The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 135 TR a a So speaking, Tom Bates buttoned up his coat, looked to his sword and pistols, and went forth alone into the darkness and blinding storm of fleet and rain. CHAPTER XNEXIX, COLONEL BLOOD MEETS A TARTAR—THE RELEASE OF ELLEN HARMER—THE MURDER IN THE WOOD. Tom Bates had not gone very far from the rendez- vous of the Dozen, and was trudging along through the wind and rain, forming plans for that night’s operations, when some one ina dark street. laid. his hand roughly on his)shoulder. _ Tom stopped as if by instinct. “That you, colonel ? ” he asked, fT hat you, Bates. ? ” -i‘ Yes, sir.”? “Come this way out of the rain,” said he, ‘And he led the way up-a dark, narrow alley, which was lighted by a single lamp. “Well, and what news, Bates ? Haye you secured that reprobate Captain Jack yet? ” | “No, colonel ; it is a more difficult matter than might be: ‘supposed, te “ Where is he, then ?” “T know not, colonel, but imagine that now we are after him he is hiding away in some of the back slums in or around London,”’ “But how could he have got any information about my wishes or intentions ? ” “That I know not, sir; but certain it is that we have been seeking for him both high and Jow in every hole and quarter; but I fear me he has left London.” ‘Left London, and for what, pray ?” “Some two weeks azo, colonel, I heard him say that there were two proclamations out about an attempted murder and a forcible abduction case which took place in the village of Darlington not long since. One and the same person is concerned in both transactions, and altogether a reward of £500 is offered.” “Impossible!” said Colonel Blood, biting his lip. “T have never seen any of these proclamations. 2 “Perhaps not, sir; but Captain Jack said, the last time I saw him, that he had particular reasons for not having them posted up earlier,” As Bates spoke, Colonel Blood looked straight into his eyes; but so,;well did, Bates play; the hypocrite, that Colonel Blood had. not the slightest notion that he was aware of the real facts.of the Case. “ And where are these two proclamations, Bates? Have you one with you ?” “Yes, colonel,” said Bates, once. “Strange affair,” said Blood, iting: his, lips in anger, “I never heard of all this, before.” Old Bates said not a word; but he: could not Hel but remark how Colonel, Blood’ s. eyes! flashed with anger, and, in his sleeve, he laughed, ; “And so these are the two proclamations you speak of, eh ?’? said the colonel, unfolding and reading them. ‘ How did you get, ‘them Pyo. “ Captain Jack gave them to me.” ...., “Damn Captain Jack!” said. Blood, eran his foot in anger; ‘‘and so he has gone; down to Darlington to investigate these affairs, eh 2” ‘‘ Yes, that was his intention. He said he made sure of finding out who it was who not only at- tempted to murder Andrew, but who abducted the girl also.” displaying both, at a a eens CTO) iG (OX8) ' said: cunning old Bates, “Ha! tlien he is very clever,” said the colonel. After a pause, he added— “Important business obliges me to Icave town to-night. I must run down to Darlington. and arrest this troublesome fellow, Captain Jack is, vo longer, to be trusted: he is not now an officer of the crown, and, therefore, has no business to trouble himself about what does not concern him.” “Teave town to- -night, colonel!” said Bates, as if _ surprised. “ Yes, to-night.’” ‘Tois a dangerous j journey. ae ““Oh,as to that I have no fears,’ each the eolonel);, “no one will ever dare to attacl me.” “But what are we to do in the mean time ??? ‘Are’ we, to give any attention: to, these two, proclamations ?2’ “No, I think not,” ‘said Blood; atleast: not at present ; not until Ioreturn to ‘town again. You ‘could never discover the girl's: place of ‘con- cealment.”’ “But one of my men Says, colonel, that he does already know where she is.” “ Tndeed !” said Blood, anxiously. “ Know wie Ellen Harmer is, eh ? then’ he must be a -very'clever fellow, for I don’t.” “Oh, then, colonel,” said Bates, bowing, and with a smile, “af you don’t know anything about this matter, I'm sure I do not.” “Well, no matter, Bates,” said Blood; “I’m glad Pye seen you, for Captain Jack must be captured at once, and af all costs, for he is a troublesome, intriguing busy-body. Remain. as quiet as you can until my return from ‘Darling- ton. i have plenty of work in store for you.’ <i ce Glad to hear that, colonel.” ~~ “ Good paying jobs, I mean.’ “ Better still, sir ; but—” “Bat what, Bates ?” said the colonel. “Oh! I was only about to remark, colonel], that all the lads, and myself included, are very. hard up ; if you would so oblige us as to lend usa hundred or two until your return, we should—” “T understand; well, no. wonder you are out of money, seeing how much that scoundrel, Captain) Jack, appropriated to his own, use, Here, ” said he, giving Bates a hundred pound note, “ this will serve you until.my return.’ Colonel. Blood left Bates. in high glee, and. went. his way, ‘Well; this isn’t bad, to commence.with,” said old Bates, putting the note into his. pocket ; « but 1 mustn’t let any of the lads know I have got 80 much. I'll have it changed, give ’em £10.to drink with, and the rest Ill stick to as my, own. per- quisites.”’ Bates changed the note, and when. he returned, he, found jhis companions grumbling at his long delay. The £10, ho wever, revived their drooping spirits. They called for. whatever they liked in eating, and drinking, and the time passed very rapidly. Most of the Dozen had got wellinigh tipsy before the hour of midnight, and were very. noisy, However, when they had their fill, old Bates called a council of war, “Look to your weapons, my merry men,” said he; ‘* see that your pistols are well loaded; and that your swords are not blunt—we’ve got a job on hand: to-night.” ) ‘A job!” said all,in high glee. | * Yes, and one that will pay us wells gab your- selyes sober, every one of you,”’ “What is it ?”’