Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 44: what you’re looking at

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40 iendship’s sacred name,” cried Frederick, falling on his knee, we onreas the monsters to the death, though I circle earth’s vast surface to accomplish it.”” « Pig deeply sworn, adieu! my faithful pupil. You will see me yet again before my errant soul shall return to sojourn with the ’ myriads that are for ever past and gone. Once more, adieu! Re- member your oath !”” _-. Asthe face of earth was tinged by a morning’s twilight, the ethereal spirit faded from view and vanished into space, leaving not _-g track behind of the undying one. CHAPTER VI. THE MYSTERY OF THE VAULT. - Jp was late in the day before Frederick had recovered sufficiently to resume his journey, and {night arrived ere he reached Dartford. ‘He entered the Manor House by a private door, and, unnoticed, - retired to his chamber. _~ Refreshed, he arose from his couch, and retired to an old- ‘fashioned room in the mansion, in order to attend a lady, who .Was.now awaiting him, and who had entered the building by the “game means which had afforded Frederick an ingress the pre- vious evening. — She was seated, cowering as it were, when he entered the apart- ment, as though she desired her features should be hid from view, and dressed in a habit of white, with a black mantle thrown over her. -- The young officer approached and addressed the female in the accents of sympathy. She raised her head, and gazed wildly at m. - Trembling with violent and conflicting emotions, Frederick ac- costed her. She arose, curtsied, and presented him with a letter, af the same time remarking, _£©This letter, sir, in the name of the murdered Lord Edgeworth and his son, who has probably shared his tate, requires me to meet you on this spot; and I have done so, in spite of the danger that . threatens me.’’ £©You will not regret it, madam, when I tell you the son you mourn for is alive !’’ : ~ “© Tf you are not deceiving me,” cried the woman, and her voice faltered as she spoke, ‘‘ I shall bless you for ever.”’ _ First, madam, before I make a further communication,” said the officer, ‘‘I must inquire if you know the history of my family.” Too truly, to my sorrow,” she replied, stifling her anxious feel- ings. ‘* About twenty five years ago, there were two brothers residing in London——” ‘‘ These papers,” interrupted Frederick, taking some from the table at which he had been seated, ‘‘ which have been entrusted to me, say that Lord Edgeworth the elder loved one who was not of noble station.” _ *Tis as you say, and I am that injured woman.” - Your name ?’ ~~ 6 Adah Latimer.” “‘Right,’”’ replied Frederick, as he continued to peruse the docu- ments which he still retained in his keeping. ‘© Aye, Adah Latimer, whom, notwithstanding the disparity of birth, the nobleman you have named afterwards married, disdaining the alliance of the haughty Catharine, thy mother——” ‘© Who became the wife of——”’ - “The younger brother. She could not pardon me for not pos- sessing rank and fortune, and my husband, as you doubtless must know, was basely murdered !” “A strange combination of circumstances,” said Frederick, “ caused the accusation to fall on— —” _,‘‘ His wife, the wretched Adah, who saw her beloved partner perish before her eyes, her child brutally torn from her arms, and was compelled herself to fly to where she could weep over the re- mains of all that once was dear to her.” ~“€ As I have already told you, madam, your son still lives; it shall be my care to restore him to a mother’s fond embrace, and you to your former rank in life.”’ While Frederick was yet speaking, footsteps were heard as if some ene was about to eter the chamber. Hastily concealing Adah in the adjoining room, he hurried to admit the intruder, who was no other than Lady Edgeworth. r /y poe somewhat scornfully scrutinized her son as she entered] the\ i ‘@) 6 THE GHOST’S HOUSE IN THE LONELY ROAD. apartment, and after a pause, changing her manner, addressed him in the following words :— “ Dearest Frederick, say,’have you not deceived me ?” ‘“‘ Surely, Lady Edgeworth believes her son incapable of deceit,” was the reply to her question. ‘“‘Tdoso; and yet did you not promise to make me acquainted with your actions during your residence in London ?” | “ And that promise, I believe, I have fulfilled to the letter.” . ‘ Hardly, my dear Frederick, since you never made me ac- | quainted with your visit to that mysterious house in the vicinity of our property at Rotherhithe.” | ‘¢ That is true, your ladyship, I had a motive in remaining silent on that subject; but since I find, by some accident, you have dis- covered the fact, I will confide to you the horrible secret I have ‘learned there, and will ask your advice how I shall act in the matter.” While her son spoke, Lady Edgeworth turned pale, and started beneath his inquisitorial glance ; but, an adept in the art of dissimu- lation, her countenance in an instant was radiant with smiles, and with at affected composure she asked anxiously the meaning of — words. | “‘From a source I am not, for the present, permitted to disclose, I have ascertained,”’ said Frederick, *‘ that in a vault adjoining the pease I visited, for nearly twenty years was confined a human ng.’ ‘* Great Heaven! can this be possible ?” | “* T have proof of the veracity of my assertion ; but interrupt me . not. What is more dreadful to relate, this poor creature seemed to — have passed the whole period of his existence in this nauseous cell, — loathsome with a fetid and pestilential atmosphere ; in darkness, and ae noU appeal, was the victim immolated at the shrine of private malice. ‘This is indeed horrible,” cried Lady Edgeworth, apparently moved by her son’s narrative, ‘‘ have the monsters dared to deprive the forlorn one of even the light of heaven ?”’ ** Yes, save that which peered through a narrow loophole.” ** But did no one come to the rescue of this——”” ‘No; the scared neighbourhood considered the Jamentations those of some unearthly spirit or supernatural body. Sometimesa — venturous intruder would invade the spot when the hideous sound - would no longer be heard, aud the silence of death which prevailed — around would cheat the wanderer into a belief that some echo only had struck upon the ear.” ‘* Merciful providence! how was this deception effected ?” ** By means of an opiate to which he was accustomed.” ** This seems beyond credence.” “‘This miserable wretch, even from infancy, had never seena human being. To accomplish this, recourse was made to stratagem. Previous to placing food in the dungeon, the hand of his persecutor ever appeared through the iron wicket of his door, carrying a phial — containing opium ; untaught nature seized it without hesitation, and while sleeping the keeper left his solitary daily meal, which, on awaking, the prisoner swdilowed with avidity in this living sepulchre.” ‘* As owners of the estate, dear Frederick, we must inquire into this fearful mystery,” said Lady Edgeworth, with a feigned emotion. ‘* Tis useless now,” returned the officer. ‘The object of your compassion is dead.” “ Dead?” e Yes ; | I should have denounced the crime but for Manetho, who-——’ ‘Your professor had probably good reasons for his advice, and you did well to be guided by him,” replied Lady Edgeworth, hastily. ‘* My son, I should wish you, if you have regard for your mother, — to be silent on this subject till I see the doctor.” : At thisjuncture a carriage entered the park and rode briskly along the broad and extensive avenue leading to the principal entrance of the Manor House, from‘the windows of which the approach was watched by Lady Edgworth, who viewed it for a moment with feelings of doubt and anxiety. “Tis Amabel Sydney!” exclaimed Lady Edgeworth. “I had nigh forgot my appointment with your intended bride, Frederick. She comes a propos, she will help me to receive the visitors at our ball to-night.’’ As the haughty woman left the chamber to meet her future daughter-in-law, the shadow of Manetho was seen to appearand glide past its window. ti (To be continued.) EComicbooksheom ~“a