The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OB, The chamber in which the landlord had placed him had a round window, which on one side overlooked the high road, and on the other the stables. This had been done designedly; because it would be quite impossible for Lord Raymond and his attenda).t to leave the inn on horseback without his seeing them. Oatherine, the young girl who brought up his meal, hovered in the chamber as if wanting something. Her eyes had been dazzled by the sight of the gold which Harold had given her father, and she thought perhaps she might have the chance of obtaining some for herself. “What want you, my pretty maid?” said the Young Apprentice. She dropped her eyes, and a flash of pretty confusion overspread her face and her bosom, aa she said, “I wanted to say something, sir, abont the persons down stairs,” ‘‘ Very well; speak,” said Harold kindly and encouragingly. ‘‘ Come nearer to me, and speak low, for [am so accustomed to the treachery of mine enemies, that I never consider any secret safe when they are near.’’ The young girl closed the door, and approach- ing him timidly, said, “I overheard just now a few words which make me fancy they have a plan to outwit you, r” “ Indeed, and what did they say ?’’ asked the Young Apprentice, taking her hand, ‘JT heard them say they would remain here till nightfall, and then steal away on foot, leaving their horses here,” ‘‘ This is serious, indeed,’”’ said Harold. can only watch the stables here.” “ And the high road and our front door,” said the girl; “bat the back door is still hidden from view. This back door I can watch if you will trast me.” “ Yes; I will trast you,” said Harold, “ and what is more, [ will make you a present for doing so.” He took a gold piece from his pocket, and placed it in her hand, , A glow of innocent delight overspread her ace. “J will watch the back door carefully,” she said, “and bring you word if I seethem making their escape,” “ Aad do you think that you are doing right in helping me?” “T do.” “ And why?” The girl laughed, and blushed. “‘T don’t know, sir,’’ she said; “but I feel sure I am right.” ‘‘ You can be sire you are,” returned Harold. “ And now, for fear they should suspect any- thing, you had better leave me, I shall not retire to rest either by day or night, so that I shall be ready at a moment’s notice,” c7 mmm crc mccmnrrmmcccnnrcrn nnn nn ee ncn reser ere SSS a i a fe a eg ena ee CHAPTER III, WAITING AND WATCHING—THE DARK NIGHT — THE WARNING—THE ATTEMPTED ESCAPE— THE PURSUIT—THE ROCKY PATH-—-THE OLD HOUSE-—THE STRATAGEM-—~—THE TRAP—THE PITFALL—HAROLD IN DANGER—THE MOCK: ING LAUGH. THE day passed quietly. It was a long and tedious day. Harold's heart beat high for action. Bat his hands were tied. What could he do against his two enemies, . who were to a certain extent protected by the people of the inn? And, again, if he succeeded in killing Lord Raymond, would he not by so doing destroy his chance of finding Ettie Leslie ? He was compelled, therefore, to remain in- active. There was nothing, moreover; to break the monotony, The inn possessed no books, no pictures, and all he could do to while away the time waa to watch the labourers in the fields, to look at the solitary ang unfrequent passers-by, to listen to the uninteresting gabble of the farm-labourera at the inn-door, and think, as the white clouds we: sxiiling by, whether they had passed or werv ubout to pass over the spot where his beloved one was in captivity. At length evening came. Catherine entered with his evening meal. “ Well,” he said, impatiently, “ have you been able to discover anything ?” “ No; I have nothing to tell except that they have taken a room for the night just below the one where I sleep.” “And from your window, therefore, you can see all they do?” “Yes; and as your room is not far from mine, I can soon come to you if I see them escaping.” . “ And there is no fear of their being able to get out by any other way ?” ‘“‘ There 7s none.”’ “ Good; then we shall succeed. And, mark me, Catherine, if through you or your father, I recover the one I love, I will handsomely reward you.” Night at length came, It was a bright moonlight night, just such a one as Harold could have wished to defeat the designs of his enemies. “ . The country was completely inundated by the beams of the silver goddess. Over field and road, over church spire and stream, over hill and valley, over farmhouses and white cottages, the gentle radiance fell. But the beauty of the scene was lost on Harold Fordyce. His heart was now beating wildly within his breast. — _ Every nerve was strained to its highest ten- sion. His eyes rapidly scanned each moment the stable-yard and the highway. But no one appeared. “They will remain here to tire me out,” thought he, “but they shall not succeed.” Presently, however, he heard a light atep hurrying along the passage. CO EHDGO SS) x \ x QO d | lin