Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

124 IVAN THE know who the person is against whom yon imagine you hold this warrant, and then I might give you some information. As for that warrant, it stands for nothing! Ahem! I would advise you how you use it; you will be getting yourself into trouble, my fine fellow. Good morning, gentlemen all; I have nothing more to say, 80 good morning.” “Tam not so easily to be put off, old man,” cried the officer. “Answer these questions, You have had a youth brought hither, trailing, wounded, or dying ; he is either still in this dwelling or he has proceeded further on, If he ts here, produce him; if he is mot, acquaint me with the direction in which he has been carried, on your peril, sir! Ahem ! you hear that, sir?” ; “Took you, my dear sir,” said the old surgeon, with a comical smile; “I deny your right or power to question me. I shall, therefore, return you no such answer as you demand. Search my house if you dare, in the face of the law, sir, and find him you seek the best way you can, I dare you, sir, and all with you !” . ‘‘A month or two in gaol might restore you to your proper senses, you old fool !” cried the officer, fiercely. ‘I will search your house, peril or no peril, and if the delinquent is uncaged, I would have you look to yourself, Forward, two of you, and search every cranny from roof to basement!’ he exclaimed, addressing two of his fellows ; ‘‘I will remain below with the rest to see no trickery is attempted.” “I forbid you to enter my private apartments without my consent,” said the surgeon, placing-his back against the stairs. ‘And I command them to do so,” said the officer, seizing him by the wrist, and dragging him forward. *T have warned you,” said the surgeon, “and upon your heads be the peril,” The night watch, at an impatient gesture from their leader, sprang upstairs, Their stay there was very short indeed, and when they re- appeared, their faces were white with terror! They had prosecuted their search rather minutely, and in opening a closet door, a human skeleton jumped upon them ! A shout of horror burst from them, and their descent was something more rapid than their ascent. They declared there was no trace of the youth, and posi- tively declined making a closer inspection. The officer did not care to doit himself; and finding that it was impossible to obtain any clue from the surgeon, he departed, promising to give an elaborate account of the old man’s obstinacy to the lord mayor, and, really believing the youth not to besecreted in the house, to try and trace whither he had been borne. . The surgeon, with many derisive smiles, attended them to the door, explaining that he valued the wrath of the lord mayor at avery low estimate, ‘** Aye,” he added, as the officers were retreating, ‘‘ I would expend every gold piece rather than that the noble youth should be made to suffer more than he has already done. “That girl’s face haunts me; yes, it will be a trial of skill for both, but hers will be the hardest task—long watching—long, weary, constant watching alone can save him !” He closed the street door, seated himself in his parlour, and again taking up his book, buried himself in the contents. But presently another knock at the door startled him ! He looked up, and instantly rose, CHAPTER LXV, IVAN’S RAGE AT THE ESCAPE OF BLUE-JACKET—HIS ATTACK ON PERCY HOUSE—CAPTURE OF ANDY AND DEFEAT OF IVAN AND HIS BAND. * IVAN, strengthened as he was by numerous followers, carried everything before him in and around Percy House. The flames burst forth from the roof with terrific violence, and illumined the sky both far and near, and the swarthy looks of his desperate followers were reflected in the blaze. When he discovered, however, that both Lady Laura, Lizzie Ashton, and Will Winter could nowhere be found, his rage was fiendish and ungovernable, He rushed hither and thither, sword in hand, shouting TERRIBLE. wildly, and cheering on his gang of cut-throats and robbers, who were swarming here and there, thieving and destroying on eyery hand. . “Seize Blue-Jacket !”’? he shouted. “Unbind him, and brine him hither. Cast him into the flames!” Several of his men rushed from the spot to fulfil his bidding, but they quickly returned looking pale and terror- stricken. ( ; “Where is he?” growled Ivan. “Bring him before me; let me once more laugh in his teeth and spit in his face ere ye cast him into the mounting flames |” . : Several of his men stood speechless before him, knowing “not what turn his anger might take, aud whether or not the disclosure of the actual state of things might not bring down upon their own heads certain destruction. ‘‘ Where is he, Isay? Know ye not where we bound and secured him to the tree? Why, then, stand gaping there? Bring him, I say, or I'll slash every one of your vile throats |” ‘‘ He has fled ! answered one, timidly, retreating a step or two in abject fear. “Bscaped?” gasped Ivan, with open mouth and staring eyes. ¥ (eVies rs . “What ! was he not safely guarded by a trusty one of our band ?” wri _“ Yes; but he has escaped.” “Then shall his guardian die in his stead!” | ‘“‘He is already dead, Ivan,” said the first one. “ Dead 2” “Yes; his skull is crushed into atoms. He lies a senseless ~ corpse beside the tree to which Blue-Jacket was bound !” “Then treachery has been at work! Laura gone, Will Winter fled, Lizzie Ashton nowhere to be found, and Blue- Jacket at large! Then a traitor’s work is evident !” Before Iyan in his great rage could utter another word, one - of his men came up, running with all speed. ‘What news at the park gates? Did you keep them closed ?”’ Ivan asked. : “We did ; but even now a troop of the king’s mounted men are battering at them. They may be here at any moment,” said the almost breathless messenger. “ Moments, then, are precious,’ said Ivan. “The old earl and his son Harry maintain their ground; we must assail them once more ere the troopers come. Let every man nerve himself for a last effort. Let not a soul of them live to tell the tale !” With loud shouts and dreadful oaths Ivan and his men rushed once more at the main entrance-hall of Percy House, where the old earl, together with his servants, had barricaded themselves in against the ruthless gang. Harry, Darby, Briny Bob and Joe stood their ground bravely, and defended it inch by inch. In truth, they did not seem to act like youths, but young giants engagrd in mortal strife. ¢ On every. hand now was heard the dreadful sounds of pillage and slaughter. : Ivan, at the head of his desperate men, dashed about wildly hither and thither, his head cut in several places, and trickling with blood, 3 Andy also, and his party, were endeavouring to break into the rear of the house, in order that Ivan and himself might attack their foes in front and rear, for both were now thirsting for Harry's blood, and swore to slay him. But, when least expected, however, tue troopers galloped upon the scene with a loud shout ‘ Many of Ivan's men now grew faint hearted. They knew that if they were caught death was certain, hence they fought with the fury of fiends, in order to escape with safety and avoid the headsman’s block. | ae Pistols cracked, guns exploded, swords clashed, shouts, oaths, screams, and moans were heard on every hand. “Take himalive! Ivan is here!” shouted Harry Percy, in his shirt sleeves, and sword in hand, ‘Secure Andy, the villain! Seize the murderer! let him no escape |!” roared Darby, struggling towards that noted villain, Eomicboo ~ <SEGOMm