It was late in the evening of the day after Smallbones had been so
satisfactorily disposed of that the cutter arrived at Portsmouth; but
from daylight until the time that the cutter anchored, there was no
small confusion and bustle on board of the Yungfrau. When
Vanslyperken's cabin door was found to be locked, it was determined that
Smallbones should not appear as a supernatural visitant that night, but
wait till the one following; consequently the parties retired to bed,
and Smallbones, who found the heat between decks very oppressive, had
crept up the ladder and taken a berth in the small boat, that he might
sleep cool and comfortable, intending to be down below again long before
Mr Vanslyperken was up; but, as the reader knows, Mr Vanslyperken was
up before him, and the consequence was that Smallbones went down into
the sea instead of the lower deck, as he had intended.
The next morning it was soon ascertained that Smallbones was not to be
found, and the ship's company were in a state of dismay. The boat, as
soon as Smallbones had been turned out, had resumed her upright
position, and one of the men when busy washing the decks, had made fast
the gripe again, which he supposed had been cast off by accident when
the ropes had been coiled up for washing, Smallbones not being at that
time missed. When, therefore, the decks had been searched everywhere,
and the lad was discovered not to be in the ship, the suspicion was very
great. No one had seen him go up to sleep in the boat. The man who was
at the wheel stated that Mr Vanslyperken had sent him down for a glass
of grog, and had taken the helm for the time; but this proved nothing.
His disappearance was a mystery not to be unravelled. An appeal to Mr
Vanslyperken was, of course, impossible, for he did not know that the
lad was on board. The whole day was spent in surmises and suppositions;
but things all ended in the simple fact, that somehow or another
Smallbones had fallen overboard, and there was an end of the poor
fellow.
So soon as the cutter was at anchor, Mr Vanslyperken hastened to
perform his official duties, and anxious to learn how Smallbones had
contrived to escape the clutches of his mother, bent his steps towards
the half-way houses. He arrived at the door of his mother's room, and
knocked as usual, but there was no reply. It was now the latter end of
July, and although it was past seven o'clock it was full daylight.
Vanslyperken knocked again and again. His mother must be out, he
thought: and if so, she always took the key with her. He had nothing to
do but to wait for her return. The passage and staircase was dark, but
there was a broad light in the room from the casement, and this light
streamed from under the door of the room. A shade crossing the light,
attracted Vanslyperken's attention, and to while away the tediousness of
waiting, he was curious to see what it was; he knelt down, looked under
the door, and perceived the key which Smallbones had placed there; he
inserted his finger and drew it forth, imagining that his mother had
slid it beneath till her return.
He fitted it to the lock and opened the door, when his olfactory nerves
were offended with a dreadful stench, which surprised him the more as
the casement was open. Vanslyperken surveyed the room: he perceived
that the blood had been washed from the floor, and sand strewed over it.
Had he not known that Smallbones had been on board of the cutter the
day before, he would have thought that it had been the smell of the dead
body not yet removed. This thought crossing his imagination,
immediately made the truth flash upon him, and, as if instinctively, he
went up to the bed and pulled down the clothes, when he recoiled back
with horror at uncovering the face of his mother, now of a livid blue,
and in the last stage of putrefaction.
Overcome with the horrid sight, and the dreadful stench which
accompanied it, he reeled to the casement and gasped for breath. A
sickness came over him, and for some time he was incapable of acting,
and barely capable of reflection.
"She is gone, then," thought he at last, and he shuddered when he asked
himself _where_. "She must have fallen by the hands of the lad,"
continued he, and immediately the whole that had happened appeared to be
revealed to him. "Yes, yes, he has recovered from the blow--killed her
and locked the door--all is clear now, but I have revenged her death."
Vanslyperken, who had now recovered himself, went softly to the door,
took out the key, and locked himself in. He had been debating in his
mind whether he should call in the neighbours: but, on reflection, as no
one had seen him enter, he determined that he would not. He would take
his gold, and leave the door locked, and the key under it, as he found
it, before her death was discovered: it would be supposed that she died
a natural death, for the state of the body would render it impossible to
prove the contrary. But there was one act necessary to be performed, at
which Vanslyperken's heart recoiled. The key of the oak chest was about
his mother's person, and he must obtain it; he must search for it in
corruption and death, amongst creeping worms and noisome stench. It was
half an hour before he could make up his mind to the task: but what will
avarice not accomplish!
He covered up the face, and with a trembling hand turned over the
bedclothes. But we must not disgust our readers; it will suffice to
say, that the key was obtained, and the chest opened.
Vanslyperken found all his own gold, and much more than he had ever
expected, belonging to his mother. There were other articles belonging
to him, but he thought it prudent not to touch them. He loaded himself
with the treasure, and when he felt that it was all secure, for he was
obliged to divide it in different parcels, and stow it in various
manners about his person, he re-locked the chest, placed the key in the
cupboard, and quitting the room, made fast the door, and, like a dutiful
son, left the remains of his mother to be inhumed at the expense of the
parish.
As he left the house without being observed, and gained the town of
Portsmouth, never was Mr Vanslyperken's body so heavily loaded, or his
heart lighter. He had got rid of Smallbones and of his mother, both in
a way perfectly satisfactory to himself.
He had recovered his own gold, and had also been enriched beyond his
hopes by his mother's savings. He felt not the weight which he carried
about his person, he wished it had been heavier. All he felt was, very
anxious to be on board, and have his property secured. His boat waited
for him, and one of the men informed him his presence was required at
the admiral's immediately; but Mr Vanslyperken first went on board, and
having safely locked up all his treasures, then complied with the
admiral's wishes. They were to sail immediately, for the intelligence
of the Duke of Gloucester's death had just arrived with the despatches,
announcing the same to be taken to King William, who was still at the
Hague. Vanslyperken sent the boat on board with orders to Short, to
heave short and loose sails, and then hastened up to the house of
Lazarus the Jew, aware that the cutter would, in all probability, be
dispatched immediately to the Hague. The Jew had the letters for Ramsay
all prepared. Vanslyperken once more touched his liberal fee, and, in
an hour, he was again under way for the Texel.
During the passage, which was very quick, Mr Vanslyperken amused
himself as usual, in copying the letters to Ramsay, which contained the
most important intelligence of the projects of the Jacobites, and, from
the various communications between Ramsay and the conspirators,
Vanslyperken had also been made acquainted with the circumstance
hitherto unknown to him, of the existence of the caves above the cove,
where he had been taken to by the informer, as mentioned in the early
part of this work, and also of the names of the parties who visited it.
Of this intelligence Vanslyperken determined to avail himself
by-and-bye. It was evident that there were only women in the cave, and
Mr Vanslyperken counted his gold, patted the head of Snarleyyow, and
indulged in anticipations of further wealth, and the hand of the widow
Vandersloosh.
All dreams! Mr Vanslyperken.
The cutter arrived, and he landed with his despatches for the
Government; and his letters to Ramsay being all delivered, Vanslyperken
hastened to the widow's, who, as usual, received him, all smiles. He
now confided to her the death of his mother, and astonished her by
representing the amount of his wealth, which he had the precaution to
state that the major part of it was left him by his mother.
"Where have you put it all, Mr Vanslyperken?" inquired the widow. And
Vanslyperken replied that he had come to ask her advice on the subject,
as it was at present all on board of the cutter. The widow, who was not
indifferent to money, was more gracious than ever. She had a scheme in
her head of persuading him to leave the money under her charge; but
Vanslyperken was anxious to go on board again, for he discovered that
the key was not in his pocket, and he was fearful that he might have
left it on the cabin table; so he quitted rather abruptly, and the widow
had not time to bring the battery to bear. As soon as Mr Vanslyperken
arrived on board, Corporal Van Spitter, without asking leave, for he
felt it was not necessary, went on shore, and was soon in the arms of
his enamoured widow Vandersloosh. In the meantime, Mr Vanslyperken
discovered the key in the pocket of the waistcoat he had thrown off, and
having locked his door, he again opened his drawer, and delighted
himself for an hour or two in re-arranging his treasure; after which,
feeling himself in want of occupation, it occurred to him, that he might
as well dedicate a little more time to the widow, so he manned his boat
and went on shore again.
It is all very well to have a morning and afternoon lover, if ladies are
so inclined, just as they have a morning and afternoon dress, but they
should be worn separately. Now, as it never entered the head of Mr
Vanslyperken that the corporal was playing him false, so did it never
enter the idea of the widow that Mr Vanslyperken would make his
appearance in the evening, and leave the cutter and Snarleyyow, without
the corporal being on board to watch over them.
But Mr Vanslyperken did leave the cutter and Snarleyyow, did come on
shore, did walk to the widow's house, and did most unexpectedly enter
it, and what was the consequence?--that he was not perceived when he
entered it, and the door of the parlour as well as the front door being
open to admit the air, for the widow and the corporal found that making
love in the dog days was rather warm work for people of their calibre--
to his mortification and rage the lieutenant beheld the corporal seated
in his berth, on the little fubsy sofa, with one arm round the widow's
waist, his other hand joined in hers, and, _proh pudor_! sucking at her
dewy lips like some huge carp under the water-lilies on a midsummer's
afternoon.
Mr Vanslyperken was transfixed--the parties were too busy with their
amorous interchange to perceive his presence: at last the corporal
thought that his lips required moistening with a little of the beer of
the widow's own brewing, for the honey of her lips had rather glued them
together--he turned towards the table to take up his tumbler, and he
beheld Mr Vanslyperken.
The corporal, for a moment, was equally transfixed; but on these
occasions people act mechanically because they don't know what to do.
The corporal had been well drilled; he rose from the sofa, held himself
perfectly upright, and raised the back of his right hand to his
forehead; there he stood like a statue, saluting at the presence of his
superior officer.
The widow had also perceived the presence of Vanslyperken almost as soon
as the corporal, but a woman's wits are more at their command on these
occasions than a man's. She felt that all concealment was now useless,
and she prepared for action. At the same time, although ready to
discharge a volley of abuse upon Vanslyperken, she paused, to ascertain
how she should proceed. Assuming an indifferent air, she said--"Well,
Mr Vanslyperken?"
"Well!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, but he could not speak for passion.
"Eaves-dropping, as usual, Mr Vanslyperken?"
"May the roof of this house drop on you, you infernal--!"
"No indelicate language, if you please, sir," interrupted the widow, "I
won't put up with it in my house, I can tell you.--Ho, ho, Mr
Vanslyperken," continued the widow, working herself into a rage, "that
won't do here, Mr Vanslyperken."
"Why, you audacious--you double-faced--"
"Double-faced!--it's a pity you wer'n't double-faced, as you call it,
with that snivelling nose and crooked chin of your's. Double-faced,
heh!--oh! oh! Mr Vanslyperken--we shall see--wait a little--we shall
see who's double-faced. Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken--that for you, Mr
Vanslyperken--I can hang you when I please, Mr Vanslyperken. Corporal,
how many guineas did you see counted out to him at the house opposite?"
During all this the corporal remained fixed and immovable with his hand
up to the salute; but on being questioned by his mistress, he replied,
remaining in the same respectful attitude--
"Fifty golden guineas, Mrs Vandersloosh."
"A lie! an infamous lie!" cried Vanslyperken, drawing his sword.
"Traitor that you are," continued he to the corporal, "take your
reward." This was a very critical moment. The corporal did not attempt
the defensive, but remained in the same attitude, and Vanslyperken's
rage at the falsehood of the widow and the discovery of his treason was
so great, that he lost all command of himself. Had not a third party
come in just as Vanslyperken drew his sword, it might have gone hard
with the corporal; but, fortunately, Babette came in from the yard, and
perceiving the sword fly out of the scabbard, she put her hand behind
the door, and snatched two long-handled brooms, one of which she put
into the hands of her mistress, and retained the other herself.
"Take your reward!" cried Vanslyperken, running furiously to cut down
the corporal. But his career was stopped by the two brooms, one of
which took him in the face, and the other in the chest. The widow and
Babette now ranged side by side, holding their brooms as soldiers do
their arms in a charge of bayonets.
How did the corporal act? He retained his former respectful position,
leaving the defensive or offensive in the hands of the widow and
Babette.
This cheek on the part of Vanslyperken only added to his rage. Again he
flew with his sword at the corporal, and again he was met with the
besoms in his face. He caught one with his hand, and he was knocked
back with the other. He attempted to cut them in two with his sword,
but in vain.
"Out of my house, you villain!--you traitor--out of my house," cried the
widow, pushing at him with such force as to drive him against the wall,
and pinning him there while Babette charged him in his face, which was
now streaming with blood. The attack was now followed up with such
vigour, that Vanslyperken was first obliged to retreat to the door, then
out of the door into the street; followed into the street, he took to
his heels, and the widow and Babette returned victorious into the
parlour to the corporal. Mr Vanslyperken could not accuse him of want
of respect to his superior officer; he had saluted him on entering, and
he was still saluting him when he made his exit.
The widow threw herself on the sofa--Corporal Van Spitter then took his
seat beside her. The widow, overcome by her rage and exertion, burst
into tears and sobbed in his arms.
The corporal poured out a glass of beer, and persuaded her to drink it.
"I'll have him hanged to-morrow, at all events. I'll go to the Hague
myself," cried the widow. "Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see who
will gain the day," continued the widow, sobbing.
"You can prove it, corporal?"
"Mein Gott! yes," replied the corporal.
"As soon as he's hung, corporal, we'll marry."
"Mein Gott! yes."
"Traitorous villain!--sell his king and his country for gold!"
"Mein Gott! yes."
"You're sure it was fifty guineas, corporal?"
"Mein Gott! yes."
"Ah, well, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see," said the widow, drying her
eyes. "Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken, you shall be hanged, and your cur
with you, or my name's not Vandersloosh."
"Mein Gott! yes," replied the corporal.