As I awoke, and my
scattered senses were returning, I had a confused idea that there was
something which weighed heavily on my mind, which sleep had banished
from my memory. "What is it?" thought I; and as I opened my eyes, so
did I remember that I, Japhet Newland, who but two nights before was
pressing the down of luxury in the same habitation as Lady de Clare and
her lovely child, was now on a mattress in the cell of a prison, under a
charge which threatened me with an ignominious death. I rose, and sat
on the bed, for I had not thrown off my clothes. My first thoughts were
directed to Timothy. Should I write to him? No, no! why should I make
him miserable? If I was to suffer, it should be under an assumed name.
But what name? Here I was interrupted by the gaoler, who opened the
door, and desired me to roll up my mattress and bed-clothes, that they
might, as was the custom, be taken out of the cell during the day.
My first inquiry was, if the man who had been so much hurt was in the
gaol.
"You mean your 'complice," replied the gaoler. "Yes, he is here, and
has recovered his senses. The doctor says he will do very well."
"Has he made any confession?" inquired I.
The gaoler made no reply.
"I ask that question," continued I, "because if he acknowledges who was
his accomplice, I shall be set at liberty."
"Very likely," replied the man, sarcastically; "the fact is, there is no
occasion for king's evidence in this case, or you might get off by
crossing the water; so you must trust to your luck. The grand jury meet
to-day, and I will let you know whether a true bill is found against you
or not."
"What is the name of the other man?" inquired I.
"Well, you are a good 'un to put a face upon a matter, I will say. You
would almost persuade me, with that innocent look of yours, that you
know nothing about the business."
"Nor do I," replied I.
"You will be fortunate if you can prove as much, that's all."
"Still, you have not answered my question: what is the other man's
name?"
"Well," replied the gaoler, laughing, "since you are determined I shall
tell you, I will. It must be news to you, with a vengeance. His name
is Bill Ogle, _alias_ Swamping Bill. I suppose you never heard that
name before?"
"I certainly never did," replied I.
"Perhaps you do not know your own name? Yet I can tell it you, for Bill
Ogle has blown upon you so far."
"Indeed," replied I; "and what name has he given to me?"
"Why, to do him justice, it wasn't until he saw a copy of the
depositions before the magistrates, and heard how you were nabbed in
trying to help him off, that he did tell it; and then he said, `Well,
Phill Maddox always was a true 'un, and I'm mortal sorry that he's in
for't, by looking a'ter me.' Now do you know your own name?"
"I certainly do not," replied I.
"Well, did you ever hear of one who went by the name of Phill Maddox?"
"I never did," replied I; "and I am glad that Ogle has disclosed so
much."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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