Thus Tom, who did not deserve any such good luck, got safely away, but though his father was spared the shame of ever seeing his son behind the bars of a jail, yet he was a broken man ever after the truth became known. What was the fate of all these? Bounderby, a bully to the last, died of a fit five years afterward, leaving his entire fortune to the perpetual support of twenty-five humbugs, each of whom was required to take the name of "Josiah Bounderby of Coketown." Louisa never remarried, but lived to be the comfort of her father and the loving comrade of Sissy Jupe. Sissy never found her father, and when at last Merrylegs, his wonderful dog, came back alone to die of old age at Sleary's feet, all knew that his master must be dead. Tom died, softened and penitent, in a foreign land. Rachel remained the same pensive little worker, always dressed in black, beloved by all and helping every one, even Stephen's besotted wife. As for Mr. Gradgrind, a white-haired, decrepit old man, he forgot all the facts on which he had so depended, and tried for ever after to mingle his life's acts with Faith, Hope and Charity. THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD Published 1870 _Scene_: London and Cloisterham, a Neighboring Town _Time_: About 1865 CHARACTERS Edwin Drood A young engineer John Jasper His uncle and guardian. A choir master Rosa Bud An orphan girl, engaged to marry Drood Known as "Rosebud" Mr. Grewgious A lawyer. Her guardian Miss Twinkleton The principal of the Young Ladies' Seminary in Cloisterham The Reverend Mr. Crisparkle A minister A minister Neville Landless Mr. Crisparkle's pupil Helena His twin sister Rosebud's room-mate in the seminary Luke Honeythunder A self-styled "philanthropist" and bore. Guardian of Neville and Helena Lieutenant Tartar A retired naval officer "Dick Datchery" A detective Durdles A stone-mason and chiseler of tombstones "The Deputy" A street Arab THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD I JOHN JASPER In the quiet town of Cloisterham, in England, in a boarding-school, once lived a beautiful girl named Rosa Bud--an amiable, wilful, winning, whimsical little creature whom every one called Rosebud. She was an orphan. Her mother had been drowned when she was only seven years old and her father had died of grief on the first anniversary of that day.