Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

54 SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: ** And you shall have it willingly,” was the reply. “Then meet meat midnight. For the present, good- -bye,” And taking the mask fronx his face, he bowed to albaker and Perkins, and left the house. CHAPTER, XXII. : SPRING-HEELED JACK EFFECTS AN. ENTRANCE INTO . MISS FRUMP’S HOUSE—THE OLD MAID’S TERROR. One o'clock had struck, and perfect silence reigned throughout the eenerally quiet neigh- bourhood in. which Grasper, Baker, and Miss rump resided, The public-house, to which we haye before re- ‘ferred, had closed its doors and turned down its gases quite an hour and a half before, at which ‘time Tom Bedford, who had outstayed his com- panions some time in order to have a little con- ‘versation with the pretty barmaid, took his depar ture. ‘The’ young man, however, did not proceed home immediately, but waited outside the house in order to keep his appointment with Jack, elated at the prospect of a bit of fun with the ill-tempered old lady. True to his appointment, our hero made his appearance, and after a few moments’ conversa- tion, he took the arm of Tom, and together they proceeded to the latter’s lodgings. | Tom Bedford was a city elerk—a position ob- tained for him by his, friends, who resided in Yorkshire. He was alone in London, at least as far as regarded relatives, and lodged at the house of the cashier of the firm where he was employed— a staid, middle-aged man, and the father of a family, ‘who often felt it his duty to rate Tom on his joking propensities and his late hours. Tom was nota rake, but he was fond of the’ ‘company of young men of his own age, and, con- sequently, the bagatelle-room was Often a place where he was when he should, have: been in bed. But withal, he was a generous-hearted fellow, and so the staid. cashier overlooked a great deal, and Tom retained his lodgings next door to the dwelling of Miss Frump, whose querulous nature made her no very great favourite with the cashier and his family. But if there was anything Tom’s fellow-servant and landlord objected to, it was the young man bringing home any of his friends after the family had retired to rest. ‘This was a difficulty which the young man felt now as he walled arm-in-arm with J ack, but he frankly told his: companiouw so, and likewise in- timated that he had no desire to oftend the cashier. i Jack mused a moment. That is awkward,” he said. “ Ves,’ For: Mr, Sinclair has cer tainly been kind to me, and £ should but ill requite that kindness by giving him any annoyance.” “True. But if he has retired to bed, he will know nothing of the circumstance,” ‘ Fle will hear us both enter the house.” “ He need not.” : oe > —_ ©O | THE TERROR OF LONDON. SSS sess see ‘¢ How can it be avoided? Can you spring up thoush my window ?” asked Bedford. .|.% “TF could do so, perhaps; but. then. I, might be seen. You had better take me on your, baek and carry me up to your room, then there will be but your footstep on passage and stair.” » ‘‘ Good! I can marage that.” Arriving at the house, Tom opened the drei with his latch key, and J ack springing upon-his back, Tom made his way up, the shams es own room. i} As he turned the handle of the door, aman’ s voice exclaimed— ood I “Ts that you, Mr. Bedford ?” ‘iyvrul J ‘‘ Yes, sir,” answered Tom, | ifigi “You are late ?” . ) “Yes, vather.” d sagt “ Good night.”’ idtet oil) ““ Good night, sir.’ Tom closed the aa quickly behind. him, and dropped Jack softly to the floor. “The old boy was awake, you see,” he said, in a whisper, as he moved a eandle from the wash-hand basin, where it had been: placad for him in safety, on to the table. uh Jack walked. silently. to the window, of the room, and softly raised the sash. Placing his head out, he examined the <a on either | side, and strained his eySS up and down the street. 33 Not a footfall = oke the loreae | Drawing back his head, he said - ‘I can easily spring. from the. sill ‘of this window to that of the old lady’ 8, but” aatht it What 2?” ! | ‘““ Doubtless her window’ is secured, and: she might wake ere I could sueceed in opening it.” © And raise an alarm.” | ‘Yes, that would wake the whole neighbour- hood,” said J ack, “ere I could effect an entrance.” ff That’ sawkward.” “And furthermore, some wakeful neighbour on the oppositeé side might by chance observe me,” ‘So they might, although I think evexyhagy is asleep but us two,” said Bedford. ‘Ts this the only apartment you pores 2 i‘ “No; I have another.” aT “€ Which ?”’ : “The room next this.” “Good. It opens on the back ? 4, ** Yes.” ‘That will be the best way to get into the old lady’s house without disturbing her or running the risk of being seen, Who. resides nere besides herself?” Only an old crabby gentleman, as deaf as a post, who occupies the two par lour s; He would never hear you.” | «7 |’ w bork ® ‘Ts that all?” “Yes. Miss Frump keeps the homme and Mr. Duppy is her lodger. He is about as miser- able an old man as she is ™ woman. He isa bachelor, and a. pachelor at ‘Bhtyadive or sixty ain’t wp to much.” Jack’s eyes twinkled, and a smile passed ove his mouth, ‘* T will take a BUDYey from that window there, if you please, Of course, EF could give the old woman & pretty fright ‘from the. front, but. then a oe. — - TT egy - ——— <TR ea discovery woul defeat the object I have in view.” | COr A oO ae me GDOOKS=G e)