Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

—_—- “We have not many hours to wait then,” continued | his own way Dick, “for it is already past midnight.” “So much the better,” *nswered Matthew; “5 am anxious for it to be over.” “ Did the lawyer express an opinion ?” “ Well, scarcely ; but yet he alluded to the difficulties he had to deal with. The evidence is so confoundedly straightforward and clear that it is scarzely possible for the cleverest man to bother or confuse the brains of the jury, easy as it often is to do so.” ‘‘ Rather more than nine hours,” said Dick, musingly’. “A very short thee--2 vary short time; not long enough to go and retarn.” : ke What are you atatisring about?” asked the land. lord. “« Why,” said Dick, “as the trial is to take piace so soon, I will make the attempt to stay in London until it is over; but my companions and Maud will all be full of anxiety on my account, and I was wondering whether [ could ride over and tell them all was well, and be back in time.” “Don’t think of any such foolish proceeding,” said Matthew. ‘ You will be able to return before midnight to-morrow night, and they must endure their suspense till then as best they may.” ‘‘T suppose so,” said Dick, with a sigh; * yet I could have wished——” * What?” “That we had becn able to communicate with them in some way.” ‘‘But how is it to be done ?” “ Have you noone that you can trust to sexd upon suca an expedition ?” ‘No one at all; and, believe me, Dick, I do not think the occasion sufficiently pressing to warrant yow in letting anyone else inte the secret of your presert re- reat.’ ‘Perhaps not,” answered Turpin. will think no more about it.” ‘“ Wisely determined, I think. And now, Dick, as re- gards your staying here, I think, if you will only have the prudence to remain in this room, that all will be well. The attention of all the officers will be very much taken up by ‘Tom Davis’s trial—they will all want to know the result. For that reason, you can count upon the proba- bility of being left here unmolested. Then, as soon as the verdict is pronounced, I will leave the court, and come here to you.” Dick was silent for a moment, and then he said: ‘““That’s all very well, Matthew, but I have a word or two to say yet as regards the bargain. If 1 stay here, as I fully intend, I shail not be satisfied to keep close pri- soner in this room; on the ccutrary, I have determined to go with you to the court, and be present at the trial myself.” Matthew started to his feet, and spoke angrily. “You are mad, Dick—mad—quite mad! No one in his sober senses standing in your position would dream of such a proceeding !” “T don’t know that,” said Dick. ‘I’ve done it before in safety: and I] consider that I have rather a talent in disguises.” ‘ But you surely do not think that mere change in your costume is sufficient ?"’ , ‘‘No, I do not,” was the reply; ‘“‘but I have been tninking of that old friend of yours, who has been of as- sistance to me more than once before.” ‘You mean the old costumier in Bow Street ?”’ “T do. Believe me, Matthew, he will be able to dis- guise me so well that not even you could recognise me.” ‘‘ At any rate, we * CHAPTER CMLXXVIiItI. f:3CK TURPIN FINDS HIMSELF IN UNEXPEUTED PiESi« “ Don’t try it, Dick—déon’t try it! Take my advice, and abandon that at once.” But’furpin only shook his head resolutely. ‘T am sorry to differ from you," he said, “and i like to follow your advice whenever I can, bevwuss I knew it is good. On the present occasion J] fee! sure thet ¥ [| underrate the danger, you overrate it, and therefore | welieve it will be safe for me to go.” “Well Dick, you know a wilful men will alev.y7a havea BL4OK BESS: OR, a den’t blame me.” “IT won’t, you may depend upon it. But in the event of such a thing, don’t have any ill-feeling against me, but do your best once more to get me out of the scrape.” “Ah, Dick,” said Matthew, more and more &%iously, ‘1 feel impressed witk the idea that if you are ¢%c2 more made a prisoner and confined in a cell it will be ior good— no human aid will ever release you.” It was more the manner in whieh oid Matthew spoke than tne words he uttered that impressed the highway- man; nevertheless, while he spoke, Dick shuddered, though he tried hard to fee) at ease. “Come, Matthew,” he said, abruptly, “may we con-~ sider this matter settled? If so, I will set out forthe costumier’s at once, otherwise it will be too late.” “IT can’t alter my opinions,” returned the landlord. “And I cannot bear the prospect of remaining in this room all day,” said Dick, rising to his feet, “and, there- fore, if you will! zo downstairs and see that the coast is clear I will take my departure.” “Only think,” said Matthew, “that youin your posi- tion should have the audacity of thinking about paying a visit to a house situated nearly opposite the police station in Bow Street—certainly within sight or it !” ‘“That’s the reason why it’s the safest place in the world,” returned the highwayman; “they would never give me credit for such a daring act as that.” ‘‘] don’t know ; they are getting used to your audaciags tricks now ; I do not believe they would be surprised at anything you did.” | ‘“‘ Well—well, we may stay here talking for hours to come without advancing any further. Go now and see whether it will be safe for me to depart.” Very reluctantly indeed did old Matthew obey this re- — quest. He was not absent very long, aud when he came back he felt compelled to tell Dick the truth, for he had never deceived him yet, and so he said: “All’s well, Dick; if you wished it you could not have the coast clearer than it is now.” “Then I’m off.” Matthew gave a half sigh, and almost regretted his own open-mindedness, for he was aware that in all probability if he had told Dick there was danger abroad he would have abandoned his perilous enterprise. But Dick rapidly put on his hat and wrapped the constable’s cloak around him. ‘‘ Now, Matthew,” -he said, ‘not another word of di cussion. Lead the way. If we linger only five minwes we may miss this desirable opportunity.” Without a word, Matthew walked from the room, Diez following closely at his heels. ‘‘ Leave me here,” said the highwayman, as soon as the foot of the staircase was gained; ‘‘don’t attempt to ac- company me to the threshold. When I come back I skall be in a widely-different dress to this, you may depend, and so well disguised that even you, although knowing my intention, will be bafiled.” ‘Have you made up your mind what disguise to take ?” “T have net; I shall be guided by the costumier.” You cannot do better; he is a perfect master of his art. ‘‘ Then, for the present, farewell |” With these words, Dick walked hastily along the passage, pushe@, open the swinging glass door, and the next moment was walking rapidly up Drury Lane, The nearest way te his destination lay direc‘!> gast the station in Bow Street, but, with all his daring, Dick had the prudence to avoid this route. kie male, instead, a considerable detour. Huntering Bow Street from the upper end, he crossed at once to the side on which the cosgfumier’s house was built, and afew hasty steps broug’36 him before the He remembered that in the door-posf there was a little ‘bell handle so well concealed among the carving that it required a keen eye to detect it. ; Dick placed his hand upon it et once, and as he pulled it, the faint tinkling of a little bell reached his ears, He waited, then, with some impatience for thedoorto _ cast several stealthy — be opened,-and while doing so, he glances across the road. com (E JOOKS.¢ 7 osu SD . If you find yourself in the wrong box ti . a avy Pee m3 ia ae ‘ ee * “+ e*, as x o ed i i a6 am 6 - | ad 3 : | —* me hs, >. -