The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. 149 tion than he heard the sound of Quelf’s voice. “Ah! my worthy landlord,” he cried, ‘* you are here at last, then ; I began to fear that you were asleep in the arms of Bacchus.” “No, my young friend, I was attending to my spouse, who is a little the worse for ale, I must he But tell me, what brings you among us , * Business, Gold.” The landlord laughed. “Hal hal” he cried. “I trust you are not seeking it. Icould scarcely dream of a worse spot than this in which to seek treasure. All Alsatia scarcely hold, I verily believe, one geld 6O 9 “No, no,” said Quelf, “I seek nothing. I bring coin, I bring news of large sums of gold. Where is Radstock ?” “Well, he has not been here much of late. I think me he has peculiar reasons for keeping quiet just now, as he fears I shall distress him for his score, 1 cod toon is wrong. If a pays, well an ; e pays not, an good also, I take my chance.” ‘‘But where is hef I must see him this night,” returned Quelf, impatiently. “Well, well, must isa strong word. What you mean is, that you will if you can. He is stopping at the ‘Crown and Keys,’ in White- friars Street. It is ten chances to one, however, that he will not see you at all,”’ “Good. If he will not he loses money. And where is Rae Conington ?” ‘With him,” “And Flemynge, and Hastropp, and Stevens, and all the others, they are aii wanted ?” ‘“ What, all Alaatia?” “No; ten stout hearta,” “Then, see Radstock firat, unless our worthy captain within there—our Prince of Liars—will aid you.” “Prince of Liars am I?” thought Lackland. Take care I don’t prove myself the Prince of Thieves also, and lighten your purse, my fine fellow, to revenge this insult.” “Qh, he isno use. He only crows on his own dunghill ; move him from it and he is of no utility. Thanks for your news. Let me have some ale and! will go. Here, within there, Lackland, you lame dove ; come out and drink.” There was a little delay on the captain's part as he had no desire to be found eavesdropping ; but, after a few moments, he emerged. “Ho, ho! here is ale,” he said. “You have money f’’ “ In plenty.” “Then, ag you said money is a good salve for wounds, let me have some.” “ Here is a gold piece,” said the dwarf, fling- ing one down on the counter, “ but seek no more. Iam sorry I did not kill you, but aa I did not, and wounds are painfa), drink.” After a few moments Quelf quitted the house. The captain waited until there remained no farther doubt of this fact, and then addressed the landlord. “Friend Matthew,” he said, “you see this piece of gold ?” “¢T do.” ‘You know its worth?” és J d O,”” He had no sooner reached his post of observa- | | “Then, with the exception of a little piece of silyer, which I will keep for my to-morrow’s dinner, I will give it to you on one condition.” ‘Name it.” . Theard you say your wife was inebriated.”’ es,”" “Well, then, it will be easy enough for you to procare some of her elothes ?” “Yes. But why, in the name of reason, do you ask this?” “ Because I wish to go out in disguise. Your wife is an immense woman and her clothes will fit me well. Come, say it is a bargain, and the money is yours ?” “ No, no, my fine fellow, the clothes are worth more than eight skillings.”’ ‘‘ Yes ; but I will return them in the morn- ing. I shall not deceive you. I wish to avenge my wrongs,” “Well,” said the landlord, “I will assist you, Go into yonder room—no one is there, Slip the things I shall give you over your own, and make the best of your way out before some one recognises you.” The captain did at once as he was bidden. In a very short time, aided by the landlord, he had endued himself into the loose robe and ample petticoats, which the landlady as a rule wore for best, and having concealed his mous- tache and beard by placing over them a thick fall, he sallied forth into the night in search of In the meantime the dwarf proceeded quickly through the dark streets towards the ‘‘ Crown and Keys.” When he arrived there he knocked at the bar boldly, and asked for Radstock. The landlord eyed him suspiciously. “What do you want with him ?” he asked. “To put money in his pocket.” ‘‘Well, you don’t look a beauty, I must say,” said Boniface; “but I suppose it’s all right. Oh! here is Radstock; see, here’s a young fellow who wants to speak with you.” “Ah, Quelf!” cried Radstock, who looked grim and pale enough for a ghost, “ what want ou “J want to place money in your pocket, my friend,” he said. ‘Come with me and I will tell you.” a Willingty,” enid Radstock ; “I am in sore need of money.” And they both went out together. The landlord eyed them cariously. «‘ Well,” said he, “I would think twice before I'd trust myself ‘out with such an ill-looking fellow as that.” ‘Well, they seem friends,” answered one of the customers, “and I’m sure, as to looks, there is not much to choose between them.” “Now, then,” said Radatock, as'soon as they had sauntered down to the river-side, never observing that their movements were watched by a etrange-looking woman, “now, then, what is it that you wish of me!” “ Well, I want you to find for me ten brave and trusty spirite,” ‘‘ er what purpose ?” “To save the king.” ‘s Heaven preserve his majesty,” said Radstock, raising his hat, .) 7 J COMED OOKSEEON