Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

— . ~ . ~~ —— A eee... — — —— we - = -_—— ST A TTT, A ae — — S . - — ee |. do by effecting my — . SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. “Serve him right,’ said the man with the torch, “if it’s true.” ‘Tt is. And but that you were engaged with _ your labour you would. have seen and heard | what I have, and served him the same.” * Tt’s a lie!’ roared Grasper. “Tt is true, you unmanly scoundrel !’’ retorted Jack ; “and by heaven, if you dare molest this poor woman further, I will crush every bone in your body!” , | _ Get out, you old scoundrel!’ cried the man _ with the torch. “« Serve him right to bury him,’’ said another, as Jane, sobbing, came to Jack’s side. The book and cheque,” she said, In a whisper. | He grasped her arm with one hand, while with the other he dropped the pocket-book from beneath his cloak into the hole. | Bi “ They will be found.” 6 Never fear. They are hidden for ever.”’ And as he spoke, he hurled with his foot a quantity of the loose earth over the edge of the hole into the grave, and by the light of the torch saw they were covered from view. A sigh of relief broke from her lips, and she tottered backwards. ) : “T ‘gay it’s a lie,’ cried Grasper, who had become fearful of the threatening looks of the men. “He is a villain, who dares not show his. face. If you are men, seize him. It is Spring-| heeled Jack!” _ Af | “ Spring-heeled Jack ?’’ broke from each throat. “Yes, The midnight marauder whom the police are seeking in every quarter, and for whose capture you will be well rewarded. Seize him—seize him!” , J ack turned quickly. The torch-licht fell on his hideous mask. The men fell back startled, leaving Grasper alone. | “Yes, I am Spring-heeled Jack,’’ cried our | hero, “the terror. of such hoary-headed old | sinners as this—the protector of the weak and défenceless. Iam he, and good cause has this ruffian to recolléct me, for I have several times foiled his villainy. There is a reward offered for my capture; but take me if you can, or follow me if you dare!” “Pj have a shy for it,” exclaimed one of the meh, springine forward with his spade upraised. Jack saw his danger, and was prepared for it, | but he did not take one of those. terrific leaps | backward which had so often saved him. | —_-He seized Grasper by the arms, and as the to strike him, he hurled the | rascally merchant forward, and the blow intended | for himself fell upon the shoulder of Ralph, who | instantly sank to the ground beneath its force. | “Oh, heaven! you have killed him,’ cried Jane. ks | “€WNo such luck as that,’ said Jack. “My | friend, you would have conferred a greater favour on society had you slain that man than you could capture.” The fellow, appalled at his own act, dropped the spade, and stood looking half frightened at the prostrate merchant. The others, also, alarmed at their companion’s 155 rash act, flung down their implements, and raised — eae from the ground, paying no heed to our ero. “ Return home,” said Jack, in a whisper ; “I will follow to see that no harm befals you.” “But you are in danger. Seek your own | safety, for now that I know that book is hidden there, I can defy him.”’ ‘¢ Heed not me,” whispered Jack, “ but retire. You have paid the last respect to the memory of your husband, and this is no longer a place for you.” “ Heaven help me! would I were with him! ”’ sighed Jane. “‘ Come, come,” whispered Jack, “‘ do not gratity the feelings of yon villain by a sight of your erief. Go.” ‘No, you don’t go,” said Grasper, who had caught the last word. “ You shall not go.” “Who shall prevent me?” asked Jack. “This shall!’ exclaimed Ralph, taking a small pocket pistol from his breast, and levelling it at our hero, as he staggered a few paces forward. “ No—no—no!” cried Jane, flinging herself between them. ‘ You shall not harm him but through my body!” <“ Curse him! he shall die!” exclaimed the merchant, furiously. Jane flung herself upon him, and strove to tear the weapon from his hold. “ Men—men!’’ she cried, “ will you aid a murderer ? *” But ere either of those called upon made any reply, or Grasper could accomplish his purpose, Jack was upon him. Seizing his wrist, he tore the weapon from his hand, and laid its cold barrel upon the heated brow of the merchant. “ Villain! why should I not blow your brains out?’’ he cried. “ Spare him—spare him !°’ pleaded Jane, turn- ing quickly. “ Can you plead for him who slew your hus- band 2” asked Jack. | “‘ T would not have you his executioner. You are too good to stain your hands in the blood of such a base-hearted, unfeeling villain*”’ said Jane. “Ves” said Jack; “he is even too bad to” destroy.” ‘‘But you cried one of the men, seizing Jack by the shoulder. “ Help, mates !—help !” | With a thrust, Jack freed himself, and, spring- ing backwards, levelled the pistol at his would-be captors. CHAPTER LIV. THE ESCAPE FROM THE PATROL—JACK SEEKS SAFETY ON THE HOUSETOPS. Tue man must be brave indeed who can un- flinchingly stare into the barrel of a pistol when a desperate man’s finger 1s on the trigger, and the weapon is loaded. Certain it is, that among those who stood before our hero, there was not one endowed with the amount of courage necessary to perform the feat. In terror and dismay they fell back, and Ebooks _ Gon ain’t, old fellow, now I’ve got you!” | (E()