The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 67: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

64 THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. ‘‘T do not suspect you,” said Sir Francis, ‘‘ and I shall discharge ou, if you can procure moderate sureties for your appearance fore me again if called upon.” ‘* [ll be his security,” said Toggs. ‘¢ And I,” said Captain Morton. : Jem had kept up his resolution well till now; but the severest trial he had endured was to find that the magistrate acquitted him, and that his master and Captain Morton thought so well of him as to become sureties for him. He strove in vain to hide the emotion that was visible in his countenance. ‘* Do your utmost,” said Sir Francis Knightley, ‘‘ to discover the real perpetrator of this offense. Spare no pains, and spare no expense. If money is wanted, come to me and I will supply you. You are free now; but you must feel how very gratifying a circumstance it would be to yourself and to all your friends that the real criminal should be found.” ‘* He shall be found, sir.” said Jem, ‘‘if he isabove ground. I devote myself to the task. I will find bim, let him be hidden where he may. He is a double villain who would do such a deed, and then seek to destroy an innocent man by making the guilt appear to be his. Let him beware of me, for never hound hunted its prey more keenly than I will hunt for him. [I will have him, dead or alive—I will have him yet.” ‘‘Every one here, no doubt, as I do, wishes you success in your endeavors,” said the magistrate. ‘‘Of course you will attend the inquest, as I shall do, and I make no doubt but that the verdict of the jury will again exonerate you from the sus- picions that have been raised against you.” ‘“‘T hope and trust it may, sir. But God’s blessing on your head and heart, that have acted so nobly to me this day.” When the hal] had been cleared of the motley assemblage that had found their way into it, the magistrate sent for Jem into a private room, where only he, and his clerk, and Captain Morton were, and he said to him,— ‘* Both Captain Morton and myself are of the opinion that this mendicant, whom we believe to be the real author of the crume which you were charged with, is still in the neighborhood. We think so, not only on account of his having been seen recently; but because, if he has found out any hiding-place here- abouts, it is the safest thing he can do for a while. He would be easily traced if he were to leave the neighborhood. Some one must have seen him. He must get focd by fair means or by foul, so that we should hear news of bim.” ‘*T will leave no spot unsearched.” ‘‘ And particularly about the church,” said Morton. ‘‘ There appears to be some mystery about his disappearance there.” ‘It’s impossible to say what hiding-places may be there- abouts,” said the justice. ‘‘ It sometimes does happen that in very old churches, such as the one in that village, there are strange hidden passages and hiding-places that are only found out by accident, or the most careful research.” ‘“You give me new hopes, sir,” said Jem. “Captain Morton and I throw out these matters as hints to comicbooks. com