Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 18% . The straw was parted but the thief was gone, leaying behind him a coat, That coat contained a letter written in an almost illegible hand. “The mystery is solved,’ said the sailor, as he perused the paper, ‘‘the robber jis no other than “Who?” “The notorious highwayman Richard Turpin.” * Turpin ?” “ Yes; the letter also informs me of his where- abouts,” ‘‘ Where is he to be found ?’’ ** At the pirates’ decoy house,” “ Near Rotherhithe ?”’ “Tl be there to-night and beard him in his we though Beelzebub. himself kept the Pera wa ” CHAPTER LXXXVI, SHOWS THAT A WINDOW MAY BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES THAN ADMITTING LIGHT— ‘JONATHAN WILD—THE PIRATE!’ 8 DECOY HOUSE —A LEAP FOR LIFE. PAUL..PEVERIL, for that was the name of the }-seaman spoken of in the last chapter, arrived, in London after a hasty journey. Of course, immediately on his arrival, he bent his footsteps to the pirate’s decoy house at Rother- hithe, It was a lone, dark- looking building on the banks of the Thames, ~ Its considerable size, architecture, and tall, twisted chimneys, showed that it had, at one time, been occupied by more wealthy tenants, and had been built in the days of “ good Queen Bess,” “Tt stood alone. And as the path which abutted on the house was little frequented, the crafts which belonged to the | Owners were allowed to rest quietly in their moorings, Paul knocked at the door of this peaiecions abode; | >" Some ' minutes elameea béfbke ne knock was answered. Presently he heard a Rear tread along ‘the passage, _ This wassucceedéd by the "rattling of’ a chain and bar, and“ the pulling back ‘of. a ponderous 0) ‘When’ the entrance was siFo wt open, a muffled figure was exhibited holding a large horn lantern. The glimmer of which’ was thrown full in’ the | face of the intruder.’ Unabashed, Paul’ enquired if Dick’ Turpin. had | arrived yet. Being “answered in’ the negative? ie then de- mance whether he would be long.’ The only reply he could obtain, was, ~ » “What he'wanted ‘with the highwayman 7 ' On making a particular sign’ and uttering the pass-word, ‘the man! with the light ushered the séa- man into an inner room, from which they” ascended to the floor above. A’ Paul followed his conductor along the passage, the boards of which being without carpet, it: gavea hollow, ominous sound, He, could not help noticing the eae walls, stair case, and landing, festooned with: cob webs: and destitute. of- covering. as the passage. Having entered a spacious oa chamber, with large lattice window,’ Paul was desired ‘to aa 8 seat, The moment he had done so another peteon | entered the room; He appeared to be a middle-aged, middld-sized man. And was’ dressed in a dark “brown ‘suit of the period. He carried a ponderous sword by his side, which being wielded by the muscular arm of the'strongly built body of its owner, must prove ita very formidable weapon in an affray, ‘What is your business here ?”’ said he, address- ing Paul, abruptly. “My business is with Dick Turpin,” replied’ the seaman, putting on a look as defiant and fearless as his questioner. ‘Indeed ; then learn that Dick Turpin has), no secrets from me ; so again I ask, why you are come hither,” ‘‘ Before I answer,” said. the seaman,. “I must know the person in whom he places such a con- fidence.” “ Humph, you seem a bold man to face the conte in his den without counting emergencies ; so: I. will respond. to your wish, You ask who I am; J will tell you,” This singular personage then seated himself; and requested Paul to place his chair beside him. Looking the seaman sternly 1 in the face, he, com- menced speaking. ““T am the king of knayes,’’ said he, ‘ ameb: esta blish an ynbonizalled empire over all practitioners of crime. “ This is;no light conquest, nor is its! government easily maintained. “ Resolution, subtlety, severity, are required for my dominions. ‘« And these qualities I flatter myself:1 possess in an extraordinary degree, . “ Professing to stand between the robber and the robbed, I plunder both parties.” “You are then——” ‘‘ Jonathan Wild, the renowned, and noted thiet- taker.” - Paul Peveril,; taken by surprise at this aibelliz gence, and knowing the character of his ene determined to act’ with caution, He resolved on-the artifice which will appear in the following conversation between himself and his nefarious associate. “But to business, sir; I have told =P LaSOry now tell yours,” said Wild. . “Tam a seaman,” . ‘“Your dress indicates: as- much, “What: service 12 ‘‘T have been in both.” ° “ Humph, what was your last vessel Phd A-kine's ship.” “ What post aia you hold?” | ‘*T was coxswain of the Albemarle,’ ware , ‘‘ You are a deserter,” man 0’ ‘Yes, obliged to strike my colours ; sf cut) and: Tun ; as you landsmen have it,” “ Felony, I suppose ?” asked’ Wild, codlly: “ Yes,” replied, Paul.’ The blood See ats mohnted tovhiseheek } as he stammered out the falsehood. . Coming on shore’ he continued ‘I fell in with one of your gang.” “ Dick Turpin?’ “T told-my tale, aud: he said he ‘cbuid aid ‘mer; that I was just the man you wanted, ,and gave “nye the pass into this house, where;he promised to meet © me,’