Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 263: what you’re looking at

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a Upon reaching the door of the thief-taker’s room, Steggs tapped gently at it. The usual growling summons to enter was heard, go he opened the door. Steggs was careful ta keep ap the humble character he had assumed. — He stood in an attituce of great submissiveness waiting for the thief-taker to speak. It is questionable whether he could have hit on any uahty that would have so much recommended him to onathan. € Get @ chair,” said Wild, after 2a moment’s pause, ‘* and eit down. I want to talk to you.” Steggs obeyed, but not without a great deal of mis- giving. ean I trust you?” was Wild’s first question, and as spoke he looked keenly in the face of this new member of his band. ‘Can I trust you ?”’ ** T am your servant, Mr. Wild. Try me, if you please.’ Steggs judged the thief-taker would be better pleased with this reply than if he had uttered no end of protes- tations as to his fidelity, and he was right. “If you are willing to devote yourself entirely to my interests, to be faithful to me in everything, you shall be a rich man. JI have wealth—incalculable wealth—but I have much to achieve, and I want some one upon whom T can rely to assist me. Yon shall havea share of that wealth of which I have spoken if yon are content to do as T require.” ‘Yes, Mr. Wild. As I said before, let me know what T have to do, and you may depend upon its being done faithfully. ‘Good! Ihave chosen you from the rest of my men because I distrust them all. Now, tell me, do you know how to solve the mystery of Mrs. Milliner’s death ? ”’ **No, Mr. Wild, I am sorry I don’t; but I will try to find out.” *“Do so, do so. Look, here are ten guineas. Take them as an earnest of the payment I shall award you if you do my behests and continue faithful.” He took ten guineas from his pocket as he spoke, and gave them to Steggs, who extended his hand to receive the coins. ‘Many thanks, Mr. Wild. Oh! dear, I really do hope you will accept my thanks. Tell me what I am to do.” Upstairs,’ began Jonathan, slowly, ‘on the second floor, I have a prisoner confined m one of the bed- rooms. Steggs nodded his head, assentingly, as though that was the first he had heard or knew about it. *‘T wish her to be carefully looked after. I have my suspicions; but—no matter—no matter! Your first duty, vou understand, will be to take up your position on the eecond landing, in front of the door which I will show you, and watch it attentively, taking care that no one goes in to see the prisoner but myself, and that the prisoner does not escape. Do you understand me?” ** Perfectly, Mr. Wild, perfectly. You shall be obeyed, er, Oh! dear, yes, you shall be obeyed.” ‘Look to it. You will find it no smal! advantage to have me for your friend. You would find me to be much dreaded as an enemy. You have only to be faithful to tho trust I repose in you.” “‘ When shall I.commence this duty, if yon please, Mr. Wild P” ** Now, at once. Keep a aharp look-out, and any little circumstance which may occur, aud which seems auspi- cious, let me know of it.” JT will. Mr. Wild. You may depend upon me,” said Bte rising. Pet me panition you,” said Wud “against treachery. If you are guilty of it, I shall be sure to detect yuu, eoouer or later, and then woe be to you!”’ Steggs shuddered involuntarily. He had never heard the thief-taker speak so calmly before, and he fancied he had never known him to be so terribly in earnest. it was strange to see how Wild favoured Steggs’s views —played into his hands, in fact. Muttering another sentence about obeying his commande to the letter, he withdrew. _ He made his way upstaire at once, and took up his pusi- hon before the chamber door. Stegge was a man who felt always doubtful of success. rere 2 IRINA SI as SY SEAR RPL LA” a TL A a EF Aasasd AR ET PR re, BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. 26) ~~) Sey Here was the very thing he had been scheming to do placed in his grasp without the least trouble. He would have felt better pleased if he had had diffi- culties and dangers to contend against before he secured his object. He sat down on the stairs, and thought of his own situation—of that of the fair prisoner he had determined to set free—and the chances there were of his performing his ulterior designs. All seemed favourable. Fain would he have put an end to that suspense which he knew Edgworth Bess must be auffering, but he dreaded to be caught communicating with her. He must wait. He felt consoled that heshould be there as a guard over her. He would not suffer any harm to come to her while he was able to defend her. And so, watching and waiting, the long, weary night passed away. Very early indeed, Wild came up to see the sentinel. ** Tg all well?” he asked. **'Yes, Mr. Wild; I have kept watch all night, but no one has moved—nothing has happened.” _ © Be away as little as you cau ; I will take care to make it known among the men that you are here on this special service for me.’ Qh! dear. If you please, Mr. Wild, yes. ‘They seom very unfriendly with me, indeed, and I shouldn't. wonder if they don’t invent all manner of tales about me.” ** Heed them not; they will have no weight with me. I know them well, the cowardly, villainous set. They all live in hopes of seeing me hanged some day, but 1 will take care they don’t. Hat ha!” ** But, Mr. Wild” —— ‘* What?” **'You will excuse m6 7 *€ What is it?” **T have not had anything to eat since yesterda ** Ah! yes; I had forgotten that. Never mind, I will have some breakfast sent up to you at once. Have you thought over what I said to you last night P ”’ **T have, Mr. Wild.” **T have some great schemes in hand, but | cannol carry them out myself; I want some one who will serve me faithfully to assist mein them. That person will have for lis reward a fortune.” “Oh! Mr. Wild.” . ** Yes, a fortune! Bear in mind, a fortuue! You have the chance; let me see that you are faithful to $79 **T have not had an opportuuity of proving at to you, Mr. Wild.” ** T know that, but so far very good. [am satisfied. | have never yet found any one who would be true to ms and my interests. It has been my fate to be betrayed by those whom J most trusted.” | It seemed rather strange, but such, indeed, was ths case, Jouathan Wild had never had one person who was faithful. And now, in the present instance, he was doomed to the same fate. After a few more words of similar import, Jonathan descendcd the stairs. Steggs was avaricious. He could not help it. oo. It was a kind of instinct firmly implanted in his breast, and which nothing would be able to eradicate. When the thief-taker had left him, he ait down on the stairs again, and, covering his face with his hands, hs muttered— | ‘What shall Ido? Is Jonathan sincere? Ue © ama 60—~suppose I was totrust him. Supposo I threw myself heart and soul into those schemes which he aloue haa power to form, and which could be better carried out by two than one. I know not, I know not. A man ought to Inok after his own interests. The question is, ia Jona- than sincere? If I could once be sure upon this point I should know how to act. Asitis, I am bewildered.” Steggs was silent. Presently the man came up with hia breakfast, and this interrupted his chain of thought, for he was but starving, so many hours had elapsed eince he had takep food. ees ee COMIC SOC|S.CoOm