Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

SPRING-HEEL'D JACK ; * the pistol at his head, when he felt it was too late to rush upon and wrest it fr om him. Richard’s finger was already on the trigger, when our hero observed his intention, and hurl- ing Jessie to the floor to shield ligt from the chance of being struck by the ball, he gave one terrific bound aid dropped through the still open French window as the flash of the weapon met the gaze of the alarmed Jessie. So quick had been the motion of Jack, that in his blind fury Richard Clavering did not see him go, the smoke which puffed up before his face doubtless tending much to cover his sudden and unexpected leap. Jack had not taken the leap a moment too soon. Had he hesitated but an instant, his career would have been closed for ever. Bitter was the disappointment of Clavering at his escape. With an oath; he flung the weapon upon the superb Turkey carpet, and in his blind fury stamped upon it. | “Gone!” he yelled. Gone! and with those dice in his possession. Curse him !--eurse him! He can now destroy me—blast my character— hold me up to infamy! Ah!” headded, as, pale as death, Jessie Bolton rose tr embling to her feet, “this is your work—yours !’ The girl stageered to a seat and sank upon it. “Oh! Richard. Richard,” she sighed, *‘ thank God you are not a murderer ! ‘Would that I were—would I had stilled his tongue for ever! See what your cursed jealousy has done—placed me in the power of that man. But you shall repent it—you shall sutfer for your work. I will hurl you forth to beg, to starve on the streets.” ‘“Remember the dice!” came in a low, clear tone through the window. ‘“ Beware, Richard Clavering, you harm not that girl by word or deed! The dice—remember the loaded dice !’ Clavering turned pale, but furious. His hand sought the fellow weapon in the box to that which he had cast to the floor. In an instant it was in his hand, and his finver on the trigger, a) ack, I defy you,” he cried, hoar se with passion. “ She shall eo, and go at once.’ ““ Beware what you do, for I hold your charac- ter in My hands,” said our hero, appearing out- side the window. “Be merciful to her, and so will I be merciful to you, Seek to cause her heart another pang, and you shall soon find your reward.” ** Not so soon as you. cried Richard. Clavering levelled the pistol at the open window. Jessie uttered a shriek, and sprang from her seat. The libertine discharged the weapon. There was a loud crash of broken elass, mingled with the report, then, as the noise died away, a loud defiant laugh rose from beneath the window. i Foiled again!” yelled Clavering ; again ! ’ v6 Ha! ha! ha!” came back in mockery. “Mhank God !—thank Qod!” cried Jessie, clasping: diex hands. 46 Take thine at once!” * foiled THE TERROR OF LONDON, Oo “For what ?” yelled tie libertine. 4 “That your soul is not stained with iba that—that ”— i= bie The door of the room was burst’ open, ‘and three of the men-servants rushed into the apat ment, pale and excited. : “What's the matter, sir? Oh! what's me matter ?” they asked, all at once. Richard averted his face, and statiiched’ forth— | “Only a robber trying to force his way iit 7 the room through the window. I fired at. ht p | and hé has doubtless Hed.” | s Perhaps you hit him, sir. We'll £0 doit j and see,” said one. | “We had better end for tlie police, ‘liadn’t | we, sir 2?” asked another. “There may be more of them about the house — or grounds,” remarked the third, looking vously behind him, as if he expected to ste Some one who had no right there. “No—no need. to so for the police, ” ae Richard, who now trembled at the name of an officer. But,” he added, suddenly, *‘ the fe low may still be in the srounds. Arm yours Ives and—and shoot him like a dog!” dA. The servants hurried away to perform m his bid- din Cut ‘se him!” muttered Richard, as the ke the apartnient. ‘I hope they may Kill him: then, then I could laugh again ; but while ae man lives, [ shall never more know peace.” — The last sentence was spoken loud ancagh’ for Jessie to hear, and she staggered towards him as he sank down upon the couch where she had lain a short time before, and placed her hand u pon | his arm. | “Richard, do me an act of justice, and > you — need never fear your character will be exposed.” “Never!” hesaid. “I might have Geet fool enough one time, but now you have sealed yo own doom,” “Remember the loaded dice!” she said. “ Remember the atonement you owe to me, and remember that man’s words.” “J will!” he hissed through his ae teeth; ‘I will remember them ; but I will remember you also. I loved you once, but I hate you now! Go, leaveme. I Sp urn you fro =| me as I would a cur that bit He" Go ike. bee—to starve ! ” Richard ! ” “ Wanton !” | He flung her hand from his arm. The-word had stung her to the quick. She drew herself up, set her teeth firmly to- gether, and hissed back her reply to his” aia | thr ough her parted lips— “ Mhief! thief!” : He leaped from the couch furious in his arab | . the mingled blush of pain and shame suffusing his passion-distorted features a raised his clenched hand with a tains oath In terror Jessie drew back before the fui oe | cesture. \. : His arm, however, descended not, for at that moment loud eries from. beneath the Wwitidowee. | the apartment reached the ears of its occupan | and Richard turned and rushed to the Seaeee : "Sah | a. . = | * eon + _ > j |, | | ge _ - —_ \ co oT a chooks nm