The Armourer's Apprentice — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

ripest ut should we fail?” demanded a voice. which Stephen knew at once to be De __ “We cannot fail. The sheik’s tyranny he th turned even his own children against him. I knew this when I dashed the ship “upon the rocks here. You forget, De - Courcy—or rather—I should say, Kadagar _—that I have been in Palestine before. I knew this tyrant, and I knew the Old Man zs) ¢ the Mountain. Oh! I had my plans welllaid. I knewthat Richard hated me -and you, De Courcy, who hath to carry all _ the honours of ourfamily. Oh! if he knew the secret of this, his favourite, Stephen $Sternhold’s birth, how quickly would he Tight him—aye! and at our expense, too. But we hold Alice in our hands, and by her we shall triumph.” | _ “But this secret,uncle. Thou hast never spoken to me about it butin hints. Surely you may divulge it now.” _ “No; remain in ignorance yet. I play the game. Thou shalt be thought innocent, _ but shall have the stakes.” - _ “By my faith! I like not this,” said De Courcy, roughly. “You forget, uncle, that for this defiance of the king my estates in England may be forfeited.” _ Your estates!” sneered De Boischene. “Your estates! know, boy, you have no estates. You are not the heir to those estates, nor even to the title. You have no - claim of birth or wealth.” _ “How say you—I, Lord de Courcy, Baron of Beaulieu, in England, and Courcie, in Normandy, have no claim to title or to wealth? ’Tis false! it must be false. I _ will proclaim it to all the world, and prove it, if need be, with my blood.” . be “hou wouldst proclaim me a false knight?” replied De Boischene, in the _ game sneering tone. , _ “Tf need be,” replied the younger man, ‘passionately, “‘ I would meet you in the ~ due! doutrance.’ “Go to! Thou hast more words than | courage—less brains than either,” laughed _ “How dare you insult me? Am I not the head of the family ?” eNO! Hat Why, thou hast often told me so thy- pelf.” . "i ‘ 7? yore J admit it. But that is not the only ie I have told for your sake—aye! by lany & one.” “And why, Sir Bidulph, hast thou done all this?” _ “Because I am thy father.” A pause, and then De Courcy was "heard to gasp— ‘ 5 €Phou—my father?” oe Ke a i Sp balk ha pe # gt ey iB ie oat ‘ SS ; stn @) HY ae = eed an oe F ee : es, y*ei <P. S,- rae : Rigas Os THE PLOT TO ASSASSINATE THE SHEIK. © ‘aml <3 UP ae 5 aes we A aly > . | 1 Pa ti 1a s ole 2 . . SS § ol -_ = _.- aw = - ie , * ‘ - > * ” =e -- Vs oD deep coh evidently pretending that he — cared littie for the disclosure of his villainy, although it was evident that it gave him deep pain, “thou art my son. Why I did not own thee this badge of the Hoiy Knights of Malta shows. But think you that I would have a child of mine thrown hope- less, helpless on the world? To have the finger of scorn pointed at you; to hear your — name—name you have no name.” E “How? Isit possible that I am—’” “Hush!” thundered Sir Bidulph, “ breathe not that word. I—I have given up all hope of heaven, all—all trust in forgiveness to save—to save your name.” | “'Then-—then you love me?” gasped De Courcy. . 7 “Yes, I love you; but—but it was for her sake—your mother’s sake, that I have cast myself out of all hope. Boy, be warn- ed and cross me not. I have done crimes that some of the boldest men would shudder at, to place wealth and fame around you; but I have done it for her sake—remember that, not yours—and if by word or deed you dare publish her disgrace to the world, and hold her up to shame, I will kil! you’ “Can this be true?” | “True! Look in my face, and tell me if you can doubt it? Read in the sullen look, the deep-marked lines, the firm-gripped mouth, the signs of 4 man whose soul is sunk in despair; but hath had the pride— ~ or will, f ow not which—to hide his sorrow, as the Spartan boy hid the fox, although it gnawed away his heart.” “T must have proof of this anon,” said De Courcy, in & deep voice. “Seek that and you are lost,” exclaimed Sir Bidulph, sternly: “I have told you enough. Ask no more if you value your life and happiness. You must wed Alice, then we can claim all the estates, and the title the king will grant.” | a “The King Richard of England will never pardon us,” cried De Courcy. “Richard of England will never see England again. I tell you all is settled and managed. This headstrong king, whose only love is war, hath so crushed down his peaceful subjects to draw money from them, that they are ready to rise at his brother’s call. Richard once killed or a prisoner, I shall return to England. Prince John will seize the crown, and I shall once more hold my head up amongst the highest.” “Think you that prince John will be able to carry out so desperate a plot ®” “ Ave! why should he not be able to do so?” demanded Sir Bidulph. “The plan is a good one and worthy of © success. But Prince John can scarcely be trusted.” Gomichboo (E(@)