The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

‘ (ea a a \ a. ie a 4 re > nf q* ~ . ~ 7 on , 110 THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, ‘‘ This is the second time, vile assassin,” cried the Yéusg: Apprentice, “that you have entered this house with the intention of destroying the man who was a good and kind master to you. Qn the last octaaion, in trying to rob him, you were discovered, and you fired at him a cowardly shot fronr-whioch b¢é even now saffers, He was then savee the cdurage ‘of his daughter. Heaven witi:forgiver nie this time if I rid the world of mnét an odfous traitor for ever.” With thése word#@he drew his sword, and ad- vanced at a rush towhrds:the dwarf. He had forgotten that the casement was wide open, PW ith one bound, Peter Quelf had leaped on the window-sill, and, before Harold could reach the spot, he was ciambering like a monkey down over the projections, the old faces and quaint devices which formed the front of the armourer's house, ‘Again he has escaped me,” exclaimed Harold, in angry disappointment, “ Who knows what a network of villany will be woven round Leslie by Lord Raymond and this distorted imp of Satan? The former has, I verily believe, gone over to the side of Cromwell for no other reason than the wish he has to be witness against | Frank Leslie.” ‘¢ But you'll try and save him for my sake, will you not, dear Harold?” said Ectie. “Try? Yea, I will lay down my life for him !” returned the Young Apprentice, enthusiastically. He little knew what ternble evidence he would be Called upon to give against him, CHAPTER VII. THE SUMMMONS TO THE TRIAL—THE JUDGES— THE PIECE OF CLOTH— QUELF'S EVIDENCE— LORD RAYMOND TURNS INFORMER AGAINST HIS OWN PARTY—THE EVIDENCE OF HAROLD FORDYCE—THE VERDICT. On the following day Harold went to the gates of the Tower to see if by any possibility he could obtain an interview with his master. But it was useless, The stern gates of the old fortress were shut against him. “No one is permitted to see the prisoners,” said the wan at the portal of the state prison. ‘‘ It is against the rules, and I should lose my head were I to aimit you.” So Harold was cumpelled to turn away. Sadly enough, as may be thought. The aspect of the Tower, as it is known, is not now and certainly was not then, a cheering one. The dismal towers and still more dismal recollections, were such as to cause a bolder heart than that ot Harold Fordyce to quail be- fore them. Before its gloomy gate the innocent Earl of Strafford bad been sacrificed to the fury of the people, incited by vengeful traitors, to a deed whuse significance they could not understand, and sacrificed too to the bliud cowardice of the ing. Before its gates again might be sacrificed the giant armourer to the inveterate hate of treach- erous enemies, Haruld had no sooner arrived home when he Oer cm was summoned from the workabop to the house by @ message that two soldiers desired to see m, . * What want you?” he asked in a semewhat surly voice. “ We want you, young sir,’ replied one of the soldiers ; ‘ here is a summons to appear before the court at Colville House to-morrow at ten o'clock, to give evidence in the case of Frank Leslie. Come, on your peril.” “TI shall not fail to do so," replied Harold, ‘and I am glad to hear that he és to be tried. In these days short shrift is given to moat e.”” The two soldiers laughed. ‘“ Well, well,” said the first speaker, ‘‘a trial is a decent looking thing, and is always, in a certain way, satisfactory ; so if the armourer is satisfied with the trial and the result of it, no doubt every one else will be. You will be there?” ‘‘ Moat assuredly.” “It is well,” said the soldier; “he will, no doubt, be glad to see you.” The sneering, satirical way in which the man spoke was lost upon Harold. His mind was occupied with the fact that on the morrow he would be able to give evidence in favour of his master, and be inatrumental in saving him from the talons of an unjust law. “ Very well,’ he answered, “very well. I will be there punctually.” Very little rest was obtained either by the Young Apprentice or the armourer’s daughters that night. Ettie, amid her genuine fears for her father’s safety, had fears also for Harold. Alicia, knowing how ehe had aided the armourer's enemies, was fearful lest on the trial her treachery to her father should become evi- ent. a However, toss and fret as they might, the morning came, and after partaking of a light breakfast, Harold started off towards Colville Houee. On arriving at the iron gates of the old house, Herold passed through a file of soldiers with muskets until he reached the Hal), where he was taken into custody, as it were, by four troopers, ‘What want you here, young sir?" cried one. “Tet me pass,” said Harold, casting off his rude yrasp. “Iam one of the witnesses in tre trial of Frank Leslie the armourer. ‘Then, gentle youth,” cried the trooper, in a voice of mockery, “it is the more reason that I should take care of you. This way, most noble apprentice, You are in the hauds of the law,” Harold made an involuntary gesture as if to draw his sword from his scabbard: . “ Have a care," said the soldier, sternly ; “the drawing of your sword here would be the sig- nature of your death warrant. way.” Knowing well that he was in the hands of the Jaw, and that he would only prejudice the cause of the armourer by being hasty, Harold followed bis guide, who led him into a kind of ante-room where many others were waiting. He had not been there long before the prisoner was brought through. The Young Apprentice pressed forward, of Come, this | WOE | COMUNE OOKSEEON