Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

ST Dies sc IE BD Salhi EWE ey See CME et Tie fT Ne 1 ATR, le is eeaeenen ealRareet A chee pe oP a ee. Qo we 140 ‘Then the waistcoat wich was almostaslarge as coats are now-a-days, was of bright amber-coloured satin, and came quite over the hips. It was buttoned closely from the top—just allowing a white lace neckecloth to be visible—until within about four buttons from the bottom. The edges were very prettily embroidered with black silk, and hadan appear- ance of great richness. Then below the waisteoat appeared smali rlothes of whito leather, similar to those worn by the Hore Guards at the present day. His highly-polished riding-boots, too, were like theirs, except that they did not come quite so high up above the knee. A richly-mounted sword, with a glittering hilt, com- pleted his costume. If tho foregoing description conveys a clear idea tc the reader’s mind, he will not fail to perceive that his exterior was aristocratic and imposing to a degree. He would, in fact, be taken for one of those yonng bloods who haunted the fashionable quarter of the metropolis, _, Blueskin was an accomplished rider, and the mauner in which he mounted and fixed himself firmly in the seat, would have been sufficient to convince any one of it. In this position, too, he was seen to the greatest advantage, and the landlord gazed upon him admiringly. Iiis horse was well rested, and obeyed the impulse forward which he gave it with the utmost willingness. There is one thing we almost forgot to mention, and that is the peculiar appearance of his conntenance, which would have enabled any one who had once seen him to recognise him. But Blake himself had not forgottenit. At his request the landlord had brought him a box of cosmetic pre- paration, with which he had covered his face, and oblite- rated all traces of the dusky blue tinge which it wore. So artfully, too, and cleverly was this done, that except upon a very close inspection, it could not possibly be perceived. Recognition, he felt sure, provided he took ordinary care would be impossible. And certainly no disguise could be better caloulated to deceive Jonathan Wild. Supposing he should find his body had disappeared from the turret-chamber, or learned in any way that his life had been preserved, he would never think of looking for his old associate wear- ing such a garb. The only thing he would have to do would be to keep up the character ‘The distanoe to London was but short, and consequently soon performed; but he was careful to go at an easy rate, because by so doing he would be less likely to attract notice. It gave him the opportunity to think over the best plan to be pursued to gain his ends. A thousand half-formed schemes flitted before his imagination, yet he could not find one tangible, or that carried with it any reasonable prospect of success. Jonathan Wild was a diffieult man to deal with, and no one was much better acquainted with that fact than he was himself, He rode as far as the “‘ Saraeen’s Head,’’ in Skinner- street, withont coming to any definite arrangement. To be sure, one scheme haunted his mind more than any other, but it was one that required an inordinate amount of boldness to carry out. And yet it might, perhaps, stand all the better chance on that very aceount ; for to attempt to foil Wild by over-reaching himin cunning would be simply ridiculous. Tho ostler, perceiving Blueskin’s very distinguished appearance, received him with the utmost obsequ rus- ness. Then, having given the man some particular instrne- tions, Blake strolled up Skinner-street, and passed the Old Bailey to Jonathan Wild’s house. It was on the opposite side of the street that he walked. He was thus enabled to get a good view of it. As usual, no light could be perceived at any one of the windows of the thief-taker’s dwelling. ‘lo have seen it, one would have thought it uninhabited. ; No one appeared to be cbserving him, but still Byuixe did not know what unknown eye might be upon him. so he sauntered slowly by the house, and apparently taking no more notice of that one than he did of 1ts neixhbours, fy pp ee 9 BLUESKIN: A ROMANCS. voke suspivion, he walked right on to the cornerof St, Martin’s-le-Grand. He paused here listlessiy for a moment. and then re- traced his steps. But his caution was superfluous. The hour was an early one, but still very few people indeed were abroad. In fact, as we have more than once stated in the course of tlis narrative, nothing but the most urgent necessity would take anyone into the streets after the lamps were lighted, which was the signal for all manner of depreda- tions to begin. Ata still slower pace Blueskin went back. He looked up at the houseagain, but with the same result. “T wonder,” he muttered, ‘ what I had better do. I shall learn nothing by walking to and fro in front of the house, for I have seen all I can. Are they in thera? That is the question I must first have answered. If I know, I should then be abletoact. Is Jonathan himself at home, too? I ought to learn that, and, if pcssible, what have been the occurrences of the past few days. I will go in here, and trust to my disguise being good enough to preserve me from being recognised.” He reached that publie-house in Newgate-street aa he spoke, which must, from the singularity of its sign, be well known. It is on the north side of Newgate-street, and nearly facing the stone wall at the end of the prison. The sign is the ** Magpie and Stump.”’ From its contiguity it was much used by Wild’s janizaries—in fact, it was very seldom but that one, if not more of them, were in the house. In his proper character, Blueskin had been there times out of number, and so he was putting his disguise to a very severe test when he determined to go in there and endeavour to obtain what information he required. It is more than probable that, ifhe had stayed to ~sfiect, he would not haveentered ; but, as it was, no sooner did he frame the resolution than he executed it. He made his way down the passage until he came to a door, which opened into the front room where the com. pany usually assembled. A fire that was smouldering in the grate, and an oil. lamp depending from the ceiling, showed him tho in- mates. They were two men, who were seated at a small table on one side of the room, and Flood and Levee, who had plaeed themselves on a screen which served to keep off the draucht of the door. All looked up as Blake entered, but their attention only rested npon him for a moment. In fact, they gave merely a casual glance, as anyone would do upon a new-comer entering an apartment in which they sat. He was glad to see they did not recognise him. Ho crossed the room and sat down on the window seat, and called for something to drink. In doing this he took care te assume the swaggering air which the wearer of such a dress as his was would assume. While he did it he tock care to fix his eyes upon his two old companions, and note the effect it had upon them. Something in the tones appeared to reach their ears with a familiar sound, for they looked up quickly and inquisitively. But they took no further notice. As he sat upon the window-seat, Blake found hecould, by drawing aside the curtain’a little way, look out into the street. Tho door of the thief-taker’s abode was nearly oppo. site to him, but although it was in deep shadow, he was certain, so long as he remained where he was, no one could either go in or out of it without his knowledge. So he eat there, and watched. CHAPTER XCVI. JONATHAN WILD RETURNS TO HIS HOME AT A RATHER CRITICAL AND EXCITING MOMENT. IIAp anyone asked Blueskin for what it was he watched, or what benefit he would obtain by so doing, he would have been at a loss for a reply. Tho tact was, it was more in obedienca $0 a audden impulse than anything else that he had entered the place And lest even his turning back too scor shoul? pro- | a¢all, und when he was there, and sat looking out of the