The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

. THE “XOUNG APPRENTICE. sister will send you with a message—a letter. Whon you deliver it the gentleman will say to you ‘Stay here, or, if you will not liketo remain here alone, follow me.’ Remain where you are at first. You will sce something if you-—— Here is my sister.” Alicia at this moment sailed into the room, and, glancing neither towards one nor the other, walked to a secretaire, and sat down. _ After a little while, Alicia turned towards Harold,” “ Before you came here they called you the river boy, did they not?” " “They did, Mistress Alicia,” _“ You can row a boat?” - 66 Yes,” “Without any help?” 63 Yeu.” ed ‘‘That is well. Now, listen to me; and see that you understand me. I wish you to go down the wooden staircase which leads from the back yard to the Thames; you will find at the bottom of the steps a boat, a light one, which you can easily manage. Enter this and row down the river towards London Bridge. When you have passed the Temple Gardens you will see Saville House. You know it?’ _ “Yes, Mistress Alicia, I know it well.” ‘‘ Moor your boat there, and go up the stairs. Pasa on boldly, give this letter, and the watch- word I will give you will free you from all interference. When you reach the door knock boldly.” ‘The éne‘ wHo receives’ the letter will tell you what to do next.” She handed him the letter as she spoke. “ And the watch-word, madam ?”’ “*The man without a@ name. Now go, Harold ; and recollect that this journey is to be known to no one. ‘Not Mr. Leslie ?” “Not even to him, alone.” With one furtive glance at the younger sister, who, now that Alicia's eyes were upon-her, kept her own fixed upon the carpet,-Harold quitted the room. and. hufrying dowr into the yatd, found the boat exactly where it had’ been dc- acribed to be. It was moored loosely against the piles on which stood a projecting part of the building ; and, entering it, he soon pushed off upon the river, I’ar over the sky the clouds had gathered heavily, and the objects upon the river were scarcely distinguishable from the water; and it seemed truly as if, he were floating along a black lake, along whose shores towered vast and gloomy ruina, : Palling along ‘lustily towards Saville House, and thinking of his new prospects and the young fair girl who was beginning to have so strong an influence upon his heart, he never noticed & sudden jerk to his boat, nor did he observe anything unusual until he heard a guttural laugh near him. - Then he glanced up. Upon the extreme end of the boat on the las thwart of it sat a groteaque figure, Tt was the dwarf—Quelf ! Harold rowing. ‘What are you doing there?” cried he, loudly. To me and my sister Quelf laughed again. “Tam come to keep you company,” he said ; “perhaps, too, I can help to show you the way.” “No, no,” said Harold ; “ there you are wrong. You shall not go with me. I am on a secret errand. You must let me row you ashore, Llow did you come bere ?” , “IT swam after the boat,” said the dwarf, chuck- ing. ‘ Then swim back, or let me row you ashore. You cannot come with me,” said Harold, turn- ing the head of his boat towards the Surrey side. “Tshan't go on shore if you do row there,” said Quelf, doggedly. “ Besides, you'll be late at Savillé House.” ‘‘T would rather be late than go there with you,” said Harold, still pulling vigorously, Presently he reached shallow water. ‘‘ Now,” said Harold, “ wade on shore.” “No,” cried the dwarf, still sitting where he was. Harold sprang up. “Come, Quelf,” he said, “you must go I can't have any more of this.” As he spoke he advanced angrily towards the dwarf with a threatening gesture. " Quelf was prepared for this. He had anticipated a fight. , “Keep off,’”’ he cried, drawing a long glitter- ing knife, and flourishing it over his head, “ keep off, or I shall be the death of you !” But Harold was not thus to be daunted. Knowing that impetuosity in matters of this kind is ever the best, he dashed forward, and roshing upon Quelf, succeeded in seizing the wrist of the hand that held the knife, “You had better give it up, Quelf 1” cried he; “you don’t want to murder me, I suppose, and unless you do that, you won't get over me. [ll die before I give in.” * So will I,” gurgled the dwarf, savagely. “ Well, then, [ will row back and tell Alicia of your conduct to-night.” . — ‘Hal ha! ha!” langhed Quelf; “ what do Z care for her? I am independent of her; she dare not harm me.” ° All this talk, while the just glinting moon sparkled on the bright knifc, and the boat was floating out into deeper water without the boys observing it. As he spoke the dwarf made one vehement struggle to wrench his hand away. Then there wasa deadly straggle, the two boys rocking to and fro upon the edge of the boat, bending here and there upon the thwarts of the swaying skiff. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! The Proprietor of “THE YOUNG APPRENTICE” Has, at great expense, arranged for A SERIES OF MAGNIFICENT ENGRAVINGS To the Purchasers of this Work. The first, a Beautiful Engraving, printed in Five Colours, Will be presented with No 2., Others will follow at short intefvals. ; eusteenl Order Number Two early, to secure the Gift! ay 6) FP \ J ) CLO CONHVE OO Ol