Chapter IV: A night in Ann street (1)

We proceed now to show how the Corporal discovered the fact that Fanny Aubrey was confined in the mansion of the Honorable Mr. Tickels, in South street.

Great was the consternation and alarm of the blind basket-maker and little Charley, as the day passed away and evening came on, without the return of Fanny. They were agitated with a thousand fears for her safety, for both their lives were bound up in hers, and they doted on her with an affection rendered doubly ardent by their poverty and almost complete isolation from the world. In the midst of their distress, Corporal Grimsby entered, bringing, as on the evening before, a basket of provisions. To him they communicated the intelligence that Fanny had not returned; and the eccentric old man, without waiting to hear the recital of their fears, threw the basket on the table, bolted precipitately down stairs, and walked away towards Ann street with a rapidity that betokened the existence of some fixed purpose in his mind. Meanwhile, his reflections ran somewhat in the following strain, and were half muttered aloud, as he trudged quickly onward, now nearly upsetting a foot passenger and receiving a malediction on his awkwardness, and then bruising his unlucky shins against lampposts and other street fixtures.

"By the nose of Napoleon! what can have become of the little minx? lost or stolen?--most probably the latter, for in this infernal city a pretty girl like her, so unprotected and so poor, can no more traverse the streets with safety, than can a fine fat goose waddle into the den of a wolf unharmed. Curses on these lampposts, I am always breaking my neck against them--bah! Well, to consider: but why the devil do I interest myself in this little girl at all? Is it because I am a lonely, solitary old codger, with neither chick nor child to bless me with their love, and whom I may love in return? Bah! no--that can't be; and yet, somehow, there is a vacant corner in my old heart, and the image of that little girl seems to fill it exactly. I am an old fool, and yet--damn you, sir, what d'ye mean by running against me, eh!--and yet, it did me more good to see that hungry family last night, eat the food that I had provided for them, than it did when I, Gregory Grimsby, was promoted to the elevated rank of Corporal. Now about this little girl--I'll bet my three-cornered cock'd hat against a pinch of Scotch snuff that she has been abducted--entrapped into the power of some scoundrel for the worst of purposes. That's the most natural supposition that I can get at. Now display thy logic, Corporal: thy supposed scoundrel must be rich, for poor men can seldom afford such expensive luxuries as mistresses; being rich implies that he is _respectable_--so the world says and thinks--bah! Being respectable, he would not compromise his character by engaging personally in such a low business as entrapping a girl; no--he would employ an _agent_; and such an agent must necessarily be a very low person, whether male or female--if a male, he is a ruffian--if a female, she is a strumpet--and where do ruffians and strumpets, of the _lower orders_ (for even in crime there is an aristocracy)[A] where do they usually reside? why, in a congenial atmosphere--in the lowest section of the city; and what is the lowest section of this city? why, _Ann street_, to be sure. Truly, Corporal Grimsby, thou art an admirable logician! So now I am on my way to Ann street, to explore its dens, in the hope (a vain one, I fear) of finding the supposed agent who was employed by the supposed rich scoundrel to abduct, kidnap, or entrap my little Fanny. Should I be so fortunate as to find that agent, money will readily induce him or her to divulge the place where the girl is hid; for the principle of "honor among thieves" has, I believe, but an imaginary existence."

[A] The honest Corporal was right; the well-dressed, gentlemanly, speculating, wholesale swindler would scorn to associate with the needy wretch who protracts a miserable existence by small pilferings--and the fashionable courtezan who promenades Washington street and "sees company" at a splendidly furnished brothel, can perceive not the slightest resemblance between her position in society and that of the wretched troll who practises indiscriminate prostitution in some low "crib" in Ann street. And yet philosophy and common sense both level all moral distinction between the two conditions.--A noble murderer once protested against being hung on the same gallows with a chimney-sweep--there was aristocracy with a vengeance! We opine that the lofty and arrogant pretensions of some of our "nabobs," who are often of obscure and sometimes of ignominious birth, are scarcely less ridiculous than the aristocratic notions of a gentlemanly rascal who robs _a la mode_ and picks a pocket with gentility and grace!

Leaving the Corporal to explore the intricate labyrinths of Ann street, (in the hope of obtaining some clew to the fate of Fanny Aubry,) thou wilt have the kindness, gentle reader, to accompany us into one of the squalid dens of that great sewer of vice and crime. But first we pause to read and admire the sign which decorates the exterior of a "crib" opposite Keith's Alley, and which, with a peculiarity of orthography truly amusing, notifies you that it is a "_Vittlin Sollor._" (This sign remains there to this day.) Passing on, we cannot fail to be impressed with the "mixed" nature of the society of the place; colored ladies and gentlemen (by far the most decent portion of the population) are every where to be seen, thronging the side-walks, indulging in boisterous laughter; loafers of every description are lounging about, whose tattered garments indicate the languishing condition of their wardrobes; great, ruffianly fellows stare at you with eyes expressive of the villainy that prompts to robbery and murder;--miserable men, ghastly women, and dirty children obstruct the pathway, and annoy you with their oaths and ribald jests. Let us descend this steep flight of steps, and enter this cellar. Be not too fastidious in regard to the odor of the place, for _eau de cologne_ and otto of rose are not exactly the commodities disposed of here, the place being devoted to the sale of that beverage classically termed "rot-gut," and eatables which, unlike wine, are by no means improved in flavor by age. There is the "bar," and the red-nosed gentleman behind it seems to be one of its best patrons. A wooden bench extends around the apartment, and upon it are seated about twenty persons of both sexes. A brief sketch of a few of the "ladies" of this goodly company may prove interesting, from the fact that the names are real, and belong to prostitutes who even now inhabit the regions of Ann street.

That handsome, finely-formed female, with dark eyes and hair in ringlets, and who is also very neatly dressed, is "Kitty Cling-cling," who has been termed the "belle of Ann street." That lady in a red dress, with hair uncommonly short, (she having only recently dispensed with a wig,) is Joannah Westman, of Fleet street, and Liverpool Jane from the same _respectable_ neighborhood. This renowned "Lady" of the town was (and is) distinguished by a huge scar on her left cheek, which seems to be the exact impression of a gin bottle, probably thrown in some brawl in Liverpool, her native place. Then there is Lize Whittaker, from Lowell, who "ties up" at the corner of Fleet and Ann streets. Then we notice two ladies who rejoice in the mellifluous names of "Bald-head" and "Cockroach," and who are both worthy representatives from Keith's Alley. These, with a small sprinkling of ebony lasses and their attendant cavaliers, make up the very respectable assemblage.

And now everybody brightens up, as a couple of colored gentlemen enter the cellar, and seating themselves upon a raised platform termed by courtesy "the orchestra," commence tuning a fiddle and base viol, preparatory to a dance by "all the characters."--Away the musicians glide into the harmonious measures of a gay quadrille--and to say the truth, the music is excellent, for Picayune and Joe are very skillful performers on their respective instruments; and are well qualified to play for a much more select and fashionable auditory. And now the voluptuous Kitty Cling-cling is led to the centre of the festive hall by a sable mariner, and begins to foot it merrily to the dulcet strains; while Bald-head and Cockroach find partners in two African geniuses, whose dress and general appearance would most decidedly exclude them from admission into a fancy ball at Brigham's. Away they go, through all the intricate mazes of the giddy dance. But see--a crowd of well-dressed but dissipated young men enter the cellar, their wild looks and disordered attire plainly indicating that they are on a regular "time." Those young men have been imbibing freely at some fashionable saloon in Court or Hanover street, and have come to consummate the evening's "fun" by having a dance with the fallen goddesses of Ann street. With a facetious perversity, they select as partners the most hideous of the negro women, and "mix in" the dance with a relish that could not be surpassed if their partners were each a Venus, and the cellar a magnificent hall of Terpsichore. The dance concluded, they throw down a handful of silver upon the counter, and invite "all hands to take a drink," but very rarely drink themselves in such a place, well knowing the liquor to be unworthy the palate of men accustomed to the superior beverages of the aristocratic establishments. At the completion of this ceremony, they take their departure, to visit some other "crib," and repeat the same performances.

But let us (supposing ourselves to be invisible) pass from the dance hall and enter the adjoining apartment, which is smaller. Seated around a rough deal table are about thirty men and women, engaged in smoking and drinking. The room is dimly lighted by a couple of tallow candles, stuck in bottles; the walls are black with dust and smoke, and the aforesaid table and a few benches constitute the entire furniture of the room. The general frequenters of the cellar are not admitted to this place, it being especially reserved for the use of those ladies and gentlemen who gain their living on the principle of an equal division of property--or in other words, _thieves_. In this room, secure from being overheard by the uninitiated and vulgar crowd, they could "ply the lush," and "blow a cloud," while they talked over their exploits and planned new depredations. The room was called the "Pig Pen," and the society who resorted there classed themselves under the expressive tide of "Grabbers." Although not a regularly organized association, it had a sort of leader or captain whose authority was generally recognized. This gentleman was called "Jew Mike," from the fact of his belonging to the Hebrew persuasion; he was a gigantic, swarthy ruffian, with a long, black and most repulsive features, and was dressed in a style decidedly "flash," his coat garnished with huge brass buttons, and his fingers profusely adorned with jewelry of the same material. He had recently graduated from the State Prison, where he had served a term of ten years for manslaughter, as the jury termed it; although it was universally regarded as one of the most cold-blooded and atrocious murders ever committed. To sum up the character of this man in a few words, he was a most desperate and blood-thirsty villain, capable of perpetrating the most enormous crimes; and dark hints were sometimes thrown out by his associates in reference to his former career; some said that he was an escaped murderer from the South; others that he had been a pirate; while all united in bearing unqualified testimony as to the villainy of his character and the number and blackness of his crimes. He could not plead _ignorance_ in extenuation of his manifold enormities, for he possessed an education that would have qualified him to move in a respectable sphere of society, had he been so disposed. Upon his right was seated no less a personage that "Sow Nance," the hideous girl who had that day entrapped poor Fanny Aubry into the power of Mr. Tickels; she was much intoxicated, and by the maudlin fondness which she displayed for Jew Mike, it was easy to surmise the nature of the relation existing between her and him. Included in the company were several other "apple girls," whose proficiency as thieves entitled them to the distinction of being considered as competent "Grabbers;" each one of these wretched young creatures had her lover, of "fancy man," who was generally some low, petty thief--although, among the male portion of the assembly, there were several expert and daring robbers, the most distinguished of whom was Jew Mike himself, whose skill as a burglar had elevated him to the highly honorable position of captain of the "Grabbers."

The "lush" was freely handed round, and the company soon grew "half seas over;" then came wildly exaggerated narratives of exploits in robbery, thieving, and almost every species of crime, interspersed with smutty anecdotes and obscene songs, in which the females of the company were not a whit behind the males. At length Jew Mike himself was vociferously called on for either a song or a story; and not being a vocalist, the gentleman preferred entertaining his friends with the latter; so, clearing his throat by an enormous draught of brandy, he began as follows:

JEW MIKE'S STORY

"You see, lads and lasses, a year or two before I came to this
accursed country to be _jugged for a ten spot_, for manslaughter, (it
was a clear murder, though, and a good piece of work, too,) I was a
nobleman's butler in the great city of London. Ah, _that_ was the
place for a man to get a living in! No decent "Grabber," would stoop
to petty stealing there; beautiful burglaries, yielding hundreds of
pounds in silver plate; elegant highway robberies, producing piles of
guineas and heaps of diamond watches,--that was the business followed
by lads of the cross at that time in England. Well, there's no use in
crying over spilt milk, any how; I was obliged to step out of England
when the country got too hot to hold me, and if I returned there, by
G----! my life wouldn't be worth a moment's purchase. And now to go on
with my story. I was a nobleman's butler, and glorious times I had of
it--little to do, plenty of pickings and stealings, free access to the
pantry and wine-cellar, and enjoying terms of easy intimacy with the
prettiest chambermaid in London. The only drawback upon my happiness
was Lord Hawley's _valet_, a Frenchman, named Lagrange, who had been
in his lordship's service many years, and was regarded as a remarkably
honest and faithful man,--and so he was; but those qualities which
rendered him valuable to his lordship, of course rendered him devilish
obnoxious to me,--for he suspected my real character, and was
continually playing the spy upon me, and informing my master of all my
little peccadilloes. For instance, his lordship would send for me in
his library, and say, sternly,--'Simpson, my valet Lagrange informs me
that you are improperly intimate with one of the female domestics; you
must stop it, or quit my service.' And perhaps the next day he would
again summon me before him, and, with that cursed valet grinning
maliciously at me from behind his chair, say to me,--'Simpson, I hear
that you make too free with my wine, and are frequently intoxicated;
stop it, or I shall dismiss you.' In short, Lagrange was the bane of
my existence, and I secretly swore to be terribly revenged upon him
for his tattling propensities. You'll soon see how well I kept my
oath.

"My Lady Hawley was a very gay, dissipated and beautiful woman, and I
had long been aware that during my master's absence she was in the
habit of receiving the clandestine visits of a handsome young officer
of dragoons. To tell the truth, I used to admit him to the house, and
see that no one was in the way to observe him enter her ladyship's
chamber, for which services I received very liberal rewards from both
her ladyship, and Captain St. Clair. Lord Hawley doted upon his wife,
who was many years younger than himself; and often have I laughed in
my sleeve when I thought what a cuckold she made of him. But he
suspected nothing of the kind; I was the only person, besides the
parties, who knew of the intrigue; even Lagrange, artful spy as he
was, did not discover it. My master, who was addicted to gambling, was
absent until a late hour every night, at Crockford's; and thus her
ladyship had every opportunity to enjoy frequent interviews with her
lover. As I knew of her frailty, I had her completely in my power; and
often I was tempted to threaten her with exposure, unless she would
"come down" handsomely with a thousand pounds or so, and grant me _any
other favor_ that I might choose to demand, as the price of my
silence,--for, as I said before, she was a beautiful woman, and a
butler has feelings as ardent as those of a captain of dragoons.

"Well, matters continued very quiet and agreeable, until late one
night, after I had gone to bed, I heard a low but hurried knock at the
door of my room. I arose, hastily threw on a few garments, and opened
the door, when to my astonishment in rushed Lady Hawley, in her
night-dress, and threw herself into a chair, breathless with
agitation. Almost instantly the thought flashed through my mind that
her intrigue had been discovered; cautiously closing the door, I
advanced towards her ladyship, and in a respectful manner inquired why
she had honored me with a visit so unexpected, and what might be the
cause of her evident agitation, at the same time assuring her of my
assistance, should she require it. She fixed her proud, beautiful eyes
upon my face, and said, in a voice trembling with emotion,--

"'Good heavens, Simpson, only think of it, my foolish affair with
Captain St. Clair is discovered!'

"'Is it possible, your ladyship?' I cried, 'and may I ask who--'

"'His lordship's valet, Lagrange, saw me, half an hour ago, conducting
the Captain to the private stair-case which leads to the garden,'
replied her ladyship, shuddering, and shading her face with her hands.

"'And might not your ladyship purchase his silence?' I asked. She
replied,--

"'I have just come from his room; you know how obstinate he is,--how
entirely devoted to his lordship,--how blindly honest and faithful
he has ever been,--how singularly averse to receiving presents from
any source whatever, fearing it might have the appearance of bribery.
I went to his room, and offered him a hundred guineas if he would
solemnly swear never to reveal what he had seen. In a tone of cold
indifference he said, 'I must do my duty to his lordship, to whom I am
bound by the strongest ties of gratitude, even at the sacrifice of
your ladyship's honor.' I entreated him, almost on my knees, to give
the required promise; I offered to double, nay, treble the sum that I
had named, but no; he turned from me, almost with disdain, (the
low-born menial!) and requested me to retire, as I must be aware of
the impropriety of such a visit, at such an hour. Perceiving the
uselessness of attempting to bribe him to secrecy, I left him, cursing
him for his obstinacy, and came direct to you. Heavens!' added her
ladyship, drawing her robe over her partially denuded bosom, 'how
desperate the fear of exposure has made me, that in this indecent
attire I go at midnight to the chambers of male servants!--Simpson,
can you help me in this dreadful emergency? You have heretofore proved
faithful to me,--do not desert me now. _Lagrange must be
silenced!_--do you understand me? At any cost,--at any risk,--his
babbling tongue must be hushed, _by you_, for you are the only person
whom I can trust in the affair. Yes, he must never speak the word that
will proclaim my dishonor to the world!'

"'_At any cost_, your ladyship?' rejoined I, fixing my eyes steadily
upon hers, for her despair rendered me bold, and I was not one to
suffer an opportunity to slip by unimproved.

"'I understand you, fellow!' she replied, with a hysterical laugh and
a glance of scorn,--'and much as I despise you, I answer yes! at any
cost. But, gracious Heavens, what do I say? _you_, a menial, a
base-born servitor! But no matter; even _that_ is far preferable to
exposure. Good God! to think of being cast off by his lordship with
loathing and contempt, despised and hated by my relatives,--an eternal
blot upon my name,--forever excluded from the sphere of society of
which I am the star and centre,--no, that shall never, never be.
Silence Lagrange--silence him forever,--then ask of me any favor, and
it shall not be denied.'

"I approached her ladyship; she was pale as marble, but how superbly
beautiful! Her glossy hair, all disordered, hung in rich masses upon
her uncovered shoulders; her seductive night-dress but imperfectly
concealed the glories of her divine form,--her heaving bosom, so
voluptuous and fair, was more than half disclosed to my gaze. With a
palpitating heart I laid my trembling hand upon one of her plump,
white shoulders. Never shall I forget the majestic rage and scorn of
her look, as she started to her feet, and stood before me in all the
pride of her imperial beauty.

"'Fellow,' she said, with desperate calmness, 'you are bold; but
perhaps I ought to have expected this. I perceive that you are
disposed to take every advantage of my situation. Be it so, then; but
not until you have _earned the reward_, can you claim it. Remember
this. Fortunately, his lordship is out of town, and will not return
until the day after to-morrow; but oh! how unfortunate that his
accursed valet did not accompany him! Lagrange pretended to be ill,
and was left behind, and my lord was attended by another servant. No
matter,--you will have an opportunity to dispose of this French spy
ere the return of his master. I care not what method you take to
silence his tongue,--but be secret and sure; and when the work is
done, you shall have your reward--not before.'

"Having thus spoken, her ladyship swept out of the room with the air
of a queen, leaving me to devise the best method of silencing Lagrange
forever. I could not mistake her ladyship's meaning; she wished me to
_murder_ the man. Now, the fact is, ladies and gentlemen, murder's a
devilish ticklish business, any how; not that I ever had any false
delicacy in relation to the wickedness of the thing--pshaw! nothing of
the kind,--you'll all believe me when I assure you that I'd as soon
cut a human throat, as wring the neck of a chicken, for that matter;
but then the consequences of a discovery are so ducedly unpleasant,
and although I am confident in my own mind that I am destined to
terminate my existence ornamented with a hempen cravat, I have never
had any desire to hasten that consummation. So I didn't altogether
relish the job which her ladyship had given me; but when I thought of
her surpassing beauty, my hesitation vanished like mists before the
rising sun, and I resolved to do it.

"Several times the next day I tried to provoke Lagrange into a
quarrel, but the wily rascal, as if divining my intentions, only
shrugged his shoulders and smiled in the cold and sarcastic manner
peculiar to him. This enraged me greatly, and after applying the most
abusive epithets to him, I finally struck him. But all availed
nothing; unlike the majority of his countrymen, the fellow was cold
and passionless, even under insults and blows. I had provided myself
with a sharp butcher's knife, which I carried in my sleeve, ready to
plunge into his heart, had he offered to attack me in return; and thus
I hoped to make it appear that I had slain him in self-defence. But
his admirable coolness and self-possession defeated that scheme,--and
I saw that I would be obliged to slay him deliberately at the first
opportunity.

"That opportunity was not long wanting.

"During the afternoon he had occasion to visit the wine vault, of
which I alone had the key; I accompanied him thither, and while he was
engaged in selecting some malt liquor for the servants' table, I said
to him,--

"'Monsieur Lagrange, you are acquainted with a secret that intimately
concerns her ladyship; what use do you intend to make of this
knowledge?'

"The Frenchman very coolly intimated that it was none of my business,
and continued his employment. His back was towards me; I approached
nearer to him, and said, in a low tone--

"'You infernal, backbiting, sneaking scoundrel, you have often
betrayed me to my master, and would now betray her ladyship. You shall
not live to do it--die like a dog, as you are!'

"While thus addressing him, I had drawn forth my knife; and as I
uttered the last words, I plunged it with all my force into his left
side, up to the very handle. The blade passed directly through his
heart, and without a groan he fell dead at my feet.

"No remorse--no sorrow for the bloody deed I had committed, found
entrance to my soul; on the contrary, I gazed at the corpse with
savage exultation. 'That babbling tongue is now forever hushed,'
thought I; and then, as a sudden strange thought struck me, I
added--'and that tongue shall be my passport to a bliss more exquisite
than the joys of Paradise.' With an untrembling hand I cut off the
dead man's tongue, secured it about me, and having hid the body behind
a row of wine casks, left the cellar, securely locked the door, and
then went about my usual avocations, resolving to dispose of the
corpse that night in some manner that should avert suspicion from me,
for I had every confidence in my own ingenuity.

"Towards evening, I sought and obtained an interview with her
ladyship, in private. She advanced to meet me with a hurried step and
sparkling eyes.

"'Simpson, _is it done_?' she asked, in a tone of extreme agitation,
and laying her delicate hand on my arm.

"'It is, your ladyship,' was my reply, producing and holding before
her the bloody evidence of the deed--'and here is the tongue of
Lagrange,--the tongue that would have proclaimed your shame and
effected your ruin, had its owner lived; but he now lies a cold
corpse, and this once mischievous member is now as powerless as a
piece of carrion beneath a butcher's shamble.'

"'And the body--how will you dispose of that?' she asked, shuddering,
and turning from the sickening spectacle with disgust.

"'To-night it shall be sunk deep in the waters of the Thames,' I
replied; and then, in a more familiar manner than I had as yet
ventured to assume, I reminded her ladyship of the _reward_ she had
promised me, as soon as the job should be completed. Again she
shuddered;--and turned deadly pale; and with a bitter smile, which
seemed to me to be expressive of hatred and contempt combined, she
answered--

"'You are right, Simpson; you have obeyed my wishes, and merit your
reward,--but not now, not now! Come to my chamber at midnight; I shall
expect you,--you understand. Go now--leave me; remove all traces of
your crime. I shall take care to have a quantity of plate removed from
the house to-night, and destroyed, and when his lordship returns
to-morrow, he will imagine that Lagrange, despite his supposed
faithfulness and integrity, has absconded and stolen the plate,--that
will account to him for the valet's sudden disappearance. Leave me.'

"'Remember, at midnight, your ladyship,' said I, and left her; but
when I had closed the door of the apartment, I imagined that I heard
her give utterance to a scornful laugh. However, I attributed it to
her gratification at the death of Lagrange, and descending to the wine
cellar, I busied myself in washing away the stains of blood from the
floor. How impatiently I longed for the arrival of midnight! the hour
that was to bring with it the reward of my crime!

"During the evening, I paid a visit to a noted "_boozing ken_" in St.
Giles', which bore the very suitable appellation of the "Jolly
Thieves." Here I engaged two desperate fellows of my
acquaintance--(for I went on a _crack_, now and then, myself, just to
keep my hand in,)--to make away with the body of Lagrange; they were
to come to the rear of my master's house, an hour after midnight,
provided with a sack and some means of conveyance; and, for a liberal
reward, they promised to carry off the corpse, and, having attached a
heavy weight to it, sink it in the Thames,--although I felt assured
in my own mind, that, instead of giving it to the fishes, they would
make a more profitable disposition of it, by selling it to some
surgeon for dissection;--body-snatching being a part of their
profession, as well as burglary and murder. Having made this important
arrangement, and paid them a good round sum in advance, (for I was
well provided with money,) I returned to my master's house, which I
reached about eleven o'clock.

"At length the welcome midnight hour arrived, and with a beating heart
I repaired to the chamber of her ladyship. It was a large apartment,
furnished with exquisite taste and elegance,--in fact, a perfect bower
of the graces; and, to my somewhat voluptuous mind, not the least
attractive feature of it, was a magnificent and luxurious _bed_,
mysteriously hidden beneath a profuse cloud of snowy drapery, heavily
laden with costly lace. I had already pictured to myself the delights
of an amorous dalliance within that bower of Venus, with one whose
glorious beauty could not have been surpassed by that of the ardent
goddess herself--but how grievously was I doomed to be disappointed,
at the very moment when I fancied my triumph certain! But I must not
anticipate my story.

"In answer to my respectful, and I must own, somewhat timid, knock at
the chamber door, I heard the musical but subdued voice of her
ladyship bidding me to 'come in.' I entered, and having softly closed
the door, noiselessly turned the key in the lock, and advanced to
where she was seated by a table, upon which there stood wine, and
materials of a _recherche_ supper. Drawing a chair close to her
ladyship, I seated myself, and gazed at her long and ardently, while
she, apparently unconscious of my presence, seemed to be deeply
engaged in perusing a splendid volume of Byron's poems.

"Surprised and not perfectly at ease, in consequence of her silence
and abstraction (for she had not even glanced at me,) I at length
ventured to observe--

"'Your ladyship sees that I am punctual; as of course I could not
neglect to keep so delightful an appointment.'

"Still she answered nothing, nor even raised her eyes from the book!
During the silence of some minutes that ensued, I had an excellent
opportunity to feast my eyes upon the seraphic loveliness of her face,
and the admirable proportions of her queen-like form. She was dressed
with studied simplicity, and in a style half _neglige_, infinitely
more fascinating than the most elaborate full dress. A robe of snowy
whiteness, made so as to display her plump, soft arms, and fine,
sloping shoulders, and entirely without ornament, constituted her
attire; and a single white rose alone relieved the jet darkness of her
clustering hair. She was seated in a manner that enabled me to view
her profile to the best advantage; I was never more forcibly struck
with its purely classical and Grecian outlines; and I observed that a
soft expression of melancholy was blended with the usual _hauteur_
that sat enthroned upon her angelic features.

"As I gazed admiringly upon the beautiful woman, whom I could almost
imagine to be a being from a celestial world, I could not help saying
to myself--

"'After all, she is an adulteress and a murderess; and is now about to
sacrifice her person to me, the instrument of her murderous wishes.
Why, what a devil is here, in the form of a lovely woman, whose beauty
would seem to proclaim her a tenant of the skies, while the black
depravity of her heart fits her only for the companionship of the
fiends below! Why do I hesitate and tremble in her presence? She is in
my power--my _slave_! Yet, by heavens, what a superb creature! A
thousand passionate devils are dancing in her brilliant eyes--her lips
are moist with the honey of love--and her form seems to glow with
ardent but hidden fires! Come, let me delay no longer, but speak to
her in the language befitting a master to his slave!'

"'Lady,' said I, in a tone familiar, yet not disrespectful--'why this
reserve and silence? You know for what purpose I come thus at midnight
to your chamber--it is by your own appointment, and to receive the
reward of a difficult and dangerous service which I have performed for
you. Nay, I see that you have anticipated my coming, by preparing this
delicate and acceptable feast for our entertainment. Is it not so, my
charmer? And you have dressed yourself in this bewitching style of
chaste simplicity, solely to please me--am I right? But come; though
you have not yet spoken or looked at me, sweet coquette that you are,
I read in your bright eyes the confirmation of my hopes. Let us first
banquet upon the delights of love, and then sip the ruby contents of
the sparkling wine-cup, which I'll swear are not one half so sweet as
the nectar of your lips, which now I taste.'

"I clasped her in my arms as I spoke, and attempted to imprint a kiss
upon her lips; but she hurled me from her with disdain, and said, with
an air of lofty dignity--

"'Dog, how dare you thus intrude into the sanctity of my chamber? and
how dared you for a moment presume to think that I intended to keep
the promise which, in my eagerness to have Lagrange silenced, I gave
you? Know that, sooner than submit to your base and loathsome
embraces, I'd brave exposure and even death itself! If _money_ will
satisfy you, name your sum, and be it ever so great, it shall be paid
to you; but presume not to think that Lady Adelaide Hawley can ever so
far forget her birth and rank, as to debase herself with such as you.'

"'_Money_, your ladyship, was not what I bargained for,' I boldly
replied; for the scorn and contempt with which she treated me, stung
me to the quick, and enraged me beyond all measure. 'If your ladyship
refuses to perform, honorably and fairly, your part of the contract,
you must take the consequences; you shall be proclaimed as an
adulteress, and as an accessory to the crime of murder.'

"'Fool!' she cried--yet her countenance indicated the fear she really
felt, notwithstanding the boldness of her words--'fool! expose me at
your peril! You dare not, for your own neck would be stretched in
payment for your treachery, while your charges against me, low,
miserable menial that you are, would never be believed--never! Such
accusations against me, a peeress of the realm, and a lady whose
reputation has never been assailed, would but add to the general
belief in your own guilt, and the certainty of your fate; such charges
would be regarded as a paltry subterfuge, and no one would credit
them. Go, fellow--the bat cannot consort with the eagle, nor can such
as you aspire to even the most distant familiarity with persons of my
rank. Depart, instantly; and to-morrow you shall receive a pecuniary
reward that will amply compensate you for the disappointment you now
feel.'

"With these words she turned away from me, waving her hand in token
that the conference was closed; but I was enraged and desperate, as
much by the scorn of her manner as by the disappointment I felt. A
hell of passion was burning in my heart; and I said to her, in a low,
deep tone--

"'Woman, you shall be mine, even if I am obliged to commit another
murder--I swear it! I hesitated not at perpetrating a deed of blood;
nor will I hesitate now to obtain, by violence and even bloodshed, the
reward you promised me for that deed! Lady, be wise; we are alone at
this silent hour--I am powerful and you are helpless. Consent, then,
or--'

"She interrupted me with a scornful laugh, that rendered me almost
frantic with fury. Reason forsook me; I lost all self-control, and
rushed upon her with the ferocity of a madman, determined to strangle
her.

"Ere I could lay my grasp upon her, I was seized with a force that
nearly stunned me. I arose with difficulty, and to my astonishment
beheld the handsome countenance and glittering uniform of her
ladyship's favored lover, Captain St. Clair!

"'Villain,' said he, in his usual cold and haughty manner, (he was of
noble blood, and as proud as Lucifer,) 'you little imagined that I was
a witness of the entire scene in which you have played so praiseworthy
a part! Upon my honor, you are the most ambitious of butlers! Cooks
and chambermaids are not sufficiently delicate for your fastidious
taste, forsooth!--but you must aspire to ladies of noble birth! Faith,
I should not be surprised to hear of your attempting an intrigue with
her gracious Majesty, the Queen! Hark'ee, fellow, begone! and thank my
moderation that I do not punish you upon the spot, for your infernal
presumption! Yet I would scorn to tarnish the lustre of my good sword
with the blood of such a thing as thou!'

"'Captain,' said I, boldly, (for I am no coward, ladies and gentlemen,
as you all know,) 'as you have seen fit to play the spy, it is fair to
presume that you are acquainted with the circumstances upon which my
claim to the favor of this lady is based. At her instigation, and
prompted by her promises of reward, I have murdered Lord Hawley's
valet, Lagrange, in order to prevent his revealing to his master, the
criminal intimacy existing between you and her ladyship. Now, Captain,
I submit it to you as a man of honor--having committed such a deed,
and exposed myself to such a fearful risk, am I not entitled to the
reward promised by her ladyship? without the hope of which reward, I
never would have bedewed my hands in the blood of my fellow servant.
And can I justly be blamed for claiming that reward, and even for
attempting to obtain it by force, since I have faithfully earned it?'

"The Captain laughed, half in good nature, half in scorn, and said--

"'Faith, you are a well-spoken knave, and appeal to my honor as if you
were my equal; and I am half inclined to pardon your presumption on
account of your wit. Now listen, my good fellow;--her ladyship, as a
measure of policy, wished to have a certain person removed, who was
possessed of a dangerous secret; now you were the only available agent
she could employ to effect that removal. But you demanded a certain
favor, (which shall be nameless,) as the price of your services, and
would accept of no other remuneration. The danger was imminent; what
could her ladyship do? The man must be disposed of, even at the
sacrifice of truth; her ladyship gave the required promise (_intending
never to keep it_,) you performed the service, and very properly, I
own, come to receive your reward. Of course, you perceive the
impossibility of a compliance with your wishes. No intrigue can exist
between the patrician and the plebeian--you are low-born, she of the
noblest blood of the kingdom. Are you so blind, man, that you cannot
see--or are you so stupid that you cannot comprehend--the repugnance
which her ladyship must naturally feel at the very idea of an amorous
intimacy existing between a high-born lady and--good heavens!--a
_butler_? Here, my good fellow, is a purse, containing fifty
guineas--I will double the sum to-morrow. Now go; and remember that
you have everything to expect from our generosity, in a pecuniary
point of view; but a repetition of your demand for her ladyship's
favors, will most assuredly result to your lasting disadvantage.'

"Seeing the folly of attempting to press my claim further, I sneaked
out of the room, with very much the air of a disconcerted cur with his
tail between his legs, to use a simile more expressive than elegant.
The moment I had entered my own chamber, the clock in a neighboring
steeple proclaimed the hour of two, and then for the first time I
remembered the appointment which I had made with my two particular
friends, from the "Jolly Thieves," in reference to the disposal of
Lagrange's body. The hour appointed for meeting them, was passed; and
suddenly a thought struck me--a strange thought--which had no sooner
flashed through my mind, than I resolved to act upon its suggestion.
'Twas a glorious plan of revenge, and one which could only have
emanated from my fertile imagination.

"'The corpse of the Frenchman shall become the instrument of my
vengeance,' thought I, chuckling with glee. 'I shall not need the
assistance of those two fellows now--and, if they are still lurking
about the house, I will reward them for their trouble and send them
away. Ah, lucky thought--lucky thought!'

"I found my two friends in waiting for me; they grumbled much at my
want of punctuality, but their murmurings were hushed when I paid them
liberally, and dismissed them, saying that I had discovered a much
safer and more convenient method of disposing of the body, than the
plan originally proposed, and therefore should not require their
assistance.--They departed, rejoicing at their good fortune in being
freed from a difficult and dangerous task, and congratulating
themselves on having received as much money as they had been promised
for its performance.

"Taking with me a dark lantern, I descended noiselessly into the wine
vault, and having secured the massive iron door, proceeded to execute
my plan of vengeance. Comrades, can you guess what that plan was? No,
I'll swear you cannot. But listen, and you shall hear.

"Placing my light in a convenient position, I dragged the dead body of
Lagrange from its place of concealment; then I bent over it, and
examined the ghastly countenance. The features were pale and rigid,
the teeth firmly set, and the glassy eyes wide open and staring. The
awful expression of those dead orbs seemed, bold as I was, to freeze
my very soul as with the power of a basilisk. For a single moment I
repented the deed; but that feeling soon passed, and I rejoiced at it.

"It occurred to me to search the pockets of my victim; I did so, and
found a small sum of money, and a sealed letter, addressed to Lord
Hawley. The valet had probably intended to despatch that letter to his
master that afternoon--which design was frustrated by his sudden death
by my hand. Eagerly I broke the seal, and read as follows:--

"'LONDON.

"'My lord.--Should your lordship have possibly designed extending
your visit to Berkshire beyond the time originally allotted to the
same, I entreat your lordship to set aside every
consideration--every engagement, however pressing or important its
nature may be, and to return immediately to town. Something has
occurred, in the conduct of her ladyship, intimately affecting your
lordship's honor. To relieve your lordship from any painful
uncertainty that may be occasioned by this indefinite announcement,
you will pardon me for stating plainly, that I myself saw her
ladyship and Captain St. Clair, under circumstances that admitted of
but one opinion in reference to the nature of the intimacy existing
between them. Simpson, the butler, whom I am persuaded is in the
confidence of her ladyship and the Captain, this afternoon
questioned me in regard to my knowledge of the affair, and the use I
intended to make of that knowledge; and he, not deeming my replies
satisfactory, abused and struck me. My duty to your lordship
prevented any retaliation on my part; and that duty, (the offspring
of humble gratitude for your lordship's many acts of generous
kindness to me, both in this country and in France,) now impels me
to communicate these unpleasant facts--which I do, with sincere
sorrow for her ladyship's indiscretion, and every desire for the
preservation of your lordship's honor.

"'From your lordship's humble servant,
"'LOUIS LAGRANGE.'

"This letter, so characteristic of the polished, wily and educated
Frenchman, was written in the French language, with which I was well
acquainted, I therefore easily translated it. After a careful perusal,
I placed it in my pocket-book--for I was well aware that it might one
day prove a valuable auxiliary to me, should I feel disposed to inform
my master of his wife's infidelity, and his lordship then could not
doubt the truth of his own favorite and faithful servant, in whom he
had the most unbounded confidence.

"'Oh, scornful Lady Hawley and sarcastic Captain St. Clair!' I could
not forbear exclaiming--'ye shall both be caught in a net of your own
making, when ye least expect it! My lady will be turned out of doors
as an adulteress; and my gentleman will perhaps be shot through the
head by the husband he has wronged! Patience, patience, good Simpson;
thou shalt yet riot in the very satiety of thy vengeance. But now to
put in operation my first method--an ingenious one it is, too--of
avenging my wrongs!'

"Among the various wines with which the extensive cellar was
abundantly stocked, was a large cask containing a particular kind, of
a very rich and peculiar flavor; and of this wine I knew Lady Hawley,
who was a luxurious woman, very fastidious in her taste, to be
especially fond. Captain St. Clair, too, preferred it above all other
kinds; and at the midnight suppers which he so often enjoyed with her
ladyship, the ruby contents of this particular cask was most
frequently called into requisition, as I well know, for I had been
accustomed to carry it from the cellar to the door of the bed-chamber
wherein the amorous pair indulged in the joys both of Venus and of
Bacchus. The wine had been imported by his lordship, who was a _bon
vivant_, from Bordeaux and was particularly valued for its rich color,
solid body, and substantial yet delicate flavor, rivalling in these
qualities, perhaps, that classic beverage, the famed Greek wine.

"'I will add to the exquisite flavor of this wine,' said I--'her
ladyship and her lover shall banquet on human blood; the corruption of
a putrifying corpse shall be mingled with the sparkling fluid that
nourishes their unholy passions.'

"With but little difficulty, and less noise, (for I well understood
such matters,) I removed the head of the cask, which I found to be
about half full. How luxurious was the odor that arose from the dark
liquid, fragrant with spices! Taking a small vessel, I drank a
bumper--then another. My blood instantly became charged with a
thousand fires; my heart seemed to swell with mighty exultation; my
brain seemed to swim in a sea of delight. I laughed with mad glee to
think of the superb vengeance I was about to wreak on my enemies; then
I raised the corpse of Lagrange with Herculean strength, thrust it
into the cask, and pressed it into the smallest possible compass; but
found to my inexpressible chagrin, that it would be absolutely
impossible to re-adjust the head of the cask, unless the body was in
some manner made smaller. After a few moments' reflection, a happy
thought struck me. I hesitated not a moment, but drew a sharp clasp
knife from my pocket, deliberately severed the head from the body, and
thrust it into the cask. Then, without the least difficulty, I
replaced the top of the cask, and my work was accomplished.

"I repaired to my chamber but slept not, as you may suppose; the
events of that day and night had been of a nature too singularly
exciting to admit of repose. Shortly after I had retired, I heard Lady
Hawley conduct her lover to the back stair-case; there was a sound of
kissing, and a whispered appointment made for another meeting, on a
night when his lordship would probably be absent. 'Yes, and at that
interview, my amorous pair,' thought I, 'shall you taste of the wine
which I have improved by an addition which you little suspect, but
with which you shall one day be made acquainted.' And then I laughed
till the tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Lord Hawley returned at the expected time, and immediately inquired
for his valet, Lagrange. The gentleman was, of course, among the
missing; and I overheard her ladyship announcing to her husband that
the Frenchman had absconded, carrying off plate and jewelry to a
considerable amount. Lord Hawley was extremely shocked and grieved on
receiving this (false) intelligence; and I heard him mutter, as he
retired in great perturbation of mind to his study,--'What, can it be
possible?--Lagrange, whom I esteemed to be the most honest and
faithful fellow in the world--of whose fidelity I have had so many
evidences,--whom I have often benefitted,--can it be that _he_ has
deserted and robbed me? Then indeed do I believe all mankind to be
false as hell!'

"A week passed, and nothing occurred in Hawley House worthy of
mention. At the expiration of that time, his lordship went on a short
journey, (connected with some political object,) which would occasion
him a fortnight's absence from home. Then was her ladyship and the
captain in clover! and then was afforded me an opportunity to set
before them the wine which I had enriched by my famous _addition_!

"Not deeming it necessary to adopt the usual precautions, my lady
feasted, toyed and dallied with her handsome lover in her own private
apartments, fearing no detection, as she was certain that her husband
would not return before the specified time, and as I was the only
person aware of the captain's presence in the house; she feared not,
thinking that I dared not betray her, as she imagined that I was
completely in her power on account of the murder I had committed.
Pretty fool! she little thought of the plan I had formed for her
destruction, and that of her haughty and hated paramour.

"I waited on them at table in my humblest and most respectful manner;
and I could perceive that they inwardly congratulated themselves on
having, as they thought, completely subdued me, and bribed me to
eternal silence with regard to their amours.

"At their very first banquet, (for the splendor of their repasts
merited that high-sounding title,) I was requested to bring from the
cellar a decanter of their _favorite_ wine. You may be sure I did not
mistake the cask, comrades. I drew from the cask which contained the
corpse of Lagrange, a quantity of the wine, and holding it to the
light, observed with intense satisfaction that it had assumed a darker
tinge--it looked just like blood. For a moment I was tempted to
_taste_ it; but damn me! bad and blood-thirsty as I was, I could not
do _that_. The corpse had been soaking in the wine a full week; I was
convinced that the liquid was pretty thoroughly impregnated with the
flavor of my scientific improvement; and even my stomach revolted at
the idea of drinking wine tainted and reeking with the dead flesh and
blood of the man I had murdered.

"I placed the wine on the table before my lady and the Captain; and I
am free to confess that I trembled somewhat, in view of the
possibility of their detecting, at the first taste, the trick which I
had played them. Very nervous was I, when the Captain slowly poured
out a wine glass full, and raised it to his lips; but how delighted
was I, when he drained every drop of it with evident satisfaction,
smacked his lips, and said to the lady--

"'By my faith, Adelaide, 'tis a drink for the gods! How that wine
improves by age! Never before has it tasted so rich, so fruity, so
delicious! Observe what a firm body it has--what deep, rich color--a
fitting hue for a soldier's beverage, for 'tis red as blood. Allow me
to fill your ladyship's glass, that you may judge of its improved and
wonderful merits.'

"Her ladyship drank, and pronounced it excellent. I was in silent
extacies. 'Drink the blood and essence of the murdered dead, ye fools,
and call it sweet as honey to your taste!' I mentally said--'ere many
days your souls shall be made sick with the knowledge of _what_ ye
have drank!'