Chapter 36
_Bates._ Poor Lewson! But I told you enough last night. The thoughts of him are horrible to me.
_Stu._ In the street, did you say? And no one near him?
_Bates._ By his own door; he was leading me to his house. I pretended business with him, and stabbed him to the heart, while he was reaching at the bell.
_Stu._ And did he fall so suddenly?
_Bates._ The repetition pleases you, I see. I told you, he fell without a groan.
_Stu._ What heard you of him this morning?
_Bates._ That the watch found him in their rounds, and alarmed the servants. I mingled with the crowd just now, and saw him dead in his own house. The sight terrified me.
_Stu._ Away with terrors, till his ghost rise and accuse us. We have no living enemy to fear--unless 'tis Beverley; and him we have lodged safe in prison.
_Bates._ Must He be murdered too?
_Stu._ No; I have a scheme to make the law his murderer. At what hour did Lewson fall?
_Bates._ The clock struck twelve, just as I turned to leave him. 'Twas a melancholy bell, I thought, tolling for his death.
_Stu._ The time was lucky for us. Beverley was arrested at one, you say? [_To Dawson._
_Daw._ Exactly.
_Stu._ Good. We'll talk of this presently. The women were with him, I think?
_Daw._ And old Jarvis. I would have told you of them last night, but your thoughts were too busy. 'Tis well you have a heart of stone, the tale would melt it else.
_Stu._ Out with it then.
_Daw._ I traced him to his lodgings; and pretending pity for his misfortunes, kept the door open, while the officers seized him. 'Twas a damned deed--but no matter--I followed my instructions.
_Stu._ And what said he?
_Daw._ He upbraided me with treachery, called You a villain, acknowledged the sums you had lent him, and submitted to his fortune.
_Stu._ And the women--
_Daw._ For a few minutes astonishment kept them silent. They looked wildly at one another, while the tears streamed down their cheeks. But rage and fury soon gave them words; and then, in the very bitterness of despair, they cursed me, and the monster that had employed me.
_Stu._ And you bore it with philosophy?
_Daw._ Till the scene changed, and then I melted. I ordered the officers to take away their prisoner. The women shrieked, and would have followed him; but We forbad them. 'Twas then they fell upon their knees, the wife fainting, the sister raving, and both, with all the eloquence of misery, endeavouring to soften us. I never felt compassion till that moment; and had the officers been moved like Me, we had left the business undone, and fled with curses on ourselves. But their hearts were steeled by custom: the tears of beauty, and the pangs of affection, were beneath their pity. They tore him from their arms, and lodged him in prison, with only Jarvis to comfort him.
_Stu._ There let him lie, till we have farther business with him. And for You, Sir, let me hear no more of your compassion. A fellow nursed in villainy, and employed from childhood in the business of hell, should have no dealings with compassion.
_Daw._ Say you so, Sir? You should have named the devil that tempted me.
_Stu._ 'Tis false. I found you a villain; therefore employed you--But no more of this--We have embarked too far in mischief to recede. Lewson is dead; and we are all principals in his murder. Think of that. There's time enough for pity, when ourselves are out of danger. Beverley still lives, though in a jail. His ruin will sit heavy on him; and discoveries may be made to undo us all. Something must be done, and speedily. You saw him quarrelling with Lewson in the street last night? [_To Bates._
_Bates._ I did; his steward, Jarvis, saw him too.
_Stu._ And shall attest it. Here's matter to work upon. An unwilling evidence carries weight with him. Something of my design I have hinted t'you before. Beverley must be the author of this murder; and We the parties to convict him. But how to proceed, will require time and thought--Come along with Me; the room within is fitter for privacy. But no compassion, Sir--(_To Dawson_) We want leisure for't--This way. [_Exeunt._