Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 243: what you’re looking at

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

. = ~ a % ~ yt a>. . A be - + <u ~ . Y <. - at. “aA. . we - tet oa oye a eS ree | ; ing open a a , small room plainly yet comfortably furnished. _ A @teast as that, and at a moment’s notice, tov? ot top, he ushered his visitor into « Producing a light, Matthew ignited a lamp standing on Ane table. _ Then he said, rapidly: “Wait here a moment, Dick, while i run downstairs and leave the neces instructions in case of an alarm. I will be back directiy.” “ And bring something with you,” cried Dick. _ “Yes, yes—never fear; but do aot speak so loud.” ~ With A ieee words Matthew departed. He was absent only a few minutes, yet to Dick it seemed a long time. When he reappeared, he was carrying before him a huge tray, on which was set ont a verv tempting array _ of eatables and drinkabies. There, now,” he cried, “what do you thing of such The fact is, I feel quite peckish myself, and shall have a good deal of pleasure in joining you.” Old Matthew was a very good hand with the knife and fork, and, no matter what time in the day or night it might be, he was generally ready to make a meal with anyone. *T expected to astonish you much more by my arrival,” said Dick, after a short pause, during which they had ott ~ . , an “ - r a Se! m : os “* s rs - _ both been paying their respects to what they had before them. “ Very likely.” answered Matthew; “ but the truth is, [ expected you.” “ Expected me?” “ Yes—I have been looking for you for days and days ee Pll warrant I know your errand—it coucerns Tom avis. You are not the one to leave a friend in the lurch.” “Not by any means,” said Dick. ‘‘ You have guessed rightly—my intention is to get him out of his trouble, and I have come to you to ask you how to do it.” “ Well, then,” Matthew responded, “I can do that in a very few minutes; and before we proceed to that, I am determined to have from you an account:of your late doings. You can beas brief as you like, but I must have it.” _ Dick knew that it would only be an utter waste of time to hesitate or to attempt to persuade old Matthew to postpone the account of his adventures. Taking, therefore, what was the shortest way, Dick began abruptly, and, as briefly as ever he could, placed his old friend in possession of those facts with which the reeder is already well acquainted. 4y the time this was done the meal was over. Drawing the chairs closer to the fire, they then set ako she consideration of the business before them. hat the subject was an important one could be told by the very manner in which old Matthew filled and lighted his pipe and drew the first few whiffs. uT've a good deal to tell you, Dick,” he bezan, ‘and I may as well make a straightforward tale of it.” _ “By-all means. Begin by telling me whether you communicated with him or not, according to our arrange- ment.” “Tf you will listen,” said Matthew, “I will tell you all. nd if you abstain from making interruptions, much time will be saved.” Dick simply nodded his head, and Mati Yew took this hint to proceed. — “ When we parted on the last occasion,” he said, “I just snatched a few hours’ slumber, and the first thing the next morning went to a lawyer that I have had some dealings with, and who I knew to be a very ciever tailow. I told him Tom Davis’s exact position, said he was a _ friend of mine, and that I was anxious and willing to go to any expense in order to obtain tne best talent on’ ‘s behalf when his trial took place.” “Good!” said Dick. “It would be impossible 1. act better than that.” “So I thought,” answered Matthew, complacerwy. “You see I have found that, in a generas way, as regards Sy the law, if you have only got the money to pay for it yeu can cbtain what you require, and so I had the strongest hopes for ‘Tom Davis’s safety.” “Then the lawyer has undertaken txs case ?” 2 _ “He has, and has had frequent interviews with Tom. _ He has told him what we intend to do on his behalf, and “f this, the first attempt, fails, another will be made.” aE “He would be glad to learn,” said Dick, “that he was not forgotten by his friends,” “He knows you too well to fear being forgotten,” said Matthew. ‘But, however, I have not seen him myseli— indeed, I have not made the attempt, for I fancied any- thing vf the kind would only be a means of exciting suspicion.” “ And perhaps of getting yourself into trouble,” inter- rupted Dick. “Very likely; and the lawyer expressiy cantioned me against it.” ‘‘And what steps has this lawyer taken up to the pre- sent time ?” is “Nothing further than to engage a moat eminent eounsel, who will do his best to get the three prisoners off. The charge against Tom is a very grave and serious one, and if they succeed in obtaining his acquittal they will fairly be entitled to a good round sum.” ‘“‘ And they shall have it,” said Dick—“ they shall have it!” Matthew smiled at the emphasis with which he spoke. “ Why, what a foolish thing it would be,” he said, * for anyone in whom you place trust to betray you; at the most, ouly a share of the reward would be received as the fruits of what they had done, whereas, by befriending you, they cau at any time make sure of double the whole amount.” “That's very true,” said Dick, “‘ and I believe we have all owed our safety in a very great measure to that very circumstance. -But the trial—when does that take place ?” “The assizes begin to-day,” answered Matthew, “and the case is liable to be called on at any moment; it mey stand over to the end of the week, and it may be com- menced to-morrow morning.” “ Indeed !” said Dick—‘‘so soon as that? If so, that leaves a very little time for preparations.” ‘You are right,” said Matthew. ‘ And yet, after all, I hope in all sincerity it will take place in the morning.” “ Why so 2?” “ Because then the state of suspense we are now in will be put an end to—we shall know then precisely what to do. If the lawyers fail, and they are all three sen- tenced to transportation, we must make up our minds how to set them free.” ‘‘ Exactly,” said* Dick. At this moment there came a gentle rap at the door of the room, . S aa Strada S Ne aad i eee “ (i a abs Oia ind Lier aA “ae pt, - aa A - : <) bt; ity 18 BS fire 4 ACS ? r wo ‘ ae ase -~ * ae > Old Matthew gave such a nervous start that he dropped _ his pipe, which broke into fragments on the hearth. ‘* Don’t be alarmed, Dick,” he said, rising to his feet and going to the door. “1 think I know now what I am wanted for.” He turned the key as he spoke, for he had taken the precaution to lock the door. Throwing it opeu on its hinges, he perceived the girl who assisted him standing on the threshold. * You are wanted,” she said, “bya gentleman down- stairs.” “T thought so” said Matthew ; “but at the moment L forgot.” *« Who is it?” asked Dick. ** No one but the lawyer. He promised to call here to- night and let me know in case anything unusual should have occurred. J will be back again immediately ; but, tor safety’s sake, just lock the door behind me.” Dick was not slow to comply with this request. He waited in the utmost suspense, however, until the landlord returned. He came back at length, bearing on his countenance a very portentous look. “The news?” said Dick, hastily. “Do not keep me any longer; my impatience while you were absent grew so great, that 1 was aimost ready to come down and join you in the consultation.” ‘“Then be glad that you had tke prudence to restrain yoursel.” .f “But the news, Matthew—what have you beard 2?” “Why, simply that the lawyer has ascertained that Tom Davis's case is put down for the first in the morn- ing, acd in all probability it will be taken then.” *¢ And what time does the court open ?” “ At ten o’clock.” ~ DOO m € CS (E(0) £ ho, Taal a ‘