Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXII. HOW ROVING JACK AND HIS FRIENDS SUPPED AT THE “BEAR AND RAGGED STAFF” — THE MYSTERIOUS GUEST AND HIS TERRIBLE STORY. Roving JAcK sat at a gilded table in a magni- ficently-furnished apartment, hurriedly writing. - His inseparable friend, Hal Hetherington, lounged at the open window and listlessly watched the various groups of gaily-dressed passengers that sauntered past. The young baronet had affixed his seal to the last of the numerous letters he had been writing, and pushing back his chair, said, with a sigh of relief, “ At last, Hal, lamfree! IthinkI have done a good morning’s work; I have held quite a levee; have received notaries, conveyancers, tenants, and land bailiffs. ’Faith, my friend, I had no notion that the possession of a large fortune entailed so much toil, trouble, and responsibility, But now, as ‘all work and no play, makes Jack a ‘dull boy,’ suppose we go in search of some pleasant diversion for our ‘ care-tired thoughts.’ Whither shall we be- take ourselves ?” “What do you say for a stroll to Saddler’s Wells, or a night at Ranelagh ?” “Aye; or, now I think of it, Hal, I had de- termined last night to pay a visit toa certain tavern in Salisbury Court, kept by a fellow named Morgan Gray.”’ “And what can be your business with him?” asked Hal, seriously. ‘ Remember our adventure at the ‘ Black Lion,’” “JT do, with triumph, Hal, for we came off victors,” returned our hero, laughing. ‘“ But I will tell you what induces me to visit the ‘ Bear and Ragged Staff.” Iam acting upon certain informa- tion received from Jack Sheppard, who tells me that Wirth Wolfgang the pirate whenin London frequents that tavern, and that the pirate is in possession of very important documents which belonged to Sir Jocylyn Tremaine, who was no doubt the father of Violet.” “And do you expect to find the Dutchman there?” : “No; for heis now cruising in the Spanish main, where, they say, he has joined the fleet of that re- doubtable rascal, Captain Kidd ; but this innkeeper, Morgan Gray, is reported to have been a confede- rate with Wolfgang in many nefarious trans- actions; and there is also a strange character to be met at that old tavern whom I desire to see.” -“ And who is that ?” ‘An old fellow who pursues the vocation of apothecary, alchymist, and astrologer. He ia said to be an extraordinary personage, and is held in awe by all the rogues in Alsatia, who believe him to be a terrible master of the black art, and in close league with the arch-fiend himself.” “What is his name ?” ‘‘He is known as Docter Daniel Nightshade ; it is suspected, from his slightly foreign accent, that he is a German adept who has fled his country to escape the consequences of some dark deeds,” ‘Your account has whetted my curiosity ; I like to encounter such originals,” returned Hal, smiling, ‘‘There is ‘method in their madness,’ and these visionaries are ofttimes men of deep learning,” ‘Come, then, let us make a start,” said Roving Jack, . After an hour's walk they reached the “ Bear and Ragged Staff.” ; It was a fine old hostelry, and had in former — —-- ee ——— ———————— = ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. a ee ne times been a place of high repute, but it had long fallen into a state of dilapidation and decay. ntered the bar. The Sere surprised to find two handsome and distinguished-looking cavaliers conversing with a modest and beautiful girl, who, with drooping head, and hotly-blushing cheeks, listened un- willingly to their loose banter and fulsome as eae maid is Bertha Gray, the innkeeper’s daughter,” whispered our hero to his companion, “who's beauty has turned the heads of all the gay sparks in the town.” | “ She is indeed a lovely creature !” Hal answered, softly. ‘Who could dream of melting such-purity in a place like this? - But true gold is only refined ntact with the fire.’ Be You say truly,” rejoined our hero, “ But who are these gay rufflers ?—persons of distinction, I should imagine,” | ‘‘ Why, yes; don’t you recognise them ?” “Now I observe them more closely, I do,” re- turned Roving Jack ; “ one is Sir Ranulph Gayton, the other, the elegant Sir Maurice Lacy.” At this moment the first mentioned of the fine gentlemen turned a careless glance upon the new comers. Then he started, smiled courteously, and said, with a gracefulsbow— “Surely I have the honour of addressing Sir John Warbold?” Our hero returned the salute in an easy and gallant manner, answered in the same strain, and then politely introduced his staunch friend, Hal. _ Bertha Gray seized this favourable and welcome opportunity of escaping to the little room behind the bar. Her father then issued forth to receive his new guests. He was a thin fellow, with a sallew face and wrinkled, sullen brow; his eyes were small and © piercing, and his lips were curved with a change- less, bland, but sinister smile. “Welcome, noble gentlemen,” he whined, in a cringing tone. ‘It is seldom my poor house is honoured by such distinguished guests.” “Tush, Morgan! cut short your old set speech, it’s getting musty,” Sir Ranulph interrupted, in a tone of impatience. ‘‘The case stands thus, Sir John ; I and my friend, Lacy, have arranged to sup here, after which we are going to the king’s house to see the new comedy ; will you join us ?” “Nothing could give me more pleasure,” re- turned our hero. **Come, then ; Morgan tells us that there will be one other guest, who is a constant visitor to this ordinary ; as [ am fond of studying character, and as this man is said to be very learned and deep skilled in forbidden lore, I have consented to his being admitted to our table—that is, if you have no objection.” Our hero had not; and the four gentlemen adjourned to a large and handsome chamber, nee better furnished than any other in the ouse. _Here they found a table, spread with the daintiest viands. They seated themselves in merry mood, The host appeared, the dishes were uncovered. Suddenly, short, quick steps were heard upon the creaking stairs. The door was pushed open, and a little old man entered the chamber. He was closely wrapt up in a prodigious cloak, com a s - o_o es _—. oh! a —