Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

’ 7 on 2 BLACK BESS; OR, ae ee ee rr ae “T don’t know the legend,” was the answer; “but I have been told that strange sounds have been heard, tights seen in the night, and once, many years ago, & stranger, who had boldness enough to approach the ruins after nightfall, averred that he saw a form resembling that of |; & monk. He described very accurately the jong gray cloak, and afterwards affirmed that he had seen the monk’s face, or as much of it as was visible, for the lower half tvas entire!y covered by silvery hair that reached down almost to his waizt.” ‘‘AndI suppose,” said Jack, “ people were sufficieatly terrified at this to fee] afraid of coming any more ?” ‘‘f suppose so; but no doubt it was all imagination, or else a freak played by some one upon thetraveller. Still,” he added, ‘tthe place is large enough, and if there are ghosts there ought to be room for them here as well as for us.” By the light manuer in which Claude Duval spoke, it was evident that he placed but a very small amount of ec2dence in the story he had just related.. Not so Jack, however, who recollected witha very peculiar shuddering sensation the strange events which bed happened to himself at the Three Spiders Jnn, and racalled, with anything but comfortable feelings, the sequel to them. He marvelled much that Claude made no allusion to these circumstances ; he could only account for it by sup- posing that they had slipped his memory, and such being the case, he thought it not worth while to revive so dis-! agreeable a subject. “Well, now, Jack,” said Claude, after a puuse, ‘ tell me what you think of this place; is it not lhkely that we shall be able to remain here conccaled for the length of time agreed upon ?” “7 think there is a strong probability of it; and at any rate, no one could approach us very closely without cur knowled-e, and one great advantage about the nat«re of the building is, that we could easily make our way out at any point.” “ You are right,” said Claude, ‘but it is very strange to me if we are troubled by the coming of anyone.” While he spoke, Claude took from his pocket one of Lis pistols, and in a very leisurely, business-like way be- gan to take it to picces for the purpose of giving ita thorough cleaning. While thus engaged, the two highwaymen held a consultation as to their future movements, and it was then fully determined that unless something unexpected took place that they would remain in the shelter of the ruins till the time came for them to set out for Hampstead. The intense silence that prevailed in the ruins hada most chilling and depressing influence upon Jack. In vain he tried to struggle against it, and to turn his thoughts into some other channel; if he succeeded for a few moments his mind was sure to dwell upon the original subject. And now once more the moon broke forth from behind the clouds, and shed her silvery lustre upon the time-worn walls. By this time Claude had carefully loaded his pistol and placed it ready for immediate use, and no sooner did he perceive that the moonbeams were pouring down with full force than he started up and exclaimed: ‘‘Ceme, Jack, now that it is a little lighter, follow me, and we will make as good an examination as we can of our new quarters.” Jack rose slowly and guietly. His comrade noticed his manner in a moment, and ex- claimed, with a slight laugh: “Why, Jack, one would think you were no better than the rest—that you were frightened at the thought of some spectre making its appearance.” “No, no—not exactly that,” said Jack. “But zhv not change the subject ?” “Justas you like. But come—look fc.tn, and tefl me whether you ever saw anything more beautiful ?” Claude pointed to the large courtyard, which wes now fully lighted up in every part by the moon’s rays. ‘It is truly beautiful,” sald Jack; “ but—but—--~” “But what? Why do you hesitate?” “| was thinking that those stones yonder resemble a hyard more than aught else.” ense, Jack,” laughed Claude—“ yon really gel worse !” LLL CC I IIT EE SET tal OCT EET _ “Perhaps so, and I may as well confess at once thai f cannot prevent my thoughts from dwelling upon thst strange circumstance that occurred a shor$ time back—I mean when we saw the shadow on the wail.” *Ysnnsibly, Sixteen-String Jack sank bis voice while u6 SPCKe. The words no sooner reached Clande Duval's ears than he gave a slizlit start. “Was it so?” he said, endeavouring to appear com- posed. “I had quite forgotten all about it. wWonfound it, man! why did you mention such a thing as that at the present time ?” “ Hark!” said Jack. ‘* What’s that ?” The faint but clear sounds of a clock striking the hour, floating through the silent air, came gently to their ears. Jack counted the strokes haif aloud. ‘‘ Tvs the church in the next village,” exclaimed Claude. “ How strange that we should hear it so far off!” “And miduigat,” said Jack. ‘Yes, the hour when ——” He paused abruptly, for Sixteen-String Jack just then grasped him by the arm with painful tightness. At the same instant he raised his other hand aad pointed to the extremity of the courtyard. “T,cok—look!” he gasped. ‘ What do you see there ? You see, the story you were telling me has some truth in it afte: all.” Claule tried hard to preserve his usual calmness, but, for all that, his cheeks grew white and his form qui- vered. Cleary, distinctly. and fully revealed by the moon- beams, he saw on the other side of the courtyard a dark, shadowy form, yet one whose outlines were well de- fined. The figure was one wrapped inalong gray cloak, the cowl of which was drawn forwards to its full extent. - Then, while they gaze, the figure paused, the cow] was thrown back, and they saw a thin and wasted coun- tenance, with a huge white beard descending in heavy, wavy masses. The highwaymen both gazed until their eyes ached; then, unabie to look longer, they averted their eyes. When they recovered themselves sufficiently to look around again, they saw at a glance that the figure had disappeared. CHAPTER CMLIV. SIX\ EEN-STRING JACK AND CLAUD DUVAL EXPLORE THE RUINS OF TILE OLD CASTLE. Uvon making this discovery, ncither spoke. Sixteen-String Jack gave one glance at his old comrade; then, walking back with an unsteady step, re- seated himself upon the piece of stone-work, and wiped the perspiration from his forehead. “This is too much,” he murmured—*“ too much ! Claude, let us depart at once.” ‘You seem strongly overcome, Jack,” answered his comrade. “Shake off these superstitious tsrrors—be more like yourself.” Sixteen-String Jack only shook his head slowly. “T can’t forget,” he said, ‘*what I have seen. Hxplain that if you can, then I shall be more composed.” “'l'o what do you refer?” “ The shadow that we all saw upon the wall.’ “Bah! why not forget that incident, and think about the present? For my own part, Lam glad rather than otherwise that we have received this contirmatiea of the truth of the old legend.” “Glad!” ejaculated Jack, in wonder. “‘Yes—because it is very strange to me if that figure, whatever it is, goes out of its way to harm us; and while it remains, do you not see that it will be a most effectual protection to us by scaring away all other people.” “But how dreadful to remain,” said Jack—“to know that——” ‘Be silent and listen. 1 tooked well at that strange figure, and I must say-that never in my life did I see anything that looked more substantial or real.” ‘Do you think, then, that the——* “fT think it was no spectre,” answered Claude, ‘‘bata man.” “Ton saythat, but you do not mean 7+; you think by AnlCe (e(o) JOOKS (E(@)