Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE If cither fell, it was more than probable that they would be crushed to death. _ The contest, as may be imagined, was a desperate one. Now Andy had almost cast the youth to the ground. Then again the burly ruffian himself was almost choked to ~deathfby the firm grip of the stout-hearted youth. Had the goldsmith’s apprentice, however, known with whom he was contending, he might have called for help so as to secure him. As he did not know him his own pride was too great to call for aid while tussling with one foe. “Surrender, villain !”? the goldsmith’s apprentice cried, at the same moment he seized Andy’s throat, and held him so tightly that the Forger’s face almost turned black. There was a moment of awful suspense. Andy had seized his foe round the waist, and held on with the strength of a huge anaconda’s folds. pe own eyes, however, were almost starting out of his ead. The large blue veins of his throat were swollen to a fright- ful extent. He foamed at the mouth, and his tongue hung out in ex- treme agony. The contest between a terrific one indeed. “Surrender !” gasped the youth. ‘Never !”’ gasped Andy, One moment more of struggle. The young apprentice, however, gathered all his strength for one final effort. With the strength of a young lion, he dashed his huge foe to the ground. Andy lay there insensible. The fight was now well-nigh over. The desperate Forgers were beaten back on all sides. The joyful shouts of Will Winter's men told plainly that they were victorious. With a final shout, the few remaining Forgers were driven from the scene of bloody and desperate conflict. him and the youthful goldsmith was a ee CHAPTER CXIX. MORTON’S FURTHER PLANS—HE SPEAKS TO EARL PERCY— STRANGE VILLANY ON THE PART OF MORTON—HIS BASE DESIGNS. THE short and abrupt interview which Morton had with ‘Harry Percy in the park confirmed the former in all the views he had entertained regarding Harry and Lizzie Ashton. He sought an immediate interview with the earl. LA “Well, Morton,’’ said the old noble, “ what news now ? “T wished, my lord, to ask a few questions.” “‘ What are they ?” “ Concerning your son Harry.” “ What of him?” “T fear, my lord, he is connected with an infamous band of men,” ' “Indeed? I hope you may be mistaken. “T do not think so.” “ And who may they be?”’ f No less personages than Blue-Jacket’s gang. “Tmpossible !”’ “Tt is not so, my lord.” The earl lcoked astonished. ‘ he said Morton smiled coldly, as e ae lord, that this same Blue- “ And would you. believe 1 fe ) Jacket has had ynterviews not only with him but w ith Lady Laura also ?”’ “T cannot believe it.” mat “You will when I explain." ‘TJ will hear ny Oa A ft 3 ' Miss As ; food ia ae Pee teat this would be an additional thorn 1n the earl’s side, “ How, pray ?” said my lord, SS nS C—O OO Samm” SS TERRIBLE. 245 “The colonel, her father, was killed by Count Vincento, who, in turn, was killed by——” * No more of that; I know all.” “The colonel himself was one of Ivan’s secret agents ; so I’ve been told.” “Well?” ‘They quarrelled, and it resulted in his death.” “T never heard that version of the story before.” “But it is true, nevertheless,’’ said Morton. He knew all the time that what he was saying was a gross slander and a lie, ‘Thus Lizzie Ashton became more or less acquainted with some of Ivan’s secret agents, and, to get out of their hands, she made herself known to Blue-Jacket and his men,” “T am all attention,” said the earl. “The meeting between your son Harry and Miss Ashton strange and romantic as it seemed to be, was pre-arranged,” ** Nonsense, Morton.”’ “But I know so; I have had information of it lately from one of the Fly-by- Nights,” “Well, go on,” ‘When, then, your son rescued her, as it would appear, from almost certain death, he was advised to bring her here,” * Advised by whom?” “ Blue-Jacket.” “For what particular purpose ? : ‘This highwayman has long had his eyes tpon your daugh- ter, Laura. Yes; and when this Miss Ashton became her companion she pleaded Blue-Jacket’s cause so eloquently that Laura listened to her stories regarding him, and, if she did not love him, at all events she felt great interest in him.” “T cannot think that my daughter would disgrace herself and me in such a manner.” “That she really did take an interest in him is clear from the fact that she granted him private interviews, not only here in town, but also while in Cornwall, of late.” ‘What, and knowing him to be a highwayman?” “ Perhaps not, my lord, for he always dressed elegantly ; his address is good, and he ‘passed under the false title of Lord Blackwater.” “Well, and this, you say, was all}through Miss Ashton’s influence ?” SY eSi22 . ‘‘ And how do you prove it?” “One of Blue-Jacket’s men has turned spy; I have had him in my own pay for a long time, and to all this he swears solemnly,” ‘‘ You astound me.” “Tt will surprise you still more to know that your son is likely to prove a traitor to his king and country.” The earl rose from his seat and turned deadly pale as he looked fixedly at Morton’s calm and smiling countenance. “‘ What mean you, Morton ?” he said, in a hoarse whisper. “JT mean, my lord, that this Miss Ashton, pale, pretty, in- nocent and engaging as she looks, has been the go-between with your son, Blue-Jacket, and a band of rascals, who have in view nothing less than the dethronement of King James.” ‘‘ Morton, I listen to you, but I cannot believe all this.” “ What if I can prove all I say?” «“ Perhaps that is easier to say than to do.” “No, my lord, proof against him is abundant. I have wit- nesses within five minutes’ call, my lord, if you desire it.” “Tf Thad not known your character for honesty, Morton, I should have judged you to be the coolest scoundrel in all the world !” Morton bowed. “Your lordship is complimentary.” “No [am not, I listen to all you say very patiently ; but mere words do not convince me. It will take stronger evi- dence even than the words of Morton to make me believe all this of my son and daughter.” The earl rang a bell, The servant entered, “ Call my son, Harry, on the instant.” “T think, my lord, he has gone out riding.” ‘Riding ?” “ Yes, my lord,” 53 CoORmmicloookxs.con S