Chapter XXXIX
In which is recorded a most barbarous and bloody murder.
We observed, in a previous chapter, that Mr Vanslyperken was observed byMoggy Salisbury to go into a jeweller's shop, and remain there sometime, and that Moggy was very inquisitive to know what it was that couldinduce Mr Vanslyperken to go into so unusual a resort for him.
The next day she went into the shop upon a pretence of looking at someear-rings, and attempted to enter into conversation with the jeweller;but the jeweller, not perhaps admiring Moggy's appearance, and notthinking her likely to be a customer, dismissed her with very shortanswers. Failing in her attempt, Moggy determined to wait till NancyCorbett should come over, for she knew that Nancy could dress and assumethe fine lady, and be more likely to succeed than herself. But althoughMoggy could not penetrate into the mystery, it is necessary the readershould be informed of the proceedings of Mr Vanslyperken.
When Ramsay had shown him how to open the government despatches, and hadprovided him with the false seals for the re-impressions, he forgot thathe also was pointing out to Vanslyperken the means of also opening hisown, and discovering his secrets, as well as those of government; butVanslyperken, who hated Ramsay, on account of his behaviour towards him,and would with pleasure have seen the whole of his party, as well ashimself, on the gibbet, thought that it might be just as well to havetwo strings to his bow; and he argued, that if he could open the lettersof the conspirators, and obtain their secrets, they would provevaluable to him, and perhaps save his neck, if he were betrayed to thegovernment. On his passage, therefore, to Amsterdam, he had carefullyexamined the seal of Ramsay, and also that on the letters forwarded tohim; and, having made a drawing, and taken the impression in wax, as afurther security, he had applied to the jeweller in question to get himseals cut out with these impressions, and of the exact form and size.The jeweller, who cared little what he did, provided that he was wellpaid, asked no questions, but a very high price, and Vanslyperken,knowing that they would be cheap to him at any price, closed with him onhis own terms, provided that they were immediately forthcoming. In theweek, according to the agreement, the seals were prepared. MrVanslyperken paid his money, and now was waiting for orders to sail.
The dog's stump was much better.
On the ninth day, a summons to the admiral's house was sent, andVanslyperken was ordered to hold himself in readiness to sail the nextmorning at daylight. He immediately repaired to the Jew's, to giveintimation, and from thence to his mother's to prepare her for thearrival of Smallbones that evening a little before dusk.
Vanslyperken had arranged that, as soon as the murder had beencommitted, he would go to the Jew's for letters, and then hasten onboard, sailing the next morning at daylight; so that if there was anydiscovery, the whole onus might be on his mother, who, for all he cared,might be hung. It is a true saying, that a good mother makes a good son.
When Vanslyperken intimated to Smallbones that he was going on shore inthe evening, and should take him with him, the lad did not forget thelast walk that he had in company with his master, and, apprehensive thatsome mischief was intended, he said, "I hope it arn't for to fetchanother walk in the country, sir?"
"No, no," replied Vanslyperken, "it's to take some biscuit up to a poorold woman close by. I don't want to be robbed, any more than you do,Smallbones."
But the very quick reply of his master only increased the apprehensionof Smallbones, who left the cabin, and hastened to Corporal Van Spitter,to consult with him.
Corporal Van Spitter was of the same opinion as Smallbones, thatmischief was intended him, and offered to provide him with a pistol; butSmallbones, who knew little about fire-arms, requested that he mighthave a bayonet instead, which he could use better. He was supplied withthis, which he concealed within his shirt, and when ordered, he wentinto the boat with Vanslyperken. They landed, and it was dark beforethey arrived at the half-way houses. Vanslyperken ascended the stairs,and ordered Smallbones to follow him. As soon as they were in the room,Mr Vanslyperken said, "Here is the biscuit, good woman, and much goodmay it do you."
"It's very kind of you, sir, and many thanks. It's not often that peopleare charitable now-a-days, and this has been a hard winter for poorfolk. Put the bag down there, my good little fellow," continued the oldhypocrite, addressing Smallbones.
"And now, good woman, I shall leave my lad with you, till I come back. Ihave to call at a friend's, and I need not take him. Smallbones, stayhere till I return; get the biscuit out of the bag, as we must take thaton board again."
Smallbones had no objection to remain with a withered, palsied oldwoman. He could have no fear of her, and he really began to think thathis master had been guilty of charity.
Mr Vanslyperken departed, leaving Smallbones in company with his mother.
"Come now, my lad, come to the chair, and sit down by the fire," for afire had been lighted by the old woman expressly, "sit down, and I'llsee if I can find you something in my cupboard; I have, I know, a dropof cordial left somewhere. Sit down, child; you have had the kindness tobring the bread up for me, and I am grateful."
The tones of the old beldame's voice were very different from those sheusually indulged in; there was almost a sweetness about them, whichproved what she might have effected at the period when she was fair andyoung. Smallbones felt not the least disquietude; he sat down in thechair by the fire, while the old woman looked in the cupboard behind himfor the cordial, of which she poured him a good allowance in a tea-cup.
Smallbones sipped and sipped, he was not in a hurry to get rid of it, asit was good; the old woman went again to the cupboard, rattled thethings about a little, and then, on a sudden, taking out a large hammer,as Smallbones unconsciously sipped, she raised it with both her hands,and down came the blow on his devoted head.
The poor lad dropped the cup, sprang up convulsively, staggered, andthen fell. Once he rolled over, his leg quivered, and he then movedno more.
The beldame watched him with the hammer in her hand, ready to repeat theblow if necessary, indeed she would have repeated it had it not beenthat after he fell, in turning over, Smallbones' head had rolled underthe low bedstead where she slept.
"My work is sure," muttered she, "and _all_ the _gold_ is _mine_."
Again she watched, but there was no motion--a stream of blood appearedfrom under the bed, and ran in a little rivulet towards the fire-place.
"I wish I could pull him out," said the old woman, lugging at the lad'slegs; "another blow or two would make more sure." But the effort wasabove her strength, and she abandoned it. "It's no matter," mutteredshe; "he'll never tell tales again."
But there the old hag was mistaken; Smallbones had been stunned, but notkilled; the blow of the hammer had fortunately started off, divided theflesh of the skull for three inches, with a gash which descended to hisear. At the very time that she uttered her last expressions, Smallboneswas recovering his senses, but he was still confused, as if in a dream.
"Yes, yes," said the old woman, after some minutes' pause, "all the goldis mine."
The lad heard this sentence, and he now remembered where he was, andwhat had taken place. He was about to rise, when there was a knocking atthe door, and he lay still. It was Vanslyperken. The door was opened bythe old beldame.
"Is it done?" said he, in a loud whisper.
"Done!" cried the hag; "yes, and well done. Don't tell me of charmedlife. My blows are sure--see there."
"Are you sure that he is dead?"
"Quite sure, child--and all the gold is mine."
Vanslyperken looked with horror at the stream of blood still flowing,and absorbed by the ashes in the grate.
"It was you did it, mother; recollect it was not I," cried he.
"I did it--and you paid for it--and all the gold is mine."
"But are you quite sure that he is dead?"
"Sure--yes, and in judgment now, if there is any."
Vanslyperken surveyed the body of Smallbones, who, although he had he
ardevery word, lay without motion, for he knew his life depended on it.After a minute or two the lieutenant was satisfied.
"I must go on board now, mother; but what will you do with the body?"
"Leave that to me; who ever comes in here? Leave that to me, craven,and, as you say, go on board."
Vanslyperken opened the door, and went out of the room; the old hag madethe door fast, and then sat down on the chair, which she replaced by theside of the fire with her back to Smallbones.
The lad felt very faint from loss of blood, and was sick at the stomach,but his senses were in their full vigour.
He now was assured that Vanslyperken was gone, and that he had only theold woman opposed to him. His courage was unsubdued, and he resolved toact in self-defence if required; and he softly drew the bayonet out ofhis breast, and then watched the murderous old hag, who was rockingherself in the chair.
"Yes, yes, the gold is mine," muttered she--"I've won it, and I'll countit. I won it dearly;--another murder--well, 'tis but one more. Let mesee, what shall I do with the body? I must burn it, by bits andbits--and I'll count the gold--it's all mine, for he's dead."
Here the old woman turned round to look at the body, and her keen eyesimmediately perceived that there was a slight change of position.
"Heh'" cried she, "not quite dead yet; we must have the hammer again,"and she rose from her chair, and walked with an unsteady pace to pick upthe hammer, which was at the other side of the fire-place. Smallbones,who felt that now was his time, immediately rose, but before he couldrecover his _feet_, she had turned round to him: with a sort of lowyell, she darted at him with an agility not to be imagined in one of heryears and decrepit appearance, and struck at him. Smallbones raised hisleft arm, and received the blow, and with his right plunged the bayonetdeep into the wrinkled throat of the old woman. She grappled with him,and the struggle was dreadful; she caught his throat in one of her bonyhands, and the nails pierced into it like the talons of a bird ofprey--the fingers of the other she inserted into the jagged and gapingwound on his head, and forced the flesh still more asunder, exerting allher strength to force him on his back; but the bayonet was still in herthroat, and with the point descending towards the body, and Smallbonesforced and forced it down, till it was buried to the hilt. In a fewseconds the old hag loosed her hold, quivered, and fell back dead; andthe lad was so exhausted with the struggle, and his previous loss ofblood, that he fell into a swoon at the side of the corpse.
When Smallbones recovered, the candle was flickering in the socket. Herose up in a sitting posture, and tried to recollect all thathad passed.
The alternating light of the candle flashed upon the body of the oldwoman, and he remembered all. After a few minutes he was able to rise,and he sat down upon the bed giddy and faint. It occurred to him that hewould soon be in the dark, and he would require the light to follow uphis intended movements, so he rose, and went to the cupboard to findone. He found a candle, and he also found the bottle of cordial, ofwhich he drank all that was left, and felt himself revived, and capableof acting. Having put the other candle into the candlestick, he lookedfor water, washed himself, and bound up his head with his handkerchief.He then wiped up the blood from the floor, threw some sand over thepart, and burnt the towel in the grate. His next task was one of moredifficulty, to lift up the body of the old woman, put it into the bed,and cover it up with the clothes, previously drawing out the bayonet. Noblood issued from the wound--the hemorrhage was all internal. He coveredup the face, took the key of the door, and tried it in the lock, put thecandle under the grate to burn out safely, took possession of thehammer; then having examined the door, he went out, locked it from theoutside, slid the key in beneath the door, and hastened away as fast ashe could. He was not met by anybody, and was soon safe in the street,with the bayonet, which he again concealed in his vest.
These precautions taken by Smallbones, proved that the lad had conductas well as courage. He argued that it was not advisable that it shouldbe known that this fatal affray had taken place between the old womanand himself. Satisfied with having preserved his life, he was unwillingto be embroiled in a case of murder, as he wished to prosecute hisdesigns with his companions on board.
He knew that Vanslyperken was capable of swearing anything against him,and that his best safety lay in the affair not being found out, which itcould not be until the cutter had sailed, and no one had seen himeither enter or go out. There was another reason which inducedSmallbones to act as he did--without appealing to the authorities--whichwas, that if he returned on board, it would create such a shock to MrVanslyperken, who had, as he supposed, seen him lying dead upon thefloor. But there was one person to whom he determined to apply foradvice before he decided how to proceed, and that was Moggy Salisbury,who had given her address to him when she had gone on board the_Yungfrau_. To her house he therefore repaired, and found her at home.It was then about nine o'clock in the evening.
Moggy was much surprised to see Smallbones enter in such a condition;but Smallbones' story was soon told, and Moggy sent for a surgeon, theservices of whom the lad seriously required. While his wound wasdressing, which was asserted by them to have been received in a fray,Moggy considered what would be the best method to proceed. The surgeonstated his intention of seeing Smallbones the next day, but he wasrequested to leave him sufficient dressing, as it was necessary that heshould repair on board, as the vessel which he belonged to sailed on thefollowing morning. The surgeon received his fee, recommended quiet andrepose, and retired.
A consultation then took place. Smallbones expressed his determinationto go on board; he did not fear Mr Vanslyperken, as the crew of thecutter would support him--and, moreover, it would frighten MrVanslyperken out of his wits. To this Moggy agreed, but she proposedthat instead of making his appearance on the following morning, heshould not appear to Mr Vanslyperken until the vessel was in the bluewater; if possible, not till she was over on the other side. And Moggydetermined to go on board, see the corporal, and make the arrangementswith him and the crew, who were now unanimous, for the six marines wereat the beck of the corporal, so that Mr Vanslyperken should befrightened out of his wits. Desiring Smallbones to lie down on her bed,and take the rest he so much needed, she put on her bonnet and cloak,and taking a boat, pulled gently alongside the cutter.
Vanslyperken had been on board for two hours, and was in his cabin; thelights, however, were still burning. The corporal was still up,anxiously waiting for the return of Smallbones, and he was very muchalarmed when he heard Moggy come alongside. Moggy soon detailed to thecorporal, Dick Short, and Coble, all that had taken place, and what itwas proposed should be done. They assented willingly to the proposal,declaring that if Vanslyperken attempted to hurt the lad, they wouldrise, and throw Mr Vanslyperken overboard; and everything beingarranged, Moggy was about to depart, when Vanslyperken, who was in astate of miserable anxiety and torture, and who had been drowning hisconscience in scheedam, came on deck not a little the worse for what hehad been imbibing.
"Who is that woman?" cried Vanslyperken.
"That woman is Moggy Salisbury," cried Moggy, walking up toVanslyperken, while the corporal skulked forward without being detected.
"Have I not given positive orders that this woman does not come onboard?" cried Vanslyperken, holding on by the skylight. "Who isthat--Mr Short?"
"Yes," replied Short.
"Why did you allow her to come on board?"
"I came without leave," said Moggy. "I brought a message on board."
"A message! what message--to whom?"
"To you," replied Moggy.
"To me--from whom, you cockatrice?"
"I'll tell you," replied Moggy, walking close up to him; "from Lazarusthe Jew. Will you hear it, or shall I leave it with Dick Short?"
"Silence--silence--not a word; come down into the cabin, good Moggy.Come down--I'll hear it then"
"With all my heart, Mr Vanslyperken, but none of your attacks on myvartue; recollect I am an honest woman."
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"Don't be afraid, my good Moggy--I never hurt a child."
"I don't think you ever did," retorted Moggy, following Vanslyperken,who could hardly keep his feet.
"Well, there's Abacadabra there, anyhow," observed Coble to Short, asthey went down.
"Why she turns him round her finger."
"Yes," quoth Short.
"I can't comprehend this not no how."
"No," quoth Short.
As soon as they were in the cabin, Moggy observed the bottle of scheedamon the table. "Come, Mr Vanslyperken, you'll treat me to-night, anddrink my health again, won't you?"
"Yes, Moggy, yes--we're friends now, you know;" for Vanslyperken, likeall others suffering under the stings of conscience, was glad to makefriends with his bitterest enemy.
"Come, then, help me, Mr Vanslyperken, and then I'll give my message."
As soon as Moggy had taken her glass of scheedam, she began to thinkwhat she should say, for she had no message ready prepared; at last athought struck her.
"I am desired to tell you, that when a passenger, or a person disguisedas a sailor, either asks for a passage, or volunteers for the vessel,you are to take him on board immediately, even if you should know themin their disguise not to be what they pretend to be--do you understand?"
"Yes," replied Vanslyperken, who was quite muddled.
"Whether they apply from here, or from the other side of the channel, noconsequence, you must take them--if not--"
"If not, what?" replied Vanslyperken.
"You'll swing, that's all, my buck. Good-night to you," replied Moggy,leaving the cabin.
"I'll swing," muttered Vanslyperken, rolling against the bulkhead."Well, if I do, others shall swing too. Who cares? damn the faggot!"
Here Mr Vanslyperken poured out another glass of scheedam, the contentsof which overthrew the small remnant of his reasoning faculties. He thentumbled into his bed with his clothes on, saying, as he turned on hisside, "Smallbones is dead and gone, at all events."
Moggy took leave of her friends on deck, and pushed on shore. Shepermitted Smallbones, whom she found fast asleep, to remain undisturbeduntil nearly three o'clock in the morning, during which time she watchedby the bedside. She then roused him, and they sallied forth, took aboat, and dropped alongside of the cutter. Smallbones' hammock had beenprepared for him by the corporal. He was put into it, and Moggy thenleft the vessel.
Mr Vanslyperken was in a state of torpor during this proceeding, andwas, with great difficulty, awoke by the corporal, according to ordersgiven, when it was daylight, and the cutter was to weigh anchor.
"Smallbones has not come off, sir, last night," reported the corporal.
"I suppose the scoundrel has deserted," replied Vanslyperken, "I fullyexpected that he would. However, he is no loss, for he was a useless,idle, lying rascal." And Mr Vanslyperken turned out; having all hisclothes on, he had no occasion to dress. He went on deck, followed bythe tail-less Snarleyyow, and in half an hour the cutter was standingout towards St Helen's.