Jack Sheppard. Vol. 3. Ainsworth William Harrison

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ be called a smile—played upon his face all the time he was engaged in it. His sword done with, he took up the bludgeon; balanced it in his hand; upon the points of his fingers; and let it fall with a smash, intentionally, upon the table.

      “After all,” he said, “this is the safest weapon. No instrument I’ve ever used has done me such good service. It shall be the bludgeon.” So saying, he slung it upon his wrist.

      Taking up a link, which was blazing beside him, he walked across the room; and touching a spring in the wall, a secret door flew open. Beyond was a narrow bridge, crossing a circular building, at the bottom of which lay a deep well. It was a dark mysterious place, and what it was used for no one exactly knew; but it was called by those who had seen it the Well Hole. The bridge was protected on either side by a railing with bannisters placed at wide intervals. Steps to aid the descent, which was too steep to be safe without them, led to, a door on the opposite side. This door, which was open, Jonathan locked and took out the key. As he stood upon the bridge, he held down the light, and looked into the profound abyss. The red glare fell upon the slimy brick-work, and tinged the inky waters below. A slight cough uttered by Jonathan at the moment awakened the echoes of the place, and was returned in hollow reverberations. “There’ll be a louder echo here presently,” thought Jonathan. Before leaving the place he looked upwards, and could just discern the blue vault and pale stars of Heaven through an iron grating at the top.

      On his return to the room, Jonathan purposely left the door of the Well Hole ajar. Unlocking a cupboard, he then took out some cold meat and other viands, with a flask of wine, and a bottle of brandy, and began to eat and drink voraciously. He had very nearly cleared the board, when a knock was heard below, and descending at the summons, he found his two janizaries. They had both been unsuccessful. As Jonathan scarcely expected a more satisfactory result, he made no comment; but, ordering Quilt to continue his search, and not to return until he had found the fugitive, called Abraham Mendez into the house, and shut the door.

      “I want you for the job I spoke of a short time ago, Nab,” he said. “I mean to have no one but yourself in it. Come up stairs, and take a glass of brandy.”

      Abraham grinned, and silently followed his master, who, as soon as they reached the audience-chamber, poured out a bumper of spirits, and presented it to him. The Jew swallowed it at a draught.

      “By my shoul!” he exclaimed, smacking his lips, “dat ish goot—very goot.”

      “You shall finish the bottle when the job’s done,” replied Jonathan.

      “Vat ish it, Mishter Vild?” inquired Mendez. “Shir Rowland Trenchard’s affair—eh?”

      “That’s it,” rejoined Jonathan; “I expect him here every minute. When you’ve admitted him, steal into the room, hide yourself, and don’t move till I utter the words, ‘You’ve a long journey before you.’ That’s your signal.”

      “And a famoush goot shignal it ish,” laughed Abraham. “He hash a long journey before him—ha! ha!”

      “Peace!” cried Jonathan. “There’s his knock. Go, and let him in. And mind you don’t arouse his suspicions.”

      “Never fear—never fear,” rejoined Abraham, as he took up the link, and left the room.

      Jonathan cast a hasty glance around, to see that all was properly arranged for his purpose; placed a chair with its back to the door; disposed the lights on the table so as to throw the entrance of the room more into shadow; and then flung himself into a seat to await Sir Rowland’s arrival.

      He had not to wait long. Enveloped in a large cloak, Sir Rowland stalked into the room, and took the seat assigned him; while the Jew, who received a private signal from Jonathan, set down the link near the entrance of the Well Hole, and, having made fast the door, crept behind one of the cases.

      Fancying they were alone, Sir Rowland threw aside his cloak, and produced a heavy bag of money, which he flung upon the table; and, when Wild had feasted his greedy eyes sufficiently upon its golden contents, he handed him a pocket-book filled with notes.

      “You have behaved like a man of honour, Sir Rowland,” said Wild, after he had twice told over the money. “Right to a farthing.”

      “Give me an acquittance,” said Trenchard.

      “It’s scarcely necessary,” replied Wild; “however, if you require it, certainly. There it is. ‘Received from Sir Rowland Trenchard, 15,000£. —Jonathan Wild: August 31st, 1724.’ Will that do?”

      “It will,” replied Trenchard. “This is our last transaction together.”

      “I hope not,” replied Wild.

      “It is the last,” continued the knight, sternly; “and I trust we may never meet again, I have paid you this large sum—not because you are entitled to it, for you have failed in what you undertook to do, but because I desire to be troubled with you no further. I have now settled my affairs, and made every preparation for my departure to France, where I shall spend the remainder of my days. And I have made such arrangements that at my decease tardy justice will be done my injured nephew.”

      “You have made no such arrangements as will compromise me, I hope, Sir Rowland?” said Wild, hastily.

      “While I live you are safe,” rejoined Trenchard; “after my death I can answer for nothing.”

      “‘Sblood!” exclaimed Wild, uneasily. “This alters the case materially. When were you last confessed, Sir Rowland?” he added abruptly.

      “Why do you ask?” rejoined the other haughtily.

      “Because—because I’m always distrustful of a priest,” rejoined Jonathan.

      “I have just parted from one,” said Trenchard.

      “So much the worse,” replied Jonathan, rising and taking a turn, as if uncertain what to do.

      “So much the better,” rejoined Sir Rowland. “He who stands on the verge of the grave, as I do, should never be unprepared.”

      “You’re strangely superstitious, Sir Rowland,” said Jonathan, halting, and looking steadfastly at him.

      “If I were so, I should not be here,” returned Trenchard.

      “How so?” asked Wild, curiously.

      “I had a terrible dream last night. I thought my sister and her murdered husband dragged me hither, to this very room, and commanded you to slay me.”

      “A terrible dream, indeed,” said Jonathan thoughtfully. “But you mustn’t indulge these gloomy thoughts. Let me recommend a glass of wine.”

      “My penance forbids it,” said Trenchard, waving his hand. “I cannot remain here long.”

      “You will remain longer than you anticipate,” muttered Wild.

      “Before I go,” continued Sir Rowland, “I must beg of you to disclose to me all you know relative to the parentage of Thames Darrell.”

      “Willingly,” replied Wild. “Thinking it likely you might desire to have this information, I prepared accordingly. First, look at this glove. It belonged to his father, and was worn by him on the night he was murdered. You will observe that a coronet is embroidered on it.”

      “Ha!” exclaimed Trenchard, СКАЧАТЬ