Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

a a ae wo “WESKIN: A RCMANCE. ee Ss oo —— — ee eee eee we a en = fae er ® he took care th:t there should be no lack of such things | can’t be a stop put to such shameful, bare faced robberies?’ about his own apparel. 1’li see what can and what can’t be done! ”’ Few people at that time thought it, but they were all| “I very much regret such a thing should have nappened genuine. ” your ‘ordship, very sorry. But surely you do not blame And so the contemplation simply of the diamond neck- | me in the matter?” lace gave him pleasure. ‘Oh no!—oh no!” rephed Lord Jngestrie, in e ‘one ot But, much as he admired and liked it, he preferred the | voice that belied his words. ‘‘ Only it seemed nacural for three thousand guineas which Lord Ingestrie had offered | me to run in here!” for its restoration. “You were quite right in doing so, quite right! Rely In the position Jonathan now held the necklace, and as | upon it, everything shall be done that lies in my power to he communicated to it a slight rotatory motion, it sparkled < get it back again for you, and if possible, to punish the and looked most gorgeous. offender.” f Then, having gazed his fill, he placed his other hand|, “Ob! I have no doubt of that, Mr. Wild,” said his underneath it, and lowered it slowly into his paim, where lordship, somewhat mollified. _ it lay ina ghlttering, conglomerate heap. “ Can you give me a description of the thief ?’ He took hold of the clasp again, and amused himself by I Well, hardly. — He was young and thin, and that’s all gently raising and lowering it in his hand. Vou) about os : — It was a childish action, but it pleased the great mind | _ 4) OMMBINSL AMOwW, “My lord, that that description is of the great Jonathan Wild. rather vague. But hi bl t3 nterupted ‘Tam conscious that it is—fully couscious.” ut his agreeable occupation was 1nterupted. * But, with respect to the watch and its appendages, I A hasty step sounded in the passage without. suppose you can be a Little more precise ? A hand was placed upon the handle of the door. *“Oh—yes,” said Lord Ingestrie, who thereupon en- Before he had time to do more than let the necklace | tered into a minute description of bis watch and seals. fall wholly into his left hand and close his fingers over it,| Jonathan took it down m some hieroglyphics which he which only in a very insuthcrent manner concealed it, the ; was pleased to dignify by the name of writing. door was opened, and Lard Ingestrie, looking heated and) ‘‘ You trust to me, my lord,” he said. ‘‘ When you cail excited, ruslied in. here to-morrow for intelligence respecting the necklace, With a presence of mind really admirable, Jonathan, Tee I will try if I cannot give you some of a satisfactory without the least perceptible indication of embarrassment, | nature respecting your watch and seals.” carried his left hand to his coat pocket. “Thanks, Mr. Wild; and now I will go. This has He dropped in the necklace, and was safe. been a most unfortunate affair for me altogether.” Turning towards Lord Ingestne for an explanation of} ‘It has,” said Jonathan, pulling his wig forward his unlooked.-for and l-asty intrusion, he noticed that there | vigorously, “and no one | am sure deplores it more than was an angry expression in his lordship’s eyes. | myself. The only consolation I have in the matter 135, ‘You are surprised to see me back, Mr. Wild, I have | that I am in a position to do your lordship a service. If no doubt P”’ - I could afford it, you should be put to no expense what- Wild bowed in asseut to the proposition. ever.” “It 13 disgraceful—abominable, Mr. Wild—disgrace- ful in the extreme!” “ My lord?” “That such things should happen in broad day in a crowded street! I say again it 1s aboininable, Mr? Wald, and ts the result of that system to which I have consented to become a party.” ‘1 do not understand—you have not informed me what has taken place,’ said Wild, with some misgiving ; “ oray, my lord, be more explicit.” “Explicit! what do you mean, Mr. WildP”’ ‘Your lordship forgets that you have not yet told me what has happened that has so much disconcerted you ”’ “True!” replied Lord Ingestric. ‘I had forgot! Excuse me, I beg.” ‘*No apologies, my lord—no apologies! Pray tell me what is the matter?” “This! You are perhaps aware I came here in my carriage!” “7 was not aware of it, though, of course, I did not suspect that you had come on foot.” ™ My man, while waiting for me it seems, walked the dungeons beneath Wild’s house. horses up and down the street.” “ Just so, your lordship.” Jonathan was socu at the door of C. 7. * Well, when I lett your door I saw the carriage a little 4 He did not enter, though, nor did he even open the beyond the corner of Giltspur-street, and as I felt dis. | Tust bout » level with his f ren inclined to wait on your doorstep until he drew up, I|_.° 4S f ou d slidine ae ace ra an i amen made him a sign that I would walk to the spot where the | P!Ce OF WO0d, Slicing i a groove, anh bas be pysne sat tara 2? aside. carnage then was. It disclosed - eeul: bey ssed by three ; “ Ves—yes!” b t disclosed a circular aperture, crossed by three 1ron ce , . . 1 o e ars. ~ e ° I had gowo a donee ain Seat ban can 3 pee Jonathan knocked at the cell aoor with his bludgeon, morning, Mr. Wild.” ‘*Good morning, your lordship. I hope you will have better luck this time.” “J will try, at all events,” said Lord Ingestnie. Wild listened for the closing of the first door. “Jia, ha!” he said, as soon as he heard the expected sound, ‘Sha, na! Lost his wateh! He, he!’’ Jonathan put on his bat, and took up his pet. ‘“ Nota bad morning’s work, so far,” he said. ‘‘ What a fool Pinching Tom must be, to be sure! If be had just been civil,as he ought, he would have had his share ot the swag!” He looked round his office. ‘“ ]’ye a good mind to pay a visit to C. 7,” he said. “I’ve a good mind, and I will too!” Having come to this determination, Jonathan hastily left his office and passed out into the ball. The man at the grating flung it open, and allowed Wild to pass through. We have already described the route to the cells or 3 king a ternble clatter. me. I guessed at his object, and endeavoured to capture | 4.705 et - : ves lim, but he eluded my grasp, and was off round the ans Tom | Pinching Tom f he said. Where are corner of the Old Bailey like a shot.” you? I've come to see you, villain! “Good gracious!” A suppressed how] came to his ears. “ And when I carried my hand to my pocket, 1 icund| “Oh! you are sulky, Tom, my friend,are you? You'll my gold repeater, chains, aud seals clean gone.” soon get over that! You'll know how to speak another *€ Tmpossible!”’ time, and be civil to me; that is, 1f you have the chance! “7 wish, with all my heart, it was. But my watch has You're a clever chap, though, Tom, and 1 shouidn’t hike gone—stolen from mc in the presence of fifty people, and | to part with you Just yet. Now, then, are you soing to the thief escaped.” speak or not, eh?” “Tt is a most unparaileled occurrence.” ** What do yon want :”? cerowled a voice. “ Ought such a state of things to continue fora single} “Speak respectfully, you villamons-iooking wretch! moment P” asked his lordship, in a great rage. ‘‘Answer| Speak civilly, without you want to fe tucked up on methat? But T’H rouse the country. J’ll trvif there} Monday! Do you hear ¢” ae ee Oe ae, © memanel “No, no, I don't wish that. It would not be fair. Good COMICNOOKS.EcO