The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

98 a eS — doubt but that it was the same Tom Templeton of my school days. “He had not gone far, when he entered a small, obscure house, and,in less than ten munutes, emerged again, but so differently attired and so gay, I could scarce have recognised him. “Yet on his countenance was still the same calm, pale, melancholy. “He actually stopped aé the same going to, and was admitted. . “What was his business there, I wondered to know. “I knew what mine was, namely, to make love to the daughter of a very rich man my father had known for years. “TJ did not knoek at the door, but let myself in with a latch-key. “ When I quietly advanced towards the parlour door, I perceived Tom Templeton on his knees before the idol of my heart ? & ‘y “What startled me more, was, the lady. fair listened to his fair speeches, and returned his advances. 7 “ For the first time in my life, I felt envy, malice, and revenge. | “TJ said nothing at the time, but I met my old schoolmate afterwards. “ A violent quarrel ensued. “T accused him of all manner of misdemeanours, and last of all of ingratitude. ‘But all I could do or say would not provoke him into a challenge. ‘« At last I gave him one myself. “He accepted it readily, and we met. ° “ He wished to apologise for all he had done and said. “ T would not accept it. “T fired. “ He fell down dead. “ T rushed towards him. “The doctors examined clothes. “Tom Templeton proved to be a girl. “The astonishment that was now depicted on every countenance was great indeed. “This girl had passed through college, and was first and most expert in everything, and for years lived undetected.” “ But why should a girl have played the part of a lover ?” said Captain Jack, “She did not play the part of a lover, as you will perceive. “ Some time after this, my old flame was addressed by the son of the chief die-sinker at the mint. “JT had suspicions for thinking that Tom Templeton (the girl) had a brother, who personified Miss Templeton. «This I proved. “They were used as spies by a band of coiners, and so well could jthese two children of the chief coiner counterfeit either male or female sex, that for years they carried on their traffic in base coin un- detected ; for, indeed, my father and many other merchants had often and often given notes for gold, and it was not until the gold was tried at the mi that any deception was discovered ; but then it was too late to trace it back through the various merchants’ offices to the proper persons. “The reason Tom and her brother were sent to house I was him and tore open his Gom (E| OOO) cS Gom ifferent schools was, that, they being so highly educated, they might afterwards prove all the more expert, and less likely to be detected.” “But what revenge had you?” asked Captain Jack. “T revealed what I had discovered to the chief of the coiners, and my silence was bought.” “ And afterwards ?” _ “Because I did not receive another consideration from them, I informed.” “T know you did, But you were toolate; the _ birds had flown.” : How know you that ?”? asked Phillip. “‘ Because I was one of the coiners myself then.” “Yes, me.” “T am astonished.” “You will be more so when you hear that the | coiners not only now exist in the south of England, but that through them I heard of Farmer Bertram’s murder, and tracked you.” “ Impossible !” “No, it isn’t. Here is a person who will explain all things,” said Captain Jack, rising and bowing to a thick-set, military-looking man, who entered. “Mr. Phillip Redgill, allow me to introduce you to a friend of mine,” “ What name ?”’ asked Phillip, colouring. “Colonel Blood!’ said Captain Jack, with a demon-like sneer. “ Betrayed !” sighed Phillip. “Yes; why not, you had no more money ?” whispered Captain Jack, “so therefore I have no further use for you. It’s quite a common plan with detectives.”’ Then, addressing Colonel Blood in a different tone, he said, *‘T have fulfilled »y part of the bargain, Colonel, about the thirteen gibbets, and I hope—” “That I willdo mine, eh, Captain Jack ? Well, you need not fear ; your death warrant shall not be signed yet at allevents. But,” casting his eyes on Phillip, he said, “ we have been a long, long time in tracing out your villanies, young man, for you are very old in crime. Captain Jack,” he said, pointing to Phillip, “ follow me.” F Captain Jack whistled, and, in a moment, three others of his men came in and escorted Phillip to prison. As he was going out of the tavern door, who should he see standing by, but— Sir Andrew, who grinned like a fiend, and threw up his hands in Christian horror. He had not gone far down the street, ere he saw Augustus Fumbleton and Fanny riding out to- gether. “This is worse than death,’ he thought, and struggled hard to get free. But Captain Jack’s hand, like the grip of a vice, was upon his throat. CHAPTER XXX. THE COINERS’ CAVERN—SUBTERRANEAN ABODES —THE OATH—THE RELEASE—THD PROMISE, © “JT pon’r much like this, Master Ned,” exclaimed Tim, shivering, “‘ where can we be going to?” THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED.