Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 310: what you’re looking at

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

ete Pon ene AN ee Sota ode ee oe ag * eS ee GE oe * Sabet Y. Mag ye iste” RT ern CUCM. ene eS es tes =~ ’ ” ea - meas ¢ » alg he ee | “ “SS 3 x “2 Mn, : : x tore founded. But about the van — when will it pass | here?” — “T expect between ten and twelve to-morrow. * “ That is awkward.” “ That is what I thought,” said the landlord. “If you kad proposed to carry out your attack under cover of darkness I should have thought it munch more feasible.” “Daylight does indeed tearfully augment the diflic’*\es of our task; but still, for all that, our associate must be set free.” “T don’t see how it isto be done. The van is always s0 well guarded, and, except at night, this road is always well frequented.” A shade of uneasiness overspread Dick’s face upon hearing this intelligence, for, of course, the landlord knew perfectly well what he was talking about. ‘No matter,” he said, resolutely —“ it must be done, and I have never set my mind upon a task yet and failed in it. However, we must have a private consultation among eurselves. Are you willing that it should take place in your house ?” ““ How could I refuse you so reasonable a request, for, crack-brained as I consider your scheme to be, yet, for my son’s sake, I most heartily hope that you will be suc- cessful, though, at the same time, I feel that it is hoping in defiance of probability. Can I be of any further as- sistance to you 2?” ‘“‘Not at present, I think; but you can bring us some refreshment, for we are all thirsty.” “You are heartily welcome to all the house affords; and if you only save my son from his dreadful fate, I shall ever look upon you as the greatest benefactors tke world ean show.” : “ Hark!” said Dick. “ What do you hear?” “ Horsemen on the road.” “Yes, I hear them new quite plainly,” answered the landlord. “Who are they, think you?” “Tt isa troop of some kind—ten or e dozen a least; but I will soon have a look.” With these words the landlord sallied forth. “T de believe,” he said, returning quite out of breath, “that they are soldiers.” —, ‘Or police officers, "suggested Dick. Yes, or officers.” ~-<; “Then, if they are, you can easily understand that we wish to run no risk $f being seen by them. Have you got any private chamber that we can occupy ?” “Yes, upstairs.” “Then conduct us to it.” “J don’t think it at all likely the officers will call here.” “ Still, in case they do ?” “You shall go if you wish it.” ‘We do.” “Then follow me at once.” With these words’they all sallied forth into the pas- sage. - They were headed by the landlord, who at once led the way to the staircase. Just as he placed his foot upon the bottom step the horsemen drew up witha dash in front of the inn, and began bawling at the top of their lungs for the land- lord. “Tt did not think they were so near,” he said. “Nor I,” answered Dick. ‘Tell us which the room is, and we will ascend alone. You go at once to the door, and, above all things, preserve your calmness.” “You may depend upon me doing that.” Which room ?” ‘The first door on your right at the top.” ‘“Hnough ; and bear in mind if those outside are officers, and if they ask you any questions about us, you musi be careful to tell them that you have not seen us.” ——<S oe CHAPTER MVIII, DICK TURPIN AND HIS JOMRADES LEARN BONE Ikk- PORTANT INFORMATION PROM THE POLIOE OFFICERS, WrvH these words, Dick Turpin and his comrades rajy.Giy ascended the staircase while the landlord © tened to the front door of the ina, \1 toa Se eau It took our friends but a moment to reach the door which had been described to them. cee Opening it, they found themselvee in a tolerably spacious and well-furnished apartmers. <a It was quite dark, with the exception of what sliglst * amount uf illumination proceeded from ths two latticed a casemeuts, through which the night sky could be dimly : seen, Micra our friends liked it all the better for being rk. Their first act was to sevure the door. aes This done, they crept on tiptoe along the fleoring te- wards the windows, being careful not to make an uproar ay by coming tnexpectedly into collision with any article of furniture, ute Two things afforded them especial gratification. ae The first was that the room was in the front of the houses, and that the windows commanded a view of the high-road below. The secona was, that one of the windows was open. At a first glance they saw that a troop of mounted police officers had drawn up near the horse-trough. Upon counting, they found the number to be nine=— in all probability eight subordinates and a sergeant. Our friends were careful to keep back so as to be out of sight. =, The open window allowed them to listen to every word ce that was uttered below. So expeditious were they in their movements that they had actually just taken up their position at the window when the landlord accosted the officers. ‘“‘Gcood evening, gentlemen!” he said. ‘ What shall I have the pleasure of serving you with?” -- Nothing on the preseut occasion. We are on important business, which admits of no delay, only we called here to ask you a question.” “ A question?” echoed the landlord, not knowing ex- actly what better to say. “Yes. I want to know whether you have happened to see four dashing-looking horsemen anywhere in the vicinity—one mounted on a magnificent coal-black mare ?” | ‘Four horsemen ?” “Yos, I may as well tell you who they are. Their names are Dick Turpin——”’ “ Good gracious!” ejaculated the landlor*- % “Tom King,” continued the officer, without heeding ‘ the interruption in the least, ‘‘ Claude Duval, and Sixteen- String Jack.” ‘‘Good gracious!” said the landlord again. ‘You don’t mean to say that those desperate characters have taken this road? If they have, there will be an end to my custom !” “TJ will tell you how it is,” said the officer. ‘“ But stay, here is a bill describiig their persons, and offering a reward of three thousand pounds if they are all cap- tured. A gentleman who has been robbed lately has just added five hundred pounds to the amount.” “Three thou zs “ Sand (ounds,” added the officer. ‘ Bear that in mind, and keep a sharp look-out, will you?” We are sure the reader can form but a slight idea of the state of mind the four highwaymen were in during this conversation. They were apprehensive, and not withaut good cause. They knew but little of the landlord, and, for aught they could tell, the hope of gaining a share of so large a sum as three thousand pounds might overcome all other : considerations. Then any incaution on his part would serve to excite i= the suspicions of the officers. 2 If once these were aroused their sitration would be 4 ticklish indeed, for they were quite ignorant of the . m e y see i AL eee . hoy AS hae Lk s ce d Ji aes me", a - ’ ey whereabouts of the stables, so it was scarvely possible that they would be able to gain possession of their steeds. ) It was, therefore, with the most acute suspense and 7 anxiety that they watched the progress of events De- = _ low. The landlord, by the aid of the lamp hanging over the front door of the inn, had taken a good look at the bill. Of course he had perused the descriptions, and # Gomicbook