Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

. * 5 RES Fie ee ae om a 14 a + ~~ fi “ , md. a2, FP pF , “a... wei aa ere To 4 ¢« ire =4. \ L. Se a Dele Be 7" “ 7 ae . 5 eves AM , is fs ' sal dL ren) ; Sa ANS RR OG & ae ‘ts ee ; vay % Pa itt ra ; ae mt wi ee \ 4 ’ AS Aa) j .) , 4 oo ' . ; - Ne Ps ‘ Py ‘ i Pix? =/ WSL OC Red onl)" 4 ; 5 > " eC : jiring Jack turned an inquiring gaze upon donbt,” said Claude, ‘told yo ‘Gomprehended by me.” Jack nodded. - All these strange-looking vials, bottles, alembica, and retorts are used in alchemy, and this man, beyond all doubt, was one of those dreamers who believed it was possible to discover some preparation of drugs that would have the quality of prolonging human life to an indefi- nite extent, and also that some substance might be found that would change baser metals into gold.” “Yos,” said Jack. “I have no doubt that such is the case. But how do you account for his deatk ?” “Oh, it is very simple,” said Claude, pointing to the ruins of what had served a short time since for a furnace. “In some of his experiments he has made use of some explosive compound, and you behold the effects.” ‘‘' Yes,” said Jack. “But do you mean to tell me, Claude, that you had no certain knowledge that this was the actual state of affairs ?” “T assure you I had not, but from the first I believed that all these supernatural stories had sprung from some such cause as we have traced them to. This man, no doubt, for his chemical experiments, has been in danger of his life as a magician, therefore he has come here to screen himself from notice. He has been wholly given up to the pursuit of his art, and, knowing how credulous all these country people are, he has had no difficulty in causing all those strange sounds which were believed to be caused by supernatural agency. Leaving him fora “but if you will remem moment out of the question, however, it strikes me that we have made a most important discovery for ourselves and for our friends,” “‘ How s0 2?” “Ts it possible the ou ?” ** What idea ?” ‘Why, have we not been turned out from one place of refuge, and hawe we not, in the most extraordinary | manner, discovered another equally as good—perhaps, for aught I know, better ?” “Do you allude to this place ?” be for us all to take up our quarters here unseen, and then, having done so, how we can keep off all intruders. by personating the spectre occasionally. As for the rumbling noises, no doubt I shall find among the mate- rials here the means of producing them.” — Sixteen-String Jack remained for a plunged in deep thought. Then he exclaimed : ‘Safety is a point to be borne in mind before avery other consideration, ig it not?” ** _ questionably.” “Well, then, safety is promised us if we remain in this gloomy subterranean abode, but I confess nothing else than that would reconcile me to it.” ““Pooh—pooh! You will soon become accustomed to it. Moreover, it is only requisite that we should have some place of concealment to which we could retire whenever circumstances made it necessary. We can clear this vault of that”—Claude pointed to the body of the alchemist while he spoke—‘ and we can also sweep away all this lumber. Rely upon it this can be turned into comfortable quarters.” Sixteen-String Jack began to think so, but, above all, he was impressed by the probability of security that was held out to them by remaining here. It needed only a little more conversation with hiz eom- panion to make him {solve upon this course, and, having PROG. arrived at a determination, Claude instantly set to work, In the first place, the body of the old alon :»ist was rolled up in his cloak, and then, between them, they car- ried him out of the vault and up the steps into the opon In a remote corner of the ruins they scooped out a eae pare by means of their swords. In they placed him, and then returned to the Ie lees than an hour @ wonderful difference was made few moments ‘his epnre de. , “All this looxs strange enough to hae dni, Oo | r what I u of my early life you will believe that it is fully idea does not sugges “self to. ” oo ee in its appoarance, and Sixtéén-String Jack began to look forward quite hopefully and confidently to the future, and to congratulate himself upon having been so fortu- nates ¢. The door at t@ t¢y of the steps had been closed, and, ~ sherefore, they felt particularly secure from interruption, and, worn out by the fatigue they had undergone, both lay down to slumber. Claude especially was much gratified by his discovery, se he guessed how well it would be appreciated by Dick urpin. And, moreover, there was the satisfaction in his mind of knowing that his conjectures had turned out to be per- fectly correct. “With a little management,” he said, to Jack, on the following morning, “this place can be made to answer all our wants. I only wish the time would pass away that has to elapse between now and the date fixed for our meeting on Hampstead Heath.” ‘So do I,” said Jack. ‘For one thing,” Claude added, “ we can surely remain here without making any movemept that may attract the notive of the police officers, and that will give us all the better chance of reaching the appointed spot unmolested.” “Stay,” said Jack. “There's one thing you have for- gotten altogether.” “What's that ?” “Why, the promise that I gave to the tollkeeper who proved so truly my friend.” “Yes,” said Claude. that.” . ‘And, what’s more,” continued Jack, “unless you can show me a full purse, I fancy another adventure will be necessary before we have sufficient to give him. Mine was much lightened, I can assure you, during my stay at the inn.” ' “And mine,” said Claude, “TI tossed to thd gipsies, or mendicants, or whatever they were. I did 86 without a thought of the consequences.’ Jack shrugged his shoulders. ‘“ That’s always the way—always the way; not that I regret it, for this little incident will serve to break the monotony of our stay in this place.” “And yet,” said Claude, “there are many roasoms “T admit I had forgotten | that make it advisable for us to remain quiet.” “Ido. Just think for a moment how easy it would “IT grant that; but what I propose is that we gallop away to aconsiderable distance from this spot, then lie in wait for an adventure. If it should prove profitable, we will ride off at once to Tyburn Gate, afterwards get some refreshment for our horses and ourselves, and them return here oefore daybreak.” Claude laughed. “‘I'nat 8 scarcely like keeping in concealment. Depend upon it, if your intention is carried out, we shall raise all the country again.” “ But I have given my word,” said Jack. that it must not be broken.” “Tt must not,” was the answer, “and so let us determine at once to set forth at nightfall.” Sixteen-String Jack was satisfied, and said no more. He looked carefully to all his weapons, and to his supply of ammunition; but as the time came on he con- tinued to exhibit greater and greater signs of impatience and restraint. ) Night came at last—just such a night as he could have wished for—cold, dark, and miserable, with a violent wind blowing in sudden gusts, and every now and then carry- ing with it a scud of rain. “There could not be a night more to my taste,” said Sixteen-String Jack, pressing his hat tightly down upon his head as they rode away from theruins. ‘ The officers, I take it, will be more inclined to get under the roof of some inn than remain patrolling theroads. We shall have the coast clear, and I never felt in better trim for an ad- vetture.” “Forward, then!” said Olaude—“ follow me. I will lead the way. All we have todo at present is to take every precaution to remain unseen.” Sixteen-String Jack glanced round him while his com- panion thus spoke. The darkness was so great that he could not see far, yet he believed that they were quite alone. The pext moment he follow:d Olaude’s example of “ Remember GOMIIGIOO (7 <S (E(@) -.