Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 267: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE “A great one, th aki bg “What isi? e greatest favour a king could bestow . Let me, should you die, be a father to your child.” How? I cannot understand.” _ “My son loves your daughter, and——” “No, sir, it cannot be, alderman ; Katerina has lived to forget him now ; besides, what would people say, your son marrying a traitor’s daughter? No, no, alderman ; it cannot, it must not be.” * But she loves Arthur.” ““Who told you this?” “ She herself, this very day.” ‘And does consent ?” “* Provide you say not nay.” “But you, you could not, nay, would not, that your son “should be branded as the husband of an old tvraitor’s daughter |” : | “Tt matters not to me what the world think, or what it says. Wise men, Roger, are not guided by the world; their own hearts are the promptors and approvers of all that’s good, so let it be with us in this important matter. Your daughter loves my son, and my son adores your daughter ; like honest men, then, let us not step in between their happiness,” “Has he returned from Holland ?” “Yes; and more than that, he holds the key to this whole conspiracy.” ‘Impossible !” “Tt is as true as gospel |” ‘And has he divulged it in the proper quarter?” ““He was sent for by Earl Perey to-day, who was charged _by the king to receive his affidavit in the matter.” *‘ And who are the prime movers ?”’ “That will shortly appear ; there remains but one obstacle to your liberation, Roger.”’ “ What is that one?” “Tf you could but find out the old man who has been seen prowling about your house so long, night and day.” “T never knew of one.” “Did you not always make an odd ring for your mysterious customers ?” Yes.” “That was not for them, but for him.” “JT never knew this before.” “Your daughter told me all ; you were so poor she thought (since this mysterious old man threatened you both with death) that it would not be amiss, and be something more in your pocket also to make an odd ring as he desired. As Katerina did not know the vast value of these rings to the unknown purchasers she added a single one more to their order for him.” “ Now light begins to dawn upon me ; she was deceived,” sighed Rogers. “She was, and knew not the traitorous designs until it was too late ; if this old man could be discovered he would be able to testify to your innocence if he would.” ‘‘ Aye, truly ; but he was a government spy, and spies care little who suffer so that they themselves are successful and well rewarded.” “Be that as it may, friend Roger ; you have heard my proposition, and know yery well that when a comparative stranger calls upon you and offers you the whole length of his purse when in need he is a friend indeed.” TERRIBLE. “Tm truly sensible of all this kindness, Mr. Singleton, and as far as is in my power, will not be the one to thwart your kind designs.” ‘“‘ Then let it be settled that the young people marry.” “With all my heart, alderman ; if the girl loves your son, and that love is returned, I should be both stupid and selfish in the extreme to step in between them.” While they thus spoke, a third person appeared upon the scene. It was Master Arthur ! He hastily advanced towards Roger’s cell door, and kissea the hand extended to him. | “My blessings on you, Arthur. If I die, tend well my child—she is yours,” said Roger, weeping. “Nay! do not, good Roger,’ said Arthur, in a cheerful tone ; “ yousee I am red-faced and almost out of breath in hastening hither.” “What is the latest news, my son?” said the alderman. ‘‘T have been to the earl’s house, and told him all I knew.” “Well, and what says he ?” “Several of the conspirators are already in the hands of justice. There has been a great fight among the Apprentices and Forgers. Ivan, Andy, and several of the ringleaders are now fast in gaol,” ‘‘ So far so good ; but what is the best news for Roger ?” “ Alas! at present there is nothing substantial. Several of - those under arrest have declared the goldsmith’s innocence ; but others affirm that he is guilty.” “ This is sad news.” “ But the earl says he has hopes of soon securing the chief men of the party. Morton is already taken.” “ Morton ?” said the alderman. ‘‘ Surely he cannot be in the plot ; he is the last man I should suspect.” “Yes he is ; and more deeply concerned in it than any.” -“ Wonders never cease,” said the alderman. “ Why, f have heard him speak right royally many’s the time in King James’s hearing.” “ Aye ! but still waters run deep, they say. This Morton is an accomplished rascal,” “ Tt seems so ; but haye you heard the names of any others? Who was it that led the authorities to suspect Roger ?” “ Witz-Maurice.” Roger turned deadly pale as he said, ‘Oh, the cold-blooded villain !” “And what did he get for his pains ?” “Money, and a large sum, too ; but he was tripped tp himself ere he knew what to do with it,” : ‘‘ What mean ye, my son ?”’ e “ He was on the point of embarking for Holland with his plood-money ; but was secured when on the point of stepping into a boat.” «‘ What, arrested ?” ‘6 Yes,” “ But for what ?” “ For treason.”’ “ Impossible !” “Nay, it istrue. Earl Percy discovered his dealings with Dreadnought the Sorcerer late last night, through a cleyer spy, and watched for him.” (To be continued.) 263 THE SMUGGLERS BRIDE. (Continued from page 256.) ———_ ‘ois all over with me,” I thought, as the muzzle of a pistol eves, as it was held towards me. ete gee pan 9»? roared the old man, in a voice of thunder. © A poor fishermar,” I replied. “What the devil do you watch us fo sparkled with rage. id, “ merely curiosity.” ‘ recy by Bae aii shall be indulged. Come along, my lad, let’s see what you are mace of.” r?”” he asked, as his eyes On assurance from the young man that no harm should befal me I went with them. On the beach, at the foot of a lofty rock known by ‘the name of the Point, were about thirty men, actively engaged in rolling up kegs of brandy and ankers of gin under a low archway in the rock. On being desired to assist, I took an opportuuity to get inside, and I never beheld so complete an affair; regular benches of vessels ran along from end to end, while large rolls of tobacco Jay in another part. GoOmMmicdoo S,COUM