Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 332: what you’re looking at

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

ry) = Fee RE ee a Sc TR a a OR ee te err oe = = Et But what conld be the motive for the surreptitious attempt to enter the room ? That at present was a mystery. Time alone would clear it up. But what was the person outside going to do next P Was he a friend or foe P The latter most likely, for what friends had thoso two fugitives got in all the wide world P ot one. By the aid of the candle which was glimmenng on the mantle-shelf, they looked in each others’ faces as these thoughts passed through their minds. They were afraid to communicate with each other, except by signs. Suddenly they were startled by a fresh sound manifest- ing itself at the door. “* Tap—tap—tap!” That was the sound. It was as though some one had struck the door with the extreme points of their fingers, or rather with their nails. As no notice was taken of it, the tapping was renewed. Doubtless, like the reader, our friends were unable to tell what to think of this. The worst of it was, they could not deliberate. Bunt Blueskin looked at Jack as much as to ask what he thought was best to be done. Jack responded with a nod, as though he had made up his mind to adopt some plan of action. At the same time he noisclessly took one step nearer the door. Then hoe stooped down, and, with the utmost care, withdrew the httle bolt which he had previously taken such pains to shoot into the socket. His two companions watched hia actions eagerly and anxiously. No audible sound was produced by the withdrawal of the bolt, and this was in some measure due to thie fact that, at the moment when Jack drew it back, the person outside, whoever it might be, renewed the tapping on the panel, and this time with greater loudness than before. Jack rose to his full height. He put his lett hand upon the latch, and slowly lifted it op. He had his right arm ready for action. Then, with the greatest suddenness, he pulled the door open. At the same moment he darted out his right arm, and clutched hold of something. Without waiting a second to ascertain what it was that he had caught hold of, he, by an exertion of strength, pulled the object of which he had taken hold into the room, and closed the door. So suddenly was all this done, that Blueskin and Hagworth Bess could scarcely believe that it had taken place. No alarm had been given. But they were not long in donhting the reality of what had occurred, for tight in Jack’s grasp was the landlord of the lodging-house. Tho sudden and summary treatment he had received had filled him with surprise, nor had he yet recovered himself sufficiently to attempt tle least resistance. But, thinking that in all probability it wonld not be long before he did, Blueskin hastened to give his assist- ance. Jack motioned to Edgworth Bess to bolt the door again, 80 as to secure them from all other intruders. The heiress understood him, and immediately obeyed the sign. The landlord was on the floor in a half-sitting half: kneeling posture. He looked the picture of fright. Blueskin held him at ono side. F Jack Sheppard at the other. The latter now produced a pistol from his pocket, which he very deliberately cocked. Byrou has very truly said— It has a sharp quick jar upon the ear, That cocking of a@ pisto}, when you know A moment more will bring the sight to bear Upon your person. And so the landlord thought, as the changing colour of fis countenance fully testified. BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE, J ek however, wea not content with merely cocking the pistol. He saw the offect which that action had upon the land- lord’s nerves, and he wished to heighten it as much as possible. — Accordingly he turned the barrel of the pistol round, and pressed it in a very disagreeablo manner against the Iandlord’s forehead. Then, and not till then, did this worthy find his voice. }n a faint tone he gasped out— ‘* Mercy—mercy !’ : he ave need to make such a supplication,” said ack. ‘* Have mercy upon mo.” “Do you feel that 2” Yes—oh !—yes.” “Do you kuow what it is?” “Mercy!” ‘No, it is not merey. It is tho muzzle of a loaded pistol pressing against your forchead. I daresay it has made quite a mark. My finger is on the trigger. One touch and your brains would plaster the wall behind you.” “Oh! meroy—mercy!” This time the tone of voice in which he spoke was 4 perfect howl. ** Silence,” cried Jack. that, and etand P” “Yes; but have mercy upon me.” “ Your life is in my power, to take it or not as I think “ Another such a sonud as you are assuredly adead man. Do you under- fit. ‘I know it is, good sir; but have meroy.”” ‘That will depend entirely on yourself. On myself P” €¢ Yes PB) “ How, good sir ? how ?” “I will tell you the one chance you have of saving your miserable life. And yet, what’s the good, you won't take it, I know, so I may as well kill you at once.” ‘“'No—no. Merey! Iwill take the chance. Only let me have the opportunity. I would rather do anything than have my life taken at once.” “T can hear you are a sensible man.” * Yes, good sir. I hope to please you. and give me the chance you spoke of.” “7 will, You must tell me at once, and truly, what made you a A and try to get into this room.” ry 3 . b z ah good sir Have mercy, es, you: and understand me, that one of the chances of saving your life depends upon your telling me, not only truly, but quickly. We heard you creep up stairs and hit the lateh and try to enter. Now tell us yourreason for so doing. The landlord hesitated and stammered. ‘‘ Beware!” said Jack, significantly, and he pressed the pistol yet more closely against his forehead. ‘* 1 was sent up, good sir.” “Ah! by whom P” : “ One of the gentlemen downstairs.” “What gentlemen? Quick. I am impatient.” “One of Mr. Wild’s gentlemen.” ce Oh ! a9 “Which oneP” “My, Arnold, sir.” Jack and Blueskin Jooked at each other uneasily. ** Go on,” said the former. ** T have told yoa sir.” * But not all | wantto know. What did Mr. Arnold, as | you call him, send you up for P”’ ‘To see whether you were in the attic.” “Oh! indeed. Do you know us?” ““{ know two of you.” “Do you really? Then I am afraid you are in posses. sion of a very dangerous piece of knowledge.” “Whoam IP” “ Jack Sheppard; and there ig a reward of five hundred pounds out for your apprehension.” “That need not interest you, for you will never get if, take my word for that. And who is this on the other side ot your” ** Blueskin.” “ How do you know it? Tell me on your life.” “T fancied it was you from the first, and then ”—sst “Then what P” EO DOO C SS > (SO)