Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

318 “So! Jane Slater, you are again in my power! Time after time have I been foiled in my purpose. JI have sworn to crush your proud spirit, and blight your happiness! Looks, tears, prayers are in vain! I will have no mercy now! Mine you are now! Maine, this very hour! and nought but death can save you!” He sprang towards her, as she fell back in horror, but paused as Jack darted from the window and sprang into the room. A cry of joy escaped Jane’s lips, a shout of horror broke from the guilty man, and he turned and fled from the apartment. ‘Hold, ruffian!” cried Jack. ‘The hour of vengeance has indeed come. You have spoken truly, Ralph Grasper. The hour has come at last !”’ As he reached the landing, Jack seized him by the shoulders; but the terrified man made a frantic effort, and tore himself away, and dashed up the narrow flicht of stairs, which led to the attics, closely followed by Jack, who again srasped him as he dashed through the doorway of the front chamber. “ Mercy—mercy !” shrieked Grasper, and terror lending him strength, he again succeeded in breaking from Jack’s hold, and, dashing across the room, he sprang out of the attic win- dow on to the coping stone. In a moment Jack was beside him, and, shrieking aloud for mercy, the guilty wretch ran along the gutter till he stood on the very corner of the coping stones, when he turned and sprang at Jack’s throat, perceiving he could fly no further. That moment was fatal to him, for Jack, dash- ing his armaside, Ralph Grasper lost his balance, swayed for a moment like a drunken man, then fell backwards into the street below. Jack, seeing his danger, made an effort to srasp him, but in- vain, and the next moment Ralph Grasper lay, with his neck broken, on the flags before the door of his own dwelling. ) The fall of the body startled not only Tom and Richard, but a watchman who was passing. He shouts lustily for help, andas Jack, with Jane Slater, emerged from the house, he was violently , seized by the watchman, and in his endeavour to throw him off, Jack’s mask slipped from hisface, the light from the adjacent lamp flashing upon his features he was recognised by the man who held him, and who, in his younger days, had been a ene ‘servant in his father’s family. Spring-heeled Jack !’’ he shouted. Mar ” A heavy blow on the mouth from Jack’s fist stifled the word, and released him from the watchman’s hold. ’ Richard—Tom!” cried Jack, “look to this woman, befriend her for my sake. This unfor- tunate discovery renders my presence in England dangerous to my safety. I must fly. ‘To your protection I commend Jane Slater ! Away went Jack, and after him followed a goodly crowd, headed by the watchman, who had recovered the stunning effects of the blow ; but Jack gained upon them, and obtaining a coach, drove to his hotel. But well he knew he could not now remain there in safety. SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. So, hastily securing his cheque-book and a few valuables, he left the hotel in a post-chaise, after making inquiries where he could obtain a vessel bound for Spain. One had dropped down the river that morn- ing, and would be lying off the coast for a couple of days; and Jack promised the posti- lion a handsome reward if he made all the speed he could. | Night and day he travelled, and the next night he dismissed the chaise ; and after partaking of some refreshment, went down to the beach, an l engaged a boatman to go off to thé vessel, and learn if the captain would take him on board ; and while the men got their boat ready and sped over the water to the ship, Jack leisurely strolled up on to the rocks that rose in weird and picturesque masses on all sides. . In the beauty of the scene before him—for the moon had risen, and was tinting the waves with silver—he did not observe the approach 6f three men, who were stealing cautiously over the rocks towards him; nor was it till one of them exclaimed, in a loud tone, ‘‘ On, lads! ‘tis Spring-heeled Jack!” did he know of their presence. Jack started round at the mention of his — name, and that one look assured him they were officers. ‘“‘ Spring-heeled Jack, we arrest you in thie name of the sovereign !”’ cried the man who had before spoken. Jack cast an anxious look towards the sea and saw the boat returning quickly to the beach “Tn the name of the law we call on you to surrender ! Jack !” cried the man, springing towards him. “Tn England, for some time, I have, my friend,” said Jack. ‘‘Good’ bye! Give my respects to all I leave behind.” And as ‘the man was about to lay his hand on ~ his shoulder, Jack sprang out over the rock into the glistening sea! ¥ * & % “ Over the dancing waves the vessel bounded for sunny Spain—glided like a thing of life ; and the white cliffs of England faded from the view of him who trod her deck with a heart sad at parting, yet bounding with joy at his narrow escape. And while her sails filled with the wind, and she threw the spray high up over her Richard Clavering told the story of his fortune to his fast-recovering sister, happy with the prospects before them, and hinted that when some few months had passed, a wife would share his title, his name, and wealth—for he had learned to love Jane Slater, and she to love him. . And months passed, and the law decided in his favour; and Richard went, with his sister and wife, to reside in the mansion which was justly his own, and where happiness reigned, and srateful hearts anxiously looked for the time to— come when they could welcome back their best and dearest friend—SPrRING-HEELED JACK, THE Terror oF LONDON ! THE END. | IOOK . comic You have taken your last leap, — OWS, and made her. a a a ee eee ) |