Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

252 IVAN THE ‘‘ There’s not the slightest mistake ; he always makes the watch dogs bark when he comes to meet me, so as to tell me it is no one else.” ‘A good idea.” ‘““A deep dodge, my boy; but I must be off, I shan’t be long.” “Well, then, I shall sit on the grass till I hear you coming. It ain’t at all easy sitting on the branch of a tree, besides, I might doze, and tumbling down, crack my skull,” ‘Allright, Keep your eyes open, I shan’t be long.” i ‘“ Mind you make Morton open his purse wide enough this time.” ‘“‘ Never fear.” So saying, the first ruffian disappeared, leaving his com- panion lying among the high grass at his ease, and smoking a pipe in the darkness. He had not been left alone more than five minutes ere Earl Percy crept from his hiding-place, sword in hand, The ruffian was not aware of the earl’s presence, but when he suddenly turned his head he perceived the old noble stand- ing over him with his naked sword. He would have started to his feet, but the old earl, ina firm, low voice, said, “Tf you stir an inch, or make the slightest noise, I will pin vou to the earth.” ——_—— CHAPTER CXXIII. THE OLD EARL SECURES HIS CAPTIVE IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY—MORTON STANDS ON TREACHEROUS GROUND—THE LIBRARY CHAIR OF UNUSUAL PATTERN, AND THE USE MADE OF IT. FoR a moment the villain was so taken by surprise that he looked up at Earl Percy as if he beheld some strange and deadly apparition. ; His eyes glared with fear. The pipe dropped from his mouth. His teeth chattered, and trembled in every limb. He dared not speak. The sword of the poor old noble was pointed at his heart as he lay helpless. at his feet. ‘¢ Stir an inch, or make the slightest noise,” said the old earl, with a determined oath, “and I'll pin you to the earth |” The ruffian, though young, strong, and brawny, felt his heart almost chilled within him. He had not a single weapon with him save a knife. He dared not, however, attempt to clutch it. The old earl’s eyes glowed with intense passion, and his sword was held over him with iron-like nerve. The Forger knew that if he did stir but an inch, the old man would be as good as his word, and that his long blade would cleave his very heart strings. * Knave, answer my question. Speak in whispers as you value your life. You are in my power !” “T know it,” was the faint reply. “ Tf you speak untruly, or seek to evade my direct -questions, you area dead man. What brought you here ?” “T accompanied a friend.” “Who had base designs ?” ‘*T knew not his real motives until just now.” “I know you did not.” The robber looked astonished as ‘the earl added, “T have heard all your conversation. I was behind a tree near by. You knew it not,” ‘J am lost,” said the robber, faintly, ‘‘ I am a dead man if you have heard all that passed. Spare me,” ‘“‘T have heard all that passed, and you are not a dead man if you obey me.” . . ‘‘ Spare my life, Earl Percy,” said the rogue, in suppliant tones, “ and I am your slave for ever.” ‘¢T will, on one condition.” ‘Oh, name it! A hundred conditions if you like,” “Then, get up and go before me to the mansion ; but mark me, do not walk too fast, nor attempt to escape beyond TERRIBLE. the length of my sword’s point, or I shall strike you to the earth like a dog.”’ ; “JT will do as you wish,’’ was the faint reply of the robber. ) He dared not yet stir, however, for the old earl still held the sword over him. “ Have you any weapon? Answer me truly ?” “ Nought but a knife.” “‘ Deliver it to me.” He did so ; but very reluctantly. : ‘“‘ Now, get up, and proceed with me; walk two paces in front of me.” The robber rose, and with down-cast head walked towards the mansion. Earl Percy followed him. His sword’s point touched the villain’s back. They walked slowly and almost noiselessly towards the mansion, Suddenly, the old earl said in a low voice, “‘ Stop! I hear voices.” Both captive and captor stood and listened. The sound of conversation died away again. ‘** Move forward,” said the earl. ; Once more they walked quietly along, andina few minutes reached the rear door of the mansion. The earl struck the portal heavily with his sword blade. The door was quickly opened ; but the footman was so sur- prised at the appearance of the black-looking visitor, that he staggered in the entrance-hall like a drunken man from pure alarm. The villain, still in front, entered. The earl whispered to his footman. “ Breathe not a word of this to any one,” he said. “Let some one mind the door. Allow no one to visit my library until I tell you, and do you stand guard without the library- door in the passage.” The footman did as he was told. The earl and his prisoner entered the library. The Goor was closed after them, and the room was lighted by two large lamps on the centre table. The ruffian looked about him for a moment in mute sur- rise. 4 The old noble kept his eye upon him constantly. He put down his sword ; but not before he had armed him- self better with two loaded pistols. With asmile he took one of these and cocked it. “Do as I bid you,” he said, ‘‘and no harm shall befal ou,”’ 7 At the same moment, with his pistol in his hand ready for use, he walked backwards to a large arm-chair. This he wheeled towards his captive, at the same time, he said, with a cold, hard smile, “ Forger, be seated, and answer all I ask of you.” The ruffian seemed to be too polite to seat himself before the earl had done so, and therefore hesitated. The old noble, however, flung himself into an easy chair, so arranged the lamp shades as to throw all the light upon the villain’s countenance, and after placing both pistols, ready cocked, before him, on the table again, said, in a calm, dry manner, with a peculiar smile, ‘« Be seated.” The Forger did as he was told. He had not fairly seated himself, however, ere a long snap was heard throughout the room like -the sound of strong springs, and, greatly to his astonishment, the rough-looking rascal found himself bound hand and foot in the chair. The earl smiled at the ruffian’s look of astonishment ; but said, “That is nothing. I simply put you in that surgical chair, to keep you from doing harm, either to me or to yourself. Your release depends upon yourself.” The Forger, whether he liked it or not, was now perfectly helpless. He had thought to himself, while mounting the stairs, that if there was any possibility of escaping he would most cer- tainly try it, and fight his way to liberty if he could but see a eis “comicbooks.com