Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

* 1 - « 7 4 x * ha 4 , o> elo oo a : +? . - Pe 4" : *. eras se hr. > s st ~ . s! P. we ~~ 2% _* & od - » ¥ “Vi ar 4 . sentinels, and domestics, and have found you alone. - Had I been a conspirator and not so scrupulous as to __- whether I committed the crime of regicide, [should have had ample opportunity.” - he King sprang to his feet. Alarm was in his breast. — _ The very word “ conspirator’ had brought back to his mind all the attempts which had been made to hurl him from the throne. His dread of the Jacobites was something most intense. * T only mention these facts,’ said Tom, “in order to show you that it will be necessary for me to have some kind of passport when I leave, ‘The soldiers, know- ing an intruder is in the castle, have searched in all di- rections, and, no doubt, as soon as I leave this con- servatory, I shall be pounced on.’’ ‘** But suppose,” said the King, “‘ that I leave you to get away again by your own stratagem ?”’ “Then, your Majesty, I can do no more than try my best. You have given me your assurance that my com- -yade’s life is safe. If I should perish in my endeavours to escape, I shall not care, because [ shall know that I have purchased his safety with my life,” The King could not avoid gazing upon the highway- man with admiration. Such devotion as this was rare indeed. It made him sigh and wish that he had attached to his own person people who would be as staunch and true, instead of the hollow-hearted set by whom he was surrounded, and whose sole aim was their own agerandisement. But events had made the King suspicious. He fancied that perhaps this was only bravado on Tom’s part, At any rate, he resolved to put him to the test. _** You presume too much,” he said. “ lhave already granted one request—let thatsuffice. Ba satisfied that you gained an audience of mein spite of all my retinue, Now let us see whether you will be equally successful in returning.” **Your Majesty,’ said Tom, “I take my leave. My best thanks are yours for having promised to save my comrade’s life. As for myself, { shall do my best to gain my way to liberty. If I fall, it will matter little ; existence has but few charms for me, and when I am gone there will not be many to regret my logs, and even by them I shall soon be forgotten.”’ While thus speaking, Tom King bowed low, and turn- ing quickly round, strode towards the door of the con- servatory. 4 eee CHAPTER DCCCLXVI. TOM KING ENDEAVOURS TO REJOIN CLAUDE DUVAL AND SIXTEHEN-STRING JACK, Tom walked on with a steady and unfaltering step, won- dering much at the sudden alteration in the King’s manner. _ It was not until his hand was actually on tho fasten- Ing of the door of the conservatory that the King, in a sharp, commanding voice, cried : ** Halt !”’ Tom stopped instantly, and turned round. He saw the King standing at the further end, and beckoning him to approach. “It was merely to make a trial of you,” said the King, as soon as he neared him. ‘I can see now that you were fully in earnest, and know henceforth that the King of England can appreciate bravery and devo- tion wherever he may find it—if in the person of a high- wayman., Here, Willis, I say |” The door opened immediately in response to the call, and Willis appeared. “You will escort this gentleman to the gates of tho castle,” said the King, ‘and after that return to me.” _ Willis looked surprised, as Well he might, at find- ing someone in the conservatory in conversation with the King. ~. But he wag too well-bred to utter a word. ides bowing, he made a sign to Tom to follow im, ; The King in the meanwhile, sank down again upon tho little rustic seat in an attitude of great dejection. 4 iS ” aha THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. > Ag bie - sas + = € é&4 bel eo, Re he Teed. ee elk. DY bel | ay at re ee LF, e oe bP ee 3) * “45.74 oe Bat . . ; f eda OO ve wre , okt . . ; : : ~ A : 7 re ee kt Recollections of the past came thronging thickly into his mind—recollections painful and unpleasant; but yet, strive as ne would, he could not banish them, With a very different kind of feeling, ‘l’om King fol- lowed Willis from the conservatory. His heart was elate with hope, and he stepped briskly forward, Not only was his own escape from Windsor Castle ensured, but he had tho Kine’s word that the captain should be liberated. Well might he rejoice then, and well might he felicitate himself upon the success that had attended him iu his efforts. 2 Looking back, he could scarcely believe what had oe- curred. It seemed impossible that fortune could have so fa- youred him, When ata safe distance from the conservatory, Willis turned round towards Tom, and, with preparatory cough, said : ‘“ Excuse me, sir, if I asked by what means you eoined the conservatory.” ** Secret service,’ said Tom Kinz, Willis stared. * You do not understand me,’’ he said, in a louder voice. ‘‘ How did you gain the conservatory ?” ** Secret service,’ said Tom, in the some calm, even tones as before. Willis stamped his foot impatiently. * [insist upon knowing, sir! My vigilance is at stake. Will you or will you not answer my question ©” ‘*T have answered it.’’ * But I say that is no answer.,”’ “'Then,” returned Tom, as coolly as ever, ‘‘ I can give you no other, so obey his Majesty’s command by show- ing me out with the least possible delay.” Willis bit his lip, and he looked at ‘Tom with a re- vengeful scowl. There is no doubt that if he had the opportunity he would certainly do him some serious injury. In fact, Willis was never satisfied until he had pried into every dcmestic matter of the King’s; and in this strange, unaccountable interview he sniffed out some family secret with the details of which he wished to make himself familiar. ao in Tom King he had the wrong person to deal with. Threats and cajolery would be alike unavailing. Of course, Willis was allowed to go wherever he chose unquestioned, and as it was seen that Tom was under his immediate guidance and protection, no effort was made to ston him. Tom, however, was full of impatience once more to get beneath the open sky. He had not forgotten the perilous position in which ho had left his two companions, and he was well aware that, in their devotion to himself, they would go to any Jength—run any risk—in order to cover his retreat. Therefore it was that he wished to make his way round to that particular part of the castle where he had left them, and to let them know that all was well. Whether the two hours had elapsed, or whether a longer period had gone by. he could not tell. He had omitted to take notice of the time. To judge by events, his stay in the castie must alto- gether have been of considerable duration. As he walked on, ‘i'om rightly conjectured that there must be many exits froza the castle, and therefore re- quested to be led out as near as possible to the garden. Willis made no reply to this request, however, but marched on, Some slight revenge, however, he felt wasnow within his reach. Evidently Tom was unacquainted with the interior of the castle, and therefore Wiilis led him to the gateway furthest from the place he wished to reach, Just as he passed beneath the portal, he said: “Turn to your left, and walk on, In two minutes you will be there,”’ Not suspecting any deception, Tom followed these directions ; but after walking for a long time, he could not come in sight of one of the objects that in his ap- proach to the castle he had noted down as lands marks, —_ (E@)[AMNICE| OONC) (7) <S-i€Om