The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

174 THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. ee SS SE eae The old man’s grief was great; but Sir Richard cheered him, and gave such wholesome and en- couraging advice that he rested and felt satisfied that ere long justice would fall on all who had had any band in robbing him of his darling and only daughter. Sir Richard had not attended Court for mniany years before, but now he donned his best suit, and even insisted that the miller should accompany, him to the levée. After much, persuasion he consented, and went with Sir Richard and Ned, Warbeck, They had not mixed among the great nobles lorg, when the king suddenly exclaimed, “ Sir. Richard, Warbeck,:\as I live! his nephew> and a farmer-looking gentleman also, Welcome, good friend, Warbeck! Why, who were they that told usi you were not living ?” “IT know not, sire,” Sir Richard answered, bowing, : “But they are mistakem considerably, are they not ?” “They are, sire.” “Weare glad to hear it, very glad to hear it, indeed, ‘Sir Richard. And who have you with ou ?” * An old friend—an injured man, sire ; his name is Harmer, the miller of Darlington.” “ Ab, indeed! And Iam glad to see the worthy miller, who is no doubt deep in market prices, and reeking with floury learning, eh?” : “Not very deep, sire,’ said the miller, gravely. “T come here as a complainant to the fountain of justice as well as of honour.”’ “ AndI too,” said old’ Sir Richard. **T am sorry to hear it ; but you had better go to Lord Bute—you know Bute, our new attorney- general, Sir Richard ?—a very clever fellow. Go to him, and say wesend you.” “Tf you will deign to read this, sire,” said the miller, presenting a paper to him. | “Yes; oh, yes—at our leisure.” “Now, if it pleases you, sire. There are but four lines upon that paper ; but if it possesses you with our great grief it may prevent bloodshed.” ‘Bloodshed ?” said the king, as he opened the note ; and then in a low tone, he read," ‘Ellen Harmer, my daughter, has been stolen from her father’s roof. Colonel Blood is suspected; will you say if you think him guilty or not?” “Hem |” said the king, “a graye charge this— very, very grave, It is well not to fill all. our gossips with such a matter,” “Tt is, sire, and therefore was it that I wrote these lines for {the miller,” said Sir. Richard,‘ and took his case in hand.’’ “You have done wel], quite well. Let me think; I hardly know if I ought to do this that you ask of me, but I promise you that I will do all I can to find the lady. I will myself take steps to do so.” ‘You are ever gracious, sire,’ said Ned Warbeck, sternly ; “but if Colonel Blood shrinks from the pledge required he will have to meet me in arms this day, for I shall else make the atmosphere of honour unfit for him to breathe.’’ ‘‘ No, no—no fighting,” said the king witli a toss of the head: “Simon, where are you ?”’ Here, sire,” the cunning page replied. ** Search out Colonel Blood, and tell him to meet us in the wainscit chamber in an hour from now. Will that content you ?” : 7 _.“ Yes, sire, if you, will promise to take: steps to avenge my ebild.” on al eatin ; “Yes, oh,.yea, we Will,” oi “Do you think of walking, sire ?” asked the cun- ning page?” ~~. _ 4 aoe rs “Walking, yillain ? What do you mean ?” “You talked of taking steps to find Colonel Blood,” said Simon, the page, with a broad grin. | “Simon, if you stay here another moment I will sacrifice you to my just resentment, Off with you, rascal !’’ said the king. : Simon made a rapid retreat, and the king, bowing to Sir Richard Warbeck, Miller Harmer, and Ned Warbeck, added—- . : “We will put Blood to his word in this matter, and shall expect to see you ; and also, I must say, - we deeply grieve for you.” There was no resource now for the father of Ellen Harmer and Sir Richard but to make their exit from the chamber-~--~ “This will be one point gained,” said Sir Richard, “if we got Blood to convict or clear himself in the presence of the king; it will be either his excul- pation or his:ruin.” 9") ait * “Tt 1will—it must !”isaid Ned: Warbeck, warmly, ‘and I will take good care that he does not shelter himself under any ambiguity of phrase in the matter. Where is, the wainscof chamber the king spoke of ?” ‘“T know not; but here come a royal page, I will ask him,” said Sir Richard. i It was Simon who was passing, and to whom Sir Richard said, “ Young man, can you conduct us to the wains- cot. chamber ?” ann ; “Yes, genilemen,” said; Simon, with a roguish smile ; ‘I was seeking you for that purpose,, will you please follow me?” , | “We will.” : 5iZ ¥ ; Simon led the way.to rather a small room that was entirely wainscotted all over the walls aswell as the ceiling, and after desiring them to, be seated he bowed himself out, and. scarcely had, he. done so when another door was opened, and Simon, appear- ing again, ina sharp, sudden tone of voice, an- nounced— re ol ; «The king !” Wobivare | “What. mercy,” said the king, “that the leyee is over at last.. But where is Colonel Blood 2”... “ We have not seen him, sire,” said Sir Richard. . ‘‘Qh, then he will be here soon.” Simon the page opened the door and. announced Colonel Blood. 2 Oy, molt In another moment room. . ‘ He was most’ magnificently attired in ‘a semi- official kind of costume. | Be Inhis hand he carried ahat, looped with a diamond, and ornamented with a plume of feathers that, as he bowed, swept the floor. Simon the page had had just time enough to let Colonel Blood know who he had to meet in the wains- cot chamber, and why he had to meet them, so that the bold colonel was. pretty well prepared to face the affair out with all the nonchalance possible. | “ Well, Blood,” said the king, “we haye sent for you to ask you a favour, for the subject of this interview. is not one. concerning which we, feel justified in impressing a command upon you,” “I am your humble servant eyer, sire,” said Colonel Blood. ‘“ Your requests should be, .com- mands to those who are true to,your person.”,. “ Well, well, Blood, that, isall very,well ; but here are three gentlemen with grievous complaints.” “Of me 2” “Tn same Pegree ne ge wnwe di ar d00d .; Colonel Blood elevated his eyebrows, and tried to look the picture of candid innoeence and,surprise. Colonel Blood entered the _- ee ee — —— - =_ (ee) r "| 0) : nn (G} 0) 0) 0) S (E(0) nn