The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

“ Have you any keys ?” said Alick. “Yes; I never thought of that. I’ve got several skeleton keys in my pocket,” “Let us stop a little while until the old man goes to bed, and then we can. let. ourselves in without making any disturbance, The night is dark, no one will perceive us.” , After a time, Captain Jack and his. friend Alick tried the keys in the door, and were very happy to find that they could open it. . “Now the old rascal must look out for squalls,”’ said Jack; ‘‘ we have got him at last.” “ Won’t he be surprised, though!” . “ Yes, and no mistake—particularly when he finds out that I am an officer of the crown.” The door was gently opened, and the two in- truders entered very quietly. They crept upstairs, | When they arrived at the top of the landing on the first floor, Captain Jack peeped into the front room. No one was there. r pe room was dimly lighted by a small, solitary ight, Yet, dark as it was, Captain Jack could see that a large dining-table was laid out, as if for the supper of a dozen or more. “Hullo! what does allthis mean ?” said the noble captain, in a whisper. ony “Rather strange, ain’t it?” echoed Alick, in a whisper. Before they could make any other observation, old Gingles appeared upon the scene, and came from a secret closet so suddenly and noiselessly, that THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. neither of the intruders heard or perceived him until he said, abruptly, in their ear, ‘Well, and who are you? What do you want, and where do you come from ?” This was so unexpected by Jack and Alick that the former, for a moment, could not answer, and the latter began to titter in the background. “Did you come to rob me ?” the old man asked, in a determined voice. “ No—that is to say, not that exactly, but—” “Well, no ‘buts’ for me—what do you want ?” gaid the old man, advancing towards Captain J ack. | In an instant the nightcap and dressing-gown, the false wig, moustache, and stooping gait disappeared like magic, and, to Captain Jack’s horror, he stood before no less a person than the terrible Death-wing. “Death-wing !” gasped Captain Jack, staggering back, | “Yes—Death-wing—no one else!” repeated a dozen voices behind him. On turning round Captain Jack perceived that he was surrounded by no less than a dozen of the Skeleton Crew ! Before he could say a word, two of the grim gentlemen took the astonished officer by the scruff of the neck, and held him out at arm’s length. “ Where is Alick ?” gasped Captain Jack. “Here I am, you scoundrel,” said that worthy, who now re-entered the room, attired like one of the Crew. “ What, was it all a trap, then ?” “Tt was,” said Alick; “it was diamond cut diamond, Captain Jack, and you have lost the game.” NOW READY, THE BOY SAILOR; LUFE ON BOARD A MAN-OF-WAR. This will be found one of the most excitin is laid. i ) e and powerful tales of the day. The scene of the story is laid in Cornwall, and it abounds with the wild legends and strange adventures of the daxing wreckers and amiineoles that haunt the bays and inlets of that rocky coast. FOUR ENGRAVINGS, HANDSOME COLOURED BORDER, GIVEN AWAY WITH NUMBERS 1 and 2. ; 12 AV 67 ORDER EARLY. ONE PENNY WEEKLY. ® —-——-- (CONMIGO) <S,eC) 3 i