Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

214 IVAN THE “But where have they concealed their treasures, think ou?” , a: The greater part is not anywhere near us now, but there is sufficient, perhaps, for all our wants at present. Some other time we can work together, and then secure them.” ‘ Aoreed, then ; let us commence the search at once.” - The doors were quickly secured, and Blue-Jacket and ,the Ferret began to ransack all the cupboards and chests with quickness and despatch. ; For some time the search continued, but without any Success, The Ferret began to imagine that the old man and woman of the house had outwitted each other in hiding their re- spective shares of booty. ; ) ho Blue-Jdacket laughed, while the Fexret cursed, but nowhere could anything be found in any hole or corner, They were about to give up the search, when Blue-Jacket, in a fit of laughing, seized hold of one of the old woman’s bed-posts to save himself from falling, so much was he tickled at the Ferret’s boisterous annoyance, While he did so the bed shook so violently that one of the posts gave way, and fell upon the floor. At the same instant a shower of ‘gold and silver coins fell upon the ground, The huge post was square, and had been scooped out for a hiding-place for money and jewels. Great quantities of each were thus unexpectedly dis- covered. ; These were quickly picked up, and transferred to the capacious pockets of the two searchers, who violently shook the three remaining bed-posts. These also soon gave way, and, like the other one, there was a large cavity in each, filled with money and things of value. These Blue-Jacket and his friend appropriated, and were well content with what they had so fortunately found, Blue-Jacket thought once or twice of what the old woman in her sleep had disclosed to him about the treasures hidden beneath the mile-stone not far from the door, : He was about to tell the Ferret all he had heard when the sounds of two horses galloping arrested his attention. They were approaching nearer and nearer. The riders were conversing loudly to each other, and in tones of anger, like men who had been sadly disappointed. “Tt is the officers,” the Ferret said. ‘‘They are returning ; we must depart. We shall not be able to disappoint them so well and so easily a second time. Come, follow me.” Blue-Jacket followed the Ferret, who retreated into the garden, and hid themselves beneath some bushes close to the front door. Ere many minutes the two officers rode up and dis- mounted. ®T see the doors are just as we left them,” said one. ; :, Yes, I don’t think any one has visited the spot since we e | “T dare say if we make a good search we shall discover strange things,” “No doubt,’ said the other. ‘‘Ts it safe to leave our horses outside ?” “Oh, certainly,” was the reply, “no one would dare to approach so near.’’ ‘No, truly ; besides, we shall have a half dozen officers here in a few minutes, to help us search the place.” “Yes, I forgot that,” the other replied. ‘‘ Hight of us are enough to beat off all the cut-throats who may come upon us ; we must wait here, you know, until the Ferret arrives, because /e ordered us to attack the place.” So speaking, the two constables entered the house, and tied their horses to rings in the wall. The door had not closed upon the two officers more than a minute, when the Ferret and Blue-Jacket creeped from their hiding-place and each unfastened one of the nags. This they did so quietly as not to be heard by the men within doors. They next mounted. The noise of the horses champing and prancing aroused the officers, who rushed to the door, ’ TERRIBLE. — i They werea minute toolate. § ...., ac phan Blue-Jacket and the Ferret plunged spurs into their horses and dashed from the spot... a, eres ifn “ Duck your head |” said Blue-Jacket, “ duck your head 1” The Ferret didso,. ._. ! f Ps ’Twas very lucky that he followed such advice, for the two exasperated officers rushed after them on foot, cursing and swearing loudly. ~~ : Bh Lnbt te at ae * [2 “ Wire | fire !” said one of them. ~ Bo The two officers stopped and fired four shots.) 9 4: More than one ‘of which flew very close to the heads.of the two fugitives. F : ne yesh t bus Jenoigge ‘‘ Ride for your life !’ said the Ferret ;\‘‘follow me!” 5 9 So saying, the Ferret leaped a hedge,close by, followed. by Blue-Jacket, so as to shun the notice of the.officers who were ~ looked for upon the road, red te vane ngegit fie “Follow me,” he said, with .a/ laugh); ‘we. will dash towards the river, which is not far distant, we. will there secure a boat, and in a shorter time than you expect. we will be in London.” : hip ae ay p “ And what then?” Blue-Jacket asked. tee) “Why, then we will visit the Forge, and seek adventures among your enemies, the Forgers.”’ ee Teas “ Aoreed,” said Blue-Jacket, with a laugh, and soon the — two horsemen were lost to view, and galloping across the country at a tremendous rate. = : ,a Ff if : a“ CHAPTER CII. ia a8 aie SIR HUMPHREY GREATHEAD AND THE SHERIFF'S DAUGHTER, (ts he IT must be confessed that the position of Frank Maberly who had followed Ivan into the Forge was not by any Means a pleasantone. © — $7 | As will be recollected, the bold youth had been fired at once or twice by Ivan himself, and had eseaped all harm, — having hidden in a doorway. sare Fo opt are It will be recollected also that several of the Forgers rushed after him, and that one of them was so close to him in the dark doorway that his: foot had actually touched Frank Maberly, although Ivan’s follower did not know it. | ‘Such a position, it must be confessed, was a very perilous one, particularly as Frank Maberly was but a mere youth—a thin stripling—and the unknown watcher a powerful man, © The Forger stood at his post for some time; anda drizzling — rain began to fall. . ‘He lit his pipe and retreated still closer within the old and spacious portico of the house. oie In a short time he heard footsteps‘approaching the spot. . “Tf this be the young intruder,” the Forger said, with a eae oath, “I will drive a bullet through his brain and finish im,” ‘ ; ‘Who comes there?” he asked, in gruff tones, “ A friend,” was the equally gruff response. . The stranger was alsoa Forger. - | . “ Have you seen aught of that young and daring intruder?” the first one asked. | “Yes ; I think I have.” : : 2 “Ah! which way did he go? Is he secured?” “Not that I know,” was the answer. ‘“ When I heard the word of alarm I rushed in the direction taken by him, but — did not overtake any one,” “Then he has escaped ?” cin sole “No, that cannot be, for all the landings are watched ; not a mouse could escape from the Forge to-night without being captured,” ' ‘‘ Then he is yet hidden somewhere ?”’ “ Not a doubt of it.” . “Tig useless for me, then, to stand watching here ; let us iy 33 . : oA) go into the next alehouse,” re : are “Right! the young eaves-dropper would surely not expose — himself round this quarter, and I think a long draught of | spiced ale, and a smoke is far better than to stand loitering ~ about here this drizzly night,’(e(o)/ 71) Cc boo CS Gom