The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

172 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. a Se aa ten minutes, without noise, without causing any alarm or hubbub among the servants, I will have every one of you transported.” “ So saying, the carriage they had hired drew up round'the corner, and Colonel Blood stepped forward toward the house. He knocked and rang loudly, and it was some time before the door was opened. At length it was unlocked and opened by no less a person than Tim, the groom. Directly he saw Colonel Blood, he would haveruno away, but the colonel seized him by the throat, and gave the unlucky youth such a shake as made his limbs to curl up like shavings. “Make any noise, and I’ll choke you, villain,” said the colonel. ‘‘ Where is your master !”’ “* Which master ?” Tim groaned. “ Old Sir Richard.” ‘‘Heis in the parlour, talking to a young lady who is sick.”’ “ Take in this card, then, and be quick.” While Tim was gone, Blood opened the door ajar. His four confederates noiselessy entered, and hid themselves for a moment on the kitchen stairs, until they should have ascertained where Ellen Harmer's apartment was. “Colonel Blood !’’ said old Sir Richard, in much surprise, as he walked into the halJ. ‘ May I ask your business with me? it must be of some great con- sequence, or youSwould not have called at this unrea- sonable hour ?” “T would not, Sir Kichard—my information is of the utmost importance to you, and brooks no delay.” ‘“ Come this way then, colonel ; I will not ask you into my breakfafast parlor, for I have a fair young woman there, who has been lyiug insehsible for the last hour or more.” “Indeed !” ‘“‘ Yes, it is a painful story, as far as I can under- stand ; but come this way, colonel, into the dining room. Tim, go down tothe cellar and bring a bottle of wine for the colonel.” “Yes, Sir Riehard,” said Tim, and off he went towards the cellar with great glee,for it must be con- fessed Master Tim was seldom sent to the wine cellar without helping himself to the very best ad- vantages. He had not got further than the kitchen stairs, however, when an ominous squeak was heard like that of some unlucky rat who has shoved his head into a steel trap. ‘‘Be ye men or devils! Have mercy on a poor unfortunate youth, who was born to be kicked and cuffed like a dog by every one.” ** Silence !”’ said Blood’s confederates, “or we will kill you.” They instantly gagged and bound Master Tim, and for fear he should be in the way or give any trouble, they opened a window and pitched the poor groom into a dust-hole beneath, like a bundle of rags. Quicker than can be described, the four men stealthily entered the breakfast parlour, closed the door again, and perceived Ellen Harmer lying on a couch, attended by two old nurses. When the four masked men made their sudden and noiseless appearance in the room, one of the nurses frantically clutched her gin bottle, took a hasty drink, and pretended to swoon. The other, who was an old maid of fifty, seized the poker, and made a brave stand to defend her virtue from the intruders, But finding that none so much as even attempted —— ee rs ce —— TT | to pass ? to kiss her, she felt disgusted, disconsolate, and fainted, kicking up her heels high in the air, In less than three minutes, the four masked men had secured and bore away Ellen Harmer without alarming the household. Colonel Blood’s quick ears could hear the distaut rumbling of heavy wheels, and he felt satisfied that his men had done their work cleverly and com- pletely. “But what is your business with me, colonel ?” asked Sir Richard. “There has been a dreadful commotion to-night, Phillip Redgill, I hear, is killed,’’ “ Killed !—how ?—by whom ?” ‘Yes, killed, I understand, in a brawl or a fight, or a duel, or something of that sort, by young Ned Warbeck,”’ “ Tmposaible !’’ ‘‘ Nay, ’tis too true, Sir Richard ; the information only just. reached me, and I thought it was my bounden duty to inform you.” : “ Thanks, colonel ; but how could this have come I cannot understand it. I know that Phillip Redgill’s character of late has been bad, very bad indeed, but I never thought it would have come to this. Killed by Ned Warbeck, too—shock- ing, sir, shocking. I always thought that something of this sort would happen, for they hated each other since boyhood. But in what manner did all this happen, colonel ? Let me hear the particulars,” Colonel Blood was about to tell him all he knew, when a great row took place in the house, which stopped the conversation. “What is that noise ?” asked old Sir Richard. “T know not,’ said Blood, coolly. ‘“ Murder, thieves, robbers, burglars, seducers, villains !’’ screamed the two nurses locked in the room. They kicked at the door, and made such a terrible hubbub, that it aroused all the servants in the house, who came clamouring to the spot in hot haste. “Open the door, open the door!” screamed the two nurses, jumping about inside ; “thieves, mur- derers, seducers—help, help !” The door was quickly ‘opened, and one of the nurses thought proper to enact a little scene on her own account, and therefore fainted right in Blood’s arms, The colonel was disgusted with his burden, and let her fall upon the floor again, rather heavily. “The girl gone ? said Sir Richard. “Yes, four men came in upon us—oh, oh, oh |— ho-o-o !” * All in masks—oh, ho-o-o !”’ ‘Wanted to take liberties with us—ho-o-o !” “ But we wouldn’t let ’em.” “ They snatched up my lady.” ‘* And drank all the wines and spirits.” * They had all black faces.” ‘‘ Masks, I suppose,’ said Blood, coolly. “Yes, sir; masks, dark lanterns, and daggers. Oh, it was a mercy bot): on us weren’t killed.” “And which way did they go ?” “ Can’t tell, sir.”’ ‘I must see to this at once,” said Blood ; “this outrage is too great to be endured,” Do,” said Sir Richard; “do, colonel, the girl must not be borne away from my house in this manner.” “You speak and look as if Z had had something to do with the affair, Sir Richard.” “Whatever I think is my own business, Colonel Blood ; but believe me I shall inform the king of all mMIGDoo cS i | com