Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 360: what you’re looking at

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

A TI A iT aa Iii: 358 Then, in his growling voice, he said in a tone and man- ner which he intended to be facetious to a degree— “Good morning.” The landlord could do no otherwise than reply to the valntation. He used precisely the same words. Jonathan grinned. You know me, I suppose,” he added. ‘**T have seen you before, sir.” ‘ Ah! then you know me, of course. No one ever mistakes or forgets me if they only get one good glance at my face.” ** Yes, sir.” ‘© And I know you,” replied Wild. Do you, sir?” *VYog; and you are in rather an awkward situation.” “As how, Mr. Wild ?” *¢ You know how.” * Indeed I don’t, sir.” VWVhat am I here for ?” “T am waiting for you to tell me, sir.” ** Look here, Ross—for that is your name.” ‘*T know that, and you might have known it if you had just looked up at the signboard that hangs outside.” “Bah! I suppose you know there is such an offence in law as aiding and abetting felons.” ‘¢ T believe so, sir; but what has that to do with meP”? ‘Everything, as you will find.” ‘© Indeed, Mr. Wild.” ‘Now, it’s no good for you todenyit. You have at this moment concealed in your house three felons, whom you have aided and abetted.” * You make a mistake, Mr. Wild.” ** Don’t deny it.” * But I do deny it.” ““T tell you they are here. I know it; I have seen them.” The landlord muttered an involuntary oath. But a new idea struck him, so he went upon a fresh track. He by no means wished to have a rupture with the thief-taker. The reader will perhaps remember the astonishment he evinced when Blueskin told him that he and Wild were sworn enemies. Moreover, he had expressed his opinion that it was the best policy to keep friends with such a man. We shali see how he acted. *°T don’t know who you have seen, Mr. Wild; but I can tell you this, that so far as my knowledge goes, there are no felons in this house, nor have I aided and abetted em. ‘“* But, perhaps,” replied Wild, with a leer, “if they were found here concealed in your premises, you would have a great deal of trouble in rebutting the charge if it was brought against you.” “TI don’t say but what I should, Mr. Wild; but I shouldn't think you would be the man to do me such a turn.’ ** Well, perhaps not. Yon see, it depends in a great measure upon your own behaviour.” “T am glad to hear that, Mr. Wild.” 6¢ Why 39 ** Because then all will be well.” ‘Very good; I am glad to hear that, Mr. Rose. Sut, understand me, I have got at my back a strong force of well-armed men, who never stick at trifles if I tell them not to do so. The house is thoroughly surrounded with them, back and front, and it would be impossible for a mouse to leave it without their knowledge.’ ** { have nothing to say against that, Mr. Wild.’’ ** Very good again. Now then, tell me the truth. You will find that it will answer your purpose best. Do yon, or do you not, know those people who are upstairs P” **T do not, Mr. Wild.” ‘*'That ig enough, then. I tell you that they are three felons, for whose apprehension a very large reward is offered.” “You don’t say so, Mr. Wild? Well, I should never have thought it from their looks.” Oh! shouldn’t you P”’ ** Certainly I should’nt.” © And you had no idea of it?” ‘None, Mr. Wild.” a a a IE FOE i NG. BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. an “When did they come here?” = *¢ Karly this morning, Mr. Wild.” ** Early this morning ?”” ce Yes,.”’ *¢ What did they say.” ‘They asked for refreshments, and safd they wanted to stop in the neighbourhood for a few hours, and asked me if I coils! find them accommodation.” “So I told them yes.” “And you had no suspicion of their characters when you said yes P”’ ‘Of course not, Mr. Wild, or I should have said no in @ minute.” ** Well, I hope you will be able to prove it.”? ‘Shall I be called upon to do so?” ** Very likely, I think.” ** But you could get me out of that little difficulty, Mr. Wild, could you not ?” JT don’t know. Very likely I might.” ** Ah! do, sir.” ‘Should you feel inclined to do anything in return’? ” ** Anything in reason.” ** Very well, then, I call upon you to lead me up to the room in which they are concealed, and then everything shall 9, looked over. I will take the responsibility upon myself. Ross, the landlord, looked rather uncomfortable wher this proposition was made to him, though, of course, he more than expected it. Oh! yes, Mr. Wild. To be sure,” he gasped, for he wished to save himself from the consequences of what he had done, and to serve Blueskin and his two companions at the same time. ‘Oh! yes, of course. They are up- stairs.” **T know it.” “Oh! you know it?” * Yes, didn’t I tell you I had seen them P ” “* T think you did, sir.” *“Of course I did. I was just outside, and, happening to look up, I saw them all three at the window.” Oh! d—m it.” ce Eh P 99 **T said, was that it?” ¢ Yes 39 ‘They had a room upstairs, and that’s were they are now, I daresay.” ‘** Lead the way up, then, and don’t makea noise. Jand my bull-dogs will follow you.” Ross, the landlord, gave an inward groan, but what was he to do. Besides, he thought, if they were captured, it would be no fault of his. The fact of his leading Jonathan to the door of the room in which they were could not possibly make any difference to them, because he knew the room already, whereas to himself the result would be very different. ‘Lead on!” said Wild, “‘there’s no occasion to hurry, I know, because it will be impossible for them to escape ; but still, we may as well get the business over, so lead on at once.” ** How dark itis going!’ said Roes, as he stepped out of the bar; “‘ why, it was lighter than this an hour later last night.” “It is growing dark,” said Wild; “ but, never mind, lead the way.” " ** Hark at that!’ ejaculated the landlord, as he walked towards the stairs. A terrific peal of thunder, which seemed to shake the house to its very foundations, preceded his words. * Only a thunderstorm,” said Wild; ‘‘ you are not afraid of it, are you?” : Oh! no, Mr. Wild, only 1t’s not a very pleasant thing, you know.” ‘*No more it is.” ** Thero’s the lightning, then!” A vivid flash of lightning at this moment lighted up the staircase, and revealed the forms of Jonathan Wild’s janizaries, who were crowding close behind their master’s eels, ; vhen it left them in what seemed deeper darkness than efore. ee himself did not hke the turn thst affairs were EO DOOl|KS EO