Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 107: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

! | ~ s ‘ae — ee aut ™ Ser sew a = ye © = oer ws oe ee Oe | —_— — tin ae SPRING-NEEL'D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. “They are bent upon capturing me,” Jack, “that’s certain. But there’s many asi ‘twixt cup and lip, and I may avoid them yet.” _.Eivery moment placed a greater distance be- tween them, and Jack began to breathe more freely, when as he passed the door of a miserable- looking house, an arm was thrust forth, and be- fore he could make the least resistance he was dragged into a dark passage, and the door closed behind him. “ Hush — don’t speak—keep mum,” said a sruff voice at hisside. ‘‘I know what it is to be in trouble myself. The mob will go by, and when all is quiet, you can slope. It’s hard lines if one cove can’t help another when the pees are after him. Been cracking a crib and een bowled oul—eh ?”’ Jack saw in a moment that the man who had offered him shelter and a means of escape from his pursuers was a thief, and was thereby enabled to understand the sympathy shown for a stran- er. Still, he felt anything but comfortable at being dependent upon such a character for security. Ere the man had finished speaking, the tramp- ing of many feet, and the tones of several voices sounded loudly as they neared the door. “ Hush, hush !” whispered the man. ‘‘ You’ve doubled on ’em, but don’t speak ’till they’ve gone clean off.” Jack took the man’s advice, and remained perfectly silent till the sounds had died out in the distance. ~“Wrell, old pal,” said the voice at his elbow, “l reckon you ain't sorry for the little service I’ve done you ?” : “am indeed grateful,” said- Jack. “In course you are, and as one good turn deserves another, be sure you'll show your grati- tude to one as ain’t had a chance or doing abit of business for nigh a month.” “You wish me to reward vou for what you have done?” “Well, don’t call it that,” said the man. “Share some of the haul. you've had, that’s better.” — | _ “ My friend,” said Jack, who saw that the man had no intention of parting with him without being paid for the service he had rendered, “T shall certainly make you a present for what you have done, but if you take me for a thief, you are much mistaken.” “What! ain’t you in the profession ? ” _“ Certainly: not.” ~“ Well, ’m blowed ! aud I’ve been fool enough to tell you I am,” said the man. “You need feel no alarm at that,” said Jack, ‘* for it is not likely I shall betray you.” ~ “Tf T thought you would, I’d”—— The man-had caught Jack’s shoulder in. a heavy grasp. | _Our-hero turned quickly, and struck up the aaa of the man, then springing back, stood at ay. Lhe~pitehy darkness of the place caused Jack some uneasiness, and the character of the man who was in that passage with him, and whom he could not see, was anything but cheering. ©THark you,” said Jack, ‘‘ Whoever you may be, [ mean you to keep your hands off, Taking -- Se en nw ess ee. Or See ee er er eee ee Oe 101 said|me for one of your fraternity, you were kind enough to offer me a shelter from a misled mob, and I am not ungrateful for what you have done. You have, unasked, revealed your own character to me, and I assure you that you need have no fear I shall betray it. I have not seen your face, and hence it would be impossible for me to identify you. I am willing to pay you for the service you have rendered me, on consideration that you open that door, and suffer me to leave this place unmolested. But if you attempt to detain me, or offer me any violence, you will find that I have both the strength and the skill to leave you senseless on the floor of this place.” “ What will you drop if I let you go?” said the man. “Through fear, nothing,” replied Jack. ‘‘ If you think to wring anything from me by threats, you are mistaken. Open that door, and trust to my generosity.” “And suppose I refuse 2”? ‘€ You will do so at your peril.” “Oh! you are coming the bouncible now. You think you are safe,” sneered the man. “* Will you open that door ?” “What will you give ?” “Twill promise nothing while that door is closed,” was the reply. ‘“ And when it’s open, you'll bolt like a sneak,” said the man. ‘““ Do not estimate my character by your own. Once more, will you open that door, and suffer me to leave this place ?” | There was something in the tones of Jack that told his jailer he was not a man to be trifled with. “‘ Will you act fair and square,’’ he said, ina moderated voice. “Tdo not understand what you mean,” re- marked Jack. | “Well, then, if I open the door, you won't sneak off without dropping something.” ‘“T will make no promise as to that, but I will promise you this, that if you do not open that door immediately, I will drop something, and that something will be yourself. So, no more of this fooling. Open the door, or you will be unable to open it in another minute.” And Jack, whose eyes had now became accus- tomed to the darkness, sprang forward, and grasping the man by the shoulder and hip, flung him round and along the passage with such force, that had it not been for the wall he must have fallen. “Curse you!” cried the fellow. your game?” It is,” said Jack. . “ Then look out.” The fellow sprang towards Jack, who, prepared for the onslaught, struck him a heavy blow on the mouth. | “ Thunder me!” roared the fellow, ‘‘ but Ill have your blood for that.” “No, you won't,” said Jack, coolly ; “but Du have yours.’ , And lunging out his fist again, he lodged a heavy blow on the bridge of the man’s nose, causing the blood to spurt out in a stream. This seemed to have the effect of somewhat cooling the man’s passions, and he retreated Gomme KS ‘Ts that JOO