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Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
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Barnaby Rudge 32
breast where he had been stabbed with a knife。 He was only partly
dressed； and people all agreed that he had been sitting up reading
in his own room； where there were many traces of blood； and was
suddenly fallen upon and killed before his master。
Everybody now knew that the gardener must be the murderer；
and though he has never been heard of from that day to this； he
will be； mark my words。 The crime was committed this day two…
and…twenty years—on the nineteenth of March； one thousand
seven hundred and fifty…three。 On the nineteenth of March in
some year—no matter when—I know it； I am sure of it； for we
have always； in some strange way or other； been brought back to
the subject on that day ever since—on the nineteenth of March in
some year； sooner or later； that man will be discovered。’
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
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Barnaby Rudge 33
Chapter 2
strange story！’ said the man who had been the cause of
the narration。—‘Stranger still if it comes about as you
‘A
predict。 Is that all？’
A question so unexpected； nettled Solomon Daisy not a little。
By dint of relating the story very often； and ornamenting it
（according to village report） with a few flourishes suggested by the
various hearers from time to time； he had come by degrees to tell
it with great effect； and ‘Is that all？’ after the climax； was not what
he was accustomed to。
‘Is that all？’ he repeated； ‘yes； that’s all； sir。 And enough too； I
think。’
‘I think so too。 My horse； young man！ He is but a hack hired
from a roadside posting house； but he must carry me to London
to…night。’
‘To…night！’ said Joe。
‘To…night；’ returned the other。 ‘What do you stare at？ This
tavern would seem to be a house of call for all the gaping idlers of
the neighbourhood！’
At this remark； which evidently had reference to the scrutiny
he had undergone； as mentioned in the foregoing chapter； the eyes
of John Willet and his friends were diverted with marvellous
rapidity to the copper boiler again。 Not so with Joe； who； being a
mettlesome fellow； returned the stranger’s angry glance with a
steady look； and rejoined：
‘It is not a very bold thing to wonder at your going on to…night。
Surely you have been asked such a harmless question in an inn
before； and in better weather than this。 I thought you mightn’t
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Barnaby Rudge 34
know the way； as you seem strange to this part。’
‘The way—’ repeated the other； irritably。
‘Yes。 Do you know it？’
‘I’ll—humph！—I’ll find it；’ replied the man； waving his hand
and turning on his heel。 ‘Landlord； take the reckoning here。’
John Willet did as he was desired； for on that point he was
seldom slow； except in the particulars of giving change； and
testing the goodness of any piece of coin that was proffered to him；
by the application of his teeth or his tongue； or some other test； or
in doubtful cases； by a long series of tests terminating in its
rejection。 The guest then wrapped his garments about him so as to
shelter himself as effectually as he could from the rough weather；
and without any word or sign of farewell betook himself to the
stable…yard。 Here Joe （who had left the room on the conclusion of
their short dialogue） was protecting himself and the horse from
the rain under the shelter of an old penthouse roof。
‘He’s pretty much of my opinion；’ said Joe； patting the horse
upon the neck。 ‘I’ll wager that your stopping here to…night would
please him better than it would please me。’
‘He and I are of different opinions； as we have been more than
once on our way here；’ was the short reply。
‘So I was thinking before you came out； for he has felt your
spurs； poor beast。’
The stranger adjusted his coat…collar about his face； and made
no answer。
‘You’ll know me again； I see；’ he said； marking the young
fellow’s earnest gaze； when he had sprung into the saddle。
‘The man’s worth knowing； master； who travels a road he don’t
know； mounted on a jaded horse； and leaves good quarters to do it
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Barnaby Rudge 35
on such a night as this。’
‘You have sharp eyes and a sharp tongue； I find。’
‘Both I hope by nature； but the last grows rusty sometimes for
want of using。’
‘Use the first less too； and keep their sharpness for your
sweethearts； boy；’ said the man。
So saying he shook his hand from the bridle； struck him
roughly on the head with the butt end of his whip； and galloped
away； dashing through the mud and darkness with a headlong
speed； which few badly mounted horsemen would have cared to
venture； even had they been thoroughly acquainted with the
country； and which； to one who knew nothing of the way he rode；
was attended at every step with great hazard and danger。
The roads； even within twelve miles of London； were at that
time ill paved； seldom repaired； and very badly made。 The way
this rider traversed had been ploughed up by the wheels of heavy
waggons； and rendered rotten by the frosts and thaws of the
preceding winter； or possibly of many winters。 Great holes and
gaps had been worn into the soil； which； being now filled with
water from the late rains； were not easily distinguishable even by
day； and a plunge into any one of them might have brought down
a surer…footed horse than the poor beast now urged forward to the
utmost extent of his powers。 Sharp flints and stones rolled from
under his hoofs continually； the rider could scarcely see beyond
the animal’s head； or farther on either side than his own arm
would have extended。 At that time； too； all the roads in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis were infested by footpads or
highwaymen； and it was a night； of all others； in which any evil…
disposed person of this class might have pursued his unlawful
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Barnaby Rudge 36
calling with little fear of detection。
Still； the traveller dashed forward at the same reckless pace；
regardless alike of the dirt and wet which flew about his head； the
profound darkness of the night； and the probability of
encountering some desperate characters abroad。 At every turn
and angle； even where a deviation from the direct course might
have been least expected； and could not possibly be seen until he
was close upon it； he guided the bridle with an unerring hand； and
kept the middle of the road。 Thus he sped onward； raising himself
in the stirrups； leaning his body forward until it almost touched
the horse’s neck； and flourishing his heavy whip above his head
with the fervour of a madman。
There are times when； the elements being in unusual
commotion； those who are bent on daring enterprises； or agitated
by great thoughts； whether of good or evil； feel a mysterious
sympathy with the tumult of nature； and are roused into
correspondi