 Chapter 42 of the Mysteries of London. This is a LibriWalks recording. All LibriWalks recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriWalks.org. Recording by TechSavvy, The Mysteries of London by George Reynolds. Chapter 42, The Dark House. Markham did not forget his appointment with the resurrection man, having obtained the necessary sum from his solicitor. He determined to sacrifice it in propitiating a miscreant, who possessed the power of wounding him in a tender and almost vital point. Accordingly, we find him on the evening agreed upon, threading his way on foot amidst the maze of narrow streets and crooked alleys, which lie in the immediate neighborhood of Spiderfields Church. There is not probably in all London, not even in St. Giles, nor the Mint, so great an amount of squalid misery and fearful crime huddled together, as in the joint districts of Spiderfields and Bethanel Green. Between Shore Ditch Church and Wentworth Street, the most intense pangs of poverty, the most profligate morals, and the most odious crimes rage with the fury of a pestilence. Entire streets there are not but sinks of misery and vice. Dark courts, fotied with puddles of black, slimy water. Allies, blocked up with heaps of filth, and nose-eating with unwholesome odours, constitute with but little variety, with vast district of which we are speaking. The eastern county's railway intersects Spiderfields and Bethanel Green. The traveller upon this line may catch from the windows of the carriage in which he journeys, a hasty but a loss, two comprehensive glance of the wretchedness and the squalor of that portion of London. He may actually obtain a view of the interior and the domestic misery peculiar to the neighbourhood. He may penetrate with his eyes into the secrets of those abodes of sorrow, vice, and destitution. In summertime, the poor always have their windows open, and thus the hideous poverty of their rooms can be readily described from the summit of the arches on which the railroad is constructed. And in those rooms may be seen women half naked, some employed in washing the few rags which they possess, others ironing the linen of a mobilely neighbour, a few preparing the sorry meal, and a number scolding, swearing, and squariling. At many of the windows, men out of work with matted hair, black beards, and dressed only in filthy shirts and ragged trousers, lounge all the day long, smoking. From not a few of the open casements bang tattered garments to dry in the sun. Around the doors children, unwashed, uncroamed, shoeless, dirty, and uncared for, thronging numbers, a rising generation of thieves and vagabonds. In the districts of Spidal Fields and Bethnal Green, the police are but little particular with regard to street stalls. These portable shops are therefore great in number and in nuisance. Fish, fresh, and fried, oysters, sweet stuff, vegetables, fruit, cheap publication, soap in the pan, shrimps, and peri-vencles, haircombs, baked potatoes, liver and lights, curds and vee, sheep's heads, head-oxe, and red herrings are the principal compstals which find vendors and purchasers in the public street. The public houses and the pawnbrokers also drive an excellent trade in that huge section of London. In a former chapter we have described the region of Saffron Hill. All the streets and the courts of that locality are safe and secure when compared with many in the Bethnal Green and Spidal Fields. There are lanes and alleys between Shortwich and Church Street and the immediate neighborhood of the railway east of Brick Lane, through which a well-dressed person would not wander with a gold chain round his neck at night where he prudent. Leading from neighborhood of Church Street up into the Hackney Road in a sinuous thoroughfare composed of Tyson Street, Turk Street, Virginia Street, and the Bird Cage, Walk. And in the vicinity of these narrows and perilious ways are the Wellington Road, bordered by a ditch of black mud and several vile streets inhabited by the very lowest of the low, the most filthy of the squalid and the most profiligate of the immoral. We defy any city upon the face of the earth to produce a district equal in wise dirt, penury, and fear-inspiring dense, to these which we are now describing. The Dark House was a tavern of lowest description in Brick Lane, a little north of the spot where the railway now intersects the street. The parlor of the Dark House was dirty and repulsive in all respects. The gas lights formed two enormous black patches upon the ceiling. The tables were occupied by ill-looking man, his principal articles of consumption were tobacco and malt liquor, and the atmosphere was filled with a dense volume of smoke. Malcolm was ashamed to be seen in such a place and in such a society, but he consoled himself with the idea that neither he nor his business was known to those present, and as very little notice was taken of him, as he proceeded to see himself in the most retired and obscure corner, he speedily divested himself of the momentary embarrassment which had seized upon him. Having satisfied himself by a glance that the resurrection man was not here, Richard ordered a glass of spirits and water, and resolved to await with patience the arrival of the extortioner. By degrees he fell into the train of reflections in which he had never been involved before. He was about to purchase the silence of a villain who had menaced him with exposure to a family whose good opinion he valued. We have said elsewhere that he was a young man of the strictest honor, and that he was ever animated with the most scrupless integrity of purpose. He could no longer conceal for himself the fact that he entertained a sincere and a deep attachment for the signora Isabella, and he flattered himself that he was not disagreeable to her in return. His transient passion for Mrs. Arlington had faded away with reflection, and he now comprehended the immense difference between an avanescent flame of that nature, a flame kindled only by animal beauty and unsustained by moral considerations, and the pure chaste and sacred affection he experienced towards the charming Isabella. From the moment of his release from confinement he had never inquired after Diana, much less sought after her. He knew not where she was, nor what had become of her, and his heart was totally independent of any inclination in her favor. He now asked himself whether he was pursuing an honorable part in concealing the antecedent adventures of the life from her whose pure and holy love he was so anxious to retain, whose confidence he would not lose for worlds, and his peace of mind he would not for a moment sacrifice to his own passion or interest. He had not satisfactorily answered the questions which he had thus put to himself, when he was aroused from his reverie by the sound of a voice at the further end of the room which appeared familiar to him. Glancing in that direction he immediately recognized that the well-known form and features of Mr. Tauboltz, the vulgar companion of Sir Rupert Harbourl and Mr. Chysister, but now had the mighty fallen. The charitable gentleman now seemed to require the aid of charity himself. His hat, which was originally a gossamer at four and nine, was now so fully ventilated about the crown that it would have fetched nothing at a jew's auction, even though George Robbins himself had put it off for sale. His coat was out at the elbows, his trousers out at the knees, and his shoes out at the toes. He was out of cash and out of spirits, and as he had none of the former he trusted to the kindness of the frequenters of the dark house parlor to supply him with some of the latter diluted with hot water and rendered more agreeably by means of sugar. Indeed at the moment when his voice fell upon Markham's ear he was just about to apply his lips to a tumbler of gin punch which a butcher had ordered for his behoof. Well, Mr. Pocock, that was Tauboltz real name, said the butcher, how does the world use you now? Very bad indeed, Mr. Griskin was a reply. For the last three years come January I haven't known when I got up in the morning where the devil I should sleep at night, and that is God's almighty truth. I'm sorry to hear your affairs don't mend, said the butcher, for my part I'm getting unblooming. I was bankrupt only seven weeks ago. A strange manner of being successful in business, thought Markham. But all my goods were seized by the landlord, added the butcher in a triumphant turn of voice. And so they were saved from the messenger of the coat when he come down to take possession. Ah, I suppose your bankruptcy has put you all right again, said Pocock. Nothing like a bankruptcy nowadays, it makes a man's fortune. Yes, and no, going to God neither. I made a lot of friends and mind creditors, and so I got my certificate the very same day as I passed my second examination, and now I'm as right as a trivet. But what ails you, though, old fella, that you can contrive to get on? The fact is, said Pocock, sipping his gin and water. I was led into bad company about three or four years ago, and I don't care before who I say it, or who knows the infernal scrapes, and I was partly the means of getting a nice young fellow into. I suppose you fell in with Flash Company, observed the butcher. I did indeed. I went out of my element, out of my proper spear, as I may say, and when a man does that without the means of keeping it, he is the end done for at once. I fell in with a baronet and a swell cove of the name of Chisester, or Winchester, and who, after all, turned out to be the son of old Chisester, the ponderer good on the street here. They made a perfect tool of me. I was fed and pampered, and lived on the fat of the land, and then when the scheme fell through, I was trundled off like a hoop of which a charity schoolboy is tried. I fell into distress, and though I've met this here baronet, and that their Chisester riding in their craps with tigers behind and horses before, they never so much as said Talbot, or Polcock, my tulip, here is a quid for you. Villainous, ejaculated the butcher. But what nature was the scheme you talk of? Why? I'll tell you that too. I shall certainly proclaim my own crimes, but I don't hesitate to say that I was led away by those two thieves. My name, as you well know, is Bill Polcock, and they made me take the name of Talbot. I was brought up as an engraver and did pretty well until some four years ago when I lost my wife and got drinking, and then everything went wrong. One day, I fell in with this Chisester, and he let me some money. He then began telling me how he knew the way of making an immense fortune with very little trouble, and no risk or expense to myself. So far so good, said the butcher. I was hard up, I was rendered desperate by the death of my wife, and to tell the truth, I wanted to live an idle life. I had attached to public house parlors and couldn't sit down to work with the graver. So I bid at Chisester's proposal, and he introduced me to the baronet. Another glass, Polcock, interrupted the butcher, winking to the other inmates of the parlour, who were now all listening with the greatest attention to this narrative, but none with more avidity, nor with deeper interest than Richard Markham, who sat unperceived by Polcock in his obscure corner. The scheme was certainly a very ingenious one, continued Talbot, and deserved success. It was nothing more nor less than making banknotes. I was used to engraving plates of that kind, and so I undertook the job. I don't care if anyone here present goes and informs against me, perhaps I should be better off in a prison than out of one. But what goes to my heart, and what I can never forget, and shall reproach myself for as long as I live, was the getting of a nice young fellow into a scrape, and the making him stand Moses for the punishment as you do, Griskin, for the grog. And who was this young chap? demanded the butcher. One Markham, you must recollect this case. He was tried just about this time, three years ago, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. Conce, I recollect. Well, this Markham was as innocent about the notes as the child unborn, added Polcock emphatically. I don't see that you need to take Conce remarked the butcher. For after all, you'd be better let another fellow get into trouble than be locked up in the lavender yourself. It was an unfortunate event. But what waxes me as much as all the rest is to think of the conduct of those two chaps, Chichester and the Baronet. They pretended not to know who I was when I one day stopped them in Regent Street and wanted to borrow a few pounds of them. The Baronet turns around and says to his pal. Who the devil is that fellow? And Chichester puts up his eyeglass, stares at me through it for five minutes, and says, My good man, we never give alms to people unless they have certificates of good character to show. Perhaps you wasn't over swell in your Targary, said the butcher. Why, no, I don't think I was so well dressed than as I am now. The devil you wasn't. Well then, it ain't no wonder if so be they slighted you, for one wouldn't think as how you was titivated off at present to go to Queen's Levy. Come, no joking, exclaimed Polcock. I have told you my story, and if you don't think it's a good one and are inclined to do me a service, you can just order in a chop or a steak, for I think I could manage to eat a bit. With all my heart, said the butcher, who was a good-natured man in his way, and who, having realized a considerable sum by his late bankruptcy, was disposed to be generous. You shall have as good a supper and as much lush as you can stir away. Here, Dick, he cried, addressing himself to the waiter, run round to my shop and ask the old woman for a nice steak, and then get it fried for me along with some in-guns. And, Dick, let's have some tutors. The waiter disappeared to execute this orders, said the conversation was then resumed upon the former topic. Polcock entered into all the details with which the reader is already acquainted, and Malcolm, who had made up his mind how to act, was determined to allow him to disclose spontaneously as much as he thought fit, before he should reveal himself. He stayed in his obscure corner, shading his face with his hands, and affecting to be deeply interested in the columns of the morning advertiser, which laid the wrong way upwards before him. The moment Polcock had begun to speak upon matters which so deeply interested him, Richard had become an attentive listener, and as that individual proceeded, and he found within his reach a means of establishing his innocence, his brain seemed to be excited with joy, even to delirium. His pulse throbbed violently, his heart palpitated audibly, much as he had loathed that then, when he first entered it, he would now have fallen down, and kissed its dry, sawdust covered floor. Hour after hour had passed away, the clock had struck eleven, and still the resurrection man did not make his appearance. The butcher and Polcock were discussing the supper, and Markham was just thinking of accosting the latter, when the door was suddenly opened with great violence, and two persons muffled up in pea coats, carrying enormous sticks, and smoking cigars, precipitated themselves into the parlor of the dark house. Done me, what a luck! ejaculated one, flinging himself upon a seat, and laughing heartily. But we are quite safe in here. I know this place, and the policeman lost sight of us before he reached the door. Upon my honour, I cannot say that I admire frolics of this kind, observed the other. It is really ridiculous to break lamps up at the end of the town. But, my God, what a neighbourhood you have brought me into. I couldn't have suspected that there was such a district in London. I told you that you would do good, if you would come to with me to my father, said the first speaker. The old boy was quite delighted at the idea of baronet condescending to supper with him, and you saw how he shelled out the blunt to me when he had imbibed his third glass of the punch. The latter portion of this conversation was uttered in whispers, and the two gentlemen again laughed heartily, doubtless because they had succeeded in the business which had that evening brought them to the eastern regions of London. In the midst of that second burst of hilarity, Mr. Polkark rose from his seat and advanced slowly towards the two newcomers. Well, gentlemen, he exclaimed, this is an honour which you do for us poor folks in spider fields. Come, you didn't stare so confounded hard at me. How are you, chichester? Being to see the old gentleman at the sign of lombardy arms, three balls, eh? Two chances to one that the things put up the spout will never come down again, eh? The butcher burst out in a row of laughter, which was echoed by several other inmates of the room. Who the devil are you? demanded chichester, recovering his presence of mind sooner than the baronet, for both were astounded at this unexpected and very embarrassing encounter. Upon my honour, the man must be mistaken, murmured Sir Rupert Harborough. So far from him mistaken, cried Polkark, you were the very fellows I was talking about just now, gentlemen, he added, turning towards the people seated at various tables. These are the two swalls that led me into the scrape I told you about just now, and now they pretend not to know me. What does the fellow mean? said chichester in an impudent tone. Do you know Harborough? Pwn my honour, not I. Then I will tell you who I am, ejaculated the engraver. I am the man who forged the plates from which the banknotes were struck. That got poor Richard Markham condemned to two years imprisonment in the compter, and you know as well as possible that he suffered for other crime. Chichester and the baronet were stupefied by the sudden and unexpected exposure. They knew not what to say or do, and their countenance betrayed their guilt. Yes, gentlemen, resume Polkark, growing excited. These are the men whom some extraordinary chance, some providential or devilish design has brought here this evening to conform all I have told you. Devil take this impudence, cried chichester. Now once more recovering his wanted self-possession and determining to brave the accusation out. My name isn't chichester, you're quite mistaken, my good fellow, I can assure you that you are. And so should I, calmly observed Markham, now advancing from his obscure corner and appearing in the presence of those who so little expected to see him there. A tremendous sensation now prevailed in the room, and those who were spectators anxiously awaited the result of this strange drama. Yes, there are indeed the villains to whom I am indebted for all the miseries I have endured, continued Markham. But say not that a lucky accident brought us all here together this night. Think not that a mere chance occasioned the present meeting of the deceivers and the deceived. No, it was the will of the Almighty to establish the innocence of an injured man. A solemn silence succeeded these words, which were delivered in a tone which produced an impression of awe upon all who heard him. Even the depraved and hardened men that were present on this occasion in the parlor of the dark house gazed with respect upon the young man who dared to speak of the Almighty in that den of dissipation. Markham continued after a short pause. Were it not that I should be involving in ruin a man who has spontaneously come forward to proclaim his own guilt, to declare his repentance, and to assert my innocence, without hope of reward from me, and even without knowing that God had sent me hither to overhear every word be uttered? Were it not that I should be inflicting upon him the deepest injury, I would this moment assign you to the custody of the police as the instigators of the diabolical fraud in which Talbot was your tool, and I was your scapegoat. But though I shall take no steps to punish you, heaven will not allow you to triumph in your career of turpitude. Well spoken, said Mr. Chichester, perceiving that he was in no danger and therefore assuming an heir of Provado. Upon my honor, I can't comprehend all this, muttered the baronet. Let us go, my dear fellow, I do not admire your spider-field's riff-raff. Yes, go, depart, cried Markham, or else I shall not be able to restrain my indignation. They shan't go without, however, said the butcher, very coolly taking off his apron and turning up the sleeves of his blue-stuff jacket. I'll take one, I will, cried the barber's boy, laying aside his pull at the porter and then advancing towards the two adventurers with clenched fists. Stop, stop, I implore you, ejaculated Markham. I ask not for such vengeance as this. No violence, I beseech you. Let's give it him in true John Bulls style and knock all that cursed dandy nonsense out of him, cried the butcher. And before Richard could interfere father, he befell the baronet with one blow of his tremendous fist. The barber fought with, pitched into the fashionable Mr. Chichester, who struggled in vain to defend himself. The baronet rose and the butcher instantly took his head into chancery and pummeled him to his heart's content. As soon as Chichester and Sir Rupert were so severely thrashed that they were covered all over with bruises and could scarcely stand upon their legs, the butcher and the barber kicked them into the open air, amidst the shouts of exclamation of all the inmates of the dark house parlor. When order was once more restored, Markham addressed himself to the two champions who have avenged him in their own peculiar style, and not only thanked them for their development, though mistaken kindness, but also gave them magnificent proofs of his bounty. And now, said Richard, turning towards Polka, are you willing to sign a declaration of my innocence? On condition that the paper shall never be used against me, answered the engraver, could I not this moment give you into custody to the police upon your own confession of having forged the place from which the banknotes were printed? Certainly, I was wrong to make any conditions. You're a man of honor. Markham proceeded to drop the declaration referred to and Pocock signed it with a firm and steady hand. This ceremony being completed, Richard placed bank of England notes for 50 pounds in the engraver's hand. Accept this, he said, as a token of my gratitude and a proof of my forgiveness, and he have me, I regret that my means do not allow me to be more liberal. Endure to enter an honest path, and should you ever require a friend, do not hesitate to apply to me. Pocock wept tears of gratitude and repentance. The only acknowledgement he could offer for this sudden and most welcome aid. His emotions choked his powers of utterance. Markham hurried from the room and took his departure from the establishment which possessed much an ominous name, for which had proved the scene of a great benefit to him that evening. He was hurrying up, proclaiming in a northerly direction. This is to say, towards Church Street, which he was suddenly stopped by an individual whom he encountered in his way, and who carried a large life preserver in his hand. I suppose you were tired of waiting for me, said the resurrection man, for it was he. I certainly imagine you would not come tonight, answered Richard. Well, better late than never is fortunate that we met. It will save you another journey tomorrow night, you know. Yes, I'm glad that we have met, as my time is now too valuable to waste. In that case, we can either return to the Dark House, which is open all night, or you can give me that money in the street. You don't require you received, I suppose. No, neither will you require to give me any. So I thought, honor among thieves, eh? Excuse the compliment, but in the first place have you got the tin. I had the old amount just now in my pocket when I first went to the Dark House. Then I suppose it is all there still. Not all, I have parted with fifty pounds out of it. The dues you have, and how came you to do that, demanded the resurrection man gruffly. I gave you fair warning that I would take nothing less than the entire sum. I obtained in a most extraordinary manner a proof of my innocence, and I think I purchased it cheaply at that rate. I would have given all I possessed in the world, added Markham, to procure it. The devil, cried the resurrection man, who grew uneasy at the cold and indifferent way in which Markham spoke. Well, I suppose I must take what you got left. You can easily leave the remainder for me at the Dark House. Not a shilling will you now obtain from me, ejaculated Richard firmly. And I have waited to tell you so. I have made up my mind to reveal the entire truth without a reserve, to those from whom I was before foolishly and dishonorably anxious to conceal it. This government will do it for me, cried the resurrection man. You want to stall me off, but I'm too wide awake. Give me the tin, or I'll start tomorrow, morning to Richmond, and see the count upon. You know what subject. Before I left that neighborhood the other day, I made all the necessary inquiries about the people of the house which the young lady went into. You may save yourself that trouble also, said Markham, for I shall reveal all that you would unfold. But in a word, you may do what you choose. Come now, ejaculated the resurrection man, considerably press-falling. Assist and old companion in difficulties, lend me a hundred or so. No, returned Richard, in a resolute manners. Had you asked me in the first instant to assist you, I would have done so willingly. But you have endeavoured to extort a considerable sum of money from me, much more than I could spare. And I should not now be justified in yielding to the prayers of a man who has found that his vast menaces have failed. You do not think I would have done what I said? Cry the resurrection man. I believe you to be capable of any villainy, but we have already conversed too long. I was anxious to show you our virtuous resolution would enable me to triumph over your base designs. And I have now nothing more to say to you. Our ways lie in indifferent directions, both at present and in future. Farewell. With these words, Markham continued his way up bricklayed, but the resurrection man was again by his side in a moment. You refuse to assist me? He muttered in a hoarse and savage tone. I do, molest me no further. You refuse to assist me? Repeated the villain, grinding his teeth with rage. Then you may mind the consequences. I will very soon show you that you will betterly, betterly, repent your determination. By God, I will be revenged. I shall know how to be upon my God, said Markham. He then walked rapidly on, without looking behind him. The resurrection man stood still for a moment, considering how to act. Then, apparently struck by a sudden idea, he hasted, stealthily, after Richard Markham. End of The Dark House CHAPTER 43 THE MAMMY The district of Spitalfields and Bethnal Green was totally unknown to Markham. Indeed, his visit upon the present occasion was the first he had ever paid to that densely populated and miserable region. It was now midnight, and the streets were nearly deserted. The lamps, few and far between, only made darkness visible, instead of throwing a useful light upon the intricate maze of narrow thoroughfares. Markham's object was to reach Shoreditch as soon as possible, for he knew that opposite the church there was a cab stand, where he might procure a vehicle to take him home. Emerging from Brick Lane he crossed Church Street, and struck into that labyrinth of dirty and dangerous lanes in the vicinity of a birdcage walk, which we alluded to at the commencement of the preceding chapter. He soon perceived that he had mistaken his way. And at length found himself flondering about in a long, narrow street, unpaved, and here and there almost blocked up with heaps of putrescent filth. There was not a lamp in this perilous thoroughfare, no moon on high irradiated his path, black night enveloped everything above and below in total darkness. Once or twice he thought he heard footsteps behind him, and then he stopped, hoping to be overtaken by someone of whom he might inquire his way. But either his ears deceived him, or else the person whose steps he heard stopped when he did. There was not a light in any of the houses on either side, and not a sound of revelry or sorrow escaped from the ill-closed casements. Richard was bewildered, and to speak truly, he began to be alarmed. He remembered to have read of the mysterious disappearance of persons in the east end of the metropolis, and also of certain telldeeds of crime, which had been lately brought to light in the very district where he was now wondering, and he could not help wishing that he was in some more secure and less gloomy region. He was groping his way along, filling with his hands against the houses to guide him. Now knee-deep in some filthy puddle, now stumbling over some heap of slimy dirt, now flondering up to his uncles in the mad, when a heavy and crushing blow fell upon his head from behind. He struggled, and fell against the door of a house. Almost at the same instant that door was thrust open, and two powerful arms hurled the prostrate young man down three or four steps into a passage. The person who thus voraciously attacked him leapt after him, closing the door violently behind him. All this occupied but a couple of seconds, and though Markham was not completely stunned by the blow, he was too much stupefied by the suddenness and violence of the assault to cry out. To this circumstance he was probably indebted for his life, for the villain who had struck him no doubt conceived the blow do have been fatal, and therefore, instead of renewing the attack, he strode over Markham and entered a room into which the passage opened. Richard's first idea was to rise and attempt an escape by the front door, but before he had time to consider it, even for a moment, the murderer's ruffian struck a light in the room, which, as well as a part of the passage, was immediately illuminated by a powerful glare. Markham had been thrown upon the damp tiles with which the passage was paved, in such a manner that his head was closed by the door of the room. The man who had assailed him lighted a piece of candle in a bright, teen shade, hanging against the wall, and the reflection produced by the metal caused the strong glare that fell so suddenly upon Richard's eyes. Markham was about to start from his prostrate position, when the interior of that room was thus abruptly revealed to him. But for a few moments the spectacle which met his sight paralyzed every limb and rendered him breathless, speechless, and motionless with horror. Stretched upon a shutter, which three chairs supported, was a corpse, naked, and of that bluish or livid colour which denotes the beginning of the composition. Near this loathsome object was a large tub full of water, and to that part of the ceiling, immediately above it, were affixed two large hooks, to each of which hang thick cords. In one corner of the room were a long, flexible iron rod, spades, pickaxes, wooden levers, coils of thick rope, trowels, swords, hammers, huge chisels, skeleton keys, and so on. But how great was Richard's astonishment when, glancing from the objects just described towards the ruffian who had hurled him into that den of horrors, his eyes were struck by the sombre and revolting countenance of the resurrection man. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if he could thus banish both thought and danger. Now then, mummy, ejaculated the resurrection man. Come and hold this light while I ruffle the pockets of a new subject. Scarcely had he uttered these words when a low knock was heard at the front door of the house. Damn the thing! cried the resurrection man aloud. Here are these fellows gone for the stiffen. These words struck fresh dismay into the soul of Richard Markham, for it instantly occurred to him that any friends of the resurrection man, who were thus craving admittance, were more likely to aid than to frustrate that valence designs upon the life and property of a fellow creature. Here, mummy! cried the resurrection man once more, and hastily returning into the passage, he reiterated his summons at the bottom of the staircase at the further end. Here, mummy! why the hell don't you come down? I'm coming, I'm coming! answered a crocked female voice from the top of the staircase. And in another moment, an old, blair-eyed, shriveled hag made her appearance. She was so thin, her eyes were so sunken, her skin was so much like dirty parchment, and her entire appearance was so horrible and repulsive, that it was impossible to conceive a more appropriate and expressive nickname than the one which had been conferred upon her. Now come, mummy! said the ruffian in a hasty whisper. Help me to drag this fellow into the back room. There's good pickings here, and the chaps have come for the stiffen. Another knock was heard at the door. Markham, well aware that the resistance was at present vain, exercised sufficient control of himself to remain motionless, with his eyes nearly closed, while the resurrection man and the mummy dragged him hastily into the back room. The mummy turned the key in the lock, while the resurrection man hurried to the street door, and admitted two men to the front apartment. One was Tom the Cracksman, the other was a rogue of the same stamp, and was known amongst his confederates in crime, by the name of the buffer. It was this man's boast that he never robbed anyone without stripping him to the very skin, and as a person in a state of nudity is said to be in baff, the origin of his pseudonym is easily comprehended. Well, said the Cracksman, solely, you ain't at all particular how you keep people at your door, you ain't, for two pence I'd have sported it, burst it open, with my foot, while the old mummy was fast asleep, returned the resurrection man, and I was upstairs trying to awake her, but I didn't expect you till to-morrow night. No, and we shouldn't have come, either, said the Cracksman, if there hadn't been thirty quits to earn to-night. The devil there is, cried the resurrection man, then you ain't come for the stiffen to-night. No such thing. The sow-bonds, surgeon, that it's for, don't expect it till to-morrow night, so it's no use taking it. But there the other sow-bonds, which leads down by the Middlesex Hospital, will meet as it have passed one at the back of Sordich Church. What, to-night? ejaculated the resurrection man. To-night, in half an hour, and with all the tools, we turned the Cracksman. Work for the inside of the church, he says, as the buffer. Thirty quits isn't to be sneezed at. That a-ten a-peace. I am bloated if I don't like this here resurrection business better than cracking creeps. What do you say, Tom? Anything by way of a change, particularly as when we want a stiffen by a certain day, and don't know in which church you are to die for one, we hit upon the plan of catching him alive in the street. It was my idea, though, exclaimed the buffer. Don't you remember when we wanted a stiffen for the very same sow-bonds which we've got to meet presently, we waited for near two hours at the house-door, and at last we caught hold of a fella that was walking so comfortably along, looking up at the moon. Then I thought of holding him with his head downwards in a tub of water, added the Cracksman, till he was drowned. That way don't tell no tales, no wound on the skin, no poison in the stomach, and there ain't too much water inside neither, cause the poor devils don't swallow with their heads downwards. Ah, it was a good idea, said the buffer, and now we've reduced it to a regular system. Tub of water all ready on the floor, hooks and cords to hold the chaps feet up to the ceiling, and then my eye. There they hang, head downwards, just for all the world like the carcasses in the butcher's shops, if they hadn't got their clothes on. And then we precious soon takes off. But I say, old fella, said the Cracksman, turning to the resurrection man who had remained silent during the colloquy between his two companions. What the devil are you thinking of? I was thinking, was the answer, that the sow-bonds that you've agreed to me tonight want some particular buddy. He does, said the Cracksman, and the one he wants is buried in a vault. Well, and good, exclaimed the resurrection man. He is too good a customer to disappoint. We must be off at once. The resurrection man did not for a moment doubt that Richard Markham had been killed by the blow which he had inflicted upon him with his life-preserver, and he therefore did not hesitate to undertake the business just proposed by his two confederates. He knew that whatever Richard's pockets might contain, he could rely upon the honesty of the mummy, who, horrible to relate, was the miscreant's own mother. Having therefore given a few instructions in a whisper to the old woman, he prepared to accompany the Cracksman and the buffer. The three worthies provided themselves with some of the long flexible rods and other implements before noticed, and the resurrection man took from a cupboard two boxes, each of about six inches square, and which he gave to his companions to carry. He also concealed the thin shade which helped the candle about his person, and, this preliminary is being settled, the three men left the house. Let us now return to Richard Markham. The moment he was deposited in the back room, and the door had closed behind the occupants of that fearful den, he started up a prey to the most indescribable fillings of alarm and horror. What a lurking hole of enormity! What a hound of infamy! What a scene of desperate crime! Was this in which he now found himself? A feculent smell of the decomposing corpse in the next room, which is nostrils, and produced a nauseating sensation in his stomach. And that corpse wasn't the remains of one who had died a natural death, or who had been most foully murdered. He dared not answer the question which he had thus put to himself, he feared less the solution of that mystery might prove ominous in respect to his own fate. Oh! for the means of escape! He must fly! He must fly from that horrible sink of crime, from that human-sotter house! But how! the door was locked, and the window was closed with a shutter! If he made the slightest noise, the ruffians in the next room would rush in and assassinate him. But Hark! those men were talking, and he could overhear all they said. Could it be possible? The two who had just come were going to take the third away with them upon his own revolting business. Hope returned to the bosom of the poor young man. He felt that he might yet be saved. But, oh! horror! on what topic had the conversation turned? Those men were rejoicing in their own infernal inventions to render murder unsuspected. The object of the tub of water, and the hooks and cords upon the ceiling, were now explained. The unsuspecting individual who passed the door of that accursed dwelling by night was set upon by the murderers, dragged into the house, gagged, and suspended by his feet to these hooks, while his head hung downwards in the water, and thus he delivered up his last breath. And the wretched kept him there until the composition commenced, that the corpse might not appear too fresh to the surgeon to whom it was to be sold. Merciful heavens! could such things be? Could atrocities of so appalling a nature be perpetrated in a great city protected by thousands of a well-paid police? Could the voice of murder, murder affected with so much safety, cry up to heaven for vengeance through the atmosphere of London? At length the three men went out, as before described in Markham, felt an immense weight suddenly lifted from off his mind. Before the resurrection man set out upon his excursion with the cracksman and the buffer, he had whispered these words to the mammy. While I'm gone, you can clean out the swirls pockets in the back room. He has got about four or five hundred pound about him, so mind and take care. When you've searched his pockets, strip him and look at his skull. I'm afraid I've fractured it, for my life preserver came down precious heavy upon him, and he never spoke a word. If there's the wound, I must bury him to-morrow in the cellar. If not, wash him clean, and I know where to dispose of him. It was in obedience to these instructions that the mammy took a candle in her hand, and proceeded to the back room, as soon as her son and his two companions had left the house. The horrible old woman was not afraid of the dead. Her husband had been a resurrection man, and her only son followed the same business. She was therefore too familiar with the sight of death, in all its most fearful, as well as its most interesting shapes, to be alarmed at it. The revolting spectacle of a corpse, putrid with decomposition, produced no more impression upon her, than the pale and beautiful remains of any lovely girl whom death had called early to the tomb, and whose form was snatched from its silent couch beneath the sword ere the finger of decay had begun its ravages. The hideous old woman considered corpses an article of commerce, and handled her wares as a trader does his merchandise. She cared no more for the sickly and fettid order which they sent forth, than the tanner does for the smell of the tanyard, or the scourer for the fumes of his bleaching liquid. The mammy entered the back room, holding a candle in her hand. Markens started forward, and caught her by the wrist. She uttered a sort of growl of savage disappointment, but gave no sign of alarm. Vile wretch, exclaimed Richard. God has at length sent me to discover and expose your crimes. Don't do me any harm, don't hurt me, said the old woman, and I will do anything you want of me. Answer me, cried Marken, that corpse in the other room. Murdered by my son, replied the hag, and the clothes? Where are the clothes? They may contain some papers which may throw a light upon the name and residence of your victim. Follow me, I will show you. The old woman turned and walked slowly out of the room. Marken went after her, for she thought that if you could discover who the unfortunate person was that had met his death in that accursed dwelling, he might be unable to relieve his family, at least, from the horrors of suspense. Although he should be the bearer of fatal news, indeed. The mummy opened the door of a cupboard formed beneath the staircase, and holding forward the light, pointed to some clothes which hang upon a nail inside. There, take them yourself if you want them, said the old woman, I won't touch them. With these words she drew back, but still held the candle in such a way as to throw the light into the closet. Marken stepped forward to reach the clothes, and, in extending his hand to take them from the peg, he advanced to one of his feet upon the floor of the closet. A trap door instantly gave way beneath his foot. He lost his balance and fell precipitately into a subterranean excavation. The trap door, which moved with the spring, closed by itself above his head, and he heard the triumphant cuckling laugh of the old hag, as she fussened it, with a large iron bolt. The mummy then went and seated herself by the corpse in the front room, and while she rocked backwards and forwards in her chair, she crooned the following song. The body snatches song. In the churchyard the body is laid. There they enter the beautiful maid. Earth to earth is a solemn sound. Over the sword where the daughter sleeps, the father prays and the mother weeps. Ashes to ashes echoes around. Come with the axe and come with the spade. Come with the beautiful virgin slade. Earth from earth must we take back now. The sword is dumb and the grave is cold. Lay the white corpse on the dark black mold, that the pale moon beam may kiss its brow. Throw back the earth and heap up the clay. This cold white corpse we will bear away. Now that the moonlight walks its dim, for the student doth his knife prepare to hack all over this form so fair, and sever the virgin limb from limb. At morn the mother will come to pray, over the grave where her child she lay, and freshest flowers thereon will spread, and on that spot will she kneel and weep, nor dream that we have disturbed the sleep of her who lay in that narrow bed. We must leave the mommies singing her horrible staves and accompany the body snatches in their proceedings at Shoreditch Church. End of chapter 43 Chapter 44 of The Mysteries of London This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lynn Thompson The Mysteries of London by George Reynolds Chapter 44 The Body Snatches The Resurrection Man, the Cracksman and the Buffer hastened rapidly along the narrow lanes and filthy alleys, leading towards Shoreditch Church. They threaded their way in silence, through the jet-black darkness of the night, and without once hesitating as to the particular turnings which they were to follow. Those men were as familiar with that neighbourhood as a person can be with the rooms and passages in his own house. At length the body snatches reached the low wall, surmounted with high railing, which encloses Shoreditch Churchyard. They were now at the back part of that burial ground, in a narrow and deserted street, whose dark and lowly appearance tended to aid their designs, upon an edifice situated in one of the most populous districts in all London. For some minutes before their arrival, an individual, enveloped in a long cloak, was walking up and down, beneath the shadow of the wall. This was the surgeon, whose thirst after science accorded into action the energies of the body snatches that night. The cracksmen advanced first, and ascertained that the surgeon had already arrived, and that the coast was otherwise clear. He then whistled in a low and peculiar manner, and his two Confederates came up. You have got all your tools, said the surgeon in a hasty whisper. Everyone that we require answered the resurrection man. For opening a vault inside the church, mind, added the surgeon interrogatively. You show us the vault, sir, and we'll soon have out the body, said the resurrection man. All right, whispered the surgeon, and my own carriage will be in this street at three precisely. We shall have plenty of time. There's no one stirring till five, and it's dark till seven. The surgeon and the body snatches then scaled the railing, and in a few moments stood in the churchyard. The resurrection man addressed himself to his two Confederates and the surgeon, and said, Do you lie snug under the wall here while I go forward and see how we must manage the door? With these words he crept stealthily along amidst the tombstones towards the church. The surgeon and the cracksmen seated themselves upon a grave close to the wall, and the buffer threw himself flat upon his stomach with his ear towards the ground. He remained in this position for some minutes, and then uttered a species of low growl as if he were answering some signal which caught his ears alone. The skeleton keys won't open the side door. The resurrection man says, whispered the buffer, raising his head towards the surgeon and the cracksmen. He then laid his ear close to the ground once more, and resumed his listening posture. In a few minutes he again replied to a signal, and this time his answer was conveyed by means of a short, sharp whistle. It appears there is a bolt, and it will take a quarter of an hour to soar through the padlock that holds it, observed the buffer in a whisper. Nearly twenty minutes elapsed after this announcement. The surgeon's teeth chattered with the intense cold, and he could not altogether subdue certain feelings of horror but the idea of the business which had brought him thither. The almost mute correspondence which those two men were enabled to carry on together, the methodical precision with which they performed their avocations, and the calmness they exhibited in undertaking a sacrilegious task made a powerful impression upon his mind. He shuddered from head to foot. His feelings of aversion were the same as he would have experienced had a loathsome reptile called over his naked flesh. It's all right now, suddenly exclaimed the buffer rising from the ground. Come along, and the surgeon and the cracksman followed the buffer to the southern side of the church where there was a flight of steps leading up to a side door in a species of lobby or lodge. This door was open and the resurrection man was standing inside the lodge. As soon as they had all entered the sacred edifice the door was carefully closed once more. We have before said that the night was cold but the interior of the church was of a chill so intense that an icy feeling appeared to penetrate the very backbone. The wind murmured down the aisle and every footstep echoed like a hollow sound in the distance throughout the spacious pile. Now, sir, said the resurrection man to the surgeon, it is for you to tell us whereabouts we are to begin. The surgeon groped his way toward the communion table and at the northern side or the railings which surrounded it he stopped short. I must now be standing, he said, upon the very stone which you are to remove. You can, however, soon ascertain for the funeral only took place yesterday morning and the mortar must be quite soft. The resurrection man stooped down, felt with his hand for the joints of the pavement in that particular spot and thrust his knife between them. Yes, he said, after a few minutes' silence, this stone has only been put down a day or two. But do you wish, sir, that all traces of our work should disappear? Certainly, I would not for the world that the family of the deceased should learn that this tomb has been violated. Suspicion would immediately fall upon me, for it would be remembered how earnestly I desired to open the body and how resolutely my request was refused. We must use a candle, then, presently. Said the resurrection man, and that is the most dangerous part of the whole proceeding. It cannot be helped to return the surgeon in his decided tone. The fact that the side door has been opened by unfair means must transpire in a day or two, and search will then be made inside the church to ascertain whether those who have been guilty of the sacrilege were thieves or resurrection men. You see, then, how necessary it is that there should remain no proofs of the violation of a tomb. Well and good, sir, said the resurrection man. You command, we obey. Now, then, my mates, to work. In a moment the resurrection man lighted a piece of candle and placed it in the tin shade before alluded to. The glare which he shed was thereby thrown almost entirely downwards. He then carefully and with surprising rapidity examined the joints of the large flagstone which was to be removed and on which no inscription had yet been engraved. He observed the manner in which the mortar was laid down and noticed even the places where it spread a little over the adjoining stones or where it was slightly deficient. This inspection being completed, he extinguished the light and set to work in company with the cracksman and the buffer. The eyes of the surgeon gradually became accustomed to the obscurity and he was unable to observe to some extent the proceedings of the body snatchers. These men commenced by pouring vinegar over the mortar round the stone which they were to raise. Then they took long clasped knives with very thin and flexible blades from their pockets and inserted them between the joints of the stones. They moved these knives rapidly backwards and forwards for a few seconds so as effectually to loosen the mortar and moistened the interstices several times with the vinegar. This operation being finished they introduced the thin and pointed edge of a lever between the end of the stone which they were to raise and the one adjoining it. The resurrection man who held the lever only worked it very gently but at every fresh effort on his part the cracksman and the buffer introduced a wedge of wood into the space which thus grew larger and larger. By these means had the lever suddenly given way the stone would not have fallen back into its setting. At length it was raised to a sufficient height to admit of its being supported by a thick log about three feet in length. While these three men were thus proceeding as expeditiously as possible with their task the surgeon although a man of naturally strong mind could not control the strange feelings which crept upon him. It suddenly appeared to him as if he beheld those men for the first time. That continuation of regular and systematic movements that silent perseverance faintly shadowed forth amidst the obscurity of the night at length assumed so singular a character that the surgeon felt as if he beheld three demons disinterring a doomed one to carry him off to hell. He was aroused from this painful reverie by the resurrection man who said to him come and help us remove the stone. The surgeon applied all his strength to this task and the huge flagstone was speedily removed upon two wooden rollers away from the mouth of the grave. You are certain that this is the place said the resurrection man as certain as one can be who stood by the grave for a quarter of an hour in daylight and who has to recognize it again in total darkness answered the surgeon besides the mortar was soft. There may have been another burial close by interrupted the resurrection man but we will soon find out whether you were right or not sir was the coffin a wooden one yes an elm coffin covered with black cloth replied the surgeon I gave the instructions for the funeral myself being the oldest friend of the family the resurrection man took one of the long flexible rods which we have before notice and thrust it down into the vault the point penetrated into the lid of a coffin he drew it back put the point to his tongue and tasted it yes he said smacking his lips the coffin in this vault is an elm one and is covered with black cloth I thought I could not be wrong observed the surgeon the body snatchers then proceeded to raise the coffin by means of ropes passed underneath it this was a comparatively easy portion of their task and in a few moments it was placed upon the flagstones of the church the resurrection man took a chisel and opened the lid with considerable care then he lighted his candle a second time and the glare fell upon the pale features of the corpse in its narrow shell this is the right one said the surgeon casting a hasty glance upon the face of the dead body which was that of a young girl of about 16 the resurrection man extinguished the light and he and his companions proceeded to lift the corpse out of the coffin the polished marble limbs of the deceased were rudely grasped by the sacrilegious hands of the body snatchers and having stripped the corpse stark naked they tied its neck and heels together by means of a strong cord then they thrust it into a large sack made for the purpose the body snatchers then applied themselves to the restoration of the vault to its original appearance the lid of the coffin was carefully fastened down and that now tenentous bed was lowered into the tomb the stone was rolled over the mouth of the vault and one of the small square boxes previously alluded to furnished mortar were with to fill up the joints the resurrection man lighted his candle a third time and applied the cement in such a way that even the very workman who laid the stone down after the funeral would not have known that it had been disturbed then as this mortar was a shade fresher and lighter than that originally used the resurrection man scattered over it a thin brown powder which was furnished by the second box brought away from the house on this occasion lastly a light brush was swept over the scene of these operations and the necessary precautions were complete the clock struck three as the surgeon and the body snatchers issued from the church carrying the sack containing the corpse between them they reached the wall at the back of the churchyard and there deposited their burden while the craftsman hastened to see if the surgeon's carriage had arrived in a few minutes he returned to the railing and said in a low tone all right the body was lifted over the iron barrier and conveyed to the vehicle the surgeon counted 10 sovereigns into the hands of each of the body snatchers and having taken his seat inside the vehicle close by his strange freight was whirled rapidly away towards his own abode the three body snatchers retraced their steps to the house in the vicinity of the birdcage walk and the cracksman and buffer having deposited the implements of their avocation in the corner of the front room took their departure the moment the resurrection man was thus relieved from the observation of his companions he seized the candle and hastened into the back room where he expected to find the corpse of Richard Markham stripped and washed to his surprise the room was empty what the devil has the old fool been up to he exclaimed then hastening to the foot of the stairs he cried mommy are you awake in a few moments a door on the first floor opened and the old woman appeared in her night to get at the head of the stairs is that you Tony she exclaimed yes who the hell do you think it could be but what have you done with the freshen the freshen came alive again gammon where's the money how much was there and is his skull fractured demanded the resurrection man I tell you that he came to his senses returned the old hag and that he sprung upon me like a tiger when I went into the back room after you was gone damnation what a fool I was not to stick three inches of cold steel into him ejaculated the resurrection man stamping his foot so I suppose he got clear away money and all gone maybe to fetch the traps don't alarm yourself Tony said the old hag with a horrible cackling laugh he's safe enough I'll warrant it safe where where where his betters have been for him answered the mummy what in the well in the yard exclaimed the resurrection man in a state of horrible suspense no in the hole under the stairs wretch driveling full idiot that you are cried the resurrection man in a voice of thunder you decoyed him into the very place from which he was sure to escape escape exclaimed the mummy in a tone of profound alarm yes escape repeated the resurrection man did I not tell you a month or more ago that the wall between the hole and the saw pit in the empty house next door had given way no you never told me I'll swear you never told me quite the old hag now furious in her turn you only say so to throw all the blame on me it's just like you don't provoke me mother said the resurrection man grinding his teeth you know that I told you about the wall falling down and you know that I spoke to you about not using the place anymore it's false cried the mummy it's true for I said to you at the time the time has brick up the wall myself some nights before any new people take the carpenter's yard or they make wonder what the devil we could want with a place underground like that and it would be the means of blowing us it's a lie you never told me a word about it persisted the old harridan doggedly perdition take you quite the man the affair of this cursed markham will be the ruin of us both the resurrection man still had a hope left the subterranean pit beneath the stairs was deep and markham might have been stunned by the fall he hastened to the trap door and raised it the vivid light of his candle was thrown on the very bottom of the pit by means of the bright reflector of tin the hole was empty maddened by disappointment a prey to the most terrible apprehensions and uncertain whether to flee or remain in his den the resurrection man paced the passage in a state of mind which would not have been envied by even a criminal on his way to execution end of chapter 44 chapter 45 of the mysteries of London this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Emily Wallace the mysteries of London by George Reynolds chapter 45 the fruitless search when Richard Markham was precipitated into the hole beneath the stairs by the perfidy of the mummy he fell with his head against a stone and became insensible he lay in this manner for upwards of half an hour when a current of air which blew steadily upon his face revived him and he awoke to all the horrors of his situation he had seen and passed through enough that night to unhinge the strongest mind the secrets of the accursed den to a subterranean dungeon of which he now lay the atrocious mysteries revealed by the conversation of the body snatchers ere they set out on their expedition to Shoreditch church the cold corpse of some unfortunate being most inhumanly murdered and all the paraphernalia of a hideous death in the front room of that outpost of hell haunted his imagination and worked him up to a pitch of excitement bordering upon frenzy he felt that if he did not escape from that hole he should dash his head against the wall or go raving mad he clinched his fists and struck them against his forehead in an axis of despair and then he endeavored to reason with himself and to look the perils that beset him in the face but he could not remain cool he could not control his agonizing emotions oh god he exclaimed aloud what have i done to be thus afflicted what sin have i committed to be thus tortured have i not served thee and word indeed to the best of my ability do i not worship venerate adore thee oh god why will thou that i should die this early and die too so cruel a death is there not room on earth enough for a worm like me have i not been sufficiently tried oh my god and in the hour of my deepest bitterest anguish did i ever deny thee did i repine against thy supreme will when false men encompassed me to destroy me in the opinion of the world hear me oh god hear me and let me not die this time let me not perish oh lord thus miserably such was the fervent heartfelt prayer which mark and breathe to heaven in the agony and despair of his soul he extended his arms with his hands clasped together in the archer of his appeal and they encountered an opening in the wall a ray of hope penetrated to his heart in which upon further search he discovered an aperture sufficiently wide for him to creep through he exclaimed oh lord i think thee thou has heard my prayer pardon oh pardon my repinings forgive me that i dared to question thy sovereign will at all risks he determined to pass through the opening lead whether so ever it might for he knew that he could scarcely be worse off and he felt a secret influence which prompted him thus to act and for which he could not wholly account he crept through the hole in the partition wall and found himself upon a soft damp ground everything was veiled in the blackest obscurity he groped about with his hands and stepped cautiously forward pausing at every pace presently his foot encountered what appeared to be a step to his infinite joy he ascertained in another moment that he was at the bottom of a flight of stone stairs he ascended them and came to a door which yielded to his touch he proceeded slowly and cautiously along a passage groping his way with his hands and in a few moments he reached another door which opened with a latch he was now in the open street carefully closing the door behind him he hurried away from that accursed vicinity as if he were pursued by bloodhounds he ran he ran reckless of the deep pools of stagnant water careless of the heaps of thick mud through which he passed indifferent to the bruises which he sustained against the angles of houses the corners of streets and the stone steps of doors unmindful of the dangers which he dared in threading thus wildly those rugged and uneven thoroughfares amidst the dense obscurity which covered the earth he ran he ran a delirium of joy thrilling in his brain and thanksgiving in his soul for now that he had escaped from the peril which so lately beset him it appeared to his imagination a thousand times more frightful than when it actually impended over him oh he was happy happy thrice happy in the enjoyment of liberty and the security of life once more and he began to look upon the scenes of that eventful night as an accumulation of horrors which could have possibility only in a dream he ran he ran amidst those filthy lanes and foul streets where a nauseating atmosphere prevailed but had he been threading a labyrinth of rose trees amongst the most delicious perfumes he could not have experienced a more burning ardent furious joy yes his delight was madness frenzy on on splashed with mud floundering through black puddles knee deep in mire on on he went reckless which direction he pursued so long as the rapidity of his pace removed him afar from the accursed house that had nearly become his tomb for an hour did he thus pursue his way at length he stopped through sheer exhaustion and seated himself upon the steps of a door over which a lamp was flickering he collected his scattered ideas as well as he could and began to wonder whether his wild and reckless course had led him but no conjecture on his part furnished him with any clue to solve the mystery of his present whereabouts he knew that he must be somewhere in the eastern district of the metropolis but in what precise spot it was impossible for him to tell while he was thus lost in vain endeavor to unravel the tangled topographical scheme which perplexed his imagination he heard footsteps advancing along the street by the light of the lamp he soon distinguished a policeman walking slow and measured steps along his beat well you have the kindness to tell me where i am said richard accosting the officer i have lost my way what neighborhood is this ratcliffe highway answered the policeman in the middle of wapping you know in the midst of wapping ejaculated markham in a tone of surprise and vexation and truly enough there he was in the center of that immense assemblage of dangerous streets cutthroat lanes and filthy alleys which swarm with crimps ever ready to entrap the reckless and generous hearted sailor publicans who farm the unloading of the colliers and compel those who may employ to take out half their wages and vile adulterated beer and poor half-starred coal movers whose existence alternates between crushing toil and killing intoxication it was in this neighborhood that richard markham now was heaven alone can tell what torturous path and circuitous routes he had been pursuing during the hour of his precipitate flight but his feet must have passed over many miles of ground from the instant that he emerged from the murderer's den until he sank exhausted on the steps of a house in ratcliffe highway he was wet and covered with mud and very cold but he suddenly remembered that there was a duty which he owed to society an imperative duty which he dared not neglect he was impressed with the idea that providence had that night favored his escape from the jaws of death in order that he might become the means of rooting up a den of horrors there was not a moment to be lost the three miscreants unconscious of peril had repaired to shore ditch church to exercise the least terrible portion of their avocations in that sacred edifice it might yet be time to secure them there the policemen was still standing near him which is the way to the station house suddenly exclaimed markham i have matters of the deepest importance to communicate to the police i can place them upon the scent of three miscreants three demons in human form and how came you to know about them as the officer oh it is too long to tell you now we shall only be wasting time in the villains may escape cried richard in a tone of excitement and with a wildness of manner which induced the officer to fancy that his brain was turned well come along with me said the policemen and you can tell all you know to the superintendent markham signified his readiness to accompany the officer and they proceeded to the station house in the neighborhood there richard was introduced to the superintendent i have this night said the young man escaped from the most fearful perils i was proceeding along a dark narrow and dirty street somewhere in the neighborhood of shore ditch church when i was knocked down and carried into a house where murder yes murder added markham in a tone of fearful excitement seems to be committed wholesale at this moment there is a corpse the corpse of some unfortunate man who has been assassinated in a most in human manner lying stretched out in that house i could tell you how the miscreants who frequent that den dispose of their victims how they pounce upon those who pass their door and drag them into that human slaughterhouse and how they make away with them i could tell you horrors which would make your hair stand on end but we should lose time for you may yet capture the three wretches whose crimes have been this night so providentially revealed to me and where can we capture these men inquire the superintendent surveying markham from head to foot in a strange manner they are at this moment at short it's church return the young man and they are engaged in exhuming a corpse for a surgeon whom they were to meet at half past one at the back of the burial ground and it is now three o'clock said the superintendent i dare say they have got over their business by this time you had much better sit down here by the fire and rest yourself and when it is daylight someone shall see you home to your friends sit here tranquilly when justice claims it's due ejaculated markham impossible if you will not second my endeavors to expose a most appalling system of wholesale murder my dear sir interrupted the superintendent do compose yourself and get such horrid thoughts out of your head come be reasonable this is london you know and it is impossible that the things we have described could be committed in so populous a city i tell you that every word i have uttered is the strict truth cried markham emphatically and how came you to escape from such a place demanded the superintendent the villain who attacked me thought me dead he fancied that i was killed by the blow but it had only stunned me for a few moments just now there were three murderers whispered one policeman to another now there is only one he is mad as a marcher then i was decoyed into a deep pit continued markham and i escaped through an aperture opening into another pit with stone steps to it in the next house the two policemen turned around to conceal their inclination to laugh and the superintendent could scarcely maintain a serious countenance and now you will come with me to short its church and capture the villains cried markham we had better wait till morning pray sit down and compose yourself you are wet and covered with mud you have evidently been walking a great distance oh now i understand the cause of your hesitation ejaculated markham you do not believe me you fancy that i'm laboring under a delusion i conjure you not to suffer justice to be defeated by that idea the tale is strange and i myself had it been communicated to me as it now is to you should look upon it as improbable no doubt to my appearance is strange and my manner may be excited and my tone wild but i swear to you by the great god who hears us that i am sane in the possession of my reason although heaven knows i have this night passed through enough to unhinge the strongest intellects can you lead us to the house where you alleged that these enormities are committed demanded the superintendent moved by the solemnity and rationality with which markham had uttered this last appeal to him no i cannot was the reply i had lost my way amongst those streets with which i was totally unacquainted the night was dark dark as it is now and therefore i could not guide you to that den of such black atrocities but i repeat the murderers left that house a little after one to commit a deed of sacrilege in shortage church you say that it is now three perhaps their resurrection labors are not terminated yet and you might then capture them in the midst of their unholy pursuits and if we do not find that shortage church has been broken open so the superintendent you will admit admit that i'm mad that i have deceived you that i deserve to be consigned to a lunatic asylum exclaimed markham in a tone which inspired the superintendent with confidence that officer accordingly gave instructions to four constables to accompany markham to shortage church the little party proceeded thither with all possible expedition but the clock struck four just as they reached the point of destination they hastily scaled the railings around the burial ground and proceeded to the very door from which the body snatchers had emerged in our previously one of the policemen tried the door and it immediately yielded to his touch at the same moment his foot struck against something upon the top step he picked it up it was a padlock with a semi-circular bolt sold through the policemen and markham entered the church and the former commenced a strict search by means of their bullseye lanterns there's no doubt that the gentleman was right and all he said was true observed one of the officers but the birds have flown that's clear well they must have done their work pretty cleverly if they haven't left a trace said another i have heard it stated remarked richard that resurrection men are so expert at their calling that they can defy the most acute eye to discover the spot upon such they have been operating well if we don't find out which vault they have opened it's no matter we have seen enough to convince us that you were right sir and all you told us and as the body snatchers are not here added another police officer we had better get back as quick as we can and report the churches having been broken open to our superintendent and i will return with you said markham from when it is light i may perhaps be unable to conduct you to within a short distance of the street even if not into that very street itself where the den is situated which those monsters frequent or inhabit the officers and richard accordingly returned to the station house once they came and as soon as the superintendent heard that the church had really been broken open he apologized to markham for his former incredulity you will however admit sir said this functionary that your narrative was calculated to excite strange suspicions relative to the condition of the intellects of the person who told it i presume you fancy that i escaped from a madhouse observed markham to tell you the truth i did answer the superintendent you were in such a dreadful condition and that reminds me that you are all wet and covered with mud please step into my private room and you will find everything necessary to make you clean and comfortable day dawn shortly after seven and at that time might be seen richard markham accompanied by an officer in plain clothes and followed by others at a distance threading the streets and alleys in the neighborhood of the birdcage walk the sun rose upon that labyrinth of close narrow sad wretched their affairs and irradiated those sinks of misery and crime as well as the regal palace and the lordly mansion at the opposite end of london but the search after the house in which markham had witnessed such horrors and endured such intense mental agony on the preceding night was as vain and fruitless as if its existence were but a dream there was not a street which markham could remember having passed through there was not a house to which even his suspicions attached and yet maybe he and his official companions proceeded up the very street and went by the door of the very house which they sought after a useless search throughout that neighborhood for nearly four hours markham declared that he was completely at fault the police accordingly abandoned any further proceedings on that occasion it was however agreed between them and markham that the strictest secrecy should be preserved relative to the entire business in order that the measures to be subsequently adopted with a view to discover the den of the murderers might not be defeated by the tattle of busy tongues end of chapter 45 recorded by emily wallis chapter 46 part one of the mysteries of london this is a livery vox recording all livery vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit livery vox.org recording by dav wills the mysteries of london by george reynolds chapter 46 part one Richard and Isabella Richard markham had determined to lose no time in revealing to count halteroni those adventures which had rendered him an inmate of the guild spur street cometer for two years and yet it was hard to dare the destruction of the bright visions which had dawned upon him in respect to the senora isabella it was cruel to dash away from his lips the only cup of enjoyment which he had tasted for a long time he knew not how the count would receive such a narrative as he had to tell doubtless it would alarm him for society thought Richard was too apt to judge rashly by outward appearances should the count nobly and generously rise above the prejudices of the world and believe the statement of markham's innocence corroborated as it was by the document signed by toll but alias pocock much would have been gained by a candid and honorable confession but if the reverse ensued and the count banished richard from his friendship the young man felt that he himself would only have performed a melancholy duty and broken asunder of his own accord those bonds which were he to remain silent an accident might one day snap abruptly and rudely i feel happy said markham to himself as he arose in the morning after the day on which the fruitless search mentioned in the preceding chapter took place i feel happy even while about to consummate a sacrifice which may destroy the most golden of my dreams the infinite being has declared that the days of our life shall be marked with sorrow and they are as i can well testify but the afflictions to which we are subject are attended with blessed antidotes moral sources of enjoyment are given to us as fruits and flowers for the soul and the teachings of interest as well as the impulses of gratitude should lead us to consider with attention those duties we owe each other for the sake of the bounties the almighty showers upon us so reasoned richard markham that evening he arrived at the counts abode near richmond a few minutes before dinner a kind welcome awaited him on the part of the count and count s and the eyes of the senora isabella expressed the satisfaction she experienced at his return when markham was seated with the count after dinner he determined to commence the explanation which he had resolved to give he was just about to broach the subject when the count observed by the by i am happy to inform you that i received letters from a green wood of this morning and he assures me that the speculation looked admirably i am delighted to hear it returned richard but the chief object of my present visit was to speak about the steam package business and no doubt interrupted the count well if you like to take shares in it it is not too late but what do you think i'm going to tell you a secret you know that i look upon you as a friend of the family besides i am a well aware that your respect is a bell and love her like a brother what what did you say count stammered markham i was going to tell you that mr greenwood who is immensely rich has taken a liking to isabella indeed yes and i gave him some little encouragement what without previously ascertaining whether the senora's feelings are reciprocal cried richard as for that my dear markham remember that a dutiful daughter knows no will under no inclination save those of her parents this is not an english doctrine said markham so far as the principal applies to affairs of the heart it is a nevertheless an italian doctrine exclaimed the count somewhat hotly and i have no doubt that isabella will ever recognize the authority of her parents in this as in all other matters as the count uttered these words he rose and led the way to the drawing room and thus deprived markham of that opportunity of making the confession he had intended richard was unhappy and dispirited he perceived that the count was inclined to favor mr greenwood's suit and he now felt how dear isabella was to him our profoundly seated was his love for the beauty as italian misfortunes never come alone richard was destined to receive a crushing blow although innocently inflicted the moment he entered the drawing room the countess was conversing with her daughter upon her own family connections do not alert us interrupt you're a conversation said the count as he took his place on the sofa near his wife we were only talking about the chevalier gildestine who the death was mentioned in yesterday's newspaper observed the countess and i was saying that i remember how delighted i was that when i discovered a few years ago that the chevalier was not related to our family as he had always pretended to be and why so in quiet account because the father of the chevalier was a put to death in austria for coining or rather upon a charge of coining answered the countess and although his innocence was discovered and proclaimed a few years after his death i should not like to have amongst my ancestors a man who had been criminally convicted however innocent he may in reality have a been certainly not set the count but i should be very sorry for anyone who the character had ever been tempted with suspicion to add the slightest of connection with our family i cannot say that i agree with you observed isabel there can be no disgrace attached to one who has suffered under a false accusation on the contrary such a person is rather deserving of our deeper sympathy and heavens mr markham ejaculated the countess i will bella dear ring of the bell get mr markham a glass of water it is nothing nothing i can assure you stammered richard whose countess was as pale as a corpse miss isabel i do not give yourself any trouble it was only a sudden fateness a spasm but but it's over now with these words markham hurried to the bedchamber which was always allotted to him when he visited the counts residence all the horrible tortures which man can conceive harassed him at that moment he threw himself upon his couch he writhed he struggled as if against a serpent which held him in its embraces his eyes seemed as if they were about to start from their sockets his teeth were fast closed he rung his hair he beat his breast and no moons escaped from his bosom the fiat of the count had gone forth he who would claim or aspire to connection with his family must be like the wife of Caesar beyond all suspicion it was not enough that such a one should be innocent of any crime he must never have even been accused of one such was the disposition of the count elicited by an accident and unexpectedly and markham could now divine the nature of the treatment which he would be likely to experience were he to reveal his misfortunes to a nobleman who entertained such punctilious and extremely scrupulous notions but i was mad to imagine that isabella would ever become mine thought markham within himself as soon as he became somewhat more tranquil it was folly supreme folly rank idiotic inconceivable folly in me to have cherished a hope which could never be realized all that now remains for me to do is to abandon myself to my adverse fate to attempt no more struggles against the destinies that await me to leave this house without delay to return home and bury myself in a solitude from which no persuasions nor attractions shall henceforth induce me to emerge would that i could leave this house this very evening but appearances compel me to remain at least until tomorrow i must endeavor to assume that ease of manner that friendly confidence which is reciprocal here for a few hours i must consent to act the hypocrite and tomorrow tomorrow i shall be relieved from that dread necessity i should be compelled to bid adieu to isabella forever no avowal of my past sufferings is now required since i shall tomorrow leave this hospitable mansion never to return a flood of tears relieved the unfortunate young man and he descended once more to the drawing room very pale but as calm and tranquil as usual isabella glanced towards him from time to time with evident anxiety and in spite of all his endeavors to appear cheerful and at his ease he was embarrassed cool and reserved isabella was wounded and mortified by his conduct she attempted to rally him and to ascertain whether he was really chilling in his manners on purpose or only melancholy against his will but she received frigid and laconic replies which annoyed and disheartened the poor girl to such an extent that she could scarcely refrain from tears markham felt that as an honorable man he could no longer aspire to the hand of the senora after the expression of opinion accidentally conveyed to him by the count and countess and he therefore forbore from any attempt to render himself agreeable or to afford the slightest testimony of his passion acting with these views and endeavoring to seem only properly polite he fell into the opposite extreme and grew cold and reserved the count and countess imagined that he was unwell and were not therefore annoyed by his conduct but poor isabella who was deeply attached to him set down his behavior to indifference this idea on her part was confirmed when markham in the course of conversation intimated his intention of returning home on the following day return arm and what afford ejaculated the count you have no society there and you have some amusing on tedious though it may be never did i pass a happier period of my existence than that which i have spent in your hospitable abode said richard burn reminder with us at least a tanties or a fortnight cried the count we shall then be visiting a land on ourselves for we have a promise to pass a few weeks with the lord and a lady trimordin lord trimordin exclaimed richard yes do you know him only by name but did not his daughter marry sir rupert harbora said markham shuddering as he pronounced the abhorred name thus i'm sir robert treats her as shy aimfully neglects her in every way and passes all months away from his home he has moreover expanded all of the fortune she brought him and is a guy now i understand deeply involved in debt poor lady cecilia ejaculated isabella she is deeply to be pitied but to return to this a sudden resolution of yours to depart tomorrow set the count which resolution is very suddenly taken and did the senora affecting to be engaged in contemplating a book of prince which lay on the table before her while her beautiful countenance was suffused with a deep blush my resolution is sudden certainly observe richard circumstances over which i have no control and which it would be useless to communicate to you frequently compel me to adopt sudden resolutions and act up to them be assured however that the memory of your kindness would always be dear to me you speak as if we were never to meet again exclaimed the count we cannot dispose of events in this world according to our own will said markham emphatically would to god we could but there are certain circumstances in which we seem to be free agents said isabella still holding down her hand and remaining in one place or going to another appears to be amongst those actions which depend upon our own volition at this moment a servant entered the room and informed the count that the private secretary of the envoy of the grand duke of caster cecala to the english court desired to speak with him in another apartment i am interested in this exclaimed the countess and upon a signal of approval on the part of her husband she accompanied him to the room where the secretary was waiting markham was now alone with isabella this was a probable occurrence which he had dreaded all that evening he felt himself cruelly embarrassed in her presence and the silence which prevailed between them was awkward to a degree at length the senora herself spoke it appears that you are determined to leave us mr markham she said without glancing towards him and in a tone which she endeavored to render as cool and indifferent as possible i feel that i have been too long here already senora answered richard scarcely knowing what reply to make do you mean to tax us with inattention to your comfort mr markham god forbid senora in the name of heaven do not entertain such an idea mr markham has been treated as well as our humble means would admit and he leaves us with an abruptness which justifies us in entertaining fears that he is not comfortable how can i convince you of the injustice of your suspicions ejaculated markham you would not wantonly wound my feelings mrs abella by a belief which is totally unfounded no that is not the cause of my departure my own happiness my own honor everything commands me to quit a spot where where i shall nevertheless leave so many reminiscences of joy and tranquil felicity behind me i dare not explain myself further at present perhaps never will you know the cause but pardon me senora i i'm wondering i know not what i say pre compose yourself mr markham said isabella now raising her head from the book and glancing towards him compose myself isabella senora i mean he exclaimed that is impossible oh if you knew all you would pity me but i dare not now reveal to you what i wish a word which this day dropped from your father's lips has banished all hope from my mind now i'm wondering again in the name of heaven take no notice of what i say i am mad i am raving and what was it that my father said to annoy you inquired isabella timidly oh nothing nothing purposely answered markham he himself was unaware that he fired the arrow from his bow am i unworthy of your confidence in this instance asked isabella and and may i not be made acquainted with the nature of the annoyance which my father has thus unintentionally caused you to experience oh why should i repeat words which would only lead to a revelation of what is now useless to reveal your father and mother both delivered the same sentiment a sentiment that destroys all hope but oh you cannot understand the cause of my anxiety my grief my disappointment and why not entrust me with that cause i could sympathize with you as a friend as a friend alas isabella is it useless for me now to deplore the visions which i had conjured up and which have been so cruelly destroyed do yourself know not what is in store for you what plans your father may have formed concerning you and are you acquainted with those plans asked the beautiest italian in a tone of voice rendered almost inaudible by a variety of emotions for the heart of that innocent and charming being fluttered like a bird in the net of the fowler do not question me on that head isabella let me speak of myself for it is sweet to be commiserated by such as you my life for some time past has been a scene of almost unceasing misery when i came of age i found my vast property dissipated by him to whom it was entrusted and other circumstances gave a new and unpleasant aspect to those places which were dear to me in my childhood what wild hopes in early life and i there in daughter what dreams for the future had there visited my mind in its boyhood what vain wishes what strong yearnings what ambitious aspirations had there first found existence when i returned to those spots after an absence of two years and thought of the feelings that there once agitated my bosom and contrasted them with those which had displaced them when i traced the history of each hope from its inception there and followed it through the vista of years until its final extinction when i thought how differently my course in life had been shaped from that career which i had there marked out and how vain and futile were all the efforts and strivings which i exerted against the tide of events and the force of circumstances i awoke as it were from a long dream i opened my eyes upon the path which i should thenceforth have to pursue and judged of it by the one i had been pursuing i saw the nothingness of men's lives in general and the utter vanity of main pursuits which engrossed their mind and waste their energies and i then felt convinced that i was indeed but an instrument in the hands of another and that the ends which i had obtained had not been those for which i had striven but which the almighty willed so it is with me now isabella i had planned a dream a dream of illicium with which to cheer and bless the remainder of my existence and behold like all the former hopes and aspirations of my life this one is also suddenly destroyed how know you that it is destroyed in quiet isabella casting down her eyes oh i am unworthy of you isabella i do not deserve you and yet it was to your hand that i aspired you were the star that was to irradiate the remainder of my existence i could weep i could weep isabella when i think of what i might have been and what i am you say that you aspire to my hand murmured the lovely italian maiden casting down her large dark eyes and blushing deeply you did me honor silence isabella silence interrupted richard i dare not now hear the words of hope from your lips but i love you i love you god knows how sincerely i love you and shall i conceal my own feelings with regard to you richard said isabella approaching him and laying her delicate and beautifully modelled hand lightly upon his wrist she loves me in return she loves me ejaculated markham half wild with mingled joy and apprehensions and yielding to an impulse which no mortal under such circumstances could have conquered he caught her in his arms he kissed her pure and chaste brow he felt her fragrant breath upon his cheek her hair co mingled with his own and he murmured the words you love me a gentle voice breathed an affirmative in his ear and he pressed his lips to hers to ratify that covenant of two fond hearts suddenly he recollected that count out a rony and declared that no one against whom there was even a suspicion of crime should ever form a connection with his family markham's high sense of honor told him in a moment that he had no right to secure the affections of a confiding and gentle girl whose father would never yield an assent to their union his brain already excited now became inflamed almost a madness he abruptly turned aside from her who had just avowed her attachment to him he muttered some incoherent words which she did not comprehend and rushed out of the room he hurried to the garden at the back of the house and walked rapidly up and down a shady avenue of trees which ran along the wall that bounded the enclosure on the side of the public road by degrees he grew calm and relaxed the speed of his pace he then fell into a long and profound meditation upon the occurrences of the last half hour he was beloved by isabella it was true but never might he aspire to her hand never would it be accorded to him to lead her to the altar where their attachment might be ratified and his happiness confirmed an inseparable barrier seemed to oppose itself to his wishes and he felt that no alternative remained to him but to put his former resolution into force and take his departure homewards on the ensuing morning thus was it that he now reasoned the moon shone brightly and the heavens were studded with stars as markham was about to turn for the 20th time at that end of the avenue which was the more remote from the house the beams of the moon suddenly disclosed to him a human face peering over the wall at him he started and was about to utter an exclamation of alarm when a well-known voice fell upon his ears was the first word spoken i have just one question to ask you and then one thing to tell you in the last we'll just depend upon the first rich miscreant murderer exclaimed rigid nothing shall now prevent me from securing you on the behalf of justice oh cool he returned the resurrection man for it was he oh can catch me in the darkness in the open fields true cried markham stomping his foot with vexation but god grant that the day of retribution may come calm calm none of his nonsense my dear boy said the resurrection man with diabolical irony now answer me will you give me a call 150 if not then i will get a swag in spite of you why do you thus blest and persecute me i would sooner handle the most venomous serpent than enter into a compromise with a fiend like you then beware of the consequences the moon shone full upon the cadaverous and unearthly countenance of the resurrection man and revealed the expression of ferocious rage which it wore as he uttered these words that vile and foreboding face then suddenly disappeared behind the wall oh you're a talking to markham cried the voice of the count who was now advancing down the avenue talking to her repeated richard alarmed and confused yes i heard your voice and another answering you said the count it was a man in the road answered markham i missed you from the drawing room on my return and the bell i said she thought you were in well and had gone to walk in the garden for a fresh air the news i have received from cast a cigar through the envoys secretary are by no means favorable to my hopes of a speedy return to my unnative land you therefore see that i have done a well to lay out my capital in this but we will not discuss matters of business now for there is a company upstairs and we must join them who do you think i've just made their appearance mr arm strong and other friends said markham inquiringly oh no armor stonong is on the continent the visitors are as your cherry bouncer and the carpet in the semi-lexer dappa and i am by no means pleased with their company however my house will always remain open to them in consequence of the services rendered to me by their deceased relative end of chapter 46 part one recorded by david wills