By the committing of magisterial mistakes I am personally and
penally committed--I prepare for my trial by calling in the
assistance of the tailor and the perfumer--I am resolved to die
like a gentleman.
"It is indeed a pity, a great pity," observed one of the magistrates,
"such a fine young man, and evidently, by his demeanour and language,
well brought up; but I believe," said he turning to the others, "we have
but one course; what say you, Mr Norman?"
"I am afraid that my opinion coincides with yours, and that the grand
jury will not hesitate to find a bill, as the case stands at present.
Let us, however, ask the witness Armstrong one question. Do you
positively swear to this young man being one of the persons who attacked
you?"
"It was not very light at the time, sir, and both the men had their
faces _smutted;_ but it was a person just his size, and dressed in the
ame way, as near as I can recollect."
"You cannot, therefore, swear to his identity?"
"No, sir; but to the best of my knowledge and belief, he is the man."
"Take that evidence down as important," said Mr Norman, "it will assist
him at his trial."
The evidence was taken down, and then my commitment to the county gaol
was made out. I was placed in a cart, between two constables, and driven
off. On my arrival I was put into a cell, and my money returned to me,
but the ring was detained, that it might be advertised. At last, I was
freed from the manacles, and when the prison dress was brought to me to
put on, in lieu of my own clothes, I requested leave from the gaoler to
wash myself, which was granted; and, strange to say, so unaccustomed had
I been to such a state of filth, that I felt a degree of happiness, as I
returned from the pump in the prison-yard, and I put on the prison dress
almost with pleasure; for degrading as it was, at all events, it was
new and clean. I then returned to my cell and was left to my meditations.
Now that my examination and committal were over, I became much more
composed, and was able to reflect coolly. I perceived the great
danger of my situation--how strong the evidence was against me--and
how little chance I had of escape. As for sending to Lord Windermear,
Mr Masterton, or those who formerly were acquainted with me, my pride
forbade it--I would sooner have perished on the scaffold. Besides,
their evidence as to my former situation in life, although it would
perhaps satisfactorily account for my possession of the money and the
ring, and for my disposing of my portmanteau--all strong presumptive
evidence against me--would not destroy the evidence brought forward as
to the robbery, which appeared to be so very conclusive to the bench of
magistrates. My only chance appeared to be in the footpad, who had not
escaped, acknowledging that I was not his accomplice, and I felt how much
I was interested in his recovery, as well as in his candour. The assizes
I knew were near at hand, and I anxiously awaited the return of the
gaoler, to make a few inquiries. At night he looked through the small
square cut out of the top of the door of the cell, for it was his duty
to go his rounds and ascertain if all his prisoners were safe. I then
asked him if I might be allowed to make a few purchases, such as pens,
ink, and paper, &c. As I was not committed to prison in punishment, but
on suspicion, this was not denied, although it would have been to those
who were condemned to imprisonment and hard labour for their offences;
and he volunteered to procure them for me the next morning. I then
wished him a good-night, and threw myself on my mattress. Worn out with
fatigue and distress of mind, I slept soundly, without dreaming, until
daylight the next morning. As I awoke, and my scattered senses were
returning, I had a confused idea that there was something which weighed
heavily on my mind, which sleep had banished from my memory. "What is
it?" thought I; and as I opened my eyes, so did I remember that I,
Japhet Newland, who but two nights before was pressing the down of
luxury in the same habitation as Lady de Clare and her lovely child,
was now on a mattress in the cell of a prison, under a charge which
threatened me with an ignominious death. I rose, and sat on the bed,
for I had not thrown off my clothes. My first thoughts were directed
to Timothy. Should I write to him? No, no! why should I make him
miserable?
If I was to suffer, it should be under an assumed name. But what name?
Here I was interrupted by the gaoler, who opened the door, and desired
me to roll up my mattress and bed-clothes, that they might, as was the
custom, be taken out of the cell during the day.
My first inquiry was, if the man who had been so much hurt was in the
gaol.
"You mean your 'complice," replied the gaoler. "Yes, he is here, and
has recovered his senses. The doctor says he will do very well."
"Has he made any confession?" inquired I.
The gaoler made no reply.
"I ask that question," continued I, "because if he acknowledges who was
his accomplice, I shall be set at liberty."
"Very likely," replied the man, sarcastically; "the fact is, there is
no occasion for king's evidence in this case, or you might get off by
crossing the water; so you must trust to your luck. The grand jury
meet to-day, and I will let you know whether a true bill is found
against you or not."
"What is the name of the other man?" inquired I.
"Well, you are a good un to put a face upon a matter, I will say. You
would almost persuade me, with that innocent look of yours, that you
know nothing about the business."
"Nor do I," replied I.
"You will be fortunate if you can prove as much, that's all."
"Still, you have not answered my question; what is the other man's name?"
"Well," replied the gaoler, laughing, "since you are determined I shall
tell you, I will. It must be news to you, with a vengeance. His name is
Bill Ogle, _alias_ Swamping Bill. I suppose you never heard that name
before?"
"I certainly never did," replied I.
"Perhaps you do not know your own name? Yet I can tell it you, for Bill
Ogle has blown upon you so far."
"Indeed," replied I; "and what name has he given to me?"
"Why, to do him justice, it wasn't until he saw a copy of the
depositions before the magistrates, and heard how you were nabbed in
trying to help him off, that he did tell it; and then he said, 'Well,
Phil Maddox always was a true un, and I'm mortal sorry that he's in
for't, by looking a'ter me.' Now do you know your own name?"
"I certainly do not," replied I.
"Well, did you ever hear of one who went by the name of Phil Maddox?"
"I never did," replied I; "and I am glad that Ogle has disclosed so much."
"Well, I never before met with a man who didn't know his own name, or had
the face to say so, and expect to be believed; but never mind, you are
right to be cautious, with the halter looking you in the face."
"O God! O God!" exclaimed I, throwing myself on the bedstead, and
covering up my face, "give me strength to bear even that, if so it
must be."
The gaoler looked at me for a time. "I don't know what to make of
him--he puzzles me quite, certainly. Yet it's no mistake."
"It is a mistake," replied I, rising; "but whether the mistake will be
found out until too late, is another point. However, it is of little
consequence. What have I to live for,--unless to find out who is my
father?"
"Find out your father! what's in the wind now? well, it beats my
comprehension altogether. But did not you say you wished me to get
you something?"
"Yes," replied I; and I gave him some money, with directions to
purchase me implements for writing, some scented wax, a tooth-brush,
and tooth-powder, eau de cologne, hair-brush and comb, razors, small
looking-glass, and various implements for my toilet.
"This is a rum world," said the man, repeating what I asked for, as I
put two guineas in his hand. "I've purchased many a article for a
prisoner, but never heard of such rattletraps afore; however, that be
all the same. You will have them, though what _ho de colum_ is I can't
tell, nor dang me if I shall recollect--not poison, be it, for that is
not allowed in the prison?"
"No, no," replied I, indulging in momentary mirth at the idea; "you may
inquire, and you will find that it's only taken by ladies who are
troubled with the vapours." "Now I should ha' thought that you'd have
spent your money in the cookshop, which is so much more natural. However,
we all have our fancies;" so saying, he quitted the cell, and locked the
door.