Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
THE COUNTERPLOT
ON the same day that the above conversation took place in the
parlour of the boozing-ken on Saffron Hill, Markham was seated in his library,
with several books before him. His countenance was pale, and bore the traces of
recent illness; and an air of profound melancholy reigned upon his handsome
features. He endeavoured to fix his attention on the volume beneath his eyes;
but his thoughts were evidently, far away from the subject of his studies. At
length, as if to compose his mind, he turned abruptly towards his writing-desk,
and took thence a note which he had already perused a thousand times, and every
word of which was indelibly stamped upon his memory.
We can suppose a traveller upon Saara's burning desert, -
sinking beneath fatigue, and oppressed by s thirst, the agony of which becomes
maddening. Presently he reaches a well: it is deep and difficult of access ;-
nevertheless, the traveller's life or death reposes at the bottom of that well.
In like manner did Markham's only hope lay in that letter.
No wonder, then, that he read it so often; no marvel that he
referred to it when his mind was afflicted, and when the wing of his spirit was
oppressed by the dense atmosphere of despair.
And yet the contents of that letter were simple and laconic
enough:
"
Richmond
"The Countess Alteroni presents her compliments to Mr.
Markham, and begs to acknowledge Mr. Markham's letter of yesterday's date.
"The Countess expresses her most sincere thanks for a
communication which prevented an arrangement that, under the circumstances
disclosed, would have proved a serious family calamity.
"Yes - Isabella is saved!" said
Markham to himself, as his eyes wandered over the contents of that most welcome
note, which he had received some days previously: "it is impossible to
mistake the meaning of that last sentence. She is saved - and I have been the
instrument of her salvation! I have rescued her from an union with a
profligate, an adventurer, a man of infamous heart! Surely - surely her parents
will admit that I have paid back a portion of the debt of gratitude which their
kindness imposed upon me! Yes - the countess herself seems to hold out a hope
of reconciliation ;- that note bids me hope! It Is more than coldly polite - it
is confidential :- it gives me to understand the results of my own letter
denouncing the miscreant George Montague Greenwood."
Richard's countenance brightened as he reasoned thus within
himself. But in a few moments, a dark cloud again displaced that gleam of
happiness.
"Enthusiastic visionary that I am !" he murmured
to himself. I construe common politeness into a ground of hope: I fancy that every
bird I see - however ill-omened - is a dove of promise, with an olive-branch in
its mouth! Alas! mine is a luckless fate - and God alone can tell what strange
destinies yet await me."
He rose from his chair, and walked to the window. The rain,
which had poured down in torrents all the morning, had ceased; and the
afternoon was fine and unusually warm for the early part of January. He glanced
towards the hill, whereon the two trees stood, and thought of his brother -
that much-loved brother, of whose fate he was kept so cruelly ignorant!
While he was standing at the window, buried in profound
thought, and with his eyes fixed upon the hill, he heard a light step near him;
and in a moment Ellen Monroe was by his side.
"Do I intrude, Richard ?" she exclaimed. " I
knocked twice at the door; and not receiving any reply, imagined that there was
no one here. I came to change a book. But you - you are thoughtful and
depressed."
"I was meditating upon a topic which to me is always
fraught with distressing ideas," answered Markham: " I was thinking
of my brother!"
"Your brother," ejaculated Ellen; and her
countenance became ashy pale.
"Yes," continued Richard, not observing her
emotion; "I would rather know the worst - if misfortunes have really
overtaken him - than remain in this painful state of suspense. If he be
prosperous, why should he stay away? if poor, why does he not seek consolation
with me?"
"Perhaps," said Ellen, hesitatingly, "
perhaps he is - in reality - much better off than - than - any one who feels
interested in him."
"Heaven knows!" ejaculated Markham. "But are
now you observed that I was melancholy and dispirited; and I have told you
wherefore. Ellen. I must make the same charge against you."
"Against me!" cried the young lady, with a start, while at the
same time a deep blush suffused her cheeks.
"Yes, against you," continued Richard, now
glancing towards her. "You may think that I am joking - but I never was
more serious in my life. For the few days that you have been in this house, you
have been subject to intervals of profound depression."
"I!" repeated Ellen, the hue of her blushes
becoming more intensely crimson, as her glances sank confusedly beneath those
of Markham.
"Alas! Ellen," answered Richard, " I have
myself been too deeply initiated in the mysteries of adversity and sorrow,- I
have drunk too deeply of the cup of affliction, - I have experienced too much;
bitter, bitter anguish, not to be able to detect the presence of unhappiness in
others. And by many signs, Ellen, have I discovered that you are unhappy. I
speak to you as a friend - I do not wish to penetrate into your secrets ;- but
if there be any thing in which I can aid you - if there be aught wherein my
poor services or my counsels may be rendered available, - speak, command
me!"
"Oh! Richard,". cried Ellen, tears starting into
her eyes, "how kind - how generous of you thus to think of me - you who
have already done so much for my father and myself!"
"Were you not the companion of my childhood, Ellen? and
should I not be to you as a brother, and you to me as a sister? Let me be your
brother, then - and tell me how I can alleviate the weight of that unhappiness
which is crushing your young heart!"
"A brother!" exclaimed Ellen, almost wildly
"yes - you shall - you must be a brother to me! And I will be your sister!
Ah there is consolation in that idea!" - then, after a moment's pause, she
added, "But the time is not yet come when I, as a sister, shall appeal to
you as a brother for that aid which a brother alone can give! And until then -
ask me no more - speak to me no farther upon the subject - I implore you!"
Ellen pressed Richard's hand convulsively, and then hurried
from the room.
Markham had scarcely recovered from the astonishment into
which these last words had thrown him, - words which, coming from the lips of a
young and beautiful girl, were fraught with additional mystery and interest,-
when Whittingham entered the library.
"A young lad, Master Richard," said the old
butler, " has called about the situation which is vacated in our
household. I took the percaution of leaving word yesterday with the people at a
public of most dubitable respectability called the
Servants' Arms
, where
I call now and then when I go into town; and it appears that this young lad
having called in there quite perspicuously this morning heard of the
place."
"Let him step in, Whittingham," said Markham.
" I will speak to him - although, to tell you the truth, I do not admire a
public-house recommendation."
Whittingham made no reply, but opening the door, exclaimed,
"Step in here, young man; step in here."
And Henry Holford stood in the presence of Richard Markham.
Whittingham retired.
"I believe you are in want of a young lad, sir,"
said Holford, "to assist in the house."
" I am," answered Markham. " Have you ever
served in that capacity before ?"
"No, sir; but if you would take me and give me a trial.
I should feel very much obliged. I have neither father or mother, and am
totally dependant upon my own exertions."
These words were quite sufficient to command the attention
and sympathy of the generous-hearted Richard. The lad was moreover of superior
manners, and well-spoken; and there was something in his appeal to Markham
which was very touching.
"What have you been before, my good lad?"
"To tell you the truth, sir," was the reply,
"I have been a simple pot-boy in a public-house."
" And of course the landlord will give you a
character?"
"Yes - for honesty and Industry, sir; but —"
"But what?"
"I do not think it is of any use to apply to that
landlord for a character, because —"
"Because what?" demanded Markham, seeing that the
young man again hesitated. "If you can have a character for honesty and
industry, you need not be afraid of anything else that could be said of
you"
" The truth is, sir," answered Holford, "I
absented myself without leave, and remained away for two or three days: then,
when I returned this morning at a very early hour I refused to give an account
of my proceedings. That is the whole truth, sir; and if you will only give me a
trial —"
"There is something very straightforward and ingenuous
about you," said Markham: "perhaps you would have no objection to
tell me how you were occupied during your absence."
"That, sir, is impossible! But I declare most solemnly
that I did nothing for which I can reproach myself - unless," added
Holford, "it was in leading a couple of villains to believe that I would
do a certain thing which I never once intended to do."
"Really your answers are so strange," cried
Richard, " that I know not what to say to you. It however appears from
your last observation that two villains tempted you to do something wrong -
that you lead them to believe you would fall into their plans - and that you
never meant to fulfil your promise."
"It is all perfectly true, sir. They proposed a certain
scheme in which I was to be an agent: I accepted the office they assigned to
me, because it suited my disposition, and promised to gratify my curiosity in a
way where it was deeply interested."
"And how did you explain your conduct to the two men
whom you speak of?" inquired Richard, not knowing what to think of the
young lad, but half inclining to believe that his brain was affected.
" I invented certain excuses, sir," was Holford's
reply, "which completely damped their ardour in the matter alluded to. And
now, sir, will you give me a trial? I feel convinced you will: had I not
thought so from the very beginning, I should not have spoken so freely as I
have done."
"I am disposed to assist you - I am desirous to meet
your wishes," said Markham. "Still, your representations are rather
calculated to awaken fears than clear up doubts concerning you. What guarantee
can you offer that you will never see those two villains again? what security
—"
"Sir," said Holford, "your own manner is so
frank and kind - so very condescending, indeed, to a poor lad like me - that I
would not deceive you for the world. I had promised to meet those men
to-night-for the last time—"
"To meet them again?"
"Yes, sir - to receive the reward promised for the
service which I undertook-”
"Ah! young man," cried Markham, "this is most
imprudent - if not actually criminal and where was this precious interview to
take place?"
"At the
Dark-House
, sir —"
"The
Dark-House
!" ejaculated Markham.
"what - a low tavern in Brick Lane, Spitalfields?"
"The same, sir."
"And the names of the two men?" demanded Richard
hastily.
"Their right names and those by which they are commonly
known amongst their own set, are very different," said Holford.
"How are they known? what are they called in their own
infamous sphere?" cried Markham his impatience amounting almost to a
fever: "speak!"
"I do not know whether I shall be doing right,"
said Holford, hesitating,- "perhaps I have already told you too much
—"
"Speak, I say!" cried Richard, taking Holford by
the collar of his jacket; "speak. You do not know - you cannot guess how
necessary it is for me to have my present suspicions cleared up! Speak - I
swear no harm shall happen to you on the contrary - I will reward you, if it
should turn out as I suppose. Once more, who are these villains?"
"They are called —"
"What? speak - speak!"
"The Resurrection Man —"
"Ah!"
"And the Cracksman."
"Then I am right - my suspicions are confirmed !"
ejaculated Markham, relinquishing his hold upon Holford's jacket, and throwing
himself upon a chair. "Sit down, my good lad - sit down : you and I have
not done with each other yet."
The young man appeared alarmed by Richards exclamations and
manners, and seemed undecided whether to remain where he was or attempt to
escape.
Richard divined what was passing in the lads bosom, and
hastened to reassure him.
"Sit down - and fear nothing. I swear most solemnly
that no harm shall happen to you, be you who or what you may: for I cannot
suppose that you are a participator in the crimes of these miscreants. You
would not have come to me to tell me all this - Oh! no; Providence has sent you
hither this day."
Holford took a seat, wondering how this extra ordinary scene
was to terminate.
"Are you aware of the pursuits of those two men whom
you have named - I mean the full ex tent of the atrocity of their
pursuits?" demanded Richard, after a few moments' pause.
"I know that they are body-snatchers and burglars,
sir," answered Holford: "indeed it was a burglary of which they would
have made me the instrument; but, oh! sir - believe me, I am incapable of such
a crime; and the representations I have made to them have induced them to
abandon all idea of it."
"And you are not aware then," continued Richard,
"that they are more than body-snatchers and burglars ?"
"More, sir!" repeated Holford in a tone of
unfeigned surprise: "Oh! no, sir - how can they be more than that?"
"They are more - far more," rejoined Markham with
a shudder: "they are murderers !"
"Murderers!" ejaculated Holford, starting from his
chair with mingled emotions of horror and alarm.
"Yes - murderers of the most diabolical and
cold-blooded description," said Markham. "But it is too long a tale
to tell you now. Let it suffice for you, to know that I was myself upon the
point of becoming a victim to that most infernal of miscreants, the
Resurrection Man; and I should conceive that the other whom you named is in all
respects as bad as he!"
"Murderers!" repeated Holford, his mental eyes
fixed, by a horrible and snake-like fascination, upon the fearful idea now
suddenly engendered in his imagination.
"Murderers," echoed Markham solemnly; "and
through you must they be surrendered up justice!"
"Through me!" cried Holford.
"Yes - through you. If you be really imbued with such
honourable feelings as you ere now professed, you will not hesitate for one
moment in discharging this duty towards society."
"But it would be an odious act of treachery on my
part," said Holford, "let the men be what they may."
"If you manifest such a reluctance to rid the
metropolis of two murderers," cried Markham angrily, "I shall
conceive that you are more intimately connected with them than you choose to
admit. But if you imagine that these villains are more innocent than I describe
them - if you fancy that some motive prompts me to exaggerate their infamy, I
will tell you that no language can enhance their guilt - no vengeance be too
severe. Have you not heard that men have disappeared in a most strange and
mysterious manner within the last year, at the eastern end of the metropolis,-
disappeared without leaving a trace behind them, - men who were not in that
situation which hurries the despairing wretch on to suicide? You must have
heard of this! If not, learn the dismal fact now from my lips! But the
assassins - the dark and secret assassins of these numerous victims, are the
wretches whom we shall this night lodge in the grasp of justice!"
"As you will, sir," said Holford, awe-inspired by
the solemnity of Markham's voice, and the impressiveness of his manner. "I
was to meet them at the
Dark-Hous
e at nine o'clock: do you take
measures to secure them."
"Most assuredly I will," returned Markham
emphatically. "And when I think of all that you have told me, my good
lad," continued Richard, "I am inclined to believe that you yourself
would have been a victim to those wretches."
"Me!" exclaimed Holford, horror-struck at the mere
idea.
"Yes - such is now my conviction. They made an
appointment with you at the
Dark-House
, to give you a sum of money you
say ?"
"Yes, sir."
"Foolish boy! Do such men pay their agents or
accomplices who fail to fulfil their designs, or who deceive them? do such men
part with their money so readily - that money which they encounter so many
perils to obtain? And that
Dark-House
- the place of your appointment,
- that
Dark-House
is in the immediate neighbourhood of the head-quarters of their
crimes! Yes - there cannot be a doubt: you also were to be a victim!"
"My God! what a fearful danger have I incurred !"
ejaculated Holford, shuddering from head to foot, as Markham thus addressed
him; then, when be called to mind the ferocity with which the Cracksman menaced
him with his knife, and the coaxing manner in which the Resurrection Man had
engaged him to form the appointment for the evening, be felt convinced that the
dread suspicion was a correct one.
"You say that the hour of meeting is fixed for nine
?" cried Markham, after a few minutes' reflection.