Auriol; or, The Elixir of Life Read online

  CHAPTER XI

  PREPARATIONS

  On that same night, at the appointed hour, Mr. Thorneycroft repaired toShoreditch, and entering a narrow street behind the church, speedilydiscovered the Turk's Head, at the door of which a hackney-coach wasstanding. He was shown by the landlord into a small back room, in whichthree men were seated at a small table, smoking, and drinking gin andwater, while a fourth was standing near the fire, with his back towardsthe door. The latter was a tall, powerfully built man, wrapped in arough greatcoat, and did not turn round on the iron-merchant's entrance.

  "You are punctual, Mr. Thorneycroft," said Ginger, who was one of thetrio at the table; "and I'm happy to say, I've arranged everythin' foryou, sir. My friends are ready to undertake the job. Only they von't doit on quite sich easy terms as mine."

  The Tinker and the Sandman coughed slightly, to intimate their entireconcurrence in Mr. Ginger's remark.

  "As I said to you this mornin', Mr. Thorneycroft," pursued Ginger, "thisis a difficult and a dangerous bus'ness, and there's no knowin' wot maycome on it. But it's your only chance o' recoverin' your darter."

  "Yes, it's your only chance," echoed the Tinker.

  "Ve're about to risk our precious lives for you, sir," said the Sandman;"so, in coorse, ve expects a perportionate revard."

  "If you enable me to regain my daughter, you shall not find meungrateful," rejoined the iron-merchant.

  "I must have a hundred pounds," said the Tinker--"that's my lowest."

  "And mine, too," said the Sandman.

  "I shall take nuffin' but the glory, as I said afore," remarked Ginger."I'm sworn champion o' poor distressed young damsils; but my friendsmust make their own bargins."

  "Well, I assent," returned Mr. Thorneycroft; "and the sooner we set outthe better."

  "Are you armed?" asked Ginger.

  "I have a brace of pistols in my pocket," replied Thorneycroft.

  "All right, then--ve've all got pops and cutlashes," said Ginger. "Solet's be off."

  As he spoke, the Tinker and Sandman arose; and the man in the roughgreatcoat, who had hitherto remained with his back to them, turnedround. To the iron-merchant's surprise, he perceived that the face ofthis individual was covered with a piece of black crape.

  "Who is this?" he demanded with some misgiving.

  "A friend," replied Ginger. "Vithout him ve could do nuffin'. His nameis Reeks, and he is the chief man in our enterprise."

  "He claims a reward too, I suppose?" said Thorneycroft.

  "I will tell you what reward I claim, Mr. Thorneycroft," rejoined Reeks,in a deep stern tone, "when all is over. Meantime, give me your solemnpledge, that whatever you may behold to-night, you will not divulge it."

  "I give it," replied the iron-merchant, "provided always----"

  "No provision, sir," interrupted the other quickly. "You must swear tokeep silence unconditionally, or I will not move a footstep with you;and I alone can guide you where your daughter is detained."

  "Svear, sir; it is your only chance," whispered Ginger.

  "Well, if it must be, I do swear to keep silence," rejoined Mr.Thorneycroft; "but your proceedings appear very mysterious."

  "The whole affair is mysterious," replied Reeks. "You must also consentto have a bandage passed over your eyes when you get into the coach."

  "Anything more?" asked the iron-merchant.

  "You must engage to obey my orders, without questioning, when we arriveat our destination," rejoined Reeks. "Otherwise, there is no chance ofsuccess."

  "Be it as you will," returned Thorneycroft, "I must perforce agree."

  "All then is clearly understood," said Reeks, "and we can now set out."

  Upon this, Ginger conducted Mr. Thorneycroft to the coach, and as soonas the latter got into it, tied a handkerchief tightly over his eyes. Inthis state Mr. Thorneycroft heard the Tinker and the Sandman take theirplaces near him, but not remarking the voice of Reeks, concluded that hemust have got outside.

  The next moment, the coach was put in motion, and rattled over thestones at a rapid pace. It made many turns; but at length proceededsteadily onwards, while from the profound silence around, and thegreater freshness of the air, Mr. Thorneycroft began to fancy they hadgained the country. Not a word was spoken by any one during the ride.

  After a while, the coach stopped, the door was opened, and Mr.Thorneycroft was helped out. The iron-merchant expected his bandagewould now be removed, but he was mistaken, for Reeks, taking his arm,drew him along at a quick pace. As they advanced, the iron-merchant'sconductor whispered him to be cautious, and, at the same time, made himkeep close to a wall. A door was presently opened, and as soon as theparty had passed through, it closed.

  The bandage was then removed from Thorneycroft's eyes, and he foundhimself in a large and apparently neglected garden. Though the sky wascloudy, there was light enough to enable him to distinguish that theywere near an old dilapidated mansion.

  "We are now arrived," said Reeks to the iron-merchant, "and you willhave need of all your resolution."

  "I will deliver her, or perish in the attempt," said Thorneycroft,taking out his pistols.

  The others drew their cutlasses.

  "Now then, follow me," said Reeks, "and act as I direct."

  With this he struck into an alley formed by thick hedges of privet,which brought them to the back part of the house. Passing through adoor, he entered the yard, and creeping cautiously along the wall,reached a low window, which he contrived to open without noise. He thenpassed through it, and was followed by the others.