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I know that I ought to have summoned the police and given the man in charge on the spot, as a common burglar and housebreaker: only you see I did not think of it at the time. I only rang the bell, and then, without waiting the arrival of my servant, I opened the door and pointed silently to it.
"Pardon: monsieur labours under a misapprehension," the housebreaker interposed drily. "Had one desired these valuables, one would readily have taken them without going to the trouble of disturbing the repose of monsieur.... I have, however, already mentioned the nature of my errand." "Eh?" demanded the Minister of War. "What is that? But give me of your mercy one chance to explain!
To these she added the wine and spirits directed, and when all was arranged looked inquisitively at her master. "I expect a very extraordinary person to supper, Rachel," he remarked. "The gentleman under the table," she answered. "He does seem a very extraordinary person." "No; another still more extraordinary." "Indeed! who is it?" "Jack Sheppard." "What! the famous housebreaker.
"Says I, 'Miss Adam, for as she used the word Mr as a handle to me, I thought I'de take a pull at the Miss, some robber or housebreaker has got in, I rather think, and scared the young feminine gender students, for they seemed to be running after somebody, and I thought I would assist them.
I shall expect to pay you; I couldn't think of taking up your time, you know, for nothing!" "Lor', miss, I couldn't take nothin' at all fer doin' ut! Ye see ut wuz sort of accidental our meetin', and besides, I ain't no housebreaker not, as ye may say, reg'ler. I'll be glad to do ut fer ye, miss, an' ye can rely on me doin' my best fer ye.
'Wery sorry to 'casion any personal inconwenience, ma'am, as the housebreaker said to the old lady when he put her on the fire; but as me and my governor 's only jest come to town, and is jest going away agin, it can't be helped, you see. 'Of course, the young man can't help the faults of his master, said Mrs. Cluppins, much struck by Mr. Weller's appearance and conversation.
It might be that her tears relieved her, or that she felt the full hopelessness of her condition; but she turned back; and hurrying with nearly as great rapidity in the contrary direction; partly to recover lost time, and partly to keep pace with the violent current of her own thoughts: soon reached the dwelling where she had left the housebreaker.
"Oh, Cousin Billy don't!" she faltered brokenly; and he, seeing at once that he had played the housebreaker where he would fain have been the welcome guest, took his punishment manfully, drawing her arm in his and walking her yet other turns up and down the long platform until his patience and the silence had wrought their perfect work. "Does it hurt much?" she asked softly, after a long time.
The housebreaker had mounted a fresh disguise for the occasion, and flattered himself, to use his own expression, that he looked "quite the gentleman from top to toe." Could he have known how this high-bred woman loathed his tawdry ornaments, his flash attire, his silks and velvets, and flushed face, and dirty, ringed hands and greasy hair! Could he have known!
He died on the 19th of May, 1729, being about twenty-five years of age. The Life of THOMAS JAMES GRUNDY, a Housebreaker
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