Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

a ei eee ee eee ees - SPRING-IIFREL’D JACK:! “T eouldn’t stand much about it,” said Baker, dolefully. “Turn the tables on her,’ said Bedford ; “€ that’s the best.” ~~“ Oh! but how ?” said Baker. “ That's the thing—how,” remarked Perkins. “ Can't we hit upon some idea? ” said Bedford, “whose eyes sparkled at the thought. Yes,” said Jack, turning suddenly. _ The three men’ looked up surprised, and re- treated a step. ~ © Sir!” stammered Baker. “ T beg your pardon for my apparent rudeness, but having been witness to the scenes of last night and this evening, and likewise overhearing a part of your conversation, I thought I coul make bold to suggest how your desires to turn the tables upon this lady might be carried out.” ‘* How—how ?” said Tom Bedford, quickly. “Tell us, there’s a good fellow, whoever you are. Nothing would afford us greater pleasure, ~would it, Baker?” -» Baker was a prudent man. The person before him was a stranger. ' He hesitated, ere he replied — “ Perhaps.” | “My friend is loth to speak out before a stranger,” said Tom.. | “ A stranger ?” repeated Jack. “Yes,” said the young man, looking inquir- ingly into his face. “Well, yes, perhaps you are right, though me and these gentlemen, I think, have met before,” said Jack, | e-. | ~“T have no recollection,” said Baker. “ Nor I,” said Perkins. “Your memories are not good, I should think then,” said Jack. : ~ “ Pretty fair,” replied Baker. ‘* Can’t say I’ve got a very bad one,” rejoined Perkins. ) And then both men examined the features of our hero.” | Apparently their scrutiny was of no avail, for Baker shook his head, and Perkins shrugged his shoulders. . | “Then you do not recognise me?” said Jack, after a pause. ‘“‘ Indeed, no.” “ Well, no matter,” said Jack; ‘‘ I believe we have, and acting upon that belief I made bold to break in upon your conversation ; but if it is offensive, I will say no more,” ) ‘* Offensive, I should say not, if you can do that old woman a good turn, or rather a bad one.” ““T eould.” “ And would?” asked Bedford, quickly. “On certain conditions, yes,” replied Jack, slowly, — , And what are they?” asked Baker. - “ First, a promise of secrecy.” ~ “ Oh! that of course,” replied Tom Bedford, his face brightening up at the prospect of being revenged on Miss Frump. “ And what is the second? ” asked Baker. © Why, that only me and this young man has a hand in the business ; that is all.” ---€T have no wish to,” said Perkins.” *€ Nor J,” said Baker, 5 nnn CO) GIO OO THE TERROR OF LONDON, 53 “It would not be prudent, as you are both married men,” said Jack, with a sly glance. “Of course you meditate no villainy,” said Baker, suddenly and suspiciously. “Sir,” said Jack, ‘I may be a rough, but I am nota ruffian.” There was a tone of wounded dignity in the words. “TI can enjoy a bit of fun, but not positive outrage. -The vindictiveness of the old lady’s spirit prompts me to teach her a lesson in charity, if an opportunity offers, and one can easily be made by her neighbours ere long lending their assistance. But as I said before, myself and this young man alone will be held responsible, as, in the event of us getting into trouble, none will suffer but ourselves, for in the eye of the law, asimple freak is sometimes as bud asacrime. For instance, the trick played upon you last night.’ “Trick, you eall it,” said Baker. robbery and violence.” ‘No, not robbery,” said Bedford, “ for you had your things returned.” ‘““It was more than a joke though,” said Perkins. cn of ~ “T callit a good one,” said Bedford, ‘* Don’t “ Tt was you, sir?” ** Assuredly yes.” “ You do?” said Baker. ‘* T do.” ‘Then I don’t ; that’s all I can say.” ‘“‘ There—there, don’t be sore about it,” Jack. “Sore! Look at my head.” 3 Baker raised his hat, and showed a piece of strapping plaster, with « doleful visage. ‘“* How did you get that?” asked our hero, “ Why, all through that Spring-heeled Jack.” And the poor fellow began to recount the whole story of the previous night’s adventure, Jack listened to him patiently till the end: « ‘¢ But I do feel more sore against that Miss Frump, after all, than I do against Jack, for I sought to effect’ his capture, and hence excited him to what he did ; but I have never done any harm to this woman, and ought to expect: pity, rather than aught else from her.” r ‘Tt wouldn’t take you long to forgive Jack the trick he played upon you, especially if he played one on the old lady, eh?” ‘“* T don’t believe it would, positively I don’t,” said Baker. 3 ne | “Then he will earn your forgiveness ere long,” said Jack. , ‘¢ How do you know?” asked Baker. “ Are you a friend of his?” inquired Perkins. Jack turned to the bar, and took the glass of wine therefrom, which he hastily swallowed, then, as he replaced the glass on the bar, he hurriedly slipped the mask on his face, and turned towards them. ‘“‘ T am the individual himself!” he exclaimed. “ Do you recognise me now ?”’ The three men recoiled, and Baker turned white as a ghost, but recovering himself, he stretched out his hand, saying— } ‘“« Jack, give that old woman a fright, and [ll forgive you.” 7 , “ Your hand on the compact,” said Jack, shaking the extended hand. “ I may require your assistance,” he added, turning to Bedford. said “SAGO