Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

ying for want of nourishment, which she had not the wieans to procure ?” Dick reflected. , | “Yes, yes—I have some taint recollection of it what then ?” “Why, you took- your departure very suddenly, and Hess after you had gone we found under the plate a large sum in gold. That money enabled my wife to purchase the things I stood in need of, and so saved my life. I rapidly grew better, and finally weli, though when # recovered health and strength my stock of money was eaheusted.’ “ Well, you were quite welcome,” said Dick. ‘It was no favour on my part; the service your wife rendered me was not overpaid by the one I rendered in return.” ‘Well, we may be of different opinions as regards that,” eaid the man. ‘However, you saved my lif, captain, and, to the longest day I live, I shall always feel grateful to you for it, and I will do anything in my power for ou.” ‘ ‘Tam heartily glad to hear it,” was the reply, “ more especially as there is a service which you can render me. But you spoke of another reason—what is that ?” ‘‘ Why, it happened, strangely enough, but one of the gentlemen who came in with you when you were brought here—Sir George, I think you call hin——-” “* Yes—yes.” *‘ He watched for me outvide, and as soon as I appeared told me to follow him. I did so, and we entered a pubiic- house. He approached the subject very cautiousiy but finding how friendly disposed 1 was to you, was very lad “¢ Here,’ he said, ‘I know that in Newgate, ae every- where else, much can be done with money. ‘lake this purse of gold, and see that Dick Turpin has erergns which the regulations of the prision will permit. If you require any More, come to me as soon as your funds are exhausted, and take him word from me that I will uee al] my influence to procure his liberation.’ ” ** Did he say that ?” “Yes, he did, and here, captain, is the purse yust as I received it.” “ Well, but I don’t war. it, my good fellow. Keep it— _ keep it, I beg, and use it as occasion may require.”’ *T will, captain , the King shall not be more comfort- able than you are, provided the Governor does not interfere, and { don’t think he will, if we keep things shue.” Whe King 2?” repeated Dick. ‘ Yes, that reminds me of what I want.” ‘What, captain ?” ** Why, paper, a pen, and ink—I must write a letter.” “T shall have to smuggle those in when I get a chance,” was the reply, ‘for it is entirely against the rules to furnish those articles. However, you shall have them.” - ** And as soonas possible,” said Dick—“ every moment is of importance.” ‘“‘ All right, captain. Is there anything else ?” * No, no—nothing at present until that is done.” “ Anything to eat and drink ?” “No. I tell you until this atfair is off my mind 1 can- not, attend to anything else.” CHAPTER DCCCLY CCK TURPIN WRITES A LETTER TO OLD @AITHEW AND DESPATCHES IT BY THE FRIENDI.¢C JAILEER, “J WILL go at onee, captain—direct, and 1 will be back here again as quickly as is possible.” - With these words the friendly jailer left. After his departure, Dick more fully realised how fortunate this event had proved for him. Nothing more unexpected than finding a friend eneatn the roof of Newgate could he have thought of sad yer, in a most substantial way, he experienced the benetit that always follows the doing of a goodaction. Unless the man was black and treacherous indeed, ho would be entirely devoted to T'urpin’s interests. From the fact of Dick asking for writing materials, .¢ may be guessed that he had made up his mind how to ae _ peceeed, and so he had, for the finding of this friend Morwred the aspect of affairs entirely. THE ENIGHT OF THE ROAD 1399 His intention was to write a letter to his companions, and entrust it to his friend to deliver. He had resolved not to send to the Three Spiders, how- ever, because that would be iov dangerous. His connection with that place could not be too care- fully kept secret. He would send it in the first place to old Matthew, in Drury Bane, and trust to him to forward it to the proper quarter. The turnkey was absent only a short time, and when he came in, the expression of his face showed that he had been successful. “Here you are, captain,” he said—‘‘a drop of ink, there’s a pen, and here’s a piece of paper.” “'Thanks—many thanks. It will take me some little time to write tnis lettex, so eome in again when you next have the opportunity ; by that time it will doubtless be finished.” “ Very good, captain—I will.” “But stay,” said Dick, “‘ you did not tell me how it was you came to be turnkey in Newgate.” “Well, the factis, after I got well I was a long time trying to get fresh work, but I failed—why, I knew not. I tried many different occupations, and at length hap- pened to hear by chance that turnkeys were wanted for Newgate. I applied, and succeeded in getting the situation, and here | have been ever since.” “That explanation is simple enough then.” “Yes, captain; but there’s one thing more. Do you mappa to know that two men are posted outside the oor?” “‘T fancied so.” ‘Well, then, it is the case; so that when we speak to each other we must sink our voices a little above a whisper; those other fellows may betray us.” “You were quite right to caution me,” said Dick ‘‘ For the moment, I had forgotten all about them.” The turnkey said no more, but departed, and as soon as he was alone, Dick sat down, first to think and afterwards to write. The latter was to him a very tedious operation. Yet, after awhile, he succeeded in producing the follow- ing epistle :— ‘ DEAR MATTHEW, —~ ‘“*T suppose by this time you have heard that I am a prisoner in Newgate. The circumstauces of m arrest are very peculiar. No doubt you wonder that should have surrendered at all, knowing how often I have declared that 1 would rather die. Circumstances alter cases, though, and when we meet again, which I hope will be soon, I will relate all the details to.you; I have not time to write them. ‘“‘T want you, as soon as may be after the receipt of this letter, to send over to a certain place 1 need not mention, and let them know that Iam safe. Tell them not to be alarmed, and for the following reason :— ‘ Along with this letter you will receive.a small locket , take care of it, for on that depends my liberation. Strange, is it. not? but I have faith in its power. I want it delivered to the King with all speed, wherever he may be at the present time. And here let me give you a particular caution: T. K. will be the proper person to deliver it, for, mark me, the locket must, by some means or other, be placed inthe King’s hand. It will not do for it to reach him through any official connected with the palace. At all risks, hazards, and difficulties, access must be had to the King in person, and the locket presented. ‘There is no one I can think of better calculated to perform such a task than the person I have named. Let him go as soon as possible, and with all speed let me know the result. “The bearer of this you can fully trust in every re- spect. I would pledge my life as to his fidelity. ‘“‘ Tf you like to make inquiries you can soon learn how t was that I came into possession of this singular locket, end then you will not feel so surprised at my pinning my iaith upon it. “ Above all, I should like you to endeavour to reassure’ Maud. I know she must feel greatly distressed at what has happened, but let her know from me that my position is by no means so perilous as she imagines, for should, by any unlucky accident, the locket fail, I have a friend t:eré 1. fa =a + mie 4 (EONMNIEIOO KS Go