Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

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This was just the frame of mind that Dick Turpin wished to bring him into, so he put down the razor, and calmly seat? himself in the chair But while doing this, as the reader ma, easily belisve, he kept the keenest possible eye that he could upon the movements of the barber, for it was quite likely that in- dividual would summon the assistance of his nayabors, and endeavor te capture the supposed iunatic. ““Come on!” he cried, furiously—‘tcome on. long do you jntend to keep me waiting ?” Jala somes acti of violence, the barber replied, muzi civilly : = Now, your Roysl Highness—I am coming uow—J shall not be ancther second.” He bustied about, and made his preparations. 7 soon as the barber approached the chair, Dick cried : “ Ah, villain! I read your purpose in your cj as—I know the intention in your mind! You mean to shave off my eyebrows!” “Nothing of the kind, your Royal Highness—nothing of the kind,” said the barber. ‘If you would allow ws How to say so, that is entirely a mistake om vour “ovat High- i -ness’s part, as I will seon convince you.’ Uiek leaned back, pretending to take upon himself a quiet mood, as mad peopl« sometimes do. The barber, trembling all over, inwardly cursing his apprentice, t0 whose door he laid this disagreeable ad- venture, bent himself to the task of shaving his customer with all possible dexterity—in fact, in less than a minute Dick found himself entirely divested of his moustache. He happened to catch sight of himself ina glass that was opposite, and was struck immediately by the great difference it made to his appearance. “ Performed!” said Dick, with a wild shout, as he sprang to his feet—‘t performed—the deed is performed ! Come, rascal—a towel !” This article was handed to him, on which he wiped his face carefully. “Dear me,” Dick said, by way of giving the barber a parting fright, ‘1 feel dreadfully hungry! I must have something to eat. Have you sucha thing asa baby in the house ?” The barber turned pale with fear. ‘““T must have a baby!” continued Dick, maxing a horrible sound with his mouth. “Is there one in the house, eh ?” ““No—no,” stammered the barber, desperately, “I think if your Royal Highness would only try next door you will find that they have one that will exactly suit “ Ah!” said Dick, suddenly, ‘‘next door, of course! I will go there.” The barber gave a long-drawn sigh of relfef. Dick produced the key from his pocket, opened the door quickly, and passed out. No sooner, however, bad he crossed the threshold than the barber turned the key in the lock once more, and then, not content with that amount of security, drew a couple of bolts, and put up a bar. “Thank goodness,” he ejaculated, as he sank, limp and half-fainting, into a chair—“ thank goodness ha is gone! Oh, the dreadful wretch !—the viiiain! I shall always be frightened to death to be in the shop of a night after this! Butit’s Sam’s fault—Pll pay him out for it *- morrow !” The change that came over Dick’s appearance as soon as the barber’s door was closed behind him was traly re- markable. Stroking his face and atjusticg his apparel, b= ture mured : “T rather think | havo mweae@es that little affair with some cleverness. At auy raise, Lili wager tue barber wall. never suspect wio be bas done such a service or. With these words, Dick strode hastiiy onward, for the hour was a late one, or rather an early one, and he wes anxious to reach the White Horse without delay. The streets were almost deserted; but the few people he met did not even trouble themselves to give a second g.ance at him, which was a source of considerable satis- faction to the highwayman, for it filled him with the hope BLACK BESS; OR, one of satisfied vanity. , _—_— ee a ee fully. Soon after this he found himself pear to Drury Lane, and then began to wonder what steps he should :ako is order to gain admiss*on to Old Matthew’s house. Certainly there was the little secret door in White Horse Yard; Lat then that would deubtless be watched, and should he he seen entering by stealth, susetsian would at once be aroused. This consideration made him determine to wax bold’y up to the inn to pusn open the door, enter, and walk ua to the bar withou’ heeding who might be there, This was certainly a very bold plan of operations; but then its very boldness was well calculated to carry success slong with it. % Having eome to this decision, Dick evinced no hesite- ion. The oil ijasap was burning outside the front door of the inn as usual, and through the swingiog half-glass dyor placed a little way down the passsge came ancther Gwe and feeble ray of light. CHAPTER CMLXXVIL OLD MATTHEW FENETRATES DICK TURPIN'’S DISGUISE. “THERE is certainly a slight surprise in store for Old Matthew,” said Dick, as, after a hasty glance up and down the street, he crossed the threshold of the White Horse. “ At any rate, I will test the eficiency of my disguiss. If he fails to recognise me, I shall have the greatest amount of confidence in it.” These thoughts passed through Dick’s mind as he pushed open the swinging door we have just mentioned. and which brought him at once into full view of the bar, [lere he was rejoiced to find Old Matthew standing alona, busity engaged im decanting some liquid from one bottle to another. | Dick marched up to the counter with a step very dif- terent to his usual one. Then pausing, he said, in a sharp, cracked voice: “Mr. Gale, consider yourself in custody |” 3 Oid Matthew, hearing these words, naturally enough gave a great start, and turned round. He looked Dick full in the tace for some moments without saying a word, and while he did so his counte- nance wore a very puzzled look. At length the expression of the features changed en- tirely, and winking his eye, and at the same time shaking his head, he exclaimed: “No, no, Dick—it won’t do, though lam willing to surrender to you whenever you wish it.” “You know me, then?” said Turpin, as he gave a hasty glance around, in order to ascertain that no listeness were near. “Yes, I know you, of course,” said Matthew, coming forward, and shaking him by the hand. “ At first, I do confess, I was puzzled. The absence of your moustache makes a wonderful difference to your face. earth did you get that strange costume ?” ‘ST will tell you all about it, Matthew, and plenty more besides—that is if we can only have the opportunity of ex- changing a few words with each other.” “ Well, we'll try.” “Have you been much troubled by the officers lately ?” “No, rot much—very little. After that last adventure ot yours, I almost think that they have made up their minds that the wisest thing they can do is to Tet me alone.” ““T hope they have,” said Dick. ‘Sut where are you ing +0?” “ This way,” said Matthew, who had gvwairted the bar. “T’vs got a comfortable room upstairs, and ws can surely sit there and converse in private ?” ‘“‘ Will it be safe ?” “ As gafe as anywhere.” “Enough, Matthew. I havo the greatest confidence in you, and place myself willingly in your hands. I know the great extent of your resources.” Old Matthew smiled, and it may be thet the smile wes y , He preceded Dick up the old oakan staircase, and, push- that he should be able to carry out his mission success But where on Comicbooks.com |