Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 201: what you’re looking at

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©) a . 7 ; ” , ‘ + It does indeed !” . ‘ “And suppose,” said Jack, hesitatingly—* suppose there is some truth in it, after all? Suppose what wo have witnessed heralds our own death ?” “T refuse to entertain the idea at a'',” said Olaude, “though certainly the legend is more likely to de varifled in our case, I take it, than in any others, for who runs such continual narrow escapes from death as we do ?”’ “Doa’t mention it, Claude,” said Jack—“or, at any rate, in that tone.” “T will not. Do you know that I felt strongly in- clined to remain at the inn until early moving, and then take our departure.” “And why did you not?” said Jack. more pleasant it would have been !” ‘‘T should have done so but for one de<sermination.” “ And what was that 2” “Why, I was resolved, if possible, to set this affair at rest without delay. Understand me distinctly. I hope, Jack, that you will second me in all I intend to do.” “Well, say on.” “In the first place, then, I am more convinced than ever that it is some person who has a motive for re- maining in concealment who has chosen to play the part of this apparition. At any rate, should we see it again, I am determined to follow it closely, and learn whether my conjecture is well or ill founded.” “T will be with you to the utmost, Claude,” was the reply, ‘“‘for it would be a great satisfaction indeed to my mind to discover that what we have seen is nothing more than a human being like ourselves.” “Come on, then, move quickly, and we shall reach the ruins before midnight. We must not forget that stranger —he is a bold, resolute man: I read it in his eyes.” “ You are right. He will be as good as his word, I’ll warrant, and the next time he comes he will make a narrow search.” . “Well, we must take our departure before then. Re- collect that to-morrow will be the fourth day. We shall not have much longer to wait.” Shortly afterwards the highwaymen reached the ruins of the castle. Their first act was to make their way immediately to the place where they had left their horses. They were much rejoiced to find that the aniinz!s were safe. Yet they had a look of distress that puzzled them. “What ails the animals?” said Claude. “How odd One would think that they had seen the 4 ‘How much they look! ghost.” “‘ Bah—norscense |” “But hark! Ican hear midnight pealing forth from the village church. Leave the cattle to themselves awhile, and watch with me.” Filled with an irrepressible curiosity, Sixteen-String Jack obeyed. They took up as nearly as possible the positions they had assumed on the preceding night, and gazed with fixed attention on the spot where the figure had made its appearance. he night was not so favorable for their purpose; but their eyes had become tolerably well accustomed to the obscurity. As the last stroke of the hour of twelve died away, Claude pressed his companion’s arm, and whispered : “ Look, it’s there !” For a few fleeting seconds, despite their resolution, the highwaymen could not stir. Slowly the figure advanced, walking steadily, and ap- pearing as though it intended tc make a complete circuit of the courtyard. The highwaymen shrank .drther back into the shadow. ‘Hoe comes,” whispered Claude—" he coites, and if he passes this spot we will step forth and follow im his track wherever he may lead.” Bixteon-Btring Jack did not reply. All his faculties were bent-upon watching the mysterious figure, whics ap- proached with a slow and steady motion. On it came, nearer and nearer still. The silence was so profound that the high@aymen were | acw. compelled to hold their breath. It seemed to them the F ee hari fia’ Wy ttt Doe ade? fe hah ae SEN Shake A a ee hee ack os uit ik eu WY Se De ~ win mat yy Sat ete yr ty sy vet i’ _ 7 ‘ + THE ENIGHT OF THE ROAD 18 ferd agree exactly with the appfarancs ws “ave | slight noise made by breathing was sufficient to discover their presene= in that place. As the figure drew nearer, a distinct rustling sound reached their ears—such a sound as would be made by any person walking in a large and heavy cloak. No footfall was, however, audible. Directly afterwards the figure passed them, and as s00m as it had gone forward a few paces Claude Duval mur- mured, with great emphasis: “T will stake my life, Jack, that what we have seen is no spectre, but a man. Come quickly—follow in my foot- steps; but use all caution. We will track him, and solve the mystery.” Noiselessly the highwaymen emerged from their place of concealment, keeping close under the shadow of the huge walls. They advanced with the utmost caution, pausing every now and then, when the figure seemed about to turn round and look back; but it continued its solitary walk, not turning its head either to the right or to the left. After going a little further, Claude noticed that they were proceeding in the direction of the keep. Dimly defined in the darkness they could see the door- way through which they had previously passed. The figure approached it, and then in a moment became lost to view. This disappearance was, however, easily accounted for by the darkness, which was so dense in this part that Claude almost lost sight of his companion. “We have lost him, I fear,” he whispered. “ But come on, J ack. Ifhe has ascended the steps we have him sure,” Groping their way forward, the highwaymen crossed the threshold, and, reaching the foot of the stone steps, began to ascend as rapidly as they were able. They listened, thinking perhaps to hear # footfall, but if so they were disappointed. All was silence, save the whistling of the wind among the walls. The summit of the keep at last was reached, aud then they glanced around them quickly. No sign, however, of the mysterious figure could be found. They searched narrowly into every corner, and con- vinced the.aselves that no one was in hiding. “He has disappeared,” said Jack, in rather a changed tone—“ vanished utterly !” ‘Yes, he is out of our sight,” said Claude; “but I see nothing extraordinary in that. ‘These ruins must possess many chambers, the existence of which are unknown to us; in some one of them this figure must have sought shelter. Let us descend and keep a closer watch; jt is possible we may see him even now.” Jack shook his head; but, nevertheless, willingly enough followed his companion down the staircase. Thev paused again just outside the doorway. Claude was about to speak, when all at once, a strange, odd rumbling noise assailed their ears. “ What's that?” asked Jack, suddenly—" what is it? The ground fairly seems to shake under my feet.” “Tt does—it does,” said Claude. “ And do you remember what the landlord said,” added Jack. ‘He spoke of thunder underground. Is not that just what this sound resembles ?” “Tt does. But hark! let us listen, and try te follow in its direction.” They advanced a few steps; increased. Then there was a sudden noise, as of an explosion. After that all was silent. but the rumbling CHAPTER CMLVI. CLAUDE DUVAL AND SIXTEEN-STRING JACK MAKE A MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. “W/E shall soon pe into the heart of the m , I take it,” said Claude Duval—“ that is, if you, ack, will aid me in prabing it to the utmost.” “Tam always with you.” ‘ “Wee; but not so heartily on the present ovcasion as jee véten are; but never mind we pot speak of that We must search.” . ‘* But it is dara.” 0)(0\) > a (C(O) S (E(0)