Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 331: what you’re looking at

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

“f RF > aS ° - “ a Ee = “> a am a > oe i Ss Le, 8 ~, << A ty , oe . a With an exertion of strength for which, certainly, no em See 2a ee, Pe; eo e “ A * y Ne ie Pay <a ny” y one a i : i * a Pe ; 6 * if . " ° 7 _ ne a Aree < . Ly omy ; e ‘ wv ag ae ay ae ia 4 stp'e "a 7 * 7" ane ‘aa omy rs vat 4 a? ; % : F : es “ > i’ ~s ae P- . » ~ ; one would have given him credit for possessing, but - which was due to the singular conformation of the upper Sal of kis body, he raised the dead body of the treveller m the box and staggered with it to the bed, wich, luckily, was only about two paces distant. He had to be particularly careful in placing the Soty a the bedstead, but be accomplished ihe cat axccesa- ully, | Quickly, then, he wrapped Maud’s cloak about ‘he in- animate form, and cevered it over with the bed-clothes. Without any pause he then closed the chest, replaced the articles upon it, and taking Maud by the arm, bade . her creep beneath the bed. This was no time for demur, and Maud obeyed with the utmost promptitude, for happening to look towards the door she saw a bright light shining beneath it- and heard soms one speak in a low whisper. All attempts to describe her feelings now must be futile. \ We leave it for the reader to imagine her sensations while she waited for the conclusion of this the most pe adventure she had ever encountered, or ever heard of. It was some satisfaction to her when she felt her strange companien take hold of her hand, for it assured her that she had a protector near. All considerations were, however, quickly swaiiowed up by the absorbing interest caused by the events that ensued. — The whispering sound lasted only for a few seconds, and was succeeded by a profound silence. Probably those ontside were listening. Maud fancied she had secured the door, but if so, the intruders must have possessed some ready and mysterious means of removing the fastenings, for the door was slowly and gently opened just wide enough for one »er- son to enter. Then came another pause. ‘ At last, with a slow and shrinking step, a man entered the room. Maud could see him plainly, for the person by whom he was accompanied stood upon the threshold holding a «ght, the rays from which fell clear and bright into the roca. The man crept towards the side of the bed, pausing, faintly whispered . “ Why the devil don’t you come nearer with the light! Ave you afraid, or do you wish me to blunder up ¢gaiust something in the dark and spoil the game?” ‘“] was afraid the light would wake her.” . Never fear! You mean you are afraid to eome ‘“‘ Nothing of the kind.” | With these words, the second speaker came into view of the two watchers. | It was a woman, though both in her mind and person all traces of femininity had long since been trampled eut. | The former was embrutalised, and the latter hideous in the highest degree. , Although she had declared herself free from fear, yet the candJe trembled in her grasp, while she shook like an aspen from head to foot, thus giving the lie to her asser- tion. She did not advance very far into the room, but stead near the door, and held the candle in such a way that its light was well diffused, though the draught which seemed to ascend the staircase caused the flame to flicker in such a manner that tho illuminatien was most un- certain. Nevertheless, it as sufficient to enable ths murderer to make out that something resemiMing the form of their last guest was lying on the bed. He did not dare trest himself to ‘ook at it too civzely, lest the spurious courage which evabled him ts cxzecute such deeds should abate. ' “Get your knife,” whispered the womau—* take m advice and get your knife! It wifli be much tlie hest.” “ Not L,” answered the man, in the same hushed tones =“there is no reed for it. ‘The pillow will de as @ell,” “es “Bohl” ejacclated bie companion, ‘gontemptuously. * You know I hata to have rxaything like this te dy then el eee ia . Nate THES KNIGHT OF THE ROAD “ent ee rd aaa 4, ROSE ye pear Swat ah.» eee hae ei Sd ae Cote ign bea S ES AE: pee 2S eet Nive > ae s ee a> SRLS mye: Sieur) ; ASIA Ge LPR ep Oe Ors DE en ely oS wan — ae *\ <7 san a o é ~ ji 1708 with a woman. {f don’t think it worth while oven now. < _ “Bah!” said the woman again, but with much greater contempt than before. ‘ Hither do it or atand back and iet me! The man did not say & word more, bot took a step to- wards the bed. He did not approach an was positively compelle far as ever he possibly pillow. His movements now were &u very rapia. Neither Maud nor Hunch coald see exactly what he was about, yet they could tell that he took hold of the pillow, and, placing it over the face of the supposed sleeping person, held it in that position for several minutes, During this time, Maud and her companion only drew their breaths by stealth, so fearful were they that the slight sound would be overheard by the two watchers in the painfully-intease silence that now prevailed. At iengih the woman whispered : “That will do—that is quite long enough! drawn her last breath now.” _ Silently the man removed the pillow, and stood listen- ing. : Maud and Hunch now held their breaths altogether. “* Tt’s all right,” cried the woman. ‘‘Oome away now. She is dead enough !” Just as she spoke these words, the sound of a ire- mendous knocking from below reached their ears. The two guilty wretches were so alarmed at it thai they both ran against each other. : The candle was Knocked from the woman’s feeble grasp, and, falling to the floor, was instantly extin- guished. | The man, upon gaining possession of his voice, poured out a volley of curses. ‘- What—whai can it be ?” gasped the woman. ‘ Why, some one at the door.” ** Sut who—who ?” “Why, some chance travellers, of course. else ?” ‘TJ felt terrified, and so did you, though now you wili try to brave it out!” ‘’ Nothing of the kind, fool! devil did you want to you!” With these words the man groped his way out of the room in the best way ke could, and stumbied down the atairs. The woman followed him, all the time crying on him to stay. But he disregarded all her appeals. No sooner had they both quitted the apartment than Hunch quitted his place of concealinent. nearer the head of it than he ps ight ays out his arm as eyaid, he tock bold of the Wher Stand aside! What the op the light like that for, curse Maud hastily followed his example, though such was — the state of horror she was ia that she was scarcely cor- scious of what she was about. Hunch rubbed his bands together briskly, and in various eccentric ways testified to feeling a great amount of satis- faction. ‘Do you hear that knocking 2” he asked, gleefully. * it seems to have increased tenfold.” “Tt does—it does !” “ Hark! is it not music!” ‘Do you know the cause of ft?” “]T do—I do;” replied the singular creature, more tri- umphantly than belore. “ Explain it—explain it! Donot keep me for amo mentin suspense! Let me know at once just what it meaas ' “Pe ander no apprehension—all is well You are safe now, lady—-quite safe; and, ae for my uncle, why. his little game is done with for ever.” | *till | do not understand. Speak plsinor,” “Well, then, [ will make all se clear that you cannot fail to understaud it.” | “ Quick, *hen—be quick !” “ Well, lady, if you only kusw how ill-treated I hays been by my uncle you would not wonder that I ehouid burn to avenge my wrongs i” “Well 2” “ For a long time { have been unable to flad any meane ae? ex She has - Gomicboo (E ‘S (E (0) se > % + ee , SEA ASS 3 4 - Ae es