Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

256 And with his eye-glass in his eye, and his fore- finger hooked in the large gold watch-chain, Timothy Brown strode zracefully from the hotel, while Flora, alias Florentine, went back to the room where she had left her admirer so anxiously awaiting her return. Timothy walked slowly along, his left hand toying with his watch-guard, and his right hold- ing his white kid gloves, peering through his eye-class at the people who thronged the way, when suddenly his glance rested on a young man just a-head of him, who appeared to be lost in deep thought, so intently did his eyes. seem fixed on the ground. Timothy quickened his pace, and in a few moments was by his side.. The young man did not raise his eyes, nor did Timothy lower his; but they continued to walk on side by side for some distance, as if each was unconscious of the other's presence. Having reached a spot more deserted than any over which they had travelled, Timothy, without moving his head or eyes, exclaimed— Well, Jemmy, what luck this morning, old boy ?” «One ticker, one locket, two wipes, one scent- bottle, and all told,” was the reply, with eyes still fixed on the earth. | “ Jemmy!” “Hallo! Tim!” “That game don’t pay. I’ve got something on hand as will turn in the money quicker,”’ said Timothy. “I got a first-rate haul this morning.” | What is it ?” “ A chequecfor five hundred.” “Strike me lucky! you don't say so. Whe from?” exclaimed Jemnjy, raising his eyes, but dropping them again on the instant. “An old bloke who has fallen in love with my Flor. He’s got plenty of the ready, and can be had to rights. I’m off to London now, but will be back to-morrow. Give a eall about six, and I'll leave word I expect Lord Dunfred. You tumble, dont you ?” “To rights !” ~ “There’s money to be made in Brighton this season, old boy. But don’t let’s be seen together now. ‘Tog up when you come, and bring Emma with you—Lady Ticklem, whom you are about to marry early in the winter. Large names make people look large, you know. Fly your kite, and don’t forget to-morrow evening,” | As he spoke, Timothy slackened his paee, while Jemmy redoubled his, and they parted company, without causing anyone who might have ob- served them the least suspicion that they had been in conversation together. © CHAPTER LXXXVIII. AT THE FARM—THE CONFEDERATES AT WORK— THE DICE—JUST IN TIME. Nor far from Barnstable, in Devonshire, was situated an extensive farm, known as The Hollies. It had once been owned by one of the most thriving men in Devon, who: had laid out upon it a considerable amount of money, and_for SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. miles around it was looked upon as the best farm in the county. But, unfortunately, no sooner had the pro- prietor effected every improvement he could upon the place than he was seized with a severe illness and died, and his widow adver- tised the estate for sale. Tobias became its possessor for a sum con- siderably below its value, and now the dream of his boyhood was fulfilled. | But he did not enter upon it at once. A matrimonial arrangement being in course of formation with Florentine Tumberlain, a wealthy London lady, was stated by the gossips to be the cause. But the servants were kept, and the work of the farm went on under the superin- tendence of a bailiff whom Bacon had sent to superintend it. Posh Entranced, enraptured with Florentine, whose beauty had so won his heart—fearful of losing her, yet anxious to get settled and retire to his farm— Tobias urged her to name an early day for their nuptials, and at lensth got from her a promise to become his wife in a month. | | The ‘month flew by, and Florentine was taken suddenly ill, so the wedding had to be postponed for still another month. 4 ex: Bitter was the disappointment of Tobias, But there was no help for it, and he was forced to submit to the delay. | Meantime, Sir Timothy commenced to play — the game he had intended from the first— namely, to seek to obtain the hard-earned wealth of Tobias for himself and companions. And soon Bacon was well in the toils of the pseudo lord and count. | Pretending to feel for him the ogreatest commiseration, sympathising with him in his disappointment, and appearing to be anxious to make his unwilling stay in Brighton as pleasant as possible, they prevailed upon him to join them at the theatre, the parties, conversaziones, lec- tures, and every amusement of the fashionable watering-place. So.Timothy invited him, nicht after night, to join himself andsfriends at a game of cards or billiards, and appeared, in every way, to seek to make his stay as happy as possible. . So much consideration caused the heart of Tobias Bacon to warm towards them, and, ever anxious to be near his beloved Florentine, he soon fell a victim into their hands. Small sums were played for, only to make the game interesting, and the usual luck of Tobias followed him in play as wéll as in work, and he never left their hotel to return to his own without finding himself a winner of several pounds. Little did he imagine that, to obtain the money he had won, Sir Timothy had pawned the trinkets which he himself had presented to Florentine at different times. ee wes success, Tobias began to cherish a love of ay. - The others noted this, and exchanged signifi- cant glances. As time wore on, higher sums were played for, _ and. Sir Timothy and his companions found it necessary to put their wits to work to obtain / + 1. Ee ETN SIIEENIDNESnrnneinnnmrmrneeee eee . . ae rr th eh ee | OO eee Le ee EEO ee