Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 289: what you’re looking at

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

te “ —» BLUESKIN; A ROMANCE. 287 (Rar rrr treet SET IT IT ASP I SP I CT EE TE LE EE TE OO OI a es end to be his most faithful servant—to worm himself ito all his secrets—and in the end to destroy him.” ‘“ A capital, but most dangerons plan.” ® ‘¢ Those were my own words, but he was bent upon it, and as no one else but himself would be involved in the consequences, I could not well say nay. He went, saw Jonathan, and, strange to relate, was engaged at once.” “ That is very strange indeed. I gave Jonathan credit for more penetration than to allow himself to be imposed nvon hike that.” ‘** But you must take into consideration the powers of dissimulation which Steggs possesses.” _—_—- * And so must you and J, Blueskin, to see that he does not act treacherous to us.” **I do not think there is much fear! His heart 1s filled with desire to be revenged upon Wild and Lord Donmull, our two greatest enemies, and you know what a powerful motive that is.”’ *° JT do; and yet sometimes gold will purchase it!” ‘“That I will not deny, Jack; but let me continue.” ** Go on.” “Jonathan fell intothe trap! All this happened during our imprisonment. On the morning of the trial, onathan, of course, was present in the court.” **T saw him.” “To be sure you did! Well, that was the first chance Steggs had of exploring the upper part of Wild’s house. He knew that Edgeworth Bess was a prisoner up stairs, so he crept up carefully, with the intention of speaking to her if possible, and telling her that she had a friend close at hand. ‘** He wished to make no more noise than possible, for he did not know who might be upstairs. When he got to the second landing he heard a door open, and crouched down in a dark corner to listen, and terrified to death lest it should be some one about to descend. His fears were, however, groundless. It was Jonathan’s mistress, Mary Milliner: she was muttering to herself, but Steggs could not catch the purport of her words. He saw, though, that she held a long, bright knife in her hand.” ‘SA knife?” ** Listen! She approached a door, which she opened with a skeleton key. Then she passed through it. Steggs followed on tiptoe. You can guess the intention of Mary Milliner. It was to murder Edgworth Bess, of whom she was jealous! But Steges was just in time to prevent her. He dashed in, and seized her wrist just as it was about to descend. He was not strong enough to revent the blow, but he averted it, and the knife was boried to the hilt in the clothing ot the bed, leaving Edg- worth Bess terrified, but unhurt!” eet CHAPTER CC. BLUESKIN MAKES A VERY TEMPTING PROPOSAL TO JACK SHEPPARD. “‘Goop heavens!” exclaimed Jack, wrought up to the ehighest pitch of excitement by this narration; “cana woman have attempted such an atrocity ? ”’ “She attempted it, and had it not but have been for the presence of Steggs she would have consummated her purpose. When she saw him she turned round and attacked him lke a maniac. Steggs felt that he was no match for her—tbat she was stronger than he was. Anxious toend the struggle, then, and exasperated with her for her attempt, he took the knife and stabbed her to the heart.” ** This is wonderful,” ejaculated Jack. ‘‘ Thank heaven, the poor girl escaped that peril.” Jack was much affected when he thought of the great pameet from which the heiress had so providentially escaped. ** But come,” said Blueskin, ‘I have much to tell you, and as it is so wet a night we shall get soaked to the skin if we stay here. I think I know a safe place close at hand upon the river side. Let us adjourn there.” ‘“* If you think it will be safe.” “Tl warrant that.” “Let us go, then, for Iam cold to the very bone. We shall have to decide upon the future.” G6 True,”’ * Ccautinue your nerration while we walk.” Ce a en] Pie F Cee ae A stem ot, ee ee SA ee ete re ee eg a eee atte - eee eye es ote», ae oo “‘T intended to do so, but we shall reach our destination in a few moments.” Blueskin struck across the large open space as he spoke, with Sheppard close at his side, who related to him the whole of the strange events that had taken place at Jonathan Wild’s house. Jack was filled with wonder and astonishment at the strange concatenation of events which had led to the thief-taker selecting Steggs as a kind of confidant, and placing him (Steggs) where he most wished to be. ** T have seen Steggs since we parted, Jack,”’ continued Blueskin, ‘‘ I have already hinted as much.” *¢ What did he say P” **Edgworth Bess had heard of your escape from New. gate with unfeigned pleasure, and trusted that you would succeed in getting toa place of ultimate safety.’ ** Did she—did she believe me innocent P ” ** She did. When Steggs told her of the crime of which you were accused, she expressed, in the strongest terms, her conviction that you were not guilty.” ** Thank heaven for that.” **Hush! Here we are at the place of which I spoke.” They halted before a dim gloomy-looking building as Blueskin spoke. Sounds of boisterous revelry came from its interior. ‘é Take hold of my arm, Jack, and we will enter. That 18 it.’ He ascended a couple of steps, and knocked ina peculiar fashion at the door. It was opened in obedience to the summons, and Blue. skin uttered some kind of vassword to the man ina low tone of voice, and the pair were admitted. The place which the two comrades now entered was one of those establishments designated by the fraternity who frequented them, a *‘ ken.” ‘I'he man who admitted them closed the door imme- diately. They were then standing in the passage, but it was so intensely dark that nothing whatever was visible. Blueskin, however, was one of those who had been initiated into the mysteries of the place; so he walked duke for several yards with a confident step, and then e said— ** Stairs, Jack. Take care how you descend.” The caution was given just in time. They were at the top of a steep flight of stairs. Descending these, they were addressed ina gruff voice by an invisible personage as goon as they reached the bottom. Blueskin replied, and then a door was opened through which they passed, and then a singular scene was presented to Jack’s notice. Before him was a long and not very well lighted room, at one end of which the door was placed upon the threshold of which he stood. This room was filled with a motley company, seated round tables upon miscellaneous articles which were not at all suitable for seats. Some thirty or forty were present, mostly of the male sex, though here and there a woman could be seen. All, without a single exception, were engaged in talking, smoking, and drinking, and such a hubbub arose from them as to be quite deafening to the ears until they be- come accustomed to the din. Blueskin did not give Jack much time, however, to con- template this scene, for he led the way across the apart- ment—if such a word could be applied to such a place— to the obscurest corner, where they sat down. For a few moments Jack could not listen to anything, pat he had satisfied himself by looking curiously around im. Blueskin, however, touched him on the arm, and said— **Do not seem too much surprised at what you see here, or you will draw suspicion upon us. Attend to what T have to tell you.” ** Begin.” ** Directly.” A man approached them. He was the waiter for the establishment. Blueskin ordered brandy and water for both. They were quickly served. Every moment saw some fresh orrival at the pince, Blueskin wis known by mazy there, but he did not wish Se Cae Oe ST Oe eye = DOO CL UU SS (SO) 5}