This eBook was produced by David Widger
K. Henry. Lord Say, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head.
Say. Ay, but I hope your Highness shall have his. —2nd Part of Henry IV.
Punctual to his appointment, the next morning came Mr. Job Jonson. I hadbeen on the rack of expectation for the last three hours previous to hisarrival, and the warmth of my welcome must have removed any littlediffidence with which so shame-faced a gentleman might possibly have beentroubled.
At my request, he sat himself down, and seeing that my breakfast thingswere on the table, remarked what a famous appetite the fresh air alwaysgave him. I took the hint, and pushed the rolls towards him. Heimmediately fell to work, and for the next quarter of an hour, his mouthwas far too well occupied for the intrusive impertinence of words. Atlast the things were removed, and Mr. Jonson began.
"I have thought well over the matter, your honour, and I believe we canmanage to trounce the rascals—for I agree with you, that there is not adoubt that Thornton and Dawson are the real criminals; but the affair,Sir, is one of the greatest difficulty and importance—nay, of thegreatest personal danger. My life may be the forfeit of my desire toserve you—you will not, therefore, be surprised at my accepting yourliberal offer of three hundred a year, should I be successful; although Ido assure you, Sir, that it was my original intention to reject allrecompence, for I am naturally benevolent, and love doing a good action.Indeed, Sir, if I were alone in the world, I should scorn anyremuneration, for virtue is its own reward; but a real moralist, yourhonour, must not forget his duties on any consideration, and I have alittle family to whom my loss would be an irreparable injury; this, uponmy honour, is my only inducement for taking advantage of yourgenerosity;" and as the moralist ceased, he took out of his waistcoatpocket a paper, which he handed to me with his usual bow of deference.
I glanced over it—it was a bond, apparently drawn up in all the legalformalities, pledging myself, in case Job Jonson, before the expirationof three days, gave that information which should lead to the detectionand punishment of the true murderers of Sir John Tyrrell, deceased, toensure to the said Job Jonson the yearly annuity of three hundred pounds.
"It is with much pleasure that I shall sign this paper," said I; "butallow me (par parenthese) to observe, that since you only accept theannuity for the sake of benefiting your little family, in case of yourdeath, this annuity, ceasing with your life, will leave your children aspennyless as at present."
"Pardon me, your honour," rejoined Job, not a whit daunted at the truthof my remark, "I can insure!"
"I forgot that," said I, signing, and restoring the paper; "and now tobusiness."
Jonson gravely and carefully looked over the interesting document Ireturned to him, and carefully lapping it in three envelopes, inserted itin a huge red pocket-book, which he thrust into an innermost pocket inhis waistcoat.
"Right, Sir," said he, slowly, "to business. Before I begin, you must,however, promise me, upon your honour as a gentleman, the strictestsecrecy, as to my communications."
I readily agreed to this, so far as that secrecy did not impede mypresent object; and Job being content with this condition, resumed.
"You must forgive me, if, in order to