Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

— - _ to be done we'll . * ’ Sharkey was quick in hearing, 4nd did not lose a single word of all this whispered conversation, _ obliged, indeed, werry much so,” ~ > “And now, Bristles, ‘ Mr,’ Bristles, you will accompany the officers, and——”. . ‘ Jest so, most worshipful,” i Wh: fever money you require, my officer will let you have and——”’ “Jest as I knowed you'd do. I always knew you were a first-rater.” | ** Lis ten to me,” 3 6 ‘Zactly.” ‘And as I was about to say, as you haye received ipjuries at the hands of this famous Nat Fathom, you will now have a capital, a splendid opportunity of haying deep revenge,” “Ab, an tncommon chance, most worshipful. _ Much “And when you have securéd the seoundrel, and the givl, you may rely upon it your reward shall be a great one.” . So saying, Sharkey and the officers left the governor's presence, and mounting their horses were soon on their way to the lanes and alleys where Nat Fathom was most likely to be met with, | gs nee all right by this time,” said Sharkey. ‘‘ What a jolly spree |” ' “What are you laughing and grinning at, Bristles?” said one of the officers, as they rode along together. “Me? Was I laughing ?” “ Of course you were,” P _ “Ob, I was grinning ’cause I was just a thinking what a sly. lark it would be to collar Nat, that’s all,’ Sharkey re; plied. But if the officers had known his real thoughts about the matter they would not have accompanied Mr, Bristles a single yard further. What happened to Bristles and his friends we shall shortly see, CHAPTER LXXIX. THE OFFICERS IN PURSUIT OF NAT FATHOM. Mr. SHARKEY, as soon as he arriyed within a stone’s throw of a celebrated dirty rookery rejoicing in the sweet name of Pine-apple Alley, he gaye word to the officers who were with him to stop. The look of the place wasso forbidding that the officers looked at one another in a state of indecision, Ti was a cut-throat hole enough and by no means an in- viting place either as to smell or look. The houses were lofty and many-gabled, the place was so narrow that three men could scarcely walk abreast, and, to add to its unprepossessing appearance, there was not a single light anywhere visible. “Ts thig the place ?” one asked, “Yes, this is the crib,’ said Sharkey ; “ nice-looking hole, ain’t it?” = “Ye e-s,"’ was the forced reply of the officers, who ‘now by no means seemed to relish the idea of entering Pine-apple Alley, and wished themselves a thousand miles away, for un- comfortable visions of broken heads, cut throats, smashed ribs, and such like, danced through their excited imaginations, until they turned palc and shook in every limb. “T'll go first,” said Sharkey, ‘if you don’t mind,” “ Well,” said the chief officer, “our orders were to go with you wherever you went; but, as we know you to bea honest chap, Mr, Bristles, and wants this Nat Fathom as much as we do, why, I think that we'’ll—eh ! that is, what do yow say, “Why, yes, we might as well stop here until Mr. Bristles has ferretted out the chap, and then, if there’s a fight, we'}]—__? - Oh, certainly,” said the others, “if there is any fighting soon settle it.” < Sharkey smiled, for he knew that the place had frightened his official friends, and that they had not the least desire to jeopardize their own heads if there was any possibility of escaping. ’ IVAN THE TERRIBLE. 163 “Werry well,” said Sharkey, “it’s setiled that you stay here until I finds out the willin’.” “ Just so. Don’t be long, Mr. Bristles,” ‘All right!” said Sharkey, and immediately dived down the dirty alley, and was quickly lost to view in the darkness. Sharkey knew very well that he would not find Nat Fathom in such a filthy hole. He therefore darted along at a” quick pace, and entered a ~ mews at the bottom of the alley, and thence made his way into a neighbouring street, He quickly arrived at a comfortable public-house, called the ‘‘ Green Man,” and from the sound of jigs, and songs, and laughter he felt certain that some of his old pals were assembled in the tap or parlour, Darting through the doorway, he called fora glass of. spirits at the bar, which he greedily drank, and then peeped into the tap-room, He had seareely protruded his head a moment when he was recognised by one of the party, who said, “ Hillo, Sharkey ! that you? Come in; we hayec been look- ing out for you for more than an hour,” Sharkey, however, did not go in. He beckoned to the speaker, who rose and left the tap- room, “Seen anything of Nat, Ikey?” asked Sharkey, in a whisper. ad “Yes, he’s here; been here an hour or more.” * And the girl?” “i No,” ‘Not here?” . “No; Nat wouldn’t bring her, might frighten her,” ‘‘ Yell, yhere the devil has he taken her to?” ‘Why, to the Cock Inn, where the rich old geriés stop.” ‘Oh, that’s it; and Nat, I suppose, is in bed?” “ Just so ; awful tired he was.’’ ‘‘ Vas he chased ?” * No, not a bit on it. He had a long, pleasant ride, and he polished off a rump steak quite comfortable, and washed it down with brandy and water.” “Gone to roost, I suppose ?”’ sé Yes.’ ‘Vell, then, he must get off it for half an Lour or so.” “Why, what’s up?” said Ikey, eagerly. “ Anybody arter him ?” c ‘No, bunt I vants him to do a little business afore he has his forty vinks,” “Tm sure he won’t to-night.” But, then, you see, I’m sure he vill, vhen he knows all about it. Such a lark!” said Sharkey, grinning. He did not stay to ervigin matters with Ikey, but darted upstairs to Nat Fathom’s bed-rocm, and knocked at the door. Nat had been snoring loudly ; but when Sharkey knocked, he awoke instantly. “ Who's there?” he said grufily. Sharkey heard Nat seize his pistols, and cock them. Sharkey coughed loudly. Nat Fathom opened the hand, “ Done the trick, Sharkey,” he said, laughing, “Yes, so have 1; but there’s another trick to do,” ‘‘ How do you mean ?” ‘‘ The officers have come with me to capture you.” “The devil |” “ Hact, though.” ‘‘ Well, wonders will never cease. I can’t go to bee a look at them, for 1 have another job on hand to-night.” “ To-night 2”? i Yeu,” “What is it?” : “J have to go to the Cock Inn, and remove the girl a little further off.” - : j és Why 2 ‘‘ Because F’ve just heard that the Forgers have got wind of all that has happened at the gaol, and that Judge Jefferies is moving heayen and earth to recapture her,” ‘You don’t mean that?” Gomichoo He said. our ugly mugs door, aud shook Sharkey by the SoCOMN