Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

140 gg os by whose aid, I doubt not, I should be able to make mv escape. fast of all, impress upon everyone the nectssity vf remaining quiet where they are, and making no effcrt to release me, as any such attempt on their part will only get them into trouble, and increase the difficulties of my position. “If you like to send word back, you candoso. Do not be afraid of putting trust in the bearer. “ Yours, *¢ Dick.” Turpin took a great deal of pains over this letter, and he was occupied a long time in writing it. Scarcely had he said down the pen, however, when the friendly jailer entered. “ Here itis,” Dick exclaimed, folding up the sheet of aper and addressing it. ‘I want you to take it to one Matthew Gale, the landlord of the White Horse, in Drury Lane. Do you know it?” “T think so—a large, old-fashioned building, is it not, standing at the corner of White Horse Yard ?” “Ves, thats it. Here’s the letter, end be sure that you deliver it into the hands of Matthew Gale himself. You will know him, for he is tall and stout, with a jolly, good- tempered-looking «ountenance, and usually wears a white apron. ‘T'ry as well to slip the letter into his hand when there’s no one by.” “ All right.” “ And this,” said Dick, giving him the locket—“ above all things be careful of that; do not lose it, for upon it all my hopes depend.” “ You can trust me, captain,” was thereply. ‘“Sucha service as this is a mere trifle, but yet I will perform it as well as if you had gone in person.” ‘‘T am satisfied to trust you; take it now and go at once.” “ But, captain,” said the man, “don’t you want some- thing to eator drink? You have beenhere a good many hours noWe” “T know that, but I am accustomed to go long without food, especially if I have anything important to do.” “ But when I come back ?” “Why then, if you like, you can bring me the best dinner you can procure, for when I know the letter and locket have been delivered safely, and arein Old Matthew’s hands, a great load will be lifted off my heart.” ‘Well, then, I will start, and make haste back.” “ Do so—do so.” The turnkey carefully secreted the letter and locket about him—then left the cell. It may easily be imagined that Dick Turpin suffered no small degree of impatience and anxiety after the jailer had departed. In spite of everything, and try as he would, some doubts as to the fellow’s honesty would obtrude themselves upon his mind. It was a dreadful thing to think of, for should he be betrayed in this, his position would be dangerous indeed. And so, as minute after minute passed away, his un- easiness increased, and, rising to his feet, he paced rapidly up and down his cell, pausing every now and then to look through the barred window, hoping that he should catch sight of the turnkey approaching. Dick had no means whatever of ascertaining the time, tor, of course, on his first introduction to the vestibule of Newgate, every article was removed from his pockets, and the locket would have gone as well had he not so cleverly concealed it. Yet he fancied that a very long time indeed had elapsed since the man’s departure—much more time than was needful for him to perform the journey to Drury Lane and back, and for Matthew to send a message in re- turn. Unless by imagination we could place ourselves exactly in his present situation, it would be difficult indeedjto form a proper estimate of the anxious state of his mind, or guess what doubts, and fears, and hopes by turns assailed it. That the jailer had been absent a very long mae ko was quite certain, although his state of suspense might wave caused him to exaggerate it. Now. however, there was no mistaking the fact that sae-day was fast closing in, and in a little while longer it won)d be dusk, if not dark. BLAGK BESS; OK, But in that cell of Newgate the days were much shortes than they were outside the prison, for it was not urtil long after the sun had risen in the morning thal any day- Kel found its way into it, and by sunset it was nearly ark. At length, however, Dick heard a footstep in the pas- sage. He paused, and directly afterwards the fastenings were removed, the door opened, and tke jailer entered. “You have been absent a long time,” said Dick, as soon as it as prudent to speak. “ Yes, captain, I have; but you will find that I shall be able to give you a very good explanation of it.” CHAPTER DCCCLVI. TOM DAVIS GATHERS SOME INFORMATION RESPECTING OLD MATTHEW FROM THE LOQUACIOUS BARBER. WE revert now to the proceedings of Tom Davis. It will be remembered that when he left ths Three Spiders it was very early in the morning indeed. The horse he had was a good one, and took him to London in capital style, so that he arrived before many of the inhabitants were astir. He took the precaution, however, to leave his horse and trap at an inn about half a mile from Drury Lane, because he was anxious to arrive there without attracting any notice. Walking quietly down on the side opposite to that upon which the White Horse stood, Tom Davis pretended to be gazing with interest at the shop windows, but in reality he did this only that he might be allowed a better opportunity of looking carefully on all sides of him. But as he proceeded he saw nothing at all peculiar or unusual. Arriving at length opposite the White Horse, he saw that the shutters were down and the door open, But, more by chance than anything else, Tom Davis cast his eyes upwards, and, very greatly to his astonish- ment, he caught sight of a couple of police officers who were on the top of the house, looking down over the parapet. They made some signs with their hands but what they portended Tom could not guess. But, looking before him, he saw two men dressed in plain clothes, who were replying to the signals given by those above. “Oh, oh!” he muttered. “So Matthew is troubled with another visit of his old friends, is he? Well, if such is tue case, the wisest thing I can do, perhaps, is to keep out of the way for atime. Where can I go?” Tom looked around him again, for if by any chance he could remain somewhere within sight of the White Horse Inn, why then it would be so much the better. Fortune favoured him. It will be remembered that nearly opposite the front door of the White Horse Inn was a barber’s shop. The barber himself was an object of considerable aver- sion to Old Matthew, for the simple reason that he was very fond of prying into his neighbours’ business. Of course, we all know that Matthew had many secrets that he wished to keep carefully concealed from the eyes of those around him, and he had often been annoyed by this barber’s inquisitiveness. Tom Davis, however, no sooner saw the shop than he felt quite a sensation of pleasure. Here he could enter and remain for some time, and probably learn what was going on at the White Horse. Just as he reached the door of the shop, some person came hastily out, and following him, almost treading on his heels, was the barber himself. He stopped on the doorstep, and looked attentively across the road. What more he would have done is hard to say, for just then Tom Davis went up to him and entered the shop. ‘‘ Bless my heart,” the barber exclaimed, in brisk tones, “ T never knew such a thing in all my life !” “As what?” asked ‘l'om, as he seated himself in a chair. “ As business this morning.” « yndsed !” “Vea, I have been uncommonuy busy—npst weer monly busy, and just because I didn’ want ta'y fc¢% Btls HN x cre Gomichooks co