Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

292 nnn ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. will then enter with your companion into yonder cabinet which I see fastens firmly on the outer side,” Here Violet attracted the attention of the spec- tators to a curiously fashioned cupboard which stood in an angle of the room, and of dimensions sufficient for many modern chambers, “Tn this recess you both must remain till morn- ing,”’ continued the lady, ‘‘ when I promise to give you liberty.” é; ‘“We have had enough of this,’ exclaimed Nat Wetherby, evincing impatience ; ‘‘ how much longer do you mean to continue this child’s play ?” “Two minutes,” replied Violet with the greatest calmness, ‘‘if in that time you refuse to accede to my conditions I must shoot those who are contuma- cious. “Mark me,” she continued, “ during the moments of deliberation I shall watch you narrowly ; if I see the slightest sign of perfidy or attempt to give alarm, I fire ; remember J can but die, and you will die with me.” The words of Violet were so impressive, and her intent so positive, that in half the specified term Nat Wetherby and Edgeworth Bess found them- selves under lock and key. Violet had no sooner disposed of her prisoners, than she hurried to the chest that contained the Admiral’s will. The key with which Edgeworth Bess supplied her opened tke box. Gently and trembling she raised the lid, and brought from within a sealed packet. She would now learn the fatal secret. The secret that was to reinstate her husband, or brand his name with infamy. Violet, so sweet, so gentle in thy loveliness, why does fate so chequer thy fortune? You have attracted as many eyes as if an angel had descended. As many blessings as if the benignant being had come fraught with good tidings, No creature wert thou of an idle necromancer’s imagination, No woman bedizened with false or inconsistent perfections. Thy merits made thy husband love thee well. Thy faults, amid thy good qualities, made him love thee better. Trembing with excitement Violet broke open the packet, and found it contained the will she had so anxiously sought, She fixed her eyes upon its written characters as under some hideous fascination. As she perused them the tear which dimmed her vision faded away, A smile played on her face as sunshine succeeds the summer shower, ‘‘This indeed gladdens a grateful heart,” she ex- claimed in an ecstasy of joy. ‘‘ My husband is here named sole heir of the estates and—”’ Before Violet could read further she heard voices, and became conscious that some one was approach- ing her, ' She could have no doubt that the voices were those of her enemies, There was no time for hesitation or wavering doubt, The moment had arrived to either save her or de- liver her to darkness and death, Hastily unfastening the door she had previously locked, she next concealed herself behind an old ponderous trunk that stood at the further end of the attic, Ensconced in the hiding place Violet ‘observed three individuals coming towards her. They gazed about as if surprised. After a pause one of the intruders, Geoffroy Bradshaw, exclaimed— . “ Hang that fool, Nat Wetherby, what has be- come of him ?” ‘‘Can’t you guess?” replied another of the trio, who turned out to be Ned Bush. ‘*Not I,” ‘““He has got one of his drunken fits on him,” said the highwayman‘in continuation, ‘‘ and instead of searching for the will you requested is searching for more liquor,”’ “T plainly see,” said our hero, who was the third speaker, “that this is some subterfuge. I find, when it is too late, that I have been only lured here for the purpose of murder and robbery. “But mark me,” he rejoined firmly, ‘I promise you that you will not effect your purpose without a desperate struggle, and that I shall dispute my life while blood flowsin my veins.”’ “You are a bolder man than I took you for, Sir Jobn Warbold,” replied Geoffroy Bradshaw, “ but your remarks are both unjust and unnecessary.” “They may appear so to you,” replied our hero, ‘‘but still you must admit that there are some grounds for suspicion. 1 have demanded to see my uncle’s will on several occasions ; on each it has not been forthcoming,” There was a heavy crash, and the bulky boarding of the neighbouring closet was broken into a hun- dred pieces. From the shivered fragments emerged Nat Wetherby, ‘“Not a moment is to be lost,” shouted the robber, as he issued forth, ‘“What do you mean, Nat?” asked the rest, sur- prised and stupefied at his strange appearance, ‘Treachery !” “Ha,” cried Geoffroy Bradshaw, “this is your doing ?” : With the words he darted a fierce glance, and vane to rush upon Roving Jack with aclapsed nife, ‘Hold! no violence, Bradshaw,” exclaimed Nat Wetherby, restraining the ruffian’s arm, “I am not so sure he is the real spy.” “Whoever it may_be, their punishment; is a ter- rible one,” “Swear to it.” $;. Wie ‘doz’ ‘Entombed for life—passing a living death—let the carcass of the betrayer rot in the vaults of this house.”’ ‘“ Now for the will.” ‘‘It has been taken away by a youth.” ‘Unfortunate! let us follow in pursuit,” said our hero, rushing towards the door, from which he was flung backwards by Geoffroy Bradshaw. “Fool! he cried, ‘do you suppose I will suffer to escape the prey that I havesnared? The money that you have shall at least be my companions’. Your life or mine.” ‘Villain ! what injury have I ever done you,” cried our hero, disdainfully, “that you should wish to murder me in cold blood?” “Injury?” retorted the other, in scorn, “you have dared to love.” ‘A rival,” ‘‘And your bitterest enemy.” “Great Heaven ! I am in the “power, then, of—” “Sir Ranulph Gayton,” cried Geoffroy Brad- shaw, with the laugh of a fiend welcomine a con- demned spirit to eternal flame. . i i ea eo tt te COMM IECDOOKS.- CO