The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. to our homes; these two friends of mine must be attended to immediately by some London medical men of eminence; and, as I am the least hurt of the three, why, I will escort them.”’ ‘It is a sad case,” said one of the doctors. “Yes, and heavy damages will be the consequence, I fear,” said Warner, with asigh. “You insist upon taking your friends to London, then?” ‘said one of the doctors. “JT do,” Warner replied, ‘*and more ‘than that, the company must pay the expenses.” — . “OF course, they will pay anything in reason,” was the railway official’ ’s polite reply. ‘Then order some conveyance for myself- and friends ; the sooner we arrive in town the better it will be for these, two unfortunate acquaintances of mine, who have’ suffered .so’ much, for both are gentlemen of standing.” This request was so modest that the railway doctors immediately ordered a four-horse conveyance’ for the use of the “injured” men, and as the Company had to pay for it the innkeeper made no demur. In less than ten minutes the four-horse coach was ready at the door. One by one Warner led out Jonathan who was acting the part/of a lunatic, and Flint, who: pre- tended he could not see, followed him. Warner was the last to jump into the carriage. ‘Take care'of the injured gentlemen,” said: the railway doctors, as they shook Warner by the hand, ere departing ; “it isa very sad affair.” “Yes ; and it will cause the company a vast deal of money, I fear.” “No doubt of it, “‘ Good-day,” And the earriage rolled away, towards London at a very rapid rate, driven by two postillions. avd ay. o “What a capital idea,” said Jonathan, with a | broad grin. “ Not bad,” said Flint. “ How much can we get?’ said J pnathan: “‘ At least £500 or £1,000 each.” “Excellent!” said. Jonathan. | “ But have we got anything to drink with ius?” “Yes,” said Warner, “I have: amply provided for that. Look here,” he said,,as he-pulled out of his pocket a bottle of brandy. Jonathan seizedit, extracted the cork: with ‘his teeth, and drank a large quantity. Warner pretended to drink also, but did not taste a drop -“ Good stuff. that,’ said old Flint, smacking his lips over the liqnor, For some time. they conversed in very low tones, but as the brandy began to Burke Jonathan was up- roarious in his laughter. | . The postillions winked ‘at ciee other. . Do ye hear ’em 2” said. one. “That I do.”.. ff Oh, they are mada as March hares; that railway accident has turned their brains, mate; # ‘(No doubt; on it;., The sooner we gets to Iiondon and 4 is tid 0’ these crazy gentlemen, the better.’ ©! . They cracked their whipsmerrily, and on sped the coach until they came! to a pines where the horses had to be changed. “ Won't tthe} gentlemen inside want something to: dzink, pir “<3 a one of the peer aco a Warner: joi)! Drink ! deinke ! “What: do you mean a” aad Warner, in pretended amazement. “ Are they not injured mentally already?! And would you “havé them any, worse ‘by indulging in liquors?) / Non- sense | Lam 4 médical man myself, and know all about it; if either of my friends were to touch an enormous—— brandy, or anything of that-sort»im their prescnt state of high mental excitement,;it: would be the death of them.” “I'beg pardon, sir, but a little:drop 0’ ae te wouldn’t turn ou7 heads, master,’’ said ‘one of: the postillions, touching his hat respectfully. * Then get what you like, I will pay for it ;, but make haste, we must reach London: as quickly.as possible, for if either. of my poor friends were to die upon the road, the company would have to pay 7 “All right, sir,’ was the reply, and the carriage rolled onwards again at an:increased. pace. Jonathan was fast asleep and. snoring quring this conversation. But old Flint was. not, although he shut, his eyes and pretended to be very unwell. As much .as. possible he endeavoured to avoid Warner’s gaze, but could not. Warner, feeling certain that Jonathan was now fast asleep, he sidled over to Flint and:whispered to him, But the old lawyer did not wish to enter into, ay conversation: with: his late friend, Warner nudged him several times, and at last, after a vigorous poke in the ribs, ‘Flint opened: his e Te You played me avery, beautiful , trick, didn’t you, Flint?” said he, with a malicious. smile. “You let me in for all the worst of it, but I have found you at last.” “*Pon my honour, as a gentleman,” Flint began. “ There, that will do,” said Warner, in disgust ; © you have’ nt as much honour as would save a oat from banging, * “ Why do you look so fiercely At'me ?” ‘“Have I not cause? Did you not lead me into a great crime, and have you not reaped all the benefit of if?” “' T have not got a fartaing:” * Nonsense ! your lips tremble. I know you are lying ; but-it matters not to me.. Thave found you out at last, and unless you disgorge some’ of old Ford’s wealth, you shall be my prisoner’for life.” ‘ce What 17% * Don't start: I mean what I say, Flint ;- unless 235 you give up to me part of what you stole, will | confine you in a room, aud starve you-to death, just like what you and Jonathan intended to do with the two poor children—the boy aud’ it girl ‘at Bromley Hall.” “Ts it possible that you know aught about that affair ??’ “T do; you needn't turn so deadly pale) I EAL all about it, and:more concerning other ‘things’ at Bromley Hall than you imagine,’ * I hayé had no hand in these crimes,” said Flint with chattering teeth. ‘Don’t set there mumbling:out suchua string of lies,’ said Warner, in disgust}, “-hayve'I notlivedin Bromley Hall, have I not visited ever noomy} and each secret chamber of at?” | 74 You? 272 : f ¥ “ Yes, me; and have aairont dy ghosts Yes, have spoken to them.” A” ‘You are dreaming; Wartier:? "| nfagn ini ‘ Were you and Jonathan dreaming, tien} whiert the young, bride: arid: bridegroom : were: rare the night previous to: their marriages?” « This was said in such alow hissing fone of VOICE; that:it,made old Hint quail againo “ “ Come, ‘old man,” said) ‘Warner,.‘* you! are very clever.’ You and:J onathan have had along runof villany together, and» uow the moment of my | triumph has arrived,” Comicboool CO