Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

242 ‘* Now tell me, for what purpose that pass-word was placed in your keeping ?” said Will, looking at him fiercely. “ T told you before,’ said the publican, with much fear and trembling, ‘ that I heard it by chance ; that, in truth, it was not entrusted to me by Ivan or any one else.” Will looked at him with a lip curling in contempt and scorn. ‘* Liar |” he said. ‘I know too well the ‘character of the ruffians that live here with you at the ‘ Forge.’ ”’ The publican started back at the hissing tones of Will Winter’s voice. The captain of the Apprentices, however, held the man rmaly in his grip. In low determined accents, he said, ‘Seek not to mislead me. If thou dost, I will deal with ' on the instaut as though thou had played me falsely.” The man essayed to say a word. ' °“* Speak, man, and quickly, or by mine order, thou shalt not have enough breath in thee to speak at all in less than a minute.” The publican paused. ’ He wished, if he could, to coin a ‘‘ good lie’’ to serve his purpose, at the moment. An angry gesture on the part of Will seemed to shake the whole truthéout of him. * He said, in haste, f.“ It was entrusted to me for the sole purpose of directing - some friends to Ivan’s retreat should they call at the ‘ Forge,’ unknown‘to him.” 3 ... Some friends! What mean ye ?” “ Several gentlemen who haye occasional dealings with him.” . “Gentlemen you call them—scoundrels, yillains, more likely.”’ “J know not that.” “You do know that it is not a good coat or fancy plume that always mark the gentleman. They are yillains, Their names, I say ?” * T know them not.” Will brandished a small dagger, The publican’s eyes glistened before it as he said, ** One is called Sir Humphrey Greathead.” ‘So he is a gentleman, eh? Well, the next?” ** Morton.” ‘T thought so; as cool-headed a rascal a3 ever lived, Well, | the next?” ‘‘The other seldom calls.” “Tt matters not. His name, I say?” ‘‘] think it is Jefferies.” “ You know it isa pretty trio of gentlemen, to be said; Will, with atgrim smile. « Any others?” “T know not. I have never heard the names of any others.” ‘“Hnough,” said Will, speaking harshly, ‘‘ Now mark me,” The publican bowed very meekly. ‘““Mark me! If you speak of this our meeting, or cross your own doorstep this night for the purpose of seeking or warning Ivan, Andy, or any others of his band, nothing in the world shall’save theeSfrom certain death,” These words were uttered so sternly that the fpublican knew that the Apprentice was in earnest. Will Winter was about to speak another word or two; but the sound of approaching footsteps warned him to begone. Leaving the publican’s doorway like a shadow, he was in- stantly lost in the total darkness that reigned around. The publican tried to perceive which way he had gone, but an ominous cough told him to beware, for his door was watched. ‘ sure,” CHAPTER CXYVII, WILL WINTER CAPTURES IVAN—DREADFUL CONFLICT IN THE FORGE, — WILL WINTER, after the publican had shut his door and locked it, made his way directly toward the “ Sol’s Arms.) As he went, he paused at a dark and lonely part of the Forge, and blowing a faint blast upon his silyer horn, so faint IVAN THE TERRIBLE. that few would have much noticed it, he was quickly joined by two sturdy apprentices. “ Fasten on your masks firmly, my lads,” he said, ‘and see that your weapons are all right.” They did so. ‘‘ Now follow me,” he said ; ‘‘ make no noise, and be prepared to answer all comers with hard blows, if need be, when I bid you.” “We will.” ‘And remember, that you have now, for this occasion, false names ; you are supposed to be Morton, and you Sir Giles ; I myself, will play the part of Jefferie:. I ought to know how to do that, considering he tried to hang me.” The two Apprentices now knew that they were bound on some exciting adventure. “The nass-word,” said Will, in a whisper, ‘is ‘ Booty and. Beauty ;’ don’t forget ; follow me.” Winter and his two companions hastened through the dark lanes and alley-ways, As we have previously shown they were gaily dressed, and would well pass for young noblemen out on a frolic. The “ Sol’s Arms” was soon reached. All was quiet, and but one or two were astir in the house. Will Winter knocked, For a moment no answer was returned. In a short time the parlour shutter was unfastened and a rough head appeared, ““ Who’s there ?” ** A friend.” “Qh, its no use, you young gentlemen can’t come in to night, it’s too late ; besides, I hear there’s a great row going on in some parts of the Forge, and you may have caused it for allI know.” - ‘“We are friends I tell you,” “ What do you want?” ‘‘To see Ivan,” ** Who told you he ‘was here ?” “The countersign told us he was here,’ “ Have you got it?” ‘Yes ; come open the door, and we will give it to you.” “ There are three of you.” “That’s a proof your eyes are open, and that you can see,” said Will. > “ What’s your names ?” “‘ Sir Giles.” ** Morton.” ‘“‘ Jefferies.” In a moment the head disappeared. The door was opened about an inch or two. ‘The pass-word ?” said the landlord in a whisper. «Booty and Beauty.’ ”’ “ Right you are.” The door was opened wide. The three Apprentices entered. While the landlord was bolting and re-locking the door, Will Winter seized him suddenly. He was gagged in an instant, and thrown upon the floor. Stout cords were now produced, with which they bound him hand and foot. All this was but the work of a moment. So swiftly and surely had the two sturdy Apprentices done Will Winter’s bidding, that the host lay helplessly upon the passage floor before he could utter a word. Will Winter could scarce refrain from laughing at the con- tortions of his victim. His two assistants seemed delighted with their handiwork, and broadly grinned at each other, ‘ Come,” said Will, ‘our task has only begun.” He listened, ‘but {could not hear the sounds of any one moving about. He was about to proceed upstairs when a female’s eracked voice was heard, muttering, “What are you doing there,eh? Why don’t you come to : bed? Bid the gentlemen begone, we don’t keep open house all night, the drunken vaeléte ft Send them home about their business.” A moment of silence elapsed, GComichoo S 7 Eom