Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

ee ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 208 careful examination of the apartment had not awakened suspicion. But his fears returned, as he beheld the thief- taker fix his eyes on the huge closet that concealed the fugitive. His agitated looks did not escape the notice of Jonathan Wild, who feigned not to perceive them. The hint was sufficient, and he acted on it, *‘T think I have forgot to look into yonder closet, farmer,” he observed significantly ; ‘‘my opinion is that it possesses a false back—if so, hammer and hatchet, I'll borrow thy friendly assistance.”’ These implements were produced at his order, and his own men bringing them, commenced to execute a further search, by staving in the boarding behind the case. A single blow of the iron shivered the frail wood- work, and exposed to view the passage to the fugitive’s chamber, which was still concealed by the masonry that masked it. _ Jonathan Wild, usually an adept at discovery, was now altogether amazed at the emptiness of the aperture, j It had evidently contained a captive, but he was put to his wits’ end to make out how he could pos- sibly have escaped from the same. Suddenly, something shining on the floor of the cell attracted hig attention. He picked it up, then gave way to one of those fits of laughter which may be supposed to emanate from the arch-enemy of mankind, *‘ Our prisoner cannot be far off,” said he, ‘‘since he has so lately left us a memento of his absence.” With these words, the thief-taker held up the article he had found. It was a portion of the spur worn by Jack Shep- pard in hig journey to goad his horse, “The fugitive cannot have left the house, then?” “No one has passed the doors,”’ ‘‘T shall not trouble myself to investigate this matter further, but at once bring it to a positive conclusion.” Jonathan new turned to the farmer, who during the previous scene appeared to hesitate how he should act in the emergency. “Old man,” he exclaimed, “it is evident the caged bird has not flown away altogether ; though for the moment I am foiled, I am not vanquished. * Proceed,” replied the other, with firmness, “You will save me some vexation and yourself much misery, if you concede to that which I am about to ask you.” Peveril was silent, “ Mark me, you must produce the man who has taken refuge here, or suffer severely for your foolish obstinacy.” “ When I think of Ellen’s entreaty,” groaned the farmer, Though he had muttered these words to himself and between his teeth, they were heard by the thief- taker. “Your own tongue convicts you,” said he, “T had my doubts till this moment, now the truth has come out, Deliver up i “ That I’ll never do.” While the farmer uttered these words, Fllen, who had been listéning unobserved, advanced and con- fronted Jonathan Wild. The moment he saw her a plan flashed across his gavage mind, She should help him to discover the man he sought, _ She should be the executioner of him whom she had tried to save, Are Clothing his countenance with a sardonic smile, he advanced to and addressed the woman who stood before him. ‘‘Damsel, my last appeal is made to you, and I trust it may not be made in vain, “T hope you will spare me the necessity of enforcing compliance. “Refuse to inform me of this robber’s hiding- place, and I shall be ‘compelled to fire the house, that he may perish in a death of agony amidst its blazing ruins.” “ Heed not what he says, girl,” cried the farmer, indignant with passion; “cruel and bloodthirsty though he be, I cannot believe he can put sucha diabolical threat into execution.” You mistake your man !”’ exclaimed the thief- taker, with intense malignity, ‘‘Mark me again, Richard Peveril (since you say that is your name), you will soon discover your error.’ In the exercise of my public duty, I ever bear a warrant signed and sealed by the Chancellor of England. “This document gives me power to act with refractory criminals or their abettors as I deem expedient. “ Should a thrust from my hanger, or a bullet deprive either of life, in a case of necessity, Iam held harmless, and no law in the land can reach me,”’ ‘‘T have no doubt that Jonathan Wild,” replied the farmer, sarcastically, ‘‘ would for a moment, in malice, hesitate to commit murder, then cloak the crime with the authority he has abused.” “That taunt you will pay for dearly, old man.” Jonathan Wild turned to his followers, and thus addressed them :— “Gather together all the wood, straw, and com- bustible material you can lay your hands on; pile them in heaps around this building, and ignite the mass. ““ We must roast out the fox, since he refuses to leave his covert by any other means, Quick! kindle the flame at once.” “Oh, no,’ no, no! I implore you spare him |” cried Ellen, frantically throwing herself at the knees of the thief-taker. 5 “T cannot listen to your prayers,” said he. “You have refused my entreaty, I must refuse yours,” ‘You dare not do this cruel deed.” “Dare not,” laughed the monster, ‘‘ You have yet to learn the iron will of Jonathan Wild. Yes, there is one way to move me, and that is——” Before he could finish the sentence, the stone entrance to the secret chamber fell back, and the concealed stranger stood before him. For the moment paralyzed, he stood without motion, The next he laughed exultingly. ““So I have found the man I wanted. Jack Sheppard, you are my prisoner.’ Jack, who had thrown off the cloak that had hitherto disguised him, now stood before Jonathan Wild defiantly, His sister started up, flew into his arms, and buried her face in his bosom. He yielded to uncontrollable emotion. And seemed alike fearless, and unconscious of the danger that menaced him. ‘I have betrayed you,” said Ellen, grief almost stilling her accent. ‘‘No, no, you are blameless. I overheard all that has passed, and the dastardly determination of my bitter foe; base as he is, I could hardly credit that he would carry it out,” OMIGCHoOokSEEoOmM