Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

LEED GE TE a Ae eS EO 206 Blueskin the same. B The one about whom he was most anxious was Edgworth ess. He could not imagine where she had betaken herself. or into whose hands she had fallen. Little did he think they were those of Colonel Thorne. Little did he thiuk that by apparently neglecting his own interests, he should be forwarding them to the utmost. But so it is with vain predestiuated human beings, anable to see that which is of most importance to them, and frequently groping darkly in the opposite direction to | that which they should have taken. The grand aim of Jonathan’s lite now was, by one bold stroke, to secure at the same time both wealth and revenge. the two things human beings most toil after, and most of whom are satisfied with the gratification of one. Wild was growing tivrcd of the hfe he was, and had been for so many years, leadivg. Not only that, but so far ho had trod upon dangsrvus ground with perfect safety. How much louger Le would continue to do so was more than he or any oue else could precisely calculate. Up to the present time he had made himself a kind of reputation, and jis dark deeds were only known to few. He was exceedingly desirous not to outlive this reputa- tion, dubious as it may be deemed. * Lord Donmull—who, at his suggestion, had sought oblivion of remorse in change of scene—he considered to be utterly in bis power. He held the broad acres and treasures of the Donmulls, of which he had so unjustly taken possession, at his good will only. Whenever it should suit him, nothing would be easier than to onst him from them. But he did not want to do this until he could step into them himself. Yes, this was the bold and audacious scheme which the notorious thief-taker had conceived, and resolved to carry out. The means he thought were easy. Many would have deemed them difiicult. More cousidered them insuperable. Edgworth Bess was unquestionably the rightful heir. There would be httle or no difficulty in proving her identity. He believed that he could even compel Lord Donmull to acknowledge her. Should he do so, that would be sufficient. What further proof could be demanded or required ? Surely none. All, therefore, that remained for him to do was to get Edgeworth Bess into his sole possession. * Then, either by threats or persuasions, cause her to become his wife. The latter would be the most preferable and comiortable course, could it be accomplished. But there was the difhculty. Edgworth Bess was determined. She was not ore to be easily intimidated into any course, if she saw she was going against her own interests and incligation. A woman, however, Jonathan considered he was more than a match for. All be wanted was to obtain a husband’s right over her. Then she could go where and do what she pleascd. She was not in her person the object which he sought. It was her inherifynce and riches, A consideration of these brietiy-enumerated circum- afances will at once have the effect of conviucing the reader that Jonatban’s primary object must be to get possession of the poor girl. Now, with an exercise of that cunning for which he was go remarkable, he bad calculated that tue quickest mavner in which he could find and regain possession of Edgworth Bess would be to release Jack Sheppard from custody, aud send some one (> follow him, and bring Lack wosd where be had met the girl. We have scen how that little enterprise, canning as it was, esseutially failed for two reasons. One was that Wilkinson did his duty of spy su badly twat Jack detected him. The other was that Jack had no idea where to find himself. RTS SNEASTTRSTSRSNS, PSP's elev oAsnstnerere-ysnpemmsst ssn Pars vips~asuspePi-searaasnnapeavenapeEENNNSSI? A ROMANCE, Since that time, then, Jonathan, although occupied with so many things that demanded immediate attention, had never lost sight, mentally, of Edgworth Bess. Nor was it likely he should do so, when we consider the boldness of the step Le meditated. He had sent out men in every direction—men upon whom he could rely—to look out for her, but as yet none of them had gathered any intelligence. But while this was going on, he must not suffer his own interests and fame to be neglected. As in some great display of fireworks, the grandest efiort of pyrotechnic skill is reserved to the last, so did Jonathan wish to accomplish some mighty deed before he carried out his intention of retiring from pubhic life. The apprehension cud annihilation of Captain Howlet and his band, he thought, would be the most striking act he could perform, and he determined it should be the | closing one of his life. Crumpliug up the unfortunate letter he had received in so extraordinary a manner, Jonathan put on his hat and left tho office. He stopped in the hall. Quilt!” he yelled, “Quilt!” for, since the defection of Blueskin, that worthy bad been inducted into ths a of lieutenant in tho thief-taker’s household and affairs. “Yes, Mr. Wild. Tere I am, sir.” ** Send some one for a hackney-coach.” “Yes, sir. Shall I open the door? An empty one will be sure to pass the door in a moment.” ‘No, send some one.” * Very good, sir.” ** And, Quilt.” “Yes, Mr. Wild.” ‘*T am going out upon a long expedition, and I want te leave you in charge of the house.” * Yes, sir. Ob! yee, sir.” “Shut up! I shall want all the men I have got, and about a dozen extra hands; there will be a good reward to share amongst them.” *“Wuen must they be ready, Mfr. Wild?” ** yo two hours at the latest. I shall be back by then, and ag soon as I return they must start.” “I'll see to all being ready by that time, Mr. Wild.” “Get on, then, aud call a hackney-coach. Stop, all the men must be mounted on good strong horses.” “7 know, sir.” *€ Fetch the coach, then.” Having given these orders to his subordinate, Jovathan made lis way to the upper portion of his mansion, where feet some little pains and attention upon his toilette. By the time he had finished, the hackuey-coach was at the door. “Where to, Mr. Wild?” asked the driver, as soon ag Jouathan made his appearance. ‘‘ Where to, sir ?”’ ‘Secretary of State’s!’’ growled the thief-taker. As le spoke the words, he entered the cumbrous, crazy vehicle, the door of which was officiously held open by Quilt, and as officiously closed after him when he had taken his scat. The driver flogged his tottering cattle, and at a shuf- fling sort of trot they took their way down Newgate- street into the Old Bailey. The interval occupied ty the journey Wild employed in maturing his plans. What they were will be best seen when he puts them into execution. The office of the Secretary of State was at last reached, and Jouathan alighted. The mere meution of his name was sufficient to pro. cure him an interview with that high official per- souage. To Lim Wild briefly recounted the intelligence which had come into his possession, and then asked for assist- ance. ‘so complete is my information,” said Wild, “that I hold Lim powerless withiu my grasp, and I shall capture bim aud the whole of bis atrocious baud without diffi. culty.” ‘You are a wonderful man, Mr. Wild.” “T try to do my duty as an officer and a tuithfal sub- ject,” replied the thief-taker, hypocritically, ‘Sand it de- | BLUESKIN : cComiclboooks (SO) > —— — =, a