Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

1624 “Well, then” Dick cried, “how do you propose to manage ?” “Why, by a very simple means. It will not do for me to arrange to meet you anywhere, because I feel sare tLat I never leave home on any occasion without bein followed by the officers. Ill tell you what I can do. i will write a letter, and find a trusty messenger who will take it to some place that we agree upon between us, and leave #4 there for you to come and fetch it after- wards.” “That's a good plan, Matthew. We may as well agree to it at onee. But where shall the place be ?” ‘‘T leave that to you.” Dick remained for several moments plunged in deer thought. At length he exclaimed: “Do you know the spot where the river Brent flows under the Edgware Road ?” “ Yes— perfectly well.’ “Then you may be aware, perhaps, that the old bridge is very much out of repair—most of the stones at the top are loose.” “seo.” “Well, then, let your messenger move the first stone he comes to that is loose as he walks on to the bridge, taking the left-hand side. He will then be able to put the letter, if folded small, either between that stone and the next, or else completely under it.” “Very good,” said Matthew. “I quite understand. And now, as there is just the possibility that the letter will fall into some one else’s hands, we will agree upon what is to be placed in it. If, as I quite expect, the prisoners are to be removed to Greenwich, I shall not ame any place on the letter at all, but will simply write a figure, which will represent the hour when the van will start from Newgate, and immediately after that will be another figure, which will represent the day of the month on which they wil) set forth.” “That is quite enough,” said Dick, “so the: t&ese figures are all the paper need contain.” “Yes, all, and then if anyone else finds it, why, it will not matter.” “Jt is a wise precaution,” said Dick; “but I don’t feel the least afraid, for I will have the bridge well watehed before your messenger arrives.” * You may expect him, then,” said Matthew, “by the second night from this. I shall be sure to know befcre that time.” 4 “ And,” said Dick, “we must arrange anotner meeting alter that, for I fee] myself much indebted to you, and whatever obligation I am underI shall not rest until I have discharged.” “ ‘ Pooh—pooh!” said Matthew—“ never mind such nonsense as that. Ido not render you all these services simply for the money [ can make out of you, but merely because I like you, so let us hear no more about obliga- tions, I beg.” “It is all very fine, Matthew, for you to speak like that, but I shall not allow Ns Dick paused, for just then he was startled by the ringing of a bell, which caused old Matthew to spring to his feet. “ Quick,” he cried—“into the cupboard with you— make all speed! Perhaps it is only a false alarm; at any rate, you can shift for yourself. I will go down- stairs. “Take good care the officers do not enter this room until you have had plenty of (4 e to conceal your- self.’ He spoke these words very hurriedly, and as he pro- nounced the last, passed hurriedly out of the door, snd closed it behind him. Dick was very rapid in all his movements. Not knowing how long he might have to remain in his uncomfortable place of concealment, he picked up the glass out of which he had been drinking, and carried it into the recess glong with him. To shut the cupboard doors, and afterwards (to pull down the back part of the cupboard, occupied but a very few moments indeed. Yet he was only just in time. Immediately afterwards he heard, though mdistin Dy, the sound of footsteps and the loud murmur ef voices, Of what was said he could not form any idea; but, from BLACK BESS; OR, ee — - —_—- vor ee TE the tone used, he was going on Then the door leading into the room he had so ro- cently quitted was dashed open, affer which came a brief jose. . *“] te you you are playing falsely!” Dick heard a voice cry, in high, exasperated tones. “Do you mean to assure me positivwiy that a few moments ago you ae not seated in this room along with another per- son ?’ Dick did not catch old Matthew's reply, for he spoke in a more subdued voice. “Then I say you do not speak the truth,” was the re- joinder. “I have just come from across the way, and és I stood at the barber’s bed-room window I could see into this, and made out distinctly you and another person sitting atthis table.” Neither knew it, but just as the officer spoke, both old Matthew and Dick were engaged on the very same opera- tion, and that was in inwardly, but none the less bitterly, cursing the barber for his interference. As before, Dick could not make out what old Matthew said in reply, but the officer—for such beyond a doubt he was—exclaimed : ‘‘ Now, my men, is the time to show your sharpness. Never mind a word of what he says—I know him for an inveterate liar. I saw two men sitting here not five minutes ago. There’s no one to be found, so it’s clear there's a hiding-place somewhere, and you've got to find it.’ After those words were spoken, there was a vast amount of clattering caused by the hasty removal of the various articles of furniture contained in the room. ~ Dick, having heard so much, not unnaturally began to feel very uneasy for his own safety. After what Matthew had said, he fully believed the officers would, with care and time, discover the recess st the back of the closet. A cold perspiration broke out all over him, and as minute after minute elapsed, his uneasiness in- creased. Most bitterly indeed did he regret having been per- suaded to take up his quarters in such a place, for how inglorious it would appear for tke oflicera to break down the panelling and seize him hiding in such a place! These thoughts made Dick almost desperate. For the first time, he began to wonder whether there was any outlet from this secret recess. He had forgotten to ask Matthew anything on the sub- ject. that such a place as this would not be constructed without some means being contrived of emerging from it. Just then the closet door opened, and one of the officers entered, and poked about very vigorously among the — clothing with his sword. Dick held his breath, for there was nothing to divide him from his foe but a thin partition of wood- work. ‘‘ Nobody here,” was the reply, and then this man, who never fora moment thought of trying whether the back of the cupboard had a hollow sound or not, stepped out, and closed the door behind him. ‘Escape number one,” said Dick. ‘“ But that little in- cident only makes me feel the more that I shall not be so fortunate a second time.” While these thoughts passed through his mind, he rapidly produced from his pocket a phosphorous match, which he ignited silently. ’ The light lasted only for an instant, yet “$ enabled him to glance at the walls around him. 3 He saw no means by which the recess could be left, but, believing that the means of leaving it would be similar to those by which he nad entered, he stooped down, and endeavored to insert his fingers in between the floor and the walls. : At his first attempt he succeeded, and raised the piece of woodwork to the extent of about an inch. Then he paused, “Tam all right now,” he thought, though he had not the remotest idea of where he would find himself after 4 passing through this partition. (E(0) Cc JOOK: eee re ee —ae guessed something like an altercation — But the more Dick thought, the more assured he felt”