Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE “Nay, alarmine - : 1 ee ep this matter.” g; there are some deep minds at work in “There can be no doubt of it.” ‘Have you the person with you you spoke of ?”” “T have.” “What says he?” “If it so please you, sire, ‘Then let him enter,” Karl Percy whispered to the king, who desired the lord in waiting to retire for a time, He did so, but with a dark, he entered. “This is Mr, Gilbert, sire,” said the earl, introducing the let him appear before you.” Savage look at the Forger as 8 PY: The Forger bowed to the king and sank into a chair, He turned deadly pale and shook in every limb. s He seems unwell,” said the king, ‘‘hand him some refresh- ment. The earl Gilbert,” This seemed to revive him greatly, : ae act makes your eyes to roll so wildly around this apart- bat P “T know the room well,” ‘e Ah | “A murder was committed here,” “Yes, the guardian was killed.” “T know it.” ‘““Were you present ?” “Me? Oh, no; not me,” said the Forger, recovering him- self, “not me ; but I know all about it.” “ How is that ?” “I have heard the Forgers speaking of it.” “Indeed ! was that their deed, then?” “It was.” “And how came you to know so much aboutit? Surely, my lord,” said the king, “ this person, this Mr. Gilbert, is not one of the —-” ‘‘ No, sire,” said the Forger, ‘“‘I do not belong to Ivan’s band, but I have heard some of his followers speak of it.’ “You acted as a spy on them, I suppose?” said the king. “ Yes, sire.’’ “Do you know what they did with the stolen property ?”’ “I do ; but does your majesty know how much, and what was stolen ?” ‘“‘T do not. Can you inform me ?” “Tecan. They searched and robbed your Secret Cabinet.” ce Ah {> ““ Many of your most precious crown jewels and heirlooms were taken thence.” *‘ T thought it was impossible for any one to discover that Secret Cabinet.”’ *‘ But Ivan and old Dreadnought the Sorcerer did.” ** And what became of the jewels and deeds ?” ‘‘ They are still in old Dreadnought’s possession.’ “ Then they must be instantly seized. « “Nay, your majesty, be not alarmed. I will guarantee to restore them ; if you arouse their suspicions by any alarm, they will send off their treasures abroad. ’ ** Abroad! to whom, pray ?” “To your son-in-law.” “ The Prince ?” . “Yes ; that is if he will purchase them with a good price.” For a moment the king looked at the earl in speechless astonishment, and then whispered, _ + ‘‘ This man, my lord, is a perfect mine of secrets. “ Ts the prince, then, in league with them ? “He is.” j At “ And do you know where this old Sorcerer dwells ? old,” “ How came these villains to know the way to my trea- sures 2” asked the king, amazed. “ Tt was through a female—a beautiful girl ; fault, however.” . « What mean you, Mr, Gilbert ? poured out a glass of brandy and gave it to Mr, it was not her TERRIBLE. 261 ‘‘ I mean, sire, that the daughter of the guardian of the Red Room was observed to be much liked and petted by you.” ‘She was ; and was drowned, so I have often heard.” “She was not, sire. When young she was stolen by the Sorcerer. She grew up, and old Dreadnought, little by little, found out many secrets of the palace, and thus entered and robbed you.” “‘T remember the circumstance well. live ?” “ She does ; and has the name of Leonora Tempest.” “‘ That was not her father’sname.” - ‘‘ ‘That may be, sire ; but that the girl isthe same I can be sworn.” ‘* And where is she?” “ Safe, under the protection of a gallant man, named Red- Jacket.” “What, a highwayman ?” “* They call him one ; but I doubt much if ever he robbed, at least, I have never heard of his being convicted for crime of any sort, sire.’’ ‘* He and his companions are too clever for that.’ “They have been so clever, sire, up to the present,” said the spy, “that they have thwarted all Ivan’s attempts against your majesty, and every conspirator stands in fear of them,” ‘““T never heard that before,” ‘“ It is true, though; and, so may it pleasure you, sire, it is through their agency that I expect to recover the stolen jewels.” | ‘“T had rather you could secure more respectable men, Mr. Gilbert ; but in any case, you must use your own discretion ; but I should be very sorry to think, my lord, that sucha respectable and clever person as Mr. Gilbert is, should be obliged to associate with Blue-Jacket’s gang,” The earl’s cheek paled perceptibly at the mention of Blue- Jacket’s name, and he turned his head. “Mr, Gilbert, sire, will think over the matter, and, I doubt not, that, ere to-morrow night, he will bring to or forward you some news regarding these conspirators as will astound Ome “ He must not be seen about the palace, my lord ; suspicions would be aroused.” “Let him pass his information then, through me, sire.” “So be it. Let me hear from you hourly, my lord, between this and to-morrow night.” **T will do your majesty’s bidding.” * Then, Mr. Gilbert, I leave this important business in the earl’s hands ; you must be guided by him, and all will go well.” So saying, the king left the Red Room by one door, while the earl and Gilbert left by another. As Gilbert passed the threshold of the door, he perceived the lord in waiting standing in the deep shadow of a recess, and scanning his features as he went by with alook of intense curiosity and hate. Gilbert felt his fixed look, and a tremor passed through his frame. “‘T should know that lord’s face,” he thought, as he left the palace. ‘‘I cannot mistake those two flashing eyes; I have seen him before somewhere.” He thought for a moment. “Oh, yes; I thoughtI could not beso much mistaken. I have seen him at the Forge talking to Ivan more than once.” ‘So that is Mr. Gilbert is it?” said the lord in waiting, as the Forger passed him by, “He looks very awkward for a gentleman ; he is not one. There issomething up! He is the king’s new spy, fora thousand: I must inform the friends of Orange to be guarded and discreet. Who is this Gilbert, I wonder? He looks a cunning dog ; I must find out.” Does the girl still CHAPTER CXXVIII. ALDERMAN SINGLETON VISITS ROGER MARKHAM IN PRISON, THE position of old Roger in prison was far from being pleasant on many accounts, Comnicloooks. Gon SS