Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 290: what you’re looking at

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888 to be recognised, so he turned away his head, and drew | quantity. his hat down over his face. He bid Jack do the same, and they resumed their con- versation in a tone of voice very little above a whisper. “Stepgs told me that Edgworth Bess was very much better, and more contented with her lot. He still re- mained outside her door as a kind of guard. te thinks Jonathan Wild intends no harm to her at present. In- deed, he is so much occupied with your affair that he has no time for anything else!” ‘ But what are we to do with her, Blue? It will never do to leave her where she is. Besides, it is quite time we did something for her. Think what a time the business has been under hand, and we are no more advanced than we were at first.” “T grant that; but, then, think of the tremendous difii- culties we have had to contend with.” ‘“T know we have, but we ought to see to it at once now.” “ Yes, I have been thinking of it. You must under- stand that Edgworth Bess is under age, and that she sannot enter upon possession of her estates until she has o>tained her majority.” © T have heard something of that.” “ Jonathan’s policy is at once simple and atrocious. Lord Donmull is wholly in his power. He can do with him what he hkes—annthilate him in fact. Ife keeps him now just to answer hisown purposes. Edgworth Less he keeps a prisoner. So soon as she is of age, which cannot be many months’ hence, she will be responsible for her own actions.” “Well?” “Then he will force her into a marriage with him, and, by virtue of that marriage, obtain possession of the estates.” ‘The monstrous villain !” Tt is anawful and abhorrent idea; but while I live he will never carry it out. Now look here.” “What?” **It appears to me that we cannot do better than set ahout first of all releasing Bess from her place of con- finement.”’ “I shall agree to that, for I shall know no rest until she is free.’ * But you must think what you must do after you get her at liberty.” ‘Ah! there is that.” ** Neither you nor her will be safe in England.” * True.” ** Jonathan Wild would discover you sooner or later, and then things would resume their old aspect, only there would be all the less chance of putting them nght.” “Tam quite aware of that, and I ean tell, too, that you have some plan in your mind. Let me know it.” Willingly. I will submit it to your approval.” : “ Speak on. I am full of curiosity and anxiety to ar “It is this. Suppose we set Bess at liberty, and then for you to fly from England with her to some foreign country, and remain there until she should come of age. see. “Then let her return. She will not have much trouble to gain her rights. When she is properly acknowledged, she will have great influence, and if she uses it, will doubtless be able to procure your pardon.” Jack’s eyes glistened as he heard these words. His heart swelled, and renewed hope animated his oe Those few words seemed to give him a new lease of life. Bright visions—visions, alas! never to be realized, flitted through his mind. He felt courage and strength to go forth single-handed, and meet all his enemies and vanqnish them. “You approve of the plan, then ?”’ asked Blueskin. ‘Approve of it?” iterated Jack. ‘‘How can I do otherwise P Oh! that is indeed a glorious plan. Do you really think that it can be realized ?” “Tdo. There is only one thing stands in the way.” © What is it ?”’ ** An obstacle than can be overcome.” **T breathe again.” Tt is this. What we have planned cannot be carried out without money—and money, too, 1n no inconsidernble al a eet Nee” pe ST ee ewe PD So ee ~ fs BLUESKIN: A ROMANCZ. I need not tell you that neither of us possess it.” ; * IT had forgotten that,”’ said Jack. ‘* Thatis indeed an obstacle. How is to be overcome P” That requires some consideration.” ** Have you considered of it P”’ *¢T have.” ** And what is the result?” ‘ First, tell me whether you see the necessity of having *T do fully.” * And can you see as well how useless it will be for us to achieve her freedom without we have the money in hand to carry out the enterprise ? ” **T do, indeed.” “That is well, then. I wanted to impress those two ae eco on your mind.” You shall know presently. Can you tell how the money could be quickest and best obtained ?” ‘* No—no.” “Then I will tell you, and 1 shall try your mettle. The king’s highways are open to you. Levy a toll upon all passengers. There is room now for a brave, daring knight of the road, who, with his faithful steed, will take np his position and boldly cry, ‘Stand and deliver!’ to whoever he might meet.” CHAPTER CCI. JONATHAN WILD ATTACKS TILE “KEN”? UPON THE RIVER’S SIDE, AND JACK SHEPPARD HAS A NARROW ESCAPE OF DEATH AND CAPTURE. THERE was a brief interval of silence after Blueskin spoke. The words he uttered sank deeply into Jack’s mind, and made a deep impression upon it. There was something tempting and inviting in the pro- posal. Jack was no stranger to the wild delights of a life on the road, and he thoroughly enjoyed them. The plan seemed a feasible one, and surely no other could be found which would be so likely to msure success. Blueskin did not break in upon his meditations, but allowed him full time to reflect. At length Jack looked up with a composed countenance, and then he addressed himself to him. “What is your decision, Jack, now that you have weighed it over in your mind? Does it meet with your approbation P “It does, for I can think of no other.” ‘* Give me your hand, then. Believe me to-day I have thought deeply of all this, and I am glad to find that you agree with the conclusions I have come to.” “ T do, but think of the risk. The Knight of the Road perils his existence at every moment.” ‘¢ And is not yours already forfeit ? ” © Ah! yes, I had forgotten that.” “ T thonght so. Come, Jack, take a bold heart. Rely upon it, if you think for a mouth, you will not be able to find anything better.” * But how long will it take me to get the sum of money I require?” . “That depends upon your luck, Perhaps a week or two only.” “A week or two?” “Yes; does that appear so very long that you utter the words in such a tone?” ‘No, no; but Bess.” ° _ © She will be safe. Steggs will guard her froin Wild; and should any change in his tactics take place, I shalk know it at once, for he knows where he can find me at any moment.” Jack seemed only half satisfied. He would have liked to have seen Bess free from Wild's clutches at first, and then he could have gone te work with better spirit. & But that was not to be thought of. _ His ruminations, however, met with a sudden and violent interruption. . There was a crashing sound—the war of many voices. A shrill whistle was sounded. Every one within the apartment rose to his feet, and a scene of the greatest confusion ensued. — ee Alf Ret OT errs ait ie i att Da a ean ae EEE, - - Sa — 5 ! 4 . ‘The redbreasts are upon us! Ely—fly ¢” comicbooks.com