Part 12 (1/2)
”Well, sir, we _shall_ see,” observed Palmer. ”And for your own sake, I wish you may never be nearer to him than you are at this moment. With his friends, they say d.i.c.k Turpin can be as gentle as a lamb; with his foes, especially with a limb of the law like yourself, he's been found but an ugly customer. I once saw him at Newmarket, where he was collared by two constable culls, one on each side. Shaking off one, and dealing the other a blow in the face with his heavy-handled whip, he stuck spurs into his mare, and though the whole field gave chase, he distanced them all, easily.”
”And how came you not to try your pace with him, if you were there, as you boasted a short time ago?” asked Coates.
”So I did, and stuck closer to him than any one else. We were neck and neck. I was the only person who could have delivered him to the hands of justice, if I'd felt inclined.”
”Zounds!” cried Coates; ”If I had a similar opportunity, it should be neck or nothing. Either he or I should reach the scragging-post first.
I'd take him, dead or alive.”
”_You_ take Turpin?” cried Jack, with a sneer.
”I'd engage to do it,” replied Coates. ”I'll bet you a hundred guineas I take him, if I ever have the same chance.”
”Done!” exclaimed Jack, rapping the table at the same time, so that the gla.s.ses danced upon it.
”That's right,” cried t.i.tus. ”I'll go you halves.”
”What's the matter--what's the matter?” exclaimed Small, awakened from his doze.
”Only a trifling bet about a highwayman,” replied t.i.tus.
”A highwayman!” echoed Small. ”Eh! what? there are none in the house, I hope.”
”I hope not,” answered Coates. ”But this gentleman has taken up the defence of the notorious d.i.c.k Turpin in so singular a manner, that----”
”_Quod factu fdum est, idem est et Dictu Turpe_,” returned Small.
”The less said about that rascal the better.”
”So I think,” replied Jack. ”The fact is as you say, sir--were d.i.c.k here, he would, I am sure, take the _freedom to hide 'em_.”
Further discourse was cut short by the sudden opening of the door, followed by the abrupt entrance of a tall, slender young man, who hastily advanced towards the table, around which the company were seated. His appearance excited the utmost astonishment in the whole group: curiosity was exhibited in every countenance--the magnum remained poised midway in the hand of Palmer--Dr. Small scorched his thumb in the bowl of his pipe; and Mr. Coates was almost choked, by swallowing an inordinate whiff of vapor.
”Young Sir Ranulph!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed he, as soon as the syncope would permit him.
”Sir Ranulph here?” echoed Palmer, rising.
”Angels and ministers!” exclaimed Small.
”Odsbodikins!” cried t.i.tus, with a theatrical start; ”this is more than I expected.”
”Gentlemen,” said Ranulph, ”do not let my unexpected arrival here discompose you. Dr. Small, you will excuse the manner of my greeting; and you, Mr. Coates. One of the present party, I believe, was my father's medical attendant, Dr. Tyrconnel.”
”I had that honor,” replied the Irishman, bowing profoundly--”I am Dr.
Tyrconnel, Sir Ranulph, at your service.”
”When, and at what hour, did my father breathe his last, sir?” inquired Ranulph.
”Poor Sir Piers,” answered t.i.tus, again bowing, ”departed this life on Thursday last.”
”The hour?--the precise minute?” asked Ranulph, eagerly.