Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

&~ that’s all. But, while you to get you out ofall trouble. Do ou understand?” ‘T think I do, Mr. Wild,” sai’ Sack, bluntly. ‘“ You must get all you can, bring meth ~«~>~, Pll pay you for if, eral you shan’t havo anything to -ear for the ”’-—— Jack mado an expressive gesture with his hand and his neck. ‘That's it, Jack,’ interrupted Blueskin. ‘“ That’s it. It don’t take you Ieng to see through a ladder. Ah! you'll turn out a great man one of these days! Fill up your glass, if you please, Mr. Wild, and drink to the health of Jack SHEPPARD!” “Ya—~—ah! Shan’t! Hold yourrow! Mind your oan business !” Then, turning to Jack, he said— “You understand ?” ¢¢ al ig ‘Be off, then, and be hanged to you both !* CHAPTER XII. JACK GETS AN INKLING OF A NICE LITTLE PLOT, WHICH i HE DETERMINES TO FRUSTRATE. UPon receipt of this gentle intimation that the interview was over, our friends withdrew. They paused at the street door. “What am I to do next ?”’ asked Jack. ‘Anything you like until twelve to-mght, and then [ will meet you at the ‘Black Lion.’ I intend to crack a crib to-night, and for you to go with me, just to get your hand in, you know.” ‘“S What time is it now?” ‘* Five minutes to six.” *‘T have, then, six hours to do what I please ?”’ “Just so. Six hours and five minutes. Take care of yourself, and mind you are there at the time.” ‘*Trust me for that. But ain’t Wild a rum bloke?” “ He is,” said Blueskin, with a smile. ‘‘ But I wouldn’t advise you to let him hear you say it.” “No, no. Open the door. I'll be off.” Away with you. Recollect the ‘Black Lion’ at twelve!’ fete door of Jonathan Wild’s honse was banged after im, Jack ran down the steps into Newgate-street. There he paused. “Whatam [todonow?” heasked. “ Walk about, I suppose. I wonder what they call this? Is it destiny, I wonder? Only just think what extraordinary things have happened since I left old Roots yesterday! Ah! well, ag Jonathan said, I was born to prey upon society, so what’s the good of trying to contend against fate, eh?”’ 4ILUESKIN: ou keep in with me, I'll promise | man, who, All notions of right and wrong were not yet extinct in| Jack’s breast, and so he called sophistry to aid him to persevere in the course he had marked out. Although the hour was an early one, yet it was growing quite dark. Indeed, that evening it was dusk at least an hour before its usual time, for the sky was completely covered with | thick black clouds. It seemed to promise to be a favourable night for the business in which Jack was to be engaged. He was rather at a loss, however, to know how to pass the time until the hour of his appointment. He sauntered slowly down Snow-hill, aud so on into Holborn, thon a.v2ry different thoroughfare to what itis now. When night came it was very badly illuminated indeed, since all the light there was proceeded from flickering oil lamps, suspended for the most part on ropes, which stretched from oue side of the street to the other. When Jack reached Middie-row he turned into a small public-house. He thought to wait there would be prefer- able to idling about the streets. But one person was in the taproom when he entered- His age might have been guessed at forty. His attire was rich, but very plain. EOE ET. ce a a 6 “QoS SE EE, Ae A eee . —_ =O, A ROMANCE. i9 SS Ee ee ee when Jack entered, had just glanced up at him and no more. An indefinable curiosity to know who 7 was took pos: session of Jack Sheppard, who was nature.'y of an inqui- sitive disposition. Yet why he felt an interest in this stranger he could not tell, unless it was that his mind just then required some occupation. ** 1 should like to know who he is,” he thougut, “ and what brings him here, and [ will, too. I'll find it out. It will just be something to do until twelve o'clock. There is something going on, I know, or the likes of him would not be in a place of this sort. Ill keep my cya upon him.” Aud so he did. Not to all appearance, though, for he feigned to be gazing listlessly at the wall before him. But Jack’s sight was keen. Not the slightest movement of the stranger was un- noted by him. He saw, too, that his face was far from being a pleasing one. There was a restless movement about the eyes that betokened suspicion and distrust, perhaps even treachery. His form was rather inclined to corpulency. His face was full, and his cheeks puffy. In accordance with the fashion of the time, he wore upon his head a peruke. Near his hand was a bottle of wine, to which he paid frequent attention. ie | Presently he rose, and walked with a hurried step up and down the room. At length he paused before the window, and looked out. Jack felt more and more convinced that something was going on, and though certainly it was no business of his, yet he determined to find out all about it. The stranger stood at the window for about twenty seconds. Then, with a gesture of impatience, he turned away, and sat down again. He played nervously with the trappings of his sword, and his lips moved rapidly. But what be said Jack could not tell. Then, from some under portion of lus apparel, he pro- duced a watch, so thickly studded with diamonds that it actually seemed to emit little rays of light. This gave, Jack’s thoughts a new turn. *‘ T should‘ just like to know,” he thoucht, “‘ what old Jonathan would give for a thing of that sort? I’ve half a mind to take it and try, and I will, too!” That was rather a difficult thing to determine upon, for, after just glancing at the dial, the strauger hastily put it back in an inner pocket, and drew his waistcoat ovcr it, which then were made almost as long as the coats themselves. With an indifference, which was most assuredly affected, bd stranger leaned his back against the wall, and closed is eyes. 5 But his hands still played restlessly with the sword ilt. “ Now, IL would bet anyone a guinea,” said Jack, men- tally, ‘‘that he has got an appointment here with some one, and either he is here too early, or his friend is behind his time.” Scareely had Jack made this reflection than he heard a hasty footstep in the passage without. The next moment the door opened, and a man hurried into the room. It was plain enough to be seen that his rank in life was much lower than the stranger’s, for, though he had the air of a confidant, yet his demeanour was respectful in the extreme. He removed his hat, nor did he venture to sit down until the other waved his hand for him to do so. Jack strained his hearing to the utmost, bat wlat *he new comer had to say was uttered in se lew a tone that The sword, too, waich he had unbuckled from his side, | nothing more than a humming, murmuring sound made and laid upon the table before him, was beaatifully | its way to where Jack was. fashioned, and such as wag worn only by gentlemen of distination. Jack noted this before he took his seat. He called tnen for refreshment, and, as he sut ve, mere leisurely examined the appearance of this gentle- | Then he observed that anxious and suspicious glances were cast upon him. ; He was 2 bar to their conversation. But Jack did not mind that. Suddenly, however, the stranecr banged the boitem COIN C SS} o(CO) 5} DOO