Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE self the tenant of a rude, cold, stone cell, without light, fire, or covering of any sort. The soldiers having fulfilled their errand, re-entered their boat and pulled away for Westminster Stairs, closely followed by Will Winter and his crew of ’prentices. Stepping out of the boat with a heavy heart, he spoke to the *prentices for some time in whispers, saying, as he de- parted, “When you hear the signal to-morrow, fly each of you to the rendezvous, and armed !” “We will!” the ’prentices replied, in angry tones. ‘“ There will be bloody work to-morrow !” With this Will Winter hastened homewards, revolving in his mind various plans for effecting the escape of Blue Jacket, and was upon the point of entering Michael the cloth-worker’s house by the back-way, and through the garden, when four men, who had been concealed in the shrubbery, suddenly rushed forth and seized him. “That is the man |” said the coarse, hoarse voice of a fifth person, now appearing upon the spot, sword in hand, ‘“ That isthe man! Strangle him if he breathes a word! Bear him away |” CHAPTER XXXYV. THE PATE OF WILL WINTER— THE GRAND MASTER OF THE LONDON APPRENTICES ACCUSED OF MURDER — IVAN AND ANDY GIVE DAMNING TESTIMONY AGAINST HIM — FALSE WITNESSES — THE HIDDEN BOOTY RECOVERED — RED- HANDED VILLAINS ACT LIKE LAMBS—THE LONELY CELL —THE MAN OF -MYSTERY. THE suddenness of the arrest and the strange unaccountable circumstances of it were so incomprehensible to Master Will Winter that he could not find words to express his surprise and wonder ! ’T'was well, perhaps, that he did not speak, for had he uttered but one word the dagger of Andy was ready, and only TERRIBLE. 63 too willing to obey the commands of his relentless and cruel chief. : It is uncertain what Ivan’s followers would have done with Master Winter had they been left alone with him long. As fortune would have it, they had barely left the shrubbery and gained the main street ere they encountered an armed patrol going their nightly rounds. It was Ivan’s. and particularly Andy’s wish to escape the notice of this passing patrol, but the soldiers were keen-eyed, and perceived them as they stood under an old shadowless archway. ‘“‘Halt there!” said the sergeant of the patrol. Who goes there ?” “ Friends !” Ivan gruffly answered, gnashing his teeth in anger at being discovered so unexpectedly, “ What friends?” *“ Friends of King James,” was the answer. ‘© Advance, then, and explain this gathering of yours !” Tyan stepped forth into the moonlight, and in a few gruff words explained all. ‘‘ There has been robbery and murder committed. We were passing homewards and heard the alarm. We forced open the house and found a youth beating his senseless master about the head with a pistol, and we doubt not but that he is already dead.” | “Robbery and murder? and ye have secured the scoundrels ?” ‘Nay, good sergeant,” said Ivan, “there must have been several in this horrible affair, as you say ; but by the time that we arrived the others made off with their booty, and being fleet afoot escaped us,” ‘ * Oh, the villains |” said the commandant, m holy horror. Bring the murderer hither, friend ; we will away with him to the guard-house.” So saying, the patrol led Master Will Winter away, gaceced and securely bound as he was, and amid the curses of the soldiers, and the malicious, dark, and revengeful eyes of Ivan and his men. “ Halt! (To be continued.) THE GHOSTS HOUSE IN THE LONELY ROAD. (Continued from page 56.) —_+— ‘¢But even in her affliction,” replied Frederick, ‘“‘her hate pursues you, dear mother.” “* How so?’ «She has denounced you to justice.” *€ T expected it.”’ ‘¢ Nay; listen to me calmly. Each moment that passes drives hope farther from my heart, an odious error has branded your name with infamy, and——”’ ‘<< Would condemn me to the scaffold if I am found here.” ‘¢ To remain, then, dear mother, would be madness. In less than an hour the house will be searched. You will be arrested and dragged expiring to the cells of a loathsome prison. We must quit this place, and——” ; ‘Never! Tam guiltless, and the proofs of my innoeence——” “Are in the hands of your bitterest enemy. Consent, I im- plore you, to fly till I possess them. You will not resist my sup- plications, my tears. Ah! it is too late, the authorities have arrived !” Adah uttered a wild scream, and fell into the arms of her son, who, in the meantime, had witnessed with impatience somewhat curbed by astonishment, the entrance into the apartment of a party of well-dressed individuals, the principal of whom was called Sergeant Devaux. They were accompanied by several men in the uniform of the metropolitan police. Sergeant Devaux was a counsellor, appointed by the officers of the crown to inquire into the particwars of this intricate case before it was brought into court, or to public notice. ; ‘‘ We must redouble our vigilance, gentlemen,” said the coun- sellor, *‘ for the matter before us is certainly one of the most ex- traordinary on official record.” Turning to the chief of the police, he continued, ‘* Before commencing our inquiry I must impress upon you that you will suffer no one to depart on any pretence whatever from the premises till I shall have examined separately every person that at the present time remains within them.” ““ Unfortunate that I am!’ muttered Frederick, to himself.‘* I shall not be able to save her!” ‘* What is your name ?” said the counsellor, addressing the offcer. *¢ Frederick Edgeworth.” “‘ Indeed! then, if I am correctly informed, sir, you have con- cealed in your house a female, one Adah Latimer? In the name of the court, of which I am the servant, I require you to deliver her up. You are silent ; where is this woman?” “ She stands before you!’ cried Adah, advaneing to meet the stern gaze of the counsellor, whose dark eye was overshadowed by his jetty brow. Her appearance on the moment change the de- meanour of Devaux ; his generous disposition at once attached him towards her, while she seemed to have equal confidence in the lawyer, who, with complaisance, continued, **T regret, madam, that an imperative duty compels me to speak these words; but you are accused of a crime whieh——” *« She is innocent,” exclaimed Frederick. ‘* There exist proofs of this ; I have seen them, so shall you, aye! all the world.” “* Where are they ?” ‘Alas! I fear destroyed,” replied Frederick, dejectedly ; “but, no, she cannot be so base! Your pardon, Sergeant Devaux, you will at least allow me time to search for them.” Sa GOln) Gomichdoo