Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

| | | 62 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. “Oh, yes, behind the ear, anywhere,’ “The bargain was soon concluded. ’ ‘“ Adrian pocketed the money, and put the ring on his finger, while the stranger carefully deposited the glittering lock in his pocket-book. “Something, however, very unpleasantly passed in the expression of the stranger’s face. —_ ‘Pray, sir, may I inquire what you will make of my hair?’ “*Oh, merely a spring to catch fools with. I coil it into a mystic rope. If you require more money at any time you shall have it on the same » terms ; but remember, wherever my scissors touch, the hair never grows again!’ - “A thought of horror rushed through Adrian’s soul, “* But how am Ito find youif I require you?’ inquired Adrian, “© Only wish for me ; moment.’ “« But your house ?’ «You shall see it next time we meet,’ — “The happiest man in Prague that night was Adrian Reinhold. “He left the army, and gave himself up more than ever to the cultivation of his beauties, and the winning of a beautiful widow. “ The lady seemed always to like him in propor- tion to the offerings he made her. : “Sweeter smiles than eyer were layished on our hero, and a wild look of anger cast on him by I shall be at your side in a Count Drethelm, his rival. ‘‘His money now was all gone; his debts were very pressing. “¢ How I wish I could see him again!’ he said, one evening, despondingly. “* You want me? I knew how it would be, said a well-known voice. ‘Come with me to my house.’ “ Adrian was too much frightened to ask how he had come in. ‘¢<« Shall you need a great sum 2’ ‘“‘¢ Prodigious ! almost too much, I fear !’ “<Oh, never mind the amount ; you have plenty of locks to spare. Come along,’ | “Through street, square, and alley walked the two. “ They came at last to a noble house. “The sides of the door were ornamented with two prodigious sphinxes carved in stone ; and when Adrian looked on one of them he fancied that a human eye glanced on him from the granite head, “Swallowing his fear he followed his friend. “You know who I an, I suppose ?’ ‘No,’ replied Adrian, confused, and dreading | he knew not what, ‘“*But though you don’t know my name, you know I am——’ «A very wise philosopher, sir. And, sir, as you seem so learned, can you tell me whether the report be true that there is a treasure buried in my garden?’ ‘‘* T know it well,’ answered the other. ‘It is under the old willow at the bridge. So spare not whatever I give you.’ ‘* But how is it to be found ?’ ‘* On a saint’s night, by moonlight,’ “Must I be alone, for I have always had a horror of that very spot?’ — “IT shall be with you; fear not !’ | ‘ As he said this, the stranger laid his hand upon his shoulder. ‘It seemed like a mountain of ice. _“ Adrian shuddered beneath its weight, )“ «But to business. This sack contains a hundred thousand florins ; will it do?’ ‘ Adrian’s heart again beat high, —EEEE _am ashamed of you. “¢ Charming! Oh! it’s worth every hair.on my head !’ | ; “ « Half of.them will do,’ answered the stranger, with asmile. ‘ You will, probably need me again to-morrow. And now, good night.’ | ‘‘ Adrian went home, carrying the sack in his arms. “In the morning he emptied the shining gold upon the table. “ Horror and death! from the bottom of the sack rolled out a human skull! | ‘‘ Gathering courage he. took the dreadful object in his hand. “ He flung it with all his might into the garden, “ Tt groaned as it flew through the air! “ A jeweller was waiting with a case of jewels, money paid, and with many protestations of admiration the jewels were dispatched to the widow. ‘Two notes came 1n answer. ‘© One from the lady to say that she had dismissed Count Diethelm; and one from that gentleman himself, containing a challenge to the favoured swain. ; ‘“ ‘ What! young, rich, happy, in love, to be shot by a bloody-minded fellow like the count!’ the thought was dreadful. “ ¢T will visit my friend,’ he exclaimed, in his distress, ‘ he will help me.’ ‘‘ Through street after street paced Adrian. “ He reached the barrier. ‘¢ There were but four houses beyond it. ‘He knocked at*a little low door, and made his enquiries of a withered-looking old man. ‘“©* Who lives next door to me, sir?’ said the man, taking his pipe from his mouth. ‘TI meant, my friend, to ask {you where 1s No, 203 ?? “ < You see. it from this door.’ ‘‘ Adrian looked in the direction pointed out b the old man. ‘“‘He saw a bare expanse of country before him, and on an eminence at a little distance a building of some sort which he could not distinguish clearly. “* That’s it,’ said the old man, with a grin, seeing the direction of his eye. ‘It is the gallows, sir; I put the tenant into it last week.’ “With ashudder Adrian rushed from the spot, and entered his own house again. ‘With increased anguish he saw on the table of his room the skull which he had thrown out of window ! _ “He covered his face with his hands ; but while he was sunk in this state of almost senseless des- pondency, the door noiselessly opened. “Adrian opened his eyes and saw the intruder sitting quite composedly in the opposite chair. | “* Away! away!’ cried Adrian, ‘you have de- . ceived me !’ “fA little, I grant you,’ answered the stranger ; ‘but, come, do you want any more money ?’ “**No, no,’ cried Adrian. ‘Why did ever you oppress me with your offers ?’ ‘“*J—-T oppress you? . You must be joking, You knew who I was the moment you paid the jeweller ; to that I have a witness,’ ‘““* Where? said Adrian, with a start. “«The skull now smiling on us from the table,’ replied the other, with a laugh, ‘Our friend, you see, has lost his eyes; but he is a very good witness notwithstanding, Cheer up, man, I If you want any help place but your hand upon the skull and name my name, I shall be at your side like thought,’ LTEomichookszeo