Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

ia BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. 33 ‘The son of poor Tom Sheppard ? ** He is.” ‘¢ Wonders will never cease. your hand! I’m glad and proud tosee you. Why, Joe, now I come to look at him, the;’re as like as two pear, as the saying is.”’ ‘They are; but where’s your ostler? Why don’t he come ?” ‘“T don’t know. Hi! Jack, Jack !”’ *¢ Here you are, guv’nor.”’ *€ Look sharp,” said Oaky, “‘ take the nag out, and give her a good feed of corn. We'll put the cart under the shed.” He exchanged a meaning glance with Blueskin as he spoke. The horse was taken out of the shafts and led into the stable, while Oaky, going to some large double doors, took a key out of his pocket and opened them. Jack looked inside this place with some curiosity, but he was disappointed in his expectations of seeing any- thing remarkable. It was a common, tumble-down looking place, littered over with straw. Between them they easily ran the cart into the shed, and as soon as they had done so Oaky transferred the key from the outside to the inside of the door, and locked them in. ‘Now, Blueskin, where's the swag? **Hush! Some one may prerhadi@you. *¢ Allright. There’s nothing to fear.” ‘“‘ Here it is, then,” said Blueskin, producing the bag containing the plate and other valuables they had stolen. *‘ It’s a fair lot, any how.” ‘“‘Not amiss. But come, don’t let us lose time un- recessarily.” “You trust Jack here?” “With everything. You have no more need to be efraid of him than me.” “*That’s the style then. secret or two.” Upon hearing this Jack kept a wary eye upon all that was going to be done. In the first place Oaky removed the straw from one portion of the floor of the shed which was formed of square slabs of stone. Then taking from his pocket a curiously-fashioned instrument, Oaky next proceeded to msert it into a small round hole in one of the stones. He gave it one half turn round and it became fixed. As this instrument now formed a kind of handle he seized it with both hands, and exerting his utmost strength, lifted the stone from its setting, disclosing a steep flight of steps beneath. Oaky descended them and held up his hands to receive the bag which Blueskin gave him, and then followed, at the same time telling Jack to do likewise. The desire to know something more of the mysteries of Wild’s business was very strong in Jack’s breast, so he obeyed with alacrity. The steps were only six in number, and terminated in a small cellar-like place, which, however, was piled up with packages tied un and labelled like those in a pawnbroker’s wareroom. These were articles which Wild anticipated an appli- cation for. The temperature of the place was almost lke an oven, so that Jack concluded there must be a concealed fire somewhere, though to what uses it was put or intended he could form no notion. Besides, his attention was pretty well occupied in watching the proceedings of Blueskin and John Oaky. One by one the various objects which had been crammed into the bag were taken out, examined, and sorted into two heaps. ‘There will be uo hope of Jonathan’s being able to ve- store these things in safety, and the sooner those that c&a be identified are disposed of the better it will be for ail parties concerned.” “Very good, Mr. Blake. sence, I takes my orders from you. to have these run down at once ? ” As he’ spoke, the quondam landlord pointed to the largest of the two heaps. 39 Be cautious.”’ We will soon let him intoa In course, in Mr. Wild’s uo- Then you would like he articles that composed it were for the most part: © en reenter a I PES eA PO POAC Ot Oy eg PP a a a the service of plate, upon every piece of which was en- ovaved the arms and crest belonging to Mr. Hadley’s Here, Juck, lad, give us | tamily. Certain): ;’ said Blueskin, “there ought to be no delay whatever.” “* There shan’t he; they shall be run down at once. Y’ll carry as many as I can; you and Jack must bring the re- mainder.” This was done, and between them they contrived to carry it all to a recess at the further end of the vault, and which Jack had not before noted. In this recess was fitted a small furnace, and this was the source whence the heat emanated. iron crucible of a very largd size was fixed in ths top of this furnace, and in it was a quantity of white, molten metal, which Jack rightly took to be silver. The pieces of plate were dropped one after another into this crucible, and almost as soon as they came into contact with the liquid they melted away. Full an hour passed, nevertheless, before all the plate was nielted, or, as Oaky called it, run down. In this shape, of course, it was impossible for it to be recognized, and then, when there was a sufficient quan- tity in the crucible, it was run down into very legitimate- looking ingots, for which Jonathan easily found a ready sale, though where they were actually disposed of was perhaps known to himself alone. These proceedings were very interesting to Jack from the fact of their utter novelty. When the melting business was quite finished, the trio returned to where the other articles had been left. ‘* Make them up into a parcel, and label them as usual,” said Blueskin. ‘ My mind is easy now about the plate.” Oh! yes.” “There will be a tremendous outcry about to-night’s work,’ continued Blake. ‘It wasa desperate affair. At first everything went well, but afterwards they took a turn just the other way.” ** Have you been tracked at all ?” **T think not; in fact, J may say I am sure not. And we cannot be recognized by our features, for both of us wore masks.” ‘Then you haven’t much to fear now,’ said Oaky, as he placed the new parcel along with the others. ‘‘ Come along in-doors, and have a meal and a rest, for under the circumstances I don’t think it would be altogether wise for you to go through the streets by daylight.” **Nor I, nor do I feel inclmed. I have had no sleep scarcely lately, so I shall take the present opportunity of having a good one.”’ “That's right, captain.” *€ And you have had no alarm of any kind ?” “Ob! none at all, tell Mr. Wild. For my part, so long as things are done in the way they are now, I don’t see how any suspicion is to be roused.” ; *“* Nevertheless, be cautious. It would be a case with us all if this place is found out.” * Jt would, it would.” Just as they were entering the back door of the public- house, Jack caught hold of Blueskin by the arm. ‘The girl at the ‘ Black Lion,’ the shroudmaker that I rescued. J must see her.” CHAPTER XXXII. STEGGS GIVES “HIS LORDSHIP” A PIECE OF ADVICE WHICH IS IMMEDIATELY ACTED UPON. THE blow which Jack Sheppard had given his rascally lordship was a very effective one apparently, for not all the united exertions of the watch could restore him to his senses. But not so with Steggs, although one would have thought he had had most knocking about. Perhaps he was used to hard knocks. However, be it how it may, as soon as ‘his lordship ”’ was lifted off his body, he sat up and rubbed the back of his head with a rueful air. ‘A coach,” he gasped, “‘a coach for myself aud his re: Five shillings for anyone who will fetch a coach.” The offer of this reward, coupled with the fact that a lord was in distress, stimnlated several to run off in various directions. oe In less than five minutes they heard the rattling . ort remade rr eee eee EE Pate (Cc NOOLKS (SO) (SO) 5}