"Then what is the charge against me?" asked Tom, a considerable load already removed from his mind.
"Sir Christopher Blunt's little business—that's all," replied Dykes. "But come along: we must be off to Horsemonger."
Mr. Dykes and Mr. Bingham politely offered Rainford their arms; and the procession passed through the house, in the yard belonging to which the capture had been made. The occupants of that dwelling—men, women, and children, all in their night-dresses—crowded on the stairs to catch a glimpse of the "terrible highwayman," whose good looking appearance excited the sympathy of the female portion of the spectators.
Half an hour afterwards Tom Rain was lodged in a cell in the criminal department of Horsemonger Lane Gaol;—but his heart was lighter than the reader might possibly suppose—for he was relieved of the first and most natural fear that had assailed him: namely, that it was on account of Benjamin Bones's death that he was pursued!
"If I must be hanged," he thought within himself, "I would rather it should be for highway robbery than aught else!—But, O Tamar! Tamar! what is to become of thee?"
And, as he sate on the humble pallet in the darkness of his solitary cell, he buried his face in his manacled hands.
In another moment a moonbeam penetrated through the barred window; and in that silver ray glistened the tears which trickled between his fingers.
And yet it was not for himself he wept:—thou wast no coward—but thou hadst a generous heart, Tom Rain!
[23]. We should observe that at the time of which we are writing, it was by no means unusual for Bow Street officers to be employed in the pursuit or capture of desperate characters in Surrey, although this county was not strictly within their district.