Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 262: what you’re looking at

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

— 282 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. “T beg your pardon, Sir John,” replied the man, | and his eye dazzled ag some snake’s upon a tremb- “that I have come upon you abruptly ; but I have only obeyed orders.” Srp “Indeed! by whom were such offensive instruc- tions given ?”’ 8 wan “A gentleman, Sir John, who would see ‘you in- stantly.”’ “ A ouest 2?” NOse “Who can he be?” “‘ He refused to give [his name. Helis a man of singular appearance, and says his business is press- ing, most important, and, above all things, secret,”’ ‘Business? Ridiculous !|—this is a day to me of pleasure. I would not be disturbed to double my fortune. Tell him to call upon me on some other occasion,” . “He will not fleave the house, Sir John,’”’ added the servant, eyeing his master with a look of gus- picion, “I was unwilling in the first instance to bring the message to you ; but he besought me so, and said it was upon a most serious affair he wished to communicate.’ “Serious?” exclaimed Violet, starting at the word. “ What can this be?” “ Nothing, my life, nothing,” replied Roying Jack, “ Butas this stranger ig goimportunate, I may as well see him, Go, sirrah, and bring the person to this room, where I will ayait his coming,” ~ The servant bowed, and hurried to do the bidding, leaving our hero and Violet once more alone. There was a pause. The latter was the first to break silence, and seemed anxious to satisfy her curiosity as to the motive of the mysterious visitor, who was about to make his appearance. ‘¢ Sir John,” she exclaimed, bursting finto {tears, “you should not hide, now, secrets from me. I have been told \that a confirmed gambler can never be reclaimed, I did not believe it, for I entertained a better opinion of human nature than to suppose that the man, upon whose plighted word I had trusted, would allow a fatal passion to subvert reso- lution, principle, and honour,” ‘Violet, your suspicion that Iam again plunging myself into the vortex of ruin from which I have been snatched is unjust,” exclaimed our hero, who, for a moment, had remained dumbfounded at the unexpected accusation. “ You cannot deem me so cruel,” he continued, ‘‘and capable of such black ingratitude, after what I haye suffered, to——”’ “No, no,” replied Violet, passionately, throwing herself into her husband’s arms, ‘‘ you do not under- stand me, I merely thought that your imprudence in admitting this stranger, might—-—” ‘Lead tosuch a contingence,”’ said Roving Jack, with a smile, and impressing a kiss upon his wife’s lips ; ‘but, there, dearest, dry your tears and once more return to our guests, who, doubtless, are sur- prised at our absence. [ will dismiss this intruder, and be at your side again in a few minutes. Mark me,” continued onr hero, addressing Violet as she was quitting the room, “no more sighs, or I shall be angry. Remember, it is our wedding day, and offensive to lovers to pine at such a time.” As Violet passed through one door, another was opened. In the recess stood Sir Ranulph Gayton, still as- suming his character of Geofiry Bradshaw, His features, though handsome, were malignant and fierce, and now lit up by the moon’s beams which peered through the window, positively in- spired aversion. A peculiar sardonic grin settled on his curled lip, _eencomicbook allow me such an indulgence upon such an under- ling bird under its influence. Before Roving Jack was aware of this man’s pre- sence, his voice was heard to exclaim— ** Good evening, my worthy friend.” Friend,” echoed our hero ; “ you speak familiarly, Am I known to you ?” ‘* Known to me; come, [ like that,’’ replied the other, with a sarcastic laugh, ‘‘AmInot known to you 2” 2 es No,”’ No 2”? “T never saw you before to my knowledge,” con- tinued Roving Jack. “ Humph, I have often heard that the possession of wealth makes men forget their old acquaintances, Now I haye proof positive of the melancholy * Siz, exclaimed our hero; “if this were not my own roof, and you my guest, although an un- bidden one, I would say such words are most im- pertinent, and to me libellous ; but suffice it now, that if you have any business to communicate, I will hear it, provided it be told without delay,” “And, otherwise——" = *' T must leaye you,” ils “Good; knowing that, I must take a chair.” With the words, this stolid individual took a seat, and drew a curiously -fashioned pipe from his pocket, : a aNd +. . Loading the same with some Spanish tobacco, he lit it with a neighbouring lamp, and proceeded to stretch his legs upon One of the tables of the room, in which situation he puffed away at his leisure, and with the greatest nonchalance. In a few minutes the whole region was redolent of the balmy weed, and filled with its vapour, “J always smoke under emergency,” remarked the disguised baronet, coolly ; ‘therefore you will standing.” While he uttered these words, the speaker fixed a scrutinising look upon our hero, who appeared ut- terly amazed at his companion’s deliberate assurance, After a pause, he at length addressed him. ‘‘ Perhaps the gentleman who seems to make him- self thoroughly at home in my house will have no objection to favour me with his name,” ‘‘ None in the least. I ama public character, and generally known,’’ exclaimed the party addressed. ‘JT am called Geoffrey Bradshaw.” “ Indeed !” replied our hero, staring in surprise at the announcement. — ‘‘T see you don’t remember me.” ‘Your features are forgotten by me: but still I recollect that a person bearing the name you have mentioned was in the employ of my late uncle.’ Yes, you are right, Sir John. I was steward of his estates, and consequently know, by the death of the old admiral, that yon have become a’ wealthy man,”’ ! ‘This is irrelevant,” | ‘ Perhaps not, Sir John,” rejoined the steward, contemplating the fumes of his pipe. Of course,” he continued, with a wink, “ you are aware that: your relative, dying without a will, as heirsat Jaw. you have suceéeded to all his personal and landed property.” tt rd I “And pray, sirrah, may I ask what in the name) of goodness can this affair be to you?” asked Roving Jack, beginning to lose his patience with the yopertgebable Bradshaw, dius vif ‘What can the affair be to me?” enquired he. ‘More than you think for, Sir John, Had ane uncle left a will you would have been very dif: