The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

170 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. ise i rr a ee eT Ee i SL ta es ‘But, as I have given my word of honour, why, admit him at once.” In a2 moment afterwards Ned Warbeck and Gar- net were striding up the broad staircase towards the king’s bed-chamber. The king, propped up in bed, was flushed with anger; but when he perceived it was not Captain Jack, to whom he had given the ring, he appeared the more amazed. : The door was closed upon Ned and Garnet, but’ the half sleepy-page, in revenge for being awakened from sleep, listened at the door and heard all he could. Ned Warbeck, in a few words, explained all that had happened that night, and about his finding the ring. . The king scemed at first very,much annoyed, but he laughed off the matter, and said upon his word that the story about his intrgdimg into Ellen Har- mer’s chamber in Colonel Blogd’s mansion was all a fiction. Sib 7 a “Call to-morrow at the levee,” enidhe, “and I will see that justice is doneboth to you and the injured maid ; but to-night Zam weary. No, not to-morrow ; I[ forgot there is mo levée until Thurs- day, so that you will have ample time to arrange everything to your satisfaction. Amd in token of how much I appreciate your valour in the affair of to-night with the gang of that raseal, Captain Jack, and the terrible Skeleton Crew, I fully pardon from all transgressions whoever aided you in defeating the villains.”’ thay’ “Thanks, your majesty. But what document have we to prove it ?” said Nedj “Give me pen, ink, and paper.” ~~ These were found upon a si¢ € With a hurried scrawl, the-king wrote down a - few words, granting a free pardon for all officers in-} favour of those who had assisted Ned and Garnet. Moreover, he signed the paper, and sealed it with his own signet ring and gave it to Ned. But, while this was going on in the royal chamber, Bob Bertram, in the palace-yard, was very near getting in a serious difficulty. Ned and Garnet had not left him more than five minutes, when Colonel Blood hastily rode up and dismounted from his horse. He perceived the carriage, and began to question Bob. a ‘ Whose vehiclé is that, sirrah ?”’ he asked, look- ing at it attentively. “It looks like a hired one.” “Tt is my master’s, sir,’ answered Bob. “ And who is your master ?” “ A gentleman, sir.” “Tf you answer me in that manner again I'll knock you’ off your seat. ‘Who is your master, sirrah ?”’ “Captain Warbeck, of the royal navy,” ‘“Ha! and is he with the king ?” ‘Hoe 18:2 “ The devil! before me, again, eh ?’’?- said» Blood, angrily; but if an under tone. ‘“ What’s his busi- ness here at such an unseemly hour ?” ‘ You had better ask him, sir ; he won’t be long.’ ‘¢Confound the impudence. of the rascal, What is your name ?” “ Bob Bertram,” was. the answer, “and not ashamed to own if,” said Bob, with all the inno- cence in the world, and never dreaming of the con- sequences, “Bertram, Bertram ?” said Colonel Blood, think- ing. “I have heard that name before.” ‘‘ Perhaps so, sir ; but what of it ?” Colonel Blood did not answer at the moment, but = eh? referred to a small gold-clasped memorandum book he carried in his breast pocket. “Robert Bertram,” said he, turning over the leaves quickly. ‘ Yes, of course; I thought I could not be mistaken. You came from Darlington ? Your father was murdered——” Poor Bob never thought of this. He shook in every limb, and very nearly fell from his high seat. His confusion was evident to Colonel Blood, who laughing said, * And so you are the servant of Ned Warbeck, If the master is only like the servant, now. Here, guard,” said he, “seize this man; he isa murderer ; seize him, I say, in the king’s name.” “In the king’s name, hold off your hands,” said Ned Warbeck, ina passion, as he and Garnet now advanced into the moonlight. The gliiers ew not what to do. “Who ste ¥ou, sir, that dares interfere in this serious matter?» ‘Bhis fellow is a murderer, or, at least, suspected of being such.” i urderer, sir,” said Ned Warbeck, id. ‘as, I havethe king’s pardon. Read,” said he, placing the royal warrant under the astonished colonel’s eyes. ’ “Your name, sir?” asked Blood, sternly. “You have no right to demand it,’ said Ned, proudly. “ Ve _ “But, suppose [insist upon knowing it, and that of your friend?” “ Insist, sir?” . » « Yes, mnpist,? © - _ “Tf you wish to meet me on important business n a private manner,” Ned haughtily replied, ‘ there z my ecard,” said he, giving it to the colonel. ' « Awd, sir, here is mine,’ said the colonel, biting | his lip in anger, “TJ do not need it. I know you tod well already, colonel.”’ “ Ah, indeed.” ‘You understand me ?”’ ‘“‘T do. We shall meet again.” “When you like, and where you like,” said Ned, with a light laugh. ‘Perhaps we may meet too quickly for your own liking, young sir,” “That cannot be. I fear you not.” “You may learn to do so to your cost, Warbeck.”” “Tt remains with you, then, to name the day and hour. Iam always ready to accommodate gentle- men ina small way.” _ | | With these words, Ned and Garnet jumped into the coach, and drove homewards. yy ‘‘T must clip that youngster’s wings,” said the colonel ;, “he is-inclined to fly too high.” ! “Then, colonel, you will have great trouble, I fear,’ said one of the royal pages, who, in crossing the palace yard, had heard all that had been said. “Who is that ?” asked the colonel, hastily.’ “ Your friend Simon, the page.” © ate “Ah, Simon, have you been disturbed again ?” “Yes, by those two hot-headed fellows who have just left you.” > eet “What news? their business at this late hour ?” wih Wig obo bat xg? “Indeed, what was it ?” met “Come this way ; we must not be overheard. It concerns you greatly.” ~~ to eae oe ““You speak seriously.” * pe | “T do; come this way. I will tell you all, and put you on your guard with the king.” = Blood and the page entered a doorway, and were lost to sight and hearing. ’ is Did you Happen to ascertain. 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