Free A Maggot - John Fowles by John Fowles Page A

thinking, although there appears on it now a last
paradoxical metamorphosis. If anything it seems a translation, in
terms of his own sex and features, of the meekness the girl's face
has shown him during their one-sided conversation. In the end he
quietly latches the shutter close again. He walks towards the bed,
unbuttoning his long waistcoat. As he comes to it, he sinks to his
knees on the broadplanks and buries his bald head against its side,
as a man seeking undeserved forgiveness or the oblivion of infancy
might, against a mother's skirt.
    HISTORICAL CHRONICAL April 1736
 
Barnstaple, Thursday, June 17th. The
Discovery six Weeks since, in a Wood of a Parish some 10 Miles from
this Place, of a Stranger hang'd by his own Hand, or so adjudg'd by
the Coroner, whose first Inquiries could find no Name to this Felon
de se nor Cause for so ghastly a Deed, now raises upon fresh-found
Informations Alarm of a far greater Crime. It is now learn'd he was
Manservant, tho' deaf and dumb, to a Gentleman named Bartholomew that
pass'd for Bideford, with three others, in April last, but not heard
of, nor his Companions, since that Time. 'Tis thought the mute
Servant may have kill'd all, and hid their Corses, in a fit of
lunatick Madness; then overcome by Remorse, or Fear of justice, ended
his wretched Days; but the more to be wonder'd, that to this Present
no Inquiry is made by Mr Bartholomew's Friends.
The
Western Gazette, 1736
    The Examination and Deposition of
Thomas Puddicombe
the which
doth attest upon his 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 am three score years
and six of age. I am landlord of the Black Hart Inn. I have been so
nigh upon these forty years and my father before me. I am capital
burgess of this town. I have been thrice its mayor, and justice also,
in that office.
    * * *

    Q. Now, Master Puddicombe, I would have you first
affirm that this portrait in miniature I have shown and now show you
again is that of the younger of the two gentlemen that stayed in this
your inn some three months past.
    A. To the best of my belief, sir. 'Tis very like. I
will swear thus far. Tho' he was dressed less fine.
    Q. Look upon his face. The dress matters not. A. So I
judge it. 'Tis he.
    Q. Very well. When came they?
    A. The last day of April past. I remember it well, I
shall never forget it.
    Q. At what hour?
    A. The man came first, a three hours before sunset,
to command chambers and victuals. For he said they had dined ill, and
had empty bellies.
    Q. His name?
    A. Farthing. Then rode back to conduct them, and they
came as he promised, a little after six of the clock, or thereabout.
    Q. Five in all?
    A. The uncle and nephew. The two men and the maid.
    Q. Mr Brown and Mr Bartholomew, they so gave
themselves?
    A. That they did, sir.
    Q. Marked you whatsoever untoward in their manner?
    A. Not at that time. Until what ye know of was
discovered.
    Q. But on this night they stayed?
    A. Why, sir, they seemed in all what they said, that
is, journeying for Bideford. I spake very little with either
gentleman. The younger went straight to his chamber on the coming and
did not show his face outside until he left. I know no more of him
than one I might pass in the street. He supped, he slept, woke up and
brake his fast. 'Twas all within these four walls. And then he went.
    Q. And the uncle?
    A. I can tell ye little else, sir. But that he took
chay after supper with Mr Beckford and -
    Q. Who is this?
    A. Our curate. For he came with his compliments to
the gentlemen.
    Q. He knew them?
    A. I think not, sir. When I told them he was below,
they seemed not to know him.
    Q. How soon was this upon their coming?
    A. An hour, sir. Mayhap more. They had supped.
    Q. But they did speak with him?
    A. Mr Brown came down, sir, in a few minutes. And sat
with Mr Beckford in the private parlour.
    Q. That is the