The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

Deeg gg TS THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 130 Nae eee ————————— FF “Well, go ons, what didyyou do with the other. thousand ?” “T gave £250 to each of the three gaolers, and——”’ ‘‘ Why, you told me there were but two gaolers.”’ “DidI? Ah, I forgot; I meant to have said three,” Well, and how did you lay out the other £250°2” “TI gave it to the prisoner to help him along with in order to escape.”’ “Very kind of you, indeed,” said several. “Yes, wasn’t it ?” said Captain Jack, who was now much pleased with the effect his lies had upon his grim hearers. ‘You are sure you did not keep it for yourself ?” asked Death-wing, in a savage tone. ‘Keep it for myself ? - Impossible ! think of such a thing !”’ “Of course not, as an honourable man——” ‘As an honourable man, not having the least personal interest in such a matter, I could not think of. id “Certainly not, certainly not. The noble captain of ‘the Baker’s dozen’ is too high-minded and honest to resort to such a trick.” Captain Jack bowed very humbly to this compli- ment; but it must be confessed his knees began to tremble under him from fear. ‘** And did the prisoner escape ?” ** He did.” “ Are you sure ?” ‘** Positive of it ; I saw him do it.” “‘ And how did it happen, then ?” ‘“‘ As soon as I gave the money to the jailers, they entered his cell, unfastened his irons, loaned him some of their clothesyand I having procured a horse for the fugitive, he galloped away at full speed. After that I returned to se@ the match between you and Alick, and I came here with him to tell you all about it.” ‘‘ Very obliging of you,” said Death-wing, “very obliging, certainly ; but it strikes me very forcibly you came here, expecting to find me alone, with the intent of robbing me.” “Robbing you! Oh! you cannot think that. Iam incapable of conceiving such a thing,” . “That may be; but who have yon got to prove all you have said about the prisoner’s escape ?” “ T did not think it necessary to bring the jailers with me to witness all I have said ; but it is true, nevertheless, every word,” “That may be; we shall quickly see.” So speaking, Death-wing stamped -his foot thrice heavily upon, the floor. , . a A stranger answered the summons by entering the room. He walked up towards Captain Jack, and con- fronted that, officer boldly. He looked pale, haggard, and worn, Tt was Phillip Redgill himself. Captain Jack could have sunk through the floor. “Do you know this person ?”. said Deathwing speaking to Phillip. : ‘ * “IT do, well; too well for my own comfort.” “Did you hear his story about your escape 2” **T did ; every word of it.’ * Was it true ?” “No; every word he uttered was a lie.” “Did he not bargain not to arrest you for a cer- tain sum ?” .** He did.” “On bis promise, as a man of honour and a gen- tleman, you believed him ?” cidide’ I could not ‘«‘You paid the price he demanded ?” — “Yes; and no sooner did he receive it than he had me arrested,”’” «‘ Who assisted you to escape ?” “JT know not, or how or when it was, Captain Death-wing. All I know is, that I fell into a deep sleep, and when I awoke to consciousness I was libe- rated from prison and safe and well here in this house, surrounded by several armed men of the Skeleton Crew.” ' “Do you hear that, Captain Jack ?” Alick asked, with a sneer. *<T do hear it.” ; “All this was done,’ said Death-wing, “ while this gentleman here was betting at cards. Instead of paying the sum he spoke of, he lost every note in betting against me. In proof of it, I had every bank note marked, and here they are,” said he, presenting before Captain Jack’s own eyes the very notes he had lost in bets. “ He is a rogue !” said one. « An infamous liar !” growled several. ‘“‘ He is not worthy of life !” “What shall we do with him ?” ‘s Till him ! kill him !” Captain Jack now felt cold perspiration oozing from every part of his body, and he trembled in every limb. ‘‘ You have bogsted in your time of having done great things against the Skeleton Crew,” said Death-wing, with a grim smile, ‘“‘ but your tales are all lies, for a greater coward than you are never carried a sword, Captain Jack.” “ He is not fit to live !” “JT know he is not,” said Death-wing, ‘‘and he shall die, unless he promises to fulfil all we ask of him.”’ “ Name it—name anything you like, and I will do it,” said Captain Jack, trembling. “Ta the first place, you received several thousand pounds from Phillip Redgill ?” “ Yes, I did, worse luck.” ‘Will you return it ?” “ How can I do so ?” ~~ “That remains with yourself to think of. Ifyou do not in less than a week, your life is not worth a farthing !” * But I have no money.” “Are you not captain of the Baker’s Dozen, as your men are called ?” _ I am,”’ F ‘Well, then, get it how you can, but if you fail in doing so in less than a week, you die! Do you hear ?” - “ I do.’’ a 5 if “You will be watched and dogged both night and day, remember, There is not the least chance of your escaping me or my band.” 7 oe “Well, and what next ?” wey “You told Colonel Blood that Phillip Redgill did the murder ?” ae SNe Te Ce did. | . ' * And what proof have you ?” Sen ee “The clothes which Redgill exchanged walt A Bertram were given up to me by young Ned War- beck, The proof is clear against Phillip Redgill.” “You think so ?” =. “TI know so,” | te “But you must not * know go,’ if you value your life, Captain Jack !” said Death-wing, with an,oath, ne be so fast with your tongue, but listen, to, TT will.” : eT 7 ae “You know Ned Warbeck ?— Wildfire Ned, ag le ; | ' ¥y yt! ig called,” Oo Gom Ehboo cS Gom