Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 12: what you’re looking at

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1884 from him, and fi trust that our aid and interference not come too late.’ ““¢ And I too—and I tov!’ said the old lady, tears again eclling down hercheeks. ‘Oh, he is a bad and desperate man! And, being in this extremity, who can say what baseness he may not be guilty of ? Who can say what will be the end of this terrible affair ?’ ““¢ Tet ns hope for the best,’ I said. ‘ Put some faith the firmness which, you say, your niece has ever shown towards him—that is all we can do at present, and I do bope aud trust that all will yet be well.’ will CHAPTER DCCCXLIV. IN WHICH TOM hING BRINGS THE NARR£YSVE OF B25 ADVENTURES TO A CONCLUSION. BLACK BESS; OR, — closely as to shut out all view c7 the interior af the apart. ment. ; ; “Looking in, I perceivea’ standing on the opposite side of the table a young girl, who by her appearance I im- mediately guessed to be Lillian. |. “Tf any confirmation was required, I had it fn the manner in which the old lady clasped her hands together as soon as she caught sight of her. . “ Lillian, then—for so I may as well co's her=<was stand- ing in an attitude of defiance; her ots were flashing fire; her slim, lithe form was drawn up to its full height; and stern, angry words were issuing from her lips, thoug owing to the closeness with which the casement fitted, J_ could not overhear a single word. ‘In one hand she held a knife, that she had evidently | hastily snatched up from the table. “Tt was raised threateningly above her head. “Standing on the other side of the table was a “At this moment the carriage stopped with quite a sud- | man. den jerk, and the old lady immediately put her head nut of the window to ascertain the cause. ‘‘*Here we are, mum,’ said the coachman— leastwiee, as near as I can tell.’ «Yes, yes,’ was the reply=-- this is the place, I feel certain “¢* Allow me,’ I said, and looking forth, I perceived what was evidently the boundary-wall of a small, pretty- looking residence, the top of which I could just seo. ‘*¢ ‘To you see the gates, Samuel?’ che asked. ‘© ¢ No, mum.’ . ‘Drive on, then.’ “Stay! I exclaimed. ‘The circumstances ‘ander which we are paying our visit are peculiar. It wisi be better by far not to draw up to the main entrance. Wr uat we shall accomplish to-nisht will be done by stratagem and skill more than by main force. With your permis- sion, we will alight just here.’ ““*T am quite ready to resign myself into your hands,’ she answered; then, smiling, she continued: ‘This does indeed seem a Strange night of adventure. Who would lave believed that I should have taken you, a perfect stranger, imto my confidence in this af air ?’ «YT only trust,’ I replied, ‘that you wil: have no occa- sion to regret having done so.’ ‘‘ With these words, I handed her from the carriage, and, going closer to the boundary-wall, began to make an wmspection of it, with a view of finding a means of pass- ing it. “In a little while I came to a small door, that was, however, strongly fastened. : “T succeeded in climbing the wall; but as my com- panion could not follow me by that route, 1 dropped on the other side and unfastened the door, which was secured only by a couple of rusty bolts. “This door I just closed behind us, without fastening it, and as I did so, I said: ‘“* We will now take particular notice of the positicn of this doorway, for, in case events should make it necessary, we shall then know which way to turn in gerder to make our escape speedily.’ “¢ But,’ she inquired, ‘how do you intend to act ?’ “that is a question I can hardly reply to,’ I said; ‘[ shall suffer myself to be guided entirely by circum- stances. Come with me. We will, first of all, look all round the premises.’ ‘She was quite willing, as she said, to resign herself into my hands and allow me to take the lead. ‘‘Stealthily, then, l approached the house and gavea rapid glance at its exterior. “In this there was nothing ‘tnatever remarkable, although it looked a very_charriag, beautiful place indeed. “2 ‘The windows next engaged my attention. ‘“‘T could see none that were illuminated until } tnrned the angle of one wing, and then I saw several. ‘One was on the ground floor, and towards that I crept at once, a consciousness within me that if I could take a peep through it I should see something well worth look- ing at. “Ina moment or so the winduw was reachew, Snr making a sign to my companion to preserve «3 much silence as she possibly could, I raised my head and ven- tured to peep in. “Carioios were drawn across the window yot net ac “His face was hidden from me, and i could make out but little of his appearance. “Yet I knew well enough that this was the guardian that had been described to me. ‘‘T waited to see no more, but, grasping the old lady by the hand, led her away for a few steps. : “¢ You saw all that?’ I said. ‘I suppose I am correct in believing those two persons to be your niece Lillian and her guardian William Aldis?’ — «6 Yes—yes!’ she exclaimed, in a voice tremulous with agitation. ‘Save her- save my poor girl—save her while there is yet time !’ ‘**Be under no apprehension,’ I answered, assuringly. ‘I merely wished to appeal to you for a little advice.’ “¢ No, no—act entirely as you think proper.’ “+ Unfortunately, Icannot. You know my position— I cannot interfere in a case of this kind as others would.’ “ ¢T do not understand you.’ “Frankly, then, I mean this: After what has oc- curred, it will be manifestly your best course to give this William Aldis isto custody, to answer, first of all, for carrying off your niece—for forcibly aetaiuing her against her will; and then, if necessary, you can prosecute him if he has made use of any of her wealth.’ «Yes, yes—I understand; but yet I would rather be free from him altogether.’ *¢No doubt you would; but you must consider your — niece’s interests in this affair, You can understand now —can you not ?—that it will be impossible for me to call in the police officers; if I did, I also should be made a prisoner; but,’ I continued, ‘I will enter that room—I will overpower him and make him a prisoner—I will secure him as well as I am able, and after that you must find some means of communicating with the police.’ “The old lady seemed to hesitate; but just then-a loud shriek arose. “Tt was followed by a tremendous crash. “T turned round, and saw instantly what had hap- pened. ‘‘Exasperated or terrified at something her villanous guardian had either said or done, Lillian had made one bold spring across the room, and dashed herself through the casement. . ‘‘ A fierce and angry shout succeeded, and then William Aldis dashed through the broken window. ‘‘ But before he could approach the trembling, affrighted girl, I placed myself before him, sword in hand. “¢ Back,’ I exclaimed—‘ back! Your villecy bas been discovered and frustrated just in tine 2’ “Such a ysH as William Aldis then gave utterance to, I thiak I have never heard in al! my life before. “With all the insensate fury of a madman, he drew his sword from its sheath, and commenced a witd attack upon me. ‘‘T was not a moment in ascertaining that I was far superior to him in fence, and before he well knew what had happened, his sword was seat whirling across the rarden. ¥ ‘Mcanwhile, Lillian had discovered her aunt, and wag clasped tightly in her arms, sobbing end weeping now that the danger was ever. “T followed up the advantage [ had gained, and seizing the rascal by the throat, flashed my sword before his eyes. fe ‘Vicld,’ I cried—' yield this moment! T am a despersse - Eomichbooks.co