Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

1402 ame ee **So I should think.” * T have heard, though,’’ he went on, “that Matthew Gale, or old Matthew, as we generally call him, although he will place a highwayman or almost anyone in safety, yot refuses to hold out his protection to anyone he knows to bea murderer ; but that may or may not be trua, and whether it is or not, after all, does not signify. ‘There you are, sir—all done now. Good day, sir.” ‘Not quite,’ replied ‘om. ‘‘I am sorry to hinder you, but now [am shaved I must have my hair dressed ; it would be impossibie to leave it, so you must make the job complete.” The barber gave a sigh, and began to get his imple- ments ready. “Do you know any of the particulars of what is going on to-day ?” asked ‘Tom. * No,” replied the barber, “ scarcely any, and that’s why I am so auxious to find out.” ‘Then, if you like,” said ‘Tom, ‘‘as I am in no par- ticular hurry, and as I feel curious as well as yourself, perhaps you would not mind leaving me here tor a few moments and ascertaining P” “My dear sir, I shall have great pleasure, and while IT am gone you can amuse yourself with looking at the newspaper—there itis. Now I’m off,” . Glad enough, apparently, to get out of the shop, the barber darted through the door. ‘Tom was not likely to interest himself in the news- paper while things of so much importance to him were going on around, so, flinging it aside, he hastened also -to the door, which he opened a very little way, so as to take a peep at the barber’s proceedings. That individual crossed the road rapidly, and entered the White Horse. “ He has gone to head quarters for his information certainly,’ was ‘om Davis’s mental observation. ‘What an extraordinary fellow; but what an intoler- able nuisance he must be to old Matthew.”’ The barber was absentalong time—so long that Tom Davis's patience would have been put to a sore trial had it not been for the fact that the officers had not yet left, and he did not wish to enter the White Horse until they had. At last, however, the barber, with his usual smirk upon his lips, came tripping across the road. Tom no sooner saw him approaching than he resumed his seat, and pretended to be reading the paper very attentively. “ve been a long time gone,’’ the barber began, as soon as he appeared; “but, then, as you were kind enough to say you were in no hurry, I thoughtit would not matter.” “Oh, not in the least!’ said Tom. ‘I have been very well interested during your absence.”’ ** That’s all right, then.” “ But what. have you learned ?”’ inquired Tom, with some anxiety. ‘““ Why, it seems the police are after aman who 1s sus- pected of being the author of several mysterious murders. The police got information that he was seen to enver the White Horse, and that he had not emerged again.”’ * But stay—did you not tell me that this landlord re- fused to hold ont any protection to murderers?” “Yes, certainly, and I made the remark as soon as I heard the particulars ; but the officers are rather incredu- lous, so they have been all the morning searching from the cellar to the attic.” ** And have they found him P”’ * No, not even theghost ofa clue. Old Matthew takes it very coolly, declaring most positively that no one of the kind is in the house ; but the officers take no notice of that, for they are well aware he would say just the same thing if the man they wanted was under their noses.”’ “ He is really quite a remarkable character,’ said Tom Davis. ‘“ You interest me greatly; I really think I shall feel inclined to run across when I leave yon just to have a peep at so extraordinary an individual.” “Oh, he is nothing much to look at,’’ said the barber, “and I should not think so badly of him as Ido but for one thing.”’ ‘And may I ask what that is P” ** Yes, he does not support his neighboursas he might. a BLACK BESS; OR, ing, he never requires it, for his head is about as bald as & head could be. He even does not patronise me by buying a wig,’’ the barber added, in conclusion. ‘om Davis could not help feeling greatly amused at all he heard, and some more time still was spent in this kind of conversation. Sent ‘The barber himself was never so happy as when ho could get hold of some one who would listen patiently while he talked. And so long after the operation of hair-dressiug was over, Tom remained in the shop. And yet it did not seein strange for him to do so, for his hand was on the knob of the door all the time, as if he was about to take his*"departure each moment. At length, feeling anxious to see whether the officers had left, ‘om passed out into the street again. He glanced up and saw nothing of the officers, but he thought, after all, it would be more expedient if he allowed an hour or two to elapse before he paid his visit, so he walked briskly in the direction of the Strand, in- tending to while away his time somewhere else. About an hourand a half afterwards he returned, and approached the White Horse as circumspectly as he could. He was rejoiced to find that the barber was not standing at his door,as he feared he would be, in which case he might have run across the road and entered at tho same time, intending to take a friendly glass with him. That, however, would by no means have answered Tom's purpose, so, with a feeling of great relief, ho hastily crossed the threshold. CHAPTER DCCCLVITI. WHICH TOM DAVIS AND OLD MATTHEW HOLD A CONSULTATION RESPECTING DICK TURPIN. ‘HERE was an air of quietude about the interior of the iun that seemed to tell Tom Davis at once that the officers had taken their departure. : With increasing confidence and ease, he made his way along the passage to the bar window, Only afew people were sitting in the public-room, and they were conversing with each other in low tones, as if upon particular business of their own. Tom Davis glanced ajl about him, but seeing no one who would observe his movements, he left the bar window and proceeded to the door, which he opened hastily, and as hastily closed after him, Opposite was that door we have so frequently had oc- casion to mention, which communicated with old Matthew’s private sitting-room. Here Tom fully expected to find his old friend, so he opened this door also without ceremony. His covjecture proved correct. Seated at a table, on which was spread a repast of a very substantial character, was old Matthew. The opening of the door caused him to look up, and no sooner did he see who had entered than he dropped his knife and fork and uttered an ejaculation. ‘* Why, bless and save us, om! is it you?” “Tt is,’ was the answer, and, as he gave it, Tom closed the door quietly behind him, ‘“ But what on earth brings you here to-day °’’ said old Matthew. ‘‘ I’m giad to see you. Sit down, you are just in time for breakfast. I am rather late this morning ; hard at work,” ‘Tt is rather late,’’ said Tom, seating himself as he had beeu desired, and thinking at the same time that the meal looked very much more like a dinner than a breakfast, But old Matthew was a rare trencherman, as he knew very well, ; | ‘Now, Tom,’’ he cried, ‘help yourself —don’t be afraid; and then, while I finish, you can tell me what has bronght you here to-day.”’ But Tom Davis only replied to this invitation by shaking his head. “T gan’t eat, Matthew,” he said, “or drink. Can it be possible that you do not know what has brought me here?’ ‘No. Why, what has happened—nothing serious, I ope P” “ My trust is that the report is without foundation,” IN Instead of coming to me to be shaved he actually has | replied Tom Davis, ‘‘ vet I can scarcely indulge in such the meanness to shave himself, _ Then, as for hair-dress- | a hope.” but those confounded officers have kept me. oS . - com (S cS 200!