Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

1404 ‘* He is not very easy in his mind,” the turnkey said ; but he will be all right when I return. understand this letter was written yesterday, soon after his arrival in Newgate. He gave it to me, and I promised to deliver it at once, but, unfortunately, was prevented from doing so until this morning.”’ * How so?”’ * Why, quite unexpectedly, and at the last moment, the Governor set me on to some extra duty, which pre- vented me from leaving. Icanassure you the captain’s disappointment was very great when [I took the first opportunity of returning to his cell and informing him of my failure. It was then just growing dark. Hehad been in the greatest suspense, fully expecting that I had taken the letter, and was wondering at my delay. How- ever, I told him that he must wait until to-day.”’ ‘And I suppose you took the first opportunity to get away this morning P”’ ec aid.s ‘Well, then, when youreturn, tell him that no effort on our parts shall be wanting to secure his release, and if the locket fails, we shall adopt other means,”’ ‘‘T will be sure to tell him. Believe me,’’ he added, earnestly, ‘‘ youcan fully trust me, and any further mes- sage you have to send you had better give to me verbally, and I will repeat it to him. There will then be no fear of the letter being lost or discovered.” ‘Good !” said old Matthew. ‘ But at present that is all that I can think of to say.’’ ‘Except,’ added Tom Davis, ‘ that we are all very anxious about him, Maud especially, and that I shall endeavour to calm her as well as [ am able.’”’ Soon after this the turnkey took his leave. He was only allowed to be absent from the prison for a certain time, but, being a favourite of the Governor's, . he was allowed indulgences of various kinds, After he had gone, ‘om Davis and old Matthew sat for some time in consultation. At length the latter departed, in order to ascertain the whereabouts of the King. This was information easy to be obtained. In about half an hour old Matthew returned, saying : ‘The King is at Windsor, though it is not known how soon he may leave the castle for London.” “That will do,’ said Tom. ‘It only shows what necessity there is for promptitude of action. I'll be off at once.’ ‘Tt puzzles me exceedingly,” said old Matthew, “and I shall be heartily glad to see him out of Newgate. ‘That locket will have®fare power indeed if it releases him, for [ know how determined all the authorities are to secure him, if possible.”’ ‘© Well, we shall see,’’ added Tom Davis, who went on. ‘ By-the-way, Matthew, thore’s one little circum- stance I may as well mention to you, which is this: You have a neighbour opposite—a barber.’ Matthew nodded. ‘‘ He is the most inquisitive fellow I ever met with, and his especial pleasure is to find out what is going on here.”’ ‘ [ know it,’’ said old Matthew—‘‘I know it very well. I have been waiting, hoping tocatch him and put an end to his tricks. I shall do it some day, I know.” ‘* Be careful, Matthew,’ continued T’iom—‘ pray be careful! You don’t know what mischief a man like that might do!” ‘‘Tt is impossible to guess, andl am much obliged to you for the caution. I have had my eye upon him fora long timo past.”’ ** And now, Mattfiew,”’ said Tom, ‘‘ one word before Igo. If anything particular occurs, you may rely upon seeing me here again very shortly, so don’t be out of the way if you can possibly help it.” ** 1 will not, you may depend. I feel quite as much concerned in this business as youdo, and [ shall keep my eyes open to pick up all the intelligence I can.”’ With this understanding the two friends parted. ‘Tom Davis would have left theinn by the front door, put old Matthew prevented him. ‘** No, no,” he said—‘‘ you had better not go that way —the officers might see you. Come here—it will be better to pass through the stables.”’ Of the interior arrangements of the White Horse Tom Davis knew little except from hearsay, and his surprise BLACK BESS; OR, EE 3. Ji ake” —— was very great when Matthew took him out into the You must | yard and led him into the secret stable that we have previously described. From this, it will be recollected, there was a communi- cation with the numberless streets lying between Drrry Lane and Clare Market, and in which anyone might easily get out of sight. ‘'om Davis glanced around as he emerged into the open alr. But, so far as he could tell, there were no police officers on the watch. Taking a circuitous route, he made his way to the inn where he had left his horse, As he hurried through the streets, he was surprised to find how laté it was—the day was really drawing to a close. Before he could reach Ealing, he felt tolerably cer- tain night would be at hand, and, with the view of re- turning as hastily as possible, he made his horse put forth its best speed. How he arrived the reader is already aware, and now the intelligence he carried is known also. This leaves us at liberty to follow the turnkey back to Newgate. As he had said, Dick’s disappointment and vexation on the preceding night were very great indeed, and during the long hours of darkness ho remained counting every minute as it passed, for his mind was in too feverish a state for sleep. He was now awaiting, with the greatest impatience, the turnkey’s return. When he caught sight of him, one glance into his countenance was sufficient to assure him that the man had been successful. ‘* All’s right, captain,” said the turnkey, closing the door—‘“‘ all’s as right ag you could wish!” ‘*'That’s a relief,” ** No doubt.”’ ‘‘But begin at the beginning, and tell me, quietly and calmly, every little circumstance—do not spare one detail.’’ The turnkey complied, and, as he proceeded, Dick’s composure and light-heartedness returned. ‘““Bravo!’’ he said. ‘I feel now likeafree man! I have a presentiment that my longer stay in Newgate © will be brief in the extreme !”’ ‘*T hope so, captain. And now, then, let me entreat you to partake of something. You have eaten nothing yet, and it may be necessary for you to keep up your strength.” ‘‘T am all right now,’’ was the answer, ‘‘ and can do justice to anything.”’ “ That’s the style, captain! You speak quite different now! Have patience for a short time only, and I will set such a dinner before you as would suit a prince!” Dick smiled at him, and the man left. A sensation of great faintness came over him imma. diately afterwards. Now that relief was afforded to his mind, Nature as- serted her supremacy. Such a change as was perceptible in him would have astonished any beholder. The turnkey was as good as his word. In an incredibly short space of time, considering all the difficulties, a most excellent repast was brought in. The fact must not be overlooked that in those days the discipline maintained inside a prison differed widely from that of the present day. It is notorious that the greatest criminal, if he only had the means at command, could do almost what he liked, except to leave his cell. It was a shame and disgrace that such a state of things should be permitted, but the abuse continued until long after the time of which we write. Dick drew his chair up to the table eagerly. ‘‘ Now, captain,’’ cried the turnkey, as he removed the covers, “ if that does not tempt you, I’m a Dutchman ! And here, look, are a couple of bottles of the best wine that can be obtained in London.” “We shall do rarely,’”’ said Dick. “I really think I never felt so hungry in my life.”’ ‘Lay on, then! I[ will wait upon you.” = ** No you won’t!’’ said Dick, ‘ You will sit down as comicbooks (E(0)