Page 302 - A Jacobite Exile

"What was I saying when that confounded stone interrupted us?"

"You were saying, captain, that you intended to have a week in London,
and then to stop the North coach."

"Yes, I have done well lately, and can afford a week's pleasure. Besides,
Jerry Skinlow got a bullet in his shoulder, last week, in trying to stop a

carriage on his own account, and Jack Mercer's mare is laid up lame, and it
wants four to stop a coach neatly. Jack Ponsford is in town. I shall bring

him out with me."

"I heard that you were out of luck a short time ago."

"Yes, everything seemed against me. My horse was shot, and, just at the

time, I had been having a bad run at the tables and had lost my last stiver. I
was in hiding for a fortnight at one of the cribs; for they had got a
description of me from an old gentleman, who, with his wife and daughter,

I had eased of their money and watches. It was a stupid business. I dropped
a valuable diamond ring on the ground, and in groping about for it my mask

came off, and, like a fool, I stood up in the full light of the carriage lamp.
So I thought it better, for all reasons, to get away for a month or so, until
things quieted down. I wanted to visit my banker, and it was a good many

miles to tramp."

"Oh, you have got a banker, captain?"

"I have one who is just as good, though I cannot say he shells out his

money willingly--in fact he was rude enough to say, when I called this
time, that if I ever showed my face to him again he would shoot me, even if

he were hung for it. Bad taste, wasn't it? At any rate, I mustn't call on him
again too soon."

"You haven't settled on the night yet, I suppose, captain?"

"About the end of next week. Friday will be a full moon, I think, and I like
a moon for the work. It gives light enough to see what you are doing, and