Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE CHAPTER XXYV, GHE RED ROOM IS DISCOVERED—AWFUL FATE OF ITS BRAVE AND SOLITARY GUARDIAN—IVAN’S DEADLY WEAPON FALLS WITH UNERRING AIM ON ITS DEVOTED VICTIM—AWFUL SCENE IN THE LONG DARK PASSAGE—THE MANGLED CORPSE. Av the extremity of the apartment, opposite to that at which they had entered the place, there was another door similar in size and appearance, and this Dreadnought opened in silence and without hesitation. All was total, pitcby darkness beyond it. He paused for a moment. ‘A light !” he said, in a hoarse whisper, One of the followers went tothe festive table and- snatched up a light, not fergetting to trample upon the un- fortunate nobleman, who was huddled up on the floor, Dreadnought seized the light with a trembling hand, and held it above his head. “Tis well,” he said, “I haye heard this placg described, and by my chart should know it well. Carry this,” he said, ‘giving the candle to one of his followers, ‘“‘and be ready to extinguish it in a second if I but give the word,” The passage in which they now were was richly carpeted, © and the walls were hung with damask drapery, . A single door at the further end of the passage was magni- | ficently carved and silded with the royal arms. The old man pointed to’this door, and particularly to the royal arms emblazoned thereon, while in a deep sepulehral tone, he said, —. ‘Tis there! ‘That is the Red Room!” : For a moment his followers gazed mutely and in silenee, while the old man whispered, - a “That room centains the priceless treasures I seek; our labours will soon be over 1” Some half dozen long and noiseless strides sufficed to bring him to the chamber doors ES Pe His followers were elose at his heels, like willing blood- hounds eager to obey their master, Looks of excitement were on the countenances of all saye Dreadnought ; he alone wore’ a calm and something -of an exultant expression upon his face as he paused at the Red Room door. He paused, and then placin BA finger on his lips to indicate silence he snatched the candle from thé hand of him that carried it, and examined the lock long and carefully, nie “Take the light away,” he said, “ that it be not seen through the keyhole, but do not extinguish it,” He who took the candle earefully screened the light with his body while Dreadnought-peeped through the keyhole again, ‘‘ Enough,” said the old man, in a whisper, and with a self- complacent smile, “there is a lamp burning in the room,” “There is some one there, then,” one ventured to say, ‘Yes, there may be many for all we know,” said another, ‘“‘ Silence;” said the old man, in a hissing tone of voice, ‘Silence on your lives !” + There was such a look of eoncentrated aiid anearthly passion in his glance that it was awful to look upon, and his followers stood aghast before him, “Fools!” he hissed out, in a-whisper, ‘ Speak again, and I'll slay every one of ye! Think ye Z know not what to do? There is one that sleeps within this chamber that will slumber sounder yet.before the morning’s sun shall dawn,” Again the old man motioned for the profonndest silence to be maintained, and then cautiously placed his hand upon the lock of the door, He tried to turn it, but could not, | It was perfectly immovable both tothe vight and left/ Again he listened for several moments, and then tried the handle of the door once more, It could not be stirred. The old man seemed annoyed and fretful, but beekoned to Ivan. “You-are skilful. What think ye we had betterdo ?” Ivan was about speak when a sharp, clear voice was heard within the room, which said slowly and solemnly, ‘* Who is there ?” TERRIBLE. freeing his brawny arm of all covering, and he held the — 4 -* The old man's face changed colour, but his followers save - | ‘ Tvan retreated a pace or two from the door, ‘Who is there?” the sonorous voice d-manded from the Red Room. > The old man placed a finger upon his lip to enjoin silence, j and his brows were firmly, nay, savagely knit togcther, “= The light was totally shaded. : - A slight noise now came from within the chamber, and ~ Dreadnought guessed the truth astoits cause. | : Phe lord in waiting, who slept theze, had sprung out of bed, and was listening. ‘‘“Hillo there!” said the voice again. knock ?” No answer was returned, but the old man’s face flushed deeply ; his eyes flashed with a wild and unnatural brilliancy “Did any one -ag he beckoned Ivan, and whispered, “*Tt is time !” ‘©To strike?” i Yes.’ "¢ From under his short cloak Ivau produced a hammer. The head was not very large, but was made of ly-tempered metal, while the handle was of oak, and about two feet long. Looks of surprise and a shudder Game over those who saw the formidable weapon, but Dreaduought’s eyes sparkled with demoniacal light. ee 35 Then was heard another moyement in the room, as though the occupant had stumbled over a chair or something in his hurry to dress himself, and.open the chamber door. Dreadnought, with,a look of pleasure, seized Tyan’s arm, and hurriedly whispered a few words in his ear. Ivan nodded. ‘You understand me?” said the old man, *“T do,’ was the hoarsely-whispered reply. | Ivan now took up a position beside and néar the door, hammer aloft, and there maintained it in an attitude to strike | . a he ea Dreadnought motioned his other followers to yetreat a few paces along the passage, _.He stepped up to the door of the Red Room, and gently rapped again. Pity ; IAS Si Upon the instant the yoice from within demanded, angrily, _ “ Who is there?” pS No answer was returned. | The old man knocked at the door ones more. NG i. ‘Who and what are ya that disturb me atthis lone hour?” said the voice from within, now rising in anger, The old man. rapped again and again, “Coming ; Iam coming !”’ said the voice. “Isthe palace in flames, or what is'it that you thus disturb me?” ‘oo At that same moment the door was unlocked.- It was thrown open, | | | A half-naked man, sword in hand, rushed ont upon the threshold. : All was deep darkness. « | He saw no one, yet while he, for a second, stood unde- cided, a voice said, ‘‘ Now !” The hammer descended like a stroke of lightning. There was an awful crash ! One smothered ghriek ! All was over ! The occupant and guardian of the Red Room lay a gory corpse upon’ its threshold ! 17s | —_-_-— ‘ CHAPTER: XXVI. MASTER ANDREW'S PRACTICAL JOKES ON ORD TIPPLER— FRANCOIS A MAN OF THE DAGGER—LOTS ARE DRAWN FOR A DOUBLE DUEL—OLD TIPPLER’S HYPOCRISY—HE MEETS A TARTAR IN MASTER ANDREW —YILLANOUS POLITENESS OF THE CONSPIRATORS—PREPARATIONS FOR — A FIGHT, a But while the terrible scene we have before deseribed was transpiring at the door of the Red Room, another of equal interest was taking place between the august prisoners and their savage captors and guardians. tw SS Comichooks*com .