Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 267: what you’re looking at

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

/ ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. had you departed my “plan wonld have been foiled.” ‘‘ Yes,” replied the youth, answering at every risk, for he conceived by keeping up the deception he should succeed in the object for which he was visit- ing the place. ‘I suppose,” he continued, assum- ing an air of confidence, “that you have not altered your mind with regard to our affair?” “Well,” said Edgeworth Bess, still deeming she was speaking to Simon Smut, “things have so fallen out that we must carry it out some other night.’ “You don’t say so,” ‘Nat Wetherby and his pals haye brought a wealthy cull here to-night.” With the words Edgeworth Bess indicated the the house hard by, and the one from which she had issued, “I suppose you’ve no idea who this party is?” said the youth, apparently without concern. “Oh, yes ; I know him well.” ‘His name is——’”’ * Roving Jack.” 3 A feather’s weight might have crushed the listener at this announcement. For it was no other than Violet Tremaine, or rather Lady. Warbold, in disguise. But a few hours back she had been a happy bride, and gazed around a gay and brilliant ball-room ; now she was a most unhappy woman, tracing in masquerade one of the most fearful neighbourhoods of London. She had overheard the conversation between Geoffrey Bradshaw and his intended victim, and determined to track and defeat the ruffian jin his deep-laid scheme, 7 Some good angel had watched over the devoted woman, and discovered to her as if by a miracle the path her husband trod. ‘No,’ continued Edgeworth Bess, little suspect- ing the person she addressed ; “ Nat’s time is not yet come. I'll wait till he has secured the rich man’s gold and given it to me before I betray him ; ‘twill be the best for us both, don’t you think so ?”’ Ves, yes.” ; ‘Now, hasten oh another errand,’’ said Hdgeworth Bess; ‘go to the rendezvous, where the justice and his men are expecting you, and say that nothing can be done.to-night ; but three days’ hence the capture of Nat Wetherby may be accomplished.”’ “Tl do as you desire,” said Violet, seeming im- patient, but returning suddenly to her companion from whom she had departed. : “ Let me see,” she asked, “ where did you.say the officers are to be met with ?” ‘‘ Where we appointed them to be, at the corner of Princess Street. Don’t you recollect?’’ Oh, ah! yes, I recollect now,’ replied Violet, pretending to call to her mind the circumstances. “T’ll get there with as much haste as my legs will allow me, and I warrant you will have no cause to complain of my speed.”’ No sooner had Edgeworth Bess withdrawn from Violet than she was startled by the voice of Simon Smut, who, from his hiding, had been a witness of the scene which kad just passed. ‘‘T say, my little cock sparrow,” he cried, “I am rather curious to know why you have stepped into my shoes and undertaken a business that properly belongs to me?” | Violet was startled at first, but could not forbear a smile when she thought of the reasons which urged the inquiry. . ‘This must be the real messenger,’ she mut- tered, so consequently at once thought of some means to give & semblance to her assumed 287 character. “You ‘were past your time,” she con- tinued, “so, of course, as the work I accept-d the office and——_” ‘Gammon !” replied Simon Smut; “that won't do for me; I have heard all, seen all, know all.” ‘There is sincerity in your tone and manner, and I will trust you.” ; ‘Don’t, I°trust nobody ; motto,” “Besides; your voice is not unknown to me,” “Well, I fancy yours is familiar to me,” added the other. “ My name,” he continued, “ is Simon Smut, and I’m not ashamed to own it.” ‘““Mine was Violet Tremaine; this morning [ became the wife of your former friend, Roving Jack! Jf you would save him from great danger, nay, death itself, you will do as I direct you.” * Listen, madam,” said her companion, ‘for so I must call you, though you have donned male habili- ments, and for which I have no doubt you have good reason, seeing that’ newly-married) women generally take the first opportunity of putting on the small.clothes,: ‘Your husband,” he continued, “I recollect upon one occasion did me-an essential service. Now that act of kindness shan’t be thrown away upon me, for I vowed then as I vow at the present moment, that if ever an opportunity offered I’d show my gratitude, and be as good as my word,” ‘‘T rejoice to hear you say so,” replied Violet. ‘The time has now arrived for you to keep that promise. “Go,” said the speaker, “ to the corner of Princes Street, it is not far from hence; you will there find waiting——” “T know, the justice; I’ve heard all abont ‘it already.” Before Violet’ could answer, Simon Smut had taken to his heels, must. be done, ready. money is’ my CHAPTER CXXVI, PLOT AND PLOTTERS—THE SECRETED WILL—NAT WETHERBY ATTEMPTS TO DRUG ROVING JACK — £5,000!— MURDER ‘PREMEDITATED, AND ESCAPE ANTICIPATED—A STRANGER IN THE ROOM—WHAT INTELLIGENCE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ROBBERS’ RENDEZVOUS, | WE will now retire to a chamber dignified as Nat Wetherby’s lodgings, It is in the house before which the proceedings described in the last chapter had taken place. The abode was rather gloomy, and possessed a casement, near which stood two lamps, whose lurid glare fell upon the dingy red curtain adorning the same. Two individuals occupied the room, They were Geoffrey Bradshaw and Ned Bush. ‘““T tell you there is more money to be made of this young gallant,” was the exclamation. of Ned Bush. ““T know it,’ replied his companion, somewhat sullenly. “ Hear my plan,” “ First listen to mine,” continued Geoffrey Brad- shaw ; ‘’tis a simple and an easy one, This Roving Jack has——”’ “ Five thousand,”’ ‘Yes, all in notes, and placed in his pocket- book.” “This we must get from him.,”’ “Undoubtedly,” returned Geoffrey Bradshaw, Sm “Om