Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

——~~ ee - SPRING-HEEL D JACK : “Step softly, then.” “ All right.”-—?om™ 4 | ‘Lom opened the door of the room, while Jack softly closed the window, lest its being open should excite suspicion. | ‘Taking t é candle, the two then proceeded to the next room, and Jack, looking from the Wane sdb, sec a Small outhouse just beneath him, which served as a lumber or coal cellar for both houses, and. whose slated roof reached up ‘almost to the first floor window. “Capital!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ capital ! ” “ What ?” asked Bedford, still in a whisper. “That outhouse.” | : “ Well?” 3 “ By standing on that, I can raise the window of the room, and enter the house, while, at the same time, it will afford me a ready means to get back here.” “ So it will.” , “ Now let me understand the position of the rooms occupied as sleeping apartments,”’ said ack, - “The old lady sleeps in the first-floor front room,” eV Coie : “And the old gentleman in the back parlour.” “| Very well.” ” | | “The house is in every respect the same as this,” said Bedford, ‘‘ only there the’staircase is to the right of the passage instead of the left.” “Certainly. Now, Mr. Bedford, I will see if I cannot make her more charitable to others in misfortune. Close your window, but do not fasten it, as I shall wish to return this way.” “ All right ; but I go with you ?” cc No.” ‘* Because I can escape where you could not,” said Jack, looking significantly at his heel. ‘* T understand.” | ‘“‘ Put out the light.” “Ts that necessary ?” “ Yes, for two reasons.” . And what are they ?” “The first, that it may appear you have re- tired to bed, for you must not be thought to have had any hand in this business, and I would advise you to divest yourself of your coat and waistcoat.” ** T see.” | | © The next reason why it is necessary you put out the light is, because it may not tend to dis- cover me as I either get in or out this window or your neighbour's.” “Jt might do that.” | “There is a probability of its doing so, at least, and my wish is not to be discovered now.” “ Then out it goes,” said Bedford. ~€ And so do I,” said Jack. “ Keep your eyes and ears open, both front and back.” “ All right.” | Bedford blew out the candle. Jack sprang oyer the window-cill, and alighted on the small outbuilding without any noise. Bedford watched him eagerly and anxiously. “Shut the window.” “Now” »— “Tt would be fasten it.” better to do so - only do not -_e—o— es TT — THE TERROR OF LONDON, et ‘* You may be sure of that.” | fom shut down the window, and took up his position so that he could see Jack’s proceedings through the glass. : iv Our hero first took a good survey of the sur- roundings, and then turned his attention to the window he wished to enter. The blind was not drawn down over it, and Jack endeavoured to peer into the room. But of course in the darkness he could see nothing of what was therein. } Then he tried to rise the sash, but found it fastened. , “ Humph!” he muttered). “I must draw my diamond over the glass; but first my mask.” He took this hideous and’ inseparable com- seal from his pocket, and'adjusted it to his ace, | €. ‘* Now if I have to jump for it, I shall not be recognised. Now to cut the glass.” He drew his ring across the centre pane of the upper sash, producing a slight: scratching sound. ) row of on Holding his left hand just under his right, he gave the glass a slight tap with his finger near the bottom mark, anda piece about four inches wide fell outwards into hishands) © 1 ©) “A professional burglar could not have re- moved it easier or more silently,” he muttered, as he gently laid it at his feet onthe roof of the outhouse. (HOO1 Then he listened intently, © 9 0 4) Still no sound, save the wind as it rustled the leaves of a stunted tree in the garden beneath im, Fas iT pees / “Allright,” he muttered. “ Now to business.” He drew back the cuff of his coat, and inserted his hand through the opening in the glass; | Click ! ET ive. | The catch which secured the window was unlatched. Nothing now barred our hero’s progress to the dark room. | Liss | bail He did not, however, immediately raise: the sash, but paused and listened, straining every nerve to catch the slightest sound that might indicate others were aware of his:presence besides Tom Bedford. Od He knew that aged people sleep lightly, and that even the sharp click of a latch might arouse them. t Ya por! But a few moments assured him that he had not yet awoke either of the sleepers in that house. a8 He grasped the sash in both hands, and flung the window quickly up. | It creaked not in its ascent, and with a smile of satisfaction, Jack sprang over the cill, and dropped softly on to a sofa placed beneath it. In the course of a few moments Jack’s eyes became so accustomed to the darkness, that he could make out every object in the apartment, and the position of the door was plainly visible to him from where he sat. Crossing the room, he flung it open, and stood upon the landing. Here he could hear the loud snore of Miss Frump, as the musi¢ of her nasal organ awoke the silence of the house. Leaning over the banisters, he could hear —_—_ EE —————e LTE TTT LLL COMUNE | O}ONO) Cr Or Hni(CO)