Volume II Part 60 (1/2)
”Mercy on us!” said Tim, in great dolour, ”I wish I had ne'er had aught to do wi' treasure-hunting an' sich-like occupation. If ever I get rid of this job, if I don't stick to my old trade, hang me up to dry.”
”Hold thy peace, carrion! and remember, should a whisper even escape thee, I will have thee hanged in good earnest.”
”Ay, ay; just like Satan 'ticing to iniquity, an' then, biggest rogue al'ays turns retriever.”
”None o' thy pretences: thou hast as liquorish a longing after the gold as any miser in the parish, and when the broad pieces and the silver n.o.bles jingle in thy fob, thoul't forget thy qualms, and thank me into the bargain. Now to work. Let me see, what did the sleeping beauty say? Humph--'Under the main pillar at the south-east corner.'
Good. Nay, man, don't light up yet. Let us get fairly underground first, for fear of accidents.”
To the great alarm of Dr Dee, who heard every word, these two worthies came straight towards the opening. He drew on one side at a venture.
Luckily it proved the right one; they proceeded up the pa.s.sage in the opposite direction. He heard them groping at the further end. A trap-door was evidently raised, and he was pretty well convinced they had found the way to the vaults; probably it had been blocked up for ages until recently, and in all likelihood Tim had pointed it out, as well as the notion that treasure was concealed somewhere in these labyrinths.
How to make this discovery in some way subservient to his mission was the next consideration; and with a firm conviction, generally the forerunner of success, he determined to employ some bold stratagem for their detection. They were now fairly in the trap, and he hoped to make sure of the vermin. For this end he cautiously felt his way to the opposite extremity of the pa.s.sage, where he found the floor emitted a hollow sound. This was a.s.suredly the entrance; but he tried in vain--it resisted every effort. Here, however, he determined to keep watch and seize them if possible on their egress, trusting to his good fortune or his courage for help in any emergency that might ensue. At times he laid his ear to the ground, but nothing was audible as to their operations below. This convinced him they were at a considerable distance from the entry, but he felt a.s.sured that ere long they must emerge from their den, when, taken by surprise, he should have little difficulty in securing the first that came forth, keeping fast the door until he had made sure of his captive.
He watched patiently for some time, when all on a sudden he heard a rumbling subterraneous noise, and he plainly felt the ground tremble under his feet. A loud shriek was heard below, and presently footsteps approaching the entrance. He had scarcely time to draw aside ere the door was burst open, and some one rushed forth. The Doctor seized him by the throat, and ere he had recovered from his consternation, dragged him out of the pa.s.sage.
”Villain! what is it ye are plotting here about? Confess, or I'll have thee dealt with after thy deserts.”
”Oh!--I'll--tell--all--I will”--sobbed out the delinquent, gasping with terror. Tim, for it was none other, fell on his knees crying for mercy. ”Whoever thou art,” continued he, ”come and help--help for one that's fa'n under a heavy calamity. Bad though he be, we maunna let him perish for lack o' lookin' after.”
”Hast got a light, knave?”
”I'll run an' fetch one.”
”Nay, nay; we part not company until better acquainted. Is there not a candle below?”
”Alas! 'tis put out--and--oh! I'd forgotten; here's t' match-box i' my pocket.”
He drew forth the requisite materials, and they were soon equipped, exploring the concealed chambers we have before described. With difficulty they now found their way, by reason of the dust arising from the recent catastrophe. Dee followed cautiously on, keeping a wary eye on his leader lest some deceit or stratagem should be intended.
They now approached a heap of ruins almost choking the entrance to the larger vault. He thought groans issued from beneath.
”He's not dead yet,” said Tim. ”Here, here, good sir; help me to s.h.i.+ft this stone first.”
They set to work in good earnest, and, with no little difficulty and delay, at length succeeded in releasing the unfortunate treasure-hunter. Eager to possess the supposed riches, they had incautiously undermined one of the main supports of the roof, and Kelly was buried under the ruins. Fortunately he lay in the hollow he had made, otherwise nothing but a miracle could have saved him from immediate death. He was terribly bruised, nevertheless, and presented a pitiable spectacle. Bleeding and sore wounded, he was hardly sensible as they bore him out into the fresh air. Apparently unable to move, they laid him on the ground until help could be obtained. In a while he recovered.
”Thou art verily incorrigible,” said the Doctor to his former a.s.sociate. ”Where is the maiden ye have so cruelly conveyed away?”
But Kelly was dogged, and would not answer.
”I have heard and know all,” continued Dee; ”so that, unless thou wilt confess, a.s.suredly I will have thee lodged in the next jail on accusation of the murder. Thy diabolical practices will sooner or later bring thee to punishment.”
”Promise not to molest me,” said Kelly, who feared nothing but the strong arm of the law, so utterly was he given over to a reprobate mind, even to commit iniquity with greediness.
”What! and let thee forth to compa.s.s other and maybe more heinous mischief! I promise nothing, save that thou be prevented from such pursuits. Thou hast entered into covenant with the woman whom it is our purpose in due time to deliver up to the secular arm. You think to compa.s.s your mutual ends by this compact; but be a.s.sured your schemes shall be frustrated, and that speedily.”
At this Kelly again fell into a sulky mood, maimed and helpless though he was; and revenge, dark and deadly, distorted his visage.
Tim here stepped forward.
”I do repent me of this iniquity, an' if ever I'm catched meddling wi'
sich tickle gear again, I'll gie ye leave to hang me up without judge or jury.”
”The best proof of repentance is rest.i.tution,” said the Doctor.