CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.
IN WHICH MR. VANSLYPERKEN MEETS WITH A DOUBLE DEFEAT.
It was late in the evening of the day after Smallbones had been sosatisfactorily disposed of that the cutter arrived at Portsmouth; butfrom daylight until the time that the cutter anchored, there was nosmall confusion and bustle on board of the Yungfrau. WhenVanslyperken's cabin door was found to be locked, it was determined thatSmallbones should not appear as a supernatural visitant that night, butwait till the one following; consequently the parties retired to bed,and Smallbones, who found the heat between decks very oppressive, hadcrept up the ladder and taken a berth in the small boat, that he mightsleep cool and comfortable, intending to be down below again long beforeMr Vanslyperken was up; but, as the reader knows, Mr Vanslyperken wasup before him, and the consequence was that Smallbones went down intothe sea instead of the lower deck, as he had intended.
The next morning it was soon ascertained that Smallbones was not to befound, and the ship's company were in a state of dismay. The boat, assoon as Smallbones had been turned out, had resumed her uprightposition, and one of the men when busy washing the decks, had made fastthe gripe again, which he supposed had been cast off by accident whenthe ropes had been coiled up for washing, Smallbones not being at thattime missed. When, therefore, the decks had been searched everywhere,and the lad was discovered not to be in the ship, the suspicion was verygreat. No one had seen him go up to sleep in the boat. The man who wasat the wheel stated that Mr Vanslyperken had sent him down for a glassof grog, and had taken the helm for the time; but this proved nothing.His disappearance was a mystery not to be unravelled. An appeal to MrVanslyperken was, of course, impossible, for he did not know that thelad was on board. The whole day was spent in surmises and suppositions;but things all ended in the simple fact, that somehow or anotherSmallbones had fallen overboard, and there was an end of the poorfellow.
So soon as the cutter was at anchor, Mr Vanslyperken hastened toperform his official duties, and anxious to learn how Smallbones hadcontrived to escape the clutches of his mother, bent his steps towardsthe half-way houses. He arrived at the door of his mother's room, andknocked as usual, but there was no reply. It was now the latter end ofJuly, and although it was past seven o'clock it was full daylight.Vanslyperken knocked again and again. His mother must be out, hethought: and if so, she always took the key with her. He had nothing todo but to wait for her return. The passage and staircase was dark, butthere was a broad light in the room from the casement, and this lightstreamed from under the door of the room. A shade crossing the light,attracted Vanslyperken's attention, and to while away the tediousness ofwaiting, he was curious to see what it was; he knelt down, looked underthe door, and perceived the key which Smallbones had placed there; heinserted his finger and drew it forth, imagining that his mother hadslid it beneath till her return.
He fitted it to the lock and opened the door, when his olfactory nerveswere offended with a dreadful stench, which surprised him the more asthe casement was open. Vanslyperken surveyed the room: he perceivedthat the blood had been washed from the floor, and sand strewed over it.Had he not known that Smallbones had been on board of the cutter theday before, he would have thought that it had been the smell of the deadbody not yet removed. This thought crossing his imagination,immediately made the truth flash upon him, and, as if instinctively, hewent up to the bed and pulled down the clothes, when he recoiled backwith horror at uncovering the face of his mother, now of a livid blue,and in the last stage of putrefaction.
Overcome with the horrid sight, and the dreadful stench whichaccompanied it, he reeled to the casement and gasped for breath. Asickness came over him, and for some time he was incapable of acting,and barely capable of reflection.
"She is gone, then," thought he at last, and he shuddered when he askedhimself _where_. "She must have fallen by the hands of the lad,"continued he, and immediately the whole that had happened appeared to berevealed to him. "Yes, yes, he has recovered from the blow--killed herand locked the door--all is clear now, but I have revenged her death."
Vanslyperken, who had now recovered himself, went softly to the door,took out the key, and locked himself in. He had been debating in hismind whether he should call in the neighbours: but, on reflection, as noone had seen him enter, he determined that he would not. He would takehis gold, and leave the door locked, and the key under it, as he foundit, before her death was discovered: it would be supposed that she dieda natural death, for the state of the body would render it impossible toprove the contrary. But there was one act necessary to be performed, atwhich Vanslyperken's heart recoiled. The key of the oak chest was abouthis mother's person, and he must obtain it; he must search for it incorruption and death, amongst creeping worms and noisome stench. It washalf an hour before he could make up his mind to the task: but what willavarice not accomplish!
He covered up the face, and with a trembling hand turned over thebedclothes. But we must not disgust our readers; it will suffice tosay, that the key was obtained, and the chest opened.
Vanslyperken found all his own gold, and much more than he had everexpected, belonging to his mother. There were other articles belongingto him, but he thought it prudent not to touch them. He loaded himselfwith the treasure, and when he felt that it was all secure, for he wasobliged to divide it in different parcels, and stow it in variousmanners about his person, he re-locked the chest, placed the key in thecupboard, and quitting the room, made fast the door, and, like a dutifulson, left the remains of his mother to be inhumed at the expense of theparish.
As he left the house without being observed, and gained the town ofPortsmouth, never was Mr Vanslyperken's body so heavily loaded, or hisheart lighter. He had got rid of Smallbones and of his mother, both ina way perfectly satisfactory to himself.
He had recovered his own gold, and had also been enriched beyond hishopes by his mother's savings. He felt not the weight which he carriedabout his person, he wished it had been heavier. All he felt was, veryanxious to be on board, and have his property secured. His boat waitedfor him, and one of the men informed him his presence was required atthe admiral's immediately; but Mr Vanslyperken first went on board, andhaving safely locked up all his treasures, then complied with theadmiral's wishes. They were to sail immediately, for the intelligenceof the Duke of Gloucester's death had just arrived with the despatches,announcing the same to be taken to King William, who was still at theHague. Vanslyperken sent the boat on board with orders to Short, toheave short and loose sails, and then hastened up to the house ofLazarus the Jew, aware that the cutter would, in all probability, bedispatched immediately to the Hague. The Jew had the letters for Ramsayall prepared. Vanslyperken once more touched his liberal fee, and, inan hour, he was again under way for the Texel.
During the passage, which was very quick, Mr Vanslyperken amusedhimself as usual, in copying the letters to Ramsay, which contained themost important intelligence of the projects of the Jacobites, and, fromthe various communications between Ramsay and the conspirators,Vanslyperken had also been made acquainted with the circumstancehitherto unknown to him, of the existence of the caves above the cove,where he had been taken to by the informer, as mentioned in the earlypart of this work, and also of the names of the parties who visited it.
Of this intelligence Vanslyperken determined to avail himselfby-and-bye. It was evident that there were only women in the cave, andMr Vanslyperken counted his gold, patted the head of Snarleyyow, andindulged in anticipations of further wealth, and the hand of the widowVandersloosh.
All dreams! Mr Vanslyperken.
The cutter arrived, and he landed with his despatches for theGovernment; and his letters to Ramsay being all delivered, Vanslyperkenhastened to the widow's, who, as usual, received him, all smiles. Henow confided to her the death of his mother, and astonished her byrepresenting the amount of his wealth, which he had the precaution tostate that the major part of it was left him by his mother.
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sp; "Where have you put it all, Mr Vanslyperken?" inquired the widow. AndVanslyperken replied that he had come to ask her advice on the subject,as it was at present all on board of the cutter. The widow, who was notindifferent to money, was more gracious than ever. She had a scheme inher head of persuading him to leave the money under her charge; butVanslyperken was anxious to go on board again, for he discovered thatthe key was not in his pocket, and he was fearful that he might haveleft it on the cabin table; so he quitted rather abruptly, and the widowhad not time to bring the battery to bear. As soon as Mr Vanslyperkenarrived on board, Corporal Van Spitter, without asking leave, for hefelt it was not necessary, went on shore, and was soon in the arms ofhis enamoured widow Vandersloosh. In the meantime, Mr Vanslyperkendiscovered the key in the pocket of the waistcoat he had thrown off, andhaving locked his door, he again opened his drawer, and delightedhimself for an hour or two in re-arranging his treasure; after which,feeling himself in want of occupation, it occurred to him, that he mightas well dedicate a little more time to the widow, so he manned his boatand went on shore again.
It is all very well to have a morning and afternoon lover, if ladies areso inclined, just as they have a morning and afternoon dress, but theyshould be worn separately. Now, as it never entered the head of MrVanslyperken that the corporal was playing him false, so did it neverenter the idea of the widow that Mr Vanslyperken would make hisappearance in the evening, and leave the cutter and Snarleyyow, withoutthe corporal being on board to watch over them.
But Mr Vanslyperken did leave the cutter and Snarleyyow, did come onshore, did walk to the widow's house, and did most unexpectedly enterit, and what was the consequence?--that he was not perceived when heentered it, and the door of the parlour as well as the front door beingopen to admit the air, for the widow and the corporal found that makinglove in the dog days was rather warm work for people of their calibre--to his mortification and rage the lieutenant beheld the corporal seatedin his berth, on the little fubsy sofa, with one arm round the widow'swaist, his other hand joined in hers, and, _proh pudor_! sucking at herdewy lips like some huge carp under the water-lilies on a midsummer'safternoon.
Mr Vanslyperken was transfixed--the parties were too busy with theiramorous interchange to perceive his presence: at last the corporalthought that his lips required moistening with a little of the beer ofthe widow's own brewing, for the honey of her lips had rather glued themtogether--he turned towards the table to take up his tumbler, and hebeheld Mr Vanslyperken.
The corporal, for a moment, was equally transfixed; but on theseoccasions people act mechanically because they don't know what to do.The corporal had been well drilled; he rose from the sofa, held himselfperfectly upright, and raised the back of his right hand to hisforehead; there he stood like a statue, saluting at the presence of hissuperior officer.
The widow had also perceived the presence of Vanslyperken almost as soonas the corporal, but a woman's wits are more at their command on theseoccasions than a man's. She felt that all concealment was now useless,and she prepared for action. At the same time, although ready todischarge a volley of abuse upon Vanslyperken, she paused, to ascertainhow she should proceed. Assuming an indifferent air, she said--"Well,Mr Vanslyperken?"
"Well!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, but he could not speak for passion.
"Eaves-dropping, as usual, Mr Vanslyperken?"
"May the roof of this house drop on you, you infernal--!"
"No indelicate language, if you please, sir," interrupted the widow, "Iwon't put up with it in my house, I can tell you.--Ho, ho, MrVanslyperken," continued the widow, working herself into a rage, "thatwon't do here, Mr Vanslyperken."
"Why, you audacious--you double-faced--"
"Double-faced!--it's a pity you wer'n't double-faced, as you call it,with that snivelling nose and crooked chin of your's. Double-faced,heh!--oh! oh! Mr Vanslyperken--we shall see--wait a little--we shallsee who's double-faced. Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken--that for you, MrVanslyperken--I can hang you when I please, Mr Vanslyperken. Corporal,how many guineas did you see counted out to him at the house opposite?"
During all this the corporal remained fixed and immovable with his handup to the salute; but on being questioned by his mistress, he replied,remaining in the same respectful attitude--
"Fifty golden guineas, Mrs Vandersloosh."
"A lie! an infamous lie!" cried Vanslyperken, drawing his sword."Traitor that you are," continued he to the corporal, "take yourreward." This was a very critical moment. The corporal did not attemptthe defensive, but remained in the same attitude, and Vanslyperken'srage at the falsehood of the widow and the discovery of his treason wasso great, that he lost all command of himself. Had not a third partycome in just as Vanslyperken drew his sword, it might have gone hardwith the corporal; but, fortunately, Babette came in from the yard, andperceiving the sword fly out of the scabbard, she put her hand behindthe door, and snatched two long-handled brooms, one of which she putinto the hands of her mistress, and retained the other herself.
"Take your reward!" cried Vanslyperken, running furiously to cut downthe corporal. But his career was stopped by the two brooms, one ofwhich took him in the face, and the other in the chest. The widow andBabette now ranged side by side, holding their brooms as soldiers dotheir arms in a charge of bayonets.
How did the corporal act? He retained his former respectful position,leaving the defensive or offensive in the hands of the widow andBabette.
This cheek on the part of Vanslyperken only added to his rage. Again heflew with his sword at the corporal, and again he was met with thebesoms in his face. He caught one with his hand, and he was knockedback with the other. He attempted to cut them in two with his sword,but in vain.
"Out of my house, you villain!--you traitor--out of my house," cried thewidow, pushing at him with such force as to drive him against the wall,and pinning him there while Babette charged him in his face, which wasnow streaming with blood. The attack was now followed up with suchvigour, that Vanslyperken was first obliged to retreat to the door, thenout of the door into the street; followed into the street, he took tohis heels, and the widow and Babette returned victorious into theparlour to the corporal. Mr Vanslyperken could not accuse him of wantof respect to his superior officer; he had saluted him on entering, andhe was still saluting him when he made his exit.
The widow threw herself on the sofa--Corporal Van Spitter then took hisseat beside her. The widow, overcome by her rage and exertion, burstinto tears and sobbed in his arms.
The corporal poured out a glass of beer, and persuaded her to drink it.
"I'll have him hanged to-morrow, at all events. I'll go to the Haguemyself," cried the widow. "Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see whowill gain the day," continued the widow, sobbing.
"You can prove it, corporal?"
"Mein Gott! yes," replied the corporal.
"As soon as he's hung, corporal, we'll marry."
"Mein Gott! yes."
"Traitorous villain!--sell his king and his country for gold!"
"Mein Gott! yes."
"You're sure it was fifty guineas, corporal?"
"Mein Gott! yes."
"Ah, well, Mr Vanslyperken, we shall see," said the widow, drying hereyes. "Yes, yes, Mr Vanslyperken, you shall be hanged, and your curwith you, or my name's not Vandersloosh."
"Mein Gott! yes," replied the corporal.