Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

The result was that he found, close to the edge of the ditch, a bracelet, which he recognised in a moment as having belonged to Maud. Here, then, was something like proof positive that he had got upon the right track. He remained gazing upon the jewel foz seme moments in deep thought. He was more than half inclined to ride tack after his comrades, and make them acquainted with his dis- covery. . Eventually, nowever, he decided to do wething o! the kind. Much time would have been occupied by the adoptior of this course, and then it was questionable whether the search could be so successfully conducted as it could be if he was left to his own resources. This decided him, and, once more mounting his horse, he rode with still greater slowness and caution down the lane. On one side of him there was quite a tall hedge, and just ashe was passing by Tom was greatly startled to hear a strange voice pronounce the words: “ Good night!” Tom King returned the salutation, and at once pulled up his horse, greatiy wondering who it could be that had thus addressed him, and what was the object for doing BO. Some of the twigs of the hedge were then parted. -It was not so dark but that Tom could see through the leaves the head and face of an elderly gentleman, whose countenance was certainly expressive of good temper and benevolence. “T think, my friend,” he said, addressing Tom, ‘I siw you pick up something in the lane a few minutes azo?” “Tt is quite possible you might, sir.” “May I ask what it was ?” “ Certainly, if you can show me any good res’son Kay 1 should tell you.” “Well, then, it is just in this way. I happen tobe Lord of the Manor here, and I always consider I have the best claim to anything that may be found hereabouts.” “Tn a great way, my lord, perhaps yeu have, but you certainly have not in the present instance.” ‘‘ Indeed—why not ?” “Because what I have found happens to belong to some one with whom I am well acquainted, and of whom I happen to be in search.” ‘‘ In search ?” echoed the old gentleman. police officer, then ?” “Tam not.” “T thought you did not look like one; but come, tell me who this is of whom you are in quest; perhaps I may be able to afford you some information, for in default of having something else to do I occupy myself in walking over my property and making myself acquainted with all that occurs.” Upon hearing this statement, Tom King immediately became deeply interested. It flashed upon him that chance might so far have favoureé him as to bring him face to face with the very man who would be able to furnish the information he so much required. Without the sligatest hesitation then, he gave a full description of Maud’s personal appearance, stating that she was a dear friend of his, and that he was most anxious to discover her. é ‘Have you seen anyone answering to this description,” was Tom King’s earnest inquiry, as sown as ke had finished, “‘ or have you heard anything ?’ “T have not.” Tom was deeply disappointed at this reply, for he had suffered his hopes to carry him away. ‘‘Oan you me whither this lane leads 7* be asked, at length. “Ves on to the nondon Koad.” “And are there any intermediate places where you think she might be likely to stay ?” asked Tom. “Only two inns: one a long way off—just at the wunction of the London Road, in fact—the other 18 not so far away, being just beyond the bountlary of my estate.” Tom knew this perfectly well. * As for the last,” continued the old gentleman, ‘I have heard that itis a fearful place, though no suspicion “ Are you a BLACK BESS; OB has existed until recently. I believe, however, it is ome of those murder dens of which it is to be feared there are many throughout the land. If the young person you seek has sought shelter there, I fear her fate would ba a sad one.” ‘The place is now in the occupation of polico officers, is it not ?” “Tt is.” “ Alas!” said Tom, with a sigh, “I fear I have a difii- cult task before me. Many thanks for the information you have been able t afford. Good-night, for time is precious, ard I cannot linger.” The salute was returned, and Tom King resumed his progress down the lane. His mind was now filled with many anxieus thoughts. That Maud had made her -way down that very lane there could be little or no room to doubt. The question was, what had become of her? ‘“‘ Beyond all doubt,” he said, “she was beneath that tree with Jack the Ostler. They would foolishly seek its dangerous shelter to escape the rain. Yes—yes, that must ve so. Then when the awful catastrophe happened she would fly in horror. The rain and the storm would have no terror for her then.” As the reader is aware, Tom King came vefy closely indeed to the truth in these conjectures. “Then,” he resumed, “so great would be her alarm that she would run on at so violent a rate as rapidly to exhaust herself altogether. She would again look out for shelter, and if she happencd to see this Jolly Tar, she would be likely to enter there and remain until the storm was over.’ Still Tom felt that these were only conjectures, and it was quite possible that Maud had acted in entirely a dif- ferent manner. He was only judging by what he himself would have done under similar circumstances. ‘“‘ Tf she entered there,” he muttered, “I fear it is no use looking for her any further. She could scarcely escape the double danger. Still it would be satisfactory to ascertain her fate ; and better me execute the task than Dick for he would be carried away too much by his fecl- nee . the enterprise would be doubly. dangerous to im. ‘Lom was right erough here. “ { am afraid,” he murmured, ‘that the police officers wouls arrive during her stay here. They could not fail to recoguise her in a moment, and they would make hera prisoner, for she would not be able to do anything in her own defence. If so, they have had time enough to take her to London and lodge her in Newgate before now.” Tom was silent, but his mind was busily engaged in wondering by what means he could free himself from these suppositions—how he was to make certain whether they were right or wrong. ‘There is only one course to pursue that I can think of,” he said, at length, ‘and that is to go direct to the Jolly Tar Iun. There is danger in the adoption of such a course, but then I would gladly run ten times as much risk for her or Dick. Yes—yes, if she has visited the Jolly Tar I will take care to learn all about it.” When Tom had come to this decision his mind grew quite easy. Many, however, would have wondered by what earthly means he was about to put his design into execution. It seemed like a man running into the lion’s mouth. Our gallant friend, however, did not allow this portion of the affair to disturb him much. His arrangements were soon made. Hé rode on until he came to within quite a short dis- tance of the place he wished to reach. Then dismcunting, he secured his horse to the branch of a tree that grew at some little distance from the road- side. This much accomplished, he bestowed a careful examination upon his weapons. Finding them all in perfect order, he crept forward cautiously on foot. He made his way first of all towards the back part of the inn, for he believed that he stood a much better chance of gaining the rear of the premises unperceived by his foes. : 4 Getting nearer, ha found that all the windows at tae back were plunged in profound darkness. (E(6) JOOKS AMLCE (ele)