The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

THE BOY SOLDIER; fully ; child,” “T dare say you are; but appearances are very much against you for all that.” “How can that be ?” “Well, at all events, you know who killed the officer in Epping Forest,” “T could make a shrewd guess.” “Was it yourself?” “Me! lor bless you, no.’ ‘Who was it, then?” “T think, from all I’ve heard him say, that it was Warner.” “ But, I dare say, if cWwarnet were in your situa- tion he would say quite to the contrary.” “ But that cannot- be, for old Flint would bear witness,” “So Flint knows all about it, eh qh ‘““ Why of course he does.” ‘© ‘‘But who did the deed in Green Court ?” “ Why, Warner, of course.” — ‘ “How was that?” ‘Why, it appears that after the Gries of old Ford, Flint ran away with’ the old gentleman’s “but you know I am as innocent as a title-deeds and money. ‘Warner thought he might be in Green Court, arid.so' pounced down upon st, or somebody else ; but iti was a mistake,” “A creat mistake, I think, for the Poot clerk.” ‘Yes, wasn't it?” © “So you say that Warner did alll this 2 “Yes, I am sure of it.” “ And where is he?” ©’ § Bi, “ He was living with me and Minging I mean that he found out where old: Flint and I lived to- gether, and used to call sometimes.” “Oh, indeed!” said’ Gale, with a dry eee ‘you were intimate, then?” + ! “Oh dear, no; that’ is to say, he aiid Flint had dealings with each other, more or less, but not with me. I wouldn’t be seen in such company.” “No, I suppose not ; you are’ too good and clever @ man to have any such associates.” This was said with such a dry laugh that Jonathan quaked again with fear. ‘And where was this house where you and old Flint used to live?” “‘T will show you.” “Very well, re have no objection ; tell the cabby to yale to this direction,” said J onathan, handing & car The cabby cracked his whip, and, ere long, they both arrived at old Flint’s residence, Jonathan knocked at the door, which was quickly opened by Matty, who was blubbering, ‘Ob, master, master,’ she began, wiping her eyes, and talking to J onathan in the passage ; ‘* oh, master, master, there has been such a row’ and such a shine in the house.” “How? who? what?” said Jonathan, “Oh, such a row, master !” Has Mr. Warner returned ?” asked Jonathan, in great haste. “Mr, Warner, sir? ever will return,”’ ‘But Mr, Flint,” ani Jonathan, in great haste ; “ he is here?” ‘‘No, sir ; nor him either. I found him lying on the floor, bound hand and foot with cords, and he was struggling hard to get out of them, _ I thought he was mad; but, at last, after much begging and praying, I cut the cords and let him loose.” “And what did Flint do then?” No, sir; nor do I think he tl 12 AU67 OR, GARIBALDI’S YOUNG CAPTAIN. “He took out of the room some of the most valuable articles, such as the marble time-piece and other things, and pawned them. I asked for some dinner, and he slapped me in the face and knocked me down, I screamed, and in came the landlord and landlady in creat haste, and demanded their rent ; Mr. Flint said he had let the house to you, and must look forward to you for the rent.”’ “ Very kind, indeed,” groaned Jonathan. where is he now ?” “T haven’t the slightest idea; but, before he “went, several tradespeople came for their money, and wouldn’t go without it, and there was sucha ‘row—a regular fight, it was. Such cursing and ‘And swearing, and stamping of feet you’ never heard ~ ‘before:in your whole lives.’’ ‘‘ And did he get away ?” ‘Yes, sir; he promised to pay them all to-night, and.they went away; but about half-an-hour ago they all returned, such a troop of them.” . ~ “ And where are they?” “Tn the front parlor, sir ; and a pretty noise they have been making to be sure.” “Oh, it’s no use Of me staying here,” said Jona- than, “ie that is. | the case; they will tear ‘me in pieges,” _“ But, sir, the landlord is going to send me to prison for stealing the clock, and ornaments, and all sorts of things. - What shall I do? Ob, Mr, Gale, what shall ldo? J didn’t steal the things. id ‘“Never mind, Matty,” said the detective, “they can’t touch you, my girl ; I know you well enough. It is old Flint who is to blame ; he is the thief, not you.” .» “And he was the one who rented the lodgings also,” said Jonathan; “JZ hadn’t anything to do with it.” “Oh, here he is,” “ That’s him.” This is the old scoundrel,” said one and another of the creditors; coming out of the parlour, and surrounding Jonathan like a pack of hungry wolves. ‘‘ Where’s my money ?” “Yes, and where’s mine ?” *‘ Give him in charge !” “Have him up for obtaining goods under false pretences,” “ Transport the old rascal !” Thus, on all sides, clammered the infuriated creditors, cursing and swearing, “Black his eyes !” “Punch his head !”’ “Tear the coat off his back !” “‘ Break his long, ugly nose |” These were the discordant cries heard on every hand, and highest and loudest’ among them all were the landlord and landlady, the latter with a big broom in her hand, each moment ee to break Jonathan’s head, “ Preserve me! save me |!” gasped TonNha? who was fairly out of breath with excitement and the many kicks and blows he had received in the stomach, face and back. ‘‘ Preserve me ! save me !” he roared.’ Hh Hands off! hands off !” said Gale, “ He is my prisoner,” ‘“No, he isn’t, Tear the old scoundrel from him ! He's a sham policeman.” And then began a fierce fight in the passage to see who should secure the unlucky Jonathan, GComichboo 1€O