Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 262: what you’re looking at

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1684 Dick, as may be supposed, did not relish being spoken to in this fashion. “T want no reward,” he answered. purchase my services in such a case. as much for anyone.” “Is it possible,” asked the stranger, “that you do not recocnise me Dick looked at him closely. Then shook his bead “]T have no recollection of ever having ween Foz ” he said, after a brief pause. The stranger gave a peculiar smile. “ And you refuse payment ?” “T do.” “Then you are an extraordinary person, that fs all | can say, and I wish I could have afew about my person like you. However, Iam determined to reward you in some way!” “I want nothing, will receive nothing. Good-night! You are welcome !” Dick, as he spoke moved tothe side of Black Bess, and with his usual quick bound seated himself in the saddle. “Stay.” said the stranger, with greater imperiousness than had as yet been perceptible in his tones—‘“ stay, | command you!” ““T obey nothing but my own inclinations. good-night !” “But stay,” cried the stranger, again, who seemed to be much interested and surprised by Dick’s manucr— “stay! Atleast you will let me know to whom I ain indebted for this great service. What is your naine ?” “Tt shall never be said that I refused to own it!” “Well?” * Dick Turpin.” “The highwayman ?” “ At your service.” ‘But you stand in peril of your life.” ‘6T am aware of it,” was the smiling reply. ‘A large reward is offered for your apprehensiox ‘” “True again.” ‘Then how is it that you are not captured ?” ‘“‘ Because @ better man than myself has never opposed himself to me. And now, having answered all your gee ions perhaps you will not object to reply to mine ?” ‘* Money would not I would have done Once more. “Sir,” said the stranger, “you forget to whom you are speaking !” “I do not, for I have not the pleasure of knowing.” “Look you, then,” said the stranger. “I cannot bring myself to part with you thus—I will not show myself un- grateful. Take this ring, and if you will bring it some night to St. James’s Palace you will hear of someting that will turn out greatly to your advantage.” “St. James’s Palace ?” echoed Dick, for this mention of the abL__ f royalty not unreasonably filled him vb surprise. “Just so, and whether you like to take tne ring o1 not [ leave you to choose. If you don’t care to pick n up, it can stay there for the benefit of the next perse™ who paszes this way.” With these wards, the stranger urged hts horse for- ward, and before the highwayman thoroughly recovered from the state of surprise into which these strange occur- rences had thrown him, he was out of sight. “ Well,” he ejaculated, at lencth, “this is an odd ad- venture, at any rate. What an eccentric person! Who on earth can he be? However, I will pick up the ring, and keep it as a memento of the affair. Some day or other I may feel disposed to find out what it all means, and learn what I am to hear to my advantage.” Having arrived at this determination, Dick once more dismounted and picked up the ring. ‘““A rare gem!” be exclaimed, as he held it up. “ How it glitters and sparkles in this darkness! It must be of great value. Whoever can he be ?” It was in vain that Dick asked himself this question. He might give many guesses, all of which, possibly, might be far removed from the truth. ‘I must take time to consider of it,” he said, mentally. “Well, old lass,” he added, aloud, addressing himself to his mare, “I think we have had enough of adventures for one night; besides, 1 ought to remember how much aneasiness my long absence wiil occasion I will dally no BLACK BESS; OR, a a eat a ne _—s We will take the nearest road longer. Forward, Bess | to our destination.” Black Bess really seemed to understand that she was about to return to comfortable quarters, for she set forward with great willingness. The highwayman’s thoughts were busy ar ie rode swiftly along through the darkness; but, true to his de- termination, he did not draw rein until he perceived be- fore him the dark-looking mass of trees which formed a background to the ruins of the old castle. Greater cautiousness was now required in his progress ; Lut as he rode slowly towards the spot where he had lass left his companions he little thought of the strange and startling events @aich had taken place since his depar- ture. But in order that the reader shall be no longer kept in the dark concerning them, we will revert to the pro- ceedings of Claude Duval and Sixteen-String Jack, both of whom it will be remembered had resolved to set out upon @ pecuniary exped*tion. CHAPTER CMLXXXVIII. SIXTEEN-STRING JACK AND CLAUDE DUVAL DO A GOOB ACTION, AND RECEIVE A SUBSTANTIAL REWARD IN RETURN. “t's a darkish night, Jack.” said Claude Duval to his companion, as soon as they gained the first cross-road ; * bat it is all the better for us on that account, I faney.” ‘‘Most decidedly,” was the reply. ‘And, to tell the truth [ never felt in better tune for a rare adventure in mv ufo!” ‘‘Nor I, and itis very odd to me if we do no. meet with what we want. But come—push forward; we are, as yet, much too near the castle to think of attacking any- bady.” \Vith these words, the highwaymen at once increased the pace at which their horses had lately been going, aud for some time a perfect silence reigned betweer them. 1 «vas not broken until both, as if animated by the same impa,se, pulled up. ‘There is some one on the road before us, Claude.” “ Yes, I hear them.” ‘Your pistols are ready, of course ?” * Yes,” ‘So are mine,” “Then fall back. The new-comers are certainly ap roachiug us, and we shall be able to make up our m nds as to whether we shall attack them, or allow them t pass by scot free.” Without further consideration, the two friends backed their horses close to the side of the road, which happened to be thrown into deep shadow. As soon as they had taken up their positions here the approach of horsemen was more unmistakable thar before. Claude was listening intently, and then he said, in a low voice: “ There are three travellers on the road.” ‘‘ Yes, there can be nd mistake about the." ‘‘Can we manage so many ?” “T am willing to try; but we shall be avieto forma better idea when they come up. Hark!” ‘The sound of voices could now be heard mingling with tne trampling of the horses’ hoofs, but what was said they could not as yet make out. As the horsemen came closer, too, it became evident that they were slackening their speed, and when within about twenty yards of the spot where the highwaymen were lying in ambush they stopped altogether. “Gentlemen,” they heard a voice say, ‘ pray listen to me! Surely you must have some degree of com- passion ?” “Well, whether we have or not is nothing to de with the present business!” was the gruff reply. ‘Our orders are clear, and we intend to carry them out.” “Then I hope you will never have to plead as I plead uow. Not that I care personally for myself in wie slighter degree. It is my poor wife and children that I care abov‘ They will be involved in utter ruin!” [t's a bad job, that’s certain,” joined in the third . Gomicbooks (E (ele)