AURIOL
or
The
Elixir
of
Life
William
Harrison
Ainsworth
With
Illustrations
by
H
.
K
.
Browne
Prologue
1599
Dr.
Lamb
The
Sixteenth
Century
drew
to
a
close
.
It
was
the
last
day
of
the
last
year
,
and
two
hours
only
were
wanting
to
the
birth
of
another
year
and
of
another
century
.
The
night
was
solemn
and
beautiful
.
Myriads
of
stars
paved
the
deep
vault
of
heaven
;
the
crescent
moon
hung
like
a
silver
lamp
in
the
midst
of
them
;
a
stream
of
rosy
and
quivering
light
,
issuing
from
the
north
,
traversed
the
sky
,
like
the
tail
of
some
stupendous
comet
;
while
from
its
point
of
effluence
broke
forth
,
ever
and
anon
,
coruscations
rivalling
in
splendour
and
variety
of
hue
the
most
brilliant
discharge
of
fireworks
.
A
sharp
frost
prevailed
;
but
the
atmosphere
was
clear
and
dry
,
and
neither
wind
nor
snow
aggravated
the
wholesome
rigour
of
the
season
.
The
water
lay
in
thick
congealed
masses
around
the
conduits
and
wells
,
and
the
buckets
were
frozen
on
their
stands
.
The
thoroughfares
were
sheeted
with
ice
,
and
dangerous
to
horsemen
and
vehicles
;
but
the
footways
were
firm
and
pleasant
to
the
tread
.
Here
and
there
,
a
fire
was
lighted
in
the
streets
,
round
which
ragged
urchins
and
mendicants
were
collected
,
roasting
fragments
of
meat
stuck
upon
iron
prongs
,
or
quaffing
deep
draughts
of
metheglin
and
ale
out
of
leathern
cups
.
Crowds
were
collected
in
the
open
places
,
watching
the
wonders
in
the
heavens
,
and
drawing
auguries
from
them
,
chiefly
sinister
,
for
most
of
the
beholders
thought
the
signs
portended
the
speedy
death
of
the
queen
,
and
the
advent
of
a
new
monarch
from
the
north
—
a
safe
and
easy
interpretation
,
considering
the
advanced
age
and
declining
health
of
the
illustrious
Elizabeth
,
together
with
the
known
appointment
of
her
successor
,
James
of
Scotland
.
Notwithstanding
the
early
habits
of
the
times
,
few
persons
had
retired
to
rest
,
an
universal
wish
prevailing
among
the
citizens
to
see
the
new
year
in
,
and
welcome
the
century
accompanying
it
.
Lights
glimmered
in
most
windows
,
revealing
the
holly-sprigs
and
laurel-leaves
stuck
thickly
in
their
diamond
panes
;
while
,
whenever
a
door
was
opened
,
a
ruddy
gleam
burst
across
the
street
,
and
a
glance
inside
the
dwelling
showed
its
inmates
either
gathered
round
the
glowing
hearth
,
occupied
in
mirthful
sports
—
fox-i’-th’-hole
,
blind-man’s
buff
,
or
shoe-the-mare
—
or
seated
at
the
ample
board
groaning
with
Christmas
cheer
.
Music
and
singing
were
heard
at
every
corner
,
and
bands
of
comely
damsels
,
escorted
by
their
sweethearts
,
went
from
house
to
house
,
bearing
huge
brown
bowls
dressed
with
ribands
and
rosemary
,
and
filled
with
a
drink
called
“
lamb’s-wool
,
”
composed
of
sturdy
ale
,
sweetened
with
sugar
,
spiced
with
nutmeg
,
and
having
toasts
and
burnt
crabs
floating
within
it
—
a
draught
from
which
seldom
brought
its
pretty
bearers
less
than
a
groat
,
and
occasionally
a
more
valuable
coin
.
Such
was
the
vigil
of
the
year
sixteen
hundred
.
On
this
night
,
and
at
the
tenth
hour
,
a
man
of
striking
and
venerable
appearance
was
seen
to
emerge
upon
a
small
wooden
balcony
,
projecting
from
a
bay-window
near
the
top
of
a
picturesque
structure
situated
at
the
southern
extremity
of
London
Bridge
.
The
old
man’s
beard
and
hair
were
as
white
as
snow
—
the
former
descending
almost
to
his
girdle
;
so
were
the
thick
,
overhanging
brows
that
shaded
his
still
piercing
eyes
.
His
forehead
was
high
,
bald
,
and
ploughed
by
innumerable
wrinkles
.
His
countenance
,
despite
its
death-like
paleness
,
had
a
noble
and
majestic
cast
;
and
his
figure
,
though
worn
to
the
bone
by
a
life
of
the
severest
study
,
and
bent
by
the
weight
of
years
,
must
have
been
once
lofty
and
commanding
.
His
dress
consisted
of
a
doublet
and
hose
of
sad-coloured
cloth
,
over
which
he
wore
a
loose
gown
of
black
silk
.
His
head
was
covered
by
a
square
black
cap
,
from
beneath
which
his
silver
locks
strayed
over
his
shoulders
.
Known
by
the
name
of
Doctor
Lamb
,
and
addicted
to
alchemical
and
philosophical
pursuits
,
this
venerable
personage
was
esteemed
by
the
vulgar
as
little
better
than
a
wizard
.
Strange
tales
were
reported
and
believed
of
him
.
Amongst
others
,
it
was
said
that
he
possessed
a
familiar
,
because
he
chanced
to
employ
a
deformed
,
crack-brained
dwarf
,
who
assisted
him
in
his
operations
,
and
whom
he
appropriately
enough
denominated
Flapdragon
.
Doctor
Lamb’s
gaze
was
fixed
intently
upon
the
heavens
,
and
he
seamed
to
be
noting
the
position
of
the
moon
with
reference
to
some
particular
star
.
After
remaining
in
this
posture
for
a
few
minutes
,
he
was
about
to
retire
,
when
a
loud
crash
arrested
him
,
and
he
turned
to
see
whence
it
proceeded
.
Immediately
before
him
stood
the
Southwark
Gateway
—
a
square
stone
building
,
with
a
round
,
embattled
turret
at
each
corner
,
and
a
flat
leaden
roof
,
planted
with
a
forest
of
poles
,
fifteen
or
sixteen
feet
high
,
garnished
with
human
heads
.
To
his
surprise
,
the
doctor
perceived
that
two
of
these
poles
had
just
been
overthrown
by
a
tall
man
,
who
was
in
the
act
of
stripping
them
of
their
grisly
burdens
.
Having
accomplished
his
object
,
the
mysterious
plunderer
thrust
his
spoil
into
a
leathern
bag
with
which
he
was
provided
,
tied
its
mouth
,
and
was
about
to
take
his
departure
by
means
of
a
rope-ladder
attached
to
the
battlements
,
when
his
retreat
was
suddenly
cut
off
by
the
gatekeeper
,
armed
with
a
halberd
,
and
bearing
a
lantern
,
who
issued
from
a
door
opening
upon
the
leads
.
The
baffled
marauder
looked
round
,
and
remarking
the
open
window
at
which
Doctor
Lamb
was
stationed
,
hurled
the
sack
and
its
contents
through
it
.
He
then
tried
to
gain
the
ladder
,
but
was
intercepted
by
the
gatekeeper
,
who
dealt
him
a
severe
blow
on
the
head
with
his
halberd
.
The
plunderer
uttered
a
loud
cry
,
and
attempted
to
draw
his
sword
;
but
before
he
could
do
so
,
he
received
a
thrust
in
the
side
from
his
opponent
.
He
then
fell
,
and
the
gatekeeper
would
have
repeated
the
blow
,
if
the
doctor
had
not
called
to
him
to
desist
.
“
Do
not
kill
him
,
good
Baldred
,
”
he
cried
.
“
The
attempt
may
not
be
so
criminal
as
it
appears
.
Doubtless
,
the
mutilated
remains
which
the
poor
wretch
has
attempted
to
carry
off
are
those
of
his
kindred
,
and
horror
at
their
exposure
must
have
led
him
to
commit
the
offence
.
”
“
It
may
be
,
doctor
,
”
replied
Baldred
;
“
and
if
so
I
shall
be
sorry
I
have
hurt
him
.
But
I
am
responsible
for
the
safe
custody
of
these
traitorous
relics
,
and
it
is
as
much
as
my
own
head
is
worth
to
permit
their
removal
.
”
“
I
know
it
,
”
replied
Doctor
Lamb
;
“
and
you
are
fully
justified
in
what
you
have
done
.
It
may
throw
some
light
upon
the
matter
,
to
know
whose
miserable
remains
have
been
disturbed
.
”
“
They
were
the
heads
of
two
rank
papists
,
”
replied
Baldred
,
“
who
were
decapitated
on
Tower
Hill
,
on
Saint
Nicholas’s
Day
,
three
weeks
ago
,
for
conspiring
against
the
queen
.
”
“
But
their
names
?
”
demanded
the
doctor
.
“
How
were
they
called
?
”
“
They
were
father
and
son
,
”
replied
Baldred
—
“
Sir
Simon
Darcy
and
Master
Reginald
Darcy
.
Perchance
they
were
known
to
your
worship
?
”
“
Too
well
—
too
well
!
”
replied
Doctor
Lamb
,
in
a
voice
of
emotion
that
startled
his
hearer
.
“
They
were
near
kinsmen
of
mine
own
.
What
is
he
like
who
has
made
this
strange
attempt
?
”
“
Of
a
verity
,
a
fair
youth
,
”
replied
Baldred
,
holding
down
the
lantern
.
“
Heaven
grant
I
have
not
wounded
him
to
the
death
!
No
,
his
heart
still
beats
.
Ha
!
here
are
his
tablets
,
”
he
added
,
taking
a
small
book
from
his
doublet
;
“
these
may
give
the
information
you
seek
.
You
were
right
in
your
conjecture
,
doctor
.
The
name
herein
inscribed
is
the
same
as
that
borne
by
the
others
—
Auriol
Darcy
.
”
“
I
see
it
all
,
”
cried
Lamb
.
“
It
was
a
pious
and
praiseworthy
deed
.
Bring
the
unfortunate
youth
to
my
dwelling
,
Baldred
,
and
you
shall
be
well
rewarded
.
Use
despatch
,
I
pray
you
.
”
As
the
gatekeeper
essayed
to
comply
,
the
wounded
man
groaned
deeply
,
as
if
in
great
pain
.
“
Fling
me
the
weapon
with
which
you
smote
him
,
”
cried
Doctor
Lamb
,
in
accents
of
commiseration
,
“
and
I
will
anoint
it
with
the
powder
of
sympathy
.
His
anguish
will
be
speedily
abated
.
”
“
I
know
your
worship
can
accomplish
wonders
,
”
cried
Baldred
,
throwing
the
halberd
into
the
balcony
.
“
I
will
do
my
part
as
gently
as
I
can
.
”
And
as
the
alchemist
took
up
the
weapon
,
and
disappeared
through
the
window
,
the
gatekeeper
lifted
the
wounded
man
by
the
shoulders
,
and
conveyed
him
down
a
narrow
,
winding
staircase
to
a
lower
chamber
.
Though
he
proceeded
carefully
,
the
sufferer
was
put
to
excruciating
pain
;
and
when
Baldred
placed
him
on
a
wooden
bench
,
and
held
a
lamp
towards
him
,
he
perceived
that
his
features
were
darkened
and
distorted
.
“
I
fear
it’s
all
over
with
him
,
”
murmured
the
gatekeeper
;
“
I
shall
have
a
dead
body
to
take
to
Doctor
Lamb
.
It
would
be
a
charity
to
knock
him
on
the
head
,
rather
than
let
him
suffer
thus
.
The
doctor
passes
for
a
cunning
man
,
but
if
he
can
cure
this
poor
youth
without
seeing
him
,
by
the
help
of
his
sympathetic
ointment
,
I
shall
begin
to
believe
,
what
some
folks
avouch
,
that
he
has
relations
with
the
devil
.
”
While
Baldred
was
ruminating
in
this
manner
,
a
sudden
and
extraordinary
change
took
place
in
the
sufferer
.
As
if
by
magic
,
the
contraction
of
the
muscles
subsided
;
the
features
assumed
a
wholesome
hue
,
and
the
respiration
was
no
longer
laborious
.
Baldred
stared
as
if
a
miracle
had
been
wrought
.
Now
that
the
countenance
of
the
youth
had
regained
its
original
expression
,
the
gatekeeper
could
not
help
being
struck
by
its
extreme
beauty
.
The
face
was
a
perfect
oval
,
with
regular
and
delicate
features
.
A
short
silken
moustache
covered
the
upper
lip
,
which
was
short
and
proud
,
and
a
pointed
beard
terminated
the
chin
.
The
hair
was
black
,
glossy
,
and
cut
short
,
so
as
to
disclose
a
highly
intellectual
expanse
of
brow
.
The
youth’s
figure
was
slight
,
but
admirably
proportioned
.
His
attire
consisted
of
a
black
satin
doublet
,
slashed
with
white
,
hose
of
black
silk
,
and
a
short
velvet
mantle
.
His
eyes
were
still
closed
,
and
it
was
difficult
to
say
what
effect
they
might
give
to
the
face
when
they
lighted
it
up
;
but
notwithstanding
its
beauty
,
it
was
impossible
not
to
admit
that
a
strange
,
sinister
,
and
almost
demoniacal
expression
pervaded
the
countenance
.
All
at
once
,
and
with
as
much
suddenness
as
his
cure
had
been
effected
,
the
young
man
started
,
uttering
a
piercing
cry
,
and
placed
his
hand
to
his
side
.
“
Caitiff
!
”
he
cried
,
fixing
his
blazing
eyes
on
the
gatekeeper
,
“
why
do
you
torture
me
thus
?
Finish
me
at
once
—
Oh
!
”
And
overcome
by
anguish
,
he
sank
back
again
.
“
I
have
not
touched
you
,
sir
,
”
replied
Baldred
.
“
I
brought
you
here
to
succour
you
.
You
will
be
easier
anon
.
Doctor
Lamb
must
have
wiped
the
halberd
,
”
he
added
to
himself
.
Another
sudden
change
.
The
pain
fled
from
the
sufferer’s
countenance
,
and
he
became
easy
as
before
.
“
What
have
you
done
to
me
?
”
he
asked
,
with
a
look
of
gratitude
;
“
the
torture
of
my
wound
has
suddenly
ceased
,
and
I
feel
as
if
a
balm
had
been
dropped
into
it
.
Let
me
remain
in
this
state
if
you
have
any
pity
—
or
despatch
me
,
for
my
late
agony
was
almost
insupportable
.
”
“
You
are
cared
for
by
one
who
has
greater
skill
than
any
chirurgeon
in
London
,
”
replied
Baldred
.
“
If
I
can
manage
to
transport
you
to
his
lodgings
,
he
will
speedily
heal
your
wounds
.
”
“
Do
not
delay
,
then
,
”
replied
Auriol
faintly
;
“
for
though
I
am
free
from
pain
,
I
feel
that
my
life
is
ebbing
fast
away
.
”
“
Press
this
handkerchief
to
your
side
,
and
lean
on
me
,
”
said
Baldred
.
“
Doctor
Lamb’s
dwelling
is
but
a
step
from
the
gateway
—
in
fact
,
the
first
house
on
the
bridge
.
By
the
way
,
the
doctor
declares
he
is
your
kinsman
.
”
“
It
is
the
first
I
ever
heard
of
him
,
”
replied
Auriol
faintly
;
“
but
take
me
to
him
quickly
,
or
it
will
be
too
late
.
”
In
another
moment
they
were
at
the
doctor’s
door
.
Baldred
tapped
against
it
,
and
the
summons
was
instantly
answered
by
a
diminutive
personage
,
clad
in
a
jerkin
of
coarse
grey
serge
,
and
having
a
leathern
apron
tied
round
his
waist
.
This
was
Flapdragon
.
Blear-eyed
,
smoke-begrimed
,
lantern-jawed
,
the
poor
dwarf
seemed
as
if
his
whole
life
had
been
spent
over
the
furnace
.
And
so
,
in
fact
,
it
had
been
.
He
had
become
little
better
than
a
pair
of
human
bellows
.
In
his
hand
he
held
the
halberd
with
which
Auriol
had
been
wounded
.
“
So
you
have
been
playing
the
leech
,
Flapdragon
,
eh
?
”
cried
Baldred
.
“
Ay
,
marry
have
I
,
”
replied
the
dwarf
,
with
a
wild
grin
,
and
displaying
a
wolfish
set
of
teeth
.
“
My
master
ordered
me
to
smear
the
halberd
with
the
sympathetic
ointment
.
I
obeyed
him
:
rubbed
the
steel
point
,
first
on
one
side
,
then
on
the
other
;
next
wiped
it
;
and
then
smeared
it
again
.
”
“
Whereby
you
put
the
patient
to
exquisite
pain
,
”
replied
Baldred
;
“
but
help
me
to
transport
him
to
the
laboratory
.
”
“
I
know
not
if
the
doctor
will
care
to
be
disturbed
,
”
said
Flapdragon
.
“
He
is
busily
engaged
on
a
grand
operation
.
”
“
I
will
take
the
risk
on
myself
,
”
said
Baldred
.
“
The
youth
will
die
if
he
remains
here
.
See
,
he
has
fainted
already
!
”
Thus
urged
,
the
dwarf
laid
down
the
halberd
,
and
between
the
two
,
Auriol
was
speedily
conveyed
up
a
wide
oaken
staircase
to
the
laboratory
.
Doctor
Lamb
was
plying
the
bellows
at
the
furnace
,
on
which
a
large
alembic
was
placed
,
and
he
was
so
engrossed
by
his
task
that
he
scarcely
noticed
the
entrance
of
the
others
.
“
Place
the
youth
on
the
ground
,
and
rear
his
head
against
the
chair
,
”
he
cried
,
hastily
,
to
the
dwarf
.
“
Bathe
his
brows
with
the
decoction
in
that
crucible
.
I
will
attend
to
him
anon
.
Come
to
me
on
the
morrow
,
Baldred
,
and
I
will
repay
thee
for
thy
trouble
.
I
am
busy
now
.
”
“
These
relics
,
doctor
,
”
cried
the
gatekeeper
,
glancing
at
the
bag
,
which
was
lying
on
the
ground
,
and
from
which
a
bald
head
protruded
—
“
I
ought
to
take
them
back
with
me
.
”
“
Heed
them
not
—
they
will
be
safe
in
my
keeping
,
”
cried
Doctor
Lamb
impatiently
;
“
to-morrow
—
to-morrow
.
”
Casting
a
furtive
glance
round
the
laboratory
,
and
shrugging
his
shoulders
,
Baldred
departed
;
and
Flapdragon
having
bathed
the
sufferer’s
temples
with
the
decoction
,
in
obedience
to
his
master’s
injunctions
,
turned
to
inquire
what
he
should
do
next
.
“
Begone
!
”
cried
the
doctor
,
so
fiercely
that
the
dwarf
darted
out
of
the
room
,
clapping
the
door
after
him
.
Doctor
Lamb
then
applied
himself
to
his
task
with
renewed
ardour
,
and
in
a
few
seconds
became
wholly
insensible
of
the
presence
of
a
stranger
.
Revived
by
the
stimulant
,
Auriol
presently
opened
his
eyes
,
and
gazing
round
the
room
,
thought
he
must
be
dreaming
,
so
strange
and
fantastical
did
all
appear
.
The
floor
was
covered
with
the
implements
used
by
the
adept
—
bolt-heads
,
crucibles
,
cucurbites
,
and
retorts
,
scattered
about
without
any
attempt
at
arrangement
.
In
one
corner
was
a
large
terrestrial
sphere
:
near
it
was
an
astrolabe
,
and
near
that
a
heap
of
disused
glass
vessels
.
On
the
other
side
lay
a
black
,
mysterious-looking
book
,
fastened
with
brazen
clasps
.
Around
it
were
a
ram’s
horn
,
a
pair
of
forceps
,
a
roll
of
parchment
,
a
pestle
and
mortar
,
and
a
large
plate
of
copper
,
graven
with
the
mysterious
symbols
of
the
Isaical
table
.
Near
this
was
the
leathern
bag
containing
the
two
decapitated
heads
,
one
of
which
had
burst
forth
.
On
a
table
at
the
farther
end
of
the
room
,
stood
a
large
open
volume
,
with
parchment
leaves
,
covered
with
cabalistical
characters
,
referring
to
the
names
of
spirits
.
Near
it
were
two
parchment
scrolls
,
written
in
letters
,
respectively
denominated
by
the
Chaldaic
sages
,
“
the
Malachim
,
”
and
“
the
Passing
of
the
River
.
”
One
of
these
scrolls
was
kept
in
its
place
by
a
skull
.
An
ancient
and
grotesque-looking
brass
lamp
,
with
two
snake-headed
burners
,
lighted
the
room
.
From
the
ceiling
depended
a
huge
scaly
sea-monster
,
with
outspread
fins
,
open
jaws
garnished
with
tremendous
teeth
,
and
great
goggling
eyes
.
Near
it
hung
a
celestial
sphere
.
The
chimney-piece
,
which
was
curiously
carved
,
and
projected
far
into
the
room
,
was
laden
with
various
implements
of
hermetic
science
.
Above
it
were
hung
dried
bats
and
flitter-mice
,
interspersed
with
the
skulls
of
birds
and
apes
.
Attached
to
the
chimney-piece
was
a
horary
,
sculptured
in
stone
,
near
which
hung
a
large
starfish
.
The
fireplace
was
occupied
by
the
furnace
,
on
which
,
as
has
been
stated
,
was
placed
an
alembic
,
communicating
by
means
of
a
long
serpentine
pipe
with
a
receiver
.
Within
the
room
were
two
skeletons
,
one
of
which
,
placed
behind
a
curtain
in
the
deep
embrasure
of
the
window
,
where
its
polished
bones
glistened
in
the
white
moonlight
,
had
a
horrible
effect
.
The
other
enjoyed
more
comfortable
quarters
near
the
chimney
,
its
fleshless
feet
dangling
down
in
the
smoke
arising
from
the
furnace
.
Doctor
Lamb
,
meanwhile
,
steadily
pursued
his
task
,
though
he
ever
and
anon
paused
,
to
fling
certain
roots
and
drugs
upon
the
charcoal
.
As
he
did
this
,
various-coloured
flames
broke
forth
—
now
blue
,
now
green
,
now
blood-red
.
Tinged
by
these
fires
,
the
different
objects
in
the
chamber
seemed
to
take
other
forms
,
and
to
become
instinct
with
animation
.
The
gourd-shaped
cucurbites
were
transformed
into
great
bloated
toads
bursting
with
venom
;
the
long-necked
bolt-heads
became
monstrous
serpents
;
the
worm-like
pipes
turned
into
adders
;
the
alembics
looked
like
plumed
helmets
;
the
characters
on
the
Isaical
table
,
and
those
on
the
parchments
,
seemed
traced
in
fire
,
and
to
be
ever
changing
;
the
sea-monster
bellowed
and
roared
,
and
,
flapping
his
fins
,
tried
to
burst
from
his
hook
;
the
skeletons
wagged
their
jaws
,
and
raised
their
fleshless
fingers
in
mockery
,
while
blue
lights
burnt
in
their
eyeless
sockets
;
the
bellows
became
a
prodigious
bat
fanning
the
fire
with
its
wings
;
and
the
old
alchemist
assumed
the
appearance
of
the
archfiend
presiding
over
a
witches’
sabbath
.
Auriol’s
brain
reeled
,
and
he
pressed
his
hand
to
his
eyes
,
to
exclude
these
phantasms
from
his
sight
.
But
even
thus
they
pursued
him
;
and
he
imagined
he
could
hear
the
infernal
riot
going
on
around
him
.
Suddenly
,
he
was
roused
by
a
loud
joyful
cry
,
and
,
uncovering
his
eyes
,
he
beheld
Doctor
Lamb
pouring
the
contents
of
the
matrass
—
a
bright
,
transparent
liquid
—
into
a
small
phial
.
Having
carefully
secured
the
bottle
with
a
glass
stopper
,
the
old
man
held
it
towards
the
light
,
and
gazed
at
it
with
rapture
.
“
At
length
,
”
he
exclaimed
aloud
—
“
at
length
,
the
great
work
is
achieved
.
With
the
birth
of
the
century
now
expiring
I
first
saw
light
,
and
the
draught
I
hold
in
my
hand
shall
enable
me
to
see
the
opening
of
centuries
and
centuries
to
come
.
Composed
of
the
lunar
stones
,
the
solar
stones
,
and
the
mercurial
stones
—
prepared
according
to
the
instructions
of
the
Rabbi
Ben
Lucca
—
namely
,
by
the
separation
of
the
pure
from
the
impure
,
the
volatilisation
of
the
fixed
,
and
the
fixing
of
the
volatile
—
this
elixir
shall
renew
my
youth
,
like
that
of
the
eagle
,
and
give
me
length
of
days
greater
than
any
patriarch
ever
enjoyed
.
”
While
thus
speaking
,
he
held
up
the
sparkling
liquid
,
and
gazed
at
it
like
a
Persian
worshipping
the
sun
.
“
To
live
for
ever
!
”
he
cried
,
after
a
pause
—
“
to
escape
the
jaws
of
death
just
when
they
are
opening
to
devour
me
!
—
to
be
free
from
all
accidents
!
—
’tis
a
glorious
thought
!
Ha
!
I
bethink
me
,
the
rabbi
said
there
was
one
peril
against
which
the
elixir
could
not
guard
me
—
one
vulnerable
point
,
by
which
,
like
the
heel
of
Achilles
,
death
might
reach
me
!
What
is
it
!
—
where
can
it
lie
?
”
And
he
relapsed
into
deep
thought
.
“
This
uncertainty
will
poison
all
my
happiness
,
”
he
continued
;
“
I
shall
live
in
constant
dread
,
as
of
an
invisible
enemy
.
But
no
matter
!
Perpetual
life
!
—
perpetual
youth
!
—
what
more
need
be
desired
?
”
“
What
more
,
indeed
!
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
Ha
!
”
exclaimed
the
doctor
,
suddenly
recollecting
the
wounded
man
,
and
concealing
the
phial
beneath
his
gown
.
“
Your
caution
is
vain
,
doctor
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
I
have
heard
what
you
have
uttered
.
You
fancy
you
have
discovered
the
elixir
vitæ
.
”
“
Fancy
I
have
discovered
it
!
”
cried
Doctor
Lamb
.
“
The
matter
is
past
all
doubt
.
I
am
the
possessor
of
the
wondrous
secret
,
which
the
greatest
philosophers
of
all
ages
have
sought
to
discover
—
the
miraculous
preservative
of
the
body
against
decay
.
”
“
The
man
who
brought
me
hither
told
me
you
were
my
kinsman
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
Is
it
so
?
”
“
It
is
,
”
replied
the
doctor
,
“
and
you
shall
now
learn
the
connection
that
subsists
between
us
.
Look
at
that
ghastly
relic
,
”
he
added
,
pointing
to
the
head
protruding
from
the
bag
:
“
that
was
once
my
son
Simon
.
His
son’s
head
is
within
the
sack
—
your
father’s
head
—
so
that
four
generations
are
brought
together
.
”
“
Gracious
Heaven
!
”
exclaimed
the
young
man
,
raising
himself
on
his
elbow
.
“
You
,
then
,
are
my
great-grandsire
.
My
father
supposed
you
had
died
in
his
infancy
.
An
old
tale
runs
in
the
family
that
you
were
charged
with
sorcery
,
and
fled
to
avoid
the
stake
.
”
“
It
is
true
that
I
fled
,
and
took
the
name
I
bear
at
present
,
”
replied
the
old
man
,
“
but
I
need
scarcely
say
that
the
charge
brought
against
me
was
false
.
I
have
devoted
myself
to
abstrusest
science
,
have
held
commune
with
the
stars
,
and
have
wrested
the
most
hidden
secrets
from
Nature
—
but
that
is
all
.
Two
crimes
alone
have
stained
my
soul
;
but
both
,
I
trust
,
have
been
expiated
by
repentance
.
”
“
Were
they
deeds
of
blood
?
”
asked
Auriol
.
“
One
was
so
,
”
replied
Darcy
,
with
a
shudder
.
“
It
was
a
cowardly
and
treacherous
deed
,
aggravated
by
the
basest
ingratitude
.
Listen
,
and
you
shall
hear
how
it
chanced
.
A
Roman
rabbi
,
named
Ben
Lucca
,
skilled
in
hermetic
science
,
came
to
this
city
.
His
fame
reached
me
,
and
I
sought
him
out
,
offering
myself
as
his
disciple
.
For
months
,
I
remained
with
him
in
his
laboratory
—
working
at
the
furnace
,
and
poring
over
mystic
lore
.
One
night
he
showed
me
that
volume
,
and
,
pointing
to
a
page
within
it
,
said
:
‘Those
characters
contain
the
secret
of
confecting
the
elixir
of
life
.
I
will
now
explain
them
to
you
,
and
afterwards
we
will
proceed
to
the
operation.’
With
this
,
he
unfolded
the
mystery
;
but
he
bade
me
observe
,
that
the
menstruum
was
defective
on
one
point
.
Wherefore
,
he
said
,
‘there
will
still
be
peril
from
some
hidden
cause.’
Oh
,
with
what
greediness
I
drank
in
his
words
!
How
I
gazed
at
the
mystic
characters
,
as
he
explained
their
import
!
What
visions
floated
before
me
of
perpetual
youth
and
enjoyment
.
At
that
moment
a
demon
whispered
in
my
ear
,
‘This
secret
must
be
thine
own
.
No
one
else
must
possess
it.’
”
“
Ha
!
”
exclaimed
Auriol
,
starting
.
“
The
evil
thought
was
no
sooner
conceived
than
acted
upon
,
”
pursued
Darcy
.
“
Instantly
drawing
my
poniard
,
I
plunged
it
to
the
rabbi’s
heart
.
But
mark
what
followed
.
His
blood
fell
upon
the
book
,
and
obliterated
the
characters
;
nor
could
I
by
any
effort
of
memory
recall
the
composition
of
the
elixir
.
”
“
When
did
you
regain
the
secret
?
”
asked
Auriol
curiously
.
“
To-night
,
”
replied
Darcy
—
“
within
this
hour
.
For
nigh
fifty
years
after
that
fatal
night
I
have
been
making
fruitless
experiments
.
A
film
of
blood
has
obscured
my
mental
sight
.
I
have
proceeded
by
calcitration
,
solution
,
putrefaction
—
have
produced
the
oils
which
will
fix
crude
mercury
,
and
convert
all
bodies
into
sol
and
luna
;
but
I
have
ever
failed
in
fermenting
the
stone
into
the
true
elixir
.
To-night
,
it
came
into
my
head
to
wash
the
blood-stained
page
containing
the
secret
with
a
subtle
liquid
.
I
did
so
;
and
doubting
the
efficacy
of
the
experiment
,
left
it
to
work
,
while
I
went
forth
to
breathe
the
air
at
my
window
.
My
eyes
were
cast
upwards
,
and
I
was
struck
with
the
malignant
aspect
of
my
star
.
How
to
reconcile
this
with
the
good
fortune
which
has
just
befallen
me
,
I
know
not
—
but
so
it
was
.
At
this
juncture
,
your
rash
but
pious
attempt
occurred
.
Having
discovered
our
relationship
,
and
enjoined
the
gatekeeper
to
bring
you
hither
,
I
returned
to
my
old
laboratory
.
On
glancing
towards
the
mystic
volume
,
what
was
my
surprise
to
see
the
page
free
from
blood
!
”
Auriol
uttered
a
slight
exclamation
,
and
gazed
at
the
book
with
superstitious
awe
.
“
The
sight
was
so
surprising
that
I
dropped
the
sack
I
had
brought
with
me
,
”
pursued
Darcy
.
“
Fearful
of
again
losing
the
secret
,
I
nerved
myself
to
the
task
,
and
placing
fuel
on
the
fire
,
dismissed
my
attendant
with
brief
injunctions
relative
to
you
.
I
then
set
to
work
.
How
I
have
succeeded
,
you
perceive
.
I
hold
in
my
hand
the
treasure
I
have
so
long
sought
—
so
eagerly
coveted
.
The
whole
world’s
wealth
should
not
purchase
it
from
me
.
”
Auriol
gazed
earnestly
at
his
aged
relative
,
but
he
said
nothing
.
“
In
a
few
moments
I
shall
be
as
full
of
vigour
and
activity
as
yourself
,
”
continued
Darcy
.
“
We
shall
be
no
longer
the
great-grandsire
and
his
descendant
,
but
friends
—
companions
—
equals
,
—
equals
in
age
,
strength
,
activity
,
beauty
,
fortune
—
for
youth
is
fortune
—
ha
!
ha
!
Methinks
I
am
already
young
again
!
”
“
You
spoke
of
two
crimes
with
which
your
conscience
was
burdened
,
”
remarked
Auriol
.
“
You
have
mentioned
but
one
.
”
“
The
other
was
not
so
foul
as
that
I
have
described
,
”
replied
Darcy
,
in
an
altered
tone
,
“
inasmuch
as
it
was
unintentional
,
and
occasioned
by
no
base
motive
.
My
wife
,
your
ancestress
,
was
a
most
lovely
woman
,
and
so
passionately
was
I
enamoured
of
her
,
that
I
tried
by
every
art
to
heighten
and
preserve
her
beauty
.
I
fed
her
upon
the
flesh
of
capons
,
nourished
with
vipers
;
caused
her
to
steep
her
lovely
limbs
in
baths
distilled
from
roses
and
violets
;
and
had
recourse
to
the
most
potent
cosmetics
.
At
last
I
prepared
a
draught
from
poisons
—
yes
,
poisons
—
the
effect
of
which
,
I
imagined
,
would
be
wondrous
.
She
drank
it
,
and
expired
horribly
disfigured
.
Conceive
my
despair
at
beholding
the
fair
image
of
my
idolatry
destroyed
—
defaced
by
my
hand
.
In
my
frenzy
I
should
have
laid
violent
hands
upon
myself
,
if
I
had
not
been
restrained
.
Love
may
again
rule
my
heart
—
beauty
may
again
dazzle
my
eyes
,
but
I
shall
never
more
feel
the
passion
I
entertained
for
my
lost
Amice
—
never
more
behold
charms
equal
to
hers
.
”
And
he
pressed
his
hand
to
his
face
.
“
The
mistake
you
then
committed
should
serve
as
a
warning
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
What
if
it
be
poison
you
have
now
confected
?
Try
a
few
drops
of
it
on
some
animal
.
”
“
No
—
no
;
it
is
the
true
elixir
,
”
replied
Darcy
.
“
Not
a
drop
must
be
wasted
.
You
will
witness
its
effect
anon
.
Like
the
snake
,
I
shall
cast
my
slough
,
and
come
forth
younger
than
I
was
at
twenty
.
”
“
Meantime
,
I
beseech
you
to
render
me
some
assistance
,
”
groaned
Auriol
,
“
or
,
while
you
are
preparing
for
immortality
,
I
shall
expire
before
your
eyes
.
”
“
Be
not
afraid
,
”
replied
Darcy
;
“
you
shall
take
no
harm
.
I
will
care
for
you
presently
;
and
I
understand
leechcraft
so
well
,
that
I
will
answer
for
your
speedy
and
perfect
recovery
.
”
“
Drink
,
then
,
to
it
!
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
I
know
not
what
stays
my
hand
,
”
said
the
old
man
,
raising
the
phial
;
“
but
now
that
immortality
is
in
my
reach
,
I
dare
not
grasp
it
.
”
“
Give
me
the
potion
,
then
,
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
Not
for
worlds
,
”
rejoined
Darcy
,
hugging
the
phial
to
his
breast
.
“
No
;
I
will
be
young
again
—
rich
—
happy
.
I
will
go
forth
into
the
world
—
I
will
bask
in
the
smiles
of
beauty
—
I
will
feast
,
revel
,
sing
—
life
shall
be
one
perpetual
round
of
enjoyment
.
Now
for
the
trial
—
ha
!
”
and
,
as
he
raised
the
potion
towards
his
lips
,
a
sudden
pang
shot
across
his
heart
.
“
What
is
this
?
”
he
cried
,
staggering
.
“
Can
death
assail
me
when
I
am
just
about
to
enter
upon
perpetual
life
?
Help
me
,
good
grandson
!
Place
the
phial
to
my
lips
.
Pour
its
contents
down
my
throat
—
quick
!
quick
!
”
“
I
am
too
weak
to
stir
,
”
groaned
Auriol
.
“
You
have
delayed
it
too
long
.
”
“
Oh
,
heavens
!
we
shall
both
perish
,
”
shrieked
Darcy
,
vainly
endeavouring
to
raise
his
palsied
arm
,
—
“
perish
with
the
blissful
shore
in
view
.
”
And
he
sank
backwards
,
and
would
have
fallen
to
the
ground
if
he
had
not
caught
at
the
terrestrial
sphere
for
support
.
“
Help
me
—
help
me
!
”
he
screamed
,
fixing
a
glance
of
unutterable
anguish
on
his
relative
.
“
It
is
worth
the
struggle
,
”
cried
Auriol
.
And
,
by
a
great
effort
,
he
raised
himself
,
and
staggered
towards
the
old
man
.
“
Saved
—
saved
!
”
shrieked
Darcy
.
“
Pour
it
down
my
throat
.
An
instant
,
and
all
will
be
well
.
”
“
Think
you
I
have
done
this
for
you
?
”
cried
Auriol
,
snatching
the
potion
;
“
no
—
no.
”
And
,
supporting
himself
against
the
furnace
,
he
placed
the
phial
to
his
lips
,
and
eagerly
drained
its
contents
.
The
old
man
seemed
paralysed
by
the
action
,
but
kept
his
eye
fixed
upon
the
youth
till
he
had
drained
the
elixir
to
the
last
drop
.
He
then
uttered
a
piercing
cry
,
threw
up
his
arms
,
and
fell
heavily
backwards
.
Dead
—
dead
!
Flashes
of
light
passed
before
Auriol’s
eyes
,
and
strange
noises
smote
his
ears
.
For
a
moment
he
was
bewildered
as
with
wine
,
and
laughed
and
sang
discordantly
like
a
madman
.
Every
object
reeled
and
danced
around
him
.
The
glass
vessels
and
jars
clashed
their
brittle
sides
together
,
yet
remained
uninjured
;
the
furnace
breathed
forth
flames
and
mephitic
vapours
;
the
spiral
worm
of
the
alembic
became
red
hot
,
and
seemed
filled
with
molten
lead
;
the
pipe
of
the
bolt-head
ran
blood
;
the
sphere
of
the
earth
rolled
along
the
floor
,
and
rebounded
from
the
wall
as
if
impelled
by
a
giant
hand
;
the
skeletons
grinned
and
gibbered
;
so
did
the
death’s-head
on
the
table
;
so
did
the
skulls
against
the
chimney
;
the
monstrous
sea-fish
belched
forth
fire
and
smoke
;
the
bald
,
decapitated
head
opened
its
eyes
,
and
fixed
them
,
with
a
stony
glare
,
on
the
young
man
;
while
the
dead
alchemist
shook
his
hand
menacingly
at
him
.
Unable
to
bear
these
accumulated
horrors
,
Auriol
became
,
for
a
short
space
,
insensible
.
On
recovering
,
all
was
still
.
The
lights
within
the
lamp
had
expired
;
but
the
bright
moonlight
,
streaming
through
the
window
,
fell
upon
the
rigid
features
of
the
unfortunate
alchemist
,
and
on
the
cabalistic
characters
of
the
open
volume
beside
him
.
Eager
to
test
the
effect
of
the
elixir
,
Auriol
put
his
hand
to
his
side
.
All
traces
of
the
wound
were
gone
;
nor
did
he
experience
the
slightest
pain
in
any
other
part
of
his
body
.
On
the
contrary
,
he
seemed
endowed
with
preternatural
strength
.
His
breast
dilated
with
rapture
,
and
he
longed
to
expand
his
joy
in
active
motion
.
Striding
over
the
body
of
his
aged
relative
,
he
threw
open
the
window
.
As
he
did
so
,
joyous
peals
burst
from
surrounding
churches
,
announcing
the
arrival
of
the
new
year
.
While
listening
to
this
clamour
,
Auriol
gazed
at
the
populous
and
picturesque
city
stretched
out
before
him
,
and
bathed
in
the
moonlight
.
“
A
hundred
years
hence
,
”
he
thought
,
“
and
scarcely
one
soul
of
the
thousands
within
those
houses
will
be
living
,
save
myself
.
A
hundred
years
after
that
,
and
their
children’s
children
will
be
gone
to
the
grave
.
But
I
shall
live
on
—
shall
live
through
all
changes
—
all
customs
—
all
time
.
What
revelations
I
shall
then
have
to
make
,
if
I
should
dare
to
disclose
them
!
”
As
he
ruminated
thus
,
the
skeleton
hanging
near
him
was
swayed
by
the
wind
,
and
its
bony
fingers
came
in
contact
with
his
cheek
.
A
dread
idea
was
suggested
by
the
occurrence
.
“
There
is
one
peril
to
be
avoided
,
”
he
thought
;
”
ONE
PERIL
!
—
what
is
it
?
Pshaw
!
I
will
think
no
more
of
it
.
It
may
never
arise
.
I
will
be
gone
.
This
place
fevers
me
.
”
With
this
,
he
left
the
laboratory
,
and
hastily
descending
the
stairs
,
at
the
foot
of
which
he
found
Flapdragon
,
passed
out
of
the
house
.
Chapter
1
The
Ruined
House
in
the
Vauxhall
Road
Late
one
night
,
in
the
spring
of
1830
,
two
men
issued
from
a
low
,
obscurely
situated
public-house
,
near
Millbank
,
and
shaped
their
course
apparently
in
the
direction
of
Vauxhall
Bridge
.
Avoiding
the
footpath
near
the
river
,
they
moved
stealthily
along
the
farther
side
of
the
road
,
where
the
open
ground
offered
them
an
easy
means
of
flight
,
in
case
such
a
course
should
be
found
expedient
.
So
far
as
it
could
be
discerned
by
the
glimpses
of
the
moon
,
which
occasionally
shone
forth
from
a
rack
of
heavy
clouds
,
the
appearance
of
these
personages
was
not
much
in
their
favour
.
Haggard
features
,
stamped
deeply
with
the
characters
of
crime
and
debauchery
;
fierce
,
restless
eyes
;
beards
of
several
days’
growth
;
wild
,
unkempt
heads
of
hair
,
formed
their
chief
personal
characteristics
;
while
sordid
and
ragged
clothes
,
shoes
without
soles
,
and
old
hats
without
crowns
,
constituted
the
sum
of
their
apparel
.
One
of
them
was
tall
and
gaunt
,
with
large
hands
and
feet
;
but
despite
his
meagreness
,
he
evidently
possessed
great
strength
:
the
other
was
considerably
shorter
,
but
broad-shouldered
,
bow-legged
,
long-armed
,
and
altogether
a
most
formidable
ruffian
.
This
fellow
had
high
cheek-bones
,
a
long
aquiline
nose
,
and
a
coarse
mouth
and
chin
,
in
which
the
animal
greatly
predominated
.
He
had
a
stubby
red
beard
,
with
sandy
hair
,
white
brows
and
eyelashes
.
The
countenance
of
the
other
was
dark
and
repulsive
,
and
covered
with
blotches
,
the
result
of
habitual
intemperance
.
His
eyes
had
a
leering
and
malignant
look
.
A
handkerchief
spotted
with
blood
,
and
tied
across
his
brow
,
contrasted
strongly
with
his
matted
black
hair
,
and
increased
his
natural
appearance
of
ferocity
.
The
shorter
ruffian
carried
a
mallet
upon
his
shoulder
,
and
his
companion
concealed
something
beneath
the
breast
of
his
coat
,
which
afterwards
proved
to
be
a
dark
lantern
.
Not
a
word
passed
between
them
;
but
keeping
a
vigilant
look-out
,
they
trudged
on
with
quick
,
shambling
steps
.
A
few
sounds
arose
from
the
banks
of
the
river
,
and
there
was
now
and
then
a
plash
in
the
water
,
or
a
distant
cry
,
betokening
some
passing
craft
;
but
generally
all
was
profoundly
still
.
The
quaint
,
Dutch-looking
structures
on
the
opposite
bank
,
the
line
of
coal-barges
and
lighters
moored
to
the
strand
,
the
great
timber-yards
and
coal-yards
,
the
brewhouses
,
gasworks
,
and
waterworks
,
could
only
be
imperfectly
discerned
;
but
the
moonlight
fell
clear
upon
the
ancient
towers
of
Lambeth
Palace
,
and
on
the
neighbouring
church
.
The
same
glimmer
also
ran
like
a
silver
belt
across
the
stream
,
and
revealed
the
great
,
stern
,
fortress-like
pile
of
the
Penitentiary
—
perhaps
the
most
dismal-looking
structure
in
the
whole
metropolis
.
The
world
of
habitations
beyond
this
melancholy
prison
was
buried
in
darkness
.
The
two
men
,
however
,
thought
nothing
of
these
things
,
and
saw
nothing
of
them
;
but
,
on
arriving
within
a
couple
of
hundred
yards
of
the
bridge
,
suddenly
,
as
if
by
previous
concert
,
quitted
the
road
,
and
,
leaping
a
rail
,
ran
across
a
field
,
and
plunged
into
a
hollow
formed
by
a
dried
pit
,
where
they
came
to
a
momentary
halt
.
“
You
ain’t
a-been
a-gammonin’
me
in
this
matter
,
Tinker
?
”
observed
the
shorter
individual
.
“
The
cove’s
sure
to
come
?
”
“
Why
,
you
can’t
expect
me
to
answer
for
another
as
I
can
for
myself
,
Sandman
,
”
replied
the
other
;
“
but
if
his
own
word’s
to
be
taken
for
it
,
he’s
sartin
to
be
there
.
I
heerd
him
say
,
as
plainly
as
I’m
a
speakin’
to
you
—
‘I’ll
be
here
to-morrow
night
—
at
the
same
hour
—
—
’
”
“
And
that
wos
one
o’clock
?
”
said
the
Sandman
.
“
Thereabouts
,
”
replied
the
other
.
“
And
who
did
he
say
that
to
?
”
demanded
the
Sandman
.
“
To
hisself
,
I
s’pose
,
”
answered
the
Tinker
;
“
for
,
as
I
told
you
afore
,
I
could
see
no
one
vith
him
.
”
“
Do
you
think
he’s
one
of
our
perfession
?
”
inquired
the
Sandman
.
“
Bless
you
!
no
—
that
he
ain’t
,
”
returned
the
Tinker
.
“
He’s
a
reg’lar
slap-up
svell
.
”
“
That’s
no
reason
at
all
,
”
said
the
Sandman
.
“
Many
a
first-rate
svell
practises
in
our
line
.
But
he
can’t
be
in
his
right
mind
to
come
to
such
a
ken
as
that
,
and
go
on
as
you
mentions
.
”
“
As
to
that
I
can’t
say
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
;
“
and
it
don’t
much
matter
,
as
far
as
ve’re
consarned
.
”
“
Devil
a
bit
,
”
rejoined
the
Sandman
,
“
except
—
you’re
sure
it
worn’t
a
sperrit
,
Tinker
.
I’ve
heerd
say
that
this
crib
is
haanted
,
and
though
I
don’t
fear
no
livin’
man
,
a
ghost’s
a
different
sort
of
customer
.
”
“
Vell
,
you’ll
find
our
svell
raal
flesh
and
blood
,
you
may
depend
upon
it
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
.
“
So
come
along
,
and
don’t
let’s
be
frightenin’
ourselves
vith
ould
vimen’s
tales
.
”
With
this
they
emerged
from
the
pit
,
crossed
the
lower
part
of
the
field
,
and
entered
a
narrow
thoroughfare
,
skirted
by
a
few
detached
houses
,
which
brought
them
into
the
Vauxhall
Bridge
Road
.
Here
they
kept
on
the
side
of
the
street
most
in
shadow
,
and
crossed
over
whenever
they
came
to
a
lamp
.
By-and-by
,
two
watchmen
were
seen
advancing
from
Belvoir
Terrace
,
and
,
as
the
guardians
of
the
night
drew
near
,
the
ruffians
crept
into
an
alley
to
let
them
pass
.
As
soon
as
the
coast
was
clear
,
they
ventured
forth
,
and
quickening
their
pace
,
came
to
a
row
of
deserted
and
dilapidated
houses
.
This
was
their
destination
.
The
range
of
habitations
in
question
,
more
than
a
dozen
in
number
,
were
,
in
all
probability
,
what
is
vulgarly
called
“
in
Chancery
,
”
and
shared
the
fate
of
most
property
similarly
circumstanced
.
They
were
in
a
sad
ruinous
state
—
unroofed
,
without
windows
and
floors
.
The
bare
walls
were
alone
left
standing
,
and
these
were
in
a
very
tumble-down
condition
.
These
neglected
dwellings
served
as
receptacles
for
old
iron
,
blocks
of
stone
and
wood
,
and
other
ponderous
matters
.
The
aspect
of
the
whole
place
was
so
dismal
and
suspicious
,
that
it
was
generally
avoided
by
passengers
after
nightfall
.
Skulking
along
the
blank
and
dreary
walls
,
the
Tinker
,
who
was
now
a
little
in
advance
,
stopped
before
a
door
,
and
pushing
it
open
,
entered
the
dwelling
.
His
companion
followed
him
.
The
extraordinary
and
incongruous
assemblage
of
objects
which
met
the
gaze
of
the
Sandman
,
coupled
with
the
deserted
appearance
of
the
place
,
produced
an
effect
upon
his
hardy
but
superstitious
nature
.
Looking
round
,
he
beheld
huge
mill-stones
,
enormous
water-wheels
,
boilers
of
steam-engines
,
iron
vats
,
cylinders
,
cranes
,
iron
pumps
of
the
strangest
fashion
,
a
gigantic
pair
of
wooden
scales
,
old
iron
safes
,
old
boilers
,
old
gas-pipes
,
old
water-pipes
,
cracked
old
bells
,
old
bird-cages
,
old
plates
of
iron
,
old
pulleys
,
ropes
,
and
rusty
chains
,
huddled
and
heaped
together
in
the
most
fantastic
disorder
.
In
the
midst
of
the
chaotic
mass
frowned
the
bearded
and
colossal
head
of
Neptune
,
which
had
once
decorated
the
forepart
of
a
man-of-war
.
Above
it
,
on
a
sort
of
framework
,
lay
the
prostrate
statue
of
a
nymph
,
together
with
a
bust
of
Fox
,
the
nose
of
the
latter
being
partly
demolished
,
and
the
eyes
knocked
in
.
Above
these
,
three
garden
divinities
laid
their
heads
amicably
together
.
On
the
left
stood
a
tall
Grecian
warrior
,
minus
the
head
and
right
hand
.
The
whole
was
surmounted
by
an
immense
ventilator
,
stuck
on
the
end
of
an
iron
rod
,
ascending
,
like
a
lightning-conductor
,
from
the
steam-engine
pump
.
Seen
by
the
transient
light
of
the
moon
,
the
various
objects
above
enumerated
produced
a
strange
effect
upon
the
beholder’s
imagination
.
There
was
a
mixture
of
the
grotesque
and
terrible
about
them
.
Nor
was
the
building
itself
devoid
of
a
certain
influence
upon
his
mind
.
The
ragged
brickwork
,
overgrown
with
weeds
,
took
with
him
the
semblance
of
a
human
face
,
and
seemed
to
keep
a
wary
eye
on
what
was
going
forward
below
.
A
means
of
crossing
from
one
side
of
the
building
to
the
other
,
without
descending
into
the
vault
beneath
,
was
afforded
by
a
couple
of
planks
;
though
as
the
wall
on
the
farther
side
was
some
feet
higher
than
that
near
at
hand
,
and
the
planks
were
considerably
bent
,
the
passage
appeared
hazardous
.
Glancing
round
for
a
moment
,
the
Tinker
leaped
into
the
cellar
,
and
,
unmasking
his
lantern
,
showed
a
sort
of
hiding-place
,
between
a
bulk
of
timber
and
a
boiler
,
to
which
he
invited
his
companion
.
The
Sandman
jumped
down
.
“
The
ale
I
drank
at
the
‘Two
Fighting
Cocks’
has
made
me
feel
drowsy
,
Tinker
,
”
he
remarked
,
stretching
himself
on
the
bulk
;
“
I’ll
just
take
a
snooze
.
Vake
me
up
if
I
snore
—
or
ven
our
sperrit
appears
.
”
The
Tinker
replied
in
the
affirmative
;
and
the
other
had
just
become
lost
to
consciousness
,
when
he
received
a
nudge
in
the
side
,
and
his
companion
whispered
—
“
He’s
here
!
”
“
Vhere
—
vhere
?
”
demanded
the
Sandman
,
in
some
trepidation
.
“
Look
up
,
and
you’ll
see
him
,
”
replied
the
other
.
Slightly
altering
his
position
,
the
Sandman
caught
sight
of
a
figure
standing
upon
the
planks
above
them
.
It
was
that
of
a
young
man
.
His
hat
was
off
,
and
his
features
,
exposed
to
the
full
radiance
of
the
moon
,
looked
deathly
pale
,
and
though
handsome
,
had
a
strange
sinister
expression
.
He
was
tall
,
slight
,
and
well-proportioned
;
and
the
general
cut
of
his
attire
,
the
tightly-buttoned
,
single-breasted
coat
,
together
with
the
moustache
upon
his
lip
,
gave
him
a
military
air
.
“
He
seems
a-valkin’
in
his
sleep
,
”
muttered
the
Sandman
.
“
He’s
a-speakin’
to
some
von
unwisible
.
”
“
Hush
—
hush
!
”
whispered
the
other
.
“
Let’s
hear
wot
he’s
a-sayin’
.
”
“
Why
have
you
brought
me
here
?
”
cried
the
young
man
,
in
a
voice
so
hollow
that
it
thrilled
his
auditors
.
“
What
is
to
be
done
?
”
“
It
makes
my
blood
run
cold
to
hear
him
,
”
whispered
the
Sandman
.
“
Vot
d’ye
think
he
sees
?
”
“
Why
do
you
not
speak
to
me
?
”
cried
the
young
man
—
“
why
do
you
beckon
me
forward
?
Well
,
I
obey
.
I
will
follow
you
.
”
And
he
moved
slowly
across
the
plank
.
“
See
,
he’s
a-goin’
through
that
door
,
”
cried
the
Tinker
.
“
Let’s
foller
him
.
”
“
I
don’t
half
like
it
,
”
replied
the
Sandman
,
his
teeth
chattering
with
apprehension
.
“
We
shall
see
summat
as’ll
take
avay
our
senses
.
”
“
Tut
!
”
cried
the
Tinker
;
“
it’s
only
a
sleepy-valker
.
Wot
are
you
afeerd
on
?
”
With
this
he
vaulted
upon
the
planks
,
and
peeping
cautiously
out
of
the
open
door
to
which
they
led
,
saw
the
object
of
his
scrutiny
enter
the
adjoining
house
through
a
broken
window
.
Making
a
sign
to
the
Sandman
,
who
was
close
at
his
heels
,
the
Tinker
crept
forward
on
all
fours
,
and
,
on
reaching
the
window
,
raised
himself
just
sufficiently
to
command
the
interior
of
the
dwelling
.
Unfortunately
for
him
,
the
moon
was
at
this
moment
obscured
,
and
he
could
distinguish
nothing
except
the
dusky
outline
of
the
various
objects
with
which
the
place
was
filled
,
and
which
were
nearly
of
the
same
kind
as
those
of
the
neighbouring
habitation
.
He
listened
intently
,
but
not
the
slightest
sound
reached
his
ears
.
After
some
time
spent
in
this
way
,
he
began
to
fear
the
young
man
must
have
departed
,
when
all
at
once
a
piercing
scream
resounded
through
the
dwelling
.
Some
heavy
matter
was
dislodged
,
with
a
thundering
crash
,
and
footsteps
were
heard
approaching
the
window
.
Hastily
retreating
to
their
former
hiding-place
,
the
Tinker
and
his
companion
had
scarcely
regained
it
,
when
the
young
man
again
appeared
on
the
plank
.
His
demeanour
had
undergone
a
fearful
change
.
He
staggered
rather
than
walked
,
and
his
countenance
was
even
paler
than
before
.
Having
crossed
the
plank
,
he
took
his
way
along
the
top
of
the
broken
wall
towards
the
door
.
“
Now
,
then
,
Sandman
!
”
cried
the
Tinker
;
“
now’s
your
time
!
”
The
other
nodded
,
and
,
grasping
his
mallet
with
a
deadly
and
determined
purpose
,
sprang
noiselessly
upon
the
wall
,
and
overtook
his
intended
victim
just
before
he
gained
the
door
.
Hearing
a
sound
behind
him
,
the
young
man
turned
,
and
only
just
became
conscious
of
the
presence
of
the
Sandman
,
when
the
mallet
descended
upon
his
head
,
and
he
fell
crushed
and
senseless
to
the
ground
.
“
The
vork’s
done
!
”
cried
the
Sandman
to
his
companion
,
who
instantly
came
up
with
the
dark
lantern
;
“
let’s
take
him
below
,
and
strip
him
.
”
“
Agreed
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
;
“
but
first
let’s
see
wot
he
has
got
in
his
pockets
.
”
“
Vith
all
my
‘art
,
”
replied
the
Sandman
,
searching
the
clothes
of
the
victim
.
“
A
reader
!
—
I
hope
it’s
well
lined
.
Ve’ll
examine
it
below
.
The
body
‘ud
tell
awkvard
tales
if
any
von
should
chance
to
peep
in
.
”
“
Shall
we
strip
him
here
?
”
said
the
Tinker
.
“
Now
the
darkey
shines
on
’em
,
you
see
what
famous
togs
the
cull
has
on
.
”
“
Do
you
vant
to
have
us
scragged
,
fool
?
”
cried
the
Sandman
,
springing
into
the
vault
.
“
Hoist
him
down
here
.
”
With
this
,
he
placed
the
wounded
man’s
legs
over
his
own
shoulders
,
and
,
aided
by
his
comrade
,
was
in
the
act
of
heaving
down
the
body
,
when
the
street-door
suddenly
flew
open
,
and
a
stout
individual
,
attended
by
a
couple
of
watchmen
,
appeared
at
it
.
“
There
the
villains
are
!
”
shouted
the
new-comer
.
“
They
have
been
murderin’
a
gentleman
.
Seize
’em
—
seize
’em
!
”
And
,
as
he
spoke
,
he
discharged
a
pistol
,
the
ball
from
which
whistled
past
the
ears
of
the
Tinker
.
Without
waiting
for
another
salute
of
the
same
kind
,
which
might
possibly
be
nearer
its
mark
,
the
ruffian
kicked
the
lantern
into
the
vault
,
and
sprang
after
the
Sandman
,
who
had
already
disappeared
.
Acquainted
with
the
intricacies
of
the
place
,
the
Tinker
guided
his
companion
through
a
hole
into
an
adjoining
vault
,
whence
they
scaled
a
wall
,
got
into
the
next
house
,
and
passing
through
an
open
window
,
made
good
their
retreat
,
while
the
watchmen
were
vainly
searching
for
them
under
every
bulk
and
piece
of
iron
.
“
Here
,
watchmen
!
”
cried
the
stout
individual
,
who
had
acted
as
leader
;
“
never
mind
the
villains
just
now
,
but
help
me
to
convey
this
poor
young
gentleman
to
my
house
,
where
proper
assistance
can
be
rendered
him
.
He
still
breathes
;
but
he
has
received
a
terrible
blow
on
the
head
.
I
hope
his
skull
ain’t
broken
.
”
“
It
is
to
be
hoped
it
ain’t
,
Mr.
Thorneycroft
,
”
replied
the
foremost
watchman
;
“
but
them
was
two
desperate
characters
as
ever
I
see
,
and
capable
of
any
hatterosity
.
”
“
What
a
frightful
scream
I
heard
to
be
sure
!
”
cried
Mr.
Thorneycroft
.
“
I
was
certain
somethin’
dreadful
was
goin’
on
.
It
was
fortunate
I
wasn’t
gone
to
bed
;
and
still
more
fortunate
you
happened
to
be
comin’
up
at
the
time
.
But
we
mustn’t
stand
chatterin’
here
.
Bring
the
poor
young
gentleman
along
.
”
Preceded
by
Mr.
Thorneycroft
,
the
watchmen
carried
the
wounded
man
across
the
road
towards
a
small
house
,
the
door
of
which
was
held
open
by
a
female
servant
,
with
a
candle
in
her
hand
.
The
poor
woman
uttered
a
cry
of
horror
as
the
body
was
brought
in
.
“
Don’t
be
cryin’
out
in
that
way
,
Peggy
,
”
cried
Mr.
Thorneycroft
,
“
but
go
and
get
me
some
brandy
.
Here
,
watchmen
,
lay
the
poor
young
gentleman
down
on
the
sofa
—
there
,
gently
,
gently
.
And
now
,
one
of
you
run
to
Wheeler
Street
,
and
fetch
Mr.
Howell
,
the
surgeon
.
Less
noise
,
Peggy
—
less
noise
,
or
you’ll
waken
Miss
Ebba
,
and
I
wouldn’t
have
her
disturbed
for
the
world
.
”
With
this
,
he
snatched
the
bottle
of
brandy
from
the
maid
,
filled
a
wine-glass
with
the
spirit
,
and
poured
it
down
the
throat
of
the
wounded
man
.
A
stifling
sound
followed
,
and
after
struggling
violently
for
respiration
for
a
few
seconds
,
the
patient
opened
his
eyes
.
Chapter
2
The
Dog-fancier
The
Rookery
!
Who
that
has
passed
Saint
Giles’s
,
on
the
way
to
the
city
,
or
coming
from
it
,
but
has
caught
a
glimpse
,
through
some
narrow
opening
,
of
its
squalid
habitations
,
and
wretched
and
ruffianly
occupants
!
Who
but
must
have
been
struck
with
amazement
,
that
such
a
huge
receptacle
of
vice
and
crime
should
be
allowed
to
exist
in
the
very
heart
of
the
metropolis
,
like
an
ulcerated
spot
,
capable
of
tainting
the
whole
system
!
Of
late
,
the
progress
of
improvement
has
caused
its
removal
;
but
whether
any
less
cogent
motive
would
have
abated
the
nuisance
may
be
questioned
.
For
years
the
evil
was
felt
and
complained
of
,
but
no
effort
was
made
to
remedy
it
,
or
to
cleanse
these
worse
than
Augean
stables
.
As
the
place
is
now
partially
,
if
not
altogether
,
swept
away
,
and
a
wide
and
airy
street
passes
through
the
midst
of
its
foul
recesses
,
a
slight
sketch
may
be
given
of
its
former
appearance
.
Entering
a
narrow
street
,
guarded
by
posts
and
cross-bars
,
a
few
steps
from
the
crowded
thoroughfare
brought
you
into
a
frightful
region
,
the
refuge
,
it
was
easy
to
perceive
,
of
half
the
lawless
characters
infesting
the
metropolis
.
The
coarsest
ribaldry
assailed
your
ears
,
and
noisome
odours
afflicted
your
sense
of
smell
.
As
you
advanced
,
picking
your
way
through
kennels
flowing
with
filth
,
or
over
putrescent
heaps
of
rubbish
and
oyster-shells
,
all
the
repulsive
and
hideous
features
of
the
place
were
displayed
