Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

o—_—— went to these papers under the impression I have just _ Bumed, and, coming to this warrant, did not trouble my. _gelf to glance at it particularly, for, as you see, itruns thus: ‘ Of Tom King, the accomplice of Dick Turpin and ethers.’ You see, there’s your name onit,’’ he continued, pointing it out to Dick, ‘‘ and so, with this impression on my mind, [| folded it up and sent it off, believing it wos veritably the warrant for your execution.’ * Bat would not such a mistake be discoverea ¢”’ * T should have thought so,” said the Governor. “ft « | pretty clear the Secretary of State looked at it no more attentively than I did; the probability is, he just endorsed Et, as you see, without ever unfolding it; or, if he was aware of the mistake, as he may be, his idea might Bave been that it would be best found out afterwards.”’ Dick drew a long breath. ** IT wish I had understood this fully before,’’ he said. * Tt would have altered my course of action; and yet, apon second thoughts, perhaps things are best as they are.” ** Yes, rely upon it,’ said the Governor, who, every time he looked at the warrant, felt a pang of alarm. _“ But just for curiosity’s sake,’’ exclaimed Dick, “ tell me what would have been the effect of the discovery of this mistake in the warrant, supposing it had been made before my execution ?”’ ** Why, it could not have taken place, that’s all,’ said the Governor—“‘at least, not by thetime appointed. You would have been seized, imprisoned again, and properly tried. Of course a verdict of guilty would have been feund, and your position would be just the same as before.” Dick suddenly became lost in thought. Rousing himself at length, he cried : ** Say no more about it, Mr. Bradbury. Depend upon ait, I will not mention the subject, for fear that it should bring you into any trouble, and for the present you know I am safe—in fact, I always shall be, for no matter what the odds may be, I will never yield myself a prisoner again—I have had enough of it.”’ The Governor pushed the warrant out of the way, and drained his glass. **T am afraid,” he said, ‘‘ though I thank you all the same, that this matter will creep out; some people must recollect all about it, and then there will be a regular row.” “Don’t fear,’”’ said Dick, “for through me you have gained a powerful friend.”’ This remembrance appeased the Governor greatly. Dick emptied his glass also, az then said: **Come, Mr. Bradbury, we have sat here long enough; it is getting fast towards morning nu‘, and if the com- munication with old Newgate is to be discovered, now is the time. Lead the way~—I shall be glad to be re- ‘ieved of my present state of suspense.”’ **No donbt,” said the Governor, rather gloomily. “ T wish from the very bottom of my heart that the day was over, and night come.” * And I wish,” Dick added, ‘‘that I was safe out of Newgate, and a mile away from it at the least.” CHAPTER DCCCLXXXVI. DICK TURPIN SUCCEEDS IN GAINING ADMISSION TO A PORTION OF OLD NEWGATE. * No doubt,” said the Governor, smiling at the hearti- jess with which Dick Turpin spoke—*“‘ no doubt, but some time will have to elapse before that desirable state of things can possibly come to pass.” He tock up the lamp as he spoke, and stepped to- wards the door. ** Excuse me for making myself so much at home,” said Dick; “‘ but if you have no objection I will appro- priate this bottle of brandy to mg own use; it strikes me that it will prove no bad companion 4 me when down there in the vanlts.”’ * Take it—take it, by all means,’’ said the Governor; ci you will indeed want something to keep the damp ** And a light,” said Turpin—‘‘I must have a gat of some description; not that I care so much about remaining in the dark, only if I have a lamp burning ! }, shall know at once by the appearance of the flame whe- thor the sir I breathe is pure enough to support life.” THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. 1447 -- The Governor nodded. .- “A prudent thought,” he said. ‘‘ You must not be without a lamp, otherwise you might stray into some passage or other where the air is vitiated from having been closed up so long; no doubt the whole place is Sled with a foul atmosphere.’’ ** Then, if you like,”’ said Dick, “I will take the lamp you have in your hand ”’ ** Very good.’’ of ue shall you not want some light in order to re- ** No,” replied the Governor, withasmile. ‘‘ Short as has been my residence in Newgate, I have already learned every turn and corner init. I can find my way back in the dark easily; and there will be this advantage attached to it, [ shal be more likely to escape observation.’’ Dick nodded as he answered : *‘ Lead on, then, now—I am quite ready.” The Governor obeyed, and the next moment this strangely-assorted couple were traversing the long, silent corridors of Newgate. Very still, very gloomy, and very oppressive were they, anda by no means comfortable sensation came over Dick, but he banished it as well as he could, and, in obedience to the injunctions of his companion, trod as lightly as was possible. More like two ghosts, then, than two living human beings, they continued gliding along passages, which seemed interminable, especially to Dick, who was top- full of impatience. Fearing to raise an alarm, scarcely a word had been exchanged between them since they started, but all at once the Governor, pausing slightly, said, ina whisper : ‘* Now, then, we shall soon know whether the entrance to old Newgate exists, for at the bottom of this flight of steps is the corridor of which I spoke.”’ - Dick made no reply, but raised his finger and pointed ~ cons the slippery staircase at the top of which they stood. Mr. Bradbury understood him, and commeneed the descent. Ever since they had quitted the Governor’s apart- ments they had been gradually descendiig. Kach passage that they traversed was on a lower level than the one preceding it. Never until now, however, had they reached a stair- case so deep and well-like as this one. The air, too, was bitter cold, and laden with an un- wholesome moisture. _ There is not much fear of an interruption now,” the Governor said, speaking as well as his chattering teeth would allow him; “this part of the prison is never visited, I believe, and you may almost make yourself safe hera— the cells are all out of repair, and quite unfit for use.”’ Just as he finished speaking, the bottom of the stair- case was reached, and then they found themselves standing in an arched passage, sc narrow, that by standing in the centre of it, and stretching out the arms horizontally the sides could be touched, and so low that Dick’s hat brushed away many of the dark fungi that depended from the ceiling. The walls, too, in many places were covered with nitric exhalations, which had crystallised, and so sparkled brilliantly as the rays of the lamp fell upon them. But there was a general clamminess in the air, andan unwholesome odour that irresistibly reminded them of the grave. Mr. Bradbury seemed by no means anxious to linger in this passage. He quickened his pace considerably, and then, having reached the extremity of the passage, paused. Deeply set in the crumbling wall was a small door, apparently of great strength. t was secured by means of massive iron bars, a huge tor k, and a bolt of corresponding proportions at the top and bottom. There,” said the Governor, with a shiver, ‘‘ that’s the door, and beyond all doubt there lies beyond ié all that remains of old Newgate.”’ It was impossible for Dick to look upon the old door- wey without a feeling of deep, strange interest. “ Will you hold the lamp,” said the Governor, “ while try to remove the bars and bolts P” ‘““Nay,’ said Dick, placing the bottle on the gre A) (e(0) 0)(0 (0) ( CS (e(@)