Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
CHAPTER CX.
THE EFFECTS OF A TRANCE.
IT was half-past eight o'clock in the evening.
By the side of a bed in a comfortable chamber at the
surgeon's house in the Cambridge Road, near Bethnal Green New Church, sate
James Tomlinson.
The light of the candles that burnt upon the table, fell on
the pale and ghastly countenance of old Michael Martin, who lay in that bed,
his head propped up with pillows.
There was no one else in the room at the time, save these
two persons.
"And thus was it, my good and faithful friend,"
said Tomlinson, breaking the long silence which had ensued after mutual
explanations, - " thus was it that you so nobly sacrificed yourself for
me! Oh! believe me that I have never ceased to think of your generous - your
unparalleled behaviour in that sad business!"
"I know it - I know it," returned the old man in a
weak and hollow voice. "If you had not been a kind master to me, I should
never have done all that for you. But, tell me, - and tell me truly,"
added Michael, fixing his glassy eyes upon the stock-broker, "do you think
that these persons - the surgeon, and that hideous man who —"
Martin ceased - and his entire frame was convulsed with
horror as he remembered the appalling circumstances under which he had been
recovered from his late death-like trance and restored to life.
"Compose yourself, my excellent friend," said
Tomlinson, who fully comprehended what was passing in his mind; "fear
alone will seal these people's lips - even if no other motive were powerful
enough to ensure their silence. The surgeon seems an honest kind of man, and
may be relied upon: besides, he would seriously compromise himself were he to
breathe a word of this strange occurrence. As for the other person - he who
came to tell me what had taken place, and brought me hither this evening - I
have agreed to purchase his silence and that of a comrade, who, it appears, was
engaged with him in the business."
"I know you cannot afford to do any such thing,"
said old Michael, speaking with somewhat of that bluntness, or even gruffness
of manner, which had characterised him in past times; "and I won't have
you get yourself into difficulties on my account."
" Believe me, I can afford it," returned
Tomlinson.
"You can't. You told me just now that you were
struggling against many difficulties. How much are you going to give these
scoundrels?"
"A mere trifle - nothing beyond my means —"
"How much?" demanded old Michael, imperatively.
"Two hundred pounds."
"Two hundred pounds! It can't - and it shan't be done,
Mr. Tomlinson. You have not got two hundred pounds: I know you have not."
"I am to receive five hundred this evening for certain
professional service, to be rendered," said Tomlinson; "and I can
readily spare a portion to ensure a silence which is necessary not only to your
safety but to mine."
"True -
your
safety," muttered old
Michael, whose thoughts seemed ever fixed upon the welfare of his late
employer. "Well - well, I suppose it must be done. Do it, then."
Another long pause ensued.
Suddenly Martin turned towards Tomlinson, and said, in a
sharp querulous tone, "You told me that you were going to receive five
hundred pounds this evening?"
"Such is my hope," answered the stock-broker,
averting his glances from the old man.
"Ah! you can't look me in the face," exclaimed
Michael, almost savagely. "Where are you going to get that money from
?"
"From a client - for whom I am to do business -
of a certain nature," faltered Tomlinson.
"Certain nature, indeed! What is it ?"
"Merely professional. Michael," was the answer.
"Professional
business in one evening, that will produce five hundred pounds," said the
old man, dwelling emphatically upon every word : then, after a pause, he added
abruptly. "I don't believe it."
"I declare most solemnly that I am telling you the
truth," cried Tomlinson, somewhat hurt by Michael's manner and
observations.
"So much the worse for you, then," rejoined the
old man, laconically. "The business you are to perform for that sum is not
honest."
Tomlinson was about to make some excuse to put an end to the
topic by an evasive reply, when Michael Martin raised himself to a sitting
posture in the bed, and, fixing his eyes upon his late master, exclaimed, with
strange emphasis of manner, "Have you not seen enough - experienced enough
- and suffered enough, to render you timorous in re-embarking upon the great
ocean of chicanery, duplicity, and crime? Be you well assured that though the
currents of that ocean may float you prosperously along for a season, they will
sooner or later dash you against a sunken rock, and shipwreck you beyond
redemption. Oh!" he continued, his ghastly countenance becoming animated
with the ruddy tinge of excitement, and fire once more sparkling from his
glassy eyes,- "Oh! if you had only passed through all that I have within
these last few days, you would not neglect so terrible a warning! Do you
know," - and his utterance became rapid and eloquent, - "do you know
that I have passed the limits of the tomb, and have wandered in the worlds
beyond? Do you know that I have learnt the grand - the sublime - the supernal
secret of eternity? Yes - when the breath left this mortal clay, my soul winged
its light into the regions of infinite space! With the rapidity of a whirlwind
I was hurried away from the earth; and, although I was nothing but a spirit,
and could not touch myself
, yet had I ears to hear, and
eyes to see, and organs to receive sensations. I was permitted to wander amidst
the regions of eternal bliss, and to penetrate into the mysteries of hell. O
God! I tasted of the joys of the former, and was equally compelled to submit to
the torments of the latter - each for a little space ! Ah I sir, can you not
divine wherefore the Almighty from time to time plunges mortals into a trance -
submits them to the dominion of death for a season ? It is that he may snatch
away their souls, to lead them into the celestial mansions, and precipitate
them into the depths of Satan's kingdom, - so that, when restored to their
mortal clay, they may teach their fellow-creatures the grand truths of eternity
- they may announce to them that there is a heaven to reward, and a hell to
punish! And the Almighty made choice of me, - of
me
, a grovelling worm, one of the
most obscure and humble of his creatures, - He made choice of me, I say, to
become the means through which His warning voice might speak to you and others!
What the pleasures of heaven are, or of what the torments of hell consist, I
dare not say: suffice it for you to know that there is a heaven, and there is a
hell - and the former exceeds all idea which man can conceive of bliss, while
the latter surpasses every thing which he can imagine of horror! Be warned,
then, by me, James Tomlinson - be warned by one who for four days was snatched
away from earth, and, during that period was initiated in the mighty secrets of
Eternity!"
The old man fell back in the bed, exhausted.
Tomlinson had at first listened to him with sorrow and alarm
: he trembled lest the delirium of a fever had suddenly overtaken him - lest
his brain was faltering. But as he proceeded - in a style of galvanic force and
eloquence of which the listener, who had known him for so many years, deemed
him incapable, - in a manner so inconsistent with all his former habits, so
strangely at variance with his nature, his character, and his disposition, -
the stock. broker became afraid, for it seemed to him as if those burning,
searching, searing, scorching words were indeed an emanation from a source
belonging to the mysteries of other worlds.
An awful pause ensued when Michael Martin ceased to speak.
For some moments Tomlinson sate riveted in speechless terror
to his chair - stunned, bewildered, astounded, appalled by all he had just
heard.
That dread silence was at length interrupted by the entrance
of the surgeon.
"How gets on my patient now?" he said, approaching
the couch.
"I fear - I am afraid - that is, I think - his head
wanders," faltered the stock-broker, scarcely knowing what he said.
"We must expect that such will be the case - for some
days to come," returned the surgeon, with the coolness of a professional
man who saw nothing extraordinary in such results following so strange a
resuscitation, from a death-like trance.
"You think, then," asked Tomlinson, "that it
is possible for this poor old man to rave - about things of - a very
extraordinary nature?"
"People, when delirious, burst forth into the most wild
and fanciful ravings," answered the surgeon, as he felt Michael's pulse.
"And he might, then, rave of heaven - and hell - and
things relating to —"
"He may rave of any nonsense," said the surgeon,
abruptly; "but that is no reason why we should allow ourselves to be
affected by it - as I see that you are."
"It was, indeed, very foolish on my part,"
observed Tomlinson, now acquiring confidence, and endeavouring to divest
himself of the strange sensations of horror and dread which the eloquence of
the old man had excited within him.
"You had better retire for the present," said the
surgeon. "He is in a high fever-produced, perhaps, by this interview with
you, under such circumstances. Do not think of seeing him again this evening:
to-morrow evening he will be better and more composed."
"And you will take every possible care of him,"
exclaimed the stock-broker. "Remember that no expense must be spared to
make him comfortable - to ensure his recovery. I will remunerate you
handsomely, sir."
"Well, well," said the surgeon, impatiently.
"We will talk about that another time. Good evening - you may return
to-morrow at the same hour."
"Good evening," answered Tomlinson; and he slowly
took his departure.
CHAPTER CXI.
A SCENE AT MR. CHICHESTER'S HOUSE.
IT was about half-past nine on the same evening that the above
incidents occurred, when a double knock at the front door echoed through Mr.
Chichester's dwelling, in the immediate vicinity of the Cambridge Heath Gate.
Mr. Chichester himself was seated
in an elegantly- furnished parlour, sipping a glass of excellent Madeira, and
pondering upon the best means of enjoying himself when he should have fingered
the cash to obtain which he had perpetrated so diabolical an outrage against
the confiding woman who had bestowed upon him her hand, and made him a partner
in the enjoyment, if not in the actual possession, of her fortune.
The room was not large, but very comfortable; and at one end
a pair of ample folding doors, now closed, afforded admission into a back
parlour.
A few moments after the echo of the double-knock above
mentioned, through the house, a female servant entered and announced Mr.
Tomlinson.
Having requested the stock-broker to be seated, Mr.
Chichester followed the servant into the hall, and said to her in a low whisper,
"When the other person comes, show him into the back parlour, as I may
require to have some conversation with this gentleman before I introduce them
to each other."
This command being given, Mr. Chichester returned to the
room where he had left Mr. Tomlinson.
"You are before your time," said Chichester,
pushing the decanter and a glass towards the stockbroker: "that looks like
business."
"I accidentally had an appointment upon some business
in this neighbourhood," was the reply; "and when that matter was
disposed of, I came I straight hither."
"We cannot repair to the lunatic asylum until ten or
half-past," said Chichester, "because, as a precaution, the keeper
has promised to call upon me presently, and report whether my wife continues in
the same docile mood as when he wrote to me yesterday afternoon."
"I should be delighted to hear that you could settle
this unpleasant - very unpleasant affair in some amicable way," returned
Tomlinson, whose mind was still painfully excited by the interview which had
taken place between him and his late cashier.
"Impossible, my dear sir!" ejaculated Chichester.
"These is no way save the one chalked out. "I hope that you do not
hesitate to fulfil the agreement into which you entered with me."
"The truth is, Mr. Chichester," said Tomlinson,
"there is no man in London to whom a few hundreds of pounds would prove as
welcome as to me - especially as to-morrow I have to pay two hundred to men who
will not be very well pleased to experience a disappointment. It is true that I
possess such a sum at my bankers'; but I dare not draw out every shilling - my
credit would be ruined."
"So much the better reason for doing as I require of
you," said Chichester, filling the glasses with Madeira.
"True," observed Tomlinson. "But, on the
other hand, I tremble to take a false step - I fear to jeopardize myself by
connivance at a direct conspiracy —"
"Pshaw!" cried Chichester. "What is the use
of compunction on the part of a man who stands in so much need of money as
yourself?"
Tomlinson was about to reply, when a low knock at the front
door fell upon his ears.
"It is no one - of any consequence," said
Chichester; then, as he refilled the glasses, he muttered to himself,
"There is no use in introducing these men to each other, unless this
milk-and-water fool is quite agreeable to act."
"Did you make an observation?" inquired the
stock-broker.
"I was observing that it was no one of any consequence
;- only some person for the servants, most probably. But let me now ask you
seriously, Mr. Tomlinson, whether you feel disposed to proceed further in this
matter or not?"
"Candidly speaking, I would rather not," was the
reply.
"Then you were wrong to give me a false hope of your
aid, and allow so much valuable time to elapse, during which I might have found
a broker less punctilious than you."
"I regret that I should have caused this
inconvenience," answered Tomlinson; "but I had resolved to perform my
promise until about an hour ago, and I have even brought the necessary
documents for the purpose."
"Something very remarkable must have intervened to
change your resolutions," said Chichester, contemptuously.
"I am not superstitious," observed Tomlinson
;"but I believe that a providential warning was conveyed to me
—"
"A providential fiddle-stick! Remember, Mr. Tomlinson,
that by your unpardonable vacillation in this matter you will only prolong the
incarceration of my wife."
"And, pray, who is responsible for that deed?"
"We will not discuss this point," returned
Chichester. "I did not ask you to become my Mentor. At the same
time," he added, sinking his voice, "every moment is important - for
my wife is going mad in reality!"
"Then, in the name of God, release her at once!"
ejaculated Tomlinson.
"Never - until she signs the deed."
"Release her," continued Tomlinson; "and then
bring her with you to my office, where she can make the transfer."
"Are you mad yourself? Do you suppose she would ever
put pen to paper if she were once liberated in that manner? I am surprised at
your ignorance - vexed at your cowardice. You have not acted like a man of
business, nor as a man of the world. It was for you to accept or decline my
proposal - not to deceive me by these changes and shiftings of inclination.
Come, sir - once for all-pluck up your courage: remember the two hundred pounds
which you say must be paid to-morrow to two men who will not be put off, and
the settlement of which debt will so materially embarrass your finances."
"My mind is made up, Mr. Chichester," answered
Tomlinson firmly.
"And what is your decision? "
"I shall beg to withdraw from the transaction."
And Tomlinson rose to depart.
But at the same moment the folding-doors, communicating with
the inner room, were thrown open, and a man with a cadaverous countenance stood
forward.
"You shall not forfeit your word in this respect,"
exclaimed the individual, whom Tomlinson immediately recognised to be the
body-snatcher engaged in the affair of Michael Martin.
"What does this man do here?" asked Tomlin son, in
a faint voice, of Chichester.
"What do I do here? what do I do every where?"
cried the man, with a diabolical laugh "Tell me the secret plot - the
cunning intrigue - the scheme of villany to which Anthony Tidkins, surnamed the
Resurrection Man, is a stranger! But little did I think when I called upon you
this
morning, - little did I imagine when I met you again this evening,
that you were the person enlisted by Mr. Chichester in the affair which we have
now in hand."
"It would appear, then, that you are acquainted with
each other," said Chichester, laughing heartily at the confusion
manifested by the stock-broker in the presence of the Resurrection Man.
"Why, what devilry was it that brought you two together ?"
"Whether I keep Mr. Tomlinson's secret, or whether I
proclaim it to you and every one else whom I know, until the whole town rings
with the circumstance, is a matter for him to decide," said the
Resurrection Man ;- and, with admirable coolness, he helped himself to a bumper
of Madeira.
"If I pay you two hundred pounds, as agreed upon,"
exclaimed Tomlinson, "what more would you require of me?"
"I require that you remain faithful to your promise to
Mr. Chichester ;- I require that you fulfil the service which you have
undertaken to perform in his behalf," was the resolute reply.
"And in what way does the business regard you -
you, who acknowledge yourself to be —"
"A resurrectionist! Certainly I am - and the most
skilful in London, no other excepted," exclaimed Tidkins, with a satanic
chuckle. "But that does not prevent me from turning mad-house keeper - or
any thing else - when opportunity offers."
"What!
you
are the keeper of the asylum in
which this gentleman's wife is imprisoned!" exclaimed the stock-broker, in
a tone of the most profound astonishment.
"Yes, he is indeed," said Chichester: "and a
better keeper could not have been found. So now you know all about that
point."
"And Mr. Tomlinson will be good enough to accompany me
to my house," observed the Resurrection Man. "You, Mr. Chichester,
can follow us at a little distance. It looks suspicious for three people to
walk together."
"I really must decline —" began Tomlinson,
trembling from head to foot, as the warning voice of Michael Martin seemed to
ring in his ears.
"One word more, Mr. Tomlinson," said the
Resurrection Man, " I am a person of determined spirit and resolution. I
never stick at trifles myself; - and I don't choose others, with whom I am
connected, to balk me in my designs, when I can prevent them. Now, either come
with me, and do what is required of you; or, as sure as there is breath in your
body, I will deliver up a certain person to the police, and stand the
consequences myself."
"I beg of you - I implore you —"
" Pshaw!" cried Chichester: " this is child's
play!"
"Child's play, indeed! " thundered the
Resurrection Man in a terrible voice. "But I will put an end to it. Come,
sir - hesitate another minute, and that old man is lost!"
"I will accompany you," answered the stockbroker
;- then, in an under tone, he added, "But God knows how unwillingly!"
The Resurrection Man seized him by the arm, and conducted
him out of the house.
Five minutes afterwards, Chichester followed in the same
direction.