although,
indeed
,
few
prices
were
too
low
for
the
articles
on
which
they
were
put
.
Then
,
when
a
greenhorn
entered
the
mart
,
we
were
to
puff
off
the
articles
amongst
ourselves
in
his
hearing
—
never
talking
to
him
,
but
talking
at
him
.
The
master
was
perched
up
behind
a
high
desk
,
using
his
hammer
with
exemplary
alacrity
,
and
knocking
down
article
after
article
to
the
flats
that
came
in
and
bid
.
Sometimes
the
dupes
would
come
back
the
following
day
,
and
demand
the
return
of
their
money
,
as
they
had
ascertained
that
the
goods
for
which
they
had
parted
with
it
were
worthless
:
it
was
then
our
duty
to
hustle
such
obstreperous
claimants
,
bonnet
them
,
or
,
in
extreme
cases
,
knock
them
down
,
and
then
give
them
into
custody
for
creating
a
disturbance
.
"
In
this
situation
I
remained
for
three
years
.
The
master
was
very
good
to
us
,
and
gave
us
a
present
every
time
he
effected
large
sales
by
our
means
.
One
afternoon
an
elderly
gentleman
entered
the
mart
,
and
stood
bidding
for
some
cut
decanters
.
They
had
been
invoiced
to
the
proprietor
of
the
establishment
for
six
shillings
,
and
the
lowest
price
at
which
they
were
to
be
knocked
down
was
two
pounds
ten
.
The
bidding
was
rather
slow
;
and
I
retreated
a
pace
or
two
behind
the
old
gentleman
,
to
avoid
having
the
appearance
of
being
anxious
to
make
myself
conspicuous
.
In
that
position
I
observed
the
corner
of
a
red
pocket-book
peeping
out
of
his
coat
tail
.
I
glanced
around
:
no
one
noticed
me
;
and
in
a
moment
I
abstracted
the
inviting
object
.
This
was
the
first
theft
I
ever
committed
;
and
bad
as
I
already
was
,
the
moment
I
had
that
pocket-book
safe
in
my
possession
,
I
would
have
given
the
world
for
it
to
have
been
back
again
in
its
former
place
.
The
deed
was
however
done
;
and
I
evaporated
from
the
auction
mart
with
the
rapidity
of
thought
.
"
I
was
not
such
an
idiot
as
to
return
to
my
lodgings
;
but
I
hastened
into
the
vicinity
of
Smithfield
,
and
entered
a
public-house
in
Chick
Lane
.
The
parlour
—
a
little
slip
,
with
a
single
window
looking
upon
the
street
—
was
fortunately
empty
;
and
I
immediately
examined
my
treasure
.
And
true
enough
it
was
a
treasure
!
It
contained
eight
hundred
pounds
in
Bank
of
England
notes
,
together
with
bills
of
exchange
to
the
amount
of
three
thousand
.
There
were
also
letters
and
cards
of
address
,
which
showed
me
who
the
old
gentleman
was
.
He
was
a
rich
landholder
in
the
county
of
Hants
.
I
enclosed
the
bills
of
exchange
and
the
letters
in
a
sheet
of
paper
,
and
returned
them
through
the
post
to
their
owner
.
The
Bank
notes
I
kept
.
But
I
was
now
at
a
loss
how
to
act
;
for
I
fancied
that
if
the
notes
had
been
stopped
,
there
would
be
danger
in
attempting
to
pass
them
.
After
I
had
put
the
letter
in
the
post
,
I
returned
to
the
public-house
in
Chick
Lane
,
and
meditated
upon
the
best
course
to
pursue
.
While
I
was
sitting
in
the
parlour
,
over
a
glass
of
brandy-and-water
,
pondering
upon
this
very
difficult
matter
,
a
man
entered
,
sate
down
,
called
for
some
liquor
,
and
got
into
conversation
with
me
.
By
degrees
we
grew
confidential
;
and
he
let
me
know
that
he
was
a
member
of
the
swell-mob
.
I
opened
my
heart
to
him
;
and
he
immediately
offered
to
take
me
to
a
place
where
I
could
change
my
notes
.
"
I
thankfully
accepted
his
proposal
;
and
he
led
me
into
Field
Lane
.
There
he
entered
a
shop
where
they
sold
salt
fish
,
herrings
,
haddocks
,
and
oysters
.
He
asked
a
dirty-looking
girl
if
Israel
Moses
was
at
home
;
and
,
receiving
an
affirmative
answer
,
led
the
way
up
a
narrow
,
dark
,
and
dirty
staircase
,
to
a
room
where
an
old
Jew
,
with
a
face
almost
completely
concealed
by
grisly
white
hair
,
was
sitting
at
a
table
covered
with
papers
.
My
guide
immediately
communicated
to
him
the
object
of
my
visit
;
and
the
old
Jew
questioned
me
closely
relative
to
the
way
in
which
I
had
obtained
the
Bank
notes
.
My
companion
advised
me
to
tell
him
the
exact
truth
,
which
I
did
;
and
the
Jew
then
offered
me
six
hundred
pounds
in
gold
for
my
eight
hundred
pounds
'
worth
of
notes
.
He
explained
to
me
that
he
should
be
compelled
to
send
them
to
his
agents
in
Paris
,
Hamburgh
,
and
Amsterdam
,
to
get
rid
of
them
;
and
that
he
could
therefore
afford
to
give
me
no
more
.
I
accepted
his
proposal
,
received
the
gold
,
and
departed
,
accompanied
by
my
new
friend
,
who
was
no
other
than
Dick
Flairer
.
"
I
made
him
a
handsome
present
for
his
counsel
and
assistance
,
and
was
about
to
part
from
him
,
when
he
told
me
that
I
had
better
take
care
of
myself
for
a
few
days
until
the
hue
and
cry
concerning
the
pocket-book
should
be
over
.
He
asked
me
to
accompany
him
to
his
lodgings
in
Castle
Street
,
Saffron
Hill
.
I
agreed
;
and
there
I
first
met
his
sister
Mary
.
In
the
evening
Dick
went
out
,
to
ascertain
,
as
he
said
,
'
how
the
wind
blew
.
'
He
came
back
at
a
late
hour
,
and
brought
me
a
copy
of
a
hand-bill
that
had
been
printed
and
circulated
,
and
which
gave
not
only
a
full
description
of
the
robbery
,
but
also
a
most
painfully
accurate
account
of
my
person
.
Dick
assured
me
that
I
was
not
safe
in
his
lodgings
,
as
he
himself
was
a
suspicious
character
in
the
neighbourhood
;
and
he
advised
me
to
hide
myself
in
a
certain
house
which
he
knew
in
Chick
Lane
.
I
followed
his
advice
,
and
proceeded
to
the
Old
House
,
where
I
lay
concealed
in
that
horrid
dungeon
under
ground
for
a
mortal
fortnight
.
Mary
brought
me
my
food
every
other
day
,
and
gave
me
information
of
what
was
going
on
outside
.
She
told
me
that
the
newspapers
had
published
an
account
of
the
return
of
the
bills
of
exchange
and
letters
by
post
;
and
that
the
same
organs
stated
that
the
old
gentleman
who
had
been
robbed
was
unwilling
to
proceed
any
farther
on
that
very
account
.
At
length
Dick
came
himself
,
and
assured
me
that
I
might
leave
the
dungeon
;
but
that
it
would
be
better
for
me
to
remain
quiet
in
some
snug
place
for
a
few
weeks
.
I
proposed
to
him
a
trip
into
the
country
;
he
agreed
;
and
Mary
accompanied
us
.
"
We
went
down
to
Canterbury
,
and
took
lodgings
on
the
Herne
Bay
road
,
close
by
the
barracks
.
Dick
and
I
used
to
visit
all
the
neighbouring
towns
,
and
see
what
we
could
pick
up
;
but
we
led
a
jovial
life
,
spending
much
more
than
we
got
,
and
thus
making
desperate
inroads
into
my
funds
.
My
old
habits
of
gambling
returned
;
and
the
gold
which
I
had
received
from
the
Jew
was
disappearing
very
rapidly
.
We
had
left
London
for
upwards
of
eight
months
,
when
we
thought
of
returning
to
our
old
haunts
.
Mary
seemed
quite
averse
to
the
proposal
,
and
was
most
anxious
to
remain
a
short
time
longer
where
she
was
.
To
this
Dick
agreed
;
and
he
and
I
came
up
to
town
.
We
went
to
the
Boozing-ken
on
Saffron
Hill
,
and
there
took
up
our
quarters
.
Dick
introduced
me
to
Bill
Bolter
;
and
as
it
happened
that
our
funds
were
all
low
,
we
resolved
upon
adopting
some
means
to
replenish
our
purses
.
Happening
to
take
up
the
Times
,
I
saw
an
advertisement
,
according
to
which
a
wealthy
jeweller
and
goldsmith
in
the
Strand
required
a
porter
.
I
made
a
remark
which
led
Dick
Flairer
to
observe
,
that
if
I
chose
to
take
the
situation
,
he
could
get
me
a
reference
,
as
he
knew
one
of
the
largest
linen-drapers
in
Norton
Folgate
,
who
was
in
the
habit
of
buying
stolen
goods
of
the
cracksmen
of
Dick
's
gang
,
and
would
not
dare
refuse
to
perform
the
part
required
.
The
plan
was
settled
:
I
applied
for
the
situation
,
gave
the
reference
,
and
in
two
days
entered
the
service
of
the
rich
goldsmith
.
In
less
than
a
fortnight
I
had
obtained
all
the
information
I
required
;
and
stepping
out
one
evening
,
I
hastened
to
the
boozing-ken
,
where
I
met
the
pals
,
and
appointed
the
following
night
for
the
enterprise
.
I
then
returned
to
my
master
's
residence
.
"
On
the
ensuing
night
,
precisely
as
the
clock
struck
twelve
,
I
stole
softly
down
from
my
bed-room
,
and
entered
the
shop
by
means
of
a
skeleton
key
.
I
then
cautiously
opened
the
front
door
,
and
admitted
Dick
Flairer
and
Bill
Bolter
.
We
immediately
set
to
work
to
pack
up
all
the
most
valuable
and
most
portable
articles
;
in
which
occupation
we
were
engaged
when
a
cry
of
'
Fire
,
fire
!
'
was
heard
in
the
street
outside
;
and
almost
at
the
same
moment
a
tremendous
knocking
at
the
front
door
began
.
For
an
instant
we
were
paralysed
;
but
the
noise
of
steps
descending
the
stairs
hurried
us
into
action
;
and
,
opening
the
doors
,
we
darted
from
the
house
with
the
speed
of
wild
animals
,
leaving
all
the
booty
behind
us
.
The
cry
of
'
Fire
!
'
was
instantly
succeeded
by
that
of
'
Thieves
!
'
and
several
persons
began
to
pursue
us
hotly
.
We
gained
Wellington
Street
,
and
hastened
towards
Waterloo
Bridge
,
intending
to
get
into
the
Borough
with
the
least
possible
delay
.
On
we
went
—
through
the
great
gate
,
without
waiting
to
pay
the
toll
at
the
entrance
of
the
footway
—
the
pursuers
gaining
upon
us
.
Suddenly
I
recollected
that
the
cornice
along
the
outside
of
the
parapet
was
very
wide
;
and
without
hesitating
a
moment
I
sprang
over
the
parapet
,
alighted
on
the
cornice
,
and
only
saved
myself
from
falling
into
the
river
by
catching
hold
of
the
gas-pipe
which
runs
along
the
outer
side
of
the
bridge
.
Scarcely
had
I
thus
accomplished
a
most
dangerous
feat
,
when
I
distinctly
saw
a
man
,
a
few
yards
a-head
,
mount
the
parapet
,
and
precipitate
himself
into
the
river
.
Then
arose
the
sounds
of
voices
on
the
bridge
,
crying
,
'
He
is
over
!
'
'
He
has
leaped
in
!
'
'
He
will
be
drowned
.
'
'
They
have
all
three
escaped
.
'
'
But
where
the
devil
could
the
other
two
have
got
to
?
'
and
such-like
exclamations
,
which
convinced
me
that
my
companions
were
safe
.
There
I
remained
,
a
prey
to
a
thousand
painful
reflections
and
horrid
ideas
,
for
upwards
of
an
hour
;
till
at
length
I
grew
so
dizzy
that
I
was
every
moment
on
the
point
of
falling
into
the
river
.
The
bridge
was
now
completely
silent
;
and
I
ventured
to
leave
my
hiding-place
.
I
passed
over
the
bridge
to
the
Surrey
side
,
without
molestation
,
and
proceeded
by
a
circuitous
route
to
the
Old
House
in
Chick
Lane
,
where
,
to
my
astonishment
,
I
found
Bill
Bolter
.
I
then
learnt
that
it
was
Dick
Flairer
who
had
leapt
into
the
river
,
and
was
no
doubt
drowned
;
and
that
Bolter
had
only
escaped
by
concealing
himself
in
the
deep
shade
of
one
of
the
recesses
of
the
bridge
,
when
totally
overcome
by
fatigue
,
until
his
pursuers
had
passed
,
when
he
retraced
his
steps
,
and
quietly
gained
the
Strand
.
"
We
were
greatly
grieved
to
think
that
our
enterprise
in
the
jeweller
's
house
should
have
failed
,
and
that
we
had
lost
so
excellent
a
fellow
as
Flairer
;
but
in
the
midst
of
our
lamentations
,
the
door
opened
and
Dick
himself
entered
the
room
.
Pale
,
dripping
,
and
exhausted
,
he
fell
upon
a
seat
,
and
would
most
probably
have
fainted
—
if
not
died
—
had
we
not
forced
some
brandy
down
his
throat
.
He
then
revived
;
and
,
having
changed
his
clothes
,
was
soon
completely
recovered
from
the
effects
of
his
bath
,
and
the
desperate
exertions
he
had
made
to
swim
to
a
wharf
communicating
with
the
Commercial
Road
.
"
We
staid
for
the
remainder
of
the
night
at
the
Old
House
;
and
on
the
following
morning
Dick
Flairer
went
up
to
the
boozing-ken
,
where
he
procured
a
newspaper
.
He
then
returned
to
us
;
and
we
perceived
by
the
journal
that
the
curtains
of
the
bed-room
which
I
had
occupied
at
the
jeweller
's
house
had
caught
fire
,
and
created
the
alarms
which
had
interrupted
us
in
the
midst
of
our
employment
in
the
shop
.
I
moreover
ascertained
that
I
was
of
course
suspected
of
having
admitted
thieves
into
the
premises
,
and
that
a
reward
was
offered
for
my
apprehension
.
I
was
accordingly
compelled
to
remain
concealed
for
some
weeks
in
the
Old
House
,
while
Bolter
and
Flairer
,
being
unsuspected
,
were
enabled
to
go
abroad
.
I
did
not
upon
this
occasion
conceal
myself
in
the
dungeon
of
the
Old
House
,
for
I
could
not
bear
the
solitude
of
that
living
tomb
;
and
as
Bolter
and
Flairer
were
constantly
visiting
me
,
the
time
did
not
hang
so
very
heavily
on
my
hands
.
At
length
I
left
the
Old
House
,
and
I
and
Dick
returned
to
Canterbury
.
"
When
we
arrived
there
,
after
an
absence
of
two
months
,
we
made
a
most
unpleasant
discovery
—
unpleasant
to
Dick
as
the
brother
,
and
to
me
who
was
enamoured
of
Mary
.
She
was
in
a
way
to
become
a
mother
;
her
situation
was
too
palpable
to
be
concealed
.
Dick
flew
into
a
most
ungovernable
rage
;
and
Mary
tried
to
deny
it
.
But
the
fact
was
glaring
,
and
she
was
obliged
to
confess
that
she
had
been
seduced
by
a
serjeant
of
the
regiment
stationed
at
Canterbury
.
Her
attachment
to
that
man
,
and
the
hope
that
he
would
do
her
justice
,
were
the
reasons
that
had
induced
her
to
remain
at
Canterbury
,
when
we
went
to
London
.
The
serjeant
had
recently
treated
her
with
neglect
and
indifference
,
and
she
longed
for
revenge
.
Dick
and
I
swore
that
she
should
have
it
.
She
told
us
that
the
serjeant
was
very
fond
of
angling
,
and
that
every
morning
early
he
indulged
in
his
favourite
sport
in
the
river
Stour
,
which
flowed
close
by
the
barracks
.
"
Next
morning
Dick
and
I
went
down
to
the
river
,
and
there
we
saw
the
serjeant
preparing
his
tackle
.
From
the
description
we
had
received
of
him
,
we
knew
him
to
be
the
man
we
wanted
;
but
there
was
a
large
water-mill
close
by
,
and
we
dared
not
attack
him
in
a
spot
that
was
so
overlooked
.
We
accordingly
returned
home
,
and
consulted
together
how
we
should
proceed
.
At
length
we
resolved
that
Mary
should
endeavour
to
get
him
to
grant
her
an
interview
on
the
banks
of
the
river
.
She
sent
him
a
note
,
saying
that
she
was
to
leave
Canterbury
in
a
few
days
,
and
that
she
wished
to
see
him
once
more
.
She
concluded
by
begging
him
to
meet
her
that
evening
or
the
next
between
nine
and
ten
o'clock
,
close
by
the
bridge
of
Kingsford
's
water-mill
.
He
consented
,
and
appointed
the
evening
of
the
next
day
for
the
interview
.
"
The
hour
drew
nigh
,
and
Mary
went
to
the
place
agreed
upon
.
Dick
and
I
followed
her
at
a
little
distance
.
The
night
was
dark
;
it
was
in
the
month
of
April
;
and
the
air
was
very
cold
.
As
we
drew
near
the
bridge
as
noiselessly
as
we
could
,
we
distinguished
the
forms
of
two
persons
standing
upon
the
bridge
,
and
leaning
in
earnest
conversation
upon
the
low
railing
that
overhung
the
huge
wheel
which
was
revolving
beneath
,
the
torrent
pouring
over
it
through
the
sluices
of
the
dam
upon
the
top
of
which
the
bridge
stood
.
We
advanced
closer
;
and
could
then
perceive
that
the
two
forms
were
those
of
Mary
and
her
seducer
.
We
proceeded
to
the
bridge
.
When
we
reached
the
middle
,
Dick
went
up
to
the
serjeant
,
and
said
,
'
This
is
my
sister
;
do
you
mean
to
do
her
justice
?
'
—
'
No
,
'
cried
Mary
;
'
he
has
just
told
me
that
I
need
have
no
hope
in
that
respect
.
'
'
Then
there
is
nothing
more
to
be
said
,
'
exclaimed
Dick
Flairer
;
and
at
the
same
moment
we
precipitated
ourselves
upon
the
serjeant
.
Dick
Flairer
pressed
his
hand
upon
his
mouth
;
the
poor
wretch
struggled
violently
;
but
in
an
instant
we
hurled
him
over
the
bridge-railing
.
He
fell
upon
the
wheel
;
the
roar
of
the
torrent
,
and
the
din
of
the
ponderous
machine
drowned
his
last
cry
of
agony
,
and
the
crushing
of
his
bones
.
'
Now
,
Mary
,
'
said
I
,
'
you
are
revenged
.
'
She
pressed
my
hand
convulsively
,
without
uttering
a
word
;
and
we
returned
to
our
lodgings
.
"
Next
day
,
the
body
of
the
serjeant
was
found
,
fearfully
crushed
and
mutilated
,
a
mile
below
the
mill
,
entangled
in
a
bed
of
osiers
.
It
was
carried
to
the
barracks
:
an
inquest
was
called
;
and
a
verdict
of
'
Found
Drowned
'
was
recorded
.
Not
a
suspicion
was
entertained
that
the
man
had
been
murdered
,
it
being
evident
from
the
surgical
examination
that
he
had
been
crushed
by
the
wheel
of
the
mill
,
upon
which
it
was
supposed
he
had
accidentally
fallen
,
over
the
bridge-railing
,
which
was
only
about
three
feet
high
.
"
The
moment
the
verdict
was
returned
,
and
we
saw
that
no
suspicion
attached
to
any
body
in
reference
to
the
murder
,
we
left
Canterbury
,
and
repaired
to
London
.
In
the
course
of
a
few
weeks
,
Mary
became
the
mother
of
a
still-born
child
;
and
in
due
time
I
assured
her
that
I
would
overlook
her
fault
,
and
marry
her
if
she
would
have
me
.
She
was
pleased
with
the
proposal
;
and
Dick
readily
agreed
to
it
.
But
before
we
could
be
spliced
,
I
one
day
met
the
goldsmith
of
the
Strand
in
the
street
;
and
he
gave
me
into
custody
.
I
was
taken
before
the
magistrates
,
and
fully
committed
for
an
attempt
to
rob
my
employer
.
While
I
was
in
Newgate
,
waiting
for
my
trial
,
I
was
greatly
alarmed
lest
the
old
gentleman
,
whom
I
had
robbed
at
the
auction
mart
,
should
prefer
an
indictment
against
me
;
but
my
fears
in
this
respect
were
unfounded
.
At
length
the
sessions
commenced
,
and
I
was
put
upon
my
trial
.
The
Sheriffs
had
supplied
me
with
counsel
,
for
I
was
completely
without
funds
when
I
was
arrested
.
The
barrister
thus
retained
in
my
behalf
,
advised
me
to
plead
guilty
,
as
I
should
then
stand
a
good
chance
of
escaping
transportation
.
I
followed
his
recommendation
,
and
expressed
my
contrition
for
the
offence
.
The
Recorder
read
me
a
long
lecture
,
and
condemned
me
to
seven
years
'
transportation
,
which
sentence
was
commuted
to
two
years
'
imprisonment
in
Newgate
.
"
During
that
time
I
seriously
thought
of
mending
my
ways
,
when
I
should
be
once
more
at
liberty
.
But
I
could
not
conceive
what
on
earth
I
should
do
for
a
livelihood
if
I
did
not
steal
.
I
knew
that
I
should
be
turned
adrift
without
a
penny
in
my
pocket
;
and
I
had
no
friends
but
those
with
whom
I
could
only
pursue
my
old
career
.
When
the
chaplain
spoke
to
me
upon
the
errors
of
my
past
life
,
and
the
necessity
of
reformation
,
I
used
to
say
to
him
,
'
Show
me
,
reverend
sir
,
how
I
am
to
obtain
an
honest
living
when
I
leave
these
walls
,
and
I
never
shall
sin
again
.
'
But
he
always
gave
an
evasive
reply
.
In
fact
,
what
could
he
say
?
If
he
had
required
a
man-servant
—
a
groom
—
an
errand-boy
—
a
menial
scrub
to
black
his
boots
and
brush
his
clothes
,
would
he
have
taken
me
?
No.
If
he
had
known
any
friend
who
wanted
a
man
to
take
care
of
his
hounds
—
never
enter
his
house
—
but
sleep
in
the
kennels
along
with
the
dogs
,
would
the
chaplain
have
recommended
me
?
No.
If
the
governor
of
Newgate
had
needed
a
man
to
sweep
the
dirt
away
from
the
front
of
the
prison
,
would
the
reverend
gentleman
have
spoken
a
kind
word
in
favour
of
me
?
No.
Of
what
use
,
then
,
is
it
for
these
gaol
chaplains
to
preach
penitence
and
reformation
,
when
by
their
very
actions
they
say
,
'
We
do
not
believe
that
you
can
possibly
change
for
the
better
?
'
Of
what
benefit
is
it
for
these
salaried
moralists
to
declaim
upon
the
advantages
of
a
virtuous
course
,
when
they
know
perfectly
well
that
the
old
maxim
is
invariably
correct
,
—
'
Give
a
dog
a
bad
name
and
hang
him
!
'
Virtue
must
be
fed
;
but
Virtue
,
upon
leaving
the
walls
of
a
criminal
prison
,
can
obtain
no
food
.
Must
Virtue
,
then
die
of
starvation
?
Human
nature
revolts
against
this
self-destruction
—
this
systematic
suicide
;
and
,
sooner
than
submit
to
it
,
Virtue
will
allow
itself
to
be
changed
by
circumstances
into
Vice
.
Virtue
in
this
case
has
no
option
but
to
become
Vice
.
"
I
often
thought
,
when
I
was
in
prison
,
that
if
there
was
a
workshop
,
established
by
the
government
to
receive
persons
whom
the
criminal
gaols
daily
vomit
back
upon
society
,
many
a
miserable
creature
would
in
reality
reform
,
and
be
saved
from
a
re-plunge
into
the
sea
of
crime
.
But
all
that
the
government
does
is
to
punish
.
I
mentioned
these
thoughts
to
the
chaplain
.
And
what
did
he
say
?
He
endeavoured
to
get
rid
of
the
necessity
of
giving
a
decisive
opinion
,
by
throwing
himself
headlong
into
a
mass
of
argument
and
reasoning
,
half
religious
and
half
political
,
which
I
could
not
understand
.
Thus
do
those
men
invariably
extricate
themselves
from
perplexing
topics
.
In
my
opinion
there
is
no
mockery
more
abominable
—
no
hypocrisy
more
contemptible
—
no
morality
more
baseless
than
the
attributes
of
a
gaol-chaplain
!
"
If
good
and
pious
men
attended
criminal
prisons
of
their
own
free
will
,
and
talked
in
a
plain
homely
manner
to
the
inmates
,
—
a
manner
which
those
inmates
could
understand
,
—
how
much
benefit
might
result
!
But
when
you
think
that
the
chaplain
only
troubles
himself
about
you
because
he
is
paid
,
—
that
he
doles
out
his
doctrine
in
proportion
to
the
income
which
he
receives
,
—
and
that
he
says
the
same
to
you
to-day
which
he
said
to
another
yesterday
,
and
will
say
to
a
third
to-morrow
,
—
his
office
is
mean
,
contemptible
,
and
degrading
.
"
It
does
not
do
for
me
to
hold
forth
in
this
manner
;
I
know
that
:
but
I
cannot
help
expressing
the
thoughts
that
occupied
me
when
I
was
in
Newgate
.
They
are
often
present
in
my
memory
;
and
,
sometimes
,
when
I
am
dull
and
in
low
spirits
,
I
console
myself
by
the
conviction
that
if
I
am
bad
now
,
it
is
because
there
is
no
door
open
for
me
to
be
good
.
So
a
truce
to
these
ideas
.
They
do
not
often
come
from
my
lips
;
and
even
now
I
scarcely
wish
to
recall
them
.
"
Well
—
I
passed
my
two
years
in
Newgate
;
and
when
I
was
released
,
I
stood
still
by
the
lamp-post
at
the
top
of
the
Old
Bailey
,
thinking
which
way
I
should
go
.
I
had
not
a
penny
in
my
pocket
;
and
I
knew
that
in
the
course
of
a
few
hours
I
should
be
hungry
.
As
true
as
I
am
sitting
here
,
tears
rolled
down
my
cheeks
as
I
contemplated
the
necessity
of
returning
to
my
old
pursuits
,
—
yes
—
burning
tears
—
tears
of
agony
—
such
tears
as
I
never
shed
before
,
and
shall
never
shed
again
!
"
Suddenly
a
thought
struck
me
.
I
would
go
to
the
workhouse
.
The
idea
consoled
me
;
and
,
fearful
lest
my
good
intentions
should
grow
cool
,
I
turned
back
past
the
door
of
Newgate
again
,
and
directed
my
steps
down
the
Old
Bailey
towards
Blackfriars
'
Bridge
.
In
the
course
of
an
hour
,
I
knocked
at
the
door
of
the
—
—
Workhouse
,
with
an
order
for
admission
from
the
overseer
.
"
It
was
about
twelve
o'clock
in
the
day
when
I
entered
the
Workhouse
.
The
porter
conducted
me
into
the
office
,
where
the
master
took
down
my
name
,
age
,
etc.
He
then
sent
me
to
the
bath-room
,
where
I
was
cleansed
.
When
I
came
from
the
bath
I
put
on
the
coarse
linen
,
grey
suit
,
and
thick
shoes
which
constitute
the
workhouse
garb
—
the
livery
of
poverty
.
The
dress
differed
but
little
from
the
one
I
had
worn
in
Newgate
—
so
small
is
the
distinction
in
this
blessed
country
between
a
felon
and
a
pauper
!
My
old
clothes
were
put
up
together
in
a
bundle
,
labelled
with
my
name
,
and
conveyed
to
the
store-room
,
to
be
returned
to
me
when
I
chose
to
leave
the
place
.
As
soon
as
I
was
dressed
,
I
was
allotted
to
the
able-bodied
men
's
department
of
the
Workhouse
.
The
scale
of
food
for
this
class
of
persons
was
just
this
:
—
"
So
you
see
that
we
had
only
five
ounces
of
cooked
meat
and
five
ounces
of
bacon
,
in
the
shape
of
animal
food
,
in
the
course
of
each
week
!
And
yet
we
had
to
work
—
to
keep
the
grounds
in
order
,
to
do
various
jobs
in
the
establishment
,
and
to
pick
four
pounds
of
oakum
each
,
every
day
,
the
Sabbath
excepted
.
Felons
are
better
off
;
[
79
]
for
in
the
prison
one
has
more
meat
,
more
bread
,
and
more
gruel
(
which
is
certainly
nourishing
)
than
in
the
workhouse
!
"
We
had
nothing
to
drink
with
our
dinners
and
suppers
but
water
—
and
of
that
they
could
not
very
well
stint
us
,
because
it
cost
nothing
.
The
able-bodied
women
had
much
less
than
the
able-bodied
men
.
The
infirm
paupers
had
each
one
ounce
of
tea
and
seven
ounces
of
sugar
weekly
,
instead
of
gruel
,
for
breakfast
!
Fancy
one
ounce
of
tea
for
seven
meals
!
"
We
were
divided
into
messes
,
or
tables
of
ten
each
;
and
each
mess
elected
a
carver
.
The
duty
of
the
carver
was
to
go
to
the
kitchen
and
fetch
the
provision
allotted
to
the
individuals
at
his
particular
table
,
and
then
to
distribute
it
in
equal
proportions
.
What
fighting
and
wrangling
always
took
place
at
meal
times
!
On
meat
days
,
one
had
too
much
fat
,
and
another
's
morsel
was
too
under-done
:
—
on
bacon
days
,
one
had
too
much
lean
,
and
another
had
the
rind
given
to
him
.
Then
one
declared
that
he
had
been
cheated
out
of
a
potatoe
;
and
so
on
.
It
was
a
scene
of
perpetual
selfishness
—
of
human
beings
quarrelling
for
a
crumb
!
But
who
can
wonder
?
A
potatoe
or
a
cubic
inch
of
bread
was
a
considerable
portion
of
a
meal
;
and
where
all
were
ravenous
,
who
could
afford
to
lose
even
a
potatoe
or
a
crumb
?
[
80
]
"
Neither
of
you
have
ever
been
in
a
workhouse
,
I
know
;
and
therefore
you
cannot
imagine
the
change
it
produces
in
its
inmates
.
They
grow
discontented
with
the
world
,
and
look
upon
their
superiors
with
abhorrence
.
An
army
of
able-bodied
men
,
recruited
from
all
the
Unions
in
the
kingdom
,
would
make
the
finest
republican
soldiers
imaginable
.
They
would
proceed
with
a
good
heart
to
level
throne
,
aristocracy
,
and
every
institution
which
they
believed
oppressive
to
the
industrious
classes
.
"
But
that
is
no
business
of
mine
—
and
I
care
nothing
for
politics
of
any
kind
.
Of
an
evening
,
we
used
to
gather
round
the
fire
till
bed-time
,
and
talk
of
our
past
lives
.
Many
—
many
of
my
companions
,
had
,
like
myself
,
seen
better
days
;
and
it
actually
made
one
's
heart
ache
to
hear
them
compare
their
former
positions
with
their
present
ones
.
And
after
all
,
what
can
be
more
inhuman
—
what
more
cruel
,
than
the
very
principles
of
the
workhouse
system
?
Old
couples
,
who
have
lived
together
for
years
and
years
,
are
separated
when
they
go
to
the
workhouse
.
Mothers
are
debarred
from
the
society
of
their
little
ones
:
—
no
ties
of
kindred
are
respected
there
!
"
I
remember
one
man
—
he
was
about
sixty
,
and
much
better
behaved
than
the
rest
—
who
had
been
a
writer
,
or
something
of
that
kind
,
in
his
time
.
The
men
used
to
get
him
now
and
then
,
when
he
was
in
the
humour
to
recite
poems
—
some
of
which
he
had
composed
in
better
days
,
and
others
since
he
had
been
in
the
Union
.
Those
of
his
palmy
years
were
all
about
love
,
and
friendship
,
and
sweet
spring
,
and
moonlight
scenes
,
and
so
on
;
—
but
from
the
moment
that
he
set
foot
in
the
workhouse
,
he
bade
farewell
to
love
and
friendship
;
and
he
never
more
was
destined
to
know
the
enjoyments
of
charming
seasons
and
tranquil
hours
!
One
of
his
late
poems
made
such
an
impression
on
me
,
that
I
learnt
it
by
heart
.
It
was
a
workhouse
scene
.
I
remember
it
now
;
and
will
repeat
it
:
—
"
THE
SONG
OF
THE
WORKHOUSE
.
"
Stooping
over
the
ample
grate
,
Where
burnt
an
ounce
of
fuel
,
That
cheered
not
the
gloom
Of
the
workhouse
room
,
An
aged
and
shivering
female
sate
,
Sipping
a
pint
of
gruel
:
And
as
she
sopped
a
morsel
of
bread
In
that
liquid
thin
and
poor
,
With
anguish
she
shook
her
aching
head
,
And
thought
of
the
days
that
were
o'er
.
"
Through
the
deep
mists
of
years
gone
by
Her
mental
glances
wandered
;
And
the
warm
blood
ran
To
her
features
wan
;
And
fire
for
a
moment
lighted
her
eye
,
As
o'er
the
past
she
pondered
.
For
she
had
once
tripped
the
meadow
green
With
a
heart
as
blithe
as
May
;
And
she
had
been
crowned
the
village-queen
In
times
that
were
far
away
!
"
She
'd
been
the
pride
of
parents
dear
,
And
plenty
banished
sorrow
;
And
her
love
she
gave
To
a
yeoman
brave
;
And
a
smiling
offspring
rose
to
cheer
Hearts
that
feared
not
for
the
morrow
.
Oh
!
why
should
they
fear
?
In
the
sweat
of
their
brow
They
ate
their
daily
bread
;
And
they
thought
,
'
The
earth
will
e'er
yield
as
now
The
fruits
whereon
we
're
fed
!
'
"
But
when
their
hair
grew
silvery
white
,
Sorrow
their
cot
invaded
,
And
ravaged
it
then
As
armies
of
men
Sack
the
defenceless
town
by
night
:
—
Thus
all
Hope
's
blossoms
faded
!
From
their
little
farm
the
stock
was
swept
By
the
owner
of
their
land
;
And
the
very
bed
on
which
they
slept
,
Was
snatched
by
the
bailiff
's
hand
.
"
One
hope
—
one
fond
hope
now
was
all
Each
tender
heart
dared
cherish
—
That
they
might
remain
Still
linked
by
one
chain
,
And
'
midst
the
sorrows
that
might
befal
,
Together
live
or
perish
.
But
Want
drove
them
on
to
the
workhouse
gate
;
And
when
the
door
was
pass
'd
They
found
themselves
doomed
to
separate
—
To
separate
at
last
!
"
And
he
fell
sick
:
—
she
prayed
in
vain
To
be
where
he
was
lying
;
She
poured
forth
her
moan
Unto
hearts
of
stone
;
Never
admittance
she
could
gain
To
the
room
where
he
was
dying
!
Then
into
her
brain
the
sad
thoughts
stole
That
brain
with
anguish
reeling
—
That
the
great
ones
,
judging
by
their
own
soul
,
Think
that
paupers
have
no
feeling
.
"
So
,
thus
before
the
cheerless
grate
,
Watching
the
flick'ring
ember
She
rocked
to
and
fro
,
Her
heart
full
of
woe
;
For
into
that
heart
the
arrow
of
fate
Pierced
like
the
cold
of
December
.
And
though
she
sopped
a
morsel
of
bread
,
She
could
not
eat
for
crying
:
'
T
was
hard
that
she
might
not
support
the
head
Of
her
much-lov
'd
husband
dying
!
"
I
stayed
in
the
workhouse
six
weeks
;
and
could
stand
it
no
longer
.
I
had
to
labour
,
and
was
half-starved
.
So
one
morning
I
went
to
the
Master
,
demanded
my
clothes
,
and
was
speedily
retracing
my
steps
towards
my
old
haunts
.
That
evening
I
supped
with
Dick
Flairer
at
the
boozing-ken
on
Saffron
Hill
;
and
the
same
night
we
broke
into
a
watchmaker
's
shop
in
the
City
.
We
got
seventeen
pounds
in
money
,
and
a
dozen
watches
and
other
trinkets
,
which
we
sold
to
the
'
fence
'
in
Field
Lane
for
thirty
guineas
.
That
was
a
good
bargain
for
him
!
I
then
went
and
took
up
my
quarters
with
Dick
Flairer
at
his
lodgings
;
and
in
a
few
weeks
I
married
his
sister
Mary
.
Six
or
eight
months
afterwards
poor
Dick
was
killed
;
and
—
"
CHAPTER
C
.
THE
MYSTERIES
OF
THE
GROUND-FLOOR
ROOMS
.
THE
Buffer
was
interrupted
at
this
point
by
the
return
of
his
wife
,
who
in
spite
of
the
protection
of
the
Resurrection
Man
's
umbrella
,
was
dripping
wet
.
We
must
observe
that
we
have
taken
the
liberty
of
altering
and
improving
the
language
,
in
which
the
Buffer
delivered
his
autobiography
,
to
the
utmost
of
our
power
:
we
have
moreover
embodied
his
crude
ideas
and
reduced
his
random
observations
into
a
tangible
shape
.
We
should
add
that
the
man
was
not
deficient
in
intellectual
sharpness
,
in
spite
of
the
stolid
expression
of
his
countenance
;
and
thus
the
observations
which
he
made
relative
to
prison
discipline
and
the
neglect
of
government
to
adopt
means
of
preventing
crime
in
preference
to
punishing
it
when
committed
,
need
excite
no
astonishment
in
those
who
peruse
them
.
But
to
return
to
the
thread
of
our
narrative
.
When
the
Buffer
's
wife
had
taken
a
warm
seat
by
the
fire
,
and
comforted
herself
with
a
tolerably
profound
libation
of
steaming
gin-and-water
,
she
proceeded
to
give
an
account
of
her
mission
.
"
I
went
down
to
Globe
Lane
,
"
she
said
;
"
and
a
miserable
walk
it
was
,
I
can
assure
you
.
The
rain
falls
in
torrents
,
and
the
wind
blows
enough
to
carry
the
Monument
into
the
Thames
.
By
the
time
I
got
down
to
the
undertaker
's
house
I
was
drenched
.
Then
Banks
was
n't
at
home
;
but
his
wife
asked
me
to
stop
till
he
came
in
;
and
as
I
thought
that
the
business
was
pressing
,
I
agreed
.
I
waited
—
and
waited
till
I
was
tired
;
one
hour
passed
—
then
half
an
hour
more
;
and
I
was
just
coming
back
when
Banks
walks
in
.
"
"
And
so
you
gave
him
the
note
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
who
had
listened
somewhat
impatiently
to
this
prelude
.
"
Yes
—
I
gave
him
the
note
,
"
continued
Moll
Wicks
;
"
and
he
put
on
a
pair
of
spectacles
with
round
glasses
as
big
as
the
bottoms
of
wine-glasses
.
When
he
had
read
it
,
he
said
he
would
attend
to
it
,
and
should
call
his-self
on
you
to-morrow
morning
by
nine
o'clock
.
"
"
Well
and
good
,
"
exclaimed
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
What
are
you
going
to
do
,
Tony
?
"
demanded
the
Rattlesnake
.
"
Never
do
you
mind
now
,
"
answered
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
I
will
tell
you
all
to-morrow
.
"
"
But
I
have
n't
quite
done
yet
,
"
cried
the
Buffer
's
wife
.
"
Just
as
I
came
out
of
the
undertaker
's
shop
I
met
the
surgeon
that
attended
upon
the
old
gentleman
at
Mrs.
Smith
's
.
He
beckoned
me
under
an
archway
,
and
asked
when
the
old
gentleman
was
going
to
be
buried
?
I
told
him
that
I
knew
nothing
about
it
.
He
hesitated
,
and
was
going
away
;
and
then
he
turned
round
suddenly
,
and
said
,
'
Do
you
think
your
husband
would
mind
a
job
that
would
put
ten
pounds
into
his
pocket
?
'
I
do
n't
know
whether
he
had
ever
seen
Jack
,
or
not
—
—
"
"
To
be
sure
he
has
,
"
interrupted
the
Buffer
.
"
Did
n't
I
go
to
him
when
I
cut
my
hand
with
the
hatchet
,
chopping
wood
one
day
?
"
"
Ah
!
I
forgot
that
,
"
said
Moll
.
"
Well
,
so
I
told
him
that
my
husband
was
n't
at
all
the
man
to
refuse
a
ten
pun
'
note
;
and
even
then
he
did
n't
seem
to
like
to
trust
me
.
But
after
a
little
more
hesitation
,
he
says
,
says
he
,
'
I
should
like
to
know
what
that
old
gentleman
died
of
;
I
ca
n't
make
out
at
all
.
I
wonder
whether
his
friends
would
have
any
objection
to
my
opening
the
body
;
for
I
spoke
to
Mrs.
Smith
,
and
she
wo
n't
hear
of
it
.
'
I
told
him
that
the
poor
old
feller
had
no
friends
;
but
I
saw
very
well
what
the
sawbones
wanted
;
and
so
I
says
,
'
Why
do
n't
you
have
him
up
again
if
so
be
you
want
so
partickler
to
know
what
he
died
of
?
'
—
'
That
's
just
the
very
thing
,
'
he
says
.
'
Do
you
think
your
husband
would
do
the
job
?
I
once
knew
a
famous
feller
,
'
he
says
,
'
one
Anthony
Tidkins
'
—
—
"
"
And
so
do
I
know
him
,
"
interrupted
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
Does
n't
he
live
in
the
Cambridge
Road
,
not
far
from
the
corner
of
Bethnal
Green
Road
?
"
"
The
same
,
"
answered
the
Buffer
's
wife
.
"
Well
—
what
took
place
then
?
"
"
He
only
told
me
to
tell
my
husband
to
call
upon
him
—
and
that
was
all
.
"
"
Here
's
more
work
,
you
see
,
Jack
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
Leave
this
business
to
me
.
I
'll
take
care
and
manage
it
.
When
we
meet
to-morrow
night
,
I
'll
explain
all
my
plans
about
the
money
this
old
fellow
has
left
behind
him
;
and
then
I
'll
tell
you
what
arrangement
I
've
made
with
this
surgeon
.
You
must
mind
and
be
with
me
at
nine
to-morrow
night
,
Jack
;
because
we
wo
n't
keep
young
Markham
waiting
for
us
.
"
These
last
words
were
uttered
with
a
low
chuckle
and
an
expression
of
countenance
that
indicated
but
too
well
the
diabolical
hopes
and
intentions
of
the
Resurrection
Man
.
The
Buffer
and
his
wife
then
took
leave
of
their
friends
,
and
departed
to
their
own
abode
.
"
Now
,
Meg
,
"
said
the
Resurrection
Man
,
"
it
is
nearly
twelve
o'clock
;
and
you
may
get
ready
to
go
to
bed
.
I
am
just
going
out
for
a
few
minutes
—
"
"
As
usual
,
Tony
,
"
cried
the
Rattlesnake
,
impatiently
.
"
Why
do
you
always
go
out
now
—
every
night
?
"
"
I
have
told
you
over
and
over
again
not
to
pry
into
my
secrets
,
"
returned
the
Resurrection
Man
,
furiously
.
"
You
mind
your
own
business
,
and
only
meddle
in
what
I
tell
you
to
take
a
part
;
or
else
—
"
"
Well
,
well
,
Tony
—
do
n't
be
angry
now
,
"
said
the
Rattlesnake
,
in
her
most
wheedling
tone
.
"
I
will
never
ask
you
any
more
questions
.
Only
I
thought
it
strange
that
you
should
have
gone
out
every
night
for
the
last
three
weeks
—
no
matter
what
weather
—
"
"
And
you
may
think
it
strange
a
little
longer
if
you
like
,
"
once
more
interrupted
the
terrible
Resurrection
Man
,
with
a
sinister
lowering
of
his
countenance
which
checked
the
reply
that
was
rising
to
the
lips
of
his
companion
.
The
Rattlesnake
lighted
a
candle
,
and
passed
into
the
adjoining
apartment
.
The
Resurrection
Man
poured
some
raw
spirits
into
a
wine
glass
,
tossed
it
off
,
and
putting
on
his
hat
,
left
the
room
.
He
descended
the
precipitate
staircase
leading
to
the
front
door
of
the
house
,
and
in
another
moment
reached
the
street
.
Simply
closing
,
without
locking
,
the
door
behind
him
,
he
turned
sharply
round
into
the
dark
alley
which
ran
beneath
a
sombre
and
narrow
arch
,
along
one
side
of
the
house
.
But
his
footsteps
,
on
this
occasion
,
were
closely
followed
by
the
Rattlesnake
.
Unable
to
restrain
her
curiosity
any
longer
—
and
,
perhaps
,
influenced
by
other
motives
of
a
less
superficial
nature
,
—
Margaret
Flathers
had
determined
to
follow
her
paramour
this
night
;
and
,
scarcely
had
he
closed
the
street
door
,
when
she
was
already
at
the
bottom
of
the
staircase
.
The
moment
she
stepped
into
the
street
,
she
saw
the
dark
form
of
the
Resurrection
Man
turn
down
the
alley
above
mentioned
;
and
she
muttered
to
herself
,
"
I
thought
so
!
and
now
perhaps
I
shall
find
out
why
he
never
would
allow
me
to
set
foot
in
the
rooms
of
the
lower
storey
.
"
The
Resurrection
Man
passed
half-way
up
the
alley
,
and
taking
a
key
from
his
pocket
,
proceeded
to
open
a
door
that
communicated
with
the
ground-floor
of
his
singularly-built
house
.
He
entered
,
and
the
Rattlesnake
hurried
up
to
the
door
.
She
applied
her
ear
to
the
key-hole
—
listened
—
and
heard
his
footsteps
echoing
upon
the
boarded
floor
of
the
back-room
.
In
a
few
moments
the
grating
of
a
lucifer-match
upon
the
wall
met
her
ear
;
and
applying
her
eye
for
a
moment
to
the
key-hole
,
she
saw
that
there
was
now
a
light
within
.
Impelled
by
an
invincible
curiosity
,
or
other
motives
of
a
powerful
nature
,
—
if
not
both
,
—
the
Rattlesnake
cautiously
raised
the
latch
,
and
opened
the
door
to
the
distance
of
nearly
a
foot
.
With
the
utmost
care
,
she
now
ventured
to
look
into
the
interior
of
that
part
of
the
house
,
in
respect
to
which
a
species
of
Blue-beard
restriction
had
existed
for
her
ever
since
she
first
became
the
companion
of
the
Resurrection
Man
in
that
mysterious
abode
.
Glancing
cautiously
in
,
we
say
,
she
saw
a
small
passage
communicating
with
two
rooms
—
one
at
each
end
,
front
and
back
.
The
door
of
the
front
room
was
closed
:
that
of
the
back
one
was
open
.
She
accordingly
directed
all
her
attention
to
the
back-room
.
Against
the
wall
facing
the
door
was
a
candle
,
burning
in
a
bright
tin
shade
or
reflector
;
and
in
the
middle
of
the
room
,
between
the
door
and
the
light
,
stood
the
Resurrection
Man
.
He
had
his
back
towards
the
Rattlesnake
;
but
she
could
watch
all
his
proceedings
with
the
greatest
facility
.
And
how
strange
were
those
proceedings
!
—
The
Resurrection
Man
enveloped
himself
in
a
large
dark
cloak
,
and
fixed
a
black
cloth
mask
over
his
countenance
.
He
then
advanced
towards
a
cupboard
,
which
he
opened
,
and
whence
he
took
several
articles
,
the
precise
nature
of
which
the
Rattlesnake
could
not
ascertain
,
in
consequence
of
the
position
in
which
her
paramour
was
then
standing
.
She
however
observed
that
he
placed
those
articles
in
a
basket
at
his
feet
;
and
when
this
task
was
accomplished
,
he
lifted
the
basket
in
his
hand
,
and
turned
so
abruptly
round
to
leave
the
room
,
that
the
Rattlesnake
trembled
from
head
to
foot
lest
he
should
have
caught
a
glimpse
of
her
head
protruded
through
the
opening
of
the
door
.
She
drew
herself
back
and
pulled
the
door
towards
her
.
For
a
moment
she
felt
inclined
to
beat
a
precipitate
retreat
to
her
own
quarters
;
but
curiosity
compelled
her
to
remain
.
What
could
mean
that
strange
disguise
?
—
Why
that
cloak
?
—
Wherefore
that
mask
?
—
And
what
were
the
objects
which
the
Resurrection
Man
had
consigned
to
his
basket
?
—
Lastly
,
whither
was
he
going
?
With
the
most
extreme
caution
she
again
pushed
the
door
partly
open
,
and
again
did
she
glance
into
the
interior
of
that
mysterious
division
of
the
house
.
But
all
was
now
dark
;
the
light
had
disappeared
,
or
was
extinguished
,
and
the
place
was
involved
in
total
obscurity
.
Nevertheless
,
all
was
not
silent
.
The
measured
tread
of
receding
footsteps
fell
upon
the
woman
's
ear
:
those
sounds
seemed
to
come
from
heavy
feet
descending
stone
stairs
.
Fainter
and
fainter
became
the
sounds
,
until
at
length
they
merged
into
the
low
wind
,
which
whistled
gloomily
and
monotonously
through
the
lower
part
of
the
house
.
Margaret
Flathers
felt
alarmed
:
she
scarcely
knew
why
.
Was
it
that
being
aware
of
the
diabolical
character
of
the
Resurrection
Man
,
she
naturally
associated
his
present
strange
proceedings
with
some
deed
of
darkness
whose
very
mystery
made
her
shudder
?
Was
it
that
she
trembled
at
the
idea
of
being
in
the
power
of
a
miscreant
whose
ability
to
work
evil
seemed
as
unbounded
as
his
inclination
?
Suddenly
her
thoughts
received
an
interruption
which
was
by
no
means
calculated
to
tranquillize
her
mind
.
A
scream
,
apparently
coming
from
the
very
bowels
of
the
earth
,
echoed
through
the
lower
part
of
that
house
—
a
scream
expressive
of
an
agony
so
intense
,
an
anguish
so
acute
,
that
it
smote
even
her
hardened
and
ruthless
heart
!
That
scream
was
not
repeated
;
but
its
echoes
rang
long
throughout
the
place
,
and
vibrated
in
a
strange
and
terrible
manner
on
the
ears
of
the
Rattlesnake
.
Then
followed
low
mutterings
,
in
a
hoarse
and
subdued
tone
;
but
as
they
gradually
grew
louder
,
she
could
recognise
the
menacing
voice
of
the
Resurrection
Man
.
Fear
now
completely
triumphed
over
the
motives
which
had
induced
the
woman
to
seek
to
penetrate
into
the
secrets
of
her
paramour
.
The
dark
cloak
—
the
black
mask
—
the
basket
—
the
piercing
scream
—
and
the
threatening
voice
,
all
combined
to
bewilder
her
imagination
,
and
fill
her
with
vague
but
not
less
terrible
alarms
.
Hastily
closing
the
door
,
she
retreated
with
precipitate
speed
from
the
dark
alley
,
and
ascended
the
steep
staircase
leading
to
the
upper
rooms
of
the
house
.
To
throw
off
her
clothes
and
betake
herself
to
rest
was
the
occupation
of
but
a
few
minutes
:
nevertheless
,
as
she
laid
aside
her
garments
,
she
cast
timid
and
furtive
glances
behind
her
—
as
if
she
were
afraid
that
her
eyes
would
encounter
some
horrible
spectre
—
or
some
masked
figure
of
appalling
aspect
.
In
a
quarter
of
an
hour
after
she
had
returned
from
the
contemplation
of
those
mysterious
proceedings
that
had
filled
her
mind
with
such
ineffable
horror
,
the
Resurrection
Man
entered
the
bed-room
.
A
light
was
burning
upon
the
table
,
and
when
the
door
opened
the
Rattlesnake
glanced
with
profound
terror
in
that
direction
—
for
she
feared
lest
he
should
appear
in
his
long
dark
cloak
and
black
mask
.
She
was
inured
to
crime
;
—
but
it
was
that
crime
which
she
could
contemplate
face
to
face
;
and
thus
the
idea
that
she
was
in
a
house
where
deeds
of
unknown
horror
and
machinations
of
an
undefined
degree
of
blackness
were
the
business
of
the
terrible
man
with
whom
her
fortunes
were
now
linked
,
prostrated
all
her
courage
,
and
filled
her
with
alarms
the
more
profound
,
because
so
ominously
vague
.
In
order
to
avoid
the
risk
of
betraying
her
trepidation
to
the
Resurrection
Man
,
she
soon
affected
to
fall
asleep
;
and
,
when
at
length
slumber
really
overtook
her
,
her
dreams
were
filled
with
gaunt
forms
clad
in
long
black
cloaks
,
and
wearing
upon
their
countenances
dark
masks
,
through
the
holes
of
which
their
eyes
glared
with
fearful
brightness
.
CHAPTER
CI
.
THE
WIDOW
.
THE
cold
January
morning
struggled
into
existence
,
amidst
rain
and
sleet
,
and
seemed
cradled
in
dense
masses
of
clouds
of
tempestuous
blackness
.
It
appeared
as
if
the
sun
had
taken
leave
of
the
earth
for
ever
;
and
it
would
not
have
been
surprising
had
the
ignorant
inquired
whence
came
the
gloomy
light
that
just
seemed
to
guide
them
to
their
toil
.
Miserable
indeed
was
the
aspect
of
the
eastern
district
of
the
metropolis
.
Emaciated
women
,
wrapt
in
thin
and
scanty
shawls
,
crept
along
the
streets
,
through
the
pouring
rain
,
to
purchase
at
the
chandlers
'
shops
the
morsel
that
was
to
serve
for
the
morning
's
meal
,
—
or
,
perhaps
,
to
pledge
some
trifling
article
in
their
way
,
ere
they
could
obtain
that
meal
!
Half-starved
men
,
—
poor
wretches
who
never
made
a
hearty
meal
,
and
who
were
yet
compelled
to
work
like
horses
,
—
unhappy
beings
,
who
flew
to
the
public
houses
in
despair
,
and
then
were
reproached
by
the
illiberal
and
intolerant
for
their
immorality
,
—
black
sheep
of
Fortune
's
flock
,
to
whom
verdant
pastures
were
unknown
,
—
friendless
outcasts
,
who
in
sickness
knew
no
other
consolation
than
that
of
the
hospital
,
and
in
destitution
,
no
asylum
save
the
workhouse
,
—
luckless
mortals
,
who
cursed
the
day
they
knew
the
power
of
love
,
and
execrated
that
on
which
they
pronounced
the
marriage
vows
,
because
therefrom
had
sprung
children
who
pined
for
want
before
their
face
,
—
such
men
as
these
were
seen
dragging
themselves
along
to
their
labours
on
the
railroad
,
the
canal
,
or
at
the
docks
.
It
was
about
eight
o'clock
on
this
miserable
morning
,
when
a
man
,
dressed
in
a
shabby
suit
of
black
,
and
wearing
a
very
dirty
white
neckcloth
,
the
long
ends
of
which
hung
,
damp
and
lanky
,
over
the
front
of
his
closely-buttoned
body-coat
,
walked
slowly
along
Smart
Street
—
a
thoroughfare
in
the
eastern
part
of
Globe
Town
.
This
individual
was
in
reality
verging
upon
sixty
;
but
as
he
dyed
his
hair
and
whiskers
in
order
to
maintain
an
uniform
aspect
of
funereal
solemnity
,
he
looked
ten
years
younger
.
His
manner
was
grave
and
important
;
and
,
although
the
rain
was
descending
in
torrents
,
he
would
not
for
the
world
depart
from
that
measured
pace
which
was
habitual
to
him
.
He
held
an
old
umbrella
above
his
head
,
to
protect
a
battered
hat
,
round
which
a
piece
of
crape
was
sewn
in
three
or
four
clumsy
folds
;
but
the
torrent
penetrated
through
the
cotton
tegument
,
and
two
streams
poured
from
the
broad
brims
of
his
hat
adown
his
anti-laughter-looking
and
rigidly
demure
countenance
.
When
he
arrived
at
about
the
middle
of
Smart
Street
,
he
halted
,
examined
the
numbers
of
the
houses
,
and
at
length
knocked
at
the
door
of
one
of
them
.
An
elderly
woman
,
dressed
in
a
neat
but
very
homely
garb
,
responded
to
the
summons
.
"
Does
Mrs.
Smith
live
here
,
ma'am
?
"
demanded
the
individual
in
black
.
"
My
name
's
Smith
,
sir
,
"
answered
the
widow
.
"
Very
good
,
ma'am
.
I
'll
have
a
little
conversation
with
you
,
if
you
please
;
"
—
and
the
stranger
stepped
into
the
passage
.
Mrs.
Smith
conducted
him
into
her
little
parlour
,
and
inquired
his
business
.
"
Mine
,
ma'am
,
"
was
the
answer
,
"
is
a
professional
visit
—
entirely
a
professional
visit
,
ma'am
.
Alas
!
ma'am
,
"
continued
the
stranger
,
casting
his
eyes
upwards
in
a
most
dolorous
manner
,
and
taking
a
dirty
white
handkerchief
from
his
pocket
,
—
"
alas
!
ma'am
,
I
understand
you
have
had
a
sad
loss
here
?
"
"
A
lodger
of
mine
,
sir
,
is
dead
,
"
said
Mrs.
Smith
,
somewhat
surprised
at
the
display
of
sorrow
which
she
now
beheld
,
and
very
naturally
expecting
that
her
visitor
would
prove
to
be
a
relation
of
the
deceased
.
"
Ah
!
ma'am
,
we
're
all
mortal
!
"
exclaimed
the
stranger
,
with
a
mournful
shake
of
the
head
,
and
a
truly
pitiful
turning
up
of
the
whites
of
his
eyes
:
"
we
're
all
mortal
,
ma'am
;
and
howsomever
high
and
mighty
we
may
be
in
this
life
,
the
grave
at
last
must
have
our
carkisses
!
"
"
Very
true
,
sir
,
"
said
the
good
woman
,
putting
the
corner
of
her
apron
to
her
eyes
;
for
the
reflection
of
the
stranger
called
to
her
mind
the
loss
she
had
experienced
in
the
deceased
Mr.
Smith
.
"
Alas
!
it
's
too
true
,
ma'am
,
"
continued
the
stranger
,
applying
his
handkerchief
to
his
face
,
to
suppress
,
as
the
widow
thought
,
a
sob
:
"
but
it
is
to
be
hoped
,
ma'am
,
that
your
lodger
has
gone
to
a
better
speer
,
where
there
's
no
cares
to
wex
him
—
and
no
rent
to
pay
!
"
"
I
hope
so
too
,
most
sincerely
,
sir
,
"
said
Mrs.
Smith
,
wondering
when
the
gentleman
would
announce
the
precise
terms
of
relationship
in
which
he
stood
to
the
deceased
.
"
But
,
might
I
inquire
—
"
"
Yes
,
ma'am
,
you
may
inquire
anything
you
choose
,
"
said
the
stranger
,
with
another
solemn
shake
of
his
head
—
in
consequence
of
which
a
great
deal
of
wet
was
thrown
over
Mrs.
Smith
's
furniture
;
"
for
I
know
you
by
name
,
Mrs.
Smith
—
I
know
you
well
by
reputation
—
as
a
respectable
,
kind-hearted
,
and
pious
widder
;
and
I
feel
conwinced
that
your
treatment
to
the
poor
lamented
deceased
—
"
here
the
stranger
shook
his
head
again
,
and
groaned
audibly
—
"
was
every
thing
that
it
ought
to
be
in
this
blessed
land
of
Christian
comfort
!
"
Mrs.
Smith
now
began
to
suspect
that
she
was
honoured
with
the
visit
of
a
devout
minister
of
some
particular
sect
to
which
the
deceased
had
probably
belonged
.
But
before
she
had
time
to
mention
her
supposition
,
the
stranger
resumed
his
highly
edifying
discourse
.
"
My
dear
madam
,
"
he
said
,
turning
up
his
eyes
,
"
the
presence
of
death
in
this
house
—
this
wery
house
—
ought
to
make
us
mindful
of
the
uncertain
leasehold
of
our
own
lives
;
it
ought
to
make
us
prayerful
and
church-loving
.
But
madam
—
my
dear
madam
,
"
continued
the
stranger
,
apparently
on
the
point
of
bursting
out
into
a
perfect
agony
of
grief
,
"
there
are
attentions
to
be
paid
to
the
body
as
well
as
cares
to
entertain
for
the
soul
;
and
the
least
we
can
do
is
to
show
a
feeling
of
weneration
for
our
deceased
friends
by
consigning
them
in
a
decent
manner
to
the
grave
.
"
"
On
that
point
,
sir
,
"
said
Mrs.
Smith
,
"
