Part Second of the Mystery of Edwin Drood by Thomas James (Illustrated) (eBook)

Charles Dickens (Autor)

Charles Dickens (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2017
230 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-1-78656-704-8 (ISBN)

Infos

This eBook features the unabridged text of 'Part Second of the Mystery of Edwin Drood by Thomas James' from the bestselling edition of 'The Complete Works of Charles Dickens'.

Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Dickens includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily.

eBook features:
* The complete unabridged text of 'Part Second of the Mystery of Edwin Drood by Thomas James'
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* Excellent formatting of the text

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Textauszug

CHAPTER XXI.

WHAT THE ORGAN SAID.

THE Choir has taken its departure. The Choir Leader has not taken his departure, but remains after the others have gone, as is his wont at times, — only the bellows-boy keeping him company.

He is seated before the organ now and plays one of those sublime sonatas of Beethoven’s; and as its cadences rise and fall through the master-touch of his hand, he appears lost in the sweetness of the harmony which his own hands produce. As some strain sweeter than the one preceding it gushes from the instrument, he fancies that the air is filled with sweet voices; anon, when the Melody breaks out in more sonorous chords, he feels that a presence of Something is standing near him, and, with a voice whose tones are like the moaning of the winds, murmurs a name — the name of Edwin Drood!

Still he plays on, seeing naught but the instrument before him, while the Melody still proceeds from its hundred throats.

Now he hears another and yet sweeter voice proceeding from the Melody — a sad, sweet voice — murmuring a name that brings to his mind a fair young girl, who, years before, had wakened from a dream of love to find that she had been deceived and left to die of a broken heart.

Still the Melody goes on; — There is a slight rustle in the aisle — soft steps approach him — but still he hears naught but the voices, and the Melody continues. Softly, yet nearer, approach the footsteps; slyly they betake themselves behind the organ. Possibly the mind of the bellows-boy being so absorbed with the sweet strains of the Melody is the reason that he does not, at first, hear or observe her as she stands beside him. Possibly the mind of no bellows-boy ever gave evidence of undergoing greater fear, as, a moment after, his eyes encounter her weird figure. Giving one scream, he is soon out of sight, leaving the Choir Leader gazing on a face that is peering at him, with bleared eyes, from behind the organ, — and he recognizes the Princess Puffer.

Mingled doubt and surprise come upon the Jasper face; astonishment seems to have paralyzed the Jasper lips, for not one word escapes them. The old woman, however, does not appear to share his discomfiture, but with a cunning smile and cat-like step, approaches him. He has risen to his feet now, and, standing by his side, she puts her face close to his and whispers:

“Deary, my poor lungs was that bad that I’d need go for change of air to make ‘em better; so I come here to get it. It’s many a long year, lovey, since I’d see’d the inside o’ holy walls; so I come in here with the rest on ‘em; and afore five minutes had gone arter, I see’d ye up here; I was that glad when I know’d it were you that I waved my hand to ye but ye didn’t see it — so, says I, I’ll wait and maybe I’ll git a chance to speak with him, if so be no one is by to see.”

John Jasper has recovered himself now, but with a face pale with anger at the familiarity of the woman. He realizes that it will be useless to deny his identity, or to feign ignorance concerning her, and therefore assumes a pleasant tone and asks what her business may be with him.

“All for your good, lamby — all for your good; it’s Heaven’s mercy that I comed across ye as I ‘ave. Ye’ll ‘ave no need to fear that I’ll know ye now, deary— ‘cos I does. And it’s a blessin’ for ye; for now ye’ll want me to come this way at times, and fetch some of my best with me. I’ll be at the Twopenny, you see, and in a quiet way let ye know as I’ve come. And I’ll fetch the best allers, with pipe and mixter — and ye can ‘ave it right in your own lodgin’s; no more riskin’ your precious life climbin’ them rickety old stairs, as has nearly been my death at times afore I got used to ‘em. I wouldn’t do this for every one, deary — and wouldn’t for you, only that I’ve took a interest in ye.”

Mr. Jasper does not appear to reciprocate the friendship which the Puffer professes for him; he merely nods his head, and asks —

“What other motive have you in seeking this interview?”

A violent fit of coughing prevents an immediate reply, but after it has subsided, she says:

“Don’t say it was motive, deary, for ye know in your heart it wasn’t. All chance, my seein’ on ye, and that’s the truth. But now, as we are here by ourselves, deary, and no one by, it may be as ye’d like to talk some more about the journey beyond the seas. Likely ye may need help afore ye’re half done with it, lovey, and I’ll stand your friend, never fear.”

This last with a sly, cunning look, that spoke more than any words could utter.

Very earnestly did John Jasper gaze into the face of the old woman, as if to read her inmost soul; while she returned his gaze, keeping the same leer upon her features as when she ceased speaking. After a moment he bursts into a hearty laugh. Walking a short distance from her and then returning again, he says:

“My dear woman, the unfortunate habit that I have acquired — the use of opium — has brought me in contact with strange company. It also led me to seek you, which I should never have done had I supposed you the imbecile that you show yourself to be to-day. But I am disposed to be charitable and believe you to be laboring under the effects of a recent debauch. Therefore, I will only say this — Do you go back to London immediately and never let me see you here again, or many a pound that would otherwise go to you will be paid to some one of your rivals. Do you understand me?”

He is looking sternly into her face as he ceases, while she returns the look, still with the cunning smile upon her features.

“Well, well, deary,” is her answer, in a conciliatory tone, “I only hope as ye’ll forgive an old ‘ooman who only thought as she might be of service to ye. I’ll not come agin since ye don’t wish it, lamby, but I’ll allers have the best for ye when ye come to see me. God’s blessin’ on ye, sir, good-bye;” and is seized with another violent coughing fit, which lasts till she has passed through the Cathedral door.

She proceeds in the direction of the Travellers’ Twopenny, and when she reaches a position where she is sure the Music Master cannot perceive her, she shakes her fist at the Cathedral in a savage manner, muttering the while —

“So, so, my jackey-duck! and ye think to rid yourself of me so easily? I know ye now for sure. Ye may deceive some hut ye don’t me. My time ain’t come yet; it will come soon enough. I can afford to wait!” and so passes out of sight.

Mr. Jasper hopes that no one has observed her as she left the Cathedral, lest he may be annoyed with questions. Hence Mr. Jasper gazes eagerly out of window to learn if she is perceived. He follows her with his eyes till she is lost from sight, and is just turning to leave the window, when he hears a voice close outside the door, half chanting a refrain that he had heard before:

 

Widdy widdy wen!

I — ket — ches — im — out — ar — ter — ten.

Widdy widdy why, Then — E — don’t — go — then — I — shy —

Widdy widdy, Wake-cock warnin!

 

“Troubles never come singly,” is an old adage and proves a true one in Jasper’s case, for no sooner had he been relieved of the old woman’s presence, and was just flattering himself that she had not been observed, than he turns to whence the voice proceeds and discovers the Deputy, with eyes and mouth wide open, gazing steadily at him through the half-open door.

He walks leisurely towards the boy, and on reaching the door, finds that young gentleman has taken himself to the opposite side of the way from where he is eyeing the Music Master in a very defiant manner, and moreover has armed himself with a good-sized stone which he holds in his hand in such a way that a very proper inference could be drawn of the use he intends to make of it should occasion require.

“What do you mean by disturbing me with your noise, boy?” asks Jasper, and moves nearer to where the boy stands.

“I wan’t a-disturbin’ on yer,” is the answer, retreating a few steps, “and don’t yer go a touchin’ me, or I’ll sling this ‘ere flint at yer ‘ed; yer bust my braces once, Jarsper, but yer won’t do it agin.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, blockhead,” said Jasper, as a sudden thought came to him. Then taking some silver from his pocket, he continued: “I want you to do me a service and I’ll reward you.”

“What is it?” enquires the Deputy, still eyeing the other doubtfully.

‘“Come closer to me and I’ll tell you,” is the answer.

“Yer ain’t a-foolin’ on me?” enquires the boy, suspiciously.

“Why should I deceive you?” is the reply.

“Say yer ‘opes as yer’ll be busted if yer fool me,” returns the Deputy.

“Well,” rejoins Jasper, good-humouredly, “I hope I may be busted.”

“All right, Jarsper,” returns the boy, and comes over to where the other stands. “Now what do yer want a feller to...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 17.7.2017
• Reihe/Serie: Delphi Parts Edition (Charles Dickens)
• Reihe/Serie: Delphi Parts Edition (Charles Dickens)
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Anthologien
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Klassiker / Moderne Klassiker
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• Schlagworte: bleak • Copperfield • Expectations • Nickleby • Novels • pickwick • Twist
• ISBN-10: 1-78656-704-0 / 1786567040
• ISBN-13: 978-1-78656-704-8 / 9781786567048