Murder in Grub Street Read Free Page A

young sir.”
    “But I can set type,” said I, eager to prove myself.
    “At your age?”
    “Oh, indeed, sir. I’ve been at it since I was nine, and I truly believe I was of some help to my father during the last year or two.”
    He looked at me keenly; an expression between doubt and curiosity kindled in his eyes. “Would you care to demonstrate your skill?” he asked.
    “I should be happy to.”
    And so he took me to the back shop where work proceeded apace. It was of good size, containing type stands, a press, and a small bindery. A journeyman printer worked at one stand and an older apprentice at another. Another journeyman worked at the press, and a binder pursued his labors with the aid of another apprentice of about my own age. I had never before been in a shop given to book printing and was quite taken by all the bustle inside.
    The master ordered the older journeyman to step aside; a box was found for me to stand on; and I quite amazed them with my ability. The journeyman applauded me. The master named me a “prodigy.” Even the apprentice was impressed, though he took pains not to show it. I lacked neither in speed nor in accuracy.
    With all that, I was told my place with them was assured. I rejoiced to hear it; but then, recalling that my acceptance meant certain separation from Sir John’s household, I wondered if I might not have served my cause better by appearing less able. But truth to tell, able or incompetent, separation seemed sure, and so I allowed myself to enjoy the moment and thanked them all most graciously.
    And so the articles of apprenticeship were drawn up in my absence. I fetched them on the appointed day and brought them back to Sir John, as he had requested, for his perusal. I read the papers to him, and he was satisfied. But then he surprised me somewhat, asking for a quill and ink that he might sign the document. He explained then that this was quite proper, for in the absence of my deceased parents, he stood as my legal guardian for as long as I was a ward of the court. And so I did as he had directed, placed the quill in his hand and then at the proper place on the paper. He then delivered a most handsome signature, even added a flourish which surely none but he could duplicate. I had seen him do this on earlier occasions, signing documents and letters drawn up for him by Mr. Marsden, the court clerk, and I had never ceased to wonder at the remarkable skills of this blind man.
    No discussion followed. He simply sent me back with the document after I had added my signature to his own. The articles of apprenticeship were accepted by my new master and signed by himself. Then it was agreed between us that I would enter his household a week hence. He apologized for the delay, saying that room would have to be found for me. This would have ended my journeys to Grub Street but for one last visit made upon his request two or three days later. It seemed the new master had been boasting up and down the street of his new apprentice, namely me, and he wished to give a demonstration of my skill to his leilow tradesmen. I was sent for by his elder apprentice, and so with Mrs. Gredge’s permission, I left with him to take the walk to the shop. His name was Clarence, as I recall, and he proved quite a disagreeable young fellow. There were implications and veiled threats made along the way by him, who was four or five years my senior. What was said clear to me was that “prodigy” though I be, I would still be under his thumb, so long as he, too, was an apprentice. This was not an arrangement which pleased me much, yet I determined to make do as long as it was necessary. As for the demonstration, it went well enough: I was praised once again by my master and hailed by his competitors. I left, knowing the way well by then, though quite unsure of what would await me once I had made a new home there on Grub Street.
    And Grub Street was where we then arrived, Sir John and I, at a late hour, near