Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

172 “Yes, say you?” “ec I do,”’ “ How ?” ‘*‘ When you have heard what I came here for, you will not kill me, but pardon me,” ‘‘ What do you mean, you sneaking scoundrel ?”’ ‘‘Listen! There hasbeen a street fight in the Forge to- night,” “ Well, that is plain enough. My bloody face tells you that, and we came off victorious, ” ‘** Victorious ?” Aye 1? j ‘‘ If so, where is Ivan, then ?”’ ‘‘ Somewhere in the Forge, and safe.” . “‘ Safe ?” cc Aye.” ‘Yes ; safe in prison, Andy.” “Prison ! prison |’? said Andy, in surprise, rising from his- seat. ‘‘ Yes, in prison.” “ You lie, old scoundrel,” said Andy, in threatening tones. “On my life, no. Do not strike me until you hear all, and then you willthank me.” ** Go on, then, quick. How came this ?”’ ; ‘“‘ T was on the other side of the river, and saw Blue-Jacket and his friends land from a boat.” ‘© Well 2” ! “Tvan was with them ; but bound and gagged.” ‘“What !” gasped Andy, red with passion. “ It cannot be.”’ ‘‘ On my soul, ’tis true, Andy. I saw them lift him out of the boat, and followed them.” “Well, what then? Quick ; patience |” “They took him to the head-quarters of the London Apprentices.” ‘Ah \? “The grand master——”’ “ Will Winter ?” “The same. He and others held a council,” ‘“What then ?” ‘‘He was handed over to’ Harry Percy, and cast into prison.” ‘Go on.” ‘‘ And charged with arson, robbery and murder.” ‘Say you so?” ‘Tis true, every word ; but listen,” % ‘What came next ?” . ‘When I saw all that had happened, I knew that no time was to be lost, for the evidence against him was overwhelm- ing. “ What did you do?” “T sought out a friend for him.” ‘“Who was that ?” “Old Marks, the receiver and pawnbroker, a cousin of mine.” * And what did he do?” “ He dressed himself immediately in the garb of a lawyer and gained admittance to the nite? oh wid “Capital! If this is true, Aaron, no harm shall befal you ; but if untrue, you die. Go on. Jam allimpatience to hear more. What occurred next?” “I waited until old Marks Game out of the gaol, when he smiled, and said, in a whisper, «Leave the rest to me. Ivan will be free ere morning, you may depend, for if he suffers, I shall be hung for a certainty. Go your way, Do not be seen loitering about the prison, or it might arouse suspicions,’ With that he left me, and hither I came on the instant to inform you, even though endanger- I am bursting with im- ing my life. If you doubt my words come with me, and prove their truth.” “I will,” said Andy, rising and leaving the room. ‘Come, follow me. If thou hast lied, Jew, my best da h gger shall be bathed in your heart’s blood. Come, follow viae your life or death hangs upon a single thread.” With meek demeanour, the Jew followed the burly ruffian, and as he crossed his arms upon his breast, his heart leaped with joy, for the precious bundle of bank-notes we el hidden there, 0 et aD kee nace IVAN THE TERRIBLE. Had Andy suspected this, the Jew would have beer butchered on the spot. " What became of Ivan, in prison, show. the next chapter will CHAPTER LXXXIV. THE SCHEME FOR IVAN’S LIBERATION—THE INTERVIEW WITH “ COUNCILLOR NASH "—THE ESCAPE FROM PRISON, TRUE to his word, old Marks, the receiver and pawnbroker, used his utmost endeavours to concoct some clever scheme ' for Ivan’s liberation, for as he said yery truly if Ivan only whispered is name, the constables would be certain to examine his vast warehouse of stolen goods, and such a dis- covery would most certainly hang him, for Ivan and his notorious gang had greatly enriched the old conscienceless pawnbroker, as he generally bought most of the plunder of the Forgers. In the dress of a lawyer, then, he was admitted to see Ivan ; but as he passed out, he told the gaolers and porters that Ivan had already secured a lawyer to defend him, one much younger than himself, who would call the next afternoon, or evening. ; Marks was fearful of being discovered himself, and there- fore he hired an expert thief and housebreaker of his ac- quaintance, called ‘‘ Nobby,’ who should enact the part of a lawyer, in wig and gown, and getting into the prison, plan with Ivan some method of escape. ; “Nobby” being in want of a job, readily entered into the arrangement, and prepared himself for the dangerous ex- periment, which was to be enacted next evening. Mr. “ Nobby ” having made all his preparations, and taken ~ a long and careful survey of the outside of the strong prison, he very accurately formed his own ideas of how it was arranged internally ; nor was he much mistaken, as we shall see. True to his word, “ Nobby” dressed himself out in full legal wig and gown, and was attended to the prison gate by a servant,” carrying a large blue bag. When he presented himself at the gate of the gaol, the bag . was seized, but finding nothing but papers and legal docu- ments therein, the careful, cautious officers apologized, and allowed the young, and odd-looking lawyer to enter Ivan’s cell. Directly the cell-door was bolted again, and the “ lawyer x and his “client” were alone, Mr. “ Nobby,” or “ Councillor Nash,” as he styled himself, put his finger to his mouth in token of silence. After a few preliminary scraps of conversation, in order that Ivan’s surprise might not arouse the suspicions of any one listening at the cell door, Mr. Councillor Nash produced from various parts of his legal garments a dark lantern, 4 bunch of skeleton keys, a small crowbar, and other housebreak- ing implements, together with a small pair of pocket pistols. “You’ve rigged me out well, Nobby, and no mistake,” said Ivan, in a whisper, when the councillor had explained eyvery- thing to him, ; . “Yes, I think that’s about the ticket. If you don’t do some- thing now you're set up well, I shall fancy you are not the same Ivan you used to be.” “Very true ; butit’s getting late, and I must commence operations as soon as can. Where shall I see you?” ‘T’ll wait a little while outside the wall I told you I have alyeady examined ; but if I see too many curious eyes about, I shall keep clear for vow sake.” “Then Pll be with you before long, I can.assure you,” said Ivan, with a broad grin. “I ain’t the one to do things by halves when I begin ; any one who knows Ivan can swear to that.” “Then good night for the present,’’ said Nobby ; ‘‘every moment is precious ; the officers won't let me stay here longer or I would, Keep your spirits up, Ivan, a few hours, and all will be jwell. By-the-bye, talking about spirits, Ivan, I had very nearly forgotten ——” Without waiting to finish bis Omicbooksscom ° \