for the term of his natural life-第82章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　You've　not　been　robbing　my　garden　for　a　nosegay；　Jack？〃　　The　Commandant　was　wont　to　call　all　convicts　〃Jack〃　in　his　moments　of　facetiousness。　　It　was　a　little　humorous　way　he　had。

Rufus　Dawes　uttered　one　dismal　cry；　and　then　stood　trembling　and　cowed。　His　companions；　hearing　the　exclamation　of　rage　and　grief　that　burst　from　him；　looked　to　see　him　snatch　back　the　flower　or　perform　some　act　of　violence。　Perhaps　such　was　his　intention；　but　he　did　not　execute　it。　One　would　have　thought　that　there　was　some　charm　about　this　rose　so　strangely　cherished；　for　he　stood　gazing　at　it；　as　it　twirled　between　Captain　Frere's　strong　fingers；　as　though　it　fascinated　him。　〃You're　a　pretty　man　to　want　a　rose　for　your　buttonhole！　　Are　you　going　out　with　your　sweetheart　next　Sunday；　Mr。　Dawes？〃　　The　gang　laughed。　〃How　did　you　get　this？〃　　Dawes　was　silent。　　〃You'd　better　tell　me。〃　　No　answer。　〃Troke；　let　us　see　if　we　can't　find　Mr。　Dawes's　tongue。　　Pull　off　your　shirt；　my　man。　　I　expect　that's　the　way　to　your　hearteh；　boys？〃

At　this　elegant　allusion　to　the　lash；　the　gang　laughed　again；　and　looked　at　each　other　astonished。　　It　seemed　possible　that　the　leader　of　the　〃Ring〃　was　going　to　turn　milksop。　　Such；　indeed；　appeared　to　be　the　case；　for　Dawes；　trembling　and　pale；　cried；　　〃Don't　flog　me　again；　sir！　　I　picked　it　up　in　the　yard。　　It　fell　out　of　your　coat　one　day。〃　Frere　smiled　with　an　inward　satisfaction　at　the　result　of　his　spirit…breaking。　The　explanation　was　probably　the　correct　one。　　He　was　in　the　habit　of　wearing　flowers　in　his　coat　and　it　was　impossible　that　the　convict　should　have　obtained　one　by　any　other　means。　　Had　it　been　a　fig　of　tobacco　now；　the　astute　Commandant　knew　plenty　of　men　who　would　have　brought　it　into　the　prison。　　But　who　would　risk　a　flogging　for　so　useless　a　thing　as　a　flower？　　〃You'd　better　not　pick　up　any　more；　Jack；〃　he　said。　〃We　don't　grow　flowers　for　your　amusement。〃　And　contemptuously　flinging　the　rose　over　the　wall；　he　strode　away。

The　gang；　left　to　itself　for　a　moment；　bestowed　their　attention　upon　Dawes。　Large　tears　were　silently　rolling　down　his　face；　and　he　stood　staring　at　the　wall　as　one　in　a　dream。　　The　gang　curled　their　lips。　One　fellow；　more　charitable　than　the　rest；　tapped　his　forehead　and　winked。　〃He's　going　cranky；〃　said　this　good…natured　man；　who　could　not　understand　what　a　sane　prisoner　had　to　do　with　flowers。　　Dawes　recovered　himself；　and　the　contemptuous　glances　of　his　companions　seemed　to　bring　back　the　colour　to　his　cheeks。

〃We'll　do　it　to…night；〃　whispered　he　to　Mooney；　and　Mooney　smiled　with　pleasure。

Since　the　〃tobacco　trick〃；　Mooney　and　Dawes　had　been　placed　in　the　new　prison；　together　with　a　man　named　Bland；　who　had　already　twice　failed　to　kill　himself。　When　old　Mooney；　fresh　from　the　torture　of　the　gag…and…bridle；　lamented　his　hard　case；　Bland　proposed　that　the　three　should　put　in　practice　a　scheme　in　which　two　at　least　must　succeed。　　The　scheme　was　a　desperate　one；　and　attempted　only　in　the　last　extremity。　　It　was　the　custom　of　the　Ring；　however；　to　swear　each　of　its　members　to　carry　out　to　the　best　of　his　ability　this　last　invention　of　the　convict…disciplined　mind　should　two　other　members　crave　his　assistance。

The　schemelike　all　great　ideaswas　simplicity　itself。

That　evening；　when　the　cell…door　was　securely　locked；　and　the　absence　of　a　visiting　gaoler　might　be　counted　upon　for　an　hour　at　least；　Bland　produced　a　straw；　and　held　it　out　to　his　companions。　　Dawes　took　it；　and　tearing　it　into　unequal　lengths；　handed　the　fragments　to　Mooney。

　〃The　longest　is　the　one；〃　said　the　blind　man。　　〃Come　on；　boys；　　and　dip　in　the　lucky…bag！〃

It　was　evident　that　lots　were　to　be　drawn　to　determine　to　whom　fortune　would　grant　freedom。　　The　men　drew　in　silence；　and　then　Bland　and　Dawes　looked　at　each　other。　　The　prize　had　been　left　in　the　bag。　Mooneyfortunate　old　fellowretained　the　longest　straw。　　Bland's　hand　shook　as　he　compared　notes　with　his　companion。　　There　was　a　moment's　pause；　during　which　the　blank　eyeballs　of　the　blind　man　fiercely　searched　the　gloom；　as　if　in　that　awful　moment　they　could　penetrate　it。

〃I　hold　the　shortest；〃　said　Dawes　to　Bland。　　〃'Tis　you　that　must　do　it。〃

〃I'm　glad　of　that；〃　said　Mooney。

Bland；　seemingly　terrified　at　the　danger　which　fate　had　decreed　that　he　should　run；　tore　the　fatal　lot　into　fragments　with　an　oath；　and　sat　gnawing　his　knuckles　in　excess　of　abject　terror。　　Mooney　stretched　himself　out　upon　his　plank…bed。　　〃Come　on；　mate；〃　he　said。　　Bland　extended　a　shaking　hand；　and　caught　Rufus　Dawes　by　the　sleeve。

〃You　have　more　nerve　than　I。　　You　do　it。〃

〃No；　no；〃　said　Dawes；　almost　as　pale　as　his　companion。　　〃I've　run　my　chance　fairly。　　'Twas　your　own　proposal。〃　　The　coward　who；　confident　in　his　own　luck；　would　seem　to　have　fallen　into　the　pit　he　had　dug　for　others；　sat　rocking　himself　to　and　fro；　holding　his　head　in　his　hands。

〃By　Heaven；　I　can't　do　it；〃　he　whispered；　lifting　a　white；　wet　face。

〃What　are　you　waiting　for？〃　said　fortunate　Mooney。　　〃Come　on；　I'm　ready。〃

〃IIthought　you　might　like　totopray　a　bit；〃　said　Bland。

The　notion　seemed　to　sober　the　senses　of　the　old　man；　exalted　too　fiercely　by　his　good　fortune。

〃Ay！〃　he　said。　　〃Pray！　　A　good　thought！〃　and　he　knelt　down；　and　shutting　his　blind　eyes'twas　as　though　he　was　dazzled　by　some　strong　lightunseen　by　his　comrades；　moved　his　lips　silently。　　The　silence　was　at　last　broken　by　the　footsteps　of　the　warder　in　the　corridor。　　Bland　hailed　it　as　a　reprieve　from　whatever　act　of　daring　he　dreaded。　　　〃We　must　wait　until　he　goes；〃　he　whispered　eagerly。　　〃He　might　look　in。〃

Dawes　nodded；　and　Mooney；　whose　quick　ear　apprised　him　very　exactly　of　the　position　of　the　approaching　gaoler；　rose　from　his　knees　radiant。　The　sour　face　of　Gimblett　appeared　at　the　trap　cell…door。

〃All　right？〃　he　asked；　somewhatso　the　three　thoughtless　sourly　than　usual。

〃All　right；〃　was　the　reply；　and　Mooney　added；　〃Good…night；　Mr。　Gimblett。〃

〃I　wonder　what　is　making　the　old　man　so　cheerful；〃　thought　Gimblett；　as　he　got　into　the　next　corridor。

The　sound　of　his　echoing　footsteps　had　scarcely　died　away；　when　upon　the　ears　of　the　two　less　fortunate　casters　of　lots　fell　the　dull　sound　of　rending　woollen。　　The　lucky　man　was　tearing　a　strip　from　his　blanket。　〃I　think　this　will　do；〃　said　he；　pulling　it　between　his　hands　to　test　its　strength。　　〃I　am　an　old　man。〃　It　was　possible　that　he　debated　concerning　the　descent　of　some　abyss　into　which　the　strip　of　blanket　was　to　lower　him。　　〃Here；　Bland；　catch　hold。　　Where　are　ye？don't　be　faint…hearted；　man。　　It　won't　take　ye　long。〃

It　was　quite　dark　now　in　the　cell；　but　as　Bland　advanced　his　face　was　like　a　white　mask　floating　upon　the　darkness；　it　was　so　ghastly　pale。　Dawes　pressed　his　lucky　comrade's　hand；　and　withdrew　to　the　farthest　corner。　Bland　and　Mooney　were　for　a　few　moments　occupied　with　the　ropedoubtless　preparing　for　escape　by　means　of　it。　　The　silence　was　broken　only　by　the　convulsive　jangling　of　Bland's　ironshe　was　shuddering　violently。　At　last　Mooney　spoke　again；　in　strangely　soft　and　subdued　tones。

〃Dawes；　lad；　do　you　think　there　is　a　Heaven？〃

〃I　know　there　is　a　Hell；〃　said　Dawes；　without　turning　his　face。

〃Ay；　and　a　Heaven；　lad。　　I　think　I　shall　go　there。　　You　will；　old　chap；　for　you've　been　good　to　meGod　bless　you；　you've　been　very　good　to　me。〃


　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　*


When　Troke　came　in　the　morning　he　saw　what　had　occurred　at　a　glance；　and　hastened　to　remove　the　corpse　of　the　strangled　Mooney。

〃We　drew　lots；〃　said　Rufus　Dawes；　pointing　to　Bland；　who　crouched　in　the　corner　farthest　from　his　victim；　〃and　it　fell　upon　him　to　do　it。　I'm　the　witness。〃

〃They'll　hang　you　for　all　that；〃　said　Troke。

〃I　hope　so；〃　said　Rufus　Dawes。



The　scheme　of　escape　hit　upon　by　the　convict　intellect　was　simply　this。　　Three　men　being　together；　lots　were　drawn　to　determine　whom　should　be　murdered。　　The　drawer　of　the　longest　straw　was　the　〃lucky〃　man。　　He　was　killed。　The　drawer　of　the　next　longest　straw　was　the　murderer。　　He　was　hanged。　The　unlucky　one　was　the　witness。　　He　had；　of　course；　an　excellent　chance　of　being　hung　also；　but　his　doom　was　not　so　certain；　and　he　therefore　looked　upon　himself　as　unfortunate。




CHAPTER　X。

A　MEETING。



John　Rex　found　the　〃George〃　disagreeably　prepared　for　his　august　arrival。　Obsequious　waiters　took　his　dressing…bag　and　overcoat；　the　landlord　himself　welcomed　him　at　the　door。　　Two　naval　gentlemen　came　out　of　the　coffee…room　to　stare　at　him。　　〃Have　you　any　more　luggage；　Mr。　Devine？〃　asked　the　landlord；　as　he　flung　open　the　door　of　the　best　drawing…room。　　It　was　awkwardly　evident　that　his　wife　had　no　notion　of　suffering　him　to　hide　his　borrowed　light　under　a　bushel。

A　supper…table　laid　for　two　people　gleamed　bright　from　the　cheeriest　corner。　A　fire　crackled　beneath　the　marble　mantelshelf。　　The　latest　evening　paper　lay　upon　a　chair；　and；　brushing　it　carelessly　with　her　costly　dress；　the　woman　he　had　so　basely　deserted　came　smiling　to　meet　him。

〃Well；　Mr。　Richard　Devine；〃　said　she；　〃you　did　not　expect　to　see　me　again；　did　you？〃

Although；　on　his　journey　down；　he　had　composed　an　elaborate　speech　wherewith　to　greet　her；　this　unnatural　civility　dumbfounded　him。　〃Sarah！　I　never　meant　to〃

〃Hush；　my　dear　Richardit　must　be　Richard　now；　I　suppose。　　This　is　not　the　time　for　explanations。　　Besides；　the　waiter　might　hear　you。　Let　us　have　some　supper；　you　must　be　hungry；　　I　am　sure。〃　　He　advanced　to　the　table　mechanically。　　〃But　how　fat　you　are！〃　she　continued。　〃Too　good　living；　I　suppose。　　You　were　not　so　fat　at　Port　Ar…Oh；　I　forgot；　my　dear！　Come　and　sit　down。　　That's　right。　　I　have　told　them　all　that　I　am　your　wife；　for　whom　you　have　sent。　　They　regard　me　with　some　interest　and　respect　in　consequence。　　Don't　spoil　their　good　opinion　of　me。〃

He　was　about　to　utter　an　imprecation；　but　she　stopped　him　by　a　glance。　〃No　bad　language；　John；　or　I　shall　ring　for　a　constable。　　Let　us　understand　one　another；　my　dear。　　You　may　be　a　very　great　man　to　other　people；　but　to　me　you　are　merely　my　runaway　husbandan　escaped　convict。　If　you　don't　eat　your　supper　civilly；　I　shall　send　for　the　police。〃

〃Sarah！〃　he　burst　out；　〃I　never　meant　to　desert　you。　　Upon　my　word。　It　is　all　a　mistake。　　Let　me　explain。〃

〃There　is　no　need　for　explanations　yet；　JackI　mean　Richard。　Have　your　supper。　　Ah！　I　know　what　you　want。〃

She　poured　out　half　a　tumbler　of　brandy；　and　gave　it　to　him。　　He　took　the　glass　from　her　hand；　drank　the　contents；　and　then；　as　though　warmed　by　the　spirit；　laughed。　　〃What　a　woman　you　are；　Sarah。　　I　have　been　a　great　brute；　I　confess。〃

〃You　have　been　an　ungrateful　villain；〃　said　she；　with　sudden　passion；　〃a　hardened；　selfish　villain。〃

〃But；　Sarah〃

〃Don't　touch　me！〃　〃'Pon　my　word；　you　are　a　fine　creature；　and　I　was　a　fool　to　leave　you。〃　The　compliment　seemed　to　soothe　her；　for　her　tone　changed　somewhat。　　〃It　was　a　wicked；　cruel　act；　Jack。　　You　whom　I　saved　from　deathwhom　I　nursedwhom　I　enriched。　　It　was　the　act　of　a　coward。〃

〃I　admit　it。　　It　was。〃　〃You　admit　it。　　Have　you　no　shame　then？　　Have　you　no　pity　for　me　for　what　I　have　suffered　all　these　years？〃

〃I　don't　suppose　you　cared　much。〃

〃Don't　you？　　You　never　thought　about　me　at　all。　　I　have