Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

_ which reached from the floor up to the lofty, carved oak A kind of studious gloom overspread ths whole place, and there was an intense and peculiar silence also. particular part ofthe room. —— ‘Then, seizing what appeared to be an upright suppo t ee to the shelving, he drew it towards him, disclosing, ia _* Claude’s great surprise, a good-sized recesy behind Ma <s / P .% ie “Now, in there!” be said. “Quick—quick! And don’t move on any account, until I come to release _-* you.” eae | - Clauds Jr rted in, and the shelves were pushed back. her al' was silence and darkness. x So rapidiy had all this taken place that he could not as wi et precisely vomprehend the nature of the hiding-place : be vvas in, nor form any idea of its likelihood to escape discovery should search be made. Encouraged by the profound silence, however. he stretched out his hands before him, expecting tha I __. would encounter the front edges of the books. si Such, however, was not the case. ae - A smooth piece of woodwork was before kim. Then he comprehended at once the nature of his hiding- _ place, and felt a great amount of confidence in it, so cleverly was it constructed, and so likely to escape detection. , One portion of the shelves were fixed, not close up against the walls as the others, but fitted into a kind of box, so constructed that when the books were placwd in, the whole had the appearance of a door. | - It was opened easily, but by means of a secret spring, - unlikely to be discovered. - vie The officers — supposing that they searched that particular apartment—might take down every book and scrutinise the shelving, and yet discover nothing. A long time elapsed. But Claude heard nothing whatever of the officers or anyone else- The silence, indeed, was most oppressive. _ How it was that a visit had not been paid to the library he could not conceive. | The explanation, however, was simple. The woodwork at the back of the books was iined with many thicknesses of felt, which, in their turn, were covered with another panel, so that all sound was effectu- ally shut out. Nothing save the greatest uproar could have penetrated to Claude’s ears while he remained there. Slowly the time passed, and wearisomely too. - It seemed an age, indeed, before his friend returned. At length the cleverly-constructed secret door was thrown open, and Claude once more was permitted to step forth. , “‘ All’s well,” were the first words that fell upon his __ ears, “ though I had much difficulty in getting rid of the officers.” *“* Have they really gone ?” * T think they have; but in a fewy words I will tell you what has happened. Ralph Davids—my cousin, as he - calls himself, hough I don’t recognise the relationship—I have handed over to their custody on a charge of forgery, aud, by a heavy bribe, I have induced the ofiicers to give up their search for you.” “ This is indeed generous,” cried Claude—“ it is indeed making an ample recompense for all thatI nave done! I only hope the officers will not play us false.” “T don’t think it. However, if you will follow my advice you will remain here till nightfall. It is now quite light, and if the officers are anywhere at hand you will be seen. Under cover of the darkness you would stand a _ good chance of escaping.” . Claude was profuse in his thanks, end hig protector ss gad: . ‘ Here you are quite welcome to stay; no one will _ fnterrupt you. As foi myself, I have some import ut affairs to attend to; but when night sets in you may depend upon seeing me again.” With these words, he took his departure, and Claude sank down in one of the huge chairs near the fire- ace. - _ Here he remained unti] day was gone. Be watched, with great anxiety and pleasure, the , s ; % . 7 ~ » — Pe 4 al » mane _ THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD. Without pausing, the young man advanced to one. 1381 gradual gloom that came stealing Over the vast apartment, which at length deepened into the darkness of night. Btill the young man came not, nor did he make his appearance until the old-fashioned Clock fixed upon one of tho turrets of the building proclaimed the kour of twelve. ’ He entered hastily. “Come,” he said, “all’s well—you will have ne difficulty in making your escape! This way—this way! I find your own horse is lame, so I have had ane of my own brought out; accept it as in some degree a recognition of the important service you Kave done me. CHAPTER DCCCXLIL CLAUDE DUVALL RETURNS TO THE INN, AND RECEIVES UNEXPECTED INTELLIGENCE. “You are too generous—too good!” returned Claude, ‘*'T’he accident was quite as much to my own advantage . as yours, and you may imagine my situation was a most perilous one.” “‘ Well, now I think you may venture to consider that, for to-night, your perils are over. From all that I can learn, the officers have most certainly taken their departure.” Claude was led towards the back portion of the mansion, partly,because this was the nearest to the stables, a1 partly because he was not so likely to be noticed waile leaving at this point. A matchless steed had been brought out, and Claude’s eyes lighted up with genuine pleasure as soon as they fell upon it, and he renewed his thanks. Springing quickiy to the saddle, the last farewells were uttered, and, directed by his preserver, Claude left the premises. ; The night was yet comparatively young, and when he found himself thus in safety and free from the officers, Claude began to debate within himself whether he should endeavour to find a profitable adventure. His speculations on this subject were, however, suddenly cut short, for, from round a clump of trees, at no great distance off, a party of police officers appeared. ‘There he is,” cried one—‘ there heis! You can see him now quite plain! I told you if we waited it would turn out all right! Now, then, forward, and as soon ag you get within range, shoot him down!” Claude heard this inhuman order, and his bosom burned with bitterness. But he could do nothing except disappoint the officers of their prey. Accordingly, he gave his newly-acquired steed the impulse forward, and he observed with considerable anxiety and interest the speed he made. The result was far beyond his utmost expectations, and caused his heart to bound with pleasure. At a long, sweeping gallop, which seemed to be the creature’s natural pace, and to be performed without the slightest exertion, the horse stretched over the soft turi, and quickly leit the heavily-mounted police officers behind. In vain they plied both whip and spur to their jaded horses. In a very brief space of time indeed, they had the great mortification to discover that the highwayman had got out of sight, and that there was no chance of agula over- taking him. That little ncident served to bring Jlaude to a Ge- cision. He determined to make his way, in as direct a line as possible, to the inn. It was with some difficulty that he calmed down his steed, forthe animal, hayiz‘s once been put upen its mettle, was by xo means easy to control. At ler gth, just about two hours Lefere dsylight, Claude entered the plantation. Looking up, he perceived the signal that had been agreed upon, showing all was well. Accordingly, he entered the stsbke without hesita- tion. ce) Crossing over, he entered the building, and wes received with a cry of welcome. Tom King was present, and 80 was Nixssen String Jack, and Tom Davis, with Maud and Ellen. Gomilchoo CS (E()