Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

—§ rr te re 128 “Thank you, sir—here’s your health, sir. I'm very much obliged to you, sir; thank you, sir. After bobbing the glass first against his chin, then his nose, he finally succeeded in finding his mouth, into which he emptied its contents in an instant. Richard smiled, but he could not help a feeling of discust at himself, in associating in such a way with: his own servant. But the man was necessary to him now, and he gulped down his indignation. ‘‘ James, I suppose you have not saved much money ?” he said at length. ‘“ About twenty pounds, sir.” “Twenty pounds! Now, a hundred to put to that would make a pretty little sum, would it not ?” “Splendid ! ” And the fellow’s bleared eyes glistened like live coals for an instant, then became dull. as before. ) “Now, hark you, James. You shall’ have a hundred pounds if you will aid me to secure that happiness J expected to find long since. Of course, as you say, the girl will be none the worse if she knows nothing of the cheat, especially as I shall treat her as my wife, and shower that affection upon her which the coldness of my wife repudiates.” . “T1l earn them.” “You 'shall if you will.” | ‘* How, sir ?” cried.the man, eagerly. “ Assume the character of a clercyman, and perform the ceremony,” hissed the libertine, in a Joud whisper. “ What's that?” added Richard, starting round, as a slight noise met his ear. “What’s what 2” asked the doniestic James, | staggering to his feet. thought I heard a noise.’ “T heard nothing. pene if was my foot against the pedestal of the table,” said the man, seeing nothing, and anxious about the promised hundred. “Very likely,” aid Richard eee antl again seating himself, little thinking that his words had caused a hidden listener to fall back against the panelings of the closet in surprise and horror. “It was nothing, sir, depend upon it,” said James. ‘‘ As you was saying, sir, I could earn a hundred pounds by,” ‘Playing parson, and joining ‘me in a sham marriage to the only girl I tr uly love. , Will you do it?” “Do it ?—rather.” cc ) jeu can read, of course ? ly dada’ “ Ard write ” * Yes.” “You would not permit hesitation or fear to cause suspicion ?” said Richard. ‘Lor bless you, sir, no. I used to spout a good deal at school, and I could play the part as well as any minister, especially when I knew a hundred pounds were to be the reward for the service.” “And your lips would remain sealed ever after ; a ames 2”? | ‘1 daré not open them.” ‘Why not ? r a JAE SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. ‘“‘ From fear of the consequences. T should be equally guilty with you,” said the menial. Tr “‘ That’s true.” “Quite,” said James, now helping himsele; to another glass, and assuming a familiar air that caused the libertine to wince. ‘‘ Come, drink, old boy—drink success to the job.” He pushed a glass near to Richard ds he spoke. For a moment, a look of indignation rose to Clavering’s face. He was about to resent the familiarity ; ‘bat the recollection that he had made that man his: equal deterred him. He took the glass and swallowed its contents as if anxious to perform a disagreeable duty as quickly as possible. “The decanter’ s empty,” for another.” “ Hold,” said Clavering. your fellow-servants to see us thus together. “ Fellow-servants,” said the man ; “well, yes, but I shall consider: myself a little above them now. , A confidential ‘servant of the master of this house—eh? Well, let’s to busi- ness, I’ll get more wine after that i is settled.” said James; “ ring’ as It will not do for ne so they are; “Curse the fellow !” growled. Richard between | his teeth; “but I must put up-with it till the service I require of him has been rendered, and then—ay, then shall I rid myself of him. ‘Yes, I must, for I shall never feel safe with him about . me. Another hundred would sent him to America. . But I need have no fear of him, for he will be, equally guilty with myself.” » Then turning to James, ‘who was amusing hin self by drinking: up the ‘dregs of the cecan a through the neck of the vessel, he said— “The affair, then, is all settled. _ The day afer! to-morrow you will personate a clergyman, and in the meantime you had. better make yourself well — acquainted with the -ceremony.; There, must be no hitch—no hesitation—nothing to lead to the - least suspicion of the genuineness of the affair. Your absence will, be missed ; you. had better retire to bed. as we have ever done. Now go; and remember, . silence places gold in your pocket, and makes | you the friend instead of the menial.of Richard Clavering.” He rose from his chairas an intimation » that the interview was ended, and J: ames, taking | the hint, staggered from his seat. vw elite “Good night, old boy,” he cried, staggering i about, and placing his hand: familiarly, upon Richard’ s shoulder. “I'll do the job’ for you. I'll make you the happiest of men. : Don’t fear. for me, there’s none of\your gossip, about me. I’ve said I'll do the thing, and I'll doit.” And so saying, the fellow staggered, from the . room, followed by Richard, who was anxious to see that he retired to his bed, instead of joining his fellow-servants. When both were gone, Lizzie strode from. the > closet—her face, white as a spectre, with a look . of pain and disgust on every feature, and hurried . to seek her poor mistress in the boudoir, pie rao) We meet, of course, in this house —- - - a —— i i * “ - nicbooks:com