Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE Now, however, all hope seemed to desert him, He had been tricked by the old noble, and a cold sweat eon his dinty prow ay he gazed on the placid face of » 48, seated in his chair opposite, he pl i i fingers in a careless manner, Cr Eaten e pubis pte you going to shoot me?” the Forger asked, in “No; but hearken to me. You have led a life of villany. and have conspired to wrong and rob me ?” “ T have.” “And deserve punishment 2”? Ts If do.”’ ‘“You have been doing wrong for a stated price ?” ‘Tt is true.” “Would you not like to do right for still larger waces 2” “ Most willingly I would, alGeal but how D pao ““ By serving me.” “You, my lord?” ‘“‘ Yes, me.” “Would you trust me?” ‘That remains to be seen.” “But what do you want me to do?” “To act the spy.” “Against Ivan ?” “To do anything I command you.” “I dare not ; it is more than my life is worth.” “You forget, you have no life if Z only speak the word,” “T forgot, my lord.” at know you did; but remember, no harm can possibly befal you if you do my bidding. All your actions will be watched, IT would have you understand. If you dare play falsely with me, you will perish on the instant. I want you to watch persons whom I will point out, and you, at the same time, will be followed night and day by others intent upon seelng my orders fulfilled by you.” “I understand. But I cannot do anything without money and proper clothes.” ‘‘ Both those requisites will be provided.” “Then, when am I to begin ?” | cc Now.”’ “How, pray? Iam bound hand and foot.” “That will not matter much for the present. Have you seen Morton ever ?” “Yes, often.” “ And know his haunts ?”’ 6“ I do,”’ ‘ ‘‘And could swear to his voice?” ‘““Yes ; but not to his dress. He isin the habit of changing his garments so often.” “T suspected as much. It is always the way with great rogues. They almost fear wherever they go that their very shadows will cry out aloud against them, or that their dress even should find out the secrets in the breast they cover.”’ After a pause the earl touched a bell. A footman entered noiselessly. The earl whispered to him, *“ Where is Lady Laura?” ‘She has retired to her chamber, my lord.” “ Sure ?” ; : “Yes, my lord ; I saw her ascend the grand staircase with her French maid. I am sure she is fast asleep by this time.” “So much the better. Where is Morton?” “I saw him stroll into the shrubbery not long since, He said he was going to look for you, my lord. He looked pale, and trembled, very much so, I was at first alarmed at his ard look.” ig: hag Bare eae of the guilty,” thought the earl, “ig like a cracked and dirty mirror, distorting all the fair features of } fhe pa Let one of the servants, then,” said my lord, “go to the shrubbery, and tell him I await the presence of himself and iend i library.” Me Pere riehd, ma lord; I knew not that there was any d person in the shrubbery.” ree it Patterns not to you; friend I said, and see that my ! message is correctly delivered.’ TERRIBLE. 253 The footman bowed, and was about to retire, Before you go,” said the earl, in a louder tone, “ open the folding doors, and wheel this—this—gentleman into the other room ; do not entirely close the door ; place him in such a position that he may be able to see and hear all that passes in this apartment, without being observed himself,” The footman advanced to the arm-chair in which the Forger was fastened, and for a second or two seemed frightened at the villain’s black, forbidding looks. ‘ He ultimately did as he was told, however, but in his own mind wished that my lord had ordered him to wheel “that — that— gentleman” out of window into the court-yard below. ee CHAPTER CXXIV. EXCITING INTERVIEW BETWEEN MORTON AND THE EARL— THE WITNESS BECOMES CONFUSED—THE TABLES ARE TURNED—THE SPY GOES FORTH ON HIS SECRET ERRAND, THE old earl for five minutes was left alone. He hurriedly wrote a note, and stamped it with his arms, It was directed, “To his Most Gracious Majesty, ‘KING JAMES, ** At the Palace.”’ In one corner of the envelope was written, in large, bold characters, ** Of vast importance.—Immediate.” When he had done this, he played with his fingers again in an impatient manner until Morton came. He knew the old rascal’s step well enough, and long before he entered the room he could hear his creaking shoes, ‘Take a seat, Morton,” said the earl, in a pleasant tone. Morton advanced towards the table, and took a chair. When he saw the two pistols, however, with their barrels shining in the lamp-light, he drew backin fear. © “Don’t start, Morton ; they are not for you.” “No, my lord, I did not suppose such an absurd thing,” Morton replied, with a forcéd smile. At the same time, however, it must be confessed he felt very uncomfortable at the sudden warlike preparations of the earl. He thought that Laura bad perhaps informed her father of all she knew concerning him, To be prepared for all chances that might arise, he felt in his bosom. The breastplate he always wore concealed beneath his clothes was firm and sound, He also made sure that his long dagger was there ready for instant use. Having assured himself of these things, he returned the earl’s smile; but what he could read of the old nobleman’s face convinced him that his daughter had not yet had any opportunities for speaking to him privately. “You did not see that person, then, my lord, after all ?” ** But you did?” “Yes, He told me he had not seen you.” “ Such was the truth. Have you brought him with you?” ‘“Yes; he is without, standing in the passage, awaiting your pleasure, Surely you do not intend to shoot him, my lord ?” “Why should I? He has not done me any harm that Iam aware of; but even if I did, I don’t think the country would be much worse off.” “No, in truth, my lord, you are right, as you always are ; and, now I come to think of it, my lord,” said Morton, with a peculiar smile, “it would save much trouble and an- noyance if the fellow was——” *« Shot, you mean ?”’ ‘Yes, that or anything, you know,” said Morton, with a ghastly smile. “ That is, after he had——” ‘Done our dirty work, you mean ?” * Yes, my lord,’ Morton answered with a devil-like lear, COMMicoooks.Cconn