall hear how it chanced. A Roman rabbi, named Ben Lucca, skilled in +hermetic science, came to this city. His fame reached me, and I sought +him out, offering myself as his disciple. For months, I remained with +him in his laboratory--working at the furnace, and poring over mystic +lore. One night he showed me that volume, and, pointing to a page within +it, said: 'Those characters contain the secret of confecting the elixir +of life. I will now explain them to you, and afterwards we will proceed +to the operation.' With this, he unfolded the mystery; but he bade me +observe, that the menstruum was defective on one point. Wherefore, he +said, 'there will still be peril from some hidden cause.' Oh, with what +greediness I drank in his words! How I gazed at the mystic characters, +as he explained their import! What visions floated before me of +perpetual youth and enjoyment. At that moment a demon whispered in my +ear, 'This secret must be thine own. No one else must possess it.'" + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, starting. + +"The evil thought was no sooner conceived than acted upon," pursued +Darcy. "Instantly drawing my poniard, I plunged it to the rabbi's heart. +But mark what followed. His blood fell upon the book, and obliterated +the characters; nor could I by any effort of memory recall the +composition of the elixir." + +"When did you regain the secret?" asked Auriol curiously. + +"To-night," replied Darcy--"within this hour. For nigh fifty years after +that fatal night I have been making fruitless experiments. A film of +blood has obscured my mental sight. I have proceeded by calcitration, +solution, putrefaction--have produced the oils which will fix crude +mercury, and convert all bodies into sol and luna; but I have ever +failed in fermenting the stone into the true elixir. To-night, it came +into my head to wash the blood-stained page containing the secret with a +subtle liquid. I did so; and doubting the efficacy of the experiment, +left it to work, while I went forth to breathe the air at my window. My +eyes were cast upwards, and I was struck with the malignant aspect of my +star. How to reconcile this with the good fortune which has just +befallen me, I know not--but so it was. At this juncture, your rash but +pious attempt occurred. Having discovered our relationship, and enjoined +the gatekeeper to bring you hither, I returned to my old laboratory. On +glancing towards the mystic volume, what was my surprise to see the page +free from blood!" + +Auriol uttered a slight exclamation, and gazed at the book with +superstitious awe. + +"The sight was so surprising that I dropped the sack I had brought with +me," pursued Darcy. "Fearful of again losing the secret, I nerved myself +to the task, and placing fuel on the fire, dismissed my attendant with +brief injunctions relative to you. I then set to work. How I have +succeeded, you perceive. I hold in my hand the treasure I have so long +sought--so eagerly coveted. The whole world's wealth should not purchase +it from me." + +Auriol gazed earnestly at his aged relative, but he said nothing. + +"In a few moments I shall be as full of vigour and activity as +yourself," continued Darcy. "We shall be no longer the great-grandsire +and his descendant, but friends--companions--equals,--equals in age, +strength, activity, beauty, fortune--for youth _is_ fortune--ha! ha! +Methinks I am already young again!" + +"You spoke of two crimes with which your conscience was burdened," +remarked Auriol. "You have mentioned but one." + +"The other was not so foul as that I have described," replied Darcy, in +an altered tone, "inasmuch as it was unintentional, and occasioned by no +base motive. My wife, your ancestress, was a most lovely woman, and so +passionately was I enamoured of her, that I tried by every art to +heighten and preserve her beauty. I fed her upon the flesh of capons, +nourished with vipers; caused her to steep her lovely limbs in baths +distilled from roses and violets; and had recourse to the most potent +cosmetics. At last I prepared a draught from poisons--yes, +_poisons_--the effect of which, I imagined, would be wondrous. She drank +it, and expired horribly disfigured. Conceive my despair at beholding +the fair image of my idolatry destroyed--defaced by my hand. In my +frenzy I should have laid violent hands upon myself, if I had not been +restrained. Love may again rule my heart--beauty may again dazzle my +eyes, but I shall never more feel the passion I entertained for my lost +Amice--never more behold charms equal to hers." + +And he pressed his hand to his face. + +"The mistake you then committed should serve as a warning," said Auriol. +"What if it be poison you have now confected? Try a few drops of it on +some animal." + +"No--no; it is the true elixir," replied Darcy. "Not a drop must be +wasted. You will witness its effect anon. Like the snake, I shall cast +my slough, and come forth younger than I was at twenty." + +"Meantime, I beseech you to render me some assistance," groaned Auriol, +"or, while you are preparing for immortality, I shall expire before your +eyes." + +"Be not afraid," replied Darcy; "you shall take no harm. I will care for +you presently; and I understand leechcraft so well, that I will answer +for your speedy and perfect recovery." + +"Drink, then, to it!" cried Auriol. + +"I know not what stays my hand," said the old man, raising the phial; +"but now that immortality is in my reach, I dare not grasp it." + +"Give me the potion, then," cried Auriol. + +"Not for worlds," rejoined Darcy, hugging the phial to his breast. "No; +I will be young again--rich--happy. I will go forth into the world--I +will bask in the smiles of beauty--I will feast, revel, sing--life shall +be one perpetual round of enjoyment. Now for the trial--ha!" and, as he +raised the potion towards his lips, a sudden pang shot across his heart. +"What is this?" he cried, staggering. "Can death assail me when I am +just about to enter upon perpetual life? Help me, good grandson! Place +the phial to my lips. Pour its contents down my throat--quick! quick!" + +[Illustration: The Elixir of Long Life.] + +"I am too weak to stir," groaned Auriol. "You have delayed it too long." + +"Oh, heavens! we shall both perish," shrieked Darcy, vainly endeavouring +to raise his palsied arm,--"perish with the blissful shore in view." + +And he sank backwards, and would have fallen to the ground if he had not +caught at the terrestrial sphere for support. + +"Help me--help me!" he screamed, fixing a glance of unutterable anguish +on his relative. + +"It is worth the struggle," cried Auriol. And, by a great effort, he +raised himself, and staggered towards the old man. + +"Saved--saved!" shrieked Darcy. "Pour it down my throat. An instant, and +all will be well." + +"Think you I have done this for you?" cried Auriol, snatching the +potion; "no--no." + +And, supporting himself against the furnace, he placed the phial to his +lips, and eagerly drained its contents. + +The old man seemed paralysed by the action, but kept his eye fixed upon +the youth till he had drained the elixir to the last drop. He then +uttered a piercing cry, threw up his arms, and fell heavily backwards. + +Dead--dead! + +Flashes of light passed before Auriol's eyes, and strange noises smote +his ears. For a moment he was bewildered as with wine, and laughed and +sang discordantly like a madman. Every object reeled and danced around +him. The glass vessels and jars clashed their brittle sides together, +yet remained uninjured; the furnace breathed forth flames and mephitic +vapours; the spiral worm of the alembic became red hot, and seemed +filled with molten lead; the pipe of the bolt-head ran blood; the sphere +of the earth rolled along the floor, and rebounded from the wall as if +impelled by a giant hand; the skeletons grinned and gibbered; so did the +death's-head on the table; so did the skulls against the chimney; the +monstrous sea-fish belched forth fire and smoke; the bald, decapitated +head opened its eyes, and fixed them, with a stony glare, on the young +man; while the dead alchemist shook his hand menacingly at him. + +Unable to bear these accumulated horrors, Auriol became, for a short +space, insensible. On recovering, all was still. The lights within the +lamp had expired; but the bright moonlight, streaming through the +window, fell upon the rigid features of the unfortunate alchemist, and +on the cabalistic characters of the open volume beside him. + +Eager to test the effect of the elixir, Auriol put his hand to his side. +All traces of the wound were gone; nor did he experience the slightest +pain in any other part of his body. On the contrary, he seemed endowed +with preternatural strength. His breast dilated with rapture, and he +longed to expand his joy in active motion. + +Striding over the body of his aged relative, he threw open the window. +As he did so, joyous peals burst from surrounding churches, announcing +the arrival of the new year. + +While listening to this clamour, Auriol gazed at the populous and +picturesque city stretched out before him, and bathed in the moonlight. + +"A hundred years hence," he thought, "and scarcely one soul of the +thousands within those houses will be living, save myself. A hundred +years after that, and their children's children will be gone to the +grave. But I shall live on--shall live through all changes--all +customs--all time. What revelations I shall then have to make, if I +should dare to disclose them!" + +As he ruminated thus, the skeleton hanging near him was swayed by the +wind, and its bony fingers came in contact with his cheek. A dread idea +was suggested by the occurrence. + +"There is one peril to be avoided," he thought; "ONE PERIL!--what is it? +Pshaw! I will think no more of it. It may never arise. I will be gone. +This place fevers me." + +With this, he left the laboratory, and hastily descending the stairs, at +the foot of which he found Flapdragon, passed out of the house. + + + + +BOOK THE FIRST + +_EBBA_ + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD + + +Late one night, in the spring of 1830, two men issued from a low, +obscurely situated public-house, near Millbank, and shaped their course +apparently in the direction of Vauxhall Bridge. Avoiding the footpath +near the river, they moved stealthily along the farther side of the +road, where the open ground offered them an easy means of flight, in +case such a course should be found expedient. So far as it could be +discerned by the glimpses of the moon, which occasionally shone forth +from a rack of heavy clouds, the appearance of these personages was not +much in their favour. Haggard features, stamped deeply with the +characters of crime and debauchery; fierce, restless eyes; beards of +several days' growth; wild, unkempt heads of hair, formed their chief +personal characteristics; while sordid and ragged clothes, shoes without +soles, and old hats without crowns, constituted the sum of their +apparel. + +One of them was tall and gaunt, with large hands and feet; but despite +his meagreness, he evidently possessed great strength: the other was +considerably shorter, but broad-shouldered, bow-legged, long-armed, and +altogether a most formidable ruffian. This fellow had high cheek-bones, +a long aquiline nose, and a coarse mouth and chin, in which the animal +greatly predominated. He had a stubby red beard, with sandy hair, white +brows and eyelashes. The countenance of the other was dark and +repulsive, and covered with blotches, the result of habitual +intemperance. His eyes had a leering and malignant look. A handkerchief +spotted with blood, and tied across his brow, contrasted strongly with +his matted black hair, and increased his natural appearance of ferocity. +The shorter ruffian carried a mallet upon his shoulder, and his +companion concealed something beneath the breast of his coat, which +afterwards proved to be a dark lantern. + +Not a word passed between them; but keeping a vigilant look-out, they +trudged on with quick, shambling steps. A few sounds arose from the +banks of the river, and there was now and then a plash in the water, or +a distant cry, betokening some passing craft; but generally all was +profoundly still. The quaint, Dutch-looking structures on the opposite +bank, the line of coal-barges and lighters moored to the strand, the +great timber-yards and coal-yards, the brewhouses, gasworks, and +waterworks, could only be imperfectly discerned; but the moonlight fell +clear upon the ancient towers of Lambeth Palace, and on the neighbouring +church. The same glimmer also ran like a silver belt across the stream, +and revealed the great, stern, fortress-like pile of the +Penitentiary--perhaps the most dismal-looking structure in the whole +metropolis. The world of habitations beyond this melancholy prison was +buried in darkness. The two men, however, thought nothing of these +things, and saw nothing of them; but, on arriving within a couple of +hundred yards of the bridge, suddenly, as if by previous concert, +quitted the road, and, leaping a rail, ran across a field, and plunged +into a hollow formed by a dried pit, where they came to a momentary +halt. + +"You ain't a-been a-gammonin' me in this matter, Tinker?" observed the +shorter individual. "The cove's sure to come?" + +"Why, you can't expect me to answer for another as I can for myself, +Sandman," replied the other; "but if his own word's to be taken for it, +he's sartin to be there. I heerd him say, as plainly as I'm a speakin' +to you--'I'll be here to-morrow night--at the same hour----'" + +"And that wos one o'clock?" said the Sandman. + +"Thereabouts," replied the other. + +"And who did he say that to?" demanded the Sandman. + +"To hisself, I s'pose," answered the Tinker; "for, as I told you afore, +I could see no one vith him." + +"Do you think he's one of our perfession?" inquired the Sandman. + +"Bless you! no--that he ain't," returned the Tinker. "He's a reg'lar +slap-up svell." + +"That's no reason at all," said the Sandman. "Many a first-rate svell +practises in our line. But he can't be in his right mind to come to such +a ken as that, and go on as you mentions." + +"As to that I can't say," replied the Tinker; "and it don't much matter, +as far as ve're consarned." + +"Devil a bit," rejoined the Sandman, "except--you're sure it worn't a +sperrit, Tinker. I've heerd say that this crib is haanted, and though I +don't fear no livin' man, a ghost's a different sort of customer." + +"Vell, you'll find our svell raal flesh and blood, you may depend upon +it," replied the Tinker. "So come along, and don't let's be frightenin' +ourselves vith ould vimen's tales." + +With this they emerged from the pit, crossed the lower part of the +field, and entered a narrow thoroughfare, skirted by a few detached +houses, which brought them into the Vauxhall Bridge Road. + +Here they kept on the side of the street most in shadow, and crossed +over whenever they came to a lamp. By-and-by, two watchmen were seen +advancing from Belvoir Terrace, and, as the guardians of the night drew +near, the ruffians crept into an alley to let them pass. As soon as the +coast was clear, they ventured forth, and quickening their pace, came to +a row of deserted and dilapidated houses. This was their destination. + +The range of habitations in question, more than a dozen in number, were, +in all probability, what is vulgarly called "in Chancery," and shared +the fate of most property similarly circumstanced. They were in a sad +ruinous state--unroofed, without windows and floors. The bare walls were +alone left standing, and these were in a very tumble-down condition. +These neglected dwellings served as receptacles for old iron, blocks of +stone and wood, and other ponderous matters. The aspect of the whole +place was so dismal and suspicious, that it was generally avoided by +passengers after nightfall. + +Skulking along the blank and dreary walls, the Tinker, who was now a +little in advance, stopped before a door, and pushing it open, entered +the dwelling. His companion followed him. + +The extraordinary and incongruous assemblage of objects which met the +gaze of the Sandman, coupled with the deserted appearance of the place, +produced an effect upon his hardy but superstitious nature. + +Looking round, he beheld huge mill-stones, enormous water-wheels, +boilers of steam-engines, iron vats, cylinders, cranes, iron pumps of +the strangest fashion, a gigantic pair of wooden scales, old iron safes, +old boilers, old gas-pipes, old water-pipes, cracked old bells, old +bird-cages, old plates of iron, old pulleys, ropes, and rusty chains, +huddled and heaped together in the most fantastic disorder. In the midst +of the chaotic mass frowned the bearded and colossal head of Neptune, +which had once decorated the forepart of a man-of-war. Above it, on a +sort of framework, lay the prostrate statue of a nymph, together with a +bust of Fox, the nose of the latter being partly demolished, and the +eyes knocked in. Above these, three garden divinities laid their heads +amicably together. On the left stood a tall Grecian warrior, minus the +head and right hand. The whole was surmounted by an immense ventilator, +stuck on the end of an iron rod, ascending, like a lightning-conductor, +from the steam-engine pump. + +Seen by the transient light of the moon, the various objects above +enumerated produced a strange effect upon the beholder's imagination. +There was a mixture of the grotesque and terrible about them. Nor was +the building itself devoid of a certain influence upon his mind. The +ragged brickwork, overgrown with weeds, took with him the semblance of a +human face, and seemed to keep a wary eye on what was going forward +below. + +A means of crossing from one side of the building to the other, without +descending into the vault beneath, was afforded by a couple of planks; +though as the wall on the farther side was some feet higher than that +near at hand, and the planks were considerably bent, the passage +appeared hazardous. + +Glancing round for a moment, the Tinker leaped into the cellar, and, +unmasking his lantern, showed a sort of hiding-place, between a bulk of +timber and a boiler, to which he invited his companion. + +The Sandman jumped down. + +"The ale I drank at the 'Two Fighting Cocks' has made me feel drowsy, +Tinker," he remarked, stretching himself on the bulk; "I'll just take a +snooze. Vake me up if I snore--or ven our sperrit appears." + +The Tinker replied in the affirmative; and the other had just become +lost to consciousness, when he received a nudge in the side, and his +companion whispered--"He's here!" + +"Vhere--vhere?" demanded the Sandman, in some trepidation. + +"Look up, and you'll see him," replied the other. + +Slightly altering his position, the Sandman caught sight of a figure +standing upon the planks above them. It was that of a young man. His hat +was off, and his features, exposed to the full radiance of the moon, +looked deathly pale, and though handsome, had a strange sinister +expression. He was tall, slight, and well-proportioned; and the general +cut of his attire, the tightly-buttoned, single-breasted coat, together +with the moustache upon his lip, gave him a military air. + +"He seems a-valkin' in his sleep," muttered the Sandman. "He's +a-speakin' to some von unwisible." + +"Hush--hush!" whispered the other. "Let's hear wot he's a-sayin'." + +"Why have you brought me here?" cried the young man, in a voice so +hollow that it thrilled his auditors. "What is to be done?" + +"It makes my blood run cold to hear him," whispered the Sandman. "Vot +d'ye think he sees?" + +"Why do you not speak to me?" cried the young man--"why do you beckon me +forward? Well, I obey. I will follow you." + +And he moved slowly across the plank. + +"See, he's a-goin' through that door," cried the Tinker. "Let's foller +him." + +"I don't half like it," replied the Sandman, his teeth chattering with +apprehension. "We shall see summat as'll take avay our senses." + +"Tut!" cried the Tinker; "it's only a sleepy-valker. Wot are you afeerd +on?" + +With this he vaulted upon the planks, and peeping cautiously out of the +open door to which they led, saw the object of his scrutiny enter the +adjoining house through a broken window. + +Making a sign to the Sandman, who was close at his heels, the Tinker +crept forward on all fours, and, on reaching the window, raised himself +just sufficiently to command the interior of the dwelling. Unfortunately +for him, the moon was at this moment obscured, and he could distinguish +nothing except the dusky outline of the various objects with which the +place was filled, and which were nearly of the same kind as those of the +neighbouring habitation. He listened intently, but not the slightest +sound reached his ears. + +After some time spent in this way, he began to fear the young man must +have departed, when all at once a piercing scream resounded through the +dwelling. Some heavy matter was dislodged, with a thundering crash, and +footsteps were heard approaching the window. + +Hastily retreating to their former hiding-place, the Tinker and his +companion had scarcely regained it, when the young man again appeared on +the plank. His demeanour had undergone a fearful change. He staggered +rather than walked, and his countenance was even paler than before. +Having crossed the plank, he took his way along the top of the broken +wall towards the door. + +"Now, then, Sandman!" cried the Tinker; "now's your time!" + +The other nodded, and, grasping his mallet with a deadly and determined +purpose, sprang noiselessly upon the wall, and overtook his intended +victim just before he gained the door. + +Hearing a sound behind him, the young man turned, and only just became +conscious of the presence of the Sandman, when the mallet descended upon +his head, and he fell crushed and senseless to the ground. + +[Illustration: The Ruined house in the Vauxhall Road] + +"The vork's done!" cried the Sandman to his companion, who instantly +came up with the dark lantern; "let's take him below, and strip him." + +"Agreed," replied the Tinker; "but first let's see wot he has got in his +pockets." + +"Vith all my 'art," replied the Sandman, searching the clothes of the +victim. "A reader!--I hope it's well lined. Ve'll examine it below. The +body 'ud tell awkvard tales if any von should chance to peep in." + +"Shall we strip him here?" said the Tinker. "Now the darkey shines on +'em, you see what famous togs the cull has on." + +"Do you vant to have us scragged, fool?" cried the Sandman, springing +into the vault. "Hoist him down here." + +With this, he placed the wounded man's legs over his own shoulders, and, +aided by his comrade, was in the act of heaving down the body, when the +street-door suddenly flew open, and a stout individual, attended by a +couple of watchmen, appeared at it. + +"There the villains are!" shouted the new-comer. "They have been +murderin' a gentleman. Seize 'em--seize 'em!" + +And, as he spoke, he discharged a pistol, the ball from which whistled +past the ears of the Tinker. + +Without waiting for another salute of the same kind, which might +possibly be nearer its mark, the ruffian kicked the lantern into the +vault, and sprang after the Sandman, who had already disappeared. + +Acquainted with the intricacies of the place, the Tinker guided his +companion through a hole into an adjoining vault, whence they scaled a +wall, got into the next house, and passing through an open window, made +good their retreat, while the watchmen were vainly searching for them +under every bulk and piece of iron. + +"Here, watchmen!" cried the stout individual, who had acted as leader; +"never mind the villains just now, but help me to convey this poor young +gentleman to my house, where proper assistance can be rendered him. He +still breathes; but he has received a terrible blow on the head. I hope +his skull ain't broken." + +"It is to be hoped it ain't, Mr. Thorneycroft," replied the foremost +watchman; "but them was two desperate characters as ever I see, and +capable of any hatterosity." + +"What a frightful scream I heard to be sure!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "I +was certain somethin' dreadful was goin' on. It was fortunate I wasn't +gone to bed; and still more fortunate you happened to be comin' up at +the time. But we mustn't stand chatterin' here. Bring the poor young +gentleman along." + +Preceded by Mr. Thorneycroft, the watchmen carried the wounded man +across the road towards a small house, the door of which was held open +by a female servant, with a candle in her hand. The poor woman uttered a +cry of horror as the body was brought in. + +"Don't be cryin' out in that way, Peggy," cried Mr. Thorneycroft, "but +go and get me some brandy. Here, watchmen, lay the poor young gentleman +down on the sofa--there, gently, gently. And now, one of you run to +Wheeler Street, and fetch Mr. Howell, the surgeon. Less noise, +Peggy--less noise, or you'll waken Miss Ebba, and I wouldn't have her +disturbed for the world." + +With this, he snatched the bottle of brandy from the maid, filled a +wine-glass with the spirit, and poured it down the throat of the wounded +man. A stifling sound followed, and after struggling violently for +respiration for a few seconds, the patient opened his eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE DOG-FANCIER + + +The Rookery! Who that has passed Saint Giles's, on the way to the city, +or coming from it, but has caught a glimpse, through some narrow +opening, of its squalid habitations, and wretched and ruffianly +occupants! Who but must have been struck with amazement, that such a +huge receptacle of vice and crime should be allowed to exist in the very +heart of the metropolis, like an ulcerated spot, capable of tainting the +whole system! Of late, the progress of improvement has caused its +removal; but whether any less cogent motive would have abated the +nuisance may be questioned. For years the evil was felt and complained +of, but no effort was made to remedy it, or to cleanse these worse than +Augean stables. As the place is now partially, if not altogether, swept +away, and a wide and airy street passes through the midst of its foul +recesses, a slight sketch may be given of its former appearance. + +Entering a narrow street, guarded by posts and cross-bars, a few steps +from the crowded thoroughfare brought you into a frightful region, the +refuge, it was easy to perceive, of half the lawless characters +infesting the metropolis. The coarsest ribaldry assailed your ears, and +noisome odours afflicted your sense of smell. As you advanced, picking +your way through kennels flowing with filth, or over putrescent heaps of +rubbish and oyster-shells, all the repulsive and hideous features of the +place were displayed before you. There was something savagely +picturesque in the aspect of the place, but its features were too +loathsome to be regarded with any other feeling than disgust. The houses +looked as sordid, and as thickly crusted with the leprosy of vice, as +their tenants. Horrible habitations they were, in truth. Many of them +were without windows, and where the frames were left, brown paper or tin +supplied the place of glass; some even wanted doors, and no effort was +made to conceal the squalor within. On the contrary, it seemed to be +intruded on observation. Miserable rooms, almost destitute of furniture; +floors and walls caked with dirt, or decked with coarse flaring prints; +shameless and abandoned-looking women; children without shoes and +stockings, and with scarcely a rag to their backs: these were the chief +objects that met the view. Of men, few were visible--the majority being +out on business, it is to be presumed; but where a solitary straggler +was seen, his sinister looks and mean attire were in perfect keeping +with the spot. So thickly inhabited were these wretched dwellings, that +every chamber, from garret to cellar, swarmed with inmates. As to the +cellars, they looked like dismal caverns, which a wild beast would shun. +Clothes-lines were hung from house to house, festooned with every kind +of garment. Out of the main street branched several alleys and passages, +all displaying the same degree of misery, or, if possible, worse, and +teeming with occupants. Personal security, however, forbade any attempt +to track these labyrinths; but imagination, after the specimen afforded, +could easily picture them. It was impossible to move a step without +insult or annoyance. Every human being seemed brutalised and degraded; +and the women appeared utterly lost to decency, and made the street ring +with their cries, their quarrels, and their imprecations. It was a +positive relief to escape from this hotbed of crime to the world +without, and breathe a purer atmosphere. + +Such being the aspect of the Rookery in the daytime, what must it have +been when crowded with its denizens at night! Yet at such an hour it +will now be necessary to enter its penetralia. + +After escaping from the ruined house in the Vauxhall Road, the two +ruffians shaped their course towards Saint Giles's, running the greater +part of the way, and reaching the Broadway just as the church clock +struck two. Darting into a narrow alley, and heedless of any +obstructions they encountered in their path, they entered a somewhat +wider cross-street, which they pursued for a short distance, and then +struck into an entry, at the bottom of which was a swing-door that +admitted them into a small court, where they found a dwarfish person +wrapped in a tattered watchman's greatcoat, seated on a stool with a +horn lantern in his hand and a cutty in his mouth, the glow of which +lighted up his hard, withered features. This was the deputy-porter of +the lodging-house they were about to enter. Addressing him by the name +of Old Parr, the ruffians passed on, and lifting the latch of another +door, entered a sort of kitchen, at the farther end of which blazed a +cheerful fire, with a large copper kettle boiling upon it. On one side +of the room was a deal table, round which several men of sinister aspect +and sordid attire were collected, playing, at cards. A smaller table of +the same material stood near the fire, and opposite it was a staircase +leading to the upper rooms. The place was dingy and dirty in the +extreme, the floors could not have been scoured for years, and the walls +were begrimed with filth. In one corner, with his head resting on a heap +of coals and coke, lay a boy almost as black as a chimney-sweep, fast +asleep. He was the waiter. The principal light was afforded by a candle +stuck against the wall, with a tin reflector behind it. Before the fire, +with his back turned towards it, stood a noticeable individual, clad in +a velveteen jacket with ivory buttons, a striped waistcoat, drab knees, +a faded black silk neckcloth tied in a great bow, and a pair of ancient +Wellingtons ascending half-way up his legs, which looked +disproportionately thin when compared with the upper part of his square, +robustious, and somewhat pursy frame. His face was broad, jolly, and +good-humoured, with a bottle-shaped nose, fleshy lips, and light grey +eyes, glistening with cunning and roguery. His hair, which dangled in +long flakes over his ears and neck, was of a dunnish red, as were also +his whiskers and beard. A superannuated white castor, with a black +hat-band round it, was cocked knowingly on one side of his head, and +gave him a flashy and sporting look. His particular vocation was made +manifest by the number of dogs he had about him. A beautiful +black-and-tan spaniel, of Charles the Second's breed, popped its short +snubby nose and long silken ears out of each coat-pocket. A pug was +thrust into his breast, and he carried an exquisite Blenheim under +either arm. At his feet reposed an Isle of Skye terrier, and a partly +cropped French poodle, of snowy whiteness, with a red worsted riband +round his throat. This person, it need scarcely be said, was a +dog-fancier, or, in other words, a dealer in, and a stealer of, dogs, as +well as a practiser of all the tricks connected with that nefarious +trade. His self-satisfied air made it evident he thought himself a +smart, clever fellow,--and adroit and knavish he was, no doubt,--while +his droll, plausible, and rather winning manners helped him materially +to impose upon his customers. His real name was Taylor, but he was known +among his companions by the appellation of Ginger. On the entrance of +the Sandman and the Tinker, he nodded familiarly to them, and with a sly +look inquired--"Vell, my 'arties--wot luck?" + +"Oh, pretty middlin'," replied the Sandman gruffly. + +And seating himself at the table, near the fire, he kicked up the lad, +who was lying fast asleep on the coals, and bade him fetch a pot of +half-and-half. The Tinker took a place beside him, and they waited in +silence the arrival of the liquor, which, when it came, was disposed of +at a couple of pulls; while Mr. Ginger, seeing they were engaged, +sauntered towards the card-table, attended by his four-footed +companions. + +"And now," said the Sandman, unable to control his curiosity longer, and +taking out his pocket-book, "we'll see what fortun' has given us." + +[Illustration: The Dog-fancier.] + +So saying, he unclasped the pocket-book, while the Tinker bent over +him in eager curiosity. But their search for money was fruitless. Not a +single bank-note was forthcoming. There were several memoranda and slips +of paper, a few cards, and an almanac for the year--that was all. It was +a great disappointment. + +"So we've had all this trouble for nuffin', and nearly got shot into the +bargain," cried the Sandman, slapping down the book on the table with an +oath. "I vish I'd never undertaken the job." + +"Don't let's give it up in sich an 'urry," replied the Tinker; "summat +may be made on it yet. Let's look over them papers." + +"Look 'em over yourself," rejoined the Sandman, pushing the book towards +him. "I've done wi' 'em. Here, lazy-bones, bring two glasses o' +rum-and-water--stiff, d'ye hear?" + +While the sleepy youth bestirred himself to obey these injunctions, the +Tinker read over every memorandum in the pocket-book, and then proceeded +carefully to examine the different scraps of paper with which it was +filled. Not content with one perusal, he looked them all over again, and +then began to rub his hands with great glee. + +"Wot's the matter?" cried the Sandman, who had lighted a cutty, and was +quietly smoking it. "Wot's the row, eh?" + +"Vy, this is it," replied the Tinker, unable to contain his +satisfaction; "there's secrets contained in this here pocket-book as'll +be worth a hundred pound and better to us. We ha'n't had our trouble for +nuffin'." + +"Glad to hear it!" said the Sandman, looking hard at him. "Wot kind o' +secrets are they?" + +"Vy, _hangin' secrets_," replied the Tinker, with mysterious emphasis. +"He seems to be a terrible chap, and to have committed murder +wholesale." + +"Wholesale!" echoed the Sandman, removing the pipe from his lips. "That +sounds awful. But what a precious donkey he must be to register his +crimes i' that way." + +"He didn't expect the pocket-book to fall into our hands," said the +Tinker. + +"Werry likely not," replied the Sandman; "but somebody else might see +it. I repeat, he must be a fool. S'pose we wos to make a entry of +everythin' we does. Wot a nice balance there'd be agin us ven our +accounts comed to be wound up!" + +"Ourn is a different bus'ness altogether," replied the Tinker. "This +seems a werry mysterious sort o' person. Wot age should you take him to +be?" + +"Vy, five-an'-twenty at the outside," replied the Sandman. + +"Five-an'-sixty 'ud be nearer the mark," replied the Tinker. "There's +dates as far back as that." + +"Five-an'-sixty devils!" cried the Sandman; "there must be some mistake +i' the reckonin' there." + +"No, it's all clear an' reg'lar," rejoined the other; "and that doesn't +seem to be the end of it neither. I looked over the papers twice, and +one, dated 1780, refers to some other dokiments." + +"They must relate to his granddad, then," said the Sandman; "it's +impossible they can refer to him." + +"But I tell 'ee they _do_ refer to him," said the Tinker, somewhat +angrily, at having his assertion denied; "at least, if his own word's to +be taken. Anyhow, these papers is waluable to us. If no one else +believes in 'em, it's clear he believes in 'em hisself, and will be glad +to buy 'em from us." + +"That's a view o' the case worthy of an Old Bailey lawyer," replied the +Sandman. "Wot's the gemman's name?" + +"The name on the card is AURIOL DARCY," replied the Tinker. + +"Any address?" asked the Sandman. + +The Tinker shook his head. + +"That's unlucky agin," said the Sandman. "Ain't there no sort o' clue?" + +"None votiver, as I can perceive," said the Tinker. + +"Vy, zounds, then, ve're jist vere ve started from," cried the Sandman. +"But it don't matter. There's not much chance o' makin' a bargin vith +him. The crack o' the skull I gave him has done his bus'ness." + +"Nuffin' o' the kind," replied the Tinker. "He alvays recovers from +every kind of accident." + +"Alvays recovers!" exclaimed the Sandman, in amazement. "Wot a +constitootion he must have!" + +"Surprisin'!" replied the Tinker; "he never suffers from injuries--at +least, not much; never grows old; and never expects to die; for he +mentions wot he intends doin' a hundred years hence." + +"Oh, he's a lu-nattic!" exclaimed the Sandman, "a downright lu-nattic; +and that accounts for his wisitin' that 'ere ruined house, and +a-fancyin' he heerd some one talk to him. He's mad, depend upon it. That +is, if I ain't cured him." + +"I'm of a different opinion," said the Tinker. + +"And so am I," said Mr. Ginger, who had approached unobserved, and +overheard the greater part of their discourse. + +"Vy, vot can you know about it, Ginger?" said the Sandman, looking up, +evidently rather annoyed. + +"I only know this," replied Ginger, "that you've got a good case, and if +you'll let me into it, I'll engage to make summat of it." + +"Vell, I'm agreeable," said the Sandman. + +"And so am I," added the Tinker. + +"Not that I pays much regard to wot you've bin a readin' in his papers," +purused Ginger; "the gemman's evidently half-cracked, if he ain't +cracked altogether--but he's jist the person to work upon. He fancies +hisself immortal--eh?" + +"Exactly so," replied the Tinker. + +"And he also fancies he's committed a lot o' murders?" perused Ginger. + +"A desperate lot," replied the Tinker. + +"Then he'll be glad to buy those papers at any price," said Ginger. +"Ve'll deal vith him in regard to the pocket-book, as I deals vith +regard to a dog--ask a price for its restitootion." + +"We must find him out first," said the Sandman. + +"There's no difficulty in that," rejoined Ginger. "You must be +constantly on the look-out. You're sure to meet him some time or other." + +"That's true," replied the Sandman; "and there's no fear of his knowin' +us, for the werry moment he looked round I knocked him on the head." + +"Arter all," said the Tinker, "there's no branch o' the perfession so +safe as yours, Ginger. The law is favourable to you, and the beaks is +afeerd to touch you. I think I shall turn dog-fancier myself." + +"It's a good business," replied Ginger, "but it requires a hedication. +As I wos sayin', we gets a high price sometimes for restorin' a +favourite, especially ven ve've a soft-hearted lady to deal vith. +There's some vimen as fond o' dogs as o' their own childer, and ven ve +gets one o' their precious pets, ve makes 'em ransom it as the brigands +you see at the Adelphi or the Surrey sarves their prisoners, threatenin' +to send first an ear, and then a paw, or a tail, and so on. I'll tell +you wot happened t'other day. There wos a lady--a Miss Vite--as was +desperate fond of her dog. It wos a ugly warmint, but no matter for +that--the creater had gained her heart. Vell, she lost it; and, somehow +or other, I found it. She vos in great trouble, and a friend o' mine +calls to say she can have the dog agin, but she must pay eight pound for +it. She thinks this dear, and a friend o' her own adwises her to wait, +sayin' better terms will be offered; so I sends vord by my friend that +if she don't come down at once the poor animal's throat vill be cut that +werry night." + +"Ha!--ha!--ha!" laughed the others. + +"Vell, she sent four pound, and I put up with it," pursued Ginger; "but +about a month arterwards she loses her favourite agin, and, strange to +say, I finds it. The same game is played over agin, and she comes down +with another four pound. But she takes care this time that I shan't +repeat the trick; for no sooner does she obtain persession of her +favourite than she embarks in the steamer for France, in the hope of +keeping her dog safe there." + +"Oh! Miss Bailey, unfortinate Miss +Bailey!--Fol-de-riddle-tol-ol-lol--unfortinate Miss Bailey!" sang the +Tinker. + +"But there's dog-fanciers in France, ain't there?" asked the Sandman. + +"Lor' bless 'ee, yes," replied Ginger; "there's as many fanciers i' +France as here. Vy, ve drives a smartish trade wi' them through them +foreign steamers. There's scarcely a steamer as leaves the port o' +London but takes out a cargo o' dogs. Ve sells 'em to the stewards, +stokers, and sailors--cheap--and no questins asked. They goes to Ostend, +Antverp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and sometimes to Havre. There's a Mounseer +Coqquilu as comes over to buy dogs, and ve takes 'em to him at a house +near Billinsgit market." + +"Then you're alvays sure o' a ready market somehow," observed the +Sandman. + +"Sartin," replied Ginger, "cos the law's so kind to us. Vy, bless you, a +perliceman can't detain us, even if he knows ve've a stolen dog in our +persession, and ve svears it's our own; and yet he'd stop you in a +minnit if he seed you with a suspicious-lookin' bundle under your arm. +Now, jist to show you the difference atwixt the two perfessions:--I +steals a dog--walue, maybe, fifty pound, or p'raps more. Even if I'm +catched i' the fact I may get fined twenty pound, or have six months' +imprisonment; vile, if you steals an old fogle, walue three fardens, +you'll get seven years abroad, to a dead certainty." + +"That seems hard on us," observed the Sandman reflectively. + +"It's the _law_!" exclaimed Ginger triumphantly. "Now, ve generally +escapes by payin' the fine, 'cos our pals goes and steals more dogs to +raise the money. Ve alvays stands by each other. There's a reg'lar +horganisation among us; so ve can alvays bring vitnesses to svear vot ve +likes, and ve so puzzles the beaks, that the case gets dismissed, and +the constable says, 'Vich party shall I give the dog to, your vorship?' +Upon vich, the beak replies, a-shakin' of his vise noddle, 'Give it to +the person in whose persession it was found. I have nuffin' more to do +vith it.' In course the dog is delivered up to us." + +"The law seems made for dog-fanciers," remarked the Tinker. + +"Wot d'ye think o' this?" pursued Ginger. "I wos a-standin' at the +corner o' Gray's Inn Lane vith some o' my pals near a coach-stand, ven a +lady passes by vith this here dog--an' a beauty it is, a real long-eared +Charley--a follerin' of her. Vell, the moment I spies it, I unties my +apron, whips up the dog, and covers it up in a trice. Vell, the lady +sees me, an' gives me in charge to a perliceman. But that si'nifies +nuffin'. I brings six vitnesses to svear the dog vos mine, and I +actually had it since it vos a blind little puppy; and, wot's more, I +brings its _mother_, and that settles the pint. So in course I'm +discharged; the dog is given up to me; and the lady goes avay lamentin'. +I then plays the amiable, an' offers to sell it her for twenty guineas, +seein' as how she had taken a fancy to it; but she von't bite. So if I +don't sell it next week, I shall send it to Mounseer Coqquilu. The only +vay you can go wrong is to steal a dog wi' a collar on, for if you do, +you may get seven years' transportation for a bit o' leather and a brass +plate vorth a shillin', vile the animal, though vorth a hundred pound, +can't hurt you. There's _law_ again--ha, ha!" + +"Dog-fancier's law!" laughed the Sandman. + +"Some of the Fancy is given to cruelty," pursued Ginger, "and crops a +dog's ears, or pulls out his teeth to disguise him; but I'm too fond o' +the animal for that. I may frighten old ladies sometimes, as I told you +afore, but I never seriously hurts their pets. Nor did I ever kill a dog +for his skin, as some on 'em does." + +"And you're always sure o' gettin' a dog, if you vants it, I s'pose?" +inquired the Tinker. + +"Alvays," replied Ginger. "No man's dog is safe. I don't care how he's +kept, ve're sure to have him at last. Ve feels our vay with the +sarvents, and finds out from them the walley the master or missis sets +on the dog, and soon after that the animal's gone. Vith a bit o' liver, +prepared in my partic'lar vay, I can tame the fiercest dog as ever +barked, take him off his chain, an' bring him arter me at a gallop." + +"And do respectable parties ever buy dogs knowin' they're stolen?" +inquired the Tinker. + +"Ay, to be sure," replied Ginger; "sometimes first-rate nobs. They put +us up to it themselves; they'll say, 'I've jist left my Lord +So-and-So's, and there I seed a couple o' the finest pointers I ever +clapped eyes on. I vant you to get me _jist sich another couple_.' +Vell, ve understands in a minnit, an' in doo time the identicle dogs +finds their vay to our customer." + +"Oh! that's how it's done?" remarked the Sandman. + +"Yes, that's the vay," replied Ginger. "Sometimes a party'll vant a +couple o' dogs for the shootin' season; and then ve asks, 'Vich vay are +you a-goin'--into Surrey or Kent?' And accordin' as the answer is given +ve arranges our plans." + +"Vell, yourn appears a profitable and safe employment, I must say," +remarked the Sandman. + +"Perfectly so," replied Ginger. "Nothin' can touch us till dogs is +declared by statute to be property, and stealin' 'em a misdemeanour. And +that won't occur in my time." + +"Let's hope not," rejoined the other two. + +"To come back to the pint from vich we started," said the Tinker; "our +gemman's case is not so surprisin' as it at first appears. There are +some persons as believe they never will die--and I myself am of the same +opinion. There's our old deputy here--him as ve calls Old Parr--vy, he +declares he lived in Queen Bess's time, recollects King Charles bein' +beheaded perfectly vell, and remembers the Great Fire o' London, as if +it only occurred yesterday." + +"Walker!" exclaimed Ginger, putting his finger to his nose. + +"You may larf, but it's true," replied the Tinker. "I recollect an old +man tellin' me that he knew the deputy sixty years ago, and he looked +jist the same then as now,--neither older nor younger." + +"Humph!" exclaimed Ginger. "He don't look so old now." + +"That's the cur'ousest part of it," said the Tinker. "He don't like to +talk of his age unless you can get him i' the humour; but he once told +me he didn't know why he lived so long, unless it were owin' to a potion +he'd swallowed, vich his master, who was a great conjurer in Queen +Bess's days, had brew'd." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed Ginger. "I thought you too knowin' a cove, Tinker, to +be gulled by such an old vife's story as that." + +"Let's have the old fellow in and talk to him," replied the Tinker. +"Here, lazy-bones," he added, rousing the sleeping youth, "go an' tell +Old Parr ve vants his company over a glass o' rum-an'-vater." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE HAND AND THE CLOAK + + +A furious barking from Mr. Ginger's dogs, shortly after the departure of +the drowsy youth, announced the approach of a grotesque-looking little +personage, whose shoulders barely reached to a level with the top of the +table. This was Old Parr. The dwarfs head was much too large for his +body, as is mostly the case with undersized persons, and was covered +with a forest of rusty black hair, protected by a strangely shaped +seal-skin cap. His hands and feet were equally disproportioned to his +frame, and his arms were so long that he could touch his ankles while +standing upright. His spine was crookened, and his head appeared buried +in his breast. The general character of his face seemed to appertain to +the middle period of life; but a closer inspection enabled the beholder +to detect in it marks of extreme old age. The nose was broad and flat, +like that of an ourang-outang; the resemblance to which animal was +heightened by a very long upper lip, projecting jaws, almost total +absence of chin, and a retreating forehead. The little old man's +complexion was dull and swarthy, but his eyes were keen and sparkling. + +His attire was as singular as his person. Having recently served as +double to a famous demon-dwarf at the Surrey Theatre, he had become +possessed of a cast-off pair of tawny tights, an elastic shirt of the +same material and complexion, to the arms of which little green bat-like +wings were attached, while a blood-red tunic with vandyke points was +girded round his waist. In this strange apparel his diminutive limbs +were encased, while additional warmth was afforded by the greatcoat +already mentioned, the tails of which swept the floor after him like a +train. + +Having silenced his dogs with some difficulty, Mr. Ginger burst into a +roar of laughter, excited by the little old man's grotesque appearance, +in which he was joined by the Tinker; but the Sandman never relaxed a +muscle of his sullen countenance. + +Their hilarity, however, was suddenly checked by an inquiry from the +dwarf, in a shrill, odd tone, "Whether they had sent for him only to +laugh at him?" + +"Sartainly not, deputy," replied the Tinker. "Here, lazy-bones, glasses +o' rum-an'-vater, all round." + +The drowsy youth bestirred himself to execute the command. The spirit +was brought; water was procured from the boiling copper; and the Tinker +handed his guest a smoking rummer, accompanied with a polite request to +make himself comfortable. + +Opposite the table at which the party were seated, it has been said, was +a staircase--old and crazy, and but imperfectly protected by a broken +hand-rail. Midway up it stood a door equally dilapidated, but secured by +a chain and lock, of which Old Parr, as deputy-chamberlain, kept the +key. Beyond this point the staircase branched off on the right, and a +row of stout wooden banisters, ranged like the feet of so many cattle, +was visible from beneath. Ultimately, the staircase reached a small +gallery, if such a name can be applied to a narrow passage communicating +with the bedrooms, the doors of which, as a matter of needful +precaution, were locked outside; and as the windows were grated, no one +could leave his chamber without the knowledge of the landlord or his +representative. No lights were allowed in the bedrooms, nor in the +passage adjoining them. + +Conciliated by the Tinker's offering, Old Parr mounted the staircase, +and planting himself near the door, took off his greatcoat, and sat down +upon it. His impish garb being thus more fully displayed, he looked so +unearthly and extraordinary that the dogs began to howl fearfully, and +Ginger had enough to do to quiet them. + +Silence being at length restored, the Tinker, winking slyly at his +companions, opened the conversation. + +"I say, deputy," he observed, "ve've bin havin' a bit o' a dispute vich +you can settle for us." + +"Well, let's see," squeaked the dwarf. "What is it?" + +"Vy, it's relative to your age," rejoined the Tinker. "Ven wos you +born?" + +"It's so long ago, I can't recollect," returned Old Parr rather sulkily. + +"You must ha' seen some changes in your time?" resumed the Tinker, +waiting till the little old man had made some progress with his grog. + +"I rayther think I have--a few," replied Old Parr, whose tongue the +generous liquid had loosened. "I've seen this great city of London +pulled down, and built up again--if that's anything. I've seen it grow, +and grow, till it has reached its present size. You'll scarcely believe +me, when I tell you, that I recollect this Rookery of ours--this foul +vagabond neighbourhood--an open country field, with hedges round it, and +trees. And a lovely spot it was. Broad Saint Giles's, at the time I +speak of, was a little country village, consisting of a few straggling +houses standing by the roadside, and there wasn't a single habitation +between it and Convent Garden (for so the present market was once +called); while that garden, which was fenced round with pales, like a +park, extended from Saint Martin's Lane to Drury House, a great mansion +situated on the easterly side of Drury Lane, amid a grove of beautiful +timber." + +"My eyes!" cried Ginger, with a prolonged whistle; "the place must be +preciously transmogrified indeed!" + +"If I were to describe the changes that have taken place in London since +I've known it, I might go on talking for a month," pursued Old Parr. +"The whole aspect of the place is altered. The Thames itself is unlike +the Thames of old. Its waters were once as clear and bright above London +Bridge as they are now at Kew or Richmond; and its banks, from +Whitefriars to Scotland Yard, were edged with gardens. And then the +thousand gay wherries and gilded barges that covered its bosom--all are +gone--all are gone!" + +"Those must ha' been nice times for the jolly young vatermen vich at +Black friars wos used for to ply," chanted the Tinker; "but the steamers +has put their noses out o' joint." + +"True," replied Old Parr; "and I, for one, am sorry for it. Remembering, +as I do, what the river used to be when enlightened by gay craft and +merry company, I can't help wishing its waters less muddy, and those +ugly coal-barges, lighters, and steamers away. London is a mighty city, +wonderful to behold and examine, inexhaustible in its wealth and power; +but in point of beauty it is not to be compared with the city of Queen +Bess's days. You should have seen the Strand then--a line of noblemen's +houses--and as to Lombard Street and Gracechurch Street, with their +wealthy goldsmiths' shops--but I don't like to think of 'em." + +"Vell, I'm content vith Lunnun as it is," replied the Tinker, +"'specially as there ain't much chance o' the ould city bein' rewived." + +"Not much," replied the dwarf, finishing his glass, which was +replenished at a sign from the Tinker. + +"I s'pose, my wenerable, you've seen the king as bequeathed his name to +these pretty creaters," said Ginger, raising his coat-pockets, so as to +exhibit the heads of the two little black-and-tan spaniels. + +"What! old Rowley?" cried the dwarf--"often. I was page to his favourite +mistress, the Duchess of Cleveland, and I have seen him a hundred times +with a pack of dogs of that description at his heels." + +"Old Rowley wos a king arter my own 'art," said Ginger, rising and +lighting a pipe at the fire. "He loved the femi-_nine_ specious as well +as the ca-_nine_ specious. Can you tell us anythin' more about him?" + +"Not now," replied Old Parr. "I've seen so much, and heard so much, that +my brain is quite addled. My memory sometimes deserts me altogether, +and my past life appears like a dream. Imagine what my feelings must be, +to walk through streets, still called by the old names, but in other +respects wholly changed. Oh! if you could but have a glimpse of Old +London, you would not be able to endure the modern city. The very +atmosphere was different from that which we now breathe, charged with +the smoke of myriads of sea-coal fires; and the old picturesque houses +had a charm about them, which the present habitations, however +commodious, altogether want." + +"You talk like one o' them smart chaps they calls, and werry properly, +penny-a-liars," observed Ginger. "But you make me long to ha' lived i' +those times." + +"If you _had_ lived in them, you would have belonged to Paris Garden, or +the bull-baiting and bear-baiting houses in Southwark," replied Old +Parr. "I've seen fellows just like you at each of those places. Strange, +though times and fashions change, men continue the same. I often meet a +face that I can remember in James the First's time. But the old places +are gone--clean gone!" + +"Accordin' to your own showin', my wenerable friend, you must ha' lived +uppards o' two hundred and seventy year," said Ginger, assuming a +consequential manner. "Now, doorin' all that time, have you never felt +inclined to kick the bucket?" + +"Not the least," replied Old Parr. "My bodily health has been excellent. +But, as I have just said, my intellects are a little impaired." + +"Not a little, I should think," replied Ginger, hemming significantly. +"I don't know vether you're a deceivin' of us or yourself, my wenerable; +but von thing's quite clear--you _can't_ have lived all that time. It's +not in nater." + +"Very well, then--I haven't," said Old Parr. + +And he finished his rum-and-water, and set down the glass, which was +instantly filled again by the drowsy youth. + +"You've seen some picters o' Old Lunnon, and they've haanted you in your +dreams, till you've begun to fancy you lived in those times," said +Ginger. + +"Very likely," replied Old Parr--"very likely." + +There was something, however, in his manner calculated to pique the +dog-fancier's curiosity. + +"How comes it," he said, stretching out his legs, and arranging his +neckcloth,--"how comes it, if you've lived so long, that you ain't +higher up in the stirrups--better off, as folks say?" + +The dwarf made no reply, but covering his face with his hands, seemed a +prey to deep emotion. After a few moments' pause, Ginger repeated the +question. + +"If you won't believe what I tell you, it's useless to give an answer," +said Old Parr, somewhat gruffly. + +"Oh yes, _I_ believe you, deputy," observed the Tinker, "and so does the +Sandman." + +"Well, then," replied the dwarf, "I'll tell you how it comes to pass. +Fate has been against me. I've had plenty of chances, but I never could +get on. I've been in a hundred different walks of life, but they always +led down hill. It's my destiny." + +"That's hard," rejoined the Tinker--"werry hard. But how d'ye account +for livin' so long?" he added, winking as he spoke to the others. + +"I've already given you an explanation," replied the dwarf. + +"Av, but it's a cur'ous story, and I vants my friends to hear it," said +the Tinker, in a coaxing tone. + +"Well then, to oblige you, I'll go through it again," rejoined the +dwarf. "You must know I was for some time servant to Doctor Lamb, an old +alchemist, who lived during the reign of good Queen Bess, and who used +to pass all his time in trying to find out the secret of changing lead +and copper into gold." + +"I've known several indiwiduals as has found out that secret, +wenerable," observed Ginger. "And ve calls 'em smashers, nowadays--not +halchemists." + +"Doctor Lamb's object was actually to turn base metal into gold," +rejoined Old Parr, in a tone of slight contempt. "But his chief aim was +to produce the elixir of long life. Night and day he worked at the +operation;--night and day I laboured with him, until at last we were +both brought to the verge of the grave in our search after immortality. +One night--I remember it well,--it was the last night of the sixteenth +century,--a young man, severely wounded, was brought to my master's +dwelling on London Bridge. I helped to convey him to the laboratory, +where I left him with the doctor, who was busy with his experiments. My +curiosity being aroused, I listened at the door, and though I could not +distinguish much that passed inside, I heard sufficient to convince me +that Doctor Lamb had made the grand discovery, and succeeded in +distilling the elixir. Having learnt this, I went down-stairs, +wondering what would next ensue. Half-an-hour elapsed, and while the +bells were ringing in the new year joyfully, the young man whom I had +assisted to carry up-stairs, and whom I supposed at death's door, +marched down as firmly as if nothing had happened, passed by me, and +disappeared, before I could shake off my astonishment. I saw at once he +had drunk the elixir." + +"Ah!--ah!" exclaimed the Tinker, with a knowing glance at his +companions, who returned it with gestures of equal significance. + +"As soon as he was gone," pursued the dwarf, "I flew to the laboratory, +and there, extended on the floor, I found the dead body of Doctor Lamb. +I debated with myself what to do--whether to pursue his murderer, for +such I accounted the young man; but, on reflection, I thought the course +useless. I next looked round to see whether the precious elixir was +gone. On the table stood a phial, from which a strong spirituous odour +exhaled; but it was empty. I then turned my attention to a receiver, +connected by a worm with an alembic on the furnace. On examining it, I +found it contained a small quantity of a bright transparent liquid, +which, poured forth into a glass, emitted precisely the same odour as +the phial. Persuaded this must be the draught of immortality, I raised +it to my lips; but apprehension lest it might be poison stayed my hand. +Reassured, however, by the thought of the young man's miraculous +recovery, I quaffed the potion. It was as if I had swallowed fire, and +at first I thought all was over with me. I shrieked out; but there was +no one to heed my cries, unless it were my dead master, and two or +three skeletons with which the walls were garnished. And these, in +truth, did seem to hear me; for the dead corpse opened its glassy orbs, +and eyed me reproachfully; the skeletons shook their fleshless arms and +gibbered; and the various strange objects, with which the chamber was +filled, seemed to deride and menace me. The terror occasioned by these +fantasies, combined with the potency of the draught, took away my +senses. When I recovered, I found all tranquil. Doctor Lamb was lying +stark and stiff at my feet, with an expression of reproach on his fixed +countenance; and the skeletons were hanging quietly in their places. +Convinced that I was proof against death, I went forth. _But a curse +went with me!_ From that day to this I have lived, but it has been in +such poverty and distress, that I had better far have died. Besides, I +am constantly haunted by visions of my old master. He seems to hold +converse with me--to lead me into strange places." + +"Exactly the case with the t'other," whispered the Tinker to the +Sandman. "Have you ever, in the coorse o' your long life, met the young +man as drank the 'lixir?" he inquired of the dwarf. + +"Never." + +"Do you happen to rekilect his name?" + +"No; it has quite escaped my memory," answered Old Parr. + +"Should you rekilect it, if you heerd it?" asked the Tinker. + +"Perhaps I might," returned the dwarf; "but I can't say." + +"Wos it Auriol Darcy?" demanded the other. + +"That _was_ the name," cried Old Parr, starting up in extreme surprise. +"I heard Doctor Lamb call him so. But how, in the name of wonder, do you +come to know it?" + +"Ve've got summat, at last," said the Tinker, with a self-applauding +glance at his friends. + +"How do you come to know it, I say?" repeated the dwarf, in extreme +agitation. + +"Never mind," rejoined the Tinker, with a cunning look; "you see I does +know some cur'ous matters as veil as you, my old file. Yo'll be good +evidence, in case ve vishes to prove the fact agin him." + +"Prove what?--and against whom?" cried the dwarf. + +"One more questin, and I've done," pursued the Tinker. "Should you know +this young man agin, in case you chanced to come across him?" + +"No doubt of it," replied Old Parr; "his figure often flits before me in +dreams." + +"Shall ve let him into it?" said the Tinker, consulting his companions +in a low tone. + +"Ay--ay," replied the Sandman. + +"Better vait a bit," remarked Ginger, shaking his head dubiously. +"There's no hurry." + +"No; ve must decide at vonce," said the Tinker. "Jist examine them +papers," he added, handing the pocket-book to Old Parr, "and favour us +vith your opinion on 'em." + +The dwarf was about to unclasp the book committed to his charge, when a +hand was suddenly thrust through the banisters of the upper part of the +staircase, which, as has been already stated, was divided from the +lower by the door. A piece of heavy black drapery next descended like a +cloud, concealing all behind it except the hand, with which the dwarf +was suddenly seized by the nape of the neck, lifted up in the air, and, +notwithstanding his shrieks and struggles, carried clean off. + +Great confusion attended his disappearance. The dogs set up a prodigious +barking, and flew to the rescue--one of the largest of them passing over +the body of the drowsy waiter, who had sought his customary couch upon +the coals, and rousing him from his slumbers; while the Tinker, uttering +a fierce imprecation, upset his chair in his haste to catch hold of the +dwarf's legs; but the latter was already out of reach, and the next +moment had vanished entirely. + +"My eyes! here's a pretty go!" cried Ginger, who, with his back to the +fire, had witnessed the occurrence in open-mouthed astonishment. "Vy, +curse it! if the wenerable ain't a-taken the pocket-book with him! It's +my opinion the devil has flown avay with the old feller. His time wos +nearer at 'and than he expected." + +"Devil or not, I'll have him back agin, or at all events the +pocket-book!" cried the Tinker. And, dashing up the stairs, he caught +hold of the railing above, and swinging himself up by a powerful effort, +passed through an opening, occasioned by the removal of one of the +banisters. + +[Illustration: The Hand and the Cloak.] + +Groping along the gallery, which was buried in profound darkness, he +shouted to the dwarf, but received no answer to his vociferations; +neither could he discover any one, though he felt on either side of the +passage with outstretched hands. The occupants of the different +chambers, alarmed by the noise, called out to know what was going +forward; but being locked in their rooms, they could render no +assistance. + +While the Tinker was thus pursuing his search in the dark, venting his +rage and disappointment in the most dreadful imprecations, the staircase +door was opened by the landlord, who had found the key in the greatcoat +left behind by the dwarf. With the landlord came the Sandman and Ginger, +the latter of whom was attended by all his dogs, still barking +furiously; while the rear of the party was brought up by the drowsy +waiter, now wide awake with fright, and carrying a candle. + +But though every nook and corner of the place was visited--though the +attics were searched, and all the windows examined--not a trace of the +dwarf could be discovered, nor any clue to his mysterious disappearance +detected. Astonishment and alarm sat on every countenance. + +"What the devil can have become of him?" cried the landlord, with a look +of dismay. + +"Ay, that's the questin!" rejoined the Tinker. "I begin to be of +Ginger's opinion, that the devil himself must have flown avay vith him. +No von else could ha' taken a fancy to him." + +"I only saw a hand and a black cloak," said the Sandman. + +"I thought I seed a pair o' hoofs," cried the waiter; "and I'm quite +sure I seed a pair o' great glitterin' eyes," he added, opening his own +lacklustre orbs to their widest extent. + +"It's a strange affair," observed the landlord gravely. "It's certain +that no one has entered the house wearing a cloak such as you describe; +nor could any of the lodgers, to my knowledge, get out of their rooms. +It was Old Parr's business, as you know, to lock 'em up carefully for +the night." + +"Vell, all's over vith him now," said the Tinker; "and vith our affair, +too, I'm afeerd." + +"Don't say die jist yet," rejoined Ginger. "The wenerable's gone, to be +sure; and the only thing he has left behind him, barrin' his topcoat, is +this here bit o' paper vich dropped out o' the pocket-book as he wos +a-takin' flight, and vich I picked from the floor. It may be o' some use +to us. But come, let's go down-stairs. There's no good in stayin' here +any longer." + +Concurring in which sentiment, they all descended to the lower room. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER + + +A week had elapsed since Auriol Darcy was conveyed to the +iron-merchant's dwelling, after the attack made upon him by the ruffians +in the ruined house; and though almost recovered from the serious +injuries he had received, he still remained the guest of his preserver. + +It was a bright spring morning, when a door leading to the yard in front +of the house opened, and a young girl, bright and fresh as the morning's +self, issued from it. + +A lovelier creature than Ebba Thorneycroft cannot be imagined. Her +figure was perfection--slight, tall, and ravishingly proportioned, with +a slender waist, little limbs, and fairy feet that would have made the +fortune of an opera-dancer. Her features were almost angelic in +expression, with an outline of the utmost delicacy and precision--not +cold, classical regularity--but that softer and incomparably more lovely +mould peculiar to our own clime. Ebba's countenance was a type of Saxon +beauty. Her complexion was pure white, tinged with a slight bloom. Her +eyes were of a serene summer blue, arched over by brows some shades +darker than the radiant tresses that fell on either cheek, and were +parted over a brow smoother than alabaster. Her attire was simple but +tasteful, and by its dark colour threw into relief the exceeding +fairness of her skin. + +Ebba's first care was to feed her favourite linnet, placed in a cage +over the door. Having next patted the head of a huge bulldog who came +out of his kennel to greet her, and exchanged a few words with two men +employed at a forge in the inner part of the building on the right, she +advanced farther into the yard. + +This part of the premises, being strewn with ironwork of every possible +shape, presented a very singular appearance, and may merit some +description. There were heaps of rusty iron chains flung together like +fishermen's nets, old iron area-guards, iron kitchen-fenders, old +grates, safes, piles of old iron bowls, a large assortment of old iron +pans and dishes, a ditto of old ovens, kettles without number, +sledge-hammers, anvils, braziers, chimney-cowls, and smoke-jacks. + +Stout upright posts, supporting cross-beams on the top, were placed at +intervals on either side of the yard, and these were decorated, in the +most artistic style, with rat-traps, man-traps, iron lanterns, pulleys, +padlocks, chains, trivets, triangles, iron rods, disused street lamps, +dismounted cannon, and anchors. Attached to hooks in the cross-beam +nearest the house hung a row of old horse-shoes, while from the centre +depended a large rusty bell. Near the dog's kennel was a tool-box, +likewise garnished with horse-shoes, and containing pincers, files, +hammers, and other implements proper to the smith. Beyond this was an +open doorway leading to the workshop, where the two men before mentioned +were busy at the forge. + +Though it was still early, the road was astir with passengers; and many +waggons and carts, laden with hay, straw, and vegetables, were passing. +Ebba, however, had been solely drawn forth by the beauty of the morning, +and she stopped for a moment at the street gate, to breathe the balmy +air. As she inhaled the gentle breeze, and felt the warm sunshine upon +her cheek, her thoughts wandered away into the green meadows in which +she had strayed as a child, and she longed to ramble amid them again. +Perhaps she scarcely desired a solitary stroll; but however this might +be, she was too much engrossed by the reverie to notice a tall man, +wrapped in a long black cloak, who regarded her with the most fixed +attention, as he passed on the opposite side of the road. + +Proceeding to a short distance, this personage crossed over, and +returned slowly towards the iron-merchant's dwelling. Ebba then, for the +first time, remarked him, and was startled by his strange, sinister +appearance. His features were handsome, but so malignant and fierce in +expression, that they inspired only aversion. A sardonic grin curled his +thin lips, and his short, crisply curled hair, raven-black in hue, +contrasted forcibly and disagreeably with his cadaverous complexion. An +attraction like that of the snake seemed to reside in his dark blazing +eyes, for Ebba trembled like a bird beneath their influence, and could +not remove her gaze from them. A vague presentiment of coming ill smote +her, and she dreaded lest the mysterious being before her might be +connected in some inexplicable way with her future destiny. + +On his part, the stranger was not insensible to the impression he had +produced, and suddenly halting, he kept his eyes riveted on those of +the girl, who, after remaining spell-bound, as it were, for a few +moments, precipitately retreated towards the house. + +Just as she reached the door, and was about to pass through it, Auriol +came forth. He was pale, as if from recent suffering, and bore his left +arm in a sling. + +"You look agitated," he said, noticing Ebba's uneasiness. "What has +happened?" + +"Not much," she replied, a deep blush mantling her cheeks. "But I have +been somewhat alarmed by the person near the gate." + +"Indeed!" cried Auriol, darting forward. "Where is he? I see no one." + +"Not a tall man, wrapped in a long black cloak?" rejoined Ebba, +following him cautiously. + +"Ha!" cried Auriol. "Has he been here?" + +"Then you know the person I allude to?" she rejoined. + +"I know some one answering his description," he replied, with a forced +smile. + +"Once beheld, the man I mean is not to be forgotten," said Ebba. "He has +a countenance such as I never saw before. If I could believe in the +'evil eye,' I should be sure he possessed it." + +"'Tis he, there can be no doubt," rejoined Auriol, in a sombre tone. + +"Who and what is he, then?" demanded Ebba. + +"He is a messenger of ill," replied Auriol, "and I am thankful he is +gone." + +[Illustration: The Iron-merchant's Daughter.] + +"Are you quite sure of it?" she asked, glancing timorously up and down +the road. But the mysterious individual could no longer be seen. + +"And so, after exciting my curiosity in this manner, you will not +satisfy it?" she said. + +"I cannot," rejoined Auriol, somewhat sternly. + +"Nay, then, since you are so ungracious, I shall go and prepare +breakfast," she replied. "My father must be down by this time." + +"Stay!" cried Auriol, arresting her, as she was about to pass through +the door. "I wish to have a word with you." + +Ebba stopped, and the bloom suddenly forsook her cheeks. + +But Auriol seemed unable to proceed. Neither dared to regard the other; +and a profound silence prevailed between them for a few moments. + +"Ebba," said Auriol at length, "I am about to leave your father's house +to-day." + +"Why so soon?" she exclaimed, looking up into his face. "You are not +entirely recovered yet." + +"I dare not stay longer," he said. + +"Dare not!" cried Ebba. And she again cast down her eyes; but Auriol +made no reply. + +Fortunately the silence was broken by the clinking of the smiths' +hammers upon the anvil. + +"If you must really go," said Ebba, looking up, after a long pause, "I +hope we shall see you again?" + +"Most assuredly," replied Auriol. "I owe your worthy father a deep debt +of gratitude--a debt which, I fear, I shall never be able to repay." + +"My father is more than repaid in saving your life," she replied. "I am +sure he will be sorry to learn you are going so soon." + +"I have been here a week," said Auriol. "If I remained longer, I might +not be able to go at all." + +There was another pause, during which a stout old fellow in the workshop +quitted the anvil for a moment, and, catching a glimpse of the young +couple, muttered to his helpmate-- + +"I say, Ned, I'm a-thinkin' our master'll soon have a son-in-law. +There's pretty plain signs on it at yonder door." + +"So there be, John," replied Ned, peeping round. "He's a good-lookin' +young feller that. I wish ve could hear their discoorse." + +"No, that ain't fair," replied John, raking some small coal upon the +fire, and working away at the bellows. + +"I would not for the world ask a disagreeable question," said Ebba, +again raising her eyes, "but since you are about to quit us, I must +confess I should like to know something of your history." + +"Forgive me if I decline to comply with your desire," replied Auriol. +"You would not believe me, were I to relate my history. But this I may +say, that it is stranger and wilder than any you ever heard. The +prisoner in his cell is not restrained by more terrible fetters than +those which bind me to silence." + +Ebba gazed at him as if she feared his reasoning were wandering. + +"You think me mad," said Auriol; "would I were so! But I shall never +lose the clear perception of my woes. Hear me, Ebba! Fate has brought me +into this house. I have seen you, and experienced your gentle ministry; +and it is impossible, so circumstanced, to be blind to your +attractions. I have only been too sensible to them--but I will not dwell +on that theme, nor run the risk of exciting a passion which must destroy +you. I will ask you to hate me--to regard me as a monster whom you ought +to shun rather than as a being for whom you should entertain the +slightest sympathy." + +"You have some motive in saying this to me," cried the terrified girl. + +"My motive is to warn you," said Auriol. "If you love me, you are +lost--utterly lost!" + +She was so startled, that she could make no reply, but burst into tears. +Auriol took her hand, which she unresistingly yielded. + +"A terrible fatality attaches to me, in which you must have no share," +he said, in a solemn tone. + +"Would you had never come to my father's house!" she exclaimed, in a +voice of anguish. + +"Is it, then, too late?" cried Auriol despairingly. + +"It is--if to love you be fatal," she rejoined. + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, striking his forehead with his clenched hand. +"Recall your words--Ebba--recall them--but no, once uttered--it is +impossible. You are bound to me for ever. I must fulfil my destiny." + +At this juncture a low growl broke from the dog, and, guided by the +sound, the youthful couple beheld, standing near the gate, the tall dark +man in the black cloak. A fiendish smile sat upon his countenance. + +"That is the man who frightened me!" cried Ebba. + +"It is the person I supposed!" ejaculated Auriol. "I must speak to him. +Leave me, Ebba. I will join you presently." + +And as the girl, half sinking with apprehension, withdrew, he advanced +quickly towards the intruder. + +"I have sought you for some days," said the tall man, in a stern, +commanding voice. "You have not kept your appointment with me." + +"I could not," replied Auriol--"an accident has befallen me." + +"I know it," rejoined the other. "I am aware you were assailed by +ruffians in the ruined house over the way. But you are recovered now, +and can go forth. You ought to have communicated with me." + +"It was my intention to do so," said Auriol. + +"Our meeting cannot be delayed much longer," pursued the stranger. "I +will give you three more days. On the evening of the last day, at the +hour of seven, I shall look for you at the foot of the statue in Hyde +Park." + +"I will be there," replied Auriol. + +"That girl must be the next victim," said the stranger, with a grim +smile. + +"Peace!" thundered Auriol. + +"Nay, I need not remind you of the tenure by which you maintain your +power," rejoined the stranger. "But I will not trouble you further now." + +And, wrapping his cloak more closely round him, he disappeared. + +"Fate has once more involved me in its net," cried Auriol bitterly. "But +I will save Ebba, whatever it may cost me. I will see her no more." + +And instead of returning to the house, he hurried away in the opposite +direction of the stranger. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MEETING NEAR THE STATUE + + +The evening of the third day arrived, and Auriol entered Hyde Park by +Stanhope Gate. Glancing at his watch, and finding it wanted nearly +three-quarters of an hour of the time appointed for his meeting with the +mysterious stranger, he struck across the park, in the direction of the +Serpentine River. Apparently he was now perfectly recovered, for his arm +was without the support of the sling, and he walked with great +swiftness. But his countenance was deathly pale, and his looks were so +wild and disordered, that the few persons he encountered shrank from him +aghast. + +A few minutes' rapid walking brought him to the eastern extremity of the +Serpentine, and advancing close to the edge of the embankment, he gazed +at the waters beneath his feet. + +"I would plunge into them, if I could find repose," he murmured. "But it +would avail nothing. I should only add to my sufferings. No; I must +continue to endure the weight of a life burdened by crime and remorse, +till I can find out the means of freeing myself from it. Once I dreaded +this unknown danger, but now I seek for it in vain." + +The current of his thoughts was here interrupted by the sudden +appearance of a dark object on the surface of the water, which he at +first took to be a huge fish, with a pair of green fins springing from +its back; but after watching it more closely for a few moments, he +became convinced that it was a human being, tricked out in some +masquerade attire, while the slight struggles which it made proved that +life was not entirely extinct. + +Though, the moment before, he had contemplated self-destruction, and had +only been restrained from the attempt by the certainty of failing in his +purpose, instinct prompted him to rescue the perishing creature before +him. Without hesitation, therefore, and without tarrying to divest +himself of his clothes, he dashed into the water, and striking out, +instantly reached the object of his quest, which still continued to +float, and turning it over, for the face was downwards, he perceived it +was an old man, of exceedingly small size, habited in a pantomimic garb. +He also remarked that a rope was twisted round the neck of the +unfortunate being, making it evident that some violent attempt had been +made upon his life. + +Without pausing for further investigation, he took firm hold of the +leathern wings of the dwarf, and with his disengaged hand propelled +himself towards the shore, dragging the other after him. The next +instant he reached the bank, clambered up the low brickwork, and placed +his burden in safety. + +The noise of the plunge had attracted attention, and several persons now +hurried to the spot. On coming up, and finding Auriol bending over a +water-sprite--for such, at first sight, the dwarf appeared--they could +not repress their astonishment. Wholly insensible to the presence of +those around him, Auriol endeavoured to recall where he had seen the +dwarf before. All at once, the recollection flashed upon him, and he +cried aloud, "Why, it is my poor murdered grandfather's attendant, +Flapdragon! But no! no!--he must be dead ages ago! Yet the resemblance +is singularly striking!" + +Auriol's exclamations, coupled with his wild demeanour, surprised the +bystanders, and they came to the conclusion that he must be a travelling +showman, who had attempted to drown his dwarf--the grotesque, impish +garb of the latter convincing them that he had been exhibited at a +booth. They made signs, therefore, to each other not to let Auriol +escape, and one of them, raising the dwarf's head on his knee, produced +a flask, and poured some brandy from it down his throat, while others +chafed his hands. These efforts were attended with much speedier success +than might have been anticipated. After a struggle or two for +respiration, the dwarf opened his eyes, and gazed at the group around +him. + +"It must be Flapdragon!" exclaimed Auriol. + +"Ah! who calls me?" cried the dwarf. + +"I!" rejoined Auriol. "Do you not recollect me?" + +"To be sure!" exclaimed the dwarf, gazing at him fixedly; "you are----" +and he stopped. + +"You have been thrown into the water, Master Flapdragon?" cried a +bystander, noticing the cord round the dwarf's throat. + +"I have," replied the little old man. + +"By your governor--that is, by this person?" cried another, laying hold +of Auriol. + +"By him--no," said the dwarf; "I have not seen that gentleman for nearly +three centuries." + +"Three centuries, my little patriarch?" said the man who had given him +the brandy. "That's a long time. Think again." + +"It's perfectly true, nevertheless," replied the dwarf. + +"His wits have been washed away by the water," said the first speaker. +"Give him a drop more brandy." + +"Not a bit of it," rejoined the dwarf; "my senses were never clearer +than at this moment. At last we have met," he continued, addressing +Auriol, "and I hope we shall not speedily part again. We hold life by +the same tie." + +"How came you in the desperate condition in which I found you?" demanded +Auriol evasively. + +"I was thrown into the canal with a stone to my neck, like a dog about +to be drowned," replied the dwarf. "But, as you are aware, I'm not so +easily disposed of." + +Again the bystanders exchanged significant looks. + +"By whom was the attempt made?" inquired Auriol. + +"I don't know the villain's name," rejoined the dwarf, "but he's a very +tall, dark man, and is generally wrapped in a long black cloak." + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol. "When was it done?" + +"Some nights ago, I should fancy," replied the dwarf, "for I've been a +terrible long time under water. I have only just managed to shake off +the stone." + +At this speech there was a titter of incredulity among the bystanders. + +"You may laugh, but it's true!" cried the dwarf angrily. + +"We must speak of this anon," said Auriol. "Will you convey him to the +nearest tavern?" he added, placing money in the hands of the man who +held the dwarf in his arms. + +"Willingly, sir," replied the man. "I'll take him to the Life Guardsman, +near the barracks--that's the nearest public." + +"I'll join him there in an hour," replied Auriol, moving away. + +And as he disappeared, the man took up his little burden, and bent his +steps towards the barracks. + +Utterly disregarding the dripping state of his habiliments, Auriol +proceeded quickly to the place of rendezvous. Arrived there, he looked +around, and not seeing any one, flung himself upon a bench at the foot +of the gentle eminence on which the gigantic statue of Achilles is +placed. + +It was becoming rapidly dark, and heavy clouds, portending speedy rain, +increased the gloom. Auriol's thoughts were sombre as the weather and +the hour, and he fell into a deep fit of abstraction, from which he was +roused by a hand laid on his shoulder. + +Recoiling at the touch, he raised his eyes, and beheld the stranger +leaning over him, and gazing at him with a look of diabolical +exultation. The cloak was thrown partly aside, so as to display the +tall, gaunt figure of its wearer; while the large collar of sable fur +with which it was decorated stood out like the wings of a demon. The +stranger's hat was off, and his high broad forehead, white as marble, +was fully revealed. + +"Our meeting must be brief," he said. "Are you prepared to fulfil the +compact?" + +"What do you require?" replied Auriol. + +"Possession of the girl I saw three days ago," said the other; "the +iron-merchant's daughter, Ebba. She must be mine." + +"Never!" cried Auriol firmly--"never!" + +"Beware how you tempt me to exert my power," said the stranger; "she +_must_ be mine--or----" + +"I defy you!" rejoined Auriol; "I will never consent." + +"Fool!" cried the other, seizing him by the arm, and fixing a withering +glance upon him. "Bring her to me ere the week be out, or dread my +vengeance!" + +And, enveloping himself in his cloak, he retreated behind the statue, +and was lost to view. + +As he disappeared, a moaning wind arose, and heavy rain descended. Still +Auriol did not quit the bench. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE CHARLES THE SECOND SPANIEL + + +It was about two o'clock, on a charming spring day, that a stout +middle-aged man, accompanied by a young person of extraordinary beauty, +took up his station in front of Langham Church. Just as the clock struck +the hour, a young man issued at a quick pace from a cross-street, and +came upon the couple before he was aware of it. He was evidently greatly +embarrassed, and would have beaten a retreat, but that was impossible. +His embarrassment was in some degree shared by the young lady; she +blushed deeply, but could not conceal her satisfaction at the encounter. +The elder individual, who did not appear to notice the confusion of +either party, immediately extended his hand to the young man, and +exclaimed: + +"What! Mr. Darcy, is it you? Why, we thought we had lost you, sir! What +took you off so suddenly? We have been expecting you these four days, +and were now walking about to try and find you. My daughter has been +terribly uneasy. Haven't you, Ebba?" + +The young lady made no answer to this appeal, but cast down her eyes. + +"It was my intention to call, and give you an explanation of my strange +conduct, to-day," replied Auriol. "I hope you received my letter, +stating that my sudden departure was unavoidable." + +"To be sure; and I also received the valuable snuffbox you were so good +as to send me," replied Mr. Thorneycroft. "But you neglected to tell me +how to acknowledge the gift." + +"I could not give an address at the moment," said Auriol. + +"Well, I am glad to find you have got the use of your arm again," +observed the iron-merchant; "but I can't say you look so well as when +you left us. You seem paler--eh? what do you think, Ebba?" + +"Mr. Darcy looks as if he were suffering from mental anxiety rather than +from bodily ailment," she replied timidly. + +"I am so," replied Auriol, regarding her fixedly. "A very disastrous +circumstance has happened to me. But answer me one question: Has the +mysterious person in the black cloak troubled you again?" + +"What mysterious person?" demanded Mr. Thorneycroft, opening his eyes. + +"Never mind, father," replied Ebba. "I saw him last night," she added to +Auriol. "I was sitting in the back room alone, wondering what had become +of you, when I heard a tap against the window, which was partly open, +and, looking up, I beheld the tall stranger. It was nearly dark, but the +light of the fire revealed his malignant countenance. I don't +exaggerate, when I say his eyes gleamed like those of a tiger. I was +terribly frightened, but something prevented me from crying out. After +gazing at me for a few moments, with a look that seemed to fascinate +while it frightened me, he said--'You desire to see Auriol Darcy. I have +just quitted him. Go to Langham Place to-morrow, and, as the clock +strikes two, you will behold him.' Without waiting for any reply on my +part, he disappeared." + +"Ah, you never told me this, you little rogue!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. +"You persuaded me to come out with you, in the hope of meeting Mr. +Darcy; but you did not say you were sure to find him. So you sent this +mysterious gentleman to her, eh?" he added to Auriol. + +"No, I did not," replied the other gloomily. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the iron-merchant, with a puzzled look. + +"Oh, then I suppose he thought it might relieve her anxiety. However, +since we have met, I hope you'll walk home and dine with us." + +Auriol was about to decline the invitation, but Ebba glanced at him +entreatingly. + +"I have an engagement, but I will forego it," he said, offering his arm +to her. + +And they walked along towards Oxford Street, while Mr. Thorneycroft +followed, a few paces behind them. + +"This is very kind of you, Mr. Darcy," said Ebba. "Oh, I have been so +wretched!" + +"I grieve to hear it," he rejoined. "I hoped you had forgotten me." + +"I am sure you did not think so," she cried. + +As she spoke, she felt a shudder pass through Auriol's frame. + +"What ails you?" she anxiously inquired. + +"I would have shunned you, if I could, Ebba," he replied; "but a fate, +against which it is vain to contend, has brought us together again." + +"I am glad of it," she replied; "because, ever since our last interview, +I have been reflecting on what you then said to me, and am persuaded you +are labouring under some strange delusion, occasioned by your recent +accident." + +"Be not deceived, Ebba," cried Auriol. "I am under a terrible influence. +I need not remind you of the mysterious individual who tapped at your +window last night." + +"What of him?" demanded Ebba, with a thrill of apprehension. + +"He it is who controls my destiny," replied Auriol. + +"But what has he to do with me?" asked Ebba. + +"Much, much," he replied, with a perceptible shudder. + +"You terrify me, Auriol," she rejoined. "Tell me what you mean--in pity, +tell me?" + +Before Auriol could reply, Mr. Thorneycroft stepped forward, and turned +the conversation into another channel. + +Soon after this, they reached the Quadrant, and were passing beneath the +eastern colonnade, when Ebba's attention was attracted towards a man who +was leading a couple of dogs by a string, while he had others under his +arm, others again in his pocket, and another in his breast. It was Mr. +Ginger. + +"What a pretty little dog!" cried Ebba, remarking the Charles the Second +spaniel. + +"Allow me to present you with it?" said Auriol. + +"You know I should value it, as coming from you," she replied, blushing +deeply; "but I cannot accept it; so I will not look at it again, for +fear I should be tempted." + +The dog-fancier, however, noticing Ebba's admiration, held forward the +spaniel, and said, "Do jist look at the pretty little creater, miss. It +han't its equil for beauty. Don't be afeerd on it, miss. It's as gentle +as a lamb." + +"Oh you little darling!" Ebba said, patting its sleek head and long +silken ears, while it fixed its large black eyes upon her, as if +entreating her to become its purchaser. + +"Fairy seems to have taken quite a fancy to you, miss," observed Ginger; +"and she ain't i' the habit o' fallin' i' love at first sight. I don't +wonder at it, though, for my part. I should do jist the same, if I wos +in her place. Vell, now, miss, as she seems to like you, and you seem to +like her, I won't copy the manners o' them 'ere fathers as has stony +'arts, and part two true lovyers. You shall have her a bargin." + +"What do you call a bargain, my good man?" inquired Ebba, smiling. + +"I wish I could afford to give her to you, miss," replied Ginger; "you +should have her, and welcome. But I must airn a livelihood, and Fairy is +the most wallerable part o' my stock. I'll tell you wot I give for her +myself, and you shall have her at a trifle beyond it. I'd scorn to take +adwantage o' the likes o' you." + +"I hope you didn't give too much, then, friend," replied Ebba. + +"I didn't give hayf her wally--not hayf," said Ginger; "and if so be you +don't like her in a month's time, I'll buy her back again from you. +You'll alvays find me here--alvays. Everybody knows Mr. Ginger--that's +my name, miss. I'm the only honest man in the dog-fancyin' line. Ask Mr. +Bishop, the great gunmaker o' Bond Street, about me--him as the nobs +calls the Bishop o' Bond Street--an' he'll tell you." + +"But you haven't answered the lady's question," said Auriol. "What do +you ask for the dog?" + +"Do you want it for yourself, sir, or for her?" inquired Ginger. + +"What does it matter?" cried Auriol angrily. + +"A great deal, sir," replied Ginger; "it'll make a mater'al difference +in the price. To you she'll be five-an'-twenty guineas. To the young +lady, twenty." + +"But suppose I buy her for the young lady?" said Auriol. + +"Oh, then, in coorse, you'll get her at the lower figure!" replied +Ginger. + +"I hope you don't mean to buy the dog?" interposed Mr. Thorneycroft. +"The price is monstrous--preposterous." + +"It may appear so to you, sir," said Ginger, "because you're ignorant o' +the wally of sich a hanimal; but I can tell you, it's cheap--dirt cheap. +Vy, his Excellency the Prooshan Ambassador bought a Charley from me, +t'other week, to present to a certain duchess of his acquaintance, and +wot d'ye think he give for it?" + +"I don't know, and I don't want to know," replied Mr. Thorneycroft +gruffly. + +"Eighty guineas," said Ginger. "Eighty guineas, as I'm a livin' man, and +made no bones about it neither. The dog I sold him warn't to be compared +wi' Fairy." + +"Stuff--stuff!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft; "I ain't to be gammoned in that +way." + +"It's no gammon," said Ginger. "Look at them ears, miss--vy, they're as +long as your own ringlets--and them pads--an' I'm sure you von't say +she's dear at twenty pound." + +"She's a lovely little creature, indeed," returned Ebba, again patting +the animal's head. + +While this was passing, two men of very suspicious mien, ensconced +behind a pillar adjoining the group, were reconnoitring Auriol. + +"It's him!" whispered the taller and darker of the two to his +companion--"it's the young man ve've been lookin' for--Auriol Darcy." + +"It seems like him," said the other, edging round the pillar as far as +he could without exposure. "I vish he'd turn his face a leetle more this +vay." + +"It's him, I tell you, Sandman," said the Tinker. "Ve must give the +signal to our comrade." + +"Vell, I'll tell you wot it is, miss," said Ginger coaxingly, "your +sveet'art--I'm sure he's your sveet'art--I can tell these things in a +minnit--your sveet'art, I say, shall give me fifteen pound, and the +dog's yourn. I shall lose five pound by the transaction; but I don't +mind it for sich a customer as you. Fairy desarves a kind missus." + +Auriol, who had fallen into a fit of abstraction, here remarked: + +"What's that you are saying, fellow?" + +"I vos a-sayin', sir, the young lady shall have the dog for fifteen +pound, and a precious bargin it is," replied Ginger. + +"Well, then, I close with you. Here's the money," said Auriol, taking +out his purse. + +"On no account, Auriol," cried Ebba quickly. "It's too much." + +"A great deal too much, Mr. Darcy," said Thorneycroft. + +"Auriol and Darcy!" muttered Ginger. "Can this be the gemman ve're +a-lookin' for. Vere's my two pals, I vonder? Oh, it's all right!" he +added, receiving a signal from behind the pillar. "They're on the +look-out, I see." + +"Give the lady the dog, and take the money, man," said Auriol sharply. + +"Beg pardon, sir," said Ginger, "but hadn't I better carry the dog home +for the young lady? It might meet vith some accident in the vay." + +"Accident!--stuff and nonsense!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "The rascal +only wants to follow you home, that he may know where you live, and +steal the dog back again. Take my advice, Mr. Darcy, and don't buy it." + +"The bargain's concluded," said Ginger, delivering the dog to Ebba, and +taking the money from Auriol, which, having counted, he thrust into his +capacious breeches pocket. + +"How shall I thank you for this treasure, Auriol?" exclaimed Ebba, in an +ecstasy of delight. + +"By transferring to it all regard you may entertain for me," he replied, +in a low tone. + +"That is impossible," she answered. + +"Well, I vote we drive away at once," said Mr. Thorneycroft. "Halloa! +jarvey!" he cried, hailing a coach that was passing; adding, as the +vehicle stopped, "Now get in, Ebba. By this means we shall avoid being +followed by the rascal." + +So saying, he got into the coach. As Auriol was about to follow him, he +felt a slight touch on his arm, and, turning, beheld a tall and very +forbidding man by his side. + +"Beg pardin, sir," said the fellow, touching his hat, "but ain't your +name Mr. Auriol Darcy?" + +"It is," replied Auriol, regarding him fixedly. "Why do you ask?" + +"I vants a vord or two vith you in private--that's all, sir," replied +the Tinker. + +"Say what you have to say at once," rejoined Auriol. "I know nothing of +you." + +"You'll know me better by-and-by, sir," said the Tinker, in a +significant tone. "I _must_ speak to you, and alone." + +"If you don't go about your business, fellow, instantly, I'll give you +in charge of the police," cried Auriol. + +"No, you von't, sir--no, you von't," replied the Tinker, shaking his +head. And then, lowering his voice, he added, "You'll be glad to +purchase my silence ven you larns wot secrets o' yourn has come to my +knowledge." + +"Won't you get in, Mr. Darcy?" cried Thorneycroft, whose back was +towards the Tinker. + +"I must speak to this man," replied Auriol. "I'll come to you in the +evening. Till then, farewell, Ebba." And, as the coach drove away, he +added to the Tinker, "Now, rascal, what have you to say?" + +"Step this vay, sir," replied the Tinker. "There's two friends o' mine +as vishes to be present at our conference. Ve'd better valk into a back +street." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE HAND AGAIN! + + +Followed by Auriol, who, in his turn, was followed by Ginger and the +Sandman, the Tinker directed his steps to Great Windmill Street, where +he entered a public-house, called the Black Lion. Leaving his +four-footed attendants with the landlord, with whom he was acquainted, +Ginger caused the party to be shown into a private room, and, on +entering it, Auriol flung himself into a chair, while the dog-fancier +stationed himself near the door. + +"Now, what do you want with me?" demanded Auriol. + +"You shall learn presently," replied the Tinker; "but first, it may be +as vell to state, that a certain pocket-book has been found." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Auriol. "You are the villains who beset me in the ruined +house in the Vauxhall Road." + +"Your pocket-book has been found, I tell you," replied the Tinker, "and +from it ve have made the most awful diskiveries. Our werry 'air stood on +end ven ve first read the shockin' particulars. What a bloodthirsty +ruffian you must be! Vy, ve finds you've been i' the habit o' makin' +avay with a young ooman vonce every ten years. Your last wictim wos in +1820--the last but one, in 1810--and the one before her, in 1800." + +"Hangin's too good for you!" cried the Sandman; "but if ve peaches +you're sartin to sving." + +"I hope that pretty creater I jist see ain't to be the next wictim?" +said Ginger. + +"Peace!" thundered Auriol. "What do you require?" + +"A hundred pound each'll buy our silence," replied the Tinker. + +"Ve ought to have double that," said the Sandman, "for screenin' sich +atterocious crimes as he has parpetrated. Ve're not werry partic'lar +ourselves, but ve don't commit murder wholesale." + +"Ve don't commit murder at all," said Ginger. + +"You may fancy," pursued the Tinker, "that ve ain't perfectly acvainted +with your history, but to prove that ve are, I'll just rub up your +memory. Did you ever hear tell of a gemman as murdered Doctor Lamb, the +famous halchemist o' Queen Bess's time, and, havin' drank the 'lixir +vich the doctor had made for hisself, has lived ever since? Did you ever +hear tell of such a person, I say?" + +Auriol gazed at him in astonishment. + +"What idle tale are you inventing?" he said at length. + +"It is no idle tale," replied the Tinker boldly. "Ve can bring a vitness +as'll prove the fact--a livin' vitness." + +"What witness?" cried Auriol. + +"Don't you reckilect the dwarf as used to serve Doctor Lamb?" rejoined +the Tinker. "He's alive still; and ve calls him Old Parr, on account of +his great age." + +"Where is he?--what has become of him?" demanded Auriol. + +"Oh, ve'll perduce him in doo time," replied the Tinker cunningly. + +"But tell me where the poor fellow is?" cried Auriol. "Have you seen him +since last night? I sent him to a public-house at Kensington, but he has +disappeared from it, and I can discover no traces of him." + +"He'll turn up somewhere--never fear," rejoined the Tinker. "But now, +sir, that ve fairly understands each other, are you agreeable to our +terms? You shall give us an order for the money, and ve'll undertake, on +our parts, not to mislest you more." + +"The pocket-book must be delivered up to me if I assent," said Auriol, +"and the poor dwarf must be found." + +"Vy, as to that, I can scarcely promise," replied the Tinker; "there's a +difficulty in the case, you see. But the pocket-book'll never be brought +aginst you--you may rest assured o' that." + +"I must have it, or you get nothing from me," cried Auriol. + +"Here's a bit o' paper as come from the pocket-book," said Ginger. +"Would you like to hear wot's written upon it? Here are the words: 'How +many crimes have I to reproach myself with! How many innocents have I +destroyed! And all owing to my fatal compact with----'" + +"Give me that paper," cried Auriol, rising, and attempting to snatch it +from the dog-fancier. + +Just as this moment, and while Ginger retreated from Auriol, the door +behind him was noiselessly opened--a hand was thrust through the +chink--and the paper was snatched from his grasp. Before Ginger could +turn round, the door was closed again. + +"Halloa! What's that?" he cried. "The paper's gone!" + +"The hand again!" cried the Sandman, in alarm. "See who's in the +passage--open the door--quick!" + +Ginger cautiously complied, and, peeping forth, said-- + +"There's no one there. It must be the devil. I'll have nuffin' more to +do wi' the matter." + +"Poh! poh! don't be so chicken-'arted!" cried the Tinker. "But come what +may, the gemman shan't stir till he undertakes to pay us three hundred +pounds." + +"You seek to frighten me in vain, villain," cried Auriol, upon whom the +recent occurrence had not been lost. "I have but to stamp my foot, and I +can instantly bring assistance that shall overpower you." + +"Don't provoke him," whispered Ginger, plucking the Tinker's sleeve. +"For my part, I shan't stay any longer. I wouldn't take his money." And +he quitted the room. + +"I'll go and see wot's the matter wi' Ginger," said the Sandman, +slinking after him. + +The Tinker looked nervously round. He was not proof against his +superstitious fears. + +"Here, take this purse, and trouble me no more!" cried Auriol. + +The Tinker's hands clutched the purse mechanically, but he instantly +laid it down again. + +"I'm bad enough--but I won't sell myself to the devil," he said. + +And he followed his companions. + +Left alone, Auriol groaned aloud, and covered his face with his hands. +When he looked up, he found the tall man in the black cloak standing +beside him. A demoniacal smile played upon his features. + +"You here?" cried Auriol. + +"Of course," replied the stranger. "I came to watch over your safety. +You were in danger from those men. But you need not concern yourself +more about them. I have your pocket-book, and the slip of paper that +dropped from it. Here are both. Now let us talk on other matters. You +have just parted from Ebba, and will see her again this evening." + +"Perchance," replied Auriol. + +"You will," rejoined the stranger peremptorily. "Remember, your ten +years' limit draws to a close. In a few days it will be at an end; and +if you renew it not, you will incur the penalty, and you know it to be +terrible. With the means of renewal in your hands, why hesitate?" + +"Because I will not sacrifice the girl," replied Auriol. + +"You cannot help yourself," cried the stranger scornfully. "I command +you to bring her to me." + +"I persist in my refusal," replied Auriol. + +"It is useless to brave my power," said the stranger. "A moon is just +born. When it has attained its first quarter, Ebba shall be mine. Till +then, farewell." + +And as the words were uttered, he passed through the door. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE BARBER OF LONDON + + +Who has not heard of the Barber of London? His dwelling is in the +neighbourhood of Lincoln's Inn. It is needless to particularise the +street, for everybody knows the shop; that is to say, every member of +the legal profession, high or low. All, to the very judges themselves, +have their hair cut, or their wigs dressed, by him. A pleasant fellow is +Mr. Tuffnell Trigge--Figaro himself not pleasanter--and if you do not +shave yourself--if you want a becoming flow imparted to your stubborn +locks, or if you require a wig, I recommend you to the care of Mr. +Tuffnell Trigge. Not only will he treat you well, but he will regale you +with all the gossip of the court; he will give you the last funny thing +of Mr. Serjeant Larkins; he will tell you how many briefs the great Mr. +Skinner Fyne receives--what the Vice-Chancellor is doing; and you will +own, on rising, that you have never spent a five minutes more agreeably. +Besides, you are likely to see some noticeable characters, for Mr. +Trigge's shop is quite a lounge. Perhaps you may find a young barrister +who has just been "called," ordering his "first wig," and you may hear +the prognostications of Mr. Trigge as to his future distinction. "Ah, +sir," he will say, glancing at the stolid features of the young man, +"you have quite the face of the Chief Justice--quite the face of the +chief--I don't recollect him ordering his first wig--that was a little +before my time; but I hope to live to see you chief, sir. Quite within +your reach, if you choose to apply. Sure of it, sir--quite sure." Or you +may see him attending to some grave master in Chancery, and listening +with profound attention to his remarks; or screaming with laughter at +the jokes of some smart special pleader; or talking of the theatres, the +actors and actresses, to some young attorneys, or pupils in +conveyancers' chambers; for those are the sort of customers in whom Mr. +Trigge chiefly delights; with them, indeed, he _is_ great, for it is by +them he has been dubbed the Barber of London. His shop is also +frequented by managing clerks, barristers' clerks, engrossing clerks, +and others; but these are, for the most part, his private friends. + +Mr. Trigge's shop is none of your spruce West End hair-cutting +establishments, with magnificent mirrors on every side, in which you may +see the back of your head, the front, and the side, all at once, with +walls bedizened with glazed French paper, and with an ante-room full of +bears'-grease, oils, creams, tooth-powders, and cut glass. No, it is a +real barber's and hairdresser's shop, of the good old stamp, where you +may get cut and curled for a shilling, and shaved for half the price. + +True, the floor is not covered with a carpet. But what of that? It bears +the imprint of innumerable customers, and is scattered over with their +hair. In the window, there is an assortment of busts moulded in wax, +exhibiting the triumphs of Mr. Trigge's art; and above these are +several specimens of legal wigs. On the little counter behind the +window, amid large pots of pomade and bears'-grease, and the irons and +brushes in constant use by the barber, are other bustos, done to the +life, and for ever glancing amiably into the room. On the block is a +judge's wig, which Mr. Trigge has just been dressing, and a little +farther, on a higher block, is that of a counsel. On either side of the +fireplace are portraits of Lord Eldon and Lord Lyndhurst. Some other +portraits of pretty actresses are likewise to be seen. Against the +counter rests a board, displaying the playbill of the evening; and near +it is a large piece of emblematical crockery, indicating that +bears'-grease may be had on the premises. Amongst Mr. Trigge's +live-stock may be enumerated his favourite magpie, placed in a wicker +cage in the window, which chatters incessantly, and knows everything, +its master avouches, "as well as a Christian." + +And now as to Mr. Tuffnell Trigge himself. He is very tall and very +thin, and holds himself so upright that he loses not an inch of his +stature. His head is large and his face long, with marked, if not very +striking features, charged, it must be admitted, with a very +self-satisfied expression. One cannot earn the appellation of the Barber +of London without talent; and it is the consciousness of this talent +that lends to Mr. Trigge's features their apparently conceited +expression. A fringe of black whisker adorns his cheek and chin, and his +black bristly hair is brushed back, so as to exhibit the prodigious +expanse of his forehead. His eyebrows are elevated, as if in constant +scorn. + +The attire in which Mr. Trigge is ordinarily seen, consists of a black +velvet waistcoat, and tight black continuations. These are protected by +a white apron tied round his waist, with pockets to hold his scissors +and combs; over all, he wears a short nankeen jacket, into the pockets +of which his hands are constantly thrust when not otherwise employed. A +black satin stock with a large bow encircles his throat, and his shirt +is fastened by black enamel studs. Such is Mr. Tuffnell Trigge, yclept +the Barber of London. + +At the time of his introduction to the reader, Mr. Trigge had just +advertised for an assistant, his present young man, Rutherford Watts, +being about to leave him, and set up for himself in Canterbury. It was +about two o'clock, and Mr. Trigge had just withdrawn into an inner room +to take some refection, when, on returning, he found Watts occupied in +cutting the hair of a middle-aged, sour-looking gentleman, who was +seated before the fire. Mr. Trigge bowed to the sour-looking gentleman, +and appeared ready to enter into conversation with him, but no notice +being taken of his advances, he went and talked to his magpie. + +While he was chattering to it, the sagacious bird screamed forth: +"Pretty dear!--pretty dear!" + +"Ah! what's that? Who is it?" cried Trigge. + +"Pretty dear!--pretty dear!" reiterated the magpie. + +Upon this, Trigge looked around, and saw a very singular little man +enter the shop. He had somewhat the appearance of a groom, being clothed +in a long grey coat, drab knees, and small top-boots. He had a large and +remarkably projecting mouth, like that of a baboon, and a great shock +head of black hair. + +"Pretty dear!--pretty dear!" screamed the magpie. + +"I see nothing pretty about him," thought Mr. Trigge. "What a strange +little fellow! It would puzzle the Lord Chancellor himself to say what +his age might be." + +The little man took off his hat, and making a profound bow to the +barber, unfolded the _Times_ newspaper, which he carried under his arm, +and held it up to Trigge. + +"What do you want, my little friend, eh?" said the barber. + +"High wages!--high wages!" screamed the magpie. + +"Is this yours, sir?" replied the little man, pointing to an +advertisement in the newspaper. + +"Yes, yes, that's my advertisement, friend," replied Mr. Trigge. "But +what of it?" + +Before the little man could answer, a slight interruption occurred. +While eyeing the new-comer, Watts neglected to draw forth the hot +curling-irons, in consequence of which he burnt the sour-looking +gentleman's forehead, and singed his hair. + +"Take care, sir!" cried the gentleman furiously. "What the devil are you +about?" + +"Yes! take care, sir, as Judge Learmouth observes to a saucy witness," +cried Trigge--"'take care, or I'll commit you!'" + +"D--n Judge Learmouth!" cried the gentleman angrily. "If I were a judge, +I'd hang such a careless fellow." + +"Sarve him right!" screamed Mag--"sarve him right!" + +[Illustration: The Barber of London.] + +"Beg pardon, sir," cried Watts. "I'll rectify you in a minute." + +"Well, my little friend," observed Trigge, "and what may be your object +in coming to me? as the great conveyancer, Mr. Plodwell, observes to his +clients--what may be your object?" + +"You want an assistant, don't you, sir?" rejoined the little man humbly. + +"Do you apply on your own account, or on behalf of a friend?" asked +Trigge. + +"On my own," replied the little man. + +"What are your qualifications?" demanded Trigge--"what are your +qualifications?" + +"I fancy I understand something of the business," replied the little +man. "I was a perruquier myself, when wigs were more in fashion than +they are now." + +"Ha! indeed!" said Trigge, laughing. "That must have been in the last +century--in Queen Anne's time--eh?" + +"You have hit it exactly, sir," replied the little man. "It _was_ in +Queen Anne's time." + +"Perhaps you recollect when wigs were first worn, my little Nestor?" +cried Mr. Trigge. + +"Perfectly," replied the little man. "French periwigs were first worn in +Charles the Second's time." + +"You saw 'em, of course?" cried the barber, with a sneer. + +"I did," replied the little man quietly. + +"Oh, he must be out of his mind," cried Trigge. "We shall have a +commission _de lunatico_ to issue here, as the Master of the Rolls would +observe." + +"I hope I may suit you, sir," said the little man. + +"I don't think you will, my friend," replied Mr. Trigge; "I don't think +you will. You don't seem to have a hand for hairdressing. Are you aware +of the talent the art requires? Are you aware what it has cost me to +earn the enviable title of the Barber of London? I'm as proud of that +title as if I were----" + +"Lord Chancellor!--Lord Chancellor!" screamed Mag. + +"Precisely, Mag," said Mr. Trigge; "as if I were Lord Chancellor." + +"Well, I'm sorry for it," said the little man disconsolately. + +"Pretty dear!" screamed Mag; "pretty dear!" + +"What a wonderful bird you have got!" said the sour-looking gentleman, +rising and paying Mr. Trigge. "I declare its answers are quite +appropriate." + +"Ah! Mag is a clever creature, sir--that she is," replied the barber. "I +gave a good deal for her." + +"Little or nothing!" screamed Mag--"little or nothing!" + +"What is your name, friend?" said the gentleman, addressing the little +man, who still lingered in the shop. + +"Why, sir, I've had many names in my time," he replied. "At one time I +was called Flapdragon--at another, Old Parr--but my real name, I +believe, is Morse--Gregory Morse." + +"An Old Bailey answer," cried Mr. Trigge, shaking his head. "Flapdragon, +alias Old Parr--alias Gregory Morse--alias----" + +"Pretty dear!" screamed Mag. + +"And you want a place?" demanded the sour-looking gentleman, eyeing him +narrowly. + +"Sadly," replied Morse. + +"Well, then, follow me," said the gentleman, "and I'll see what can be +done for you." + +And they left the shop together. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE MOON IN THE FIRST QUARTER + + +In spite of his resolution to the contrary, Auriol found it impossible +to resist the fascination of Ebba's society, and became a daily visitor +at her father's house. Mr. Thorneycroft noticed the growing attachment +between them with satisfaction. His great wish was to see his daughter +united to the husband of her choice, and in the hope of smoothing the +way, he let Auriol understand that he should give her a considerable +marriage portion. + +For the last few days a wonderful alteration had taken place in Auriol's +manner, and he seemed to have shaken off altogether the cloud that had +hitherto sat upon his spirits. Enchanted by the change, Ebba indulged in +the most blissful anticipations of the future. + +One evening they walked forth together, and almost unconsciously +directed their steps towards the river. Lingering on its banks, they +gazed on the full tide, admired the glorious sunset, and breathed over +and over again those tender nothings so eloquent in lovers' ears. + +"Oh! how different you are from what you were a week ago," said Ebba +playfully. "Promise me not to indulge in any more of those gloomy +fancies." + +"I will not indulge in them if I can help it, rest assured, sweet Ebba," +he replied. "But my spirits are not always under my control. I am +surprised at my own cheerfulness this evening." + +"I never felt so happy," she replied; "and the whole scene is in unison +with my feelings. How soothing is the calm river flowing at our +feet!--how tender is the warm sky, still flushed with red, though the +sun has set!--And see, yonder hangs the crescent moon. She is in her +first quarter." + +"The moon in her first quarter!" cried Auriol, in a tone of anguish. +"All then is over." + +"What means this sudden change?" cried Ebba, frightened by his looks. + +"Oh, Ebba," he replied, "I must leave you. I have allowed myself to +dream of happiness too long. I am an accursed being, doomed only to +bring misery upon those who love me. I warned you on the onset, but you +would not believe me. Let me go, and perhaps it may not yet be too late +to save you." + +"Oh no, do not leave me!" cried Ebba. "I have no fear while you are with +me." + +"But you do not know the terrible fate I am linked to," he said. "This +is the night when it will be accomplished." + +"Your moody fancies do not alarm me as they used to do, dear Auriol," +she rejoined, "because I know them to be the fruit of a diseased +imagination. Come, let us continue our walk," she added, taking his arm +kindly. + +"Ebba," he cried, "I implore you to let me go! I have not the power to +tear myself away unless you aid me." + +"I'm glad to hear it," she rejoined, "for then I shall hold you fast." + +"You know not what you do!" cried Auriol. "Release me! oh, release me!" + +"In a few moments the fit will be passed," she rejoined. "Let us walk +towards the abbey." + +"It is in vain to struggle against fate," ejaculated Auriol +despairingly. + +And he suffered himself to be led in the direction proposed. + +Ebba continued to talk, but her discourse fell upon a deaf ear, and at +last she became silent too. In this way they proceeded along Millbank +Street and Abingdon Street, until, turning off on the right, they found +themselves before an old and partly-demolished building. By this time it +had become quite dark, for the moon was hidden behind a rack of clouds, +but a light was seen in the upper storey of the structure, occasioned, +no doubt, by a fire within it, which gave a very picturesque effect to +the broken outline of the walls. + +Pausing for a moment to contemplate the ruin, Ebba expressed a wish to +enter it. Auriol offered no opposition, and passing through an arched +doorway, and ascending a short, spiral, stone staircase, they presently +arrived at a roofless chamber, which it was evident, from the implements +and rubbish lying about, was about to be razed to the ground. On one +side there was a large arch, partly bricked up, through which opened a +narrow doorway, though at some height from the ground. With this a +plank communicated, while beneath it lay a great heap of stones, amongst +which were some grotesque carved heads. In the centre of the chamber was +a large square opening, like the mouth of a trap-door, from which the +top of a ladder projected, and near it stood a flaming brazier, which +had cast forth the glare seen from below. Over the ruinous walls on the +right hung the crescent moon, now emerged from the cloud, and shedding a +ghostly glimmer on the scene. + +"What a strange place!" cried Ebba, gazing around with some +apprehension. "It looks like a spot one reads of in romance. I wonder +where that trap leads to?" + +"Into the vault beneath, no doubt," replied Auriol. "But why did we come +hither?" + +As he spoke, there was a sound like mocking laughter, but whence arising +it was difficult to say. + +"Did you hear that sound?" cried Auriol. + +"It was nothing but the echo of laughter from the street," she replied. +"You alarm yourself without reason, Auriol." + +"No, not without reason," he cried. "I am in the power of a terrible +being, who seeks to destroy you, and I know that he is at hand. Listen +to me, Ebba, and however strange my recital may appear, do not suppose +it the ravings of a madman, but be assured it is the truth." + +"Beware!" cried a deep voice, issuing apparently from the depths of the +vault. + +"Some one spoke," cried Ebba. "I begin to share your apprehensions. Let +us quit this place." + +"Come, then," said Auriol. + +"Not so fast," cried a deep voice. + +And they beheld the mysterious owner of the black cloak barring their +passage out. + +"Ebba, you are mine," cried the stranger. "Auriol has brought you to +me." + +"It is false!" cried Auriol. "I never will yield her to you." + +"Remember your compact," rejoined the stranger, with a mocking laugh. + +"Oh, Auriol!" cried Ebba, "I fear for your soul. You have not made a +compact with this fiend?" + +"He has," replied the stranger; "and by that compact you are surrendered +to me." + +And, as he spoke, he advanced towards her, and enveloping her in his +cloak, her cries were instantly stifled. + +"You shall not go!" cried Auriol, seizing him. "Release her, or I +renounce you wholly." + +"Fool!" cried the stranger, "since you provoke my wrath, take your +doom." + +And he stamped on the ground. At this signal an arm was thrust from the +trap-door, and Auriol's hand was seized with an iron grasp. + +While this took place, the stranger bore his lovely burden swiftly up +the plank leading to the narrow doorway in the wall, and just as he was +passing through it he pointed towards the sky, and shouted with a +mocking smile to Auriol--"Behold! the moon is in her first quarter. My +words are fulfilled!" + +And he disappeared. + +Auriol tried to disengage himself from the grasp imposed upon him in +vain. Uttering ejaculations of rage and despair, he was dragged forcibly +backwards into the vault. + +[Illustration: Seizure of Ebba.] + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE STATUE AT CHARING CROSS + + +One morning, two persons took their way along Parliament Street and +Whitehall, and, chatting as they walked, turned into the entrance of +Spring Gardens, for the purpose of looking at the statue at Charing +Cross. One of them was remarkable for his dwarfish stature and strange +withered features. The other was a man of middle size, thin, rather +elderly, and with a sharp countenance, the sourness of which was +redeemed by a strong expression of benevolence. He was clad in a black +coat, rather rusty, but well brushed, buttoned up to the chin, black +tights, short drab gaiters, and wore a white neckcloth and spectacles. + +Mr. Loftus (for so he was called) was a retired merchant, of moderate +fortune, and lived in Abingdon Street. He was a bachelor, and therefore +pleased himself; and being a bit of an antiquary, rambled about all day +long in search of some object of interest. His walk, on the present +occasion, was taken with that view. + +"By Jove! what a noble statue that is, Morse!" cried Loftus, gazing at +it. "The horse is magnificent--positively magnificent." + +"I recollect when the spot was occupied by a gibbet, and when, in lieu +of a statue, an effigy of the martyred monarch was placed there," +replied Morse. "That was in the time of the Protectorate." + +"You cannot get those dreams out of your head, Morse," said Loftus, +smiling. "I wish I could persuade myself I had lived for two centuries +and a half." + +"Would you could have seen the ancient cross, which once stood there, +erected by Edward the First to his beloved wife, 'Eleanor of Castile'!" +said Morse, heedless of the other's remark. "It was much mutilated when +I remember it; some of the pinnacles were broken, and the foliage +defaced, but the statues of the queen were still standing in the +recesses; and altogether the effect was beautiful." + +"It must have been charming," observed Loftus, rubbing his hands; "and, +though I like the statue, I would much rather have had the old Gothic +cross. But how fortunate the former escaped destruction in Oliver +Cromwell's time!" + +"I can tell you how that came to pass, sir," replied Morse, "for I was +assistant to John Rivers, the brazier, to whom the statue was sold." + +"Ah! indeed!" exclaimed Loftus. "I have heard something of the story, +but should like to have full particulars." + +"You shall hear them, then," replied Morse. "Yon statue, which, as you +know, was cast by Hubert le Sueur, in 1633, was ordered by Parliament to +be sold and broken to pieces. Well, my master, John Rivers, being a +stanch Royalist, though he did not dare to avow his principles, +determined to preserve it from destruction. Accordingly, he offered a +good round sum for it, and was declared the purchaser. But how to +dispose of it was the difficulty? He could trust none of his men but me, +whom he knew to be as hearty a hater of the Roundheads, and as loyal to +the memory of our slaughtered sovereign, as himself. Well, we digged a +great pit, secretly, in the cellar, whither the statue had been +conveyed, and buried it. The job occupied us nearly a month; and during +that time, my master collected together all the pieces of old brass he +could procure. These he afterwards produced, and declared they were the +fragments of the statue. But the cream of the jest was to come. He began +to cast handles of knives and forks in brass, giving it out that they +were made from the metal of the statue. And plenty of 'em he sold too, +for the Cavaliers bought 'em as memorials of their martyred monarch, and +the Roundheads as evidences of his fall. In this way he soon got back +his outlay." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Loftus. + +"Well, in due season came the Restoration," pursued Morse; "and my +master made known to King Charles the Second the treasure he had kept +concealed for him. It was digged forth, placed in its old position--but +I forget whether the brazier was rewarded. I rather think not." + +"No matter," cried Loftus; "he was sufficiently rewarded by the +consciousness of having done a noble action. But let us go and examine +the sculpture on the pedestal more closely." + +With this he crossed over the road; and, taking off his hat, thrust his +head through the iron railing surrounding the pedestal, while Morse, in +order to point out the beauties of the sculpture with greater +convenience, mounted upon a stump beside him. + +"You are aware that this is the work of Grinling Gibbons, sir?" cried +the dwarf. + +"To be sure I am," replied Loftus--"to be sure. What fancy and gusto is +displayed in the treatment of these trophies!" + +"The execution of the royal arms is equally admirable," cried Morse. + +"Never saw anything finer," rejoined Loftus--"never, upon my life." + +Every one knows how easily a crowd is collected in London, and it cannot +be supposed that our two antiquaries would be allowed to pursue their +investigations unmolested. Several ragged urchins got round them, and +tried to discover what they were looking at, at the same time cutting +their jokes upon them. These were speedily joined by a street-sweeper, +rather young in the profession, a ticket-porter, a butcher's apprentice, +an old Israelitish clothes-man, a coalheaver, and a couple of +charity-boys. + +"My eyes!" cried the street-sweeper, "only twig these coves. If they +ain't green 'uns, I'm done." + +"Old Spectacles thinks he has found it all out," remarked the porter; +"ve shall hear wot it all means by-and-by." + +"Plesh ma 'art," cried the Jew, "vat two funny old genelmen. I vonder +vat they thinks they sees?" + +"I'll tell 'ee, master," rejoined the butcher's apprentice; "they're a +tryin' vich on 'em can see farthest into a millstone." + +[Illustration: Antiquaries.] + +"Only think of living all my life in London, and never examining this +admirable work of art before!" cried Loftus, quite unconscious that he +had become the object of general curiosity. + +"Look closer at it, old gem'man," cried the porter. "The nearer you get, +the more you'll admire it." + +"Quite true," replied Loftus, fancying Morse had spoken; "it'll bear the +closest inspection." + +"I say, Ned," observed one of the charity-boys to the other, "do you get +over the railin'; they must ha' dropped summat inside. See what it is." + +"I'm afraid o' spikin' myself, Joe," replied the other; "but just give +us a lift, and I'll try." + +"Wot are you arter there, you young rascals?" cried the coalheaver; +"come down, or I'll send the perlice to you." + +"Wot two precious guys these is!" cried a ragamuffin lad, accompanied by +a bulldog. "I've a good mind to chuck the little 'un off the post, and +set Tartar at him. Here, boy, here!" + +"That 'ud be famous fun, indeed, Spicer!" cried another rapscallion +behind him. + +"Arrah! let 'em alone, will you there, you young divils!" cried an Irish +bricklayer; "don't you see they're only two paiceable antiquaries." + +"Oh, they're antiquaries, are they?" screamed the little street-sweeper. +"Vell, I never see the likes on 'em afore; did you, Sam?" + +"Never," replied the porter. + +"Och, murther in Irish! ye're upsettin' me, an' all the fruits of my +industry," cried an applewoman, against whom the bricklayer had run his +barrow. "Divil seize you for a careless wagabone! Why don't you look +where ye're goin', and not dhrive into people in that way?" + +"Axes pardon, Molly," said the bricklayer; "but I was so inter_est_ed in +them antiquaries, that I didn't obsarve ye." + +"Antiquaries be hanged! what's such warmint to me?" cried the applewoman +furiously. "You've destroyed my day's market, and bad luck to ye!" + +"Well, never heed, Molly," cried the good-natured bricklayer; "I'll make +it up t'ye. Pick up your apples, and you shall have a dhrop of the +craiter if you'll come along wid me." + +While this was passing, a stout gentleman came from the farther side of +the statue, and perceiving Loftus, cried--"Why, brother-in-law, is that +you?" + +But Loftus was too much engrossed to notice him, and continued to +expiate upon the beauty of the trophies. + +"What are you talking about, brother?" cried the stout gentleman. + +"Grinling Gibbons," replied Loftus, without turning round. "Horace +Walpole said that no one before him could give to wood the airy +lightness of a flower, and here he has given it to a stone." + +"This may be all very fine, my good fellow," said the stout gentleman, +seizing him by the shoulder; "but don't you see the crowd you're +collecting round you? You'll be mobbed presently." + +"Why, how the devil did you come here, brother Thorneycroft?" cried +Loftus, at last recognising him. + +"Come along, and I'll tell you," replied the iron-merchant, dragging him +away, while Morse followed closely behind them. "I'm so glad to have met +you," pursued Thorneycroft, as soon as they were clear of the mob; +"you'll be shocked to hear what has happened to your niece, Ebba." + +"Why, what _has_ happened to her?" demanded Loftus. "You alarm me. Out +with it at once. I hate to be kept in suspense." + +"She has left me," replied Thorneycroft--"left her old indulgent +father--run away." + +"Run away!" exclaimed Loftus. "Impossible! I'll not believe it--even +from your lips." + +"Would it were not so!--but it is, alas! too true," replied Thorneycroft +mournfully. "And the thing was so unnecessary, for I would gladly have +given her to the young man. My sole hope is that she has not utterly +disgraced herself." + +"No, she is too high principled for that," cried Loftus. "Rest easy on +that score. But with whom has she run away?" + +"With a young man named Auriol Darcy," replied Thorneycroft. "He was +brought to my house under peculiar circumstances." + +"I never heard of him," said Loftus. + +"But I have," interposed Morse. "I've known him these two hundred +years." + +"Eh day! who's this?" cried Thorneycroft. + +"A crack-brained little fellow, whom I've engaged as valet," replied +Loftus. "He fancies he was born in Queen Elizabeth's time." + +"It's no fancy," cried Morse. "I am perfectly acquainted with Auriol +Darcy's history. He drank of the same elixir as myself." + +"If you know him, can you give us a clue to find him?" asked +Thorneycroft. + +"I am sorry I cannot," replied Morse. "I only saw him for a few minutes +the other night, after I had been thrown into the Serpentine by the tall +man in the black cloak." + +"What's that you say?" cried Thorneycroft quickly. "I have heard Ebba +speak of a tall man in a black cloak having some mysterious connection +with Auriol. I hope that person has nothing to do with her +disappearance." + +"I shouldn't wonder if he had," replied Morse. "I believe that black +gentleman to be----" + +"What!--who?" demanded Thorneycroft. + +"Neither more nor less than the devil," replied Morse mysteriously. + +"Pshaw! poh!" cried Loftus. "I told you the poor fellow was half +cracked." + +At this moment, a roguish-looking fellow, with red whiskers and hair, +and clad in a velveteen jacket with ivory buttons, who had been watching +the iron-merchant at some distance, came up, and touching his hat, said, +"Mr. Thorneycroft, I believe?" + +"My name is Thorneycroft, fellow!" cried the iron-merchant, eyeing him +askance. "And your name, I fancy, is Ginger?" + +"Exactly, sir," replied the dog-fancier, again touching his hat, +"ex-actly. I didn't think you would rekilect me, sir. I bring you some +news of your darter." + +"Of Ebba!" exclaimed Thorneycroft, in a tone of deep emotion. "I hope +your news is good." + +"I wish it wos better, for her sake as well as yours, sir," replied the +dog-fancier gravely; "but I'm afeerd she's in werry bad hands." + +"That she is, if she's in the hands o' the black gentleman," observed +Morse. + +"Vy, Old Parr, that ain't you?" cried Ginger, gazing at him in +astonishment. "Vy, 'ow you are transmogrified, to be sure!" + +"But what of my daughter?" cried Thorneycroft; "where is she? Take me to +her, and you shall be well rewarded." + +"I'll do my best to take you to her, and without any reward, sir," +replied Ginger, "for my heart bleeds for the poor young creater. As I +said afore, she's in dreadful bad hands." + +"Do you allude to Mr. Auriol Darcy?" cried Thorneycroft. + +"No, he's as much a wictim of this infernal plot as your darter," +replied Ginger; "I thought him quite different at first--but I've +altered my mind entirely since some matters has come to my knowledge." + +"You alarm me greatly by these dark hints," cried Thorneycroft. "What is +to be done?" + +"I shall know in a few hours," replied Ginger. "I ain't got the exact +clue yet. But come to me at eleven o'clock to-night, at the Turk's Head, +at the back o' Shoreditch Church, and I'll put you on the right scent. +You must come alone." + +"I should wish this gentleman, my brother-in-law, to accompany me," said +Thorneycroft. + +"He couldn't help you," replied Ginger. "I'll take care to have plenty +of assistance. It's a dangerous bus'ness, and can only be managed in a +sartin way, and by a sartin person, and he'd object to any von but you. +To-night, at eleven! Good-bye, Old Parr. Ve shall meet again ere long." + +And without a word more, he hurried away. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +PREPARATIONS + + +On that same night, at the appointed hour, Mr. Thorneycroft repaired to +Shoreditch, and entering a narrow street behind the church, speedily +discovered the Turk's Head, at the door of which a hackney-coach was +standing. He was shown by the landlord into a small back room, in which +three men were seated at a small table, smoking, and drinking gin and +water, while a fourth was standing near the fire, with his back towards +the door. The latter was a tall, powerfully built man, wrapped in a +rough greatcoat, and did not turn round on the iron-merchant's entrance. + +"You are punctual, Mr. Thorneycroft," said Ginger, who was one of the +trio at the table; "and I'm happy to say, I've arranged everythin' for +you, sir. My friends are ready to undertake the job. Only they von't do +it on quite sich easy terms as mine." + +The Tinker and the Sandman coughed slightly, to intimate their entire +concurrence in Mr. Ginger's remark. + +"As I said to you this mornin', Mr. Thorneycroft," pursued Ginger, "this +is a difficult and a dangerous bus'ness, and there's no knowin' wot may +come on it. But it's your only chance o' recoverin' your darter." + +"Yes, it's your only chance," echoed the Tinker. + +"Ve're about to risk our precious lives for you, sir," said the Sandman; +"so, in coorse, ve expects a perportionate revard." + +"If you enable me to regain my daughter, you shall not find me +ungrateful," rejoined the iron-merchant. + +"I must have a hundred pounds," said the Tinker--"that's my lowest." + +"And mine, too," said the Sandman. + +"I shall take nuffin' but the glory, as I said afore," remarked Ginger. +"I'm sworn champion o' poor distressed young damsils; but my friends +must make their own bargins." + +"Well, I assent," returned Mr. Thorneycroft; "and the sooner we set out +the better." + +"Are you armed?" asked Ginger. + +"I have a brace of pistols in my pocket," replied Thorneycroft. + +"All right, then--ve've all got pops and cutlashes," said Ginger. "So +let's be off." + +As he spoke, the Tinker and Sandman arose; and the man in the rough +greatcoat, who had hitherto remained with his back to them, turned +round. To the iron-merchant's surprise, he perceived that the face of +this individual was covered with a piece of black crape. + +"Who is this?" he demanded with some misgiving. + +"A friend," replied Ginger. "Vithout him ve could do nuffin'. His name +is Reeks, and he is the chief man in our enterprise." + +"He claims a reward too, I suppose?" said Thorneycroft. + +"I will tell you what reward I claim, Mr. Thorneycroft," rejoined Reeks, +in a deep stern tone, "when all is over. Meantime, give me your solemn +pledge, that whatever you may behold to-night, you will not divulge it." + +"I give it," replied the iron-merchant, "provided always----" + +"No provision, sir," interrupted the other quickly. "You must swear to +keep silence unconditionally, or I will not move a footstep with you; +and I alone can guide you where your daughter is detained." + +"Svear, sir; it is your only chance," whispered Ginger. + +"Well, if it must be, I do swear to keep silence," rejoined Mr. +Thorneycroft; "but your proceedings appear very mysterious." + +"The whole affair is mysterious," replied Reeks. "You must also consent +to have a bandage passed over your eyes when you get into the coach." + +"Anything more?" asked the iron-merchant. + +"You must engage to obey my orders, without questioning, when we arrive +at our destination," rejoined Reeks. "Otherwise, there is no chance of +success." + +"Be it as you will," returned Thorneycroft, "I must perforce agree." + +"All then is clearly understood," said Reeks, "and we can now set out." + +Upon this, Ginger conducted Mr. Thorneycroft to the coach, and as soon +as the latter got into it, tied a handkerchief tightly over his eyes. In +this state Mr. Thorneycroft heard the Tinker and the Sandman take their +places near him, but not remarking the voice of Reeks, concluded that he +must have got outside. + +The next moment, the coach was put in motion, and rattled over the +stones at a rapid pace. It made many turns; but at length proceeded +steadily onwards, while from the profound silence around, and the +greater freshness of the air, Mr. Thorneycroft began to fancy they had +gained the country. Not a word was spoken by any one during the ride. + +After a while, the coach stopped, the door was opened, and Mr. +Thorneycroft was helped out. The iron-merchant expected his bandage +would now be removed, but he was mistaken, for Reeks, taking his arm, +drew him along at a quick pace. As they advanced, the iron-merchant's +conductor whispered him to be cautious, and, at the same time, made him +keep close to a wall. A door was presently opened, and as soon as the +party had passed through, it closed. + +The bandage was then removed from Thorneycroft's eyes, and he found +himself in a large and apparently neglected garden. Though the sky was +cloudy, there was light enough to enable him to distinguish that they +were near an old dilapidated mansion. + +"We are now arrived," said Reeks to the iron-merchant, "and you will +have need of all your resolution." + +"I will deliver her, or perish in the attempt," said Thorneycroft, +taking out his pistols. + +The others drew their cutlasses. + +"Now then, follow me," said Reeks, "and act as I direct." + +With this he struck into an alley formed by thick hedges of privet, +which brought them to the back part of the house. Passing through a +door, he entered the yard, and creeping cautiously along the wall, +reached a low window, which he contrived to open without noise. He then +passed through it, and was followed by the others. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY + + +We shall now return to the night of Ebba's seizure by the mysterious +stranger. Though almost deprived of consciousness by terror, the poor +girl could distinguish, from the movements of her captor, that she was +borne down a flight of steps, or some steep descent, and then for a +considerable distance along level ground. She was next placed in a +carriage, which was driven with great swiftness, and though it was +impossible to conjecture in what direction she was conveyed, it seemed +to her terrified imagination as if she were hurried down a precipice, +and she expected every moment to be dashed in pieces. At length the +vehicle stopped, and she was lifted out of it, and carried along a +winding passage; after which, the creaking of hinges announced that a +door was opened. Having passed through it, she was deposited on a bench, +when, fright overmastering her, her senses completely forsook her. + +On recovering, she found herself seated on a fauteuil covered with black +velvet, in the midst of a gloomy chamber of vast extent, while beside +her, and supporting her from falling, stood the mysterious and terrible +stranger. He held a large goblet filled with some potent liquid to her +lips, and compelled her to swallow a portion of it. The powerful +stimulant revived her, but, at the same time, produced a strange +excitement, against which she struggled with all her power. Her +persecutor again held the goblet towards her, while a sardonic smile +played upon his features. + +"Drink!" he cried; "it will restore you, and you have much to go +through." + +Ebba mechanically took the cup, and raised it to her lips, but noticing +the stranger's glance of exultation, dashed it to the ground. + +"You have acted foolishly," he said sternly; "the potion would have done +you good." + +Withdrawing her eyes from his gaze, which she felt exercised an +irresistible influence over her, Ebba gazed fearfully round the chamber. + +It was vast and gloomy, and seemed like the interior of a sepulchre--the +walls and ceiling being formed of black marble, while the floor was +paved with the same material. Not far from where she sat, on an estrade, +approached by a couple of steps, stood a table covered with black +velvet, on which was placed an immense lamp, fashioned like an imp +supporting a caldron on his outstretched wings. In this lamp were +several burners, which cast a lurid light throughout the chamber. Over +it hung a cap equally fantastically fashioned. A dagger, with a richly +wrought hilt, was stuck into the table; and beside it lay a strangely +shaped mask, an open book, an antique inkstand, and a piece of +parchment, on which some characters were inscribed. Opposite these stood +a curiously carved ebony chair. + +At the lower end of the room, which was slightly elevated above the +rest, hung a large black curtain; and on the step, in the front of it, +were placed two vases of jet. + +"What is behind that curtain?" shudderingly demanded Ebba of her +companion. + +"You will see anon," he replied. "Meanwhile, seat yourself on that +chair, and glance at the writing on the scroll." + +Ebba did not move, but the stranger took her hand, and drew her to the +seat. + +"Read what is written on that paper," he cried imperiously. + +Ebba glanced at the document, and a shudder passed over her frame. "By +this," she cried, "I surrender myself, soul and body, to you?" + +"You do," replied the stranger. + +"I have committed no crime that can place me within the power of the +Fiend," cried Ebba, falling upon her knees. "I call upon Heaven for +protection! Avaunt!" + +As the words were uttered, the cap suddenly fell upon the lamp, and the +chamber was buried in profound darkness. Mocking laughter rang in her +ears, succeeded by wailing cries inexpressibly dreadful to hear. + +Ebba continued to pray fervently for her own deliverance, and for that +of Auriol. In the midst of her supplications she was aroused by strains +of music of the most exquisite sweetness, proceeding apparently from +behind the curtain, and while listening to these sounds she was startled +by a deafening crash as if a large gong had been stricken. The cover of +the lamp was then slowly raised, and the burners blazed forth as before, +while from the two vases in front of the curtain arose clouds of +incense, filling the chamber with stupefying fragrance. + +Again the gong was stricken, and Ebba looked round towards the curtain. +Above each vase towered a gigantic figure, wrapped in a long black +cloak, the lower part of which was concealed by the thick vapour. Hoods, +like the cowls of monks, were drawn over the heads of these grim and +motionless figures; mufflers enveloped their chins, and they wore masks, +from the holes of which gleamed eyes of unearthly brightness. Their +hands were crossed upon their breasts. Between them squatted two other +spectral forms, similarly cloaked, hooded, and masked, with their +gleaming eyes fixed upon her, and their skinny fingers pointed +derisively at her. + +Behind the curtain was placed a strong light, which showed a wide +staircase of black marble, leading to some upper chamber, and at the +same time threw the reflection of a gigantic figure upon the drapery, +while a hand, the finger of which pointed towards her, was thrust from +an opening between its folds. + +Forcibly averting her gaze, Ebba covered her eyes with her hands, but +looking up again after a brief space, beheld an ebon door at the side +revolve upon its hinges, and give entrance to three female figures, +robed in black, hooded and veiled, and having their hands folded, in a +melancholy manner, across their breasts. Slowly and noiselessly +advancing, they halted within a few paces of her. + +"Who and what are ye?" she cried, wild with terror. + +"The victims of Auriol!" replied the figure on the right. "As we are, +such will you be ere long." + +"What crime have you committed?" demanded Ebba. + +"We have loved him," replied the second figure. + +[Illustration: The Chamber of Mystery.] + +"Is that a crime?" cried Ebba. "If so, I am equally culpable with you." + +"You will share our doom," replied the third figure. + +"Heaven have mercy upon me!" exclaimed the agonised girl, dropping upon +her knees. + +At this moment a terrible voice from behind the curtain exclaimed, +"Sign, or Auriol is lost for ever." + +"I cannot yield my soul, even to save him," cried Ebba distractedly. + +"Witness his chastisement, then," cried the voice. + +And as the words were uttered, a side door was opened on the opposite +side, and Auriol was dragged forth from it by two masked personages, who +looked like familiars of the Inquisition. + +"Do not yield to the demands of this fiend, Ebba!" cried Auriol, gazing +at her distractedly. + +"Will you save him before he is cast, living, into the tomb?" cried the +voice. + +And at the words, a heavy slab of marble rose slowly from the floor near +where Ebba sat, and disclosed a dark pit beneath. + +Ebba gazed into the abyss with indescribable terror. + +"There he will be immured, unless you sign," cried the voice; "and, as +he is immortal, he will endure an eternity of torture." + +"I cannot save him so, but I may precede him," cried Ebba. And throwing +her hands aloft, she flung herself into the pit. + +A fearful cry resounded through the chamber. It broke from Auriol, who +vainly strove to burst from those who held him, and precipitate himself +after Ebba. + +Soon after this, and while Auriol was gazing into the abyss, a tongue of +blue flame arose from it, danced for a moment in the air, and then +vanished. No sooner was it gone than a figure, shrouded in black +habiliments, and hooded and muffled up like the three other female +forms, slowly ascended from the vault, apparently without support, and +remained motionless at its brink. + +"Ebba!" exclaimed Auriol, in a voice of despair. "Is it you?" + +The figure bowed its head, but spoke not. + +"Sign!" thundered the voice. "Your attempt at self-destruction has +placed you wholly in my power. Sign!" + +At this injunction, the figure moved slowly towards the table, and to +his unspeakable horror, Auriol beheld it take up the pen and write upon +the parchment. He bent forward, and saw that the name inscribed thereon +was EBBA THORNEYCROFT. + +The groan to which he gave utterance was echoed by a roar of diabolical +laughter. + +The figure then moved slowly away, and ranged itself with the other +veiled forms. + +"All is accomplished," cried the voice. "Away with him!" + +On this, a terrible clangour was heard; the lights were extinguished; +and Auriol was dragged through the doorway from which he had been +brought forth. + + +END OF THE FIRST BOOK + + + + +INTERMEAN + +1800 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN + + +On the night of the 1st of March 1800, and at a late hour, a man, +wrapped in a large horseman's cloak, and of strange and sinister +appearance, entered an old deserted house in the neighbourhood of +Stepney Green. He was tall, carried himself very erect, and seemed in +the full vigour of early manhood; but his features had a worn and +ghastly look, as if bearing the stamp of long-indulged and frightful +excesses, while his dark gleaming eyes gave him an expression almost +diabolical. + +This person had gained the house from a garden behind it, and now stood +in a large dismantled hall, from which a broad oaken staircase, with +curiously-carved banisters, led to a gallery, and thence to the upper +chambers of the habitation. Nothing could be more dreary than the aspect +of the place. The richly-moulded ceiling was festooned with spiders' +webs, and in some places had fallen in heaps upon the floor; the glories +of the tapestry upon the walls were obliterated by damps; the squares of +black and white marble, with which the hall was paved, were loosened, +and quaked beneath the footsteps; the wide and empty fireplace yawned +like the mouth of a cavern; the bolts of the closed windows were rusted +in their sockets; and the heaps of dust before the outer door proved +that long years had elapsed since any one had passed through it. + +Taking a dark lantern from beneath his cloak, the individual in question +gazed for a moment around him, and then, with a sardonic smile playing +upon his features, directed his steps towards a room on the right, the +door of which stood open. + +This chamber, which was large and cased with oak, was wholly +unfurnished, like the hall, and in an equally dilapidated condition. The +only decoration remaining on its walls was the portrait of a venerable +personage in the cap and gown of Henry the Eighth's time, painted +against a panel--a circumstance which had probably saved it from +destruction--and beneath it, fixed in another panel, a plate of brass, +covered with mystical characters and symbols, and inscribed with the +name "Cyprianus de Rougemont, Fra. R.C." The same name likewise appeared +upon a label beneath the portrait, with the date 1550. + +Pausing before the portrait, the young man threw the light of the +lantern full upon it, and revealed features somewhat resembling his own +in form, but of a severe and philosophic cast. In the eyes alone could +be discerned the peculiar and terrible glimmer which distinguished his +own glances. + +After regarding the portrait for some time fixedly, he thus addressed +it: + +"Dost hear me, old ancestor?" he cried. "I, thy descendant, Cyprian de +Rougemont, call upon thee to point out where thy gold is hidden? I know +that thou wert a brother of the Rosy Cross--one of the illuminati--and +didst penetrate the mysteries of nature, and enter the region of light. +I know, also, that thou wert buried in this house with a vast treasure; +but though I have made diligent search for it, and others have searched +before me, thy grave has never yet been discovered! Listen to me! +Methought Satan appeared to me in a dream last night, and bade me come +hither, and I should find what I sought. The conditions he proposed +were, that I should either give him my own soul, or win him that of +Auriol Darcy. I assented. I am here. Where is thy treasure?" + +After a pause, he struck the portrait with his clenched hand, exclaiming +in a loud voice: + +"Dost hear me, I say, old ancestor? I call on thee to give me thy +treasure. Dost hear, I say?" + +And he repeated the blow with greater violence. + +Disturbed by the shock, the brass plate beneath the picture started from +its place, and fell to the ground. + +"What is this?" cried Rougemont, gazing into the aperture left by the +plate. "Ha!--my invocation has been heard!" + +And, snatching up the lantern, he discovered, at the bottom of a little +recess, about two feet deep, a stone, with an iron ring in the centre of +it. Uttering a joyful cry, he seized the ring, and drew the stone +forward without difficulty, disclosing an open space beyond it. + +"This, then, is the entrance to my ancestor's tomb," cried Rougemont; +"there can be no doubt of it. The old Rosicrucian has kept his secret +well; but the devil has helped me to wrest it from him. And now to +procure the necessary implements, in case, as is not unlikely, I should +experience further difficulty." + +With this he hastily quitted the room, but returned almost immediately +with a mallet, a lever, and a pitchfork; armed with which and the +lantern, he crept through the aperture. This done, he found himself at +the head of a stone staircase, which he descended, and came to the +arched entrance of a vault. The door, which was of stout oak, was +locked, but holding up the light towards it, he read the following +inscription: + + "POST C.C.L. ANNOS PATEBO, 1550." + +"In two hundred and fifty years I shall open!" cried Rougemont, "and the +date 1550--why, the exact time is arrived. Old Cyprian must have +foreseen what would happen, and evidently intended to make me his heir. +There was no occasion for the devil's interference. And see, the key is +in the lock. So!" And he turned it, and pushing against the door with +some force, the rusty hinges gave way, and it fell inwards. + +[Illustration: The Tomb of the Rosicrucian.] + +From the aperture left by the fallen door, a soft and silvery light +streamed forth, and, stepping forward, Rougemont found himself in a +spacious vault, from the ceiling of which hung a large globe of crystal, +containing in its heart a little flame, which diffused a radiance, +gentle as that of the moon, around. This, then, was the ever-burning +lamp of the Rosicrucians, and Rougemont gazed at it with astonishment. +Two hundred and fifty years had elapsed since that wondrous flame had +been lighted, and yet it burnt on brightly as ever. Hooped round the +globe was a serpent with its tail in its mouth--an emblem of +eternity--wrought in purest gold; while above it were a pair of silver +wings, in allusion to the soul. Massive chains of the more costly metal, +fashioned like twisted snakes, served as suspenders to the lamp. + +But Rougemont's astonishment at this marvel quickly gave way to other +feelings, and he gazed around the vault with greedy eyes. + +It was a septilateral chamber, about eight feet high, built of stone, +and supported by beautifully groined arches. The surface of the masonry +was as smooth and fresh as if the chisel had only just left it. + +In six of the corners were placed large chests, ornamented with ironwork +of the most exquisite workmanship, and these Rougemont's imagination +pictured as filled with inexhaustible treasure; while in the seventh +corner, near the door, was a beautiful little piece of monumental +sculpture in white marble, representing two kneeling and hooded figures, +holding a veil between them, which partly concealed the entrance to a +small recess. On one of the chests opposite the monument just described +stood a strangely-formed bottle and a cup of antique workmanship, both +encrusted with gems. + +The walls were covered with circles, squares, and diagrams, and in some +places were ornamented with grotesque carvings. In the centre of the +vault was a round altar, of black marble, covered with a plate of gold, +on which Rougemont read the following inscription: + + "Hoc universi compendium unius mihi sepulcrum feci." + +"Here, then, old Cyprian lies," he cried. + +And, prompted by some irresistible impulse, he seized the altar by the +upper rim, and overthrew it. The heavy mass of marble fell with a +thundering crash, breaking asunder the flag beneath it. It might be the +reverberation of the vaulted roof, but a deep groan seemed to reproach +the young man for his sacrilege. Undeterred, however, by this warning, +Rougemont placed the point of the lever between the interstices of the +broken stone, and, exerting all his strength, speedily raised the +fragments, and laid open the grave. + +Within it, in the garb he wore in life, with his white beard streaming +to his waist, lay the uncoffined body of his ancestor, Cyprian de +Rougemont. The corpse had evidently been carefully embalmed, and the +features were unchanged by decay. Upon the breast, with the hands placed +over it, lay a large book, bound in black vellum, and fastened with +brazen clasps. Instantly possessing himself of this mysterious-looking +volume, Rougemont knelt upon the nearest chest, and opened it. But he +was disappointed in his expectation. All the pages he examined were +filled with cabalistic characters, which he was totally unable to +decipher. + +At length, however, he chanced upon one page the import of which he +comprehended, and he remained for some time absorbed in its +contemplation, while an almost fiendish smile played upon his features. + +"Aha!" he exclaimed, closing the volume, "I see now the cause of my +extraordinary dream. My ancestor's wondrous power was of infernal +origin--the result, in fact, of a compact with the Prince of Darkness. +But what care I for that? Give me wealth--no matter what source it comes +from!--ha! ha!" + +And seizing the lever, he broke open the chest beside him. It was filled +with bars of silver. The next he visited in the same way was full of +gold. The third was laden with pearls and precious stones; and the rest +contained treasure to an incalculable amount. Rougemont gazed at them in +transports of joy. + +"At length I have my wish," he cried. "Boundless wealth, and therefore +boundless power, is mine. I can riot in pleasure--riot in vengeance. As +to my soul, I will run the risk of its perdition; but it shall go hard +if I destroy not that of Auriol. His love of play and his passion for +Edith Talbot shall be the means by which I will work. But I must not +neglect another agent which is offered me. That bottle, I have learnt +from yon volume, contains an infernal potion, which, without destroying +life, shatters the brain, and creates maddening fancies. It will well +serve my purpose; and I thank thee, Satan, for the gift." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE COMPACT + + +About two months after this occurrence, and near midnight, a young man +was hurrying along Pall Mall, with a look of the wildest despair, when +his headlong course was suddenly arrested by a strong grasp, while a +familiar voice sounded in his ear. + +"It is useless to meditate self-destruction, Auriol Darcy," cried the +person who had checked him. "If you find life a burden, I can make it +tolerable to you." + +Turning round at the appeal, Auriol beheld a tall man, wrapped in a long +black cloak, whose sinister features were well known to him. + +"Leave me, Rougemont!" he cried fiercely. "I want no society--above all, +not yours. You know very well that you have ruined me, and that nothing +more is to be got from me. Leave me, I say, or I may do you a mischief." + +"Tut, tut, Auriol, I am your friend!" replied Rougemont. "I purpose to +relieve your distress." + +"Will you give me back the money you have won from me?" cried Auriol. +"Will you pay my inexorable creditors? Will you save me from a prison?" + +"I will do all this, and more," replied Rougemont. "I will make you one +of the richest men in London." + +"Spare your insulting jests, sir," cried Auriol. "I am in no mood to +bear them." + +"I am not jesting," rejoined Rougemont. "Come with me, and you shall be +convinced of my sincerity." + +Auriol at length assented, and they turned into Saint James's Square, +and paused before a magnificent house. Rougemont ascended the steps. +Auriol, who had accompanied him almost mechanically, gazed at him with +astonishment. + +"Do you live here?" he inquired. + +"Ask no questions," replied Rougemont, knocking at the door, which was +instantly opened by a hall porter, while other servants in rich liveries +appeared at a distance. Rougemont addressed a few words in an undertone +to them, and they instantly bowed respectfully to Auriol, while the +foremost of them led the way up a magnificent staircase. + +All this was a mystery to the young man, but he followed his conductor +without a word, and was presently ushered into a gorgeously-furnished +and brilliantly-illuminated apartment. + +The servant then left them; and as soon as he was gone Auriol exclaimed, +"Is it to mock me that you have brought me hither?" + +"To mock you--no," replied Rougemont. "I have told you that I mean to +make you rich. But you look greatly exhausted. A glass of wine will +revive you." + +And as he spoke, he stepped towards a small cabinet, and took from it a +curiously-shaped bottle and a goblet. + +"Taste this wine--it has been long in our family," he added, filling the +cup. + +"It is a strange, bewildering drink," cried Auriol, setting down the +empty goblet, and passing his hand before his eyes. + +"You have taken it upon an empty stomach--that is all," said Rougemont. +"You will be better anon." + +"I feel as if I were going mad," cried Auriol. "It is some damnable +potion you have given me." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Rougemont. "It reminds you of the elixir you once +quaffed--eh?" + +"A truce to this raillery!" cried Auriol angrily. "I have said I am in +no mood to bear it." + +"Pshaw! I mean no offence," rejoined the other, changing his manner. +"What think you of this house?" + +"That it is magnificent," replied Auriol, gazing around. "I envy you its +possession." + +"It shall be yours, if you please," replied Rougemont. + +"Mine! you are mocking me again." + +"Not in the least. You shall buy it from me, if you please." + +"At what price?" asked Auriol bitterly. + +"At a price you can easily pay," replied the other. "Come this way, and +we will conclude the bargain." + +Proceeding towards the farther end of the room, they entered a small +exquisitely-furnished chamber, surrounded with sofas of the most +luxurious description. In the midst was a table, on which writing +materials were placed. + +"It were a fruitless boon to give you this house without the means of +living in it," said Rougemont, carefully closing the door. "This +pocket-book will furnish you with them." + +[Illustration: The Compact.] + +"Notes to an immense amount!" cried Auriol, opening the pocket-book, and +glancing at its contents. + +"They are yours, together with the house," cried Rougemont, "if you will +but sign a compact with me." + +"A compact!" cried Auriol, regarding him with a look of undefinable +terror. "Who and what are you?" + +"Some men would call me the devil!" replied Rougemont carelessly. "But +you know me too well to suppose that I merit such a designation. I offer +you wealth. What more could you require?" + +"But upon what terms?" demanded Auriol. + +"The easiest imaginable," replied the other. "You shall judge for +yourself." + +And as he spoke, he opened a writing-desk upon the table, and took from +it a parchment. + +"Sit down," he added, "and read this." + +Auriol complied, and as he scanned the writing he became transfixed with +fear and astonishment, while the pocket-book dropped from his grasp. + +After a while he looked up at Rougemont, who was leaning over his +shoulder, and whose features were wrinkled with a derisive smile. + +"Then you _are_ the Fiend?" he cried. + +"If you will have it so--certainly," replied the other. + +"You are Satan in the form of the man I once knew," cried Auriol. +"Avaunt! I will have no dealings with you." + +"I thought you wiser than to indulge in such idle fears, Darcy," +rejoined the other. "Granting even your silly notion of me to be +correct, why need you be alarmed? You are immortal." + +"True," rejoined Auriol thoughtfully; "but yet----" + +"Pshaw!" rejoined the other, "sign, and have done with the matter." + +"By this compact I am bound to deliver a victim--a female +victim--whenever you shall require it," cried Auriol. + +"Precisely," replied the other; "you can have no difficulty in +fulfilling that condition." + +"But if I fail in doing so, I am doomed----" + +"But you will _not_ fail," interrupted the other, lighting a taper and +sealing the parchment. "Now sign it." + +Auriol mechanically took the pen, and gazed fixedly on the document. + +"I shall bring eternal destruction on myself if I sign it," he muttered. + +"A stroke of the pen will rescue you from utter ruin," said Rougemont, +leaning over his shoulder. "Riches and happiness are yours. You will not +have such another chance." + +"Tempter!" cried Auriol, hastily attaching his signature to the paper. +But he instantly started back aghast at the fiendish laugh that rang in +his ears. + +"I repent--give it me back!" he cried, endeavouring to snatch the +parchment, which Rougemont thrust into his bosom. + +"It is too late!" cried the latter, in a triumphant tone. "You are +mine--irredeemably mine." + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, sinking back on the couch. + +"I leave you in possession of your house," pursued Rougemont; "but I +shall return in a week, when I shall require my first victim." + +"Your first victim! oh, Heaven!" exclaimed Auriol. + +"Ay, and my choice falls on Edith Talbot!" replied Rougemont. + +"Edith Talbot!" exclaimed Auriol; "she your victim! Think you I would +resign her I love better than life to you?" + +"It is because she loves you that I have chosen her," rejoined +Rougemont, with a bitter laugh. "And such will ever be the case with +you. Seek not to love again, for your passion will be fatal to the +object of it. When the week has elapsed, I shall require Edith at your +hands. Till then, farewell!" + +"Stay!" cried Auriol. "I break the bargain with thee, fiend. I will have +none of it. I abjure thee." + +And he rushed wildly after Rougemont, who had already gained the larger +chamber; but, ere he could reach him, the mysterious individual had +passed through the outer door, and when Auriol emerged upon the gallery, +he was nowhere to be seen. + +Several servants immediately answered the frantic shouts of the young +man, and informed him that Mr. Rougemont had quitted the house some +moments ago, telling them that their master was perfectly satisfied with +the arrangements he had made for him. + +"And we hope nothing has occurred to alter your opinion, sir?" said the +hall porter. + +"You are sure Mr. Rougemont is gone?" cried Auriol. + +"Oh, quite sure, sir," cried the hall porter. "I helped him on with his +cloak myself. He said he should return this day week." + +"If he comes I will not see him," cried Auriol sharply; "mind that. Deny +me to him; and on no account whatever let him enter the house." + +"Your orders shall be strictly obeyed," replied the porter, staring with +surprise. + +"Now leave me," cried Auriol. + +And as they quitted him, he added, in a tone and with a gesture of the +deepest despair, "All precautions are useless. I am indeed lost!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IRRESOLUTION + + +On returning to the cabinet, where his fatal compact with Rougemont had +been signed, Auriol perceived the pocket-book lying on the floor near +the table, and, taking it up, he was about to deposit it in the +writing-desk, when an irresistible impulse prompted him once more to +examine its contents. Unfolding the roll of notes, he counted them, and +found they amounted to more than a hundred thousand pounds. The sight of +so much wealth, and the thought of the pleasure and the power it would +procure him, gradually dispelled his fears, and arising in a transport +of delight, he exclaimed--"Yes, yes--all obstacles are now removed! When +Mr. Talbot finds I am become thus wealthy, he will no longer refuse me +his daughter. But I am mad," he added, suddenly checking himself--"worse +than mad, to indulge such hopes. If it be indeed the Fiend to whom I +have sold myself, I have no help from perdition! If it be man, I am +scarcely less terribly fettered. In either case, I will not remain here +longer; nor will I avail myself of this accursed money, which has +tempted me to my undoing." + +And, hurling the pocket-book to the farther end of the room, he was +about to pass through the door, when a mocking laugh arrested him. He +looked round with astonishment and dread, but could see no one. After a +while, he again moved forward, but a voice, which he recognised as that +of Rougemont, called upon him to stay. + +"It will be in vain to fly," said the unseen speaker. "You cannot escape +me. Whether you remain here or not--whether you use the wealth I have +given you, or leave it behind you--you cannot annul your bargain. With +this knowledge, you are at liberty to go. But remember, on the seventh +night from this I shall require Edith Talbot from you!" + +"Where are you, fiend?" demanded Auriol, gazing around furiously. "Show +yourself, that I may confront you." + +A mocking laugh was the only response deigned to this injunction. + +"Give me back the compact," cried Auriol imploringly. "It was signed in +ignorance. I knew not the price I was to pay for your assistance. Wealth +is of no value to me without Edith." + +"Without wealth you could not obtain her," replied the voice. "You are +only, therefore, where you were. But you will think better of the +bargain to-morrow. Meanwhile, I counsel you to place the money you have +so unwisely cast from you safely under lock and key, and to seek repose. +You will awaken with very different thoughts in the morning." + +"How am I to account for my sudden accession of wealth?" inquired +Auriol, after a pause. + +"You a gambler, and ask that question!" returned the unseen stranger, +with a bitter laugh. "But I will make your mind easy on that score. As +regards the house, you will find a regular conveyance of it within that +writing-desk, while the note lying on the table, which bears your +address, comes from me, and announces the payment of a hundred and +twenty thousand pounds to you, as a debt of honour. You see I have +provided against every difficulty. And now, farewell!" + +The voice was then hushed; and though Auriol addressed several other +questions to the unseen speaker, no answer was returned him. + +After some moments of irresolution, Auriol once more took up the +pocket-book, and deposited it in the writing-desk, in which he found, as +he had been led to expect, a deed conveying the house to him. He then +opened the note lying upon the table, and found its contents accorded +with what had just been told him. Placing it with the pocket-book, he +locked the writing-desk, exclaiming, "It is useless to struggle +further--I must yield to fate!" + +This done, he went into the adjoining room, and, casting his eyes about, +remarked the antique bottle and flagon. The latter was filled to the +brim--how or with what, Auriol paused not to examine; but seizing the +cup with desperation, he placed it to his lips, and emptied it at a +draught. + +A species of intoxication, but pleasing as that produced by opium, +presently succeeded. All his fears left him, and in their place the +gentlest and most delicious fancies arose. Surrendering himself +delightedly to their influence, he sank upon a couch, and for some time +was wrapped in a dreamy elysium, imagining himself wandering with Edith +Talbot in a lovely garden, redolent of sweets, and vocal with the melody +of birds. Their path led through a grove, in the midst of which was a +fountain; and they were hastening towards its marble brink, when all at +once Edith uttered a scream, and, starting back, pointed to a large +black snake lying before her, and upon which she would have trodden the +next moment. Auriol sprang forward and tried to crush the reptile with +his heel; but, avoiding the blow, it coiled around his leg, and plunged +its venom teeth into his flesh. The anguish occasioned by the imaginary +wound roused him from his slumber, and looking up, he perceived that a +servant was in attendance. + +Bowing obsequiously, the man inquired whether he had occasion for +anything. + +"Show me to my bedroom--that is all I require," replied Auriol, scarcely +able to shake off the effect of the vision. + +And, getting up, he followed the man, almost mechanically, out of the +room. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +EDITH TALBOT + + +It was late when Auriol arose on the following morning. At first, +finding himself in a large and most luxuriantly-furnished chamber, he +was at a loss to conceive how he came there, and it was some time before +he could fully recall the mysterious events of the previous night. As +had been foretold, however, by Rougemont, his position did not cause him +so much anxiety as before. + +After attiring himself, he descended to the lower apartments, in one of +which a sumptuous breakfast awaited him; and having partaken of it, he +took a complete survey of the house, and found it larger and more +magnificent even than he had supposed it. He next supplied himself from +the pocket-book with a certain sum, for which he fancied he might have +occasion in the course of the day, and sallied forth. His first business +was to procure a splendid carriage and horses, and to order some new and +rich habiliments to be made with the utmost expedition. + +He then proceeded towards May Fair, and knocked at the door of a large +house at the upper end of Curzon Street. His heart beat violently as he +was shown into an elegant drawing-room, and his trepidation momentarily +increased, until the servant reappeared and expressed his regret that +he had misinformed him in stating that Miss Talbot was at home. Both she +and Mr. Talbot, he said, had gone out about half-an-hour ago. Auriol +looked incredulous, but without making any remark, departed. Hurrying +home, he wrote a few lines to Mr. Talbot, announcing the sudden and +extraordinary change in his fortune, and formally demanding the hand of +Edith. He was about to despatch this letter, when a note was brought him +by his servant. It was from Edith. Having ascertained his new address +from his card, she wrote to assure him of her constant attachment. +Transported by this proof of her affection, Auriol half devoured the +note with kisses, and instantly sent off his own letter to her +father--merely adding a few words to say that he would call for an +answer on the morrow. But he had not to wait thus long for a reply. Ere +an hour had elapsed, Mr. Talbot brought it in person. + +Mr. Talbot was a man of about sixty--tall, thin, and gentlemanlike in +deportment, with grey hair, and black eyebrows, which lent considerable +expression to the orbs beneath them. His complexion was a bilious brown, +and he possessed none of the good looks which in his daughter had so +captivated Auriol, and which it is to be presumed, therefore, she +inherited from her mother. + +A thorough man of the world, though not an unamiable person, Mr. Talbot +was entirely influenced by selfish considerations. He had hitherto +looked with an unfavourable eye upon Auriol's attentions to his +daughter, from a notion that the connection would be very undesirable in +a pecuniary point of view; but the magnificence of the house in Saint +James's Square, which fully bore out Auriol's account of his +newly-acquired wealth, wrought a complete change in his opinions, and he +soon gave the young man to understand that he should be delighted to +have him for a son-in-law. Finding him so favourably disposed, Auriol +entreated him to let the marriage take place--within three days, if +possible. + +Mr. Talbot was greatly grieved that he could not comply with his young +friend's request, but he was obliged to start the next morning for +Nottingham, and could not possibly return under three days. + +"But we can be married before you go?" cried Auriol. + +"Scarcely, I fear," replied Mr. Talbot, smiling blandly. "You must +control your impatience, my dear young friend. On the sixth day from +this--that is, on Wednesday in next week--we are now at Friday--you +shall be made happy." + +The coincidence between this appointment, and the time fixed by +Rougemont for the delivery of his victim, struck Auriol forcibly. His +emotion, however, escaped Mr. Talbot, who soon after departed, having +engaged his future son-in-law to dine with him at seven o'clock. + +Auriol, it need scarcely be said, was punctual to the hour, or, rather, +he anticipated it. He found Edith alone in the drawing-room, and seated +near the window, which was filled with choicest flowers. On seeing him, +she uttered an exclamation of joy, and sprang to meet him. The young man +pressed his lips fervently to the little hand extended to him. + +Edith Talbot was a lovely brunette. Her features were regular, and her +eyes, which were perfectly splendid, were dark, almond-shaped, and of +almost Oriental languor. Her hair, which she wore braided over her brow +and gathered behind in a massive roll, was black and glossy as a raven's +wing. Her cheeks were dimpled, her lips of velvet softness, and her +teeth like ranges of pearls. Perfect grace accompanied all her +movements, and one only wondered that feet so small as those she +possessed should have the power of sustaining a form which, though +lightsome, was yet rounded in its proportions. + +"You have heard, dear Edith, that your father has consented to our +union?" said Auriol, after gazing at her for a few moments in silent +admiration. + +Edith murmured an affirmative, and blushed deeply. + +"He has fixed Wednesday next," pursued Auriol; "but I wish an earlier +day could have been named. I have a presentiment that if our marriage is +so long delayed, it will not take place at all." + +"You are full of misgivings, Auriol," she replied. + +"I confess it," he said; "and my apprehensions have risen to such a +point, that I feel disposed to urge you to a private marriage, during +your father's absence." + +"Oh no, Auriol; much as I love you, I could never consent to such a +step," she cried. "You cannot urge me to it. I would not abuse my dear +father's trusting love. I have never deceived him, and that is the best +assurance I can give you that I shall never deceive you." + +Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Talbot, who +held out both his hands to Auriol, and professed the greatest delight to +see him. And no doubt he was sincere. The dinner passed off most +pleasantly, and so did the evening; for the old gentleman was in high +spirits, and his hilarity was communicated to the young couple. When +Auriol and Mr. Talbot went up-stairs to tea, they found that Edith's +aunt, Mrs. Maitland, had arrived to take charge of her during her +father's absence. This lady had always exhibited a partiality for +Auriol, and had encouraged his suit to her niece; consequently she was +well satisfied with the turn affairs had taken. It was near midnight +before Auriol could tear himself away; and when he rose to depart, Mr. +Talbot, who had yawned frequently, but fruitlessly, to give him a hint, +told him he might depend upon seeing him back on the evening of the +third day, and in the meantime he committed him to the care of Mrs. +Maitland and Edith. + +Three days flew by rapidly and delightfully; and on the evening of the +last, just as the little party were assembled in the drawing-room, after +dinner, Mr. Talbot returned from this journey. + +"Well, here I am!" he cried, clasping Edith to his bosom, "without +having encountered any misadventure. On the contrary, I have completed +my business to my entire satisfaction." + +"Oh, how delighted I am to see you, dear papa!" exclaimed Edith. "Now, +Auriol, you can have no more apprehensions." + +"Apprehensions of what?" cried Mr. Talbot. + +"Of some accident befalling you, which might have interfered with our +happiness, sir," replied Auriol. + +"Oh, lovers are full of idle fears!" cried Mr. Talbot. "They are +unreasonable beings. However, here I am, as I said before, safe and +sound. To-morrow we will finish all preliminary arrangements, and the +day after you shall be made happy--ha! ha!" + +"Do you know, papa, Auriol intends to give a grand ball on our +wedding-day, and has invited all his acquaintance to it?" remarked +Edith. + +"I hope you have not invited Cyprian Rougemont?" said Mr. Talbot, +regarding him fixedly. + +"I have not, sir," replied Auriol, turning pale. "But why do you +particularise him?" + +"Because I have heard some things of him not much to his credit," +replied Mr. Talbot. + +"What--what have you heard, sir?" demanded Auriol. + +"Why, one shouldn't believe all the ill one hears of a man; and, indeed, +I _cannot_ believe all I have heard of Cyprian Rougemont," replied Mr. +Talbot; "but I should be glad if you dropped his acquaintance +altogether. And now let us change the subject." + +Mr. Talbot seated himself beside Mrs. Maitland, and began to give her +some account of his journey, which appeared to have been as pleasant as +it had been rapid. + +Unable to shake off the gloom which had stolen over him, Auriol took his +leave, promising to meet Mr. Talbot at his lawyer's in Lincoln's Inn, at +noon on the following day. He was there at the time appointed, and, to +Mr. Talbot's great delight, and the no small surprise of the lawyer, +paid over a hundred thousand pounds, to be settled on his future wife. + +"You are a perfect man of honour, Auriol," said Mr. Talbot, clapping him +on the shoulder, "and I hope Edith will make you an excellent wife. +Indeed, I have no doubt of it." + +"Nor I,--if I ever possess her," mentally ejaculated Auriol. + +The morning passed in other preparations. In the evening the lovers met +as usual, and separated with the full persuasion, on Edith's part at +least, that the next day would make them happy. Since the night of the +compact, Auriol had neither seen Rougemont, nor heard from him, and he +neglected no precaution to prevent his intrusion. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE SEVENTH NIGHT + + +It was a delicious morning in May, and the sun shone brightly on +Auriol's gorgeous equipage, as he drove to St. George's, Hanover Square, +where he was united to Edith. Thus far all seemed auspicious, and he +thought he could now bill defiance to fate. With the object of his love +close beside him, and linked to him by the strongest and holiest ties, +it seemed impossible she could be snatched from him. Nothing occurred +during the morning to give him uneasiness, and he gave orders that a +carriage and four should be ready an hour before midnight, to convey him +and his bride to Richmond, where they were to spend their honeymoon. + +Night came, and with it began to arrive the guests who were bidden to +the ball. No expense had been spared by Auriol to give splendour to his +fete. It was in all respects magnificent. The amusements of the evening +commenced with a concert, which was performed by the first singers from +the Italian Opera; after which, the ball was opened by Auriol and his +lovely bride. As soon as the dance was over, Auriol made a sign to an +attendant, who instantly disappeared. + +"Are you prepared to quit this gay scene with me, Edith?" he asked, with +a heart swelling with rapture. + +[Illustration: The significant whisper.] + +"Quite so," she replied, gazing at him with tenderness; "I long to be +alone with you." + +"Come, then," said Auriol. + +Edith arose, and passing her arm under that of her husband, they quitted +the ball-room, but in place of descending the principal staircase, they +took a more private course. The hall, which they were obliged to cross, +and which they entered from a side-door, was spacious and beautifully +proportioned, and adorned with numerous statues on pedestals. The +ceiling was decorated with fresco paintings, and supported by two +stately scagliola pillars. From between these, a broad staircase of +white marble ascended to the upper room. As Auriol had foreseen, the +staircase was thronged with guests ascending to the ball-room, the doors +of which being open, afforded glimpses of the dancers, and gave forth +strains of liveliest music. Anxious to avoid a newly-arrived party in +the hall, Auriol and his bride lingered for a moment near a pillar. + +"Ha! who is this?" cried Edith, as a tall man, with a sinister +countenance, and habited entirely in black, moved from the farther side +of the pillar, and planted himself in their path, with his back partly +towards them. + +A thrill of apprehension passed through Auriol's frame. He looked up and +beheld Rougemont, who, glancing over his shoulder, fixed his malignant +gaze upon him. Retreat was now impossible. + +"You thought to delude me," said Rougemont, in a deep whisper, audible +only to Auriol; "but you counted without your host. I am come to claim +my victim." + +"What is the matter with you, that you tremble so, dear Auriol?" cried +Edith. "Who is this strange person?" + +But her husband returned no answer. Terror had taken away his power of +utterance. + +"Your carriage waits for you at the door, madam--all is prepared," said +Rougemont, advancing towards her, and taking her hand. + +"You are coming, Auriol?" cried Edith, who scarcely knew whether to draw +back or go forward. + +"Yes--yes," cried Auriol, who fancied he saw a means of escape. "This is +my friend, Mr. Rougemont--go with him." + +"Mr. Rougemont!" cried Edith. "You told my father he would not be here." + +"Your husband did not invite me, madam," said Rougemont, with sarcastic +emphasis; "but knowing I should be welcome, I came unasked. But let us +avoid those persons." + +In another moment they were at the door. The carriage was there with its +four horses, and a man-servant, in travelling attire, stood beside the +steps. Reassured by the sight, Auriol recovered his courage, and +suffered Rougemont to throw a cloak over Edith's shoulders. The next +moment she tripped up the steps of the carriage, and was ensconced +within it. Auriol was about to follow her, when he received a violent +blow on the chest, which stretched him on the pavement. Before he could +regain his feet, Rougemont had sprung into the carriage. The steps were +instantly put up by the man-servant, who mounted the box with the utmost +celerity, while the postillions, plunging spurs into their horses, +dashed off with lightning speed. As the carriage turned the corner of +King Street, Auriol, who had just arisen, beheld, by the light of a +lamp, Rougemont's face at the window of the carriage, charged with an +expression of the most fiendish triumph. + +"What is the matter?" cried Mr. Talbot, who had approached Auriol, "I +came to bid you good-bye. Why do I find you here alone? Where is the +carriage?--what has become of Edith?" + +"She is in the power of the Fiend, and I have sold her to him," replied +Auriol gloomily. + +"What mean you, wretch?" cried Mr. Talbot, in a voice of distraction. "I +heard that Cyprian Rougemont was here. Can it be he that has gone off +with her?" + +"You have hit the truth," replied Auriol. "He bought her with the money +I gave you. I have sold her and myself to perdition!" + +"Horror!" exclaimed the old man, falling backwards. + +"Ay, breathe your last--breathe your last!" cried Auriol wildly. "Would +I could yield up my life, likewise!" + +And he hurried away, utterly unconscious whither he went. + + +END OF THE INTERMEAN + + + + +BOOK THE SECOND + +_CYPRIAN ROUGEMONT_ + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE CELL + + +Mr. Thorneycroft and his companions had scarcely gained a passage in the +deserted house, which they had entered in the manner described in a +previous chapter, when they were alarmed by the sudden and furious +ringing of a bell overhead. The noise brought them instantly to a halt, +and each man grasped his arms in expectation of an attack, but the peal +ceasing in a few moments, and all continuing quiet, they moved on as +before, and presently reached a large hall with a lofty window over the +door, which, being without shutters, afforded light enough to reveal the +dilapidated condition of the mansion. + +From this hall four side doors opened, apparently communicating with +different chambers, three of which were cautiously tried by Reeks, but +they proved to be fastened. The fourth, however, yielded to his touch, +and admitted them to a chamber, which seemed to have been recently +occupied, for a lamp was burning within it. The walls were panelled with +dusky oak, and hung at the lower end with tapestry, representing the +Assyrian monarch Ninus, and his captive Zoroaster, King of the +Bactrians. The chief furniture consisted of three large high-backed and +grotesquely-carved arm-chairs, near one of which stood a powerful +electrical machine. Squares and circles were traced upon the floor, and +here and there were scattered cups and balls, and other matters +apparently belonging to a conjuring apparatus. + +The room might be the retreat of a man of science, or it might be the +repository of a juggler. But whoever its occupant was, and whatsoever +his pursuits, the good things of the world were not altogether neglected +by him, as was proved by a table spread with viands, and furnished with +glasses, together with a couple of taper-necked bottles. + +While glancing upwards, Mr. Thorneycroft remarked that just above each +chair the ceiling was pierced with a round hole, the meaning of which he +could not at the time comprehend, though after circumstances +sufficiently explained it to him. + +"A singular room," he observed to Reeks, on concluding his survey. "Did +you expect to find any one here?" + +"I hardly know," replied the other. "That bell may have given the alarm. +But I will soon ascertain the point. Remain here till I return." + +"You are not going to leave us?" rejoined Mr. Thorneycroft uneasily. + +"Only for a moment," said Reeks. "Keep quiet, and no harm will befall +you. Whatever you may hear without, do not stir." + +"What are we likely to hear?" asked Thorneycroft with increasing +trepidation. + +"That's impossible to say," answered Reeks; "but I warn you not to cry +out unnecessarily, as such an imprudence would endanger our safety." + +"You are quite sure you don't mean to abandon us?" persisted +Thorneycroft. + +"Make yourself easy; I have no such intention," rejoined Reeks sternly. + +"Oh! ve'll take care on you, don't be afeerd, old gent," said Ginger. + +"Yes, ve'll take care on you," added the Tinker and the Sandman. + +"You may depend upon them as upon me, sir," said Reeks. "Before we +explore the subterranean apartments, I wish to see whether any one is +up-stairs." + +"Wot's that you say about subterranean apartments, Mr. Reeks?" +interposed Ginger. "Ve ain't a-goin' below, eh?" + +But without paying any attention to the inquiry, Reeks quitted the room, +and closed the door carefully after him. He next crossed the hall, and +cautiously ascending a staircase at the farther end of it, reached the +landing-place. Beyond it was a gallery, from which several chambers +opened. + +Advancing a few paces, he listened intently, and hearing a slight sound +in an apartment to the right, he stepped softly towards it, and placing +his eye to the keyhole, beheld a tall man, dressed in black, pacing to +and fro with rapid strides, while three other persons, wrapped in sable +gowns, and disguised with hideous masks, stood silent and motionless at +a little distance from him. In the tall man he recognised Cyprian +Rougemont. Upon a table in the middle of the room was laid a large open +volume, bound in black vellum. Near it stood a lamp, which served to +illumine the scene. + +Suddenly, Rougemont stopped, and turning over several leaves of the +book, which were covered with cabalistic characters, appeared in search +of some magic formula. Before he could find it, however, a startling +interruption occurred. An alarum-bell, fixed against the wall, began to +ring, and at the same moment the doors of a cabinet flew open, and a +large ape (for such it seemed to Reeks), clothed in a woollen shirt and +drawers, sprang forth, and bounding upon the table beside Rougemont, +placed its mouth to his ear. The communication thus strangely made +seemed highly displeasing to Rougemont, who knitted his brows, and +delivered some instructions in an undertone to the monkey. The animal +nodded its head in token of obedience, jumped off the table, and bounded +back to the cabinet, the doors of which closed as before. Rougemont next +took up the lamp, with the evident intention of quitting the room, +seeing which, Reeks hastily retreated to an adjoining chamber, the door +of which was fortunately open, and had scarcely gained its shelter when +the four mysterious personages appeared on the gallery. Reeks heard +their footsteps descending the staircase, and then, creeping cautiously +after them, watched them across the hall, and pause before the chamber +containing Mr. Thorneycroft and his companions. After a moment's +deliberation, Rougemont noiselessly locked the door, took out the key, +and leaving two of his attendants on guard, returned with the third +towards the staircase. + +Without tarrying to confront them, Reeks started back, and hurried along +the gallery till he came to a back staircase, which conducted him, by +various descents, to the basement floor, where, after traversing one or +two vaults, he entered a subterranean passage, arched overhead, and +having several openings at the sides, apparently communicating with +other passages. It was lighted at intervals by lamps, which emitted a +feeble radiance. + +By the light of one of these, Reeks discovered the door of a cell. It +was of iron, and as he struck it with his hand, returned a hollow +clangour. On repeating the blow, a hoarse voice from within cried, +"Leave me in peace!" + +"Is it Auriol Darcy who speaks?" demanded Reeks. + +"It is," replied the prisoner. "Who are you that put the question?" + +"A friend," replied Reeks. + +"I have no friend here," said Auriol. + +"You are mistaken," rejoined Reeks. "I have come with Mr. Thorneycroft +to deliver you." + +"Mr. Thorneycroft has come too late. He has lost his daughter," replied +Auriol. + +"What has happened to her?" demanded Reeks. + +"She is in the power of the Fiend," replied Auriol. + +"I know she is detained by Cyprian Rougemont," said Reeks. "But what has +befallen her?" + +"She has become like his other victims--like _my_ victims!" cried Auriol +distractedly. + +"Do not despair," rejoined Reeks. "She may yet be saved." + +"Saved! how?" cried Auriol. "All is over." + +"So it may seem to you," rejoined Reeks; "but you are the victim of +delusion." + +"Oh that I could think so!" exclaimed Auriol. "But no--I saw her fall +into the pit. I beheld her veiled figure rise from it. I witnessed her +signature to the fatal scroll. There could be no illusion in what I then +beheld." + +"Despite all this, you will see her again," said Reeks. + +"Who are you who give me this promise?" asked Auriol. + +"As I have already declared, a friend," replied Reeks. + +"Are you human?" + +"As yourself." + +"Then you seek in vain to struggle with the powers of darkness," said +Auriol. + +"I have no fear of Cyprian Rougemont," rejoined Reeks, with a laugh. + +"Your voice seems familiar to me," said Auriol. "Tell me who you are?" + +"You shall know anon," replied Reeks. "But, hist!--we are interrupted. +Some one approaches." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS + + +More than ten minutes had elapsed since Reeks' departure, and Mr. +Thorneycroft, who had hitherto had some difficulty in repressing his +anger, now began to give vent to it in muttered threats and complaints. +His impatience was shared by the Tinker, who, stepping up to Ginger, +said-- + +"Wot the devil can Mr. Reeks be about? I hope nuffin' has happened to +him." + +"Don't mention a certain gent's name here," remarked Ginger; "or if you +do, treat it vith proper respect." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed the Tinker impatiently; "I don't like a man stayin' +avay in this manner. It looks suspicious. I wotes ve goes and sees arter +him. Ve can leave the old gent to take a keviet nap by himself. Don't +disturb yourself, sir. Ve'll only jist giv' a look about us, and then +come back." + +"Stay where you are, rascal!" cried Thorneycroft angrily. "I won't be +left. Stay where you are, I command you!" + +"Vell, ve've got a noo captain, I'm a-thinkin'," said the Tinker, +winking at the others. "Ve've no vish to disobleege you, sir. I'll only +jist peep out into the hall, and see if Mr. Reeks is anyvhere +thereabouts. Vy, zounds!" he added, as he tried the door, "it's +locked!" + +"What's locked?" cried Thorneycroft in dismay. + +"The door, to be sure," replied the Tinker. "Ve're prisoners." + +"O Lord, you don't say so!" cried the iron-merchant in an agony of +fright. "What will become of us?" + +A roar of laughter from the others converted his terror into fury. + +"I see how it is," he cried. "You have entrapped me, ruffians. It's all +a trick. You mean to murder me. But I'll sell my life dearly. The first +who approaches shall have his brains blown out." And as he spoke, he +levelled a pistol at the Tinker's head. + +"Holloa! wot are you arter, sir?" cried that individual, sheltering his +head with his hands. "You're a-labourin' under a mistake--a complete +mistake. If it is a trap, ve're catched in it as vell as yourself." + +"To be sure ve is," added the Sandman. "Sit down, and vait a bit. I +dessay Mr. Reeks'll come back, and it von't do no good gettin' into a +passion." + +"Well, well, I must resign myself, I suppose," groaned Thorneycroft, +sinking into a chair. "It's a terrible situation to be placed in--shut +up in a haunted house." + +"I've been in many much vurser sitivations," observed Ginger, "and I +alvays found the best vay to get out on 'em wos to take things quietly." + +"Besides, there's no help for it," said the Tinker, seating himself. + +"That remains to be seen," observed the Sandman, taking the chair +opposite Thorneycroft. "If Reeks don't come back soon, I'll bust open +the door." + +"Plenty o' time for that," said Ginger, sauntering towards the table on +which the provisions were spread; "wot do you say to a mouthful o' +wittles?" + +"I wouldn't touch 'em for the world," replied the Sandman. + +"Nor I," added the Tinker; "they may be pisoned." + +"Pisoned--nonsense!" cried Ginger; "don't you see some von has been +a-takin' his supper here? I'll jist finish it for him." + +"Vith all my 'art," said the Tinker. + +"Don't touch it on any account," cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "I agree with +your companions, it may be poisoned." + +"Oh! I ain't afeerd," cried Ginger, helping himself to a dish before +him. "As good a pigeon-pie as ever I tasted. Your health, Mr. +Thorneycroft," he added, filling a goblet from one of the bottles. "My +service to you, gents. Famous tipple, by Jove!" drawing a long breath +after the draught, and smacking his lips with amazing satisfaction. +"Never tasted sich a glass o' wine in all my born days," he continued, +replenishing the goblet: "I wonder wot it's called?" + +"Prussic acid," replied Mr. Thorneycroft gruffly. + +"Proossic fiddlestick!" cried Ginger; "more likely Tokay. I shall finish +the bottle, and never be the vorse for it!" + +"He's gettin' svipy," said the Tinker. "I vonder vether it's really +Tokay?" + +"No such thing," cried Thorneycroft; "let him alone." + +"I must taste it," said the Tinker, unable to resist the temptation. +"Here, give us a glass, Ginger!" + +"Vith pleasure," replied Ginger, filling a goblet to the brim, and +handing it to him. "You'd better be perwailed upon, Sandy." + +"Vell, I s'pose I must," replied the Sandman, taking the goblet +proffered him. + +"Here's the beaks' healths!" cried Ginger. "I gives that toast 'cos +they're alvays so kind to us dog-fanciers." + +"Dog-fanciers--say, rather, dog-stealers; for that's the name such +vagabonds deserve to be known by," said Mr. Thorneycroft with some +asperity. + +"Vell, ve von't quarrel about names," replied Ginger, laughing, "but +I'll relate a circumstance to you as'll prove that wotever your opinion +of our wocation may be, the beaks upholds it." + +"There can be but one opinion as to your nefarious profession," said Mr. +Thorneycroft, "and that is, that it's as bad as horse-stealing and +sheep-stealing, and should be punished as those offences are punished." + +"So I think, sir," said Ginger, winking at the others; "but to my story, +and don't interrupt me, or I can't get through vith it properly. There's +a gent livin' not a hundred miles from Pall Mall, as the noospapers +says, as had a favourite Scotch terrier, not worth more nor half-a-crown +to any one but hisself, but highly wallerable to him, 'cos it wos a +favourite. Vell, the dog is lost. A pal of mine gets hold on it, and the +gent soon offers a reward for its recovery. This don't bring it back +quite so soon as he expects, 'cos he don't offer enough; so he goes to +an agent, Mr. Simpkins, in the Edger Road, and Mr. Simpkins says to +him--says he, 'How are you, sir? I expected you some days ago. You've +com'd about that ere Scotch terrier. You've got a wallable greyhound, I +understand. A man told me he'd have that afore long.' Seein' the gent +stare, Mr. S. adds, 'Vel, I'll tell you wot you must give for your dog. +The party von't take less than six guineas. He knows it ain't vorth six +shillin', but it's a great favourite, and has given him a precious sight +o' trouble in gettin' it.' 'Give _him_ trouble!' cries the gent +angrily--'and what has it given me? I hope to see the rascal hanged! I +shall pay no such money.' 'Werry vell,' replies Mr. Simpkins coolly, +'then your dog'll be bled to death, as the nobleman's wos, and thrown +down a breathless carkis afore your door.'" + +"You don't mean to say that such a horrid circumstance as that really +took place?" cried Thorneycroft, who was much interested in the +relation. + +"Only t'other day, I assure you," replied Ginger. + +"I'd shoot the ruffian who treated a dog of mine so, if I caught him!" +cried Mr. Thorneycroft indignantly. + +"And sarve him right, too," said Ginger. "I discourages all cruelty to +hanimals. But don't interrupt me again. Arter a bit more chafferin' vith +Mr. Simpkins, the gent offers three pound for his dog, and then goes +avay. Next day he reads a report i' the _Times_ noospaper that a man has +been taken up for dog-stealin', and that a lot o' dogs is shut up in the +green-yard behind the police-office in Bow Street. So he goes there in +search o' his favourite, and sure enough he finds it, but the inspector +von't give it up to him, 'cos the superintendent is out o' the vay." + +"Shameful!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. + +"Shameful, indeed, sir," echoed Ginger, laughing. "Thinkin' his dog safe +enough in the hands o' the police, the gent sleeps soundly that night, +but ven he goes back next mornin' he finds it has disappeared. The +green-yard has been broken into overnight, and all the dogs stolen from +it." + +"Under the noses of the police?" cried Thorneycroft. + +"Under their werry noses," replied Ginger. "But now comes the cream o' +the jest. You shall hear wot the beak says to him ven the gent craves +his assistance. 'I can't interfere in the matter,' says he, a-bendin' of +his brows in a majestic manner. 'Parties don't ought to come here vith +complaints of vhich I can't take notice. This place ain't an advertisin' +office, and I sha'n't suffer it to be made von. I von't listen to +statements affectin' the characters of absent parties.' Statements +affectin' _our_ characters,--do you tvig that, sir?" + +"I do, indeed," said Thorneycroft, sighing; "and I am sorry to think +such a remark should have dropped from the bench." + +"You're right to say dropped from it, sir," laughed Ginger. "I told you +the beaks vos our best friends; they alvays takes our parts. Ven the +gent urges that it was a subject of ser'ous importance to all +dog-owners, the magistrit angrily interrupts him, sayin'--'Then let +there be a meetin' of dog-owners to discuss their grievances. Don't come +to me. I can't help you.' And he vouldn't if he could, 'cos he's the +dog-fancier's friend." + +"It looks like it, I must own," replied Thorneycroft. "Such +reprehensible indifference gives encouragement to people of your +profession. Government itself is to blame. As all persons who keep dogs +pay a tax for them, their property ought to be protected." + +"I'm quite satisfied vith the present state of the law," said Ginger; +"here's the vorthy beak! I'll drink his health a second time." + +"Halloa! wot's that?" cried the Tinker; "I thought I heerd a noise." + +"So did I," rejoined the Sandman; "a strange sort o' rumblin' sound +overhead." + +"There it goes again!" cried Ginger; "wot an awful din!" + +"Now it's underneath," said Mr. Thorneycroft, turning pale, and +trembling. "It sounds as if some hidden machinery were at work." + +The noise, which up to this moment had borne an indistinct resemblance +to the creaking of wheels and pulleys, now increased to a violent +clatter, while the house was shaken as if by the explosion of a mine +beneath it. + +At the same time, the occupants of the chairs received a sharp +electrical shock, that agitated every limb, and caused Mr. Thorneycroft +to let fall his pistol, which went off as it reached the ground. At the +same time, the Sandman dropped his goblet, and the Tinker relinquished +his grasp of the cutlass. Before they could recover from the shock, all +three were caught by stout wooden hooks, which, detaching themselves +from the back of the chairs, pinioned their arms, while their legs were +restrained by fetters, which sprang from the ground and clasped round +their ankles. Thus fixed, they struggled vainly to get free. The chairs +seemed nailed to the ground, so that all efforts to move them proved +futile. + +But the worst was to come. From the holes in the ceiling already alluded +to, descended three heavy bell-shaped helmets, fashioned like those worn +by divers at the bottom of the sea, and having round eyelet-holes of +glass. It was evident, from the manner of their descent, that these +helmets must drop on the heads of the sitters--a conviction that filled +them with inexpressible terror. They shouted, and swore frightfully; but +their vociferations availed them nothing. Down came the helmets, and the +same moment the monkey, which had been seen by Reeks, issued from a +cupboard at the top of a cabinet, and grinned and gibbered at them. + +Down came the first helmet, and covered the Tinker to the shoulders. His +appearance was at once ludicrous and terrible, and his roaring within +the casque sounded like the bellowing of a baited bull. + +Down came the second helmet, though rather more slowly, and the Sandman +was eclipsed in the same manner as the Tinker, and roared as loudly. + +[Illustration: The Enchanted Chairs.] + +In both these instances the helmets had dropped without guidance, but in +the case of Mr. Thorneycroft, a hand, thrust out of the hole in the +ceiling, held the helmet suspended over his head, like the sword of +Damocles. While the poor iron-merchant momentarily expected the same +doom as his companions, his attention was attracted towards the monkey, +which, clinging with one hand to the side of the cabinet, extended +the other skinny arm towards him, and exclaimed--"Will you swear to go +hence if you are spared?" + +"No, I will not," replied the iron-merchant. He had scarcely spoken, +when the helmet fell with a jerk, and extinguished him like the others. + +Ginger alone remained. During the whole of this strange scene, he had +stood with the bottle in hand, transfixed with terror and astonishment, +and wholly unable to move or cry out. A climax was put to his fright, by +the descent of the three chairs, with their occupants, through the floor +into a vault beneath; and as the helmets were whisked up again to the +ceiling, and the trap-doors closed upon the chairs, he dropped the +bottle, and fell with his face upon the table. He was, however, soon +roused by a pull at his hair, while a shrill voice called him by his +name. + +"Who is it?" groaned the dog-fancier. + +"Look up!" cried the speaker, again plucking his hair. + +Ginger complied, and beheld the monkey seated beside him. + +"Vy, it can't be, sure_ly_," he cried. "And yet I could almost svear it +was Old Parr." + +"You're near the mark," replied the other, with a shrill laugh. "It is +your venerable friend." + +"Vot the deuce are you doing here, and in this dress, or rayther +undress?" inquired Ginger. "Ven I see you this mornin', you wos in the +serwice of Mr. Loftus." + +"I've got a new master since then," replied the dwarf. + +"I'm sorry to hear it," said Ginger, shaking his head. "You haven't sold +yourself, like Doctor Forster--eh?" + +"Faustus, my dear Ginger--not Forster," corrected Old Parr. "No, no, +I've made no bargain. And to be plain with you, I've no desire to remain +long in my present master's service." + +"I don't like to ask the question too directly, wenerable," said +Ginger, in a deprecatory tone--"but is your master--hem!--is +he--hem!--the--the----" + +"The devil, you would say," supplied Old Parr. "Between ourselves, I'm +afraid there's no denying it." + +"La! wot a horrible idea!" exclaimed Ginger, with a shudder; "it makes +the flesh creep on one's bones. Then we're in your master's power?" + +"Very like it," replied Old Parr. + +"And there ain't no chance o' deliverance?" + +"None that occurs to me." + +"O Lord! O Lord!" groaned Ginger; "I'll repent. I'll become a reformed +character. I'll never steal dogs no more." + +"In that case, there may be some chance for you," said Old Parr. "I +think I could help you to escape. Come with me, and I'll try and get you +out." + +"But wot is to become of the others?" demanded Ginger. + +"Oh, leave them to their fate," replied Old Parr. + +"No, that'll never do," cried Ginger. "Ve're all in the same boat, and +must row out together the best vay ve can. I tell you wot it is, +wenerable," he added, seizing him by the throat--"your master may be +the devil, but you're mortal; and if you don't help me to deliver my +companions, I'll squeege your windpipe for you." + +"That's not the way to induce me to help you," said Old Parr, twisting +himself like an eel out of the other's gripe. "Now get out, if you can." + +"Don't be angry," cried Ginger, seeing the mistake he had committed, and +trying to conciliate him; "I only meant to frighten you a bit. Can you +tell me if Mr. Auriol Darcy is here?" + +"Yes, he is, and a close prisoner," replied Old Parr. + +"And the girl--Miss Ebber, wot of her?" + +"I can't say," rejoined Old Parr. "I can only speak to the living." + +"Then she's dead!" cried Ginger, with a look of horror. + +"That's a secret," replied the dwarf mysteriously; "and I'm bound by a +terrible oath not to disclose it." + +"I'll have it out of you notvithstandin'," muttered Ginger. "I vish you +would lend me a knock on the head, old feller. I can't help thinkin' +I've got a terrible fit o' the nightmare." + +"Let this waken you, then," said Old Parr, giving him a sound buffet on +the ear. + +"Holloa, wenerable! not so hard!" cried Ginger. + +"Ha! ha! ha!" screamed the dwarf. "You know what you're about now." + +"Not exactly," said Ginger. "I vish I wos fairly out o' this cursed +place!" + +"You shouldn't have ventured into the lion's den," said Old Parr, in a +taunting tone. "But come with me, and perhaps I may be able to do +something towards your liberation." + +So saying, he drew aside the tapestry, and opened a panel behind it, +through which he passed, and beckoned Ginger to follow him. Taking a +pistol from his pocket, the latter complied. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +GERARD PASTON + + +Before the chair, in which Mr. Thorneycroft was fixed, reached the +ground, terror had taken away his senses. A bottle of salts, placed to +his nose, revived him after a time; but he had nearly relapsed into +insensibility on seeing two strange figures, in hideous masks and sable +cloaks, standing on either side of him, while at a little distance was a +third, who carried a strangely-fashioned lantern. He looked round for +his companions in misfortune, but, though the chairs were there, they +were unoccupied. + +The masked attendants paid no attention to the iron-merchant's cries and +entreaties; but as soon as they thought him able to move, they touched a +spring, which freed his arms and legs from their bondage, and raising +him, dragged him out of the vault, and along a narrow passage, till they +came to a large sepulchral-looking chamber, cased with black marble, in +the midst of which, on a velvet fauteuil of the same hue as the walls, +sat Cyprian Rougemont. It was, in fact, the chamber where Ebba had been +subject to her terrible trial. + +Bewildered with terror, the poor iron-merchant threw himself at the feet +of Rougemont, who, eyeing him with a look of malignant triumph, cried-- + +"You have come to seek your daughter. Behold her!" + +And at the words, the large black curtains at the farther end of the +room were suddenly withdrawn, and discovered the figure of Ebba +Thorneycroft standing at the foot of the marble staircase. Her features +were as pale as death; her limbs rigid and motionless; but her eyes +blazed with preternatural light. On beholding her, Mr. Thorneycroft +uttered a loud cry, and, springing to his feet, would have rushed +towards her, but he was held back by the two masked attendants, who +seized each arm, and detained him by main force. + +"Ebba!" he cried--"Ebba!" + +But she appeared wholly insensible to his cries, and remained in the +same attitude, with her eyes turned away from him. + +"What ails her?" cried the agonised father. "Ebba! Ebba!" + +"Call louder," said Rougemont, with a jeering laugh. + +"Do you not know me? do you not hear me?" shrieked Mr. Thorneycroft. + +Still the figure remained immovable. + +"I told you you should see her," replied Rougemont, in a taunting tone; +"but she is beyond your reach." + +"Not so, not so!" cried Thorneycroft. "Come to me, Ebba!--come to your +father. O Heaven! she hears me not! she heeds me not! Her senses are +gone." + +"She is fast bound by a spell," said Rougemont. "Take a last look of +her. You will see her no more." + +And, stretching out his hand, the curtains slowly descended, and +shrouded the figure from view. + +Thorneycroft groaned aloud. + +"Are you not content?" cried Rougemont. "Will you depart in peace, and +swear never to come here more? If so, I will liberate you and your +companions." + +"So far from complying with your request, I swear never to rest till I +have rescued my child from you, accursed being!" cried Thorneycroft +energetically. + +"You have sealed your doom, then," replied Rougemont. "But before you +are yourself immured, you shall see how Auriol Darcy is circumstanced. +Bring him along." + +And, followed by the attendants, who dragged Mr. Thorneycroft after him, +he plunged into an opening on the right. A few steps brought him to the +entrance of the cell. Touching the heavy iron door, it instantly swung +open, and disclosed Auriol chained to a stone at the farther corner of +the narrow chamber. + +Not a word was spoken for some minutes, but the captives regarded each +other piteously. + +"Oh, Mr. Thorneycroft," cried Auriol, at length, "I beseech you forgive +me. I have destroyed your daughter." + +"You!" exclaimed the iron-merchant in astonishment. + +"It is true," said Rougemont. + +"I would have saved her if it had been possible!" cried Auriol. "I +warned her that to love me would be fatal to her. I told her I was +linked to an inexorable destiny, which would involve her in its +meshes--but in vain." + +"Oh!" ejaculated Thorneycroft. + +"You see you ought to blame him, not me," said Rougemont, with a +derisive laugh. + +"I would have given my life, my soul, to preserve her, had it been +possible!" cried Auriol. + +"Horrors crowd so thick upon me that my brain reels," cried +Thorneycroft. "Merciless wretch!" he added, to Rougemont, +"fiend--whatever you are, complete your work of ruin by my destruction. +I have nothing left to tie me to life." + +"I would have the miserable live," said Rougemont, with a diabolical +laugh. "It is only the happy I seek to destroy. But you have to thank +your own obstinacy for your present distress. Bid a lasting farewell to +Auriol. You will see him no more." + +"Hold!" exclaimed Auriol. "A word before we part." + +"Ay, hold!" echoed a loud and imperious voice from the depths of the +passage. + +"Ha!--who speaks?" demanded Rougemont, a shade passing over his +countenance. + +"I, Gerard Paston!" exclaimed Reeks, stepping forward. + +The crape was gone from his brow, and in its place was seen the handsome +and resolute features of a man of middle life. He held a pistol in +either hand. + +"Is it you, Gerard Paston?" cried Auriol, regarding him; "the brother of +Clara, my second victim!" + +"It is," replied the other. "Your deliverance is at hand, Auriol." + +"And you have dared to penetrate here, Gerard?" cried Rougemont, +stamping the ground with rage. "Recollect, you are bound to me by the +same ties as Auriol, and you shall share his fate." + +"I am not to be intimidated by threats," replied Paston, with a scornful +laugh. "You have employed your arts too long. Deliver up Auriol and this +gentleman at once, or----" And he levelled the pistols at him. + +"Fire!" cried Rougemont, drawing himself up to his towering height. "No +earthly bullets can injure me." + +"Ve'll try that!" cried Ginger, coming up at the moment behind Paston. + +And he discharged a pistol, with a deliberate aim, at the breast of +Rougemont. The latter remained erect, and apparently uninjured. + +"You see how ineffectual your weapons are," said Rougemont, with a +derisive laugh. + +"It must be the devil!" cried Ginger, running off. + +"I will try mine," said Paston. + +But before he could draw the triggers, the pistols were wrested from his +grasp by the two attendants, who had quitted Thorneycroft, and stolen +upon him unperceived, and who next pinioned his arms. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE PIT + + +So bewildered was the poor iron-merchant by the strange and terrible +events that had befallen him, that, though released by the two masked +attendants, who left him, as before related, to seize Gerard Paston, he +felt utterly incapable of exertion, and would probably have made no +effort to regain his freedom, if his coat had not been vigorously +plucked behind, while a low voice urged him to fly. Glancing in the +direction of the friendly speaker, he could just discern a diminutive +object standing within the entrance of a side-passage, and reared up +against the wall so as to be out of sight of Rougemont and his +attendants. It was the monkey--or rather Old Parr--who, continuing to +tug violently at his coat, at last succeeded in drawing him backwards +into the passage, and then grasping his hand tightly, hurried him along +it. The passage was wholly unlighted, but Mr. Thorneycroft could +perceive that it was exceedingly circuitous, and winded round like a +maze. + +"Where are you taking me?" he inquired, attempting to stop. + +"Ask no questions," rejoined the dwarf, pulling him along. "Do you want +to be captured, and shut up in a cell for the rest of your life?" + +"Certainly not," replied Thorneycroft, accelerating his movements; "I +hope there's no chance of it." + +"There's every chance of it," rejoined Old Parr. "If you're taken, +you'll share Auriol's fate." + +"O Lord! I hope not," groaned the iron-merchant. "I declare, you +frighten me so much that you take away all power of movement. I shall +drop in a minute." + +"Come along, I say," screamed the dwarf. "I hear them close behind us." + +And as he spoke, shouts, and the noise of rapidly-approaching footsteps, +resounded along the passage. + +"I can't stir another step," gasped the iron-merchant. "I'm completely +done. Better yield at once." + +"What, without a struggle?" cried the dwarf tauntingly. "Think of your +daughter, and let the thought of her nerve your heart. She is lost for +ever, if you don't get out of this accursed place." + +"She is lost for ever as it is," cried the iron-merchant despairingly. + +"No--she may yet be saved," rejoined the dwarf. "Come on--come on--they +are close behind us." + +And it was evident, from the increased clamour, that their pursuers were +upon them. + +Roused by the imminence of the danger, and by the hope of rescuing his +daughter, Mr. Thorneycroft exerted all his energies, and sprang forward. +A little farther on, they were stopped by a door. It was closed; and +venting his disappointment in a scream, the dwarf searched for the +handle, but could not find it. + +"We are entrapped--we shall be caught," he cried, "and then woe to both +of us. Fool that I was to attempt your preservation. Better I had left +you to rot in a dungeon than have incurred Rougemont's displeasure." + +The iron-merchant replied by a groan. + +"It's all over with me," he said. "I give it up--I'll die here!" + +"No--we are saved," cried the dwarf, as the light, now flashing strongly +upon the door, revealed a small iron button within it,--"saved--saved!" + +As he spoke, he pressed against the button, which moved a spring, and +the door flew open. Just as they passed through it, the two masked +attendants came in sight. The dwarf instantly shut the door, and finding +a bolt on the side next him, shot it into the socket. Scarcely had he +accomplished this, when the pursuers came up, and dashed themselves +against the door; but finding it bolted, presently ceased their efforts, +and apparently withdrew. + +"They are gone by some other way to intercept us," cried Old Parr, who +had paused for a moment to listen; "come on, Mr. Thorneycroft." + +"I'll try," replied the iron-merchant, with a subdued groan, "but I'm +completely spent. Oh that I ever ventured into this place!" + +"It's too late to think of that now; besides, you came here to rescue +your daughter," rejoined Old Parr. "Take care and keep near me. I wonder +where this passage leads to?" + +"Don't you know?" inquired the iron-merchant. + +"Not in the least," returned the dwarf. "This is the first time I've +been here--and it shall be the last, if I'm allowed any choice in the +matter." + +"You haven't told me how you came here at all," observed Thorneycroft. + +"I hardly know myself," replied the dwarf; "but I find it more difficult +to get out than I did to get in. How this passage twists about! I +declare we seem to be returning to the point we started from." + +"I think we are turning round ourselves," cried Thorneycroft, in an +agony of fright. "My head is going. Oh dear! oh dear!" + +"Why, it does seem very strange, I must say," remarked the dwarf, coming +to a halt. "I could almost fancy that the solid stone walls were moving +around us." + +"They _are_ moving," cried Thorneycroft, stretching out his hand. "I +feel 'em. Lord have mercy upon us, and deliver us from the power of the +Evil One!" + +"The place seems on fire," cried the dwarf. "A thick smoke fills the +passage. Don't you perceive it, Mr. Thorneycroft?" + +"Don't I!--to be sure I do," cried the iron-merchant, coughing and +sneezing. "I feel as if I were in a room with a smoky chimney, and no +window open. Oh!--oh!--I'm choking!" + +"Don't mind it," cried the dwarf, who seemed quite at his ease. "We +shall soon be out of the smoke." + +"I can't stand it," cried Mr. Thorneycroft; "I shall die. Oh! +poah--pish--puff!" + +"Come on, I tell you--you'll get some fresh air in a minute," rejoined +Old Parr. "Halloa! how's this? No outlet. We're come to a dead stop." + +"Dead stop, indeed!" echoed the iron-merchant. "We've come to that long +ago. But what new difficulty has arisen?" + +"Merely that the road's blocked up by a solid wall--that's all," replied +Old Parr. + +"Blocked up!" exclaimed Thorneycroft. "Then we're entombed alive." + +"_I_ am," said the dwarf, with affected nonchalance. "As to you, you've +the comfort of knowing it'll soon be over with you. But for me, nothing +can harm me." + +"Don't be too sure of that," cried a voice above them. + +"Did you speak, Mr. Thorneycroft?" asked the dwarf. + +"N-o-o--not I," gasped the iron-merchant. "I'm suffocating--help to drag +me out." + +"Get out if you can," cried the voice that had just spoken. + +"It's Rougemont himself," cried the dwarf in alarm. "Then there's no +escape." + +"None whatever, rascal," replied the unseen speaker. "I want you. I have +more work for you to do." + +"I won't leave Mr. Thorneycroft," cried the dwarf resolutely. "I've +promised to preserve him, and I'll keep my word." + +"Fool!" cried the other. "You must obey when I command." + +And as the words were uttered, a hand was thrust down from above, which, +grasping the dwarf by the nape of the neck, drew him upwards. + +"Lay hold of me, Mr. Thorneycroft," screamed Old Parr. "I'm going up +again--lay hold of me--pull me down." + +Well-nigh stifled by the thickening and pungent vapour, the poor +iron-merchant found compliance impossible. Before he could reach the +dwarf, the little fellow was carried off. Left to himself, Mr. +Thorneycroft staggered along the passage, expecting every moment to +drop, until at length a current of fresh air blew in his face, and +enabled him to breathe more freely. Somewhat revived, he went on, but +with great deliberation, and it was well he did so, for he suddenly +arrived at the brink of a pit about eight feet in depth, into which, if +he had approached it incautiously, he must infallibly have stumbled, and +in all probability have broken his neck. This pit evidently communicated +with a lower range of chambers, as was shown by a brazen lamp burning +under an archway. A ladder was planted at one side, and by this Mr. +Thorneycroft descended, but scarcely had he set foot on the ground, than +he felt himself rudely grasped by a man who stepped from under the +archway. The next moment, however, he was released, while the familiar +voice of the Tinker exclaimed-- + +"Vy, bless my 'art, if it ain't Mister Thorneycroft." + +"Yes, it's me, certainly, Mr. Tinker," replied the iron-merchant. "Who's +that you've got with you?" + +"Vy, who should it be but the Sandman," rejoined the other gruffly. +"Ve've set ourselves free at last, and have made some nice diskiveries +into the bargin." + +"Yes, ve've found it all out," added the Tinker. + +"What have you discovered--what have you found out?" cried the +iron-merchant breathlessly. "Have you found my daughter? Where is she? +Take me to her." + +"Not so fast, old gent, not so fast," rejoined the Tinker. "Ve ain't +sure as 'ow ve've found your darter, but ve've catched a peep of a nice +young 'ooman." + +"Oh! it must be her--no doubt of it," cried the iron-merchant. "Where is +she? Take me to her without a moment's delay." + +"But ve can't get to her, I tell 'ee," replied the Tinker. "Ve knows the +place vere she's a-shut up,--that's all." + +"Take me to it," cried Mr. Thorneycroft eagerly. + +"Vell, if you must go, step this vay, then," rejoined the Tinker, +proceeding towards the archway. "Halloa, Sandy, did you shut the door +arter you?" + +"Not I," replied the other; "open it." + +"Easily said," rejoined the Tinker, "but not quevite so easily done. Vy, +zounds, it's shut of itself and bolted itself on t'other side!" + +"Some one must have followed you," groaned Thorneycroft. "We're watched +on all sides." + +"Ay, and from above, too," cried the Sandman. "Look up there!" he added, +in accents of alarm. + +"What's the matter? What new danger is at hand?" inquired the +iron-merchant. + +"Look up, I say," cried the Sandman. "Don't ye see, Tinker?" + +"Ay, ay, I see," replied the other. "The roof's a-comin' in upon us. +Let's get out o' this as fast as ve can." And he kicked and pushed +against the door, but all his efforts were unavailing to burst it open. + +At the same time the Sandman rushed towards the ladder, but before he +could mount it all egress by that means was cut off. An immense iron +cover worked in a groove was pushed by some unseen machinery over the +top of the pit, and enclosed them in it. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +NEW PERPLEXITIES + + +For several hours deep sleep, occasioned by some potent medicaments, had +bound up the senses of Auriol. On awaking, he found himself within a +cell, the walls, the floor, and the ceiling of which were of solid stone +masonry. In the midst of this chamber, and supporting the ponderous +roof, stood a massive granite pillar, the capital of which was +grotesquely ornamented with death's-heads and cross-bones, and against +this pillar leaned Auriol, with his left arm chained by heavy links of +iron to a ring in the adjoining wall. Beside him stood a pitcher of +water, and near him lay an antique-looking book, bound in black vellum. +The dungeon in which he was confined was circular in form, with a coved +roof, sustained by the pillar before mentioned, and was approached by a +steep flight of steps rising from a doorway, placed some six feet below +the level of the chamber, and surmounted by a pointed arch. A stream of +light, descending from a narrow aperture in the roof, fell upon his +wasted and haggard features. His dark-brown hair hung about his face in +elf-locks, his beard was untrimmed, and a fixed and stony glare like +that of insanity sat in his eye. He was seated on the ground--neither +bench nor stool being allowed him--with his hand supporting his chin. +His gaze was fixed upon vacancy--if that can he called vacancy which to +him was filled with vivid images. His garb was not that of modern times, +but consisted of a doublet and hose of rich material, wrought in the +fashion of Elizabeth's days. + +After remaining for some time in this musing attitude, Auriol opened the +old tome before him, and began to turn over its leaves. It was full of +magical disquisitions and mysterious characters, and he found inscribed +on one of its earlier pages a name which instantly riveted his +attention. Having vainly sought some explanation of this name in the +after contents of the book, he laid it aside, and became lost in +meditation. His reverie ended, he heaved a deep sigh, and turned again +to the open volume lying before him, and in doing so his eye rested for +the first time on his habiliments. On beholding them he started, and +held out his arm to examine his sleeve more narrowly. Satisfied that he +was not deceived, he arose and examined himself from head to foot. He +found himself, as has been stated, attired in the garb of a gentleman of +Elizabeth's time. + +"What can this mean?" he cried. "Have I endured a long and troubled +dream, during which I have fancied myself living through more than two +centuries? O Heaven, that it may be so! Oh that the fearful crimes I +suppose I have committed have only been enacted in a dream! Oh that my +victims are imaginary! Oh that Ebba should only prove a lovely phantom +of the night! And yet, I could almost wish the rest were real--so that +she might exist. I cannot bear to think that she is nothing more than a +vision. But it must be so--I have been dreaming--and what a dream it has +been!--what strange glimpses it has afforded me into futurity! Methought +I lived in the reigns of many sovereigns--beheld one of them carried to +the block--saw revolutions convulse the kingdom--old dynasties shaken +down, and new ones spring up. Fashions seem to me to have so changed, +that I had clean forgotten the old ones; while my fellow-men scarcely +appeared the same as heretofore. Can I be the same myself? Is this the +dress I once wore? Let me seek for some proof." + +And thrusting his hand into his doublet, he drew forth some tablets, and +hastily examined them. They bore his name, and contained some writing, +and he exclaimed aloud with joy, "This is proof enough--I have been +dreaming all this while." + +"The scheme works to a miracle," muttered a personage stationed at the +foot of the steps springing from the doorway, and who, though concealed +from view himself, was watching the prisoner with a malignant and +exulting gaze. + +"And yet, why am I here?" pursued Auriol, looking around. "Ah! I see how +it is," he added, with a shudder; "I have been mad--perhaps am mad +still. That will account for the strange delusion under which I have +laboured." + +"I will act upon that hint," muttered the listener. + +"Of what use is memory," continued Auriol musingly, "if things that are +not, seem as if they were? If joys and sorrows which we have never +endured are stamped upon the brain--if visions of scenes, and faces and +events which we have never witnessed, never known, haunt us, as if they +had once been familiar? But I am mad--mad!" + +The listener laughed to himself. + +"How else, if I were not mad, could I have believed that I had swallowed +the fabled elixir vitæ? And yet, is it a fable? for I am puzzled still. +Methinks I am old--old--old--though I feel young, and look young. All +this is madness. Yet how clear and distinct it seems! I can call to mind +events in Charles the Second's time. Ha!--who told me of Charles the +Second? How know I there was such a king? The reigning sovereign should +be James, and yet I fancy it is George the Fourth. Oh! I am mad--clean +mad!" + +There was another pause, during which the listener indulged in a +suppressed fit of laughter. + +"Would I could look forth from this dungeon," pursued Auriol, again +breaking silence, "and satisfy myself of the truth or falsehood of my +doubts by a view of the external world, for I am so perplexed in mind, +that if I were not distracted already, they would be enough to drive me +so. What dismal, terrible fancies have possessed me, and weigh upon me +still--the compact with Rougemont--ha!" + +"Now it comes," cried the listener. + +"Oh, that I could shake off the conviction that this were not so--that +my soul, though heavily laden, might still be saved! Oh, that I dared to +hope this!" + +"I must interrupt him if he pursues this strain," said the listener. + +[Illustration: Rougemont's device to perplex Auriol.] + +"Whether my crimes are real or imaginary--whether I snatched the cup of +immortality from my grandsire's dying lips--whether I signed a compact +with the Fiend, and delivered him a victim on each tenth year--I cannot +now know; but if it is so, I deeply, bitterly regret them, and would +expiate my offences by a life of penance." + +At this moment Rougemont, attired in a dress similar to that of the +prisoner, marched up the steps, and cried, "What ho, Auriol!--Auriol +Darcy!" + +"Who speaks?" demanded Auriol. "Ah! is it you, Fiend?" + +"What, you are still in your old fancies," rejoined Rougemont. "I +thought the draught I gave you last night would have amended you." + +"Tell me who and what I am," cried Auriol, stupefied with astonishment; +"in what age I am living; and whether I am in my right mind or not?" + +"For the first, you are called Auriol Darcy," replied Rougemont; "for +the second, you are living in the reign of his most Catholic Majesty +James I. of England, and Sixth of Scotland; and for the third, I trust +you will soon recover your reason." + +"Amazement!" cried Auriol, striking his brow with his clenched hand. +"Then I _am_ mad." + +"It's plain your reason is returning, since you are conscious of your +condition," replied Rougemont; "but calm yourself, you have been subject +to raging frenzies." + +"And I have been shut up here for safety?" demanded Auriol. + +"Precisely," observed the other. + +"And you are----" + +"Your keeper," replied Rougemont. + +"My God! what a brain mine must be!" cried Auriol. "Answer me one +question--Is there such a person as Ebba Thorneycroft?" + +"You have often raved about her," replied Rougemont. "But she is a mere +creature of the imagination." + +Auriol groaned, and sank against the wall. + +"Since you have become so reasonable, you shall again go forth into the +world," said Rougemont; "but the first essay must be made at night, for +fear of attracting observation. I will come to you again a few hours +hence. Farewell for the present." + +And casting a sinister glance at his captive, he turned upon his heel, +descended the steps, and quitted the cell. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DOCTOR LAMB AGAIN + + +Night came, and the cell grew profoundly dark. Auriol became impatient +for the appearance of his keeper, but hour after hour passed and he did +not arrive. Worn out, at length, with doubt and bewildering +speculations, the miserable captive was beset with the desire to put an +end to his torments by suicide, and he determined to execute his fell +purpose without delay. An evil chance seemed also to befriend him, for +scarcely was the idea formed, than his foot encountered something on the +ground, the rattling of which attracted his attention, and stooping to +take it up, he grasped the bare blade of a knife. + +"This will, at all events, solve my doubts," he cried aloud. "I will +sheathe this weapon in my heart, and, if I am mortal, my woes will be +ended." + +As he spoke, he placed the point to his breast with the full intent to +strike, but before he could inflict the slightest wound, his arm was +forcibly arrested. + +"Would you destroy yourself, madman?" roared a voice. "I thought your +violence was abated, and that you might go forth in safety. But I find +you are worse than ever." + +Auriol uttered a groan and let the knife fall to the ground. The +new-comer kicked it to a distance with his foot. + +"You shall be removed to another chamber," he pursued, "where you can be +more strictly watched." + +"Take me forth--oh! take me forth," cried Auriol. "It was a mere impulse +of desperation, which I now repent." + +"I dare not trust you. You will commit some act of insane fury, for +which I myself shall have to bear the blame. When I yielded to your +entreaties on a former occasion, and took you forth, I narrowly +prevented you from doing all we met a mischief." + +"I have no recollection of any such circumstance," returned Auriol +mournfully. "But it may be true, nevertheless. And if so, it only proves +the lamentable condition to which I am reduced--memory and reason gone!" + +"Ay, both gone," cried the other, with an irrepressible chuckle. + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, starting. "I am not so mad but I recognise in +you the Evil Being who tempted me. I am not so oblivious as to forget +our terrible interviews." + +"What, you are in your lunes again!" cried Rougemont fiercely. "Nay, +then I must call my assistants, and bind you." + +"Let me be--let me be!" implored Auriol, "and I will offend you no more. +Whatever thoughts may arise within me, I will not give utterance to +them. Only take me forth." + +"I came for that purpose," said Rougemont; "but I repeat, I dare not. +You are not sufficiently master of yourself." + +"Try me," said Auriol. + +"Well," rejoined the other, "I will see what I can do to calm you." + +So saying, he disappeared for a few moments, and then returning with a +torch, placed it on the ground, and producing a phial, handed it to the +captive. + +"Drink!" he said. + +Without a moment's hesitation Auriol complied. + +"It seems to me rather a stimulant than a soothing potion," he remarked, +after emptying the phial. + +"You are in no condition to judge," rejoined the other. + +And he proceeded to unfasten Auriol's chain. + +"Now then, come with me," he said, "and do not make any attempt at +evasion, or you will rue it." + +Like one in a dream, Auriol followed his conductor down the flight of +stone steps leading from the dungeon, and along a narrow passage. As he +proceeded, he thought he heard stealthy footsteps behind him; but he +never turned his head, to see whether he was really followed. In this +way they reached a short steep staircase, and mounting it, entered a +vault, in which Rougemont paused, and placed the torch he had brought +with him upon the floor. Its lurid glimmer partially illumined the +chamber, and showed that it was built of stone. Rude benches of antique +form were set about the vault, and motioning Auriol to be seated upon +one of them, Rougemont sounded a silver whistle. The summons was shortly +afterwards answered by the dwarf, in whose attire a new change had +taken place. He was now clothed in a jerkin of grey serge, fashioned +like the garments worn by the common people in Elizabeth's reign, and +wore a trencher-cap on his head. Auriol watched him as he timidly +advanced towards Rougemont, and had an indistinct recollection of having +seen him before; but could not call to mind how or where. + +"Is your master a-bed?" demanded Rougemont. + +"A-bed! Good lack, sir!" exclaimed the dwarf, "little of sleep knows +Doctor Lamb. He will toil at the furnace till the stars have set." + +"Doctor Lamb!" repeated Auriol. "Surely I have heard that name before?" + +"Very likely," replied Rougemont, "for it is the name borne by your +nearest kinsman." + +"How is the poor young gentleman?" asked the dwarf, glancing +commiseratingly at Auriol. "My master often makes inquiries after his +grandson, and grieves that the state of his mind should render it +necessary to confine him." + +"His grandson! I--Doctor Lamb's grandson!" cried Auriol. + +"In sooth are you, young sir," returned the dwarf. "Were you in your +reason, you would be aware that my master's name is the same as your +own--Darcy--Reginald Darcy. He assumes the name of Doctor Lamb to delude +the multitude. He told you as much yourself, sweet sir, if your poor +wits would enable you to recollect it." + +"Am I in a dream, good fellow, tell me that?" cried Auriol, lost in +amazement. + +"Alack, no, sir," replied the dwarf; "to my thinking, you are wide +awake. But you know, sir," he added, touching his forehead, "you have +been a little wrong here, and your memory and reason are not of the +clearest." + +"Where does my grandsire dwell?" asked Auriol. + +"Why here, sir," replied the dwarf; "and for the matter of locality, the +house is situated on the south end of London Bridge." + +"_On_ the bridge--did you say _on_ the bridge, friend?" cried Auriol. + +"Ay, _on_ the bridge--where else should it be? You would not have your +grandsire live under the river?" rejoined the dwarf; "though, for ought +I know, some of these vaults may go under it. They are damp enough." + +Auriol was lost in reflection, and did not observe a sign that passed +between the dwarf and Rougemont. + +"Will it disturb Doctor Lamb if his grandson goes up to him?" said the +latter, after a brief pause. + +"My master does not like to be interrupted in his operations, as you +know, sir," replied the dwarf, "and seldom suffers any one, except +myself, to enter his laboratory; but I will make so bold as to introduce +Master Auriol, if he desires it." + +"You will confer the greatest favour on me by doing so," cried Auriol, +rising. + +"Sit down--sit down!" said Rougemont authoritatively. "You cannot go up +till the doctor has been apprised. Remain here, while Flapdragon and I +ascertain his wishes." So saying, he quitted the chamber by a farther +outlet with the dwarf. + +During the short time that Auriol was left alone, he found it vain to +attempt to settle his thoughts, or to convince himself that he was not +labouring under some strange delusion. + +He was aroused at length by the dwarf, who returned alone. + +"Your grandsire will see you," said the mannikin. + +"One word before we go," cried Auriol, seizing his arm. + +"Saints! how you frighten me!" exclaimed the dwarf. "You must keep +composed, or I dare not take you to my master." + +"Pardon me," replied Auriol; "I meant not to alarm you. Where is the +person who brought me hither?" + +"What, your keeper?" said the dwarf. "Oh, he is within call. He will +come to you anon. Now follow me." + +And taking up the torch, he led the way out of the chamber. Mounting a +spiral staircase, apparently within a turret, they came to a door, which +being opened by Flapdragon, disclosed a scene that well-nigh stupefied +Auriol. + +It was the laboratory precisely as he had seen it above two centuries +ago. The floor was strewn with alchemical implements--the table was +covered with mystic parchments inscribed with cabalistic characters--the +furnace stood in the corner--crucibles and cucurbites decorated the +chimney-board--the sphere and brazen lamp hung from the ceiling--the +skeletons grinned from behind the chimney-corner--all was there as he +had seen it before! There also was Doctor Lamb, in his loose gown of +sable silk, with a square black cap upon his venerable head, and his +snowy beard streaming to his girdle. + +The old man's gaze was fixed upon a crucible placed upon the furnace, +and he was occupied in working the bellows. He moved his head as Auriol +entered the chamber, and the features became visible. It was a face +never to be forgotten. + +"Come in, grandson," said the old man kindly. "Come in, and close the +door after you. The draught affects the furnace--my Athanor, as we +adepts term it. So you are better, your keeper tells me--much better." + +"Are you indeed living?" cried Auriol, rushing wildly towards him, and +attempting to take his hand. + +"Off--off!" cried the old man, drawing back as if alarmed. "You disturb +my operations. Keep him calm, Flapdragon, or take him hence. He may do +me a mischief." + +"I have no such intention, sir," said Auriol; "indeed I have not. I only +wish to be assured that you are my aged relative." + +"To be sure he is, young sir," interposed the dwarf. "Why should you +doubt it?" + +"O sir," cried Auriol, throwing himself at the old man's feet, "pity me +if I am mad; but offer me some explanation, which may tend to restore me +to my senses. My reason seems gone, yet I appear capable of receiving +impressions from external objects. I see you, and appear to know you. I +see this chamber--these alchemical implements--that furnace--these +different objects--and I appear to recognise them. Am I deceived, or is +this real?" + +"You are not deceived, my son," replied the old man. "You have been in +this room before, and you have seen me before. It would be useless to +explain to you now how you have suffered from fever, and what visions +your delirium has produced. When you are perfectly restored, we will +talk the matter over." + +And, as he said this, he began to blow the fire anew, and watched with +great apparent interest the changing colours of the liquid in the +cucurbite placed on the furnace. + +Auriol looked at him earnestly, but could not catch another glance, so +intently was the old man occupied. At length he ventured to break the +silence. + +"I should feel perfectly convinced, if I might look forth from that +window," he said. + +"Convinced of what?" rejoined the old man somewhat sharply. + +"That I am what I seem," replied Auriol. + +"Look forth, then," said the old man. "But do not disturb me by idle +talk. There is the rosy colour in the projection for which I have been +so long waiting." + +Auriol then walked to the window and gazed through the tinted panes. It +was very dark, and objects could only be imperfectly distinguished. +Still he fancied he could detect the gleam of the river beneath him, and +what seemed a long line of houses on the bridge. He also fancied he +discerned other buildings, with the high roofs, the gables, and the +other architectural peculiarities of the structures of Elizabeth's +time. He persuaded himself, also, that he could distinguish through the +gloom the venerable Gothic pile of Saint Paul's Cathedral on the other +side of the water, and, as if to satisfy him that he was right, a deep +solemn bell tolled forth the hour of two. After a while he returned from +the window, and said to his supposed grandsire, "I am satisfied. I have +lived centuries in a few nights." + + + + +THE OLD LONDON MERCHANT + +_A SKETCH_ + +Flos Mercatorum.--_Epitaph on Whittington_ + + +At that festive season, when the days are at the shortest, and the +nights at the longest, and when, consequently, it is the invariable +practice of all sensible people to turn night into day; when the state +of the odds between business and pleasure is decidedly in favour of the +latter; when high carnival is held in London, and everything betokens +the prevalence and influence of good cheer; when pastrycooks are in +their glory, and green trays in requisition; when porters groan beneath +hampers of game, and huge tubs of Canterbury brawn; when trains arriving +from the eastern counties are heavy laden with turkeys and hares; when +agents in town send barrels of oysters to correspondents in the country; +when Christmas-box claimants disturb one's equanimity by day, and Waits +(those licensed nuisances, to which even our reverence for good old +customs cannot reconcile us) break one's first slumber at night; when +surly Christians "awake," and salute the band of little carollers with +jugs of cold water; when their opposite neighbour, who has poked his +nightcapped head from his window, retires with a satisfactory chuckle; +when the meat at Mr. Giblett's in Bond Street, which, for the last six +weeks, has announced the approach of Christmas by its daily-increasing +layers of fat, as correctly as the almanack, has reached the +ne-plus-ultra of adiposity; when wondering crowds are collected before +the aforesaid Giblett's to gaze upon the yellow carcass of that +leviathan prize ox--the fat being rendered more intensely yellow by its +contrast with the green holly with which it is garnished--as well as to +admire the snowy cakes of suet with which the sides of that +Leicestershire sheep are loaded; when the grocer's trade is "in +request," and nothing is heard upon his counter but the jingling of +scales and the snapping of twine; when the vendor of sweetmeats, as he +deals forth his citron and sultanas in the due minced-meat proportions +to that pretty housemaid, whispers something in a soft and sugared tone +about the misletoe; when "coming Twelfth Nights cast their shadows +before," and Mr. Gunter feels doubly important; when pantomimes are +about to unfold all their magic charms, and the holidays have fairly +commenced; when the meteorological prophet predicts that Thursday the +1st will be fair and frosty, and it turns out to be drizzling rain and a +sudden thaw; when intelligence is brought that the ice "bears," the +intelligence being confirmed by the appearance of sundry donkey-carts, +containing ice an inch thick, and rendered indisputable by the discharge +of their crystal loads upon the pavement before Mr. Grove's, the +fishmonger's; when crack performers in paletots, or Mackintoshes, with +skates in their hands, cigars in their mouths, and tights and +fur-topped boots on their lower limbs, are seen hastening up Baker +Street in the direction of the Regent's Park; when a marquee is pitched +upon the banks of the Serpentine, and a quadrille executed by the +before-mentioned crack skaters in tights and fur-topped boots upon its +frozen waters; when the functionaries of the Humane Society begin to +find some employment for their ropes and punt; when Old Father Thames, +who, for a couple of months, appears to have been undecided about the +colours of his livery--now inclining to a cloak of greyish dun, now to a +mantle of orange tawny--has finally adopted a white transparent robe +with facings of silver; when, as you pass down Harley Street, the lights +in the drawing-room windows of every third house, the shadows on the +blinds, and, above all, the enlivening sound of the harp and piano, +satisfy you that its fair inmate is "at home"; when + + House-quakes, street-thunders, and door-batteries + +are heard from "midnight until morn"; when the knocker at No. 22 Park +Street responds to the knocker at No. 25; when a barrel-organ and a +popular melody salute your ear as you enter Oxford Street; when the +doors of the gin-palaces seem to be always opening to let people _in_, +but never to let them _out_, and the roar of boisterous revelry is heard +from the bar; when various vociferations arise from various courts and +passages; when policemen are less on the alert, though their +interference is more requisite than usual; when uproarious jollity +prevails; when "universal London getteth drunk"; and, in short, when +Christmas is come, and everybody is disposed to enjoy himself in his +own way. At this period of wassail and rejoicing it was that a social +party, to which I am now about to introduce the reader, was assembled in +a snug little dining-room of a snug little house, situated in that snug +little pile of building denominated the Sanctuary in Westminster. + +When a man has any peculiarity of character, his house is sure to +partake of it. The room which he constantly inhabits reflects his image +as faithfully as a mirror; nay, more so, for it reflects his mind as +well as his person. A glance at No. 22 St. James's Place would satisfy +you its owner was a poet. We can judge of the human, as of the brute +lion, by the aspect of his den. The room marks the man. Visit it in his +absence, and you may paint his portrait better than the limner who has +placed his "breathing canvas" on the walls. From that well-worn +elbow-chair and the slippers at its feet (the slippers of an old man are +never to be mistaken), you can compute his age; from that faded brocade +dressing-gown and green velvet cap, you can shape out his figure; from +the multiplicity of looking-glasses you at once infer that he has not +entirely lost his vanity or his good looks; that gold-headed cane gives +you his carriage--it is not a crutch-handled stick, but a cane to +flourish jauntily; that shagreen spectacle-case, that chased silver +snuffbox with the Jupiter and Leda richly and somewhat luxuriously +wrought upon its lid, that fine Sèvres porcelain, that gorgeous +Berlin-ware, those rare bronzes half consumed by the true hoary green +ærugo, those little Egyptian images, that lachrymatory, that cinerary +urn, that brick from the Colosseum, that tesselated pavement from +Pompeii, looking like a heap of various-coloured dice, and a world of +other rarities, furnish unerring indications of his tastes and habits, +and proclaim him a member of the Archæological Society; while that open +volume of Sir Thomas Urquhart's "Rabelais" (published by the Abbotsford +Club) gives you his course of study; the _Morning Post_ his politics; +that flute and those musical notes attest the state of his lungs; and +that well-blotted copy of verses, of which the ink is scarcely dry, +proclaims his train of thought. The door opens, and an old gentleman +enters exactly corresponding to your preconceived notions. You require +no introduction. You have made his acquaintance half-an-hour ago. + +The apartment to which we are about to repair was a complete index to +the mind and character of its possessor, Sir Lionel Flamstead. I have +called it a dining-room, from its ordinary application to the purposes +of refection and festivity; but it had much more the air of a library, +or study. It was a small comfortable chamber, just large enough to +contain half-a-dozen people, though by management double that number had +been occasionally squeezed into its narrow limits. The walls were +decorated with curious old prints, maps and plans, set in old black +worm-eaten frames, and representing divers personages, places, and +structures connected with London and its history. + +Over the mantelpiece was stretched Vertue's copy of Ralph Aggas's famous +survey of our "great metropolis," made about the beginning of +Elizabeth's reign, or perhaps a little earlier, when it was scarcely so +great a metropolis as at the present time, and when novelists, gentlemen +of the press, cabmen, omnibus cads, and other illustrious personages +were unborn and undreamed of; when St. Giles's, in lieu of its +mysterious and Dædalian Seven Dials (which should have for their motto +Wordsworth's title, "We are Seven"), consisted of a little cluster of +country houses, surrounded by a grove of elms; when a turreted wall +girded in the City, from Aldgate to Grey Friars; when a pack of +staghounds was kept in Finsbury Fields, and archers and cross-bowmen +haunted the purlieus of the Spital; when he who strolled westward from +Charing Cross (then no misnomer) beheld neither Opera House nor +club-house, but a rustic lane, with a barn at one end, and a goodly +assortment of hay-carts and hay-stacks at the other; when the Thames was +crossed by a single bridge, and that bridge looked like a street, and +the street itself like a row of palaces. On the right of this plan hung +a sketch of Will Somers, jester to Henry VIII., after the picture by +Holbein; on the left an engraving of Geoffrey Hudson, the diminutive +attendant of Henrietta Maria. This niche was devoted to portraits of the +bluff king before mentioned, and his six spouses; that to the melancholy +Charles and his family. Here, the Great Fire of 1666, with its black +profiles of houses, relieved by a sheet of "bloody and malicious" flame, +formed a pleasant contrast to the icy wonders of the Frost Fair, held on +the Thames in 1684, when carriages were driven through the lines of +tents, and an ox was roasted on the water, to the infinite delectation +of the citizens. There Old Saint Paul's (in the words of Victor Hugo, +"one of those Gothic monuments so admirable and so irreparable"), and +which is but ill replaced by the modern "bastard counterpart" of the +glorious fane of St. Peter at Rome, reared its venerable tower (not +dome) and lofty spire to the sky. Next to St. Paul's came the reverend +Abbey of Westminster, taken before it had been disfigured by the towers +added by Wren; and next to the abbey opened the long and raftered vista +of its magnificent neighbouring hall. Several plans and prospects of the +Tower of London, as it appeared at different epochs, occupied a corner +to themselves: then came a long array of taverns, from the Tabard in +Southwark, the Boar's Head in Eastcheap, and the Devil near Temple Bar, +embalmed in the odour of poesy, to the Nag's Head in Cheapside, +notorious for its legend of the consecration of the Protestant bishops +in 1559; there also might you see-- + + ----in Billinsgate the Salutation. + And the Boar's Head near London Stone, + The Swan at Dowgate, a tavern well known; + The Mitre in Cheap, and then the Bull's Head, + And many like places that make noses red; + The Boar's Head in Old Fish Street; Three Crowns in the Vintry; + And, now, of late, Saint Martin's in the Seutree; + The Windmill in Lothbury; the Ship at th' Exchange; + King's Head in New Fish Street, where roysters do range; + The Mermaid in Cornhill; Red Lion in the Strand; + Three Tuns in Newgate Market; in Old Fish Street the Swan.[1] + +[Footnote 1: News from Bartholomew Faire.] + +Adjoining these places of entertainment were others of a different +description, to wit, the Globe, as it stood when Shakspeare (how +insufferable is Mr. Knight's orthography of this reverend +name--Shaks_pere_!) trod the stage; the king's play-house in Charles +the Second's time; the Bear Garden, with its flag streaming to the wind; +and the Folly, as it once floated in the river, opposite old Somerset +House. Then came the Halls, beginning with Guildhall and ending with Old +Skinner's. Next, the Crosses, from Paul's to Charing; then, the +churches, gateways, hospitals, colleges, prisons, asylums, inns of +court,--in short, for it is needless to particularise further, London +and its thousand recollections rose before you, as you gazed around. +Scarcely an old edifice, to which an historical tradition could be +attached (and what old London edifice is destitute of such traditions?), +was wanting. Nor were the great of old--the spirits, who gave interest +and endurance to these decayed, or decaying structures, wanting. But I +shall not pause to enumerate their portraits, or make out a catalogue as +long as the list of Homer's ships, or the gallery of Mr. Lodge. +Sufficient has been said, I trust, to give the reader an idea of the +physiology of the room. Yet stay! I must not omit to point out the +contents of those groaning shelves. In the goodly folios crowded there +are contained the chronicles of Holinshed and Hall; of Grafton, Fabian, +and Stow; of Matthew of Paris, and his namesake of Westminster. Let him +not be terrified at the ponderous size of these admirable old +historians, nor be deterred by the black letter, if he should chance to +open a volume. Their freshness and picturesque details will surprise as +much as they will delight him. From this wealthy mine Shakspeare drew +some of his purest ore. The shelves are crowned by a solitary bust. It +is that of a modern. It is that of a lover of London, and a character +of London. It is DOCTOR JOHNSON. + +Having completed the survey of the apartment, I shall now proceed to its +occupants. These were five in number--jolly fellows all--seated round a +circular dining-table covered with glasses and decanters, amidst which a +portly magnum of claret, and a deep and capacious china punch-bowl, must +not pass unmentioned. They were in the full flow of fun and +conviviality; enjoying themselves as good fellows always enjoy +themselves at "the season of the year." The port was delectable--old as +Saint Paul's, I was going to say--not quite, however--but just "old +enough"; the claret was nectar, or what is better, it was Lafitte; the +punch was drink for the gods. The jokes of this party would have split +your sides--their laughter would have had the same effect on your ears. +Never were heard peals of merriment so hearty and prolonged. You only +wondered how they found time to drink, so quick did each roar follow on +the heels of its predecessor. That they _did_ drink, however, was clear; +that they _had_ drunk was equally certain; and that they intended to +continue drinking seemed to come within the limits of probability. + +Sir Lionel Flamstead was a retired merchant--one of those high-souled, +high-principled traders, of whom our City was once so justly proud, and +of whom so few, in these days of railway bubbles, and other harebrained +speculations, can be found. His word was his bond--once passed, it was +sufficient; his acceptances were accounted safe as the Bank of England. +Had Sir Thomas Gresham descended from his niche he could not have been +treated with greater consideration than attended Sir Lionel's appearance +on 'Change. All eyes followed the movements of his tall and stately +figure--all hats were raised to his courteous but ceremonious +salutation. Affable, yet precise, and tinctured with something of the +punctiliousness of the old school, his manners won him universal respect +and regard, even from those unknown to him. By his intimates he was +revered. His habits were as regular as clockwork, and the glass of cold +punch at Tom's, or the basin of soup at Birch's, wound him up for the +day. His attire was as formal as his manners, being a slight +modification of the prevalent costume of some five-and-thirty years ago. +He had consented, not without extreme reluctance, to clothe his nether +limbs in the unmentionable garment of recent introduction; but he +resolutely adhered to the pigtail. There is something, by-the-bye, in a +pigtail, to which old gentlemen cling in spite of all remonstrance, with +lover-like pertinacity. Only hint the propriety of cutting it off to +your great-uncle or your grandfather, and you may rely on being cut off +with a shilling yourself. Be this as it may, Sir Lionel gathered his +locks, once sable as the riband that bound them, but now thickly strewn +with the silver "blossoms of the grave," into a knot, and suffered them +to dangle a few inches below his collar. His shoes shone with a lustre +beyond French polish, and his hat was brushed till not a wind dared to +approach it. Sir Lionel wore a white, unstarched cravat, with a thick +pad in it, sported a frill over his waistcoat, carried a black ebony +cane in his hand, and was generally followed by a pet pug-dog, one of +the most sagacious and disagreeable specimens of his species. Sir Lionel +Flamstead, I have said, was tall--I might have said he was very +tall--somewhat narrower across the shoulders than about the hips--a +circumstance which did not materially conduce to his symmetry--with +grey, benevolent eyes, shaded by bushy, intelligent brows--a lofty, +expansive forehead, in which, in the jargon of phrenology, the organs of +locality and ideality were strongly developed, and which was rendered +the more remarkable from the flesh having fallen in on either side of +the temples--with a nose which had been considered handsome and well +proportioned in his youth, but to which good living had imparted a +bottle form and a bottle tint--and cheeks from which all encroachment of +whiskers was sedulously removed, in order, we conclude, that his rosy +complexion might be traced from its point of concentration, upon the +prominent feature before mentioned, to its final disappearance behind +his ears. Such was Sir Lionel Flamstead. + + + + +A NIGHT'S ADVENTURE IN ROME + + + + +CHAPTER I + +SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE + + The Pope was saying the high, high mass, + All on Saint Peter's day; + With the power to him given by the saints in heaven + To wash men's sins away. + + The Pope he was saying the blessed mass, + And the people kneel'd around; + And from each man's soul his sins did pass, + As he kissed the holy ground. + + --_The Grey Brother._ + + +Chancing to be in Rome in the August of 1830, I visited the gorgeous +church of Santa Maria Maggiore during the celebration of the anniversary +of the Holy Assumption. + +It was a glorious sight to one unaccustomed to the imposing religious +ceremonials of the Romish Church, to witness all the pomp and splendour +displayed at this high solemnity--to gaze down that glittering pile, and +mark the various ecclesiastical dignitaries, each in their peculiar and +characteristic costume, employed in the ministration of their sacred +functions, and surrounded by a wide semicircle of the papal guards, so +stationed to keep back the crowd, and who, with their showy scarlet +attire and tall halberds, looked like the martial figures we see in the +sketches of Callot. Nor was the brilliant effect of this picture +diminished by the sumptuous framework in which it was set. Overhead +flamed a roof resplendent with burnished gold; before me rose a canopy +supported by pillars of porphyry, and shining with many-coloured stones; +while on either hand were chapels devoted to some noble house, and +boasting each the marble memorial of a pope. Melodious masses proper to +the service were ever and anon chanted by the papal choir, and +overpowering perfume was diffused around by a hundred censers. + +Subdued by the odours, the music, and the spectacle, I sank into a state +of dreamy enthusiasm, during a continuance of which I almost fancied +myself a convert to the faith of Rome, and surrendered myself +unreflectingly to an admiration of its errors. As I gazed among the +surrounding crowd, the sight of so many prostrate figures, all in +attitudes of deepest devotion, satisfied me of the profound religious +impression of the ceremonial. As elsewhere, this feeling was not +universal; and, as elsewhere, likewise, more zeal was exhibited by the +lower than the higher classes of society; and I occasionally noted +amongst the latter the glitter of an eye or the flutter of a bosom, not +altogether agitated, I suspect, by holy aspirations. Yet methought, on +the whole, I had never seen such abandonment of soul, such prostration +of spirit, in my own colder clime, and during the exercise of my own +more chastened creed, as that which in several instances I now beheld; +and I almost envied the poor maiden near me, who, abject upon the earth, +had washed away her sorrows, and perhaps her sins, in contrite tears. + +As such thoughts swept through my mind, I felt a pleasure in singling +out particular figures and groups which interested me, from their +peculiarity of costume, or from their devotional fervour. Amongst +others, a little to my left, I remarked a band of mountaineers from +Calabria, for such I judged them to be from their wild and picturesque +garb. Deeply was every individual of this little knot of peasantry +impressed by the ceremonial. Every eye was humbly cast down; every knee +bent; every hand was either occupied in grasping the little crucifix +suspended from its owner's neck, in telling the beads of his rosary, or +fervently crossed upon his bare and swarthy breast. + +While gazing upon this group, I chanced upon an individual whom I had +not hitherto noticed, and who now irresistibly attracted my attention. +Though a little removed from the Calabrian mountaineers, and reclining +against the marble walls of the church, he evidently belonged to the +same company; at least, so his attire seemed to indicate, though the +noble cast of his countenance was far superior to that of his comrades. +He was an old man, with a face of the fine antique Roman stamp--a bold +outline of prominent nose, rugged and imperious brow, and proudly-cut +chin. His head and chin, as well as his naked breast, were frosted over +with the snowy honours of many winters, and their hoar appearance +contrasted strikingly with the tawny hue of a skin almost as dark and as +lustrous as polished oak. Peasant as he was, there was something of +grandeur and majesty in this old man's demeanour and physiognomy. His +head declined backwards, so as completely to expose his long and +muscular throat. His arms hung listlessly by his side; one hand drooped +upon the pavement, the other was placed within his breast: his eyes were +closed. The old man's garb was of the coarsest fabric; he wore little +beyond a shirt, a loose vest, a sort of sheep-skin cloak, and canvas +leggings bound around with leathern thongs. His appearance, however, was +above his condition; he became his rags as proudly as a prince would +have become his ermined robe. + +The more I scrutinised the rigid lines of this old man's countenance, +the more I became satisfied that many singular, and perhaps not wholly +guiltless, events were connected with his history. The rosary was in his +hand--the cross upon his breast--the beads were untold--the crucifix +unclasped--no breath of prayer passed his lips. His face was turned +heavenward, but his eyes were closed,--he dared not open them. Why did +he come thither, if he did not venture to pray? Why did he assume a +penitential attitude, if he felt no penitence? + +So absorbed was I in the perusal of the workings of this old man's +countenance, as to be scarcely conscious that the service of high mass +was concluded, and the crowd within the holy pile fast dispersing. The +music was hushed, the robed prelates and their train had disappeared, +joyous dames were hastening along the marble aisles to their equipages; +all, save a few kneeling figures near the chapels, were departing; and +the old man, aware, from the stir and hum prevailing around, that the +ceremonial was at an end, arose, stretched out his arm to one of his +comrades, a youth who had joined him, and prepared to follow the +concourse. + +Was he really blind? Assuredly not. Besides, he did not walk like as one +habituated to the direst calamity that can befall our nature. He +staggered in his gait, and reeled to and fro. Yet wherefore did he not +venture to unclose his eyes within the temple of the Most High? What +would I not have given to be made acquainted with his history! For I +felt that it must be a singular one. + +I might satisfy my curiosity at once. He was moving slowly forward, +guided by his comrade. In a few seconds it would be too late--he would +have vanished from my sight. With hasty footsteps I followed him down +the church, and laid my hand, with some violence, upon his shoulder. + +The old man started at the touch, and turned. Now, indeed, his eyes were +opened wide, and flashing full upon me,--and such eyes! Heretofore I had +only dreamed of such. Age had not quenched their lightning, and I +quailed beneath the fierce glances which he threw upon me. But if I was, +at first, surprised at the display of anger which I had called forth in +him, how much more was I astonished to behold the whole expression of +his countenance suddenly change. His eyes continued fixed upon mine as +if I had been a basilisk. Apparently he could not avert them; while his +whole frame shivered with emotion. I advanced towards him; he shrank +backwards, and, but for the timely aid of his companion, would have +fallen upon the pavement. + +At a loss to conceive in what way I could have occasioned him so much +alarm, I rushed forward to the assistance of the old man, when his +son--for such it subsequently appeared he was--rudely repelled me, and +thrust his hand into his girdle, as if to seek for means to prevent +further interference. + +Meanwhile the group had been increased by the arrival of a third party, +attracted by the cry the old man had uttered in falling. The new-comer +was an Italian gentleman, somewhat stricken in years; of stern and +stately deportment, and with something sinister and forbidding in his +aspect. He was hastening towards the old man, but he suddenly stopped, +and was about to retire when he encountered my gaze. As our eyes met he +started; and a terror, as sudden and lively as that exhibited by the old +man, was at once depicted in his features. + +My surprise was now beyond all bounds, and I continued for some moments +speechless with astonishment. Not a little of the inexplicable awe which +affected the old man and the stranger was communicated to myself. +Altogether, we formed a mysterious and terrible triangle, of which each +side bore some strange and unintelligible relation to the other. + +The new-comer first recovered his composure, though not without an +effort. Coldly turning his heel upon me, he walked towards the old man, +and shook him forcibly. The latter shrank from his grasp, and +endeavoured to avoid him; but it was impossible. The stranger whispered +a few words in his ear, of which, from his gestures being directed +towards myself, I could guess the import. The old man replied. His +action in doing so was that of supplication and despair. The stranger +retorted in a wild and vehement manner, and even stamped upon the +ground; but the old man still continued to cling to the knees of his +superior. + +"Weak, superstitious fool!" at length exclaimed the stranger, "I will +waste no more words upon thee. Do, or say, what thou wilt; but beware!" +And spurning him haughtily back with his foot, he strode away. + +The old man's reverend head struck against the marble floor. His temple +was cut open by the fall, and blood gushed in torrents from the wound. +Recovering himself, he started to his feet--a knife was instantly in his +hand, and he would have pursued and doubtless slain his aggressor, if he +had not been forcibly withheld by his son, and by a priest who had +joined them. + +"_Maledizione!_" exclaimed the old man--"a blow from _him_--from _that_ +hand! I will stab him, though he were at the altar's foot; though he had +a thousand lives, each should pay for it. Release me, Paolo! release me! +for, by Heaven, he dies!" + +"Peace, father!" cried the son, still struggling with him. + +"Thou art not _my_ son, to hinder my revenge!" shouted the enraged +father. "Dost not see this blood--_my_ blood--thy father's blood?--and +thou holdest me back! Thou shouldst have struck him to the earth for the +deed--but he was a noble, and thou daredst not lift thy hand against +him!" + +"Wouldst thou have had me slay him in this holy place?" exclaimed Paolo, +reddening with anger and suppressed emotion. + +"No, no," returned the old man, in an altered voice; "not here, not +_here_, though 'twere but just retribution. But I will find other means +of vengeance. I will denounce him--I will betray all, though it cost me +my own life! He shall die by the hands of the common executioner;--there +is one shall testify for me!" And he pointed to me. + +Again I advanced towards him. + +"If thou hast aught to disclose pertaining to the Holy Church, I am +ready to listen to thee, my son," said the priest; "but reflect well ere +thou bringest any charge thou mayest not be able to substantiate against +one who stands so high in her esteem as him thou wouldst accuse." + +The son gave his father a meaning look, and whispered somewhat in his +ear. The old man became suddenly still. + +"Right, right," said he; "I have bethought me. 'Twas but a blow. He is +wealthy, I am poor; there is no justice for the poor in Rome." + +"My purse is at your service," said I, interfering; "you shall have my +aid." + +"Your aid!" echoed the old man, staring at me; "will _you_ assist me, +signor?" + +"I will." + +"Enough. I may claim fulfilment of your promise." + +"Stop, old man," I said; "answer me one question ere you depart. Whence +arose your recent terrors?" + +"You shall know hereafter, signor," he said; "I must now begone. We +shall meet again. Follow me not," he continued, seeing I was bent upon +obtaining further explanation of the mystery. "You will learn nothing +now, and only endanger my safety. _Addio, signor._" And with hasty steps +he quitted the church, accompanied by his son. + +"Who is that old man?" I demanded of the priest. + +"I am as ignorant as yourself," he replied, "but he must be looked to; +he talks threateningly." And he beckoned to an attendant. + +"Who was he who struck him?" was my next inquiry. + +"One of our wealthiest nobles," he replied, "and an assured friend of +the Church. We could ill spare him. Do not lose sight of them," he added +to the attendant, "and let the _sbirri_ track them to their haunts. They +must not be suffered to go forth to-night. A few hours' restraint will +cool their hot Calabrian blood." + +"But the name of the noble, father?" I said, renewing my inquiries. + +"I must decline further questioning," returned the priest coldly. "I +have other occupation; and meanwhile it will be well to have these +stains effaced, which may else bring scandal on these holy walls. You +will excuse me, my son." So saying, he bowed and retired. + +I made fruitless inquiries for the old man at the door of the church. He +was gone; none of the bystanders who had seen him go forth knew whither. + +Stung by curiosity, I wandered amid the most unfrequented quarters of +Rome throughout the day, in the hope of meeting with the old Calabrian, +but in vain. As, however, I entered the courtyard of my hotel, I fancied +I discovered, amongst the lounging assemblage gathered round the door, +the dark eyes of the younger mountaineer. In this I might have been +mistaken. No one answering to his description had been seen near the +house. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MARCHESA + + Une chose ténébreuse fait par des hommes ténébreux. + + --_Lucrece Borgia._ + + +On the same night I bent my steps towards the Colosseum; and, full of my +adventure of the morning, found myself, not without apprehension, +involved within its labyrinthine passages. Accompanied by a monk, who, +with a small horn lantern in his hand, acted as my guide, I fancied +that, by its uncertain light, I could discover stealthy figures lurking +within the shades of the ruin. + +Whatever suspicions I might entertain, I pursued my course in silence. +Emerging from the _vomitorio_, we stood upon the steps of the colossal +amphitheatre. The huge pile was bathed in rosy moonlight, and reared +itself in serene majesty before my view. + +While indulging in a thousand speculations, occasioned by the hour and +the spot, I suddenly perceived a figure on a point of the ruin +immediately above me. Nothing but the head was visible; but that was +placed in bold relief against the beaming sky of night, and I recognised +it at once. No nobler Roman head had ever graced the circus when Rome +was in her zenith. I shouted to the old Calabrian, for he it was I +beheld. Almost ere the sound had left my lips, he had disappeared. I +made known what I had seen to the monk. He was alarmed--urged our +instant departure, and advised me to seek the assistance of the sentinel +stationed at the entrance to the pile. To this proposal I assented; and, +having descended the vasty steps and crossed the open arena, we arrived, +without molestation, at the doorway. + +The sentinel had allowed no one to pass him. He returned with me to the +circus; and, after an ineffectual search amongst the ruins, volunteered +his services to accompany me homewards through the Forum. I declined his +offer, and shaped my course towards a lonesome _vicolo_ on the right. +This was courting danger; but I cared not, and walked slowly forward +through the deserted place. + +Scarcely had I proceeded many paces, when I heard footsteps swiftly +approaching; and, ere I could turn round, my arms were seized from +behind, and a bandage was passed across my eyes. All my efforts at +liberation were unavailing; and, after a brief struggle, I remained +passive. + +"Make no noise," said a voice which I knew to be that of the old man, +"and no harm shall befall you. You must come with us. Ask no questions, +but follow." + +I suffered myself to be led, without further opposition, whithersoever +they listed. We walked for it might be half-an-hour, much beyond the +walls of Rome. I had to scramble through many ruins, and frequently +stumbled over inequalities of ground. I now felt the fresh breeze of +night blowing over the wide campagna, and my conductors moved swiftly +onwards as we trod on its elastic turf. + +At length they came to a halt. My bandage was removed, and I beheld +myself beneath the arch of an aqueduct, which spanned the moonlit plain. +A fire was kindled beneath the arch, and the ruddy flame licked its +walls. Around the blaze were grouped the little band of peasantry I had +beheld within the church, in various and picturesque attitudes. They +greeted my conductors on their arrival, and glanced inquisitively at me, +but did not speak to me. The elder Calabrian, whom they addressed as +Cristofano, asked for a glass of _aqua vitæ_, which he handed +respectfully to me. I declined the offer, but he pressed it upon me. + +"You will need it, signor," he said; "you have much to do to-night. You +fear, perhaps, it is drugged. Behold!" And he drank it off. + +I could not, after this, refuse his pledge. "And now, signor," said the +old man, removing to a little distance from the group, "may I crave a +word with you--your name?" + +As I had no reason for withholding it, I told him how I was called. + +"Hum! Had you no relation of the name of ----?" + +"None whatever." And I sighed, for I thought of my desolate condition. + +"Strange!" he muttered; adding, with a grim smile, "but, however, +likenesses are easily accounted for." + +"What likenesses?" I asked. "Whom do I resemble? and what is the motive +of your inexplicable conduct?" + +"You shall hear," he replied, frowning gloomily. "Step aside, and let us +get within the shade of these arches, out of the reach of yonder +listeners. The tale I have to tell is for your ears alone." + +I obeyed him; and we stood beneath the shadow of the aqueduct. + +"Years ago," began the old man, "an Englishman, in all respects +resembling yourself, equally well favoured in person, and equally young, +came to Rome, and took up his abode within the eternal city. He was of +high rank in his own country, and was treated with the distinction due +to his exalted station here. At that time I dwelt with the Marchese +di ----. I was his confidential servant--his adviser--his friend. I had +lived with his father--carried him as an infant--sported with him as a +boy--loved and served him as a man. Loved him, I say; for, despite his +treatment of me, I loved him then as much as I abhor him now. Well, +signor, to my story. If his youth had been profligate, his manhood was +not less depraved; it was devoted to cold, calculating libertinism. Soon +after he succeeded to the estates and title of his father, he married. +That he loved his bride, I can scarcely believe; for, though he was +wildly jealous of her, he was himself unfaithful, and she knew it. In +Italy, revenge, in such cases, is easily within a woman's power; and, +for aught I know, the marchesa might have meditated retaliation. My +lord, however, took the alarm, and thought fit to retire to his villa +without the city, and for a time remained secluded within its walls. It +was at this crisis that the Englishman I have before mentioned arrived +in Rome. My lady, who mingled little with the gaieties of the city, had +not beheld him; but she could not have been unacquainted with him by +report, as every tongue was loud in his praises. A rumour of his +successes with other dames had reached my lord; nay, I have reason to +believe that he had been thwarted by the handsome Englishman in some +other quarter, and he sedulously prevented their meeting. An interview, +however, _did_ take place between them, and in an unexpected manner. It +was the custom then, as now, upon particular occasions, to drive, during +the heats of summer, within the Piazza Navona, which is flooded with +water. One evening the marchesa drove thither: she was unattended, +except by myself. Our carriage happened to be stationed near that of the +young Englishman." + +"The marchesa was beautiful, no doubt?" I said, interrupting him. + +"Most beautiful!" he replied; "and so your countryman seemed to think, +for he was lost in admiration of her. I am not much versed in the +language of the eyes, but his were too eloquent and expressive not to be +understood. I watched my mistress narrowly. It was evident from her +glowing cheek, though her eyes were cast down, that she was not +insensible to his regards. She turned to play with her dog, a lovely +little greyhound, which was in the carriage beside her, and patted it +carelessly with the glove which she held in her hand. The animal +snatched the glove from her grasp, and, as he bounded backwards, fell +over the carriage side. My lady uttered a scream at the sight, and I was +preparing to extricate the struggling dog, when the Englishman plunged +into the water. In an instant he had restored her favourite to the +marchesa, and received her warmest acknowledgments. From that moment an +intimacy commenced, which was destined to produce the most fatal +consequences to both parties." + +"Did you betray them?" I asked, somewhat impatiently. + +"I was then the blind tool of the marchese. I did so," replied the old +man. "I told him all particulars of the interview. He heard me in +silence, but grew ashy pale with suppressed rage. Bidding me redouble my +vigilance, he left me. My lady was now scarcely ever out of my sight; +when one evening, a few days after what had occurred, she walked forth +alone upon the garden-terrace of the villa. Her guitar was in her hand, +and her favourite dog by her side. I was at a little distance, but +wholly unperceived. She struck a few plaintive chords upon her +instrument, and then, resting her chin upon her white and rounded arm, +seemed lost in tender reverie. Would you had seen her, signor, as I +beheld her then, or as one other beheld her! you would acknowledge that +you had never met with her equal in beauty. Her raven hair fell in thick +tresses over shoulders of dazzling whiteness and the most perfect +proportion. Her deep dark eyes were thrown languidly on the ground, and +her radiant features were charged with an expression of profound and +pensive passion. + +"In this musing attitude she continued for some minutes, when she was +aroused by the gambols of her dog, who bore in his mouth a glove which +he had found. As she took it from him, a letter dropped upon the floor. +Had a serpent glided from its folds, it could not have startled her +more. She gazed upon the paper, offended, but irresolute. Yes, she was +_irresolute_; and you may conjecture the rest. She paused, and by that +pause was lost. With a shrinking grasp she stooped to raise the letter. +Her cheeks, which had grown deathly pale, again kindled with blushes as +she perused it. She hesitated--cast a bewildering look towards the +mansion--placed the note within her bosom--and plunged into the +orange-bower." + +"Her lover awaited her there?" + +"He did. I saw them meet. I heard his frenzied words--his passionate +entreaties. He urged her to fly--she resisted. He grew more urgent--more +impassioned. She uttered a faint cry, and I stood before them. The +Englishman's hand was at my throat, and his sword at my breast, with the +swiftness of thought; and but for the screams of my mistress, that +instant must have been my last. At her desire he relinquished his hold +of me; but her cries had reached other ears, and the marchese arrived to +avenge his injured honour. He paused not to inquire the nature of the +offence, but, sword in hand, assailed the Englishman, bidding me remove +his lady. The clash of their steel was drowned by her shrieks as I bore +her away; but I knew the strife was desperate. Before I gained the house +my lady had fainted; and committing her to the charge of other +attendants, I returned to the terrace. I met my master slowly walking +homewards. His sword was gone--his brow was bent--he shunned my sight. I +knew what had happened, and did not approach him. He sought his wife. +What passed in that interview was never disclosed, but it may be guessed +at from its result. That night the marchesa left her husband's +halls--never to return. Next morn I visited the terrace where she had +received the token. The glove was still upon the ground. I picked it up +and carried it to the marchese, detailing the whole occurrence to him. +He took it, and vowed as he took it that his vengeance should never rest +satisfied till that glove had been steeped in her blood." + +"And he kept his vow?" I asked, shuddering. + +"Many months elapsed ere its accomplishment. Italian vengeance is slow, +but sure. To all outward appearance, he had forgotten his faithless +wife. He had even formed a friendship with her lover, which he did the +more effectually to blind his ultimate designs. Meanwhile, time rolled +on, and the marchesa gave birth to a child--the offspring of her +seducer." + +"Great God!" I exclaimed, "was that child a boy?" + +"It was--but listen to me. My tale draws to a close. One night, during +the absence of the Englishman, by secret means we entered the palazzo +where the marchesa resided. We wandered from room to room till we came +to her chamber. She was sleeping, with her infant by her side. The sight +maddened the marchese. He would have stricken the child, but I held back +his hand. He relented. He bade me make fast the door. He approached the +bed. I heard a rustle--a scream. A white figure sprang from out the +couch. In an instant the light was extinguished--there was a +blow--another--and all was over. I threw open the door. The marchese +came forth. The corridor in which we stood was flooded with moonlight. A +glove was in his hand--it was dripping with blood. His oath was +fulfilled--his vengeance complete--no, not complete, for the Englishman +yet lived." + +"What became of him?" I inquired. + +"Ask me not," replied the old man; "you were at the Chiesa Santa Maria +Maggiore this morning. If those stones could speak, they might tell a +fearful story." + +"And that was the reason you did not dare to unclose your eyes within +those holy precincts?--a film of blood floated between you and heaven." + +The old man shuddered, but replied not. + +"And the child?" I asked, after a pause; "what of their wretched +offspring?" + +"It was conveyed to England by a friend of its dead father. If he were +alive, that boy would be about your age, signor." + +"Indeed!" I said; a horrible suspicion flashing across my mind. + +"After the Englishman's death," continued Cristofano, "my master began +to treat me with a coldness and suspicion which increased daily. I was a +burden to him, and he was resolved to rid himself of me. I spared him +the trouble--quitted Rome--sought the mountains of the Abruzzi--and +thence wandered to the fastnesses of Calabria, and became--no matter +what. Here I am. Heaven's appointed minister of vengeance. The marchese +dies to-night!" + +"To-night! old man," I echoed, horror-stricken. "Add not crime to crime. +If he has indeed been guilty of the foul offence you have named, let him +be dealt with according to the offended laws of the country. Do not +pervert the purposes of justice." + +"Justice!" echoed Cristofano scornfully. + +"Ay, justice. You are poor and powerless, but means may be found to aid +you. I will assist the rightful course of vengeance." + +"You _shall_ assist it. I have sworn he shall die before dawn, and the +hand to strike the blow shall be yours." + +"Mine! never!" + +"Your own life will be the penalty of your obstinacy, if you refuse; nor +will your refusal save him. By the Mother of Heaven, he dies! and by +your hand. You saw how he was struck by your resemblance to the young +Englishman this morning in the chiesa. It is wonderful! I know not who +or what you are; but to me you are an instrument of vengeance, and as +such I shall use you. The blow dealt by you will seem the work of +retribution; and I care not if you strike twice, and make my heart your +second mark." + +Ere I could reply he called to his comrades, and in a few moments we +were speeding across the campagna. + +We arrived at a high wall:--the old man conducted us to a postern-gate, +which he opened. We entered a garden filled with orange-trees, the +perfume of which loaded the midnight air. We heard the splash of a +fountain at a distance, and the thrilling notes of a nightingale amongst +some taller trees. The moon hung like a lamp over the belvidere of the +proud villa. We strode along a wide terrace edged by a marble +balustrade. The old man pointed to an open summer-house terminating the +walk, and gave me a significant look, but he spoke not. A window thrown +open admitted us to the house. We were within a hall crowded with +statues, and traversed noiselessly its marble floors. Passing through +several chambers, we then mounted to a corridor, and entered an +apartment which formed the ante-room to another beyond it. Placing his +finger upon his lips, and making a sign to his comrades, Cristofano +opened a door and disappeared. There was a breathless pause for a few +minutes, during which I listened intently, but caught only a faint sound +as of the snapping of a lock. + +Presently the old man returned. + +"He sleeps," he said, in a low deep tone to me; "sleeps as his victim +slept--sleeps without a dream of remorse; and he shall awaken, as she +awoke, to despair. Come into his chamber!" + +We obeyed. The door was made fast within side. + +The curtains of the couch were withdrawn, and the moonlight streamed +full upon the face of the sleeper. He was hushed in profound repose. No +visions seemed to haunt his peaceful slumbers. Could guilt sleep so +soundly? I half doubted the old man's story. + +Placing us within the shadow of the canopy, Cristofano approached the +bed. A stiletto glittered in his hand. "Awake!" he cried, in a voice of +thunder. + +The sleeper started at the summons. + +I watched his countenance. He read Cristofano's errand in his eye. But +he quailed not. + +"Cowardly assassin!" he cried, "you have well consulted your own safety +in stealing on my sleep." + +"And who taught me the lesson?" fiercely interrupted the old man. "Am I +the first that have stolen on midnight slumber? Gaze upon this? When and +how did it acquire its dye?" And he held forth a glove, which looked +blackened and stained in the moonlight. + +The marchese groaned aloud. + +"My cabinet broken open!" at length he exclaimed--"villain! how dare you +do this? But why do I rave? I know with whom I have to deal." Uttering +these words he sprung from his couch with the intention of grappling +with the old man; but Cristofano retreated, and at that instant the +brigands, who rushed to his aid, thrust me forward. I was face to face +with the marchese. + +The apparition of the murdered man could not have staggered him more. +His limbs were stiffened by the shock, and he remained in an attitude of +freezing terror. + +"Is he come for vengeance?" he ejaculated. + +"He is!" cried Cristofano. "Give him the weapon!" + +And a stiletto was thrust into my hand. But I heeded not the steel. I +tore open my bosom--a small diamond cross was within the folds. + +"Do you recollect this?" I demanded of the marchese. + +"It was my wife's!" he shrieked in amazement. + +"It was upon the infant's bosom as he slept by her side on that fatal +night," said Cristofano. "I saw it sparkle there." + +"That infant was myself--that wife my mother!" I cried. + +"The murderer stands before you! Strike!" exclaimed Cristofano. + +I raised the dagger. The marchese stirred not. I could not strike. + +"Do you hesitate?" angrily exclaimed Cristofano. + +"He has not the courage," returned the younger Calabrian. "You +reproached me this morning with want of filial duty. Behold how a son +can avenge his father!" And he plunged his stiletto within the bosom of +the marchese. + +"_Your_ father is not yet avenged, young man!" cried Cristofano, in a +terrible tone. "You alone can avenge him!" + +Ere I could withdraw its point the old man had rushed upon the dagger +which I held extended in my grasp. + +He fell without a single groan. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Auriol, by W. 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Harrison Ainsworth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Auriol + or, The Elixir of Life + +Author: W. Harrison Ainsworth + +Illustrator: H. K. Browne + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36481] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AURIOL *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<h1>AURIOL</h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h1>THE ELIXIR OF LIFE</h1> + +<h2>BY W. HARRISON AINSWORTH</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF "THE TOWER OF LONDON"</h3> + + +<h3>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY H. K. BROWNE</h3> + +<h3><i>AUTHOR'S COPYRIGHT EDITION</i></h3> + +<h3>LONDON<br /> +GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, <span class="smcap">Limited</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Broadway, Ludgate Hill</span></h3> + +<h3>1898</h3> + +<h3>Printed by <span class="smcap">Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.</span><br /> +At the Ballantyne Press</h3> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus01" id="illus01"></a> +<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The mysterious interview in Hyde Park</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#PROLOGUE">PROLOGUE—1599—DR. LAMB</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#BOOK_THE_FIRST">BOOK THE FIRST—EBBA—</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. THE DOG-FANCIER</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. THE HAND AND THE CLOAK</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. THE MEETING NEAR THE STATUE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. THE CHARLES THE SECOND SPANIEL</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. THE HAND AGAIN!</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. THE BARBER OF LONDON</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. THE MOON IN THE FIRST QUARTER</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. THE STATUE AT CHARING CROSS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. PREPARATIONS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#INTERMEAN">INTERMEAN—1800—</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IA">CHAPTER I. THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIA">CHAPTER II. THE COMPACT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIIA">CHAPTER III. IRRESOLUTION</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IVA">CHAPTER IV. EDITH TALBOT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VA">CHAPTER V. THE SEVENTH NIGHT</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#BOOK_THE_SECOND">BOOK THE SECOND—CYPRIAN ROUGEMONT—</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IB">CHAPTER I. THE CELL</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIB">CHAPTER II. THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIIB">CHAPTER III. GERARD PASTON</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IVB">CHAPTER IV. THE PIT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VB">CHAPTER V. NEW PERPLEXITIES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIB">CHAPTER VI. DR. LAMB AGAIN</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#THE_OLD_LONDON_MERCHANT">THE OLD LONDON MERCHANT</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#A_NIGHTS_ADVENTURE_IN_ROME">A NIGHT'S ADVENTURE IN ROME—</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IC">CHAPTER I. SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIC">CHAPTER II. THE MARCHESA</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p><a href="#illus01"><span class="smcap">The Mysterious Interview in Hyde Park</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus02"><span class="smcap">The Elixir of Long Life</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus03"><span class="smcap">The Ruined House in the Vauxhall Road</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus04"><span class="smcap">The Dog-Fancier</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus05"><span class="smcap">The Hand and the Cloak</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus06"><span class="smcap">The Iron-Merchant's Daughter</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus07"><span class="smcap">The Barber of London</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus08"><span class="smcap">Seizure of Ebba</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus09"><span class="smcap">The Antiquaries</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus10"><span class="smcap">The Chamber of Mystery</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus11"><span class="smcap">The Tomb of the Rosicrucian</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus12"><span class="smcap">The Compact</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus13"><span class="smcap">The Significant Whisper</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus14"><span class="smcap">The Enchanted Chairs</span></a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus15"><span class="smcap">Rougemont's Device to perplex Auriol</span></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PROLOGUE" id="PROLOGUE"></a>PROLOGUE</h2> + +<h3>1599</h3> + +<h3><i>DR. LAMB</i></h3> + + +<p>The Sixteenth Century drew to a close. It was the last day of the last +year, and two hours only were wanting to the birth of another year and +of another century.</p> + +<p>The night was solemn and beautiful. Myriads of stars paved the deep +vault of heaven; the crescent moon hung like a silver lamp in the midst +of them; a stream of rosy and quivering light, issuing from the north, +traversed the sky, like the tail of some stupendous comet; while from +its point of effluence broke forth, ever and anon, coruscations +rivalling in splendour and variety of hue the most brilliant discharge +of fireworks.</p> + +<p>A sharp frost prevailed; but the atmosphere was clear and dry, and +neither wind nor snow aggravated the wholesome rigour of the season. The +water lay in thick congealed masses around the conduits and wells, and +the buckets were frozen on their stands. The thoroughfares were sheeted +with ice, and dangerous to horsemen and vehicles; but the footways were +firm and pleasant to the tread.</p> + +<p>Here and there, a fire was lighted in the streets, round which ragged +urchins and mendicants were collected, roasting fragments of meat stuck +upon iron prongs, or quaffing deep draughts of metheglin and ale out of +leathern cups. Crowds were collected in the open places, watching the +wonders in the heavens, and drawing auguries from them, chiefly +sinister, for most of the beholders thought the signs portended the +speedy death of the queen, and the advent of a new monarch from the +north—a safe and easy interpretation, considering the advanced age and +declining health of the illustrious Elizabeth, together with the known +appointment of her successor, James of Scotland.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the early habits of the times, few persons had retired +to rest, an universal wish prevailing among the citizens to see the new +year in, and welcome the century accompanying it. Lights glimmered in +most windows, revealing the holly-sprigs and laurel-leaves stuck thickly +in their diamond panes; while, whenever a door was opened, a ruddy gleam +burst across the street, and a glance inside the dwelling showed its +inmates either gathered round the glowing hearth, occupied in mirthful +sports—fox-i'-th'-hole, blind-man's buff, or shoe-the-mare—or seated +at the ample board groaning with Christmas cheer.</p> + +<p>Music and singing were heard at every corner, and bands of comely +damsels, escorted by their sweethearts, went from house to house, +bearing huge brown bowls dressed with ribands and rosemary, and filled +with a drink called "lamb's-wool," composed of sturdy ale, sweetened +with sugar, spiced with nutmeg, and having toasts and burnt crabs +floating within it—a draught from which seldom brought its pretty +bearers less than a groat, and occasionally a more valuable coin.</p> + +<p>Such was the vigil of the year sixteen hundred.</p> + +<p>On this night, and at the tenth hour, a man of striking and venerable +appearance was seen to emerge upon a small wooden balcony, projecting +from a bay-window near the top of a picturesque structure situated at +the southern extremity of London Bridge.</p> + +<p>The old man's beard and hair were as white as snow—the former +descending almost to his girdle; so were the thick, overhanging brows +that shaded his still piercing eyes. His forehead was high, bald, and +ploughed by innumerable wrinkles. His countenance, despite its +death-like paleness, had a noble and majestic cast; and his figure, +though worn to the bone by a life of the severest study, and bent by the +weight of years, must have been once lofty and commanding. His dress +consisted of a doublet and hose of sad-coloured cloth, over which he +wore a loose gown of black silk. His head was covered by a square black +cap, from beneath which his silver locks strayed over his shoulders.</p> + +<p>Known by the name of Doctor Lamb, and addicted to alchemical and +philosophical pursuits, this venerable personage was esteemed by the +vulgar as little better than a wizard. Strange tales were reported and +believed of him. Amongst others, it was said that he possessed a +familiar, because he chanced to employ a deformed, crack-brained dwarf, +who assisted him in his operations, and whom he appropriately enough +denominated Flapdragon.</p> + +<p>Doctor Lamb's gaze was fixed intently upon the heavens, and he seamed +to be noting the position of the moon with reference to some particular +star.</p> + +<p>After remaining in this posture for a few minutes, he was about to +retire, when a loud crash arrested him, and he turned to see whence it +proceeded.</p> + +<p>Immediately before him stood the Southwark Gateway—a square stone +building, with a round, embattled turret at each corner, and a flat +leaden roof, planted with a forest of poles, fifteen or sixteen feet +high, garnished with human heads. To his surprise, the doctor perceived +that two of these poles had just been overthrown by a tall man, who was +in the act of stripping them of their grisly burdens.</p> + +<p>Having accomplished his object, the mysterious plunderer thrust his +spoil into a leathern bag with which he was provided, tied its mouth, +and was about to take his departure by means of a rope-ladder attached +to the battlements, when his retreat was suddenly cut off by the +gatekeeper, armed with a halberd, and bearing a lantern, who issued from +a door opening upon the leads.</p> + +<p>The baffled marauder looked round, and remarking the open window at +which Doctor Lamb was stationed, hurled the sack and its contents +through it. He then tried to gain the ladder, but was intercepted by the +gatekeeper, who dealt him a severe blow on the head with his halberd. +The plunderer uttered a loud cry, and attempted to draw his sword; but +before he could do so, he received a thrust in the side from his +opponent. He then fell, and the gatekeeper would have repeated the blow, +if the doctor had not called to him to desist.</p> + +<p>"Do not kill him, good Baldred," he cried. "The attempt may not be so +criminal as it appears. Doubtless, the mutilated remains which the poor +wretch has attempted to carry off are those of his kindred, and horror +at their exposure must have led him to commit the offence."</p> + +<p>"It may be, doctor," replied Baldred; "and if so I shall be sorry I have +hurt him. But I am responsible for the safe custody of these traitorous +relics, and it is as much as my own head is worth to permit their +removal."</p> + +<p>"I know it," replied Doctor Lamb; "and you are fully justified in what +you have done. It may throw some light upon the matter, to know whose +miserable remains have been disturbed."</p> + +<p>"They were the heads of two rank papists," replied Baldred, "who were +decapitated on Tower Hill, on Saint Nicholas's Day, three weeks ago, for +conspiring against the queen."</p> + +<p>"But their names?" demanded the doctor. "How were they called?"</p> + +<p>"They were father and son," replied Baldred—"Sir Simon Darcy and Master +Reginald Darcy. Perchance they were known to your worship?"</p> + +<p>"Too well—too well!" replied Doctor Lamb, in a voice of emotion that +startled his hearer. "They were near kinsmen of mine own. What is he +like who has made this strange attempt?"</p> + +<p>"Of a verity, a fair youth," replied Baldred, holding down the lantern. +"Heaven grant I have not wounded him to the death! No, his heart still +beats. Ha! here are his tablets," he added, taking a small book from +his doublet; "these may give the information you seek. You were right +in your conjecture, doctor. The name herein inscribed is the same as +that borne by the others—Auriol Darcy."</p> + +<p>"I see it all," cried Lamb. "It was a pious and praiseworthy deed. Bring +the unfortunate youth to my dwelling, Baldred, and you shall be well +rewarded. Use despatch, I pray you."</p> + +<p>As the gatekeeper essayed to comply, the wounded man groaned deeply, as +if in great pain.</p> + +<p>"Fling me the weapon with which you smote him," cried Doctor Lamb, in +accents of commiseration, "and I will anoint it with the powder of +sympathy. His anguish will be speedily abated."</p> + +<p>"I know your worship can accomplish wonders," cried Baldred, throwing +the halberd into the balcony. "I will do my part as gently as I can."</p> + +<p>And as the alchemist took up the weapon, and disappeared through the +window, the gatekeeper lifted the wounded man by the shoulders, and +conveyed him down a narrow, winding staircase to a lower chamber. Though +he proceeded carefully, the sufferer was put to excruciating pain; and +when Baldred placed him on a wooden bench, and held a lamp towards him, +he perceived that his features were darkened and distorted.</p> + +<p>"I fear it's all over with him," murmured the gatekeeper; "I shall have +a dead body to take to Doctor Lamb. It would be a charity to knock him +on the head, rather than let him suffer thus. The doctor passes for a +cunning man, but if he can cure this poor youth without seeing him, by +the help of his sympathetic ointment, I shall begin to believe, what +some folks avouch, that he has relations with the devil."</p> + +<p>While Baldred was ruminating in this manner, a sudden and extraordinary +change took place in the sufferer. As if by magic, the contraction of +the muscles subsided; the features assumed a wholesome hue, and the +respiration was no longer laborious. Baldred stared as if a miracle had +been wrought.</p> + +<p>Now that the countenance of the youth had regained its original +expression, the gatekeeper could not help being struck by its extreme +beauty. The face was a perfect oval, with regular and delicate features. +A short silken moustache covered the upper lip, which was short and +proud, and a pointed beard terminated the chin. The hair was black, +glossy, and cut short, so as to disclose a highly intellectual expanse +of brow.</p> + +<p>The youth's figure was slight, but admirably proportioned. His attire +consisted of a black satin doublet, slashed with white, hose of black +silk, and a short velvet mantle. His eyes were still closed, and it was +difficult to say what effect they might give to the face when they +lighted it up; but notwithstanding its beauty, it was impossible not to +admit that a strange, sinister, and almost demoniacal expression +pervaded the countenance.</p> + +<p>All at once, and with as much suddenness as his cure had been effected, +the young man started, uttering a piercing cry, and placed his hand to +his side.</p> + +<p>"Caitiff!" he cried, fixing his blazing eyes on the gatekeeper, "why do +you torture me thus? Finish me at once—Oh!"</p> + +<p>And overcome by anguish, he sank back again.</p> + +<p>"I have not touched you, sir," replied Baldred. "I brought you here to +succour you. You will be easier anon. Doctor Lamb must have wiped the +halberd," he added to himself.</p> + +<p>Another sudden change. The pain fled from the sufferer's countenance, +and he became easy as before.</p> + +<p>"What have you done to me?" he asked, with a look of gratitude; "the +torture of my wound has suddenly ceased, and I feel as if a balm had +been dropped into it. Let me remain in this state if you have any +pity—or despatch me, for my late agony was almost insupportable."</p> + +<p>"You are cared for by one who has greater skill than any chirurgeon in +London," replied Baldred. "If I can manage to transport you to his +lodgings, he will speedily heal your wounds."</p> + +<p>"Do not delay, then," replied Auriol faintly; "for though I am free from +pain, I feel that my life is ebbing fast away."</p> + +<p>"Press this handkerchief to your side, and lean on me," said Baldred. +"Doctor Lamb's dwelling is but a step from the gateway—in fact, the +first house on the bridge. By the way, the doctor declares he is your +kinsman."</p> + +<p>"It is the first I ever heard of him," replied Auriol faintly; "but take +me to him quickly, or it will be too late."</p> + +<p>In another moment they were at the doctor's door. Baldred tapped against +it, and the summons was instantly answered by a diminutive personage, +clad in a jerkin of coarse grey serge, and having a leathern apron tied +round his waist. This was Flapdragon.</p> + +<p>Blear-eyed, smoke-begrimed, lantern-jawed, the poor dwarf seemed as if +his whole life had been spent over the furnace. And so, in fact, it had +been. He had become little better than a pair of human bellows. In his +hand he held the halberd with which Auriol had been wounded.</p> + +<p>"So you have been playing the leech, Flapdragon, eh?" cried Baldred.</p> + +<p>"Ay, marry have I," replied the dwarf, with a wild grin, and displaying +a wolfish set of teeth. "My master ordered me to smear the halberd with +the sympathetic ointment. I obeyed him: rubbed the steel point, first on +one side, then on the other; next wiped it; and then smeared it again."</p> + +<p>"Whereby you put the patient to exquisite pain," replied Baldred; "but +help me to transport him to the laboratory."</p> + +<p>"I know not if the doctor will care to be disturbed," said Flapdragon. +"He is busily engaged on a grand operation."</p> + +<p>"I will take the risk on myself," said Baldred. "The youth will die if +he remains here. See, he has fainted already!"</p> + +<p>Thus urged, the dwarf laid down the halberd, and between the two, Auriol +was speedily conveyed up a wide oaken staircase to the laboratory. +Doctor Lamb was plying the bellows at the furnace, on which a large +alembic was placed, and he was so engrossed by his task that he scarcely +noticed the entrance of the others.</p> + +<p>"Place the youth on the ground, and rear his head against the chair," he +cried, hastily, to the dwarf. "Bathe his brows with the decoction in +that crucible. I will attend to him anon. Come to me on the morrow, +Baldred, and I will repay thee for thy trouble. I am busy now."</p> + +<p>"These relics, doctor," cried the gatekeeper, glancing at the bag, which +was lying on the ground, and from which a bald head protruded—"I ought +to take them back with me."</p> + +<p>"Heed them not—they will be safe in my keeping," cried Doctor Lamb +impatiently; "to-morrow—to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Casting a furtive glance round the laboratory, and shrugging his +shoulders, Baldred departed; and Flapdragon having bathed the sufferer's +temples with the decoction, in obedience to his master's injunctions, +turned to inquire what he should do next.</p> + +<p>"Begone!" cried the doctor, so fiercely that the dwarf darted out of the +room, clapping the door after him.</p> + +<p>Doctor Lamb then applied himself to his task with renewed ardour, and in +a few seconds became wholly insensible of the presence of a stranger.</p> + +<p>Revived by the stimulant, Auriol presently opened his eyes, and gazing +round the room, thought he must be dreaming, so strange and fantastical +did all appear. The floor was covered with the implements used by the +adept—bolt-heads, crucibles, cucurbites, and retorts, scattered about +without any attempt at arrangement. In one corner was a large +terrestrial sphere: near it was an astrolabe, and near that a +heap of disused glass vessels. On the other side lay a black, +mysterious-looking book, fastened with brazen clasps. Around it were a +ram's horn, a pair of forceps, a roll of parchment, a pestle and mortar, +and a large plate of copper, graven with the mysterious symbols of the +Isaical table. Near this was the leathern bag containing the two +decapitated heads, one of which had burst forth. On a table at the +farther end of the room, stood a large open volume, with parchment +leaves, covered with cabalistical characters, referring to the names of +spirits. Near it were two parchment scrolls, written in letters, +respectively denominated by the Chaldaic sages, "the Malachim," and "the +Passing of the River." One of these scrolls was kept in its place by a +skull. An ancient and grotesque-looking brass lamp, with two +snake-headed burners, lighted the room. From the ceiling depended a huge +scaly sea-monster, with outspread fins, open jaws garnished with +tremendous teeth, and great goggling eyes. Near it hung a celestial +sphere. The chimney-piece, which was curiously carved, and projected far +into the room, was laden with various implements of hermetic science. +Above it were hung dried bats and flitter-mice, interspersed with the +skulls of birds and apes. Attached to the chimney-piece was a horary, +sculptured in stone, near which hung a large starfish. The fireplace was +occupied by the furnace, on which, as has been stated, was placed an +alembic, communicating by means of a long serpentine pipe with a +receiver. Within the room were two skeletons, one of which, placed +behind a curtain in the deep embrasure of the window, where its polished +bones glistened in the white moonlight, had a horrible effect. The +other enjoyed more comfortable quarters near the chimney, its fleshless +feet dangling down in the smoke arising from the furnace.</p> + +<p>Doctor Lamb, meanwhile, steadily pursued his task, though he ever and +anon paused, to fling certain roots and drugs upon the charcoal. As he +did this, various-coloured flames broke forth—now blue, now green, now +blood-red.</p> + +<p>Tinged by these fires, the different objects in the chamber seemed to +take other forms, and to become instinct with animation. The +gourd-shaped cucurbites were transformed into great bloated toads +bursting with venom; the long-necked bolt-heads became monstrous +serpents; the worm-like pipes turned into adders; the alembics looked +like plumed helmets; the characters on the Isaical table, and those on +the parchments, seemed traced in fire, and to be ever changing; the +sea-monster bellowed and roared, and, flapping his fins, tried to burst +from his hook; the skeletons wagged their jaws, and raised their +fleshless fingers in mockery, while blue lights burnt in their eyeless +sockets; the bellows became a prodigious bat fanning the fire with its +wings; and the old alchemist assumed the appearance of the archfiend +presiding over a witches' sabbath.</p> + +<p>Auriol's brain reeled, and he pressed his hand to his eyes, to exclude +these phantasms from his sight. But even thus they pursued him; and he +imagined he could hear the infernal riot going on around him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, he was roused by a loud joyful cry, and, uncovering his eyes, +he beheld Doctor Lamb pouring the contents of the matrass—a bright, +transparent liquid—into a small phial. Having carefully secured the +bottle with a glass stopper, the old man held it towards the light, and +gazed at it with rapture.</p> + +<p>"At length," he exclaimed aloud—"at length, the great work is achieved. +With the birth of the century now expiring I first saw light, and the +draught I hold in my hand shall enable me to see the opening of +centuries and centuries to come. Composed of the lunar stones, the solar +stones, and the mercurial stones—prepared according to the instructions +of the Rabbi Ben Lucca—namely, by the separation of the pure from the +impure, the volatilisation of the fixed, and the fixing of the +volatile—this elixir shall renew my youth, like that of the eagle, and +give me length of days greater than any patriarch ever enjoyed."</p> + +<p>While thus speaking, he held up the sparkling liquid, and gazed at it +like a Persian worshipping the sun.</p> + +<p>"To live for ever!" he cried, after a pause—"to escape the jaws of +death just when they are opening to devour me!—to be free from all +accidents!—'tis a glorious thought! Ha! I bethink me, the rabbi said +there was <i>one</i> peril against which the elixir could not guard me—<i>one</i> +vulnerable point, by which, like the heel of Achilles, death might reach +me! What is it!—where can it lie?"</p> + +<p>And he relapsed into deep thought.</p> + +<p>"This uncertainty will poison all my happiness," he continued; "I shall +live in constant dread, as of an invisible enemy. But no matter! +Perpetual life!—perpetual youth!—what more need be desired?"</p> + +<p>"What more, indeed!" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed the doctor, suddenly recollecting the wounded man, and +concealing the phial beneath his gown.</p> + +<p>"Your caution is vain, doctor," said Auriol. "I have heard what you have +uttered. You fancy you have discovered the <i>elixir vitæ</i>."</p> + +<p>"Fancy I have discovered it!" cried Doctor Lamb. "The matter is past all +doubt. I am the possessor of the wondrous secret, which the greatest +philosophers of all ages have sought to discover—the miraculous +preservative of the body against decay."</p> + +<p>"The man who brought me hither told me you were my kinsman," said +Auriol. "Is it so?"</p> + +<p>"It is," replied the doctor, "and you shall now learn the connection +that subsists between us. Look at that ghastly relic," he added, +pointing to the head protruding from the bag: "that was once my son +Simon. His son's head is within the sack—your father's head—so that +four generations are brought together."</p> + +<p>"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed the young man, raising himself on his +elbow. "You, then, are my great-grandsire. My father supposed you had +died in his infancy. An old tale runs in the family that you were +charged with sorcery, and fled to avoid the stake."</p> + +<p>"It is true that I fled, and took the name I bear at present," replied +the old man, "but I need scarcely say that the charge brought against me +was false. I have devoted myself to abstrusest science, have held +commune with the stars, and have wrested the most hidden secrets from +Nature—but that is all. Two crimes alone have stained my soul; but +both, I trust, have been expiated by repentance."</p> + +<p>"Were they deeds of blood?" asked Auriol.</p> + +<p>"One was so," replied Darcy, with a shudder. "It was a cowardly and +treacherous deed, aggravated by the basest ingratitude. Listen, and you +shall hear how it chanced. A Roman rabbi, named Ben Lucca, skilled in +hermetic science, came to this city. His fame reached me, and I sought +him out, offering myself as his disciple. For months, I remained with +him in his laboratory—working at the furnace, and poring over mystic +lore. One night he showed me that volume, and, pointing to a page within +it, said: 'Those characters contain the secret of confecting the elixir +of life. I will now explain them to you, and afterwards we will proceed +to the operation.' With this, he unfolded the mystery; but he bade me +observe, that the menstruum was defective on one point. Wherefore, he +said, 'there will still be peril from some hidden cause.' Oh, with what +greediness I drank in his words! How I gazed at the mystic characters, +as he explained their import! What visions floated before me of +perpetual youth and enjoyment. At that moment a demon whispered in my +ear, 'This secret must be thine own. No one else must possess it.'"</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, starting.</p> + +<p>"The evil thought was no sooner conceived than acted upon," pursued +Darcy. "Instantly drawing my poniard, I plunged it to the rabbi's heart. +But mark what followed. His blood fell upon the book, and obliterated +the characters; nor could I by any effort of memory recall the +composition of the elixir."</p> + +<p>"When did you regain the secret?" asked Auriol curiously.</p> + +<p>"To-night," replied Darcy—"within this hour. For nigh fifty years after +that fatal night I have been making fruitless experiments. A film of +blood has obscured my mental sight. I have proceeded by calcitration, +solution, putrefaction—have produced the oils which will fix crude +mercury, and convert all bodies into sol and luna; but I have ever +failed in fermenting the stone into the true elixir. To-night, it came +into my head to wash the blood-stained page containing the secret with a +subtle liquid. I did so; and doubting the efficacy of the experiment, +left it to work, while I went forth to breathe the air at my window. My +eyes were cast upwards, and I was struck with the malignant aspect of my +star. How to reconcile this with the good fortune which has just +befallen me, I know not—but so it was. At this juncture, your rash but +pious attempt occurred. Having discovered our relationship, and enjoined +the gatekeeper to bring you hither, I returned to my old laboratory. On +glancing towards the mystic volume, what was my surprise to see the page +free from blood!"</p> + +<p>Auriol uttered a slight exclamation, and gazed at the book with +superstitious awe.</p> + +<p>"The sight was so surprising that I dropped the sack I had brought with +me," pursued Darcy. "Fearful of again losing the secret, I nerved myself +to the task, and placing fuel on the fire, dismissed my attendant with +brief injunctions relative to you. I then set to work. How I have +succeeded, you perceive. I hold in my hand the treasure I have so long +sought—so eagerly coveted. The whole world's wealth should not purchase +it from me."</p> + +<p>Auriol gazed earnestly at his aged relative, but he said nothing.</p> + +<p>"In a few moments I shall be as full of vigour and activity as +yourself," continued Darcy. "We shall be no longer the great-grandsire +and his descendant, but friends—companions—equals,—equals in age, +strength, activity, beauty, fortune—for youth <i>is</i> fortune—ha! ha! +Methinks I am already young again!"</p> + +<p>"You spoke of two crimes with which your conscience was burdened," +remarked Auriol. "You have mentioned but one."</p> + +<p>"The other was not so foul as that I have described," replied Darcy, in +an altered tone, "inasmuch as it was unintentional, and occasioned by no +base motive. My wife, your ancestress, was a most lovely woman, and so +passionately was I enamoured of her, that I tried by every art to +heighten and preserve her beauty. I fed her upon the flesh of capons, +nourished with vipers; caused her to steep her lovely limbs in baths +distilled from roses and violets; and had recourse to the most potent +cosmetics. At last I prepared a draught from poisons—yes, +<i>poisons</i>—the effect of which, I imagined, would be wondrous. She drank +it, and expired horribly disfigured. Conceive my despair at beholding +the fair image of my idolatry destroyed—defaced by my hand. In my +frenzy I should have laid violent hands upon myself, if I had not been +restrained. Love may again rule my heart—beauty may again dazzle my +eyes, but I shall never more feel the passion I entertained for my lost +Amice—never more behold charms equal to hers."</p> + +<p>And he pressed his hand to his face.</p> + +<p>"The mistake you then committed should serve as a warning," said Auriol. +"What if it be poison you have now confected? Try a few drops of it on +some animal."</p> + +<p>"No—no; it is the true elixir," replied Darcy. "Not a drop must be +wasted. You will witness its effect anon. Like the snake, I shall cast +my slough, and come forth younger than I was at twenty."</p> + +<p>"Meantime, I beseech you to render me some assistance," groaned Auriol, +"or, while you are preparing for immortality, I shall expire before your +eyes."</p> + +<p>"Be not afraid," replied Darcy; "you shall take no harm. I will care for +you presently; and I understand leechcraft so well, that I will answer +for your speedy and perfect recovery."</p> + +<p>"Drink, then, to it!" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"I know not what stays my hand," said the old man, raising the phial; +"but now that immortality is in my reach, I dare not grasp it."</p> + +<p>"Give me the potion, then," cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Not for worlds," rejoined Darcy, hugging the phial to his breast. "No; +I will be young again—rich—happy. I will go forth into the world—I +will bask in the smiles of beauty—I will feast, revel, sing—life shall +be one perpetual round of enjoyment. Now for the trial—ha!" and, as he +raised the potion towards his lips, a sudden pang shot across his heart. +"What is this?" he cried, staggering. "Can death assail me when I am +just about to enter upon perpetual life? Help me, good grandson! Place +the phial to my lips. Pour its contents down my throat—quick! quick!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus02" id="illus02"></a> +<img src="images/illus02.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Elixir of Long Life.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"I am too weak to stir," groaned Auriol. "You have delayed it too long."</p> + +<p>"Oh, heavens! we shall both perish," shrieked Darcy, vainly endeavouring +to raise his palsied arm,—"perish with the blissful shore in view."</p> + +<p>And he sank backwards, and would have fallen to the ground if he had not +caught at the terrestrial sphere for support.</p> + +<p>"Help me—help me!" he screamed, fixing a glance of unutterable anguish +on his relative.</p> + +<p>"It is worth the struggle," cried Auriol. And, by a great effort, he +raised himself, and staggered towards the old man.</p> + +<p>"Saved—saved!" shrieked Darcy. "Pour it down my throat. An instant, and +all will be well."</p> + +<p>"Think you I have done this for you?" cried Auriol, snatching the +potion; "no—no."</p> + +<p>And, supporting himself against the furnace, he placed the phial to his +lips, and eagerly drained its contents.</p> + +<p>The old man seemed paralysed by the action, but kept his eye fixed upon +the youth till he had drained the elixir to the last drop. He then +uttered a piercing cry, threw up his arms, and fell heavily backwards.</p> + +<p>Dead—dead!</p> + +<p>Flashes of light passed before Auriol's eyes, and strange noises smote +his ears. For a moment he was bewildered as with wine, and laughed and +sang discordantly like a madman. Every object reeled and danced around +him. The glass vessels and jars clashed their brittle sides together, +yet remained uninjured; the furnace breathed forth flames and mephitic +vapours; the spiral worm of the alembic became red hot, and seemed +filled with molten lead; the pipe of the bolt-head ran blood; the sphere +of the earth rolled along the floor, and rebounded from the wall as if +impelled by a giant hand; the skeletons grinned and gibbered; so did the +death's-head on the table; so did the skulls against the chimney; the +monstrous sea-fish belched forth fire and smoke; the bald, decapitated +head opened its eyes, and fixed them, with a stony glare, on the young +man; while the dead alchemist shook his hand menacingly at him.</p> + +<p>Unable to bear these accumulated horrors, Auriol became, for a short +space, insensible. On recovering, all was still. The lights within the +lamp had expired; but the bright moonlight, streaming through the +window, fell upon the rigid features of the unfortunate alchemist, and +on the cabalistic characters of the open volume beside him.</p> + +<p>Eager to test the effect of the elixir, Auriol put his hand to his side. +All traces of the wound were gone; nor did he experience the slightest +pain in any other part of his body. On the contrary, he seemed endowed +with preternatural strength. His breast dilated with rapture, and he +longed to expand his joy in active motion.</p> + +<p>Striding over the body of his aged relative, he threw open the window. +As he did so, joyous peals burst from surrounding churches, announcing +the arrival of the new year.</p> + +<p>While listening to this clamour, Auriol gazed at the populous and +picturesque city stretched out before him, and bathed in the moonlight.</p> + +<p>"A hundred years hence," he thought, "and scarcely one soul of the +thousands within those houses will be living, save myself. A hundred +years after that, and their children's children will be gone to the +grave. But I shall live on—shall live through all changes—all +customs—all time. What revelations I shall then have to make, if I +should dare to disclose them!"</p> + +<p>As he ruminated thus, the skeleton hanging near him was swayed by the +wind, and its bony fingers came in contact with his cheek. A dread idea +was suggested by the occurrence.</p> + +<p>"There is one peril to be avoided," he thought; "<span class="smcap">ONE PERIL!</span>—what is it? +Pshaw! I will think no more of it. It may never arise. I will be gone. +This place fevers me."</p> + +<p>With this, he left the laboratory, and hastily descending the stairs, at +the foot of which he found Flapdragon, passed out of the house.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BOOK_THE_FIRST" id="BOOK_THE_FIRST"></a>BOOK THE FIRST</h2> + +<h3><i>EBBA</i></h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD</h3> + + +<p>Late one night, in the spring of 1830, two men issued from a low, +obscurely situated public-house, near Millbank, and shaped their course +apparently in the direction of Vauxhall Bridge. Avoiding the footpath +near the river, they moved stealthily along the farther side of the +road, where the open ground offered them an easy means of flight, in +case such a course should be found expedient. So far as it could be +discerned by the glimpses of the moon, which occasionally shone forth +from a rack of heavy clouds, the appearance of these personages was not +much in their favour. Haggard features, stamped deeply with the +characters of crime and debauchery; fierce, restless eyes; beards of +several days' growth; wild, unkempt heads of hair, formed their chief +personal characteristics; while sordid and ragged clothes, shoes without +soles, and old hats without crowns, constituted the sum of their +apparel.</p> + +<p>One of them was tall and gaunt, with large hands and feet; but despite +his meagreness, he evidently possessed great strength: the other was +considerably shorter, but broad-shouldered, bow-legged, long-armed, and +altogether a most formidable ruffian. This fellow had high cheek-bones, +a long aquiline nose, and a coarse mouth and chin, in which the animal +greatly predominated. He had a stubby red beard, with sandy hair, white +brows and eyelashes. The countenance of the other was dark and +repulsive, and covered with blotches, the result of habitual +intemperance. His eyes had a leering and malignant look. A handkerchief +spotted with blood, and tied across his brow, contrasted strongly with +his matted black hair, and increased his natural appearance of ferocity. +The shorter ruffian carried a mallet upon his shoulder, and his +companion concealed something beneath the breast of his coat, which +afterwards proved to be a dark lantern.</p> + +<p>Not a word passed between them; but keeping a vigilant look-out, they +trudged on with quick, shambling steps. A few sounds arose from the +banks of the river, and there was now and then a plash in the water, or +a distant cry, betokening some passing craft; but generally all was +profoundly still. The quaint, Dutch-looking structures on the opposite +bank, the line of coal-barges and lighters moored to the strand, the +great timber-yards and coal-yards, the brewhouses, gasworks, and +waterworks, could only be imperfectly discerned; but the moonlight fell +clear upon the ancient towers of Lambeth Palace, and on the neighbouring +church. The same glimmer also ran like a silver belt across the stream, +and revealed the great, stern, fortress-like pile of the +Penitentiary—perhaps the most dismal-looking structure in the whole +metropolis. The world of habitations beyond this melancholy prison was +buried in darkness. The two men, however, thought nothing of these +things, and saw nothing of them; but, on arriving within a couple of +hundred yards of the bridge, suddenly, as if by previous concert, +quitted the road, and, leaping a rail, ran across a field, and plunged +into a hollow formed by a dried pit, where they came to a momentary +halt.</p> + +<p>"You ain't a-been a-gammonin' me in this matter, Tinker?" observed the +shorter individual. "The cove's sure to come?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you can't expect me to answer for another as I can for myself, +Sandman," replied the other; "but if his own word's to be taken for it, +he's sartin to be there. I heerd him say, as plainly as I'm a speakin' +to you—'I'll be here to-morrow night—at the same hour——'"</p> + +<p>"And that wos one o'clock?" said the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Thereabouts," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"And who did he say that to?" demanded the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"To hisself, I s'pose," answered the Tinker; "for, as I told you afore, +I could see no one vith him."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he's one of our perfession?" inquired the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Bless you! no—that he ain't," returned the Tinker. "He's a reg'lar +slap-up svell."</p> + +<p>"That's no reason at all," said the Sandman. "Many a first-rate svell +practises in our line. But he can't be in his right mind to come to such +a ken as that, and go on as you mentions."</p> + +<p>"As to that I can't say," replied the Tinker; "and it don't much matter, +as far as ve're consarned."</p> + +<p>"Devil a bit," rejoined the Sandman, "except—you're sure it worn't a +sperrit, Tinker. I've heerd say that this crib is haanted, and though I +don't fear no livin' man, a ghost's a different sort of customer."</p> + +<p>"Vell, you'll find our svell raal flesh and blood, you may depend upon +it," replied the Tinker. "So come along, and don't let's be frightenin' +ourselves vith ould vimen's tales."</p> + +<p>With this they emerged from the pit, crossed the lower part of the +field, and entered a narrow thoroughfare, skirted by a few detached +houses, which brought them into the Vauxhall Bridge Road.</p> + +<p>Here they kept on the side of the street most in shadow, and crossed +over whenever they came to a lamp. By-and-by, two watchmen were seen +advancing from Belvoir Terrace, and, as the guardians of the night drew +near, the ruffians crept into an alley to let them pass. As soon as the +coast was clear, they ventured forth, and quickening their pace, came to +a row of deserted and dilapidated houses. This was their destination.</p> + +<p>The range of habitations in question, more than a dozen in number, were, +in all probability, what is vulgarly called "in Chancery," and shared +the fate of most property similarly circumstanced. They were in a sad +ruinous state—unroofed, without windows and floors. The bare walls were +alone left standing, and these were in a very tumble-down condition. +These neglected dwellings served as receptacles for old iron, blocks of +stone and wood, and other ponderous matters. The aspect of the whole +place was so dismal and suspicious, that it was generally avoided by +passengers after nightfall.</p> + +<p>Skulking along the blank and dreary walls, the Tinker, who was now a +little in advance, stopped before a door, and pushing it open, entered +the dwelling. His companion followed him.</p> + +<p>The extraordinary and incongruous assemblage of objects which met the +gaze of the Sandman, coupled with the deserted appearance of the place, +produced an effect upon his hardy but superstitious nature.</p> + +<p>Looking round, he beheld huge mill-stones, enormous water-wheels, +boilers of steam-engines, iron vats, cylinders, cranes, iron pumps of +the strangest fashion, a gigantic pair of wooden scales, old iron safes, +old boilers, old gas-pipes, old water-pipes, cracked old bells, old +bird-cages, old plates of iron, old pulleys, ropes, and rusty chains, +huddled and heaped together in the most fantastic disorder. In the midst +of the chaotic mass frowned the bearded and colossal head of Neptune, +which had once decorated the forepart of a man-of-war. Above it, on a +sort of framework, lay the prostrate statue of a nymph, together with a +bust of Fox, the nose of the latter being partly demolished, and the +eyes knocked in. Above these, three garden divinities laid their heads +amicably together. On the left stood a tall Grecian warrior, minus the +head and right hand. The whole was surmounted by an immense ventilator, +stuck on the end of an iron rod, ascending, like a lightning-conductor, +from the steam-engine pump.</p> + +<p>Seen by the transient light of the moon, the various objects above +enumerated produced a strange effect upon the beholder's imagination. +There was a mixture of the grotesque and terrible about them. Nor was +the building itself devoid of a certain influence upon his mind. The +ragged brickwork, overgrown with weeds, took with him the semblance of a +human face, and seemed to keep a wary eye on what was going forward +below.</p> + +<p>A means of crossing from one side of the building to the other, without +descending into the vault beneath, was afforded by a couple of planks; +though as the wall on the farther side was some feet higher than that +near at hand, and the planks were considerably bent, the passage +appeared hazardous.</p> + +<p>Glancing round for a moment, the Tinker leaped into the cellar, and, +unmasking his lantern, showed a sort of hiding-place, between a bulk of +timber and a boiler, to which he invited his companion.</p> + +<p>The Sandman jumped down.</p> + +<p>"The ale I drank at the 'Two Fighting Cocks' has made me feel drowsy, +Tinker," he remarked, stretching himself on the bulk; "I'll just take a +snooze. Vake me up if I snore—or ven our sperrit appears."</p> + +<p>The Tinker replied in the affirmative; and the other had just become +lost to consciousness, when he received a nudge in the side, and his +companion whispered—"He's here!"</p> + +<p>"Vhere—vhere?" demanded the Sandman, in some trepidation.</p> + +<p>"Look up, and you'll see him," replied the other.</p> + +<p>Slightly altering his position, the Sandman caught sight of a figure +standing upon the planks above them. It was that of a young man. His hat +was off, and his features, exposed to the full radiance of the moon, +looked deathly pale, and though handsome, had a strange sinister +expression. He was tall, slight, and well-proportioned; and the general +cut of his attire, the tightly-buttoned, single-breasted coat, together +with the moustache upon his lip, gave him a military air.</p> + +<p>"He seems a-valkin' in his sleep," muttered the Sandman. "He's +a-speakin' to some von unwisible."</p> + +<p>"Hush—hush!" whispered the other. "Let's hear wot he's a-sayin'."</p> + +<p>"Why have you brought me here?" cried the young man, in a voice so +hollow that it thrilled his auditors. "What is to be done?"</p> + +<p>"It makes my blood run cold to hear him," whispered the Sandman. "Vot +d'ye think he sees?"</p> + +<p>"Why do you not speak to me?" cried the young man—"why do you beckon me +forward? Well, I obey. I will follow you."</p> + +<p>And he moved slowly across the plank.</p> + +<p>"See, he's a-goin' through that door," cried the Tinker. "Let's foller +him."</p> + +<p>"I don't half like it," replied the Sandman, his teeth chattering with +apprehension. "We shall see summat as'll take avay our senses."</p> + +<p>"Tut!" cried the Tinker; "it's only a sleepy-valker. Wot are you afeerd +on?"</p> + +<p>With this he vaulted upon the planks, and peeping cautiously out of the +open door to which they led, saw the object of his scrutiny enter the +adjoining house through a broken window.</p> + +<p>Making a sign to the Sandman, who was close at his heels, the Tinker +crept forward on all fours, and, on reaching the window, raised himself +just sufficiently to command the interior of the dwelling. Unfortunately +for him, the moon was at this moment obscured, and he could distinguish +nothing except the dusky outline of the various objects with which the +place was filled, and which were nearly of the same kind as those of the +neighbouring habitation. He listened intently, but not the slightest +sound reached his ears.</p> + +<p>After some time spent in this way, he began to fear the young man must +have departed, when all at once a piercing scream resounded through the +dwelling. Some heavy matter was dislodged, with a thundering crash, and +footsteps were heard approaching the window.</p> + +<p>Hastily retreating to their former hiding-place, the Tinker and his +companion had scarcely regained it, when the young man again appeared on +the plank. His demeanour had undergone a fearful change. He staggered +rather than walked, and his countenance was even paler than before. +Having crossed the plank, he took his way along the top of the broken +wall towards the door.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, Sandman!" cried the Tinker; "now's your time!"</p> + +<p>The other nodded, and, grasping his mallet with a deadly and determined +purpose, sprang noiselessly upon the wall, and overtook his intended +victim just before he gained the door.</p> + +<p>Hearing a sound behind him, the young man turned, and only just became +conscious of the presence of the Sandman, when the mallet descended upon +his head, and he fell crushed and senseless to the ground.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus03" id="illus03"></a> +<img src="images/illus03.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Ruined house in the Vauxhall Road</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"The vork's done!" cried the Sandman to his companion, who instantly +came up with the dark lantern; "let's take him below, and strip him."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," replied the Tinker; "but first let's see wot he has got in his +pockets."</p> + +<p>"Vith all my 'art," replied the Sandman, searching the clothes of the +victim. "A reader!—I hope it's well lined. Ve'll examine it below. The +body 'ud tell awkvard tales if any von should chance to peep in."</p> + +<p>"Shall we strip him here?" said the Tinker. "Now the darkey shines on +'em, you see what famous togs the cull has on."</p> + +<p>"Do you vant to have us scragged, fool?" cried the Sandman, springing +into the vault. "Hoist him down here."</p> + +<p>With this, he placed the wounded man's legs over his own shoulders, and, +aided by his comrade, was in the act of heaving down the body, when the +street-door suddenly flew open, and a stout individual, attended by a +couple of watchmen, appeared at it.</p> + +<p>"There the villains are!" shouted the new-comer. "They have been +murderin' a gentleman. Seize 'em—seize 'em!"</p> + +<p>And, as he spoke, he discharged a pistol, the ball from which whistled +past the ears of the Tinker.</p> + +<p>Without waiting for another salute of the same kind, which might +possibly be nearer its mark, the ruffian kicked the lantern into the +vault, and sprang after the Sandman, who had already disappeared.</p> + +<p>Acquainted with the intricacies of the place, the Tinker guided his +companion through a hole into an adjoining vault, whence they scaled a +wall, got into the next house, and passing through an open window, made +good their retreat, while the watchmen were vainly searching for them +under every bulk and piece of iron.</p> + +<p>"Here, watchmen!" cried the stout individual, who had acted as leader; +"never mind the villains just now, but help me to convey this poor young +gentleman to my house, where proper assistance can be rendered him. He +still breathes; but he has received a terrible blow on the head. I hope +his skull ain't broken."</p> + +<p>"It is to be hoped it ain't, Mr. Thorneycroft," replied the foremost +watchman; "but them was two desperate characters as ever I see, and +capable of any hatterosity."</p> + +<p>"What a frightful scream I heard to be sure!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "I +was certain somethin' dreadful was goin' on. It was fortunate I wasn't +gone to bed; and still more fortunate you happened to be comin' up at +the time. But we mustn't stand chatterin' here. Bring the poor young +gentleman along."</p> + +<p>Preceded by Mr. Thorneycroft, the watchmen carried the wounded man +across the road towards a small house, the door of which was held open +by a female servant, with a candle in her hand. The poor woman uttered a +cry of horror as the body was brought in.</p> + +<p>"Don't be cryin' out in that way, Peggy," cried Mr. Thorneycroft, "but +go and get me some brandy. Here, watchmen, lay the poor young gentleman +down on the sofa—there, gently, gently. And now, one of you run to +Wheeler Street, and fetch Mr. Howell, the surgeon. Less noise, +Peggy—less noise, or you'll waken Miss Ebba, and I wouldn't have her +disturbed for the world."</p> + +<p>With this, he snatched the bottle of brandy from the maid, filled a +wine-glass with the spirit, and poured it down the throat of the wounded +man. A stifling sound followed, and after struggling violently for +respiration for a few seconds, the patient opened his eyes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE DOG-FANCIER</h3> + + +<p>The Rookery! Who that has passed Saint Giles's, on the way to the city, +or coming from it, but has caught a glimpse, through some narrow +opening, of its squalid habitations, and wretched and ruffianly +occupants! Who but must have been struck with amazement, that such a +huge receptacle of vice and crime should be allowed to exist in the very +heart of the metropolis, like an ulcerated spot, capable of tainting the +whole system! Of late, the progress of improvement has caused its +removal; but whether any less cogent motive would have abated the +nuisance may be questioned. For years the evil was felt and complained +of, but no effort was made to remedy it, or to cleanse these worse than +Augean stables. As the place is now partially, if not altogether, swept +away, and a wide and airy street passes through the midst of its foul +recesses, a slight sketch may be given of its former appearance.</p> + +<p>Entering a narrow street, guarded by posts and cross-bars, a few steps +from the crowded thoroughfare brought you into a frightful region, the +refuge, it was easy to perceive, of half the lawless characters +infesting the metropolis. The coarsest ribaldry assailed your ears, and +noisome odours afflicted your sense of smell. As you advanced, picking +your way through kennels flowing with filth, or over putrescent heaps of +rubbish and oyster-shells, all the repulsive and hideous features of the +place were displayed before you. There was something savagely +picturesque in the aspect of the place, but its features were too +loathsome to be regarded with any other feeling than disgust. The houses +looked as sordid, and as thickly crusted with the leprosy of vice, as +their tenants. Horrible habitations they were, in truth. Many of them +were without windows, and where the frames were left, brown paper or tin +supplied the place of glass; some even wanted doors, and no effort was +made to conceal the squalor within. On the contrary, it seemed to be +intruded on observation. Miserable rooms, almost destitute of furniture; +floors and walls caked with dirt, or decked with coarse flaring prints; +shameless and abandoned-looking women; children without shoes and +stockings, and with scarcely a rag to their backs: these were the chief +objects that met the view. Of men, few were visible—the majority being +out on business, it is to be presumed; but where a solitary straggler +was seen, his sinister looks and mean attire were in perfect keeping +with the spot. So thickly inhabited were these wretched dwellings, that +every chamber, from garret to cellar, swarmed with inmates. As to the +cellars, they looked like dismal caverns, which a wild beast would shun. +Clothes-lines were hung from house to house, festooned with every kind +of garment. Out of the main street branched several alleys and passages, +all displaying the same degree of misery, or, if possible, worse, and +teeming with occupants. Personal security, however, forbade any attempt +to track these labyrinths; but imagination, after the specimen afforded, +could easily picture them. It was impossible to move a step without +insult or annoyance. Every human being seemed brutalised and degraded; +and the women appeared utterly lost to decency, and made the street ring +with their cries, their quarrels, and their imprecations. It was a +positive relief to escape from this hotbed of crime to the world +without, and breathe a purer atmosphere.</p> + +<p>Such being the aspect of the Rookery in the daytime, what must it have +been when crowded with its denizens at night! Yet at such an hour it +will now be necessary to enter its penetralia.</p> + +<p>After escaping from the ruined house in the Vauxhall Road, the two +ruffians shaped their course towards Saint Giles's, running the greater +part of the way, and reaching the Broadway just as the church clock +struck two. Darting into a narrow alley, and heedless of any +obstructions they encountered in their path, they entered a somewhat +wider cross-street, which they pursued for a short distance, and then +struck into an entry, at the bottom of which was a swing-door that +admitted them into a small court, where they found a dwarfish person +wrapped in a tattered watchman's greatcoat, seated on a stool with a +horn lantern in his hand and a cutty in his mouth, the glow of which +lighted up his hard, withered features. This was the deputy-porter of +the lodging-house they were about to enter. Addressing him by the name +of Old Parr, the ruffians passed on, and lifting the latch of another +door, entered a sort of kitchen, at the farther end of which blazed a +cheerful fire, with a large copper kettle boiling upon it. On one side +of the room was a deal table, round which several men of sinister aspect +and sordid attire were collected, playing, at cards. A smaller table of +the same material stood near the fire, and opposite it was a staircase +leading to the upper rooms. The place was dingy and dirty in the +extreme, the floors could not have been scoured for years, and the walls +were begrimed with filth. In one corner, with his head resting on a heap +of coals and coke, lay a boy almost as black as a chimney-sweep, fast +asleep. He was the waiter. The principal light was afforded by a candle +stuck against the wall, with a tin reflector behind it. Before the fire, +with his back turned towards it, stood a noticeable individual, clad in +a velveteen jacket with ivory buttons, a striped waistcoat, drab knees, +a faded black silk neckcloth tied in a great bow, and a pair of ancient +Wellingtons ascending half-way up his legs, which looked +disproportionately thin when compared with the upper part of his square, +robustious, and somewhat pursy frame. His face was broad, jolly, and +good-humoured, with a bottle-shaped nose, fleshy lips, and light grey +eyes, glistening with cunning and roguery. His hair, which dangled in +long flakes over his ears and neck, was of a dunnish red, as were also +his whiskers and beard. A superannuated white castor, with a black +hat-band round it, was cocked knowingly on one side of his head, and +gave him a flashy and sporting look. His particular vocation was made +manifest by the number of dogs he had about him. A beautiful +black-and-tan spaniel, of Charles the Second's breed, popped its short +snubby nose and long silken ears out of each coat-pocket. A pug was +thrust into his breast, and he carried an exquisite Blenheim under +either arm. At his feet reposed an Isle of Skye terrier, and a partly +cropped French poodle, of snowy whiteness, with a red worsted riband +round his throat. This person, it need scarcely be said, was a +dog-fancier, or, in other words, a dealer in, and a stealer of, dogs, as +well as a practiser of all the tricks connected with that nefarious +trade. His self-satisfied air made it evident he thought himself a +smart, clever fellow,—and adroit and knavish he was, no doubt,—while +his droll, plausible, and rather winning manners helped him materially +to impose upon his customers. His real name was Taylor, but he was known +among his companions by the appellation of Ginger. On the entrance of +the Sandman and the Tinker, he nodded familiarly to them, and with a sly +look inquired—"Vell, my 'arties—wot luck?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, pretty middlin'," replied the Sandman gruffly.</p> + +<p>And seating himself at the table, near the fire, he kicked up the lad, +who was lying fast asleep on the coals, and bade him fetch a pot of +half-and-half. The Tinker took a place beside him, and they waited in +silence the arrival of the liquor, which, when it came, was disposed of +at a couple of pulls; while Mr. Ginger, seeing they were engaged, +sauntered towards the card-table, attended by his four-footed +companions.</p> + +<p>"And now," said the Sandman, unable to control his curiosity longer, and +taking out his pocket-book, "we'll see what fortun' has given us."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus04" id="illus04"></a> +<img src="images/illus04.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Dog-fancier.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>So saying, he unclasped the pocket-book, while the Tinker bent over +him in eager curiosity. But their search for money was fruitless. Not a +single bank-note was forthcoming. There were several memoranda and slips +of paper, a few cards, and an almanac for the year—that was all. It was +a great disappointment.</p> + +<p>"So we've had all this trouble for nuffin', and nearly got shot into the +bargain," cried the Sandman, slapping down the book on the table with an +oath. "I vish I'd never undertaken the job."</p> + +<p>"Don't let's give it up in sich an 'urry," replied the Tinker; "summat +may be made on it yet. Let's look over them papers."</p> + +<p>"Look 'em over yourself," rejoined the Sandman, pushing the book towards +him. "I've done wi' 'em. Here, lazy-bones, bring two glasses o' +rum-and-water—stiff, d'ye hear?"</p> + +<p>While the sleepy youth bestirred himself to obey these injunctions, the +Tinker read over every memorandum in the pocket-book, and then proceeded +carefully to examine the different scraps of paper with which it was +filled. Not content with one perusal, he looked them all over again, and +then began to rub his hands with great glee.</p> + +<p>"Wot's the matter?" cried the Sandman, who had lighted a cutty, and was +quietly smoking it. "Wot's the row, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Vy, this is it," replied the Tinker, unable to contain his +satisfaction; "there's secrets contained in this here pocket-book as'll +be worth a hundred pound and better to us. We ha'n't had our trouble for +nuffin'."</p> + +<p>"Glad to hear it!" said the Sandman, looking hard at him. "Wot kind o' +secrets are they?"</p> + +<p>"Vy, <i>hangin' secrets</i>," replied the Tinker, with mysterious emphasis. +"He seems to be a terrible chap, and to have committed murder +wholesale."</p> + +<p>"Wholesale!" echoed the Sandman, removing the pipe from his lips. "That +sounds awful. But what a precious donkey he must be to register his +crimes i' that way."</p> + +<p>"He didn't expect the pocket-book to fall into our hands," said the +Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Werry likely not," replied the Sandman; "but somebody else might see +it. I repeat, he must be a fool. S'pose we wos to make a entry of +everythin' we does. Wot a nice balance there'd be agin us ven our +accounts comed to be wound up!"</p> + +<p>"Ourn is a different bus'ness altogether," replied the Tinker. "This +seems a werry mysterious sort o' person. Wot age should you take him to +be?"</p> + +<p>"Vy, five-an'-twenty at the outside," replied the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Five-an'-sixty 'ud be nearer the mark," replied the Tinker. "There's +dates as far back as that."</p> + +<p>"Five-an'-sixty devils!" cried the Sandman; "there must be some mistake +i' the reckonin' there."</p> + +<p>"No, it's all clear an' reg'lar," rejoined the other; "and that doesn't +seem to be the end of it neither. I looked over the papers twice, and +one, dated 1780, refers to some other dokiments."</p> + +<p>"They must relate to his granddad, then," said the Sandman; "it's +impossible they can refer to him."</p> + +<p>"But I tell 'ee they <i>do</i> refer to him," said the Tinker, somewhat +angrily, at having his assertion denied; "at least, if his own word's to +be taken. Anyhow, these papers is waluable to us. If no one else +believes in 'em, it's clear he believes in 'em hisself, and will be glad +to buy 'em from us."</p> + +<p>"That's a view o' the case worthy of an Old Bailey lawyer," replied the +Sandman. "Wot's the gemman's name?"</p> + +<p>"The name on the card is <span class="smcap">Auriol Darcy</span>," replied the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Any address?" asked the Sandman.</p> + +<p>The Tinker shook his head.</p> + +<p>"That's unlucky agin," said the Sandman. "Ain't there no sort o' clue?"</p> + +<p>"None votiver, as I can perceive," said the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Vy, zounds, then, ve're jist vere ve started from," cried the Sandman. +"But it don't matter. There's not much chance o' makin' a bargin vith +him. The crack o' the skull I gave him has done his bus'ness."</p> + +<p>"Nuffin' o' the kind," replied the Tinker. "He alvays recovers from +every kind of accident."</p> + +<p>"Alvays recovers!" exclaimed the Sandman, in amazement. "Wot a +constitootion he must have!"</p> + +<p>"Surprisin'!" replied the Tinker; "he never suffers from injuries—at +least, not much; never grows old; and never expects to die; for he +mentions wot he intends doin' a hundred years hence."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's a lu-nattic!" exclaimed the Sandman, "a downright lu-nattic; +and that accounts for his wisitin' that 'ere ruined house, and +a-fancyin' he heerd some one talk to him. He's mad, depend upon it. That +is, if I ain't cured him."</p> + +<p>"I'm of a different opinion," said the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"And so am I," said Mr. Ginger, who had approached unobserved, and +overheard the greater part of their discourse.</p> + +<p>"Vy, vot can you know about it, Ginger?" said the Sandman, looking up, +evidently rather annoyed.</p> + +<p>"I only know this," replied Ginger, "that you've got a good case, and if +you'll let me into it, I'll engage to make summat of it."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I'm agreeable," said the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"And so am I," added the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Not that I pays much regard to wot you've bin a readin' in his papers," +purused Ginger; "the gemman's evidently half-cracked, if he ain't +cracked altogether—but he's jist the person to work upon. He fancies +hisself immortal—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly so," replied the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"And he also fancies he's committed a lot o' murders?" perused Ginger.</p> + +<p>"A desperate lot," replied the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Then he'll be glad to buy those papers at any price," said Ginger. +"Ve'll deal vith him in regard to the pocket-book, as I deals vith +regard to a dog—ask a price for its restitootion."</p> + +<p>"We must find him out first," said the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"There's no difficulty in that," rejoined Ginger. "You must be +constantly on the look-out. You're sure to meet him some time or other."</p> + +<p>"That's true," replied the Sandman; "and there's no fear of his knowin' +us, for the werry moment he looked round I knocked him on the head."</p> + +<p>"Arter all," said the Tinker, "there's no branch o' the perfession so +safe as yours, Ginger. The law is favourable to you, and the beaks is +afeerd to touch you. I think I shall turn dog-fancier myself."</p> + +<p>"It's a good business," replied Ginger, "but it requires a hedication. +As I wos sayin', we gets a high price sometimes for restorin' a +favourite, especially ven ve've a soft-hearted lady to deal vith. +There's some vimen as fond o' dogs as o' their own childer, and ven ve +gets one o' their precious pets, ve makes 'em ransom it as the brigands +you see at the Adelphi or the Surrey sarves their prisoners, threatenin' +to send first an ear, and then a paw, or a tail, and so on. I'll tell +you wot happened t'other day. There wos a lady—a Miss Vite—as was +desperate fond of her dog. It wos a ugly warmint, but no matter for +that—the creater had gained her heart. Vell, she lost it; and, somehow +or other, I found it. She vos in great trouble, and a friend o' mine +calls to say she can have the dog agin, but she must pay eight pound for +it. She thinks this dear, and a friend o' her own adwises her to wait, +sayin' better terms will be offered; so I sends vord by my friend that +if she don't come down at once the poor animal's throat vill be cut that +werry night."</p> + +<p>"Ha!—ha!—ha!" laughed the others.</p> + +<p>"Vell, she sent four pound, and I put up with it," pursued Ginger; "but +about a month arterwards she loses her favourite agin, and, strange to +say, I finds it. The same game is played over agin, and she comes down +with another four pound. But she takes care this time that I shan't +repeat the trick; for no sooner does she obtain persession of her +favourite than she embarks in the steamer for France, in the hope of +keeping her dog safe there."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Miss Bailey, unfortinate Miss +Bailey!—Fol-de-riddle-tol-ol-lol—unfortinate Miss Bailey!" sang the +Tinker.</p> + +<p>"But there's dog-fanciers in France, ain't there?" asked the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Lor' bless 'ee, yes," replied Ginger; "there's as many fanciers i' +France as here. Vy, ve drives a smartish trade wi' them through them +foreign steamers. There's scarcely a steamer as leaves the port o' +London but takes out a cargo o' dogs. Ve sells 'em to the stewards, +stokers, and sailors—cheap—and no questins asked. They goes to Ostend, +Antverp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and sometimes to Havre. There's a Mounseer +Coqquilu as comes over to buy dogs, and ve takes 'em to him at a house +near Billinsgit market."</p> + +<p>"Then you're alvays sure o' a ready market somehow," observed the +Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Sartin," replied Ginger, "cos the law's so kind to us. Vy, bless you, a +perliceman can't detain us, even if he knows ve've a stolen dog in our +persession, and ve svears it's our own; and yet he'd stop you in a +minnit if he seed you with a suspicious-lookin' bundle under your arm. +Now, jist to show you the difference atwixt the two perfessions:—I +steals a dog—walue, maybe, fifty pound, or p'raps more. Even if I'm +catched i' the fact I may get fined twenty pound, or have six months' +imprisonment; vile, if you steals an old fogle, walue three fardens, +you'll get seven years abroad, to a dead certainty."</p> + +<p>"That seems hard on us," observed the Sandman reflectively.</p> + +<p>"It's the <i>law</i>!" exclaimed Ginger triumphantly. "Now, ve generally +escapes by payin' the fine, 'cos our pals goes and steals more dogs to +raise the money. Ve alvays stands by each other. There's a reg'lar +horganisation among us; so ve can alvays bring vitnesses to svear vot ve +likes, and ve so puzzles the beaks, that the case gets dismissed, and +the constable says, 'Vich party shall I give the dog to, your vorship?' +Upon vich, the beak replies, a-shakin' of his vise noddle, 'Give it to +the person in whose persession it was found. I have nuffin' more to do +vith it.' In course the dog is delivered up to us."</p> + +<p>"The law seems made for dog-fanciers," remarked the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Wot d'ye think o' this?" pursued Ginger. "I wos a-standin' at the +corner o' Gray's Inn Lane vith some o' my pals near a coach-stand, ven a +lady passes by vith this here dog—an' a beauty it is, a real long-eared +Charley—a follerin' of her. Vell, the moment I spies it, I unties my +apron, whips up the dog, and covers it up in a trice. Vell, the lady +sees me, an' gives me in charge to a perliceman. But that si'nifies +nuffin'. I brings six vitnesses to svear the dog vos mine, and I +actually had it since it vos a blind little puppy; and, wot's more, I +brings its <i>mother</i>, and that settles the pint. So in course I'm +discharged; the dog is given up to me; and the lady goes avay lamentin'. +I then plays the amiable, an' offers to sell it her for twenty guineas, +seein' as how she had taken a fancy to it; but she von't bite. So if I +don't sell it next week, I shall send it to Mounseer Coqquilu. The only +vay you can go wrong is to steal a dog wi' a collar on, for if you do, +you may get seven years' transportation for a bit o' leather and a brass +plate vorth a shillin', vile the animal, though vorth a hundred pound, +can't hurt you. There's <i>law</i> again—ha, ha!"</p> + +<p>"Dog-fancier's law!" laughed the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Some of the Fancy is given to cruelty," pursued Ginger, "and crops a +dog's ears, or pulls out his teeth to disguise him; but I'm too fond o' +the animal for that. I may frighten old ladies sometimes, as I told you +afore, but I never seriously hurts their pets. Nor did I ever kill a dog +for his skin, as some on 'em does."</p> + +<p>"And you're always sure o' gettin' a dog, if you vants it, I s'pose?" +inquired the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Alvays," replied Ginger. "No man's dog is safe. I don't care how he's +kept, ve're sure to have him at last. Ve feels our vay with the +sarvents, and finds out from them the walley the master or missis sets +on the dog, and soon after that the animal's gone. Vith a bit o' liver, +prepared in my partic'lar vay, I can tame the fiercest dog as ever +barked, take him off his chain, an' bring him arter me at a gallop."</p> + +<p>"And do respectable parties ever buy dogs knowin' they're stolen?" +inquired the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Ay, to be sure," replied Ginger; "sometimes first-rate nobs. They put +us up to it themselves; they'll say, 'I've jist left my Lord +So-and-So's, and there I seed a couple o' the finest pointers I ever +clapped eyes on. I vant you to get me <i>jist sich another couple</i>.' +Vell, ve understands in a minnit, an' in doo time the identicle dogs +finds their vay to our customer."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's how it's done?" remarked the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's the vay," replied Ginger. "Sometimes a party'll vant a +couple o' dogs for the shootin' season; and then ve asks, 'Vich vay are +you a-goin'—into Surrey or Kent?' And accordin' as the answer is given +ve arranges our plans."</p> + +<p>"Vell, yourn appears a profitable and safe employment, I must say," +remarked the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly so," replied Ginger. "Nothin' can touch us till dogs is +declared by statute to be property, and stealin' 'em a misdemeanour. And +that won't occur in my time."</p> + +<p>"Let's hope not," rejoined the other two.</p> + +<p>"To come back to the pint from vich we started," said the Tinker; "our +gemman's case is not so surprisin' as it at first appears. There are +some persons as believe they never will die—and I myself am of the same +opinion. There's our old deputy here—him as ve calls Old Parr—vy, he +declares he lived in Queen Bess's time, recollects King Charles bein' +beheaded perfectly vell, and remembers the Great Fire o' London, as if +it only occurred yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Walker!" exclaimed Ginger, putting his finger to his nose.</p> + +<p>"You may larf, but it's true," replied the Tinker. "I recollect an old +man tellin' me that he knew the deputy sixty years ago, and he looked +jist the same then as now,—neither older nor younger."</p> + +<p>"Humph!" exclaimed Ginger. "He don't look so old now."</p> + +<p>"That's the cur'ousest part of it," said the Tinker. "He don't like to +talk of his age unless you can get him i' the humour; but he once told +me he didn't know why he lived so long, unless it were owin' to a potion +he'd swallowed, vich his master, who was a great conjurer in Queen +Bess's days, had brew'd."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw!" exclaimed Ginger. "I thought you too knowin' a cove, Tinker, to +be gulled by such an old vife's story as that."</p> + +<p>"Let's have the old fellow in and talk to him," replied the Tinker. +"Here, lazy-bones," he added, rousing the sleeping youth, "go an' tell +Old Parr ve vants his company over a glass o' rum-an'-vater."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE HAND AND THE CLOAK</h3> + + +<p>A furious barking from Mr. Ginger's dogs, shortly after the departure of +the drowsy youth, announced the approach of a grotesque-looking little +personage, whose shoulders barely reached to a level with the top of the +table. This was Old Parr. The dwarfs head was much too large for his +body, as is mostly the case with undersized persons, and was covered +with a forest of rusty black hair, protected by a strangely shaped +seal-skin cap. His hands and feet were equally disproportioned to his +frame, and his arms were so long that he could touch his ankles while +standing upright. His spine was crookened, and his head appeared buried +in his breast. The general character of his face seemed to appertain to +the middle period of life; but a closer inspection enabled the beholder +to detect in it marks of extreme old age. The nose was broad and flat, +like that of an ourang-outang; the resemblance to which animal was +heightened by a very long upper lip, projecting jaws, almost total +absence of chin, and a retreating forehead. The little old man's +complexion was dull and swarthy, but his eyes were keen and sparkling.</p> + +<p>His attire was as singular as his person. Having recently served as +double to a famous demon-dwarf at the Surrey Theatre, he had become +possessed of a cast-off pair of tawny tights, an elastic shirt of the +same material and complexion, to the arms of which little green bat-like +wings were attached, while a blood-red tunic with vandyke points was +girded round his waist. In this strange apparel his diminutive limbs +were encased, while additional warmth was afforded by the greatcoat +already mentioned, the tails of which swept the floor after him like a +train.</p> + +<p>Having silenced his dogs with some difficulty, Mr. Ginger burst into a +roar of laughter, excited by the little old man's grotesque appearance, +in which he was joined by the Tinker; but the Sandman never relaxed a +muscle of his sullen countenance.</p> + +<p>Their hilarity, however, was suddenly checked by an inquiry from the +dwarf, in a shrill, odd tone, "Whether they had sent for him only to +laugh at him?"</p> + +<p>"Sartainly not, deputy," replied the Tinker. "Here, lazy-bones, glasses +o' rum-an'-vater, all round."</p> + +<p>The drowsy youth bestirred himself to execute the command. The spirit +was brought; water was procured from the boiling copper; and the Tinker +handed his guest a smoking rummer, accompanied with a polite request to +make himself comfortable.</p> + +<p>Opposite the table at which the party were seated, it has been said, was +a staircase—old and crazy, and but imperfectly protected by a broken +hand-rail. Midway up it stood a door equally dilapidated, but secured by +a chain and lock, of which Old Parr, as deputy-chamberlain, kept the +key. Beyond this point the staircase branched off on the right, and a +row of stout wooden banisters, ranged like the feet of so many cattle, +was visible from beneath. Ultimately, the staircase reached a small +gallery, if such a name can be applied to a narrow passage communicating +with the bedrooms, the doors of which, as a matter of needful +precaution, were locked outside; and as the windows were grated, no one +could leave his chamber without the knowledge of the landlord or his +representative. No lights were allowed in the bedrooms, nor in the +passage adjoining them.</p> + +<p>Conciliated by the Tinker's offering, Old Parr mounted the staircase, +and planting himself near the door, took off his greatcoat, and sat down +upon it. His impish garb being thus more fully displayed, he looked so +unearthly and extraordinary that the dogs began to howl fearfully, and +Ginger had enough to do to quiet them.</p> + +<p>Silence being at length restored, the Tinker, winking slyly at his +companions, opened the conversation.</p> + +<p>"I say, deputy," he observed, "ve've bin havin' a bit o' a dispute vich +you can settle for us."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's see," squeaked the dwarf. "What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Vy, it's relative to your age," rejoined the Tinker. "Ven wos you +born?"</p> + +<p>"It's so long ago, I can't recollect," returned Old Parr rather sulkily.</p> + +<p>"You must ha' seen some changes in your time?" resumed the Tinker, +waiting till the little old man had made some progress with his grog.</p> + +<p>"I rayther think I have—a few," replied Old Parr, whose tongue the +generous liquid had loosened. "I've seen this great city of London +pulled down, and built up again—if that's anything. I've seen it grow, +and grow, till it has reached its present size. You'll scarcely believe +me, when I tell you, that I recollect this Rookery of ours—this foul +vagabond neighbourhood—an open country field, with hedges round it, and +trees. And a lovely spot it was. Broad Saint Giles's, at the time I +speak of, was a little country village, consisting of a few straggling +houses standing by the roadside, and there wasn't a single habitation +between it and Convent Garden (for so the present market was once +called); while that garden, which was fenced round with pales, like a +park, extended from Saint Martin's Lane to Drury House, a great mansion +situated on the easterly side of Drury Lane, amid a grove of beautiful +timber."</p> + +<p>"My eyes!" cried Ginger, with a prolonged whistle; "the place must be +preciously transmogrified indeed!"</p> + +<p>"If I were to describe the changes that have taken place in London since +I've known it, I might go on talking for a month," pursued Old Parr. +"The whole aspect of the place is altered. The Thames itself is unlike +the Thames of old. Its waters were once as clear and bright above London +Bridge as they are now at Kew or Richmond; and its banks, from +Whitefriars to Scotland Yard, were edged with gardens. And then the +thousand gay wherries and gilded barges that covered its bosom—all are +gone—all are gone!"</p> + +<p>"Those must ha' been nice times for the jolly young vatermen vich at +Black friars wos used for to ply," chanted the Tinker; "but the steamers +has put their noses out o' joint."</p> + +<p>"True," replied Old Parr; "and I, for one, am sorry for it. Remembering, +as I do, what the river used to be when enlightened by gay craft and +merry company, I can't help wishing its waters less muddy, and those +ugly coal-barges, lighters, and steamers away. London is a mighty city, +wonderful to behold and examine, inexhaustible in its wealth and power; +but in point of beauty it is not to be compared with the city of Queen +Bess's days. You should have seen the Strand then—a line of noblemen's +houses—and as to Lombard Street and Gracechurch Street, with their +wealthy goldsmiths' shops—but I don't like to think of 'em."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I'm content vith Lunnun as it is," replied the Tinker, +"'specially as there ain't much chance o' the ould city bein' rewived."</p> + +<p>"Not much," replied the dwarf, finishing his glass, which was +replenished at a sign from the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose, my wenerable, you've seen the king as bequeathed his name to +these pretty creaters," said Ginger, raising his coat-pockets, so as to +exhibit the heads of the two little black-and-tan spaniels.</p> + +<p>"What! old Rowley?" cried the dwarf—"often. I was page to his favourite +mistress, the Duchess of Cleveland, and I have seen him a hundred times +with a pack of dogs of that description at his heels."</p> + +<p>"Old Rowley wos a king arter my own 'art," said Ginger, rising and +lighting a pipe at the fire. "He loved the femi-<i>nine</i> specious as well +as the ca-<i>nine</i> specious. Can you tell us anythin' more about him?"</p> + +<p>"Not now," replied Old Parr. "I've seen so much, and heard so much, that +my brain is quite addled. My memory sometimes deserts me altogether, +and my past life appears like a dream. Imagine what my feelings must be, +to walk through streets, still called by the old names, but in other +respects wholly changed. Oh! if you could but have a glimpse of Old +London, you would not be able to endure the modern city. The very +atmosphere was different from that which we now breathe, charged with +the smoke of myriads of sea-coal fires; and the old picturesque houses +had a charm about them, which the present habitations, however +commodious, altogether want."</p> + +<p>"You talk like one o' them smart chaps they calls, and werry properly, +penny-a-liars," observed Ginger. "But you make me long to ha' lived i' +those times."</p> + +<p>"If you <i>had</i> lived in them, you would have belonged to Paris Garden, or +the bull-baiting and bear-baiting houses in Southwark," replied Old +Parr. "I've seen fellows just like you at each of those places. Strange, +though times and fashions change, men continue the same. I often meet a +face that I can remember in James the First's time. But the old places +are gone—clean gone!"</p> + +<p>"Accordin' to your own showin', my wenerable friend, you must ha' lived +uppards o' two hundred and seventy year," said Ginger, assuming a +consequential manner. "Now, doorin' all that time, have you never felt +inclined to kick the bucket?"</p> + +<p>"Not the least," replied Old Parr. "My bodily health has been excellent. +But, as I have just said, my intellects are a little impaired."</p> + +<p>"Not a little, I should think," replied Ginger, hemming significantly. +"I don't know vether you're a deceivin' of us or yourself, my wenerable; +but von thing's quite clear—you <i>can't</i> have lived all that time. It's +not in nater."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then—I haven't," said Old Parr.</p> + +<p>And he finished his rum-and-water, and set down the glass, which was +instantly filled again by the drowsy youth.</p> + +<p>"You've seen some picters o' Old Lunnon, and they've haanted you in your +dreams, till you've begun to fancy you lived in those times," said +Ginger.</p> + +<p>"Very likely," replied Old Parr—"very likely."</p> + +<p>There was something, however, in his manner calculated to pique the +dog-fancier's curiosity.</p> + +<p>"How comes it," he said, stretching out his legs, and arranging his +neckcloth,—"how comes it, if you've lived so long, that you ain't +higher up in the stirrups—better off, as folks say?"</p> + +<p>The dwarf made no reply, but covering his face with his hands, seemed a +prey to deep emotion. After a few moments' pause, Ginger repeated the +question.</p> + +<p>"If you won't believe what I tell you, it's useless to give an answer," +said Old Parr, somewhat gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Oh yes, <i>I</i> believe you, deputy," observed the Tinker, "and so does the +Sandman."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," replied the dwarf, "I'll tell you how it comes to pass. +Fate has been against me. I've had plenty of chances, but I never could +get on. I've been in a hundred different walks of life, but they always +led down hill. It's my destiny."</p> + +<p>"That's hard," rejoined the Tinker—"werry hard. But how d'ye account +for livin' so long?" he added, winking as he spoke to the others.</p> + +<p>"I've already given you an explanation," replied the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"Av, but it's a cur'ous story, and I vants my friends to hear it," said +the Tinker, in a coaxing tone.</p> + +<p>"Well then, to oblige you, I'll go through it again," rejoined the +dwarf. "You must know I was for some time servant to Doctor Lamb, an old +alchemist, who lived during the reign of good Queen Bess, and who used +to pass all his time in trying to find out the secret of changing lead +and copper into gold."</p> + +<p>"I've known several indiwiduals as has found out that secret, +wenerable," observed Ginger. "And ve calls 'em smashers, nowadays—not +halchemists."</p> + +<p>"Doctor Lamb's object was actually to turn base metal into gold," +rejoined Old Parr, in a tone of slight contempt. "But his chief aim was +to produce the elixir of long life. Night and day he worked at the +operation;—night and day I laboured with him, until at last we were +both brought to the verge of the grave in our search after immortality. +One night—I remember it well,—it was the last night of the sixteenth +century,—a young man, severely wounded, was brought to my master's +dwelling on London Bridge. I helped to convey him to the laboratory, +where I left him with the doctor, who was busy with his experiments. My +curiosity being aroused, I listened at the door, and though I could not +distinguish much that passed inside, I heard sufficient to convince me +that Doctor Lamb had made the grand discovery, and succeeded in +distilling the elixir. Having learnt this, I went down-stairs, +wondering what would next ensue. Half-an-hour elapsed, and while the +bells were ringing in the new year joyfully, the young man whom I had +assisted to carry up-stairs, and whom I supposed at death's door, +marched down as firmly as if nothing had happened, passed by me, and +disappeared, before I could shake off my astonishment. I saw at once he +had drunk the elixir."</p> + +<p>"Ah!—ah!" exclaimed the Tinker, with a knowing glance at his +companions, who returned it with gestures of equal significance.</p> + +<p>"As soon as he was gone," pursued the dwarf, "I flew to the laboratory, +and there, extended on the floor, I found the dead body of Doctor Lamb. +I debated with myself what to do—whether to pursue his murderer, for +such I accounted the young man; but, on reflection, I thought the course +useless. I next looked round to see whether the precious elixir was +gone. On the table stood a phial, from which a strong spirituous odour +exhaled; but it was empty. I then turned my attention to a receiver, +connected by a worm with an alembic on the furnace. On examining it, I +found it contained a small quantity of a bright transparent liquid, +which, poured forth into a glass, emitted precisely the same odour as +the phial. Persuaded this must be the draught of immortality, I raised +it to my lips; but apprehension lest it might be poison stayed my hand. +Reassured, however, by the thought of the young man's miraculous +recovery, I quaffed the potion. It was as if I had swallowed fire, and +at first I thought all was over with me. I shrieked out; but there was +no one to heed my cries, unless it were my dead master, and two or +three skeletons with which the walls were garnished. And these, in +truth, did seem to hear me; for the dead corpse opened its glassy orbs, +and eyed me reproachfully; the skeletons shook their fleshless arms and +gibbered; and the various strange objects, with which the chamber was +filled, seemed to deride and menace me. The terror occasioned by these +fantasies, combined with the potency of the draught, took away my +senses. When I recovered, I found all tranquil. Doctor Lamb was lying +stark and stiff at my feet, with an expression of reproach on his fixed +countenance; and the skeletons were hanging quietly in their places. +Convinced that I was proof against death, I went forth. <i>But a curse +went with me!</i> From that day to this I have lived, but it has been in +such poverty and distress, that I had better far have died. Besides, I +am constantly haunted by visions of my old master. He seems to hold +converse with me—to lead me into strange places."</p> + +<p>"Exactly the case with the t'other," whispered the Tinker to the +Sandman. "Have you ever, in the coorse o' your long life, met the young +man as drank the 'lixir?" he inquired of the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"Never."</p> + +<p>"Do you happen to rekilect his name?"</p> + +<p>"No; it has quite escaped my memory," answered Old Parr.</p> + +<p>"Should you rekilect it, if you heerd it?" asked the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I might," returned the dwarf; "but I can't say."</p> + +<p>"Wos it Auriol Darcy?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"That <i>was</i> the name," cried Old Parr, starting up in extreme surprise. +"I heard Doctor Lamb call him so. But how, in the name of wonder, do you +come to know it?"</p> + +<p>"Ve've got summat, at last," said the Tinker, with a self-applauding +glance at his friends.</p> + +<p>"How do you come to know it, I say?" repeated the dwarf, in extreme +agitation.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," rejoined the Tinker, with a cunning look; "you see I does +know some cur'ous matters as veil as you, my old file. Yo'll be good +evidence, in case ve vishes to prove the fact agin him."</p> + +<p>"Prove what?—and against whom?" cried the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"One more questin, and I've done," pursued the Tinker. "Should you know +this young man agin, in case you chanced to come across him?"</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it," replied Old Parr; "his figure often flits before me in +dreams."</p> + +<p>"Shall ve let him into it?" said the Tinker, consulting his companions +in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Ay—ay," replied the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Better vait a bit," remarked Ginger, shaking his head dubiously. +"There's no hurry."</p> + +<p>"No; ve must decide at vonce," said the Tinker. "Jist examine them +papers," he added, handing the pocket-book to Old Parr, "and favour us +vith your opinion on 'em."</p> + +<p>The dwarf was about to unclasp the book committed to his charge, when a +hand was suddenly thrust through the banisters of the upper part of the +staircase, which, as has been already stated, was divided from the +lower by the door. A piece of heavy black drapery next descended like a +cloud, concealing all behind it except the hand, with which the dwarf +was suddenly seized by the nape of the neck, lifted up in the air, and, +notwithstanding his shrieks and struggles, carried clean off.</p> + +<p>Great confusion attended his disappearance. The dogs set up a prodigious +barking, and flew to the rescue—one of the largest of them passing over +the body of the drowsy waiter, who had sought his customary couch upon +the coals, and rousing him from his slumbers; while the Tinker, uttering +a fierce imprecation, upset his chair in his haste to catch hold of the +dwarf's legs; but the latter was already out of reach, and the next +moment had vanished entirely.</p> + +<p>"My eyes! here's a pretty go!" cried Ginger, who, with his back to the +fire, had witnessed the occurrence in open-mouthed astonishment. "Vy, +curse it! if the wenerable ain't a-taken the pocket-book with him! It's +my opinion the devil has flown avay with the old feller. His time wos +nearer at 'and than he expected."</p> + +<p>"Devil or not, I'll have him back agin, or at all events the +pocket-book!" cried the Tinker. And, dashing up the stairs, he caught +hold of the railing above, and swinging himself up by a powerful effort, +passed through an opening, occasioned by the removal of one of the +banisters.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus05" id="illus05"></a> +<img src="images/illus05.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Hand and the Cloak.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Groping along the gallery, which was buried in profound darkness, he +shouted to the dwarf, but received no answer to his vociferations; +neither could he discover any one, though he felt on either side of the +passage with outstretched hands. The occupants of the different +chambers, alarmed by the noise, called out to know what was going +forward; but being locked in their rooms, they could render no +assistance.</p> + +<p>While the Tinker was thus pursuing his search in the dark, venting his +rage and disappointment in the most dreadful imprecations, the staircase +door was opened by the landlord, who had found the key in the greatcoat +left behind by the dwarf. With the landlord came the Sandman and Ginger, +the latter of whom was attended by all his dogs, still barking +furiously; while the rear of the party was brought up by the drowsy +waiter, now wide awake with fright, and carrying a candle.</p> + +<p>But though every nook and corner of the place was visited—though the +attics were searched, and all the windows examined—not a trace of the +dwarf could be discovered, nor any clue to his mysterious disappearance +detected. Astonishment and alarm sat on every countenance.</p> + +<p>"What the devil can have become of him?" cried the landlord, with a look +of dismay.</p> + +<p>"Ay, that's the questin!" rejoined the Tinker. "I begin to be of +Ginger's opinion, that the devil himself must have flown avay vith him. +No von else could ha' taken a fancy to him."</p> + +<p>"I only saw a hand and a black cloak," said the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"I thought I seed a pair o' hoofs," cried the waiter; "and I'm quite +sure I seed a pair o' great glitterin' eyes," he added, opening his own +lacklustre orbs to their widest extent.</p> + +<p>"It's a strange affair," observed the landlord gravely. "It's certain +that no one has entered the house wearing a cloak such as you describe; +nor could any of the lodgers, to my knowledge, get out of their rooms. +It was Old Parr's business, as you know, to lock 'em up carefully for +the night."</p> + +<p>"Vell, all's over vith him now," said the Tinker; "and vith our affair, +too, I'm afeerd."</p> + +<p>"Don't say die jist yet," rejoined Ginger. "The wenerable's gone, to be +sure; and the only thing he has left behind him, barrin' his topcoat, is +this here bit o' paper vich dropped out o' the pocket-book as he wos +a-takin' flight, and vich I picked from the floor. It may be o' some use +to us. But come, let's go down-stairs. There's no good in stayin' here +any longer."</p> + +<p>Concurring in which sentiment, they all descended to the lower room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER</h3> + + +<p>A week had elapsed since Auriol Darcy was conveyed to the +iron-merchant's dwelling, after the attack made upon him by the ruffians +in the ruined house; and though almost recovered from the serious +injuries he had received, he still remained the guest of his preserver.</p> + +<p>It was a bright spring morning, when a door leading to the yard in front +of the house opened, and a young girl, bright and fresh as the morning's +self, issued from it.</p> + +<p>A lovelier creature than Ebba Thorneycroft cannot be imagined. Her +figure was perfection—slight, tall, and ravishingly proportioned, with +a slender waist, little limbs, and fairy feet that would have made the +fortune of an opera-dancer. Her features were almost angelic in +expression, with an outline of the utmost delicacy and precision—not +cold, classical regularity—but that softer and incomparably more lovely +mould peculiar to our own clime. Ebba's countenance was a type of Saxon +beauty. Her complexion was pure white, tinged with a slight bloom. Her +eyes were of a serene summer blue, arched over by brows some shades +darker than the radiant tresses that fell on either cheek, and were +parted over a brow smoother than alabaster. Her attire was simple but +tasteful, and by its dark colour threw into relief the exceeding +fairness of her skin.</p> + +<p>Ebba's first care was to feed her favourite linnet, placed in a cage +over the door. Having next patted the head of a huge bulldog who came +out of his kennel to greet her, and exchanged a few words with two men +employed at a forge in the inner part of the building on the right, she +advanced farther into the yard.</p> + +<p>This part of the premises, being strewn with ironwork of every possible +shape, presented a very singular appearance, and may merit some +description. There were heaps of rusty iron chains flung together like +fishermen's nets, old iron area-guards, iron kitchen-fenders, old +grates, safes, piles of old iron bowls, a large assortment of old iron +pans and dishes, a ditto of old ovens, kettles without number, +sledge-hammers, anvils, braziers, chimney-cowls, and smoke-jacks.</p> + +<p>Stout upright posts, supporting cross-beams on the top, were placed at +intervals on either side of the yard, and these were decorated, in the +most artistic style, with rat-traps, man-traps, iron lanterns, pulleys, +padlocks, chains, trivets, triangles, iron rods, disused street lamps, +dismounted cannon, and anchors. Attached to hooks in the cross-beam +nearest the house hung a row of old horse-shoes, while from the centre +depended a large rusty bell. Near the dog's kennel was a tool-box, +likewise garnished with horse-shoes, and containing pincers, files, +hammers, and other implements proper to the smith. Beyond this was an +open doorway leading to the workshop, where the two men before mentioned +were busy at the forge.</p> + +<p>Though it was still early, the road was astir with passengers; and many +waggons and carts, laden with hay, straw, and vegetables, were passing. +Ebba, however, had been solely drawn forth by the beauty of the morning, +and she stopped for a moment at the street gate, to breathe the balmy +air. As she inhaled the gentle breeze, and felt the warm sunshine upon +her cheek, her thoughts wandered away into the green meadows in which +she had strayed as a child, and she longed to ramble amid them again. +Perhaps she scarcely desired a solitary stroll; but however this might +be, she was too much engrossed by the reverie to notice a tall man, +wrapped in a long black cloak, who regarded her with the most fixed +attention, as he passed on the opposite side of the road.</p> + +<p>Proceeding to a short distance, this personage crossed over, and +returned slowly towards the iron-merchant's dwelling. Ebba then, for the +first time, remarked him, and was startled by his strange, sinister +appearance. His features were handsome, but so malignant and fierce in +expression, that they inspired only aversion. A sardonic grin curled his +thin lips, and his short, crisply curled hair, raven-black in hue, +contrasted forcibly and disagreeably with his cadaverous complexion. An +attraction like that of the snake seemed to reside in his dark blazing +eyes, for Ebba trembled like a bird beneath their influence, and could +not remove her gaze from them. A vague presentiment of coming ill smote +her, and she dreaded lest the mysterious being before her might be +connected in some inexplicable way with her future destiny.</p> + +<p>On his part, the stranger was not insensible to the impression he had +produced, and suddenly halting, he kept his eyes riveted on those of +the girl, who, after remaining spell-bound, as it were, for a few +moments, precipitately retreated towards the house.</p> + +<p>Just as she reached the door, and was about to pass through it, Auriol +came forth. He was pale, as if from recent suffering, and bore his left +arm in a sling.</p> + +<p>"You look agitated," he said, noticing Ebba's uneasiness. "What has +happened?"</p> + +<p>"Not much," she replied, a deep blush mantling her cheeks. "But I have +been somewhat alarmed by the person near the gate."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" cried Auriol, darting forward. "Where is he? I see no one."</p> + +<p>"Not a tall man, wrapped in a long black cloak?" rejoined Ebba, +following him cautiously.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" cried Auriol. "Has he been here?"</p> + +<p>"Then you know the person I allude to?" she rejoined.</p> + +<p>"I know some one answering his description," he replied, with a forced +smile.</p> + +<p>"Once beheld, the man I mean is not to be forgotten," said Ebba. "He has +a countenance such as I never saw before. If I could believe in the +'evil eye,' I should be sure he possessed it."</p> + +<p>"'Tis he, there can be no doubt," rejoined Auriol, in a sombre tone.</p> + +<p>"Who and what is he, then?" demanded Ebba.</p> + +<p>"He is a messenger of ill," replied Auriol, "and I am thankful he is +gone."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus06" id="illus06"></a> +<img src="images/illus06.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Iron-merchant's Daughter.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Are you quite sure of it?" she asked, glancing timorously up and down +the road. But the mysterious individual could no longer be seen.</p> + +<p>"And so, after exciting my curiosity in this manner, you will not +satisfy it?" she said.</p> + +<p>"I cannot," rejoined Auriol, somewhat sternly.</p> + +<p>"Nay, then, since you are so ungracious, I shall go and prepare +breakfast," she replied. "My father must be down by this time."</p> + +<p>"Stay!" cried Auriol, arresting her, as she was about to pass through +the door. "I wish to have a word with you."</p> + +<p>Ebba stopped, and the bloom suddenly forsook her cheeks.</p> + +<p>But Auriol seemed unable to proceed. Neither dared to regard the other; +and a profound silence prevailed between them for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"Ebba," said Auriol at length, "I am about to leave your father's house +to-day."</p> + +<p>"Why so soon?" she exclaimed, looking up into his face. "You are not +entirely recovered yet."</p> + +<p>"I dare not stay longer," he said.</p> + +<p>"Dare not!" cried Ebba. And she again cast down her eyes; but Auriol +made no reply.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the silence was broken by the clinking of the smiths' +hammers upon the anvil.</p> + +<p>"If you must really go," said Ebba, looking up, after a long pause, "I +hope we shall see you again?"</p> + +<p>"Most assuredly," replied Auriol. "I owe your worthy father a deep debt +of gratitude—a debt which, I fear, I shall never be able to repay."</p> + +<p>"My father is more than repaid in saving your life," she replied. "I am +sure he will be sorry to learn you are going so soon."</p> + +<p>"I have been here a week," said Auriol. "If I remained longer, I might +not be able to go at all."</p> + +<p>There was another pause, during which a stout old fellow in the workshop +quitted the anvil for a moment, and, catching a glimpse of the young +couple, muttered to his helpmate—</p> + +<p>"I say, Ned, I'm a-thinkin' our master'll soon have a son-in-law. +There's pretty plain signs on it at yonder door."</p> + +<p>"So there be, John," replied Ned, peeping round. "He's a good-lookin' +young feller that. I wish ve could hear their discoorse."</p> + +<p>"No, that ain't fair," replied John, raking some small coal upon the +fire, and working away at the bellows.</p> + +<p>"I would not for the world ask a disagreeable question," said Ebba, +again raising her eyes, "but since you are about to quit us, I must +confess I should like to know something of your history."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me if I decline to comply with your desire," replied Auriol. +"You would not believe me, were I to relate my history. But this I may +say, that it is stranger and wilder than any you ever heard. The +prisoner in his cell is not restrained by more terrible fetters than +those which bind me to silence."</p> + +<p>Ebba gazed at him as if she feared his reasoning were wandering.</p> + +<p>"You think me mad," said Auriol; "would I were so! But I shall never +lose the clear perception of my woes. Hear me, Ebba! Fate has brought me +into this house. I have seen you, and experienced your gentle ministry; +and it is impossible, so circumstanced, to be blind to your +attractions. I have only been too sensible to them—but I will not dwell +on that theme, nor run the risk of exciting a passion which must destroy +you. I will ask you to hate me—to regard me as a monster whom you ought +to shun rather than as a being for whom you should entertain the +slightest sympathy."</p> + +<p>"You have some motive in saying this to me," cried the terrified girl.</p> + +<p>"My motive is to warn you," said Auriol. "If you love me, you are +lost—utterly lost!"</p> + +<p>She was so startled, that she could make no reply, but burst into tears. +Auriol took her hand, which she unresistingly yielded.</p> + +<p>"A terrible fatality attaches to me, in which you must have no share," +he said, in a solemn tone.</p> + +<p>"Would you had never come to my father's house!" she exclaimed, in a +voice of anguish.</p> + +<p>"Is it, then, too late?" cried Auriol despairingly.</p> + +<p>"It is—if to love you be fatal," she rejoined.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, striking his forehead with his clenched hand. +"Recall your words—Ebba—recall them—but no, once uttered—it is +impossible. You are bound to me for ever. I must fulfil my destiny."</p> + +<p>At this juncture a low growl broke from the dog, and, guided by the +sound, the youthful couple beheld, standing near the gate, the tall dark +man in the black cloak. A fiendish smile sat upon his countenance.</p> + +<p>"That is the man who frightened me!" cried Ebba.</p> + +<p>"It is the person I supposed!" ejaculated Auriol. "I must speak to him. +Leave me, Ebba. I will join you presently."</p> + +<p>And as the girl, half sinking with apprehension, withdrew, he advanced +quickly towards the intruder.</p> + +<p>"I have sought you for some days," said the tall man, in a stern, +commanding voice. "You have not kept your appointment with me."</p> + +<p>"I could not," replied Auriol—"an accident has befallen me."</p> + +<p>"I know it," rejoined the other. "I am aware you were assailed by +ruffians in the ruined house over the way. But you are recovered now, +and can go forth. You ought to have communicated with me."</p> + +<p>"It was my intention to do so," said Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Our meeting cannot be delayed much longer," pursued the stranger. "I +will give you three more days. On the evening of the last day, at the +hour of seven, I shall look for you at the foot of the statue in Hyde +Park."</p> + +<p>"I will be there," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"That girl must be the next victim," said the stranger, with a grim +smile.</p> + +<p>"Peace!" thundered Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Nay, I need not remind you of the tenure by which you maintain your +power," rejoined the stranger. "But I will not trouble you further now."</p> + +<p>And, wrapping his cloak more closely round him, he disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Fate has once more involved me in its net," cried Auriol bitterly. "But +I will save Ebba, whatever it may cost me. I will see her no more."</p> + +<p>And instead of returning to the house, he hurried away in the opposite +direction of the stranger.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE MEETING NEAR THE STATUE</h3> + + +<p>The evening of the third day arrived, and Auriol entered Hyde Park by +Stanhope Gate. Glancing at his watch, and finding it wanted nearly +three-quarters of an hour of the time appointed for his meeting with the +mysterious stranger, he struck across the park, in the direction of the +Serpentine River. Apparently he was now perfectly recovered, for his arm +was without the support of the sling, and he walked with great +swiftness. But his countenance was deathly pale, and his looks were so +wild and disordered, that the few persons he encountered shrank from him +aghast.</p> + +<p>A few minutes' rapid walking brought him to the eastern extremity of the +Serpentine, and advancing close to the edge of the embankment, he gazed +at the waters beneath his feet.</p> + +<p>"I would plunge into them, if I could find repose," he murmured. "But it +would avail nothing. I should only add to my sufferings. No; I must +continue to endure the weight of a life burdened by crime and remorse, +till I can find out the means of freeing myself from it. Once I dreaded +this unknown danger, but now I seek for it in vain."</p> + +<p>The current of his thoughts was here interrupted by the sudden +appearance of a dark object on the surface of the water, which he at +first took to be a huge fish, with a pair of green fins springing from +its back; but after watching it more closely for a few moments, he +became convinced that it was a human being, tricked out in some +masquerade attire, while the slight struggles which it made proved that +life was not entirely extinct.</p> + +<p>Though, the moment before, he had contemplated self-destruction, and had +only been restrained from the attempt by the certainty of failing in his +purpose, instinct prompted him to rescue the perishing creature before +him. Without hesitation, therefore, and without tarrying to divest +himself of his clothes, he dashed into the water, and striking out, +instantly reached the object of his quest, which still continued to +float, and turning it over, for the face was downwards, he perceived it +was an old man, of exceedingly small size, habited in a pantomimic garb. +He also remarked that a rope was twisted round the neck of the +unfortunate being, making it evident that some violent attempt had been +made upon his life.</p> + +<p>Without pausing for further investigation, he took firm hold of the +leathern wings of the dwarf, and with his disengaged hand propelled +himself towards the shore, dragging the other after him. The next +instant he reached the bank, clambered up the low brickwork, and placed +his burden in safety.</p> + +<p>The noise of the plunge had attracted attention, and several persons now +hurried to the spot. On coming up, and finding Auriol bending over a +water-sprite—for such, at first sight, the dwarf appeared—they could +not repress their astonishment. Wholly insensible to the presence of +those around him, Auriol endeavoured to recall where he had seen the +dwarf before. All at once, the recollection flashed upon him, and he +cried aloud, "Why, it is my poor murdered grandfather's attendant, +Flapdragon! But no! no!—he must be dead ages ago! Yet the resemblance +is singularly striking!"</p> + +<p>Auriol's exclamations, coupled with his wild demeanour, surprised the +bystanders, and they came to the conclusion that he must be a travelling +showman, who had attempted to drown his dwarf—the grotesque, impish +garb of the latter convincing them that he had been exhibited at a +booth. They made signs, therefore, to each other not to let Auriol +escape, and one of them, raising the dwarf's head on his knee, produced +a flask, and poured some brandy from it down his throat, while others +chafed his hands. These efforts were attended with much speedier success +than might have been anticipated. After a struggle or two for +respiration, the dwarf opened his eyes, and gazed at the group around +him.</p> + +<p>"It must be Flapdragon!" exclaimed Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Ah! who calls me?" cried the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"I!" rejoined Auriol. "Do you not recollect me?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure!" exclaimed the dwarf, gazing at him fixedly; "you are——" +and he stopped.</p> + +<p>"You have been thrown into the water, Master Flapdragon?" cried a +bystander, noticing the cord round the dwarf's throat.</p> + +<p>"I have," replied the little old man.</p> + +<p>"By your governor—that is, by this person?" cried another, laying hold +of Auriol.</p> + +<p>"By him—no," said the dwarf; "I have not seen that gentleman for nearly +three centuries."</p> + +<p>"Three centuries, my little patriarch?" said the man who had given him +the brandy. "That's a long time. Think again."</p> + +<p>"It's perfectly true, nevertheless," replied the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"His wits have been washed away by the water," said the first speaker. +"Give him a drop more brandy."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," rejoined the dwarf; "my senses were never clearer +than at this moment. At last we have met," he continued, addressing +Auriol, "and I hope we shall not speedily part again. We hold life by +the same tie."</p> + +<p>"How came you in the desperate condition in which I found you?" demanded +Auriol evasively.</p> + +<p>"I was thrown into the canal with a stone to my neck, like a dog about +to be drowned," replied the dwarf. "But, as you are aware, I'm not so +easily disposed of."</p> + +<p>Again the bystanders exchanged significant looks.</p> + +<p>"By whom was the attempt made?" inquired Auriol.</p> + +<p>"I don't know the villain's name," rejoined the dwarf, "but he's a very +tall, dark man, and is generally wrapped in a long black cloak."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol. "When was it done?"</p> + +<p>"Some nights ago, I should fancy," replied the dwarf, "for I've been a +terrible long time under water. I have only just managed to shake off +the stone."</p> + +<p>At this speech there was a titter of incredulity among the bystanders.</p> + +<p>"You may laugh, but it's true!" cried the dwarf angrily.</p> + +<p>"We must speak of this anon," said Auriol. "Will you convey him to the +nearest tavern?" he added, placing money in the hands of the man who +held the dwarf in his arms.</p> + +<p>"Willingly, sir," replied the man. "I'll take him to the Life Guardsman, +near the barracks—that's the nearest public."</p> + +<p>"I'll join him there in an hour," replied Auriol, moving away.</p> + +<p>And as he disappeared, the man took up his little burden, and bent his +steps towards the barracks.</p> + +<p>Utterly disregarding the dripping state of his habiliments, Auriol +proceeded quickly to the place of rendezvous. Arrived there, he looked +around, and not seeing any one, flung himself upon a bench at the foot +of the gentle eminence on which the gigantic statue of Achilles is +placed.</p> + +<p>It was becoming rapidly dark, and heavy clouds, portending speedy rain, +increased the gloom. Auriol's thoughts were sombre as the weather and +the hour, and he fell into a deep fit of abstraction, from which he was +roused by a hand laid on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Recoiling at the touch, he raised his eyes, and beheld the stranger +leaning over him, and gazing at him with a look of diabolical +exultation. The cloak was thrown partly aside, so as to display the +tall, gaunt figure of its wearer; while the large collar of sable fur +with which it was decorated stood out like the wings of a demon. The +stranger's hat was off, and his high broad forehead, white as marble, +was fully revealed.</p> + +<p>"Our meeting must be brief," he said. "Are you prepared to fulfil the +compact?"</p> + +<p>"What do you require?" replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Possession of the girl I saw three days ago," said the other; "the +iron-merchant's daughter, Ebba. She must be mine."</p> + +<p>"Never!" cried Auriol firmly—"never!"</p> + +<p>"Beware how you tempt me to exert my power," said the stranger; "she +<i>must</i> be mine—or——"</p> + +<p>"I defy you!" rejoined Auriol; "I will never consent."</p> + +<p>"Fool!" cried the other, seizing him by the arm, and fixing a withering +glance upon him. "Bring her to me ere the week be out, or dread my +vengeance!"</p> + +<p>And, enveloping himself in his cloak, he retreated behind the statue, +and was lost to view.</p> + +<p>As he disappeared, a moaning wind arose, and heavy rain descended. Still +Auriol did not quit the bench.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE CHARLES THE SECOND SPANIEL</h3> + + +<p>It was about two o'clock, on a charming spring day, that a stout +middle-aged man, accompanied by a young person of extraordinary beauty, +took up his station in front of Langham Church. Just as the clock struck +the hour, a young man issued at a quick pace from a cross-street, and +came upon the couple before he was aware of it. He was evidently greatly +embarrassed, and would have beaten a retreat, but that was impossible. +His embarrassment was in some degree shared by the young lady; she +blushed deeply, but could not conceal her satisfaction at the encounter. +The elder individual, who did not appear to notice the confusion of +either party, immediately extended his hand to the young man, and +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"What! Mr. Darcy, is it you? Why, we thought we had lost you, sir! What +took you off so suddenly? We have been expecting you these four days, +and were now walking about to try and find you. My daughter has been +terribly uneasy. Haven't you, Ebba?"</p> + +<p>The young lady made no answer to this appeal, but cast down her eyes.</p> + +<p>"It was my intention to call, and give you an explanation of my strange +conduct, to-day," replied Auriol. "I hope you received my letter, +stating that my sudden departure was unavoidable."</p> + +<p>"To be sure; and I also received the valuable snuffbox you were so good +as to send me," replied Mr. Thorneycroft. "But you neglected to tell me +how to acknowledge the gift."</p> + +<p>"I could not give an address at the moment," said Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Well, I am glad to find you have got the use of your arm again," +observed the iron-merchant; "but I can't say you look so well as when +you left us. You seem paler—eh? what do you think, Ebba?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Darcy looks as if he were suffering from mental anxiety rather than +from bodily ailment," she replied timidly.</p> + +<p>"I am so," replied Auriol, regarding her fixedly. "A very disastrous +circumstance has happened to me. But answer me one question: Has the +mysterious person in the black cloak troubled you again?"</p> + +<p>"What mysterious person?" demanded Mr. Thorneycroft, opening his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, father," replied Ebba. "I saw him last night," she added to +Auriol. "I was sitting in the back room alone, wondering what had become +of you, when I heard a tap against the window, which was partly open, +and, looking up, I beheld the tall stranger. It was nearly dark, but the +light of the fire revealed his malignant countenance. I don't +exaggerate, when I say his eyes gleamed like those of a tiger. I was +terribly frightened, but something prevented me from crying out. After +gazing at me for a few moments, with a look that seemed to fascinate +while it frightened me, he said—'You desire to see Auriol Darcy. I have +just quitted him. Go to Langham Place to-morrow, and, as the clock +strikes two, you will behold him.' Without waiting for any reply on my +part, he disappeared."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you never told me this, you little rogue!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. +"You persuaded me to come out with you, in the hope of meeting Mr. +Darcy; but you did not say you were sure to find him. So you sent this +mysterious gentleman to her, eh?" he added to Auriol.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not," replied the other gloomily.</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed the iron-merchant, with a puzzled look.</p> + +<p>"Oh, then I suppose he thought it might relieve her anxiety. However, +since we have met, I hope you'll walk home and dine with us."</p> + +<p>Auriol was about to decline the invitation, but Ebba glanced at him +entreatingly.</p> + +<p>"I have an engagement, but I will forego it," he said, offering his arm +to her.</p> + +<p>And they walked along towards Oxford Street, while Mr. Thorneycroft +followed, a few paces behind them.</p> + +<p>"This is very kind of you, Mr. Darcy," said Ebba. "Oh, I have been so +wretched!"</p> + +<p>"I grieve to hear it," he rejoined. "I hoped you had forgotten me."</p> + +<p>"I am sure you did not think so," she cried.</p> + +<p>As she spoke, she felt a shudder pass through Auriol's frame.</p> + +<p>"What ails you?" she anxiously inquired.</p> + +<p>"I would have shunned you, if I could, Ebba," he replied; "but a fate, +against which it is vain to contend, has brought us together again."</p> + +<p>"I am glad of it," she replied; "because, ever since our last interview, +I have been reflecting on what you then said to me, and am persuaded you +are labouring under some strange delusion, occasioned by your recent +accident."</p> + +<p>"Be not deceived, Ebba," cried Auriol. "I am under a terrible influence. +I need not remind you of the mysterious individual who tapped at your +window last night."</p> + +<p>"What of him?" demanded Ebba, with a thrill of apprehension.</p> + +<p>"He it is who controls my destiny," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"But what has he to do with me?" asked Ebba.</p> + +<p>"Much, much," he replied, with a perceptible shudder.</p> + +<p>"You terrify me, Auriol," she rejoined. "Tell me what you mean—in pity, +tell me?"</p> + +<p>Before Auriol could reply, Mr. Thorneycroft stepped forward, and turned +the conversation into another channel.</p> + +<p>Soon after this, they reached the Quadrant, and were passing beneath the +eastern colonnade, when Ebba's attention was attracted towards a man who +was leading a couple of dogs by a string, while he had others under his +arm, others again in his pocket, and another in his breast. It was Mr. +Ginger.</p> + +<p>"What a pretty little dog!" cried Ebba, remarking the Charles the Second +spaniel.</p> + +<p>"Allow me to present you with it?" said Auriol.</p> + +<p>"You know I should value it, as coming from you," she replied, blushing +deeply; "but I cannot accept it; so I will not look at it again, for +fear I should be tempted."</p> + +<p>The dog-fancier, however, noticing Ebba's admiration, held forward the +spaniel, and said, "Do jist look at the pretty little creater, miss. It +han't its equil for beauty. Don't be afeerd on it, miss. It's as gentle +as a lamb."</p> + +<p>"Oh you little darling!" Ebba said, patting its sleek head and long +silken ears, while it fixed its large black eyes upon her, as if +entreating her to become its purchaser.</p> + +<p>"Fairy seems to have taken quite a fancy to you, miss," observed Ginger; +"and she ain't i' the habit o' fallin' i' love at first sight. I don't +wonder at it, though, for my part. I should do jist the same, if I wos +in her place. Vell, now, miss, as she seems to like you, and you seem to +like her, I won't copy the manners o' them 'ere fathers as has stony +'arts, and part two true lovyers. You shall have her a bargin."</p> + +<p>"What do you call a bargain, my good man?" inquired Ebba, smiling.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could afford to give her to you, miss," replied Ginger; "you +should have her, and welcome. But I must airn a livelihood, and Fairy is +the most wallerable part o' my stock. I'll tell you wot I give for her +myself, and you shall have her at a trifle beyond it. I'd scorn to take +adwantage o' the likes o' you."</p> + +<p>"I hope you didn't give too much, then, friend," replied Ebba.</p> + +<p>"I didn't give hayf her wally—not hayf," said Ginger; "and if so be you +don't like her in a month's time, I'll buy her back again from you. +You'll alvays find me here—alvays. Everybody knows Mr. Ginger—that's +my name, miss. I'm the only honest man in the dog-fancyin' line. Ask Mr. +Bishop, the great gunmaker o' Bond Street, about me—him as the nobs +calls the Bishop o' Bond Street—an' he'll tell you."</p> + +<p>"But you haven't answered the lady's question," said Auriol. "What do +you ask for the dog?"</p> + +<p>"Do you want it for yourself, sir, or for her?" inquired Ginger.</p> + +<p>"What does it matter?" cried Auriol angrily.</p> + +<p>"A great deal, sir," replied Ginger; "it'll make a mater'al difference +in the price. To you she'll be five-an'-twenty guineas. To the young +lady, twenty."</p> + +<p>"But suppose I buy her for the young lady?" said Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Oh, then, in coorse, you'll get her at the lower figure!" replied +Ginger.</p> + +<p>"I hope you don't mean to buy the dog?" interposed Mr. Thorneycroft. +"The price is monstrous—preposterous."</p> + +<p>"It may appear so to you, sir," said Ginger, "because you're ignorant o' +the wally of sich a hanimal; but I can tell you, it's cheap—dirt cheap. +Vy, his Excellency the Prooshan Ambassador bought a Charley from me, +t'other week, to present to a certain duchess of his acquaintance, and +wot d'ye think he give for it?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, and I don't want to know," replied Mr. Thorneycroft +gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Eighty guineas," said Ginger. "Eighty guineas, as I'm a livin' man, and +made no bones about it neither. The dog I sold him warn't to be compared +wi' Fairy."</p> + +<p>"Stuff—stuff!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft; "I ain't to be gammoned in that +way."</p> + +<p>"It's no gammon," said Ginger. "Look at them ears, miss—vy, they're as +long as your own ringlets—and them pads—an' I'm sure you von't say +she's dear at twenty pound."</p> + +<p>"She's a lovely little creature, indeed," returned Ebba, again patting +the animal's head.</p> + +<p>While this was passing, two men of very suspicious mien, ensconced +behind a pillar adjoining the group, were reconnoitring Auriol.</p> + +<p>"It's him!" whispered the taller and darker of the two to his +companion—"it's the young man ve've been lookin' for—Auriol Darcy."</p> + +<p>"It seems like him," said the other, edging round the pillar as far as +he could without exposure. "I vish he'd turn his face a leetle more this +vay."</p> + +<p>"It's him, I tell you, Sandman," said the Tinker. "Ve must give the +signal to our comrade."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I'll tell you wot it is, miss," said Ginger coaxingly, "your +sveet'art—I'm sure he's your sveet'art—I can tell these things in a +minnit—your sveet'art, I say, shall give me fifteen pound, and the +dog's yourn. I shall lose five pound by the transaction; but I don't +mind it for sich a customer as you. Fairy desarves a kind missus."</p> + +<p>Auriol, who had fallen into a fit of abstraction, here remarked:</p> + +<p>"What's that you are saying, fellow?"</p> + +<p>"I vos a-sayin', sir, the young lady shall have the dog for fifteen +pound, and a precious bargin it is," replied Ginger.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I close with you. Here's the money," said Auriol, taking +out his purse.</p> + +<p>"On no account, Auriol," cried Ebba quickly. "It's too much."</p> + +<p>"A great deal too much, Mr. Darcy," said Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"Auriol and Darcy!" muttered Ginger. "Can this be the gemman ve're +a-lookin' for. Vere's my two pals, I vonder? Oh, it's all right!" he +added, receiving a signal from behind the pillar. "They're on the +look-out, I see."</p> + +<p>"Give the lady the dog, and take the money, man," said Auriol sharply.</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, sir," said Ginger, "but hadn't I better carry the dog home +for the young lady? It might meet vith some accident in the vay."</p> + +<p>"Accident!—stuff and nonsense!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "The rascal +only wants to follow you home, that he may know where you live, and +steal the dog back again. Take my advice, Mr. Darcy, and don't buy it."</p> + +<p>"The bargain's concluded," said Ginger, delivering the dog to Ebba, and +taking the money from Auriol, which, having counted, he thrust into his +capacious breeches pocket.</p> + +<p>"How shall I thank you for this treasure, Auriol?" exclaimed Ebba, in an +ecstasy of delight.</p> + +<p>"By transferring to it all regard you may entertain for me," he replied, +in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"That is impossible," she answered.</p> + +<p>"Well, I vote we drive away at once," said Mr. Thorneycroft. "Halloa! +jarvey!" he cried, hailing a coach that was passing; adding, as the +vehicle stopped, "Now get in, Ebba. By this means we shall avoid being +followed by the rascal."</p> + +<p>So saying, he got into the coach. As Auriol was about to follow him, he +felt a slight touch on his arm, and, turning, beheld a tall and very +forbidding man by his side.</p> + +<p>"Beg pardin, sir," said the fellow, touching his hat, "but ain't your +name Mr. Auriol Darcy?"</p> + +<p>"It is," replied Auriol, regarding him fixedly. "Why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"I vants a vord or two vith you in private—that's all, sir," replied +the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Say what you have to say at once," rejoined Auriol. "I know nothing of +you."</p> + +<p>"You'll know me better by-and-by, sir," said the Tinker, in a +significant tone. "I <i>must</i> speak to you, and alone."</p> + +<p>"If you don't go about your business, fellow, instantly, I'll give you +in charge of the police," cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"No, you von't, sir—no, you von't," replied the Tinker, shaking his +head. And then, lowering his voice, he added, "You'll be glad to +purchase my silence ven you larns wot secrets o' yourn has come to my +knowledge."</p> + +<p>"Won't you get in, Mr. Darcy?" cried Thorneycroft, whose back was +towards the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"I must speak to this man," replied Auriol. "I'll come to you in the +evening. Till then, farewell, Ebba." And, as the coach drove away, he +added to the Tinker, "Now, rascal, what have you to say?"</p> + +<p>"Step this vay, sir," replied the Tinker. "There's two friends o' mine +as vishes to be present at our conference. Ve'd better valk into a back +street."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE HAND AGAIN!</h3> + + +<p>Followed by Auriol, who, in his turn, was followed by Ginger and the +Sandman, the Tinker directed his steps to Great Windmill Street, where +he entered a public-house, called the Black Lion. Leaving his +four-footed attendants with the landlord, with whom he was acquainted, +Ginger caused the party to be shown into a private room, and, on +entering it, Auriol flung himself into a chair, while the dog-fancier +stationed himself near the door.</p> + +<p>"Now, what do you want with me?" demanded Auriol.</p> + +<p>"You shall learn presently," replied the Tinker; "but first, it may be +as vell to state, that a certain pocket-book has been found."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Auriol. "You are the villains who beset me in the ruined +house in the Vauxhall Road."</p> + +<p>"Your pocket-book has been found, I tell you," replied the Tinker, "and +from it ve have made the most awful diskiveries. Our werry 'air stood on +end ven ve first read the shockin' particulars. What a bloodthirsty +ruffian you must be! Vy, ve finds you've been i' the habit o' makin' +avay with a young ooman vonce every ten years. Your last wictim wos in +1820—the last but one, in 1810—and the one before her, in 1800."</p> + +<p>"Hangin's too good for you!" cried the Sandman; "but if ve peaches +you're sartin to sving."</p> + +<p>"I hope that pretty creater I jist see ain't to be the next wictim?" +said Ginger.</p> + +<p>"Peace!" thundered Auriol. "What do you require?"</p> + +<p>"A hundred pound each'll buy our silence," replied the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Ve ought to have double that," said the Sandman, "for screenin' sich +atterocious crimes as he has parpetrated. Ve're not werry partic'lar +ourselves, but ve don't commit murder wholesale."</p> + +<p>"Ve don't commit murder at all," said Ginger.</p> + +<p>"You may fancy," pursued the Tinker, "that ve ain't perfectly acvainted +with your history, but to prove that ve are, I'll just rub up your +memory. Did you ever hear tell of a gemman as murdered Doctor Lamb, the +famous halchemist o' Queen Bess's time, and, havin' drank the 'lixir +vich the doctor had made for hisself, has lived ever since? Did you ever +hear tell of such a person, I say?"</p> + +<p>Auriol gazed at him in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"What idle tale are you inventing?" he said at length.</p> + +<p>"It is no idle tale," replied the Tinker boldly. "Ve can bring a vitness +as'll prove the fact—a livin' vitness."</p> + +<p>"What witness?" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Don't you reckilect the dwarf as used to serve Doctor Lamb?" rejoined +the Tinker. "He's alive still; and ve calls him Old Parr, on account of +his great age."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?—what has become of him?" demanded Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ve'll perduce him in doo time," replied the Tinker cunningly.</p> + +<p>"But tell me where the poor fellow is?" cried Auriol. "Have you seen him +since last night? I sent him to a public-house at Kensington, but he has +disappeared from it, and I can discover no traces of him."</p> + +<p>"He'll turn up somewhere—never fear," rejoined the Tinker. "But now, +sir, that ve fairly understands each other, are you agreeable to our +terms? You shall give us an order for the money, and ve'll undertake, on +our parts, not to mislest you more."</p> + +<p>"The pocket-book must be delivered up to me if I assent," said Auriol, +"and the poor dwarf must be found."</p> + +<p>"Vy, as to that, I can scarcely promise," replied the Tinker; "there's a +difficulty in the case, you see. But the pocket-book'll never be brought +aginst you—you may rest assured o' that."</p> + +<p>"I must have it, or you get nothing from me," cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Here's a bit o' paper as come from the pocket-book," said Ginger. +"Would you like to hear wot's written upon it? Here are the words: 'How +many crimes have I to reproach myself with! How many innocents have I +destroyed! And all owing to my fatal compact with——'"</p> + +<p>"Give me that paper," cried Auriol, rising, and attempting to snatch it +from the dog-fancier.</p> + +<p>Just as this moment, and while Ginger retreated from Auriol, the door +behind him was noiselessly opened—a hand was thrust through the +chink—and the paper was snatched from his grasp. Before Ginger could +turn round, the door was closed again.</p> + +<p>"Halloa! What's that?" he cried. "The paper's gone!"</p> + +<p>"The hand again!" cried the Sandman, in alarm. "See who's in the +passage—open the door—quick!"</p> + +<p>Ginger cautiously complied, and, peeping forth, said—</p> + +<p>"There's no one there. It must be the devil. I'll have nuffin' more to +do wi' the matter."</p> + +<p>"Poh! poh! don't be so chicken-'arted!" cried the Tinker. "But come what +may, the gemman shan't stir till he undertakes to pay us three hundred +pounds."</p> + +<p>"You seek to frighten me in vain, villain," cried Auriol, upon whom the +recent occurrence had not been lost. "I have but to stamp my foot, and I +can instantly bring assistance that shall overpower you."</p> + +<p>"Don't provoke him," whispered Ginger, plucking the Tinker's sleeve. +"For my part, I shan't stay any longer. I wouldn't take his money." And +he quitted the room.</p> + +<p>"I'll go and see wot's the matter wi' Ginger," said the Sandman, +slinking after him.</p> + +<p>The Tinker looked nervously round. He was not proof against his +superstitious fears.</p> + +<p>"Here, take this purse, and trouble me no more!" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>The Tinker's hands clutched the purse mechanically, but he instantly +laid it down again.</p> + +<p>"I'm bad enough—but I won't sell myself to the devil," he said.</p> + +<p>And he followed his companions.</p> + +<p>Left alone, Auriol groaned aloud, and covered his face with his hands. +When he looked up, he found the tall man in the black cloak standing +beside him. A demoniacal smile played upon his features.</p> + +<p>"You here?" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Of course," replied the stranger. "I came to watch over your safety. +You were in danger from those men. But you need not concern yourself +more about them. I have your pocket-book, and the slip of paper that +dropped from it. Here are both. Now let us talk on other matters. You +have just parted from Ebba, and will see her again this evening."</p> + +<p>"Perchance," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"You will," rejoined the stranger peremptorily. "Remember, your ten +years' limit draws to a close. In a few days it will be at an end; and +if you renew it not, you will incur the penalty, and you know it to be +terrible. With the means of renewal in your hands, why hesitate?"</p> + +<p>"Because I will not sacrifice the girl," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"You cannot help yourself," cried the stranger scornfully. "I command +you to bring her to me."</p> + +<p>"I persist in my refusal," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"It is useless to brave my power," said the stranger. "A moon is just +born. When it has attained its first quarter, Ebba shall be mine. Till +then, farewell."</p> + +<p>And as the words were uttered, he passed through the door.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE BARBER OF LONDON</h3> + + +<p>Who has not heard of the Barber of London? His dwelling is in the +neighbourhood of Lincoln's Inn. It is needless to particularise the +street, for everybody knows the shop; that is to say, every member of +the legal profession, high or low. All, to the very judges themselves, +have their hair cut, or their wigs dressed, by him. A pleasant fellow is +Mr. Tuffnell Trigge—Figaro himself not pleasanter—and if you do not +shave yourself—if you want a becoming flow imparted to your stubborn +locks, or if you require a wig, I recommend you to the care of Mr. +Tuffnell Trigge. Not only will he treat you well, but he will regale you +with all the gossip of the court; he will give you the last funny thing +of Mr. Serjeant Larkins; he will tell you how many briefs the great Mr. +Skinner Fyne receives—what the Vice-Chancellor is doing; and you will +own, on rising, that you have never spent a five minutes more agreeably. +Besides, you are likely to see some noticeable characters, for Mr. +Trigge's shop is quite a lounge. Perhaps you may find a young barrister +who has just been "called," ordering his "first wig," and you may hear +the prognostications of Mr. Trigge as to his future distinction. "Ah, +sir," he will say, glancing at the stolid features of the young man, +"you have quite the face of the Chief Justice—quite the face of the +chief—I don't recollect him ordering his first wig—that was a little +before my time; but I hope to live to see you chief, sir. Quite within +your reach, if you choose to apply. Sure of it, sir—quite sure." Or you +may see him attending to some grave master in Chancery, and listening +with profound attention to his remarks; or screaming with laughter at +the jokes of some smart special pleader; or talking of the theatres, the +actors and actresses, to some young attorneys, or pupils in +conveyancers' chambers; for those are the sort of customers in whom Mr. +Trigge chiefly delights; with them, indeed, he <i>is</i> great, for it is by +them he has been dubbed the Barber of London. His shop is also +frequented by managing clerks, barristers' clerks, engrossing clerks, +and others; but these are, for the most part, his private friends.</p> + +<p>Mr. Trigge's shop is none of your spruce West End hair-cutting +establishments, with magnificent mirrors on every side, in which you may +see the back of your head, the front, and the side, all at once, with +walls bedizened with glazed French paper, and with an ante-room full of +bears'-grease, oils, creams, tooth-powders, and cut glass. No, it is a +real barber's and hairdresser's shop, of the good old stamp, where you +may get cut and curled for a shilling, and shaved for half the price.</p> + +<p>True, the floor is not covered with a carpet. But what of that? It bears +the imprint of innumerable customers, and is scattered over with their +hair. In the window, there is an assortment of busts moulded in wax, +exhibiting the triumphs of Mr. Trigge's art; and above these are +several specimens of legal wigs. On the little counter behind the +window, amid large pots of pomade and bears'-grease, and the irons and +brushes in constant use by the barber, are other bustos, done to the +life, and for ever glancing amiably into the room. On the block is a +judge's wig, which Mr. Trigge has just been dressing, and a little +farther, on a higher block, is that of a counsel. On either side of the +fireplace are portraits of Lord Eldon and Lord Lyndhurst. Some other +portraits of pretty actresses are likewise to be seen. Against the +counter rests a board, displaying the playbill of the evening; and near +it is a large piece of emblematical crockery, indicating that +bears'-grease may be had on the premises. Amongst Mr. Trigge's +live-stock may be enumerated his favourite magpie, placed in a wicker +cage in the window, which chatters incessantly, and knows everything, +its master avouches, "as well as a Christian."</p> + +<p>And now as to Mr. Tuffnell Trigge himself. He is very tall and very +thin, and holds himself so upright that he loses not an inch of his +stature. His head is large and his face long, with marked, if not very +striking features, charged, it must be admitted, with a very +self-satisfied expression. One cannot earn the appellation of the Barber +of London without talent; and it is the consciousness of this talent +that lends to Mr. Trigge's features their apparently conceited +expression. A fringe of black whisker adorns his cheek and chin, and his +black bristly hair is brushed back, so as to exhibit the prodigious +expanse of his forehead. His eyebrows are elevated, as if in constant +scorn.</p> + +<p>The attire in which Mr. Trigge is ordinarily seen, consists of a black +velvet waistcoat, and tight black continuations. These are protected by +a white apron tied round his waist, with pockets to hold his scissors +and combs; over all, he wears a short nankeen jacket, into the pockets +of which his hands are constantly thrust when not otherwise employed. A +black satin stock with a large bow encircles his throat, and his shirt +is fastened by black enamel studs. Such is Mr. Tuffnell Trigge, yclept +the Barber of London.</p> + +<p>At the time of his introduction to the reader, Mr. Trigge had just +advertised for an assistant, his present young man, Rutherford Watts, +being about to leave him, and set up for himself in Canterbury. It was +about two o'clock, and Mr. Trigge had just withdrawn into an inner room +to take some refection, when, on returning, he found Watts occupied in +cutting the hair of a middle-aged, sour-looking gentleman, who was +seated before the fire. Mr. Trigge bowed to the sour-looking gentleman, +and appeared ready to enter into conversation with him, but no notice +being taken of his advances, he went and talked to his magpie.</p> + +<p>While he was chattering to it, the sagacious bird screamed forth: +"Pretty dear!—pretty dear!"</p> + +<p>"Ah! what's that? Who is it?" cried Trigge.</p> + +<p>"Pretty dear!—pretty dear!" reiterated the magpie.</p> + +<p>Upon this, Trigge looked around, and saw a very singular little man +enter the shop. He had somewhat the appearance of a groom, being clothed +in a long grey coat, drab knees, and small top-boots. He had a large and +remarkably projecting mouth, like that of a baboon, and a great shock +head of black hair.</p> + +<p>"Pretty dear!—pretty dear!" screamed the magpie.</p> + +<p>"I see nothing pretty about him," thought Mr. Trigge. "What a strange +little fellow! It would puzzle the Lord Chancellor himself to say what +his age might be."</p> + +<p>The little man took off his hat, and making a profound bow to the +barber, unfolded the <i>Times</i> newspaper, which he carried under his arm, +and held it up to Trigge.</p> + +<p>"What do you want, my little friend, eh?" said the barber.</p> + +<p>"High wages!—high wages!" screamed the magpie.</p> + +<p>"Is this yours, sir?" replied the little man, pointing to an +advertisement in the newspaper.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, that's my advertisement, friend," replied Mr. Trigge. "But +what of it?"</p> + +<p>Before the little man could answer, a slight interruption occurred. +While eyeing the new-comer, Watts neglected to draw forth the hot +curling-irons, in consequence of which he burnt the sour-looking +gentleman's forehead, and singed his hair.</p> + +<p>"Take care, sir!" cried the gentleman furiously. "What the devil are you +about?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! take care, sir, as Judge Learmouth observes to a saucy witness," +cried Trigge—"'take care, or I'll commit you!'"</p> + +<p>"D—n Judge Learmouth!" cried the gentleman angrily. "If I were a judge, +I'd hang such a careless fellow."</p> + +<p>"Sarve him right!" screamed Mag—"sarve him right!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus07" id="illus07"></a> +<img src="images/illus07.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Barber of London.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Beg pardon, sir," cried Watts. "I'll rectify you in a minute."</p> + +<p>"Well, my little friend," observed Trigge, "and what may be your object +in coming to me? as the great conveyancer, Mr. Plodwell, observes to his +clients—what may be your object?"</p> + +<p>"You want an assistant, don't you, sir?" rejoined the little man humbly.</p> + +<p>"Do you apply on your own account, or on behalf of a friend?" asked +Trigge.</p> + +<p>"On my own," replied the little man.</p> + +<p>"What are your qualifications?" demanded Trigge—"what are your +qualifications?"</p> + +<p>"I fancy I understand something of the business," replied the little +man. "I was a perruquier myself, when wigs were more in fashion than +they are now."</p> + +<p>"Ha! indeed!" said Trigge, laughing. "That must have been in the last +century—in Queen Anne's time—eh?"</p> + +<p>"You have hit it exactly, sir," replied the little man. "It <i>was</i> in +Queen Anne's time."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you recollect when wigs were first worn, my little Nestor?" +cried Mr. Trigge.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly," replied the little man. "French periwigs were first worn in +Charles the Second's time."</p> + +<p>"You saw 'em, of course?" cried the barber, with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"I did," replied the little man quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he must be out of his mind," cried Trigge. "We shall have a +commission <i>de lunatico</i> to issue here, as the Master of the Rolls would +observe."</p> + +<p>"I hope I may suit you, sir," said the little man.</p> + +<p>"I don't think you will, my friend," replied Mr. Trigge; "I don't think +you will. You don't seem to have a hand for hairdressing. Are you aware +of the talent the art requires? Are you aware what it has cost me to +earn the enviable title of the Barber of London? I'm as proud of that +title as if I were——"</p> + +<p>"Lord Chancellor!—Lord Chancellor!" screamed Mag.</p> + +<p>"Precisely, Mag," said Mr. Trigge; "as if I were Lord Chancellor."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm sorry for it," said the little man disconsolately.</p> + +<p>"Pretty dear!" screamed Mag; "pretty dear!"</p> + +<p>"What a wonderful bird you have got!" said the sour-looking gentleman, +rising and paying Mr. Trigge. "I declare its answers are quite +appropriate."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Mag is a clever creature, sir—that she is," replied the barber. "I +gave a good deal for her."</p> + +<p>"Little or nothing!" screamed Mag—"little or nothing!"</p> + +<p>"What is your name, friend?" said the gentleman, addressing the little +man, who still lingered in the shop.</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, I've had many names in my time," he replied. "At one time I +was called Flapdragon—at another, Old Parr—but my real name, I +believe, is Morse—Gregory Morse."</p> + +<p>"An Old Bailey answer," cried Mr. Trigge, shaking his head. "Flapdragon, +alias Old Parr—alias Gregory Morse—alias——"</p> + +<p>"Pretty dear!" screamed Mag.</p> + +<p>"And you want a place?" demanded the sour-looking gentleman, eyeing him +narrowly.</p> + +<p>"Sadly," replied Morse.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, follow me," said the gentleman, "and I'll see what can be +done for you."</p> + +<p>And they left the shop together.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE MOON IN THE FIRST QUARTER</h3> + + +<p>In spite of his resolution to the contrary, Auriol found it impossible +to resist the fascination of Ebba's society, and became a daily visitor +at her father's house. Mr. Thorneycroft noticed the growing attachment +between them with satisfaction. His great wish was to see his daughter +united to the husband of her choice, and in the hope of smoothing the +way, he let Auriol understand that he should give her a considerable +marriage portion.</p> + +<p>For the last few days a wonderful alteration had taken place in Auriol's +manner, and he seemed to have shaken off altogether the cloud that had +hitherto sat upon his spirits. Enchanted by the change, Ebba indulged in +the most blissful anticipations of the future.</p> + +<p>One evening they walked forth together, and almost unconsciously +directed their steps towards the river. Lingering on its banks, they +gazed on the full tide, admired the glorious sunset, and breathed over +and over again those tender nothings so eloquent in lovers' ears.</p> + +<p>"Oh! how different you are from what you were a week ago," said Ebba +playfully. "Promise me not to indulge in any more of those gloomy +fancies."</p> + +<p>"I will not indulge in them if I can help it, rest assured, sweet Ebba," +he replied. "But my spirits are not always under my control. I am +surprised at my own cheerfulness this evening."</p> + +<p>"I never felt so happy," she replied; "and the whole scene is in unison +with my feelings. How soothing is the calm river flowing at our +feet!—how tender is the warm sky, still flushed with red, though the +sun has set!—And see, yonder hangs the crescent moon. She is in her +first quarter."</p> + +<p>"The moon in her first quarter!" cried Auriol, in a tone of anguish. +"All then is over."</p> + +<p>"What means this sudden change?" cried Ebba, frightened by his looks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ebba," he replied, "I must leave you. I have allowed myself to +dream of happiness too long. I am an accursed being, doomed only to +bring misery upon those who love me. I warned you on the onset, but you +would not believe me. Let me go, and perhaps it may not yet be too late +to save you."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, do not leave me!" cried Ebba. "I have no fear while you are with +me."</p> + +<p>"But you do not know the terrible fate I am linked to," he said. "This +is the night when it will be accomplished."</p> + +<p>"Your moody fancies do not alarm me as they used to do, dear Auriol," +she rejoined, "because I know them to be the fruit of a diseased +imagination. Come, let us continue our walk," she added, taking his arm +kindly.</p> + +<p>"Ebba," he cried, "I implore you to let me go! I have not the power to +tear myself away unless you aid me."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear it," she rejoined, "for then I shall hold you fast."</p> + +<p>"You know not what you do!" cried Auriol. "Release me! oh, release me!"</p> + +<p>"In a few moments the fit will be passed," she rejoined. "Let us walk +towards the abbey."</p> + +<p>"It is in vain to struggle against fate," ejaculated Auriol +despairingly.</p> + +<p>And he suffered himself to be led in the direction proposed.</p> + +<p>Ebba continued to talk, but her discourse fell upon a deaf ear, and at +last she became silent too. In this way they proceeded along Millbank +Street and Abingdon Street, until, turning off on the right, they found +themselves before an old and partly-demolished building. By this time it +had become quite dark, for the moon was hidden behind a rack of clouds, +but a light was seen in the upper storey of the structure, occasioned, +no doubt, by a fire within it, which gave a very picturesque effect to +the broken outline of the walls.</p> + +<p>Pausing for a moment to contemplate the ruin, Ebba expressed a wish to +enter it. Auriol offered no opposition, and passing through an arched +doorway, and ascending a short, spiral, stone staircase, they presently +arrived at a roofless chamber, which it was evident, from the implements +and rubbish lying about, was about to be razed to the ground. On one +side there was a large arch, partly bricked up, through which opened a +narrow doorway, though at some height from the ground. With this a +plank communicated, while beneath it lay a great heap of stones, amongst +which were some grotesque carved heads. In the centre of the chamber was +a large square opening, like the mouth of a trap-door, from which the +top of a ladder projected, and near it stood a flaming brazier, which +had cast forth the glare seen from below. Over the ruinous walls on the +right hung the crescent moon, now emerged from the cloud, and shedding a +ghostly glimmer on the scene.</p> + +<p>"What a strange place!" cried Ebba, gazing around with some +apprehension. "It looks like a spot one reads of in romance. I wonder +where that trap leads to?"</p> + +<p>"Into the vault beneath, no doubt," replied Auriol. "But why did we come +hither?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, there was a sound like mocking laughter, but whence arising +it was difficult to say.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear that sound?" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"It was nothing but the echo of laughter from the street," she replied. +"You alarm yourself without reason, Auriol."</p> + +<p>"No, not without reason," he cried. "I am in the power of a terrible +being, who seeks to destroy you, and I know that he is at hand. Listen +to me, Ebba, and however strange my recital may appear, do not suppose +it the ravings of a madman, but be assured it is the truth."</p> + +<p>"Beware!" cried a deep voice, issuing apparently from the depths of the +vault.</p> + +<p>"Some one spoke," cried Ebba. "I begin to share your apprehensions. Let +us quit this place."</p> + +<p>"Come, then," said Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Not so fast," cried a deep voice.</p> + +<p>And they beheld the mysterious owner of the black cloak barring their +passage out.</p> + +<p>"Ebba, you are mine," cried the stranger. "Auriol has brought you to +me."</p> + +<p>"It is false!" cried Auriol. "I never will yield her to you."</p> + +<p>"Remember your compact," rejoined the stranger, with a mocking laugh.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Auriol!" cried Ebba, "I fear for your soul. You have not made a +compact with this fiend?"</p> + +<p>"He has," replied the stranger; "and by that compact you are surrendered +to me."</p> + +<p>And, as he spoke, he advanced towards her, and enveloping her in his +cloak, her cries were instantly stifled.</p> + +<p>"You shall not go!" cried Auriol, seizing him. "Release her, or I +renounce you wholly."</p> + +<p>"Fool!" cried the stranger, "since you provoke my wrath, take your +doom."</p> + +<p>And he stamped on the ground. At this signal an arm was thrust from the +trap-door, and Auriol's hand was seized with an iron grasp.</p> + +<p>While this took place, the stranger bore his lovely burden swiftly up +the plank leading to the narrow doorway in the wall, and just as he was +passing through it he pointed towards the sky, and shouted with a +mocking smile to Auriol—"Behold! the moon is in her first quarter. My +words are fulfilled!"</p> + +<p>And he disappeared.</p> + +<p>Auriol tried to disengage himself from the grasp imposed upon him in +vain. Uttering ejaculations of rage and despair, he was dragged forcibly +backwards into the vault.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus08" id="illus08"></a> +<img src="images/illus08.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>Seizure of Ebba.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE STATUE AT CHARING CROSS</h3> + + +<p>One morning, two persons took their way along Parliament Street and +Whitehall, and, chatting as they walked, turned into the entrance of +Spring Gardens, for the purpose of looking at the statue at Charing +Cross. One of them was remarkable for his dwarfish stature and strange +withered features. The other was a man of middle size, thin, rather +elderly, and with a sharp countenance, the sourness of which was +redeemed by a strong expression of benevolence. He was clad in a black +coat, rather rusty, but well brushed, buttoned up to the chin, black +tights, short drab gaiters, and wore a white neckcloth and spectacles.</p> + +<p>Mr. Loftus (for so he was called) was a retired merchant, of moderate +fortune, and lived in Abingdon Street. He was a bachelor, and therefore +pleased himself; and being a bit of an antiquary, rambled about all day +long in search of some object of interest. His walk, on the present +occasion, was taken with that view.</p> + +<p>"By Jove! what a noble statue that is, Morse!" cried Loftus, gazing at +it. "The horse is magnificent—positively magnificent."</p> + +<p>"I recollect when the spot was occupied by a gibbet, and when, in lieu +of a statue, an effigy of the martyred monarch was placed there," +replied Morse. "That was in the time of the Protectorate."</p> + +<p>"You cannot get those dreams out of your head, Morse," said Loftus, +smiling. "I wish I could persuade myself I had lived for two centuries +and a half."</p> + +<p>"Would you could have seen the ancient cross, which once stood there, +erected by Edward the First to his beloved wife, 'Eleanor of Castile'!" +said Morse, heedless of the other's remark. "It was much mutilated when +I remember it; some of the pinnacles were broken, and the foliage +defaced, but the statues of the queen were still standing in the +recesses; and altogether the effect was beautiful."</p> + +<p>"It must have been charming," observed Loftus, rubbing his hands; "and, +though I like the statue, I would much rather have had the old Gothic +cross. But how fortunate the former escaped destruction in Oliver +Cromwell's time!"</p> + +<p>"I can tell you how that came to pass, sir," replied Morse, "for I was +assistant to John Rivers, the brazier, to whom the statue was sold."</p> + +<p>"Ah! indeed!" exclaimed Loftus. "I have heard something of the story, +but should like to have full particulars."</p> + +<p>"You shall hear them, then," replied Morse. "Yon statue, which, as you +know, was cast by Hubert le Sueur, in 1633, was ordered by Parliament to +be sold and broken to pieces. Well, my master, John Rivers, being a +stanch Royalist, though he did not dare to avow his principles, +determined to preserve it from destruction. Accordingly, he offered a +good round sum for it, and was declared the purchaser. But how to +dispose of it was the difficulty? He could trust none of his men but me, +whom he knew to be as hearty a hater of the Roundheads, and as loyal to +the memory of our slaughtered sovereign, as himself. Well, we digged a +great pit, secretly, in the cellar, whither the statue had been +conveyed, and buried it. The job occupied us nearly a month; and during +that time, my master collected together all the pieces of old brass he +could procure. These he afterwards produced, and declared they were the +fragments of the statue. But the cream of the jest was to come. He began +to cast handles of knives and forks in brass, giving it out that they +were made from the metal of the statue. And plenty of 'em he sold too, +for the Cavaliers bought 'em as memorials of their martyred monarch, and +the Roundheads as evidences of his fall. In this way he soon got back +his outlay."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Loftus.</p> + +<p>"Well, in due season came the Restoration," pursued Morse; "and my +master made known to King Charles the Second the treasure he had kept +concealed for him. It was digged forth, placed in its old position—but +I forget whether the brazier was rewarded. I rather think not."</p> + +<p>"No matter," cried Loftus; "he was sufficiently rewarded by the +consciousness of having done a noble action. But let us go and examine +the sculpture on the pedestal more closely."</p> + +<p>With this he crossed over the road; and, taking off his hat, thrust his +head through the iron railing surrounding the pedestal, while Morse, in +order to point out the beauties of the sculpture with greater +convenience, mounted upon a stump beside him.</p> + +<p>"You are aware that this is the work of Grinling Gibbons, sir?" cried +the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"To be sure I am," replied Loftus—"to be sure. What fancy and gusto is +displayed in the treatment of these trophies!"</p> + +<p>"The execution of the royal arms is equally admirable," cried Morse.</p> + +<p>"Never saw anything finer," rejoined Loftus—"never, upon my life."</p> + +<p>Every one knows how easily a crowd is collected in London, and it cannot +be supposed that our two antiquaries would be allowed to pursue their +investigations unmolested. Several ragged urchins got round them, and +tried to discover what they were looking at, at the same time cutting +their jokes upon them. These were speedily joined by a street-sweeper, +rather young in the profession, a ticket-porter, a butcher's apprentice, +an old Israelitish clothes-man, a coalheaver, and a couple of +charity-boys.</p> + +<p>"My eyes!" cried the street-sweeper, "only twig these coves. If they +ain't green 'uns, I'm done."</p> + +<p>"Old Spectacles thinks he has found it all out," remarked the porter; +"ve shall hear wot it all means by-and-by."</p> + +<p>"Plesh ma 'art," cried the Jew, "vat two funny old genelmen. I vonder +vat they thinks they sees?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell 'ee, master," rejoined the butcher's apprentice; "they're a +tryin' vich on 'em can see farthest into a millstone."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus09" id="illus09"></a> +<img src="images/illus09.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>Antiquaries.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Only think of living all my life in London, and never examining this +admirable work of art before!" cried Loftus, quite unconscious that he +had become the object of general curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Look closer at it, old gem'man," cried the porter. "The nearer you get, +the more you'll admire it."</p> + +<p>"Quite true," replied Loftus, fancying Morse had spoken; "it'll bear the +closest inspection."</p> + +<p>"I say, Ned," observed one of the charity-boys to the other, "do you get +over the railin'; they must ha' dropped summat inside. See what it is."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid o' spikin' myself, Joe," replied the other; "but just give +us a lift, and I'll try."</p> + +<p>"Wot are you arter there, you young rascals?" cried the coalheaver; +"come down, or I'll send the perlice to you."</p> + +<p>"Wot two precious guys these is!" cried a ragamuffin lad, accompanied by +a bulldog. "I've a good mind to chuck the little 'un off the post, and +set Tartar at him. Here, boy, here!"</p> + +<p>"That 'ud be famous fun, indeed, Spicer!" cried another rapscallion +behind him.</p> + +<p>"Arrah! let 'em alone, will you there, you young divils!" cried an Irish +bricklayer; "don't you see they're only two paiceable antiquaries."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're antiquaries, are they?" screamed the little street-sweeper. +"Vell, I never see the likes on 'em afore; did you, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"Never," replied the porter.</p> + +<p>"Och, murther in Irish! ye're upsettin' me, an' all the fruits of my +industry," cried an applewoman, against whom the bricklayer had run his +barrow. "Divil seize you for a careless wagabone! Why don't you look +where ye're goin', and not dhrive into people in that way?"</p> + +<p>"Axes pardon, Molly," said the bricklayer; "but I was so inter<i>est</i>ed in +them antiquaries, that I didn't obsarve ye."</p> + +<p>"Antiquaries be hanged! what's such warmint to me?" cried the applewoman +furiously. "You've destroyed my day's market, and bad luck to ye!"</p> + +<p>"Well, never heed, Molly," cried the good-natured bricklayer; "I'll make +it up t'ye. Pick up your apples, and you shall have a dhrop of the +craiter if you'll come along wid me."</p> + +<p>While this was passing, a stout gentleman came from the farther side of +the statue, and perceiving Loftus, cried—"Why, brother-in-law, is that +you?"</p> + +<p>But Loftus was too much engrossed to notice him, and continued to +expiate upon the beauty of the trophies.</p> + +<p>"What are you talking about, brother?" cried the stout gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Grinling Gibbons," replied Loftus, without turning round. "Horace +Walpole said that no one before him could give to wood the airy +lightness of a flower, and here he has given it to a stone."</p> + +<p>"This may be all very fine, my good fellow," said the stout gentleman, +seizing him by the shoulder; "but don't you see the crowd you're +collecting round you? You'll be mobbed presently."</p> + +<p>"Why, how the devil did you come here, brother Thorneycroft?" cried +Loftus, at last recognising him.</p> + +<p>"Come along, and I'll tell you," replied the iron-merchant, dragging him +away, while Morse followed closely behind them. "I'm so glad to have met +you," pursued Thorneycroft, as soon as they were clear of the mob; +"you'll be shocked to hear what has happened to your niece, Ebba."</p> + +<p>"Why, what <i>has</i> happened to her?" demanded Loftus. "You alarm me. Out +with it at once. I hate to be kept in suspense."</p> + +<p>"She has left me," replied Thorneycroft—"left her old indulgent +father—run away."</p> + +<p>"Run away!" exclaimed Loftus. "Impossible! I'll not believe it—even +from your lips."</p> + +<p>"Would it were not so!—but it is, alas! too true," replied Thorneycroft +mournfully. "And the thing was so unnecessary, for I would gladly have +given her to the young man. My sole hope is that she has not utterly +disgraced herself."</p> + +<p>"No, she is too high principled for that," cried Loftus. "Rest easy on +that score. But with whom has she run away?"</p> + +<p>"With a young man named Auriol Darcy," replied Thorneycroft. "He was +brought to my house under peculiar circumstances."</p> + +<p>"I never heard of him," said Loftus.</p> + +<p>"But I have," interposed Morse. "I've known him these two hundred +years."</p> + +<p>"Eh day! who's this?" cried Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"A crack-brained little fellow, whom I've engaged as valet," replied +Loftus. "He fancies he was born in Queen Elizabeth's time."</p> + +<p>"It's no fancy," cried Morse. "I am perfectly acquainted with Auriol +Darcy's history. He drank of the same elixir as myself."</p> + +<p>"If you know him, can you give us a clue to find him?" asked +Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry I cannot," replied Morse. "I only saw him for a few minutes +the other night, after I had been thrown into the Serpentine by the tall +man in the black cloak."</p> + +<p>"What's that you say?" cried Thorneycroft quickly. "I have heard Ebba +speak of a tall man in a black cloak having some mysterious connection +with Auriol. I hope that person has nothing to do with her +disappearance."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder if he had," replied Morse. "I believe that black +gentleman to be——"</p> + +<p>"What!—who?" demanded Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"Neither more nor less than the devil," replied Morse mysteriously.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! poh!" cried Loftus. "I told you the poor fellow was half +cracked."</p> + +<p>At this moment, a roguish-looking fellow, with red whiskers and hair, +and clad in a velveteen jacket with ivory buttons, who had been watching +the iron-merchant at some distance, came up, and touching his hat, said, +"Mr. Thorneycroft, I believe?"</p> + +<p>"My name is Thorneycroft, fellow!" cried the iron-merchant, eyeing him +askance. "And your name, I fancy, is Ginger?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly, sir," replied the dog-fancier, again touching his hat, +"ex-actly. I didn't think you would rekilect me, sir. I bring you some +news of your darter."</p> + +<p>"Of Ebba!" exclaimed Thorneycroft, in a tone of deep emotion. "I hope +your news is good."</p> + +<p>"I wish it wos better, for her sake as well as yours, sir," replied the +dog-fancier gravely; "but I'm afeerd she's in werry bad hands."</p> + +<p>"That she is, if she's in the hands o' the black gentleman," observed +Morse.</p> + +<p>"Vy, Old Parr, that ain't you?" cried Ginger, gazing at him in +astonishment. "Vy, 'ow you are transmogrified, to be sure!"</p> + +<p>"But what of my daughter?" cried Thorneycroft; "where is she? Take me to +her, and you shall be well rewarded."</p> + +<p>"I'll do my best to take you to her, and without any reward, sir," +replied Ginger, "for my heart bleeds for the poor young creater. As I +said afore, she's in dreadful bad hands."</p> + +<p>"Do you allude to Mr. Auriol Darcy?" cried Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"No, he's as much a wictim of this infernal plot as your darter," +replied Ginger; "I thought him quite different at first—but I've +altered my mind entirely since some matters has come to my knowledge."</p> + +<p>"You alarm me greatly by these dark hints," cried Thorneycroft. "What is +to be done?"</p> + +<p>"I shall know in a few hours," replied Ginger. "I ain't got the exact +clue yet. But come to me at eleven o'clock to-night, at the Turk's Head, +at the back o' Shoreditch Church, and I'll put you on the right scent. +You must come alone."</p> + +<p>"I should wish this gentleman, my brother-in-law, to accompany me," said +Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"He couldn't help you," replied Ginger. "I'll take care to have plenty +of assistance. It's a dangerous bus'ness, and can only be managed in a +sartin way, and by a sartin person, and he'd object to any von but you. +To-night, at eleven! Good-bye, Old Parr. Ve shall meet again ere long."</p> + +<p>And without a word more, he hurried away.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>PREPARATIONS</h3> + + +<p>On that same night, at the appointed hour, Mr. Thorneycroft repaired to +Shoreditch, and entering a narrow street behind the church, speedily +discovered the Turk's Head, at the door of which a hackney-coach was +standing. He was shown by the landlord into a small back room, in which +three men were seated at a small table, smoking, and drinking gin and +water, while a fourth was standing near the fire, with his back towards +the door. The latter was a tall, powerfully built man, wrapped in a +rough greatcoat, and did not turn round on the iron-merchant's entrance.</p> + +<p>"You are punctual, Mr. Thorneycroft," said Ginger, who was one of the +trio at the table; "and I'm happy to say, I've arranged everythin' for +you, sir. My friends are ready to undertake the job. Only they von't do +it on quite sich easy terms as mine."</p> + +<p>The Tinker and the Sandman coughed slightly, to intimate their entire +concurrence in Mr. Ginger's remark.</p> + +<p>"As I said to you this mornin', Mr. Thorneycroft," pursued Ginger, "this +is a difficult and a dangerous bus'ness, and there's no knowin' wot may +come on it. But it's your only chance o' recoverin' your darter."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's your only chance," echoed the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Ve're about to risk our precious lives for you, sir," said the Sandman; +"so, in coorse, ve expects a perportionate revard."</p> + +<p>"If you enable me to regain my daughter, you shall not find me +ungrateful," rejoined the iron-merchant.</p> + +<p>"I must have a hundred pounds," said the Tinker—"that's my lowest."</p> + +<p>"And mine, too," said the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"I shall take nuffin' but the glory, as I said afore," remarked Ginger. +"I'm sworn champion o' poor distressed young damsils; but my friends +must make their own bargins."</p> + +<p>"Well, I assent," returned Mr. Thorneycroft; "and the sooner we set out +the better."</p> + +<p>"Are you armed?" asked Ginger.</p> + +<p>"I have a brace of pistols in my pocket," replied Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"All right, then—ve've all got pops and cutlashes," said Ginger. "So +let's be off."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the Tinker and Sandman arose; and the man in the rough +greatcoat, who had hitherto remained with his back to them, turned +round. To the iron-merchant's surprise, he perceived that the face of +this individual was covered with a piece of black crape.</p> + +<p>"Who is this?" he demanded with some misgiving.</p> + +<p>"A friend," replied Ginger. "Vithout him ve could do nuffin'. His name +is Reeks, and he is the chief man in our enterprise."</p> + +<p>"He claims a reward too, I suppose?" said Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you what reward I claim, Mr. Thorneycroft," rejoined Reeks, +in a deep stern tone, "when all is over. Meantime, give me your solemn +pledge, that whatever you may behold to-night, you will not divulge it."</p> + +<p>"I give it," replied the iron-merchant, "provided always——"</p> + +<p>"No provision, sir," interrupted the other quickly. "You must swear to +keep silence unconditionally, or I will not move a footstep with you; +and I alone can guide you where your daughter is detained."</p> + +<p>"Svear, sir; it is your only chance," whispered Ginger.</p> + +<p>"Well, if it must be, I do swear to keep silence," rejoined Mr. +Thorneycroft; "but your proceedings appear very mysterious."</p> + +<p>"The whole affair is mysterious," replied Reeks. "You must also consent +to have a bandage passed over your eyes when you get into the coach."</p> + +<p>"Anything more?" asked the iron-merchant.</p> + +<p>"You must engage to obey my orders, without questioning, when we arrive +at our destination," rejoined Reeks. "Otherwise, there is no chance of +success."</p> + +<p>"Be it as you will," returned Thorneycroft, "I must perforce agree."</p> + +<p>"All then is clearly understood," said Reeks, "and we can now set out."</p> + +<p>Upon this, Ginger conducted Mr. Thorneycroft to the coach, and as soon +as the latter got into it, tied a handkerchief tightly over his eyes. In +this state Mr. Thorneycroft heard the Tinker and the Sandman take their +places near him, but not remarking the voice of Reeks, concluded that he +must have got outside.</p> + +<p>The next moment, the coach was put in motion, and rattled over the +stones at a rapid pace. It made many turns; but at length proceeded +steadily onwards, while from the profound silence around, and the +greater freshness of the air, Mr. Thorneycroft began to fancy they had +gained the country. Not a word was spoken by any one during the ride.</p> + +<p>After a while, the coach stopped, the door was opened, and Mr. +Thorneycroft was helped out. The iron-merchant expected his bandage +would now be removed, but he was mistaken, for Reeks, taking his arm, +drew him along at a quick pace. As they advanced, the iron-merchant's +conductor whispered him to be cautious, and, at the same time, made him +keep close to a wall. A door was presently opened, and as soon as the +party had passed through, it closed.</p> + +<p>The bandage was then removed from Thorneycroft's eyes, and he found +himself in a large and apparently neglected garden. Though the sky was +cloudy, there was light enough to enable him to distinguish that they +were near an old dilapidated mansion.</p> + +<p>"We are now arrived," said Reeks to the iron-merchant, "and you will +have need of all your resolution."</p> + +<p>"I will deliver her, or perish in the attempt," said Thorneycroft, +taking out his pistols.</p> + +<p>The others drew their cutlasses.</p> + +<p>"Now then, follow me," said Reeks, "and act as I direct."</p> + +<p>With this he struck into an alley formed by thick hedges of privet, +which brought them to the back part of the house. Passing through a +door, he entered the yard, and creeping cautiously along the wall, +reached a low window, which he contrived to open without noise. He then +passed through it, and was followed by the others.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY</h3> + + +<p>We shall now return to the night of Ebba's seizure by the mysterious +stranger. Though almost deprived of consciousness by terror, the poor +girl could distinguish, from the movements of her captor, that she was +borne down a flight of steps, or some steep descent, and then for a +considerable distance along level ground. She was next placed in a +carriage, which was driven with great swiftness, and though it was +impossible to conjecture in what direction she was conveyed, it seemed +to her terrified imagination as if she were hurried down a precipice, +and she expected every moment to be dashed in pieces. At length the +vehicle stopped, and she was lifted out of it, and carried along a +winding passage; after which, the creaking of hinges announced that a +door was opened. Having passed through it, she was deposited on a bench, +when, fright overmastering her, her senses completely forsook her.</p> + +<p>On recovering, she found herself seated on a fauteuil covered with black +velvet, in the midst of a gloomy chamber of vast extent, while beside +her, and supporting her from falling, stood the mysterious and terrible +stranger. He held a large goblet filled with some potent liquid to her +lips, and compelled her to swallow a portion of it. The powerful +stimulant revived her, but, at the same time, produced a strange +excitement, against which she struggled with all her power. Her +persecutor again held the goblet towards her, while a sardonic smile +played upon his features.</p> + +<p>"Drink!" he cried; "it will restore you, and you have much to go +through."</p> + +<p>Ebba mechanically took the cup, and raised it to her lips, but noticing +the stranger's glance of exultation, dashed it to the ground.</p> + +<p>"You have acted foolishly," he said sternly; "the potion would have done +you good."</p> + +<p>Withdrawing her eyes from his gaze, which she felt exercised an +irresistible influence over her, Ebba gazed fearfully round the chamber.</p> + +<p>It was vast and gloomy, and seemed like the interior of a sepulchre—the +walls and ceiling being formed of black marble, while the floor was +paved with the same material. Not far from where she sat, on an estrade, +approached by a couple of steps, stood a table covered with black +velvet, on which was placed an immense lamp, fashioned like an imp +supporting a caldron on his outstretched wings. In this lamp were +several burners, which cast a lurid light throughout the chamber. Over +it hung a cap equally fantastically fashioned. A dagger, with a richly +wrought hilt, was stuck into the table; and beside it lay a strangely +shaped mask, an open book, an antique inkstand, and a piece of +parchment, on which some characters were inscribed. Opposite these stood +a curiously carved ebony chair.</p> + +<p>At the lower end of the room, which was slightly elevated above the +rest, hung a large black curtain; and on the step, in the front of it, +were placed two vases of jet.</p> + +<p>"What is behind that curtain?" shudderingly demanded Ebba of her +companion.</p> + +<p>"You will see anon," he replied. "Meanwhile, seat yourself on that +chair, and glance at the writing on the scroll."</p> + +<p>Ebba did not move, but the stranger took her hand, and drew her to the +seat.</p> + +<p>"Read what is written on that paper," he cried imperiously.</p> + +<p>Ebba glanced at the document, and a shudder passed over her frame. "By +this," she cried, "I surrender myself, soul and body, to you?"</p> + +<p>"You do," replied the stranger.</p> + +<p>"I have committed no crime that can place me within the power of the +Fiend," cried Ebba, falling upon her knees. "I call upon Heaven for +protection! Avaunt!"</p> + +<p>As the words were uttered, the cap suddenly fell upon the lamp, and the +chamber was buried in profound darkness. Mocking laughter rang in her +ears, succeeded by wailing cries inexpressibly dreadful to hear.</p> + +<p>Ebba continued to pray fervently for her own deliverance, and for that +of Auriol. In the midst of her supplications she was aroused by strains +of music of the most exquisite sweetness, proceeding apparently from +behind the curtain, and while listening to these sounds she was startled +by a deafening crash as if a large gong had been stricken. The cover of +the lamp was then slowly raised, and the burners blazed forth as before, +while from the two vases in front of the curtain arose clouds of +incense, filling the chamber with stupefying fragrance.</p> + +<p>Again the gong was stricken, and Ebba looked round towards the curtain. +Above each vase towered a gigantic figure, wrapped in a long black +cloak, the lower part of which was concealed by the thick vapour. Hoods, +like the cowls of monks, were drawn over the heads of these grim and +motionless figures; mufflers enveloped their chins, and they wore masks, +from the holes of which gleamed eyes of unearthly brightness. Their +hands were crossed upon their breasts. Between them squatted two other +spectral forms, similarly cloaked, hooded, and masked, with their +gleaming eyes fixed upon her, and their skinny fingers pointed +derisively at her.</p> + +<p>Behind the curtain was placed a strong light, which showed a wide +staircase of black marble, leading to some upper chamber, and at the +same time threw the reflection of a gigantic figure upon the drapery, +while a hand, the finger of which pointed towards her, was thrust from +an opening between its folds.</p> + +<p>Forcibly averting her gaze, Ebba covered her eyes with her hands, but +looking up again after a brief space, beheld an ebon door at the side +revolve upon its hinges, and give entrance to three female figures, +robed in black, hooded and veiled, and having their hands folded, in a +melancholy manner, across their breasts. Slowly and noiselessly +advancing, they halted within a few paces of her.</p> + +<p>"Who and what are ye?" she cried, wild with terror.</p> + +<p>"The victims of Auriol!" replied the figure on the right. "As we are, +such will you be ere long."</p> + +<p>"What crime have you committed?" demanded Ebba.</p> + +<p>"We have loved him," replied the second figure.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus10" id="illus10"></a> +<img src="images/illus10.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Chamber of Mystery.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Is that a crime?" cried Ebba. "If so, I am equally culpable with you."</p> + +<p>"You will share our doom," replied the third figure.</p> + +<p>"Heaven have mercy upon me!" exclaimed the agonised girl, dropping upon +her knees.</p> + +<p>At this moment a terrible voice from behind the curtain exclaimed, +"Sign, or Auriol is lost for ever."</p> + +<p>"I cannot yield my soul, even to save him," cried Ebba distractedly.</p> + +<p>"Witness his chastisement, then," cried the voice.</p> + +<p>And as the words were uttered, a side door was opened on the opposite +side, and Auriol was dragged forth from it by two masked personages, who +looked like familiars of the Inquisition.</p> + +<p>"Do not yield to the demands of this fiend, Ebba!" cried Auriol, gazing +at her distractedly.</p> + +<p>"Will you save him before he is cast, living, into the tomb?" cried the +voice.</p> + +<p>And at the words, a heavy slab of marble rose slowly from the floor near +where Ebba sat, and disclosed a dark pit beneath.</p> + +<p>Ebba gazed into the abyss with indescribable terror.</p> + +<p>"There he will be immured, unless you sign," cried the voice; "and, as +he is immortal, he will endure an eternity of torture."</p> + +<p>"I cannot save him so, but I may precede him," cried Ebba. And throwing +her hands aloft, she flung herself into the pit.</p> + +<p>A fearful cry resounded through the chamber. It broke from Auriol, who +vainly strove to burst from those who held him, and precipitate himself +after Ebba.</p> + +<p>Soon after this, and while Auriol was gazing into the abyss, a tongue of +blue flame arose from it, danced for a moment in the air, and then +vanished. No sooner was it gone than a figure, shrouded in black +habiliments, and hooded and muffled up like the three other female +forms, slowly ascended from the vault, apparently without support, and +remained motionless at its brink.</p> + +<p>"Ebba!" exclaimed Auriol, in a voice of despair. "Is it you?"</p> + +<p>The figure bowed its head, but spoke not.</p> + +<p>"Sign!" thundered the voice. "Your attempt at self-destruction has +placed you wholly in my power. Sign!"</p> + +<p>At this injunction, the figure moved slowly towards the table, and to +his unspeakable horror, Auriol beheld it take up the pen and write upon +the parchment. He bent forward, and saw that the name inscribed thereon +was <span class="smcap">Ebba Thorneycroft</span>.</p> + +<p>The groan to which he gave utterance was echoed by a roar of diabolical +laughter.</p> + +<p>The figure then moved slowly away, and ranged itself with the other +veiled forms.</p> + +<p>"All is accomplished," cried the voice. "Away with him!"</p> + +<p>On this, a terrible clangour was heard; the lights were extinguished; +and Auriol was dragged through the doorway from which he had been +brought forth.</p> + + +<h3>END OF THE FIRST BOOK</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INTERMEAN" id="INTERMEAN"></a>INTERMEAN</h2> + +<h3>1800</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IA" id="CHAPTER_IA"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN</h3> + + +<p>On the night of the 1st of March 1800, and at a late hour, a man, +wrapped in a large horseman's cloak, and of strange and sinister +appearance, entered an old deserted house in the neighbourhood of +Stepney Green. He was tall, carried himself very erect, and seemed in +the full vigour of early manhood; but his features had a worn and +ghastly look, as if bearing the stamp of long-indulged and frightful +excesses, while his dark gleaming eyes gave him an expression almost +diabolical.</p> + +<p>This person had gained the house from a garden behind it, and now stood +in a large dismantled hall, from which a broad oaken staircase, with +curiously-carved banisters, led to a gallery, and thence to the upper +chambers of the habitation. Nothing could be more dreary than the aspect +of the place. The richly-moulded ceiling was festooned with spiders' +webs, and in some places had fallen in heaps upon the floor; the glories +of the tapestry upon the walls were obliterated by damps; the squares of +black and white marble, with which the hall was paved, were loosened, +and quaked beneath the footsteps; the wide and empty fireplace yawned +like the mouth of a cavern; the bolts of the closed windows were rusted +in their sockets; and the heaps of dust before the outer door proved +that long years had elapsed since any one had passed through it.</p> + +<p>Taking a dark lantern from beneath his cloak, the individual in question +gazed for a moment around him, and then, with a sardonic smile playing +upon his features, directed his steps towards a room on the right, the +door of which stood open.</p> + +<p>This chamber, which was large and cased with oak, was wholly +unfurnished, like the hall, and in an equally dilapidated condition. The +only decoration remaining on its walls was the portrait of a venerable +personage in the cap and gown of Henry the Eighth's time, painted +against a panel—a circumstance which had probably saved it from +destruction—and beneath it, fixed in another panel, a plate of brass, +covered with mystical characters and symbols, and inscribed with the +name "Cyprianus de Rougemont, Fra. R.C." The same name likewise appeared +upon a label beneath the portrait, with the date 1550.</p> + +<p>Pausing before the portrait, the young man threw the light of the +lantern full upon it, and revealed features somewhat resembling his own +in form, but of a severe and philosophic cast. In the eyes alone could +be discerned the peculiar and terrible glimmer which distinguished his +own glances.</p> + +<p>After regarding the portrait for some time fixedly, he thus addressed +it:</p> + +<p>"Dost hear me, old ancestor?" he cried. "I, thy descendant, Cyprian de +Rougemont, call upon thee to point out where thy gold is hidden? I know +that thou wert a brother of the Rosy Cross—one of the illuminati—and +didst penetrate the mysteries of nature, and enter the region of light. +I know, also, that thou wert buried in this house with a vast treasure; +but though I have made diligent search for it, and others have searched +before me, thy grave has never yet been discovered! Listen to me! +Methought Satan appeared to me in a dream last night, and bade me come +hither, and I should find what I sought. The conditions he proposed +were, that I should either give him my own soul, or win him that of +Auriol Darcy. I assented. I am here. Where is thy treasure?"</p> + +<p>After a pause, he struck the portrait with his clenched hand, exclaiming +in a loud voice:</p> + +<p>"Dost hear me, I say, old ancestor? I call on thee to give me thy +treasure. Dost hear, I say?"</p> + +<p>And he repeated the blow with greater violence.</p> + +<p>Disturbed by the shock, the brass plate beneath the picture started from +its place, and fell to the ground.</p> + +<p>"What is this?" cried Rougemont, gazing into the aperture left by the +plate. "Ha!—my invocation has been heard!"</p> + +<p>And, snatching up the lantern, he discovered, at the bottom of a little +recess, about two feet deep, a stone, with an iron ring in the centre of +it. Uttering a joyful cry, he seized the ring, and drew the stone +forward without difficulty, disclosing an open space beyond it.</p> + +<p>"This, then, is the entrance to my ancestor's tomb," cried Rougemont; +"there can be no doubt of it. The old Rosicrucian has kept his secret +well; but the devil has helped me to wrest it from him. And now to +procure the necessary implements, in case, as is not unlikely, I should +experience further difficulty."</p> + +<p>With this he hastily quitted the room, but returned almost immediately +with a mallet, a lever, and a pitchfork; armed with which and the +lantern, he crept through the aperture. This done, he found himself at +the head of a stone staircase, which he descended, and came to the +arched entrance of a vault. The door, which was of stout oak, was +locked, but holding up the light towards it, he read the following +inscription:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"<span class="smcap">POST C.C.L. ANNOS PATEBO</span>, 1550."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"In two hundred and fifty years I shall open!" cried Rougemont, "and the +date 1550—why, the exact time is arrived. Old Cyprian must have +foreseen what would happen, and evidently intended to make me his heir. +There was no occasion for the devil's interference. And see, the key is +in the lock. So!" And he turned it, and pushing against the door with +some force, the rusty hinges gave way, and it fell inwards.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus11" id="illus11"></a> +<img src="images/illus11.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Tomb of the Rosicrucian.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>From the aperture left by the fallen door, a soft and silvery light +streamed forth, and, stepping forward, Rougemont found himself in a +spacious vault, from the ceiling of which hung a large globe of crystal, +containing in its heart a little flame, which diffused a radiance, +gentle as that of the moon, around. This, then, was the ever-burning +lamp of the Rosicrucians, and Rougemont gazed at it with astonishment. +Two hundred and fifty years had elapsed since that wondrous flame had +been lighted, and yet it burnt on brightly as ever. Hooped round the +globe was a serpent with its tail in its mouth—an emblem of +eternity—wrought in purest gold; while above it were a pair of silver +wings, in allusion to the soul. Massive chains of the more costly metal, +fashioned like twisted snakes, served as suspenders to the lamp.</p> + +<p>But Rougemont's astonishment at this marvel quickly gave way to other +feelings, and he gazed around the vault with greedy eyes.</p> + +<p>It was a septilateral chamber, about eight feet high, built of stone, +and supported by beautifully groined arches. The surface of the masonry +was as smooth and fresh as if the chisel had only just left it.</p> + +<p>In six of the corners were placed large chests, ornamented with ironwork +of the most exquisite workmanship, and these Rougemont's imagination +pictured as filled with inexhaustible treasure; while in the seventh +corner, near the door, was a beautiful little piece of monumental +sculpture in white marble, representing two kneeling and hooded figures, +holding a veil between them, which partly concealed the entrance to a +small recess. On one of the chests opposite the monument just described +stood a strangely-formed bottle and a cup of antique workmanship, both +encrusted with gems.</p> + +<p>The walls were covered with circles, squares, and diagrams, and in some +places were ornamented with grotesque carvings. In the centre of the +vault was a round altar, of black marble, covered with a plate of gold, +on which Rougemont read the following inscription:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hoc universi compendium unius mihi sepulcrum feci."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Here, then, old Cyprian lies," he cried.</p> + +<p>And, prompted by some irresistible impulse, he seized the altar by the +upper rim, and overthrew it. The heavy mass of marble fell with a +thundering crash, breaking asunder the flag beneath it. It might be the +reverberation of the vaulted roof, but a deep groan seemed to reproach +the young man for his sacrilege. Undeterred, however, by this warning, +Rougemont placed the point of the lever between the interstices of the +broken stone, and, exerting all his strength, speedily raised the +fragments, and laid open the grave.</p> + +<p>Within it, in the garb he wore in life, with his white beard streaming +to his waist, lay the uncoffined body of his ancestor, Cyprian de +Rougemont. The corpse had evidently been carefully embalmed, and the +features were unchanged by decay. Upon the breast, with the hands placed +over it, lay a large book, bound in black vellum, and fastened with +brazen clasps. Instantly possessing himself of this mysterious-looking +volume, Rougemont knelt upon the nearest chest, and opened it. But he +was disappointed in his expectation. All the pages he examined were +filled with cabalistic characters, which he was totally unable to +decipher.</p> + +<p>At length, however, he chanced upon one page the import of which he +comprehended, and he remained for some time absorbed in its +contemplation, while an almost fiendish smile played upon his features.</p> + +<p>"Aha!" he exclaimed, closing the volume, "I see now the cause of my +extraordinary dream. My ancestor's wondrous power was of infernal +origin—the result, in fact, of a compact with the Prince of Darkness. +But what care I for that? Give me wealth—no matter what source it comes +from!—ha! ha!"</p> + +<p>And seizing the lever, he broke open the chest beside him. It was filled +with bars of silver. The next he visited in the same way was full of +gold. The third was laden with pearls and precious stones; and the rest +contained treasure to an incalculable amount. Rougemont gazed at them in +transports of joy.</p> + +<p>"At length I have my wish," he cried. "Boundless wealth, and therefore +boundless power, is mine. I can riot in pleasure—riot in vengeance. As +to my soul, I will run the risk of its perdition; but it shall go hard +if I destroy not that of Auriol. His love of play and his passion for +Edith Talbot shall be the means by which I will work. But I must not +neglect another agent which is offered me. That bottle, I have learnt +from yon volume, contains an infernal potion, which, without destroying +life, shatters the brain, and creates maddening fancies. It will well +serve my purpose; and I thank thee, Satan, for the gift."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIA" id="CHAPTER_IIA"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE COMPACT</h3> + + +<p>About two months after this occurrence, and near midnight, a young man +was hurrying along Pall Mall, with a look of the wildest despair, when +his headlong course was suddenly arrested by a strong grasp, while a +familiar voice sounded in his ear.</p> + +<p>"It is useless to meditate self-destruction, Auriol Darcy," cried the +person who had checked him. "If you find life a burden, I can make it +tolerable to you."</p> + +<p>Turning round at the appeal, Auriol beheld a tall man, wrapped in a long +black cloak, whose sinister features were well known to him.</p> + +<p>"Leave me, Rougemont!" he cried fiercely. "I want no society—above all, +not yours. You know very well that you have ruined me, and that nothing +more is to be got from me. Leave me, I say, or I may do you a mischief."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, Auriol, I am your friend!" replied Rougemont. "I purpose to +relieve your distress."</p> + +<p>"Will you give me back the money you have won from me?" cried Auriol. +"Will you pay my inexorable creditors? Will you save me from a prison?"</p> + +<p>"I will do all this, and more," replied Rougemont. "I will make you one +of the richest men in London."</p> + +<p>"Spare your insulting jests, sir," cried Auriol. "I am in no mood to +bear them."</p> + +<p>"I am not jesting," rejoined Rougemont. "Come with me, and you shall be +convinced of my sincerity."</p> + +<p>Auriol at length assented, and they turned into Saint James's Square, +and paused before a magnificent house. Rougemont ascended the steps. +Auriol, who had accompanied him almost mechanically, gazed at him with +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Do you live here?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"Ask no questions," replied Rougemont, knocking at the door, which was +instantly opened by a hall porter, while other servants in rich liveries +appeared at a distance. Rougemont addressed a few words in an undertone +to them, and they instantly bowed respectfully to Auriol, while the +foremost of them led the way up a magnificent staircase.</p> + +<p>All this was a mystery to the young man, but he followed his conductor +without a word, and was presently ushered into a gorgeously-furnished +and brilliantly-illuminated apartment.</p> + +<p>The servant then left them; and as soon as he was gone Auriol exclaimed, +"Is it to mock me that you have brought me hither?"</p> + +<p>"To mock you—no," replied Rougemont. "I have told you that I mean to +make you rich. But you look greatly exhausted. A glass of wine will +revive you."</p> + +<p>And as he spoke, he stepped towards a small cabinet, and took from it a +curiously-shaped bottle and a goblet.</p> + +<p>"Taste this wine—it has been long in our family," he added, filling the +cup.</p> + +<p>"It is a strange, bewildering drink," cried Auriol, setting down the +empty goblet, and passing his hand before his eyes.</p> + +<p>"You have taken it upon an empty stomach—that is all," said Rougemont. +"You will be better anon."</p> + +<p>"I feel as if I were going mad," cried Auriol. "It is some damnable +potion you have given me."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Rougemont. "It reminds you of the elixir you once +quaffed—eh?"</p> + +<p>"A truce to this raillery!" cried Auriol angrily. "I have said I am in +no mood to bear it."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! I mean no offence," rejoined the other, changing his manner. +"What think you of this house?"</p> + +<p>"That it is magnificent," replied Auriol, gazing around. "I envy you its +possession."</p> + +<p>"It shall be yours, if you please," replied Rougemont.</p> + +<p>"Mine! you are mocking me again."</p> + +<p>"Not in the least. You shall buy it from me, if you please."</p> + +<p>"At what price?" asked Auriol bitterly.</p> + +<p>"At a price you can easily pay," replied the other. "Come this way, and +we will conclude the bargain."</p> + +<p>Proceeding towards the farther end of the room, they entered a small +exquisitely-furnished chamber, surrounded with sofas of the most +luxurious description. In the midst was a table, on which writing +materials were placed.</p> + +<p>"It were a fruitless boon to give you this house without the means of +living in it," said Rougemont, carefully closing the door. "This +pocket-book will furnish you with them."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus12" id="illus12"></a> +<img src="images/illus12.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Compact.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Notes to an immense amount!" cried Auriol, opening the pocket-book, and +glancing at its contents.</p> + +<p>"They are yours, together with the house," cried Rougemont, "if you will +but sign a compact with me."</p> + +<p>"A compact!" cried Auriol, regarding him with a look of undefinable +terror. "Who and what are you?"</p> + +<p>"Some men would call me the devil!" replied Rougemont carelessly. "But +you know me too well to suppose that I merit such a designation. I offer +you wealth. What more could you require?"</p> + +<p>"But upon what terms?" demanded Auriol.</p> + +<p>"The easiest imaginable," replied the other. "You shall judge for +yourself."</p> + +<p>And as he spoke, he opened a writing-desk upon the table, and took from +it a parchment.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," he added, "and read this."</p> + +<p>Auriol complied, and as he scanned the writing he became transfixed with +fear and astonishment, while the pocket-book dropped from his grasp.</p> + +<p>After a while he looked up at Rougemont, who was leaning over his +shoulder, and whose features were wrinkled with a derisive smile.</p> + +<p>"Then you <i>are</i> the Fiend?" he cried.</p> + +<p>"If you will have it so—certainly," replied the other.</p> + +<p>"You are Satan in the form of the man I once knew," cried Auriol. +"Avaunt! I will have no dealings with you."</p> + +<p>"I thought you wiser than to indulge in such idle fears, Darcy," +rejoined the other. "Granting even your silly notion of me to be +correct, why need you be alarmed? You are immortal."</p> + +<p>"True," rejoined Auriol thoughtfully; "but yet——"</p> + +<p>"Pshaw!" rejoined the other, "sign, and have done with the matter."</p> + +<p>"By this compact I am bound to deliver a victim—a female +victim—whenever you shall require it," cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Precisely," replied the other; "you can have no difficulty in +fulfilling that condition."</p> + +<p>"But if I fail in doing so, I am doomed——"</p> + +<p>"But you will <i>not</i> fail," interrupted the other, lighting a taper and +sealing the parchment. "Now sign it."</p> + +<p>Auriol mechanically took the pen, and gazed fixedly on the document.</p> + +<p>"I shall bring eternal destruction on myself if I sign it," he muttered.</p> + +<p>"A stroke of the pen will rescue you from utter ruin," said Rougemont, +leaning over his shoulder. "Riches and happiness are yours. You will not +have such another chance."</p> + +<p>"Tempter!" cried Auriol, hastily attaching his signature to the paper. +But he instantly started back aghast at the fiendish laugh that rang in +his ears.</p> + +<p>"I repent—give it me back!" he cried, endeavouring to snatch the +parchment, which Rougemont thrust into his bosom.</p> + +<p>"It is too late!" cried the latter, in a triumphant tone. "You are +mine—irredeemably mine."</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, sinking back on the couch.</p> + +<p>"I leave you in possession of your house," pursued Rougemont; "but I +shall return in a week, when I shall require my first victim."</p> + +<p>"Your first victim! oh, Heaven!" exclaimed Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Ay, and my choice falls on Edith Talbot!" replied Rougemont.</p> + +<p>"Edith Talbot!" exclaimed Auriol; "she your victim! Think you I would +resign her I love better than life to you?"</p> + +<p>"It is because she loves you that I have chosen her," rejoined +Rougemont, with a bitter laugh. "And such will ever be the case with +you. Seek not to love again, for your passion will be fatal to the +object of it. When the week has elapsed, I shall require Edith at your +hands. Till then, farewell!"</p> + +<p>"Stay!" cried Auriol. "I break the bargain with thee, fiend. I will have +none of it. I abjure thee."</p> + +<p>And he rushed wildly after Rougemont, who had already gained the larger +chamber; but, ere he could reach him, the mysterious individual had +passed through the outer door, and when Auriol emerged upon the gallery, +he was nowhere to be seen.</p> + +<p>Several servants immediately answered the frantic shouts of the young +man, and informed him that Mr. Rougemont had quitted the house some +moments ago, telling them that their master was perfectly satisfied with +the arrangements he had made for him.</p> + +<p>"And we hope nothing has occurred to alter your opinion, sir?" said the +hall porter.</p> + +<p>"You are sure Mr. Rougemont is gone?" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Oh, quite sure, sir," cried the hall porter. "I helped him on with his +cloak myself. He said he should return this day week."</p> + +<p>"If he comes I will not see him," cried Auriol sharply; "mind that. Deny +me to him; and on no account whatever let him enter the house."</p> + +<p>"Your orders shall be strictly obeyed," replied the porter, staring with +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Now leave me," cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>And as they quitted him, he added, in a tone and with a gesture of the +deepest despair, "All precautions are useless. I am indeed lost!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIIA" id="CHAPTER_IIIA"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>IRRESOLUTION</h3> + + +<p>On returning to the cabinet, where his fatal compact with Rougemont had +been signed, Auriol perceived the pocket-book lying on the floor near +the table, and, taking it up, he was about to deposit it in the +writing-desk, when an irresistible impulse prompted him once more to +examine its contents. Unfolding the roll of notes, he counted them, and +found they amounted to more than a hundred thousand pounds. The sight of +so much wealth, and the thought of the pleasure and the power it would +procure him, gradually dispelled his fears, and arising in a transport +of delight, he exclaimed—"Yes, yes—all obstacles are now removed! When +Mr. Talbot finds I am become thus wealthy, he will no longer refuse me +his daughter. But I am mad," he added, suddenly checking himself—"worse +than mad, to indulge such hopes. If it be indeed the Fiend to whom I +have sold myself, I have no help from perdition! If it be man, I am +scarcely less terribly fettered. In either case, I will not remain here +longer; nor will I avail myself of this accursed money, which has +tempted me to my undoing."</p> + +<p>And, hurling the pocket-book to the farther end of the room, he was +about to pass through the door, when a mocking laugh arrested him. He +looked round with astonishment and dread, but could see no one. After a +while, he again moved forward, but a voice, which he recognised as that +of Rougemont, called upon him to stay.</p> + +<p>"It will be in vain to fly," said the unseen speaker. "You cannot escape +me. Whether you remain here or not—whether you use the wealth I have +given you, or leave it behind you—you cannot annul your bargain. With +this knowledge, you are at liberty to go. But remember, on the seventh +night from this I shall require Edith Talbot from you!"</p> + +<p>"Where are you, fiend?" demanded Auriol, gazing around furiously. "Show +yourself, that I may confront you."</p> + +<p>A mocking laugh was the only response deigned to this injunction.</p> + +<p>"Give me back the compact," cried Auriol imploringly. "It was signed in +ignorance. I knew not the price I was to pay for your assistance. Wealth +is of no value to me without Edith."</p> + +<p>"Without wealth you could not obtain her," replied the voice. "You are +only, therefore, where you were. But you will think better of the +bargain to-morrow. Meanwhile, I counsel you to place the money you have +so unwisely cast from you safely under lock and key, and to seek repose. +You will awaken with very different thoughts in the morning."</p> + +<p>"How am I to account for my sudden accession of wealth?" inquired +Auriol, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"You a gambler, and ask that question!" returned the unseen stranger, +with a bitter laugh. "But I will make your mind easy on that score. As +regards the house, you will find a regular conveyance of it within that +writing-desk, while the note lying on the table, which bears your +address, comes from me, and announces the payment of a hundred and +twenty thousand pounds to you, as a debt of honour. You see I have +provided against every difficulty. And now, farewell!"</p> + +<p>The voice was then hushed; and though Auriol addressed several other +questions to the unseen speaker, no answer was returned him.</p> + +<p>After some moments of irresolution, Auriol once more took up the +pocket-book, and deposited it in the writing-desk, in which he found, as +he had been led to expect, a deed conveying the house to him. He then +opened the note lying upon the table, and found its contents accorded +with what had just been told him. Placing it with the pocket-book, he +locked the writing-desk, exclaiming, "It is useless to struggle +further—I must yield to fate!"</p> + +<p>This done, he went into the adjoining room, and, casting his eyes about, +remarked the antique bottle and flagon. The latter was filled to the +brim—how or with what, Auriol paused not to examine; but seizing the +cup with desperation, he placed it to his lips, and emptied it at a +draught.</p> + +<p>A species of intoxication, but pleasing as that produced by opium, +presently succeeded. All his fears left him, and in their place the +gentlest and most delicious fancies arose. Surrendering himself +delightedly to their influence, he sank upon a couch, and for some time +was wrapped in a dreamy elysium, imagining himself wandering with Edith +Talbot in a lovely garden, redolent of sweets, and vocal with the melody +of birds. Their path led through a grove, in the midst of which was a +fountain; and they were hastening towards its marble brink, when all at +once Edith uttered a scream, and, starting back, pointed to a large +black snake lying before her, and upon which she would have trodden the +next moment. Auriol sprang forward and tried to crush the reptile with +his heel; but, avoiding the blow, it coiled around his leg, and plunged +its venom teeth into his flesh. The anguish occasioned by the imaginary +wound roused him from his slumber, and looking up, he perceived that a +servant was in attendance.</p> + +<p>Bowing obsequiously, the man inquired whether he had occasion for +anything.</p> + +<p>"Show me to my bedroom—that is all I require," replied Auriol, scarcely +able to shake off the effect of the vision.</p> + +<p>And, getting up, he followed the man, almost mechanically, out of the +room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IVA" id="CHAPTER_IVA"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>EDITH TALBOT</h3> + + +<p>It was late when Auriol arose on the following morning. At first, +finding himself in a large and most luxuriantly-furnished chamber, he +was at a loss to conceive how he came there, and it was some time before +he could fully recall the mysterious events of the previous night. As +had been foretold, however, by Rougemont, his position did not cause him +so much anxiety as before.</p> + +<p>After attiring himself, he descended to the lower apartments, in one of +which a sumptuous breakfast awaited him; and having partaken of it, he +took a complete survey of the house, and found it larger and more +magnificent even than he had supposed it. He next supplied himself from +the pocket-book with a certain sum, for which he fancied he might have +occasion in the course of the day, and sallied forth. His first business +was to procure a splendid carriage and horses, and to order some new and +rich habiliments to be made with the utmost expedition.</p> + +<p>He then proceeded towards May Fair, and knocked at the door of a large +house at the upper end of Curzon Street. His heart beat violently as he +was shown into an elegant drawing-room, and his trepidation momentarily +increased, until the servant reappeared and expressed his regret that +he had misinformed him in stating that Miss Talbot was at home. Both she +and Mr. Talbot, he said, had gone out about half-an-hour ago. Auriol +looked incredulous, but without making any remark, departed. Hurrying +home, he wrote a few lines to Mr. Talbot, announcing the sudden and +extraordinary change in his fortune, and formally demanding the hand of +Edith. He was about to despatch this letter, when a note was brought him +by his servant. It was from Edith. Having ascertained his new address +from his card, she wrote to assure him of her constant attachment. +Transported by this proof of her affection, Auriol half devoured the +note with kisses, and instantly sent off his own letter to her +father—merely adding a few words to say that he would call for an +answer on the morrow. But he had not to wait thus long for a reply. Ere +an hour had elapsed, Mr. Talbot brought it in person.</p> + +<p>Mr. Talbot was a man of about sixty—tall, thin, and gentlemanlike in +deportment, with grey hair, and black eyebrows, which lent considerable +expression to the orbs beneath them. His complexion was a bilious brown, +and he possessed none of the good looks which in his daughter had so +captivated Auriol, and which it is to be presumed, therefore, she +inherited from her mother.</p> + +<p>A thorough man of the world, though not an unamiable person, Mr. Talbot +was entirely influenced by selfish considerations. He had hitherto +looked with an unfavourable eye upon Auriol's attentions to his +daughter, from a notion that the connection would be very undesirable in +a pecuniary point of view; but the magnificence of the house in Saint +James's Square, which fully bore out Auriol's account of his +newly-acquired wealth, wrought a complete change in his opinions, and he +soon gave the young man to understand that he should be delighted to +have him for a son-in-law. Finding him so favourably disposed, Auriol +entreated him to let the marriage take place—within three days, if +possible.</p> + +<p>Mr. Talbot was greatly grieved that he could not comply with his young +friend's request, but he was obliged to start the next morning for +Nottingham, and could not possibly return under three days.</p> + +<p>"But we can be married before you go?" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Scarcely, I fear," replied Mr. Talbot, smiling blandly. "You must +control your impatience, my dear young friend. On the sixth day from +this—that is, on Wednesday in next week—we are now at Friday—you +shall be made happy."</p> + +<p>The coincidence between this appointment, and the time fixed by +Rougemont for the delivery of his victim, struck Auriol forcibly. His +emotion, however, escaped Mr. Talbot, who soon after departed, having +engaged his future son-in-law to dine with him at seven o'clock.</p> + +<p>Auriol, it need scarcely be said, was punctual to the hour, or, rather, +he anticipated it. He found Edith alone in the drawing-room, and seated +near the window, which was filled with choicest flowers. On seeing him, +she uttered an exclamation of joy, and sprang to meet him. The young man +pressed his lips fervently to the little hand extended to him.</p> + +<p>Edith Talbot was a lovely brunette. Her features were regular, and her +eyes, which were perfectly splendid, were dark, almond-shaped, and of +almost Oriental languor. Her hair, which she wore braided over her brow +and gathered behind in a massive roll, was black and glossy as a raven's +wing. Her cheeks were dimpled, her lips of velvet softness, and her +teeth like ranges of pearls. Perfect grace accompanied all her +movements, and one only wondered that feet so small as those she +possessed should have the power of sustaining a form which, though +lightsome, was yet rounded in its proportions.</p> + +<p>"You have heard, dear Edith, that your father has consented to our +union?" said Auriol, after gazing at her for a few moments in silent +admiration.</p> + +<p>Edith murmured an affirmative, and blushed deeply.</p> + +<p>"He has fixed Wednesday next," pursued Auriol; "but I wish an earlier +day could have been named. I have a presentiment that if our marriage is +so long delayed, it will not take place at all."</p> + +<p>"You are full of misgivings, Auriol," she replied.</p> + +<p>"I confess it," he said; "and my apprehensions have risen to such a +point, that I feel disposed to urge you to a private marriage, during +your father's absence."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, Auriol; much as I love you, I could never consent to such a +step," she cried. "You cannot urge me to it. I would not abuse my dear +father's trusting love. I have never deceived him, and that is the best +assurance I can give you that I shall never deceive you."</p> + +<p>Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Talbot, who +held out both his hands to Auriol, and professed the greatest delight to +see him. And no doubt he was sincere. The dinner passed off most +pleasantly, and so did the evening; for the old gentleman was in high +spirits, and his hilarity was communicated to the young couple. When +Auriol and Mr. Talbot went up-stairs to tea, they found that Edith's +aunt, Mrs. Maitland, had arrived to take charge of her during her +father's absence. This lady had always exhibited a partiality for +Auriol, and had encouraged his suit to her niece; consequently she was +well satisfied with the turn affairs had taken. It was near midnight +before Auriol could tear himself away; and when he rose to depart, Mr. +Talbot, who had yawned frequently, but fruitlessly, to give him a hint, +told him he might depend upon seeing him back on the evening of the +third day, and in the meantime he committed him to the care of Mrs. +Maitland and Edith.</p> + +<p>Three days flew by rapidly and delightfully; and on the evening of the +last, just as the little party were assembled in the drawing-room, after +dinner, Mr. Talbot returned from this journey.</p> + +<p>"Well, here I am!" he cried, clasping Edith to his bosom, "without +having encountered any misadventure. On the contrary, I have completed +my business to my entire satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how delighted I am to see you, dear papa!" exclaimed Edith. "Now, +Auriol, you can have no more apprehensions."</p> + +<p>"Apprehensions of what?" cried Mr. Talbot.</p> + +<p>"Of some accident befalling you, which might have interfered with our +happiness, sir," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Oh, lovers are full of idle fears!" cried Mr. Talbot. "They are +unreasonable beings. However, here I am, as I said before, safe and +sound. To-morrow we will finish all preliminary arrangements, and the +day after you shall be made happy—ha! ha!"</p> + +<p>"Do you know, papa, Auriol intends to give a grand ball on our +wedding-day, and has invited all his acquaintance to it?" remarked +Edith.</p> + +<p>"I hope you have not invited Cyprian Rougemont?" said Mr. Talbot, +regarding him fixedly.</p> + +<p>"I have not, sir," replied Auriol, turning pale. "But why do you +particularise him?"</p> + +<p>"Because I have heard some things of him not much to his credit," +replied Mr. Talbot.</p> + +<p>"What—what have you heard, sir?" demanded Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Why, one shouldn't believe all the ill one hears of a man; and, indeed, +I <i>cannot</i> believe all I have heard of Cyprian Rougemont," replied Mr. +Talbot; "but I should be glad if you dropped his acquaintance +altogether. And now let us change the subject."</p> + +<p>Mr. Talbot seated himself beside Mrs. Maitland, and began to give her +some account of his journey, which appeared to have been as pleasant as +it had been rapid.</p> + +<p>Unable to shake off the gloom which had stolen over him, Auriol took his +leave, promising to meet Mr. Talbot at his lawyer's in Lincoln's Inn, at +noon on the following day. He was there at the time appointed, and, to +Mr. Talbot's great delight, and the no small surprise of the lawyer, +paid over a hundred thousand pounds, to be settled on his future wife.</p> + +<p>"You are a perfect man of honour, Auriol," said Mr. Talbot, clapping him +on the shoulder, "and I hope Edith will make you an excellent wife. +Indeed, I have no doubt of it."</p> + +<p>"Nor I,—if I ever possess her," mentally ejaculated Auriol.</p> + +<p>The morning passed in other preparations. In the evening the lovers met +as usual, and separated with the full persuasion, on Edith's part at +least, that the next day would make them happy. Since the night of the +compact, Auriol had neither seen Rougemont, nor heard from him, and he +neglected no precaution to prevent his intrusion.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VA" id="CHAPTER_VA"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE SEVENTH NIGHT</h3> + + +<p>It was a delicious morning in May, and the sun shone brightly on +Auriol's gorgeous equipage, as he drove to St. George's, Hanover Square, +where he was united to Edith. Thus far all seemed auspicious, and he +thought he could now bill defiance to fate. With the object of his love +close beside him, and linked to him by the strongest and holiest ties, +it seemed impossible she could be snatched from him. Nothing occurred +during the morning to give him uneasiness, and he gave orders that a +carriage and four should be ready an hour before midnight, to convey him +and his bride to Richmond, where they were to spend their honeymoon.</p> + +<p>Night came, and with it began to arrive the guests who were bidden to +the ball. No expense had been spared by Auriol to give splendour to his +fete. It was in all respects magnificent. The amusements of the evening +commenced with a concert, which was performed by the first singers from +the Italian Opera; after which, the ball was opened by Auriol and his +lovely bride. As soon as the dance was over, Auriol made a sign to an +attendant, who instantly disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Are you prepared to quit this gay scene with me, Edith?" he asked, with +a heart swelling with rapture.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus13" id="illus13"></a> +<img src="images/illus13.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The significant whisper.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Quite so," she replied, gazing at him with tenderness; "I long to be +alone with you."</p> + +<p>"Come, then," said Auriol.</p> + +<p>Edith arose, and passing her arm under that of her husband, they quitted +the ball-room, but in place of descending the principal staircase, they +took a more private course. The hall, which they were obliged to cross, +and which they entered from a side-door, was spacious and beautifully +proportioned, and adorned with numerous statues on pedestals. The +ceiling was decorated with fresco paintings, and supported by two +stately scagliola pillars. From between these, a broad staircase of +white marble ascended to the upper room. As Auriol had foreseen, the +staircase was thronged with guests ascending to the ball-room, the doors +of which being open, afforded glimpses of the dancers, and gave forth +strains of liveliest music. Anxious to avoid a newly-arrived party in +the hall, Auriol and his bride lingered for a moment near a pillar.</p> + +<p>"Ha! who is this?" cried Edith, as a tall man, with a sinister +countenance, and habited entirely in black, moved from the farther side +of the pillar, and planted himself in their path, with his back partly +towards them.</p> + +<p>A thrill of apprehension passed through Auriol's frame. He looked up and +beheld Rougemont, who, glancing over his shoulder, fixed his malignant +gaze upon him. Retreat was now impossible.</p> + +<p>"You thought to delude me," said Rougemont, in a deep whisper, audible +only to Auriol; "but you counted without your host. I am come to claim +my victim."</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you, that you tremble so, dear Auriol?" cried +Edith. "Who is this strange person?"</p> + +<p>But her husband returned no answer. Terror had taken away his power of +utterance.</p> + +<p>"Your carriage waits for you at the door, madam—all is prepared," said +Rougemont, advancing towards her, and taking her hand.</p> + +<p>"You are coming, Auriol?" cried Edith, who scarcely knew whether to draw +back or go forward.</p> + +<p>"Yes—yes," cried Auriol, who fancied he saw a means of escape. "This is +my friend, Mr. Rougemont—go with him."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Rougemont!" cried Edith. "You told my father he would not be here."</p> + +<p>"Your husband did not invite me, madam," said Rougemont, with sarcastic +emphasis; "but knowing I should be welcome, I came unasked. But let us +avoid those persons."</p> + +<p>In another moment they were at the door. The carriage was there with its +four horses, and a man-servant, in travelling attire, stood beside the +steps. Reassured by the sight, Auriol recovered his courage, and +suffered Rougemont to throw a cloak over Edith's shoulders. The next +moment she tripped up the steps of the carriage, and was ensconced +within it. Auriol was about to follow her, when he received a violent +blow on the chest, which stretched him on the pavement. Before he could +regain his feet, Rougemont had sprung into the carriage. The steps were +instantly put up by the man-servant, who mounted the box with the utmost +celerity, while the postillions, plunging spurs into their horses, +dashed off with lightning speed. As the carriage turned the corner of +King Street, Auriol, who had just arisen, beheld, by the light of a +lamp, Rougemont's face at the window of the carriage, charged with an +expression of the most fiendish triumph.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" cried Mr. Talbot, who had approached Auriol, "I +came to bid you good-bye. Why do I find you here alone? Where is the +carriage?—what has become of Edith?"</p> + +<p>"She is in the power of the Fiend, and I have sold her to him," replied +Auriol gloomily.</p> + +<p>"What mean you, wretch?" cried Mr. Talbot, in a voice of distraction. "I +heard that Cyprian Rougemont was here. Can it be he that has gone off +with her?"</p> + +<p>"You have hit the truth," replied Auriol. "He bought her with the money +I gave you. I have sold her and myself to perdition!"</p> + +<p>"Horror!" exclaimed the old man, falling backwards.</p> + +<p>"Ay, breathe your last—breathe your last!" cried Auriol wildly. "Would +I could yield up my life, likewise!"</p> + +<p>And he hurried away, utterly unconscious whither he went.</p> + + +<h3>END OF THE INTERMEAN</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BOOK_THE_SECOND" id="BOOK_THE_SECOND"></a>BOOK THE SECOND</h2> + +<h3><i>CYPRIAN ROUGEMONT</i></h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IB" id="CHAPTER_IB"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE CELL</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Thorneycroft and his companions had scarcely gained a passage in the +deserted house, which they had entered in the manner described in a +previous chapter, when they were alarmed by the sudden and furious +ringing of a bell overhead. The noise brought them instantly to a halt, +and each man grasped his arms in expectation of an attack, but the peal +ceasing in a few moments, and all continuing quiet, they moved on as +before, and presently reached a large hall with a lofty window over the +door, which, being without shutters, afforded light enough to reveal the +dilapidated condition of the mansion.</p> + +<p>From this hall four side doors opened, apparently communicating with +different chambers, three of which were cautiously tried by Reeks, but +they proved to be fastened. The fourth, however, yielded to his touch, +and admitted them to a chamber, which seemed to have been recently +occupied, for a lamp was burning within it. The walls were panelled with +dusky oak, and hung at the lower end with tapestry, representing the +Assyrian monarch Ninus, and his captive Zoroaster, King of the +Bactrians. The chief furniture consisted of three large high-backed and +grotesquely-carved arm-chairs, near one of which stood a powerful +electrical machine. Squares and circles were traced upon the floor, and +here and there were scattered cups and balls, and other matters +apparently belonging to a conjuring apparatus.</p> + +<p>The room might be the retreat of a man of science, or it might be the +repository of a juggler. But whoever its occupant was, and whatsoever +his pursuits, the good things of the world were not altogether neglected +by him, as was proved by a table spread with viands, and furnished with +glasses, together with a couple of taper-necked bottles.</p> + +<p>While glancing upwards, Mr. Thorneycroft remarked that just above each +chair the ceiling was pierced with a round hole, the meaning of which he +could not at the time comprehend, though after circumstances +sufficiently explained it to him.</p> + +<p>"A singular room," he observed to Reeks, on concluding his survey. "Did +you expect to find any one here?"</p> + +<p>"I hardly know," replied the other. "That bell may have given the alarm. +But I will soon ascertain the point. Remain here till I return."</p> + +<p>"You are not going to leave us?" rejoined Mr. Thorneycroft uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Only for a moment," said Reeks. "Keep quiet, and no harm will befall +you. Whatever you may hear without, do not stir."</p> + +<p>"What are we likely to hear?" asked Thorneycroft with increasing +trepidation.</p> + +<p>"That's impossible to say," answered Reeks; "but I warn you not to cry +out unnecessarily, as such an imprudence would endanger our safety."</p> + +<p>"You are quite sure you don't mean to abandon us?" persisted +Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"Make yourself easy; I have no such intention," rejoined Reeks sternly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! ve'll take care on you, don't be afeerd, old gent," said Ginger.</p> + +<p>"Yes, ve'll take care on you," added the Tinker and the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"You may depend upon them as upon me, sir," said Reeks. "Before we +explore the subterranean apartments, I wish to see whether any one is +up-stairs."</p> + +<p>"Wot's that you say about subterranean apartments, Mr. Reeks?" +interposed Ginger. "Ve ain't a-goin' below, eh?"</p> + +<p>But without paying any attention to the inquiry, Reeks quitted the room, +and closed the door carefully after him. He next crossed the hall, and +cautiously ascending a staircase at the farther end of it, reached the +landing-place. Beyond it was a gallery, from which several chambers +opened.</p> + +<p>Advancing a few paces, he listened intently, and hearing a slight sound +in an apartment to the right, he stepped softly towards it, and placing +his eye to the keyhole, beheld a tall man, dressed in black, pacing to +and fro with rapid strides, while three other persons, wrapped in sable +gowns, and disguised with hideous masks, stood silent and motionless at +a little distance from him. In the tall man he recognised Cyprian +Rougemont. Upon a table in the middle of the room was laid a large open +volume, bound in black vellum. Near it stood a lamp, which served to +illumine the scene.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, Rougemont stopped, and turning over several leaves of the +book, which were covered with cabalistic characters, appeared in search +of some magic formula. Before he could find it, however, a startling +interruption occurred. An alarum-bell, fixed against the wall, began to +ring, and at the same moment the doors of a cabinet flew open, and a +large ape (for such it seemed to Reeks), clothed in a woollen shirt and +drawers, sprang forth, and bounding upon the table beside Rougemont, +placed its mouth to his ear. The communication thus strangely made +seemed highly displeasing to Rougemont, who knitted his brows, and +delivered some instructions in an undertone to the monkey. The animal +nodded its head in token of obedience, jumped off the table, and bounded +back to the cabinet, the doors of which closed as before. Rougemont next +took up the lamp, with the evident intention of quitting the room, +seeing which, Reeks hastily retreated to an adjoining chamber, the door +of which was fortunately open, and had scarcely gained its shelter when +the four mysterious personages appeared on the gallery. Reeks heard +their footsteps descending the staircase, and then, creeping cautiously +after them, watched them across the hall, and pause before the chamber +containing Mr. Thorneycroft and his companions. After a moment's +deliberation, Rougemont noiselessly locked the door, took out the key, +and leaving two of his attendants on guard, returned with the third +towards the staircase.</p> + +<p>Without tarrying to confront them, Reeks started back, and hurried along +the gallery till he came to a back staircase, which conducted him, by +various descents, to the basement floor, where, after traversing one or +two vaults, he entered a subterranean passage, arched overhead, and +having several openings at the sides, apparently communicating with +other passages. It was lighted at intervals by lamps, which emitted a +feeble radiance.</p> + +<p>By the light of one of these, Reeks discovered the door of a cell. It +was of iron, and as he struck it with his hand, returned a hollow +clangour. On repeating the blow, a hoarse voice from within cried, +"Leave me in peace!"</p> + +<p>"Is it Auriol Darcy who speaks?" demanded Reeks.</p> + +<p>"It is," replied the prisoner. "Who are you that put the question?"</p> + +<p>"A friend," replied Reeks.</p> + +<p>"I have no friend here," said Auriol.</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken," rejoined Reeks. "I have come with Mr. Thorneycroft +to deliver you."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Thorneycroft has come too late. He has lost his daughter," replied +Auriol.</p> + +<p>"What has happened to her?" demanded Reeks.</p> + +<p>"She is in the power of the Fiend," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"I know she is detained by Cyprian Rougemont," said Reeks. "But what has +befallen her?"</p> + +<p>"She has become like his other victims—like <i>my</i> victims!" cried Auriol +distractedly.</p> + +<p>"Do not despair," rejoined Reeks. "She may yet be saved."</p> + +<p>"Saved! how?" cried Auriol. "All is over."</p> + +<p>"So it may seem to you," rejoined Reeks; "but you are the victim of +delusion."</p> + +<p>"Oh that I could think so!" exclaimed Auriol. "But no—I saw her fall +into the pit. I beheld her veiled figure rise from it. I witnessed her +signature to the fatal scroll. There could be no illusion in what I then +beheld."</p> + +<p>"Despite all this, you will see her again," said Reeks.</p> + +<p>"Who are you who give me this promise?" asked Auriol.</p> + +<p>"As I have already declared, a friend," replied Reeks.</p> + +<p>"Are you human?"</p> + +<p>"As yourself."</p> + +<p>"Then you seek in vain to struggle with the powers of darkness," said +Auriol.</p> + +<p>"I have no fear of Cyprian Rougemont," rejoined Reeks, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Your voice seems familiar to me," said Auriol. "Tell me who you are?"</p> + +<p>"You shall know anon," replied Reeks. "But, hist!—we are interrupted. +Some one approaches."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIB" id="CHAPTER_IIB"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS</h3> + + +<p>More than ten minutes had elapsed since Reeks' departure, and Mr. +Thorneycroft, who had hitherto had some difficulty in repressing his +anger, now began to give vent to it in muttered threats and complaints. +His impatience was shared by the Tinker, who, stepping up to Ginger, +said—</p> + +<p>"Wot the devil can Mr. Reeks be about? I hope nuffin' has happened to +him."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention a certain gent's name here," remarked Ginger; "or if you +do, treat it vith proper respect."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw!" exclaimed the Tinker impatiently; "I don't like a man stayin' +avay in this manner. It looks suspicious. I wotes ve goes and sees arter +him. Ve can leave the old gent to take a keviet nap by himself. Don't +disturb yourself, sir. Ve'll only jist giv' a look about us, and then +come back."</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are, rascal!" cried Thorneycroft angrily. "I won't be +left. Stay where you are, I command you!"</p> + +<p>"Vell, ve've got a noo captain, I'm a-thinkin'," said the Tinker, +winking at the others. "Ve've no vish to disobleege you, sir. I'll only +jist peep out into the hall, and see if Mr. Reeks is anyvhere +thereabouts. Vy, zounds!" he added, as he tried the door, "it's +locked!"</p> + +<p>"What's locked?" cried Thorneycroft in dismay.</p> + +<p>"The door, to be sure," replied the Tinker. "Ve're prisoners."</p> + +<p>"O Lord, you don't say so!" cried the iron-merchant in an agony of +fright. "What will become of us?"</p> + +<p>A roar of laughter from the others converted his terror into fury.</p> + +<p>"I see how it is," he cried. "You have entrapped me, ruffians. It's all +a trick. You mean to murder me. But I'll sell my life dearly. The first +who approaches shall have his brains blown out." And as he spoke, he +levelled a pistol at the Tinker's head.</p> + +<p>"Holloa! wot are you arter, sir?" cried that individual, sheltering his +head with his hands. "You're a-labourin' under a mistake—a complete +mistake. If it is a trap, ve're catched in it as vell as yourself."</p> + +<p>"To be sure ve is," added the Sandman. "Sit down, and vait a bit. I +dessay Mr. Reeks'll come back, and it von't do no good gettin' into a +passion."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, I must resign myself, I suppose," groaned Thorneycroft, +sinking into a chair. "It's a terrible situation to be placed in—shut +up in a haunted house."</p> + +<p>"I've been in many much vurser sitivations," observed Ginger, "and I +alvays found the best vay to get out on 'em wos to take things quietly."</p> + +<p>"Besides, there's no help for it," said the Tinker, seating himself.</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen," observed the Sandman, taking the chair +opposite Thorneycroft. "If Reeks don't come back soon, I'll bust open +the door."</p> + +<p>"Plenty o' time for that," said Ginger, sauntering towards the table on +which the provisions were spread; "wot do you say to a mouthful o' +wittles?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't touch 'em for the world," replied the Sandman.</p> + +<p>"Nor I," added the Tinker; "they may be pisoned."</p> + +<p>"Pisoned—nonsense!" cried Ginger; "don't you see some von has been +a-takin' his supper here? I'll jist finish it for him."</p> + +<p>"Vith all my 'art," said the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"Don't touch it on any account," cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "I agree with +your companions, it may be poisoned."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I ain't afeerd," cried Ginger, helping himself to a dish before +him. "As good a pigeon-pie as ever I tasted. Your health, Mr. +Thorneycroft," he added, filling a goblet from one of the bottles. "My +service to you, gents. Famous tipple, by Jove!" drawing a long breath +after the draught, and smacking his lips with amazing satisfaction. +"Never tasted sich a glass o' wine in all my born days," he continued, +replenishing the goblet: "I wonder wot it's called?"</p> + +<p>"Prussic acid," replied Mr. Thorneycroft gruffly.</p> + +<p>"Proossic fiddlestick!" cried Ginger; "more likely Tokay. I shall finish +the bottle, and never be the vorse for it!"</p> + +<p>"He's gettin' svipy," said the Tinker. "I vonder vether it's really +Tokay?"</p> + +<p>"No such thing," cried Thorneycroft; "let him alone."</p> + +<p>"I must taste it," said the Tinker, unable to resist the temptation. +"Here, give us a glass, Ginger!"</p> + +<p>"Vith pleasure," replied Ginger, filling a goblet to the brim, and +handing it to him. "You'd better be perwailed upon, Sandy."</p> + +<p>"Vell, I s'pose I must," replied the Sandman, taking the goblet +proffered him.</p> + +<p>"Here's the beaks' healths!" cried Ginger. "I gives that toast 'cos +they're alvays so kind to us dog-fanciers."</p> + +<p>"Dog-fanciers—say, rather, dog-stealers; for that's the name such +vagabonds deserve to be known by," said Mr. Thorneycroft with some +asperity.</p> + +<p>"Vell, ve von't quarrel about names," replied Ginger, laughing, "but +I'll relate a circumstance to you as'll prove that wotever your opinion +of our wocation may be, the beaks upholds it."</p> + +<p>"There can be but one opinion as to your nefarious profession," said Mr. +Thorneycroft, "and that is, that it's as bad as horse-stealing and +sheep-stealing, and should be punished as those offences are punished."</p> + +<p>"So I think, sir," said Ginger, winking at the others; "but to my story, +and don't interrupt me, or I can't get through vith it properly. There's +a gent livin' not a hundred miles from Pall Mall, as the noospapers +says, as had a favourite Scotch terrier, not worth more nor half-a-crown +to any one but hisself, but highly wallerable to him, 'cos it wos a +favourite. Vell, the dog is lost. A pal of mine gets hold on it, and the +gent soon offers a reward for its recovery. This don't bring it back +quite so soon as he expects, 'cos he don't offer enough; so he goes to +an agent, Mr. Simpkins, in the Edger Road, and Mr. Simpkins says to +him—says he, 'How are you, sir? I expected you some days ago. You've +com'd about that ere Scotch terrier. You've got a wallable greyhound, I +understand. A man told me he'd have that afore long.' Seein' the gent +stare, Mr. S. adds, 'Vel, I'll tell you wot you must give for your dog. +The party von't take less than six guineas. He knows it ain't vorth six +shillin', but it's a great favourite, and has given him a precious sight +o' trouble in gettin' it.' 'Give <i>him</i> trouble!' cries the gent +angrily—'and what has it given me? I hope to see the rascal hanged! I +shall pay no such money.' 'Werry vell,' replies Mr. Simpkins coolly, +'then your dog'll be bled to death, as the nobleman's wos, and thrown +down a breathless carkis afore your door.'"</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say that such a horrid circumstance as that really +took place?" cried Thorneycroft, who was much interested in the +relation.</p> + +<p>"Only t'other day, I assure you," replied Ginger.</p> + +<p>"I'd shoot the ruffian who treated a dog of mine so, if I caught him!" +cried Mr. Thorneycroft indignantly.</p> + +<p>"And sarve him right, too," said Ginger. "I discourages all cruelty to +hanimals. But don't interrupt me again. Arter a bit more chafferin' vith +Mr. Simpkins, the gent offers three pound for his dog, and then goes +avay. Next day he reads a report i' the <i>Times</i> noospaper that a man has +been taken up for dog-stealin', and that a lot o' dogs is shut up in the +green-yard behind the police-office in Bow Street. So he goes there in +search o' his favourite, and sure enough he finds it, but the inspector +von't give it up to him, 'cos the superintendent is out o' the vay."</p> + +<p>"Shameful!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"Shameful, indeed, sir," echoed Ginger, laughing. "Thinkin' his dog safe +enough in the hands o' the police, the gent sleeps soundly that night, +but ven he goes back next mornin' he finds it has disappeared. The +green-yard has been broken into overnight, and all the dogs stolen from +it."</p> + +<p>"Under the noses of the police?" cried Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"Under their werry noses," replied Ginger. "But now comes the cream o' +the jest. You shall hear wot the beak says to him ven the gent craves +his assistance. 'I can't interfere in the matter,' says he, a-bendin' of +his brows in a majestic manner. 'Parties don't ought to come here vith +complaints of vhich I can't take notice. This place ain't an advertisin' +office, and I sha'n't suffer it to be made von. I von't listen to +statements affectin' the characters of absent parties.' Statements +affectin' <i>our</i> characters,—do you tvig that, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I do, indeed," said Thorneycroft, sighing; "and I am sorry to think +such a remark should have dropped from the bench."</p> + +<p>"You're right to say dropped from it, sir," laughed Ginger. "I told you +the beaks vos our best friends; they alvays takes our parts. Ven the +gent urges that it was a subject of ser'ous importance to all +dog-owners, the magistrit angrily interrupts him, sayin'—'Then let +there be a meetin' of dog-owners to discuss their grievances. Don't come +to me. I can't help you.' And he vouldn't if he could, 'cos he's the +dog-fancier's friend."</p> + +<p>"It looks like it, I must own," replied Thorneycroft. "Such +reprehensible indifference gives encouragement to people of your +profession. Government itself is to blame. As all persons who keep dogs +pay a tax for them, their property ought to be protected."</p> + +<p>"I'm quite satisfied vith the present state of the law," said Ginger; +"here's the vorthy beak! I'll drink his health a second time."</p> + +<p>"Halloa! wot's that?" cried the Tinker; "I thought I heerd a noise."</p> + +<p>"So did I," rejoined the Sandman; "a strange sort o' rumblin' sound +overhead."</p> + +<p>"There it goes again!" cried Ginger; "wot an awful din!"</p> + +<p>"Now it's underneath," said Mr. Thorneycroft, turning pale, and +trembling. "It sounds as if some hidden machinery were at work."</p> + +<p>The noise, which up to this moment had borne an indistinct resemblance +to the creaking of wheels and pulleys, now increased to a violent +clatter, while the house was shaken as if by the explosion of a mine +beneath it.</p> + +<p>At the same time, the occupants of the chairs received a sharp +electrical shock, that agitated every limb, and caused Mr. Thorneycroft +to let fall his pistol, which went off as it reached the ground. At the +same time, the Sandman dropped his goblet, and the Tinker relinquished +his grasp of the cutlass. Before they could recover from the shock, all +three were caught by stout wooden hooks, which, detaching themselves +from the back of the chairs, pinioned their arms, while their legs were +restrained by fetters, which sprang from the ground and clasped round +their ankles. Thus fixed, they struggled vainly to get free. The chairs +seemed nailed to the ground, so that all efforts to move them proved +futile.</p> + +<p>But the worst was to come. From the holes in the ceiling already alluded +to, descended three heavy bell-shaped helmets, fashioned like those worn +by divers at the bottom of the sea, and having round eyelet-holes of +glass. It was evident, from the manner of their descent, that these +helmets must drop on the heads of the sitters—a conviction that filled +them with inexpressible terror. They shouted, and swore frightfully; but +their vociferations availed them nothing. Down came the helmets, and the +same moment the monkey, which had been seen by Reeks, issued from a +cupboard at the top of a cabinet, and grinned and gibbered at them.</p> + +<p>Down came the first helmet, and covered the Tinker to the shoulders. His +appearance was at once ludicrous and terrible, and his roaring within +the casque sounded like the bellowing of a baited bull.</p> + +<p>Down came the second helmet, though rather more slowly, and the Sandman +was eclipsed in the same manner as the Tinker, and roared as loudly.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus14" id="illus14"></a> +<img src="images/illus14.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The Enchanted Chairs.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>In both these instances the helmets had dropped without guidance, but in +the case of Mr. Thorneycroft, a hand, thrust out of the hole in the +ceiling, held the helmet suspended over his head, like the sword of +Damocles. While the poor iron-merchant momentarily expected the same +doom as his companions, his attention was attracted towards the monkey, +which, clinging with one hand to the side of the cabinet, extended +the other skinny arm towards him, and exclaimed—"Will you swear to go +hence if you are spared?"</p> + +<p>"No, I will not," replied the iron-merchant. He had scarcely spoken, +when the helmet fell with a jerk, and extinguished him like the others.</p> + +<p>Ginger alone remained. During the whole of this strange scene, he had +stood with the bottle in hand, transfixed with terror and astonishment, +and wholly unable to move or cry out. A climax was put to his fright, by +the descent of the three chairs, with their occupants, through the floor +into a vault beneath; and as the helmets were whisked up again to the +ceiling, and the trap-doors closed upon the chairs, he dropped the +bottle, and fell with his face upon the table. He was, however, soon +roused by a pull at his hair, while a shrill voice called him by his +name.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" groaned the dog-fancier.</p> + +<p>"Look up!" cried the speaker, again plucking his hair.</p> + +<p>Ginger complied, and beheld the monkey seated beside him.</p> + +<p>"Vy, it can't be, sure<i>ly</i>," he cried. "And yet I could almost svear it +was Old Parr."</p> + +<p>"You're near the mark," replied the other, with a shrill laugh. "It is +your venerable friend."</p> + +<p>"Vot the deuce are you doing here, and in this dress, or rayther +undress?" inquired Ginger. "Ven I see you this mornin', you wos in the +serwice of Mr. Loftus."</p> + +<p>"I've got a new master since then," replied the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to hear it," said Ginger, shaking his head. "You haven't sold +yourself, like Doctor Forster—eh?"</p> + +<p>"Faustus, my dear Ginger—not Forster," corrected Old Parr. "No, no, +I've made no bargain. And to be plain with you, I've no desire to remain +long in my present master's service."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to ask the question too directly, wenerable," said +Ginger, in a deprecatory tone—"but is your master—hem!—is +he—hem!—the—the——"</p> + +<p>"The devil, you would say," supplied Old Parr. "Between ourselves, I'm +afraid there's no denying it."</p> + +<p>"La! wot a horrible idea!" exclaimed Ginger, with a shudder; "it makes +the flesh creep on one's bones. Then we're in your master's power?"</p> + +<p>"Very like it," replied Old Parr.</p> + +<p>"And there ain't no chance o' deliverance?"</p> + +<p>"None that occurs to me."</p> + +<p>"O Lord! O Lord!" groaned Ginger; "I'll repent. I'll become a reformed +character. I'll never steal dogs no more."</p> + +<p>"In that case, there may be some chance for you," said Old Parr. "I +think I could help you to escape. Come with me, and I'll try and get you +out."</p> + +<p>"But wot is to become of the others?" demanded Ginger.</p> + +<p>"Oh, leave them to their fate," replied Old Parr.</p> + +<p>"No, that'll never do," cried Ginger. "Ve're all in the same boat, and +must row out together the best vay ve can. I tell you wot it is, +wenerable," he added, seizing him by the throat—"your master may be +the devil, but you're mortal; and if you don't help me to deliver my +companions, I'll squeege your windpipe for you."</p> + +<p>"That's not the way to induce me to help you," said Old Parr, twisting +himself like an eel out of the other's gripe. "Now get out, if you can."</p> + +<p>"Don't be angry," cried Ginger, seeing the mistake he had committed, and +trying to conciliate him; "I only meant to frighten you a bit. Can you +tell me if Mr. Auriol Darcy is here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is, and a close prisoner," replied Old Parr.</p> + +<p>"And the girl—Miss Ebber, wot of her?"</p> + +<p>"I can't say," rejoined Old Parr. "I can only speak to the living."</p> + +<p>"Then she's dead!" cried Ginger, with a look of horror.</p> + +<p>"That's a secret," replied the dwarf mysteriously; "and I'm bound by a +terrible oath not to disclose it."</p> + +<p>"I'll have it out of you notvithstandin'," muttered Ginger. "I vish you +would lend me a knock on the head, old feller. I can't help thinkin' +I've got a terrible fit o' the nightmare."</p> + +<p>"Let this waken you, then," said Old Parr, giving him a sound buffet on +the ear.</p> + +<p>"Holloa, wenerable! not so hard!" cried Ginger.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" screamed the dwarf. "You know what you're about now."</p> + +<p>"Not exactly," said Ginger. "I vish I wos fairly out o' this cursed +place!"</p> + +<p>"You shouldn't have ventured into the lion's den," said Old Parr, in a +taunting tone. "But come with me, and perhaps I may be able to do +something towards your liberation."</p> + +<p>So saying, he drew aside the tapestry, and opened a panel behind it, +through which he passed, and beckoned Ginger to follow him. Taking a +pistol from his pocket, the latter complied.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIIB" id="CHAPTER_IIIB"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>GERARD PASTON</h3> + + +<p>Before the chair, in which Mr. Thorneycroft was fixed, reached the +ground, terror had taken away his senses. A bottle of salts, placed to +his nose, revived him after a time; but he had nearly relapsed into +insensibility on seeing two strange figures, in hideous masks and sable +cloaks, standing on either side of him, while at a little distance was a +third, who carried a strangely-fashioned lantern. He looked round for +his companions in misfortune, but, though the chairs were there, they +were unoccupied.</p> + +<p>The masked attendants paid no attention to the iron-merchant's cries and +entreaties; but as soon as they thought him able to move, they touched a +spring, which freed his arms and legs from their bondage, and raising +him, dragged him out of the vault, and along a narrow passage, till they +came to a large sepulchral-looking chamber, cased with black marble, in +the midst of which, on a velvet fauteuil of the same hue as the walls, +sat Cyprian Rougemont. It was, in fact, the chamber where Ebba had been +subject to her terrible trial.</p> + +<p>Bewildered with terror, the poor iron-merchant threw himself at the feet +of Rougemont, who, eyeing him with a look of malignant triumph, cried—</p> + +<p>"You have come to seek your daughter. Behold her!"</p> + +<p>And at the words, the large black curtains at the farther end of the +room were suddenly withdrawn, and discovered the figure of Ebba +Thorneycroft standing at the foot of the marble staircase. Her features +were as pale as death; her limbs rigid and motionless; but her eyes +blazed with preternatural light. On beholding her, Mr. Thorneycroft +uttered a loud cry, and, springing to his feet, would have rushed +towards her, but he was held back by the two masked attendants, who +seized each arm, and detained him by main force.</p> + +<p>"Ebba!" he cried—"Ebba!"</p> + +<p>But she appeared wholly insensible to his cries, and remained in the +same attitude, with her eyes turned away from him.</p> + +<p>"What ails her?" cried the agonised father. "Ebba! Ebba!"</p> + +<p>"Call louder," said Rougemont, with a jeering laugh.</p> + +<p>"Do you not know me? do you not hear me?" shrieked Mr. Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>Still the figure remained immovable.</p> + +<p>"I told you you should see her," replied Rougemont, in a taunting tone; +"but she is beyond your reach."</p> + +<p>"Not so, not so!" cried Thorneycroft. "Come to me, Ebba!—come to your +father. O Heaven! she hears me not! she heeds me not! Her senses are +gone."</p> + +<p>"She is fast bound by a spell," said Rougemont. "Take a last look of +her. You will see her no more."</p> + +<p>And, stretching out his hand, the curtains slowly descended, and +shrouded the figure from view.</p> + +<p>Thorneycroft groaned aloud.</p> + +<p>"Are you not content?" cried Rougemont. "Will you depart in peace, and +swear never to come here more? If so, I will liberate you and your +companions."</p> + +<p>"So far from complying with your request, I swear never to rest till I +have rescued my child from you, accursed being!" cried Thorneycroft +energetically.</p> + +<p>"You have sealed your doom, then," replied Rougemont. "But before you +are yourself immured, you shall see how Auriol Darcy is circumstanced. +Bring him along."</p> + +<p>And, followed by the attendants, who dragged Mr. Thorneycroft after him, +he plunged into an opening on the right. A few steps brought him to the +entrance of the cell. Touching the heavy iron door, it instantly swung +open, and disclosed Auriol chained to a stone at the farther corner of +the narrow chamber.</p> + +<p>Not a word was spoken for some minutes, but the captives regarded each +other piteously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Thorneycroft," cried Auriol, at length, "I beseech you forgive +me. I have destroyed your daughter."</p> + +<p>"You!" exclaimed the iron-merchant in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"It is true," said Rougemont.</p> + +<p>"I would have saved her if it had been possible!" cried Auriol. "I +warned her that to love me would be fatal to her. I told her I was +linked to an inexorable destiny, which would involve her in its +meshes—but in vain."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" ejaculated Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"You see you ought to blame him, not me," said Rougemont, with a +derisive laugh.</p> + +<p>"I would have given my life, my soul, to preserve her, had it been +possible!" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Horrors crowd so thick upon me that my brain reels," cried +Thorneycroft. "Merciless wretch!" he added, to Rougemont, +"fiend—whatever you are, complete your work of ruin by my destruction. +I have nothing left to tie me to life."</p> + +<p>"I would have the miserable live," said Rougemont, with a diabolical +laugh. "It is only the happy I seek to destroy. But you have to thank +your own obstinacy for your present distress. Bid a lasting farewell to +Auriol. You will see him no more."</p> + +<p>"Hold!" exclaimed Auriol. "A word before we part."</p> + +<p>"Ay, hold!" echoed a loud and imperious voice from the depths of the +passage.</p> + +<p>"Ha!—who speaks?" demanded Rougemont, a shade passing over his +countenance.</p> + +<p>"I, Gerard Paston!" exclaimed Reeks, stepping forward.</p> + +<p>The crape was gone from his brow, and in its place was seen the handsome +and resolute features of a man of middle life. He held a pistol in +either hand.</p> + +<p>"Is it you, Gerard Paston?" cried Auriol, regarding him; "the brother of +Clara, my second victim!"</p> + +<p>"It is," replied the other. "Your deliverance is at hand, Auriol."</p> + +<p>"And you have dared to penetrate here, Gerard?" cried Rougemont, +stamping the ground with rage. "Recollect, you are bound to me by the +same ties as Auriol, and you shall share his fate."</p> + +<p>"I am not to be intimidated by threats," replied Paston, with a scornful +laugh. "You have employed your arts too long. Deliver up Auriol and this +gentleman at once, or——" And he levelled the pistols at him.</p> + +<p>"Fire!" cried Rougemont, drawing himself up to his towering height. "No +earthly bullets can injure me."</p> + +<p>"Ve'll try that!" cried Ginger, coming up at the moment behind Paston.</p> + +<p>And he discharged a pistol, with a deliberate aim, at the breast of +Rougemont. The latter remained erect, and apparently uninjured.</p> + +<p>"You see how ineffectual your weapons are," said Rougemont, with a +derisive laugh.</p> + +<p>"It must be the devil!" cried Ginger, running off.</p> + +<p>"I will try mine," said Paston.</p> + +<p>But before he could draw the triggers, the pistols were wrested from his +grasp by the two attendants, who had quitted Thorneycroft, and stolen +upon him unperceived, and who next pinioned his arms.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IVB" id="CHAPTER_IVB"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE PIT</h3> + + +<p>So bewildered was the poor iron-merchant by the strange and terrible +events that had befallen him, that, though released by the two masked +attendants, who left him, as before related, to seize Gerard Paston, he +felt utterly incapable of exertion, and would probably have made no +effort to regain his freedom, if his coat had not been vigorously +plucked behind, while a low voice urged him to fly. Glancing in the +direction of the friendly speaker, he could just discern a diminutive +object standing within the entrance of a side-passage, and reared up +against the wall so as to be out of sight of Rougemont and his +attendants. It was the monkey—or rather Old Parr—who, continuing to +tug violently at his coat, at last succeeded in drawing him backwards +into the passage, and then grasping his hand tightly, hurried him along +it. The passage was wholly unlighted, but Mr. Thorneycroft could +perceive that it was exceedingly circuitous, and winded round like a +maze.</p> + +<p>"Where are you taking me?" he inquired, attempting to stop.</p> + +<p>"Ask no questions," rejoined the dwarf, pulling him along. "Do you want +to be captured, and shut up in a cell for the rest of your life?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," replied Thorneycroft, accelerating his movements; "I +hope there's no chance of it."</p> + +<p>"There's every chance of it," rejoined Old Parr. "If you're taken, +you'll share Auriol's fate."</p> + +<p>"O Lord! I hope not," groaned the iron-merchant. "I declare, you +frighten me so much that you take away all power of movement. I shall +drop in a minute."</p> + +<p>"Come along, I say," screamed the dwarf. "I hear them close behind us."</p> + +<p>And as he spoke, shouts, and the noise of rapidly-approaching footsteps, +resounded along the passage.</p> + +<p>"I can't stir another step," gasped the iron-merchant. "I'm completely +done. Better yield at once."</p> + +<p>"What, without a struggle?" cried the dwarf tauntingly. "Think of your +daughter, and let the thought of her nerve your heart. She is lost for +ever, if you don't get out of this accursed place."</p> + +<p>"She is lost for ever as it is," cried the iron-merchant despairingly.</p> + +<p>"No—she may yet be saved," rejoined the dwarf. "Come on—come on—they +are close behind us."</p> + +<p>And it was evident, from the increased clamour, that their pursuers were +upon them.</p> + +<p>Roused by the imminence of the danger, and by the hope of rescuing his +daughter, Mr. Thorneycroft exerted all his energies, and sprang forward. +A little farther on, they were stopped by a door. It was closed; and +venting his disappointment in a scream, the dwarf searched for the +handle, but could not find it.</p> + +<p>"We are entrapped—we shall be caught," he cried, "and then woe to both +of us. Fool that I was to attempt your preservation. Better I had left +you to rot in a dungeon than have incurred Rougemont's displeasure."</p> + +<p>The iron-merchant replied by a groan.</p> + +<p>"It's all over with me," he said. "I give it up—I'll die here!"</p> + +<p>"No—we are saved," cried the dwarf, as the light, now flashing strongly +upon the door, revealed a small iron button within it,—"saved—saved!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, he pressed against the button, which moved a spring, and +the door flew open. Just as they passed through it, the two masked +attendants came in sight. The dwarf instantly shut the door, and finding +a bolt on the side next him, shot it into the socket. Scarcely had he +accomplished this, when the pursuers came up, and dashed themselves +against the door; but finding it bolted, presently ceased their efforts, +and apparently withdrew.</p> + +<p>"They are gone by some other way to intercept us," cried Old Parr, who +had paused for a moment to listen; "come on, Mr. Thorneycroft."</p> + +<p>"I'll try," replied the iron-merchant, with a subdued groan, "but I'm +completely spent. Oh that I ever ventured into this place!"</p> + +<p>"It's too late to think of that now; besides, you came here to rescue +your daughter," rejoined Old Parr. "Take care and keep near me. I wonder +where this passage leads to?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you know?" inquired the iron-merchant.</p> + +<p>"Not in the least," returned the dwarf. "This is the first time I've +been here—and it shall be the last, if I'm allowed any choice in the +matter."</p> + +<p>"You haven't told me how you came here at all," observed Thorneycroft.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know myself," replied the dwarf; "but I find it more difficult +to get out than I did to get in. How this passage twists about! I +declare we seem to be returning to the point we started from."</p> + +<p>"I think we are turning round ourselves," cried Thorneycroft, in an +agony of fright. "My head is going. Oh dear! oh dear!"</p> + +<p>"Why, it does seem very strange, I must say," remarked the dwarf, coming +to a halt. "I could almost fancy that the solid stone walls were moving +around us."</p> + +<p>"They <i>are</i> moving," cried Thorneycroft, stretching out his hand. "I +feel 'em. Lord have mercy upon us, and deliver us from the power of the +Evil One!"</p> + +<p>"The place seems on fire," cried the dwarf. "A thick smoke fills the +passage. Don't you perceive it, Mr. Thorneycroft?"</p> + +<p>"Don't I!—to be sure I do," cried the iron-merchant, coughing and +sneezing. "I feel as if I were in a room with a smoky chimney, and no +window open. Oh!—oh!—I'm choking!"</p> + +<p>"Don't mind it," cried the dwarf, who seemed quite at his ease. "We +shall soon be out of the smoke."</p> + +<p>"I can't stand it," cried Mr. Thorneycroft; "I shall die. Oh! +poah—pish—puff!"</p> + +<p>"Come on, I tell you—you'll get some fresh air in a minute," rejoined +Old Parr. "Halloa! how's this? No outlet. We're come to a dead stop."</p> + +<p>"Dead stop, indeed!" echoed the iron-merchant. "We've come to that long +ago. But what new difficulty has arisen?"</p> + +<p>"Merely that the road's blocked up by a solid wall—that's all," replied +Old Parr.</p> + +<p>"Blocked up!" exclaimed Thorneycroft. "Then we're entombed alive."</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> am," said the dwarf, with affected nonchalance. "As to you, you've +the comfort of knowing it'll soon be over with you. But for me, nothing +can harm me."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure of that," cried a voice above them.</p> + +<p>"Did you speak, Mr. Thorneycroft?" asked the dwarf.</p> + +<p>"N-o-o—not I," gasped the iron-merchant. "I'm suffocating—help to drag +me out."</p> + +<p>"Get out if you can," cried the voice that had just spoken.</p> + +<p>"It's Rougemont himself," cried the dwarf in alarm. "Then there's no +escape."</p> + +<p>"None whatever, rascal," replied the unseen speaker. "I want you. I have +more work for you to do."</p> + +<p>"I won't leave Mr. Thorneycroft," cried the dwarf resolutely. "I've +promised to preserve him, and I'll keep my word."</p> + +<p>"Fool!" cried the other. "You must obey when I command."</p> + +<p>And as the words were uttered, a hand was thrust down from above, which, +grasping the dwarf by the nape of the neck, drew him upwards.</p> + +<p>"Lay hold of me, Mr. Thorneycroft," screamed Old Parr. "I'm going up +again—lay hold of me—pull me down."</p> + +<p>Well-nigh stifled by the thickening and pungent vapour, the poor +iron-merchant found compliance impossible. Before he could reach the +dwarf, the little fellow was carried off. Left to himself, Mr. +Thorneycroft staggered along the passage, expecting every moment to +drop, until at length a current of fresh air blew in his face, and +enabled him to breathe more freely. Somewhat revived, he went on, but +with great deliberation, and it was well he did so, for he suddenly +arrived at the brink of a pit about eight feet in depth, into which, if +he had approached it incautiously, he must infallibly have stumbled, and +in all probability have broken his neck. This pit evidently communicated +with a lower range of chambers, as was shown by a brazen lamp burning +under an archway. A ladder was planted at one side, and by this Mr. +Thorneycroft descended, but scarcely had he set foot on the ground, than +he felt himself rudely grasped by a man who stepped from under the +archway. The next moment, however, he was released, while the familiar +voice of the Tinker exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Vy, bless my 'art, if it ain't Mister Thorneycroft."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's me, certainly, Mr. Tinker," replied the iron-merchant. "Who's +that you've got with you?"</p> + +<p>"Vy, who should it be but the Sandman," rejoined the other gruffly. +"Ve've set ourselves free at last, and have made some nice diskiveries +into the bargin."</p> + +<p>"Yes, ve've found it all out," added the Tinker.</p> + +<p>"What have you discovered—what have you found out?" cried the +iron-merchant breathlessly. "Have you found my daughter? Where is she? +Take me to her."</p> + +<p>"Not so fast, old gent, not so fast," rejoined the Tinker. "Ve ain't +sure as 'ow ve've found your darter, but ve've catched a peep of a nice +young 'ooman."</p> + +<p>"Oh! it must be her—no doubt of it," cried the iron-merchant. "Where is +she? Take me to her without a moment's delay."</p> + +<p>"But ve can't get to her, I tell 'ee," replied the Tinker. "Ve knows the +place vere she's a-shut up,—that's all."</p> + +<p>"Take me to it," cried Mr. Thorneycroft eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Vell, if you must go, step this vay, then," rejoined the Tinker, +proceeding towards the archway. "Halloa, Sandy, did you shut the door +arter you?"</p> + +<p>"Not I," replied the other; "open it."</p> + +<p>"Easily said," rejoined the Tinker, "but not quevite so easily done. Vy, +zounds, it's shut of itself and bolted itself on t'other side!"</p> + +<p>"Some one must have followed you," groaned Thorneycroft. "We're watched +on all sides."</p> + +<p>"Ay, and from above, too," cried the Sandman. "Look up there!" he added, +in accents of alarm.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? What new danger is at hand?" inquired the +iron-merchant.</p> + +<p>"Look up, I say," cried the Sandman. "Don't ye see, Tinker?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, I see," replied the other. "The roof's a-comin' in upon us. +Let's get out o' this as fast as ve can." And he kicked and pushed +against the door, but all his efforts were unavailing to burst it open.</p> + +<p>At the same time the Sandman rushed towards the ladder, but before he +could mount it all egress by that means was cut off. An immense iron +cover worked in a groove was pushed by some unseen machinery over the +top of the pit, and enclosed them in it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VB" id="CHAPTER_VB"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>NEW PERPLEXITIES</h3> + + +<p>For several hours deep sleep, occasioned by some potent medicaments, had +bound up the senses of Auriol. On awaking, he found himself within a +cell, the walls, the floor, and the ceiling of which were of solid stone +masonry. In the midst of this chamber, and supporting the ponderous +roof, stood a massive granite pillar, the capital of which was +grotesquely ornamented with death's-heads and cross-bones, and against +this pillar leaned Auriol, with his left arm chained by heavy links of +iron to a ring in the adjoining wall. Beside him stood a pitcher of +water, and near him lay an antique-looking book, bound in black vellum. +The dungeon in which he was confined was circular in form, with a coved +roof, sustained by the pillar before mentioned, and was approached by a +steep flight of steps rising from a doorway, placed some six feet below +the level of the chamber, and surmounted by a pointed arch. A stream of +light, descending from a narrow aperture in the roof, fell upon his +wasted and haggard features. His dark-brown hair hung about his face in +elf-locks, his beard was untrimmed, and a fixed and stony glare like +that of insanity sat in his eye. He was seated on the ground—neither +bench nor stool being allowed him—with his hand supporting his chin. +His gaze was fixed upon vacancy—if that can he called vacancy which to +him was filled with vivid images. His garb was not that of modern times, +but consisted of a doublet and hose of rich material, wrought in the +fashion of Elizabeth's days.</p> + +<p>After remaining for some time in this musing attitude, Auriol opened the +old tome before him, and began to turn over its leaves. It was full of +magical disquisitions and mysterious characters, and he found inscribed +on one of its earlier pages a name which instantly riveted his +attention. Having vainly sought some explanation of this name in the +after contents of the book, he laid it aside, and became lost in +meditation. His reverie ended, he heaved a deep sigh, and turned again +to the open volume lying before him, and in doing so his eye rested for +the first time on his habiliments. On beholding them he started, and +held out his arm to examine his sleeve more narrowly. Satisfied that he +was not deceived, he arose and examined himself from head to foot. He +found himself, as has been stated, attired in the garb of a gentleman of +Elizabeth's time.</p> + +<p>"What can this mean?" he cried. "Have I endured a long and troubled +dream, during which I have fancied myself living through more than two +centuries? O Heaven, that it may be so! Oh that the fearful crimes I +suppose I have committed have only been enacted in a dream! Oh that my +victims are imaginary! Oh that Ebba should only prove a lovely phantom +of the night! And yet, I could almost wish the rest were real—so that +she might exist. I cannot bear to think that she is nothing more than a +vision. But it must be so—I have been dreaming—and what a dream it has +been!—what strange glimpses it has afforded me into futurity! Methought +I lived in the reigns of many sovereigns—beheld one of them carried to +the block—saw revolutions convulse the kingdom—old dynasties shaken +down, and new ones spring up. Fashions seem to me to have so changed, +that I had clean forgotten the old ones; while my fellow-men scarcely +appeared the same as heretofore. Can I be the same myself? Is this the +dress I once wore? Let me seek for some proof."</p> + +<p>And thrusting his hand into his doublet, he drew forth some tablets, and +hastily examined them. They bore his name, and contained some writing, +and he exclaimed aloud with joy, "This is proof enough—I have been +dreaming all this while."</p> + +<p>"The scheme works to a miracle," muttered a personage stationed at the +foot of the steps springing from the doorway, and who, though concealed +from view himself, was watching the prisoner with a malignant and +exulting gaze.</p> + +<p>"And yet, why am I here?" pursued Auriol, looking around. "Ah! I see how +it is," he added, with a shudder; "I have been mad—perhaps am mad +still. That will account for the strange delusion under which I have +laboured."</p> + +<p>"I will act upon that hint," muttered the listener.</p> + +<p>"Of what use is memory," continued Auriol musingly, "if things that are +not, seem as if they were? If joys and sorrows which we have never +endured are stamped upon the brain—if visions of scenes, and faces and +events which we have never witnessed, never known, haunt us, as if they +had once been familiar? But I am mad—mad!"</p> + +<p>The listener laughed to himself.</p> + +<p>"How else, if I were not mad, could I have believed that I had swallowed +the fabled elixir vitæ? And yet, is it a fable? for I am puzzled still. +Methinks I am old—old—old—though I feel young, and look young. All +this is madness. Yet how clear and distinct it seems! I can call to mind +events in Charles the Second's time. Ha!—who told me of Charles the +Second? How know I there was such a king? The reigning sovereign should +be James, and yet I fancy it is George the Fourth. Oh! I am mad—clean +mad!"</p> + +<p>There was another pause, during which the listener indulged in a +suppressed fit of laughter.</p> + +<p>"Would I could look forth from this dungeon," pursued Auriol, again +breaking silence, "and satisfy myself of the truth or falsehood of my +doubts by a view of the external world, for I am so perplexed in mind, +that if I were not distracted already, they would be enough to drive me +so. What dismal, terrible fancies have possessed me, and weigh upon me +still—the compact with Rougemont—ha!"</p> + +<p>"Now it comes," cried the listener.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that I could shake off the conviction that this were not so—that +my soul, though heavily laden, might still be saved! Oh, that I dared to +hope this!"</p> + +<p>"I must interrupt him if he pursues this strain," said the listener.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus15" id="illus15"></a> +<img src="images/illus15.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>Rougemont's device to perplex Auriol.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Whether my crimes are real or imaginary—whether I snatched the cup of +immortality from my grandsire's dying lips—whether I signed a compact +with the Fiend, and delivered him a victim on each tenth year—I cannot +now know; but if it is so, I deeply, bitterly regret them, and would +expiate my offences by a life of penance."</p> + +<p>At this moment Rougemont, attired in a dress similar to that of the +prisoner, marched up the steps, and cried, "What ho, Auriol!—Auriol +Darcy!"</p> + +<p>"Who speaks?" demanded Auriol. "Ah! is it you, Fiend?"</p> + +<p>"What, you are still in your old fancies," rejoined Rougemont. "I +thought the draught I gave you last night would have amended you."</p> + +<p>"Tell me who and what I am," cried Auriol, stupefied with astonishment; +"in what age I am living; and whether I am in my right mind or not?"</p> + +<p>"For the first, you are called Auriol Darcy," replied Rougemont; "for +the second, you are living in the reign of his most Catholic Majesty +James I. of England, and Sixth of Scotland; and for the third, I trust +you will soon recover your reason."</p> + +<p>"Amazement!" cried Auriol, striking his brow with his clenched hand. +"Then I <i>am</i> mad."</p> + +<p>"It's plain your reason is returning, since you are conscious of your +condition," replied Rougemont; "but calm yourself, you have been subject +to raging frenzies."</p> + +<p>"And I have been shut up here for safety?" demanded Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Precisely," observed the other.</p> + +<p>"And you are——"</p> + +<p>"Your keeper," replied Rougemont.</p> + +<p>"My God! what a brain mine must be!" cried Auriol. "Answer me one +question—Is there such a person as Ebba Thorneycroft?"</p> + +<p>"You have often raved about her," replied Rougemont. "But she is a mere +creature of the imagination."</p> + +<p>Auriol groaned, and sank against the wall.</p> + +<p>"Since you have become so reasonable, you shall again go forth into the +world," said Rougemont; "but the first essay must be made at night, for +fear of attracting observation. I will come to you again a few hours +hence. Farewell for the present."</p> + +<p>And casting a sinister glance at his captive, he turned upon his heel, +descended the steps, and quitted the cell.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIB" id="CHAPTER_VIB"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>DOCTOR LAMB AGAIN</h3> + + +<p>Night came, and the cell grew profoundly dark. Auriol became impatient +for the appearance of his keeper, but hour after hour passed and he did +not arrive. Worn out, at length, with doubt and bewildering +speculations, the miserable captive was beset with the desire to put an +end to his torments by suicide, and he determined to execute his fell +purpose without delay. An evil chance seemed also to befriend him, for +scarcely was the idea formed, than his foot encountered something on the +ground, the rattling of which attracted his attention, and stooping to +take it up, he grasped the bare blade of a knife.</p> + +<p>"This will, at all events, solve my doubts," he cried aloud. "I will +sheathe this weapon in my heart, and, if I am mortal, my woes will be +ended."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, he placed the point to his breast with the full intent to +strike, but before he could inflict the slightest wound, his arm was +forcibly arrested.</p> + +<p>"Would you destroy yourself, madman?" roared a voice. "I thought your +violence was abated, and that you might go forth in safety. But I find +you are worse than ever."</p> + +<p>Auriol uttered a groan and let the knife fall to the ground. The +new-comer kicked it to a distance with his foot.</p> + +<p>"You shall be removed to another chamber," he pursued, "where you can be +more strictly watched."</p> + +<p>"Take me forth—oh! take me forth," cried Auriol. "It was a mere impulse +of desperation, which I now repent."</p> + +<p>"I dare not trust you. You will commit some act of insane fury, for +which I myself shall have to bear the blame. When I yielded to your +entreaties on a former occasion, and took you forth, I narrowly +prevented you from doing all we met a mischief."</p> + +<p>"I have no recollection of any such circumstance," returned Auriol +mournfully. "But it may be true, nevertheless. And if so, it only proves +the lamentable condition to which I am reduced—memory and reason gone!"</p> + +<p>"Ay, both gone," cried the other, with an irrepressible chuckle.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, starting. "I am not so mad but I recognise in +you the Evil Being who tempted me. I am not so oblivious as to forget +our terrible interviews."</p> + +<p>"What, you are in your lunes again!" cried Rougemont fiercely. "Nay, +then I must call my assistants, and bind you."</p> + +<p>"Let me be—let me be!" implored Auriol, "and I will offend you no more. +Whatever thoughts may arise within me, I will not give utterance to +them. Only take me forth."</p> + +<p>"I came for that purpose," said Rougemont; "but I repeat, I dare not. +You are not sufficiently master of yourself."</p> + +<p>"Try me," said Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Well," rejoined the other, "I will see what I can do to calm you."</p> + +<p>So saying, he disappeared for a few moments, and then returning with a +torch, placed it on the ground, and producing a phial, handed it to the +captive.</p> + +<p>"Drink!" he said.</p> + +<p>Without a moment's hesitation Auriol complied.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me rather a stimulant than a soothing potion," he remarked, +after emptying the phial.</p> + +<p>"You are in no condition to judge," rejoined the other.</p> + +<p>And he proceeded to unfasten Auriol's chain.</p> + +<p>"Now then, come with me," he said, "and do not make any attempt at +evasion, or you will rue it."</p> + +<p>Like one in a dream, Auriol followed his conductor down the flight of +stone steps leading from the dungeon, and along a narrow passage. As he +proceeded, he thought he heard stealthy footsteps behind him; but he +never turned his head, to see whether he was really followed. In this +way they reached a short steep staircase, and mounting it, entered a +vault, in which Rougemont paused, and placed the torch he had brought +with him upon the floor. Its lurid glimmer partially illumined the +chamber, and showed that it was built of stone. Rude benches of antique +form were set about the vault, and motioning Auriol to be seated upon +one of them, Rougemont sounded a silver whistle. The summons was shortly +afterwards answered by the dwarf, in whose attire a new change had +taken place. He was now clothed in a jerkin of grey serge, fashioned +like the garments worn by the common people in Elizabeth's reign, and +wore a trencher-cap on his head. Auriol watched him as he timidly +advanced towards Rougemont, and had an indistinct recollection of having +seen him before; but could not call to mind how or where.</p> + +<p>"Is your master a-bed?" demanded Rougemont.</p> + +<p>"A-bed! Good lack, sir!" exclaimed the dwarf, "little of sleep knows +Doctor Lamb. He will toil at the furnace till the stars have set."</p> + +<p>"Doctor Lamb!" repeated Auriol. "Surely I have heard that name before?"</p> + +<p>"Very likely," replied Rougemont, "for it is the name borne by your +nearest kinsman."</p> + +<p>"How is the poor young gentleman?" asked the dwarf, glancing +commiseratingly at Auriol. "My master often makes inquiries after his +grandson, and grieves that the state of his mind should render it +necessary to confine him."</p> + +<p>"His grandson! I—Doctor Lamb's grandson!" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"In sooth are you, young sir," returned the dwarf. "Were you in your +reason, you would be aware that my master's name is the same as your +own—Darcy—Reginald Darcy. He assumes the name of Doctor Lamb to delude +the multitude. He told you as much yourself, sweet sir, if your poor +wits would enable you to recollect it."</p> + +<p>"Am I in a dream, good fellow, tell me that?" cried Auriol, lost in +amazement.</p> + +<p>"Alack, no, sir," replied the dwarf; "to my thinking, you are wide +awake. But you know, sir," he added, touching his forehead, "you have +been a little wrong here, and your memory and reason are not of the +clearest."</p> + +<p>"Where does my grandsire dwell?" asked Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Why here, sir," replied the dwarf; "and for the matter of locality, the +house is situated on the south end of London Bridge."</p> + +<p>"<i>On</i> the bridge—did you say <i>on</i> the bridge, friend?" cried Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Ay, <i>on</i> the bridge—where else should it be? You would not have your +grandsire live under the river?" rejoined the dwarf; "though, for ought +I know, some of these vaults may go under it. They are damp enough."</p> + +<p>Auriol was lost in reflection, and did not observe a sign that passed +between the dwarf and Rougemont.</p> + +<p>"Will it disturb Doctor Lamb if his grandson goes up to him?" said the +latter, after a brief pause.</p> + +<p>"My master does not like to be interrupted in his operations, as you +know, sir," replied the dwarf, "and seldom suffers any one, except +myself, to enter his laboratory; but I will make so bold as to introduce +Master Auriol, if he desires it."</p> + +<p>"You will confer the greatest favour on me by doing so," cried Auriol, +rising.</p> + +<p>"Sit down—sit down!" said Rougemont authoritatively. "You cannot go up +till the doctor has been apprised. Remain here, while Flapdragon and I +ascertain his wishes." So saying, he quitted the chamber by a farther +outlet with the dwarf.</p> + +<p>During the short time that Auriol was left alone, he found it vain to +attempt to settle his thoughts, or to convince himself that he was not +labouring under some strange delusion.</p> + +<p>He was aroused at length by the dwarf, who returned alone.</p> + +<p>"Your grandsire will see you," said the mannikin.</p> + +<p>"One word before we go," cried Auriol, seizing his arm.</p> + +<p>"Saints! how you frighten me!" exclaimed the dwarf. "You must keep +composed, or I dare not take you to my master."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," replied Auriol; "I meant not to alarm you. Where is the +person who brought me hither?"</p> + +<p>"What, your keeper?" said the dwarf. "Oh, he is within call. He will +come to you anon. Now follow me."</p> + +<p>And taking up the torch, he led the way out of the chamber. Mounting a +spiral staircase, apparently within a turret, they came to a door, which +being opened by Flapdragon, disclosed a scene that well-nigh stupefied +Auriol.</p> + +<p>It was the laboratory precisely as he had seen it above two centuries +ago. The floor was strewn with alchemical implements—the table was +covered with mystic parchments inscribed with cabalistic characters—the +furnace stood in the corner—crucibles and cucurbites decorated the +chimney-board—the sphere and brazen lamp hung from the ceiling—the +skeletons grinned from behind the chimney-corner—all was there as he +had seen it before! There also was Doctor Lamb, in his loose gown of +sable silk, with a square black cap upon his venerable head, and his +snowy beard streaming to his girdle.</p> + +<p>The old man's gaze was fixed upon a crucible placed upon the furnace, +and he was occupied in working the bellows. He moved his head as Auriol +entered the chamber, and the features became visible. It was a face +never to be forgotten.</p> + +<p>"Come in, grandson," said the old man kindly. "Come in, and close the +door after you. The draught affects the furnace—my Athanor, as we +adepts term it. So you are better, your keeper tells me—much better."</p> + +<p>"Are you indeed living?" cried Auriol, rushing wildly towards him, and +attempting to take his hand.</p> + +<p>"Off—off!" cried the old man, drawing back as if alarmed. "You disturb +my operations. Keep him calm, Flapdragon, or take him hence. He may do +me a mischief."</p> + +<p>"I have no such intention, sir," said Auriol; "indeed I have not. I only +wish to be assured that you are my aged relative."</p> + +<p>"To be sure he is, young sir," interposed the dwarf. "Why should you +doubt it?"</p> + +<p>"O sir," cried Auriol, throwing himself at the old man's feet, "pity me +if I am mad; but offer me some explanation, which may tend to restore me +to my senses. My reason seems gone, yet I appear capable of receiving +impressions from external objects. I see you, and appear to know you. I +see this chamber—these alchemical implements—that furnace—these +different objects—and I appear to recognise them. Am I deceived, or is +this real?"</p> + +<p>"You are not deceived, my son," replied the old man. "You have been in +this room before, and you have seen me before. It would be useless to +explain to you now how you have suffered from fever, and what visions +your delirium has produced. When you are perfectly restored, we will +talk the matter over."</p> + +<p>And, as he said this, he began to blow the fire anew, and watched with +great apparent interest the changing colours of the liquid in the +cucurbite placed on the furnace.</p> + +<p>Auriol looked at him earnestly, but could not catch another glance, so +intently was the old man occupied. At length he ventured to break the +silence.</p> + +<p>"I should feel perfectly convinced, if I might look forth from that +window," he said.</p> + +<p>"Convinced of what?" rejoined the old man somewhat sharply.</p> + +<p>"That I am what I seem," replied Auriol.</p> + +<p>"Look forth, then," said the old man. "But do not disturb me by idle +talk. There is the rosy colour in the projection for which I have been +so long waiting."</p> + +<p>Auriol then walked to the window and gazed through the tinted panes. It +was very dark, and objects could only be imperfectly distinguished. +Still he fancied he could detect the gleam of the river beneath him, and +what seemed a long line of houses on the bridge. He also fancied he +discerned other buildings, with the high roofs, the gables, and the +other architectural peculiarities of the structures of Elizabeth's +time. He persuaded himself, also, that he could distinguish through the +gloom the venerable Gothic pile of Saint Paul's Cathedral on the other +side of the water, and, as if to satisfy him that he was right, a deep +solemn bell tolled forth the hour of two. After a while he returned from +the window, and said to his supposed grandsire, "I am satisfied. I have +lived centuries in a few nights."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_OLD_LONDON_MERCHANT" id="THE_OLD_LONDON_MERCHANT"></a>THE OLD LONDON MERCHANT</h2> + +<h3><i>A SKETCH</i></h3> + +<h3>Flos Mercatorum.—<i>Epitaph on Whittington</i></h3> + + +<p>At that festive season, when the days are at the shortest, and the +nights at the longest, and when, consequently, it is the invariable +practice of all sensible people to turn night into day; when the state +of the odds between business and pleasure is decidedly in favour of the +latter; when high carnival is held in London, and everything betokens +the prevalence and influence of good cheer; when pastrycooks are in +their glory, and green trays in requisition; when porters groan beneath +hampers of game, and huge tubs of Canterbury brawn; when trains arriving +from the eastern counties are heavy laden with turkeys and hares; when +agents in town send barrels of oysters to correspondents in the country; +when Christmas-box claimants disturb one's equanimity by day, and Waits +(those licensed nuisances, to which even our reverence for good old +customs cannot reconcile us) break one's first slumber at night; when +surly Christians "awake," and salute the band of little carollers with +jugs of cold water; when their opposite neighbour, who has poked his +nightcapped head from his window, retires with a satisfactory chuckle; +when the meat at Mr. Giblett's in Bond Street, which, for the last six +weeks, has announced the approach of Christmas by its daily-increasing +layers of fat, as correctly as the almanack, has reached the +ne-plus-ultra of adiposity; when wondering crowds are collected before +the aforesaid Giblett's to gaze upon the yellow carcass of that +leviathan prize ox—the fat being rendered more intensely yellow by its +contrast with the green holly with which it is garnished—as well as to +admire the snowy cakes of suet with which the sides of that +Leicestershire sheep are loaded; when the grocer's trade is "in +request," and nothing is heard upon his counter but the jingling of +scales and the snapping of twine; when the vendor of sweetmeats, as he +deals forth his citron and sultanas in the due minced-meat proportions +to that pretty housemaid, whispers something in a soft and sugared tone +about the misletoe; when "coming Twelfth Nights cast their shadows +before," and Mr. Gunter feels doubly important; when pantomimes are +about to unfold all their magic charms, and the holidays have fairly +commenced; when the meteorological prophet predicts that Thursday the +1st will be fair and frosty, and it turns out to be drizzling rain and a +sudden thaw; when intelligence is brought that the ice "bears," the +intelligence being confirmed by the appearance of sundry donkey-carts, +containing ice an inch thick, and rendered indisputable by the discharge +of their crystal loads upon the pavement before Mr. Grove's, the +fishmonger's; when crack performers in paletots, or Mackintoshes, with +skates in their hands, cigars in their mouths, and tights and +fur-topped boots on their lower limbs, are seen hastening up Baker +Street in the direction of the Regent's Park; when a marquee is pitched +upon the banks of the Serpentine, and a quadrille executed by the +before-mentioned crack skaters in tights and fur-topped boots upon its +frozen waters; when the functionaries of the Humane Society begin to +find some employment for their ropes and punt; when Old Father Thames, +who, for a couple of months, appears to have been undecided about the +colours of his livery—now inclining to a cloak of greyish dun, now to a +mantle of orange tawny—has finally adopted a white transparent robe +with facings of silver; when, as you pass down Harley Street, the lights +in the drawing-room windows of every third house, the shadows on the +blinds, and, above all, the enlivening sound of the harp and piano, +satisfy you that its fair inmate is "at home"; when</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">House-quakes, street-thunders, and door-batteries<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>are heard from "midnight until morn"; when the knocker at No. 22 Park +Street responds to the knocker at No. 25; when a barrel-organ and a +popular melody salute your ear as you enter Oxford Street; when the +doors of the gin-palaces seem to be always opening to let people <i>in</i>, +but never to let them <i>out</i>, and the roar of boisterous revelry is heard +from the bar; when various vociferations arise from various courts and +passages; when policemen are less on the alert, though their +interference is more requisite than usual; when uproarious jollity +prevails; when "universal London getteth drunk"; and, in short, when +Christmas is come, and everybody is disposed to enjoy himself in his +own way. At this period of wassail and rejoicing it was that a social +party, to which I am now about to introduce the reader, was assembled in +a snug little dining-room of a snug little house, situated in that snug +little pile of building denominated the Sanctuary in Westminster.</p> + +<p>When a man has any peculiarity of character, his house is sure to +partake of it. The room which he constantly inhabits reflects his image +as faithfully as a mirror; nay, more so, for it reflects his mind as +well as his person. A glance at No. 22 St. James's Place would satisfy +you its owner was a poet. We can judge of the human, as of the brute +lion, by the aspect of his den. The room marks the man. Visit it in his +absence, and you may paint his portrait better than the limner who has +placed his "breathing canvas" on the walls. From that well-worn +elbow-chair and the slippers at its feet (the slippers of an old man are +never to be mistaken), you can compute his age; from that faded brocade +dressing-gown and green velvet cap, you can shape out his figure; from +the multiplicity of looking-glasses you at once infer that he has not +entirely lost his vanity or his good looks; that gold-headed cane gives +you his carriage—it is not a crutch-handled stick, but a cane to +flourish jauntily; that shagreen spectacle-case, that chased silver +snuffbox with the Jupiter and Leda richly and somewhat luxuriously +wrought upon its lid, that fine Sèvres porcelain, that gorgeous +Berlin-ware, those rare bronzes half consumed by the true hoary green +ærugo, those little Egyptian images, that lachrymatory, that cinerary +urn, that brick from the Colosseum, that tesselated pavement from +Pompeii, looking like a heap of various-coloured dice, and a world of +other rarities, furnish unerring indications of his tastes and habits, +and proclaim him a member of the Archæological Society; while that open +volume of Sir Thomas Urquhart's "Rabelais" (published by the Abbotsford +Club) gives you his course of study; the <i>Morning Post</i> his politics; +that flute and those musical notes attest the state of his lungs; and +that well-blotted copy of verses, of which the ink is scarcely dry, +proclaims his train of thought. The door opens, and an old gentleman +enters exactly corresponding to your preconceived notions. You require +no introduction. You have made his acquaintance half-an-hour ago.</p> + +<p>The apartment to which we are about to repair was a complete index to +the mind and character of its possessor, Sir Lionel Flamstead. I have +called it a dining-room, from its ordinary application to the purposes +of refection and festivity; but it had much more the air of a library, +or study. It was a small comfortable chamber, just large enough to +contain half-a-dozen people, though by management double that number had +been occasionally squeezed into its narrow limits. The walls were +decorated with curious old prints, maps and plans, set in old black +worm-eaten frames, and representing divers personages, places, and +structures connected with London and its history.</p> + +<p>Over the mantelpiece was stretched Vertue's copy of Ralph Aggas's famous +survey of our "great metropolis," made about the beginning of +Elizabeth's reign, or perhaps a little earlier, when it was scarcely so +great a metropolis as at the present time, and when novelists, gentlemen +of the press, cabmen, omnibus cads, and other illustrious personages +were unborn and undreamed of; when St. Giles's, in lieu of its +mysterious and Dædalian Seven Dials (which should have for their motto +Wordsworth's title, "We are Seven"), consisted of a little cluster of +country houses, surrounded by a grove of elms; when a turreted wall +girded in the City, from Aldgate to Grey Friars; when a pack of +staghounds was kept in Finsbury Fields, and archers and cross-bowmen +haunted the purlieus of the Spital; when he who strolled westward from +Charing Cross (then no misnomer) beheld neither Opera House nor +club-house, but a rustic lane, with a barn at one end, and a goodly +assortment of hay-carts and hay-stacks at the other; when the Thames was +crossed by a single bridge, and that bridge looked like a street, and +the street itself like a row of palaces. On the right of this plan hung +a sketch of Will Somers, jester to Henry VIII., after the picture by +Holbein; on the left an engraving of Geoffrey Hudson, the diminutive +attendant of Henrietta Maria. This niche was devoted to portraits of the +bluff king before mentioned, and his six spouses; that to the melancholy +Charles and his family. Here, the Great Fire of 1666, with its black +profiles of houses, relieved by a sheet of "bloody and malicious" flame, +formed a pleasant contrast to the icy wonders of the Frost Fair, held on +the Thames in 1684, when carriages were driven through the lines of +tents, and an ox was roasted on the water, to the infinite delectation +of the citizens. There Old Saint Paul's (in the words of Victor Hugo, +"one of those Gothic monuments so admirable and so irreparable"), and +which is but ill replaced by the modern "bastard counterpart" of the +glorious fane of St. Peter at Rome, reared its venerable tower (not +dome) and lofty spire to the sky. Next to St. Paul's came the reverend +Abbey of Westminster, taken before it had been disfigured by the towers +added by Wren; and next to the abbey opened the long and raftered vista +of its magnificent neighbouring hall. Several plans and prospects of the +Tower of London, as it appeared at different epochs, occupied a corner +to themselves: then came a long array of taverns, from the Tabard in +Southwark, the Boar's Head in Eastcheap, and the Devil near Temple Bar, +embalmed in the odour of poesy, to the Nag's Head in Cheapside, +notorious for its legend of the consecration of the Protestant bishops +in 1559; there also might you see—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">——in Billinsgate the Salutation.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the Boar's Head near London Stone,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Swan at Dowgate, a tavern well known;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Mitre in Cheap, and then the Bull's Head,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And many like places that make noses red;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Boar's Head in Old Fish Street; Three Crowns in the Vintry;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, now, of late, Saint Martin's in the Seutree;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Windmill in Lothbury; the Ship at th' Exchange;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">King's Head in New Fish Street, where roysters do range;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Mermaid in Cornhill; Red Lion in the Strand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three Tuns in Newgate Market; in Old Fish Street the Swan.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> News from Bartholomew Faire.</p></div> + +<p>Adjoining these places of entertainment were others of a different +description, to wit, the Globe, as it stood when Shakspeare (how +insufferable is Mr. Knight's orthography of this reverend +name—Shaks<i>pere</i>!) trod the stage; the king's play-house in Charles +the Second's time; the Bear Garden, with its flag streaming to the wind; +and the Folly, as it once floated in the river, opposite old Somerset +House. Then came the Halls, beginning with Guildhall and ending with Old +Skinner's. Next, the Crosses, from Paul's to Charing; then, the +churches, gateways, hospitals, colleges, prisons, asylums, inns of +court,—in short, for it is needless to particularise further, London +and its thousand recollections rose before you, as you gazed around. +Scarcely an old edifice, to which an historical tradition could be +attached (and what old London edifice is destitute of such traditions?), +was wanting. Nor were the great of old—the spirits, who gave interest +and endurance to these decayed, or decaying structures, wanting. But I +shall not pause to enumerate their portraits, or make out a catalogue as +long as the list of Homer's ships, or the gallery of Mr. Lodge. +Sufficient has been said, I trust, to give the reader an idea of the +physiology of the room. Yet stay! I must not omit to point out the +contents of those groaning shelves. In the goodly folios crowded there +are contained the chronicles of Holinshed and Hall; of Grafton, Fabian, +and Stow; of Matthew of Paris, and his namesake of Westminster. Let him +not be terrified at the ponderous size of these admirable old +historians, nor be deterred by the black letter, if he should chance to +open a volume. Their freshness and picturesque details will surprise as +much as they will delight him. From this wealthy mine Shakspeare drew +some of his purest ore. The shelves are crowned by a solitary bust. It +is that of a modern. It is that of a lover of London, and a character +of London. It is <span class="smcap">Doctor Johnson</span>.</p> + +<p>Having completed the survey of the apartment, I shall now proceed to its +occupants. These were five in number—jolly fellows all—seated round a +circular dining-table covered with glasses and decanters, amidst which a +portly magnum of claret, and a deep and capacious china punch-bowl, must +not pass unmentioned. They were in the full flow of fun and +conviviality; enjoying themselves as good fellows always enjoy +themselves at "the season of the year." The port was delectable—old as +Saint Paul's, I was going to say—not quite, however—but just "old +enough"; the claret was nectar, or what is better, it was Lafitte; the +punch was drink for the gods. The jokes of this party would have split +your sides—their laughter would have had the same effect on your ears. +Never were heard peals of merriment so hearty and prolonged. You only +wondered how they found time to drink, so quick did each roar follow on +the heels of its predecessor. That they <i>did</i> drink, however, was clear; +that they <i>had</i> drunk was equally certain; and that they intended to +continue drinking seemed to come within the limits of probability.</p> + +<p>Sir Lionel Flamstead was a retired merchant—one of those high-souled, +high-principled traders, of whom our City was once so justly proud, and +of whom so few, in these days of railway bubbles, and other harebrained +speculations, can be found. His word was his bond—once passed, it was +sufficient; his acceptances were accounted safe as the Bank of England. +Had Sir Thomas Gresham descended from his niche he could not have been +treated with greater consideration than attended Sir Lionel's appearance +on 'Change. All eyes followed the movements of his tall and stately +figure—all hats were raised to his courteous but ceremonious +salutation. Affable, yet precise, and tinctured with something of the +punctiliousness of the old school, his manners won him universal respect +and regard, even from those unknown to him. By his intimates he was +revered. His habits were as regular as clockwork, and the glass of cold +punch at Tom's, or the basin of soup at Birch's, wound him up for the +day. His attire was as formal as his manners, being a slight +modification of the prevalent costume of some five-and-thirty years ago. +He had consented, not without extreme reluctance, to clothe his nether +limbs in the unmentionable garment of recent introduction; but he +resolutely adhered to the pigtail. There is something, by-the-bye, in a +pigtail, to which old gentlemen cling in spite of all remonstrance, with +lover-like pertinacity. Only hint the propriety of cutting it off to +your great-uncle or your grandfather, and you may rely on being cut off +with a shilling yourself. Be this as it may, Sir Lionel gathered his +locks, once sable as the riband that bound them, but now thickly strewn +with the silver "blossoms of the grave," into a knot, and suffered them +to dangle a few inches below his collar. His shoes shone with a lustre +beyond French polish, and his hat was brushed till not a wind dared to +approach it. Sir Lionel wore a white, unstarched cravat, with a thick +pad in it, sported a frill over his waistcoat, carried a black ebony +cane in his hand, and was generally followed by a pet pug-dog, one of +the most sagacious and disagreeable specimens of his species. Sir Lionel +Flamstead, I have said, was tall—I might have said he was very +tall—somewhat narrower across the shoulders than about the hips—a +circumstance which did not materially conduce to his symmetry—with +grey, benevolent eyes, shaded by bushy, intelligent brows—a lofty, +expansive forehead, in which, in the jargon of phrenology, the organs of +locality and ideality were strongly developed, and which was rendered +the more remarkable from the flesh having fallen in on either side of +the temples—with a nose which had been considered handsome and well +proportioned in his youth, but to which good living had imparted a +bottle form and a bottle tint—and cheeks from which all encroachment of +whiskers was sedulously removed, in order, we conclude, that his rosy +complexion might be traced from its point of concentration, upon the +prominent feature before mentioned, to its final disappearance behind +his ears. Such was Sir Lionel Flamstead.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="A_NIGHTS_ADVENTURE_IN_ROME" id="A_NIGHTS_ADVENTURE_IN_ROME"></a>A NIGHT'S ADVENTURE IN ROME</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IC" id="CHAPTER_IC"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Pope was saying the high, high mass,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">All on Saint Peter's day;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With the power to him given by the saints in heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To wash men's sins away.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Pope he was saying the blessed mass,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And the people kneel'd around;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And from each man's soul his sins did pass,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">As he kissed the holy ground.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">—<i>The Grey Brother.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>Chancing to be in Rome in the August of 1830, I visited the gorgeous +church of Santa Maria Maggiore during the celebration of the anniversary +of the Holy Assumption.</p> + +<p>It was a glorious sight to one unaccustomed to the imposing religious +ceremonials of the Romish Church, to witness all the pomp and splendour +displayed at this high solemnity—to gaze down that glittering pile, and +mark the various ecclesiastical dignitaries, each in their peculiar and +characteristic costume, employed in the ministration of their sacred +functions, and surrounded by a wide semicircle of the papal guards, so +stationed to keep back the crowd, and who, with their showy scarlet +attire and tall halberds, looked like the martial figures we see in the +sketches of Callot. Nor was the brilliant effect of this picture +diminished by the sumptuous framework in which it was set. Overhead +flamed a roof resplendent with burnished gold; before me rose a canopy +supported by pillars of porphyry, and shining with many-coloured stones; +while on either hand were chapels devoted to some noble house, and +boasting each the marble memorial of a pope. Melodious masses proper to +the service were ever and anon chanted by the papal choir, and +overpowering perfume was diffused around by a hundred censers.</p> + +<p>Subdued by the odours, the music, and the spectacle, I sank into a state +of dreamy enthusiasm, during a continuance of which I almost fancied +myself a convert to the faith of Rome, and surrendered myself +unreflectingly to an admiration of its errors. As I gazed among the +surrounding crowd, the sight of so many prostrate figures, all in +attitudes of deepest devotion, satisfied me of the profound religious +impression of the ceremonial. As elsewhere, this feeling was not +universal; and, as elsewhere, likewise, more zeal was exhibited by the +lower than the higher classes of society; and I occasionally noted +amongst the latter the glitter of an eye or the flutter of a bosom, not +altogether agitated, I suspect, by holy aspirations. Yet methought, on +the whole, I had never seen such abandonment of soul, such prostration +of spirit, in my own colder clime, and during the exercise of my own +more chastened creed, as that which in several instances I now beheld; +and I almost envied the poor maiden near me, who, abject upon the earth, +had washed away her sorrows, and perhaps her sins, in contrite tears.</p> + +<p>As such thoughts swept through my mind, I felt a pleasure in singling +out particular figures and groups which interested me, from their +peculiarity of costume, or from their devotional fervour. Amongst +others, a little to my left, I remarked a band of mountaineers from +Calabria, for such I judged them to be from their wild and picturesque +garb. Deeply was every individual of this little knot of peasantry +impressed by the ceremonial. Every eye was humbly cast down; every knee +bent; every hand was either occupied in grasping the little crucifix +suspended from its owner's neck, in telling the beads of his rosary, or +fervently crossed upon his bare and swarthy breast.</p> + +<p>While gazing upon this group, I chanced upon an individual whom I had +not hitherto noticed, and who now irresistibly attracted my attention. +Though a little removed from the Calabrian mountaineers, and reclining +against the marble walls of the church, he evidently belonged to the +same company; at least, so his attire seemed to indicate, though the +noble cast of his countenance was far superior to that of his comrades. +He was an old man, with a face of the fine antique Roman stamp—a bold +outline of prominent nose, rugged and imperious brow, and proudly-cut +chin. His head and chin, as well as his naked breast, were frosted over +with the snowy honours of many winters, and their hoar appearance +contrasted strikingly with the tawny hue of a skin almost as dark and as +lustrous as polished oak. Peasant as he was, there was something of +grandeur and majesty in this old man's demeanour and physiognomy. His +head declined backwards, so as completely to expose his long and +muscular throat. His arms hung listlessly by his side; one hand drooped +upon the pavement, the other was placed within his breast: his eyes were +closed. The old man's garb was of the coarsest fabric; he wore little +beyond a shirt, a loose vest, a sort of sheep-skin cloak, and canvas +leggings bound around with leathern thongs. His appearance, however, was +above his condition; he became his rags as proudly as a prince would +have become his ermined robe.</p> + +<p>The more I scrutinised the rigid lines of this old man's countenance, +the more I became satisfied that many singular, and perhaps not wholly +guiltless, events were connected with his history. The rosary was in his +hand—the cross upon his breast—the beads were untold—the crucifix +unclasped—no breath of prayer passed his lips. His face was turned +heavenward, but his eyes were closed,—he dared not open them. Why did +he come thither, if he did not venture to pray? Why did he assume a +penitential attitude, if he felt no penitence?</p> + +<p>So absorbed was I in the perusal of the workings of this old man's +countenance, as to be scarcely conscious that the service of high mass +was concluded, and the crowd within the holy pile fast dispersing. The +music was hushed, the robed prelates and their train had disappeared, +joyous dames were hastening along the marble aisles to their equipages; +all, save a few kneeling figures near the chapels, were departing; and +the old man, aware, from the stir and hum prevailing around, that the +ceremonial was at an end, arose, stretched out his arm to one of his +comrades, a youth who had joined him, and prepared to follow the +concourse.</p> + +<p>Was he really blind? Assuredly not. Besides, he did not walk like as one +habituated to the direst calamity that can befall our nature. He +staggered in his gait, and reeled to and fro. Yet wherefore did he not +venture to unclose his eyes within the temple of the Most High? What +would I not have given to be made acquainted with his history! For I +felt that it must be a singular one.</p> + +<p>I might satisfy my curiosity at once. He was moving slowly forward, +guided by his comrade. In a few seconds it would be too late—he would +have vanished from my sight. With hasty footsteps I followed him down +the church, and laid my hand, with some violence, upon his shoulder.</p> + +<p>The old man started at the touch, and turned. Now, indeed, his eyes were +opened wide, and flashing full upon me,—and such eyes! Heretofore I had +only dreamed of such. Age had not quenched their lightning, and I +quailed beneath the fierce glances which he threw upon me. But if I was, +at first, surprised at the display of anger which I had called forth in +him, how much more was I astonished to behold the whole expression of +his countenance suddenly change. His eyes continued fixed upon mine as +if I had been a basilisk. Apparently he could not avert them; while his +whole frame shivered with emotion. I advanced towards him; he shrank +backwards, and, but for the timely aid of his companion, would have +fallen upon the pavement.</p> + +<p>At a loss to conceive in what way I could have occasioned him so much +alarm, I rushed forward to the assistance of the old man, when his +son—for such it subsequently appeared he was—rudely repelled me, and +thrust his hand into his girdle, as if to seek for means to prevent +further interference.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the group had been increased by the arrival of a third party, +attracted by the cry the old man had uttered in falling. The new-comer +was an Italian gentleman, somewhat stricken in years; of stern and +stately deportment, and with something sinister and forbidding in his +aspect. He was hastening towards the old man, but he suddenly stopped, +and was about to retire when he encountered my gaze. As our eyes met he +started; and a terror, as sudden and lively as that exhibited by the old +man, was at once depicted in his features.</p> + +<p>My surprise was now beyond all bounds, and I continued for some moments +speechless with astonishment. Not a little of the inexplicable awe which +affected the old man and the stranger was communicated to myself. +Altogether, we formed a mysterious and terrible triangle, of which each +side bore some strange and unintelligible relation to the other.</p> + +<p>The new-comer first recovered his composure, though not without an +effort. Coldly turning his heel upon me, he walked towards the old man, +and shook him forcibly. The latter shrank from his grasp, and +endeavoured to avoid him; but it was impossible. The stranger whispered +a few words in his ear, of which, from his gestures being directed +towards myself, I could guess the import. The old man replied. His +action in doing so was that of supplication and despair. The stranger +retorted in a wild and vehement manner, and even stamped upon the +ground; but the old man still continued to cling to the knees of his +superior.</p> + +<p>"Weak, superstitious fool!" at length exclaimed the stranger, "I will +waste no more words upon thee. Do, or say, what thou wilt; but beware!" +And spurning him haughtily back with his foot, he strode away.</p> + +<p>The old man's reverend head struck against the marble floor. His temple +was cut open by the fall, and blood gushed in torrents from the wound. +Recovering himself, he started to his feet—a knife was instantly in his +hand, and he would have pursued and doubtless slain his aggressor, if he +had not been forcibly withheld by his son, and by a priest who had +joined them.</p> + +<p>"<i>Maledizione!</i>" exclaimed the old man—"a blow from <i>him</i>—from <i>that</i> +hand! I will stab him, though he were at the altar's foot; though he had +a thousand lives, each should pay for it. Release me, Paolo! release me! +for, by Heaven, he dies!"</p> + +<p>"Peace, father!" cried the son, still struggling with him.</p> + +<p>"Thou art not <i>my</i> son, to hinder my revenge!" shouted the enraged +father. "Dost not see this blood—<i>my</i> blood—thy father's blood?—and +thou holdest me back! Thou shouldst have struck him to the earth for the +deed—but he was a noble, and thou daredst not lift thy hand against +him!"</p> + +<p>"Wouldst thou have had me slay him in this holy place?" exclaimed Paolo, +reddening with anger and suppressed emotion.</p> + +<p>"No, no," returned the old man, in an altered voice; "not here, not +<i>here</i>, though 'twere but just retribution. But I will find other means +of vengeance. I will denounce him—I will betray all, though it cost me +my own life! He shall die by the hands of the common executioner;—there +is one shall testify for me!" And he pointed to me.</p> + +<p>Again I advanced towards him.</p> + +<p>"If thou hast aught to disclose pertaining to the Holy Church, I am +ready to listen to thee, my son," said the priest; "but reflect well ere +thou bringest any charge thou mayest not be able to substantiate against +one who stands so high in her esteem as him thou wouldst accuse."</p> + +<p>The son gave his father a meaning look, and whispered somewhat in his +ear. The old man became suddenly still.</p> + +<p>"Right, right," said he; "I have bethought me. 'Twas but a blow. He is +wealthy, I am poor; there is no justice for the poor in Rome."</p> + +<p>"My purse is at your service," said I, interfering; "you shall have my +aid."</p> + +<p>"Your aid!" echoed the old man, staring at me; "will <i>you</i> assist me, +signor?"</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"Enough. I may claim fulfilment of your promise."</p> + +<p>"Stop, old man," I said; "answer me one question ere you depart. Whence +arose your recent terrors?"</p> + +<p>"You shall know hereafter, signor," he said; "I must now begone. We +shall meet again. Follow me not," he continued, seeing I was bent upon +obtaining further explanation of the mystery. "You will learn nothing +now, and only endanger my safety. <i>Addio, signor.</i>" And with hasty steps +he quitted the church, accompanied by his son.</p> + +<p>"Who is that old man?" I demanded of the priest.</p> + +<p>"I am as ignorant as yourself," he replied, "but he must be looked to; +he talks threateningly." And he beckoned to an attendant.</p> + +<p>"Who was he who struck him?" was my next inquiry.</p> + +<p>"One of our wealthiest nobles," he replied, "and an assured friend of +the Church. We could ill spare him. Do not lose sight of them," he added +to the attendant, "and let the <i>sbirri</i> track them to their haunts. They +must not be suffered to go forth to-night. A few hours' restraint will +cool their hot Calabrian blood."</p> + +<p>"But the name of the noble, father?" I said, renewing my inquiries.</p> + +<p>"I must decline further questioning," returned the priest coldly. "I +have other occupation; and meanwhile it will be well to have these +stains effaced, which may else bring scandal on these holy walls. You +will excuse me, my son." So saying, he bowed and retired.</p> + +<p>I made fruitless inquiries for the old man at the door of the church. He +was gone; none of the bystanders who had seen him go forth knew whither.</p> + +<p>Stung by curiosity, I wandered amid the most unfrequented quarters of +Rome throughout the day, in the hope of meeting with the old Calabrian, +but in vain. As, however, I entered the courtyard of my hotel, I fancied +I discovered, amongst the lounging assemblage gathered round the door, +the dark eyes of the younger mountaineer. In this I might have been +mistaken. No one answering to his description had been seen near the +house.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IIC" id="CHAPTER_IIC"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE MARCHESA</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Une chose ténébreuse fait par des hommes ténébreux.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">—<i>Lucrece Borgia.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p>On the same night I bent my steps towards the Colosseum; and, full of my +adventure of the morning, found myself, not without apprehension, +involved within its labyrinthine passages. Accompanied by a monk, who, +with a small horn lantern in his hand, acted as my guide, I fancied +that, by its uncertain light, I could discover stealthy figures lurking +within the shades of the ruin.</p> + +<p>Whatever suspicions I might entertain, I pursued my course in silence. +Emerging from the <i>vomitorio</i>, we stood upon the steps of the colossal +amphitheatre. The huge pile was bathed in rosy moonlight, and reared +itself in serene majesty before my view.</p> + +<p>While indulging in a thousand speculations, occasioned by the hour and +the spot, I suddenly perceived a figure on a point of the ruin +immediately above me. Nothing but the head was visible; but that was +placed in bold relief against the beaming sky of night, and I recognised +it at once. No nobler Roman head had ever graced the circus when Rome +was in her zenith. I shouted to the old Calabrian, for he it was I +beheld. Almost ere the sound had left my lips, he had disappeared. I +made known what I had seen to the monk. He was alarmed—urged our +instant departure, and advised me to seek the assistance of the sentinel +stationed at the entrance to the pile. To this proposal I assented; and, +having descended the vasty steps and crossed the open arena, we arrived, +without molestation, at the doorway.</p> + +<p>The sentinel had allowed no one to pass him. He returned with me to the +circus; and, after an ineffectual search amongst the ruins, volunteered +his services to accompany me homewards through the Forum. I declined his +offer, and shaped my course towards a lonesome <i>vicolo</i> on the right. +This was courting danger; but I cared not, and walked slowly forward +through the deserted place.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had I proceeded many paces, when I heard footsteps swiftly +approaching; and, ere I could turn round, my arms were seized from +behind, and a bandage was passed across my eyes. All my efforts at +liberation were unavailing; and, after a brief struggle, I remained +passive.</p> + +<p>"Make no noise," said a voice which I knew to be that of the old man, +"and no harm shall befall you. You must come with us. Ask no questions, +but follow."</p> + +<p>I suffered myself to be led, without further opposition, whithersoever +they listed. We walked for it might be half-an-hour, much beyond the +walls of Rome. I had to scramble through many ruins, and frequently +stumbled over inequalities of ground. I now felt the fresh breeze of +night blowing over the wide campagna, and my conductors moved swiftly +onwards as we trod on its elastic turf.</p> + +<p>At length they came to a halt. My bandage was removed, and I beheld +myself beneath the arch of an aqueduct, which spanned the moonlit plain. +A fire was kindled beneath the arch, and the ruddy flame licked its +walls. Around the blaze were grouped the little band of peasantry I had +beheld within the church, in various and picturesque attitudes. They +greeted my conductors on their arrival, and glanced inquisitively at me, +but did not speak to me. The elder Calabrian, whom they addressed as +Cristofano, asked for a glass of <i>aqua vitæ</i>, which he handed +respectfully to me. I declined the offer, but he pressed it upon me.</p> + +<p>"You will need it, signor," he said; "you have much to do to-night. You +fear, perhaps, it is drugged. Behold!" And he drank it off.</p> + +<p>I could not, after this, refuse his pledge. "And now, signor," said the +old man, removing to a little distance from the group, "may I crave a +word with you—your name?"</p> + +<p>As I had no reason for withholding it, I told him how I was called.</p> + +<p>"Hum! Had you no relation of the name of ——?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever." And I sighed, for I thought of my desolate condition.</p> + +<p>"Strange!" he muttered; adding, with a grim smile, "but, however, +likenesses are easily accounted for."</p> + +<p>"What likenesses?" I asked. "Whom do I resemble? and what is the motive +of your inexplicable conduct?"</p> + +<p>"You shall hear," he replied, frowning gloomily. "Step aside, and let us +get within the shade of these arches, out of the reach of yonder +listeners. The tale I have to tell is for your ears alone."</p> + +<p>I obeyed him; and we stood beneath the shadow of the aqueduct.</p> + +<p>"Years ago," began the old man, "an Englishman, in all respects +resembling yourself, equally well favoured in person, and equally young, +came to Rome, and took up his abode within the eternal city. He was of +high rank in his own country, and was treated with the distinction due +to his exalted station here. At that time I dwelt with the Marchese +di ——. I was his confidential servant—his adviser—his friend. I had +lived with his father—carried him as an infant—sported with him as a +boy—loved and served him as a man. Loved him, I say; for, despite his +treatment of me, I loved him then as much as I abhor him now. Well, +signor, to my story. If his youth had been profligate, his manhood was +not less depraved; it was devoted to cold, calculating libertinism. Soon +after he succeeded to the estates and title of his father, he married. +That he loved his bride, I can scarcely believe; for, though he was +wildly jealous of her, he was himself unfaithful, and she knew it. In +Italy, revenge, in such cases, is easily within a woman's power; and, +for aught I know, the marchesa might have meditated retaliation. My +lord, however, took the alarm, and thought fit to retire to his villa +without the city, and for a time remained secluded within its walls. It +was at this crisis that the Englishman I have before mentioned arrived +in Rome. My lady, who mingled little with the gaieties of the city, had +not beheld him; but she could not have been unacquainted with him by +report, as every tongue was loud in his praises. A rumour of his +successes with other dames had reached my lord; nay, I have reason to +believe that he had been thwarted by the handsome Englishman in some +other quarter, and he sedulously prevented their meeting. An interview, +however, <i>did</i> take place between them, and in an unexpected manner. It +was the custom then, as now, upon particular occasions, to drive, during +the heats of summer, within the Piazza Navona, which is flooded with +water. One evening the marchesa drove thither: she was unattended, +except by myself. Our carriage happened to be stationed near that of the +young Englishman."</p> + +<p>"The marchesa was beautiful, no doubt?" I said, interrupting him.</p> + +<p>"Most beautiful!" he replied; "and so your countryman seemed to think, +for he was lost in admiration of her. I am not much versed in the +language of the eyes, but his were too eloquent and expressive not to be +understood. I watched my mistress narrowly. It was evident from her +glowing cheek, though her eyes were cast down, that she was not +insensible to his regards. She turned to play with her dog, a lovely +little greyhound, which was in the carriage beside her, and patted it +carelessly with the glove which she held in her hand. The animal +snatched the glove from her grasp, and, as he bounded backwards, fell +over the carriage side. My lady uttered a scream at the sight, and I was +preparing to extricate the struggling dog, when the Englishman plunged +into the water. In an instant he had restored her favourite to the +marchesa, and received her warmest acknowledgments. From that moment an +intimacy commenced, which was destined to produce the most fatal +consequences to both parties."</p> + +<p>"Did you betray them?" I asked, somewhat impatiently.</p> + +<p>"I was then the blind tool of the marchese. I did so," replied the old +man. "I told him all particulars of the interview. He heard me in +silence, but grew ashy pale with suppressed rage. Bidding me redouble my +vigilance, he left me. My lady was now scarcely ever out of my sight; +when one evening, a few days after what had occurred, she walked forth +alone upon the garden-terrace of the villa. Her guitar was in her hand, +and her favourite dog by her side. I was at a little distance, but +wholly unperceived. She struck a few plaintive chords upon her +instrument, and then, resting her chin upon her white and rounded arm, +seemed lost in tender reverie. Would you had seen her, signor, as I +beheld her then, or as one other beheld her! you would acknowledge that +you had never met with her equal in beauty. Her raven hair fell in thick +tresses over shoulders of dazzling whiteness and the most perfect +proportion. Her deep dark eyes were thrown languidly on the ground, and +her radiant features were charged with an expression of profound and +pensive passion.</p> + +<p>"In this musing attitude she continued for some minutes, when she was +aroused by the gambols of her dog, who bore in his mouth a glove which +he had found. As she took it from him, a letter dropped upon the floor. +Had a serpent glided from its folds, it could not have startled her +more. She gazed upon the paper, offended, but irresolute. Yes, she was +<i>irresolute</i>; and you may conjecture the rest. She paused, and by that +pause was lost. With a shrinking grasp she stooped to raise the letter. +Her cheeks, which had grown deathly pale, again kindled with blushes as +she perused it. She hesitated—cast a bewildering look towards the +mansion—placed the note within her bosom—and plunged into the +orange-bower."</p> + +<p>"Her lover awaited her there?"</p> + +<p>"He did. I saw them meet. I heard his frenzied words—his passionate +entreaties. He urged her to fly—she resisted. He grew more urgent—more +impassioned. She uttered a faint cry, and I stood before them. The +Englishman's hand was at my throat, and his sword at my breast, with the +swiftness of thought; and but for the screams of my mistress, that +instant must have been my last. At her desire he relinquished his hold +of me; but her cries had reached other ears, and the marchese arrived to +avenge his injured honour. He paused not to inquire the nature of the +offence, but, sword in hand, assailed the Englishman, bidding me remove +his lady. The clash of their steel was drowned by her shrieks as I bore +her away; but I knew the strife was desperate. Before I gained the house +my lady had fainted; and committing her to the charge of other +attendants, I returned to the terrace. I met my master slowly walking +homewards. His sword was gone—his brow was bent—he shunned my sight. I +knew what had happened, and did not approach him. He sought his wife. +What passed in that interview was never disclosed, but it may be guessed +at from its result. That night the marchesa left her husband's +halls—never to return. Next morn I visited the terrace where she had +received the token. The glove was still upon the ground. I picked it up +and carried it to the marchese, detailing the whole occurrence to him. +He took it, and vowed as he took it that his vengeance should never rest +satisfied till that glove had been steeped in her blood."</p> + +<p>"And he kept his vow?" I asked, shuddering.</p> + +<p>"Many months elapsed ere its accomplishment. Italian vengeance is slow, +but sure. To all outward appearance, he had forgotten his faithless +wife. He had even formed a friendship with her lover, which he did the +more effectually to blind his ultimate designs. Meanwhile, time rolled +on, and the marchesa gave birth to a child—the offspring of her +seducer."</p> + +<p>"Great God!" I exclaimed, "was that child a boy?"</p> + +<p>"It was—but listen to me. My tale draws to a close. One night, during +the absence of the Englishman, by secret means we entered the palazzo +where the marchesa resided. We wandered from room to room till we came +to her chamber. She was sleeping, with her infant by her side. The sight +maddened the marchese. He would have stricken the child, but I held back +his hand. He relented. He bade me make fast the door. He approached the +bed. I heard a rustle—a scream. A white figure sprang from out the +couch. In an instant the light was extinguished—there was a +blow—another—and all was over. I threw open the door. The marchese +came forth. The corridor in which we stood was flooded with moonlight. A +glove was in his hand—it was dripping with blood. His oath was +fulfilled—his vengeance complete—no, not complete, for the Englishman +yet lived."</p> + +<p>"What became of him?" I inquired.</p> + +<p>"Ask me not," replied the old man; "you were at the Chiesa Santa Maria +Maggiore this morning. If those stones could speak, they might tell a +fearful story."</p> + +<p>"And that was the reason you did not dare to unclose your eyes within +those holy precincts?—a film of blood floated between you and heaven."</p> + +<p>The old man shuddered, but replied not.</p> + +<p>"And the child?" I asked, after a pause; "what of their wretched +offspring?"</p> + +<p>"It was conveyed to England by a friend of its dead father. If he were +alive, that boy would be about your age, signor."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" I said; a horrible suspicion flashing across my mind.</p> + +<p>"After the Englishman's death," continued Cristofano, "my master began +to treat me with a coldness and suspicion which increased daily. I was a +burden to him, and he was resolved to rid himself of me. I spared him +the trouble—quitted Rome—sought the mountains of the Abruzzi—and +thence wandered to the fastnesses of Calabria, and became—no matter +what. Here I am. Heaven's appointed minister of vengeance. The marchese +dies to-night!"</p> + +<p>"To-night! old man," I echoed, horror-stricken. "Add not crime to crime. +If he has indeed been guilty of the foul offence you have named, let him +be dealt with according to the offended laws of the country. Do not +pervert the purposes of justice."</p> + +<p>"Justice!" echoed Cristofano scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Ay, justice. You are poor and powerless, but means may be found to aid +you. I will assist the rightful course of vengeance."</p> + +<p>"You <i>shall</i> assist it. I have sworn he shall die before dawn, and the +hand to strike the blow shall be yours."</p> + +<p>"Mine! never!"</p> + +<p>"Your own life will be the penalty of your obstinacy, if you refuse; nor +will your refusal save him. By the Mother of Heaven, he dies! and by +your hand. You saw how he was struck by your resemblance to the young +Englishman this morning in the chiesa. It is wonderful! I know not who +or what you are; but to me you are an instrument of vengeance, and as +such I shall use you. The blow dealt by you will seem the work of +retribution; and I care not if you strike twice, and make my heart your +second mark."</p> + +<p>Ere I could reply he called to his comrades, and in a few moments we +were speeding across the campagna.</p> + +<p>We arrived at a high wall:—the old man conducted us to a postern-gate, +which he opened. We entered a garden filled with orange-trees, the +perfume of which loaded the midnight air. We heard the splash of a +fountain at a distance, and the thrilling notes of a nightingale amongst +some taller trees. The moon hung like a lamp over the belvidere of the +proud villa. We strode along a wide terrace edged by a marble +balustrade. The old man pointed to an open summer-house terminating the +walk, and gave me a significant look, but he spoke not. A window thrown +open admitted us to the house. We were within a hall crowded with +statues, and traversed noiselessly its marble floors. Passing through +several chambers, we then mounted to a corridor, and entered an +apartment which formed the ante-room to another beyond it. Placing his +finger upon his lips, and making a sign to his comrades, Cristofano +opened a door and disappeared. There was a breathless pause for a few +minutes, during which I listened intently, but caught only a faint sound +as of the snapping of a lock.</p> + +<p>Presently the old man returned.</p> + +<p>"He sleeps," he said, in a low deep tone to me; "sleeps as his victim +slept—sleeps without a dream of remorse; and he shall awaken, as she +awoke, to despair. Come into his chamber!"</p> + +<p>We obeyed. The door was made fast within side.</p> + +<p>The curtains of the couch were withdrawn, and the moonlight streamed +full upon the face of the sleeper. He was hushed in profound repose. No +visions seemed to haunt his peaceful slumbers. Could guilt sleep so +soundly? I half doubted the old man's story.</p> + +<p>Placing us within the shadow of the canopy, Cristofano approached the +bed. A stiletto glittered in his hand. "Awake!" he cried, in a voice of +thunder.</p> + +<p>The sleeper started at the summons.</p> + +<p>I watched his countenance. He read Cristofano's errand in his eye. But +he quailed not.</p> + +<p>"Cowardly assassin!" he cried, "you have well consulted your own safety +in stealing on my sleep."</p> + +<p>"And who taught me the lesson?" fiercely interrupted the old man. "Am I +the first that have stolen on midnight slumber? Gaze upon this? When and +how did it acquire its dye?" And he held forth a glove, which looked +blackened and stained in the moonlight.</p> + +<p>The marchese groaned aloud.</p> + +<p>"My cabinet broken open!" at length he exclaimed—"villain! how dare you +do this? But why do I rave? I know with whom I have to deal." Uttering +these words he sprung from his couch with the intention of grappling +with the old man; but Cristofano retreated, and at that instant the +brigands, who rushed to his aid, thrust me forward. I was face to face +with the marchese.</p> + +<p>The apparition of the murdered man could not have staggered him more. +His limbs were stiffened by the shock, and he remained in an attitude of +freezing terror.</p> + +<p>"Is he come for vengeance?" he ejaculated.</p> + +<p>"He is!" cried Cristofano. "Give him the weapon!"</p> + +<p>And a stiletto was thrust into my hand. But I heeded not the steel. I +tore open my bosom—a small diamond cross was within the folds.</p> + +<p>"Do you recollect this?" I demanded of the marchese.</p> + +<p>"It was my wife's!" he shrieked in amazement.</p> + +<p>"It was upon the infant's bosom as he slept by her side on that fatal +night," said Cristofano. "I saw it sparkle there."</p> + +<p>"That infant was myself—that wife my mother!" I cried.</p> + +<p>"The murderer stands before you! Strike!" exclaimed Cristofano.</p> + +<p>I raised the dagger. The marchese stirred not. I could not strike.</p> + +<p>"Do you hesitate?" angrily exclaimed Cristofano.</p> + +<p>"He has not the courage," returned the younger Calabrian. "You +reproached me this morning with want of filial duty. Behold how a son +can avenge his father!" And he plunged his stiletto within the bosom of +the marchese.</p> + +<p>"<i>Your</i> father is not yet avenged, young man!" cried Cristofano, in a +terrible tone. "You alone can avenge him!"</p> + +<p>Ere I could withdraw its point the old man had rushed upon the dagger +which I held extended in my grasp.</p> + +<p>He fell without a single groan.</p> + + +<h3>THE END</h3> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Auriol, by W. 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Harrison Ainsworth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Auriol + or, The Elixir of Life + +Author: W. Harrison Ainsworth + +Illustrator: H. K. Browne + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36481] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AURIOL *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + + AURIOL + + OR + + THE ELIXIR OF LIFE + + BY W. HARRISON AINSWORTH + + AUTHOR OF "THE TOWER OF LONDON" + + + WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY H. K. BROWNE + + _AUTHOR'S COPYRIGHT EDITION_ + + LONDON + GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, LIMITED + BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL + + 1898 + + Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. + At the Ballantyne Press + + + + +[Illustration: The mysterious interview in Hyde Park] + + +CONTENTS + + +PROLOGUE--1599-- + +DR. LAMB + + +BOOK THE FIRST--EBBA-- + +I. THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD + +II. THE DOG-FANCIER + +III. THE HAND AND THE CLOAK + +IV. THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER + +V. THE MEETING NEAR THE STATUE + +VI. THE CHARLES THE SECOND SPANIEL + +VII. THE HAND AGAIN! + +VIII. THE BARBER OF LONDON + +IX. THE MOON IN THE FIRST QUARTER + +X. THE STATUE AT CHARING CROSS + +XI. PREPARATIONS + +XII. THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY + + +INTERMEAN--1800-- + +I. THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN + +II. THE COMPACT + +III. IRRESOLUTION + +IV. EDITH TALBOT + +V. THE SEVENTH NIGHT + + +BOOK THE SECOND--CYPRIAN ROUGEMONT-- + +I. THE CELL + +II. THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS + +III. GERARD PASTON + +IV. THE PIT + +V. NEW PERPLEXITIES + +VI. DR. LAMB AGAIN + + +THE OLD LONDON MERCHANT + + +A NIGHT'S ADVENTURE IN ROME-- + +I. SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE + +II. THE MARCHESA + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +THE MYSTERIOUS INTERVIEW IN HYDE PARK + +THE ELIXIR OF LONG LIFE + +THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD + +THE DOG-FANCIER + +THE HAND AND THE CLOAK + +THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER + +THE BARBER OF LONDON + +SEIZURE OF EBBA + +THE ANTIQUARIES + +THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY + +THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN + +THE COMPACT + +THE SIGNIFICANT WHISPER + +THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS + +ROUGEMONT'S DEVICE TO PERPLEX AURIOL + + + + +PROLOGUE + +1599 + +_DR. LAMB_ + + +The Sixteenth Century drew to a close. It was the last day of the last +year, and two hours only were wanting to the birth of another year and +of another century. + +The night was solemn and beautiful. Myriads of stars paved the deep +vault of heaven; the crescent moon hung like a silver lamp in the midst +of them; a stream of rosy and quivering light, issuing from the north, +traversed the sky, like the tail of some stupendous comet; while from +its point of effluence broke forth, ever and anon, coruscations +rivalling in splendour and variety of hue the most brilliant discharge +of fireworks. + +A sharp frost prevailed; but the atmosphere was clear and dry, and +neither wind nor snow aggravated the wholesome rigour of the season. The +water lay in thick congealed masses around the conduits and wells, and +the buckets were frozen on their stands. The thoroughfares were sheeted +with ice, and dangerous to horsemen and vehicles; but the footways were +firm and pleasant to the tread. + +Here and there, a fire was lighted in the streets, round which ragged +urchins and mendicants were collected, roasting fragments of meat stuck +upon iron prongs, or quaffing deep draughts of metheglin and ale out of +leathern cups. Crowds were collected in the open places, watching the +wonders in the heavens, and drawing auguries from them, chiefly +sinister, for most of the beholders thought the signs portended the +speedy death of the queen, and the advent of a new monarch from the +north--a safe and easy interpretation, considering the advanced age and +declining health of the illustrious Elizabeth, together with the known +appointment of her successor, James of Scotland. + +Notwithstanding the early habits of the times, few persons had retired +to rest, an universal wish prevailing among the citizens to see the new +year in, and welcome the century accompanying it. Lights glimmered in +most windows, revealing the holly-sprigs and laurel-leaves stuck thickly +in their diamond panes; while, whenever a door was opened, a ruddy gleam +burst across the street, and a glance inside the dwelling showed its +inmates either gathered round the glowing hearth, occupied in mirthful +sports--fox-i'-th'-hole, blind-man's buff, or shoe-the-mare--or seated +at the ample board groaning with Christmas cheer. + +Music and singing were heard at every corner, and bands of comely +damsels, escorted by their sweethearts, went from house to house, +bearing huge brown bowls dressed with ribands and rosemary, and filled +with a drink called "lamb's-wool," composed of sturdy ale, sweetened +with sugar, spiced with nutmeg, and having toasts and burnt crabs +floating within it--a draught from which seldom brought its pretty +bearers less than a groat, and occasionally a more valuable coin. + +Such was the vigil of the year sixteen hundred. + +On this night, and at the tenth hour, a man of striking and venerable +appearance was seen to emerge upon a small wooden balcony, projecting +from a bay-window near the top of a picturesque structure situated at +the southern extremity of London Bridge. + +The old man's beard and hair were as white as snow--the former +descending almost to his girdle; so were the thick, overhanging brows +that shaded his still piercing eyes. His forehead was high, bald, and +ploughed by innumerable wrinkles. His countenance, despite its +death-like paleness, had a noble and majestic cast; and his figure, +though worn to the bone by a life of the severest study, and bent by the +weight of years, must have been once lofty and commanding. His dress +consisted of a doublet and hose of sad-coloured cloth, over which he +wore a loose gown of black silk. His head was covered by a square black +cap, from beneath which his silver locks strayed over his shoulders. + +Known by the name of Doctor Lamb, and addicted to alchemical and +philosophical pursuits, this venerable personage was esteemed by the +vulgar as little better than a wizard. Strange tales were reported and +believed of him. Amongst others, it was said that he possessed a +familiar, because he chanced to employ a deformed, crack-brained dwarf, +who assisted him in his operations, and whom he appropriately enough +denominated Flapdragon. + +Doctor Lamb's gaze was fixed intently upon the heavens, and he seamed +to be noting the position of the moon with reference to some particular +star. + +After remaining in this posture for a few minutes, he was about to +retire, when a loud crash arrested him, and he turned to see whence it +proceeded. + +Immediately before him stood the Southwark Gateway--a square stone +building, with a round, embattled turret at each corner, and a flat +leaden roof, planted with a forest of poles, fifteen or sixteen feet +high, garnished with human heads. To his surprise, the doctor perceived +that two of these poles had just been overthrown by a tall man, who was +in the act of stripping them of their grisly burdens. + +Having accomplished his object, the mysterious plunderer thrust his +spoil into a leathern bag with which he was provided, tied its mouth, +and was about to take his departure by means of a rope-ladder attached +to the battlements, when his retreat was suddenly cut off by the +gatekeeper, armed with a halberd, and bearing a lantern, who issued from +a door opening upon the leads. + +The baffled marauder looked round, and remarking the open window at +which Doctor Lamb was stationed, hurled the sack and its contents +through it. He then tried to gain the ladder, but was intercepted by the +gatekeeper, who dealt him a severe blow on the head with his halberd. +The plunderer uttered a loud cry, and attempted to draw his sword; but +before he could do so, he received a thrust in the side from his +opponent. He then fell, and the gatekeeper would have repeated the blow, +if the doctor had not called to him to desist. + +"Do not kill him, good Baldred," he cried. "The attempt may not be so +criminal as it appears. Doubtless, the mutilated remains which the poor +wretch has attempted to carry off are those of his kindred, and horror +at their exposure must have led him to commit the offence." + +"It may be, doctor," replied Baldred; "and if so I shall be sorry I have +hurt him. But I am responsible for the safe custody of these traitorous +relics, and it is as much as my own head is worth to permit their +removal." + +"I know it," replied Doctor Lamb; "and you are fully justified in what +you have done. It may throw some light upon the matter, to know whose +miserable remains have been disturbed." + +"They were the heads of two rank papists," replied Baldred, "who were +decapitated on Tower Hill, on Saint Nicholas's Day, three weeks ago, for +conspiring against the queen." + +"But their names?" demanded the doctor. "How were they called?" + +"They were father and son," replied Baldred--"Sir Simon Darcy and Master +Reginald Darcy. Perchance they were known to your worship?" + +"Too well--too well!" replied Doctor Lamb, in a voice of emotion that +startled his hearer. "They were near kinsmen of mine own. What is he +like who has made this strange attempt?" + +"Of a verity, a fair youth," replied Baldred, holding down the lantern. +"Heaven grant I have not wounded him to the death! No, his heart still +beats. Ha! here are his tablets," he added, taking a small book from +his doublet; "these may give the information you seek. You were right +in your conjecture, doctor. The name herein inscribed is the same as +that borne by the others--Auriol Darcy." + +"I see it all," cried Lamb. "It was a pious and praiseworthy deed. Bring +the unfortunate youth to my dwelling, Baldred, and you shall be well +rewarded. Use despatch, I pray you." + +As the gatekeeper essayed to comply, the wounded man groaned deeply, as +if in great pain. + +"Fling me the weapon with which you smote him," cried Doctor Lamb, in +accents of commiseration, "and I will anoint it with the powder of +sympathy. His anguish will be speedily abated." + +"I know your worship can accomplish wonders," cried Baldred, throwing +the halberd into the balcony. "I will do my part as gently as I can." + +And as the alchemist took up the weapon, and disappeared through the +window, the gatekeeper lifted the wounded man by the shoulders, and +conveyed him down a narrow, winding staircase to a lower chamber. Though +he proceeded carefully, the sufferer was put to excruciating pain; and +when Baldred placed him on a wooden bench, and held a lamp towards him, +he perceived that his features were darkened and distorted. + +"I fear it's all over with him," murmured the gatekeeper; "I shall have +a dead body to take to Doctor Lamb. It would be a charity to knock him +on the head, rather than let him suffer thus. The doctor passes for a +cunning man, but if he can cure this poor youth without seeing him, by +the help of his sympathetic ointment, I shall begin to believe, what +some folks avouch, that he has relations with the devil." + +While Baldred was ruminating in this manner, a sudden and extraordinary +change took place in the sufferer. As if by magic, the contraction of +the muscles subsided; the features assumed a wholesome hue, and the +respiration was no longer laborious. Baldred stared as if a miracle had +been wrought. + +Now that the countenance of the youth had regained its original +expression, the gatekeeper could not help being struck by its extreme +beauty. The face was a perfect oval, with regular and delicate features. +A short silken moustache covered the upper lip, which was short and +proud, and a pointed beard terminated the chin. The hair was black, +glossy, and cut short, so as to disclose a highly intellectual expanse +of brow. + +The youth's figure was slight, but admirably proportioned. His attire +consisted of a black satin doublet, slashed with white, hose of black +silk, and a short velvet mantle. His eyes were still closed, and it was +difficult to say what effect they might give to the face when they +lighted it up; but notwithstanding its beauty, it was impossible not to +admit that a strange, sinister, and almost demoniacal expression +pervaded the countenance. + +All at once, and with as much suddenness as his cure had been effected, +the young man started, uttering a piercing cry, and placed his hand to +his side. + +"Caitiff!" he cried, fixing his blazing eyes on the gatekeeper, "why do +you torture me thus? Finish me at once--Oh!" + +And overcome by anguish, he sank back again. + +"I have not touched you, sir," replied Baldred. "I brought you here to +succour you. You will be easier anon. Doctor Lamb must have wiped the +halberd," he added to himself. + +Another sudden change. The pain fled from the sufferer's countenance, +and he became easy as before. + +"What have you done to me?" he asked, with a look of gratitude; "the +torture of my wound has suddenly ceased, and I feel as if a balm had +been dropped into it. Let me remain in this state if you have any +pity--or despatch me, for my late agony was almost insupportable." + +"You are cared for by one who has greater skill than any chirurgeon in +London," replied Baldred. "If I can manage to transport you to his +lodgings, he will speedily heal your wounds." + +"Do not delay, then," replied Auriol faintly; "for though I am free from +pain, I feel that my life is ebbing fast away." + +"Press this handkerchief to your side, and lean on me," said Baldred. +"Doctor Lamb's dwelling is but a step from the gateway--in fact, the +first house on the bridge. By the way, the doctor declares he is your +kinsman." + +"It is the first I ever heard of him," replied Auriol faintly; "but take +me to him quickly, or it will be too late." + +In another moment they were at the doctor's door. Baldred tapped against +it, and the summons was instantly answered by a diminutive personage, +clad in a jerkin of coarse grey serge, and having a leathern apron tied +round his waist. This was Flapdragon. + +Blear-eyed, smoke-begrimed, lantern-jawed, the poor dwarf seemed as if +his whole life had been spent over the furnace. And so, in fact, it had +been. He had become little better than a pair of human bellows. In his +hand he held the halberd with which Auriol had been wounded. + +"So you have been playing the leech, Flapdragon, eh?" cried Baldred. + +"Ay, marry have I," replied the dwarf, with a wild grin, and displaying +a wolfish set of teeth. "My master ordered me to smear the halberd with +the sympathetic ointment. I obeyed him: rubbed the steel point, first on +one side, then on the other; next wiped it; and then smeared it again." + +"Whereby you put the patient to exquisite pain," replied Baldred; "but +help me to transport him to the laboratory." + +"I know not if the doctor will care to be disturbed," said Flapdragon. +"He is busily engaged on a grand operation." + +"I will take the risk on myself," said Baldred. "The youth will die if +he remains here. See, he has fainted already!" + +Thus urged, the dwarf laid down the halberd, and between the two, Auriol +was speedily conveyed up a wide oaken staircase to the laboratory. +Doctor Lamb was plying the bellows at the furnace, on which a large +alembic was placed, and he was so engrossed by his task that he scarcely +noticed the entrance of the others. + +"Place the youth on the ground, and rear his head against the chair," he +cried, hastily, to the dwarf. "Bathe his brows with the decoction in +that crucible. I will attend to him anon. Come to me on the morrow, +Baldred, and I will repay thee for thy trouble. I am busy now." + +"These relics, doctor," cried the gatekeeper, glancing at the bag, which +was lying on the ground, and from which a bald head protruded--"I ought +to take them back with me." + +"Heed them not--they will be safe in my keeping," cried Doctor Lamb +impatiently; "to-morrow--to-morrow." + +Casting a furtive glance round the laboratory, and shrugging his +shoulders, Baldred departed; and Flapdragon having bathed the sufferer's +temples with the decoction, in obedience to his master's injunctions, +turned to inquire what he should do next. + +"Begone!" cried the doctor, so fiercely that the dwarf darted out of the +room, clapping the door after him. + +Doctor Lamb then applied himself to his task with renewed ardour, and in +a few seconds became wholly insensible of the presence of a stranger. + +Revived by the stimulant, Auriol presently opened his eyes, and gazing +round the room, thought he must be dreaming, so strange and fantastical +did all appear. The floor was covered with the implements used by the +adept--bolt-heads, crucibles, cucurbites, and retorts, scattered about +without any attempt at arrangement. In one corner was a large +terrestrial sphere: near it was an astrolabe, and near that a +heap of disused glass vessels. On the other side lay a black, +mysterious-looking book, fastened with brazen clasps. Around it were a +ram's horn, a pair of forceps, a roll of parchment, a pestle and mortar, +and a large plate of copper, graven with the mysterious symbols of the +Isaical table. Near this was the leathern bag containing the two +decapitated heads, one of which had burst forth. On a table at the +farther end of the room, stood a large open volume, with parchment +leaves, covered with cabalistical characters, referring to the names of +spirits. Near it were two parchment scrolls, written in letters, +respectively denominated by the Chaldaic sages, "the Malachim," and "the +Passing of the River." One of these scrolls was kept in its place by a +skull. An ancient and grotesque-looking brass lamp, with two +snake-headed burners, lighted the room. From the ceiling depended a huge +scaly sea-monster, with outspread fins, open jaws garnished with +tremendous teeth, and great goggling eyes. Near it hung a celestial +sphere. The chimney-piece, which was curiously carved, and projected far +into the room, was laden with various implements of hermetic science. +Above it were hung dried bats and flitter-mice, interspersed with the +skulls of birds and apes. Attached to the chimney-piece was a horary, +sculptured in stone, near which hung a large starfish. The fireplace was +occupied by the furnace, on which, as has been stated, was placed an +alembic, communicating by means of a long serpentine pipe with a +receiver. Within the room were two skeletons, one of which, placed +behind a curtain in the deep embrasure of the window, where its polished +bones glistened in the white moonlight, had a horrible effect. The +other enjoyed more comfortable quarters near the chimney, its fleshless +feet dangling down in the smoke arising from the furnace. + +Doctor Lamb, meanwhile, steadily pursued his task, though he ever and +anon paused, to fling certain roots and drugs upon the charcoal. As he +did this, various-coloured flames broke forth--now blue, now green, now +blood-red. + +Tinged by these fires, the different objects in the chamber seemed to +take other forms, and to become instinct with animation. The +gourd-shaped cucurbites were transformed into great bloated toads +bursting with venom; the long-necked bolt-heads became monstrous +serpents; the worm-like pipes turned into adders; the alembics looked +like plumed helmets; the characters on the Isaical table, and those on +the parchments, seemed traced in fire, and to be ever changing; the +sea-monster bellowed and roared, and, flapping his fins, tried to burst +from his hook; the skeletons wagged their jaws, and raised their +fleshless fingers in mockery, while blue lights burnt in their eyeless +sockets; the bellows became a prodigious bat fanning the fire with its +wings; and the old alchemist assumed the appearance of the archfiend +presiding over a witches' sabbath. + +Auriol's brain reeled, and he pressed his hand to his eyes, to exclude +these phantasms from his sight. But even thus they pursued him; and he +imagined he could hear the infernal riot going on around him. + +Suddenly, he was roused by a loud joyful cry, and, uncovering his eyes, +he beheld Doctor Lamb pouring the contents of the matrass--a bright, +transparent liquid--into a small phial. Having carefully secured the +bottle with a glass stopper, the old man held it towards the light, and +gazed at it with rapture. + +"At length," he exclaimed aloud--"at length, the great work is achieved. +With the birth of the century now expiring I first saw light, and the +draught I hold in my hand shall enable me to see the opening of +centuries and centuries to come. Composed of the lunar stones, the solar +stones, and the mercurial stones--prepared according to the instructions +of the Rabbi Ben Lucca--namely, by the separation of the pure from the +impure, the volatilisation of the fixed, and the fixing of the +volatile--this elixir shall renew my youth, like that of the eagle, and +give me length of days greater than any patriarch ever enjoyed." + +While thus speaking, he held up the sparkling liquid, and gazed at it +like a Persian worshipping the sun. + +"To live for ever!" he cried, after a pause--"to escape the jaws of +death just when they are opening to devour me!--to be free from all +accidents!--'tis a glorious thought! Ha! I bethink me, the rabbi said +there was _one_ peril against which the elixir could not guard me--_one_ +vulnerable point, by which, like the heel of Achilles, death might reach +me! What is it!--where can it lie?" + +And he relapsed into deep thought. + +"This uncertainty will poison all my happiness," he continued; "I shall +live in constant dread, as of an invisible enemy. But no matter! +Perpetual life!--perpetual youth!--what more need be desired?" + +"What more, indeed!" cried Auriol. + +"Ha!" exclaimed the doctor, suddenly recollecting the wounded man, and +concealing the phial beneath his gown. + +"Your caution is vain, doctor," said Auriol. "I have heard what you have +uttered. You fancy you have discovered the _elixir vitae_." + +"Fancy I have discovered it!" cried Doctor Lamb. "The matter is past all +doubt. I am the possessor of the wondrous secret, which the greatest +philosophers of all ages have sought to discover--the miraculous +preservative of the body against decay." + +"The man who brought me hither told me you were my kinsman," said +Auriol. "Is it so?" + +"It is," replied the doctor, "and you shall now learn the connection +that subsists between us. Look at that ghastly relic," he added, +pointing to the head protruding from the bag: "that was once my son +Simon. His son's head is within the sack--your father's head--so that +four generations are brought together." + +"Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed the young man, raising himself on his +elbow. "You, then, are my great-grandsire. My father supposed you had +died in his infancy. An old tale runs in the family that you were +charged with sorcery, and fled to avoid the stake." + +"It is true that I fled, and took the name I bear at present," replied +the old man, "but I need scarcely say that the charge brought against me +was false. I have devoted myself to abstrusest science, have held +commune with the stars, and have wrested the most hidden secrets from +Nature--but that is all. Two crimes alone have stained my soul; but +both, I trust, have been expiated by repentance." + +"Were they deeds of blood?" asked Auriol. + +"One was so," replied Darcy, with a shudder. "It was a cowardly and +treacherous deed, aggravated by the basest ingratitude. Listen, and you +shall hear how it chanced. A Roman rabbi, named Ben Lucca, skilled in +hermetic science, came to this city. His fame reached me, and I sought +him out, offering myself as his disciple. For months, I remained with +him in his laboratory--working at the furnace, and poring over mystic +lore. One night he showed me that volume, and, pointing to a page within +it, said: 'Those characters contain the secret of confecting the elixir +of life. I will now explain them to you, and afterwards we will proceed +to the operation.' With this, he unfolded the mystery; but he bade me +observe, that the menstruum was defective on one point. Wherefore, he +said, 'there will still be peril from some hidden cause.' Oh, with what +greediness I drank in his words! How I gazed at the mystic characters, +as he explained their import! What visions floated before me of +perpetual youth and enjoyment. At that moment a demon whispered in my +ear, 'This secret must be thine own. No one else must possess it.'" + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, starting. + +"The evil thought was no sooner conceived than acted upon," pursued +Darcy. "Instantly drawing my poniard, I plunged it to the rabbi's heart. +But mark what followed. His blood fell upon the book, and obliterated +the characters; nor could I by any effort of memory recall the +composition of the elixir." + +"When did you regain the secret?" asked Auriol curiously. + +"To-night," replied Darcy--"within this hour. For nigh fifty years after +that fatal night I have been making fruitless experiments. A film of +blood has obscured my mental sight. I have proceeded by calcitration, +solution, putrefaction--have produced the oils which will fix crude +mercury, and convert all bodies into sol and luna; but I have ever +failed in fermenting the stone into the true elixir. To-night, it came +into my head to wash the blood-stained page containing the secret with a +subtle liquid. I did so; and doubting the efficacy of the experiment, +left it to work, while I went forth to breathe the air at my window. My +eyes were cast upwards, and I was struck with the malignant aspect of my +star. How to reconcile this with the good fortune which has just +befallen me, I know not--but so it was. At this juncture, your rash but +pious attempt occurred. Having discovered our relationship, and enjoined +the gatekeeper to bring you hither, I returned to my old laboratory. On +glancing towards the mystic volume, what was my surprise to see the page +free from blood!" + +Auriol uttered a slight exclamation, and gazed at the book with +superstitious awe. + +"The sight was so surprising that I dropped the sack I had brought with +me," pursued Darcy. "Fearful of again losing the secret, I nerved myself +to the task, and placing fuel on the fire, dismissed my attendant with +brief injunctions relative to you. I then set to work. How I have +succeeded, you perceive. I hold in my hand the treasure I have so long +sought--so eagerly coveted. The whole world's wealth should not purchase +it from me." + +Auriol gazed earnestly at his aged relative, but he said nothing. + +"In a few moments I shall be as full of vigour and activity as +yourself," continued Darcy. "We shall be no longer the great-grandsire +and his descendant, but friends--companions--equals,--equals in age, +strength, activity, beauty, fortune--for youth _is_ fortune--ha! ha! +Methinks I am already young again!" + +"You spoke of two crimes with which your conscience was burdened," +remarked Auriol. "You have mentioned but one." + +"The other was not so foul as that I have described," replied Darcy, in +an altered tone, "inasmuch as it was unintentional, and occasioned by no +base motive. My wife, your ancestress, was a most lovely woman, and so +passionately was I enamoured of her, that I tried by every art to +heighten and preserve her beauty. I fed her upon the flesh of capons, +nourished with vipers; caused her to steep her lovely limbs in baths +distilled from roses and violets; and had recourse to the most potent +cosmetics. At last I prepared a draught from poisons--yes, +_poisons_--the effect of which, I imagined, would be wondrous. She drank +it, and expired horribly disfigured. Conceive my despair at beholding +the fair image of my idolatry destroyed--defaced by my hand. In my +frenzy I should have laid violent hands upon myself, if I had not been +restrained. Love may again rule my heart--beauty may again dazzle my +eyes, but I shall never more feel the passion I entertained for my lost +Amice--never more behold charms equal to hers." + +And he pressed his hand to his face. + +"The mistake you then committed should serve as a warning," said Auriol. +"What if it be poison you have now confected? Try a few drops of it on +some animal." + +"No--no; it is the true elixir," replied Darcy. "Not a drop must be +wasted. You will witness its effect anon. Like the snake, I shall cast +my slough, and come forth younger than I was at twenty." + +"Meantime, I beseech you to render me some assistance," groaned Auriol, +"or, while you are preparing for immortality, I shall expire before your +eyes." + +"Be not afraid," replied Darcy; "you shall take no harm. I will care for +you presently; and I understand leechcraft so well, that I will answer +for your speedy and perfect recovery." + +"Drink, then, to it!" cried Auriol. + +"I know not what stays my hand," said the old man, raising the phial; +"but now that immortality is in my reach, I dare not grasp it." + +"Give me the potion, then," cried Auriol. + +"Not for worlds," rejoined Darcy, hugging the phial to his breast. "No; +I will be young again--rich--happy. I will go forth into the world--I +will bask in the smiles of beauty--I will feast, revel, sing--life shall +be one perpetual round of enjoyment. Now for the trial--ha!" and, as he +raised the potion towards his lips, a sudden pang shot across his heart. +"What is this?" he cried, staggering. "Can death assail me when I am +just about to enter upon perpetual life? Help me, good grandson! Place +the phial to my lips. Pour its contents down my throat--quick! quick!" + +[Illustration: The Elixir of Long Life.] + +"I am too weak to stir," groaned Auriol. "You have delayed it too long." + +"Oh, heavens! we shall both perish," shrieked Darcy, vainly endeavouring +to raise his palsied arm,--"perish with the blissful shore in view." + +And he sank backwards, and would have fallen to the ground if he had not +caught at the terrestrial sphere for support. + +"Help me--help me!" he screamed, fixing a glance of unutterable anguish +on his relative. + +"It is worth the struggle," cried Auriol. And, by a great effort, he +raised himself, and staggered towards the old man. + +"Saved--saved!" shrieked Darcy. "Pour it down my throat. An instant, and +all will be well." + +"Think you I have done this for you?" cried Auriol, snatching the +potion; "no--no." + +And, supporting himself against the furnace, he placed the phial to his +lips, and eagerly drained its contents. + +The old man seemed paralysed by the action, but kept his eye fixed upon +the youth till he had drained the elixir to the last drop. He then +uttered a piercing cry, threw up his arms, and fell heavily backwards. + +Dead--dead! + +Flashes of light passed before Auriol's eyes, and strange noises smote +his ears. For a moment he was bewildered as with wine, and laughed and +sang discordantly like a madman. Every object reeled and danced around +him. The glass vessels and jars clashed their brittle sides together, +yet remained uninjured; the furnace breathed forth flames and mephitic +vapours; the spiral worm of the alembic became red hot, and seemed +filled with molten lead; the pipe of the bolt-head ran blood; the sphere +of the earth rolled along the floor, and rebounded from the wall as if +impelled by a giant hand; the skeletons grinned and gibbered; so did the +death's-head on the table; so did the skulls against the chimney; the +monstrous sea-fish belched forth fire and smoke; the bald, decapitated +head opened its eyes, and fixed them, with a stony glare, on the young +man; while the dead alchemist shook his hand menacingly at him. + +Unable to bear these accumulated horrors, Auriol became, for a short +space, insensible. On recovering, all was still. The lights within the +lamp had expired; but the bright moonlight, streaming through the +window, fell upon the rigid features of the unfortunate alchemist, and +on the cabalistic characters of the open volume beside him. + +Eager to test the effect of the elixir, Auriol put his hand to his side. +All traces of the wound were gone; nor did he experience the slightest +pain in any other part of his body. On the contrary, he seemed endowed +with preternatural strength. His breast dilated with rapture, and he +longed to expand his joy in active motion. + +Striding over the body of his aged relative, he threw open the window. +As he did so, joyous peals burst from surrounding churches, announcing +the arrival of the new year. + +While listening to this clamour, Auriol gazed at the populous and +picturesque city stretched out before him, and bathed in the moonlight. + +"A hundred years hence," he thought, "and scarcely one soul of the +thousands within those houses will be living, save myself. A hundred +years after that, and their children's children will be gone to the +grave. But I shall live on--shall live through all changes--all +customs--all time. What revelations I shall then have to make, if I +should dare to disclose them!" + +As he ruminated thus, the skeleton hanging near him was swayed by the +wind, and its bony fingers came in contact with his cheek. A dread idea +was suggested by the occurrence. + +"There is one peril to be avoided," he thought; "ONE PERIL!--what is it? +Pshaw! I will think no more of it. It may never arise. I will be gone. +This place fevers me." + +With this, he left the laboratory, and hastily descending the stairs, at +the foot of which he found Flapdragon, passed out of the house. + + + + +BOOK THE FIRST + +_EBBA_ + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE RUINED HOUSE IN THE VAUXHALL ROAD + + +Late one night, in the spring of 1830, two men issued from a low, +obscurely situated public-house, near Millbank, and shaped their course +apparently in the direction of Vauxhall Bridge. Avoiding the footpath +near the river, they moved stealthily along the farther side of the +road, where the open ground offered them an easy means of flight, in +case such a course should be found expedient. So far as it could be +discerned by the glimpses of the moon, which occasionally shone forth +from a rack of heavy clouds, the appearance of these personages was not +much in their favour. Haggard features, stamped deeply with the +characters of crime and debauchery; fierce, restless eyes; beards of +several days' growth; wild, unkempt heads of hair, formed their chief +personal characteristics; while sordid and ragged clothes, shoes without +soles, and old hats without crowns, constituted the sum of their +apparel. + +One of them was tall and gaunt, with large hands and feet; but despite +his meagreness, he evidently possessed great strength: the other was +considerably shorter, but broad-shouldered, bow-legged, long-armed, and +altogether a most formidable ruffian. This fellow had high cheek-bones, +a long aquiline nose, and a coarse mouth and chin, in which the animal +greatly predominated. He had a stubby red beard, with sandy hair, white +brows and eyelashes. The countenance of the other was dark and +repulsive, and covered with blotches, the result of habitual +intemperance. His eyes had a leering and malignant look. A handkerchief +spotted with blood, and tied across his brow, contrasted strongly with +his matted black hair, and increased his natural appearance of ferocity. +The shorter ruffian carried a mallet upon his shoulder, and his +companion concealed something beneath the breast of his coat, which +afterwards proved to be a dark lantern. + +Not a word passed between them; but keeping a vigilant look-out, they +trudged on with quick, shambling steps. A few sounds arose from the +banks of the river, and there was now and then a plash in the water, or +a distant cry, betokening some passing craft; but generally all was +profoundly still. The quaint, Dutch-looking structures on the opposite +bank, the line of coal-barges and lighters moored to the strand, the +great timber-yards and coal-yards, the brewhouses, gasworks, and +waterworks, could only be imperfectly discerned; but the moonlight fell +clear upon the ancient towers of Lambeth Palace, and on the neighbouring +church. The same glimmer also ran like a silver belt across the stream, +and revealed the great, stern, fortress-like pile of the +Penitentiary--perhaps the most dismal-looking structure in the whole +metropolis. The world of habitations beyond this melancholy prison was +buried in darkness. The two men, however, thought nothing of these +things, and saw nothing of them; but, on arriving within a couple of +hundred yards of the bridge, suddenly, as if by previous concert, +quitted the road, and, leaping a rail, ran across a field, and plunged +into a hollow formed by a dried pit, where they came to a momentary +halt. + +"You ain't a-been a-gammonin' me in this matter, Tinker?" observed the +shorter individual. "The cove's sure to come?" + +"Why, you can't expect me to answer for another as I can for myself, +Sandman," replied the other; "but if his own word's to be taken for it, +he's sartin to be there. I heerd him say, as plainly as I'm a speakin' +to you--'I'll be here to-morrow night--at the same hour----'" + +"And that wos one o'clock?" said the Sandman. + +"Thereabouts," replied the other. + +"And who did he say that to?" demanded the Sandman. + +"To hisself, I s'pose," answered the Tinker; "for, as I told you afore, +I could see no one vith him." + +"Do you think he's one of our perfession?" inquired the Sandman. + +"Bless you! no--that he ain't," returned the Tinker. "He's a reg'lar +slap-up svell." + +"That's no reason at all," said the Sandman. "Many a first-rate svell +practises in our line. But he can't be in his right mind to come to such +a ken as that, and go on as you mentions." + +"As to that I can't say," replied the Tinker; "and it don't much matter, +as far as ve're consarned." + +"Devil a bit," rejoined the Sandman, "except--you're sure it worn't a +sperrit, Tinker. I've heerd say that this crib is haanted, and though I +don't fear no livin' man, a ghost's a different sort of customer." + +"Vell, you'll find our svell raal flesh and blood, you may depend upon +it," replied the Tinker. "So come along, and don't let's be frightenin' +ourselves vith ould vimen's tales." + +With this they emerged from the pit, crossed the lower part of the +field, and entered a narrow thoroughfare, skirted by a few detached +houses, which brought them into the Vauxhall Bridge Road. + +Here they kept on the side of the street most in shadow, and crossed +over whenever they came to a lamp. By-and-by, two watchmen were seen +advancing from Belvoir Terrace, and, as the guardians of the night drew +near, the ruffians crept into an alley to let them pass. As soon as the +coast was clear, they ventured forth, and quickening their pace, came to +a row of deserted and dilapidated houses. This was their destination. + +The range of habitations in question, more than a dozen in number, were, +in all probability, what is vulgarly called "in Chancery," and shared +the fate of most property similarly circumstanced. They were in a sad +ruinous state--unroofed, without windows and floors. The bare walls were +alone left standing, and these were in a very tumble-down condition. +These neglected dwellings served as receptacles for old iron, blocks of +stone and wood, and other ponderous matters. The aspect of the whole +place was so dismal and suspicious, that it was generally avoided by +passengers after nightfall. + +Skulking along the blank and dreary walls, the Tinker, who was now a +little in advance, stopped before a door, and pushing it open, entered +the dwelling. His companion followed him. + +The extraordinary and incongruous assemblage of objects which met the +gaze of the Sandman, coupled with the deserted appearance of the place, +produced an effect upon his hardy but superstitious nature. + +Looking round, he beheld huge mill-stones, enormous water-wheels, +boilers of steam-engines, iron vats, cylinders, cranes, iron pumps of +the strangest fashion, a gigantic pair of wooden scales, old iron safes, +old boilers, old gas-pipes, old water-pipes, cracked old bells, old +bird-cages, old plates of iron, old pulleys, ropes, and rusty chains, +huddled and heaped together in the most fantastic disorder. In the midst +of the chaotic mass frowned the bearded and colossal head of Neptune, +which had once decorated the forepart of a man-of-war. Above it, on a +sort of framework, lay the prostrate statue of a nymph, together with a +bust of Fox, the nose of the latter being partly demolished, and the +eyes knocked in. Above these, three garden divinities laid their heads +amicably together. On the left stood a tall Grecian warrior, minus the +head and right hand. The whole was surmounted by an immense ventilator, +stuck on the end of an iron rod, ascending, like a lightning-conductor, +from the steam-engine pump. + +Seen by the transient light of the moon, the various objects above +enumerated produced a strange effect upon the beholder's imagination. +There was a mixture of the grotesque and terrible about them. Nor was +the building itself devoid of a certain influence upon his mind. The +ragged brickwork, overgrown with weeds, took with him the semblance of a +human face, and seemed to keep a wary eye on what was going forward +below. + +A means of crossing from one side of the building to the other, without +descending into the vault beneath, was afforded by a couple of planks; +though as the wall on the farther side was some feet higher than that +near at hand, and the planks were considerably bent, the passage +appeared hazardous. + +Glancing round for a moment, the Tinker leaped into the cellar, and, +unmasking his lantern, showed a sort of hiding-place, between a bulk of +timber and a boiler, to which he invited his companion. + +The Sandman jumped down. + +"The ale I drank at the 'Two Fighting Cocks' has made me feel drowsy, +Tinker," he remarked, stretching himself on the bulk; "I'll just take a +snooze. Vake me up if I snore--or ven our sperrit appears." + +The Tinker replied in the affirmative; and the other had just become +lost to consciousness, when he received a nudge in the side, and his +companion whispered--"He's here!" + +"Vhere--vhere?" demanded the Sandman, in some trepidation. + +"Look up, and you'll see him," replied the other. + +Slightly altering his position, the Sandman caught sight of a figure +standing upon the planks above them. It was that of a young man. His hat +was off, and his features, exposed to the full radiance of the moon, +looked deathly pale, and though handsome, had a strange sinister +expression. He was tall, slight, and well-proportioned; and the general +cut of his attire, the tightly-buttoned, single-breasted coat, together +with the moustache upon his lip, gave him a military air. + +"He seems a-valkin' in his sleep," muttered the Sandman. "He's +a-speakin' to some von unwisible." + +"Hush--hush!" whispered the other. "Let's hear wot he's a-sayin'." + +"Why have you brought me here?" cried the young man, in a voice so +hollow that it thrilled his auditors. "What is to be done?" + +"It makes my blood run cold to hear him," whispered the Sandman. "Vot +d'ye think he sees?" + +"Why do you not speak to me?" cried the young man--"why do you beckon me +forward? Well, I obey. I will follow you." + +And he moved slowly across the plank. + +"See, he's a-goin' through that door," cried the Tinker. "Let's foller +him." + +"I don't half like it," replied the Sandman, his teeth chattering with +apprehension. "We shall see summat as'll take avay our senses." + +"Tut!" cried the Tinker; "it's only a sleepy-valker. Wot are you afeerd +on?" + +With this he vaulted upon the planks, and peeping cautiously out of the +open door to which they led, saw the object of his scrutiny enter the +adjoining house through a broken window. + +Making a sign to the Sandman, who was close at his heels, the Tinker +crept forward on all fours, and, on reaching the window, raised himself +just sufficiently to command the interior of the dwelling. Unfortunately +for him, the moon was at this moment obscured, and he could distinguish +nothing except the dusky outline of the various objects with which the +place was filled, and which were nearly of the same kind as those of the +neighbouring habitation. He listened intently, but not the slightest +sound reached his ears. + +After some time spent in this way, he began to fear the young man must +have departed, when all at once a piercing scream resounded through the +dwelling. Some heavy matter was dislodged, with a thundering crash, and +footsteps were heard approaching the window. + +Hastily retreating to their former hiding-place, the Tinker and his +companion had scarcely regained it, when the young man again appeared on +the plank. His demeanour had undergone a fearful change. He staggered +rather than walked, and his countenance was even paler than before. +Having crossed the plank, he took his way along the top of the broken +wall towards the door. + +"Now, then, Sandman!" cried the Tinker; "now's your time!" + +The other nodded, and, grasping his mallet with a deadly and determined +purpose, sprang noiselessly upon the wall, and overtook his intended +victim just before he gained the door. + +Hearing a sound behind him, the young man turned, and only just became +conscious of the presence of the Sandman, when the mallet descended upon +his head, and he fell crushed and senseless to the ground. + +[Illustration: The Ruined house in the Vauxhall Road] + +"The vork's done!" cried the Sandman to his companion, who instantly +came up with the dark lantern; "let's take him below, and strip him." + +"Agreed," replied the Tinker; "but first let's see wot he has got in his +pockets." + +"Vith all my 'art," replied the Sandman, searching the clothes of the +victim. "A reader!--I hope it's well lined. Ve'll examine it below. The +body 'ud tell awkvard tales if any von should chance to peep in." + +"Shall we strip him here?" said the Tinker. "Now the darkey shines on +'em, you see what famous togs the cull has on." + +"Do you vant to have us scragged, fool?" cried the Sandman, springing +into the vault. "Hoist him down here." + +With this, he placed the wounded man's legs over his own shoulders, and, +aided by his comrade, was in the act of heaving down the body, when the +street-door suddenly flew open, and a stout individual, attended by a +couple of watchmen, appeared at it. + +"There the villains are!" shouted the new-comer. "They have been +murderin' a gentleman. Seize 'em--seize 'em!" + +And, as he spoke, he discharged a pistol, the ball from which whistled +past the ears of the Tinker. + +Without waiting for another salute of the same kind, which might +possibly be nearer its mark, the ruffian kicked the lantern into the +vault, and sprang after the Sandman, who had already disappeared. + +Acquainted with the intricacies of the place, the Tinker guided his +companion through a hole into an adjoining vault, whence they scaled a +wall, got into the next house, and passing through an open window, made +good their retreat, while the watchmen were vainly searching for them +under every bulk and piece of iron. + +"Here, watchmen!" cried the stout individual, who had acted as leader; +"never mind the villains just now, but help me to convey this poor young +gentleman to my house, where proper assistance can be rendered him. He +still breathes; but he has received a terrible blow on the head. I hope +his skull ain't broken." + +"It is to be hoped it ain't, Mr. Thorneycroft," replied the foremost +watchman; "but them was two desperate characters as ever I see, and +capable of any hatterosity." + +"What a frightful scream I heard to be sure!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "I +was certain somethin' dreadful was goin' on. It was fortunate I wasn't +gone to bed; and still more fortunate you happened to be comin' up at +the time. But we mustn't stand chatterin' here. Bring the poor young +gentleman along." + +Preceded by Mr. Thorneycroft, the watchmen carried the wounded man +across the road towards a small house, the door of which was held open +by a female servant, with a candle in her hand. The poor woman uttered a +cry of horror as the body was brought in. + +"Don't be cryin' out in that way, Peggy," cried Mr. Thorneycroft, "but +go and get me some brandy. Here, watchmen, lay the poor young gentleman +down on the sofa--there, gently, gently. And now, one of you run to +Wheeler Street, and fetch Mr. Howell, the surgeon. Less noise, +Peggy--less noise, or you'll waken Miss Ebba, and I wouldn't have her +disturbed for the world." + +With this, he snatched the bottle of brandy from the maid, filled a +wine-glass with the spirit, and poured it down the throat of the wounded +man. A stifling sound followed, and after struggling violently for +respiration for a few seconds, the patient opened his eyes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE DOG-FANCIER + + +The Rookery! Who that has passed Saint Giles's, on the way to the city, +or coming from it, but has caught a glimpse, through some narrow +opening, of its squalid habitations, and wretched and ruffianly +occupants! Who but must have been struck with amazement, that such a +huge receptacle of vice and crime should be allowed to exist in the very +heart of the metropolis, like an ulcerated spot, capable of tainting the +whole system! Of late, the progress of improvement has caused its +removal; but whether any less cogent motive would have abated the +nuisance may be questioned. For years the evil was felt and complained +of, but no effort was made to remedy it, or to cleanse these worse than +Augean stables. As the place is now partially, if not altogether, swept +away, and a wide and airy street passes through the midst of its foul +recesses, a slight sketch may be given of its former appearance. + +Entering a narrow street, guarded by posts and cross-bars, a few steps +from the crowded thoroughfare brought you into a frightful region, the +refuge, it was easy to perceive, of half the lawless characters +infesting the metropolis. The coarsest ribaldry assailed your ears, and +noisome odours afflicted your sense of smell. As you advanced, picking +your way through kennels flowing with filth, or over putrescent heaps of +rubbish and oyster-shells, all the repulsive and hideous features of the +place were displayed before you. There was something savagely +picturesque in the aspect of the place, but its features were too +loathsome to be regarded with any other feeling than disgust. The houses +looked as sordid, and as thickly crusted with the leprosy of vice, as +their tenants. Horrible habitations they were, in truth. Many of them +were without windows, and where the frames were left, brown paper or tin +supplied the place of glass; some even wanted doors, and no effort was +made to conceal the squalor within. On the contrary, it seemed to be +intruded on observation. Miserable rooms, almost destitute of furniture; +floors and walls caked with dirt, or decked with coarse flaring prints; +shameless and abandoned-looking women; children without shoes and +stockings, and with scarcely a rag to their backs: these were the chief +objects that met the view. Of men, few were visible--the majority being +out on business, it is to be presumed; but where a solitary straggler +was seen, his sinister looks and mean attire were in perfect keeping +with the spot. So thickly inhabited were these wretched dwellings, that +every chamber, from garret to cellar, swarmed with inmates. As to the +cellars, they looked like dismal caverns, which a wild beast would shun. +Clothes-lines were hung from house to house, festooned with every kind +of garment. Out of the main street branched several alleys and passages, +all displaying the same degree of misery, or, if possible, worse, and +teeming with occupants. Personal security, however, forbade any attempt +to track these labyrinths; but imagination, after the specimen afforded, +could easily picture them. It was impossible to move a step without +insult or annoyance. Every human being seemed brutalised and degraded; +and the women appeared utterly lost to decency, and made the street ring +with their cries, their quarrels, and their imprecations. It was a +positive relief to escape from this hotbed of crime to the world +without, and breathe a purer atmosphere. + +Such being the aspect of the Rookery in the daytime, what must it have +been when crowded with its denizens at night! Yet at such an hour it +will now be necessary to enter its penetralia. + +After escaping from the ruined house in the Vauxhall Road, the two +ruffians shaped their course towards Saint Giles's, running the greater +part of the way, and reaching the Broadway just as the church clock +struck two. Darting into a narrow alley, and heedless of any +obstructions they encountered in their path, they entered a somewhat +wider cross-street, which they pursued for a short distance, and then +struck into an entry, at the bottom of which was a swing-door that +admitted them into a small court, where they found a dwarfish person +wrapped in a tattered watchman's greatcoat, seated on a stool with a +horn lantern in his hand and a cutty in his mouth, the glow of which +lighted up his hard, withered features. This was the deputy-porter of +the lodging-house they were about to enter. Addressing him by the name +of Old Parr, the ruffians passed on, and lifting the latch of another +door, entered a sort of kitchen, at the farther end of which blazed a +cheerful fire, with a large copper kettle boiling upon it. On one side +of the room was a deal table, round which several men of sinister aspect +and sordid attire were collected, playing, at cards. A smaller table of +the same material stood near the fire, and opposite it was a staircase +leading to the upper rooms. The place was dingy and dirty in the +extreme, the floors could not have been scoured for years, and the walls +were begrimed with filth. In one corner, with his head resting on a heap +of coals and coke, lay a boy almost as black as a chimney-sweep, fast +asleep. He was the waiter. The principal light was afforded by a candle +stuck against the wall, with a tin reflector behind it. Before the fire, +with his back turned towards it, stood a noticeable individual, clad in +a velveteen jacket with ivory buttons, a striped waistcoat, drab knees, +a faded black silk neckcloth tied in a great bow, and a pair of ancient +Wellingtons ascending half-way up his legs, which looked +disproportionately thin when compared with the upper part of his square, +robustious, and somewhat pursy frame. His face was broad, jolly, and +good-humoured, with a bottle-shaped nose, fleshy lips, and light grey +eyes, glistening with cunning and roguery. His hair, which dangled in +long flakes over his ears and neck, was of a dunnish red, as were also +his whiskers and beard. A superannuated white castor, with a black +hat-band round it, was cocked knowingly on one side of his head, and +gave him a flashy and sporting look. His particular vocation was made +manifest by the number of dogs he had about him. A beautiful +black-and-tan spaniel, of Charles the Second's breed, popped its short +snubby nose and long silken ears out of each coat-pocket. A pug was +thrust into his breast, and he carried an exquisite Blenheim under +either arm. At his feet reposed an Isle of Skye terrier, and a partly +cropped French poodle, of snowy whiteness, with a red worsted riband +round his throat. This person, it need scarcely be said, was a +dog-fancier, or, in other words, a dealer in, and a stealer of, dogs, as +well as a practiser of all the tricks connected with that nefarious +trade. His self-satisfied air made it evident he thought himself a +smart, clever fellow,--and adroit and knavish he was, no doubt,--while +his droll, plausible, and rather winning manners helped him materially +to impose upon his customers. His real name was Taylor, but he was known +among his companions by the appellation of Ginger. On the entrance of +the Sandman and the Tinker, he nodded familiarly to them, and with a sly +look inquired--"Vell, my 'arties--wot luck?" + +"Oh, pretty middlin'," replied the Sandman gruffly. + +And seating himself at the table, near the fire, he kicked up the lad, +who was lying fast asleep on the coals, and bade him fetch a pot of +half-and-half. The Tinker took a place beside him, and they waited in +silence the arrival of the liquor, which, when it came, was disposed of +at a couple of pulls; while Mr. Ginger, seeing they were engaged, +sauntered towards the card-table, attended by his four-footed +companions. + +"And now," said the Sandman, unable to control his curiosity longer, and +taking out his pocket-book, "we'll see what fortun' has given us." + +[Illustration: The Dog-fancier.] + +So saying, he unclasped the pocket-book, while the Tinker bent over +him in eager curiosity. But their search for money was fruitless. Not a +single bank-note was forthcoming. There were several memoranda and slips +of paper, a few cards, and an almanac for the year--that was all. It was +a great disappointment. + +"So we've had all this trouble for nuffin', and nearly got shot into the +bargain," cried the Sandman, slapping down the book on the table with an +oath. "I vish I'd never undertaken the job." + +"Don't let's give it up in sich an 'urry," replied the Tinker; "summat +may be made on it yet. Let's look over them papers." + +"Look 'em over yourself," rejoined the Sandman, pushing the book towards +him. "I've done wi' 'em. Here, lazy-bones, bring two glasses o' +rum-and-water--stiff, d'ye hear?" + +While the sleepy youth bestirred himself to obey these injunctions, the +Tinker read over every memorandum in the pocket-book, and then proceeded +carefully to examine the different scraps of paper with which it was +filled. Not content with one perusal, he looked them all over again, and +then began to rub his hands with great glee. + +"Wot's the matter?" cried the Sandman, who had lighted a cutty, and was +quietly smoking it. "Wot's the row, eh?" + +"Vy, this is it," replied the Tinker, unable to contain his +satisfaction; "there's secrets contained in this here pocket-book as'll +be worth a hundred pound and better to us. We ha'n't had our trouble for +nuffin'." + +"Glad to hear it!" said the Sandman, looking hard at him. "Wot kind o' +secrets are they?" + +"Vy, _hangin' secrets_," replied the Tinker, with mysterious emphasis. +"He seems to be a terrible chap, and to have committed murder +wholesale." + +"Wholesale!" echoed the Sandman, removing the pipe from his lips. "That +sounds awful. But what a precious donkey he must be to register his +crimes i' that way." + +"He didn't expect the pocket-book to fall into our hands," said the +Tinker. + +"Werry likely not," replied the Sandman; "but somebody else might see +it. I repeat, he must be a fool. S'pose we wos to make a entry of +everythin' we does. Wot a nice balance there'd be agin us ven our +accounts comed to be wound up!" + +"Ourn is a different bus'ness altogether," replied the Tinker. "This +seems a werry mysterious sort o' person. Wot age should you take him to +be?" + +"Vy, five-an'-twenty at the outside," replied the Sandman. + +"Five-an'-sixty 'ud be nearer the mark," replied the Tinker. "There's +dates as far back as that." + +"Five-an'-sixty devils!" cried the Sandman; "there must be some mistake +i' the reckonin' there." + +"No, it's all clear an' reg'lar," rejoined the other; "and that doesn't +seem to be the end of it neither. I looked over the papers twice, and +one, dated 1780, refers to some other dokiments." + +"They must relate to his granddad, then," said the Sandman; "it's +impossible they can refer to him." + +"But I tell 'ee they _do_ refer to him," said the Tinker, somewhat +angrily, at having his assertion denied; "at least, if his own word's to +be taken. Anyhow, these papers is waluable to us. If no one else +believes in 'em, it's clear he believes in 'em hisself, and will be glad +to buy 'em from us." + +"That's a view o' the case worthy of an Old Bailey lawyer," replied the +Sandman. "Wot's the gemman's name?" + +"The name on the card is AURIOL DARCY," replied the Tinker. + +"Any address?" asked the Sandman. + +The Tinker shook his head. + +"That's unlucky agin," said the Sandman. "Ain't there no sort o' clue?" + +"None votiver, as I can perceive," said the Tinker. + +"Vy, zounds, then, ve're jist vere ve started from," cried the Sandman. +"But it don't matter. There's not much chance o' makin' a bargin vith +him. The crack o' the skull I gave him has done his bus'ness." + +"Nuffin' o' the kind," replied the Tinker. "He alvays recovers from +every kind of accident." + +"Alvays recovers!" exclaimed the Sandman, in amazement. "Wot a +constitootion he must have!" + +"Surprisin'!" replied the Tinker; "he never suffers from injuries--at +least, not much; never grows old; and never expects to die; for he +mentions wot he intends doin' a hundred years hence." + +"Oh, he's a lu-nattic!" exclaimed the Sandman, "a downright lu-nattic; +and that accounts for his wisitin' that 'ere ruined house, and +a-fancyin' he heerd some one talk to him. He's mad, depend upon it. That +is, if I ain't cured him." + +"I'm of a different opinion," said the Tinker. + +"And so am I," said Mr. Ginger, who had approached unobserved, and +overheard the greater part of their discourse. + +"Vy, vot can you know about it, Ginger?" said the Sandman, looking up, +evidently rather annoyed. + +"I only know this," replied Ginger, "that you've got a good case, and if +you'll let me into it, I'll engage to make summat of it." + +"Vell, I'm agreeable," said the Sandman. + +"And so am I," added the Tinker. + +"Not that I pays much regard to wot you've bin a readin' in his papers," +purused Ginger; "the gemman's evidently half-cracked, if he ain't +cracked altogether--but he's jist the person to work upon. He fancies +hisself immortal--eh?" + +"Exactly so," replied the Tinker. + +"And he also fancies he's committed a lot o' murders?" perused Ginger. + +"A desperate lot," replied the Tinker. + +"Then he'll be glad to buy those papers at any price," said Ginger. +"Ve'll deal vith him in regard to the pocket-book, as I deals vith +regard to a dog--ask a price for its restitootion." + +"We must find him out first," said the Sandman. + +"There's no difficulty in that," rejoined Ginger. "You must be +constantly on the look-out. You're sure to meet him some time or other." + +"That's true," replied the Sandman; "and there's no fear of his knowin' +us, for the werry moment he looked round I knocked him on the head." + +"Arter all," said the Tinker, "there's no branch o' the perfession so +safe as yours, Ginger. The law is favourable to you, and the beaks is +afeerd to touch you. I think I shall turn dog-fancier myself." + +"It's a good business," replied Ginger, "but it requires a hedication. +As I wos sayin', we gets a high price sometimes for restorin' a +favourite, especially ven ve've a soft-hearted lady to deal vith. +There's some vimen as fond o' dogs as o' their own childer, and ven ve +gets one o' their precious pets, ve makes 'em ransom it as the brigands +you see at the Adelphi or the Surrey sarves their prisoners, threatenin' +to send first an ear, and then a paw, or a tail, and so on. I'll tell +you wot happened t'other day. There wos a lady--a Miss Vite--as was +desperate fond of her dog. It wos a ugly warmint, but no matter for +that--the creater had gained her heart. Vell, she lost it; and, somehow +or other, I found it. She vos in great trouble, and a friend o' mine +calls to say she can have the dog agin, but she must pay eight pound for +it. She thinks this dear, and a friend o' her own adwises her to wait, +sayin' better terms will be offered; so I sends vord by my friend that +if she don't come down at once the poor animal's throat vill be cut that +werry night." + +"Ha!--ha!--ha!" laughed the others. + +"Vell, she sent four pound, and I put up with it," pursued Ginger; "but +about a month arterwards she loses her favourite agin, and, strange to +say, I finds it. The same game is played over agin, and she comes down +with another four pound. But she takes care this time that I shan't +repeat the trick; for no sooner does she obtain persession of her +favourite than she embarks in the steamer for France, in the hope of +keeping her dog safe there." + +"Oh! Miss Bailey, unfortinate Miss +Bailey!--Fol-de-riddle-tol-ol-lol--unfortinate Miss Bailey!" sang the +Tinker. + +"But there's dog-fanciers in France, ain't there?" asked the Sandman. + +"Lor' bless 'ee, yes," replied Ginger; "there's as many fanciers i' +France as here. Vy, ve drives a smartish trade wi' them through them +foreign steamers. There's scarcely a steamer as leaves the port o' +London but takes out a cargo o' dogs. Ve sells 'em to the stewards, +stokers, and sailors--cheap--and no questins asked. They goes to Ostend, +Antverp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and sometimes to Havre. There's a Mounseer +Coqquilu as comes over to buy dogs, and ve takes 'em to him at a house +near Billinsgit market." + +"Then you're alvays sure o' a ready market somehow," observed the +Sandman. + +"Sartin," replied Ginger, "cos the law's so kind to us. Vy, bless you, a +perliceman can't detain us, even if he knows ve've a stolen dog in our +persession, and ve svears it's our own; and yet he'd stop you in a +minnit if he seed you with a suspicious-lookin' bundle under your arm. +Now, jist to show you the difference atwixt the two perfessions:--I +steals a dog--walue, maybe, fifty pound, or p'raps more. Even if I'm +catched i' the fact I may get fined twenty pound, or have six months' +imprisonment; vile, if you steals an old fogle, walue three fardens, +you'll get seven years abroad, to a dead certainty." + +"That seems hard on us," observed the Sandman reflectively. + +"It's the _law_!" exclaimed Ginger triumphantly. "Now, ve generally +escapes by payin' the fine, 'cos our pals goes and steals more dogs to +raise the money. Ve alvays stands by each other. There's a reg'lar +horganisation among us; so ve can alvays bring vitnesses to svear vot ve +likes, and ve so puzzles the beaks, that the case gets dismissed, and +the constable says, 'Vich party shall I give the dog to, your vorship?' +Upon vich, the beak replies, a-shakin' of his vise noddle, 'Give it to +the person in whose persession it was found. I have nuffin' more to do +vith it.' In course the dog is delivered up to us." + +"The law seems made for dog-fanciers," remarked the Tinker. + +"Wot d'ye think o' this?" pursued Ginger. "I wos a-standin' at the +corner o' Gray's Inn Lane vith some o' my pals near a coach-stand, ven a +lady passes by vith this here dog--an' a beauty it is, a real long-eared +Charley--a follerin' of her. Vell, the moment I spies it, I unties my +apron, whips up the dog, and covers it up in a trice. Vell, the lady +sees me, an' gives me in charge to a perliceman. But that si'nifies +nuffin'. I brings six vitnesses to svear the dog vos mine, and I +actually had it since it vos a blind little puppy; and, wot's more, I +brings its _mother_, and that settles the pint. So in course I'm +discharged; the dog is given up to me; and the lady goes avay lamentin'. +I then plays the amiable, an' offers to sell it her for twenty guineas, +seein' as how she had taken a fancy to it; but she von't bite. So if I +don't sell it next week, I shall send it to Mounseer Coqquilu. The only +vay you can go wrong is to steal a dog wi' a collar on, for if you do, +you may get seven years' transportation for a bit o' leather and a brass +plate vorth a shillin', vile the animal, though vorth a hundred pound, +can't hurt you. There's _law_ again--ha, ha!" + +"Dog-fancier's law!" laughed the Sandman. + +"Some of the Fancy is given to cruelty," pursued Ginger, "and crops a +dog's ears, or pulls out his teeth to disguise him; but I'm too fond o' +the animal for that. I may frighten old ladies sometimes, as I told you +afore, but I never seriously hurts their pets. Nor did I ever kill a dog +for his skin, as some on 'em does." + +"And you're always sure o' gettin' a dog, if you vants it, I s'pose?" +inquired the Tinker. + +"Alvays," replied Ginger. "No man's dog is safe. I don't care how he's +kept, ve're sure to have him at last. Ve feels our vay with the +sarvents, and finds out from them the walley the master or missis sets +on the dog, and soon after that the animal's gone. Vith a bit o' liver, +prepared in my partic'lar vay, I can tame the fiercest dog as ever +barked, take him off his chain, an' bring him arter me at a gallop." + +"And do respectable parties ever buy dogs knowin' they're stolen?" +inquired the Tinker. + +"Ay, to be sure," replied Ginger; "sometimes first-rate nobs. They put +us up to it themselves; they'll say, 'I've jist left my Lord +So-and-So's, and there I seed a couple o' the finest pointers I ever +clapped eyes on. I vant you to get me _jist sich another couple_.' +Vell, ve understands in a minnit, an' in doo time the identicle dogs +finds their vay to our customer." + +"Oh! that's how it's done?" remarked the Sandman. + +"Yes, that's the vay," replied Ginger. "Sometimes a party'll vant a +couple o' dogs for the shootin' season; and then ve asks, 'Vich vay are +you a-goin'--into Surrey or Kent?' And accordin' as the answer is given +ve arranges our plans." + +"Vell, yourn appears a profitable and safe employment, I must say," +remarked the Sandman. + +"Perfectly so," replied Ginger. "Nothin' can touch us till dogs is +declared by statute to be property, and stealin' 'em a misdemeanour. And +that won't occur in my time." + +"Let's hope not," rejoined the other two. + +"To come back to the pint from vich we started," said the Tinker; "our +gemman's case is not so surprisin' as it at first appears. There are +some persons as believe they never will die--and I myself am of the same +opinion. There's our old deputy here--him as ve calls Old Parr--vy, he +declares he lived in Queen Bess's time, recollects King Charles bein' +beheaded perfectly vell, and remembers the Great Fire o' London, as if +it only occurred yesterday." + +"Walker!" exclaimed Ginger, putting his finger to his nose. + +"You may larf, but it's true," replied the Tinker. "I recollect an old +man tellin' me that he knew the deputy sixty years ago, and he looked +jist the same then as now,--neither older nor younger." + +"Humph!" exclaimed Ginger. "He don't look so old now." + +"That's the cur'ousest part of it," said the Tinker. "He don't like to +talk of his age unless you can get him i' the humour; but he once told +me he didn't know why he lived so long, unless it were owin' to a potion +he'd swallowed, vich his master, who was a great conjurer in Queen +Bess's days, had brew'd." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed Ginger. "I thought you too knowin' a cove, Tinker, to +be gulled by such an old vife's story as that." + +"Let's have the old fellow in and talk to him," replied the Tinker. +"Here, lazy-bones," he added, rousing the sleeping youth, "go an' tell +Old Parr ve vants his company over a glass o' rum-an'-vater." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE HAND AND THE CLOAK + + +A furious barking from Mr. Ginger's dogs, shortly after the departure of +the drowsy youth, announced the approach of a grotesque-looking little +personage, whose shoulders barely reached to a level with the top of the +table. This was Old Parr. The dwarfs head was much too large for his +body, as is mostly the case with undersized persons, and was covered +with a forest of rusty black hair, protected by a strangely shaped +seal-skin cap. His hands and feet were equally disproportioned to his +frame, and his arms were so long that he could touch his ankles while +standing upright. His spine was crookened, and his head appeared buried +in his breast. The general character of his face seemed to appertain to +the middle period of life; but a closer inspection enabled the beholder +to detect in it marks of extreme old age. The nose was broad and flat, +like that of an ourang-outang; the resemblance to which animal was +heightened by a very long upper lip, projecting jaws, almost total +absence of chin, and a retreating forehead. The little old man's +complexion was dull and swarthy, but his eyes were keen and sparkling. + +His attire was as singular as his person. Having recently served as +double to a famous demon-dwarf at the Surrey Theatre, he had become +possessed of a cast-off pair of tawny tights, an elastic shirt of the +same material and complexion, to the arms of which little green bat-like +wings were attached, while a blood-red tunic with vandyke points was +girded round his waist. In this strange apparel his diminutive limbs +were encased, while additional warmth was afforded by the greatcoat +already mentioned, the tails of which swept the floor after him like a +train. + +Having silenced his dogs with some difficulty, Mr. Ginger burst into a +roar of laughter, excited by the little old man's grotesque appearance, +in which he was joined by the Tinker; but the Sandman never relaxed a +muscle of his sullen countenance. + +Their hilarity, however, was suddenly checked by an inquiry from the +dwarf, in a shrill, odd tone, "Whether they had sent for him only to +laugh at him?" + +"Sartainly not, deputy," replied the Tinker. "Here, lazy-bones, glasses +o' rum-an'-vater, all round." + +The drowsy youth bestirred himself to execute the command. The spirit +was brought; water was procured from the boiling copper; and the Tinker +handed his guest a smoking rummer, accompanied with a polite request to +make himself comfortable. + +Opposite the table at which the party were seated, it has been said, was +a staircase--old and crazy, and but imperfectly protected by a broken +hand-rail. Midway up it stood a door equally dilapidated, but secured by +a chain and lock, of which Old Parr, as deputy-chamberlain, kept the +key. Beyond this point the staircase branched off on the right, and a +row of stout wooden banisters, ranged like the feet of so many cattle, +was visible from beneath. Ultimately, the staircase reached a small +gallery, if such a name can be applied to a narrow passage communicating +with the bedrooms, the doors of which, as a matter of needful +precaution, were locked outside; and as the windows were grated, no one +could leave his chamber without the knowledge of the landlord or his +representative. No lights were allowed in the bedrooms, nor in the +passage adjoining them. + +Conciliated by the Tinker's offering, Old Parr mounted the staircase, +and planting himself near the door, took off his greatcoat, and sat down +upon it. His impish garb being thus more fully displayed, he looked so +unearthly and extraordinary that the dogs began to howl fearfully, and +Ginger had enough to do to quiet them. + +Silence being at length restored, the Tinker, winking slyly at his +companions, opened the conversation. + +"I say, deputy," he observed, "ve've bin havin' a bit o' a dispute vich +you can settle for us." + +"Well, let's see," squeaked the dwarf. "What is it?" + +"Vy, it's relative to your age," rejoined the Tinker. "Ven wos you +born?" + +"It's so long ago, I can't recollect," returned Old Parr rather sulkily. + +"You must ha' seen some changes in your time?" resumed the Tinker, +waiting till the little old man had made some progress with his grog. + +"I rayther think I have--a few," replied Old Parr, whose tongue the +generous liquid had loosened. "I've seen this great city of London +pulled down, and built up again--if that's anything. I've seen it grow, +and grow, till it has reached its present size. You'll scarcely believe +me, when I tell you, that I recollect this Rookery of ours--this foul +vagabond neighbourhood--an open country field, with hedges round it, and +trees. And a lovely spot it was. Broad Saint Giles's, at the time I +speak of, was a little country village, consisting of a few straggling +houses standing by the roadside, and there wasn't a single habitation +between it and Convent Garden (for so the present market was once +called); while that garden, which was fenced round with pales, like a +park, extended from Saint Martin's Lane to Drury House, a great mansion +situated on the easterly side of Drury Lane, amid a grove of beautiful +timber." + +"My eyes!" cried Ginger, with a prolonged whistle; "the place must be +preciously transmogrified indeed!" + +"If I were to describe the changes that have taken place in London since +I've known it, I might go on talking for a month," pursued Old Parr. +"The whole aspect of the place is altered. The Thames itself is unlike +the Thames of old. Its waters were once as clear and bright above London +Bridge as they are now at Kew or Richmond; and its banks, from +Whitefriars to Scotland Yard, were edged with gardens. And then the +thousand gay wherries and gilded barges that covered its bosom--all are +gone--all are gone!" + +"Those must ha' been nice times for the jolly young vatermen vich at +Black friars wos used for to ply," chanted the Tinker; "but the steamers +has put their noses out o' joint." + +"True," replied Old Parr; "and I, for one, am sorry for it. Remembering, +as I do, what the river used to be when enlightened by gay craft and +merry company, I can't help wishing its waters less muddy, and those +ugly coal-barges, lighters, and steamers away. London is a mighty city, +wonderful to behold and examine, inexhaustible in its wealth and power; +but in point of beauty it is not to be compared with the city of Queen +Bess's days. You should have seen the Strand then--a line of noblemen's +houses--and as to Lombard Street and Gracechurch Street, with their +wealthy goldsmiths' shops--but I don't like to think of 'em." + +"Vell, I'm content vith Lunnun as it is," replied the Tinker, +"'specially as there ain't much chance o' the ould city bein' rewived." + +"Not much," replied the dwarf, finishing his glass, which was +replenished at a sign from the Tinker. + +"I s'pose, my wenerable, you've seen the king as bequeathed his name to +these pretty creaters," said Ginger, raising his coat-pockets, so as to +exhibit the heads of the two little black-and-tan spaniels. + +"What! old Rowley?" cried the dwarf--"often. I was page to his favourite +mistress, the Duchess of Cleveland, and I have seen him a hundred times +with a pack of dogs of that description at his heels." + +"Old Rowley wos a king arter my own 'art," said Ginger, rising and +lighting a pipe at the fire. "He loved the femi-_nine_ specious as well +as the ca-_nine_ specious. Can you tell us anythin' more about him?" + +"Not now," replied Old Parr. "I've seen so much, and heard so much, that +my brain is quite addled. My memory sometimes deserts me altogether, +and my past life appears like a dream. Imagine what my feelings must be, +to walk through streets, still called by the old names, but in other +respects wholly changed. Oh! if you could but have a glimpse of Old +London, you would not be able to endure the modern city. The very +atmosphere was different from that which we now breathe, charged with +the smoke of myriads of sea-coal fires; and the old picturesque houses +had a charm about them, which the present habitations, however +commodious, altogether want." + +"You talk like one o' them smart chaps they calls, and werry properly, +penny-a-liars," observed Ginger. "But you make me long to ha' lived i' +those times." + +"If you _had_ lived in them, you would have belonged to Paris Garden, or +the bull-baiting and bear-baiting houses in Southwark," replied Old +Parr. "I've seen fellows just like you at each of those places. Strange, +though times and fashions change, men continue the same. I often meet a +face that I can remember in James the First's time. But the old places +are gone--clean gone!" + +"Accordin' to your own showin', my wenerable friend, you must ha' lived +uppards o' two hundred and seventy year," said Ginger, assuming a +consequential manner. "Now, doorin' all that time, have you never felt +inclined to kick the bucket?" + +"Not the least," replied Old Parr. "My bodily health has been excellent. +But, as I have just said, my intellects are a little impaired." + +"Not a little, I should think," replied Ginger, hemming significantly. +"I don't know vether you're a deceivin' of us or yourself, my wenerable; +but von thing's quite clear--you _can't_ have lived all that time. It's +not in nater." + +"Very well, then--I haven't," said Old Parr. + +And he finished his rum-and-water, and set down the glass, which was +instantly filled again by the drowsy youth. + +"You've seen some picters o' Old Lunnon, and they've haanted you in your +dreams, till you've begun to fancy you lived in those times," said +Ginger. + +"Very likely," replied Old Parr--"very likely." + +There was something, however, in his manner calculated to pique the +dog-fancier's curiosity. + +"How comes it," he said, stretching out his legs, and arranging his +neckcloth,--"how comes it, if you've lived so long, that you ain't +higher up in the stirrups--better off, as folks say?" + +The dwarf made no reply, but covering his face with his hands, seemed a +prey to deep emotion. After a few moments' pause, Ginger repeated the +question. + +"If you won't believe what I tell you, it's useless to give an answer," +said Old Parr, somewhat gruffly. + +"Oh yes, _I_ believe you, deputy," observed the Tinker, "and so does the +Sandman." + +"Well, then," replied the dwarf, "I'll tell you how it comes to pass. +Fate has been against me. I've had plenty of chances, but I never could +get on. I've been in a hundred different walks of life, but they always +led down hill. It's my destiny." + +"That's hard," rejoined the Tinker--"werry hard. But how d'ye account +for livin' so long?" he added, winking as he spoke to the others. + +"I've already given you an explanation," replied the dwarf. + +"Av, but it's a cur'ous story, and I vants my friends to hear it," said +the Tinker, in a coaxing tone. + +"Well then, to oblige you, I'll go through it again," rejoined the +dwarf. "You must know I was for some time servant to Doctor Lamb, an old +alchemist, who lived during the reign of good Queen Bess, and who used +to pass all his time in trying to find out the secret of changing lead +and copper into gold." + +"I've known several indiwiduals as has found out that secret, +wenerable," observed Ginger. "And ve calls 'em smashers, nowadays--not +halchemists." + +"Doctor Lamb's object was actually to turn base metal into gold," +rejoined Old Parr, in a tone of slight contempt. "But his chief aim was +to produce the elixir of long life. Night and day he worked at the +operation;--night and day I laboured with him, until at last we were +both brought to the verge of the grave in our search after immortality. +One night--I remember it well,--it was the last night of the sixteenth +century,--a young man, severely wounded, was brought to my master's +dwelling on London Bridge. I helped to convey him to the laboratory, +where I left him with the doctor, who was busy with his experiments. My +curiosity being aroused, I listened at the door, and though I could not +distinguish much that passed inside, I heard sufficient to convince me +that Doctor Lamb had made the grand discovery, and succeeded in +distilling the elixir. Having learnt this, I went down-stairs, +wondering what would next ensue. Half-an-hour elapsed, and while the +bells were ringing in the new year joyfully, the young man whom I had +assisted to carry up-stairs, and whom I supposed at death's door, +marched down as firmly as if nothing had happened, passed by me, and +disappeared, before I could shake off my astonishment. I saw at once he +had drunk the elixir." + +"Ah!--ah!" exclaimed the Tinker, with a knowing glance at his +companions, who returned it with gestures of equal significance. + +"As soon as he was gone," pursued the dwarf, "I flew to the laboratory, +and there, extended on the floor, I found the dead body of Doctor Lamb. +I debated with myself what to do--whether to pursue his murderer, for +such I accounted the young man; but, on reflection, I thought the course +useless. I next looked round to see whether the precious elixir was +gone. On the table stood a phial, from which a strong spirituous odour +exhaled; but it was empty. I then turned my attention to a receiver, +connected by a worm with an alembic on the furnace. On examining it, I +found it contained a small quantity of a bright transparent liquid, +which, poured forth into a glass, emitted precisely the same odour as +the phial. Persuaded this must be the draught of immortality, I raised +it to my lips; but apprehension lest it might be poison stayed my hand. +Reassured, however, by the thought of the young man's miraculous +recovery, I quaffed the potion. It was as if I had swallowed fire, and +at first I thought all was over with me. I shrieked out; but there was +no one to heed my cries, unless it were my dead master, and two or +three skeletons with which the walls were garnished. And these, in +truth, did seem to hear me; for the dead corpse opened its glassy orbs, +and eyed me reproachfully; the skeletons shook their fleshless arms and +gibbered; and the various strange objects, with which the chamber was +filled, seemed to deride and menace me. The terror occasioned by these +fantasies, combined with the potency of the draught, took away my +senses. When I recovered, I found all tranquil. Doctor Lamb was lying +stark and stiff at my feet, with an expression of reproach on his fixed +countenance; and the skeletons were hanging quietly in their places. +Convinced that I was proof against death, I went forth. _But a curse +went with me!_ From that day to this I have lived, but it has been in +such poverty and distress, that I had better far have died. Besides, I +am constantly haunted by visions of my old master. He seems to hold +converse with me--to lead me into strange places." + +"Exactly the case with the t'other," whispered the Tinker to the +Sandman. "Have you ever, in the coorse o' your long life, met the young +man as drank the 'lixir?" he inquired of the dwarf. + +"Never." + +"Do you happen to rekilect his name?" + +"No; it has quite escaped my memory," answered Old Parr. + +"Should you rekilect it, if you heerd it?" asked the Tinker. + +"Perhaps I might," returned the dwarf; "but I can't say." + +"Wos it Auriol Darcy?" demanded the other. + +"That _was_ the name," cried Old Parr, starting up in extreme surprise. +"I heard Doctor Lamb call him so. But how, in the name of wonder, do you +come to know it?" + +"Ve've got summat, at last," said the Tinker, with a self-applauding +glance at his friends. + +"How do you come to know it, I say?" repeated the dwarf, in extreme +agitation. + +"Never mind," rejoined the Tinker, with a cunning look; "you see I does +know some cur'ous matters as veil as you, my old file. Yo'll be good +evidence, in case ve vishes to prove the fact agin him." + +"Prove what?--and against whom?" cried the dwarf. + +"One more questin, and I've done," pursued the Tinker. "Should you know +this young man agin, in case you chanced to come across him?" + +"No doubt of it," replied Old Parr; "his figure often flits before me in +dreams." + +"Shall ve let him into it?" said the Tinker, consulting his companions +in a low tone. + +"Ay--ay," replied the Sandman. + +"Better vait a bit," remarked Ginger, shaking his head dubiously. +"There's no hurry." + +"No; ve must decide at vonce," said the Tinker. "Jist examine them +papers," he added, handing the pocket-book to Old Parr, "and favour us +vith your opinion on 'em." + +The dwarf was about to unclasp the book committed to his charge, when a +hand was suddenly thrust through the banisters of the upper part of the +staircase, which, as has been already stated, was divided from the +lower by the door. A piece of heavy black drapery next descended like a +cloud, concealing all behind it except the hand, with which the dwarf +was suddenly seized by the nape of the neck, lifted up in the air, and, +notwithstanding his shrieks and struggles, carried clean off. + +Great confusion attended his disappearance. The dogs set up a prodigious +barking, and flew to the rescue--one of the largest of them passing over +the body of the drowsy waiter, who had sought his customary couch upon +the coals, and rousing him from his slumbers; while the Tinker, uttering +a fierce imprecation, upset his chair in his haste to catch hold of the +dwarf's legs; but the latter was already out of reach, and the next +moment had vanished entirely. + +"My eyes! here's a pretty go!" cried Ginger, who, with his back to the +fire, had witnessed the occurrence in open-mouthed astonishment. "Vy, +curse it! if the wenerable ain't a-taken the pocket-book with him! It's +my opinion the devil has flown avay with the old feller. His time wos +nearer at 'and than he expected." + +"Devil or not, I'll have him back agin, or at all events the +pocket-book!" cried the Tinker. And, dashing up the stairs, he caught +hold of the railing above, and swinging himself up by a powerful effort, +passed through an opening, occasioned by the removal of one of the +banisters. + +[Illustration: The Hand and the Cloak.] + +Groping along the gallery, which was buried in profound darkness, he +shouted to the dwarf, but received no answer to his vociferations; +neither could he discover any one, though he felt on either side of the +passage with outstretched hands. The occupants of the different +chambers, alarmed by the noise, called out to know what was going +forward; but being locked in their rooms, they could render no +assistance. + +While the Tinker was thus pursuing his search in the dark, venting his +rage and disappointment in the most dreadful imprecations, the staircase +door was opened by the landlord, who had found the key in the greatcoat +left behind by the dwarf. With the landlord came the Sandman and Ginger, +the latter of whom was attended by all his dogs, still barking +furiously; while the rear of the party was brought up by the drowsy +waiter, now wide awake with fright, and carrying a candle. + +But though every nook and corner of the place was visited--though the +attics were searched, and all the windows examined--not a trace of the +dwarf could be discovered, nor any clue to his mysterious disappearance +detected. Astonishment and alarm sat on every countenance. + +"What the devil can have become of him?" cried the landlord, with a look +of dismay. + +"Ay, that's the questin!" rejoined the Tinker. "I begin to be of +Ginger's opinion, that the devil himself must have flown avay vith him. +No von else could ha' taken a fancy to him." + +"I only saw a hand and a black cloak," said the Sandman. + +"I thought I seed a pair o' hoofs," cried the waiter; "and I'm quite +sure I seed a pair o' great glitterin' eyes," he added, opening his own +lacklustre orbs to their widest extent. + +"It's a strange affair," observed the landlord gravely. "It's certain +that no one has entered the house wearing a cloak such as you describe; +nor could any of the lodgers, to my knowledge, get out of their rooms. +It was Old Parr's business, as you know, to lock 'em up carefully for +the night." + +"Vell, all's over vith him now," said the Tinker; "and vith our affair, +too, I'm afeerd." + +"Don't say die jist yet," rejoined Ginger. "The wenerable's gone, to be +sure; and the only thing he has left behind him, barrin' his topcoat, is +this here bit o' paper vich dropped out o' the pocket-book as he wos +a-takin' flight, and vich I picked from the floor. It may be o' some use +to us. But come, let's go down-stairs. There's no good in stayin' here +any longer." + +Concurring in which sentiment, they all descended to the lower room. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE IRON-MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER + + +A week had elapsed since Auriol Darcy was conveyed to the +iron-merchant's dwelling, after the attack made upon him by the ruffians +in the ruined house; and though almost recovered from the serious +injuries he had received, he still remained the guest of his preserver. + +It was a bright spring morning, when a door leading to the yard in front +of the house opened, and a young girl, bright and fresh as the morning's +self, issued from it. + +A lovelier creature than Ebba Thorneycroft cannot be imagined. Her +figure was perfection--slight, tall, and ravishingly proportioned, with +a slender waist, little limbs, and fairy feet that would have made the +fortune of an opera-dancer. Her features were almost angelic in +expression, with an outline of the utmost delicacy and precision--not +cold, classical regularity--but that softer and incomparably more lovely +mould peculiar to our own clime. Ebba's countenance was a type of Saxon +beauty. Her complexion was pure white, tinged with a slight bloom. Her +eyes were of a serene summer blue, arched over by brows some shades +darker than the radiant tresses that fell on either cheek, and were +parted over a brow smoother than alabaster. Her attire was simple but +tasteful, and by its dark colour threw into relief the exceeding +fairness of her skin. + +Ebba's first care was to feed her favourite linnet, placed in a cage +over the door. Having next patted the head of a huge bulldog who came +out of his kennel to greet her, and exchanged a few words with two men +employed at a forge in the inner part of the building on the right, she +advanced farther into the yard. + +This part of the premises, being strewn with ironwork of every possible +shape, presented a very singular appearance, and may merit some +description. There were heaps of rusty iron chains flung together like +fishermen's nets, old iron area-guards, iron kitchen-fenders, old +grates, safes, piles of old iron bowls, a large assortment of old iron +pans and dishes, a ditto of old ovens, kettles without number, +sledge-hammers, anvils, braziers, chimney-cowls, and smoke-jacks. + +Stout upright posts, supporting cross-beams on the top, were placed at +intervals on either side of the yard, and these were decorated, in the +most artistic style, with rat-traps, man-traps, iron lanterns, pulleys, +padlocks, chains, trivets, triangles, iron rods, disused street lamps, +dismounted cannon, and anchors. Attached to hooks in the cross-beam +nearest the house hung a row of old horse-shoes, while from the centre +depended a large rusty bell. Near the dog's kennel was a tool-box, +likewise garnished with horse-shoes, and containing pincers, files, +hammers, and other implements proper to the smith. Beyond this was an +open doorway leading to the workshop, where the two men before mentioned +were busy at the forge. + +Though it was still early, the road was astir with passengers; and many +waggons and carts, laden with hay, straw, and vegetables, were passing. +Ebba, however, had been solely drawn forth by the beauty of the morning, +and she stopped for a moment at the street gate, to breathe the balmy +air. As she inhaled the gentle breeze, and felt the warm sunshine upon +her cheek, her thoughts wandered away into the green meadows in which +she had strayed as a child, and she longed to ramble amid them again. +Perhaps she scarcely desired a solitary stroll; but however this might +be, she was too much engrossed by the reverie to notice a tall man, +wrapped in a long black cloak, who regarded her with the most fixed +attention, as he passed on the opposite side of the road. + +Proceeding to a short distance, this personage crossed over, and +returned slowly towards the iron-merchant's dwelling. Ebba then, for the +first time, remarked him, and was startled by his strange, sinister +appearance. His features were handsome, but so malignant and fierce in +expression, that they inspired only aversion. A sardonic grin curled his +thin lips, and his short, crisply curled hair, raven-black in hue, +contrasted forcibly and disagreeably with his cadaverous complexion. An +attraction like that of the snake seemed to reside in his dark blazing +eyes, for Ebba trembled like a bird beneath their influence, and could +not remove her gaze from them. A vague presentiment of coming ill smote +her, and she dreaded lest the mysterious being before her might be +connected in some inexplicable way with her future destiny. + +On his part, the stranger was not insensible to the impression he had +produced, and suddenly halting, he kept his eyes riveted on those of +the girl, who, after remaining spell-bound, as it were, for a few +moments, precipitately retreated towards the house. + +Just as she reached the door, and was about to pass through it, Auriol +came forth. He was pale, as if from recent suffering, and bore his left +arm in a sling. + +"You look agitated," he said, noticing Ebba's uneasiness. "What has +happened?" + +"Not much," she replied, a deep blush mantling her cheeks. "But I have +been somewhat alarmed by the person near the gate." + +"Indeed!" cried Auriol, darting forward. "Where is he? I see no one." + +"Not a tall man, wrapped in a long black cloak?" rejoined Ebba, +following him cautiously. + +"Ha!" cried Auriol. "Has he been here?" + +"Then you know the person I allude to?" she rejoined. + +"I know some one answering his description," he replied, with a forced +smile. + +"Once beheld, the man I mean is not to be forgotten," said Ebba. "He has +a countenance such as I never saw before. If I could believe in the +'evil eye,' I should be sure he possessed it." + +"'Tis he, there can be no doubt," rejoined Auriol, in a sombre tone. + +"Who and what is he, then?" demanded Ebba. + +"He is a messenger of ill," replied Auriol, "and I am thankful he is +gone." + +[Illustration: The Iron-merchant's Daughter.] + +"Are you quite sure of it?" she asked, glancing timorously up and down +the road. But the mysterious individual could no longer be seen. + +"And so, after exciting my curiosity in this manner, you will not +satisfy it?" she said. + +"I cannot," rejoined Auriol, somewhat sternly. + +"Nay, then, since you are so ungracious, I shall go and prepare +breakfast," she replied. "My father must be down by this time." + +"Stay!" cried Auriol, arresting her, as she was about to pass through +the door. "I wish to have a word with you." + +Ebba stopped, and the bloom suddenly forsook her cheeks. + +But Auriol seemed unable to proceed. Neither dared to regard the other; +and a profound silence prevailed between them for a few moments. + +"Ebba," said Auriol at length, "I am about to leave your father's house +to-day." + +"Why so soon?" she exclaimed, looking up into his face. "You are not +entirely recovered yet." + +"I dare not stay longer," he said. + +"Dare not!" cried Ebba. And she again cast down her eyes; but Auriol +made no reply. + +Fortunately the silence was broken by the clinking of the smiths' +hammers upon the anvil. + +"If you must really go," said Ebba, looking up, after a long pause, "I +hope we shall see you again?" + +"Most assuredly," replied Auriol. "I owe your worthy father a deep debt +of gratitude--a debt which, I fear, I shall never be able to repay." + +"My father is more than repaid in saving your life," she replied. "I am +sure he will be sorry to learn you are going so soon." + +"I have been here a week," said Auriol. "If I remained longer, I might +not be able to go at all." + +There was another pause, during which a stout old fellow in the workshop +quitted the anvil for a moment, and, catching a glimpse of the young +couple, muttered to his helpmate-- + +"I say, Ned, I'm a-thinkin' our master'll soon have a son-in-law. +There's pretty plain signs on it at yonder door." + +"So there be, John," replied Ned, peeping round. "He's a good-lookin' +young feller that. I wish ve could hear their discoorse." + +"No, that ain't fair," replied John, raking some small coal upon the +fire, and working away at the bellows. + +"I would not for the world ask a disagreeable question," said Ebba, +again raising her eyes, "but since you are about to quit us, I must +confess I should like to know something of your history." + +"Forgive me if I decline to comply with your desire," replied Auriol. +"You would not believe me, were I to relate my history. But this I may +say, that it is stranger and wilder than any you ever heard. The +prisoner in his cell is not restrained by more terrible fetters than +those which bind me to silence." + +Ebba gazed at him as if she feared his reasoning were wandering. + +"You think me mad," said Auriol; "would I were so! But I shall never +lose the clear perception of my woes. Hear me, Ebba! Fate has brought me +into this house. I have seen you, and experienced your gentle ministry; +and it is impossible, so circumstanced, to be blind to your +attractions. I have only been too sensible to them--but I will not dwell +on that theme, nor run the risk of exciting a passion which must destroy +you. I will ask you to hate me--to regard me as a monster whom you ought +to shun rather than as a being for whom you should entertain the +slightest sympathy." + +"You have some motive in saying this to me," cried the terrified girl. + +"My motive is to warn you," said Auriol. "If you love me, you are +lost--utterly lost!" + +She was so startled, that she could make no reply, but burst into tears. +Auriol took her hand, which she unresistingly yielded. + +"A terrible fatality attaches to me, in which you must have no share," +he said, in a solemn tone. + +"Would you had never come to my father's house!" she exclaimed, in a +voice of anguish. + +"Is it, then, too late?" cried Auriol despairingly. + +"It is--if to love you be fatal," she rejoined. + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, striking his forehead with his clenched hand. +"Recall your words--Ebba--recall them--but no, once uttered--it is +impossible. You are bound to me for ever. I must fulfil my destiny." + +At this juncture a low growl broke from the dog, and, guided by the +sound, the youthful couple beheld, standing near the gate, the tall dark +man in the black cloak. A fiendish smile sat upon his countenance. + +"That is the man who frightened me!" cried Ebba. + +"It is the person I supposed!" ejaculated Auriol. "I must speak to him. +Leave me, Ebba. I will join you presently." + +And as the girl, half sinking with apprehension, withdrew, he advanced +quickly towards the intruder. + +"I have sought you for some days," said the tall man, in a stern, +commanding voice. "You have not kept your appointment with me." + +"I could not," replied Auriol--"an accident has befallen me." + +"I know it," rejoined the other. "I am aware you were assailed by +ruffians in the ruined house over the way. But you are recovered now, +and can go forth. You ought to have communicated with me." + +"It was my intention to do so," said Auriol. + +"Our meeting cannot be delayed much longer," pursued the stranger. "I +will give you three more days. On the evening of the last day, at the +hour of seven, I shall look for you at the foot of the statue in Hyde +Park." + +"I will be there," replied Auriol. + +"That girl must be the next victim," said the stranger, with a grim +smile. + +"Peace!" thundered Auriol. + +"Nay, I need not remind you of the tenure by which you maintain your +power," rejoined the stranger. "But I will not trouble you further now." + +And, wrapping his cloak more closely round him, he disappeared. + +"Fate has once more involved me in its net," cried Auriol bitterly. "But +I will save Ebba, whatever it may cost me. I will see her no more." + +And instead of returning to the house, he hurried away in the opposite +direction of the stranger. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MEETING NEAR THE STATUE + + +The evening of the third day arrived, and Auriol entered Hyde Park by +Stanhope Gate. Glancing at his watch, and finding it wanted nearly +three-quarters of an hour of the time appointed for his meeting with the +mysterious stranger, he struck across the park, in the direction of the +Serpentine River. Apparently he was now perfectly recovered, for his arm +was without the support of the sling, and he walked with great +swiftness. But his countenance was deathly pale, and his looks were so +wild and disordered, that the few persons he encountered shrank from him +aghast. + +A few minutes' rapid walking brought him to the eastern extremity of the +Serpentine, and advancing close to the edge of the embankment, he gazed +at the waters beneath his feet. + +"I would plunge into them, if I could find repose," he murmured. "But it +would avail nothing. I should only add to my sufferings. No; I must +continue to endure the weight of a life burdened by crime and remorse, +till I can find out the means of freeing myself from it. Once I dreaded +this unknown danger, but now I seek for it in vain." + +The current of his thoughts was here interrupted by the sudden +appearance of a dark object on the surface of the water, which he at +first took to be a huge fish, with a pair of green fins springing from +its back; but after watching it more closely for a few moments, he +became convinced that it was a human being, tricked out in some +masquerade attire, while the slight struggles which it made proved that +life was not entirely extinct. + +Though, the moment before, he had contemplated self-destruction, and had +only been restrained from the attempt by the certainty of failing in his +purpose, instinct prompted him to rescue the perishing creature before +him. Without hesitation, therefore, and without tarrying to divest +himself of his clothes, he dashed into the water, and striking out, +instantly reached the object of his quest, which still continued to +float, and turning it over, for the face was downwards, he perceived it +was an old man, of exceedingly small size, habited in a pantomimic garb. +He also remarked that a rope was twisted round the neck of the +unfortunate being, making it evident that some violent attempt had been +made upon his life. + +Without pausing for further investigation, he took firm hold of the +leathern wings of the dwarf, and with his disengaged hand propelled +himself towards the shore, dragging the other after him. The next +instant he reached the bank, clambered up the low brickwork, and placed +his burden in safety. + +The noise of the plunge had attracted attention, and several persons now +hurried to the spot. On coming up, and finding Auriol bending over a +water-sprite--for such, at first sight, the dwarf appeared--they could +not repress their astonishment. Wholly insensible to the presence of +those around him, Auriol endeavoured to recall where he had seen the +dwarf before. All at once, the recollection flashed upon him, and he +cried aloud, "Why, it is my poor murdered grandfather's attendant, +Flapdragon! But no! no!--he must be dead ages ago! Yet the resemblance +is singularly striking!" + +Auriol's exclamations, coupled with his wild demeanour, surprised the +bystanders, and they came to the conclusion that he must be a travelling +showman, who had attempted to drown his dwarf--the grotesque, impish +garb of the latter convincing them that he had been exhibited at a +booth. They made signs, therefore, to each other not to let Auriol +escape, and one of them, raising the dwarf's head on his knee, produced +a flask, and poured some brandy from it down his throat, while others +chafed his hands. These efforts were attended with much speedier success +than might have been anticipated. After a struggle or two for +respiration, the dwarf opened his eyes, and gazed at the group around +him. + +"It must be Flapdragon!" exclaimed Auriol. + +"Ah! who calls me?" cried the dwarf. + +"I!" rejoined Auriol. "Do you not recollect me?" + +"To be sure!" exclaimed the dwarf, gazing at him fixedly; "you are----" +and he stopped. + +"You have been thrown into the water, Master Flapdragon?" cried a +bystander, noticing the cord round the dwarf's throat. + +"I have," replied the little old man. + +"By your governor--that is, by this person?" cried another, laying hold +of Auriol. + +"By him--no," said the dwarf; "I have not seen that gentleman for nearly +three centuries." + +"Three centuries, my little patriarch?" said the man who had given him +the brandy. "That's a long time. Think again." + +"It's perfectly true, nevertheless," replied the dwarf. + +"His wits have been washed away by the water," said the first speaker. +"Give him a drop more brandy." + +"Not a bit of it," rejoined the dwarf; "my senses were never clearer +than at this moment. At last we have met," he continued, addressing +Auriol, "and I hope we shall not speedily part again. We hold life by +the same tie." + +"How came you in the desperate condition in which I found you?" demanded +Auriol evasively. + +"I was thrown into the canal with a stone to my neck, like a dog about +to be drowned," replied the dwarf. "But, as you are aware, I'm not so +easily disposed of." + +Again the bystanders exchanged significant looks. + +"By whom was the attempt made?" inquired Auriol. + +"I don't know the villain's name," rejoined the dwarf, "but he's a very +tall, dark man, and is generally wrapped in a long black cloak." + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol. "When was it done?" + +"Some nights ago, I should fancy," replied the dwarf, "for I've been a +terrible long time under water. I have only just managed to shake off +the stone." + +At this speech there was a titter of incredulity among the bystanders. + +"You may laugh, but it's true!" cried the dwarf angrily. + +"We must speak of this anon," said Auriol. "Will you convey him to the +nearest tavern?" he added, placing money in the hands of the man who +held the dwarf in his arms. + +"Willingly, sir," replied the man. "I'll take him to the Life Guardsman, +near the barracks--that's the nearest public." + +"I'll join him there in an hour," replied Auriol, moving away. + +And as he disappeared, the man took up his little burden, and bent his +steps towards the barracks. + +Utterly disregarding the dripping state of his habiliments, Auriol +proceeded quickly to the place of rendezvous. Arrived there, he looked +around, and not seeing any one, flung himself upon a bench at the foot +of the gentle eminence on which the gigantic statue of Achilles is +placed. + +It was becoming rapidly dark, and heavy clouds, portending speedy rain, +increased the gloom. Auriol's thoughts were sombre as the weather and +the hour, and he fell into a deep fit of abstraction, from which he was +roused by a hand laid on his shoulder. + +Recoiling at the touch, he raised his eyes, and beheld the stranger +leaning over him, and gazing at him with a look of diabolical +exultation. The cloak was thrown partly aside, so as to display the +tall, gaunt figure of its wearer; while the large collar of sable fur +with which it was decorated stood out like the wings of a demon. The +stranger's hat was off, and his high broad forehead, white as marble, +was fully revealed. + +"Our meeting must be brief," he said. "Are you prepared to fulfil the +compact?" + +"What do you require?" replied Auriol. + +"Possession of the girl I saw three days ago," said the other; "the +iron-merchant's daughter, Ebba. She must be mine." + +"Never!" cried Auriol firmly--"never!" + +"Beware how you tempt me to exert my power," said the stranger; "she +_must_ be mine--or----" + +"I defy you!" rejoined Auriol; "I will never consent." + +"Fool!" cried the other, seizing him by the arm, and fixing a withering +glance upon him. "Bring her to me ere the week be out, or dread my +vengeance!" + +And, enveloping himself in his cloak, he retreated behind the statue, +and was lost to view. + +As he disappeared, a moaning wind arose, and heavy rain descended. Still +Auriol did not quit the bench. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE CHARLES THE SECOND SPANIEL + + +It was about two o'clock, on a charming spring day, that a stout +middle-aged man, accompanied by a young person of extraordinary beauty, +took up his station in front of Langham Church. Just as the clock struck +the hour, a young man issued at a quick pace from a cross-street, and +came upon the couple before he was aware of it. He was evidently greatly +embarrassed, and would have beaten a retreat, but that was impossible. +His embarrassment was in some degree shared by the young lady; she +blushed deeply, but could not conceal her satisfaction at the encounter. +The elder individual, who did not appear to notice the confusion of +either party, immediately extended his hand to the young man, and +exclaimed: + +"What! Mr. Darcy, is it you? Why, we thought we had lost you, sir! What +took you off so suddenly? We have been expecting you these four days, +and were now walking about to try and find you. My daughter has been +terribly uneasy. Haven't you, Ebba?" + +The young lady made no answer to this appeal, but cast down her eyes. + +"It was my intention to call, and give you an explanation of my strange +conduct, to-day," replied Auriol. "I hope you received my letter, +stating that my sudden departure was unavoidable." + +"To be sure; and I also received the valuable snuffbox you were so good +as to send me," replied Mr. Thorneycroft. "But you neglected to tell me +how to acknowledge the gift." + +"I could not give an address at the moment," said Auriol. + +"Well, I am glad to find you have got the use of your arm again," +observed the iron-merchant; "but I can't say you look so well as when +you left us. You seem paler--eh? what do you think, Ebba?" + +"Mr. Darcy looks as if he were suffering from mental anxiety rather than +from bodily ailment," she replied timidly. + +"I am so," replied Auriol, regarding her fixedly. "A very disastrous +circumstance has happened to me. But answer me one question: Has the +mysterious person in the black cloak troubled you again?" + +"What mysterious person?" demanded Mr. Thorneycroft, opening his eyes. + +"Never mind, father," replied Ebba. "I saw him last night," she added to +Auriol. "I was sitting in the back room alone, wondering what had become +of you, when I heard a tap against the window, which was partly open, +and, looking up, I beheld the tall stranger. It was nearly dark, but the +light of the fire revealed his malignant countenance. I don't +exaggerate, when I say his eyes gleamed like those of a tiger. I was +terribly frightened, but something prevented me from crying out. After +gazing at me for a few moments, with a look that seemed to fascinate +while it frightened me, he said--'You desire to see Auriol Darcy. I have +just quitted him. Go to Langham Place to-morrow, and, as the clock +strikes two, you will behold him.' Without waiting for any reply on my +part, he disappeared." + +"Ah, you never told me this, you little rogue!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. +"You persuaded me to come out with you, in the hope of meeting Mr. +Darcy; but you did not say you were sure to find him. So you sent this +mysterious gentleman to her, eh?" he added to Auriol. + +"No, I did not," replied the other gloomily. + +"Indeed!" exclaimed the iron-merchant, with a puzzled look. + +"Oh, then I suppose he thought it might relieve her anxiety. However, +since we have met, I hope you'll walk home and dine with us." + +Auriol was about to decline the invitation, but Ebba glanced at him +entreatingly. + +"I have an engagement, but I will forego it," he said, offering his arm +to her. + +And they walked along towards Oxford Street, while Mr. Thorneycroft +followed, a few paces behind them. + +"This is very kind of you, Mr. Darcy," said Ebba. "Oh, I have been so +wretched!" + +"I grieve to hear it," he rejoined. "I hoped you had forgotten me." + +"I am sure you did not think so," she cried. + +As she spoke, she felt a shudder pass through Auriol's frame. + +"What ails you?" she anxiously inquired. + +"I would have shunned you, if I could, Ebba," he replied; "but a fate, +against which it is vain to contend, has brought us together again." + +"I am glad of it," she replied; "because, ever since our last interview, +I have been reflecting on what you then said to me, and am persuaded you +are labouring under some strange delusion, occasioned by your recent +accident." + +"Be not deceived, Ebba," cried Auriol. "I am under a terrible influence. +I need not remind you of the mysterious individual who tapped at your +window last night." + +"What of him?" demanded Ebba, with a thrill of apprehension. + +"He it is who controls my destiny," replied Auriol. + +"But what has he to do with me?" asked Ebba. + +"Much, much," he replied, with a perceptible shudder. + +"You terrify me, Auriol," she rejoined. "Tell me what you mean--in pity, +tell me?" + +Before Auriol could reply, Mr. Thorneycroft stepped forward, and turned +the conversation into another channel. + +Soon after this, they reached the Quadrant, and were passing beneath the +eastern colonnade, when Ebba's attention was attracted towards a man who +was leading a couple of dogs by a string, while he had others under his +arm, others again in his pocket, and another in his breast. It was Mr. +Ginger. + +"What a pretty little dog!" cried Ebba, remarking the Charles the Second +spaniel. + +"Allow me to present you with it?" said Auriol. + +"You know I should value it, as coming from you," she replied, blushing +deeply; "but I cannot accept it; so I will not look at it again, for +fear I should be tempted." + +The dog-fancier, however, noticing Ebba's admiration, held forward the +spaniel, and said, "Do jist look at the pretty little creater, miss. It +han't its equil for beauty. Don't be afeerd on it, miss. It's as gentle +as a lamb." + +"Oh you little darling!" Ebba said, patting its sleek head and long +silken ears, while it fixed its large black eyes upon her, as if +entreating her to become its purchaser. + +"Fairy seems to have taken quite a fancy to you, miss," observed Ginger; +"and she ain't i' the habit o' fallin' i' love at first sight. I don't +wonder at it, though, for my part. I should do jist the same, if I wos +in her place. Vell, now, miss, as she seems to like you, and you seem to +like her, I won't copy the manners o' them 'ere fathers as has stony +'arts, and part two true lovyers. You shall have her a bargin." + +"What do you call a bargain, my good man?" inquired Ebba, smiling. + +"I wish I could afford to give her to you, miss," replied Ginger; "you +should have her, and welcome. But I must airn a livelihood, and Fairy is +the most wallerable part o' my stock. I'll tell you wot I give for her +myself, and you shall have her at a trifle beyond it. I'd scorn to take +adwantage o' the likes o' you." + +"I hope you didn't give too much, then, friend," replied Ebba. + +"I didn't give hayf her wally--not hayf," said Ginger; "and if so be you +don't like her in a month's time, I'll buy her back again from you. +You'll alvays find me here--alvays. Everybody knows Mr. Ginger--that's +my name, miss. I'm the only honest man in the dog-fancyin' line. Ask Mr. +Bishop, the great gunmaker o' Bond Street, about me--him as the nobs +calls the Bishop o' Bond Street--an' he'll tell you." + +"But you haven't answered the lady's question," said Auriol. "What do +you ask for the dog?" + +"Do you want it for yourself, sir, or for her?" inquired Ginger. + +"What does it matter?" cried Auriol angrily. + +"A great deal, sir," replied Ginger; "it'll make a mater'al difference +in the price. To you she'll be five-an'-twenty guineas. To the young +lady, twenty." + +"But suppose I buy her for the young lady?" said Auriol. + +"Oh, then, in coorse, you'll get her at the lower figure!" replied +Ginger. + +"I hope you don't mean to buy the dog?" interposed Mr. Thorneycroft. +"The price is monstrous--preposterous." + +"It may appear so to you, sir," said Ginger, "because you're ignorant o' +the wally of sich a hanimal; but I can tell you, it's cheap--dirt cheap. +Vy, his Excellency the Prooshan Ambassador bought a Charley from me, +t'other week, to present to a certain duchess of his acquaintance, and +wot d'ye think he give for it?" + +"I don't know, and I don't want to know," replied Mr. Thorneycroft +gruffly. + +"Eighty guineas," said Ginger. "Eighty guineas, as I'm a livin' man, and +made no bones about it neither. The dog I sold him warn't to be compared +wi' Fairy." + +"Stuff--stuff!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft; "I ain't to be gammoned in that +way." + +"It's no gammon," said Ginger. "Look at them ears, miss--vy, they're as +long as your own ringlets--and them pads--an' I'm sure you von't say +she's dear at twenty pound." + +"She's a lovely little creature, indeed," returned Ebba, again patting +the animal's head. + +While this was passing, two men of very suspicious mien, ensconced +behind a pillar adjoining the group, were reconnoitring Auriol. + +"It's him!" whispered the taller and darker of the two to his +companion--"it's the young man ve've been lookin' for--Auriol Darcy." + +"It seems like him," said the other, edging round the pillar as far as +he could without exposure. "I vish he'd turn his face a leetle more this +vay." + +"It's him, I tell you, Sandman," said the Tinker. "Ve must give the +signal to our comrade." + +"Vell, I'll tell you wot it is, miss," said Ginger coaxingly, "your +sveet'art--I'm sure he's your sveet'art--I can tell these things in a +minnit--your sveet'art, I say, shall give me fifteen pound, and the +dog's yourn. I shall lose five pound by the transaction; but I don't +mind it for sich a customer as you. Fairy desarves a kind missus." + +Auriol, who had fallen into a fit of abstraction, here remarked: + +"What's that you are saying, fellow?" + +"I vos a-sayin', sir, the young lady shall have the dog for fifteen +pound, and a precious bargin it is," replied Ginger. + +"Well, then, I close with you. Here's the money," said Auriol, taking +out his purse. + +"On no account, Auriol," cried Ebba quickly. "It's too much." + +"A great deal too much, Mr. Darcy," said Thorneycroft. + +"Auriol and Darcy!" muttered Ginger. "Can this be the gemman ve're +a-lookin' for. Vere's my two pals, I vonder? Oh, it's all right!" he +added, receiving a signal from behind the pillar. "They're on the +look-out, I see." + +"Give the lady the dog, and take the money, man," said Auriol sharply. + +"Beg pardon, sir," said Ginger, "but hadn't I better carry the dog home +for the young lady? It might meet vith some accident in the vay." + +"Accident!--stuff and nonsense!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "The rascal +only wants to follow you home, that he may know where you live, and +steal the dog back again. Take my advice, Mr. Darcy, and don't buy it." + +"The bargain's concluded," said Ginger, delivering the dog to Ebba, and +taking the money from Auriol, which, having counted, he thrust into his +capacious breeches pocket. + +"How shall I thank you for this treasure, Auriol?" exclaimed Ebba, in an +ecstasy of delight. + +"By transferring to it all regard you may entertain for me," he replied, +in a low tone. + +"That is impossible," she answered. + +"Well, I vote we drive away at once," said Mr. Thorneycroft. "Halloa! +jarvey!" he cried, hailing a coach that was passing; adding, as the +vehicle stopped, "Now get in, Ebba. By this means we shall avoid being +followed by the rascal." + +So saying, he got into the coach. As Auriol was about to follow him, he +felt a slight touch on his arm, and, turning, beheld a tall and very +forbidding man by his side. + +"Beg pardin, sir," said the fellow, touching his hat, "but ain't your +name Mr. Auriol Darcy?" + +"It is," replied Auriol, regarding him fixedly. "Why do you ask?" + +"I vants a vord or two vith you in private--that's all, sir," replied +the Tinker. + +"Say what you have to say at once," rejoined Auriol. "I know nothing of +you." + +"You'll know me better by-and-by, sir," said the Tinker, in a +significant tone. "I _must_ speak to you, and alone." + +"If you don't go about your business, fellow, instantly, I'll give you +in charge of the police," cried Auriol. + +"No, you von't, sir--no, you von't," replied the Tinker, shaking his +head. And then, lowering his voice, he added, "You'll be glad to +purchase my silence ven you larns wot secrets o' yourn has come to my +knowledge." + +"Won't you get in, Mr. Darcy?" cried Thorneycroft, whose back was +towards the Tinker. + +"I must speak to this man," replied Auriol. "I'll come to you in the +evening. Till then, farewell, Ebba." And, as the coach drove away, he +added to the Tinker, "Now, rascal, what have you to say?" + +"Step this vay, sir," replied the Tinker. "There's two friends o' mine +as vishes to be present at our conference. Ve'd better valk into a back +street." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE HAND AGAIN! + + +Followed by Auriol, who, in his turn, was followed by Ginger and the +Sandman, the Tinker directed his steps to Great Windmill Street, where +he entered a public-house, called the Black Lion. Leaving his +four-footed attendants with the landlord, with whom he was acquainted, +Ginger caused the party to be shown into a private room, and, on +entering it, Auriol flung himself into a chair, while the dog-fancier +stationed himself near the door. + +"Now, what do you want with me?" demanded Auriol. + +"You shall learn presently," replied the Tinker; "but first, it may be +as vell to state, that a certain pocket-book has been found." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Auriol. "You are the villains who beset me in the ruined +house in the Vauxhall Road." + +"Your pocket-book has been found, I tell you," replied the Tinker, "and +from it ve have made the most awful diskiveries. Our werry 'air stood on +end ven ve first read the shockin' particulars. What a bloodthirsty +ruffian you must be! Vy, ve finds you've been i' the habit o' makin' +avay with a young ooman vonce every ten years. Your last wictim wos in +1820--the last but one, in 1810--and the one before her, in 1800." + +"Hangin's too good for you!" cried the Sandman; "but if ve peaches +you're sartin to sving." + +"I hope that pretty creater I jist see ain't to be the next wictim?" +said Ginger. + +"Peace!" thundered Auriol. "What do you require?" + +"A hundred pound each'll buy our silence," replied the Tinker. + +"Ve ought to have double that," said the Sandman, "for screenin' sich +atterocious crimes as he has parpetrated. Ve're not werry partic'lar +ourselves, but ve don't commit murder wholesale." + +"Ve don't commit murder at all," said Ginger. + +"You may fancy," pursued the Tinker, "that ve ain't perfectly acvainted +with your history, but to prove that ve are, I'll just rub up your +memory. Did you ever hear tell of a gemman as murdered Doctor Lamb, the +famous halchemist o' Queen Bess's time, and, havin' drank the 'lixir +vich the doctor had made for hisself, has lived ever since? Did you ever +hear tell of such a person, I say?" + +Auriol gazed at him in astonishment. + +"What idle tale are you inventing?" he said at length. + +"It is no idle tale," replied the Tinker boldly. "Ve can bring a vitness +as'll prove the fact--a livin' vitness." + +"What witness?" cried Auriol. + +"Don't you reckilect the dwarf as used to serve Doctor Lamb?" rejoined +the Tinker. "He's alive still; and ve calls him Old Parr, on account of +his great age." + +"Where is he?--what has become of him?" demanded Auriol. + +"Oh, ve'll perduce him in doo time," replied the Tinker cunningly. + +"But tell me where the poor fellow is?" cried Auriol. "Have you seen him +since last night? I sent him to a public-house at Kensington, but he has +disappeared from it, and I can discover no traces of him." + +"He'll turn up somewhere--never fear," rejoined the Tinker. "But now, +sir, that ve fairly understands each other, are you agreeable to our +terms? You shall give us an order for the money, and ve'll undertake, on +our parts, not to mislest you more." + +"The pocket-book must be delivered up to me if I assent," said Auriol, +"and the poor dwarf must be found." + +"Vy, as to that, I can scarcely promise," replied the Tinker; "there's a +difficulty in the case, you see. But the pocket-book'll never be brought +aginst you--you may rest assured o' that." + +"I must have it, or you get nothing from me," cried Auriol. + +"Here's a bit o' paper as come from the pocket-book," said Ginger. +"Would you like to hear wot's written upon it? Here are the words: 'How +many crimes have I to reproach myself with! How many innocents have I +destroyed! And all owing to my fatal compact with----'" + +"Give me that paper," cried Auriol, rising, and attempting to snatch it +from the dog-fancier. + +Just as this moment, and while Ginger retreated from Auriol, the door +behind him was noiselessly opened--a hand was thrust through the +chink--and the paper was snatched from his grasp. Before Ginger could +turn round, the door was closed again. + +"Halloa! What's that?" he cried. "The paper's gone!" + +"The hand again!" cried the Sandman, in alarm. "See who's in the +passage--open the door--quick!" + +Ginger cautiously complied, and, peeping forth, said-- + +"There's no one there. It must be the devil. I'll have nuffin' more to +do wi' the matter." + +"Poh! poh! don't be so chicken-'arted!" cried the Tinker. "But come what +may, the gemman shan't stir till he undertakes to pay us three hundred +pounds." + +"You seek to frighten me in vain, villain," cried Auriol, upon whom the +recent occurrence had not been lost. "I have but to stamp my foot, and I +can instantly bring assistance that shall overpower you." + +"Don't provoke him," whispered Ginger, plucking the Tinker's sleeve. +"For my part, I shan't stay any longer. I wouldn't take his money." And +he quitted the room. + +"I'll go and see wot's the matter wi' Ginger," said the Sandman, +slinking after him. + +The Tinker looked nervously round. He was not proof against his +superstitious fears. + +"Here, take this purse, and trouble me no more!" cried Auriol. + +The Tinker's hands clutched the purse mechanically, but he instantly +laid it down again. + +"I'm bad enough--but I won't sell myself to the devil," he said. + +And he followed his companions. + +Left alone, Auriol groaned aloud, and covered his face with his hands. +When he looked up, he found the tall man in the black cloak standing +beside him. A demoniacal smile played upon his features. + +"You here?" cried Auriol. + +"Of course," replied the stranger. "I came to watch over your safety. +You were in danger from those men. But you need not concern yourself +more about them. I have your pocket-book, and the slip of paper that +dropped from it. Here are both. Now let us talk on other matters. You +have just parted from Ebba, and will see her again this evening." + +"Perchance," replied Auriol. + +"You will," rejoined the stranger peremptorily. "Remember, your ten +years' limit draws to a close. In a few days it will be at an end; and +if you renew it not, you will incur the penalty, and you know it to be +terrible. With the means of renewal in your hands, why hesitate?" + +"Because I will not sacrifice the girl," replied Auriol. + +"You cannot help yourself," cried the stranger scornfully. "I command +you to bring her to me." + +"I persist in my refusal," replied Auriol. + +"It is useless to brave my power," said the stranger. "A moon is just +born. When it has attained its first quarter, Ebba shall be mine. Till +then, farewell." + +And as the words were uttered, he passed through the door. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE BARBER OF LONDON + + +Who has not heard of the Barber of London? His dwelling is in the +neighbourhood of Lincoln's Inn. It is needless to particularise the +street, for everybody knows the shop; that is to say, every member of +the legal profession, high or low. All, to the very judges themselves, +have their hair cut, or their wigs dressed, by him. A pleasant fellow is +Mr. Tuffnell Trigge--Figaro himself not pleasanter--and if you do not +shave yourself--if you want a becoming flow imparted to your stubborn +locks, or if you require a wig, I recommend you to the care of Mr. +Tuffnell Trigge. Not only will he treat you well, but he will regale you +with all the gossip of the court; he will give you the last funny thing +of Mr. Serjeant Larkins; he will tell you how many briefs the great Mr. +Skinner Fyne receives--what the Vice-Chancellor is doing; and you will +own, on rising, that you have never spent a five minutes more agreeably. +Besides, you are likely to see some noticeable characters, for Mr. +Trigge's shop is quite a lounge. Perhaps you may find a young barrister +who has just been "called," ordering his "first wig," and you may hear +the prognostications of Mr. Trigge as to his future distinction. "Ah, +sir," he will say, glancing at the stolid features of the young man, +"you have quite the face of the Chief Justice--quite the face of the +chief--I don't recollect him ordering his first wig--that was a little +before my time; but I hope to live to see you chief, sir. Quite within +your reach, if you choose to apply. Sure of it, sir--quite sure." Or you +may see him attending to some grave master in Chancery, and listening +with profound attention to his remarks; or screaming with laughter at +the jokes of some smart special pleader; or talking of the theatres, the +actors and actresses, to some young attorneys, or pupils in +conveyancers' chambers; for those are the sort of customers in whom Mr. +Trigge chiefly delights; with them, indeed, he _is_ great, for it is by +them he has been dubbed the Barber of London. His shop is also +frequented by managing clerks, barristers' clerks, engrossing clerks, +and others; but these are, for the most part, his private friends. + +Mr. Trigge's shop is none of your spruce West End hair-cutting +establishments, with magnificent mirrors on every side, in which you may +see the back of your head, the front, and the side, all at once, with +walls bedizened with glazed French paper, and with an ante-room full of +bears'-grease, oils, creams, tooth-powders, and cut glass. No, it is a +real barber's and hairdresser's shop, of the good old stamp, where you +may get cut and curled for a shilling, and shaved for half the price. + +True, the floor is not covered with a carpet. But what of that? It bears +the imprint of innumerable customers, and is scattered over with their +hair. In the window, there is an assortment of busts moulded in wax, +exhibiting the triumphs of Mr. Trigge's art; and above these are +several specimens of legal wigs. On the little counter behind the +window, amid large pots of pomade and bears'-grease, and the irons and +brushes in constant use by the barber, are other bustos, done to the +life, and for ever glancing amiably into the room. On the block is a +judge's wig, which Mr. Trigge has just been dressing, and a little +farther, on a higher block, is that of a counsel. On either side of the +fireplace are portraits of Lord Eldon and Lord Lyndhurst. Some other +portraits of pretty actresses are likewise to be seen. Against the +counter rests a board, displaying the playbill of the evening; and near +it is a large piece of emblematical crockery, indicating that +bears'-grease may be had on the premises. Amongst Mr. Trigge's +live-stock may be enumerated his favourite magpie, placed in a wicker +cage in the window, which chatters incessantly, and knows everything, +its master avouches, "as well as a Christian." + +And now as to Mr. Tuffnell Trigge himself. He is very tall and very +thin, and holds himself so upright that he loses not an inch of his +stature. His head is large and his face long, with marked, if not very +striking features, charged, it must be admitted, with a very +self-satisfied expression. One cannot earn the appellation of the Barber +of London without talent; and it is the consciousness of this talent +that lends to Mr. Trigge's features their apparently conceited +expression. A fringe of black whisker adorns his cheek and chin, and his +black bristly hair is brushed back, so as to exhibit the prodigious +expanse of his forehead. His eyebrows are elevated, as if in constant +scorn. + +The attire in which Mr. Trigge is ordinarily seen, consists of a black +velvet waistcoat, and tight black continuations. These are protected by +a white apron tied round his waist, with pockets to hold his scissors +and combs; over all, he wears a short nankeen jacket, into the pockets +of which his hands are constantly thrust when not otherwise employed. A +black satin stock with a large bow encircles his throat, and his shirt +is fastened by black enamel studs. Such is Mr. Tuffnell Trigge, yclept +the Barber of London. + +At the time of his introduction to the reader, Mr. Trigge had just +advertised for an assistant, his present young man, Rutherford Watts, +being about to leave him, and set up for himself in Canterbury. It was +about two o'clock, and Mr. Trigge had just withdrawn into an inner room +to take some refection, when, on returning, he found Watts occupied in +cutting the hair of a middle-aged, sour-looking gentleman, who was +seated before the fire. Mr. Trigge bowed to the sour-looking gentleman, +and appeared ready to enter into conversation with him, but no notice +being taken of his advances, he went and talked to his magpie. + +While he was chattering to it, the sagacious bird screamed forth: +"Pretty dear!--pretty dear!" + +"Ah! what's that? Who is it?" cried Trigge. + +"Pretty dear!--pretty dear!" reiterated the magpie. + +Upon this, Trigge looked around, and saw a very singular little man +enter the shop. He had somewhat the appearance of a groom, being clothed +in a long grey coat, drab knees, and small top-boots. He had a large and +remarkably projecting mouth, like that of a baboon, and a great shock +head of black hair. + +"Pretty dear!--pretty dear!" screamed the magpie. + +"I see nothing pretty about him," thought Mr. Trigge. "What a strange +little fellow! It would puzzle the Lord Chancellor himself to say what +his age might be." + +The little man took off his hat, and making a profound bow to the +barber, unfolded the _Times_ newspaper, which he carried under his arm, +and held it up to Trigge. + +"What do you want, my little friend, eh?" said the barber. + +"High wages!--high wages!" screamed the magpie. + +"Is this yours, sir?" replied the little man, pointing to an +advertisement in the newspaper. + +"Yes, yes, that's my advertisement, friend," replied Mr. Trigge. "But +what of it?" + +Before the little man could answer, a slight interruption occurred. +While eyeing the new-comer, Watts neglected to draw forth the hot +curling-irons, in consequence of which he burnt the sour-looking +gentleman's forehead, and singed his hair. + +"Take care, sir!" cried the gentleman furiously. "What the devil are you +about?" + +"Yes! take care, sir, as Judge Learmouth observes to a saucy witness," +cried Trigge--"'take care, or I'll commit you!'" + +"D--n Judge Learmouth!" cried the gentleman angrily. "If I were a judge, +I'd hang such a careless fellow." + +"Sarve him right!" screamed Mag--"sarve him right!" + +[Illustration: The Barber of London.] + +"Beg pardon, sir," cried Watts. "I'll rectify you in a minute." + +"Well, my little friend," observed Trigge, "and what may be your object +in coming to me? as the great conveyancer, Mr. Plodwell, observes to his +clients--what may be your object?" + +"You want an assistant, don't you, sir?" rejoined the little man humbly. + +"Do you apply on your own account, or on behalf of a friend?" asked +Trigge. + +"On my own," replied the little man. + +"What are your qualifications?" demanded Trigge--"what are your +qualifications?" + +"I fancy I understand something of the business," replied the little +man. "I was a perruquier myself, when wigs were more in fashion than +they are now." + +"Ha! indeed!" said Trigge, laughing. "That must have been in the last +century--in Queen Anne's time--eh?" + +"You have hit it exactly, sir," replied the little man. "It _was_ in +Queen Anne's time." + +"Perhaps you recollect when wigs were first worn, my little Nestor?" +cried Mr. Trigge. + +"Perfectly," replied the little man. "French periwigs were first worn in +Charles the Second's time." + +"You saw 'em, of course?" cried the barber, with a sneer. + +"I did," replied the little man quietly. + +"Oh, he must be out of his mind," cried Trigge. "We shall have a +commission _de lunatico_ to issue here, as the Master of the Rolls would +observe." + +"I hope I may suit you, sir," said the little man. + +"I don't think you will, my friend," replied Mr. Trigge; "I don't think +you will. You don't seem to have a hand for hairdressing. Are you aware +of the talent the art requires? Are you aware what it has cost me to +earn the enviable title of the Barber of London? I'm as proud of that +title as if I were----" + +"Lord Chancellor!--Lord Chancellor!" screamed Mag. + +"Precisely, Mag," said Mr. Trigge; "as if I were Lord Chancellor." + +"Well, I'm sorry for it," said the little man disconsolately. + +"Pretty dear!" screamed Mag; "pretty dear!" + +"What a wonderful bird you have got!" said the sour-looking gentleman, +rising and paying Mr. Trigge. "I declare its answers are quite +appropriate." + +"Ah! Mag is a clever creature, sir--that she is," replied the barber. "I +gave a good deal for her." + +"Little or nothing!" screamed Mag--"little or nothing!" + +"What is your name, friend?" said the gentleman, addressing the little +man, who still lingered in the shop. + +"Why, sir, I've had many names in my time," he replied. "At one time I +was called Flapdragon--at another, Old Parr--but my real name, I +believe, is Morse--Gregory Morse." + +"An Old Bailey answer," cried Mr. Trigge, shaking his head. "Flapdragon, +alias Old Parr--alias Gregory Morse--alias----" + +"Pretty dear!" screamed Mag. + +"And you want a place?" demanded the sour-looking gentleman, eyeing him +narrowly. + +"Sadly," replied Morse. + +"Well, then, follow me," said the gentleman, "and I'll see what can be +done for you." + +And they left the shop together. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE MOON IN THE FIRST QUARTER + + +In spite of his resolution to the contrary, Auriol found it impossible +to resist the fascination of Ebba's society, and became a daily visitor +at her father's house. Mr. Thorneycroft noticed the growing attachment +between them with satisfaction. His great wish was to see his daughter +united to the husband of her choice, and in the hope of smoothing the +way, he let Auriol understand that he should give her a considerable +marriage portion. + +For the last few days a wonderful alteration had taken place in Auriol's +manner, and he seemed to have shaken off altogether the cloud that had +hitherto sat upon his spirits. Enchanted by the change, Ebba indulged in +the most blissful anticipations of the future. + +One evening they walked forth together, and almost unconsciously +directed their steps towards the river. Lingering on its banks, they +gazed on the full tide, admired the glorious sunset, and breathed over +and over again those tender nothings so eloquent in lovers' ears. + +"Oh! how different you are from what you were a week ago," said Ebba +playfully. "Promise me not to indulge in any more of those gloomy +fancies." + +"I will not indulge in them if I can help it, rest assured, sweet Ebba," +he replied. "But my spirits are not always under my control. I am +surprised at my own cheerfulness this evening." + +"I never felt so happy," she replied; "and the whole scene is in unison +with my feelings. How soothing is the calm river flowing at our +feet!--how tender is the warm sky, still flushed with red, though the +sun has set!--And see, yonder hangs the crescent moon. She is in her +first quarter." + +"The moon in her first quarter!" cried Auriol, in a tone of anguish. +"All then is over." + +"What means this sudden change?" cried Ebba, frightened by his looks. + +"Oh, Ebba," he replied, "I must leave you. I have allowed myself to +dream of happiness too long. I am an accursed being, doomed only to +bring misery upon those who love me. I warned you on the onset, but you +would not believe me. Let me go, and perhaps it may not yet be too late +to save you." + +"Oh no, do not leave me!" cried Ebba. "I have no fear while you are with +me." + +"But you do not know the terrible fate I am linked to," he said. "This +is the night when it will be accomplished." + +"Your moody fancies do not alarm me as they used to do, dear Auriol," +she rejoined, "because I know them to be the fruit of a diseased +imagination. Come, let us continue our walk," she added, taking his arm +kindly. + +"Ebba," he cried, "I implore you to let me go! I have not the power to +tear myself away unless you aid me." + +"I'm glad to hear it," she rejoined, "for then I shall hold you fast." + +"You know not what you do!" cried Auriol. "Release me! oh, release me!" + +"In a few moments the fit will be passed," she rejoined. "Let us walk +towards the abbey." + +"It is in vain to struggle against fate," ejaculated Auriol +despairingly. + +And he suffered himself to be led in the direction proposed. + +Ebba continued to talk, but her discourse fell upon a deaf ear, and at +last she became silent too. In this way they proceeded along Millbank +Street and Abingdon Street, until, turning off on the right, they found +themselves before an old and partly-demolished building. By this time it +had become quite dark, for the moon was hidden behind a rack of clouds, +but a light was seen in the upper storey of the structure, occasioned, +no doubt, by a fire within it, which gave a very picturesque effect to +the broken outline of the walls. + +Pausing for a moment to contemplate the ruin, Ebba expressed a wish to +enter it. Auriol offered no opposition, and passing through an arched +doorway, and ascending a short, spiral, stone staircase, they presently +arrived at a roofless chamber, which it was evident, from the implements +and rubbish lying about, was about to be razed to the ground. On one +side there was a large arch, partly bricked up, through which opened a +narrow doorway, though at some height from the ground. With this a +plank communicated, while beneath it lay a great heap of stones, amongst +which were some grotesque carved heads. In the centre of the chamber was +a large square opening, like the mouth of a trap-door, from which the +top of a ladder projected, and near it stood a flaming brazier, which +had cast forth the glare seen from below. Over the ruinous walls on the +right hung the crescent moon, now emerged from the cloud, and shedding a +ghostly glimmer on the scene. + +"What a strange place!" cried Ebba, gazing around with some +apprehension. "It looks like a spot one reads of in romance. I wonder +where that trap leads to?" + +"Into the vault beneath, no doubt," replied Auriol. "But why did we come +hither?" + +As he spoke, there was a sound like mocking laughter, but whence arising +it was difficult to say. + +"Did you hear that sound?" cried Auriol. + +"It was nothing but the echo of laughter from the street," she replied. +"You alarm yourself without reason, Auriol." + +"No, not without reason," he cried. "I am in the power of a terrible +being, who seeks to destroy you, and I know that he is at hand. Listen +to me, Ebba, and however strange my recital may appear, do not suppose +it the ravings of a madman, but be assured it is the truth." + +"Beware!" cried a deep voice, issuing apparently from the depths of the +vault. + +"Some one spoke," cried Ebba. "I begin to share your apprehensions. Let +us quit this place." + +"Come, then," said Auriol. + +"Not so fast," cried a deep voice. + +And they beheld the mysterious owner of the black cloak barring their +passage out. + +"Ebba, you are mine," cried the stranger. "Auriol has brought you to +me." + +"It is false!" cried Auriol. "I never will yield her to you." + +"Remember your compact," rejoined the stranger, with a mocking laugh. + +"Oh, Auriol!" cried Ebba, "I fear for your soul. You have not made a +compact with this fiend?" + +"He has," replied the stranger; "and by that compact you are surrendered +to me." + +And, as he spoke, he advanced towards her, and enveloping her in his +cloak, her cries were instantly stifled. + +"You shall not go!" cried Auriol, seizing him. "Release her, or I +renounce you wholly." + +"Fool!" cried the stranger, "since you provoke my wrath, take your +doom." + +And he stamped on the ground. At this signal an arm was thrust from the +trap-door, and Auriol's hand was seized with an iron grasp. + +While this took place, the stranger bore his lovely burden swiftly up +the plank leading to the narrow doorway in the wall, and just as he was +passing through it he pointed towards the sky, and shouted with a +mocking smile to Auriol--"Behold! the moon is in her first quarter. My +words are fulfilled!" + +And he disappeared. + +Auriol tried to disengage himself from the grasp imposed upon him in +vain. Uttering ejaculations of rage and despair, he was dragged forcibly +backwards into the vault. + +[Illustration: Seizure of Ebba.] + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE STATUE AT CHARING CROSS + + +One morning, two persons took their way along Parliament Street and +Whitehall, and, chatting as they walked, turned into the entrance of +Spring Gardens, for the purpose of looking at the statue at Charing +Cross. One of them was remarkable for his dwarfish stature and strange +withered features. The other was a man of middle size, thin, rather +elderly, and with a sharp countenance, the sourness of which was +redeemed by a strong expression of benevolence. He was clad in a black +coat, rather rusty, but well brushed, buttoned up to the chin, black +tights, short drab gaiters, and wore a white neckcloth and spectacles. + +Mr. Loftus (for so he was called) was a retired merchant, of moderate +fortune, and lived in Abingdon Street. He was a bachelor, and therefore +pleased himself; and being a bit of an antiquary, rambled about all day +long in search of some object of interest. His walk, on the present +occasion, was taken with that view. + +"By Jove! what a noble statue that is, Morse!" cried Loftus, gazing at +it. "The horse is magnificent--positively magnificent." + +"I recollect when the spot was occupied by a gibbet, and when, in lieu +of a statue, an effigy of the martyred monarch was placed there," +replied Morse. "That was in the time of the Protectorate." + +"You cannot get those dreams out of your head, Morse," said Loftus, +smiling. "I wish I could persuade myself I had lived for two centuries +and a half." + +"Would you could have seen the ancient cross, which once stood there, +erected by Edward the First to his beloved wife, 'Eleanor of Castile'!" +said Morse, heedless of the other's remark. "It was much mutilated when +I remember it; some of the pinnacles were broken, and the foliage +defaced, but the statues of the queen were still standing in the +recesses; and altogether the effect was beautiful." + +"It must have been charming," observed Loftus, rubbing his hands; "and, +though I like the statue, I would much rather have had the old Gothic +cross. But how fortunate the former escaped destruction in Oliver +Cromwell's time!" + +"I can tell you how that came to pass, sir," replied Morse, "for I was +assistant to John Rivers, the brazier, to whom the statue was sold." + +"Ah! indeed!" exclaimed Loftus. "I have heard something of the story, +but should like to have full particulars." + +"You shall hear them, then," replied Morse. "Yon statue, which, as you +know, was cast by Hubert le Sueur, in 1633, was ordered by Parliament to +be sold and broken to pieces. Well, my master, John Rivers, being a +stanch Royalist, though he did not dare to avow his principles, +determined to preserve it from destruction. Accordingly, he offered a +good round sum for it, and was declared the purchaser. But how to +dispose of it was the difficulty? He could trust none of his men but me, +whom he knew to be as hearty a hater of the Roundheads, and as loyal to +the memory of our slaughtered sovereign, as himself. Well, we digged a +great pit, secretly, in the cellar, whither the statue had been +conveyed, and buried it. The job occupied us nearly a month; and during +that time, my master collected together all the pieces of old brass he +could procure. These he afterwards produced, and declared they were the +fragments of the statue. But the cream of the jest was to come. He began +to cast handles of knives and forks in brass, giving it out that they +were made from the metal of the statue. And plenty of 'em he sold too, +for the Cavaliers bought 'em as memorials of their martyred monarch, and +the Roundheads as evidences of his fall. In this way he soon got back +his outlay." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Loftus. + +"Well, in due season came the Restoration," pursued Morse; "and my +master made known to King Charles the Second the treasure he had kept +concealed for him. It was digged forth, placed in its old position--but +I forget whether the brazier was rewarded. I rather think not." + +"No matter," cried Loftus; "he was sufficiently rewarded by the +consciousness of having done a noble action. But let us go and examine +the sculpture on the pedestal more closely." + +With this he crossed over the road; and, taking off his hat, thrust his +head through the iron railing surrounding the pedestal, while Morse, in +order to point out the beauties of the sculpture with greater +convenience, mounted upon a stump beside him. + +"You are aware that this is the work of Grinling Gibbons, sir?" cried +the dwarf. + +"To be sure I am," replied Loftus--"to be sure. What fancy and gusto is +displayed in the treatment of these trophies!" + +"The execution of the royal arms is equally admirable," cried Morse. + +"Never saw anything finer," rejoined Loftus--"never, upon my life." + +Every one knows how easily a crowd is collected in London, and it cannot +be supposed that our two antiquaries would be allowed to pursue their +investigations unmolested. Several ragged urchins got round them, and +tried to discover what they were looking at, at the same time cutting +their jokes upon them. These were speedily joined by a street-sweeper, +rather young in the profession, a ticket-porter, a butcher's apprentice, +an old Israelitish clothes-man, a coalheaver, and a couple of +charity-boys. + +"My eyes!" cried the street-sweeper, "only twig these coves. If they +ain't green 'uns, I'm done." + +"Old Spectacles thinks he has found it all out," remarked the porter; +"ve shall hear wot it all means by-and-by." + +"Plesh ma 'art," cried the Jew, "vat two funny old genelmen. I vonder +vat they thinks they sees?" + +"I'll tell 'ee, master," rejoined the butcher's apprentice; "they're a +tryin' vich on 'em can see farthest into a millstone." + +[Illustration: Antiquaries.] + +"Only think of living all my life in London, and never examining this +admirable work of art before!" cried Loftus, quite unconscious that he +had become the object of general curiosity. + +"Look closer at it, old gem'man," cried the porter. "The nearer you get, +the more you'll admire it." + +"Quite true," replied Loftus, fancying Morse had spoken; "it'll bear the +closest inspection." + +"I say, Ned," observed one of the charity-boys to the other, "do you get +over the railin'; they must ha' dropped summat inside. See what it is." + +"I'm afraid o' spikin' myself, Joe," replied the other; "but just give +us a lift, and I'll try." + +"Wot are you arter there, you young rascals?" cried the coalheaver; +"come down, or I'll send the perlice to you." + +"Wot two precious guys these is!" cried a ragamuffin lad, accompanied by +a bulldog. "I've a good mind to chuck the little 'un off the post, and +set Tartar at him. Here, boy, here!" + +"That 'ud be famous fun, indeed, Spicer!" cried another rapscallion +behind him. + +"Arrah! let 'em alone, will you there, you young divils!" cried an Irish +bricklayer; "don't you see they're only two paiceable antiquaries." + +"Oh, they're antiquaries, are they?" screamed the little street-sweeper. +"Vell, I never see the likes on 'em afore; did you, Sam?" + +"Never," replied the porter. + +"Och, murther in Irish! ye're upsettin' me, an' all the fruits of my +industry," cried an applewoman, against whom the bricklayer had run his +barrow. "Divil seize you for a careless wagabone! Why don't you look +where ye're goin', and not dhrive into people in that way?" + +"Axes pardon, Molly," said the bricklayer; "but I was so inter_est_ed in +them antiquaries, that I didn't obsarve ye." + +"Antiquaries be hanged! what's such warmint to me?" cried the applewoman +furiously. "You've destroyed my day's market, and bad luck to ye!" + +"Well, never heed, Molly," cried the good-natured bricklayer; "I'll make +it up t'ye. Pick up your apples, and you shall have a dhrop of the +craiter if you'll come along wid me." + +While this was passing, a stout gentleman came from the farther side of +the statue, and perceiving Loftus, cried--"Why, brother-in-law, is that +you?" + +But Loftus was too much engrossed to notice him, and continued to +expiate upon the beauty of the trophies. + +"What are you talking about, brother?" cried the stout gentleman. + +"Grinling Gibbons," replied Loftus, without turning round. "Horace +Walpole said that no one before him could give to wood the airy +lightness of a flower, and here he has given it to a stone." + +"This may be all very fine, my good fellow," said the stout gentleman, +seizing him by the shoulder; "but don't you see the crowd you're +collecting round you? You'll be mobbed presently." + +"Why, how the devil did you come here, brother Thorneycroft?" cried +Loftus, at last recognising him. + +"Come along, and I'll tell you," replied the iron-merchant, dragging him +away, while Morse followed closely behind them. "I'm so glad to have met +you," pursued Thorneycroft, as soon as they were clear of the mob; +"you'll be shocked to hear what has happened to your niece, Ebba." + +"Why, what _has_ happened to her?" demanded Loftus. "You alarm me. Out +with it at once. I hate to be kept in suspense." + +"She has left me," replied Thorneycroft--"left her old indulgent +father--run away." + +"Run away!" exclaimed Loftus. "Impossible! I'll not believe it--even +from your lips." + +"Would it were not so!--but it is, alas! too true," replied Thorneycroft +mournfully. "And the thing was so unnecessary, for I would gladly have +given her to the young man. My sole hope is that she has not utterly +disgraced herself." + +"No, she is too high principled for that," cried Loftus. "Rest easy on +that score. But with whom has she run away?" + +"With a young man named Auriol Darcy," replied Thorneycroft. "He was +brought to my house under peculiar circumstances." + +"I never heard of him," said Loftus. + +"But I have," interposed Morse. "I've known him these two hundred +years." + +"Eh day! who's this?" cried Thorneycroft. + +"A crack-brained little fellow, whom I've engaged as valet," replied +Loftus. "He fancies he was born in Queen Elizabeth's time." + +"It's no fancy," cried Morse. "I am perfectly acquainted with Auriol +Darcy's history. He drank of the same elixir as myself." + +"If you know him, can you give us a clue to find him?" asked +Thorneycroft. + +"I am sorry I cannot," replied Morse. "I only saw him for a few minutes +the other night, after I had been thrown into the Serpentine by the tall +man in the black cloak." + +"What's that you say?" cried Thorneycroft quickly. "I have heard Ebba +speak of a tall man in a black cloak having some mysterious connection +with Auriol. I hope that person has nothing to do with her +disappearance." + +"I shouldn't wonder if he had," replied Morse. "I believe that black +gentleman to be----" + +"What!--who?" demanded Thorneycroft. + +"Neither more nor less than the devil," replied Morse mysteriously. + +"Pshaw! poh!" cried Loftus. "I told you the poor fellow was half +cracked." + +At this moment, a roguish-looking fellow, with red whiskers and hair, +and clad in a velveteen jacket with ivory buttons, who had been watching +the iron-merchant at some distance, came up, and touching his hat, said, +"Mr. Thorneycroft, I believe?" + +"My name is Thorneycroft, fellow!" cried the iron-merchant, eyeing him +askance. "And your name, I fancy, is Ginger?" + +"Exactly, sir," replied the dog-fancier, again touching his hat, +"ex-actly. I didn't think you would rekilect me, sir. I bring you some +news of your darter." + +"Of Ebba!" exclaimed Thorneycroft, in a tone of deep emotion. "I hope +your news is good." + +"I wish it wos better, for her sake as well as yours, sir," replied the +dog-fancier gravely; "but I'm afeerd she's in werry bad hands." + +"That she is, if she's in the hands o' the black gentleman," observed +Morse. + +"Vy, Old Parr, that ain't you?" cried Ginger, gazing at him in +astonishment. "Vy, 'ow you are transmogrified, to be sure!" + +"But what of my daughter?" cried Thorneycroft; "where is she? Take me to +her, and you shall be well rewarded." + +"I'll do my best to take you to her, and without any reward, sir," +replied Ginger, "for my heart bleeds for the poor young creater. As I +said afore, she's in dreadful bad hands." + +"Do you allude to Mr. Auriol Darcy?" cried Thorneycroft. + +"No, he's as much a wictim of this infernal plot as your darter," +replied Ginger; "I thought him quite different at first--but I've +altered my mind entirely since some matters has come to my knowledge." + +"You alarm me greatly by these dark hints," cried Thorneycroft. "What is +to be done?" + +"I shall know in a few hours," replied Ginger. "I ain't got the exact +clue yet. But come to me at eleven o'clock to-night, at the Turk's Head, +at the back o' Shoreditch Church, and I'll put you on the right scent. +You must come alone." + +"I should wish this gentleman, my brother-in-law, to accompany me," said +Thorneycroft. + +"He couldn't help you," replied Ginger. "I'll take care to have plenty +of assistance. It's a dangerous bus'ness, and can only be managed in a +sartin way, and by a sartin person, and he'd object to any von but you. +To-night, at eleven! Good-bye, Old Parr. Ve shall meet again ere long." + +And without a word more, he hurried away. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +PREPARATIONS + + +On that same night, at the appointed hour, Mr. Thorneycroft repaired to +Shoreditch, and entering a narrow street behind the church, speedily +discovered the Turk's Head, at the door of which a hackney-coach was +standing. He was shown by the landlord into a small back room, in which +three men were seated at a small table, smoking, and drinking gin and +water, while a fourth was standing near the fire, with his back towards +the door. The latter was a tall, powerfully built man, wrapped in a +rough greatcoat, and did not turn round on the iron-merchant's entrance. + +"You are punctual, Mr. Thorneycroft," said Ginger, who was one of the +trio at the table; "and I'm happy to say, I've arranged everythin' for +you, sir. My friends are ready to undertake the job. Only they von't do +it on quite sich easy terms as mine." + +The Tinker and the Sandman coughed slightly, to intimate their entire +concurrence in Mr. Ginger's remark. + +"As I said to you this mornin', Mr. Thorneycroft," pursued Ginger, "this +is a difficult and a dangerous bus'ness, and there's no knowin' wot may +come on it. But it's your only chance o' recoverin' your darter." + +"Yes, it's your only chance," echoed the Tinker. + +"Ve're about to risk our precious lives for you, sir," said the Sandman; +"so, in coorse, ve expects a perportionate revard." + +"If you enable me to regain my daughter, you shall not find me +ungrateful," rejoined the iron-merchant. + +"I must have a hundred pounds," said the Tinker--"that's my lowest." + +"And mine, too," said the Sandman. + +"I shall take nuffin' but the glory, as I said afore," remarked Ginger. +"I'm sworn champion o' poor distressed young damsils; but my friends +must make their own bargins." + +"Well, I assent," returned Mr. Thorneycroft; "and the sooner we set out +the better." + +"Are you armed?" asked Ginger. + +"I have a brace of pistols in my pocket," replied Thorneycroft. + +"All right, then--ve've all got pops and cutlashes," said Ginger. "So +let's be off." + +As he spoke, the Tinker and Sandman arose; and the man in the rough +greatcoat, who had hitherto remained with his back to them, turned +round. To the iron-merchant's surprise, he perceived that the face of +this individual was covered with a piece of black crape. + +"Who is this?" he demanded with some misgiving. + +"A friend," replied Ginger. "Vithout him ve could do nuffin'. His name +is Reeks, and he is the chief man in our enterprise." + +"He claims a reward too, I suppose?" said Thorneycroft. + +"I will tell you what reward I claim, Mr. Thorneycroft," rejoined Reeks, +in a deep stern tone, "when all is over. Meantime, give me your solemn +pledge, that whatever you may behold to-night, you will not divulge it." + +"I give it," replied the iron-merchant, "provided always----" + +"No provision, sir," interrupted the other quickly. "You must swear to +keep silence unconditionally, or I will not move a footstep with you; +and I alone can guide you where your daughter is detained." + +"Svear, sir; it is your only chance," whispered Ginger. + +"Well, if it must be, I do swear to keep silence," rejoined Mr. +Thorneycroft; "but your proceedings appear very mysterious." + +"The whole affair is mysterious," replied Reeks. "You must also consent +to have a bandage passed over your eyes when you get into the coach." + +"Anything more?" asked the iron-merchant. + +"You must engage to obey my orders, without questioning, when we arrive +at our destination," rejoined Reeks. "Otherwise, there is no chance of +success." + +"Be it as you will," returned Thorneycroft, "I must perforce agree." + +"All then is clearly understood," said Reeks, "and we can now set out." + +Upon this, Ginger conducted Mr. Thorneycroft to the coach, and as soon +as the latter got into it, tied a handkerchief tightly over his eyes. In +this state Mr. Thorneycroft heard the Tinker and the Sandman take their +places near him, but not remarking the voice of Reeks, concluded that he +must have got outside. + +The next moment, the coach was put in motion, and rattled over the +stones at a rapid pace. It made many turns; but at length proceeded +steadily onwards, while from the profound silence around, and the +greater freshness of the air, Mr. Thorneycroft began to fancy they had +gained the country. Not a word was spoken by any one during the ride. + +After a while, the coach stopped, the door was opened, and Mr. +Thorneycroft was helped out. The iron-merchant expected his bandage +would now be removed, but he was mistaken, for Reeks, taking his arm, +drew him along at a quick pace. As they advanced, the iron-merchant's +conductor whispered him to be cautious, and, at the same time, made him +keep close to a wall. A door was presently opened, and as soon as the +party had passed through, it closed. + +The bandage was then removed from Thorneycroft's eyes, and he found +himself in a large and apparently neglected garden. Though the sky was +cloudy, there was light enough to enable him to distinguish that they +were near an old dilapidated mansion. + +"We are now arrived," said Reeks to the iron-merchant, "and you will +have need of all your resolution." + +"I will deliver her, or perish in the attempt," said Thorneycroft, +taking out his pistols. + +The others drew their cutlasses. + +"Now then, follow me," said Reeks, "and act as I direct." + +With this he struck into an alley formed by thick hedges of privet, +which brought them to the back part of the house. Passing through a +door, he entered the yard, and creeping cautiously along the wall, +reached a low window, which he contrived to open without noise. He then +passed through it, and was followed by the others. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE CHAMBER OF MYSTERY + + +We shall now return to the night of Ebba's seizure by the mysterious +stranger. Though almost deprived of consciousness by terror, the poor +girl could distinguish, from the movements of her captor, that she was +borne down a flight of steps, or some steep descent, and then for a +considerable distance along level ground. She was next placed in a +carriage, which was driven with great swiftness, and though it was +impossible to conjecture in what direction she was conveyed, it seemed +to her terrified imagination as if she were hurried down a precipice, +and she expected every moment to be dashed in pieces. At length the +vehicle stopped, and she was lifted out of it, and carried along a +winding passage; after which, the creaking of hinges announced that a +door was opened. Having passed through it, she was deposited on a bench, +when, fright overmastering her, her senses completely forsook her. + +On recovering, she found herself seated on a fauteuil covered with black +velvet, in the midst of a gloomy chamber of vast extent, while beside +her, and supporting her from falling, stood the mysterious and terrible +stranger. He held a large goblet filled with some potent liquid to her +lips, and compelled her to swallow a portion of it. The powerful +stimulant revived her, but, at the same time, produced a strange +excitement, against which she struggled with all her power. Her +persecutor again held the goblet towards her, while a sardonic smile +played upon his features. + +"Drink!" he cried; "it will restore you, and you have much to go +through." + +Ebba mechanically took the cup, and raised it to her lips, but noticing +the stranger's glance of exultation, dashed it to the ground. + +"You have acted foolishly," he said sternly; "the potion would have done +you good." + +Withdrawing her eyes from his gaze, which she felt exercised an +irresistible influence over her, Ebba gazed fearfully round the chamber. + +It was vast and gloomy, and seemed like the interior of a sepulchre--the +walls and ceiling being formed of black marble, while the floor was +paved with the same material. Not far from where she sat, on an estrade, +approached by a couple of steps, stood a table covered with black +velvet, on which was placed an immense lamp, fashioned like an imp +supporting a caldron on his outstretched wings. In this lamp were +several burners, which cast a lurid light throughout the chamber. Over +it hung a cap equally fantastically fashioned. A dagger, with a richly +wrought hilt, was stuck into the table; and beside it lay a strangely +shaped mask, an open book, an antique inkstand, and a piece of +parchment, on which some characters were inscribed. Opposite these stood +a curiously carved ebony chair. + +At the lower end of the room, which was slightly elevated above the +rest, hung a large black curtain; and on the step, in the front of it, +were placed two vases of jet. + +"What is behind that curtain?" shudderingly demanded Ebba of her +companion. + +"You will see anon," he replied. "Meanwhile, seat yourself on that +chair, and glance at the writing on the scroll." + +Ebba did not move, but the stranger took her hand, and drew her to the +seat. + +"Read what is written on that paper," he cried imperiously. + +Ebba glanced at the document, and a shudder passed over her frame. "By +this," she cried, "I surrender myself, soul and body, to you?" + +"You do," replied the stranger. + +"I have committed no crime that can place me within the power of the +Fiend," cried Ebba, falling upon her knees. "I call upon Heaven for +protection! Avaunt!" + +As the words were uttered, the cap suddenly fell upon the lamp, and the +chamber was buried in profound darkness. Mocking laughter rang in her +ears, succeeded by wailing cries inexpressibly dreadful to hear. + +Ebba continued to pray fervently for her own deliverance, and for that +of Auriol. In the midst of her supplications she was aroused by strains +of music of the most exquisite sweetness, proceeding apparently from +behind the curtain, and while listening to these sounds she was startled +by a deafening crash as if a large gong had been stricken. The cover of +the lamp was then slowly raised, and the burners blazed forth as before, +while from the two vases in front of the curtain arose clouds of +incense, filling the chamber with stupefying fragrance. + +Again the gong was stricken, and Ebba looked round towards the curtain. +Above each vase towered a gigantic figure, wrapped in a long black +cloak, the lower part of which was concealed by the thick vapour. Hoods, +like the cowls of monks, were drawn over the heads of these grim and +motionless figures; mufflers enveloped their chins, and they wore masks, +from the holes of which gleamed eyes of unearthly brightness. Their +hands were crossed upon their breasts. Between them squatted two other +spectral forms, similarly cloaked, hooded, and masked, with their +gleaming eyes fixed upon her, and their skinny fingers pointed +derisively at her. + +Behind the curtain was placed a strong light, which showed a wide +staircase of black marble, leading to some upper chamber, and at the +same time threw the reflection of a gigantic figure upon the drapery, +while a hand, the finger of which pointed towards her, was thrust from +an opening between its folds. + +Forcibly averting her gaze, Ebba covered her eyes with her hands, but +looking up again after a brief space, beheld an ebon door at the side +revolve upon its hinges, and give entrance to three female figures, +robed in black, hooded and veiled, and having their hands folded, in a +melancholy manner, across their breasts. Slowly and noiselessly +advancing, they halted within a few paces of her. + +"Who and what are ye?" she cried, wild with terror. + +"The victims of Auriol!" replied the figure on the right. "As we are, +such will you be ere long." + +"What crime have you committed?" demanded Ebba. + +"We have loved him," replied the second figure. + +[Illustration: The Chamber of Mystery.] + +"Is that a crime?" cried Ebba. "If so, I am equally culpable with you." + +"You will share our doom," replied the third figure. + +"Heaven have mercy upon me!" exclaimed the agonised girl, dropping upon +her knees. + +At this moment a terrible voice from behind the curtain exclaimed, +"Sign, or Auriol is lost for ever." + +"I cannot yield my soul, even to save him," cried Ebba distractedly. + +"Witness his chastisement, then," cried the voice. + +And as the words were uttered, a side door was opened on the opposite +side, and Auriol was dragged forth from it by two masked personages, who +looked like familiars of the Inquisition. + +"Do not yield to the demands of this fiend, Ebba!" cried Auriol, gazing +at her distractedly. + +"Will you save him before he is cast, living, into the tomb?" cried the +voice. + +And at the words, a heavy slab of marble rose slowly from the floor near +where Ebba sat, and disclosed a dark pit beneath. + +Ebba gazed into the abyss with indescribable terror. + +"There he will be immured, unless you sign," cried the voice; "and, as +he is immortal, he will endure an eternity of torture." + +"I cannot save him so, but I may precede him," cried Ebba. And throwing +her hands aloft, she flung herself into the pit. + +A fearful cry resounded through the chamber. It broke from Auriol, who +vainly strove to burst from those who held him, and precipitate himself +after Ebba. + +Soon after this, and while Auriol was gazing into the abyss, a tongue of +blue flame arose from it, danced for a moment in the air, and then +vanished. No sooner was it gone than a figure, shrouded in black +habiliments, and hooded and muffled up like the three other female +forms, slowly ascended from the vault, apparently without support, and +remained motionless at its brink. + +"Ebba!" exclaimed Auriol, in a voice of despair. "Is it you?" + +The figure bowed its head, but spoke not. + +"Sign!" thundered the voice. "Your attempt at self-destruction has +placed you wholly in my power. Sign!" + +At this injunction, the figure moved slowly towards the table, and to +his unspeakable horror, Auriol beheld it take up the pen and write upon +the parchment. He bent forward, and saw that the name inscribed thereon +was EBBA THORNEYCROFT. + +The groan to which he gave utterance was echoed by a roar of diabolical +laughter. + +The figure then moved slowly away, and ranged itself with the other +veiled forms. + +"All is accomplished," cried the voice. "Away with him!" + +On this, a terrible clangour was heard; the lights were extinguished; +and Auriol was dragged through the doorway from which he had been +brought forth. + + +END OF THE FIRST BOOK + + + + +INTERMEAN + +1800 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE TOMB OF THE ROSICRUCIAN + + +On the night of the 1st of March 1800, and at a late hour, a man, +wrapped in a large horseman's cloak, and of strange and sinister +appearance, entered an old deserted house in the neighbourhood of +Stepney Green. He was tall, carried himself very erect, and seemed in +the full vigour of early manhood; but his features had a worn and +ghastly look, as if bearing the stamp of long-indulged and frightful +excesses, while his dark gleaming eyes gave him an expression almost +diabolical. + +This person had gained the house from a garden behind it, and now stood +in a large dismantled hall, from which a broad oaken staircase, with +curiously-carved banisters, led to a gallery, and thence to the upper +chambers of the habitation. Nothing could be more dreary than the aspect +of the place. The richly-moulded ceiling was festooned with spiders' +webs, and in some places had fallen in heaps upon the floor; the glories +of the tapestry upon the walls were obliterated by damps; the squares of +black and white marble, with which the hall was paved, were loosened, +and quaked beneath the footsteps; the wide and empty fireplace yawned +like the mouth of a cavern; the bolts of the closed windows were rusted +in their sockets; and the heaps of dust before the outer door proved +that long years had elapsed since any one had passed through it. + +Taking a dark lantern from beneath his cloak, the individual in question +gazed for a moment around him, and then, with a sardonic smile playing +upon his features, directed his steps towards a room on the right, the +door of which stood open. + +This chamber, which was large and cased with oak, was wholly +unfurnished, like the hall, and in an equally dilapidated condition. The +only decoration remaining on its walls was the portrait of a venerable +personage in the cap and gown of Henry the Eighth's time, painted +against a panel--a circumstance which had probably saved it from +destruction--and beneath it, fixed in another panel, a plate of brass, +covered with mystical characters and symbols, and inscribed with the +name "Cyprianus de Rougemont, Fra. R.C." The same name likewise appeared +upon a label beneath the portrait, with the date 1550. + +Pausing before the portrait, the young man threw the light of the +lantern full upon it, and revealed features somewhat resembling his own +in form, but of a severe and philosophic cast. In the eyes alone could +be discerned the peculiar and terrible glimmer which distinguished his +own glances. + +After regarding the portrait for some time fixedly, he thus addressed +it: + +"Dost hear me, old ancestor?" he cried. "I, thy descendant, Cyprian de +Rougemont, call upon thee to point out where thy gold is hidden? I know +that thou wert a brother of the Rosy Cross--one of the illuminati--and +didst penetrate the mysteries of nature, and enter the region of light. +I know, also, that thou wert buried in this house with a vast treasure; +but though I have made diligent search for it, and others have searched +before me, thy grave has never yet been discovered! Listen to me! +Methought Satan appeared to me in a dream last night, and bade me come +hither, and I should find what I sought. The conditions he proposed +were, that I should either give him my own soul, or win him that of +Auriol Darcy. I assented. I am here. Where is thy treasure?" + +After a pause, he struck the portrait with his clenched hand, exclaiming +in a loud voice: + +"Dost hear me, I say, old ancestor? I call on thee to give me thy +treasure. Dost hear, I say?" + +And he repeated the blow with greater violence. + +Disturbed by the shock, the brass plate beneath the picture started from +its place, and fell to the ground. + +"What is this?" cried Rougemont, gazing into the aperture left by the +plate. "Ha!--my invocation has been heard!" + +And, snatching up the lantern, he discovered, at the bottom of a little +recess, about two feet deep, a stone, with an iron ring in the centre of +it. Uttering a joyful cry, he seized the ring, and drew the stone +forward without difficulty, disclosing an open space beyond it. + +"This, then, is the entrance to my ancestor's tomb," cried Rougemont; +"there can be no doubt of it. The old Rosicrucian has kept his secret +well; but the devil has helped me to wrest it from him. And now to +procure the necessary implements, in case, as is not unlikely, I should +experience further difficulty." + +With this he hastily quitted the room, but returned almost immediately +with a mallet, a lever, and a pitchfork; armed with which and the +lantern, he crept through the aperture. This done, he found himself at +the head of a stone staircase, which he descended, and came to the +arched entrance of a vault. The door, which was of stout oak, was +locked, but holding up the light towards it, he read the following +inscription: + + "POST C.C.L. ANNOS PATEBO, 1550." + +"In two hundred and fifty years I shall open!" cried Rougemont, "and the +date 1550--why, the exact time is arrived. Old Cyprian must have +foreseen what would happen, and evidently intended to make me his heir. +There was no occasion for the devil's interference. And see, the key is +in the lock. So!" And he turned it, and pushing against the door with +some force, the rusty hinges gave way, and it fell inwards. + +[Illustration: The Tomb of the Rosicrucian.] + +From the aperture left by the fallen door, a soft and silvery light +streamed forth, and, stepping forward, Rougemont found himself in a +spacious vault, from the ceiling of which hung a large globe of crystal, +containing in its heart a little flame, which diffused a radiance, +gentle as that of the moon, around. This, then, was the ever-burning +lamp of the Rosicrucians, and Rougemont gazed at it with astonishment. +Two hundred and fifty years had elapsed since that wondrous flame had +been lighted, and yet it burnt on brightly as ever. Hooped round the +globe was a serpent with its tail in its mouth--an emblem of +eternity--wrought in purest gold; while above it were a pair of silver +wings, in allusion to the soul. Massive chains of the more costly metal, +fashioned like twisted snakes, served as suspenders to the lamp. + +But Rougemont's astonishment at this marvel quickly gave way to other +feelings, and he gazed around the vault with greedy eyes. + +It was a septilateral chamber, about eight feet high, built of stone, +and supported by beautifully groined arches. The surface of the masonry +was as smooth and fresh as if the chisel had only just left it. + +In six of the corners were placed large chests, ornamented with ironwork +of the most exquisite workmanship, and these Rougemont's imagination +pictured as filled with inexhaustible treasure; while in the seventh +corner, near the door, was a beautiful little piece of monumental +sculpture in white marble, representing two kneeling and hooded figures, +holding a veil between them, which partly concealed the entrance to a +small recess. On one of the chests opposite the monument just described +stood a strangely-formed bottle and a cup of antique workmanship, both +encrusted with gems. + +The walls were covered with circles, squares, and diagrams, and in some +places were ornamented with grotesque carvings. In the centre of the +vault was a round altar, of black marble, covered with a plate of gold, +on which Rougemont read the following inscription: + + "Hoc universi compendium unius mihi sepulcrum feci." + +"Here, then, old Cyprian lies," he cried. + +And, prompted by some irresistible impulse, he seized the altar by the +upper rim, and overthrew it. The heavy mass of marble fell with a +thundering crash, breaking asunder the flag beneath it. It might be the +reverberation of the vaulted roof, but a deep groan seemed to reproach +the young man for his sacrilege. Undeterred, however, by this warning, +Rougemont placed the point of the lever between the interstices of the +broken stone, and, exerting all his strength, speedily raised the +fragments, and laid open the grave. + +Within it, in the garb he wore in life, with his white beard streaming +to his waist, lay the uncoffined body of his ancestor, Cyprian de +Rougemont. The corpse had evidently been carefully embalmed, and the +features were unchanged by decay. Upon the breast, with the hands placed +over it, lay a large book, bound in black vellum, and fastened with +brazen clasps. Instantly possessing himself of this mysterious-looking +volume, Rougemont knelt upon the nearest chest, and opened it. But he +was disappointed in his expectation. All the pages he examined were +filled with cabalistic characters, which he was totally unable to +decipher. + +At length, however, he chanced upon one page the import of which he +comprehended, and he remained for some time absorbed in its +contemplation, while an almost fiendish smile played upon his features. + +"Aha!" he exclaimed, closing the volume, "I see now the cause of my +extraordinary dream. My ancestor's wondrous power was of infernal +origin--the result, in fact, of a compact with the Prince of Darkness. +But what care I for that? Give me wealth--no matter what source it comes +from!--ha! ha!" + +And seizing the lever, he broke open the chest beside him. It was filled +with bars of silver. The next he visited in the same way was full of +gold. The third was laden with pearls and precious stones; and the rest +contained treasure to an incalculable amount. Rougemont gazed at them in +transports of joy. + +"At length I have my wish," he cried. "Boundless wealth, and therefore +boundless power, is mine. I can riot in pleasure--riot in vengeance. As +to my soul, I will run the risk of its perdition; but it shall go hard +if I destroy not that of Auriol. His love of play and his passion for +Edith Talbot shall be the means by which I will work. But I must not +neglect another agent which is offered me. That bottle, I have learnt +from yon volume, contains an infernal potion, which, without destroying +life, shatters the brain, and creates maddening fancies. It will well +serve my purpose; and I thank thee, Satan, for the gift." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE COMPACT + + +About two months after this occurrence, and near midnight, a young man +was hurrying along Pall Mall, with a look of the wildest despair, when +his headlong course was suddenly arrested by a strong grasp, while a +familiar voice sounded in his ear. + +"It is useless to meditate self-destruction, Auriol Darcy," cried the +person who had checked him. "If you find life a burden, I can make it +tolerable to you." + +Turning round at the appeal, Auriol beheld a tall man, wrapped in a long +black cloak, whose sinister features were well known to him. + +"Leave me, Rougemont!" he cried fiercely. "I want no society--above all, +not yours. You know very well that you have ruined me, and that nothing +more is to be got from me. Leave me, I say, or I may do you a mischief." + +"Tut, tut, Auriol, I am your friend!" replied Rougemont. "I purpose to +relieve your distress." + +"Will you give me back the money you have won from me?" cried Auriol. +"Will you pay my inexorable creditors? Will you save me from a prison?" + +"I will do all this, and more," replied Rougemont. "I will make you one +of the richest men in London." + +"Spare your insulting jests, sir," cried Auriol. "I am in no mood to +bear them." + +"I am not jesting," rejoined Rougemont. "Come with me, and you shall be +convinced of my sincerity." + +Auriol at length assented, and they turned into Saint James's Square, +and paused before a magnificent house. Rougemont ascended the steps. +Auriol, who had accompanied him almost mechanically, gazed at him with +astonishment. + +"Do you live here?" he inquired. + +"Ask no questions," replied Rougemont, knocking at the door, which was +instantly opened by a hall porter, while other servants in rich liveries +appeared at a distance. Rougemont addressed a few words in an undertone +to them, and they instantly bowed respectfully to Auriol, while the +foremost of them led the way up a magnificent staircase. + +All this was a mystery to the young man, but he followed his conductor +without a word, and was presently ushered into a gorgeously-furnished +and brilliantly-illuminated apartment. + +The servant then left them; and as soon as he was gone Auriol exclaimed, +"Is it to mock me that you have brought me hither?" + +"To mock you--no," replied Rougemont. "I have told you that I mean to +make you rich. But you look greatly exhausted. A glass of wine will +revive you." + +And as he spoke, he stepped towards a small cabinet, and took from it a +curiously-shaped bottle and a goblet. + +"Taste this wine--it has been long in our family," he added, filling the +cup. + +"It is a strange, bewildering drink," cried Auriol, setting down the +empty goblet, and passing his hand before his eyes. + +"You have taken it upon an empty stomach--that is all," said Rougemont. +"You will be better anon." + +"I feel as if I were going mad," cried Auriol. "It is some damnable +potion you have given me." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Rougemont. "It reminds you of the elixir you once +quaffed--eh?" + +"A truce to this raillery!" cried Auriol angrily. "I have said I am in +no mood to bear it." + +"Pshaw! I mean no offence," rejoined the other, changing his manner. +"What think you of this house?" + +"That it is magnificent," replied Auriol, gazing around. "I envy you its +possession." + +"It shall be yours, if you please," replied Rougemont. + +"Mine! you are mocking me again." + +"Not in the least. You shall buy it from me, if you please." + +"At what price?" asked Auriol bitterly. + +"At a price you can easily pay," replied the other. "Come this way, and +we will conclude the bargain." + +Proceeding towards the farther end of the room, they entered a small +exquisitely-furnished chamber, surrounded with sofas of the most +luxurious description. In the midst was a table, on which writing +materials were placed. + +"It were a fruitless boon to give you this house without the means of +living in it," said Rougemont, carefully closing the door. "This +pocket-book will furnish you with them." + +[Illustration: The Compact.] + +"Notes to an immense amount!" cried Auriol, opening the pocket-book, and +glancing at its contents. + +"They are yours, together with the house," cried Rougemont, "if you will +but sign a compact with me." + +"A compact!" cried Auriol, regarding him with a look of undefinable +terror. "Who and what are you?" + +"Some men would call me the devil!" replied Rougemont carelessly. "But +you know me too well to suppose that I merit such a designation. I offer +you wealth. What more could you require?" + +"But upon what terms?" demanded Auriol. + +"The easiest imaginable," replied the other. "You shall judge for +yourself." + +And as he spoke, he opened a writing-desk upon the table, and took from +it a parchment. + +"Sit down," he added, "and read this." + +Auriol complied, and as he scanned the writing he became transfixed with +fear and astonishment, while the pocket-book dropped from his grasp. + +After a while he looked up at Rougemont, who was leaning over his +shoulder, and whose features were wrinkled with a derisive smile. + +"Then you _are_ the Fiend?" he cried. + +"If you will have it so--certainly," replied the other. + +"You are Satan in the form of the man I once knew," cried Auriol. +"Avaunt! I will have no dealings with you." + +"I thought you wiser than to indulge in such idle fears, Darcy," +rejoined the other. "Granting even your silly notion of me to be +correct, why need you be alarmed? You are immortal." + +"True," rejoined Auriol thoughtfully; "but yet----" + +"Pshaw!" rejoined the other, "sign, and have done with the matter." + +"By this compact I am bound to deliver a victim--a female +victim--whenever you shall require it," cried Auriol. + +"Precisely," replied the other; "you can have no difficulty in +fulfilling that condition." + +"But if I fail in doing so, I am doomed----" + +"But you will _not_ fail," interrupted the other, lighting a taper and +sealing the parchment. "Now sign it." + +Auriol mechanically took the pen, and gazed fixedly on the document. + +"I shall bring eternal destruction on myself if I sign it," he muttered. + +"A stroke of the pen will rescue you from utter ruin," said Rougemont, +leaning over his shoulder. "Riches and happiness are yours. You will not +have such another chance." + +"Tempter!" cried Auriol, hastily attaching his signature to the paper. +But he instantly started back aghast at the fiendish laugh that rang in +his ears. + +"I repent--give it me back!" he cried, endeavouring to snatch the +parchment, which Rougemont thrust into his bosom. + +"It is too late!" cried the latter, in a triumphant tone. "You are +mine--irredeemably mine." + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, sinking back on the couch. + +"I leave you in possession of your house," pursued Rougemont; "but I +shall return in a week, when I shall require my first victim." + +"Your first victim! oh, Heaven!" exclaimed Auriol. + +"Ay, and my choice falls on Edith Talbot!" replied Rougemont. + +"Edith Talbot!" exclaimed Auriol; "she your victim! Think you I would +resign her I love better than life to you?" + +"It is because she loves you that I have chosen her," rejoined +Rougemont, with a bitter laugh. "And such will ever be the case with +you. Seek not to love again, for your passion will be fatal to the +object of it. When the week has elapsed, I shall require Edith at your +hands. Till then, farewell!" + +"Stay!" cried Auriol. "I break the bargain with thee, fiend. I will have +none of it. I abjure thee." + +And he rushed wildly after Rougemont, who had already gained the larger +chamber; but, ere he could reach him, the mysterious individual had +passed through the outer door, and when Auriol emerged upon the gallery, +he was nowhere to be seen. + +Several servants immediately answered the frantic shouts of the young +man, and informed him that Mr. Rougemont had quitted the house some +moments ago, telling them that their master was perfectly satisfied with +the arrangements he had made for him. + +"And we hope nothing has occurred to alter your opinion, sir?" said the +hall porter. + +"You are sure Mr. Rougemont is gone?" cried Auriol. + +"Oh, quite sure, sir," cried the hall porter. "I helped him on with his +cloak myself. He said he should return this day week." + +"If he comes I will not see him," cried Auriol sharply; "mind that. Deny +me to him; and on no account whatever let him enter the house." + +"Your orders shall be strictly obeyed," replied the porter, staring with +surprise. + +"Now leave me," cried Auriol. + +And as they quitted him, he added, in a tone and with a gesture of the +deepest despair, "All precautions are useless. I am indeed lost!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IRRESOLUTION + + +On returning to the cabinet, where his fatal compact with Rougemont had +been signed, Auriol perceived the pocket-book lying on the floor near +the table, and, taking it up, he was about to deposit it in the +writing-desk, when an irresistible impulse prompted him once more to +examine its contents. Unfolding the roll of notes, he counted them, and +found they amounted to more than a hundred thousand pounds. The sight of +so much wealth, and the thought of the pleasure and the power it would +procure him, gradually dispelled his fears, and arising in a transport +of delight, he exclaimed--"Yes, yes--all obstacles are now removed! When +Mr. Talbot finds I am become thus wealthy, he will no longer refuse me +his daughter. But I am mad," he added, suddenly checking himself--"worse +than mad, to indulge such hopes. If it be indeed the Fiend to whom I +have sold myself, I have no help from perdition! If it be man, I am +scarcely less terribly fettered. In either case, I will not remain here +longer; nor will I avail myself of this accursed money, which has +tempted me to my undoing." + +And, hurling the pocket-book to the farther end of the room, he was +about to pass through the door, when a mocking laugh arrested him. He +looked round with astonishment and dread, but could see no one. After a +while, he again moved forward, but a voice, which he recognised as that +of Rougemont, called upon him to stay. + +"It will be in vain to fly," said the unseen speaker. "You cannot escape +me. Whether you remain here or not--whether you use the wealth I have +given you, or leave it behind you--you cannot annul your bargain. With +this knowledge, you are at liberty to go. But remember, on the seventh +night from this I shall require Edith Talbot from you!" + +"Where are you, fiend?" demanded Auriol, gazing around furiously. "Show +yourself, that I may confront you." + +A mocking laugh was the only response deigned to this injunction. + +"Give me back the compact," cried Auriol imploringly. "It was signed in +ignorance. I knew not the price I was to pay for your assistance. Wealth +is of no value to me without Edith." + +"Without wealth you could not obtain her," replied the voice. "You are +only, therefore, where you were. But you will think better of the +bargain to-morrow. Meanwhile, I counsel you to place the money you have +so unwisely cast from you safely under lock and key, and to seek repose. +You will awaken with very different thoughts in the morning." + +"How am I to account for my sudden accession of wealth?" inquired +Auriol, after a pause. + +"You a gambler, and ask that question!" returned the unseen stranger, +with a bitter laugh. "But I will make your mind easy on that score. As +regards the house, you will find a regular conveyance of it within that +writing-desk, while the note lying on the table, which bears your +address, comes from me, and announces the payment of a hundred and +twenty thousand pounds to you, as a debt of honour. You see I have +provided against every difficulty. And now, farewell!" + +The voice was then hushed; and though Auriol addressed several other +questions to the unseen speaker, no answer was returned him. + +After some moments of irresolution, Auriol once more took up the +pocket-book, and deposited it in the writing-desk, in which he found, as +he had been led to expect, a deed conveying the house to him. He then +opened the note lying upon the table, and found its contents accorded +with what had just been told him. Placing it with the pocket-book, he +locked the writing-desk, exclaiming, "It is useless to struggle +further--I must yield to fate!" + +This done, he went into the adjoining room, and, casting his eyes about, +remarked the antique bottle and flagon. The latter was filled to the +brim--how or with what, Auriol paused not to examine; but seizing the +cup with desperation, he placed it to his lips, and emptied it at a +draught. + +A species of intoxication, but pleasing as that produced by opium, +presently succeeded. All his fears left him, and in their place the +gentlest and most delicious fancies arose. Surrendering himself +delightedly to their influence, he sank upon a couch, and for some time +was wrapped in a dreamy elysium, imagining himself wandering with Edith +Talbot in a lovely garden, redolent of sweets, and vocal with the melody +of birds. Their path led through a grove, in the midst of which was a +fountain; and they were hastening towards its marble brink, when all at +once Edith uttered a scream, and, starting back, pointed to a large +black snake lying before her, and upon which she would have trodden the +next moment. Auriol sprang forward and tried to crush the reptile with +his heel; but, avoiding the blow, it coiled around his leg, and plunged +its venom teeth into his flesh. The anguish occasioned by the imaginary +wound roused him from his slumber, and looking up, he perceived that a +servant was in attendance. + +Bowing obsequiously, the man inquired whether he had occasion for +anything. + +"Show me to my bedroom--that is all I require," replied Auriol, scarcely +able to shake off the effect of the vision. + +And, getting up, he followed the man, almost mechanically, out of the +room. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +EDITH TALBOT + + +It was late when Auriol arose on the following morning. At first, +finding himself in a large and most luxuriantly-furnished chamber, he +was at a loss to conceive how he came there, and it was some time before +he could fully recall the mysterious events of the previous night. As +had been foretold, however, by Rougemont, his position did not cause him +so much anxiety as before. + +After attiring himself, he descended to the lower apartments, in one of +which a sumptuous breakfast awaited him; and having partaken of it, he +took a complete survey of the house, and found it larger and more +magnificent even than he had supposed it. He next supplied himself from +the pocket-book with a certain sum, for which he fancied he might have +occasion in the course of the day, and sallied forth. His first business +was to procure a splendid carriage and horses, and to order some new and +rich habiliments to be made with the utmost expedition. + +He then proceeded towards May Fair, and knocked at the door of a large +house at the upper end of Curzon Street. His heart beat violently as he +was shown into an elegant drawing-room, and his trepidation momentarily +increased, until the servant reappeared and expressed his regret that +he had misinformed him in stating that Miss Talbot was at home. Both she +and Mr. Talbot, he said, had gone out about half-an-hour ago. Auriol +looked incredulous, but without making any remark, departed. Hurrying +home, he wrote a few lines to Mr. Talbot, announcing the sudden and +extraordinary change in his fortune, and formally demanding the hand of +Edith. He was about to despatch this letter, when a note was brought him +by his servant. It was from Edith. Having ascertained his new address +from his card, she wrote to assure him of her constant attachment. +Transported by this proof of her affection, Auriol half devoured the +note with kisses, and instantly sent off his own letter to her +father--merely adding a few words to say that he would call for an +answer on the morrow. But he had not to wait thus long for a reply. Ere +an hour had elapsed, Mr. Talbot brought it in person. + +Mr. Talbot was a man of about sixty--tall, thin, and gentlemanlike in +deportment, with grey hair, and black eyebrows, which lent considerable +expression to the orbs beneath them. His complexion was a bilious brown, +and he possessed none of the good looks which in his daughter had so +captivated Auriol, and which it is to be presumed, therefore, she +inherited from her mother. + +A thorough man of the world, though not an unamiable person, Mr. Talbot +was entirely influenced by selfish considerations. He had hitherto +looked with an unfavourable eye upon Auriol's attentions to his +daughter, from a notion that the connection would be very undesirable in +a pecuniary point of view; but the magnificence of the house in Saint +James's Square, which fully bore out Auriol's account of his +newly-acquired wealth, wrought a complete change in his opinions, and he +soon gave the young man to understand that he should be delighted to +have him for a son-in-law. Finding him so favourably disposed, Auriol +entreated him to let the marriage take place--within three days, if +possible. + +Mr. Talbot was greatly grieved that he could not comply with his young +friend's request, but he was obliged to start the next morning for +Nottingham, and could not possibly return under three days. + +"But we can be married before you go?" cried Auriol. + +"Scarcely, I fear," replied Mr. Talbot, smiling blandly. "You must +control your impatience, my dear young friend. On the sixth day from +this--that is, on Wednesday in next week--we are now at Friday--you +shall be made happy." + +The coincidence between this appointment, and the time fixed by +Rougemont for the delivery of his victim, struck Auriol forcibly. His +emotion, however, escaped Mr. Talbot, who soon after departed, having +engaged his future son-in-law to dine with him at seven o'clock. + +Auriol, it need scarcely be said, was punctual to the hour, or, rather, +he anticipated it. He found Edith alone in the drawing-room, and seated +near the window, which was filled with choicest flowers. On seeing him, +she uttered an exclamation of joy, and sprang to meet him. The young man +pressed his lips fervently to the little hand extended to him. + +Edith Talbot was a lovely brunette. Her features were regular, and her +eyes, which were perfectly splendid, were dark, almond-shaped, and of +almost Oriental languor. Her hair, which she wore braided over her brow +and gathered behind in a massive roll, was black and glossy as a raven's +wing. Her cheeks were dimpled, her lips of velvet softness, and her +teeth like ranges of pearls. Perfect grace accompanied all her +movements, and one only wondered that feet so small as those she +possessed should have the power of sustaining a form which, though +lightsome, was yet rounded in its proportions. + +"You have heard, dear Edith, that your father has consented to our +union?" said Auriol, after gazing at her for a few moments in silent +admiration. + +Edith murmured an affirmative, and blushed deeply. + +"He has fixed Wednesday next," pursued Auriol; "but I wish an earlier +day could have been named. I have a presentiment that if our marriage is +so long delayed, it will not take place at all." + +"You are full of misgivings, Auriol," she replied. + +"I confess it," he said; "and my apprehensions have risen to such a +point, that I feel disposed to urge you to a private marriage, during +your father's absence." + +"Oh no, Auriol; much as I love you, I could never consent to such a +step," she cried. "You cannot urge me to it. I would not abuse my dear +father's trusting love. I have never deceived him, and that is the best +assurance I can give you that I shall never deceive you." + +Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mr. Talbot, who +held out both his hands to Auriol, and professed the greatest delight to +see him. And no doubt he was sincere. The dinner passed off most +pleasantly, and so did the evening; for the old gentleman was in high +spirits, and his hilarity was communicated to the young couple. When +Auriol and Mr. Talbot went up-stairs to tea, they found that Edith's +aunt, Mrs. Maitland, had arrived to take charge of her during her +father's absence. This lady had always exhibited a partiality for +Auriol, and had encouraged his suit to her niece; consequently she was +well satisfied with the turn affairs had taken. It was near midnight +before Auriol could tear himself away; and when he rose to depart, Mr. +Talbot, who had yawned frequently, but fruitlessly, to give him a hint, +told him he might depend upon seeing him back on the evening of the +third day, and in the meantime he committed him to the care of Mrs. +Maitland and Edith. + +Three days flew by rapidly and delightfully; and on the evening of the +last, just as the little party were assembled in the drawing-room, after +dinner, Mr. Talbot returned from this journey. + +"Well, here I am!" he cried, clasping Edith to his bosom, "without +having encountered any misadventure. On the contrary, I have completed +my business to my entire satisfaction." + +"Oh, how delighted I am to see you, dear papa!" exclaimed Edith. "Now, +Auriol, you can have no more apprehensions." + +"Apprehensions of what?" cried Mr. Talbot. + +"Of some accident befalling you, which might have interfered with our +happiness, sir," replied Auriol. + +"Oh, lovers are full of idle fears!" cried Mr. Talbot. "They are +unreasonable beings. However, here I am, as I said before, safe and +sound. To-morrow we will finish all preliminary arrangements, and the +day after you shall be made happy--ha! ha!" + +"Do you know, papa, Auriol intends to give a grand ball on our +wedding-day, and has invited all his acquaintance to it?" remarked +Edith. + +"I hope you have not invited Cyprian Rougemont?" said Mr. Talbot, +regarding him fixedly. + +"I have not, sir," replied Auriol, turning pale. "But why do you +particularise him?" + +"Because I have heard some things of him not much to his credit," +replied Mr. Talbot. + +"What--what have you heard, sir?" demanded Auriol. + +"Why, one shouldn't believe all the ill one hears of a man; and, indeed, +I _cannot_ believe all I have heard of Cyprian Rougemont," replied Mr. +Talbot; "but I should be glad if you dropped his acquaintance +altogether. And now let us change the subject." + +Mr. Talbot seated himself beside Mrs. Maitland, and began to give her +some account of his journey, which appeared to have been as pleasant as +it had been rapid. + +Unable to shake off the gloom which had stolen over him, Auriol took his +leave, promising to meet Mr. Talbot at his lawyer's in Lincoln's Inn, at +noon on the following day. He was there at the time appointed, and, to +Mr. Talbot's great delight, and the no small surprise of the lawyer, +paid over a hundred thousand pounds, to be settled on his future wife. + +"You are a perfect man of honour, Auriol," said Mr. Talbot, clapping him +on the shoulder, "and I hope Edith will make you an excellent wife. +Indeed, I have no doubt of it." + +"Nor I,--if I ever possess her," mentally ejaculated Auriol. + +The morning passed in other preparations. In the evening the lovers met +as usual, and separated with the full persuasion, on Edith's part at +least, that the next day would make them happy. Since the night of the +compact, Auriol had neither seen Rougemont, nor heard from him, and he +neglected no precaution to prevent his intrusion. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE SEVENTH NIGHT + + +It was a delicious morning in May, and the sun shone brightly on +Auriol's gorgeous equipage, as he drove to St. George's, Hanover Square, +where he was united to Edith. Thus far all seemed auspicious, and he +thought he could now bill defiance to fate. With the object of his love +close beside him, and linked to him by the strongest and holiest ties, +it seemed impossible she could be snatched from him. Nothing occurred +during the morning to give him uneasiness, and he gave orders that a +carriage and four should be ready an hour before midnight, to convey him +and his bride to Richmond, where they were to spend their honeymoon. + +Night came, and with it began to arrive the guests who were bidden to +the ball. No expense had been spared by Auriol to give splendour to his +fete. It was in all respects magnificent. The amusements of the evening +commenced with a concert, which was performed by the first singers from +the Italian Opera; after which, the ball was opened by Auriol and his +lovely bride. As soon as the dance was over, Auriol made a sign to an +attendant, who instantly disappeared. + +"Are you prepared to quit this gay scene with me, Edith?" he asked, with +a heart swelling with rapture. + +[Illustration: The significant whisper.] + +"Quite so," she replied, gazing at him with tenderness; "I long to be +alone with you." + +"Come, then," said Auriol. + +Edith arose, and passing her arm under that of her husband, they quitted +the ball-room, but in place of descending the principal staircase, they +took a more private course. The hall, which they were obliged to cross, +and which they entered from a side-door, was spacious and beautifully +proportioned, and adorned with numerous statues on pedestals. The +ceiling was decorated with fresco paintings, and supported by two +stately scagliola pillars. From between these, a broad staircase of +white marble ascended to the upper room. As Auriol had foreseen, the +staircase was thronged with guests ascending to the ball-room, the doors +of which being open, afforded glimpses of the dancers, and gave forth +strains of liveliest music. Anxious to avoid a newly-arrived party in +the hall, Auriol and his bride lingered for a moment near a pillar. + +"Ha! who is this?" cried Edith, as a tall man, with a sinister +countenance, and habited entirely in black, moved from the farther side +of the pillar, and planted himself in their path, with his back partly +towards them. + +A thrill of apprehension passed through Auriol's frame. He looked up and +beheld Rougemont, who, glancing over his shoulder, fixed his malignant +gaze upon him. Retreat was now impossible. + +"You thought to delude me," said Rougemont, in a deep whisper, audible +only to Auriol; "but you counted without your host. I am come to claim +my victim." + +"What is the matter with you, that you tremble so, dear Auriol?" cried +Edith. "Who is this strange person?" + +But her husband returned no answer. Terror had taken away his power of +utterance. + +"Your carriage waits for you at the door, madam--all is prepared," said +Rougemont, advancing towards her, and taking her hand. + +"You are coming, Auriol?" cried Edith, who scarcely knew whether to draw +back or go forward. + +"Yes--yes," cried Auriol, who fancied he saw a means of escape. "This is +my friend, Mr. Rougemont--go with him." + +"Mr. Rougemont!" cried Edith. "You told my father he would not be here." + +"Your husband did not invite me, madam," said Rougemont, with sarcastic +emphasis; "but knowing I should be welcome, I came unasked. But let us +avoid those persons." + +In another moment they were at the door. The carriage was there with its +four horses, and a man-servant, in travelling attire, stood beside the +steps. Reassured by the sight, Auriol recovered his courage, and +suffered Rougemont to throw a cloak over Edith's shoulders. The next +moment she tripped up the steps of the carriage, and was ensconced +within it. Auriol was about to follow her, when he received a violent +blow on the chest, which stretched him on the pavement. Before he could +regain his feet, Rougemont had sprung into the carriage. The steps were +instantly put up by the man-servant, who mounted the box with the utmost +celerity, while the postillions, plunging spurs into their horses, +dashed off with lightning speed. As the carriage turned the corner of +King Street, Auriol, who had just arisen, beheld, by the light of a +lamp, Rougemont's face at the window of the carriage, charged with an +expression of the most fiendish triumph. + +"What is the matter?" cried Mr. Talbot, who had approached Auriol, "I +came to bid you good-bye. Why do I find you here alone? Where is the +carriage?--what has become of Edith?" + +"She is in the power of the Fiend, and I have sold her to him," replied +Auriol gloomily. + +"What mean you, wretch?" cried Mr. Talbot, in a voice of distraction. "I +heard that Cyprian Rougemont was here. Can it be he that has gone off +with her?" + +"You have hit the truth," replied Auriol. "He bought her with the money +I gave you. I have sold her and myself to perdition!" + +"Horror!" exclaimed the old man, falling backwards. + +"Ay, breathe your last--breathe your last!" cried Auriol wildly. "Would +I could yield up my life, likewise!" + +And he hurried away, utterly unconscious whither he went. + + +END OF THE INTERMEAN + + + + +BOOK THE SECOND + +_CYPRIAN ROUGEMONT_ + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE CELL + + +Mr. Thorneycroft and his companions had scarcely gained a passage in the +deserted house, which they had entered in the manner described in a +previous chapter, when they were alarmed by the sudden and furious +ringing of a bell overhead. The noise brought them instantly to a halt, +and each man grasped his arms in expectation of an attack, but the peal +ceasing in a few moments, and all continuing quiet, they moved on as +before, and presently reached a large hall with a lofty window over the +door, which, being without shutters, afforded light enough to reveal the +dilapidated condition of the mansion. + +From this hall four side doors opened, apparently communicating with +different chambers, three of which were cautiously tried by Reeks, but +they proved to be fastened. The fourth, however, yielded to his touch, +and admitted them to a chamber, which seemed to have been recently +occupied, for a lamp was burning within it. The walls were panelled with +dusky oak, and hung at the lower end with tapestry, representing the +Assyrian monarch Ninus, and his captive Zoroaster, King of the +Bactrians. The chief furniture consisted of three large high-backed and +grotesquely-carved arm-chairs, near one of which stood a powerful +electrical machine. Squares and circles were traced upon the floor, and +here and there were scattered cups and balls, and other matters +apparently belonging to a conjuring apparatus. + +The room might be the retreat of a man of science, or it might be the +repository of a juggler. But whoever its occupant was, and whatsoever +his pursuits, the good things of the world were not altogether neglected +by him, as was proved by a table spread with viands, and furnished with +glasses, together with a couple of taper-necked bottles. + +While glancing upwards, Mr. Thorneycroft remarked that just above each +chair the ceiling was pierced with a round hole, the meaning of which he +could not at the time comprehend, though after circumstances +sufficiently explained it to him. + +"A singular room," he observed to Reeks, on concluding his survey. "Did +you expect to find any one here?" + +"I hardly know," replied the other. "That bell may have given the alarm. +But I will soon ascertain the point. Remain here till I return." + +"You are not going to leave us?" rejoined Mr. Thorneycroft uneasily. + +"Only for a moment," said Reeks. "Keep quiet, and no harm will befall +you. Whatever you may hear without, do not stir." + +"What are we likely to hear?" asked Thorneycroft with increasing +trepidation. + +"That's impossible to say," answered Reeks; "but I warn you not to cry +out unnecessarily, as such an imprudence would endanger our safety." + +"You are quite sure you don't mean to abandon us?" persisted +Thorneycroft. + +"Make yourself easy; I have no such intention," rejoined Reeks sternly. + +"Oh! ve'll take care on you, don't be afeerd, old gent," said Ginger. + +"Yes, ve'll take care on you," added the Tinker and the Sandman. + +"You may depend upon them as upon me, sir," said Reeks. "Before we +explore the subterranean apartments, I wish to see whether any one is +up-stairs." + +"Wot's that you say about subterranean apartments, Mr. Reeks?" +interposed Ginger. "Ve ain't a-goin' below, eh?" + +But without paying any attention to the inquiry, Reeks quitted the room, +and closed the door carefully after him. He next crossed the hall, and +cautiously ascending a staircase at the farther end of it, reached the +landing-place. Beyond it was a gallery, from which several chambers +opened. + +Advancing a few paces, he listened intently, and hearing a slight sound +in an apartment to the right, he stepped softly towards it, and placing +his eye to the keyhole, beheld a tall man, dressed in black, pacing to +and fro with rapid strides, while three other persons, wrapped in sable +gowns, and disguised with hideous masks, stood silent and motionless at +a little distance from him. In the tall man he recognised Cyprian +Rougemont. Upon a table in the middle of the room was laid a large open +volume, bound in black vellum. Near it stood a lamp, which served to +illumine the scene. + +Suddenly, Rougemont stopped, and turning over several leaves of the +book, which were covered with cabalistic characters, appeared in search +of some magic formula. Before he could find it, however, a startling +interruption occurred. An alarum-bell, fixed against the wall, began to +ring, and at the same moment the doors of a cabinet flew open, and a +large ape (for such it seemed to Reeks), clothed in a woollen shirt and +drawers, sprang forth, and bounding upon the table beside Rougemont, +placed its mouth to his ear. The communication thus strangely made +seemed highly displeasing to Rougemont, who knitted his brows, and +delivered some instructions in an undertone to the monkey. The animal +nodded its head in token of obedience, jumped off the table, and bounded +back to the cabinet, the doors of which closed as before. Rougemont next +took up the lamp, with the evident intention of quitting the room, +seeing which, Reeks hastily retreated to an adjoining chamber, the door +of which was fortunately open, and had scarcely gained its shelter when +the four mysterious personages appeared on the gallery. Reeks heard +their footsteps descending the staircase, and then, creeping cautiously +after them, watched them across the hall, and pause before the chamber +containing Mr. Thorneycroft and his companions. After a moment's +deliberation, Rougemont noiselessly locked the door, took out the key, +and leaving two of his attendants on guard, returned with the third +towards the staircase. + +Without tarrying to confront them, Reeks started back, and hurried along +the gallery till he came to a back staircase, which conducted him, by +various descents, to the basement floor, where, after traversing one or +two vaults, he entered a subterranean passage, arched overhead, and +having several openings at the sides, apparently communicating with +other passages. It was lighted at intervals by lamps, which emitted a +feeble radiance. + +By the light of one of these, Reeks discovered the door of a cell. It +was of iron, and as he struck it with his hand, returned a hollow +clangour. On repeating the blow, a hoarse voice from within cried, +"Leave me in peace!" + +"Is it Auriol Darcy who speaks?" demanded Reeks. + +"It is," replied the prisoner. "Who are you that put the question?" + +"A friend," replied Reeks. + +"I have no friend here," said Auriol. + +"You are mistaken," rejoined Reeks. "I have come with Mr. Thorneycroft +to deliver you." + +"Mr. Thorneycroft has come too late. He has lost his daughter," replied +Auriol. + +"What has happened to her?" demanded Reeks. + +"She is in the power of the Fiend," replied Auriol. + +"I know she is detained by Cyprian Rougemont," said Reeks. "But what has +befallen her?" + +"She has become like his other victims--like _my_ victims!" cried Auriol +distractedly. + +"Do not despair," rejoined Reeks. "She may yet be saved." + +"Saved! how?" cried Auriol. "All is over." + +"So it may seem to you," rejoined Reeks; "but you are the victim of +delusion." + +"Oh that I could think so!" exclaimed Auriol. "But no--I saw her fall +into the pit. I beheld her veiled figure rise from it. I witnessed her +signature to the fatal scroll. There could be no illusion in what I then +beheld." + +"Despite all this, you will see her again," said Reeks. + +"Who are you who give me this promise?" asked Auriol. + +"As I have already declared, a friend," replied Reeks. + +"Are you human?" + +"As yourself." + +"Then you seek in vain to struggle with the powers of darkness," said +Auriol. + +"I have no fear of Cyprian Rougemont," rejoined Reeks, with a laugh. + +"Your voice seems familiar to me," said Auriol. "Tell me who you are?" + +"You shall know anon," replied Reeks. "But, hist!--we are interrupted. +Some one approaches." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ENCHANTED CHAIRS + + +More than ten minutes had elapsed since Reeks' departure, and Mr. +Thorneycroft, who had hitherto had some difficulty in repressing his +anger, now began to give vent to it in muttered threats and complaints. +His impatience was shared by the Tinker, who, stepping up to Ginger, +said-- + +"Wot the devil can Mr. Reeks be about? I hope nuffin' has happened to +him." + +"Don't mention a certain gent's name here," remarked Ginger; "or if you +do, treat it vith proper respect." + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed the Tinker impatiently; "I don't like a man stayin' +avay in this manner. It looks suspicious. I wotes ve goes and sees arter +him. Ve can leave the old gent to take a keviet nap by himself. Don't +disturb yourself, sir. Ve'll only jist giv' a look about us, and then +come back." + +"Stay where you are, rascal!" cried Thorneycroft angrily. "I won't be +left. Stay where you are, I command you!" + +"Vell, ve've got a noo captain, I'm a-thinkin'," said the Tinker, +winking at the others. "Ve've no vish to disobleege you, sir. I'll only +jist peep out into the hall, and see if Mr. Reeks is anyvhere +thereabouts. Vy, zounds!" he added, as he tried the door, "it's +locked!" + +"What's locked?" cried Thorneycroft in dismay. + +"The door, to be sure," replied the Tinker. "Ve're prisoners." + +"O Lord, you don't say so!" cried the iron-merchant in an agony of +fright. "What will become of us?" + +A roar of laughter from the others converted his terror into fury. + +"I see how it is," he cried. "You have entrapped me, ruffians. It's all +a trick. You mean to murder me. But I'll sell my life dearly. The first +who approaches shall have his brains blown out." And as he spoke, he +levelled a pistol at the Tinker's head. + +"Holloa! wot are you arter, sir?" cried that individual, sheltering his +head with his hands. "You're a-labourin' under a mistake--a complete +mistake. If it is a trap, ve're catched in it as vell as yourself." + +"To be sure ve is," added the Sandman. "Sit down, and vait a bit. I +dessay Mr. Reeks'll come back, and it von't do no good gettin' into a +passion." + +"Well, well, I must resign myself, I suppose," groaned Thorneycroft, +sinking into a chair. "It's a terrible situation to be placed in--shut +up in a haunted house." + +"I've been in many much vurser sitivations," observed Ginger, "and I +alvays found the best vay to get out on 'em wos to take things quietly." + +"Besides, there's no help for it," said the Tinker, seating himself. + +"That remains to be seen," observed the Sandman, taking the chair +opposite Thorneycroft. "If Reeks don't come back soon, I'll bust open +the door." + +"Plenty o' time for that," said Ginger, sauntering towards the table on +which the provisions were spread; "wot do you say to a mouthful o' +wittles?" + +"I wouldn't touch 'em for the world," replied the Sandman. + +"Nor I," added the Tinker; "they may be pisoned." + +"Pisoned--nonsense!" cried Ginger; "don't you see some von has been +a-takin' his supper here? I'll jist finish it for him." + +"Vith all my 'art," said the Tinker. + +"Don't touch it on any account," cried Mr. Thorneycroft. "I agree with +your companions, it may be poisoned." + +"Oh! I ain't afeerd," cried Ginger, helping himself to a dish before +him. "As good a pigeon-pie as ever I tasted. Your health, Mr. +Thorneycroft," he added, filling a goblet from one of the bottles. "My +service to you, gents. Famous tipple, by Jove!" drawing a long breath +after the draught, and smacking his lips with amazing satisfaction. +"Never tasted sich a glass o' wine in all my born days," he continued, +replenishing the goblet: "I wonder wot it's called?" + +"Prussic acid," replied Mr. Thorneycroft gruffly. + +"Proossic fiddlestick!" cried Ginger; "more likely Tokay. I shall finish +the bottle, and never be the vorse for it!" + +"He's gettin' svipy," said the Tinker. "I vonder vether it's really +Tokay?" + +"No such thing," cried Thorneycroft; "let him alone." + +"I must taste it," said the Tinker, unable to resist the temptation. +"Here, give us a glass, Ginger!" + +"Vith pleasure," replied Ginger, filling a goblet to the brim, and +handing it to him. "You'd better be perwailed upon, Sandy." + +"Vell, I s'pose I must," replied the Sandman, taking the goblet +proffered him. + +"Here's the beaks' healths!" cried Ginger. "I gives that toast 'cos +they're alvays so kind to us dog-fanciers." + +"Dog-fanciers--say, rather, dog-stealers; for that's the name such +vagabonds deserve to be known by," said Mr. Thorneycroft with some +asperity. + +"Vell, ve von't quarrel about names," replied Ginger, laughing, "but +I'll relate a circumstance to you as'll prove that wotever your opinion +of our wocation may be, the beaks upholds it." + +"There can be but one opinion as to your nefarious profession," said Mr. +Thorneycroft, "and that is, that it's as bad as horse-stealing and +sheep-stealing, and should be punished as those offences are punished." + +"So I think, sir," said Ginger, winking at the others; "but to my story, +and don't interrupt me, or I can't get through vith it properly. There's +a gent livin' not a hundred miles from Pall Mall, as the noospapers +says, as had a favourite Scotch terrier, not worth more nor half-a-crown +to any one but hisself, but highly wallerable to him, 'cos it wos a +favourite. Vell, the dog is lost. A pal of mine gets hold on it, and the +gent soon offers a reward for its recovery. This don't bring it back +quite so soon as he expects, 'cos he don't offer enough; so he goes to +an agent, Mr. Simpkins, in the Edger Road, and Mr. Simpkins says to +him--says he, 'How are you, sir? I expected you some days ago. You've +com'd about that ere Scotch terrier. You've got a wallable greyhound, I +understand. A man told me he'd have that afore long.' Seein' the gent +stare, Mr. S. adds, 'Vel, I'll tell you wot you must give for your dog. +The party von't take less than six guineas. He knows it ain't vorth six +shillin', but it's a great favourite, and has given him a precious sight +o' trouble in gettin' it.' 'Give _him_ trouble!' cries the gent +angrily--'and what has it given me? I hope to see the rascal hanged! I +shall pay no such money.' 'Werry vell,' replies Mr. Simpkins coolly, +'then your dog'll be bled to death, as the nobleman's wos, and thrown +down a breathless carkis afore your door.'" + +"You don't mean to say that such a horrid circumstance as that really +took place?" cried Thorneycroft, who was much interested in the +relation. + +"Only t'other day, I assure you," replied Ginger. + +"I'd shoot the ruffian who treated a dog of mine so, if I caught him!" +cried Mr. Thorneycroft indignantly. + +"And sarve him right, too," said Ginger. "I discourages all cruelty to +hanimals. But don't interrupt me again. Arter a bit more chafferin' vith +Mr. Simpkins, the gent offers three pound for his dog, and then goes +avay. Next day he reads a report i' the _Times_ noospaper that a man has +been taken up for dog-stealin', and that a lot o' dogs is shut up in the +green-yard behind the police-office in Bow Street. So he goes there in +search o' his favourite, and sure enough he finds it, but the inspector +von't give it up to him, 'cos the superintendent is out o' the vay." + +"Shameful!" cried Mr. Thorneycroft. + +"Shameful, indeed, sir," echoed Ginger, laughing. "Thinkin' his dog safe +enough in the hands o' the police, the gent sleeps soundly that night, +but ven he goes back next mornin' he finds it has disappeared. The +green-yard has been broken into overnight, and all the dogs stolen from +it." + +"Under the noses of the police?" cried Thorneycroft. + +"Under their werry noses," replied Ginger. "But now comes the cream o' +the jest. You shall hear wot the beak says to him ven the gent craves +his assistance. 'I can't interfere in the matter,' says he, a-bendin' of +his brows in a majestic manner. 'Parties don't ought to come here vith +complaints of vhich I can't take notice. This place ain't an advertisin' +office, and I sha'n't suffer it to be made von. I von't listen to +statements affectin' the characters of absent parties.' Statements +affectin' _our_ characters,--do you tvig that, sir?" + +"I do, indeed," said Thorneycroft, sighing; "and I am sorry to think +such a remark should have dropped from the bench." + +"You're right to say dropped from it, sir," laughed Ginger. "I told you +the beaks vos our best friends; they alvays takes our parts. Ven the +gent urges that it was a subject of ser'ous importance to all +dog-owners, the magistrit angrily interrupts him, sayin'--'Then let +there be a meetin' of dog-owners to discuss their grievances. Don't come +to me. I can't help you.' And he vouldn't if he could, 'cos he's the +dog-fancier's friend." + +"It looks like it, I must own," replied Thorneycroft. "Such +reprehensible indifference gives encouragement to people of your +profession. Government itself is to blame. As all persons who keep dogs +pay a tax for them, their property ought to be protected." + +"I'm quite satisfied vith the present state of the law," said Ginger; +"here's the vorthy beak! I'll drink his health a second time." + +"Halloa! wot's that?" cried the Tinker; "I thought I heerd a noise." + +"So did I," rejoined the Sandman; "a strange sort o' rumblin' sound +overhead." + +"There it goes again!" cried Ginger; "wot an awful din!" + +"Now it's underneath," said Mr. Thorneycroft, turning pale, and +trembling. "It sounds as if some hidden machinery were at work." + +The noise, which up to this moment had borne an indistinct resemblance +to the creaking of wheels and pulleys, now increased to a violent +clatter, while the house was shaken as if by the explosion of a mine +beneath it. + +At the same time, the occupants of the chairs received a sharp +electrical shock, that agitated every limb, and caused Mr. Thorneycroft +to let fall his pistol, which went off as it reached the ground. At the +same time, the Sandman dropped his goblet, and the Tinker relinquished +his grasp of the cutlass. Before they could recover from the shock, all +three were caught by stout wooden hooks, which, detaching themselves +from the back of the chairs, pinioned their arms, while their legs were +restrained by fetters, which sprang from the ground and clasped round +their ankles. Thus fixed, they struggled vainly to get free. The chairs +seemed nailed to the ground, so that all efforts to move them proved +futile. + +But the worst was to come. From the holes in the ceiling already alluded +to, descended three heavy bell-shaped helmets, fashioned like those worn +by divers at the bottom of the sea, and having round eyelet-holes of +glass. It was evident, from the manner of their descent, that these +helmets must drop on the heads of the sitters--a conviction that filled +them with inexpressible terror. They shouted, and swore frightfully; but +their vociferations availed them nothing. Down came the helmets, and the +same moment the monkey, which had been seen by Reeks, issued from a +cupboard at the top of a cabinet, and grinned and gibbered at them. + +Down came the first helmet, and covered the Tinker to the shoulders. His +appearance was at once ludicrous and terrible, and his roaring within +the casque sounded like the bellowing of a baited bull. + +Down came the second helmet, though rather more slowly, and the Sandman +was eclipsed in the same manner as the Tinker, and roared as loudly. + +[Illustration: The Enchanted Chairs.] + +In both these instances the helmets had dropped without guidance, but in +the case of Mr. Thorneycroft, a hand, thrust out of the hole in the +ceiling, held the helmet suspended over his head, like the sword of +Damocles. While the poor iron-merchant momentarily expected the same +doom as his companions, his attention was attracted towards the monkey, +which, clinging with one hand to the side of the cabinet, extended +the other skinny arm towards him, and exclaimed--"Will you swear to go +hence if you are spared?" + +"No, I will not," replied the iron-merchant. He had scarcely spoken, +when the helmet fell with a jerk, and extinguished him like the others. + +Ginger alone remained. During the whole of this strange scene, he had +stood with the bottle in hand, transfixed with terror and astonishment, +and wholly unable to move or cry out. A climax was put to his fright, by +the descent of the three chairs, with their occupants, through the floor +into a vault beneath; and as the helmets were whisked up again to the +ceiling, and the trap-doors closed upon the chairs, he dropped the +bottle, and fell with his face upon the table. He was, however, soon +roused by a pull at his hair, while a shrill voice called him by his +name. + +"Who is it?" groaned the dog-fancier. + +"Look up!" cried the speaker, again plucking his hair. + +Ginger complied, and beheld the monkey seated beside him. + +"Vy, it can't be, sure_ly_," he cried. "And yet I could almost svear it +was Old Parr." + +"You're near the mark," replied the other, with a shrill laugh. "It is +your venerable friend." + +"Vot the deuce are you doing here, and in this dress, or rayther +undress?" inquired Ginger. "Ven I see you this mornin', you wos in the +serwice of Mr. Loftus." + +"I've got a new master since then," replied the dwarf. + +"I'm sorry to hear it," said Ginger, shaking his head. "You haven't sold +yourself, like Doctor Forster--eh?" + +"Faustus, my dear Ginger--not Forster," corrected Old Parr. "No, no, +I've made no bargain. And to be plain with you, I've no desire to remain +long in my present master's service." + +"I don't like to ask the question too directly, wenerable," said +Ginger, in a deprecatory tone--"but is your master--hem!--is +he--hem!--the--the----" + +"The devil, you would say," supplied Old Parr. "Between ourselves, I'm +afraid there's no denying it." + +"La! wot a horrible idea!" exclaimed Ginger, with a shudder; "it makes +the flesh creep on one's bones. Then we're in your master's power?" + +"Very like it," replied Old Parr. + +"And there ain't no chance o' deliverance?" + +"None that occurs to me." + +"O Lord! O Lord!" groaned Ginger; "I'll repent. I'll become a reformed +character. I'll never steal dogs no more." + +"In that case, there may be some chance for you," said Old Parr. "I +think I could help you to escape. Come with me, and I'll try and get you +out." + +"But wot is to become of the others?" demanded Ginger. + +"Oh, leave them to their fate," replied Old Parr. + +"No, that'll never do," cried Ginger. "Ve're all in the same boat, and +must row out together the best vay ve can. I tell you wot it is, +wenerable," he added, seizing him by the throat--"your master may be +the devil, but you're mortal; and if you don't help me to deliver my +companions, I'll squeege your windpipe for you." + +"That's not the way to induce me to help you," said Old Parr, twisting +himself like an eel out of the other's gripe. "Now get out, if you can." + +"Don't be angry," cried Ginger, seeing the mistake he had committed, and +trying to conciliate him; "I only meant to frighten you a bit. Can you +tell me if Mr. Auriol Darcy is here?" + +"Yes, he is, and a close prisoner," replied Old Parr. + +"And the girl--Miss Ebber, wot of her?" + +"I can't say," rejoined Old Parr. "I can only speak to the living." + +"Then she's dead!" cried Ginger, with a look of horror. + +"That's a secret," replied the dwarf mysteriously; "and I'm bound by a +terrible oath not to disclose it." + +"I'll have it out of you notvithstandin'," muttered Ginger. "I vish you +would lend me a knock on the head, old feller. I can't help thinkin' +I've got a terrible fit o' the nightmare." + +"Let this waken you, then," said Old Parr, giving him a sound buffet on +the ear. + +"Holloa, wenerable! not so hard!" cried Ginger. + +"Ha! ha! ha!" screamed the dwarf. "You know what you're about now." + +"Not exactly," said Ginger. "I vish I wos fairly out o' this cursed +place!" + +"You shouldn't have ventured into the lion's den," said Old Parr, in a +taunting tone. "But come with me, and perhaps I may be able to do +something towards your liberation." + +So saying, he drew aside the tapestry, and opened a panel behind it, +through which he passed, and beckoned Ginger to follow him. Taking a +pistol from his pocket, the latter complied. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +GERARD PASTON + + +Before the chair, in which Mr. Thorneycroft was fixed, reached the +ground, terror had taken away his senses. A bottle of salts, placed to +his nose, revived him after a time; but he had nearly relapsed into +insensibility on seeing two strange figures, in hideous masks and sable +cloaks, standing on either side of him, while at a little distance was a +third, who carried a strangely-fashioned lantern. He looked round for +his companions in misfortune, but, though the chairs were there, they +were unoccupied. + +The masked attendants paid no attention to the iron-merchant's cries and +entreaties; but as soon as they thought him able to move, they touched a +spring, which freed his arms and legs from their bondage, and raising +him, dragged him out of the vault, and along a narrow passage, till they +came to a large sepulchral-looking chamber, cased with black marble, in +the midst of which, on a velvet fauteuil of the same hue as the walls, +sat Cyprian Rougemont. It was, in fact, the chamber where Ebba had been +subject to her terrible trial. + +Bewildered with terror, the poor iron-merchant threw himself at the feet +of Rougemont, who, eyeing him with a look of malignant triumph, cried-- + +"You have come to seek your daughter. Behold her!" + +And at the words, the large black curtains at the farther end of the +room were suddenly withdrawn, and discovered the figure of Ebba +Thorneycroft standing at the foot of the marble staircase. Her features +were as pale as death; her limbs rigid and motionless; but her eyes +blazed with preternatural light. On beholding her, Mr. Thorneycroft +uttered a loud cry, and, springing to his feet, would have rushed +towards her, but he was held back by the two masked attendants, who +seized each arm, and detained him by main force. + +"Ebba!" he cried--"Ebba!" + +But she appeared wholly insensible to his cries, and remained in the +same attitude, with her eyes turned away from him. + +"What ails her?" cried the agonised father. "Ebba! Ebba!" + +"Call louder," said Rougemont, with a jeering laugh. + +"Do you not know me? do you not hear me?" shrieked Mr. Thorneycroft. + +Still the figure remained immovable. + +"I told you you should see her," replied Rougemont, in a taunting tone; +"but she is beyond your reach." + +"Not so, not so!" cried Thorneycroft. "Come to me, Ebba!--come to your +father. O Heaven! she hears me not! she heeds me not! Her senses are +gone." + +"She is fast bound by a spell," said Rougemont. "Take a last look of +her. You will see her no more." + +And, stretching out his hand, the curtains slowly descended, and +shrouded the figure from view. + +Thorneycroft groaned aloud. + +"Are you not content?" cried Rougemont. "Will you depart in peace, and +swear never to come here more? If so, I will liberate you and your +companions." + +"So far from complying with your request, I swear never to rest till I +have rescued my child from you, accursed being!" cried Thorneycroft +energetically. + +"You have sealed your doom, then," replied Rougemont. "But before you +are yourself immured, you shall see how Auriol Darcy is circumstanced. +Bring him along." + +And, followed by the attendants, who dragged Mr. Thorneycroft after him, +he plunged into an opening on the right. A few steps brought him to the +entrance of the cell. Touching the heavy iron door, it instantly swung +open, and disclosed Auriol chained to a stone at the farther corner of +the narrow chamber. + +Not a word was spoken for some minutes, but the captives regarded each +other piteously. + +"Oh, Mr. Thorneycroft," cried Auriol, at length, "I beseech you forgive +me. I have destroyed your daughter." + +"You!" exclaimed the iron-merchant in astonishment. + +"It is true," said Rougemont. + +"I would have saved her if it had been possible!" cried Auriol. "I +warned her that to love me would be fatal to her. I told her I was +linked to an inexorable destiny, which would involve her in its +meshes--but in vain." + +"Oh!" ejaculated Thorneycroft. + +"You see you ought to blame him, not me," said Rougemont, with a +derisive laugh. + +"I would have given my life, my soul, to preserve her, had it been +possible!" cried Auriol. + +"Horrors crowd so thick upon me that my brain reels," cried +Thorneycroft. "Merciless wretch!" he added, to Rougemont, +"fiend--whatever you are, complete your work of ruin by my destruction. +I have nothing left to tie me to life." + +"I would have the miserable live," said Rougemont, with a diabolical +laugh. "It is only the happy I seek to destroy. But you have to thank +your own obstinacy for your present distress. Bid a lasting farewell to +Auriol. You will see him no more." + +"Hold!" exclaimed Auriol. "A word before we part." + +"Ay, hold!" echoed a loud and imperious voice from the depths of the +passage. + +"Ha!--who speaks?" demanded Rougemont, a shade passing over his +countenance. + +"I, Gerard Paston!" exclaimed Reeks, stepping forward. + +The crape was gone from his brow, and in its place was seen the handsome +and resolute features of a man of middle life. He held a pistol in +either hand. + +"Is it you, Gerard Paston?" cried Auriol, regarding him; "the brother of +Clara, my second victim!" + +"It is," replied the other. "Your deliverance is at hand, Auriol." + +"And you have dared to penetrate here, Gerard?" cried Rougemont, +stamping the ground with rage. "Recollect, you are bound to me by the +same ties as Auriol, and you shall share his fate." + +"I am not to be intimidated by threats," replied Paston, with a scornful +laugh. "You have employed your arts too long. Deliver up Auriol and this +gentleman at once, or----" And he levelled the pistols at him. + +"Fire!" cried Rougemont, drawing himself up to his towering height. "No +earthly bullets can injure me." + +"Ve'll try that!" cried Ginger, coming up at the moment behind Paston. + +And he discharged a pistol, with a deliberate aim, at the breast of +Rougemont. The latter remained erect, and apparently uninjured. + +"You see how ineffectual your weapons are," said Rougemont, with a +derisive laugh. + +"It must be the devil!" cried Ginger, running off. + +"I will try mine," said Paston. + +But before he could draw the triggers, the pistols were wrested from his +grasp by the two attendants, who had quitted Thorneycroft, and stolen +upon him unperceived, and who next pinioned his arms. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE PIT + + +So bewildered was the poor iron-merchant by the strange and terrible +events that had befallen him, that, though released by the two masked +attendants, who left him, as before related, to seize Gerard Paston, he +felt utterly incapable of exertion, and would probably have made no +effort to regain his freedom, if his coat had not been vigorously +plucked behind, while a low voice urged him to fly. Glancing in the +direction of the friendly speaker, he could just discern a diminutive +object standing within the entrance of a side-passage, and reared up +against the wall so as to be out of sight of Rougemont and his +attendants. It was the monkey--or rather Old Parr--who, continuing to +tug violently at his coat, at last succeeded in drawing him backwards +into the passage, and then grasping his hand tightly, hurried him along +it. The passage was wholly unlighted, but Mr. Thorneycroft could +perceive that it was exceedingly circuitous, and winded round like a +maze. + +"Where are you taking me?" he inquired, attempting to stop. + +"Ask no questions," rejoined the dwarf, pulling him along. "Do you want +to be captured, and shut up in a cell for the rest of your life?" + +"Certainly not," replied Thorneycroft, accelerating his movements; "I +hope there's no chance of it." + +"There's every chance of it," rejoined Old Parr. "If you're taken, +you'll share Auriol's fate." + +"O Lord! I hope not," groaned the iron-merchant. "I declare, you +frighten me so much that you take away all power of movement. I shall +drop in a minute." + +"Come along, I say," screamed the dwarf. "I hear them close behind us." + +And as he spoke, shouts, and the noise of rapidly-approaching footsteps, +resounded along the passage. + +"I can't stir another step," gasped the iron-merchant. "I'm completely +done. Better yield at once." + +"What, without a struggle?" cried the dwarf tauntingly. "Think of your +daughter, and let the thought of her nerve your heart. She is lost for +ever, if you don't get out of this accursed place." + +"She is lost for ever as it is," cried the iron-merchant despairingly. + +"No--she may yet be saved," rejoined the dwarf. "Come on--come on--they +are close behind us." + +And it was evident, from the increased clamour, that their pursuers were +upon them. + +Roused by the imminence of the danger, and by the hope of rescuing his +daughter, Mr. Thorneycroft exerted all his energies, and sprang forward. +A little farther on, they were stopped by a door. It was closed; and +venting his disappointment in a scream, the dwarf searched for the +handle, but could not find it. + +"We are entrapped--we shall be caught," he cried, "and then woe to both +of us. Fool that I was to attempt your preservation. Better I had left +you to rot in a dungeon than have incurred Rougemont's displeasure." + +The iron-merchant replied by a groan. + +"It's all over with me," he said. "I give it up--I'll die here!" + +"No--we are saved," cried the dwarf, as the light, now flashing strongly +upon the door, revealed a small iron button within it,--"saved--saved!" + +As he spoke, he pressed against the button, which moved a spring, and +the door flew open. Just as they passed through it, the two masked +attendants came in sight. The dwarf instantly shut the door, and finding +a bolt on the side next him, shot it into the socket. Scarcely had he +accomplished this, when the pursuers came up, and dashed themselves +against the door; but finding it bolted, presently ceased their efforts, +and apparently withdrew. + +"They are gone by some other way to intercept us," cried Old Parr, who +had paused for a moment to listen; "come on, Mr. Thorneycroft." + +"I'll try," replied the iron-merchant, with a subdued groan, "but I'm +completely spent. Oh that I ever ventured into this place!" + +"It's too late to think of that now; besides, you came here to rescue +your daughter," rejoined Old Parr. "Take care and keep near me. I wonder +where this passage leads to?" + +"Don't you know?" inquired the iron-merchant. + +"Not in the least," returned the dwarf. "This is the first time I've +been here--and it shall be the last, if I'm allowed any choice in the +matter." + +"You haven't told me how you came here at all," observed Thorneycroft. + +"I hardly know myself," replied the dwarf; "but I find it more difficult +to get out than I did to get in. How this passage twists about! I +declare we seem to be returning to the point we started from." + +"I think we are turning round ourselves," cried Thorneycroft, in an +agony of fright. "My head is going. Oh dear! oh dear!" + +"Why, it does seem very strange, I must say," remarked the dwarf, coming +to a halt. "I could almost fancy that the solid stone walls were moving +around us." + +"They _are_ moving," cried Thorneycroft, stretching out his hand. "I +feel 'em. Lord have mercy upon us, and deliver us from the power of the +Evil One!" + +"The place seems on fire," cried the dwarf. "A thick smoke fills the +passage. Don't you perceive it, Mr. Thorneycroft?" + +"Don't I!--to be sure I do," cried the iron-merchant, coughing and +sneezing. "I feel as if I were in a room with a smoky chimney, and no +window open. Oh!--oh!--I'm choking!" + +"Don't mind it," cried the dwarf, who seemed quite at his ease. "We +shall soon be out of the smoke." + +"I can't stand it," cried Mr. Thorneycroft; "I shall die. Oh! +poah--pish--puff!" + +"Come on, I tell you--you'll get some fresh air in a minute," rejoined +Old Parr. "Halloa! how's this? No outlet. We're come to a dead stop." + +"Dead stop, indeed!" echoed the iron-merchant. "We've come to that long +ago. But what new difficulty has arisen?" + +"Merely that the road's blocked up by a solid wall--that's all," replied +Old Parr. + +"Blocked up!" exclaimed Thorneycroft. "Then we're entombed alive." + +"_I_ am," said the dwarf, with affected nonchalance. "As to you, you've +the comfort of knowing it'll soon be over with you. But for me, nothing +can harm me." + +"Don't be too sure of that," cried a voice above them. + +"Did you speak, Mr. Thorneycroft?" asked the dwarf. + +"N-o-o--not I," gasped the iron-merchant. "I'm suffocating--help to drag +me out." + +"Get out if you can," cried the voice that had just spoken. + +"It's Rougemont himself," cried the dwarf in alarm. "Then there's no +escape." + +"None whatever, rascal," replied the unseen speaker. "I want you. I have +more work for you to do." + +"I won't leave Mr. Thorneycroft," cried the dwarf resolutely. "I've +promised to preserve him, and I'll keep my word." + +"Fool!" cried the other. "You must obey when I command." + +And as the words were uttered, a hand was thrust down from above, which, +grasping the dwarf by the nape of the neck, drew him upwards. + +"Lay hold of me, Mr. Thorneycroft," screamed Old Parr. "I'm going up +again--lay hold of me--pull me down." + +Well-nigh stifled by the thickening and pungent vapour, the poor +iron-merchant found compliance impossible. Before he could reach the +dwarf, the little fellow was carried off. Left to himself, Mr. +Thorneycroft staggered along the passage, expecting every moment to +drop, until at length a current of fresh air blew in his face, and +enabled him to breathe more freely. Somewhat revived, he went on, but +with great deliberation, and it was well he did so, for he suddenly +arrived at the brink of a pit about eight feet in depth, into which, if +he had approached it incautiously, he must infallibly have stumbled, and +in all probability have broken his neck. This pit evidently communicated +with a lower range of chambers, as was shown by a brazen lamp burning +under an archway. A ladder was planted at one side, and by this Mr. +Thorneycroft descended, but scarcely had he set foot on the ground, than +he felt himself rudely grasped by a man who stepped from under the +archway. The next moment, however, he was released, while the familiar +voice of the Tinker exclaimed-- + +"Vy, bless my 'art, if it ain't Mister Thorneycroft." + +"Yes, it's me, certainly, Mr. Tinker," replied the iron-merchant. "Who's +that you've got with you?" + +"Vy, who should it be but the Sandman," rejoined the other gruffly. +"Ve've set ourselves free at last, and have made some nice diskiveries +into the bargin." + +"Yes, ve've found it all out," added the Tinker. + +"What have you discovered--what have you found out?" cried the +iron-merchant breathlessly. "Have you found my daughter? Where is she? +Take me to her." + +"Not so fast, old gent, not so fast," rejoined the Tinker. "Ve ain't +sure as 'ow ve've found your darter, but ve've catched a peep of a nice +young 'ooman." + +"Oh! it must be her--no doubt of it," cried the iron-merchant. "Where is +she? Take me to her without a moment's delay." + +"But ve can't get to her, I tell 'ee," replied the Tinker. "Ve knows the +place vere she's a-shut up,--that's all." + +"Take me to it," cried Mr. Thorneycroft eagerly. + +"Vell, if you must go, step this vay, then," rejoined the Tinker, +proceeding towards the archway. "Halloa, Sandy, did you shut the door +arter you?" + +"Not I," replied the other; "open it." + +"Easily said," rejoined the Tinker, "but not quevite so easily done. Vy, +zounds, it's shut of itself and bolted itself on t'other side!" + +"Some one must have followed you," groaned Thorneycroft. "We're watched +on all sides." + +"Ay, and from above, too," cried the Sandman. "Look up there!" he added, +in accents of alarm. + +"What's the matter? What new danger is at hand?" inquired the +iron-merchant. + +"Look up, I say," cried the Sandman. "Don't ye see, Tinker?" + +"Ay, ay, I see," replied the other. "The roof's a-comin' in upon us. +Let's get out o' this as fast as ve can." And he kicked and pushed +against the door, but all his efforts were unavailing to burst it open. + +At the same time the Sandman rushed towards the ladder, but before he +could mount it all egress by that means was cut off. An immense iron +cover worked in a groove was pushed by some unseen machinery over the +top of the pit, and enclosed them in it. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +NEW PERPLEXITIES + + +For several hours deep sleep, occasioned by some potent medicaments, had +bound up the senses of Auriol. On awaking, he found himself within a +cell, the walls, the floor, and the ceiling of which were of solid stone +masonry. In the midst of this chamber, and supporting the ponderous +roof, stood a massive granite pillar, the capital of which was +grotesquely ornamented with death's-heads and cross-bones, and against +this pillar leaned Auriol, with his left arm chained by heavy links of +iron to a ring in the adjoining wall. Beside him stood a pitcher of +water, and near him lay an antique-looking book, bound in black vellum. +The dungeon in which he was confined was circular in form, with a coved +roof, sustained by the pillar before mentioned, and was approached by a +steep flight of steps rising from a doorway, placed some six feet below +the level of the chamber, and surmounted by a pointed arch. A stream of +light, descending from a narrow aperture in the roof, fell upon his +wasted and haggard features. His dark-brown hair hung about his face in +elf-locks, his beard was untrimmed, and a fixed and stony glare like +that of insanity sat in his eye. He was seated on the ground--neither +bench nor stool being allowed him--with his hand supporting his chin. +His gaze was fixed upon vacancy--if that can he called vacancy which to +him was filled with vivid images. His garb was not that of modern times, +but consisted of a doublet and hose of rich material, wrought in the +fashion of Elizabeth's days. + +After remaining for some time in this musing attitude, Auriol opened the +old tome before him, and began to turn over its leaves. It was full of +magical disquisitions and mysterious characters, and he found inscribed +on one of its earlier pages a name which instantly riveted his +attention. Having vainly sought some explanation of this name in the +after contents of the book, he laid it aside, and became lost in +meditation. His reverie ended, he heaved a deep sigh, and turned again +to the open volume lying before him, and in doing so his eye rested for +the first time on his habiliments. On beholding them he started, and +held out his arm to examine his sleeve more narrowly. Satisfied that he +was not deceived, he arose and examined himself from head to foot. He +found himself, as has been stated, attired in the garb of a gentleman of +Elizabeth's time. + +"What can this mean?" he cried. "Have I endured a long and troubled +dream, during which I have fancied myself living through more than two +centuries? O Heaven, that it may be so! Oh that the fearful crimes I +suppose I have committed have only been enacted in a dream! Oh that my +victims are imaginary! Oh that Ebba should only prove a lovely phantom +of the night! And yet, I could almost wish the rest were real--so that +she might exist. I cannot bear to think that she is nothing more than a +vision. But it must be so--I have been dreaming--and what a dream it has +been!--what strange glimpses it has afforded me into futurity! Methought +I lived in the reigns of many sovereigns--beheld one of them carried to +the block--saw revolutions convulse the kingdom--old dynasties shaken +down, and new ones spring up. Fashions seem to me to have so changed, +that I had clean forgotten the old ones; while my fellow-men scarcely +appeared the same as heretofore. Can I be the same myself? Is this the +dress I once wore? Let me seek for some proof." + +And thrusting his hand into his doublet, he drew forth some tablets, and +hastily examined them. They bore his name, and contained some writing, +and he exclaimed aloud with joy, "This is proof enough--I have been +dreaming all this while." + +"The scheme works to a miracle," muttered a personage stationed at the +foot of the steps springing from the doorway, and who, though concealed +from view himself, was watching the prisoner with a malignant and +exulting gaze. + +"And yet, why am I here?" pursued Auriol, looking around. "Ah! I see how +it is," he added, with a shudder; "I have been mad--perhaps am mad +still. That will account for the strange delusion under which I have +laboured." + +"I will act upon that hint," muttered the listener. + +"Of what use is memory," continued Auriol musingly, "if things that are +not, seem as if they were? If joys and sorrows which we have never +endured are stamped upon the brain--if visions of scenes, and faces and +events which we have never witnessed, never known, haunt us, as if they +had once been familiar? But I am mad--mad!" + +The listener laughed to himself. + +"How else, if I were not mad, could I have believed that I had swallowed +the fabled elixir vitae? And yet, is it a fable? for I am puzzled still. +Methinks I am old--old--old--though I feel young, and look young. All +this is madness. Yet how clear and distinct it seems! I can call to mind +events in Charles the Second's time. Ha!--who told me of Charles the +Second? How know I there was such a king? The reigning sovereign should +be James, and yet I fancy it is George the Fourth. Oh! I am mad--clean +mad!" + +There was another pause, during which the listener indulged in a +suppressed fit of laughter. + +"Would I could look forth from this dungeon," pursued Auriol, again +breaking silence, "and satisfy myself of the truth or falsehood of my +doubts by a view of the external world, for I am so perplexed in mind, +that if I were not distracted already, they would be enough to drive me +so. What dismal, terrible fancies have possessed me, and weigh upon me +still--the compact with Rougemont--ha!" + +"Now it comes," cried the listener. + +"Oh, that I could shake off the conviction that this were not so--that +my soul, though heavily laden, might still be saved! Oh, that I dared to +hope this!" + +"I must interrupt him if he pursues this strain," said the listener. + +[Illustration: Rougemont's device to perplex Auriol.] + +"Whether my crimes are real or imaginary--whether I snatched the cup of +immortality from my grandsire's dying lips--whether I signed a compact +with the Fiend, and delivered him a victim on each tenth year--I cannot +now know; but if it is so, I deeply, bitterly regret them, and would +expiate my offences by a life of penance." + +At this moment Rougemont, attired in a dress similar to that of the +prisoner, marched up the steps, and cried, "What ho, Auriol!--Auriol +Darcy!" + +"Who speaks?" demanded Auriol. "Ah! is it you, Fiend?" + +"What, you are still in your old fancies," rejoined Rougemont. "I +thought the draught I gave you last night would have amended you." + +"Tell me who and what I am," cried Auriol, stupefied with astonishment; +"in what age I am living; and whether I am in my right mind or not?" + +"For the first, you are called Auriol Darcy," replied Rougemont; "for +the second, you are living in the reign of his most Catholic Majesty +James I. of England, and Sixth of Scotland; and for the third, I trust +you will soon recover your reason." + +"Amazement!" cried Auriol, striking his brow with his clenched hand. +"Then I _am_ mad." + +"It's plain your reason is returning, since you are conscious of your +condition," replied Rougemont; "but calm yourself, you have been subject +to raging frenzies." + +"And I have been shut up here for safety?" demanded Auriol. + +"Precisely," observed the other. + +"And you are----" + +"Your keeper," replied Rougemont. + +"My God! what a brain mine must be!" cried Auriol. "Answer me one +question--Is there such a person as Ebba Thorneycroft?" + +"You have often raved about her," replied Rougemont. "But she is a mere +creature of the imagination." + +Auriol groaned, and sank against the wall. + +"Since you have become so reasonable, you shall again go forth into the +world," said Rougemont; "but the first essay must be made at night, for +fear of attracting observation. I will come to you again a few hours +hence. Farewell for the present." + +And casting a sinister glance at his captive, he turned upon his heel, +descended the steps, and quitted the cell. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DOCTOR LAMB AGAIN + + +Night came, and the cell grew profoundly dark. Auriol became impatient +for the appearance of his keeper, but hour after hour passed and he did +not arrive. Worn out, at length, with doubt and bewildering +speculations, the miserable captive was beset with the desire to put an +end to his torments by suicide, and he determined to execute his fell +purpose without delay. An evil chance seemed also to befriend him, for +scarcely was the idea formed, than his foot encountered something on the +ground, the rattling of which attracted his attention, and stooping to +take it up, he grasped the bare blade of a knife. + +"This will, at all events, solve my doubts," he cried aloud. "I will +sheathe this weapon in my heart, and, if I am mortal, my woes will be +ended." + +As he spoke, he placed the point to his breast with the full intent to +strike, but before he could inflict the slightest wound, his arm was +forcibly arrested. + +"Would you destroy yourself, madman?" roared a voice. "I thought your +violence was abated, and that you might go forth in safety. But I find +you are worse than ever." + +Auriol uttered a groan and let the knife fall to the ground. The +new-comer kicked it to a distance with his foot. + +"You shall be removed to another chamber," he pursued, "where you can be +more strictly watched." + +"Take me forth--oh! take me forth," cried Auriol. "It was a mere impulse +of desperation, which I now repent." + +"I dare not trust you. You will commit some act of insane fury, for +which I myself shall have to bear the blame. When I yielded to your +entreaties on a former occasion, and took you forth, I narrowly +prevented you from doing all we met a mischief." + +"I have no recollection of any such circumstance," returned Auriol +mournfully. "But it may be true, nevertheless. And if so, it only proves +the lamentable condition to which I am reduced--memory and reason gone!" + +"Ay, both gone," cried the other, with an irrepressible chuckle. + +"Ha!" exclaimed Auriol, starting. "I am not so mad but I recognise in +you the Evil Being who tempted me. I am not so oblivious as to forget +our terrible interviews." + +"What, you are in your lunes again!" cried Rougemont fiercely. "Nay, +then I must call my assistants, and bind you." + +"Let me be--let me be!" implored Auriol, "and I will offend you no more. +Whatever thoughts may arise within me, I will not give utterance to +them. Only take me forth." + +"I came for that purpose," said Rougemont; "but I repeat, I dare not. +You are not sufficiently master of yourself." + +"Try me," said Auriol. + +"Well," rejoined the other, "I will see what I can do to calm you." + +So saying, he disappeared for a few moments, and then returning with a +torch, placed it on the ground, and producing a phial, handed it to the +captive. + +"Drink!" he said. + +Without a moment's hesitation Auriol complied. + +"It seems to me rather a stimulant than a soothing potion," he remarked, +after emptying the phial. + +"You are in no condition to judge," rejoined the other. + +And he proceeded to unfasten Auriol's chain. + +"Now then, come with me," he said, "and do not make any attempt at +evasion, or you will rue it." + +Like one in a dream, Auriol followed his conductor down the flight of +stone steps leading from the dungeon, and along a narrow passage. As he +proceeded, he thought he heard stealthy footsteps behind him; but he +never turned his head, to see whether he was really followed. In this +way they reached a short steep staircase, and mounting it, entered a +vault, in which Rougemont paused, and placed the torch he had brought +with him upon the floor. Its lurid glimmer partially illumined the +chamber, and showed that it was built of stone. Rude benches of antique +form were set about the vault, and motioning Auriol to be seated upon +one of them, Rougemont sounded a silver whistle. The summons was shortly +afterwards answered by the dwarf, in whose attire a new change had +taken place. He was now clothed in a jerkin of grey serge, fashioned +like the garments worn by the common people in Elizabeth's reign, and +wore a trencher-cap on his head. Auriol watched him as he timidly +advanced towards Rougemont, and had an indistinct recollection of having +seen him before; but could not call to mind how or where. + +"Is your master a-bed?" demanded Rougemont. + +"A-bed! Good lack, sir!" exclaimed the dwarf, "little of sleep knows +Doctor Lamb. He will toil at the furnace till the stars have set." + +"Doctor Lamb!" repeated Auriol. "Surely I have heard that name before?" + +"Very likely," replied Rougemont, "for it is the name borne by your +nearest kinsman." + +"How is the poor young gentleman?" asked the dwarf, glancing +commiseratingly at Auriol. "My master often makes inquiries after his +grandson, and grieves that the state of his mind should render it +necessary to confine him." + +"His grandson! I--Doctor Lamb's grandson!" cried Auriol. + +"In sooth are you, young sir," returned the dwarf. "Were you in your +reason, you would be aware that my master's name is the same as your +own--Darcy--Reginald Darcy. He assumes the name of Doctor Lamb to delude +the multitude. He told you as much yourself, sweet sir, if your poor +wits would enable you to recollect it." + +"Am I in a dream, good fellow, tell me that?" cried Auriol, lost in +amazement. + +"Alack, no, sir," replied the dwarf; "to my thinking, you are wide +awake. But you know, sir," he added, touching his forehead, "you have +been a little wrong here, and your memory and reason are not of the +clearest." + +"Where does my grandsire dwell?" asked Auriol. + +"Why here, sir," replied the dwarf; "and for the matter of locality, the +house is situated on the south end of London Bridge." + +"_On_ the bridge--did you say _on_ the bridge, friend?" cried Auriol. + +"Ay, _on_ the bridge--where else should it be? You would not have your +grandsire live under the river?" rejoined the dwarf; "though, for ought +I know, some of these vaults may go under it. They are damp enough." + +Auriol was lost in reflection, and did not observe a sign that passed +between the dwarf and Rougemont. + +"Will it disturb Doctor Lamb if his grandson goes up to him?" said the +latter, after a brief pause. + +"My master does not like to be interrupted in his operations, as you +know, sir," replied the dwarf, "and seldom suffers any one, except +myself, to enter his laboratory; but I will make so bold as to introduce +Master Auriol, if he desires it." + +"You will confer the greatest favour on me by doing so," cried Auriol, +rising. + +"Sit down--sit down!" said Rougemont authoritatively. "You cannot go up +till the doctor has been apprised. Remain here, while Flapdragon and I +ascertain his wishes." So saying, he quitted the chamber by a farther +outlet with the dwarf. + +During the short time that Auriol was left alone, he found it vain to +attempt to settle his thoughts, or to convince himself that he was not +labouring under some strange delusion. + +He was aroused at length by the dwarf, who returned alone. + +"Your grandsire will see you," said the mannikin. + +"One word before we go," cried Auriol, seizing his arm. + +"Saints! how you frighten me!" exclaimed the dwarf. "You must keep +composed, or I dare not take you to my master." + +"Pardon me," replied Auriol; "I meant not to alarm you. Where is the +person who brought me hither?" + +"What, your keeper?" said the dwarf. "Oh, he is within call. He will +come to you anon. Now follow me." + +And taking up the torch, he led the way out of the chamber. Mounting a +spiral staircase, apparently within a turret, they came to a door, which +being opened by Flapdragon, disclosed a scene that well-nigh stupefied +Auriol. + +It was the laboratory precisely as he had seen it above two centuries +ago. The floor was strewn with alchemical implements--the table was +covered with mystic parchments inscribed with cabalistic characters--the +furnace stood in the corner--crucibles and cucurbites decorated the +chimney-board--the sphere and brazen lamp hung from the ceiling--the +skeletons grinned from behind the chimney-corner--all was there as he +had seen it before! There also was Doctor Lamb, in his loose gown of +sable silk, with a square black cap upon his venerable head, and his +snowy beard streaming to his girdle. + +The old man's gaze was fixed upon a crucible placed upon the furnace, +and he was occupied in working the bellows. He moved his head as Auriol +entered the chamber, and the features became visible. It was a face +never to be forgotten. + +"Come in, grandson," said the old man kindly. "Come in, and close the +door after you. The draught affects the furnace--my Athanor, as we +adepts term it. So you are better, your keeper tells me--much better." + +"Are you indeed living?" cried Auriol, rushing wildly towards him, and +attempting to take his hand. + +"Off--off!" cried the old man, drawing back as if alarmed. "You disturb +my operations. Keep him calm, Flapdragon, or take him hence. He may do +me a mischief." + +"I have no such intention, sir," said Auriol; "indeed I have not. I only +wish to be assured that you are my aged relative." + +"To be sure he is, young sir," interposed the dwarf. "Why should you +doubt it?" + +"O sir," cried Auriol, throwing himself at the old man's feet, "pity me +if I am mad; but offer me some explanation, which may tend to restore me +to my senses. My reason seems gone, yet I appear capable of receiving +impressions from external objects. I see you, and appear to know you. I +see this chamber--these alchemical implements--that furnace--these +different objects--and I appear to recognise them. Am I deceived, or is +this real?" + +"You are not deceived, my son," replied the old man. "You have been in +this room before, and you have seen me before. It would be useless to +explain to you now how you have suffered from fever, and what visions +your delirium has produced. When you are perfectly restored, we will +talk the matter over." + +And, as he said this, he began to blow the fire anew, and watched with +great apparent interest the changing colours of the liquid in the +cucurbite placed on the furnace. + +Auriol looked at him earnestly, but could not catch another glance, so +intently was the old man occupied. At length he ventured to break the +silence. + +"I should feel perfectly convinced, if I might look forth from that +window," he said. + +"Convinced of what?" rejoined the old man somewhat sharply. + +"That I am what I seem," replied Auriol. + +"Look forth, then," said the old man. "But do not disturb me by idle +talk. There is the rosy colour in the projection for which I have been +so long waiting." + +Auriol then walked to the window and gazed through the tinted panes. It +was very dark, and objects could only be imperfectly distinguished. +Still he fancied he could detect the gleam of the river beneath him, and +what seemed a long line of houses on the bridge. He also fancied he +discerned other buildings, with the high roofs, the gables, and the +other architectural peculiarities of the structures of Elizabeth's +time. He persuaded himself, also, that he could distinguish through the +gloom the venerable Gothic pile of Saint Paul's Cathedral on the other +side of the water, and, as if to satisfy him that he was right, a deep +solemn bell tolled forth the hour of two. After a while he returned from +the window, and said to his supposed grandsire, "I am satisfied. I have +lived centuries in a few nights." + + + + +THE OLD LONDON MERCHANT + +_A SKETCH_ + +Flos Mercatorum.--_Epitaph on Whittington_ + + +At that festive season, when the days are at the shortest, and the +nights at the longest, and when, consequently, it is the invariable +practice of all sensible people to turn night into day; when the state +of the odds between business and pleasure is decidedly in favour of the +latter; when high carnival is held in London, and everything betokens +the prevalence and influence of good cheer; when pastrycooks are in +their glory, and green trays in requisition; when porters groan beneath +hampers of game, and huge tubs of Canterbury brawn; when trains arriving +from the eastern counties are heavy laden with turkeys and hares; when +agents in town send barrels of oysters to correspondents in the country; +when Christmas-box claimants disturb one's equanimity by day, and Waits +(those licensed nuisances, to which even our reverence for good old +customs cannot reconcile us) break one's first slumber at night; when +surly Christians "awake," and salute the band of little carollers with +jugs of cold water; when their opposite neighbour, who has poked his +nightcapped head from his window, retires with a satisfactory chuckle; +when the meat at Mr. Giblett's in Bond Street, which, for the last six +weeks, has announced the approach of Christmas by its daily-increasing +layers of fat, as correctly as the almanack, has reached the +ne-plus-ultra of adiposity; when wondering crowds are collected before +the aforesaid Giblett's to gaze upon the yellow carcass of that +leviathan prize ox--the fat being rendered more intensely yellow by its +contrast with the green holly with which it is garnished--as well as to +admire the snowy cakes of suet with which the sides of that +Leicestershire sheep are loaded; when the grocer's trade is "in +request," and nothing is heard upon his counter but the jingling of +scales and the snapping of twine; when the vendor of sweetmeats, as he +deals forth his citron and sultanas in the due minced-meat proportions +to that pretty housemaid, whispers something in a soft and sugared tone +about the misletoe; when "coming Twelfth Nights cast their shadows +before," and Mr. Gunter feels doubly important; when pantomimes are +about to unfold all their magic charms, and the holidays have fairly +commenced; when the meteorological prophet predicts that Thursday the +1st will be fair and frosty, and it turns out to be drizzling rain and a +sudden thaw; when intelligence is brought that the ice "bears," the +intelligence being confirmed by the appearance of sundry donkey-carts, +containing ice an inch thick, and rendered indisputable by the discharge +of their crystal loads upon the pavement before Mr. Grove's, the +fishmonger's; when crack performers in paletots, or Mackintoshes, with +skates in their hands, cigars in their mouths, and tights and +fur-topped boots on their lower limbs, are seen hastening up Baker +Street in the direction of the Regent's Park; when a marquee is pitched +upon the banks of the Serpentine, and a quadrille executed by the +before-mentioned crack skaters in tights and fur-topped boots upon its +frozen waters; when the functionaries of the Humane Society begin to +find some employment for their ropes and punt; when Old Father Thames, +who, for a couple of months, appears to have been undecided about the +colours of his livery--now inclining to a cloak of greyish dun, now to a +mantle of orange tawny--has finally adopted a white transparent robe +with facings of silver; when, as you pass down Harley Street, the lights +in the drawing-room windows of every third house, the shadows on the +blinds, and, above all, the enlivening sound of the harp and piano, +satisfy you that its fair inmate is "at home"; when + + House-quakes, street-thunders, and door-batteries + +are heard from "midnight until morn"; when the knocker at No. 22 Park +Street responds to the knocker at No. 25; when a barrel-organ and a +popular melody salute your ear as you enter Oxford Street; when the +doors of the gin-palaces seem to be always opening to let people _in_, +but never to let them _out_, and the roar of boisterous revelry is heard +from the bar; when various vociferations arise from various courts and +passages; when policemen are less on the alert, though their +interference is more requisite than usual; when uproarious jollity +prevails; when "universal London getteth drunk"; and, in short, when +Christmas is come, and everybody is disposed to enjoy himself in his +own way. At this period of wassail and rejoicing it was that a social +party, to which I am now about to introduce the reader, was assembled in +a snug little dining-room of a snug little house, situated in that snug +little pile of building denominated the Sanctuary in Westminster. + +When a man has any peculiarity of character, his house is sure to +partake of it. The room which he constantly inhabits reflects his image +as faithfully as a mirror; nay, more so, for it reflects his mind as +well as his person. A glance at No. 22 St. James's Place would satisfy +you its owner was a poet. We can judge of the human, as of the brute +lion, by the aspect of his den. The room marks the man. Visit it in his +absence, and you may paint his portrait better than the limner who has +placed his "breathing canvas" on the walls. From that well-worn +elbow-chair and the slippers at its feet (the slippers of an old man are +never to be mistaken), you can compute his age; from that faded brocade +dressing-gown and green velvet cap, you can shape out his figure; from +the multiplicity of looking-glasses you at once infer that he has not +entirely lost his vanity or his good looks; that gold-headed cane gives +you his carriage--it is not a crutch-handled stick, but a cane to +flourish jauntily; that shagreen spectacle-case, that chased silver +snuffbox with the Jupiter and Leda richly and somewhat luxuriously +wrought upon its lid, that fine Sevres porcelain, that gorgeous +Berlin-ware, those rare bronzes half consumed by the true hoary green +aerugo, those little Egyptian images, that lachrymatory, that cinerary +urn, that brick from the Colosseum, that tesselated pavement from +Pompeii, looking like a heap of various-coloured dice, and a world of +other rarities, furnish unerring indications of his tastes and habits, +and proclaim him a member of the Archaeological Society; while that open +volume of Sir Thomas Urquhart's "Rabelais" (published by the Abbotsford +Club) gives you his course of study; the _Morning Post_ his politics; +that flute and those musical notes attest the state of his lungs; and +that well-blotted copy of verses, of which the ink is scarcely dry, +proclaims his train of thought. The door opens, and an old gentleman +enters exactly corresponding to your preconceived notions. You require +no introduction. You have made his acquaintance half-an-hour ago. + +The apartment to which we are about to repair was a complete index to +the mind and character of its possessor, Sir Lionel Flamstead. I have +called it a dining-room, from its ordinary application to the purposes +of refection and festivity; but it had much more the air of a library, +or study. It was a small comfortable chamber, just large enough to +contain half-a-dozen people, though by management double that number had +been occasionally squeezed into its narrow limits. The walls were +decorated with curious old prints, maps and plans, set in old black +worm-eaten frames, and representing divers personages, places, and +structures connected with London and its history. + +Over the mantelpiece was stretched Vertue's copy of Ralph Aggas's famous +survey of our "great metropolis," made about the beginning of +Elizabeth's reign, or perhaps a little earlier, when it was scarcely so +great a metropolis as at the present time, and when novelists, gentlemen +of the press, cabmen, omnibus cads, and other illustrious personages +were unborn and undreamed of; when St. Giles's, in lieu of its +mysterious and Daedalian Seven Dials (which should have for their motto +Wordsworth's title, "We are Seven"), consisted of a little cluster of +country houses, surrounded by a grove of elms; when a turreted wall +girded in the City, from Aldgate to Grey Friars; when a pack of +staghounds was kept in Finsbury Fields, and archers and cross-bowmen +haunted the purlieus of the Spital; when he who strolled westward from +Charing Cross (then no misnomer) beheld neither Opera House nor +club-house, but a rustic lane, with a barn at one end, and a goodly +assortment of hay-carts and hay-stacks at the other; when the Thames was +crossed by a single bridge, and that bridge looked like a street, and +the street itself like a row of palaces. On the right of this plan hung +a sketch of Will Somers, jester to Henry VIII., after the picture by +Holbein; on the left an engraving of Geoffrey Hudson, the diminutive +attendant of Henrietta Maria. This niche was devoted to portraits of the +bluff king before mentioned, and his six spouses; that to the melancholy +Charles and his family. Here, the Great Fire of 1666, with its black +profiles of houses, relieved by a sheet of "bloody and malicious" flame, +formed a pleasant contrast to the icy wonders of the Frost Fair, held on +the Thames in 1684, when carriages were driven through the lines of +tents, and an ox was roasted on the water, to the infinite delectation +of the citizens. There Old Saint Paul's (in the words of Victor Hugo, +"one of those Gothic monuments so admirable and so irreparable"), and +which is but ill replaced by the modern "bastard counterpart" of the +glorious fane of St. Peter at Rome, reared its venerable tower (not +dome) and lofty spire to the sky. Next to St. Paul's came the reverend +Abbey of Westminster, taken before it had been disfigured by the towers +added by Wren; and next to the abbey opened the long and raftered vista +of its magnificent neighbouring hall. Several plans and prospects of the +Tower of London, as it appeared at different epochs, occupied a corner +to themselves: then came a long array of taverns, from the Tabard in +Southwark, the Boar's Head in Eastcheap, and the Devil near Temple Bar, +embalmed in the odour of poesy, to the Nag's Head in Cheapside, +notorious for its legend of the consecration of the Protestant bishops +in 1559; there also might you see-- + + ----in Billinsgate the Salutation. + And the Boar's Head near London Stone, + The Swan at Dowgate, a tavern well known; + The Mitre in Cheap, and then the Bull's Head, + And many like places that make noses red; + The Boar's Head in Old Fish Street; Three Crowns in the Vintry; + And, now, of late, Saint Martin's in the Seutree; + The Windmill in Lothbury; the Ship at th' Exchange; + King's Head in New Fish Street, where roysters do range; + The Mermaid in Cornhill; Red Lion in the Strand; + Three Tuns in Newgate Market; in Old Fish Street the Swan.[1] + +[Footnote 1: News from Bartholomew Faire.] + +Adjoining these places of entertainment were others of a different +description, to wit, the Globe, as it stood when Shakspeare (how +insufferable is Mr. Knight's orthography of this reverend +name--Shaks_pere_!) trod the stage; the king's play-house in Charles +the Second's time; the Bear Garden, with its flag streaming to the wind; +and the Folly, as it once floated in the river, opposite old Somerset +House. Then came the Halls, beginning with Guildhall and ending with Old +Skinner's. Next, the Crosses, from Paul's to Charing; then, the +churches, gateways, hospitals, colleges, prisons, asylums, inns of +court,--in short, for it is needless to particularise further, London +and its thousand recollections rose before you, as you gazed around. +Scarcely an old edifice, to which an historical tradition could be +attached (and what old London edifice is destitute of such traditions?), +was wanting. Nor were the great of old--the spirits, who gave interest +and endurance to these decayed, or decaying structures, wanting. But I +shall not pause to enumerate their portraits, or make out a catalogue as +long as the list of Homer's ships, or the gallery of Mr. Lodge. +Sufficient has been said, I trust, to give the reader an idea of the +physiology of the room. Yet stay! I must not omit to point out the +contents of those groaning shelves. In the goodly folios crowded there +are contained the chronicles of Holinshed and Hall; of Grafton, Fabian, +and Stow; of Matthew of Paris, and his namesake of Westminster. Let him +not be terrified at the ponderous size of these admirable old +historians, nor be deterred by the black letter, if he should chance to +open a volume. Their freshness and picturesque details will surprise as +much as they will delight him. From this wealthy mine Shakspeare drew +some of his purest ore. The shelves are crowned by a solitary bust. It +is that of a modern. It is that of a lover of London, and a character +of London. It is DOCTOR JOHNSON. + +Having completed the survey of the apartment, I shall now proceed to its +occupants. These were five in number--jolly fellows all--seated round a +circular dining-table covered with glasses and decanters, amidst which a +portly magnum of claret, and a deep and capacious china punch-bowl, must +not pass unmentioned. They were in the full flow of fun and +conviviality; enjoying themselves as good fellows always enjoy +themselves at "the season of the year." The port was delectable--old as +Saint Paul's, I was going to say--not quite, however--but just "old +enough"; the claret was nectar, or what is better, it was Lafitte; the +punch was drink for the gods. The jokes of this party would have split +your sides--their laughter would have had the same effect on your ears. +Never were heard peals of merriment so hearty and prolonged. You only +wondered how they found time to drink, so quick did each roar follow on +the heels of its predecessor. That they _did_ drink, however, was clear; +that they _had_ drunk was equally certain; and that they intended to +continue drinking seemed to come within the limits of probability. + +Sir Lionel Flamstead was a retired merchant--one of those high-souled, +high-principled traders, of whom our City was once so justly proud, and +of whom so few, in these days of railway bubbles, and other harebrained +speculations, can be found. His word was his bond--once passed, it was +sufficient; his acceptances were accounted safe as the Bank of England. +Had Sir Thomas Gresham descended from his niche he could not have been +treated with greater consideration than attended Sir Lionel's appearance +on 'Change. All eyes followed the movements of his tall and stately +figure--all hats were raised to his courteous but ceremonious +salutation. Affable, yet precise, and tinctured with something of the +punctiliousness of the old school, his manners won him universal respect +and regard, even from those unknown to him. By his intimates he was +revered. His habits were as regular as clockwork, and the glass of cold +punch at Tom's, or the basin of soup at Birch's, wound him up for the +day. His attire was as formal as his manners, being a slight +modification of the prevalent costume of some five-and-thirty years ago. +He had consented, not without extreme reluctance, to clothe his nether +limbs in the unmentionable garment of recent introduction; but he +resolutely adhered to the pigtail. There is something, by-the-bye, in a +pigtail, to which old gentlemen cling in spite of all remonstrance, with +lover-like pertinacity. Only hint the propriety of cutting it off to +your great-uncle or your grandfather, and you may rely on being cut off +with a shilling yourself. Be this as it may, Sir Lionel gathered his +locks, once sable as the riband that bound them, but now thickly strewn +with the silver "blossoms of the grave," into a knot, and suffered them +to dangle a few inches below his collar. His shoes shone with a lustre +beyond French polish, and his hat was brushed till not a wind dared to +approach it. Sir Lionel wore a white, unstarched cravat, with a thick +pad in it, sported a frill over his waistcoat, carried a black ebony +cane in his hand, and was generally followed by a pet pug-dog, one of +the most sagacious and disagreeable specimens of his species. Sir Lionel +Flamstead, I have said, was tall--I might have said he was very +tall--somewhat narrower across the shoulders than about the hips--a +circumstance which did not materially conduce to his symmetry--with +grey, benevolent eyes, shaded by bushy, intelligent brows--a lofty, +expansive forehead, in which, in the jargon of phrenology, the organs of +locality and ideality were strongly developed, and which was rendered +the more remarkable from the flesh having fallen in on either side of +the temples--with a nose which had been considered handsome and well +proportioned in his youth, but to which good living had imparted a +bottle form and a bottle tint--and cheeks from which all encroachment of +whiskers was sedulously removed, in order, we conclude, that his rosy +complexion might be traced from its point of concentration, upon the +prominent feature before mentioned, to its final disappearance behind +his ears. Such was Sir Lionel Flamstead. + + + + +A NIGHT'S ADVENTURE IN ROME + + + + +CHAPTER I + +SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE + + The Pope was saying the high, high mass, + All on Saint Peter's day; + With the power to him given by the saints in heaven + To wash men's sins away. + + The Pope he was saying the blessed mass, + And the people kneel'd around; + And from each man's soul his sins did pass, + As he kissed the holy ground. + + --_The Grey Brother._ + + +Chancing to be in Rome in the August of 1830, I visited the gorgeous +church of Santa Maria Maggiore during the celebration of the anniversary +of the Holy Assumption. + +It was a glorious sight to one unaccustomed to the imposing religious +ceremonials of the Romish Church, to witness all the pomp and splendour +displayed at this high solemnity--to gaze down that glittering pile, and +mark the various ecclesiastical dignitaries, each in their peculiar and +characteristic costume, employed in the ministration of their sacred +functions, and surrounded by a wide semicircle of the papal guards, so +stationed to keep back the crowd, and who, with their showy scarlet +attire and tall halberds, looked like the martial figures we see in the +sketches of Callot. Nor was the brilliant effect of this picture +diminished by the sumptuous framework in which it was set. Overhead +flamed a roof resplendent with burnished gold; before me rose a canopy +supported by pillars of porphyry, and shining with many-coloured stones; +while on either hand were chapels devoted to some noble house, and +boasting each the marble memorial of a pope. Melodious masses proper to +the service were ever and anon chanted by the papal choir, and +overpowering perfume was diffused around by a hundred censers. + +Subdued by the odours, the music, and the spectacle, I sank into a state +of dreamy enthusiasm, during a continuance of which I almost fancied +myself a convert to the faith of Rome, and surrendered myself +unreflectingly to an admiration of its errors. As I gazed among the +surrounding crowd, the sight of so many prostrate figures, all in +attitudes of deepest devotion, satisfied me of the profound religious +impression of the ceremonial. As elsewhere, this feeling was not +universal; and, as elsewhere, likewise, more zeal was exhibited by the +lower than the higher classes of society; and I occasionally noted +amongst the latter the glitter of an eye or the flutter of a bosom, not +altogether agitated, I suspect, by holy aspirations. Yet methought, on +the whole, I had never seen such abandonment of soul, such prostration +of spirit, in my own colder clime, and during the exercise of my own +more chastened creed, as that which in several instances I now beheld; +and I almost envied the poor maiden near me, who, abject upon the earth, +had washed away her sorrows, and perhaps her sins, in contrite tears. + +As such thoughts swept through my mind, I felt a pleasure in singling +out particular figures and groups which interested me, from their +peculiarity of costume, or from their devotional fervour. Amongst +others, a little to my left, I remarked a band of mountaineers from +Calabria, for such I judged them to be from their wild and picturesque +garb. Deeply was every individual of this little knot of peasantry +impressed by the ceremonial. Every eye was humbly cast down; every knee +bent; every hand was either occupied in grasping the little crucifix +suspended from its owner's neck, in telling the beads of his rosary, or +fervently crossed upon his bare and swarthy breast. + +While gazing upon this group, I chanced upon an individual whom I had +not hitherto noticed, and who now irresistibly attracted my attention. +Though a little removed from the Calabrian mountaineers, and reclining +against the marble walls of the church, he evidently belonged to the +same company; at least, so his attire seemed to indicate, though the +noble cast of his countenance was far superior to that of his comrades. +He was an old man, with a face of the fine antique Roman stamp--a bold +outline of prominent nose, rugged and imperious brow, and proudly-cut +chin. His head and chin, as well as his naked breast, were frosted over +with the snowy honours of many winters, and their hoar appearance +contrasted strikingly with the tawny hue of a skin almost as dark and as +lustrous as polished oak. Peasant as he was, there was something of +grandeur and majesty in this old man's demeanour and physiognomy. His +head declined backwards, so as completely to expose his long and +muscular throat. His arms hung listlessly by his side; one hand drooped +upon the pavement, the other was placed within his breast: his eyes were +closed. The old man's garb was of the coarsest fabric; he wore little +beyond a shirt, a loose vest, a sort of sheep-skin cloak, and canvas +leggings bound around with leathern thongs. His appearance, however, was +above his condition; he became his rags as proudly as a prince would +have become his ermined robe. + +The more I scrutinised the rigid lines of this old man's countenance, +the more I became satisfied that many singular, and perhaps not wholly +guiltless, events were connected with his history. The rosary was in his +hand--the cross upon his breast--the beads were untold--the crucifix +unclasped--no breath of prayer passed his lips. His face was turned +heavenward, but his eyes were closed,--he dared not open them. Why did +he come thither, if he did not venture to pray? Why did he assume a +penitential attitude, if he felt no penitence? + +So absorbed was I in the perusal of the workings of this old man's +countenance, as to be scarcely conscious that the service of high mass +was concluded, and the crowd within the holy pile fast dispersing. The +music was hushed, the robed prelates and their train had disappeared, +joyous dames were hastening along the marble aisles to their equipages; +all, save a few kneeling figures near the chapels, were departing; and +the old man, aware, from the stir and hum prevailing around, that the +ceremonial was at an end, arose, stretched out his arm to one of his +comrades, a youth who had joined him, and prepared to follow the +concourse. + +Was he really blind? Assuredly not. Besides, he did not walk like as one +habituated to the direst calamity that can befall our nature. He +staggered in his gait, and reeled to and fro. Yet wherefore did he not +venture to unclose his eyes within the temple of the Most High? What +would I not have given to be made acquainted with his history! For I +felt that it must be a singular one. + +I might satisfy my curiosity at once. He was moving slowly forward, +guided by his comrade. In a few seconds it would be too late--he would +have vanished from my sight. With hasty footsteps I followed him down +the church, and laid my hand, with some violence, upon his shoulder. + +The old man started at the touch, and turned. Now, indeed, his eyes were +opened wide, and flashing full upon me,--and such eyes! Heretofore I had +only dreamed of such. Age had not quenched their lightning, and I +quailed beneath the fierce glances which he threw upon me. But if I was, +at first, surprised at the display of anger which I had called forth in +him, how much more was I astonished to behold the whole expression of +his countenance suddenly change. His eyes continued fixed upon mine as +if I had been a basilisk. Apparently he could not avert them; while his +whole frame shivered with emotion. I advanced towards him; he shrank +backwards, and, but for the timely aid of his companion, would have +fallen upon the pavement. + +At a loss to conceive in what way I could have occasioned him so much +alarm, I rushed forward to the assistance of the old man, when his +son--for such it subsequently appeared he was--rudely repelled me, and +thrust his hand into his girdle, as if to seek for means to prevent +further interference. + +Meanwhile the group had been increased by the arrival of a third party, +attracted by the cry the old man had uttered in falling. The new-comer +was an Italian gentleman, somewhat stricken in years; of stern and +stately deportment, and with something sinister and forbidding in his +aspect. He was hastening towards the old man, but he suddenly stopped, +and was about to retire when he encountered my gaze. As our eyes met he +started; and a terror, as sudden and lively as that exhibited by the old +man, was at once depicted in his features. + +My surprise was now beyond all bounds, and I continued for some moments +speechless with astonishment. Not a little of the inexplicable awe which +affected the old man and the stranger was communicated to myself. +Altogether, we formed a mysterious and terrible triangle, of which each +side bore some strange and unintelligible relation to the other. + +The new-comer first recovered his composure, though not without an +effort. Coldly turning his heel upon me, he walked towards the old man, +and shook him forcibly. The latter shrank from his grasp, and +endeavoured to avoid him; but it was impossible. The stranger whispered +a few words in his ear, of which, from his gestures being directed +towards myself, I could guess the import. The old man replied. His +action in doing so was that of supplication and despair. The stranger +retorted in a wild and vehement manner, and even stamped upon the +ground; but the old man still continued to cling to the knees of his +superior. + +"Weak, superstitious fool!" at length exclaimed the stranger, "I will +waste no more words upon thee. Do, or say, what thou wilt; but beware!" +And spurning him haughtily back with his foot, he strode away. + +The old man's reverend head struck against the marble floor. His temple +was cut open by the fall, and blood gushed in torrents from the wound. +Recovering himself, he started to his feet--a knife was instantly in his +hand, and he would have pursued and doubtless slain his aggressor, if he +had not been forcibly withheld by his son, and by a priest who had +joined them. + +"_Maledizione!_" exclaimed the old man--"a blow from _him_--from _that_ +hand! I will stab him, though he were at the altar's foot; though he had +a thousand lives, each should pay for it. Release me, Paolo! release me! +for, by Heaven, he dies!" + +"Peace, father!" cried the son, still struggling with him. + +"Thou art not _my_ son, to hinder my revenge!" shouted the enraged +father. "Dost not see this blood--_my_ blood--thy father's blood?--and +thou holdest me back! Thou shouldst have struck him to the earth for the +deed--but he was a noble, and thou daredst not lift thy hand against +him!" + +"Wouldst thou have had me slay him in this holy place?" exclaimed Paolo, +reddening with anger and suppressed emotion. + +"No, no," returned the old man, in an altered voice; "not here, not +_here_, though 'twere but just retribution. But I will find other means +of vengeance. I will denounce him--I will betray all, though it cost me +my own life! He shall die by the hands of the common executioner;--there +is one shall testify for me!" And he pointed to me. + +Again I advanced towards him. + +"If thou hast aught to disclose pertaining to the Holy Church, I am +ready to listen to thee, my son," said the priest; "but reflect well ere +thou bringest any charge thou mayest not be able to substantiate against +one who stands so high in her esteem as him thou wouldst accuse." + +The son gave his father a meaning look, and whispered somewhat in his +ear. The old man became suddenly still. + +"Right, right," said he; "I have bethought me. 'Twas but a blow. He is +wealthy, I am poor; there is no justice for the poor in Rome." + +"My purse is at your service," said I, interfering; "you shall have my +aid." + +"Your aid!" echoed the old man, staring at me; "will _you_ assist me, +signor?" + +"I will." + +"Enough. I may claim fulfilment of your promise." + +"Stop, old man," I said; "answer me one question ere you depart. Whence +arose your recent terrors?" + +"You shall know hereafter, signor," he said; "I must now begone. We +shall meet again. Follow me not," he continued, seeing I was bent upon +obtaining further explanation of the mystery. "You will learn nothing +now, and only endanger my safety. _Addio, signor._" And with hasty steps +he quitted the church, accompanied by his son. + +"Who is that old man?" I demanded of the priest. + +"I am as ignorant as yourself," he replied, "but he must be looked to; +he talks threateningly." And he beckoned to an attendant. + +"Who was he who struck him?" was my next inquiry. + +"One of our wealthiest nobles," he replied, "and an assured friend of +the Church. We could ill spare him. Do not lose sight of them," he added +to the attendant, "and let the _sbirri_ track them to their haunts. They +must not be suffered to go forth to-night. A few hours' restraint will +cool their hot Calabrian blood." + +"But the name of the noble, father?" I said, renewing my inquiries. + +"I must decline further questioning," returned the priest coldly. "I +have other occupation; and meanwhile it will be well to have these +stains effaced, which may else bring scandal on these holy walls. You +will excuse me, my son." So saying, he bowed and retired. + +I made fruitless inquiries for the old man at the door of the church. He +was gone; none of the bystanders who had seen him go forth knew whither. + +Stung by curiosity, I wandered amid the most unfrequented quarters of +Rome throughout the day, in the hope of meeting with the old Calabrian, +but in vain. As, however, I entered the courtyard of my hotel, I fancied +I discovered, amongst the lounging assemblage gathered round the door, +the dark eyes of the younger mountaineer. In this I might have been +mistaken. No one answering to his description had been seen near the +house. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MARCHESA + + Une chose tenebreuse fait par des hommes tenebreux. + + --_Lucrece Borgia._ + + +On the same night I bent my steps towards the Colosseum; and, full of my +adventure of the morning, found myself, not without apprehension, +involved within its labyrinthine passages. Accompanied by a monk, who, +with a small horn lantern in his hand, acted as my guide, I fancied +that, by its uncertain light, I could discover stealthy figures lurking +within the shades of the ruin. + +Whatever suspicions I might entertain, I pursued my course in silence. +Emerging from the _vomitorio_, we stood upon the steps of the colossal +amphitheatre. The huge pile was bathed in rosy moonlight, and reared +itself in serene majesty before my view. + +While indulging in a thousand speculations, occasioned by the hour and +the spot, I suddenly perceived a figure on a point of the ruin +immediately above me. Nothing but the head was visible; but that was +placed in bold relief against the beaming sky of night, and I recognised +it at once. No nobler Roman head had ever graced the circus when Rome +was in her zenith. I shouted to the old Calabrian, for he it was I +beheld. Almost ere the sound had left my lips, he had disappeared. I +made known what I had seen to the monk. He was alarmed--urged our +instant departure, and advised me to seek the assistance of the sentinel +stationed at the entrance to the pile. To this proposal I assented; and, +having descended the vasty steps and crossed the open arena, we arrived, +without molestation, at the doorway. + +The sentinel had allowed no one to pass him. He returned with me to the +circus; and, after an ineffectual search amongst the ruins, volunteered +his services to accompany me homewards through the Forum. I declined his +offer, and shaped my course towards a lonesome _vicolo_ on the right. +This was courting danger; but I cared not, and walked slowly forward +through the deserted place. + +Scarcely had I proceeded many paces, when I heard footsteps swiftly +approaching; and, ere I could turn round, my arms were seized from +behind, and a bandage was passed across my eyes. All my efforts at +liberation were unavailing; and, after a brief struggle, I remained +passive. + +"Make no noise," said a voice which I knew to be that of the old man, +"and no harm shall befall you. You must come with us. Ask no questions, +but follow." + +I suffered myself to be led, without further opposition, whithersoever +they listed. We walked for it might be half-an-hour, much beyond the +walls of Rome. I had to scramble through many ruins, and frequently +stumbled over inequalities of ground. I now felt the fresh breeze of +night blowing over the wide campagna, and my conductors moved swiftly +onwards as we trod on its elastic turf. + +At length they came to a halt. My bandage was removed, and I beheld +myself beneath the arch of an aqueduct, which spanned the moonlit plain. +A fire was kindled beneath the arch, and the ruddy flame licked its +walls. Around the blaze were grouped the little band of peasantry I had +beheld within the church, in various and picturesque attitudes. They +greeted my conductors on their arrival, and glanced inquisitively at me, +but did not speak to me. The elder Calabrian, whom they addressed as +Cristofano, asked for a glass of _aqua vitae_, which he handed +respectfully to me. I declined the offer, but he pressed it upon me. + +"You will need it, signor," he said; "you have much to do to-night. You +fear, perhaps, it is drugged. Behold!" And he drank it off. + +I could not, after this, refuse his pledge. "And now, signor," said the +old man, removing to a little distance from the group, "may I crave a +word with you--your name?" + +As I had no reason for withholding it, I told him how I was called. + +"Hum! Had you no relation of the name of ----?" + +"None whatever." And I sighed, for I thought of my desolate condition. + +"Strange!" he muttered; adding, with a grim smile, "but, however, +likenesses are easily accounted for." + +"What likenesses?" I asked. "Whom do I resemble? and what is the motive +of your inexplicable conduct?" + +"You shall hear," he replied, frowning gloomily. "Step aside, and let us +get within the shade of these arches, out of the reach of yonder +listeners. The tale I have to tell is for your ears alone." + +I obeyed him; and we stood beneath the shadow of the aqueduct. + +"Years ago," began the old man, "an Englishman, in all respects +resembling yourself, equally well favoured in person, and equally young, +came to Rome, and took up his abode within the eternal city. He was of +high rank in his own country, and was treated with the distinction due +to his exalted station here. At that time I dwelt with the Marchese +di ----. I was his confidential servant--his adviser--his friend. I had +lived with his father--carried him as an infant--sported with him as a +boy--loved and served him as a man. Loved him, I say; for, despite his +treatment of me, I loved him then as much as I abhor him now. Well, +signor, to my story. If his youth had been profligate, his manhood was +not less depraved; it was devoted to cold, calculating libertinism. Soon +after he succeeded to the estates and title of his father, he married. +That he loved his bride, I can scarcely believe; for, though he was +wildly jealous of her, he was himself unfaithful, and she knew it. In +Italy, revenge, in such cases, is easily within a woman's power; and, +for aught I know, the marchesa might have meditated retaliation. My +lord, however, took the alarm, and thought fit to retire to his villa +without the city, and for a time remained secluded within its walls. It +was at this crisis that the Englishman I have before mentioned arrived +in Rome. My lady, who mingled little with the gaieties of the city, had +not beheld him; but she could not have been unacquainted with him by +report, as every tongue was loud in his praises. A rumour of his +successes with other dames had reached my lord; nay, I have reason to +believe that he had been thwarted by the handsome Englishman in some +other quarter, and he sedulously prevented their meeting. An interview, +however, _did_ take place between them, and in an unexpected manner. It +was the custom then, as now, upon particular occasions, to drive, during +the heats of summer, within the Piazza Navona, which is flooded with +water. One evening the marchesa drove thither: she was unattended, +except by myself. Our carriage happened to be stationed near that of the +young Englishman." + +"The marchesa was beautiful, no doubt?" I said, interrupting him. + +"Most beautiful!" he replied; "and so your countryman seemed to think, +for he was lost in admiration of her. I am not much versed in the +language of the eyes, but his were too eloquent and expressive not to be +understood. I watched my mistress narrowly. It was evident from her +glowing cheek, though her eyes were cast down, that she was not +insensible to his regards. She turned to play with her dog, a lovely +little greyhound, which was in the carriage beside her, and patted it +carelessly with the glove which she held in her hand. The animal +snatched the glove from her grasp, and, as he bounded backwards, fell +over the carriage side. My lady uttered a scream at the sight, and I was +preparing to extricate the struggling dog, when the Englishman plunged +into the water. In an instant he had restored her favourite to the +marchesa, and received her warmest acknowledgments. From that moment an +intimacy commenced, which was destined to produce the most fatal +consequences to both parties." + +"Did you betray them?" I asked, somewhat impatiently. + +"I was then the blind tool of the marchese. I did so," replied the old +man. "I told him all particulars of the interview. He heard me in +silence, but grew ashy pale with suppressed rage. Bidding me redouble my +vigilance, he left me. My lady was now scarcely ever out of my sight; +when one evening, a few days after what had occurred, she walked forth +alone upon the garden-terrace of the villa. Her guitar was in her hand, +and her favourite dog by her side. I was at a little distance, but +wholly unperceived. She struck a few plaintive chords upon her +instrument, and then, resting her chin upon her white and rounded arm, +seemed lost in tender reverie. Would you had seen her, signor, as I +beheld her then, or as one other beheld her! you would acknowledge that +you had never met with her equal in beauty. Her raven hair fell in thick +tresses over shoulders of dazzling whiteness and the most perfect +proportion. Her deep dark eyes were thrown languidly on the ground, and +her radiant features were charged with an expression of profound and +pensive passion. + +"In this musing attitude she continued for some minutes, when she was +aroused by the gambols of her dog, who bore in his mouth a glove which +he had found. As she took it from him, a letter dropped upon the floor. +Had a serpent glided from its folds, it could not have startled her +more. She gazed upon the paper, offended, but irresolute. Yes, she was +_irresolute_; and you may conjecture the rest. She paused, and by that +pause was lost. With a shrinking grasp she stooped to raise the letter. +Her cheeks, which had grown deathly pale, again kindled with blushes as +she perused it. She hesitated--cast a bewildering look towards the +mansion--placed the note within her bosom--and plunged into the +orange-bower." + +"Her lover awaited her there?" + +"He did. I saw them meet. I heard his frenzied words--his passionate +entreaties. He urged her to fly--she resisted. He grew more urgent--more +impassioned. She uttered a faint cry, and I stood before them. The +Englishman's hand was at my throat, and his sword at my breast, with the +swiftness of thought; and but for the screams of my mistress, that +instant must have been my last. At her desire he relinquished his hold +of me; but her cries had reached other ears, and the marchese arrived to +avenge his injured honour. He paused not to inquire the nature of the +offence, but, sword in hand, assailed the Englishman, bidding me remove +his lady. The clash of their steel was drowned by her shrieks as I bore +her away; but I knew the strife was desperate. Before I gained the house +my lady had fainted; and committing her to the charge of other +attendants, I returned to the terrace. I met my master slowly walking +homewards. His sword was gone--his brow was bent--he shunned my sight. I +knew what had happened, and did not approach him. He sought his wife. +What passed in that interview was never disclosed, but it may be guessed +at from its result. That night the marchesa left her husband's +halls--never to return. Next morn I visited the terrace where she had +received the token. The glove was still upon the ground. I picked it up +and carried it to the marchese, detailing the whole occurrence to him. +He took it, and vowed as he took it that his vengeance should never rest +satisfied till that glove had been steeped in her blood." + +"And he kept his vow?" I asked, shuddering. + +"Many months elapsed ere its accomplishment. Italian vengeance is slow, +but sure. To all outward appearance, he had forgotten his faithless +wife. He had even formed a friendship with her lover, which he did the +more effectually to blind his ultimate designs. Meanwhile, time rolled +on, and the marchesa gave birth to a child--the offspring of her +seducer." + +"Great God!" I exclaimed, "was that child a boy?" + +"It was--but listen to me. My tale draws to a close. One night, during +the absence of the Englishman, by secret means we entered the palazzo +where the marchesa resided. We wandered from room to room till we came +to her chamber. She was sleeping, with her infant by her side. The sight +maddened the marchese. He would have stricken the child, but I held back +his hand. He relented. He bade me make fast the door. He approached the +bed. I heard a rustle--a scream. A white figure sprang from out the +couch. In an instant the light was extinguished--there was a +blow--another--and all was over. I threw open the door. The marchese +came forth. The corridor in which we stood was flooded with moonlight. A +glove was in his hand--it was dripping with blood. His oath was +fulfilled--his vengeance complete--no, not complete, for the Englishman +yet lived." + +"What became of him?" I inquired. + +"Ask me not," replied the old man; "you were at the Chiesa Santa Maria +Maggiore this morning. If those stones could speak, they might tell a +fearful story." + +"And that was the reason you did not dare to unclose your eyes within +those holy precincts?--a film of blood floated between you and heaven." + +The old man shuddered, but replied not. + +"And the child?" I asked, after a pause; "what of their wretched +offspring?" + +"It was conveyed to England by a friend of its dead father. If he were +alive, that boy would be about your age, signor." + +"Indeed!" I said; a horrible suspicion flashing across my mind. + +"After the Englishman's death," continued Cristofano, "my master began +to treat me with a coldness and suspicion which increased daily. I was a +burden to him, and he was resolved to rid himself of me. I spared him +the trouble--quitted Rome--sought the mountains of the Abruzzi--and +thence wandered to the fastnesses of Calabria, and became--no matter +what. Here I am. Heaven's appointed minister of vengeance. The marchese +dies to-night!" + +"To-night! old man," I echoed, horror-stricken. "Add not crime to crime. +If he has indeed been guilty of the foul offence you have named, let him +be dealt with according to the offended laws of the country. Do not +pervert the purposes of justice." + +"Justice!" echoed Cristofano scornfully. + +"Ay, justice. You are poor and powerless, but means may be found to aid +you. I will assist the rightful course of vengeance." + +"You _shall_ assist it. I have sworn he shall die before dawn, and the +hand to strike the blow shall be yours." + +"Mine! never!" + +"Your own life will be the penalty of your obstinacy, if you refuse; nor +will your refusal save him. By the Mother of Heaven, he dies! and by +your hand. You saw how he was struck by your resemblance to the young +Englishman this morning in the chiesa. It is wonderful! I know not who +or what you are; but to me you are an instrument of vengeance, and as +such I shall use you. The blow dealt by you will seem the work of +retribution; and I care not if you strike twice, and make my heart your +second mark." + +Ere I could reply he called to his comrades, and in a few moments we +were speeding across the campagna. + +We arrived at a high wall:--the old man conducted us to a postern-gate, +which he opened. We entered a garden filled with orange-trees, the +perfume of which loaded the midnight air. We heard the splash of a +fountain at a distance, and the thrilling notes of a nightingale amongst +some taller trees. The moon hung like a lamp over the belvidere of the +proud villa. We strode along a wide terrace edged by a marble +balustrade. The old man pointed to an open summer-house terminating the +walk, and gave me a significant look, but he spoke not. A window thrown +open admitted us to the house. We were within a hall crowded with +statues, and traversed noiselessly its marble floors. Passing through +several chambers, we then mounted to a corridor, and entered an +apartment which formed the ante-room to another beyond it. Placing his +finger upon his lips, and making a sign to his comrades, Cristofano +opened a door and disappeared. There was a breathless pause for a few +minutes, during which I listened intently, but caught only a faint sound +as of the snapping of a lock. + +Presently the old man returned. + +"He sleeps," he said, in a low deep tone to me; "sleeps as his victim +slept--sleeps without a dream of remorse; and he shall awaken, as she +awoke, to despair. Come into his chamber!" + +We obeyed. The door was made fast within side. + +The curtains of the couch were withdrawn, and the moonlight streamed +full upon the face of the sleeper. He was hushed in profound repose. No +visions seemed to haunt his peaceful slumbers. Could guilt sleep so +soundly? I half doubted the old man's story. + +Placing us within the shadow of the canopy, Cristofano approached the +bed. A stiletto glittered in his hand. "Awake!" he cried, in a voice of +thunder. + +The sleeper started at the summons. + +I watched his countenance. He read Cristofano's errand in his eye. But +he quailed not. + +"Cowardly assassin!" he cried, "you have well consulted your own safety +in stealing on my sleep." + +"And who taught me the lesson?" fiercely interrupted the old man. "Am I +the first that have stolen on midnight slumber? Gaze upon this? When and +how did it acquire its dye?" And he held forth a glove, which looked +blackened and stained in the moonlight. + +The marchese groaned aloud. + +"My cabinet broken open!" at length he exclaimed--"villain! how dare you +do this? But why do I rave? I know with whom I have to deal." Uttering +these words he sprung from his couch with the intention of grappling +with the old man; but Cristofano retreated, and at that instant the +brigands, who rushed to his aid, thrust me forward. I was face to face +with the marchese. + +The apparition of the murdered man could not have staggered him more. +His limbs were stiffened by the shock, and he remained in an attitude of +freezing terror. + +"Is he come for vengeance?" he ejaculated. + +"He is!" cried Cristofano. "Give him the weapon!" + +And a stiletto was thrust into my hand. But I heeded not the steel. I +tore open my bosom--a small diamond cross was within the folds. + +"Do you recollect this?" I demanded of the marchese. + +"It was my wife's!" he shrieked in amazement. + +"It was upon the infant's bosom as he slept by her side on that fatal +night," said Cristofano. "I saw it sparkle there." + +"That infant was myself--that wife my mother!" I cried. + +"The murderer stands before you! Strike!" exclaimed Cristofano. + +I raised the dagger. The marchese stirred not. I could not strike. + +"Do you hesitate?" angrily exclaimed Cristofano. + +"He has not the courage," returned the younger Calabrian. "You +reproached me this morning with want of filial duty. Behold how a son +can avenge his father!" And he plunged his stiletto within the bosom of +the marchese. + +"_Your_ father is not yet avenged, young man!" cried Cristofano, in a +terrible tone. "You alone can avenge him!" + +Ere I could withdraw its point the old man had rushed upon the dagger +which I held extended in my grasp. + +He fell without a single groan. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Auriol, by W. 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