Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 309: what you’re looking at

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

__ } Ce wae ao 7 “? i". =. © Oe Fe wre} Ss ‘ oe <a $9 1681 J = Fe aoa eee ek eee = x "se a [MAUD AND JACK OSTLER WATCHING THE INTRUDERS. | prisoners—a friend of ours, you understand—who, like your son, is under sentence of transportation.” Upon hearing this announcement, the landlord stag- gered back, until he was brought up rather violently by a wall behind him. ; Dick spoke in the calmest and most matter-of-fact manner possible to conceive, and, having spoken, waited patiently for the effect it produced upon the landlord to subside. ‘* Stop the prisoners’ van P”’ he gasped, at length. ** Yes, such is our intention.’’ ‘What, you four ?”’ 4 ** Yes.” ** Impossible !”” ‘* Why so?” “It is too well protected by officers. lose your lives in the attempt.’ ** Leave that to us,’’ said Dick, No, 211.—Buack Bzss. a te You would ‘‘ We are not at all ” alarmed on that score. Now I will tell you what we require of you. In the first place, we want to know when the van is likely to reach here—in the second, whether you will afford us safe shelter until then? If you consent, then, in return for doing so, we will take care to set your son at liberty. Youare surprised, but take a minute to recover yourself.” ‘* No, it is not requisite. Still, 1 must say that I con- sider your attempt will be nothing short of utter mad- ness, and will inevitably result in your destructiou.”’ ** As I said, you must leave that to us, lieve me or not when I say we shail do it, are you inclined to agree P”’ **Tt would be folly to hesitate in such a case.”’ *€T thought that would be your decision.”’ * But—but I have my doubts still about your suc- cess,” ‘Time will soon show whether they are well or ill Now, then, You can bee . Gomichbooks (S (o) Prick One HALFPENNY.