Toll Gate Part III

Jack also learns that Jerry Chirke met Rose, Nell's nurse and chaperone, a pleasant looking middle aged woman, and fell in love with her at first sight. That's the main reason why he wants to reform. He stables his horse at the Toll House, when visiting Rose. Jack finds him a decent man, in spite of his profession. Chirke was from a poor family and had to work in a factory as a child, and he's never forgotten it, which is why he is kind to Ben. Nell is worried that her grandfather is now very frail and dying and she cannot leave him, especially with Henry hanging around. Jack tells her he wants to marry her. Sir Peter persuades her to go ahead and do it, privately by special licence, so she will have someone to look after her when he is gone. He has sent off for a special licence and the couple get married in Sir Peter's bedroom. Next day, the old man dies. Jack finds that the reason Henry is hanging around is that he has been involved with stealing a large load of the new sovereigns which are soon to be issued as legal currency. He learns that Henry and his accomplice, Nathan Coates, and their men did the robbery. The coins are now hidden in a cave on Sir Peter Stornaway's property. He also finds Ned Brean's body there, Nathan having killed him to make sure he did not talk. Jack and Jerry become involved in a gunfight in the cave and Henry and Nathan are both killed.... but Jack allows Jerry to claim that he found the hoard of coins, as there will be a reward from the Government for finding them. He is pleased that Jerry can use the money to buy a farm. Jerry is delighted, and he and Jack return to the village to meet Nell and Rose. He and Rose can now plan their wedding. Jack has decided to tell Ben about the death of his father when he feels the time is right. He plans to take the boy to his estate where he can be looked after, and train as a groom. However, Jerry and Rose decide that they will take care of Ben and adopt him. Since John has now married, he gets Jerry to agree to stand in as toll keeper until a new one is appointed, and Ben is delighted to be looked after by him and Rose.