 Chapter 29 of The String of Pearls This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jennifer Stearns The String of Pearls, Chapter 29, Author Unknown The consultation of Colonel Geoffrey with the Magistrate The advice which his friend had given to Colonel Geoffrey was certainly that very best could have been tendered to him, and under the whole of these circumstances, it would have been something little short of absolute folly to have ventured into the shop of Swingytog without previously taking every possible precaution to ensure the safety of so doing. Sir Richard was within when they reached his house, and with the acuteness of a man of business, he had once entered into the affair. As the Colonel, who was the spokesman in it, proceeded, it was evident that the Magistrate became deeply interested, and when Geoffrey concluded by saying, he will thus, at all events, perceive that there is great mystery somewhere, he replied, and guilt, I should say. You are of that opinion, Sir Richard? I am, most decidedly. Then what would you propose to do? Believe me, I do not ask out of my idle curiosity, but from a firm faith that what you said about will be accomplished in a satisfactory manner. Why, in the first place, I shall certainly go and get shaved at Todd's shop. You will venture that? Oh yes, but do not fancy that I am so headstrong and foolish as to run any unnecessary risks in the matter. I shall do no such thing. You may be assured that I will do all in my power to provide for my own safety, and if I did not think I could do that most effectually, I should not be at all in love with the adventure. But, on the contrary, carefully avoid it to the best of my ability. We have before heard something of Mr. Todd. Indeed. And of a criminal character? Yes. A lady once in the street took a fancy to a pair of shoe-buckles, in imitation diamonds that Todd had on, when he was going to some city entertainment. She screamed out and declared that they had belonged to her husband, who had gone out one morning from his house in Fatter Lane to get himself shaved. The case came before me, but the buckles were of too common a kind to enable the lady to persevere in her statement, and Todd, who preserved the most imperturbable coolness throughout the affair, was of course discharged. But the matter left a suspicion upon your mind? It did. And more than once I have resolved in my own mind what means could be adopted of coming at the truth. Other affairs, however, of more immediate urgency have occupied me, but the circumstances in you detail revive all my former feelings upon the subject, and I shall now feel that the matter has come before me in a shape to merit immediate attention. This was gratifying to Colonel Geoffrey, because it not only took a great weight off his shoulders, but it led him to think, for the well-known tact of the magistrate, that something would be accomplished, and that very shortly, too, towards unraveling the secret that had as yet only appeared to be more complicated and intricate the more it was inquired into. He made the woman's acknowledgements to the magistrate for the courtesy of his reception, and then took his leave. As soon as the magistrate was alone, he rang a small handbell that was upon the table, and the summons was answered by a man, to whom he said, He's crotchet here. Yes, you worship. Then tell him I want it once, will you? The messenger retired, but he presently returned, bringing with him about as rough a specimen of humanity as the world could have produced. He was tall and stout, and his face looked as if, by repeated injuries, it had been knocked out of all shape, for the features were most strangely jumbled together indeed, and in, a bliquety, a vision which rendered it always a matter of doubt who and what he was looking at, by no means added to his personal charms. Sit down, crotchet, said the magistrate, and listened to me without a word of interruption. If Mr. Crotchet had no other good quality on earth, he still had that of listening most attentively, and he never opened his mouth while the magistrate related to him would have just formed the subject matter of Mr. Jeffery's communication. Indeed, crotchet seemed to be looking out of the window all the while, but then Sir Richard knew the little peculiarities of his visual organs. When he had concluded his statement, Sir Richard said, Well, crotchet, what do you think of all that? What does Sweeney Todd do with his customers? Mr. Crotchet gave a singular and peculiar kind of grin as he said, still looking apparently out of the window, although his eyes are really fixed upon the magistrate. He smugs them. What? He uses them up, Your Worship. It's as clear to me as mud in a wine glass, that it is. Lord bless you. I've been thinking he does that air sort of thing a deuce of a while, but I didn't like to interfere too soon, you see. What do you advise, crotchet? I know I can trust to your sagacity in such a case. While you worship, I'll think it over a bit in the course of the day and let you worship know what I think. It's an awkward job, rather, for a variety of reasons, but has, however, always is something to be done, and if we don't do it, I'll be hung if I know who can, that's all. True, true, you are right there, and perhaps before you see me again, you will walk down Fleet Street and see if you can make any observations that will be of advantage in the matter. It is an affair which requires great caution indeed. Trust me, Your Worship. I'll do it, and no mistake. Lord bless you. It's easy for anybody now to go lodging about Fleet Street without being taken much notice of, for the fact is the whole place is a gog about the horrid smell, as has been for never so long in the Old Church of St. Dunstan. Smell? Smell? In St. Dunstan's Church? I never heard of that before, Crutchett. Oh, Lord, yes. It's enough to poison the devil himself, Sir Richard, and tell the day when the Blessed Bishop went to affirm a lot of people, he as good as told them, they might all be damned first before he affirmed nobody in such a place. The magistrate was in deep thought for a few minutes, and then he said suddenly, Well, well, Crutchett, if you turn the matter over in your mind and see what you can make of it, I will think it over likewise. Do you hear? Mind you are with me at six this evening punctually. I do not intend to let the matter rest. You may depend, but from that moment will give it my greatest attention. Very good, Your Worship. Very good indeed. I'll be here, and something seems to strike me and commonly forcible that we shall unearth this very soon, Your Worship. I certainly hope so. Minister Crutchett took his leave, and when he was alone the magistrate rose and paced his apartment for some time with rapid strides. As if he were much agitated by the reflections that were passing through his mind. At length he flung himself into a chair with something like a groan, as he said. A horrible idea forces itself upon my consideration. Most horrible, most horrible, most horrible. Well, well, we shall see, we shall see. It may not be so, and yet what a hideous probability stares me in the face. I will go down at once to St. Dunstan's and see what they are really about. Yes, yes. I shall not get much sleep, I think now, until some of these mysteries are developed. A most horrible idea, truly. The magistrate left some directions at home concerning some business calls which he fully expected in the course of the next two hours. And then he put on a plain, sad-colored cloak and a hat destitute of all ornament and left his house with a rapid step. He took the most direct route toward St. Dunstan's church. And finding the door of this sacred edifice yielded to the touch, he at once entered it. But he had not advanced many steps before he was met and accosted by the beetle, who said, in a tone of great dignity and authority, this ain't Sunday, sir. There ain't no service here today. I don't suppose there is, replied the magistrate. But I see you have workmen here. What is it you are about? Well, of all the impudence that ever I came near, this is the worstest, to ask a beetle what he is about. I beg to say, sir, this here is quite private and there is a door. Yes, I see it. And you may go out at it just as soon as you think proper. Oh, convulsions! Oh, convulsions! This to a beetle! What is this all about, gentlemanly looking man, stepping forward from a part of the church where several masons were employed in raising some of the huge flagstones with which it was paved? What disturbance is this? I believe, Mr. Antrobus, you know me, said the magistrate. Oh, sir Richard, certainly, how do you do? Gracious, said the beetle. I have put my blessed foot in it. Lord bless us, sir. How should I know as you would, sir Richard? I beg that you won't think nothing of what I said. If I had a no to you and course I shouldn't have said it, you may depend. Sir Richard, I humbly beg your pardon. It's of no consequence. I ought to have announced myself and you are perfectly justified in keeping strangers out of the church, my friend. The magistrate walked up the aisle with Mr. Antrobus, who was one of the church wardens, and as he did so, he said in a low, confidential tone of his, I have heard some strange reports about a terrible stench in the church. What does it mean? I suppose you know all about it and what it arises from. Indeed I do not. If you have heard that there is a horrible smell in the church, after his men shut up some time, and upon the least change in the weather, from dry to wet or cold to warm, you know as much as we know upon the subject. It is the most serious nuisance and in fact, my presence here today is to try and make some discovery of the cause of the stench. And you see we are going to work our way into some of the old vaults that have not been opened for some time with the hope of finding out the cause of this disagreeable odor. Have you any objection to my being a spectator? None in the least. I thank you. Let us now join the workmen and I can only now tell you as long as possible curiosity to ask the team what can be the meaning of all this and to watch the proceedings with the greatest amount of interest. Come along then. I can only say for my part that as an individual, I am glad you are here and as magistrate likewise it gives me great satisfaction to have you. End of Chapter 29 Recording by Jennifer Stearns, Concord and Hampshire Chapter 30 of The String of Pearls 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 Red Abras The String of Pearls, Arthur Unknown Chapter 30 Tobias' Escape from Mr. Fogg's Establishment The rage into which Mr. Fogg was thrown by the attack which the desperate Tobias had made upon his representative Mr. Watson was so great that had it not been for the presence of stupid old Dr. Poppeljoy in the house, no doubt he would have taken some most exemplary revenge upon him. As it was, however, Tobias was thrown into his cell with the promise of vengeance as soon as the coast was clear. These were the kind of promises which Mr. Fogg was pretty sure to keep and when the first impulse of his passion had passed away, poor Tobias, as well indeed he might, gave himself up to despair. Now all is over, he said. I shall be half murdered. Oh, why do they not kill me at once? There would be some mercy in that. Come and murder me at once, you wretches! You villains, murder me at once! In his new excitement he rushed to the door of the cell and banged it with his fists, went to his surprise it opened and he found himself nearly falling into the stone cauldron from which the various cell doors opened. It was evident that Mr. Watson thought he had locked him in for the bolt of the lock was shot back but had missed its hold. A circumstance probably arising from the stage of rage and confusion Mr. Watson was in as a consequence of Tobias' daring attack upon him. It almost seemed to the boy as if he had already made some advance towards his freedom when he found himself in the narrow passage beyond his cell door but his heart for some minutes beat so tumultuously with the throng of blissful associations connected with freedom that it was quite impossible for him to proceed. A slight noise however in another part of the building roused him again and he felt that it was only now by the great coolness and self-position as well as great courage that he could at all hope to turn to account the fortunate incident which had enabled him at all events to make the first step towards liberty. Oh, if I could but get out of this dreadful place he thought if I could but once again breathe the pure fresh air of heaven and see the deep blue sky I think I should ask for no other blessings. Never do the charms of nature present themselves to the imagination in more lovely guise than when someone with an imagination full of such beauties and a mind to appreciate the glories of the world is shut up from real actual contemplation. To Tobias now the thought of green fields, sunshine and flowers was at once rapture and agony. I must, he said, I must, I will be free. A thorough determination to do anything we are well convinced always goes a long way towards its accomplishment and certainly Tobias now would cheerfully have faced death in any shape rather than he would again have been condemned to the solitary horrors of the cell from which he had by such a chance got free. He conjectured the stupid old Dr. Popplejoy had not left the house by the unusual quiet that reigned in it and he began to wonder if while that quiet subsisted there was the remotest chance of his getting into the garden and then scaling the wall and so reaching the open common. While this thought was establishing itself in his mind and he was thinking that he would pursue the passage in which he was until he saw where it led to. He heard the sound of footsteps and he shrank back. For a few seconds they appeared as if they were approaching where he was and he began to dread that the cell would be searched and his absence discovered in which there would be no chance for him but death. Suddenly however the approaching footsteps paused and then he heard a door banged shut. It was still even now some minutes before Tobias could bring himself to traverse the passage again and when he did it was with a slow and stealthy step. He had not however gone above 30 paces when he heard the indistinct murmur of voices and being guided by the sound he paused at a door on his right hand which he thought must be the one he had heard closed but a few minutes previously. It was from the interior of the room which that was the door of that the sound of voices came and as it was a matter of the very first importance to Tobias to ascertain in what part of the house his enemies were he placed his ear against the panel and listened attentively. He recognized both the voices they were those of Watson and Fogg. It was a very doubtful and ticklish situation that poor Tobias was now in but it was wonderful how by dint of strong resolution he had still the beating of his heart and the general nervousness of his disposition. There was but a frail door between him and his enemies and yet he stood profoundly still and listened. Mr. Fogg was speaking. You quite understand me Watson, I think, he said. As concerns that little viper Tobias rag he is too cunning and much too dangerous to live long. He almost staggered old superannuated Popplejoy. Oh! confound him! replied Watson and he quite staggered me. Why certainly your face is rather scratched. Yes, the little devil and it's all in the way of business that Mr. Fogg and you never heard me grumble at such little matters yet and I'll be bound never will, that's more. I give you credit for that Watson but between you and I the disease of that boy is of a nature that will carry him off very suddenly. I think so too said Watson with a chuckle. It strikes me, first of all, that he will be found dead in his bed some morning and I should not in the least wonder if that was tomorrow morning. What's your opinion, Watson? Oh! dammit! What's the use of all this round bird nonsense between us? Boy is to die and there's an end of it and die he shall during the night. I owe him a personal grudge of cause now. Of course you do, he has disfigured you. Has he? Well, I can return the compliment and I say, Mr. Fogg, my opinion is that it's very dangerous having these medical inspections you have such a fancy for. My dear fellow, it is dangerous that I know as well as you can tell me but it is from that danger we gather safety. If anything in the shape of a disturbance should arise about any patient you don't know what vast importance a report from such a man as old Dr. Popplejoy might be. Well, well, have it your own way. I shall not go near Master Tobias for the whole day and shall see what starvation and solitude does towards teeming him down a bit. As you please but at his time you went your regular rounds Yes, of course. Tobias heard Watson rise. The crisis was a serious one. His eye fell upon a bolt that was outside the door and with the quickness of thought he shot it into its socket and then made his way down the passage towards his cell the door of which he shot close. The next movement was to run to the end of the passage and descend some stairs. A door opposed him and opened it and he found himself in a small dimly lighted room in one corner of which upon a heap of straw lay a woman apparently sleeping. The noise which Tobias made in entering the cell for such it was roused her up and she said Oh, no, no, not the lash, not the lash. I am quiet. God, how quiet I am although the heart within is breaking have mercy upon me. Have mercy upon me, said Tobias and hide me if you can. Hide you? Hide you? God of Heavens, who are you? A poor victim who has escaped from one of the cells and I shhh said the woman and she made Tobias shrink down in the corner of the cell cleverly covering him up with this straw and then lying down herself in such a position that he was completely screened. The precaution was not taken a moment too soon for by the time it was completed Watson had burst open the door of the room which Tobias had bolted and stood in the narrow passage. How the devil, he said came that door shut, I wonder. Oh, save me, whispered Tobias. Shhh! Shhh! He will only look in, was the answer. You are safe. I have been only waiting for someone who could assist me in order to attempt an escape. You must remain here until night and then I will show you how it may be done. Shhh! He comes. Watson did come and looked into the cell muttering an oath as he said, Oh, you have enough bread and water till morning. I should say so you need not expect to see me again till then. Oh, we are saved, we shall escape said the poor creature. After Watson had been gone some minutes. Do you think so? Yes, yes. Oh boy, I do not know what brought you here. But if you have suffered one tenth part of the cruelty and oppression I have suffered you are indeed to be pitied. If we are to stay here, said Tobias till night before making any attempt to escape it will perhaps ease your mind and beguile the time. If you were to tell me how you came here God knows it might, it might. Tobias was very urgent upon the poor creature to tell her story to beguile the tedium of the time of waiting and after some amount of persuasion she consented to do so. The mad woman's tale You shall now hear she said to Tobias if you will listen such a catalogue of wrongs unredressed and still endearing that would indeed drive any human being mad but I have been able to preserve so much of my mental faculties as will enable me to recollect and understand the many acts of cruelty and injustice I have endured here for many a long and weary day. My persecutions began when I was very young so young that I could not comprehend their cause and used to wonder why I should be treated with greater rigor or with greater cruelty than people used to treat those who were really disobedient and wayward children. I was scarcely seven years old when a maiden aunt died she was the only person whom I remember as being uniformly kind to me though I can only remember her indistinctly yet I know she was kind to me I know also I used to visit her and she used to look upon me as her favorite for I used to sit at her feet upon a stool watching her as she sat amusing herself by embroidering silent and motionless sometimes and then I asked her some questions which she answered this is the chief feature of my recollection of my aunt she soon after died but while she lived I had no unkindness from anybody it was only after that that I felt the cruelty and coldness of my family it appeared that I was a favorite with my aunt above all others whether in our family or in any other she loved me and promised that when she died she would leave me provided for and that I should not be dependent upon anyone well I was from the day after the funeral and altered being I was neglected and no one paid any attention to me whatsoever I was thrust about and nobody appeared to care even if I had the necessaries of life such a change I could not understand I could not believe the evidence of my own senses I thought it must be something that I did not understand perhaps my poor aunt's death had caused this distress and alteration in people's demeanor to me however I was a child and though I was quick enough at noting all this yet I was too young to feel acutely the conduct of my friends my father and mother were careless of me and let me run where I would they cared not when I was hurt they cared not when I was in danger come what would I was left to take my chance I recollect one day when I had fallen from the top to the bottom of some stairs and hurt myself very much but no one comforted me I was thrust out of the drawing room because I cried I then went to the top of the stairs where I sat weeping bitterly for some time at length an old servant came out of one of the attics and said oh Miss Mary what has happened to you that you said crying so bitterly on the stair head come in here I arose and went into the attic with her when she set me on a chair and busied herself with my bruises and said to me now tell me what are you crying about and why did they turn you out of the drawing room tell me now as said I they turned me out because I cried when I was hurt I fell all the way downstairs but they don't mind no they do not and yet in many families they would have taken more care of you than they do here and why do you think they would have done so I enquired don't you know what good fortune has lately fallen into your lap I thought you knew all about it I don't know anything save they are very unkind to me lately they have been very unkind to you child and I'm sure I don't know why nor can I tell you why they have not told you of your fortune my fortune said I what fortune why don't you know that when your poor aunt died you were her favorite I know my aunt loved me I said she loved me and was kind to me but since she has been dead nobody cares for me well my child she has left a will behind her which says that all her fortunes shall be yours when you're old enough you shall have all her fine things you shall have all her money and her house indeed said I who told you so oh I have heard of it from those who were present at the reading of the will that you were when you were old enough to have all think what a great lady you will be then you'll have servants of your own I don't think I shall live till then oh yes you will or at least I hope so and if I should not what will become of all those fine things that you have told me of who will have them why if you do not live till you are of age your fortune will go to your father and mother who take all then they would sooner I died and live what makes you think so say inquired why said I they don't care anything for me now and they would have my fortune if I were dead so they don't want me ah my child said the old woman I've thought of that more than once and now you can see it I believe that it will be so there has many what been spoken truly enough by a child before now and I'm sure you are right but do you be a good child and be careful of yourself and you will always find that providence will keep you out of any trouble I hope so I said and be sure you don't say who told you about this why not I inquired why may I not tell who told me about it because she replied if it were known that I told you anything about it as you have not been told by them they might discharge me and I should be turned out I will not do that I replied they shall not learn who told me though I should like to hear them say the same thing you may hear them do so one of these days she replied if you are not impatient it will come out one of these days do may know of it more than my father and mother yes more several no more was said then about the matter but I treasured it up in my mind I resolved that I would act differently and not have anything to do with them that is I would not be more in their sight than I could help I would not be in their sight at all save at mealtimes and when there was any company there I always appeared I cannot tell why but I think it was because I sometimes attracted the tension of others and I hoped to be able to hear something respecting my fortune and in the end I succeeded in doing so and then I was satisfied not that it made any alteration in my conduct but I felt I was entitled to a fortune how such an impression became imprinted on a girl of eight years old I know not but it took hold of me and I had some kind of notion that I was entitled to more consideration than I was treated to mother said I one day to her well Mary what do you want to tease me about now didn't Mrs. Carter the other day say my aunt left me a fortune what is the child dreaming about said my mother do you know what you're talking about child you can't comprehend I don't know mother but you said it was so to Mrs. Carter well then what if I did child why you must have told the truth or a falsehood well Miss impudence I told the truth what then why then I am to have a fortune when I grow up that's all I mean mother and then people will take care of me I shall not be forgotten but everything will be done for me and I shall be thought of first my mother looked at me very hard for a moment or two and then as if she was actuated by remorse she made an attempt to speak but checked herself and then anger came to her aid and she said upon my word miss what thoughts have you taken into your fancy now I suppose we shall be compelled to be so many servants to you I'm sure you ought to be ashamed of yourself you ought indeed I didn't know I had done wrong I said hold your tongue will you or I shall be obliged to flog you said my mother giving me a sound box on the ears that threw me down now hold your tongue and go upstairs and give me no more insolence I arose and went upstairs sobbing as if my heart would break I can recollect how many bitter hours I spent there crying by myself how many tears I shed upon this matter and how I compared myself to other children and how much my situation was worse than theirs by a great deal they I thought had their companions they had their hours of play but what companions had I and what had I in the way of relaxation what had I to do saved to pine over the past and present and the future my infantile thoughts and hours were alike occupied by the sad reflections that belonged to a more mature age than mine and yet I was so days weeks and months passed on there was no change and I grew apace but I was always regarded by my family with dislike and always neglected I could not account for it in any way than they wished me dead it may appear dreadful very dreadful indeed but what else was I to think the old servants words came upon my mind full of their meaning if I died before I was one and twenty they would have all my aunt's money they wish me to die I thought they wish me to die and I shall die I'm sure I shall die but they will kill me they have tried it by neglecting me in making me sad what can I do what can I do these thoughts were the current matter of my mind and how often do they recur to my recollection now I am in this dull dreadful place I can never forget the past I'm here because I have rights elsewhere which others can enjoy and do enjoy however that is an old evil I have thus suffered long but to return after a year had gone by two I think must have passed over my head before I met with anything that was at all calculated to injure me I must have been nearly ten years old when one evening I had no sooner got into bed than I found I had been put into damp I may say wet sheets they were so damp that I could no doubt but this was done on purpose I'm sure no negligence ever came to anything so positive and so abominable in all my life I got out of bed and took them off and then wrapped myself up in the blankets and slept till morning without weakening anyone when morning came I inquired who put the sheets there what do you mean mix? said my mother only that somebody was bad and wicked enough to put positively wet sheets in the bed it could not have been done through carelessness it must have been done though sheer willfulness I'm quite convinced of that you will get yourself well thrashed if you talk like that said my mother the sheets were not damp there were none in the house that were damp these are wet this reply brought her hand down heavily upon my shoulder and I was forced upon my knees I could not help myself so violent was the blow there added my mother take that and that and answer me if you dare as she said this she struck me to the ground and my head came into violent contact with the table and I was rendered insensible how long I continued so I cannot tell what I first saw when I awoke was the dreariness of the attics into which I had been thrust and thrown upon a small bed without any furniture I looked around and saw nothing that indicated comfort and upon looking at my clothes there were traces of blood this I had no doubt came from myself I was hurt and upon putting my hand to my head found that I was much hurt as my head was bound up at that moment the door was opened and the old servant came in well Miss Mary she said and so you have come round again ideally began to be afraid you were killed what a fall you must have had fall said I who said it was a fall they told me so I was struck down struck Miss Mary who could strike you and what did you do to deserve such a severe chastisement who did it I spoke to my mother about the wet sheets ah what a mercy you were not killed if you had slept in them your life would not have been worth a farthing you would have got cold and you would have died of inflammation I am sure of it if anybody wants to come at murder without being found out they have only to put them into damp shades so I thought and I took them out you did quite right quite right what have you heard about them how did you die well I only went into the room in which you sleep and I at once found how damp they were and how dangerous it was and I was going to tell your mama when I met her and she told me to hold my tongue but to go down and take you away as you had fallen down in a fit and she could not be here to see you lying there and she didn't do anything for me oh no not as I know of because you were lying on the floor bleeding and brought you here and she has not inquired after me since not once and don't know whether I am yet sensible or not she does not know that yet well I replied I think they don't care much for me I think not at all but the time may come when they will act differently no mess they think or effect to think that you have endured them but that cannot be because you could not be cunning enough to dispose your aunt to leave you all and so deprive them of what they think they are entitled to I never could have believed half so much such however is the case what can I do nothing my dear but lie still till you get better and don't say anymore but sleep if you can sleep will do you more good than anything else now or so so lie down and sleep the old woman left the room and I endeavored to compose myself to sleep but could not do so for some time my mind being too actively engaged in considering what I had better do and I determined upon a course of conduct by which I thought I should escape much of my present persecution it was some days however before I could put it in practice and one day I found my father and mother together and said mother why do you not send me to school you send you to school did you mean you miss yes I meant myself because other people go to school to learn something but I have not been sent at all are you not contented I am not I answered because other people learn something but at the same time I should be more out of your way since I am more troubled to you as you complain of me it would not cost more than living at home what is the matter with the child asked my father I cannot tell said my mother the better way will be to take care of her and confine her to some part of the house if she does not behave better the little minx will be very troublesome do you think so yes decidedly then we must adopt some more active measures or we shall have to do what we do not wish I am amused at her asking to be sent to school was ever there heard such wickedness well I could not have believed such in gratitude could have existed in human nature get out of the room you hussy said my mother go out of the room and don't let me hear a word from you more I left the room terrified at the storm I had raised up against me I knew not that I had done wrong and went up crying to my attic alone and found the old servant who asked what was the matter I told her all I had said and what had been the result why you should let things take their own course my dear yes but I can learn nothing never mind you will have plenty of money when you grow older and that will cure many defects people who have money never want for friends but I have them not and yet I have money most certainly most certainly but you have it in your power and you are not old enough to make use of it if you had it who has it I inquired your father and mother no more was said at that time and the old woman left me to myself and I recollect I long and deeply pondered over this matter and yet I could see no way out of it and resolved that I would take things as easily as I could but I feared that I was not likely to have a very quiet life indeed active cruelty was exercised against me they would lock me up in a room a whole day at a time so that I was debarred the use of my limbs I was even kept without food and on every occasion I was knocked about from one to the other without remorse everyone took a delight in tormenting me and in showing me how much they dared to do of course servants and all would not treat me with neglect and harshness if they did not see it was agreeable to my parents this was shocking cruelty but yet I found that this was not all many where the little contrivances made and invented to cause me to fall downstairs to slip to trip to do anything that might have ended in some fatal accident which would have left them at liberty to enjoy my legacy and no blame would be attached to them for the accident and I should most likely get blamed for what was done and from which I had been the sufferer indeed I should have been deemed to have suffered justly on one occasion after I had been in bed some time I found it was very damp and upon examination I found the bed itself had been made quite wet with the sheet put over it to hide it this I did not discover until it was too late for I caught a violent cold and it took me some weeks to get over it and yet I escaped eventually though after some months illness I recovered and it evidently made them angry because I did live they must have believed me to be very obstinate they thought me obdurate in the extreme they called me all the names they could imagine and treated me with every indignity they could heap upon me well time ran on and in my 12th year I obtained the notice of one or two of our friends who made some inquiries about me I always remarked that my parents just liked anyone to speak to or take any notice of me they did not permit me to say much they did not like my speaking and on one occasion when I made some remark respecting school she replied her health is so bad that I have not yet sent her but shall do so by and by when she grows stronger there was a look bent upon me that told me at once what I must expect I persisted in my half-formed resolve of contradicting all that had been said when the visitor went I was well aware of what kind of a life I should have had if I did not absolutely receive some serious injury I was terrified and held my tongue soon after that I was seized with violent pains and vomiting I was very ill and the servant being at home only a doctor was sent for who at once said I had been poisoned and ordered me to be taken care of I know how it was done I had taken some cake given me it was left out for me and that was the only thing I had eaten and it astonished me for I had not had such a thing given me for years and that is why I believe the poison was put in the cake and I think others thought so too however I got over that after a time though I was a long while before I did so but at the same time I was very weak and the surgeon said that had I been a little longer without assistance or had I not thrown it up I must have sunk beneath the effects of a violent poison he advised my parents to take some measures to ascertain who it was that had administered the poison to me but though they promised compliance they never troubled themselves about it but I was for a long time very cautious of what I took and was in great fear of the food that was given to me however nothing more of that character took place and at length I quite recovered and began to think in my own mind that I ought to take some active steps in the matter and that I ought to seek an asylum elsewhere I was now nearly 15 years of age and could well see how inveterate was the dislike with which I was regarded by my family I thought that they ought to use me better for I could remember no cause for it I had given no deadly offence nor was there any motive why I should be treated thus with neglect and disdain it was then a matter of serious consideration with me as to whether I should not go and throw myself upon the protection of some friend and beg their interference in my behalf but then there was no one whom I felt would do so much for me no one from whom I expected so great an act of friendship it was hardly to be expected from anyone that they should interfere between me and my parents they would have had their first say and I should have contradicted all said and should have appeared in a very bad light indeed I could not say they had neglected my education I could not say that because there I had been careful myself and I had assiduously striven when alone to remedy this defect and had actually succeeded so that if I were examine I should have denied my own assertions by contrary facts which would injure me then again if I were neglected I could not prove any injury because I had all the means of existence and all I could say would be either attributed to some evil source it was entirely false but at the same time I felt I had great cause of complaint and none of gratitude I could hold no communion with anyone all alike deserted me and I knew none who could say art for me if I requested their goodwill I had serious thoughts of possessing myself of some money and then leaving home and staying away until I had arrived at age but this I deferred doing seeing that there was no means and I could not go more than I did then that is to live on without any mischief happening and wait for a few years more I contracted an acquaintance with a young man who came to visit my father he came several times and paid me more civility and attention than anyone else ever did and I felt that he was the only friend I possessed it is no wonder I looked upon him as being my best and my only friend I thought him the best and the handsomest man I ever beheld this put other thoughts into my head I did not rest as others did much less had I the opportunity of becoming possessed of many of those little trinkets that most young women of my age had but this made no alteration in the good opinion of the young gentlemen who took no notice of that but made me several pretty prisons these were treasures to me and I must say I gloated over them and often when alone I have spent hours in admiring them trifling as they were they made me happier I knew now one person who cared for me and a delight for feeling it was too I shall never know it again it is quite impossible here among the dark walls and unwholesome cells we have no cheering ray of life or hope all is dreary and cold a long and horrible imprisonment takes place to which there is no end saved with life and in which there is not one mitigating circumstance all is bad and dark God help me however my dream of happiness was soon disturbed by some means my parents had got an idea of this and the young man was dismissed the house and forbidden to come to it again this he determined to do and more than once we met and then in secret I told him all my woes when he had heard all I had said he expressed the deepest commissuration and declared that I had been most unjustly and harshly treated and thought that there was not a harder or harsher treatment than that which I had received he then advised me to leave home leave home I said where shall I fly I have no friend come to me I will protect you I will stand between you and all the world they shall not stir hand or foot to your injury but I cannot dare not do that if they found me out they would force me back with all the ignominy and shame that could be felt from having done a bad act not any pity would they show me nor need you you would be my wife I mean to make you my wife you yes I dreamed not of anything else you shall be my wife we will hide ourselves and remain unknown to all until the time shall have arrived when you are of age when you can claim all your property and run no risk of being poisoned or killed by any other means this is a matter said I that ought to be considered well before adopting anything as violent or so sudden it is and it is not one that I think will endure by being reflected upon by those who are the principal actors for my own part my mind is made up and I am ready to perform my share of the engagement I resolved to consider the matter well in my own mind and felt every inclination to do what he proposed because it took me away from home and because it would give me one of my own my parents had become utterly estranged from me they did not act as parents they did not act as friends they had steeled my heart against them they never could have borne any love to me I am sure of it who could have committed such great crimes against me as the outward reunion that in which I was likely to become an object of still greater hatred and dislike to them I thought I was often the subject of their private thoughts and often when I entered the room of my mother and father and the rest would suddenly leave off speaking and look at me as if to a certain if I had ever heard them say anything on one occasion I remember very well I heard them conversing in a low tone the door happened to have opened off itself the hasp not having been allowed to enter the mortise I heard my name mentioned I paused and listened we must soon get rid of her said my mother undoubtedly he replied if we do not we shall have her about our ears she will get married or some infernal thing and then we shall have to refund we could prevent that not if her husband was to insist upon it we could not but the only plan I can now form is what I told you of already putting her in a madhouse yes there you see she will be secured and cannot get away besides those who go there die in a natural way before many years but she can speak so she may but who attends to the ravings of a mad woman no no depend upon it that is the best plan send her to a lunatic asylum a private madhouse I can obtain all that is requisite in a day or two then we will consider that settled certainly in a few days then before next Sunday because we can enjoy ourselves on that day without any restraint or without any uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty about us I waited to hear no more I had heard enough to tell me what I had to expect I went back to my own room and having put on my bonnet and shawl I went out to see the individual to whom I have alluded and saw him I then informed him of all that had taken place and heard him exclaim against them in terms of rising indignation come to me he said come to me at once not at once don't stop a day hush said I there's no danger I'll come the day after tomorrow and then I will bid adieu to all these unhappy moments to all these persecutions and in three years time I shall be able to demand my fortune which will be yours we were to meet the next day but one early in the morning there were not in fact to be more than 30 hours elapsed before I was to leave home if home I could call it however there was no time to be lost I made up a small bundle and had all in readiness before I went to bed and placed in security intending to rise early and let myself out and leave the house that however was never to happen while I slept at a late hour of the night I was awakened by two men standing by my bedside who desired me to get up and follow them I refused and they pulled me rudely out of bed I called out for aid and exclaimed against the barbarity of their proceedings it is useless to listen to her said my father you know what a mad woman will say we do reply the men they are the cunningest devils we ever heard we have seen enough of them to know that to make the matter plain I was seized, gagged and thrust into a coach and brought here where I have remained ever since End of Chapter 30 Recording by Red Abrass June 2008 Chapter 31 of The String of Pearls 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 Red Abrass The String of Pearls Author Unknown Chapter 31 The Rapid Journey of Tobias to London There was something extremely touching in the tone and apparently in the manner in which the poor persecuted one detailed the story of her rangs and she had the tribute of a willing tear from Tobias After the generous confidence you have had in me he said I ought to tell you something of myself Do so she replied We are companions in misfortune Tobias then related to her at large all about Sweeney Todd's villainies and how at length he Tobias had been placed where he was for the purpose of silencing his testimony of the evil and desperate practices of the barber After that he related to her what he had overheard about the intention to murder him that night and he concluded by saying If you have any plan of escape from this horrible place let me implode you to tell it to me and let us put it into practice tonight and if we fail death is at any time preferable to continued existence here It is It is Listen to me I will indeed said Tobias You will say you never had such attention as I will now pay to you You must know then that this cell is paved with flagstones as you see and that the wall here at the back forms likewise part of the wall of an old wood house in the garden which is never visited Yes, I understand Well, as I have been here so long I managed to get up one of the flagstones that forms the flooring here and to work under the wall with my hands a slow labour and one of pain until I managed to render a kind of excavation one end of which is here and the other in the wood house Glorious said Tobias I see, I see, go on I should have made my escape if I could but the height of the garden wall has always been the obstacle I thought of tearing this miserable quilt into strips and making a sort of rope of it but then how was I to get it on the wall You perhaps will with your activity and youth be able to accomplish this Oh, yes, yes You are right enough there It is not a wall that shall stop me They waited until from a church clock in the vicinity they heard then strike and then they began operations Tobias assisted his new friend to raise the stone in the cell and there immediately beneath appeared the excavation leading to the wood house just sufficiently wide for one person to creep through It did not take long to do that and Tobias took with him a piece of work upon which he had been occupied for the last two hours namely the quilt turned up into long pieces twisted and tied together so that it formed a very tolerable rope which Tobias thought would sustain the weight of his companion The wood house was a miserable looking hole enough and Tobias at first thought that the door of it was fastened but by a little pressure it came open it had only stuck through the dampness of the woodwork at that low point of the garden and now they were certainly both of them at liberty with the exception of surmounting the wall which rose frowningly before them in all its terrors There was a fine cool fresh air in the garden which was indeed most grateful to the senses of Tobias and he seemed doubly nerved for anything that might be required of him after inhaling that delicious cool fresh breeze There grew close to the wall one of those beautiful mountain ash trees which bent over into such graceful foliage and which are so useful in the formation of pretty summer houses Tobias saw that if he ascended to the top of this tree there would not be much trouble in getting from there to the wall We shall do it, he said We shall succeed Thank God that I hear you say so, replied his companion Tobias tied one end of the long rope they had made of the quilt to his waist so that he might carry it up with him and yet leave him free use of hands and feet and then he commenced with great activity ascending the tree In three minutes he was on the wall the moon shone sweetly There was not a tree or house in the vicinity that was not made beautiful now in some portions of it by the sweet soft light that poured down upon them Tobias could not resist pausing a moment to look around him upon the glorious scene of her for whom he was bound to do all that was possible around him Oh Tobias, she said Quick, quick, load the rope In a moment he cried The top of the wall was here and there armed with iron spikes and some of these formed an excellent grappling place for the torn quilt In the course of another minute Tobias had his end of it secure Now, he said Can you climb up by it? Do you think? Don't worry about it Remember, there is no alarm and for all we know we have ours to ourselves yet Yes, yes, oh yes Thank God he heard her say Tobias was not where he could By any exertion of strength render her now the least assistance and he watched the tightening of the frail support by which she was gradually climbing to the top of the wall the most intense and painful interest that can be imagined I come, I come She said I am saved Come slowly, for God's sake Do not hurry No, no At this moment, Tobias heard the frail rope giving way There was a tearing sound, it broke and she fell Lights too, at that unlucky moment flashed from the house Evident an alarm had been given What could he do? If two could not be saved one could be saved He turned and flung his feet over the wall He hung by his hands as low as he could and then he dropped the remainder of the distance He was hurt but in a moment he sprang to his feet for he felt that safety could only lie in instant and rapid flight The terror of pursuit was so strong upon him that he forgot his bruises And Kevin exclaimed Tobias I am at last free from that horrible place Oh! If I can but reach London now I shall be safe and as for Sweeney Todd let him beware for a day of retribution for him cannot be far off So saying Tobias turned his steps towards the city and at a hard trot soon left Peckham Rye far behind him as he pursued his route End of Chapter 31 Recording by Red Abriss June 2008 Having thus far traced Tobias's career we are the better enabled to turn now our exclusive attention to the proceedings of Johanna Oakley who we cannot help thinking is about to commence a most dangerous adventure The advice which had been given to her by her romantic young friend Arabella Wilmot had from the first taken a strong hold upon her imagination and the more she had thought it over and the more she found the others failed in procuring any tidings of her lost lover the more intense she was upon carrying it out Yes true love will accomplish very great wonders and what force or ability will fail at confident affection even of a mere girl may succeed in It is true I risk my life but what is life to me without what made it desirable what is continued existence to me embittered with the constant thought that such a dreadful mystery hangs over the fate of Mark and Jestery So it will be seen it was partly despair and partly a kind of pre-sentiment she had that success would attend her enterprise that induced her to go to Sweeney Todd's There was a placard in Todd's window which bore the following announcement Wanted a lad one of strict religious principles preferred Apply within The fact is as we have said although Sweeney Todd now from the sale of the string of pearls had the means of retiring from his avocations and fully meant to do so he did not think it prudent to hurry over such a step and was resolved to wait until all noise and inquiry if any were made about the pearls had subsided and therefore was it that he found it necessary to provide himself with a new boy who for all he cared might share the fate of Porta Bias that fate which Sweeney Todd considered certain but concerning which the reader is better informed Ah! muttered Todd to himself I like boys of a religious turn they are much easier managed for the imagination in such cases has been cultivated at the expense of the understanding hello who have we here Todd was stropping a razor and peering out into the street while he spoke and he saw a decent looking young lad of a remarkably handsome exterior stop at the window and read the tempting announcement the lad advanced a step towards the door hesitated retreated and then advanced again as if he wished to apply for the vacant situation and yet dreaded to do so who can he be said Todd as he looked curiously at him he don't seem the likely sort to apply for the situation of Barba's boy Todd was right enough there for this seeming lad was no other than Johanna Oakley and little indeed did she seem as if she belonged to the rough class from whom Sweeney Todd the Barba might be supposed to find a lad for his shop in another moment she entered the shop and was face to face with the man whom she might fairly consider to be the bane of her young existence if what was suspected of him were true Todd fixed his strange glance upon her but he was silent for it was no rule of his to speak first and Johanna felt constrained to commence the rather embarrassing conversation you're in want of a lad sir she said to mind your shop I suppose yes Johanna had certainly hoped for a longer answer but as Todd was silent she had now no recourse but to go on to be glad to take the situation who are you you don't seem likely to want such a place who and what are you Johanna had her story ready for of course she had anticipated questions being asked of her so she replied with a readiness that did not seem at all forced I am an orphan I was left in the care of a mother in law I don't like her she was cruel to me and I ran away where from Oxford Oxford Oxford muttered Todd then nobody knows you in London I suppose my little lad no one I have come to town comfortably enough in a wagon but if I don't get something to do I shall have to go back which I don't like the idea of at all I'd rather be anything in London than go back to Mrs. Green Green and what's your name Charlie Green of course you sees my name the same as hers because she married my father oh you won't suit me you ain't the sort of boy I want sorry I troubled you sir said Johanna as she turned carelessly and left the shop without making the least attempt to move the barbers determination or even looking down the razor he had commenced sharpening again how foolishly suspicious I am I shall wait a while I think before I get anyone to suit me as this lad will in London alone without friends and orphan nobody to inquire after him the very thing Sweeney Todd was at his door in an instant hi hi he called Johanna looked back and saw him beckon to her with new hope she returned and was again in the shop Hark ye my lad said Todd I feel disposed to take you on account of your friendless condition I feel for you I'm an orphan myself that's a fact here he made one of those hideous grimaces he was in the habit of indulging in when he thought he said anything particularly racy yes I'm a poor orphan myself with nothing but my strong sense of religion to support me I'll take you on trial I am much beholden to you sir oh don't mention that your duties will consist of minding the shop if I happen to be absent you will have six pence a day but nothing else from me for out of that you provide yourself with food and the cheapest and the best thing you can do is to go always to love it's in your bell-yard and have a pie for your dinner you will sleep at night here in the shop run messages see and hear much but if you gossip about me and my affairs I'll cut your throat you may depend upon me sir I'm any too happy in being taken into the service of such a respectable gentleman respectable gentleman repeated Todd as he finished stropping the razor respectable and then he gave one of his hideous laughs which thrilled through the very heart of Johanna as she thought that it might have been the last noise that sounded in the years in this world Todd turned very suddenly round and said did you groan I groan replied Johanna what for oh only I thought you did master Charlie that's all see if that water on the fire is hot and if so bring it to me ha a customer as Todd uttered these words two persons entered the shop they looked like substantial countrymen farmers perhaps in a good way of business and one of them said now Mr. Barber for a clean shave if you please while the other stood at the door as if to wait for his companion certainly sir said Todd pray sit down here if you please sir a nice day for the time of year come from the country sir I suppose yes me and my cousin we don't know much of London yet indeed sir you ought not to leave it soon then I'm sure for there is much to see and that can't be seen quickly and if you live far off it's better to take the opportunity while you are here give me that soap dish Charlie yes sir ah to be sure replied the countrymen it is but we have brought up to the London market a number of beasts which having sold well we have too much money about us to risk in going to sea sites indeed you are prudent would you like your whiskers trimmed a little but not quite off there was now a pause of some moment's duration after which Sweeney Todd said in a very offhand manner I suppose you have seen the two figures at St. Dunstan's church strike the hour two figures said the one who was not being shaved for the other would have had a mouthful of lather if he had spoken two figures no what may they be all about well resumed Todd with the most indifferent air and manner in the world if you have not seen them it's quite a shame that you should not and while I am shaving your friend as it now only once about five minutes to eleven you have a good opportunity of going and getting back in time when your friend is disposed of what do you say to that Charlie go with the gentleman and show him the figures striking the hour at St. Dunstan's you must cross over to the other side of the way you know to see them properly and effectually don't hurry sir very much obliged said the disengaged Grazier for such he seemed to be here when he is shaven you can't think what cynical remarks he makes at anything he has not seen before so that to go with him is really always to me half the treat very good and very right said Todd I shall soon be done I have just about finished you off now sir that will do there was no disappointment at all visible in Todd's manner and the Grazier rose and wiped his face on the jack towel that hung from a roller for the use of those whom it might concern paid his money and with a civil good day to the barber left the shop along with his friend an awfully diabolical look came across the countenance of Sweeney Todd as he muttered to himself curses on them both I may yet have one of them though what did you say sir asked Johanna what is that to you you young imp rod Todd curse you I'll put out your teeth by degrees with red hot pincers if you presume to listen to what I say I'll be the death of you you devil's cub Johanna shrank back alarmed and then Todd walked across his shop to the back parlor the door of which he carefully double-locked after which turning to Johanna he said you will mine the shop till I return and if anybody comes you can tell them that they need not wait for I shall probably be some time gone all you have to do is mine the place and hark you no peeping nor prying about sit still and touch nothing for if you do I shall most assuredly discover it and your punishment will be certain and perhaps terrible I will be careful sir do so and you will be rewarded why the last lad I had served me so well that I have had him taken care of for life in a fine handsome country house with grounds attached a perfect villa where he is weighted upon by attendance in the most attentive manner how kind said Johanna and is he happy very very not withstanding the general discontent of human nature he is quite happy as a matter of course mine my instructions and in due time you will no doubt yourself share as amiable a fate Todd put on his hat and with a horrible and strange layer upon his countenance left the shop and Johanna found herself in the situation she had coveted namely to be alone in the shop of Sweeney Todd and able to make what examination of it she pleased without the probability of much interruption heaven be my aid she cried for the sake of truth End of Chapter 32 Chapter 33 the discoveries of the votes of St. Dunstan's well Sir Richard remarked the beetle of St. Dunstan's to the magistrate after the ponderer stone was raised in the center of the church upon which the workman had been busy don't you smell nothing now the magistrate church wardens and indeed everyone present back from the horrible stench that saluted them now that the stone was fairly removed why good god exclaimed the senior church warden have we been sitting and hearing sermons with such a channel house under I always understood that none of the votes exactly underneath the church has been used for many years past hush said the magistrate the inquiry we are upon this perhaps a more important one than you imagine sir more important how can that be didn't the bishop smelled it when he came to confirm the people and didn't he say in the vestry that he could not confirm anybody while such a smell was in the church and didn't we tell him that it would be a sad thing if he didn't and then he did confirm the people in such a twinkling that they didn't know what they were confirming at all hush my good sir hush and hear me would you now that you have got up this great stone and opened as I see the top of a stone staircase by so doing send away the work man and indeed all persons but yourself and me well but but you don't mean us to go down sir do you I mean to go you may depend send away the man at once if you please I have ample warrant for all I am about to do I assure you I suspect I shall be well able to free St. Dunstan's church from the horrible stench that has been infesting it for some time past you think so sir bless you then I'll do just whatever you like the work man were not sorry to be dismissed from the uncomfortable employment but the beetle who was holding his nose and who having overheard what Sir Richard has said was extremely anxious upon the subject put in his claim to stay on the ground of being one of the church and he was accordingly permitted to stay this seems to lead to the votes remarked Sir Richard as he looked down the chasm which the removal of the stone had left yes reply the church warden it does and they have as I say being unused for a long time but how that dreadful smell can come from bodies that have been forty or fifty years there I can't think we must be careful of the foul air remarked the magistrate get a torch Mr. beetle if you please and we will lower it into the vote if that leaves we can and if you please go first to the door of the church and take this silk handkerchief with you and hold it up in your hand and upon that signal four persons will come to you they are officers of mine and you will bring them to me oh dear yes certainly said the beetle who was quite happy at the thought of such a reinforcement I'll do it sir and as for a torch there is some famous links in the vestry cupboard as I'll get in a minute well I do think the smell is a little better already don't you sir I'm a going don't be impatient sir I'm going like a shot I am to give the Beatles his due he certainly executed his orders quickly the four officers sure enough obey the signal of the handkerchief and in a few minutes more a torchlight was lowered by a rope down the structure all watched the light with great interest as it descended but although it certainly burned dimmer than before yet they show no sign of going out and the magistrate said we may safely descend the air that will support flame will likewise support animal life therefore we need be under no sort of apprehension follow me he commenced a careful descent to the stone steps and was promptly followed by his four men and much more slowly by the beetle and the church warden neither of whom seem much to relish the adventure although their curiosity prompt them to continue it the stone steps consist of about 20 and when the bottom was gained it was found to be covered with flag stones of considerable size upon which sawdust was strewn but not sufficiently thickly to cover them in all places completely there was a death like stillness in the place and the few crumbling coffins which were ambitious in the walls were with their tenants evidently too old to give forth that frightful order of animal decomposition which pervaded the place you will see Sir Richard said the church warden producing a piece of paper that according to the plan of the votes I have here this one opens to a passage that runs halfway around the church and from that passage opens a number of votes not one of which has been used for years past I see the door is open yes it is as you say that's odd Sir Richard and it oh gracious just put your head out into the passage and won't you smell it then they all tried the experiment and found indeed that the smell was horrible Sir Richard took a torch from one of the constables and advanced into the passage he could see nothing by the door of some of the votes open he crossed the threshold of one of them and was away about a minute after which he came back saying I think we will all retired now we have seen enough to convince us all about it all about it Sir said the church warden what about it exactly that will do follow me my man the officers without the slightest questions or remarks followed Sir Richard and he began rapidly with them at his heels to ascend the stone staircase into the church again he loa cried the beetle I say stop oh lord don't let me be lost oh don't I should think something horrible is coming up after me and going to lay hold of my heels don't let me be lost oh dear you can't be lost said one of the officers you know if anything is going to lay hold of your heels take it easy it is only a ghost at most you know by the time the beetle got fairly into the church he was in that state and frightened that he was obliged to sit down upon the tomb to recover himself and the magistrate took that opportunity of whispering to the church warden I want to speak to you alone come out with me order the church to be locked up as if we meditated no further search in the vaults yes oh yes I knew there was some secret there is a horrible one such a one as old London will ring within 24 hours more such a secret as will never be forgotten in connection with old St. Dunstan's church while it is in existence there was a solemnity about the manners in which the magistrates spoke which quite alarmed the church warden and he turned rather pale they stood upon the church threshold do you know one Sweeney Todd as the magistrate oh yes a barber good, incline your ear to me while we walk down to Downing Street I'm going to call upon the secretary of state for the home department and before we get there I shall be able to tell you why and what sort of assistance I wonder of you the warden did incline his ear most eagerly but before they had got halfway down the street he was compelled to go into a public house to get some brandy such an overpowering effect had the horrible communication of the magistrate upon him what that communication was we shall very soon discover but it is necessary that we follow Todd a little in his proceedings after he left Johanna in charge of his shop Todd walked briskly on till he came nearly to Pickett Street in the strength and then he went into a chemist shop that was there in which only a lad was serving you recollect said Todd serving me with some red poison oh yes Mr. Todd I believe the same I want some more for the fact is that owning to the ornament I have in my shop for the hair the vermin are attracted and I have now as many as ever it was only last night I awakened and so one actually lapping up hair oil and another drinking some rose water that they had upset and broken a bottle off so I will thank you to give me some liquid poison if you please as they seem so fond of drink exactly sir exactly said a lad as he took down a bottle and made up a portion exactly sir if you put a few drop only of this in half a pint of liquid it will do a couple of drops this must be powerful it is a dozen drops or about half a teaspoon full would kill a man to a certainty so you will be careful of it Mr. Todd of course we don't sell such things to strangers you know but you being a neighbor alters the case true enough thank you goodbye I think we shall have shortly do you know Todd walked away with the poison in his pocket and when he had got a few yards from the chemist door he gave such a hideous chuckle that an old gentleman who was close before him ran like a lamp lighter in his flight and put himself quite out of breath this will do mother Todd I must smooth the path to my retirement from business I know well that if I were to hint at such a thing in a certain quarter it would be considered a certain proof that I have made enough to be worth dividing and that is a process I don't intend exactly to go through no no Mrs. Lovette no no Todd marched slowly toward his own house but when he got to the corner of Belle yard and her son strike 12 he paused a moment and then muttered I'll call and see her yes I'll call and see her the evening will answer better my present purpose he then walked up Belle yard until he came to the fascinating Mrs. Lovette's shop he paused a moment at the window and neared in at two lawyers clerks who were eating some of yesterday's pies the warm day batch had not yet come up happy youth he chuckled and walked into the shop Mrs. Lovette received him graciously as an acquaintance and invited him into the parlor while the two limbs of the law continued eating and praising the pies delicious and they said one oh I believe you reply the other and such jolly lots of gravy too and there I wonder how she does make them Lord bless you I almost leave upon them you know I used to take all my meals with my fat old uncle but since he disappeared one day I live on Lovette's pies instead of the old buffer end of chapter 33 recording by Huijing the mysterious letter for some time after Todd had left the shop Johanna could scarcely believe that she was sufficiently alone to dare to look about her but as minute after minute passed away and no sound indicative of his speedy return fell upon her ears she gathered more courage yes she said I am at last alone in the place where my suspicions have always pointed as the death-place of poor Mark oh heavens grant that it may not be so and that in unravelling the evident mystery of this man's life you living my dear Mark and not have to mourn you dead and yet how can I even for a moment delude myself with such false hopes no no he has fallen a victim to this ruthless man for a few minutes as Johanna gave way to this violent burst of grief she wrung her hands and wept but then as a thought of the danger she would be in should Todd return and see signs of emotion crossed her mind she controlled her tears and managed to bear the outward semblance of composure she then began to look about her that poor Tobias had done but she could find nothing of an explanatory character although her suspicions made almost everything into grounds of suspicion she looked into the cupboard and there she saw several costly sticks and some umbrellas and then she narrowly examined all the walls but could see nothing indicative of another opening save the door, visible and apparent as she moved backwards she came against the shaving chair which she found was a fixture as upon examination she saw that the legs of it were firmly secured to the floor suspicious in such a circumstance she hardly knew and yet it did strike her as such if I had but time she thought I would make an attempt to go into that parlor but I dare not yet, no no I must be more sure of the continued absence of Todd before I dare make any such attempt as she uttered these words someone opened the door cautiously and peeping in said is Mr. Todd at home? no replied Johanna oh very good then you are to take this letter if you please and read it you will find I dare say whom it's from love though and if Mr. Todd should come in hide it mind whatever you do before Johanna could make any reply the man disappeared and great was her astonishment to read upon the outside of the letter that had been put into her hands her own proper name with trembling fingers she opened it and read as follows from Sir Richard Blunt magistrate to Miss Oakley Miss Johanna Oakley you have with great chivalry of spirit embarked in a very dangerous enterprise an enterprise which considering your youth and your sex should follow others and it is well that others are in a position to watch over you and ensure your safety your young friend Arabella Wilmot after giving so much romantic advice and finding that you followed it became herself alarmed at its possible consequences and very prudently informed one who brought the intelligence to me so that you are now well looked after and should any danger present itself to you you have but to seize any article that comes within your reach and throw it through a pane of glass in the shop window when assistance will immediately come to you in order that you should feel quite at ease as however you have placed yourself in your present position in Todd's shop it is more than likely you will be able to do good service in aiding to unmask that villain you will therefore be good enough towards the dusk of the evening to hold yourself in readiness to do anything required of you by anyone who shall pronounce to you the password of St. Dunstan from your friend mentioned above Johanna read this letter certainly with most unmitigated surprise and yet there was a glow of satisfaction as she perused it and the difference in her feelings now that she was assured of protection was certainly something wonderful and striking to think that she had but to seize any one of the numerous stray articles that lay about and fling it through the window in order to get assistance was a most consolatory idea and she felt nerved for almost any adventure she had just hidden the letter when Sweeney Todd made his appearance anybody bean he asked yes one man but he would not wait ah wanted to be shaved I suppose no matter no matter and I hope you have been quiet and not been attempting to indulge your curiosity in any way since I have been gone hush there's somebody coming why it's old Mr. Rankley the tobacconist I declare good day to you sir shaved I suppose I'm glad you have come sir for I have been out till this moment hot water charlie directly and hand me that razor Johanna in handing Todd the razor knocked the edge of it against the chair and it being uncommonly sharp cut a great slice of the wood off one of the arms of it what shameful carelessness said Todd I have half a mind to lay the strop over your back sir here you have spoiled the capital razor not a bit of edge left upon it oh excuse him Mr. Todd excuse him said the old gentleman he's only a little lad after all let me intercede for him very good sir if you wish me to look over it of course I will and thank God we have a stock of razors of course always at hand is there any news stirring sir nothing that I know of Mr. Todd except it's the illness of Mr. Cummings the overseer they say he got home about 12 to his own house a chance to relay and ever since then he has been sick as a dog and all they can get him to say is oh those pies those pies very odd sir very I think Mr. Cummings must be touched in the upper story do you know Mr. Todd he's a very respectable man but between you and I was never very bright certainly not certainly not but it's a very odd case what pies can he possibly mean sir did you call when you came from home no I can't help laughing but I've come away from home on the sly you see the fact is my wife's cousin Mr. Mundell hello I think you have cut me no no we can't cut anybody for three halfpence sir oh very good very good well as I was saying my wife's cousin Mr. Mundell came to our house last night and brought with him a string of pearls you see he wanted me to go to the city this morning with them to round and bridge it the court jewelers and ask them if they had ever seen them before were they beauties yes they are brilliant ones you see Mundell lends money and he didn't like to go himself so he asked me to go as Mr. Round knows me very well for between you and me Mr. Todd my wife's cousin Mr. Mundell thinks they belonged once upon a time to some lady oh indeed yes and as it won't do to say too much to women I told my wife I was going over the water you see and just popped out and I've got the pearls in my pocket Mundell says they are worth twelve thousand pounds at the least indeed sir twelve thousand pounds a pretty some that sir a very pretty some no doubt Mr. Mundell lent seven or eight thousand pounds upon the pearls I think I would just give you another lather sir I'll polish you off and so you have the pearls with you well how odd things come round to be sure what do you mean this shaving brush is just in a good state now always as a shaving brush is on the point of wearing out it's the best Charlie you will go at once to Mr. Cummings and ask if he is any better you need not hurry that's a good lad I am not at all angry with you now and so sir they think at home that you have gone after some business over the water do they and have not the least idea that you have come here to be shaved there be off Charlie shut the door that's a good lad bless you when Johanna came back the tobacconist was gone well said Sweeney Todd as he sharpened a razor very leisurely how is Mr. Cumming I found out his house sir with some difficulty and they say he is better having gone to sleep oh very good I'm going to look over some accounts in the parlour so don't choose to be disturbed you understand and for the next ten minutes if anybody comes you will say I am out Sweeney Todd walked quite coolly into the parlour and Johanna heard him lock the door a strange undefined sensation of terror crept over her she knew not why and she shuddered as she looked around her the cupboard door was not close shut and she knew not what prompted her to approach and peep in on the fair shelf was the hat of the tobacconist it was a rather remarkable one and recognized in a moment what has happened good god what can have happened thought Johanna as she staggered back until she reached the shaving chair into which she cast herself for support her eyes fell upon the arm which she had taken such a shaving off with the razor but all was perfectly whole and correct there was not the least mark of the cut that so recently had been given to it and lost in wonder Johanna for more than a minute continued looking for the mark of the injury she knew could not have been by any possibility a-faced and yet she found it not although there was the chair just as usual with its wide spreading arms and its worn tarnished paint and gilding no wonder that Johanna rubbed her eyes and asked herself if she were really awake what could account for such a phenomenon the chair was a fixture too others in the shop were of a widely different make in construction so it could not have been changed alas alas Johanna my mind is full of horrible surmise and yet I can form no rational conjecture I suspect everything and know nothing what can I do what ought I to do to relieve myself from this state of horrible suspense am I really in a place where by some frightful ingenuity murder has become bold and familiar or can it all be a delusion she covered her face with her hands for a time and when she heard them she saw that Sweeney Todd was staring at her with looks of suspicion from the inner room the necessity of acting her part came over Johanna and she gave a loud scream what the devil is all this about said Todd advancing with a sinister expression what's the meaning of it I suspect yes sir said Johanna and so do I I must tomorrow have it out have what out my tooth sir it's been aching for some hours did you ever have the toothache if you did you can feel for me hands and groan end of chapter 34 and might be true so after looking at Johanna for some moments suspiciously he thought he might take it upon trust well well he said no doubt you will be better tomorrow there's your six pence for today go and get yourself some dinner and the cheapest thing you can do is to go to love its pie shop with it thank you sir Johanna was aware as she walked out of the shop that the eyes of Sweeney Todd were fixed upon her and that if she betrayed by even the remotest gesture that she had suspicions of him probably he would prevent her exit so she kept herself seemingly calm and went out very slowly but it was a great relief to gain the street and feel that she was not under the same roof with that dreadful and dreaded man instead of going to love its pie shop Johanna turned into a pastry cook sneer at hand and partook of some refreshments and while she is doing so we will go back again and take a glance at Sweeney Todd as he sat in his shop alone there was a look of great triumph on his face and his eyes sparkled with an unwanted brilliance it was quite clear that Sweeney Todd was deeply congratulating himself upon something and at length diving his hand into the depths of a huge pocket he produced the identical string of pearls for which he had already received so large a sum from Mr. Mundell truly he said I must be one of fortune's prime favourites indeed why this string of pearls to me is a continued fortune who could have for one moment dreamed of such a piece of rare fortune I need not now be at all suspicious or troubled concerning John Mundell he has lost his pearls and lost his money that is glorious I will shut up shop sooner than I intended by far and be off to the continent yes my next sale of the string of pearls shall be in Holland with the pearls in his hand Todd now appeared to fall into a very distracted train of thought which lasted him about ten minutes and then some accidental noise in the street or the next house jarred upon his nerves and he sprang to his feet exclaiming what's that, what's that all was still again and he became reassured what a fool I get he muttered to himself that every casual sound disturbs me and causes this tremor it is time now that I am getting nervous that I should leave England but first I must dispose of one whose implacable disposition I know well and who would hunt me to the farthest corner of the earth if she were not at peace in the grave yes the peace of the grave must do for her I can think of no other mode of silencing so large acclaim as he spoke those words he took from his pocket the small packet of poison that he had purchased and held it up between him and the light with a self-satisfied expression then he rose hastily for he had again seated himself and walked to the window as if he were anxious for the return of Joanna in order that he might leave the place as he waited he saw a young girl approach the shop and having entered it she said Mrs. Lovitz compliments Mr. Todd and she has sent you this note and will be glad to see you at eight o'clock this evening oh very well, very well why Lucy you look prettier than ever it's more than you do Mr. Todd said the girl as she left apparently in high indignation that so ugly a specimen of humanity as Sweeney Todd should have taken it upon himself to pay her a compliment Todd only gave a hideous sort of grin and then he opened the letter which had been brought to him it was without signature and contained the following words the new cook is already tired of his place and you must tonight make another vacancy he is the most troublesome one I have had he is educated he must be got rid of, you know how I am certain mischief will come of it indeed said Todd when he finished this epistle this is quick, well well, we shall see, we shall see perhaps we shall get rid of more than one person who otherwise would be troublesome tonight but here comes my new boy he suspects nothing Joanna returned and Todd asked somewhat curiously about the toothache however she made him so apparently calm and cool or reply that he was completely foiled and fancied that his former suspicions must surely have had no real foundation but had been provoked merely by his fears Charlie he said you will keep an eye on the door and when anyone wants me you will pull that spring which communicates with a bell that will make me hear I am merely going to my bedroom very well sir Todd gave another suspicious glance at her and then left the shop and hoped that he would have gone out so that there would have been another opportunity and a better one than the last of searching the place but in that she was disappointed and there was no recourse but to wait with patience the day was on the decline and a strong impression came over Joanna's mind that something in particular would happen before it wholly passed away into darkness she almost trembled to think what that something could be and that she might be compelled by the presence from which her gentle spirit revolted and had it not been that she had determined nothing should stop her from investigating the fate of poor Mark and Gestry she could even then have rushed into the street in despair but as the soft daylight deepened into the dim shadows of evening she grew more composed and was better able with a calmer spirit to await the progress of events objects were but faintly discernible at the top when Sweeney Todd came downstairs again and he ordered Joanna to light a small oil lamp which shed but a very faint and sickly ray around it and by no means facilitated the curiosity of anyone who might wish to peep in at the window I am going out he said I shall be gone an hour but not longer you may say so to anyone who calls I will sir be vigilant Charlie and your reward is certain it may be said Joanna when she was again alone but scarcely had the words past her lips when a hackney coach drove up to the door and then alighted someone who came direct into the shop he was a tall gentlemanly looking man and before Joanna could utter a word he said the watch word Miss Oakley is Saint Dunstan I am a friend oh how delightful it was to Joanna to hear such words so oppressed as she was by the fearful solitude of that house she sprang forward eagerly forward saying yes yes oh yes I had the letter hush there is no time to lose is there any hiding place here at all oh yes a large cupboard that will do wait here a moment while I bring in a friend of mine if you please Miss Oakley we have got some work to do tonight the tall man who was as cool and collected as anyone might be and presently returned with two persons both of whom it was found might with very little trouble be hidden in the cupboard then there was a whispered consultation for a few minutes after which the first corner turned to Joanna and said Miss Oakley when do you expect Todd to return in an hour very well as soon as he does return I shall come in to be shaved and no doubt you will be sent away but do not go further than the door whatever you do as we may possibly want you you can easily linger about the window yes yes but why all this mystery tell me what it is that you mean by all this is there any necessity for keeping me in the dark about it Miss Oakley there is nothing exactly to tell you yet but it is hoped that this night will remove some mysteries and open your eyes to many circumstances that at present you cannot see and if there be any hope of your restoration to one in whom you feel a great interest it will be by such means you mean Mark and Gestry I do your history has been related to me and who are you why keep up to me a disguise if you were a friend I am a magistrate and my name is blunt so you may be assured that all that can be done shall be done but hold a book of coming here to be shaved if you do let me implore you not to sit in that chair there is some horrible mystery connected with it but what it is I cannot tell do not sit in it I thank you for your caution but it is to be shaved in that very chair that I came I know there is a mystery connected with it and it is in order that it should be no longer a mystery that I have resolved upon running what perhaps may be considered a little risk but our further stay here would be imprudent now if you please these last words were uttered to the two officers that the magistrate had brought with him and it was quite wonderful to see with what tact and precision they managed to wedge themselves into the cupboard the door of which they desired Joanna to close upon them and when she had done so and turned round she found that the magistrate was gone Joanna was in a great state of agitation well it was some comfort to her now to know that she was not alone and that there were too strong and no doubt well armed men ready to take her part should anything occur or miss she was much more assured of her own safety and yet she was much more nervous than she had been she waited for Sweeney Todd and strove to catch the sound of his returning footstep but she heard it not and as that gentleman went about some rather important business to do better than follow him and see how he progressed with it when he left his shop he went direct to Bellyard although it was a little before the time named for his visit to Mrs. Lovett End of Chapter 35 Recording by Jason Mayoff Montreal JasonMayoff.com