Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

ag pe~7—— @ cae ame g Something whispered to her heart that Jack was in some great danger. But of what kind P She was at a loss to think, “Calm yourself,” said Jonathan, with a derisive grin; “and if you like Pid can comfort yourself that Jack will find you out and rescue you. I am not afraid of it. Good day.” In his anticipated triumph over Jack, Wild forgot what had been his errand to that room until he opened the door and stalked out on to the landing, where several of Lis mien were standing. They gazed at him inquiringly, and then he recollected what had happened. Now it must not be supposed that it was out of regret for the loss of Mary Milliner that Jonathan was anxious. He would have been only too glad to get rid of her at any price. Rel it was the mystery of her death that troubled im, How could it have come abont P By whom could she have been slain ? Where was the assassin He searched his house from top to bottom—pried into all its numerous hidden nooks, but without learning any- thing to satisfy him. How should the mystery be elucidated P Mr. Snoxall was called in, who gave it as his deliberate opinion that the wound could not have been inflicted by her own hand. There was no means of learning anything from tho woman herself. She was qnite dead. So Jonathan was thrown all abroad, With an angry snarl, he, towards evening, made his way into his front room, and there sat down to think. To try if he could make anything out of this mysterious and horrible event. But it wag quite in vain. He doubted his men. He fancied that they knew all the particulars of the affair, and, for reasons of their own, kept them from him. This was the block in the path of discovery, and he atumbled over the obstacle. Steggs knew it not at the time he had done the deed, but he could not have hit upon a means better calculated ci ee the thief-taker, and fill him with alarm than at. But he was in great danger. Fortunately he was forgotten by his new master. Steggs was by no means free from danger. If he was ee he would be in a very awkward predicament indeed. Suspicion would be thrown upon him at once. But Steggs was shrewd and long-headed. : He calculated correctly all the difficulties of his posi- 100. He knew what there was‘to contend against. He knew the best means to set about it. We shall see now how he got out of hig present dilemma, and if he is successful, we shall bave a better opinion of his abilities in future. CR CHAPTER CLXXIX. IN WHICH STEGGS CONVEYS TO EDGWORTH BESS SOMB INFORMATION RESPECTING JACK SIFEPPARD. So soon as he felt. certain that Jonathan Wild had really left the room and gone downstairs, Steggs rose from his place of concealment, and looked with the utmost solici- tude on the face of poor Edgeworth Bess. She was weeping bitterly. Her heart told her that the thief-taker’s hideous vleasantry concealed some deep villainy. But what was it? Something connected with Jack. He was a prisoner, But beyond that point her thoughts did not go, and 60 soon as she caught sight of Steggs bending over her, she sprang up to a sitting posture, and clasping her hands together, said— Friend! friend! You tell me youare my friend. Am E to believe youP Aro you, indeed, such ?’ “Show me in what way I can prove it to yon, miss,” replied Steggs, respectfully. “Jack Sh d.” 3 ell me—tell me! You heard what<what Wild said. ‘* Every word, miss.” “What does he mean? Oh! don’t keep me in sus. pense. JI vannot understand him. He promised that I should see Jack Sheppard.” Steggs groaned, and shook his head. **Speak—tell me!” said the fair prisoner. “Tell me at once, I pray! Let me know the worst!” “It’s a bit of his devilment, miss. I thought you would have understood him. Prepare yourse¥ to hear the worst. Jack Sheppard ”’—— - *¢ What—oh ! what?” ** Ts a prisoner!” **Oh! heavens. Where is he confined? In this house?” ‘* No, miss.” “¢ Where then P” ** In Newgate!” Tbe words fell like ice upon the young girl’s heart. ** Newgate P” she repeated, mechanically, and shudder: ing as she pronounced the word, ** Newgate P” ‘Yes, migg.”” ** But of what is he accused P” teggs waa again silent, and uttered another groan. * Don’t take on 80,” he said; “it’s all Wild’s doings.” “Oh! heavens! why is such a villain suffered to live?” ** That’s more than I can tell you, miss; but he won't live aie longer to persecute people if Reuben Steggs is spared.’ ** Ts that your name P” ** Tt is, miss.” ; ; ‘“* T have heard it before. Jack mentioned it. Ah! I remember it now. You are no friend of mine. You are anenemy. You are the associate and accomplice of Lord Donmull.” Bess shrunk back with palpable abhorrence. “Yon are mistaken in me,” said Steggs, humbly. ‘1 am your friend, and will prove itin any way you hke. I was the accomplice of your uncle, and leagned with Jonathan against you; but they treated me badly—they tried to deprive me of my reward—that which alone prompted and tempted me to take the course I did. Wild played _the treacherous villain to me, as he does to every a ; "But I shall be even with him—lI shall be even with m. Shall I trust you?” asked Edgworth Bess. “It is hard to have to doubt every one, and fancy you see an enemy in every face, but I have suffered enough to make me i at Let my actions speak, miss. Did I not save your ife P”? You did, but’. *“But what, miss?” You might have done that out of no good feeling t : ** I deserve this,” said Steggs, ‘‘I deserve it. But, in pee your bad opinion of me, I will prove myself your friend.’ © T will take you at your word,” said Edgworth Bess, after a brief pauses “if you deceive me, it you betray me, may heaven forgive you.” “Thanks! thanks!—will yon believe me? I can tell you &@ great deal which will all serve to show that great an enemy ag I once was against you, I am now devoted entirely to your interests,” ° ‘Say on, then. Tell me all you know; tell me, I be- seech you!”? “Where shall I begin?” ; ‘‘ With Jack Sheppard. Tell me where he is, and exe plain Wild’s extraordinary behaviour.” Steges sighed. ‘ *‘ ¥fe is a prisoner in Newgate,” he said. “Qi what is he accused, and who 1s asked the poor girl, with a beating heart. 7 will answer your last question first. Four persons, and I count you and myself as two of them, have a com. his acenser P ”’ mon and a deadly enemy, who is all-powerful, and who will do his most against us.” “ Morcy!” ec AS SASS Ray pega fspeeNereeeenEeeeereneneseene? COmiIcboooks > (SO)