shape of the quotation is something about putting an enemy in our mouth to steal away our brains. It occurs in Othello." comprehensive shadow, which I would have picked out among a thousand shadows. These reflections have an individuality of their own. "You should lecture," I said, sarcastically, We were still at the railings, looking through. "on the immortal bard, and on the unities. He coughed; there was a slight fog, natural Reserved seats, five shillings. Your exegesis-in the country, rising from the ground. I turned I believe that is the new word-your exegesis would be entertaining. You would draw." This bitterness silenced him. He would not again presume to be merry at my expense. "You must come with me," I said to him, "as near to midnight as is convenient." "Midnight!" he said, amazed. Why ?" Where? Why? "Where? "To Triton Villas; and because I want you," said I, answering his two questions curtly. "That is the where, and the why. We are going to walk by night. I must satisfy the horrid doubts that you have raised." "I raised! When? Where?" He stopped himself hastily. 66 I I raised none." mean, "We will watch," I said; "you at the back, I at the front. You at the side, I at the other; you all round generally, I everywhere. You understand me ?" "No," he said, vacantly. "And yet," I said, with pity, "if I addressed you in the slang of your professionfor cricketing, with the addition of pipes, is your profession-you would understand. I could adapt my language to the meanest capacity; but I won't." He was stung by this cutting remark, and agreed without a word more. on him fiercely, and he did not cough again for some time. Suddenly the shadow, hitherto restive and unsteady, acquired a darker intensity, which could be explained, on principles of natural philosophy, by a nearer approach to the window. It seemed to expand in size, and remained perfectly calm and quiescent. What was she-it-about to do? Had she-itseen us? My breath came and went. Suddenly-how shall I tell it? but I was near to fainting at the moment, and but for the rails would have fallen-I saw-saw-saw distinctly, projected-yes, projected is the word-with all the vividness of a spectral image in a photograph, projected upon the blind, a shadow of some material object in her hand. Indistinct at first, with a horrible vividness, it gradually took shape-a vile, odious, terrific, but unmistakable shape. The outlines of an object but too familiar, tapering at the neck (the object's neck), distended and swollen about the body (the object's body), and distinctly applied to the mouth (her mouth)-a FLASK! its contents partaken of, not, not by the agency of the vehicles furnished by civilisation, but with the degrading simplicity of savage life. It was all over. The dream was past, and I tottered away to-the cab, my friend humanely leading me. This, then, was the secret of those mysterious Towards midnight, or more accurately speak- allusions-the "little vice which she was ading, about eleven o'clock, we again and for the dicted to"-of which she dare not tell her last time-joined in a cab, on the old comman-parents, and "the materials" for which (there dité principle. I had a strange foreboding, as I took my seat, and the strange sound of the door closing with a jar and discordant jam. Something was impending, I was convinced, but I would know the worst. We reached the neighbourhood of Triton Villas, and drew up the vehicle in a by-lane, where he was to wait our coming. I may add that this arrangement was not perfected until after the exhibition of a disheartening lack of confidence in the person who drove, and who required a partial settlement of his claims before he would consent to let us go our way. I went my way cautiously, my friend following vacantly as in a dream. Here was-were-which is it? Triton Villas. All was still, as I looked over the railings; all was hushed in repose. Not a sound. From one window, and from one only, flashed light. I knew whose window it was, from information I had received. When I received it, I thought myself blessed; but there are things-and I don't know whose the thought is-which it is better wisdom not to know. It was her window, without shutters, but with a yellow blind down-alas! too much down-illuminated from behind. Shadows-a shadow, rather-passed at times fitfully across. A grand, stately, full, was an Irish student at an Inn of Court always calling for what he called the materials; I knew what he meant) she had to "get in" privately. Worse than all, was the strange moral obliquity which could lead her to speak so lightly of the fatal passion, which would lead her by slow degrees down the abyss. Such a night I spent. A female, too! Was not this the most degrading feature. Moralists tell us, that for a man there is hope, but once a female become enslaved, then reformation is all but impossible! I determined to tear her from my heart, and go back to the outraged Follett, to the Erskine, the Scarlett, too long neglected. And yet I could not shut out her image, that is to say, that particular image, with its horrid accompaniment. It was always before my eyes. In a She wrote to me, inviting me to go and see her; she wanted to talk to me, she said: I understood her. (I did understand her.) postscriptum she added, "Perhaps I may confide to you the little weakness you were so curious about." I wrote a reply, half mysterious, half scornful-I wonder what she thought of it. I told her bitterly that I knew all, had discovered all; that the necessity of devotion to my legal studies would prevent my having the pleasure of waiting on her; but that, as a friend, nay, an acquaintance, I trusted she would not resent the few words of friendly counsel I would venture to give her, for her own sake. "Fly," I said, "fly the fatal seduction; it will gradually impair your strength, weaken your powers, and stupify the faculties. Every time you yield to the temptation, think, oh think how you are hurrying to destruction." An auswer arrived next day, couched in very mysterious language. She could not understand the tone of my letter. If I had discovered, as I said I had, what she was engaged in, there was nothing, thank Heaven, to blush for. Many good and eminent persons had before given way to the same weakness. For her part, she gloried in it, and would never give up the practice. "Impair my strength !" | she added; "how little you know-Afterafter every bout, I feel myself stronger and better." (Every bout! of course she fancied she did; the most confirmed drun-I mean, beings that is their fatal delusion.) I strove to banish her from my mind, but ineffectually. Two months passed away. It was too much for me; it was wearing me to a thread. It must end one way or the other; I chose the other way. I would go and see Triton Villas, merely out of curiosity. I stood at the gate with mingled feelings. Before me was the fatal window. I paused; should I go in, merely out of curiosity? Prudence said yes, and in I went. I saw her; she was good natured, genial, That you were to go away," I said. "Yes," she said; "and my marriage also." "Your marriage!" I started from my seat. "And who is the vile impostor; the base-er "Only yesterday," she added, "such a delicate little surprise as he gave me-only think, knowing my taste, a whole case "Of the materials, I suppose," I said. "Yes," she said, "of the very newest kind; wasn't it considerate of him? I must show them to you." She went to a little cupboard and brought out a small chest, opened it, and took out one by one- -Goodness! what a mystery was here -a light began to break in on me! "Look," she said; "two gymnastic clubs, just my weight and size; and, look here, a set of dumb-bells, beautifully finished — ain't it charming!-a balance rope; a portable pole, jointed so as to be carried about; a patent chest expander; a I saw it all, and put forward my hand to stop her. "I used to practise with them at night up in my room. When papa and mamma were gone to bed I would sit up till all hours. Nothing like practice. See how I twist them about." She flourished the club over her head, twirled it, twisted it, and then held it out in the air steadily for many moments. It was on a line with her mouth. I saw the whole picture of that fatal night before me, with only the addition of the blind drawn up; and how the fatal shadow became projected. NEW WORK BY MR. DICKENS, In Monthly Parts, uniform with the Original Editions of "Pickwick," " Copperfield," &c. In MAY will be published, PART I., price 1s., of er-"I could not think of a word for a moment, A NEW WORK BY CHARLES DICKENS "er-scullion-who has dared Hush! hush!" she said, amused and IN TWENTY MONTHLY PARTS. London: CHAPMAN and HALL, 193, Piccadilly. Volume XI. will begin on the 18th of February, 1864, with a New Serial Story, entitled QUITE ALONE, BY GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA. The Right of Translating Articles 4 cm ALL THE YEAR ROUND is reserved by the Authors. Published at the Office No 26 Wells on street. Strand Printed by C. WHITING. Beaufort House, Strand. ALL THE YEAR ROUND. A WEEKLY JOURNAL. CONDUCTED BY CHARLES DICKENS. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED HOUSEHOLD WORDS. No. 249.] SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1864. A WHITE HAND AND A BLACK THUMB. IN THIRTEEN CHAPTERS. CHAPTER IX. THE extra post-coach which carried Arthur and his fortunes had, by reason, no doubt, of its exceptional character, so many extra preliminaries to perform, and adieus to make, that it did not rumble finally from the yard of the Merry Privateer till after dusk. Government-which collective substantive, for reasons best known to itself, evinced quite a personal interest in this present coach-journey-had allowed fourteen hours for the vehicle to reach Harwich, a distance of seventy miles; and, as these would for the most part be hours of darkness, a trusty guard had been further provided to watch over its safety. This individual, after the fashion of other important characters, made his appearance only at the last moment: and, when he did show, nearly frightened a nervous lady-passenger into hysterics by the multitude of lethal weapons sprinkled about his person. Just before leaving, a very weighty square box, iron-bound, and secured with a most ostentatious padlock, was borne from the inner office, and let down with great care and ceremony into the fore-boot. 66 They send me to prevent it, ma'am," replied the haughty guard. "Jump in, if you please. Coach waits." Five miles an hour, including stoppages, was regarded in those days as excellent speed. The extra post-coach disdained such creeping ways, and had been scarcely three hours on the road, when they approached Ingatestone, nearly twenty miles from town. A long hill, however, intervened, and the sudden change of pace aroused the dozing travellers to the knowledge that they were crawling [PRICE 2d. Down went a blunderbuss on the road. It was that borne by the formidable guard. He had snapped it, honestly enough, at the speaker; but the piece had missed fire, the robber's pistol was at his head, and all the fire-weapons in the world could not have saved his skull. With one hand, the robber took away the guard's remaining arms; the other still holding the pistol about an inch from his eye. There was a moment's pause: then the coach door was opened, and a white hand, sparkling with gems, but with the thumb black as ink, was extended into the circle. "Forgive me! Purses. Quick, if you please. The mail for London is coming. You know very well I can't search two coaches at once." A rapid fumbling ensued, and several purses were put into the hand. Then commenced a reluctant tugging at watches. "Keep those! Purses only! Now, sir!" said the highwayman, touching Haggerdorn.. "I have not a purse, nor much of moneys," replied Arthur, "but 66 What's that in your Only a hand ?" "A snuff-box. I've lost my own. Toss it hither." "I'll die first," said the boy. Young fool!" was the only retort, as the practised hand made one swoop into the coach and vanished with the snuff-box. "Enough, gentlemen! A good journey!" "Heaven be praised!" ejaculated the nervous lady. Have they got the treasure, you ?" inquired a male passenger of the discomfited guard. "No, they ain't got the treasure," growled the latter. "For why? There wa'n't none. It were a trap, you see. The treasure's gone by the reg'lar coach. And the robber he know'd on it." "This is a paternal government," said the passenger, dashing up the window. "Trap, indeed! Baited with the public!" VOL. X. 249 Every aggrieved individual feels for the public. The coach was in the very act of getting into motion, when "Hold, there! Stop!" was shouted, and the steaming horse of the robber reappeared at the coach door. The glass dropped, as if it knew the touch of his finger. "You-boy! Where did you steal this?" he questioned, roughly, thrusting forward the snuff-box. "I steal not!" said Arthur, indignantly. "Zey found it in-—_—___” › The robber seized the boy by the collar, and dragged him forward, so that the light of the coach-lamps fell full upon both their faces. The upper part of the robber's face was covered with a black silk mask. "You are a thief, sir," he muttered. "I take you into my custody. Descend. Do you hear ?" Arthur was powerless in the man's gripe, and was obliged to obey. "Drive on!" said the robber, levelling his pistol. The coachman lashed his horses, and young Haggerdorn was left alone with his captor. "Follow me, boy," said the latter, "and, if you can trust a robber's word, be sure you shall receive no injury. I must speak with you, and this is ticklish ground. Follow close." He touched his horse with the spur, and sprang into the thicket, Arthur scrambling over the barrier as best he might. Threading the copse, they crossed a field or two, entered a green lane, thence passed into an orchard, and stopped before a decent cottage. Here the robber dismounted, and allowing his horse, which seemed perfectly at home, to seek his own place of concealment, conducted Arthur into the hut. A fire was smouldering on the hearth. The robber flung upon it a bundle of dried furze, producing a blaze which made the room as light as day. "Now, answer truly, boy. Where did you get this box?" Arthur replied that it had been found in a house in Jermyn-street, left there by nobody knew whom. "You know. Speak, sir," said the robber, seizing him by both arms with a force which, though gently exerted, seemed to paralyse every nerve. Arthur hesitated. 'I can guess," he said. "Who?" "Lord Lob." "I am Lord Lob, your brother." The murder, lad ?" said Lord Lob, showing A light flashed across the casement. Next moment the door was dashed in, and the officer, Armour, followed by half a dozen others, flung himself boldly on the Black-Thumb. Whether the latter was actually confounded by the sudden onslaught, or, at once comprehending the hopelessness of escape, purposely forbore resistance-certain it is he was secured without difficulty-after which, Armour, turning to Arthur and congratulating him on the safety of his person and property, requested him to accompany them to the house of the magistrate, a short distance off: The young man, feeling as though walking in a dream, assented, and, the little dwelling having undergone a rapid search, without producing anything of a suspicious nature, the party set forth. CHAPTER X. THE demeanour of Lord Lob was singular, and contributed in no small degree to the confusion of Arthur's brain. Since his capture, the robber had neither turned his eyes towards his brother, nor had he addressed a single syllable to him nor to any one else. Still preserving the same strange silence, he was placed before Mr. Thickles, the magistrate of Ingatestone, who had apparently sat up to that unwonted hour in the expectation of such a visitor. Several of the coach-passengers, and the guard, were already in attendance; and, so eager were these good folks in furthering the ends of justice, that Arthur's testimony was not, for the present, required. The examination ended with the committal of the prisoner on the charge of highway robbery, the magistrate intimating that, by express order from the government, he would not be sent to the county prison, but to London, there to answer charges of a more serious nature. So effectually, in fact, was Lord Lob compromised in the eye of the law through many a previous exploit, that it was scarcely deemed necessary to take the usual measures for securing his conviction on this charge, and it was finally settled that all the outward-bound witnesses, with the exception of Arthur Haggerdorn, who evinced no kind of reluctance to remain, should be allowed "Lord Beelzebub! These are the arms of to proceed on their voyage. -Who was your father, boy?" "I never knew him." Your mother ?" "Dead." The robber started. "Dead!" (He drew his hand slowly across his brow.) "My boy, this was hers, your mother's and mine!" "Yours!" A chaise was then ordered, to convey the redoubted prisoner to town, and Arthur was about to follow the others from the room, when Armour touched his arm, and showed the snuffbox. "Where did you tell me you got this, young gentleman ?" "I tell you not," replied Arthur," but I do now. Miss Humpage gave it." "Hah!" said Mr. Armour. "Yes? Good night, sir. . . . . Meant you to be him, did she then, my pretty?" soliloquised the officer, with an odd confusion of persons. "Now who'd have thought it? Deep, deep!" Arthur found a lodging in the little village inn; but to sleep was out of the question, and he passed the greater part of the cheerless night sitting with his head buried in his hands, a prey to that complete despondency which, in such natures, succeeds, on a sudden check, to the highest hope. His guiding star had fallen, and left him in darkness. Polly was lost to him. His own brother was probably her father's assassin. He himself might be called upon to take some share in the convicting testimony, and this officer would claim the rich reward. Mr. Armour and Lord Lob rode together in the chaise, two of the former's satellites, well armed, seated on the box, and four others trotting merrily alongside. There was no apprehension of any attempt at rescue, and the worthy officer, who felt the continued silence act painfully upon his own exhilaration of spirit, did his utmost to cheer and lead his companion into discourse. The illustrious prisoner remained inscrutable. He replied, courteously indeed, but curtly, and neither smile nor retort rewarded Mr. Armour's exertions. The white fine face gazed millions of miles away, and the officer felt, with disgust, that he was no better company for his captive than an indifferently-trained baboon might have been for Socrates. Moreover, as they drew near London in the early dawn, an expression passed at intervals over the robber's face, which went near to appal even Armour. Such a look it was that, in the case of a wretched woman condemned some years since to die for many murders, all but scared the watchers from her cell. Frightful throe of the awakened spirit, in its last despairing effort to pierce upward through the load of suffocating crime ! Sufficiently cognisant of the workings of the guilty mind to form some idea of what was passing in Lord Lob's, Armour resolved to make an attempt to turn it to account, and, accordingly, began in an easy tone: "Out with it, Henry," he said. 66 Come, that's better, my lord. That's what I like to see!" rejoined the officer. You and me have jogged on together a good many years, comfortable, on different sides of the way to be sure. Now you win, now I. Lots of doubles you've run upon us, but we've got three-fifths of them originals you set up with, and now we've got you, so that's even." "Not quite," said the prisoner. "Now what's the use of your contesting that?" asked the officer, as if rather injured. You might do a deal better than that. Ah, here we are in London. We shall soon shake hands, my lord "Shall we? Then push on, Henry, my boy, with what you are dying to say.' "Well, here it is, my lord. You ain't a common cracksman," said the officer, deferentially; "I wouldn't be so rude as to say you was. Naturally, folks like to know something of your ways and workings, and what a man like you meant by such and such things, that seemed no particular good to anybody. There's nothing the public pays for more sweetly than curiosity. Bless you, they don't care what they pay to know why's why! Now you're booked, you'll have letters every day, perhaps bookys and billydoos, but all wanting to know about this, that, and t'other. You'll want a secretary, my lord!" Accept the post, my Henry," said Lord Lob, leaning back wearily. "I can't, my lord; you've no confidence in me even now, when it don't signify this pinch of snuff," said the officer, drawing out the mysterious box, as if abstractedly. "Now, for example, this reminds me. Here's a business, which don't matter, for you're not going to be bothered about that. Yet the old man's daughter would give-I declare I don't know what that girl wouldn't give-to know what went of her father! But it's no manner of use your telling. A thousand pound, nor ten, would be no good to you." "What does she offer?" "As if you didn't know, my lord!" said the other, with affected disbelief. Suppose me ignorant, Heury. What does the young lady propose ?" which is her own, isn't less than one hundred thousand pounds," said Mr. Armour, almost solemnly. "Now, there's a chance in a poor fellow's way!" "That was a nice May-game you played me, my lord, now wasn't it? But, bless my body, of all the queer matters you've put a hand to, that "To marry the man who finds out who spirited what d'ye call it―yonder-Jermyn-street way-away her father, alive or dead. Aud her fortune, was about the queerest! Whatever your folks wanted with that old chap, bothers me; and I don't mind telling you, in confidence, it did bother me. We gave it up. Soon as we knew for certain 'twas a plant of yours, up we gave it! 'It's just one of his games,' says the governor, 'p'r'aps for fun.' But there's people that don't like mystery, and, I tell you what-no, I won't, for you seem out o' sorts, and I, ah, ahcluded Mr. Armour, with a yawn, and sinking back into his corner. "con The prisoner turned, and looked at him with something of his old humorous expression. There was a minute's profound silence. Then their eyes met. The prisoner made a slight movement that might be interrogative, with his head. Armour shook his. "Can't do that, noways, my lord; but I'll tell you what, if there's anything or anybody you want looked to after the-you know, I'll give you my bond for five thousand." "I'll think of it," was the reply. After which |