Jack Sheppard | Page 8

occasioned by
the crazy state of the building, and, above all, by the terror inspired by
strange and unearthly noises heard during the night, which were, of
course, attributed to the spirit of the suicide, that the place speedily
enjoyed the reputation of being haunted, and was, consequently,
entirely abandoned. In this state Mrs. Sheppard found it; and, as no one
opposed her, she at once took up her abode there; nor was she long in
discovering that the dreaded sounds proceeded from the nocturnal
gambols of a legion of rats.
A narrow entry, formed by two low walls, communicated with the main
thoroughfare; and in this passage, under the cover of a penthouse, stood
Wood, with his little burthen, to whom we shall now return.
As Mrs. Sheppard did not make her appearance quite so soon as he
expected, the carpenter became a little fidgetty, and, having succeeded
in tranquillizing the child, he thought proper to walk so far down the
entry as would enable him to reconnoitre the upper windows of the
house. A light was visible in the garret, feebly struggling through the
damp atmosphere, for the night was raw and overcast. This light did not
remain stationary, but could be seen at one moment glimmering
through the rents in the roof, and at another shining through the cracks
in the wall, or the broken panes of the casement. Wood was unable to

discover the figure of the widow, but he recognised her dry, hacking
cough, and was about to call her down, if she could not find the key, as
he imagined must be the case, when a loud noise was heard, as though
a chest, or some weighty substance, had fallen upon the floor.
Before Wood had time to inquire into the cause of this sound, his
attention was diverted by a man, who rushed past the entry with the
swiftness of desperation. This individual apparently met with some
impediment to his further progress; for he had not proceeded many
steps when he turned suddenly about, and darted up the passage in
which Wood stood.
Uttering a few inarticulate ejaculations,--for he was completely out of
breath,--the fugitive placed a bundle in the arms of the carpenter, and,
regardless of the consternation he excited in the breast of that
personage, who was almost stupified with astonishment, he began to
divest himself of a heavy horseman's cloak, which he threw over
Wood's shoulder, and, drawing his sword, seemed to listen intently for
the approach of his pursuers.
The appearance of the new-comer was extremely prepossessing; and,
after his trepidation had a little subsided, Wood began to regard him
with some degree of interest. Evidently in the flower of his age, he was
scarcely less remarkable for symmetry of person than for comeliness of
feature; and, though his attire was plain and unpretending, it was such
as could be worn only by one belonging to the higher ranks of society.
His figure was tall and commanding, and the expression of his
countenance (though somewhat disturbed by his recent exertion) was
resolute and stern.
At this juncture, a cry burst from the child, who, nearly smothered by
the weight imposed upon him, only recovered the use of his lungs as
Wood altered the position of the bundle. The stranger turned his head at
the sound.
"By Heaven!" cried he in a tone of surprise, "you have an infant there?"
"To be sure I have," replied Wood, angrily; for, finding that the

intentions of the stranger were pacific, so far as he was concerned, he
thought he might safely venture on a slight display of spirit. "It's very
well you haven't crushed the poor little thing to death with this
confounded clothes'-bag. But some people have no consideration."
"That child may be the means of saving me," muttered the stranger, as
if struck by a new idea: "I shall gain time by the expedient. Do you live
here?"
"Not exactly," answered the carpenter.
"No matter. The door is open, so it is needless to ask leave to enter.
Ha!" exclaimed the stranger, as shouts and other vociferations
resounded at no great distance along the thoroughfare, "not a moment is
to be lost. Give me that precious charge," he added, snatching the
bundle from Wood. "If I escape, I will reward you. Your name?"
"Owen Wood," replied the carpenter; "I've no reason to be ashamed of
it. And now, a fair exchange, Sir. Yours?"
The stranger hesitated. The shouts drew nearer, and lights were seen
flashing ruddily against the sides and gables of the neighbouring
houses.
"My name is Darrell," said the fugitive hastily. "But, if you are
discovered, answer no questions, as you value your life. Wrap yourself
in my cloak, and keep it. Remember! not a word!"
So saying, he huddled