The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

298 (Cs XS CG) THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, The count glanced at it in surprise. He knew well that the young partner of his happiness had a fortane of her own; bnté he was not aware what use she was about to put it to, and when his eyes fell upon the words which contained her last wishes, a tear glistened in his eye, and he gently approached the bed. The will was handed to him by the nurse—a tall, masculine-looking Normandy woman, and, deprived of its legal technicalities, ran as fol- lows :— ‘‘T, Louise Beauville, being at the time of making this my last will and testament, in possession of my sound senses, do hereby bequeath all my bropert , xeal and per- sonal, to m dearly beloved husband pone | de Beauvitie, to be used by for the purpose of carrying out THE GREAT WORK.” The latter words were vague enough to strangers. But to him they possessed a golden hope. ‘¢ Deareat Louise.” be said, as he bent over the dying one, and kissed ber, ‘“ would that you could live to see this great cause triumph. ”’; The dying woman amiled faintly, “Fear not,” she said, pointing towards heaven; “I shall see you still. J shall see to what use you put my money, and [ shall know that if you have not the happiness of seeing a Republic, you will have, at least, the knowledge that yeu have laid the foundatien of it.” The scene closed by early dawn. The light faded ont from the weary eyes—the life ebbed away from the weary heart, and the Count de Beauville was alone. It was in the grey of the morning that a loud ringing was heard, and Harold Fardyce and the armourer were admitted. They found him in great distress, “TI have just lost,” he said, “my best; and dearest friend—my wife—as troe a ublican as myself, Her last dying wish was to see the great cause trinamph, and with her last breath she has bequeathed to me the wealth necesary to the accomplishment of my wishes, What message bring you f” ‘A letter from Cromwell,” said Harold; “butin your present stete of sorrow let us put off til to-morrow the discussion of omr basi- The count shook his head. ‘‘ No,” he said, “Iam an old scldier. I am used to trouble and sorrow; I am used to havo to smile when my heart has been bleeding sorely, I am sad now, as [I have said. The news you bring me, perhaps, mey bring a tran- sient joy to my heart,” , “In that case, then,” ssid Lealle, “we will deliver our message. Harold, give the count the Ictter,” The Young Apprentice had scarcely done s0, when there was a crashing seund below, and the trampling of many feet. The count turned very pale. “I fear,” he said, as he listened, and beard men ascending the stairs,“I fear I have led you into danger.” The words had scarcely left his lips when the door was thrown open, amd a number of soldiers entered. ‘bh The count stood proudly and boldly before em, “What means this intrusion?” he said, haugbtily. * We have the king's order,” said the other, advancing, “ to arrest the person of the Count de Beauville, and two English spies named Harold Fordyce and Frank Leslie, These are the gentlemen, and we must beg you all to accompany us quietly.” “ You are mistaken,” said the Young Appren- tice. ‘“ We have papers from Cromwell for the King of France, anda safe conduct from the French ambassador.” ° . ‘“ In that case, of course,’’ returned the officer, ‘‘ vou arefree, Let me see them.” The Young Apprentice placed his hand in his ket. They were gone ! “ By heavens! Leslie,” he cried, “I have been robbed. See if you have them, No! you have them not! Then we have been watched and tracked by traitors! Just powers! we are lost {” The French officer smiled. ‘You act well, sir," he said, ‘* but it is in vain. Soldiers, arrest these men.” Expostulation was useless. In some way or another they had lost their papers, } ~ And within a few hours they were placed in a strange prison, where communication with the outer world was entirely cut off—where nothing was left them bat desolation and despair, CHAPTER XVI. THE DAMP CELL—THE PROPOSALS FOR ES. CAPE~THE SUSPICIOUS DISHES — THE HUNGRY GAOCLEB—THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK—THB UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY—A LABOUR OF LOVE—THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT, Umiske the places in which they had found themselves immured in England, Harold For- dyce and Frank Lealie found their French prison dug ont of the solid clay, Damp and dank enough it was, therefore, as may be imagined ; and, indeed, in one corner a complete of water had collected. “This is infamous,” asid the armourer, “I would not treat a dog as badly as this.” ‘‘ No, indeed; but remember that weare Repub- licans, and at the present moment the French Government is no d to England, It may seem cowardly to give up so easily, but in my opinion, we shall not ly escape. Here they have us, and here you may depend upon it they will keep us,” The armourer smiled and pointed towards the clammy walls. “ They will have a difficulty,” he ssid, “ unless they starve us,” . ‘* How so ?”’ “‘ See you not that the walls are of pure clay ?”’ said Frank Lealfe, és Yes.” “ Well, then, time only is required. I have a knife here concealed. We will take it in turns, and in yonder dark corner we will make a tunnel,”’ “ I see your plan,” said the Young Apprentice ; “but what if we tunnel the wrong way!” The armourer smiled again. “We will xo¢ tunnel the wrong way,” he said. a GOVE OOO