Doctor Syn A Smuggler Tale of the Romney Marsh by Russell Thorndike Page A
Authors: Russell Thorndike
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bade him good-night.
Where are you bound for now? Mr. Mipps called after him.
The vicarage.
Wot for?
To tell the vicar as how Ive borrowed a crown off of him, thats all!
Wots that? cried the sexton, making as if to follow, but the boy waved him back with a fierce gesture.
Taint nothin to do with you. Youre paid, aint you? And it didnt get stole from the poor-box, neither, so dont you start a-worritin.
162
And thrusting his hands deep into his breeches pocket, Jerk set off for the vicarage to tell Doctor Syn that although he couldnt accept the silver crown for holding his tongue, he had taken the liberty of borrowing it off him.
And in this way was the gibbet set up on Lookout Mountain, and the name changed to Gallows Tree Hill.
163
Chapter 16
The Schoolmasters Suit
It was now dark. Jerk passed through the cluster of quaint little houses that make up the one street of Dymchurch-under-the-wall, and so on to the vicarage. Just at the corner where the Court House stands amid the great trees he heard singing, and recognized the voice and figure of Imogene. She was carrying a basket from the direction of the Ship and was probably bound, like himself, for the vicarage. Bus as she passed the Court House she paused, and to Jerks astonishment felt among the ivy that grew around the old front door. There in a certain branch was a piece of paper, which she took from its hiding
164
place as if she had expected to find it. The message it contained she read by the light of the lantern that hung above the door, and then, thrusting it into the bosom of her rough dress, she went on toward the vicarage gate. But out from the shadows of the trees stepped a man, whom Jerk perceived to be the schoolmaster. Imogene hesitated when she saw him, for he was standing directly in her path, but when she tried to hurry past, Rash stopped her and spoke.
So, Mistress, now that you have got your lovers written promise from the ivy there, you think you can afford to pass by such a humble one as the schoolmaster, but youre mistaken, and Ill trouble you to show me that letter.
The girls hand went involuntarily to her bosom, where the note in question was securely tucked away, and she answered back clear and straight: No, Mister Rash, youve no right.
165
Right is might, Mistress, as youll find, and I think we shall be able to come to terms now. I want you to come along with me to the vicarage; Doctor Syn is there, and Ive something to say before you both.
Let us go, then, said Imogene, trying to pass.
All in good time, returned the schoolmaster, stopping her. Theres no immediate hurry, I think, for the Doctor wont come out of that shuttered room of his till morning, so we can afford to keep him waiting, and Ive something to say to you firstalone.
The girl tossed her head impatiently as if she knew what was coming, but Rash continued:
A few weeks back I asked you to marry meI, the esteemed schoolmaster, asked you, the daughter of a criminal; you, whose father was a proved murderer, a dirty pirate hanged publicly at Rye for a filthy tavern crime; you who were born in a Raratonga drinking hell, some half-caste native girls brat!
166
Ecod! its laughable! I offered to make you respectable and put your banns up in the church, and you refused. Now I know why. You think because that young fool Cobtree is pleased to admire you, that you will catch him in your toils, do you? Youre a clever one, aint you? I dare swear that sooner or later youd succeed in getting hold of himlet the young idiot ruin you, eh? Then make a virtuous song about it to the squire, and a settlement to keep your mouth shut, perhaps. the church, and you refused. Now I know why. You think because that young fool Cobtree is pleased to admire you, that you will catch him in your toils, do you? Youre a clever one, aint you? I dare
Where are you bound for now? Mr. Mipps called after him.
The vicarage.
Wot for?
To tell the vicar as how Ive borrowed a crown off of him, thats all!
Wots that? cried the sexton, making as if to follow, but the boy waved him back with a fierce gesture.
Taint nothin to do with you. Youre paid, aint you? And it didnt get stole from the poor-box, neither, so dont you start a-worritin.
162
And thrusting his hands deep into his breeches pocket, Jerk set off for the vicarage to tell Doctor Syn that although he couldnt accept the silver crown for holding his tongue, he had taken the liberty of borrowing it off him.
And in this way was the gibbet set up on Lookout Mountain, and the name changed to Gallows Tree Hill.
163
Chapter 16
The Schoolmasters Suit
It was now dark. Jerk passed through the cluster of quaint little houses that make up the one street of Dymchurch-under-the-wall, and so on to the vicarage. Just at the corner where the Court House stands amid the great trees he heard singing, and recognized the voice and figure of Imogene. She was carrying a basket from the direction of the Ship and was probably bound, like himself, for the vicarage. Bus as she passed the Court House she paused, and to Jerks astonishment felt among the ivy that grew around the old front door. There in a certain branch was a piece of paper, which she took from its hiding
164
place as if she had expected to find it. The message it contained she read by the light of the lantern that hung above the door, and then, thrusting it into the bosom of her rough dress, she went on toward the vicarage gate. But out from the shadows of the trees stepped a man, whom Jerk perceived to be the schoolmaster. Imogene hesitated when she saw him, for he was standing directly in her path, but when she tried to hurry past, Rash stopped her and spoke.
So, Mistress, now that you have got your lovers written promise from the ivy there, you think you can afford to pass by such a humble one as the schoolmaster, but youre mistaken, and Ill trouble you to show me that letter.
The girls hand went involuntarily to her bosom, where the note in question was securely tucked away, and she answered back clear and straight: No, Mister Rash, youve no right.
165
Right is might, Mistress, as youll find, and I think we shall be able to come to terms now. I want you to come along with me to the vicarage; Doctor Syn is there, and Ive something to say before you both.
Let us go, then, said Imogene, trying to pass.
All in good time, returned the schoolmaster, stopping her. Theres no immediate hurry, I think, for the Doctor wont come out of that shuttered room of his till morning, so we can afford to keep him waiting, and Ive something to say to you firstalone.
The girl tossed her head impatiently as if she knew what was coming, but Rash continued:
A few weeks back I asked you to marry meI, the esteemed schoolmaster, asked you, the daughter of a criminal; you, whose father was a proved murderer, a dirty pirate hanged publicly at Rye for a filthy tavern crime; you who were born in a Raratonga drinking hell, some half-caste native girls brat!
166
Ecod! its laughable! I offered to make you respectable and put your banns up in the church, and you refused. Now I know why. You think because that young fool Cobtree is pleased to admire you, that you will catch him in your toils, do you? Youre a clever one, aint you? I dare swear that sooner or later youd succeed in getting hold of himlet the young idiot ruin you, eh? Then make a virtuous song about it to the squire, and a settlement to keep your mouth shut, perhaps. the church, and you refused. Now I know why. You think because that young fool Cobtree is pleased to admire you, that you will catch him in your toils, do you? Youre a clever one, aint you? I dare
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