Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

aR — < = me ale a Pg page’ eye ¥ CS esriee ‘ —s ee Ae ~ Cae! z “ ts , ao - <_ “s, ¢ » * a> « 4 . ¥, ~_> « ~~). + Pe A A tah Ae IA a “Nye” RK 6 Fe Se aS pete As a a th piers ¥ ‘ — a, ate ™ a “) a o's wa. 4 Tom. “The ostler tracked him to St. James's Palace. Who can he be ?” , ‘‘T ean give no guess,” answered Dick, glancing at the ring; “but I believe there is one within those walls who feels himself indebted to me on the score of gratitude. I fancy, too, that he possesses power there. At any rate, I will go to-night, and ask him to interest himself and use his influence in this little thing’s behalf.” . ‘But I have set myself the task of seeing her righ,” exclaimed Tom King, quickly. “Tf you have, there are many reasons why you snould pass the charge over to me. I have the means of gaining admittance to the palace, which you have not, and although you may feel better than you did, yet I think you are scarcely well and streng enough to undertake such an i:- portant matter.” Tom was silent, for he could not but admit the absolute truth and reason of these remarks. “ But,” said Maud, timidly, “ will it be safeto go? Will there not be a general look-out for you ?” ‘There may be, but I feel no apprehension as to the result. Besides, there is time for a good rest between now and nightfall, and it so happens that we have no business of any kind until to-morrow, when some one must go to receive old Matthew’s letter on the bridge.” ‘Then I bespeak that duty!” eried Tom King. am tired to death of being imprisoned here. that easily.” ‘“‘ Acreed,” said Dick—“that is, supposing that you find yourself sufficiently recovered of your wound.” “T shall be all right after a rest.” bs ] I can manage ~ I too, feel much fatigued, yet, first of all, I should like to ask some questions of our little stranger here, ifshe would answer them.” Hearing this, Ruth looked up with wonder in her eyes. “T want you to tell us,” said Dick, ‘‘ who you are, aud who your unele is. I shall then be better able to judge what to do.” “My name is Ruth—Lady Ruth sometimes they call me. “ Lady Ruth what ?” ‘' Comynge.” ‘ oe your father known by that title ?” * Yes. “ And your uncle?” “ He is Lord Comynge now.” * And does he live at St. James’s Palace ?” “ Yes—that ia where he is in attendance upon the King, which is nearly always.” . “But how was it he brought you here ?” “T was at a party—this is the dressI wore. I was in the garden, and happened to be alone. Suddenly my uncle appeared, and told me he wanted me to gowith hima little way—that my parents wished metodo so wien I attained my seventh year.” _“ And you complied ?” “Oh yes. I thought no harm, thouch I had always greatly feared my uncle. I wanted to re-enter the house to put on my things, and tell them of my departure; but he said there was no necessity, as his carriage was wait- ing close by, and that he had already announced his in- tention of taking me away for an hour or so.” ** Poor thing,” said Dick, stroking her glossy hair. ‘I can easily understand how you would fall into such a well-laid trap as that. Andso be brought you here to murder you ?” ; The child was silent. : ‘The mention of the name,” interrupted Claude Duval, ‘reminds me that this place is, or used to be, called Com- ynge-Castle.” ‘hen if that is the case it will account for the villain bringing his niece here. I wonder, now, whether there is any truth in tliis tale about a secreted treasure ?” “J should think not, and yet there may bo some founda- tion of truth init. However, we can easily look ia the norning and see,” ‘True; but at present I propose some rest, and, if I may judge by your lowks, my proposal will be welcomely enough received.” He was right. All were, without exception, thoroughly worn out The care of the place was left entirely to Jack the ostler above, about whose fidelity net the shadow of a doubt was now entertained, Se , Scho THE KNIGHT OF THH ROAD. —! a. . - ~~ nae \ 7 ee” ee ae 1066 In a short time afterwards the profoundest stillness prevailed, and it was not until just as evening was ap- proaching that the highwaymen reassembled. Claude and Jack had made known the pecuniary result _of their last expedition, and as the amount wis not suffi- cient for their purpose it was agreed that they should take another turn upon the highway while Dick repaired to — 5t James’s Palace. He had little doubt that if he merely declared his story, and left the little girl in charge of the stranger he had be- friended, she would be well taken care of in the future, and her villanous uncle punished. At any rate, this was what he hoped. As the time drew near for the little girl to take her de- parture, Maud wept plenteous!y, for short as had been the time of their acquaintance, yet she had learned to love this little girl with no commen affection. As for little Lady Ruth herself, she fully reciprocated this feeling, and also wept at the prospect of separation. Not only was she extremely fond of Maud, but the novelty of her situation charmed and delighted her. Dick only waited until it was perfectly dark. In spite of her hard gallop on the previous night, he found Black Bess in capital condition for the road. Tom King looked with an eye of envy upon the prepara- tions for departure, and almost felt inclined to join them; but Maud’s earnest entreaties for him to remain and bear her company, as well as sundry sharp twinges which his arm gave him now and then, induced him to overcome this in- clination. Dick took his departure first. The ostler had given him the word that the coast was perfectly clear, ok the little girl seated in front of him. ““ Expect me before daybreak,” he cried, as he allowea the reins to fall upon the back of Black Bess; “butif 1 do not return by then on no account set out to meet me.” The little girl was for some moments terrified at her situation, which appeared to her to be full of danger. Perceiving this, Dick hastened to reassure her, and in a few moments succeeded in dispelling her fears, On his way Dick glanced continually about him, for he fully expected to meet with the officers before going far. He was tolerably certain that such a commotion as he had raised on the two preceding nights would not die out vary readily. The little girl noticed his perpetual vigilance, but never once guessed the cause, for they had all been most cautious to keep their occupation a secret. To Dick's agreeable surprise the journey to London was performed without any accident; but when he drew near to St. James’s Palace he began to wonder in what nianner he could dispose of his mare. After the result of placing her in the stable in Piccadilly he was searcely likely to attempt that mode of disposal again; but the question arose of what else he could do. He came insight of the dull, dingy-looking palace with- out haying come to a decision. “Tt will not do to hesitate or loiter,” he muttered. ‘‘Such a course would inevitably give rise to suspicion. I have a good mind to ride boldly beneath the gateway, and give one of the palace lackeys the job of holding her.” This was an idea that probably would have occurred to no one else but Dick Turpin. Yet the more he considered it, the more he liked it, and so he continued to ride on at his former easy ace. z As usual, a sentinel stood at the entrance of the court: ard. : Hearing the sound of an approaching horse’s hoofs, ke ~ looked up. By the aid of the dark, flickering oil lamp suspended above him, and which was the best exterior illumination the palace afforded, he made out the form of oxy hero. Dick rode on without bestowing any notice upcr him. Finding himself treated in this unceremonious manne. the sentry allowed Dick to pass without questioning : but had Dick shown any hesitation, adimittance would doubtless have been denied to him. ECORI L0)(0\(6) @, SaeOlan e sprang into the saddle andthen had