Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

SPRING-HEEL D JACK: again, when you stood by her husband’s grave this mornings, and [ feel that if I did what was right I should send your black soul to hell this instant. But I will give you another chance, and, now, heed me well. Muchas I should despise my- self for condescending to slay such a callous- hearted, contemptible villain, if ever again, by act or deed, you seek to molest or annoy this poor suf- fering woman, as I hope for salvation, not even the fear of the law shall stay my hand; but, like a worthless cur, I will rid society of your accursed presence. I have but a few more words to say, which I sincerely trust will be the last I shall ever utter to one for whom I feel such un- bounded contempt and loathing, and they are these: I desire to depart with Jane Slater from this neighbourhood, and I warn you not to seek to prevent me. You know who I am, and you have felt my power. Beware, then, what you do! i am not to be played with. You have felt my srip upon your throat to-night, and will feel it for some time to come. Beware you do not feel it there again! Attempt to seek to prevent my departure, or to again obtain possession of that woman, and you had, indeed, better rouse the passions of the devil himself than mine. Now, scoundrel, let these words be the last between us.” “T will not interfere with her or you again,” said Grasper, ‘‘ but at once go home.” He moved towards the landing, as he spoke in a low tone. | “Stay!” said Jack. Grasper bit his lip deeper, and stopped sud- denly. His object was defeated. He thought to deceive Jack, but he was mistaken. Our hero read his intentions on the instant. “You will remain here till after we have taken our departure. Jam not to be captured to-night.” “T do not seek your capture,” said Grasper, srinding his teeth together, in suppressing the rage he dared not openly show. “ Don’t add liar to your other base qualities,” said Jack. “IT assure ’’ *¢ Silence!” interrupted our hero. Grasner slunk back in terror. The glaring barrel of the pocket-pistol flashed before his eyes, and fear taught him prudence on the instant. “Now, Mr. Jackson, I have a word to say to you,” said Jack. ‘Take my advice and mend your ways, or one of these days you will find, to your sorrow, that your black deeds have brought misery upon you, your wife, and children. You have lent yourself to as great a piece of villany as was ever planned, and laid yourself open to a punishment as severe as it is just. Be careful, or you will yet find yourself in a felon’s dock, which, perhaps, after all, would be the best thing that could happen for your family. Mend your ways, I say; and if you can have no respect or feeling for others, strive to have some for yourself. You will find it more to your interest to aid me to take this poor de- mented woman away, than to seek to help that THE TERROR OF LONDON. 935 a villain to detain her and effect my capture; and, if you are wise, you will do so.”’ ‘“*T will, upon my soul I will!” cried Bill, quickly. “That was what you said when you promised to reform on our previous meeting,’ sneered Jack. “But I mean it, I do,” said Bill, who felt.cer- tain even now that Jack was something more than human. | “You do?” “Yes, sir. ITIl do anything you wish—any- thine, I don’t care what it is,” said Bill. “Will you prevent this man giving any alarm when I am gone 2” asked our hero. ‘“‘ If he does, so help me ”’ Jack held up his hand, deprecatingly, and the ruffian stifled the oath on his lips, then added— “Tf he tries to prevent your getting off clear with her, [ll give him a Whitechapel uppercut as'll lay him down fora month.” And Bill Jackson turned back the cuff of his fustian coat as he spoke. Grasper looked as if he could not believe the evidence of his senses, when he perceived that Bill was anxious to take sides with the man who had nearly frightened him out of his life. But he was too cautious to say anything ; and inwardly he cursed both him and Jack from the deepest recesses of his unfeeling and un- scrupulous heart. “Enough,” said Jack, “‘ I will trust you.” “Vou may,” said Bill, growing halt-a-dozen inches taller in a minute. ‘‘Say the word, sir, and I’ll settle him now at once. “Hold!” said Jack. ‘I have, I think, pretty well settled him for the time being: It is after my departure from this house that I depute you his keeper. Well, Mrs. Jackson, is she coming to 2” added Jack, addressing the wile of Bill, who was chafing the hands of Jane. “Ves, sir. Oh! Im so sorry all this hap- pened. I’m sure I wish that man hadn't brought her here. There, my poor girl, you're all right. Here’s a nice, handsome gentleman come for you. Come, come, you're better now. There, you'll soon be all right,” said Mrs. Jackson. Jane opened her eyes, and glanced. wildly around her. ““ Where—where am I?” she asked. ‘‘ What place is this?—who areyou? Great heavens! how came I here? Oh! that villain, Grasper !’’ she screamed, as she clung to the woman in terror. ‘Do not let him come nearme. Oh, heaven ! how did I come here ?”’ “Fear not, Mrs. Slater,” said Jack. ‘‘ That rascal is powerless to harm you while I am near.” At the sound of Jack’s voice, Jane looked towards him, and, breaking from Mrs. Jackson's arms, with a ery of joy, sprang to his side. “You here? Then lam safe, my good, kind friend. But what place is this? how came | here? Am I awake, or dreaming? or have my sufferings driven me mad ?”’ BIDS a ‘“T will tell you ail about 1t some other time, said Jack. “ Will you trust in me ?” - COUMICG OOO SSS (E©)