English
‘Who’sthat?’inquiredBrittles,openingthedooralittleway,withthechainup,andpeepingout,shadingthecandlewithhishand.
‘Openthedoor,’repliedamanoutside;‘it’stheofficersfromBowStreet,aswassenttoto-day.’
Muchcomfortedbythisassurance,Brittlesopenedthedoortoitsfullwidth,andconfrontedaportlymaninagreat-coat;whowalkedin,withoutsayinganythingmore,andwipedhisshoesonthemat,ascoollyasifhelivedthere.
‘Justsendsomebodyouttorelievemymate,willyou,youngman?’
saidtheofficer;‘he’sinthegig,a-mindingtheprad.
Haveyougotacoach‘ushere,thatyoucouldputitupin,forfiveortenminutes?’
Brittlesreplyingintheaffirmative,andpointingoutthebuilding,theportlymansteppedbacktothegarden-gate,andhelpedhiscompaniontoputupthegig:whileBrittleslightedthem,inastateofgreatadmiration.
Thisdone,theyreturnedtothehouse,and,beingshownintoaparlour,tookofftheirgreat-coatsandhats,andshowedlikewhattheywere.
Themanwhohadknockedatthedoor,wasastoutpersonageofmiddleheight,agedaboutfifty:withshinyblackhair,croppedprettyclose;half-whiskers,aroundface,andsharpeyes.
Theotherwasared-headed,bonyman,intop-boots;witharatherill-favouredcountenance,andaturned-upsinister-lookingnose.
‘TellyourgovernorthatBlathersandDuffishere,willyou?’
saidthestouterman,smoothingdownhishair,andlayingapairofhandcuffsonthetable.‘Oh!Good-evening,master.
CanIhaveawordortwowithyouinprivate,ifyouplease?’
ThiswasaddressedtoMr.Losberne,whonowmadehisappearance;thatgentleman,motioningBrittlestoretire,broughtinthetwoladies,andshutthedoor.
‘Thisistheladyofthehouse,’saidMr.Losberne,motioningtowardsMrs.Maylie.
Mr.Blathersmadeabow.Beingdesiredtositdown,heputhishatonthefloor,andtakingachair,motionedtoDufftodothesame.
Thelattergentleman,whodidnotappearquitesomuchaccustomedtogoodsociety,orquitesomuchathiseaseinit—oneofthetwo—seatedhimself,afterundergoingseveralmuscularaffectionsofthelimbs,andtheheadofhisstickintohismouth,withsomeembarrassment.
‘Now,withregardtothishererobbery,master,’saidBlathers.‘Whatarethecircumstances?’
Mr.Losberne,whoappeareddesirousofgainingtime,recountedthematgreatlength,andwithmuchcircumlocution.
Messrs.BlathersandDufflookedveryknowingmeanwhile,andoccasionallyexchangedanod.
‘Ican’tsay,forcertain,tillIseethework,ofcourse,’saidBlathers;‘butmyopinionatonceis,—Idon’tmindcommittingmyselftothatextent,—thatthiswasn’tdonebyayokel;eh,Duff?’
‘Certainlynot,’repliedDuff.
‘And,translatingthewordyokelforthebenefitoftheladies,Iapprehendyourmeaningtobe,thatthisattemptwasnotmadebyacountryman?’saidMr.Losberne,withasmile.
‘That’sit,master,’repliedBlathers.‘Thisisallabouttherobbery,isit?’
‘All,’repliedthedoctor.
‘Now,whatisthis,aboutthishereboythattheservantsarea-talkingon?’saidBlathers.
‘Nothingatall,’repliedthedoctor.‘Oneofthefrightenedservantschosetotakeitintohishead,thathehadsomethingtodowiththisattempttobreakintothehouse;butit’snonsense:sheerabsurdity.’
‘Weryeasydisposedof,ifitis,’remarkedDuff.
‘Whathesaysisquitecorrect,’observedBlathers,noddinghisheadinaconfirmatoryway,andplayingcarelesslywiththehandcuffs,asiftheywereapairofcastanets.‘Whoistheboy?Whataccountdoeshegiveofhimself?Wheredidhecomefrom?
Hedidn’tdropoutoftheclouds,didhe,master?’
‘Ofcoursenot,’repliedthedoctor,withanervousglanceatthetwoladies.
‘Iknowhiswholehistory:butwecantalkaboutthatpresently.
Youwouldlike,first,toseetheplacewherethethievesmadetheirattempt,Isuppose?’
‘Certainly,’rejoinedMr.Blathers.‘Wehadbetterinspectthepremisesfirst,andexaminetheservantsafterwards.That’stheusualwayofdoingbusiness.’
Lightswerethenprocured;andMessrs.BlathersandDuff,attendedbythenativeconstable,Brittles,Giles,andeverybodyelseinshort,wentintothelittleroomattheendofthepassageandlookedoutatthewindow;andafterwardswentroundbywayofthelawn,andlookedinatthewindow;andafterthat,hadacandlehandedouttoinspecttheshutterwith;andafterthat,alanterntotracethefootstepswith;andafterthat,apitchforktopokethebusheswith.
Thisdone,amidstthebreathlessinterestofallbeholders,theycameinagain;andMr.GilesandBrittleswereputthroughamelodramaticrepresentationoftheirshareinthepreviousnight’sadventures:whichtheyperformedsomesixtimesover:contradictingeachother,innotmorethanoneimportantrespect,thefirsttime,andinnotmorethanadozenthelast.
Thisconsummationbeingarrivedat,BlathersandDuffclearedtheroom,andheldalongcounciltogether,comparedwithwhich,forsecrecyandsolemnity,aconsultationofgreatdoctorsontheknottiestpointinmedicine,wouldbemerechild’splay.
Meanwhile,thedoctorwalkedupanddownthenextroominaveryuneasystate;andMrs.MaylieandRoselookedon,withanxiousfaces.
‘Uponmyword,’hesaid,makingahalt,afteragreatnumberofveryrapidturns,‘Ihardlyknowwhattodo.’
‘Surely,’saidRose,‘thepoorchild’sstory,faithfullyrepeatedtothesemen,willbesufficienttoexoneratehim.’
‘Idoubtit,mydearyounglady,’saidthedoctor,shakinghishead.
‘Idon’tthinkitwouldexoneratehim,eitherwiththem,orwithlegalfunctionariesofahighergrade.Whatishe,afterall,theywouldsay?Arunaway.
Judgedbymereworldlyconsiderationsandprobabilities,hisstoryisaverydoubtfulone.’
‘Youbelieveit,surely?’interruptedRose.
‘Ibelieveit,strangeasitis;andperhapsImaybeanoldfoolfordoingso,’rejoinedthedoctor;‘butIdon’tthinkitisexactlythetaleforapracticalpolice-officer,nevertheless.’
‘Whynot?’demandedRose.
‘Because,myprettycross-examiner,’repliedthedoctor:‘because,viewedwiththeireyes,therearemanyuglypointsaboutit;hecanonlyprovethepartsthatlookill,andnoneofthosethatlookwell.
Confoundthefellows,theywillhavethewhyandthewherefore,andwilltakenothingforgranted.
Onhisownshowing,yousee,hehasbeenthecompanionofthievesforsometimepast;hehasbeencarriedtoapolice-officer,onachargeofpickingagentleman’spocket;hehasbeentakenaway,forcibly,fromthatgentleman’shouse,toaplacewhichhecannotdescribeorpointout,andofthesituationofwhichhehasnottheremotestidea.
HeisbroughtdowntoChertsey,bymenwhoseemtohavetakenaviolentfancytohim,whetherhewillorno;andisputthroughawindowtorobahouse;andthen,justattheverymomentwhenheisgoingtoalarmtheinmates,andsodotheverythingthatwouldsethimalltorights,thererushesintotheway,ablunderingdogofahalf-bredbutler,andshootshim!
Asifonpurposetopreventhisdoinganygoodforhimself!Don’tyouseeallthis?’
‘Iseeit,ofcourse,’repliedRose,smilingatthedoctor’simpetuosity;‘butstillIdonotseeanythinginit,tocriminatethepoorchild.’
‘No,’repliedthedoctor;‘ofcoursenot!Blessthebrighteyesofyoursex!
Theyneversee,whetherforgoodorbad,morethanonesideofanyquestion;andthatis,always,theonewhichfirstpresentsitselftothem.’
Havinggivenventtothisresultofexperience,thedoctorputhishandsintohispockets,andwalkedupanddowntheroomwithevengreaterrapiditythanbefore.
‘ThemoreIthinkofit,’saidthedoctor,‘themoreIseethatitwilloccasionendlesstroubleanddifficultyifweputthesemeninpossessionoftheboy’srealstory.
Iamcertainitwillnotbebelieved;andeveniftheycandonothingtohimintheend,stillthedraggingitforward,andgivingpublicitytoallthedoubtsthatwillbecastuponit,mustinterfere,materially,withyourbenevolentplanofrescuinghimfrommisery.’
‘Oh!whatistobedone?’criedRose.‘Dear,dear!whydidtheysendforthesepeople?’
‘Why,indeed!’exclaimedMrs.Maylie.‘Iwouldnothavehadthemhere,fortheworld.’
‘AllIknowis,’saidMr.Losberne,atlast:sittingdownwithakindofdesperatecalmness,‘thatwemusttryandcarryitoffwithaboldface.
Theobjectisagoodone,andthatmustbeourexcuse.
Theboyhasstrongsymptomsoffeveruponhim,andisinnoconditiontobetalkedtoanymore;that’sonecomfort.
Wemustmakethebestofit;andifbadbethebest,itisnofaultofours.Comein!’
‘Well,master,’saidBlathers,enteringtheroomfollowedbyhiscolleague,andmakingthedoorfast,beforehesaidanymore.‘Thiswarn’taput-upthing.’
‘Andwhatthedevil’saput-upthing?’demandedthedoctor,impatiently.
‘Wecallitaput-uprobbery,ladies,’saidBlathers,turningtothem,asifhepitiedtheirignorance,buthadacontemptforthedoctor’s,‘whentheservantsisinit.’
‘Nobodysuspectedthem,inthiscase,’saidMrs.Maylie.
‘Werylikelynot,ma’am,’repliedBlathers;‘buttheymighthavebeeninit,forallthat.’
‘Morelikelyonthatweryaccount,’saidDuff.
‘Wefinditwasatownhand,’saidBlathers,continuinghisreport;‘forthestyleofworkisfirst-rate.’
‘Weryprettyindeeditis,’remarkedDuff,inanundertone.
‘Therewastwoof‘eminit,’continuedBlathers;‘andtheyhadaboywith‘em;that’splainfromthesizeofthewindow.That’salltobesaidatpresent.
We’llseethisladthatyou’vegotupstairsatonce,ifyouplease.’
‘Perhapstheywilltakesomethingtodrinkfirst,Mrs.Maylie?’saidthedoctor:hisfacebrightening,asifsomenewthoughthadoccurredtohim.
‘Oh!tobesure!’exclaimedRose,eagerly.‘Youshallhaveitimmediately,ifyouwill.’
‘Why,thankyou,miss!’saidBlathers,drawinghiscoat-sleeveacrosshismouth;‘it’sdrywork,thissortofduty.Anythinkthat’shandy,miss;don’tputyourselfoutoftheway,onouraccounts.’
‘Whatshallitbe?’askedthedoctor,followingtheyoungladytothesideboard.
‘Alittledropofspirits,master,ifit’sallthesame,’repliedBlathers.‘It’sacoldridefromLondon,ma’am;andIalwaysfindthatspiritscomeshomewarmertothefeelings.’
ThisinterestingcommunicationwasaddressedtoMrs.Maylie,whoreceiveditverygraciously.Whileitwasbeingconveyedtoher,thedoctorslippedoutoftheroom.
‘Ah!’saidMr.Blathers:notholdinghiswine-glassbythestem,butgraspingthebottombetweenthethumbandforefingerofhislefthand:andplacingitinfrontofhischest;‘Ihaveseenagoodmanypiecesofbusinesslikethis,inmytime,ladies.’
‘ThatcrackdowninthebacklaneatEdmonton,Blathers,’saidMr.Duff,assistinghiscolleague’smemory.
‘Thatwassomethinginthisway,warn’tit?’rejoinedMr.Blathers;‘thatwasdonebyConkeyChickweed,thatwas.’
‘Youalwaysgavethattohim’repliedDuff.‘ItwastheFamilyPet,Itellyou.Conkeyhadn’tanymoretodowithitthanIhad.’
‘Getout!’retortedMr.Blathers;‘Iknowbetter.DoyoumindthattimewhenConkeywasrobbedofhismoney,though?Whatastartthatwas!Betterthananynovel-bookIeversee!’
‘Whatwasthat?’inquiredRose:anxioustoencourageanysymptomsofgood-humourintheunwelcomevisitors.
‘Itwasarobbery,miss,thathardlyanybodywouldhavebeendownupon,’saidBlathers.‘ThishereConkeyChickweed—’
‘ConkeymeansNosey,ma’am,’interposedDuff.
‘Ofcoursetheladyknowsthat,don’tshe?’demandedMr.Blathers.‘Alwaysinterrupting,youare,partner!
ThishereConkeyChickweed,miss,keptapublic-houseoverBattlebridgeway,andhehadacellar,whereagoodmanyyounglordswenttoseecock-fighting,andbadger-drawing,andthat;andaweryintellectualmannerthesportswasconductedin,forI’veseen‘emoff’en.
Hewarn’toneofthefamily,atthattime;andonenighthewasrobbedofthreehundredandtwenty-sevenguineasinacanvasbag,thatwasstoleoutofhisbedroominthedeadofnight,byatallmanwithablackpatchoverhiseye,whohadconcealedhimselfunderthebed,andaftercommittingtherobbery,jumpedslapoutofwindow:whichwasonlyastoryhigh.Hewasweryquickaboutit.
ButConkeywasquick,too;forhefiredablunderbussarterhim,androusedtheneighbourhood.
Theysetupahue-and-cry,directly,andwhentheycametolookabout‘em,foundthatConkeyhadhittherobber;fortherewastracesofblood,allthewaytosomepalingsagooddistanceoff;andtheretheylost‘em.
However,hehadmadeoffwiththeblunt;and,consequently,thenameofMr.Chickweed,licensedwitler,appearedintheGazetteamongtheotherbankrupts;andallmannerofbenefitsandsubscriptions,andIdon’tknowwhatall,wasgotupforthepoorman,whowasinawerylowstateofmindabouthisloss,andwentupanddownthestreets,forthreeorfourdays,apullinghishairoffinsuchadesperatemannerthatmanypeoplewasafraidhemightbegoingtomakeawaywithhimself.
Onedayhecameuptotheoffice,allinahurry,andhadaprivateinterviewwiththemagistrate,who,afteradealoftalk,ringsthebell,andordersJemSpyersin(Jemwasaactiveofficer),andtellshimtogoandassistMr.Chickweedinapprehendingthemanasrobbedhishouse.
“Iseehim,Spyers,”saidChickweed,“passmyhouseyesterdaymorning,”“Whydidn’tyouup,andcollarhim!”saysSpyers.
“Iwassostruckallofaheap,thatyoumighthavefracturedmyskullwithatoothpick,”saysthepoorman;“butwe’resuretohavehim;forbetweentenandeleveno’clockatnighthepassedagain.”
Spyersnosoonerheardthis,thanheputsomecleanlinenandacomb,inhispocket,incaseheshouldhavetostopadayortwo;andawayhegoes,andsetshimselfdownatoneofthepublic-housewindowsbehindthelittleredcurtain,withhishaton,allreadytoboltout,atamoment’snotice.
Hewassmokinghispipehere,lateatnight,whenallofasuddenChickweedroarsout,“Hereheis!Stopthief!Murder!”
JemSpyersdashesout;andthereheseesChickweed,a-tearingdownthestreetfullcry.
AwaygoesSpyers;ongoesChickweed;roundturnsthepeople;everybodyroarsout,“Thieves!”
andChickweedhimselfkeepsonshouting,allthetime,likemad.
Spyerslosessightofhimaminuteasheturnsacorner;shootsround;seesalittlecrowd;divesin;“Whichistheman?”“D—me!”saysChickweed,“I’velosthimagain!”
Itwasaremarkableoccurrence,buthewarn’ttobeseennowhere,sotheywentbacktothepublic-house.
Nextmorning,Spyerstookhisoldplace,andlookedout,frombehindthecurtain,foratallmanwithablackpatchoverhiseye,tillhisowntwoeyesachedagain.
Atlast,hecouldn’thelpshutting‘em,toease‘emaminute;andtheverymomenthedidso,hehearsChickweeda-roaringout,“Hereheis!”
Offhestartsoncemore,withChickweedhalf-waydownthestreetaheadofhim;andaftertwiceaslongarunastheyesterday’sone,theman’slostagain!
Thiswasdone,onceortwicemore,tillone-halftheneighboursgaveoutthatMr.Chickweedhadbeenrobbedbythedevil,whowasplayingtrickswithhimarterwards;andtheotherhalf,thatpoorMr.Chickweedhadgonemadwithgrief.’
‘WhatdidJemSpyerssay?’inquiredthedoctor;whohadreturnedtotheroomshortlyafterthecommencementofthestory.
‘JemSpyers,’resumedtheofficer,‘foralongtimesaidnothingatall,andlistenedtoeverythingwithoutseemingto,whichshowedheunderstoodhisbusiness.
But,onemorning,hewalkedintothebar,andtakingouthissnuffbox,says“Chickweed,I’vefoundoutwhodonethishererobbery.”“Haveyou?”saidChickweed.
“Oh,mydearSpyers,onlyletmehavewengeance,andIshalldiecontented!
Oh,mydearSpyers,whereisthevillain!”“Come!”
saidSpyers,offeringhimapinchofsnuff,“noneofthatgammon!Youdidityourself.”
Sohehad;andagoodbitofmoneyhehadmadebyit,too;andnobodywouldneverhavefounditout,ifhehadn’tbeensopreciousanxioustokeepupappearances!’
saidMr.Blathers,puttingdownhiswine-glass,andclinkingthehandcuffstogether.
‘Verycurious,indeed,’observedthedoctor.‘Now,ifyouplease,youcanwalkupstairs.’
‘Ifyouplease,sir,’returnedMr.Blathers.CloselyfollowingMr.Losberne,thetwoofficersascendedtoOliver’sbedroom;Mr.Gilesprecedingtheparty,withalightedcandle.
Oliverhadbeendozing;butlookedworse,andwasmorefeverishthanhehadappearedyet.
Beingassistedbythedoctor,hemanagedtositupinbedforaminuteorso;andlookedatthestrangerswithoutatallunderstandingwhatwasgoingforward—infact,withoutseemingtorecollectwherehewas,orwhathadbeenpassing.
‘This,’saidMr.Losberne,speakingsoftly,butwithgreatvehemencenotwithstanding,‘thisisthelad,who,beingaccidentlywoundedbyaspring-guninsomeboyishtrespassonMr.What-d’ye-call-him’sgrounds,atthebackhere,comestothehouseforassistancethismorning,andisimmediatelylaidholdofandmaltreated,bythatingeniousgentlemanwiththecandleinhishand:whohasplacedhislifeinconsiderabledanger,asIcanprofessionallycertify.’
Messrs.BlathersandDufflookedatMr.Giles,ashewasthusrecommendedtotheirnotice.
ThebewilderedbutlergazedfromthemtowardsOliver,andfromOlivertowardsMr.Losberne,withamostludicrousmixtureoffearandperplexity.
‘Youdon’tmeantodenythat,Isuppose?’saidthedoctor,layingOlivergentlydownagain.
‘Itwasalldoneforthe—forthebest,sir,’answeredGiles.‘IamsureIthoughtitwastheboy,orIwouldn’thavemeddledwithhim.Iamnotofaninhumandisposition,sir.’
‘Thoughtitwaswhatboy?’inquiredtheseniorofficer.
‘Thehousebreaker’sboy,sir!’repliedGiles.‘They—theycertainlyhadaboy.’
‘Well?Doyouthinksonow?’inquiredBlathers.
‘Thinkwhat,now?’repliedGiles,lookingvacantlyathisquestioner.
‘Thinkit’sthesameboy,Stupid-head?’rejoinedBlathers,impatiently.
‘Idon’tknow;Ireallydon’tknow,’saidGiles,witharuefulcountenance.‘Icouldn’tsweartohim.’
‘Whatdoyouthink?’askedMr.Blathers.
‘Idon’tknowwhattothink,’repliedpoorGiles.‘Idon’tthinkitistheboy;indeed,I’malmostcertainthatitisn’t.Youknowitcan’tbe.’
‘Hasthismanbeena-drinking,sir?’inquiredBlathers,turningtothedoctor.
‘Whatapreciousmuddle-headedchapyouare!’saidDuff,addressingMr.Giles,withsupremecontempt.
Mr.Losbernehadbeenfeelingthepatient’spulseduringthisshortdialogue;buthenowrosefromthechairbythebedside,andremarked,thatiftheofficershadanydoubtsuponthesubject,theywouldperhapsliketostepintothenextroom,andhaveBrittlesbeforethem.
Actinguponthissuggestion,theyadjournedtoaneighbouringapartment,whereMr.Brittles,beingcalledin,involvedhimselfandhisrespectedsuperiorinsuchawonderfulmazeoffreshcontradictionsandimpossibilities,astendedtothrownoparticularlightonanything,butthefactofhisownstrongmystification;except,indeed,hisdeclarationsthatheshouldn’tknowtherealboy,ifhewereputbeforehimthatinstant;thathehadonlytakenOlivertobehe,becauseMr.Gileshadsaidhewas;andthatMr.Gileshad,fiveminutespreviously,admittedinthekitchen,thathebegantobeverymuchafraidhehadbeenalittletoohasty.
Amongotheringenioussurmises,thequestionwasthenraised,whetherMr.Gileshadreallyhitanybody;anduponexaminationofthefellowpistoltothatwhichhehadfired,itturnedouttohavenomoredestructiveloadingthangunpowderandbrownpaper:adiscoverywhichmadeaconsiderableimpressiononeverybodybutthedoctor,whohaddrawntheballabouttenminutesbefore.
Uponnoone,however,diditmakeagreaterimpressionthanonMr.Gileshimself;who,afterlabouring,forsomehours,underthefearofhavingmortallywoundedafellow-creature,eagerlycaughtatthisnewidea,andfavouredittotheutmost.
Finally,theofficers,withouttroublingthemselvesverymuchaboutOliver,lefttheChertseyconstableinthehouse,andtookuptheirrestforthatnightinthetown;promisingtoreturnthenextmorning.
Withthenextmorning,therecamearumour,thattwomenandaboywereinthecageatKingston,whohadbeenapprehendedovernightundersuspiciouscircumstances;andtoKingstonMessrs.BlathersandDuffjourneyedaccordingly.
Thesuspiciouscircumstances,however,resolvingthemselves,oninvestigation,intotheonefact,thattheyhadbeendiscoveredsleepingunderahaystack;which,althoughagreatcrime,isonlypunishablebyimprisonment,andis,inthemercifuleyeoftheEnglishlaw,anditscomprehensiveloveofalltheKing’ssubjects,heldtobenosatisfactoryproof,intheabsenceofallotherevidence,thatthesleeper,orsleepers,havecommittedburglaryaccompaniedwithviolence,andhavethereforerenderedthemselvesliabletothepunishmentofdeath;Messrs.BlathersandDuffcamebackagain,aswiseastheywent.
Inshort,aftersomemoreexamination,andagreatdealmoreconversation,aneighbouringmagistratewasreadilyinducedtotakethejointbailofMrs.MaylieandMr.LosberneforOliver’sappearanceifheshouldeverbecalledupon;andBlathersandDuff,beingrewardedwithacoupleofguineas,returnedtotownwithdividedopinionsonthesubjectoftheirexpedition:thelattergentlemanonamatureconsiderationofallthecircumstances,incliningtothebeliefthattheburglariousattempthadoriginatedwiththeFamilyPet;andtheformerbeingequallydisposedtoconcedethefullmeritofittothegreatMr.ConkeyChickweed.
Meanwhile,OlivergraduallythroveandprosperedundertheunitedcareofMrs.Maylie,Rose,andthekind-heartedMr.Losberne.
Ifferventprayers,gushingfromheartsoverchargedwithgratitude,beheardinheaven—andiftheybenot,whatprayersare!
—theblessingswhichtheorphanchildcalleddownuponthem,sunkintotheirsouls,diffusingpeaceandhappiness.
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