Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

>" 4.3 eo ‘ a or we TOON Ae 6 ‘. - et “ aA s sory ‘ sy aN ee FeV ang ae co faced ‘ " : rae Sate Dee es =f, OS SRNL Serv on” wa hve = _ 5s" : m 4 5 : 4.) by ~ FIs Jarge,” said Dick, as he, seated 7 uke 7 . Nee a8 he 57 ay ‘kth ies . . this night’s service is imself upon a table, the cnly available seat he could find, “for Lam about to set out upon an expedition of great danger, and mg disguise must be complete.” The old man nodded. “ What would you chocse ?” he said. “That I determine to leave to sou. [ consider that you would be best able to guide me,” The costumier appeared to fall into a fit of profound thought. ‘His eyes closed, and Dick looked with interes. npon his strange, wrinkled physiognomy. The muscles about the lower part of his face twitched strangely, and the highwayman wondered, yet little guessed, what was the nature of the old man’s thouzkts. Opening his eyes at length, ho said, as Dick fancied, % Mko reward to be earned b - With some confusion: “What skould you think of a sailor?—would the diszuise suit you? Could you personaie the character 2?” Dick reflected a moment, and said: “T believe I could—yes, I feel sure I could.” “ Then,” said the costumier, “I should think it would suit you admirably, for your foes would never think of jooking for you in such a garb as that.” “ True,” said Dick—“ quito trus.” ‘Then you decide upon that?” “I do.” “Well, then,” said the old man, “ff you will remain nere for a few moments—perhaps, too, you won’t mind being in the dark, for I have no other light—I will go down and fetch a few things that are requisite.” He said this hesitatingly and awkwardly, yet the cause _ of this might be that he was solicitous not to give offence to one who had proved himself to be so good a customer ~ as Dick had. “Very well,” said Dick. ‘I don’t mind the darkness fin the least; but, above all things, make haste, for I can assure you I have no time to lose.” “7 can fully understand that,” was the reply, spcker hurriedly and hastily. Nosooner had tho last words escaped his lips, than the cid cogiumier picked up the eandle and left the room. He closed the door behind him Dick was then in utter darkness, save and except that underneath the door could bo seen @ bright line of ight. “He remained perfectly still, listening to the creaking noise produced by tho costumier descending the stair- case. Then, drawing a long breath, Dick said : “Tt wonder what it is that ails me? What can there be in the atmosphere of this place that makes it so op- pressive? All these old clothes, I suppose. Bah! it is enough to suffocate one! I'll open the door.” With these words, Dick slid off the table, and groped his way carefully to the doorway. He had accurately noted its position, and so he gained it without coming into contact with any of the many _ objects with which the place was literally crammed. ‘he air upon the staircase seemed to his heated fancy | to be in no degree purer than that in the room, and he _ seemed absolutely to be gasping for breath. Then faintly, and coming from afar olf, ho could hear the murmur of 2 voice. This was @ circumstance that roused up all his energies at once. le immediately became on the alert, and listened eagerly. But although his sense of hearing was so acute, he was ¥nable to distinguish anything besides a hollow, nurmur- ise sound. - “Who can it be?” Dick thought. “I always fancied that the old costumicr lived alone, and what should he havo to say, | wonder? I'll find out.” It was purely upon the impulse of the moment that Dick acted. Hoe did not wait to reflect upon his decision ; bat very slowly and stealthily began to descend the stairs, ee knew that at tho lightest tread they creaked dis- mally. 9 TLhero was @ vague sensation of alarm in Turpin’s breast—=a esuration that increased every momont in in- tenniy. ; = he ¢ . 5 Sta . » whan 3 ’ - ay . Sean he nh ter ea . . i> % “* 4 = ° BLAOK BUSB; OR, » ¢ . d “os a’ “* ” - >. > “4 oF * . 4 : —_——— a a lt may have been that his proximity to the station ag Bow Street produced a certain amount of nervousness —a greater amount than he ordinarily felt. Be the cause what it might, however, he was most certatuly apprehensive of danger to himself, and so, step by step, he went down the old, worm-eaten staircase. At length he paused. The murmur of voices became more audible, and one word distinctly reached his éars. Looking round the anglo of the balusters, he perceived at some distance off the glimmer of a light. From his position he fancied it came from the shop, ‘‘ fsaac—Isaac,” said the voice, which Turpin had no difficulty in recognising as that of the old costumier— “Isaac—Isaac, get your siecpy eyes wider open. Are you sure you understand me?” “Quite sure,” said a growling voice, though the pound of it made Turpin aware that the speaker was a Oy. ‘““Understand, Isaac,” the old costumier added, in a lower key, “it’s a fortune that you are going to make Within the next half hour—a fortune—ihat is, enough for you to spend for the rest of your life.” ‘“‘f quite understand,” was the reply; “but what is it you want me to do?” ‘“‘ Wush—hush—be quiet! There’s someone above for whom a large reward is offered.” ‘*¢'You mean the chap that came here once before.” “‘T do, Isaac—your memory is good. Lis race must be nearly run now—he cannot last much longer. Such being the case, then, why may not I reap the benefit of his capture as well as anyone else ?” ‘“‘Better—better!” said the growling voice. know that was what I said to you the time before.” “You did, and I have agreed to follow your advice; so now, a3 I have got all these things in readiness, slip out of the door across the road to the station. Just let the oflicers know that he is here, and that I am willing to give him up.” “All right,” said the boy, and then there was a hasty mevement. “Stop—step,” cried the costumier—“not so much hurry! Wait and hear my full instructions, for the least indiscretion will ruin all.” “Then make haste,” was the response. “If you stop down here much ionger he will grow suspicious.” ‘hight, Isaac—that is very likely; but all I have to say is this: when you come back with the officers, enter as silently as you possibly can. Let them surround the house in case of accidents, and you come with the rest up the stairs, dash open the door suddenly, and you will, in all probability, find him seated in a chair, and me stand- ing before him.” “ All right,” said the growling voice. part, and (ido mine. I’m off!” “ You “You do your OHAPTER CMLXXIX. DICK TURPIN TAKES A DESPERATE LEAP OVER THE HGUSE- TOPS. Dick TURPIN was so unutterably astounded by this cone versation that during its progress he had been unable te move a single limb. The treachery of the old costumier was well calculated to uave an Overpowering effect upon him, for, to speak the truth, he had placed as much confidence in him almost as he had in old Matthew, and certainly after what had oceurred Turpin would scarcely have been surprised should the latter prove treacherous too. But he was warned by the increasing brilliancy of the uicht, and by the shufiling footsteps of the old man, that it would never do to romain any longer in his present position. The question was, in what way should he act ?—what would be the best step to take, and the one most calcu- lated to insure his safety ? ¢ His first thought was to rush at full speed down the stairs, overturn the costumier, and immediately make his escape from the house; and perhaps this bold and violent conrse might have produced success; but Dick hesitated, and the chance was lost. Not but what he had good cause for hesitation. _ In thus precipitately leaving the house, some lara , 7 ’ Ps 4 * gaate ~ be | « ss »- ASey —_ Ma fro . «4 mF” vd nee GOMIGE * ¥ ~- VT ww - , ; : : at ve a oe Sex Ot BP ~~ << oid ~~ 4 a ' ws 7 a y . J racu * } _? . . TOM og a hd kd A ee % &« 34 s