THREE GRIM FIGURES IN A LONELY LANE—TWO QUEER GUESTS RIDING TO TONY BLIGH'S—THE WATCHER IN DANGER—AND THE HIGHWAYMEN.
A liberal and unsolicited attention to the affairs of other people, was one among the many amiable1 peculiarities2 of Mr. Laurence Toole: he had hardly, therefore, seen the major and O'Connor fairly beyond the threshold of the "Cock and Anchor," when he donned his cocked hat and followed their steps, allowing, however, an interval3 sufficiently4 long to secure himself against detection. Larry Toole well knew the purposes to which the squalid mansion5 which we have described was dedicated6, and having listened for a few moments at the door, to allow his master and his companion time to reach the inner sanctuary7 of vice8 and brutality9, whither it was the will of Major O'Leary to lead his reluctant friend, this faithful squire10 entered at the half-open door, and began to traverse the passage which we have before mentioned. He was not, however, permitted long to do so undisturbed. The grim sentinel of these unhallowed regions on a sudden upreared his towering proportions, heaving his huge shoulders with a very unpleasant appearance of preparation for an effort, and with two or three formidable strides, brought himself up with the presumptuous11 intruder.
"What do you want here—eh! you d——d scarecrow?" exclaimed the porter, in a tone which made the very walls to vibrate.
"See, my good cove," observed the gaunt porter, in the same impressive accents of admonition—"make yourself scarce, d'ye mind; and if you want to see the pit, go round—we don't let potboys and pickpockets13 in at this side—cut and run, or I'll have to give you a lift."
Larry was no poltroon14; but another glance at the colossal15 frame of the porter quelled16 effectually whatever pugnacious17 movements might have agitated18 his soul; and the little man, having deigned19 one look of infinite contempt, which told his antagonist20, as plainly as any look could do, that he owed his personal safety solely21 and exclusively to the sublime22 and unmerited pity of Mr. Laurence Toole, that dignified23 individual turned on his heel, and withdrew somewhat precipitately24 through the door which he had just entered.
The porter grinned, rolled his quid luxuriously25 till it made the grand tour of his mouth, shrugged26 his square shoulders, and burst into a harsh chuckle27. Such triumphs as the one he had just enjoyed, were the only sweet drops which mingled28 in the bitter cup of his savage29 existence. Meanwhile, our romantic friend, traversing one or two dark lanes, made his way easily enough to the more public entrance of this temple of fortune. The door which our friend Larry now approached lay at the termination of a long and narrow lane, enclosed on each side with dead walls of brick—at the far end towered the dark outline of the building, and over the arched doorway30 burned a faint and dingy31 light, without strength enough to illuminate32 even the bricks against which it hung, and serving only in nights of extraordinary darkness as a dim, solitary33 star, by which the adventurous34 night rambler might shape his course. The moon, however, was now shining broad and clear into the broken lane, revealing every inequality and pile of rubbish upon its surface, and throwing one side of the enclosure into black, impenetrable shadow. Without premeditation or choice, it happened that our friend Larry was walking at the dark side of the lane, and shrouded35 in the deep obscurity he advanced leisurely36 toward the doorway. As he proceeded, his attention was arrested by a figure which presented itself at the entrance of the building, accompanied by two others, as it appeared, about to pass forth37 into the lane through which he himself was moving. They were engaged in animated38 debate as they approached—the conversation was conducted in low and earnest tones—their gestures were passionate39 and sudden—their progress interrupted by many halts—and the party evinced certain sinister40 indications of uneasy vigilance and caution, which impressed our friend with a dark suspicion of mischief41, which was strengthened by his recognition of two of the persons composing the little group. His curiosity was irresistibly42 piqued43, and he instinctively44 paused, lest the sound of his advancing steps should disturb the conference, and more than half in the undefined hope that he might catch the substance of their conversation before his presence should be detected. In this object he was perfectly45 successful.
In the form which first offered itself, he instantly detected the well-known proportions and features of young Ashwoode's groom46, who had attended his master into town; and in company with this fellow stood a person whom Larry had just as little difficulty in recognizing as a ruffian who had twice escaped the gallows47 by the critical interposition of fortune—once by a flaw in the indictment48, and again through lack of sufficient evidence in law—each time having stood his trial on a charge of murder. It was not very wonderful, then, that this startling companionship between his old fellow-servant and Will Harris (or, as he was popularly termed, "Brimstone Bill") should have piqued the curiosity of so inquisitive49 a person as Larry Toole.
In company with these worthies50 was a third, wrapped in a heavy riding-coat, and who now and then slightly took part in the conversation. They all talked in low, earnest whispers, casting many a stealthy glance backward as they advanced through the dim avenue toward our curious friend.
As the party approached, Larry ensconced himself in the recess51 formed by the projection52 of two dilapidated brick piers54, between which hung a crazy door, and in whose front there stood a mound55 of rubbish some three feet in height. In such a position he not unreasonably56 thought himself perfectly secure.
"Why, what the devil ails57 you now, you cursed cowardly ninny," whispered Brimstone Bill, through his set teeth—"what can happen you, win or lose?—turn up black, or turn up red, is it not all one to you, you mouth, you? Your carcase is safe and sound—then what do you funk for now? Rouse yourself, you d——d idiot, or I'll drive a brace58 of lead pellets through your brains—rouse yourself!"
Thus speaking, he shook the groom roughly by the collar.
"Stop, Bill—hands off," muttered the man, sulkily—"I'm not funking—you know I'm not; but I don't want to see him finished—I don't want to see him murdered when there's no occasion for it—there's no great harm in that; we want his ribben, not his blood; there's no profit in taking his life."
"Booby! listen to me," replied the ruffian, in the same tone of intense impatience59. "What do I want with his life any more than you do? Nothing. Do not I wish to do the thing genteelly as much as you? He shall not lose a drop of blood, nor his skin have a scratch, if he knows how to behave and be a good boy. Bah! we need but show him the lead towels, and the job's done. Look you, I and Jack60 will sit in the private room of the 'Bleeding Horse.' Old Tony's a trump61, and asks no questions; so, as you pass, give the window a skelp of the whip, and we'll be out in the snapping of a flint. Leave the rest to us. You have your instructions, you kedger, so act up to them, and the devil himself can't spoil our sport."
"You may look out for us, then," said the servant, "in less than two hours. He never stays late at Lady Stukely's, and he must be home before two o'clock."
"Do not forget to grease the hammers," suggested the fellow in the heavy coat.
"He doesn't carry pistols to-night," replied the attendant.
"So much the better—all my luck," exclaimed Brimstone—"I would not swap62 luck with the chancellor63."
"The devil's children, they say," observed the gentleman in the large coat, "have the devil's luck."
These were the last words Larry Toole could distinguish as the party moved onward64. He ventured, however, although with grievous tremors65, to peep out of his berth66 to ascertain67 the movements of the party. They all stopped at a distance of some twenty or thirty yards from the spot where he crouched68, and for a time appeared again absorbed in earnest debate. On a sudden, however, the fellow in the riding-coat, having frequently looked suspiciously up the lane in which they stood, stooped down, and, picking up a large stone, hurled69 it with his whole force in the direction of the embrasure in which Larry was lurking70. The missile struck the projecting pier53 within a yard of that gentleman's head, with so much force that the stone burst into fragments and descended71 in a shower of splinters about his ears. This astounding72 salute73 was instantly followed by an occurrence still more formidable—for the ruffian, not satisfied with the test already applied74, strode up in person to the doorway in which Larry had placed himself. It was well for that person that he was sheltered in front by the mass of rubbish which we have mentioned: at the foot of this he lay coiled, not daring even to breathe; every moment expecting to feel the cold point of the villain's sword poking75 against his ribs76, and half inclined to start upon his feet and shout for help, although conscious that to do so would scarcely leave him a chance for his life. The suspicions of the wretch77 were, fortunately for Larry, ill-directed. He planted one foot upon the heap of loose materials which, along with the deep shadow, constituted poor Mr. Toole's only safeguard; and while the stones which his weight dislodged rolled over that prostrate78 person, he pushed open the door and gazed into the yard, lest any inquisitive ear or eye might have witnessed more than was consistent with the safety of the confederates of Brimstone Bill. The fellow was satisfied, and returned whistling, with affected79 carelessness, towards his comrades.
More dead than alive, Larry remained mute and motionless for many minutes, not daring to peep forth from his hiding-place; when at length he mustered80 courage to do so, he saw the two robbers still together, and again shrunk back into his retreat. Luckily for the poor wight, the fellow who had looked into the yard left the door unclosed, which, after a little time perceiving, Larry glided81 stealthily in on all fours, and in a twinkling sprang into the window at which his master lay, as we have already recorded.
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1
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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2
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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3
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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11
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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12
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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13
pickpockets
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| n.扒手( pickpocket的名词复数 ) | |
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14
poltroon
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| n.胆怯者；懦夫 | |
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15
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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quelled
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| v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
pugnacious
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| adj.好斗的 | |
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18
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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19
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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22
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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23
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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24
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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25
luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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26
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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27
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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28
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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29
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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30
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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31
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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32
illuminate
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| vt.照亮，照明；用灯光装饰；说明，阐释 | |
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33
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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34
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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35
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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36
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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39
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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40
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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41
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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42
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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43
piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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44
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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45
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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46
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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47
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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48
indictment
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| n.起诉；诉状 | |
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49
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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50
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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51
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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52
projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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53
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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54
piers
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| n.水上平台( pier的名词复数 )；（常设有娱乐场所的）突堤；柱子；墙墩 | |
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55
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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56
unreasonably
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| adv. 不合理地 | |
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57
ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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58
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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59
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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60
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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61
trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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62
swap
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| n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易 | |
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63
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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64
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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65
tremors
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| 震颤( tremor的名词复数 )； 战栗； 震颤声； 大地的轻微震动 | |
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66
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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67
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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68
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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70
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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71
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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72
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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73
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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74
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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75
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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76
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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77
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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78
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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80
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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81
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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