The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

66 “ You lie, old man,” “ On my honour I don’t.” “Honour be d——d, that won’t do. you come for ?” “ To receive some money.” “ How much ?” ‘“ Two or three thousand pounds.” “Then, in course, as you’re goin’ to get so much, you can do without these articles,” said the Pug, easing Jonathan of his watch, chain, rings, and money. “For mercy’s sake don’t take my money. It’s all I’ve got in the world ; on my honour, it is.” ‘Gammon, my old bloke,” said the prig. “You keep still, and don’t patter so much, or I might knock your eye out in a twinkling.” Jonathan groaned, for he felt he had got into the hands of two very desperate men. “So you called to receive money, eh?” said Warner. “ Well, that is just what we called for.” . “ *Zactly ; and we is goin’ to have it, too,” said the Pug, putting Jonathan’s watch into his own pocket. ‘* We is going to have it, too, old ’un. No kid, mind yer.” | Whilé the villains were thus engaged with the unfortunate master of Bromley Hall, who lay on the floor helpless between them, they were startled to hear the approach of footsteps. In a trice Warner locked the door, and took the key out, " They then dragged old Jonathan on the floor into the front room, The footsteps approached nearer and nearer. They sounded like those of two men and a woman, “ Hu-s-8-sh |” said a voice, as if in warning, outside, Warnet felt for his revolver, The Pug clutched his keen knife. ‘The beaks !’’ said he, in a whisper. Warner put a finger on his mouth in token of silence, He presented the revolver at Jonathan’s head. “« Speak a word,” said he, “ and I'll blow your brains out.” In &@ moment the footsteps stopped at old Flint’s door, The handle was turned slowly, and the lock tried. Again the lock was tried ; but to no purpose. “ Any one at home?” said the old woman, in a cracked voice, No answer. ‘‘Come, open this door. Quick, or we’ll burst it open,” said a gruff voice without, for the first time speaking, “ ¢Slops,’ as safe as houses,’ whisperéd Pugey. Shall we hook it?” . Wane put a finger on his lips, and turned deadly pale, ‘Come, open this door; said a second man’s voice. it open !” Still no response. Those within now stopped their breathing by placing their hands to their mouths. ‘TJ think as how you are mistaken, gentlemen,” said the old woman. ‘J’m sure you are, in fact ; there’s no one been, although I am certain the old gentleman will call this morning.” “ At what time ?” ‘Well, this is about his regular time.’’ ‘‘ fas he moved any of his things out lately 2” “ Well, no, not as Z knows on. I did hear him say, however, a day or two ago, that he should pack off, and sell a lot of his old books, and the like.” What did no nonsense with us,” “Open, or we'll break THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. ‘© And did he ?” : “ All I knows on is, that a very heavy box went off in a waggon a day or two since.” ‘© Was it a safe, think you?” «Tt was made of wood; and couldn’t be a safe, for them things are made of iron ; not that he wants an iron safe though, gentlemen, for between you and me, although I doesn’t know your name nor your business neither, he is such a poor old miserly mortal, I don’t think he’s worth twopence.” “ H-em !’? said one of the two men. “Well, we'll call again.” “ Has any letters come for him since he’s been away this last day or two?” ‘Yes, several.” ‘Where are they?” “T put ’em into his letter box through the slit of this door, as usual,” “You don’t know where they came from, I sup- ose 2?” sat Lor’ bless yer, no; I never looks at the post- marks on letters, nor into any gentleman’s cup- board neither, as some prying folks do, for I’m above it.” ‘‘T dare say. Well, no matter, we'll call in two hours’ time, and then if he has not arrived we'll break in the door.” “What! Are you policemen, then?” the old woman said, ‘‘ Whether we are policemen or not, it doesn’t much matter to you, old lady. Keep your tongue quiet, it will be much better for all parties.” * * * * * “Letters in the box, eh ?” said Warner, when the sounds of footsteps had died away. “Perhaps they has ‘chink’ in ’em,” the Pug whispered. ‘“ Have a squint.” Without any noise Warner crept towards the letter-box; but it was locked, He carried several skeleton keys with him, and soon opened it, He found four letters, two of which were not directed. His hands trembled as he looked at the direction on two of them, and he almost gasped for breath. _ The first one was directed to the landlord of the house— Care of Mr. Flint, Solicitor, &c.”, and read :— DEAR SIR,—Before I left town I paid you a quarter's rent in advance, as I may not return shortly, for special reasons I need not name mow, and as you may, perhaps, open my room to dust it, &c., I ask, as a particular favour, that you will send all letters found in my box to the several addresses on each. Your friend, FLINT. P. §.—Yonu will find two letters in my box undirected. .Open them, and deliver to the parties they are intended for, and much oblige your old tenant, “The old villain has given us the slip,” said Warner, with a bitter oath, as he threw down the first letter in great anger, * What! hooked it ?” said Pug, in a whisper. Warner made no reply, but opened a second letter, which was directed to— Rey. JONATHAN GRAVESTONES, Bromley Hall Academy, Care of Mr. Flint, Solictor, street, square, It read as follows :— MY DEAR FRIEND JONATHAN,—When last I saw you I made an appointment to meet you, but circumstances, over which I have no controul, prevents me keeping it. Sd I do not know when I shall have the hononr and very grea pleasure of seeing you again, but you may rely upon it, it will be a long, a very long time first. I may inform you, however, that I have finally settled all my affairs, and have got the Eomicboo (E@)