The Armourer's Apprentice — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

2 ar € AN ARTFUL PLOT. F ees | should not now be plagued with the brat. Remember our wrongs, and let _ that steel your heart. Jf you betray me I _ will curse thee with my latest breath!” | ‘Sobbing bitterly, the poor woman _ promised her husband-to obey him, and _ then the armourer prepared to depart. _ _ One or two of the soldiers were directed to carry the implements that he would need, _ and then the smith called loudly for his _ apprentice Rufus, whom he meant to take ; Ai with him, but-that interesting youth could not be found, _ Giving directions that the absent youth _ should be sent after him as soon as possible, he armourer started with Will, Stephen, _ the soldiers to the rendezvous appointed for the assembly of troops, _ Leaying them to proceed on their way, we will go with Rufus, and see how he _ made use of his secret. ) ving watched Alice back to the house, us the Rip scrambled over the low wall h formed the boundary of the armourer’s den, and, diving down some lanes and eets, arrived opposite a tavern, from _ which came the sounds of revelry, not un- frequently mixed with that of voices raised oe _ Pus ing open the door of the tavern, _ Rufus crept into the shop, and cast an anxious look around. __ It was a wretched-looking place, the ceil- ‘ing, walls, and furniture all being a rich brown from the smoke, which poured forth 1 thick volumes from the wood fire, which ~ blazed and cracked in thehearth, sending out far more noise and sparks than heat. _ Round the fire were some dozen men, ssed in the garb of the sailors of that riod. They were drinking deeply, and g, talking, and quarrelling ali to- _ “Hillo! my beauty,” cried one ; “what do you want here?” _ “Ts Master Brissot here?’ demanded Rufus. “I wish to speak to him.” | hen you had better go into yonder _ ¥oom,” replied the sailor; “he is engaged making his arrangements with some lords, | thing of that kind, for to-morrow we _ heave up anchor, and sail away for the blue ‘Mediterranean and the Holy Land.” ) the sailors without another word. ust open the door pointed out to , and, entering the rovun, discovered Brissot, a black bearded scoundrel, to George Wynyard and Lord de «How uw, my prince of spies!” cried De urcy, as he saw Rufus. ring us of the fair Alice and the brag- , Stephen Sternhold 2” ty replied Rufus. iy ‘What news do “TJ can tell thee, Master George Wyn yard, that thou hast but little chance of winn.ing the heart of Dame Alice. Ha, ha, ha! I saw the love token ven, I heard the oath of :5delity taken, and know she will die before .zhe Will break her word.” ) sate “ Outon thee, thou base-born churl !” eried George. ‘ Dost thoucome hereto twit me? By my honour! I swear I will wring the neck.” | “ Hold, George, hold!” cried De Courcy, as he caught the young fellow’s arm and prevented him rising from his seat. “Thy jad is a good lad and a useful, He hath served us faithfully, and we must not he hard upon him because of the queerness of his humours. Come, Master Rufus, tell us your news, and that quickly; then you shall have a cup of strong waters and a piece of silver.” © The little wretch cast a look of malignant triumph at George Wynyard, and then red eee! and clearly related all that had taken place at the smith’s, only taking care to place in Alice and Stephen’s mouths words of the bitterest contempt for Georga Wynyard, Zach time he saw that gentleman wince under the bitter remarks supposed to have been made by our hero and heroine, the little fiend rubbed his hands with glee, “ Gad's life!” cried De Courcy, “ this isa strange history.” . ~ One that is little to my liking,” growled George. “The king must be mad to take me unknown orphan and make him a cap- ain. “ Nay, there you are wrong. The king knows a good soldier when i: sees him, and a finer fellow than Stephen Sternhold never drew bow or used lance and battle- axe. But I see noreasontocomplain. The news is good.” “Good! It is well, my Lord de Courcy, that you should think so. You, who have had the use of my purse as if it were your own, promising me success with Alice and earenge on Stephen. Think you that she will like him the less now that he is cap- tain and in the king's favour?” “Not I, indeed,” laughed De Courcy, “{ know women too well for that. But what say you, Master Wynyard, if I place the fair Alice in your power to-night?” _ “Do that, and I will give you a hundred marks!” cried George. “Good! itshall be done. Captain Brissot, is your ship ready to start?” “Yes; we can drop down the river as the moon rises,” replied the captain. “Good! Be all prepared to start ata minute’s notice. Have a boat moored ciose to the foot of London-bridge, and let the crew beqwellarmed.” ECONMIECOOOKS EON