Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 18: what you’re looking at

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ec a 12 SPRING-HEEL D JACK: “You may. They are respectable men, and live about half a mile down the road, at Camp- town Villas.” The officers released their hold of the men, and rubbed their chins thoughtfully. “This is a ram go,’’ said Dick, after a pause. “Very,” said his brother officer. What do you think of it ?” «© Why, that we've been sold.”’ *“So do I.” “What dress did he wear ?”. asked the police- man of the shivering men. “A large, dark, Spanish cloak. “Whew! Dick, the fellow that sent us here was the chap himself, I do believe, after all.” ‘“¢ And so do I.” Sold !” “To rights.” ‘‘ Did he have our clothes ?” asked Baker. “He had nothing, that I could see,” said Dick ; “in fact, I’m sure he hadn’t. He's dropped them somewhere, no doubt, for I don’t believe the fellow, whoever he is, is a prig.” “Then what can be his object ?” “ A spree.” , “‘ Curse his sprees,” said Baker, savagely. “Well, you get away home, sir, as quick as you can,” said Dick, “and we'll lend you our great coats.”’ The men were profuse in their thanks as the officers divested themselves of their large coats and flung them over their shivering forms. ‘‘ Policeman,” said Baker, “if you can lodge that scoundrel in jail, I'll give you five pounds.” ‘¢ And [ll make it ten,” said the other. *f We will do our best to do so, sir,” said Dick. “But you'd better hurry home. I dare say we shall light upon your clothes at daybreak some- where hereabout.” “‘Yes—yes,”’ said Baker, “‘ we will get home. Curse the fellow! JI only wish he stood before me now—lI only do.”’ ““At your service, sir,’ exclaimed a voice behind him. “ Spring-heeled Jack is here !” All turned in surprise ; but with a loud laugh Jack cleared the hedge ere a hand could be put forth to stay him. CHAPTER V. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DISTURBED—NO CAPTIVE— DEFEATED. Foamine with rage at the trick played upon them, and also at the quickness with which Jack eluded their grasp, the officers bounded over the gate in pursuit, leaving Baker and his com- panion standing wrapped up in the policemen’s great coats, shivering with fear and cold. “ We had better get home,” said Baker, his teeth chattering together loudly ; “ we can’t aid the policemen attired as we are.” “I don’t want to try,” growled his companion. “*T’ve had quite enough of Spring-heeled Jack to last me for a lifetime, and hope I shall never see him again, unless it is in Newgate,” * Let me hear he is there, and I'll soon put in a word to make his punishment the heavier,” “Come on,” ——EE THE TERROR OF LONDON, Baker was nothing loth, and after thankin ' his friend Bittern for the service he ha rendered them, and bidding him good -night, turned to make his way homewards. “Don’t you think we had better take the middle of the road for it?” he asked, looking anxiously back over his shoulder, | | “Why?” “Because the fellow’s just as likely as not to spring over the hedge upon us at any moment.” ‘So he is,” replied the other, taking a quick step into the road, whither he was as quickly followed by his companion. | Half-ashamed, half-annoyed, the two men walked on at a brisk pace, ever and anon casting furtive glances behind them, and starting at the slightest sound, till at length they arrived at the row of villas, in two of which they lived. ’ ‘Thank God ! we have got back,” said Baker, laying one hand on the latch of the gate, whilst with the other he seized the bell knob, which projected from a little hollow in its side-post ; “but, I say, don’t you think it would be better for us not to say too much about what has happened to-night ? ” - | ‘“ Why so?” asked his companion. ‘People are so ungenerous, you know,” said Baker, and would only laugh at us.” ais ‘They'd cry,” said his companion, “if it had been them instead. Yes, we had better put the best face on it, and swear that we had a desperate struggle with Spring-heel Jack and half-a-dozen of his companions. It would seem strange to others that one man could rob us both of our clothes. People don’t know what they’d do till | they are put to it.” ‘TI wish I could get in without being seen.” “So do I.” “But I can’t.” “No more can J.” Sie “I’m ashamed to bring anyone to the door to see me in this plight,” said Baker, shivering with cold, but still hesitating to ring the bell. “It’s true the coat comes down to my ankles, but— but—oh! what a pair of fools we shall look. There’s no help for it, I suppose.” And with a deep sigh Baker pulled the bell. ‘‘ Good night,” said the other, turning away to reach hisown door. | “Good night. Oh, dear! here’s somebody. I hope it’s my wife. What will she think she sees me half-naked 2?” | At this moment the door opened, and Mrs. Ss = ™ = + ‘Baker stood on the threshold. . J ‘‘ Who's that ?” asked the lady, in no very | amiable tone of voice. ‘“ Me, my dear.” “Sir, don’t dear me,” cried the lady, who, not having brought a light to the door, and percelv- ing what she believed to bea policeman standing at the gate, considered it a great piece of impu- dence to be addressed in such affectionate terms by 3 strange man. “ How dare you—I’ll report you!” . “Tt’s me, my déar, do come and open the gate. I’ve been waylaid, and robbed, and nearly mur- dered by a desperate band of ruffians, who have taken away my clothes, and, but for the kindness of a policeman, who lent mehis great coat, I should now appear before you in a state of nudity,” COmiIcpOocKS —— - i —.-° =>. — ee eae i, A al ee Oe I when o ® Eg EROS — A TE TET MONE. — OEY OS ae Oe me =e, he. . -. > _ = . - ? es . ’ [ 7 ; . : a“ _——s 7 a 7