Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. " That is very likely,” replied Jonathan, dryly, * but I : e. ‘But, Mr. Wild.” “Tf you want to speak to me, my lord, I ean only repeat what I have just said—our interview must take place in private, and F am sure Mr. Steggs would not wish to intrude.” Few could be more volite than Jonathau Wild when it suited him to be so. Some whispered conversation now took place between his lordship and Steggs, which terminated in the latter leaving the room. Jonathan touched the concealed handle of the bell. Tonks appeared. “Show this gentleman out, Tonks. hour, Mr. Steggs.” Rage, impotent rage, swelled in the heart of the villain Steegs, as he followed Tonks down the stairs. Come back in an The idea entered his mind of bribing Tonks to listen | to what took place between his lordship and Wild, but upon second thoughts he abandoned the idea. As soon as the door was fairly closed, Lord Donmull turned an inquiring glanee upon Jonathan Wild. * You are surprised at my not allowiug your confederate to be present. You will not, though, when you know my motive.” ‘Speak, Mr. Wild, speak!” eried his lordship, his guilty soul in an agony of appreheusicn. ‘* What is your reason ?”’ “Simply this. He is not to be trusted.” ** Not trusted ? ” ‘** You need not feel surprised, I know all.” His lordship turned several degrees paler than he usually was, and sank baek in his ehair. ** All what ?” ** Your motives for wishing to obtain possession of this girl. Believe ine, it would have been mueh better for you to have been candid with me at once.” * But—but”’ “There are no buts in the case! My lord, I am a inan of few words, and those words are to the purpose. You will find it to your interest to trust me; I can be of great service to you. I will, too, be faithful, so long as you pay me well. But that fellow who has just left us bas other designs iu view.” * How do you know that, Mr. Wild?” ** T ean read it in his face, my lord, without much atten- tion. Asa friend, and whether you go any further with me in this business, I say to you, beware of that man!” Lord Donmull, in aeeordanee with his usual nervous habit, when anything disturbed lim, sprang to his feet, and paced up and down the rooni. Jonathan eyed him with eager satisfaction. ‘*Ffow much do you really know of this affair, Mr. Wild?” asked his lerdship, pausing abruptly in front of the thief-taker. * J have already told your lordship that I know all, and to convinee you of the truth of my assertion, I need only say the girl you seek, and who is well known to me, 1s your eldest brother’s only child, who was stolen from him in her infancy, and to whom he bequeathed the whole of the estates which you now hold. your possession. Beyond that 1 seek to know nothing.’ Without appearing to close his eyes, Jonathan Wild gazed narrowly into the ecountenaneec of his lordship, who little thought that he was then venturing upon still more dangerous ground. - Upon hearing this confirmation of his assertion that he did know all, Lord Donmull east himself into the chair he had just before quitted. “What are your terms, Mr. Wild?” he said, “sup- posing I made up my mind to employ you to earry out this business ? ”’ You wish this girl in 3 : CHAPTER LXVII. THE NOBLEMAN AND THE THIEF-TAKER ARRANGEMENT WITH EACH CROSS-EXAMINED. A SICKLY sort of smile distorted the visage of the thief- He COME TO AN OTHER, AND LEVEE IS taker when this question was propounded to him. kuew he had another victim in the toils. ‘IT should be entitled to your lwrdehip’s consideration Ritrmrtemeene— sage re core eee = oT eoaee “See OO oe SL = . ote ee rs 9) upon too many distinet grounds,’ he said, avoiding a direct reply. “Indeed. How so?” “Tn the first place, there is catching the girl and placing her in your hands.” ‘* Yes, yes.” * And in the seeond ”—here Jouathan sani his voice to a whisper—‘‘ keeping to myself the sceret of who she really is.” Lord Doumull shuddered, but he did not think in what a powerful position Wild would be placed if he obtained possession of the girl and kept her baek from him. Ile would then be able to dietate what terms he chose. “As for Steggs,” said Wild, ‘I will undertake to dis- pose of him. You do not know me yet. From constant observation, and from the opportunities I have had of studying all kinds of people, Iam generally able to read a person’s character at a glance. My lord, that man is plotting against you. Instead of him being your tool, you are in reality his, and he will so manage matters as at last to get you completely into his power.” ‘* [t—if,” stammered his lordship. ‘‘ If I really thought you were right’? —— ** You are free to use your own judgment. Now, from the way in whieli you first came to me, I thought your business with the girl was a mere passing faney you had taken for a pretty face, but in a couple of hours afterwards I was acquainted with the aetual faets of the ease,” _ © Ts it possible ?” ** Now, mylord, you would have found it by far your best policy if you had come to me and explained the whole matter fully, and then asked my assistance and advice.” Lord Donniull put his arms upon the table, and let bis head fall upon them. He was only half ecouvineed of the truth of what his eompanion had just said. vague sense of coming danger oppressed him, but whether he would escape it by deciding with or against the thief-taker Le could not tell. You have not named your priec, Mr. Wild,’ he said at length. “Nor shall I, my lord. When I have performed the service, [ shall leave my reeompeuse for it to your own generosity.” ‘That sounds fair.” “T am glad you think so. Do you aeeept? If 50, say at onee. There is no time to lose. If you deeide in the affirmative, and that, I can assure you, will be the best eourse for you to pursue to further your own in- terests, I shall set about the business without an hour's delay.” ‘But your wound Fr” “That will not signify.” ‘You have a dauntless spirit and iron energy, My. Wild. Would I had---would I had.” ‘You naturally feel the precariousness of your situa- tion. I can understand your anxiety; but make your mind easy. Leave all to me,and I will undertake that all shall turn out well.” The positive tone in whieh these words were uttered inspired Lord Donmull with a momentary gleam of hope. Wild went on. “Tt is now getting night. I am reeovering from my wounds. In half-an-hour I shall be in pursuit of them.” “ You are a wonderful man, Mr. Wild.” A smile of gratified vanity appeared upon the thief- taker’s lips. “Stop a moment, my lord. I will eall im one of my men; and I will question Lim in your presenee.” “And Steggs.” ‘My lord, I leave that matter entirely in your own hands. To me it is no matter which way you decide ; but as apieee of friendly adviee, which you will excuse my giving, as you have employed me in this matter, I say, for your own safety’s sake, get rid of that man.” “But how—how ?” asked his lordship, anxiously ; “he knows all.” ‘There are means,” said Wild, with grim sig ..m Ace, “by which his knowledge may be made of no evel” “What do you mean ?” “Never mind. If you agree with what I bave said say the word, and I will euarantee that Steggs never troubles you again.” = = _ ae grees pO gm OE oe ee er - 26% aggre Tao = ke - SR ee, ap ElOOO© 3} (SO) SS (SO) 5}