The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

118 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. Clare had hitherto disclosed her seéret thoughts to no one, yet, when alone, she often thought, cee Every one is loved but me! I am not pretty, I know, neither have I many accomplishments. I ait I were like Emma Bray, for everybody loves er. “And then she would stealthily draw from her bosom a small gold locket which contained a ruby heart on which was cut a simple love motto. “‘She knew not who had sent it. “Tt came to her in a bouquet found on the dress- ing table on her birthday, and was the first present she had ever received from any admirer, “She mused and pondered, but dared not give utterance to her thoughts; yet as she passed the college gardens, and saw Lawrence walking up and down, her cheeks flushed, and bending her head more lowly than ever, she passed the buildings rapidly, and tried to Btay her unnatural palpita- tions, “Thus ran the wild fancies of the wounded student about his true love, when a loud knocking and rapping was heard at Lord Stoner’s door. “* Who or what can that be ?’ thought Ashton. “ But still the knocking ‘continued in the dead of night, and the dogs barked in all directions. “When the hall porter opened the door, he per~ ceived two white figures on horseback, with long; streaming hair, “ The old hall porter rushed away and hid him- self, for he swore that two ghosts had arrived at the hall. ‘“ When the truth was made’ known, it was dis- covered that the two arrivals were not ghosts at all. “ They were two handsome females. “They were none other than Lady Bray and Clare Temple ! “Where is my father?’ asked Clare, in great haste and fright, as she dismounted from her foam- ing horse, “« Where is my uncle, the colonel ?’ gasped Lady Bray. “¢What is the matter, ladies ??. asked Lord Stoner, in great alarm. ‘ Why, heaven help us! the two ladies have scarcely anything on but their night-dresses. What is the matter? Explain, I beg, ladies, explain.’ ~ 6 Arm "yourself and your household !’ gasped Clare. ‘Arm them quickly !’ “‘¢ What means this ?’ “* Arm yourselves, all of you, at once, or you are all dead men !” *<Wxplain,’ said the colonel to his daughter: “You know Redgill, who has spl di for my hand ?’ “ce Yes. , “*T refused him thrice.’ “<*T know it ; what of that ?’ “¢ He has joined a band of ruffians who have as- stimed the singular and horrible disguise of skeleton men. Emma and I were sitting at our bedroom window, and could not sleep. We espied two men dressed in skeleton garb hiding in the shrubbery. We heard them conversing together, and learnt that they intended to carry Emma and myself away, and to murder all who opposed them, I did not stop an instant, for I and cousin crept from our room, saddled two horses, and galloped hither for protection. But just as we were crossing the hill- top, I espied a large troop of these demon-like horse- men approaching, and could hear them singing a song, in which they praised Redgill, their leader and chief, and swore to have the life’s blood of ve some one they: called the King’s Bastard, but what it meant I knew not.’ ‘“‘< Rnough, daughter,’ said the old man, drawing his sword. ‘Ere these bloodthirsty fiends can arrive, we will fly with the wounded youth.’ ‘In a short time a carriage and four was provided. “Lawrence was placed in if. “With a strong guard of mounted men around, in front, and behind it, the carriage drove off towards the sea coast, Clare and Lady Bray, being inside, acting as nurses to the wounded youth.” Wildfire Ned had read this much of his father’s exciting history; when a side door was suddenly opened, Before he could say 2. word, Captain Jack stood before him, laughing. CHAPTER XXXIV. CAPTAIN JACK PAYS NED WARBECK AN UNEX- PECTED VISIIT—THE REVELATION. “‘ Wuo the devil are you ?” said Ned, rising hastily, and drawing a pistol. ‘Who the devil are you ? What do you want, and where do you come from? Answer instantly, or a bullet shall whistle through your head.” “Put down your pistol, my brave lad,’ said Captain Jack, smiling. “My name is Captain Jack. I am one of the crown officers; in other words, a detective, and am just come from one of the strongest prisons in the kingdom.”’ “ Indeed ! and what has all that to do with me?” “ A great deal, as you will quickly hear.’’ “And how gained you admittance into this library ?” “By a secret door, as you perceive.” “JT never knew that one existed.’’! “No; but Z did,” said Captain. Jack, smiling. WA know all about this house; as well as I do about the ins and out of Darlington Hall.” “Indeed !” “Yes ; a friend of yours informed me.” “A friend of mine? N ay, be must have been an enemy.” “Well, enemy, then, if you like. remember his name,” **‘T cannot guess.’’ * Phillip Redgill.” “The wretch !” “Yes ; he’s all that, and more ; but I think his career of crime is well nigh ended, He is in gaol,” T need not ask for ‘what, perhaps ?” “Murder, Ned Warbeck—murder is his crime,” “And how came you to ferret out all his vil- lany ?” “J have had my eye on him for a long time. Ha! ha! I daresay you When the fruit was ripe we plucked it, he is safe enough now.” “And what are the number of charges against him ?” “« A dozen or more.”’, ‘‘And how did you manage to capture him at last, for I have heard you were a long time in finding him out ?” **Some months, for he lived from time to time in all sorts of holes and corners, and under all imaginable names. He treated his wife, Fanny, in the most shameful manner, and Jed her also into vice and crime ; but as long as'she supplied him with money from time to time, he seldom went home, and did not care how or whence the money came. I heard all the facts from a spy, whom I employed, and I conichooks.com Gh a ©) =}