Thames Darrell's fears were not, however, groundless. Danger, in
the form he apprehended, was lurking outside: nor was he destined
to enjoy long repose. On receiving the warning note from the ostler,
Jack Sheppard and his companion left Willesden, and taking--as a
blind--the direction of Harrow, returned at night-fall by a by-lane
to Neasdon, and put up at a little public-house called the Spotted
Dog. Here they remained till midnight when, calling for their
reckoning and their steeds, they left the house.
It was a night well-fitted to their enterprise, calm, still, and
profoundly dark. As they passed beneath the thick trees that shade
the road to Dollis Hill, the gloom was almost impenetrable. The
robbers proceeded singly, and kept on the grass skirting the road, so
that no noise was made by their horses' feet.
As they neared the house, Jack Sheppard, who led the way, halted and
addressed his companion in a low voice:--
“I don't half like this job, Blueskin,” he said; “it always went
against the grain. But, since I've seen the friend and companion of
my childhood, Thames Darrell, I've no heart for it. Shall we turn
back?”
“And disappoint Mr. Wild, Captain?” remonstrated the other, in
a deferential tone. “You know this is a pet project. It might be
dangerous to thwart him.”
“Pish!” cried Jack: “I don't value his anger a straw. All our
fraternity are afraid of him; but _I_ laugh at his threats. He
daren't quarrel with me: and if he does, let him look to himself.
I've my own reasons for disliking this job.”
“Well, you know I always act under your orders, Captain,” returned
Blueskin; “and if you give the word to retreat, I shall obey, of
course: but I know what Edgeworth Bess will say when we go home
empty-handed.”
“Why what will she say?” inquired Sheppard.
“That we were afraid,” replied the other; “but never mind her.”
“Ay; but I do mind her,” cried Jack upon whom his comrade's
observation had produced the desired effect. “We'll do it.”
“That's right, Captain,” rejoined Blueskin. “You pledged yourself to
Mr. Wild--”
“I did,” interrupted Jack; “and I never yet broke an engagement.
Though a thief, Jack Sheppard is a man of his word.”
“To be sure he is,” acquiesced Blueskin. “I should like to meet the
man who would dare to gainsay it.”
“One word before we begin, Blueskin,” said Jack, authoritatively;
“in case the family should be alarmed--mind, no violence. There's one
person in the house whom I wouldn't frighten for the world.”
“Wood's daughter, I suppose?” observed the other.
“You've hit it,” answered Sheppard.
“What say you to carrying her off, Captain?” suggested Blueskin. “If
you've a fancy for the girl, we might do it.”
“No--no,” laughed Jack. “Bess wouldn't bear a rival. But if you wish
to do old Wood a friendly turn, you may bring his wife.”
“I shouldn't mind ridding him of her,” said Blueskin, gruffly; “and
if she comes in my way, may the devil seize me if I don't make short
work with her!”
“You forget,” rejoined Jack, sternly, “I've just said I'll have no
violence--mind that.”
With this, they dismounted; and fastening their horses to a tree,
proceeded towards the house. It was still so dark, that nothing
could be distinguished except the heavy masses of timber by which the
premises were surrounded; but as they advanced, lights were visible
in some of the windows. Presently they came to a wall, on the other
side of which the dog began to bark violently; but Blueskin tossed
him a piece of prepared meat, and uttering a low growl, he became
silent. They then clambered over a hedge, and scaling another wall,
got into the garden at the back of the house. Treading with noiseless
step over the soft mould, they soon reached the building. Arrived
there, Jack felt about for a particular window; and having discovered
the object of his search, and received the necessary implements from
his companion, he instantly commenced operations. In a few seconds,
the shutter flew open,--then the window,--and they were in the room.
Jack now carefully closed the shutters, while Blueskin struck a
light, with which he set fire to a candle. The room they were in was
a sort of closet, with the door locked outside; but this was only a
moment's obstacle to Jack, who with a chisel forced back the bolt.
The operation was effected with so much rapidity and so little noise,
that even if any one had been on the alert, he could scarcely have
detected it. They then took off their boots, and crept stealthily up
stairs, treading upon the point of their toes so cautiously, that
not a board creaked beneath their weight. Pausing at each door on the
landing, Jack placed his ear to the keyhole, and listened intently.
Having ascertained by the breathing which room Thames occupied, he
speedily contrived to fasten him in. He then tried the door of Mr.
Wood's bed-chamber--it was locked, with the key left in it. This
occasioned a little delay; but Jack, whose skill as a workman in
the particular line he had chosen was unequalled, and who laughed at
difficulties, speedily cut out a panel by means of a centre-bit
and knife, took the key from the other side, and unlocked the door.
Covering his face with a crape mask, and taking the candle from his
associate, Jack entered the room; and, pistol in hand, stepped up to
the bed, and approached the light to the eyes of the sleepers.
[Illustration: 166]
The loud noise proceeding from the couch proved that their slumbers were
deep and real; and unconscious of the danger in which she stood, Mrs.
Wood turned over to obtain a more comfortable position. During this
movement, Jack grasped the barrel of his pistol, held in his breath,
and motioned to Blueskin, who bared a long knife, to keep still. The
momentary alarm over, he threw a piece of-wash leather over a bureau,
so as to deaden the sound, and instantly broke it open with a small
crow-bar. While he was filling his pockets with golden coin from this
store, Blueskin had pulled the plate-chest from under the bed,
and having forced it open, began filling a canvass bag with its
contents,--silver coffee-pots, chocolate-dishes, waiters trays,
tankards, goblets, and candlesticks. It might be supposed that these
articles, when thrust together into the bag, would have jingled; but
these skilful practitioners managed matters so well that no noise was
made. After rifling the room of everything portable, including
some of Mrs. Wood's ornaments and wearing apparel, they prepared
to depart. Jack then intimated his intention of visiting Winifred's
chamber, in which several articles of value were known to be kept;
but as, notwithstanding his reckless character, he still retained a
feeling of respect for the object of his boyish affections, he would
not suffer Blueskin to accompany him, so he commanded him to keep
watch over the sleepers--strictly enjoining him, however, to do them
no injury. Again having recourse to the centre-bit,--for Winifred's
door was locked,--Jack had nearly cut out a panel, when a sudden
outcry was raised in the carpenter's chamber. The next moment, a
struggle was heard, and Blueskin appeared at the door, followed by
Mrs. Wood.
Jack instantly extinguished the light, and called to his comrade to
come after him.
But Blueskin found it impossible to make off,--at least with the
spoil,--Mrs. Wood having laid hold of the canvass-bag.
“Give back the things!” cried the, lady. “Help!--help, Mr. Wood!”
“Leave go!” thundered Blueskin--“leave go--you'd better!”--and he
held the sack as firmly as he could with one hand, while with the
other he searched for his knife.
“No, I won't leave go!” screamed Mrs. Wood.
“Fire!--murder--thieves!--I've got one of 'em!”
“Come along,” cried Jack.
“I can't,” answered Blueskin. “This she-devil has got hold of the
sack. Leave go, I tell you!” and he forced open the knife with his
teeth.
“Help!--murder!--thieves!” screamed Mrs. Wood;--“Owen--Owen!--Thames,
help!”
“Coming!” cried Mr. Wood, leaping from the bed. “Where are you?”
“Here,” replied Mrs. Wood. “Help--I'll hold him!”
“Leave her,” cried Jack, darting down stairs, amid a furious ringing
of bells,--“the house is alarmed,--follow me!”
“Curses light on you!” cried Blueskin, savagely; “since you won't be
advised, take your fate.”
And seizing her by the hair, he pulled back her head, and drew the
knife with all his force across her throat. There was a dreadful
stifled groan, and she fell heavily upon the landing.
The screams of the unfortunate woman had aroused Thames from his
slumbers. Snatching-up his pistols, he rushed to the door, but to his
horror found it fastened. He heard the struggle on the landing, the
fall of the heavy body, the groan,--and excited almost to frenzy
by his fears, he succeeded in forcing open the door. By this time,
several of the terrified domestics appeared with lights. A terrible
spectacle was presented to the young man's gaze:--the floor deluged
with blood--the mangled and lifeless body of Mrs. Wood,--Winifred
fainted in the arms of a female attendant,--and Wood standing beside
them almost in a state of distraction. Thus, in a few minutes, had
this happy family been plunged into the depths of misery. At this
juncture, a cry was raised by a servant from below, that the robbers
were flying through the garden. Darting to a window looking in that
direction, Thames threw it up, and discharged both his pistols, but
without effect. In another minute, the tramp of horses' feet told
that the perpetrators of the outrage had effected their escape.