Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

ee ae et en A BS SORES TET ead 9 £ nee “Then go downstairs, and see tf there ia any cue else about. If there is not, it does not matter.” Quilt departed on this errand, and soon returned to say that there was no one downstairs but Wilkinson. This satisfied Wild, and he renewed his attentions to the brandy, permitting Quilt to follow his examplo. At this moment there was the clattering of horses’ eors, and the rumbling of wheels in the street wutside ‘That's the cart,” said Quilt. **Run down, then, and send whoever has broug) + tt about his business.” Yes, Mr Wild.” ‘We must have n0 pryiug eyes upon us.’ “T understand, sir. Tl be back again directly.” And Quilt was as good as his word. ‘The coast is all clear now, gir,” ** Very good, Quilt!’ “Yes, sir.” “We have forgotten something now.” ** What is that, Mr. Wild?” ** A spade.” Qh! t ah! yes. We shall want a spade.” “Of course we shall. Where shall you find one P” | **' That is more than I can tell you, sir.’ ** You must find one, then.” Quilt set off upon this errand, and was fortunate enough, after a few minutes’ search, to find the article he wanted in the corridor from which the cells opened. This he placed in the cart, and then went upstairs to tell his master. “ Jonathan was quite ready. Once more, then, did Quilt take up the sack upon his back, and stagger downstairs. Along the passage and out into the street they went. Wilkinson did not know what was being carried out, and Wild did not allow him a chance of ascertaining, for as soon as Quilt got through the door, he stood at it and pulled it shut after him. He then lent his assistance to his heutenant to lift the body into the cart, and as this had a flap at the back, it was done with tolerable ease. Then both got into the cart. Jonathan took the reins. The horse started off at a rapid speed, and then, for the first time, Jonathan Wild began to wonder where he should bury the body. But he thought “hie should have plenty of time to think as he went along, so he took his course down Holborn. He wanted to bury her in some place where her remains would never again see the hght of day. What place was best adapted for such a purpose was more than he could say. But when he came to the corner of Gray’s Iun-lane, he Surned up that dark and dismal thoroughfare. 1 will ask Quilt’s advice,” he said. we able to give me a good hint.” Quilt !’’ he said. “Yes, Mr. Wild.” “‘T want to bury the bod safe place, where no one will ever find it. stand ?” ** Yes, Mr. Wild.” “ Now where should you think a likely spot?” **Y am sure I don’t know, Mr. Wild; J thought you had made up your mind.” “No, no, I have not; I thought | there would be plenty of time to do that after we started.” “ Lee are in Gray’s Inn-lane, are we not sir P”? es,’ “Tf you turn to the ng ht a little, Mr. Wild, we shall t. come to the ed of Pancras. eburch there, sir.’ “ T know there is.’ “Tt stands in a very lonely position, indeed. Suanpose we were to bury her in the churchyard.” “It is not a bad thought, Quilt, but I am afraid the church you speak of 1 is rather too near London.” * Tt is rather near.’ “ But I like the ideg *f burying her 1 in @ ehurchyard, if we could find some out-of-the-way spot.” ‘Tt would be better, sir; and if we filled the grave up carefuily, no one would be any the wiser.’ ‘Very true; and now I come to think of it, there is a a see AT ies —— a ed Gone ® od Ae PS ee a, SS ee —— ee ee Se HLUESKIN: A MOMANCE. ** Perhapa he will » Quilt,” he said, “‘ in some Do you under- There is au old church about half-way between Kentish -town and High. gate-hill which will just answer our purpose.’ *¢ J know the church you wean,’ said Quilt; “itis a very 9 old one, with a square tower, aud covered with green stu That is it.” Tt is far away from all houses, and half in ruins; 2 should think a better place could not be found.” ** We will drive there, then, Quilt.” Jcnathan, having come to this determination, struck the horse with the whip, and away thoy went at a rattling pace. But wnen they passed the few cottages which stood near King’s-cross, their way lay entirely through the country, until they came to the long, straggling village of Kentish-town. Through this, keeping along the High-strect, they went at full speed. But there was no eye to see them. The inhabitants of the little rural village had one and all long ago retired to rest. It was about two o'clock in the moruing when Jona- than reached his destination. The church lay a little way back from the main road, ou was surrounded with a low, moss-grown, wooden ence. The square tower of the church was rather darker than the sky, so its outlines were clearly revealed upon it. Jonathan stopped the cart in the high-road, just opposite the church. Bat Quilt, whose knowledge of that neighbourhood was perfect, said— ‘MMi, Wild! Mr. Wild! “Well?” ** Don’t stop here, sir.” ‘Why not Pr” “ Drive a little further, and then you will come to a very narrow lane, which leads down to one of the gates opening into the churchyard.” ** You know the place well, then P”’ Very well, indeed, Mir. Wild, for when I was a boy I lived here.” These last few words were spoken in a tone of voice which no one, not even Jonathan Wild, would have recognised as belonging to Quilt Arnold. It is probable that the past came back to his mind with extraordinary vividity, and that he was reminded of what he was when he was a boy and what he was now. But he quickly banished all such unpleasant reflections from his mind. Jonathan saw the policy of leaving the high-road, so he again set the horse in motion, looking out all the time for the turning of which Quilt had spoken. It was only a few yards further on. He turned down it without hesitation, and halted in a minute or two afterwards at a little gate which led into the churchyard. Quilt sprang out of the cart, and Jonathan followed his example. They then took hold of the horse’s head, and walked him close to the hedge, so that he could cat the soft green grass which grew rather plentifully about that spot. PThe board at the back of the cart was next unfastened, and allowed to swing down upon its hinges. Quilt took hold of the sack and drew it out, while Jonathan possessed himself of the spade. The body of poor Mary Milliner fell with a heavy dab to the ground, for the weight was more than Quilt could manage by himself. Jonathan, however, put down the spade, and came to his assistance. By their united exertions she was carried to the gate. But it was fastened. They did not attempt to open it, but fairly swung the body over it into the churchyard, or rather upon the well-trod gravel path leading to it. Quilt then fetched the spade. Their next proceeding was to climb over the gate themselves. But this was easily enough done, and picking up the sack, they carried it to a remote corner of the churchysr4. to which Quilt Arnold led the way. All around was positively as still as death, TNO Bye EP UI ene, Ranney 519 IT ER ID REN SS TTR: IE IIT NI NET TRA AGA ae SI il eN a te | alm a a mae a i I TO ee eo green wree-yemmet=2,-w ere rememeng — WS recap eye were 9 —prreanye.rerwene wench 2.7. Os te Eee set, eee ee GOL (C 0)\O (O) KS (SO)