The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

a i EE eee eee SS THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NED. 47 Ss SSS eee “My business! eh? Well, if you want to know, I’m one of the most active, zealous, and valiant officers the Crown can boast; and as to catching rogues, vagabonds, and cut-throats, there isn’t my equal in all the kingdom. I’ve only got one fault, aud that is, I love the bottle.” “All this has nothing to do with me, sir!” said the old merchant, getting red in the face with anger. ‘“ Your business here, I demand again?” ‘“* Don’t get frothy, my old friend!’ said Captain Jack, “ I’m coming to that now.” ‘And what is it, pray?” **T’ll just tell you,” said Captain Jack, “but as we don’t want any intruders, I may as well lock the door.” He rose and did so, and put the key in his pocket, Phillip was now apprehensive of danger, and turned deadly pale, His father began to stutter out something, but could not speak plainly. ‘“T have come here on a very important bit of siness,”’ said Captain Jack, ‘‘and like an honest man, as [ am, don’t want to hurt the tender feelings of any one.”’ “‘? don’t understand you,” said the old mer- chant, * Well, there has been murder committed, that’s all,”’ said Oaptain Jack, with a low chuckle. ‘* Murder !” gasped the old merchant, retreating a step or two in surprise and horror, “ Murder |" echoed Phillip, with a well-feigned look of astonishment, “Yes, murder, gentlemen, that’s all.” “And what have Z to do with such a foul charge?” asked the merchant, indignantly. “« Youhaven’t ; but—there—are—certain—parties —not —a — very — great—way— from— here—as —/ave,’”’ said Captain Jack, very slowly, and look- ing carelessly in the direction were Phillip sat. Young Redgill felt the blood run coldly to his heart as he heard these words, But he spoke not. ‘© Some one in ¢his house ?” asked the merchant, astonished. “Yes, in this very house, and no other. Not only murder, mind you, but robbery,” said Captain Jack, very coolly, “And a pretty good haul the chap made of it, soI hear. He bagged lots of gold coin. Do you know old Bertram, of Four Ash Farm ?” “TI do ; he is my creditor to a large amount, and has to pay me heavy arrears on a mortgage I hold of him. I expect him in town every day.” “You may expect a long time, then, for he’s the chap which was robbed and murdered.” ** Tmpossible !” said the old merchant, turning white, “ What ahorrid affair! And have they found out who did it?” “Not exactly,” said Captain Jack; ‘ but—I— think — I — can — find — out — afore—long,”’ he answered, slowly and ominously. ‘I’m coming to that point now, Have you a travelling collector in your house of the name of Bolton ?” “Bolton? Yes.” ‘OF course you have, father,’ said Phillip, eagerly. “Surely He couldn’t have been such a wretch as to——” _ “Steady, my friends, steady,” said Captain Jack, coolly. ‘Don’t be in any flurry, either of ye, but answer me. Did hecall atold Bertram’s? Did you order him to call there, and collect your debt?” ‘Yes you did, father. I heard youtell him to do so in my hearing, when last I saw you.” ‘TJ know I did, my son; but when you liad gone I altered my mind, and sent Bolton in quite a different direction. He was not within fifty miles of Four Ash Farm, I'll swear; that is, unless he went there unknown to me, and contrary to my orders,”’ A heavy sigh escaped from Phillip’s lips, and he felt a cold sweat upon his guilty brow, as he said, “T know you told him; but if you counter- manded the order, of course that’s a different thing. It’s an awful charge to be accused of is murder.” “Yes, ain’t it?” said Captain Jack, with a wicked grin playing around his large mouth. ‘And robbery, too. Have neither of ye heard of it afore? Not a syllable?” “Never dreamed of such an abominable affair,” said Phillip, “Lor! how strange! and just to think as how this job has been in my hands more than a fort- night, and all the country knows it; but is this Mr. Bolton in your offices now?” “ He is,” ** Then let us have asquint at him. Order him in here, for I’ve got an exact description of the party who called at the farm-house ; he was dis- guised,” The door was unlocked, and ina few moments young Mr, Bolton appeared. As he crossed the tlireshold, with a light step and pleasant smile, he suddenly caught the serious gaze of his master and young Redgill. “You sent for me, sir,’ he began ; but turned all manner of colours when he confronted his’ old master’s black looks. *‘ What is all this?” he asked. “‘T am sorry to say, Mr. Bolton,” Philip Redgill began, “that you are suspected of a most foul——” “Not so fast,” said Captain Jack, interrupting. “T understand my own business best and want no assistance from any one,” “Look you here, young man,” he began, address- ing Mr. Bolton, “one of your master’s customers and old friends have been murdered, and you are one of the suspected parties,” “ I feed “Yes, you; and all I’ve got to say is that I have got a warrant for your apprehension as being con- cerned in it, and you must come with me.” ‘Arrested on the charge of murder?” Bolton gasped, and he staggered towards the door, past Phillip Redgill, whose countenance wore a malicious smile of triumph. The news.stunned the young man, and jhe would have rushed away from the spot. At that moment, however, Mr. Faulkner and another unprepossessing, ugly-looking member of the ‘ Bakers’ dozen” appeared at the door, and politely collared the astonished youth. He was borne away to prison more dead than alive. But before Captain Jack left the private office he helped himself to another glass of wine, and, as he went out, whispered to Phillip, * Can't I see you some time to-night ?” ‘‘ Where ?”’ answered Phillip, in a faint voice, “At the ‘Cat and Bagpipes’ over the water.” “What time?” *« At twelve.” **)'ll be there.” ‘“ Mind you do,’ said Oaptain Jack, with an ominous wink, and stalked out of the office in a swaggering manner. ‘What did the officer say to you, Phillip?” the anxious father asked, MICLOOOKS.cO@