Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

1380 ** Seize him !”” cried one of the gentlemen—“ seize him! He shall Ibe arrested on this charge!” Ralph Davids turned round, and faced his opponents. All traces of colour had vanished from his cheeks, and the numerous freckles on his countenance looked strangely hideous from their contrast to its ghastliness. ‘“Boware!”’ he said, producing a knife hrs pocket—“ beware, Isay! I am a desperate mas \" “ Secure him!’ was the cry, and there was a veneral rush. 28 But Ralph Davids we: too quick for them. With one tremendous bound he reached the window, nd dashed headlong through it. . f Outside was a balcony, and on this he alighted in fety. Bere baknea for a moment to shale his clenched fist, then leaping over the parapet, disappeared in the dark- ness. “Tet him go,” said a voice—“let him go—we can capture him at any time! ‘The condition of his lord- ship here demands our entire attention. We shall.soon know the truth of this matter.’’ ; One of those who had entered with his lordship’s son was the physician, and ever since his entrance he had been bending down over the bed. “His lordship is not dead,” he said, in a voice of great excitement, ‘‘ though I grieve to say life is only just fluttering at his heart. It is impossible to save im, but yet, I think he will be able to recover sufi- ciently to tell the truth of this affair.” He applied a small bottle tothe nostrils of the dying nobleman, the effects of which seemed magical. In a moment he reared himself uprightin the bed, and glared around him with a haggard, frenzied expres- sion. “Father!” cried the young man—* father—father, they tell me you are dying, but oh, while you have breath left, tell me that you forgive me!” 6 -x. *s. -ét4u CHAPTER DCCCXLI. IN WHICH RALPH DAVIDS MEETS WITH A COMPLETE DISCOMFITURE. THERE was a deep and touching silence as, while the young man spoke these words, he threw himself on his knees at the bedside of his father, who gasped for breath, and seemed as though he wished above all things to speak. But utterance was denied him. Receiving no answer to his appeal, the son con- tinued : “ Father—father, say that you forgive me ere you die! Do not let me live with such a cloud resting upon my future life as your unforgiveness would be! Speak —speak! My cause of offence was slight, and many things, I know, have been misrepresented to you by interested persons. For all these things I have suffered most severely. Had time permitted it Elien would have accompanied mo, bringing her boy; but let me carry to them the assurance of your forgiveness and reconciliation.”’ “I do forgive you, my poor boy,”’ the old man gasped forth at length—‘‘I do forgive you! Oh, what I have suffered during the past few moments no tongue can tell! When I fell back upon the bed I was not dead, but all power of motion had abandoned me. Of every- thing that was going on around I was perfectly conscious. I saw the perfidious wretch in whom I so trusted forge my signature to that detestable document, and then in- dulge in the expression of histriumph. Thank Heayen I have recovered my speech again, so that I can set this matter right. That deed [ prociaim nothing, ard tha will I long since made at the wish of Mv. Miller, there, E hereby decree to express my last wishes.” The young man waa much overcome by thia declara- tion, and poured forth his thanks ardently. Gradually the hand which he pressed batweenhis ow: grew senseless and ahill, and at length the aged man closed his eyes in death, with a smile upon his lips. Claude now endeavoured to withdraw, hoping to suc- eced in doing so without exciting observation. In this, however, he was disappointed, for the young man, rising suddenly to his feet, grasped him by the eS ae SO Oe OC OS 0 eee ea rae eee Oe eee eee ELACK BESS; OB, hand, and inquired who he was and what had brongh$ him there at that partioular juncture. ‘“T am a perfect stranger to you all,” was his answer, ‘““‘and what I have done I have performed freely and willingly, Asit happens, what I have witnessed now signifies nothing, Accident alone brought me here, and I am giad that I arrived atso opportune a moment. If you will permit me, I will now say farewell.”’ ‘‘No, no—we cannot suffer you to depart thus—I wild not, indeed! You must obliga me by accepting some slight token in recognition of the se"‘ce you have rendered.” ris Claude bowed. ‘ “It would be churlish to refase,” he answered ; ** yet if you would allow me to depart, for I have pressing business that requires immediate attention.” ‘‘T will not keep you,’ wasthe answer. “ This way —come with me!” The young man led Claude frem the apartment, and, as he did so, he requested to be made acquainted with more of the particulars of the extraordinary and fortunate mistake that had been made, | Claude readily complied, concealing nothing save his own identity. As they descended the grand staircase, a succession of heavy blows came upon the front door. Claude stopped abruptly, and involuntarily his com- panion followed his example. The door was opened, and no sooner did it fall back upon its hinges, than a throng of police officers poured_ in. Foremost amongst them was a man with disordered apparel and of frenzied air. He waved his arms aloft, and the slight foam upon his lips showed how tremendous was the excitement under which he laboured. “This way !’’ he cried—‘ this way!’ Then, with a yell, he continued: “Look! There he is—there he is! You see him, all! Now judge whether I have told you truly or not! Is not that man yonder Claude Duval, the highway- man P” “Tt is!’’ eried one of the police officers, atepping forward, and presenting a pistol. ‘‘ Claude Duval, sur- render yourself to me peaceably or I fire.’’ No words could possibly express the amount of sur- prise ana consternation visible upon the countenance of the young man. Wever in his wildest dreams could he have imagined that the man who had been of such service to him was a highwayman. Quick as thought, however, Claude turned round, and bounded up the staircase. An angle quickly hid him from the view of the police officers. ane young man followed, and, with trembling lips, said : “‘ Can it be true—is it possible that you are the note- rious Claude Duval P”’ “Tt is not only possible but true, Farewell, my lord— if such be your title—leave me now to shift for myself.” ** Never—never! Do you imagine I could be guilty of such an amount of ingratitude? No! Follow me! At all risks, I will secure your safety.”’ Before Claude could refuse, he felt himself seized by the arm, and dragged into a room, the door of which was quickly closed behind him. ‘“Now,” said his guide, “follow me! Quick— quick !”’ Ciaude needed no incentive to make speed. He was aware that his position was oritical in the extreme, That the young man was porfectly ready and willing to befriend him there could, however, be no doubt, and Claude felt that he could not possibly do better than resign himself entirely tohis care. ~~ With great rapidity, many rooms were crossed, until a flight of stairs was reached, down which they hurried. A corridor was traversed, and they paused before another door. The young man placed his hand upon the knob and entered. Claude then found himself in a spacious library, the - m walls of which in every part were lined (E(0) icbooks (E(0)