A Maggot - John Fowles (10 page)

A. I could not say, sir. He seemed one used to
command, impatient in his manner. But no more than many young
gentlemen are in these times.

Q. Did he seem truly a greater gentleman than you was
led to believe, one who came from a finer world than his merchant
uncle?

A. Why, he had the air and manner of a gentleman,
sir. I can't say more. Unless it be they seeming spake no common
voice. Mr Brown as of London, like enow; but he his nephew, what
little he said, it did sound of more northern parts, somewhat as to
your own, sir.

Q. He appeared to respect his uncle?

A. More in the seeming than the heart, sir. He took
my best and largest chamber to himself, which I also counted strange
at the time. I would look to Mr Brown for instructions, but it was
his nephew that gave 'em. His uncle would see Mr Beckford, not he.
And suchlike. Tho' 'twas done with politeness.

Q. Did he take much wine?

A. Neither, sir. A sneaker of punch when they came, a
pint of burnt claret, a flask of best Canary with their supper. But
that last still not empty when they left.

Q. Let us come to that. At what hour did they leave?

A. I would say soon after seven of the clock, sir. We
were much occupied, it being May Day. I did not mark it in the
particular.

Q. Who paid you the lodging?

A. Mr Brown.

Q. Handsomely?

A. Well enough. I bear no complaint there.

Q. And they took the Bideford road?

A. They did, sir. Leastways asked they my ostler
Ezekiel directions for the leaving of the town thither.

Q. And you heard no more of them that day?

A. Only from some that had met them on their road
here for the maying. Who did ask their business of me, supposing they
had lodged by my roof.

Q. Out of mere curiosity?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. But no other news of their journeying that day?

A. No sir, not a word. Until that of the violet man,
a sennight later.

Q. The which, what is he?

A. 'Tis how they named him, poor Dick, seeing they
knew none other for him. But first, sir, I must say the mare. Of
which I heard, without knowing what I heard. 'Twas late on the
morrow, the second of May. One Barnecott of Fremington, that is
badger and that I do know well of his trade these many years, did
come by upon his business, and did speak of a loose horse on his way
hither. He said, 'twas wild, would not be caught, and the hour
pressing for him. So he gave up.

Q. What manner of horse?

A. An old bay pad-mare, sir. She wore no harness, no
bridle nor saddle. He but said it idly in passing, thinking it run
from its field. 'Tis nothing unaccustomed, our horses here are much
mixed with the moorland kind, and such no more like being crimped in
the one meadow than an Egyptian.

Q. This was the pack-horse?

A. As I know now, sir. But I took no account of it
till the man Dick was found.

Q. How heard you of that?

A. From one who passed at Daccombe when his corse was
brought on a hurdle.

Q. How far is Daccombe from here?

A. A good league, sir.

Q. And how and where was the body found?

A. By a shepherd-boy. In a great wood we call Cleave
Wood, that stretches to the moor and is more steep than ne'er a man
may walk in many places, more cleave than combe. He might have hung
there seven years and not been found. If God had not willed it
otherwise. 'Tis place fitter for polecats than human mortals.

Q. This is near where the horse was seen?

A. A mile above the road, sir, where it was seen.

Q. And this tale of violets?

A. Is true, sir. 'Twas all said at the inquisition. I
have spaken with one who went to cut the corse down and carry it back
before 'twas staked and buried at Daccombe Cross. He said 'twas a
tuft torn up by its roots, stuffed in the poor man': mouth before he
took his last leap, and still bloomed as green as on a bank. 'Twas
taken as witchcraft, sir, by many. But the more learned say the plant
took sustenance from the flesh, finding it soil at heart, as we must
all come to. Yet 'twas as strange a sight as ever he saw, my man
said, to see such sweetness in a blackened face.

Q. You took here no suspicion as to who it was?

A. No, sir. Nor then, nor when the crowner's man
first came For it was a full week gone, ye must understand, since the
had passed. And Daccombe, 'tis not our parish. With that my guests
were five, I had no thought of one alone come to such an end, without
inquiry made of the gentlemen his masters.

Q. And next?

A. Next was the finding of the brassbound chest, sir,
close by the road where Cleave Wood runs and the old mare was seen.
Then at last I waked, and prompt advised my friend Mr Tucker, who is
mayor, of my reasonings. And then did Mr Tucker and myself, with Mr
Acland the apothecary, that is clerk to our town, for he do know
somewhat also of the law, and Digory Skinner, that is sergeant at
mace and our constable, and others beside, ride out upon Posse
comitatus, that we might inquire and make report.

Q. When was this?

A. The first week of June, sir. We rode to where they
had took the chest. And I knew at once 'twas the same as the
gentleman's, Mr Bartholomew's. My ostler Ezekiel has likewise since
seen it, who helped rope it on with their other baggages that very
morning they left. Then I would see the horse, 'twas haltered by then
and kept in a farm nearby. And I took a suspicion that that too was
the same, sir, and sat down and bethought me, and would hear more of
the violet man's looks. Which he I spoke of that had seen him, told
me. That he was fair of hair, and had blue eyes. And then it was
plain, and all was writ by Mr Acland to Barnstaple, to the Crowner.

Q. Have you no coroner here?

A. By charter, sir. But none to fill the place. 'Tis
lapsed. So he of Barnstaple was called.

Q. Dr Pettigrew?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. This chest had been hidden?

A. 'Twas thrown in a goyal of thick bushes, four
hundred paces from the road. But he who found it saw a glint of the
brass, amid the leaves.

Q. A goyal, what is that?

A. A combelet, sir. A narrow sunken place.

Q. And this place lies also below where the body was
found?

A. Yes.

Q. The chest was empty?

A. As your glass, sir. And there is a tale there,
that Dorcas must tell. For some say now 'twas full of gold, but she
saw when 'twas open, and that it was not.

Q. I shall ask her. Now, had they not other baggage?

A. Yes, sir. A great leather portmantee, and else.
But 'tis not found, not a smallest piece, nor the seam beside.

Q. It was searched for well?

A. Ten men, sir. And the constables. And they were
much afeared they should come upon other corses, that all was waylaid
and murthered. Some think 'tis so still, if we but knew where to
look.

Q. Then why was the fellow Dick's not hidden also?

A. I know not, sir. 'Tis all riddle. Some say he
murthered and hid, and ended his life in despair. Others would have
it he was in league with the murtherers, but repented, and so they
must silence him and made it seem like self-murther, they being in
too much haste to bury him.

Q. You are troubled with such here?

A. Not this twenty years past, sir, thank the Lord.

Q. Then I think not much to your second explanation,
Master Puddicombe.

A. Nor I, sir. I say no more than what is said. But
certain 'tis that some foul deed was done, about the place where the
mare ran loose and the chest was found. And I'll tell ye why, sir. If
they had gone further, they must have passed by Daccombe. And being
May Day, with many in the streets, it would have beer marked.

Q. They were seen by none there?

A. Not one eye, sir. They passed not.

Q. There are no other roads?

A. Not that wise travellers take, nor cumbered as
they were Nor would they know them, sir, being strangers. Nor even i1
they did, take them if they were truly for Bideford.

Q. They were asked of there?

A. Yes, sir. But the scent was cold. For it is a busy
town, and full enough of strange faces. Those Dr Pettigrew sent had
no gain for their pains. 'Twas said as much at the second
inquisition.

Q. That night they passed beneath this roof, heard
you no quarrels? High words?

A. No, Sir.

Q. None came to speak to them, apart from Mr
Beckford? No messenger, no strange person?

A. No, sir.

Q. Mr Brown, may you describe his looks?

A. Why, sir, more fierce in face than manner.

Q. How, fierce?

A. Rather I would say grave. Such as a learned
doctor, as us say here.

Q. Then unlike to his supposed occupation? Was he not
said a merchant?

A. I cannot tell, sir. I know not London. But they be
great men there, 'tis said.

Q. Was he fat or thin? How tall?

A. Why, middling in all, sir. A sound carriage.

Q. Of what age?

A. Near fifty, sir, I can say no more. Perhaps more.

Q. No other thing that bears upon my enquiry?

A. Not that I can think of at this present, sir.
Naught of importance, ye may be sure.

Very well, Master Puddicombe. I thank you. And at
your pain to keep my commission secret, as I warned.

A. I have sworn, sir. My word is my bond, I assure
ye. King and true church. I am no fanatick nor meeting man. Ask any
here.
 

Jurat tricesimo uno die Jul.
anno
Domini 1736 coram me

Henry Ayscough

Historical Chronicle May 1736

The Examination and Deposition of
Dorcas Hellyer
the which
doth attest upon her sworn
oath, this one and
thirtieth day
of July in the tenth year of
the
reign of our sovereign Lord George the
second, by the grace of God King of Great
Britain and of England, &c.

* * *

I an seventeen years of
age, born of this place, spinster. I am maid of all work to Master
and Mistress Puddicombe.

* * *

Q. Your master has told you of my purpose here?

A. Yes, Sir.

Q. And that you stand upon oath as in a court of law?

A. Yes, Sir.

Q. So speak truth, for this person will write down
all you say.

A. Book truth, sir.

Q. Very well. Now I would have you look upon this
portrait again. Is he the gentleman you attended in this very chamber
on the last of April past?

A. Yes, Sir. I believe 'tis he.

Q. You are sure? Thou must say if thou art not, girl.
No harm will come to thee for that.

A. I be sure.

Q. Very well. You served the two gentlemen their
supper?

A. Yes, Sir. Their supper and all else.

Q. Is it not a more usual case that travelling
gentlemen, such as lodge here, are served by their own servants?

A. 'Tis as they please, sir. Few do pass.

Q. No remark on this was made?

A. No, Sir.

Q. Did they speak together as you served?

A. No, Sir. Not that us heard.

Q. You stayed as they ate?

A. I would, sir. But they told I to leave, once 'twas
brought ready.

Q. They would serve themselves?

A. Yes, Sir.

Q. Marked you naught in their manner?

A. What should us mark, sir?

Q. I but ask thee. Recollect. Seemed they troubled,
or impatient to be left alone?

A. Not beyond the having rid far, sir. And 'twas
said, poorly dined.

Q. And wishing to sup without further ado? A. Yes,
sir.

Q. What ate they?

A. Collops and eggs and a mess of dry pease and onion
with brook-sallet beside, and a bowl of whitepot after.

Q. They ate well of these?

A. Yes, sir. Passing well.

Q. Seemed they friendly the one to the other? Not
angry, as if they had quarrelled?

A. No, sir.

Q. Which gentleman gave you their commands?

A. The older gentleman, sir.

Q. And later you brought tea to the same and Mr
Beckford?

(Non comprendit.) Chay, girl. Bohea. China leaf.

A. Yes, sir. 'Twas below.

Q. What did they speak that you heard?