Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. 1389 “We will not; but if Dick should unfortunately be the inmate of a Newgate cell, the officers will all be clustered round about there like so many bees,”’ “Yes; and that reminds me that I scarcely ought to start off to London without some arrangement being ma:te,’’ Fir B ** What kind of arrangement do you mean ?”’ “ Why, suppose that it turns out that Dick is really @ prisoner—mind, I say this only in case it turns ont so —it is begt to be prepared for the worst, is it not ?”’ * Quite. But what then ?” ** Why, had we better not come to some determination as to our proceedings ?”’ ‘*T don’t see how it. is possible.”’ “ Nor I, exactly; but my present idea -s torun the risk of calling upon old Matthew Gale, in Drury Lane.”’ “Oh, ah! That’sa good thought!”’ ‘Ho is a long-headed fellow, you know, and takes an especial delight in outwitting the police officers Ten to one he could give us some valuable suggestions, and render us some stili more valuable assistance.”’ “Beyond a doubt he could. I am glad you thought of it. Call there by all means.” ‘6 Well, then, I think that is about all that can be done at present. I will put one of the horses in the light cart, and drive off this moment.”’ The highwaymen urged him to leave. But just as he was passing through the doorway, Maud descended the staircase. ‘lhere was an air of great wildness and frenzy in her manner, and, seizing ‘Tom Davis by the breast of his coat, she exclaimed : * Tell me—tell me—let it come from your lips, and I shall be satisfied—is what [ hear the truth?—is Dick really a prisoner ?”’ ** 1 have no means of answering,” said Tom Davis, ‘I have heard as much, and am now about to set off to London to ascertain whether the report is trye or false. 1 hope the latter, and, if possible, I will return in a few - hours, bringing Turpin with me.”’ e ‘No, no!’ she exclaimed. ‘That hopeisa vain one ! If the officers have really captured him, such close watch and guard will be set upon all his movements that escape will be totallyimpossible. They are already exasperated beyond measure. Alas—alas! I feel that his doom is sealed.’’ She wept bitterly and violently—so violently that Tom Davis grew alarmed, **Calm yourself,’’ he exclaimed—“ pray calm yourself for a little while until I return! Then will be the time to give way to grief, when you feel there is no longer room left for hope.’’ ‘*T know it now,’’ she said—‘“‘ I have a presentiment in my mind which I cannot mistake! I feel as certain as { should do if I had witnessed all with my own eyes, that Dick is at this moment languishing a prisoner in one of those gloomy cells. He will be watched and guarded—no movement, however slight, will pass un- noticed—access will be denied to him. ‘Tell me, then, how you can hope to effect his escape!” “We cannot look forward to so much as that at pre- gent,” was his answer. ‘“‘ We have first to satisfy our- selves he is a prisoner, aud I can assure youl by no means feel sure of it, nor did the man who sold the paper.”’ Mand released him from her grasp, and, stepping back @ pace or two, clasped her hands together, Then, fixing her eyes upon his countenance, she said: “Ts that really and truly so, or do you simply say it out of some motive of mistaken kindness? If so, let me beg of you to recall your words; otberwise the disappoint- ment will be bitter—more bitter than I can bear !”’ ‘It is not a false hope,’’ said Tom. ‘*‘ The man was not certain, and that’s why I am setting out to ascer- tain.’ “Then go,” she exclaimed—“ go. at once! I will not detain youa moment longer, and while you are absent [ will try to be as calm and hopeful as Ican! [I shall long for your return—I shall count every second, so, in pity to me, be no longer than you can help.”’ Tom Davis promised faithfully, and, glad to leave ner in such a mood as this, hastened at once towards the stables. _ ¢ His preparations were quiokly made. ihe horse was barnessed to the cart, and, after .ne ar; 4 7 536M ra . more farewell and a reiteration of his injunctions, he rode off. The time passed most wearily and anxiously. The sun rose higher and higher in the sky, until the meridian was past, | Hours and hours elapsed, and yet there were nosigns of ‘Tom Davis’s return. _ What could have detained him, they were ata loss to imagine; but, from his long absence, they drew most unfavourable auguries. Had the report been a false one, it could have been ascertained immediately, and he would have been back long and long ago. Such being the case, the high waymen resigned them- selves to the worst, and already began to speculate in their own minds as to which would be the likeliest means by which they could obtain the captain’s liberation. Maud’s calmness and hopefulness departed also, and so great did her agitation become, and so vehement was her grief, that the worst consequences were appreliended. Still Tom Davis came not, aud it was not until the long shadows of evening were beginning to creep over the landscape that the distant rattle of his light cart could be heard. Burning with curiosity, the highwaymen watched its approach. In a few moments it came in sight, and then Tom Davis drew up with a dash in front of the inn, witha look of unusual importance and seriousness upon his countenance. CHAPTER DCCCXLVIII. RETURNS TO DICK TURPIN AND THE HUNTSMEN. HavING now brought events up to this point, we feel that we shall be able to devote the whole of our atten- tion to the very peculiar and critical position in which Dick Turpin is placed. It will be remembered that his words were that he would surrender freely and without any resistance to Sir George. : No sooner were these words spoken than the baronet stretched out his hand and placed it on the highway man’s shoulder, and as he did so he exclaimed : ‘‘ Dick Turpin, you are my prisoner !’’ Dick only bowed. Sir Marmaduke, frantic with rage, seized Turpin also. ‘‘ Bind the villain,” he cried; “‘secure him! Pinion him so that he cannot escape! I command jou all to obey me in this matter !’’ Dick Turpin shook off the grasp of Sir Marmaduke rather roughly. ‘* You forget,’’ he said. ‘‘I did not yield myself a pri- soner to you, but to this gentleman, and I warn you that if you interfere you will find that you have a very dan- gerous customer to meddle with.”’ Fairly white with passion, Sir Marmaduke again car- ried his hand to his sword, ‘*T wish you would cross weapons with me,’’ shouted Dick, as he observed the movement; ‘‘ but I know your nature too well to think for a moment that you would ever have the courage to do so.”’ This remark stung him to the quick—so much so that he half drew his sword from its sheath. But dashing it back again, he said : ‘*T am a fool to bandy words thus with a robber, and I deserve all the abuse I get.”’ ‘‘Hxcuse me,’ said Sir George, “ but my opinion is that the abuse is on your part.”’ ‘¢ And my opinionis,” retorted Sir Marmaduke, “ that if you had the opportunity you would allow this man to regain his liberty.” “You may be right and you may be wrong,” was the calm reply. ‘‘ Well, then,’”’ cried Sir Marmaduke, “let me ask you what itis you intend to do with your prisoner ?”’ * Do with him? I have not the least idea. I don’t want him. I would much rather look after mv own business.’’ ‘¢ Then hand him over to me.”’ ‘But he objects.”’ “Yes, decidedly,” said Dick. EOmMmIicbdooks (E(0)