Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 338: what you’re looking at

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re a a ie 336 place, that Jack and Edgworth Bess had much ado to keep up with him. But when the large archway which leads out into War- wick-lane was reached, he slackened his speed, and ap- proached cautiously, for about this spot he more than half expected some of his enemies would be lurking. The place was in deep darkness, which was a favourable circumstance. . Stealthily, then, taking care not to speak to each other, nor to tread too heavily, they fairly got to the gate, co that another step would take them into the street, Then Jack deemed it prudent to reconnoitre. He glided out iuto the street like a shadow, leaving his two companions beneath the archway. The horses would be at the Newgate-street end of War- wick-lane, so that was the direction he took. Of course, if they were there all would be well. They would all three mount, and be miles out of the way before Jonathan was ready to pursue them. But as he crept along the narrow thoroughfare, Jack recollected what the lodging-house keeper had said with reference to Wild having set a watch in the street. It might be that they had found the three horses, and guessed the object for which they were provided. If so, our friends would be very awkwardly situated indeed. It behoved Jack, at any rate, to be unusually cautious. He had not to go many steps to reach the top of War- wick-lane. By the top, of course, we mean the upper part of it, for Jack did not go to the corner of Newgate-street. But he went far enough to be able to see into that thoroughfare. There were certainly no horses visible in that direc- tion. Jack’s heart sank within him. He had calculated most fully npon finding the horses waiting for them, but, now they were gone, what were they to do. He turned back with the faint hope'that he might find them at the other end of the street. But that hope turned out fallacious. The street was certainly empty. From what cause ? Had the Jew failed to perform his part of the agree- ment, which was to have three horses at the place men- tioned in waiting for them ? Or, had the horses been sent there, and had they been seized by Jonathan Wild’s men ? To neither of these questions could Jack return a satis- factory reply. He was quite satisfied the horses were not there, so he returned to the archway of the market in order to com- municate the disagreeable intelligence to Blueskin. But he was not much surprised. He had all along feared that this would prove to be the case. “We must make the best of our way from this place, Jack,’ he said. ‘It won’t do to stop here another moment,” “‘ If we do, it will only be at a very great risk indeed. Now the horses are gone, we must try to do without them.” * But how P” * Never fear, we shall hit apon some expedient before ong. ** Our position is very critical.” “I know it. Are there any of Wild’s men about?” “I could not see any.” ‘They may be lurking somewhere. Jonathan is about.” “1 don’t know ; but, Blueskin, a thought has just struck me. With reference to making our escape ?” ‘With reference to a secure hiding-place, where Jona- than would never think of looking for us.” ‘That is mnch the same thing; but whereabouts is this hiding-place you speak of P” * Follow me, and [I will tell you as we go along towards it. The idea is so excellent, that I am sure you will acree to it at once.” ‘* Well, I trust to you, because time is so precious.” ** Come along, then, as fast ag youare able. I will take charge of Edgworth Bess,” a I wonder what oO aN BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. . es Jack, when will the perils of this night be over © wish I could tell yon,”’ replied Sheppard, as he took his fair companion by the hand, and hastened with her down Warwick-lane, in the direction of Amen-corner. J trust our perils will quite cease in less than a quarter-of- an-hour from now.” ‘I trust so, Jack, for I am so exhansted that I cannot keep up much longer, even if my life depended on it.” “Tam sure what you have ady gone through must have fatigued yon greatly. I am in hopes, however, of being able to take you to a place where you will have an opportunity of enjoying some honrs undisturbed rest.” “J shall be thankful for it. Do you know, Jack, this long illness I have had has left me sovery weak. Indced, I am surprised I have kept up so well. Where are you going to take me?” “Po St. Paul’s.” “St. Paul's?” the Y¢s St. Paul’s Cathedral. What do you think of at > BP ] ; ‘TI should never have thought of hiding there.” ** Tt is a capital place,” said Blueskin, ‘and I voto we make there with all speed. Why, Jonathan wonld hunt ail London over and never think of looking for us there.” “So I think.” e ‘Which way shall we go?” ** Round the corner into Paternoster-row, and then you will see another turning nearly opposite, which will bring you out just where you want tobe.” __ ; ‘J know, in St. Paul’s Churchyard.” *‘ Just so. But quick. J can hear some one approach- ing, and it will never do for us to be perceived.” While this little dialogue was going forward, our three friends turned the corner of Warwick-lane into Pater- noster-row, and across this thoroughfare down a narrow passage, from which they emerged upon the north side of St. Paul’s Churchyard. And now before them was that colossal structure which makes itself so conspicuous above the many buildings which surround it. ‘* Jack,” said Blueskin, pausing suddenly, “ yours was a good idea of hiding in St. Paul’s, and I don’t suppose we should ever be found; but then there is a great difficulty in the way.” What is it P” ‘* Why, how are we to get inside the doors of the cathe- dral P—they will all be closed.” ** T knéw that.” ‘Then how shall you get in?” ‘Easily enough. Don’t you recollect how they have been at work repairing one end of it for ever so many nionths past. Well, that is where I mean to get in. am sure it can be done.” “Ah! well, perhaps it might. But until you mentioned it, had quite forgotten the repairs were going on that you spoke of.’ ; ‘IT recollected. We shall have rather an awkward job to get over the palings, but I think we shall find some scaffolding that will enable us to do it.” ‘¢ We shall have to be very quick, too, about it, because if any one saw us climbing over, the whole affair would get wind at once, which would vex me exceedingly, for I should think it a great pity to have such a good hiding- place discovered. When we get fairly inside, we shall be able to talk over what had best be done.” CHAPTER CCXXXITI , OUB TIIRBE FRIENDS GET INSIDE ST. PAUL'S, BUT FIND THEIR PERILS ARE BY NO MEANS OVER, THIS was so evident a fact, that those who heard it did not think it called for a reply. The three fugitives hurried along close to the palings of the churchyard, looking about them for the scaffolding of which Jack had spoken. The latter led the way. As he had correctly stated, during the past few months some alterations and repairs were in progress at the east end of the cathedral. _ They were now approaching completion, but still it was probable enongh some crevice could be fonnd through which they would be able to effect an entrance. The scaffolding was at length reached. ETDS CDS Ta er SaaS SEINE Pes wear ane enema . | & ° a Se So GOnnlGaoo Cc SS) o(CO) >