Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

, that his career must now soon be ~~He’ fel ehded—t at he could bid farewell to the world if he could only take the life of Jack. To him he attributed his present position. Foiled’ in his villany, ie blamed Jack for all that had:transpired, instead of condemning him- self—his own’ base, unbridled passions—and he yowed yet fo beireyenséd. 0) ro we ‘massive door closed behind him with a j ‘sound; and he moodily followed the jailer ow he was _ again alone, in silence, and the icelof'iconecichce began its work anew. |_| daylight; the placé' was Ww éd in gloom, as hé'gazed round upon thé blackened walls, and up at the barred win- dow, he felt:all hope of escape desert his boson, and his Heart sank within him. © 600 9) e jailer came and brought him thé prison faré/but he paid: no heed to him nor the pro- VisIONSi0W, HN) 90 SUNT SNS fi tS ‘Tired! with his ride, his struggles, and his Pale he at length sank''to sleep in his Buti vést‘came not to his wearied brains: The drawing-room of his ‘magnificent house was again before him; and Mildred stood by his Vv » Despite, ie growing antl side ; then the pale face of his wife rose before | him, and hé started from his ‘sleep as the report of'2 pistol'echoed around.) ©o Foo eee | iS only de Felt Of tHe Rey "in! thd Toul his‘cell/'and théjailer, quité's youns man ana not Jong ib: his office, shuddered as he gazed upon the pale, startled face of his prisoner. ') said’ the ‘man, _ ‘ Here’s’ your. dinner, ' sir,” lacing the fare before him. = of Pake it away; I do not’ want it,” said Richard. | ae 10 ents “You had better have it, sir.” saifirdive no taste for food; take it away— etistay,1 will have it: perhaps'T had ‘better | 4 { 1 ii. iy F | . ‘ | uJ from iyiv/ “RitHard “did not want the food, he could not eqt it, but he perceived thatthe jailer’ ‘had diohe him a ler ife, and he hurried to counter- Hid order for the nieal to be removed: "Hé Wad beén searched, and every article taken m him, much to his, chagrin 5" but the sight of the Knife was joy to hid souls! 0" jin the “man! had départed, he! arose and approached the fable. | | ‘sickening shudder passed through him as he gazed upon the viands, but 4 glow of pleasure sirinounted his fate ay ‘he Bee thé knife. ~ ““Qne chance more,” he said, in a_ hissing whis er ; ‘f one chance more to cheat the hang- 8 his thumb. ee pat It.was very blunt, and ia look o isappoint- D ‘paised| éver his Hrow : ‘He stodd twirlihg the knife thoughtfully for some tnoments in his hand, : | “Yt is not.sharp,” he said to himself ; “far from it; but if would let out the life-stream, and tnake fool of thé hangman, Why should esitate t oh tf why?” . | edd 10 rohit y 5 . a SPRING-HEEL'D JACK; THE TERROR OF LONDON. happy, as if in mockery night,”’ he said. | All was’ silent. e gazed upon the blade, and felt jts edges He flung it down upon the table, and paced the cell for some time. ‘Why —why ?”’ he continued, “ when I feel that there is no escape hut through the rope ?” He shuddered,-and’ clasped his hands over his eyes. si “Oh, God!” he muttered, “ even now I fancy I can see the upturned faces of the crowd—even low their shouts ring in’ my ears, as they pant for my death—even now f cat see the hangman, '|and feel the rope upon my throat! Oh, God! I might have escaped but for hin! Oursé him! Oh that I could be revengéd ! Fcould die happy.” And the walls of that cell echoéd the word of the wretch who stood within them.) 9) 50 } Richard looked around shudderinoty. “I cannot stop here alone when night comes,” he said ; ‘the fearful silence and sloom of the place will drive’me mad. This cell’ will be peopled with shadows 6f those I havé wronged. I shall see the bleeding form of my murdered wife and servant. - I shall hear ‘their oying groans, feel their hot blood upon my hands, an go mad—mad—mad !” BY He flung himself into’ the solitary chair, and rocked his body to and fro. - : ) suddenly he sprang up. His face -was pale as death. His eyeballs were distended and and his lips weré quivering! ) ‘* They do not keep so elosé a watch by day as “Then now—now is my time to endeavour to escape from this infernal place. bloodshot, But how ?”’ He added, after a pause, and looking up ‘at the barred’ window. ‘* Desperation will lend me streneth. I may force these bars.” He sprang to the table, placed the dinner upon thé floor of his cell, and listened, Not a footfall‘broke upon his ears. With trembling hands he lifted the table be- neath the window. _ ros ) Then he paused and listened Still no sound came. He took up the chair and placed it upon the table. 3 a SFIS } : Noiseless was every niovement. |’ © They will never think of an’ attempt to escape while daylight lasts,’ he muttered, as he took up, the knife he had’ lam down, and mounted the table. ABTS 9) But now he fancied he could hear a distant footfall, and his blood ran cold in his veins as he listened, | Hake ) Moments passed, ‘and’ he became convinced that he was mistaken, and placing his left knee upon the chair, he looked through the bars of the window, and could sée that a paved yard was at a short distance below him. A ray of hope broke upon his soul. For a moment he forgot everything but the idea of escape. 6 He turned his attention to the bars, and his heart again sank within him. gate They were strong and massive, and he’ fet they could defy the strength of twenty men." again. 187 | With a groan he turned and sat down'in the chair, still holding the knife in his hand. COMMMIELNOOKS co