bleak house(凄凉的房子)-第124章
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hung his cap on the back of the chair—his coat was there already；
for he had pulled that off； before he went to put the shutters up—
and I left him turning the letters over in his hand； standing just
where that crumbled black thing is upon the floor。”
Is he hanging somewhere？ They look up。 No。
“See！” whispers Tony。 “At the foot of the same chair； there lies
a dirty bit of thin red cord that they tie up pens with。 That went
round the letters。 He undid it slowly； leering and laughing at me；
before he began to turn them over； and threw it there。 I saw it
fall。”
“What’s the matter with the cat？” says Mr Guppy。 “Look at
her！”
“Mad； I think。 And no wonder； in this evil place。”
They advance slowly； looking at all these things。 The cat
remains where they found her； still snarling at the something on
the ground； before the fire and between the two chairs。 What is it？
Hold up the light。
Here is a small burnt patch of flooring； here is the tinder from a
little bundle of burnt paper； but not so light as usual； seeming to
be steeped in something； and here is—is it the cinder of a small
charred and broken log of wood sprinkled with white ashes； or is it
coal？ O Horror； he Is here！ and this； from which we run away；
striking out the light and overturning one another into the street；
is all that represents him。
Help； help； help！ come into this house for Heaven’s sake！
Plenty will come in； but none can help。 The Lord Chancellor of
that Court； true to his title in his last act； has died the death of all
Lord Chancellors in all Courts； and of all authorities in all places
under all names soever； where false pretences are made； and
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where injustice is done。 Call the death by any name Your
Highness will； attribute it to whom you will； or say it might have
been prevented how you will； it is the same death eternally—
inborn； inbred； engendered in the corrupted humours of the
vicious body itself； and that only—Spontaneous Combustion； and
none other of all the deaths that can be died。
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Chapter 33
Interlopers
ow do those two gentlemen not very neat about the cuffs
Nand buttons who attended the last Coroner’s Inquest at
the Sol’s Arms； reappear in the precincts with surprising
swiftness （being； in fact； breathlessly fetched by the active and
intelligent beadle）； and institute perquisitions through the court；
and dive into the Sol’s parlour； and write with ravenous little pens
on tissue…paper。 Now do they note down； in the watches of the
night； how the neighbourhood of Chancery Lane was yesterday； at
about midnight； thrown into a state of the most intense agitation
and excitement by the following alarming and horrible discovery。
Now do they set forth how it will doubtless be remembered； that
some time back a painful sensation was created in the public
mind； by a case of mysterious death from opium occurring on the
first floor of the house occupied as a rag； bottle； and general
marine store shop； by an eccentric individual of intemperate
habits； far advanced in life； named Krook； and how by a
remarkable coincidence； Krook was examined at the inquest；
which it may be recollected was held on that occasion at the Sol’s
Arms； a well…conducted tavern； immediately adjoining the
premises in question； on the west side； and licensed to a highly
respectable landlord； Mr James George Bogsby。 Now do they
show （in as many words as possible）； how during some hours of
yesterday evening a very peculiar smell was observed by the
inhabitants of the court； in which the tragical occurrence which
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Bleak House 632
forms the subject of that present account transpired； and which
odour was at one time so powerful； that Mr Swills； a comic
vocalist； professionally engaged by Mr J。 G。 Bogsby； has himself
stated to our reporter that he mentioned to Miss M。 Melvilleson； a
lady of some pretensions to musical ability； likewise engaged by
Mr J。 G。 Bogsby to sing at a series of concerts called Harmonic
Assemblies or Meetings； which it would appear are held at the
Sol’s Arms； under Mr Bogsby’s direction； pursuant to the Act of
George the Second； that he （Mr Swills） found his voice seriously
affected by the impure state of the atmosphere； his jocose
expression； at the time； being； “that he was like an empty post…
office； for he hadn’t a single note in him。” How this account of Mr
Swills is entirely corroborated by two intelligent married females
residing in the same court； and known respectively by the names
of Mrs Piper and Mrs Perkins； both of whom observed the foetid
effluvia； and regarded them as being emitted from the premises in
the occupation of Krook； the unfortunate deceased。 All this and a
great deal more； the two gentlemen； who have formed an amicable
partnership in the melancholy catastrophe； write down on the
spot； and the boy population of the court （out of bed in a moment）
swarm up the shutters of the Sol’s Arm’s parlour； to behold the
tops of their heads while they are about it。
The whole court； adult as well as boy； is sleepless for that night；
and can do nothing but wrap up its many heads； and talk of the ill…
fated house； and look at it。 Miss Flite has been bravely rescued
from her chamber； as if it were in flames； and accommodated with
a bed at the Sol’s Arms。 The Sol neither turns off its gas nor shuts
it door； all night； for any kind of public excitement makes good for
the Sol； and causes the court to stand in need of comfort。 The
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house has not done so much in the stomachic articles of clove； or
in brandy and water warm； since the Inquest。 The moment the
potboy heard what had happened； he rolled up his shirt…sleeves
tight to the shoulders； and said； “There’ll be a run upon us！” In the
first outcry； Young Piper dashed off for the fire…engines； and
returned in triumph at a jolting gallop； perched up aloft on the
Phoenix； and holding on to that fabulous creature with all his
might； in the midst of helmets and torches。 One helmet remains
behind； after careful investigation of all chinks and crannies； and
slowly paces up and down before the house； in company with one
of the two policemen who have been likewise left in charge
thereof。 To this trio； everybody in the court； possessed of sixpence；
has an insatiate desire to exhibit hospitality in a liquid form。
Mr Weevle and his friend Mr Guppy are within the bar at the
Sol； and are worth anything to the Sol that the bar contains； if they
will only stay there。 “This is not a time；” says Mr Bogsby； “to
haggle about money；” though he looks something sharply at it
over the counter； “give your orders； you two gentlemen； and
you’re welcome to whatever you put a name to。”
Thus entreated； the two gentlemen （Mr Weevle especially） put
names to so many things； that in course of time they find it
difficult to put a name to anything quite distinctly； though they
still relate； to all newcomers； some version of the night they have
had of it； and of what they said； and what they thought； and what
they saw。 Meanwhile； one or other of the policemen often flits
about the door； and pushing it open a little way at the full length of
his arm； looks in from outer gloom。 Not that he has any suspicions；
but that he may as well know what they are up to in there。
Thus； night pursues its leaden course； finding the court still out
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of bed through the unwonted hours； still treating and being
treated； still conducting itself similarly to a court that has had a
little money left it unexpectedly。 Thus； night at length with slow…
retreating steps departs； and the lamplighter going his rounds； like
an executioner to a despotic king； strikes off the little heads of fire
that have aspired to lessen the darkness。 Thus； the day cometh；
whether or no。
And the day may discern； even with its dim London eye； that
the court has been up all night。 Over and above the faces that have
fallen drowsily on tables； and the heels that lie prone on hard
floors instead of beds； the brick and mortar physiognomy of the
very court itself looks worn and jaded。 And now the
neighbourhood waking up； and beginning to hear of what has
happened； comes streaming in； half dressed； to ask questions； and
the two policemen a
