The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1883-11-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

CHAPTER XXI.-.CONTINUED.  Will Kidd at last laid down his pipe and looked intently at Roland. "One word Mr. Twin* or may be two," he said ; "of course you are anxious to know why you had that rap on the head, and all subsequent events, eh ?"  "I have been subjected to ruffianly Tiolence disgraceful in a civilized Country !" exclaimed Roland, indignantly, "but since I know your employer, " fixing Diggles so fiercely with his eyes that the craven quailed and took another sip of brandy, " since I know your employer, I have no occasion to ask the reason of my treatment. What are you going to do with me? that's all I want to know."  "Give you a sea-trip; it will do you good, my hearty." "Infamous I How much has that scoundrel promised you—name it, and I will give you double to set me free." "The fellow is penniless—he's only a beggarly clerk to Francis Mildmay, millionaire, miser, and oppressor of the poor !" exclaimed Diggles, viciously. "He pay you double the sum I've promised—psha !" "Clerk to Mildmay, eh ?" and Will Kidd's eyes flashed fiercely," the deuced old bloodsucker, who, for a hundred pounds, sent my father to rot in a jail, broke my mother's heart, and sent me where lam going. Oh, he's one of that gang, is he ?—very well— very well." "Yes, he's one of that tyrant's myrmidons, and Diggles seemed, and indeed felt, rejoiced that he had hit the right nail upon the head to favour his own infamous designs, "all who belong to that den are no good to anybody." "I have nothing to do with Mr. Francis Mildmay's private character," urged Roland, "he is simply my employer—nothing more." "You're the bosom friend of his son and heir I" hissed Diggles, " can you deny that, poltroon ?" "I've no wish to, craven," retorted Boland.  "Enough I" exclaimed Kidd, "I hate the whole race of the Mildmays and all who have connection or dealings with them. Mention them, look out for squalls. Drink about, my lads, it'll be soon time to get aboard." Round went the brandy, Roland sipping now and then just to keep his spirits up, for, and no wonder either, he felt anything but comfortable. All he hoped was that his jailors would sit over their cups long enough to drink themselves senselessly drunk; that, maybe, would enable him to escape. But they were far too wary, or far too grogproof, to fall into that trap. Will Kidd pulled out a large watch, big enough for a small parish clock, and said that it wanted just a quarter to twelve. _ _ _  -„--.-. "Now, Mr. Twinch," and he pulled forth a pistol and quietly cocked it, "you see we be desperate, and mean business. D'ye intend any nonsense ? if you say no, I'll trust you, if you won't answer, on with the ropes again. Then if you mean mischief by kicking up a hullabuloo, well then I'll warm you— not murder you— oh, no, that's not in my line; but 11l give you something to remember me for ever after. What's it to be ?" . _ . .  The ruffian was evidently in earnest. "Where are you going, to take me ?" asked Roland. _  --" On board the brig that calls me skipper." " Very well, I will promise." "Good," and the skipper thrust his pistol back into his pocket, " I'll trust you." "And a fool for your pains," said Diggles. Kidd turned fiercely upon him. "That's my business, not yours," he said, "I've got the man, and you've paid me the money for the job—now you can go." Diggles, alarmed at the fierce demeanour of the half-drunken captain obeyed instantly. Directly Diggles had vanished by one door, Will Kidd opened another on the opposite side of the room, and a blast of cold air sweeping up told plainly that the outside stair to which the door led conducted to the river, aid such was the case. It led to one of the numerous wharves on the Thames. Roland was thrust into 9 boat, and a few minutes after he stood upon the deck of a rather fine brig, ready for sea.