The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

6 | THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. ee Bertram’s, was heard repeating in sepulchral tones in the hall below—- ‘My footsteps shall follow you, Phillip Redgill, for ever |” “ Phillip Redgill,” gasped the murderer, “that is myname! Oh, God! it is the farmer's voice, and yet he is here, lifeless and legless! Hark, what steps are those I hear? who could have limbed him thus?” While Bolton (or Phillip Redgill, as the spirit voice now properly called him) stood trembling thus, the ghostly voice said loudly again— “ Phillip Redgill, beware! my footsteps shall follow you for ever !” Dropping the blood-stained bludgeon beside the body, Phillip Redgill rushed from the room, dashed down stairz, opened the back door, and ran ‘towards the orchard. He mounted his horse, and was about to start off at a furious gallop, when he gave a sharp, horror- stricken shout at something he saw. The gory legs of the farmer stood bolt upright in the snow beside him ! “ Phillip Redgill, I follow you.” The murderer plunged spurs into his steed, and dashed from the spot with the swiftness of the wind. \ He perceived Bob Bertram at some distance, who was approaching his father’s house. It was as much as he could do to controul his feelings ; but he said to Bob, “T have soon returned, you see.” **Yes, ye haven’t been long.” “No, and I have been so successful that I wish to be generous to all I meet to-night, and, if you are not too proud, I'll begin with you. ** How s0, sir.?’’ said Bob. ‘““You complained when last we spoke that you wanted good clothes in order to make a respectable appearance ?” “T did. What of that?” “Why, lam arich man and you poor. [’ll ex- change clothes with you, and give you a purse full of money to start you a-fresh in life. What say you? Ihave taken a particular fancy to you, and like you.” ‘‘T have not any objections,” said Bob, much amused at the horseman’s strange freak. “But where can we change ?” ** Oa, this old barn will do, but we must be quick,” said the stranger, dismounting, Bob soon exchanged clothes with the horseman ; but he couldn't help but remark that his companion hada very large amount of: gold coin about him The stranger told him he had been out Cece for a very large London firm. “There,” said Phillip, surveying Bob, clothes will make a man of you,” “ Mine alter yowr looks very much,” gaid Bob, laughing. ‘““Never mind that, my boy. I can afford to play such queer pranks, for lamrich. It will take my father quite by surprise to see me dressed in this manner.” ‘¢ And go it will mine when I go again.” “Why not go to-night? Come, cheer up; put this purse in your pocket, and haye a pull at my brandy flask; it will cheer you up. Go to him at once ; he can’t be always angry with you.” The stranger’s words were so kind and en- couraging that, after he had galloped off, Bob determined to go boldly to his father’s house, and demand a lodging for the night, The stranger’s brandy had aroused him, and made him feel rather flattered with his altered and gen- param y appearance, ‘those Thinking thus, he walked across the fields towards Four Ash Farm; but as he approached the dwelling he felt a sense ‘of deep depression from some un- known cause—a feeling of chilliness and fear took possession of him. He walked boldly up to the back door, however, and found it wide open. Instead of the dogs joyfully yelping when he ap- proached them, they ‘rushed at him to the full length of their chains, howling most dismally. He entered the house. All was unearthly quiet. ‘<7 will not disturb any one,” thought the prodigal son, “but creep into the parlour, and sleep on the - sofa until morning.” This he did on tiptoe, for fear of being heard, and was soon fast asleep. In less than half-an-hour Betty returned, and with her two village constables. They went upstairs to the farmer’s bed-room, conducted by old Betty. She knocked at her master’s bed-room door three times. There was no answer. No light was burning. She opened the door, and peeped in. No one was there. She {next looked into Master Robert’s old bed- room. Next moment she screamed aloud, and fell stag- gering to the floor. ‘* Murdered ! murdered !’’ she cried, The two officers went in, and turned deadly pale, as they beheld the lifeless body lying ghastly and gory before them. “Murdered ! murdered!” screamed the servant, again and again, in piercing tones. “The dreadful sounds aroused Robert. He leaped from the sofa, and rushed upstairs. ‘Oh, here is Mr. Bolton ; kind good gentleman ; oh, tell us who did this?” said Betty, weeping. “Tt is not Mr. Bolton,” said one of the officers; “itis Bob Bertram.” “What means this?” gasped Bob, pushing by the officers into his own old bed-room. ‘‘ What means all this screaming when my father lies sick in hed ?” “Tt means murder, Bob,” said one of the men, “What! murder?” “Yes ; and you did it,” said the other, ‘if I’m not much mistaken,” sc Me 92 *‘ Aye you, Bob; look at your fine clothes stained with blood |” And so they were. {They had been wiped, but the stains were there upon them still, ‘‘Oh ! heavens! have mercy on me!” said Bob, turning white as a sheet, and fell into an arm chair, stricken to the heart with surprise and sorrow. ‘We did not think you would do such a horrid thing as this is, Bob,” said the officers; ‘‘ but we were warned of your threats, and your coming here to roo your father, and came to prevent it.” ‘“Me? Rob my father? Come here to murder? Warned of it beforehand?” gasped Bob, with star- ing eyes, “ What means this? Is it all a terrible, horrible dream, or what ?”’ “No; itis an awful reality, and we must take you in custody, on the charge of murder,” In an instant the two officers handcuffed him, He did not utter a word or move a muscle. He was pale, and looked wildly about him as if in a dream, “ Poor Nance !” he sighed, thinking of his pretty persecuted sweetheart and intended wife. “ Poor Nance, this news will break thy young heart |” ia —— mMiGboo (E(0) CS (E(0)