Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

— SPRING-HEEL'’D JACK; THE.TERROR OF LONDON. you would not mind your vehicle standing in the centre of.” “© pond, sir !” “Let me get out !” eried Levy. ‘Thieves! murder ! police !” “Hold that row,” said Jack, ‘or I shall be under the painful necessity of sagging you.” The Jew sank back upon the cushion with a deep sigh. ~ “*Oh, father Abraham,” he groaned, “ deliver me from the hands of the Philistines.” Jack touched the driver’s arm. “This is a painful case,” he said. The man looked surprised, “Very painful,” continued Jack, alipping Qu soverei ifn into his hand. ‘‘ You see my friend is a little touched in the upper storey.” | The man looked still more puzzled. “He has attempted to commit suicide—the fact is, he is decidedly mad.” _ ©Me mad—me mad!” cried the Jew. “Be calm,” said Jack. “ Hark you, driver ; my friend is now quite mad, and if you will drive us to Marylebone Workhouse the fare I mentioned shall be yours,” “Tl drive you to the other end of the world, sir, for that,”’ said the coachman. “No, you won't,” gasped Levy ; . “T live just here ; I won't go any further.” re You hear “this’ poor fellow, how he roars,” said J ack, ‘pinching the coachman’s arm, and siving him a meaning glance. “Drive us to the place hayenamed, and ten pounds shall be yours.” © D0 + you, mean it, sir P said the man, in.an under + Long | S ‘Id do ; 5 and, J suppose you are not above acce ating. he 0, sir, nor double that.” Taek: still grasping the coat of Leyy, so that he éptld not move ha his head to the coach- man’s ear, and whispered— ke! will double it if you will aid me in this bit of fun.’ “You mean no harm, six ” “Of course not.” —_, “Then [ll do it.” “Mount your box, and drive on, then, quickly. There’s a good night’ S work for you, and no fear of getting into trouble.” _ The man required no second bidding, but leaped at onee on to the box of his vehicle, and gathering the reins in his hand, lashed the worBe with the whip. “Stop ! st said | ce Go! 1? Prat racie! cS toe will pa, I should be sorry to ‘be compelled to use harsh measures, but if you utter another word I must gag you.’ “Oh!” groaned Leyys y? “You are quite mad. Poor APMOY it. grieve | me to see,you thus.” ‘“Memad? Me!” “Yes, you, Mr. Levy: | “Tt’s a lie!” | 0] ‘A very gad case.’ “Mad !” gasped 0 Jew, in, tones of horror. “Quite. But do not let us converse upon. SO ainful a subject.”’ “T’m not mad. I’m as sane ass ever I was in my life. ? : “ Poor fellow ! how he raves,” aed Jacek. now. It’s a hard case—a very hard case ; 163 “My dear sir, I pray you be calm; now do— there’s a good man.” Levy fairly gasped for breath: **Mad!” he muttered. ‘‘ Me mad!” “As a March hare,” said Jack. “No man in his sane mind would attempt to commit suicide.” “T never attempted to commit suicide,” cried Levy. “ You did not ?” “Nol” ‘You mustn’t say that now; when you are drir ing wet,” said Jack. ‘If the man don’t stop his horse, I'll leap out, cried Levy. ‘Is that the act of a sane man, Mr. Levy a I tell you, you are stark, staring, raving HE ys “It's.a lie—it’s a2—= “* Be quiet.” “ T won't.” Then I must gag you.’ “‘ Help |help |” , ) Jack flung his arms around the Bday of the Jew, and flung him down on to the bottom oF the | vehicle. | , “T see there's no help for it,” he said’y I must gag you,”’ “« Murder !—mur al His further ‘utterance was able by Fack suddenly whipping his cambrie handkerchief over the Jew’s mouth. Levy struggled, but Jack was a powerful man; and the Jew was but a child in his grasp. - He soon had the handkerchief securely fas- tened over his mouth; and) tied .at the back of his neck.’. Then lifting ink on io the seat, he sald'i in a mocking tone— ‘CA clear case of confirmed madness. ' EweEy precaution should be taken’ to prevént his doing injury to himself. It’s criminal’to allow his hands to be at liberty. Better tie them behind his back. Poor fellow! what a sad affliction.” Levy strove to call out, but was unable to utter a, sound. In utter despair he suffered his head to fail upon his bosom, and Jack, tearing off the Jew’s neckerchief, pinioned his arms behind his back. “There,” said Jack, “he cannot have brandy but doubtless the doctors at the workhouse well know how to treat him for his malady.” |! Powerless to speak or move, the Jéw léaned’ back against: the cushions olaring upon our hero, who, with a smile upon his face—he having removed his mask—sat opposite to him. ‘The vehicle rolled quickly over the stones, and in the course of an hour drew up at the door of the Marylebone Workhouse. “Come,” said Jack, “ we have arrived ati our destination.” . ‘CHAPTER. LV ite INSIDE THE WORKHOUSE—JACK BEYENGES, aD SELF.,ON THE, JEW, A TRooP of ill-clad, il-looking, wretched béings; | in | ‘of both sexes, stdod: and sat huddled ‘around the workhouse door, waiting to’ see whether ‘the! master’s heart would soften, or the porter, withio OL AN JOO <SEGO