Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

. 274 _——_—— —_—_—— —— a —— Without altering his usual cool tone of voice,| have altered your mind, like a sensible man,” he remarked— “Were you a gentleman, I should say you were mad ; but, as you are not, I say youare a) alter it liar !” | Lorain raised lis arm, others to look round, and Jack to colour to the temples. : “Phat’s how I serve the dog who calls me a’ liar!” eried Lorain, trembling with passion. | By an effort, Jack retained his calmness, but the blow was more than he could tamely sub- mit to. For a moment his eye swept up ana down the form of the man before him. Kaising his arm, he struck Lorain a blow in the face, that in- stantly felled him to the floor. ‘And that is how I chastise the puppy who presumes to bark at me!” said Jack. “Gentlemen !—gentlemen !”—exclaimed Mr.) Brief. | “ T bee your pardon, sir,’ said Jack, coolly. ‘Tf your words have reference to us, they are misapplied. You speak in the plural, instead of | the singular. Mr. Lorain is no gentleman ; and I have to apologize for almost forgetting, in my indignation, that I am one.” | Lorain leaped to his feet. “Tl have your blood for this!” he said, furiously. | “T warn you,” said Jacl, “ not®to tempt me to forget myself again. Keep your distance, sir, or, rather, a distance which takes you out of the reach of my right arm, or you may fall again.” The look which accompanied these words had the effect of causing the angry man to step back a pace. There was a dangerous gleam in Jack’s eye, despite the calmness of his tones ; and, grinding his teeth in rage, Lorain said— ‘“ You claim to bea gentleman ? ” eELGo:; “Then you shall give me the satisfaction one gentleman has a right to demand from another !’’| on his lips was not uttered. cried Lorain. “‘ All the satisfaction a gentleman has a right to demand from me, he shall have,” said Jack. “Then, sir, we must fight! ” ‘Vou are not, then, satistied with the blow I gave you?” said Jack, sarcastically. ‘“‘ lam sorry for that, as I have no wish to strike you again.” “ Gentlemen,” began Mr. Brief. But he was interrupted by Lorain. “ Told your row!” he eried ; “ and don’t in- terfere with me.” ‘“ This is my office, sir.” ‘“‘ Tt may be the devil’s for all I care!” roared Lorain. ‘ You are excited, sir.” ‘“ Damn it! Am I to take a blow tamely from that fellow?” roared Lorain. ‘‘ No; curse me, if I do! We must fight! ” “T will have no fighting here, sir, in my place,” said Brief. ‘’ Who the devil wants to fight here ? ” “ You do, seemingly,” said Jack, “ No I don’t.” “Oh, I thought you did, Well, I’m glad you el ee SPRING-HEFL'D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. and struck Jack a smart blow on the cheek, which caused the) » “ I will | to see you while this person was present,” he _cowardly snob, now I know you to be one.” the satisfaction: he desires. ——— ——T-_ D ee eee a A ea said Jack, with a smile. “ But I’ve not altcred my mind—nothing can !* roared Lorain. me, and J’ll have your blood!” “Do you desire to murder me ?”’ ut a bullet through you—yes, sir, a bullet. I demand satisfaction, and I will have tee ‘¢ Will you, indeed ?” “JT will, or [ will brand you as a coward—yes, as a coward! You—you--damn it! who are you?” roared Lorain fiercely, foaming at the mouth. ‘“One who can keep his temper, converse like a rational man, and treat a stranger at least with common courtesy.” hg “ By calling him a liar.” ‘“ Yes, if he asserts [ am a scoundrel.’ So you are.” ‘““ Beware you do not goad me to knock you down again ! ” | “Sir, 1 beg you will have some respect for me,’ said Mr. Brief, laying his hand on Jack’s upraised arm. | Jack’s arm dropped to his side, and he bowed to the lawyer. ) “T regret, sir, that I should have dropped in said ; “ and as I dread further insult, I will take my departure.” ; ‘* Like a cur,” snarled Lorain. 3 “What does that mean ?”’ asked Jack. “ Why, yowd sneak away. You are too great a coward to meet a gentleman with a gentleman’s weapon,’ cried Lorain. “ You fight only like a costermonger, with your fists, but dare not face a bullet.” | ‘‘ You would never have the courage to pull a trigger,’ laughed Jack. ‘““ You have not the courage to meet me with a pistol in my hand. I thought you were a Jack’s face was again crimson, but the retort The appealing look of Mr. Brief caused it to die away ere it was spoken. Fixing his eyesupon Lorain, he said, in a low, calm voice, but in a tone of firmness— “Mr. Lorain—for I deny your right to any other title—I do not fear to meet a gentleman with any weapon he may choose, and give him If I meet you, I meet a blackguard, who should be either kicked or horsewhipped. Buta man of your stamp can- not be made to understand that a gentleman — does violence to his own feelings by placing him- self aS your equal. Still, since you so ardently desire to place a bullet in my chest, L will give you an opportunity of trying to do so. bring myself to your level, and meet you when and where you please.” ‘T’ll have you both arrested,” said Brief, “* if you dare meet for such a purpose as a duel,” ‘‘ You mind your own business,” cried Lorain, darting a scowling look at Brief.. aay “Let him have his way,” said Jack, ‘‘ for he has not long to live.” | A brageart,’’ sneered Lorain. “ As you please,” said Jack. ‘* But to-morrow | GomiEedood “ You have struck ~ T will ‘s:.cO - _ ' : ee eee ele -__ ee -_--—.- = — ————— we —_ _ _— - ”- —_—_—Ke————————— —— ———————_ —___ ee ee Ee Ee Oe ee eee a Se eee — = Nr a nc a an ee SS SO e+ : ~ . a . - &