Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

202 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. ee ee ee ‘Why, dash my wig, I could buy your horse and you ten times over, for all your fine laced jacket, and Dutch talk ; my name’s Peveril. ‘“‘Dick Peveril, 0? Seven Elms Farm, three miles from St, Albans. ‘‘There’s plenty there as will answer for me ; just step o’er there to me; and though I’se been done loike, I'll pay thee the money once more, as becomes an honest English yeoman.” ‘Stop, stop!” said a voice; “ I’m not so sure, farmer, that you will have occasion to do so.” The voice was that of no other than the guest who had addressed Tom King on his entrance into the tavern, and who, during the preceding events, had remained as a silent observer. “T° may be considered wrong,” said he; “ but there’s such tricks played now-a-days, that the fair trader is neyer sure that he is not dealing with a rogue.” . This is unpardonable,” said Tom King. ‘Dare you, fellow, to insinuate that Lam playing falsely ?” ‘“We shall see,” was the curt reply. ‘I now call upon every one present to aid me, if such an assist- ance is required, and woe to him who refuses to grant it.” ag The demeanour of the speaker was so authorita- tive, that it seemed to electrify all that heard him. “You have told me,” he continued, addressing Farmer Peveril, “that some time since you were robbed on the great North road by a highwayman ; look into the face of the man who stands before you, and see, on a strict scrutiny, if you cannot recognise the features of the thief.” Farmer Peveril did as he was told. He peered into Tom King’s face, Seratehed his head. And then violently slapped his knee with the palm of ‘his hand. *“OQdds, bodikens ! sure enow, ’tis he.” “Yes, ’tis Tom King,” said the highwayman, with all the calmness incidental to himself; “and now to confront my approver.”’ Turning to the man who had denounced him he continued, “ Jonathan Wild, I am not sorry we have met thus, for good (that you little anticipate) may come of it. Despite your disguise, I was aware of your presence the moment you first addressed me, “T betrayed no emotion. ‘“‘T gave you no cause for suspicion, ‘ But can truthfully assure you had my snappers be:n primed, you would have been worms’ meat half an hour ago.” These words had scarcely escaped the lips of the highwayman, when two men appeared from the crowd, They were Quilt Arnold, and the Jew, Mendez. ‘‘ Just in the nick of time,’’ exclaimed the thicf- taker. ‘‘ Tom King, you are my prisoner,” . “ Not first without a struggle for it.” _ The last speaker seized a ‘chair, ‘and put ‘himself in an attitude of defence. The arms ofthe Jew’clasped him from behind : but the Israelite received a tremendous back fall which literally stunned and Jaid him senseless on the floor. Taking advantage of the embarrassment, Jonathan Wild and ‘his satellite closed with Tom King, and eis in slipping a pair of handcuffs over his wrist. There was a malignant smile on the countenance of the exulting villain as he addressed the captured man, wont Tom King, this is your last venture—a lodging in the stone jug and bread and water, will satisfy a your wants while you live. The assizes are on next week, and your little trouble will soon be over,” “ Jonathan Wild,” exclaimed the highwayman, contemptuously, ‘‘ I scorn, I defy you !” “ Defy, aye?” “Yes, defy you. I shall never swing from the > tripple tree of Tyburn.” “It is written, written, signed, decreed by the hand of fate !” “ We must all bend to destiny.” f Se oe ee “i | CHAPTER XCI, | THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE CHAMBER—WALLS HAVE EARS — A DESPERATE RESOLVE THE CRUCIBLE OF MOLTEN LEAD—FATALITY, |” EDGEWORTH Bess sat silently in the Old Bell Tavern on the eye of the day on which the aggassi nation of the traveller had taken place. mits She was gazing upon the dying embers of a wood fire, that had been piled up between the brazen dogs on the brick hearth. iT? Why dost thou sigh, sweet maiden? Arb thou not happy ? ah, She never knew happiness till she had met with one who now scorned her, if _ Dost thou love no longer ? ; No ; hate, a deadly hate has turned a co heart, and pierced it with the pangs of jealou: Suddenly she rose from her sitting postt advanced to the door of the apartment, in she had remained for the last half-hour burie deep thought. Saute Thoughts of vengeance. 7 eH As she glided along the room, her faes Brew lividly pale, oy Hh And her eyes were fixed with a strange and snake-like glistening. St “i ‘‘ Faithless one,” she cried, “I can never ” rival ; so far I am safe. Since you have we me, the meddlesome jade can do me little harm if Inip her project inthe bud. She is Ose with Jack Sheppard. This looks like misehiet must find out what she is about to propose to h m. “They are in the blue chamber, but the door is locked. ee. OY “No matter, they will find it diffieult to keep their secrets from Edgeworth Bess.” SL 3 Walls have ears, girl. Walls have ears, ‘‘T must dispose of this matter at onee,” _ So saying, the jealous woman baaby vec apartment which her inconstant d his fair companion were supposed to be oce ng. She arrived and stationed herself atthe door. Listening attentively, she could hear nothing, yet she felt assured they were within. She now went into the adjoining room, and pro- ceeded to unlock the door of a small cupboard near the fire-place. Stepping into the recess, Edgeworth Bess, with great caution, unbolted a second door and passed through it. t She now was actually in the very chamber she had wished to enter, but concealed from view by a thin board which formed the part of a bookcase. A crack in the wood enabled the observer to have a command of the room. And allowed the conversation going on therein to reach her, The two persons she expected to find were there. They were at no great distance from the spot upon which she stood. Jack Sheppard was talking earnestly, while Ellen om