hard cash-第111章

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tinels　in　the　yard　to　he　prepared　for　any　attempt　on　Alfred's　part；　however　desperate：　and　he　sent　a　verbal　message　to　a　stately　gentleman　who　was　sitting　anxious　in　lodgings　over　the　way；　after　bribing　high　ad　low；　giving　out　money　like　water　to　secure　the　recapture；　and　so　escape　what　he　called　his　unnatural　son's　vengeance；　for　he　knew　him　to　be　by　nature　bold　and　vindictive　like　himself。　After　these　preliminaries；　Doctor　Wolf　headed　his　remaining　forcesto　wit；　two　keepers；　and　two　policemen；　and　thundered　at　the　bedroom　door；　and　summoned　Alfred　to　surrender。

Now　among　the　spectators　who　watched　and　listened　with　bated　breath；　was　one　to　whom　this　scene　had　an　interest　of　its　own。　Mr。　Hurd；　disconcerted　by　Alfred's　sudden　reappearance；　and　the　lovers'　reconciliation；　had　hung　about　the　entry　very　miserable；　for　he　was　sincerely　attached　to　Julia。　But；　while　he　was　in　this　stupor；　came　the　posse　to　recapture　Alfred；　and　he　heard　them　say　so。　Then　the　shots　were　fired　within；　then　Wolf　and　his　men　got　in；　and　Mr。　Hurd；　who　was　now　at　the　door；　got　in　with　them　to　protect　Julia；　and　see　this　dangerous　and　inconvenient　character　disposed　of。　He　was　looking　demurely　on　at　a　safish　distance；　when　his　late　triumphant　rival　was　summoned　to　surrender。

No　reply。

Dr。　Wolf　coaxed。

No　reply。

Dr。　Wolf　told　him　he　had　police　as　well　as　keepers；　and　resistance　would　be　idle。

No　reply。

Dr。　Wolf　ordered　his　men　to　break　in　the　door。

After　some　little　delay；　one　of　the　keepers　applied　a　chisel；　while　a　policeman　held　his　truncheon　ready　to　defend　the　operator。　The　lock　gave　way。　But　the　door　could　not　open　for　furniture。

After　some　further　delay　they　took　it　off　its　hinges；　and　the　room　stood　revealed。

To　their　surprise　no　rush　was　made　at　them。　The　maniac　was　not　even　in　sight。

〃He　is　down　upon　his　luck；〃　whispered　one　of　the　new　keepers；　〃we　shall　find　him　crouched　somewhere。〃　They　looked　under　the　bed。　He　was　not　there。　They　opened　a　cupboard；　three　or　four　dresses　hung　from　wooden　pegs；　they　searched　the　gowns　most　minutely；　but　found　no　maniac　hid　in　their　ample　folds。　Presently　some　soot　was　observed　lying　in　the　grate；　and　it　was　inferred　he　had　gone　up　the　chimney。

On　inspection　the　opening　appeared　almost　too　narrow。　Then　Dr。　Wolf　questioned　his　sentinels　in　the　yard。　〃Have　you　been　there　all　the　time？〃

〃Yes；　sir。〃

〃Seen　nothing？〃

〃No；　sir。　And　our　eyes　have　never　been　off　the　window　and　the　heads。〃

Here　was　a　mystery；　and　not　a　clue　to　its　solution。　The　window　was　open；　but　five…and…twenty　feet　above　the　paved　yard；　had　he　leaped　down　he　must　have　been　dashed　to　pieces。

Many　tongues　began　to　go　at　once；　in　the　midst　of　which　Edward　burst　in；　and　found　the　two　dead　men　of　contemporary　history　consisted　of　a　dead　dog　and　a　stunned　man；　who；　having　a　head　like　a　bullet；　was　now　come　to　himself　and　vowing　vengeance。　He　found　Julia　very　pale；　supported　and　consoled　by　Mr。　Hurd。　He　was　congratulating　her　on　her　escape　from　a　dangerous　maniac。

She　rose　and　tottered　away　from　him　to　her　brother　and　clung　to　him。　He　said　what　he　could　to　encourage　her；　then　deposited　her　in　an　arm…chair　and　went　upstairs；　he　soon　satisfied　himself　Alfred　was　not　in　the　house。　On　this　he　requested　Dr。　Wolf　and　his　men　to　leave　the　premises。　The　doctor　demurred。　Edward　insisted；　and　challenged　him　to　show　a　magistrate's　warrant　for　entering　a　private　house。　The　doctor　was　obliged　to　own　he　had　none。　Edward　then　told　the　policemen　they　were　engaged　in　an　illegal　act；　the　police　had　no　authority　to　take　part　in　these　captures。　Now　the　police　knew　that　very　well；　but；　being　handsomely　bribed；　they　had　presumed；　and　not　for　the　first　time；　upon　that　ignorance　of　law　which　is　deemed　an　essential　part　of　a　private　citizen's　accomplishments　in　modern　days。　In　a　word；　by　temper　and　firmness；　and　a　smattering　of　law　gathered　from　the　omniscient　_'Tiser；_　Edward　cleared　his　castle　of　the　lawless　crew。　But　they　paraded　the　street；　and　watched　the　yard　till　dusk；　when　its　proprietor　ran　rusty　and　turned　them　out。

Julia　sat　between　Edward　and　Mr。　Hurd；　with　her　head　thrown　back　and　her　eyes　closed；　and　received　in　silence　their　congratulations　on　her　escape。　She　was　thinking　of　his。　When　they　had　quite　done；　she　opened　her　eyes　and　said；　〃Send　for　Dr。　Sampson。　Nobody　else　knows　anything。　Oh　pray；　pray；　pray　send　for　Dr。　Sampson。〃

Mr。　Hurd　said　he　would　go　for　Dr。　Sampson。　She　thanked　him　warmly。

Then　she　crept　away　to　her　bedroom；　and　locked　herself　in；　and　sat　on　the　hearthrug；　and　thought；　and　thought；　and　recalled　every　word　and　tone　of　her　Alfred；　comparing　things　old　and　new。

Dr。　Sampson　was　a　few　miles　out　of　town；　visiting　a　patient。　It　was　nine　o'clock　in　the　evening　when　he　got　Julia's　note；　but　he　came　on　to　Pembroke　Street　at　once。　Dr。　Wolf　and　his　men　had　retired；　leaving　a　sentinel　in　the　street；　on　the　bare　chance　of　Alfred　returning。　Dr。　Sampson　found　brother　and　sister　sitting　sadly；　but　lovingly　together。　Julia　rose　upon　his　entrance。　〃Oh；　Doctor　Sampson！　Now　_is_　hewhat　they　say　he　is？〃

〃How　can　I　tell；　till　I　see　'm？〃　objected　the　doctor。

〃But　you　know　they　call　people　mad　who　are　nothing　of　the　kind；　for　you　said　so。〃

Sampson　readily　assented　to　this。　〃Why　it　was　but　last　year　a　surjin　came　to　me　with　one　Jackson；　a　tailor；　and　said；　'Just　sign　a　certificate　for　this　man：　his　wife's　mad。'　'Let　me　see　her；'　sid　I。　'What　for；'　sis　he；　'when　her　own　husband　applies。'　'Excuse　me；'　sis　I；　'I'm　not　a　bat；　I'm　Saampson。'　I　went　to　see　her；　she　was　nairvous　and　excited。　'Oh；　I　know　what　you　come　about；'　said　she。　'But　you　are　mistaken。'　I　questioned　her　kindly；　and　she　told　me　her　husband　was　a　great　trile　t'　her　nairves。　I　refused　to　sign。　On　that　disn't　the　tailor　drown　himself　in　the　canal　nixt　day？　He　was　the　madman；　and　she　knew　it　all　the　time；　but　wouldn't　tell　us；　and　that's　a　woman　all　over。〃

〃Well　then；〃　said　Julia　hopefully。

〃Ay；　but；〃　said　Sampson；　〃these　cases　are　exceptions　after　all；　and　the　chances　are　nine　to　one　he's　mad。　Daun't　ye　remember　that　was　one　of　the　solutions　offered　ye；　whem　he　levanted　on　his　wedding…day？〃　He　added　satirically；　〃And　couldn't　all　that　logic　keep　in　a　little　reason？〃

This　cynical　speech　struck　Julia　to　the　heart；　she　could　not　bear　it；　and　retired　to　her　own　room。

Then　Dr。　Sampson　saw　his　mistake；　and　said　to　Edward；　with　some　concern；　〃Maircy　on　us；　she　is　not　in　love　with　Him　still；　is　she？　I　thought　that　young　parson　was　the　man　now。〃

Edward　shook　his　head：　but　declined　to　go　much　into　a　topic　so　delicate　as　his　sister's　affections：　and　just　then　an　alarming　letter　was　delivered　from　Mrs。　Dodd。　She　wrote　to　the　effect　that　David；　favoured　by　the　wind；　had　run　into　Portsmouth　harbour　before　their　eyes；　and　had　disappeared；　hidden；　it　was　feared；　by　one　of　those　low　publicans；　who　provide　bad　ships　with　sailors；　receiving　a　commission。　On　this　an　earnest　conversation　between　Sampson　and　Edward。

It　was　interrupted　in　its　turn。

Julia　burst　suddenly　into　the　room；　pale　and　violently　excited；　clasping　her　hands　and　crying；　〃He　is　_there。_　His　voice　is　like　a　child's。　Oh；　Help　me！　He　is　hurt。　He　is　dying。〃



CHAPTER　XLVI

JULIA；　as　I　have　said；　went　to　her　own　room；　wounded　unintentionally　by　a　chance　speech：　she　sat　down　sick　at　heart；　and　presently　opened　her　window　and　looked　out　upon　the　starry　night；　and　wondered　where　Alfred　was　now；　that　Alfred　for　whom　nobody　else　had　a　Human　heart；　it　seemed。　〃Alfred！　my　poor　Alfred！〃　she　sighed；　and　half…expected　to　hear　him　reply。　Then　she　said　to　herself；　〃They　all　called　you　false　but　me；　yet　I　was　right：　and　now　they　all　call　you　mad；　but　not　I：　I　believe　nothing　against　you。　You　are　my　own　Alfred　still。　Where　have　the　wretches　driven　you　to？〃　At　this　her　feelings　carried　her　away；　and　she　cried　aloud　on　him　despairingly；　and　leaned　upon　the　window…sill；　and　the　tears　ran　fast　for　him。

Presently　out　of　the　silence　of　the　night　seemed　to　struggle　a　faint　but　clear　voice：

〃Julia。〃

She　started；　and　a　muffled　scream　came　from　her。　Then　she　listened；　all　trembling。　Again　the　voice　sighed；　faintly　but　clear；　〃Julia！〃

〃Alfred？〃　said　she；　quavering。

〃Yes。　Pray　be　cautious；　give　no　alarm。　The　house　is　watched；　bring　Edward。〃

She　flew　downstairs；　and　electrified　Edward　and　Sampson　with　the　news。　〃Oh；　promise　me　not　to　betray　him！〃　she　cried。

〃Hut！〃　said　the　doctor；　starting　to　his　feet；　〃what　should　we　betray　him　for？　I'll　cure　him　for　you。　I　can　cure　any　lunatic　that　has　lucid　intervals。　Where　is　he？〃

〃Follow　me；〃　gasped　Julia。　〃Stay。　I'll　get　rid　of　the　servants　first。　I'll　not　play　the　fool；　and　betray　him　to　his　enemies。〃　She　sent　Sarah　eastward；　and　Jane　westward；　and　then　led　the　way　through　the　kitchen　door　into　the　yard。

They　all　searched　about；　and　found　nothing。　Then　Julia　begged　them　to　be　silent。　She　whispered；　〃Alfred！〃　And　instantly　a　faint　voice　issued　from　the　top　of　a　waggon　laden　with　hay　and　covered　with　a　tarpaulin。　〃Julia。〃

They　all　stood　staring。

〃Who　are　those　with　you？〃　asked　Alfred　uneasily。

〃Only　friends；　dear！　Edward　and　Dr。　Sampson。〃

〃Ned；　old　fellow；〃　groaned　Alfred；　〃you　pulled　me　out　of　the　fire；　won't　you　help　me　out　of　this？　I　think　my　leg　is　broken。〃

At　this　Julia　wrung　her　hands；　and　Edward　ran　into　the　house　for　his　rope；　and　threw　it　over　the　waggon。　He　told　Julia　and　Sampson　to　hold　on　by　one　end；　and　seizing　the　other；　was　up　on　the　waggon　in　a　moment。　He　felt　about　till　he　came　to　a　protuberance；　and　that　was　Alfred　under　the　tarpaulin；　in　which　he　had　cut　breathing…holes　with　his　penknife。　Edward　sent　Julia　in　for　a　carving…knife；　and　soon　made　an　enormous　slit：　through　this　a　well…known　figure　emerged　into　the　moonlight；　and　seemed　wonderfully　tall　to　have　been　so　hidden。　His　hands　being　uninjured；　he　easily　descended　the　rope；　and　stood　on　one　leg；　holding　it。　Then　Sampson　and　Edward　put　each　an　arm　under　his；　and　helped　him　into　the　house。

After　the　body　the　mind。　That　is　the　rule　throughout　creation。　They　examined；　not　his　reason；　but　his　leg。　Julia　stood　by　with　clasped　hands；　and　a　face　beaming　with　pity　and　anxiety；　that　repaid　his　pain。　Sampson　announced　there　were　no　bones　broken；　but　a　bad　sprain；　and　the　limb　very　red　and　swollen。　〃Now；〃　inquired　he　briskly　of　the　company；　〃what　is　the　practice　in　sprains？　Why；　leeches　and　cold　water。〃

Edward　offered　at　once　to　run　and　get　them。

〃Are　you　mad？〃　was　the　reply。　〃Daun't　I　tell　ye　that　is　the　_practice？_　And　isn't　the　practice　sure　to　be　th'　opposite　of　the　remedy？　So　get　water　as　hot　as　he　can　bear　it；　and　no　leeches。〃

Julia　remonstrated　angrily。　〃Is　this　a　case　for　jesting？〃

〃Deevil　a　jest　in　it；〃　replied　the　doctor。　〃'Well　then；　if　ye　must　know；　th'　opera…dancers　apply　hot　water　to　sprains：　now　what　is　their　interest？　T'　expedite　the　cure：　and　the　faculty　apply　cold　water：　and　what　is　their　interest？　To　procrastinate　the　cure；　and　make　a　long　job　of　it。　So　just　hold　your　toungues；　and　ring　for　hot　water。〃

Julia　did　not　ring；　she　beckoned　Edward；　and　they　flew　out　and　soon　brought　a　foot…pan　of　hot　water。　Edward　them　removed　Alfred's　shoes　and　stockings；　and　Julia　bared　her　lovely　arms；　and　blushed　like　a　rose。

Alfred　divined　her　intention。