The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 372: what you’re looking at

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

EO) s\ THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. this lady! What right has Lord Lovaine to keep her here against her will? How should I like Sophie to be kept here, and in his power, ¢oo, against her will? I'll save her—I don’t care for my mother—TI will save her. Bill Tottenham's the chap to do it for me, and I’ll tell him all." poo Bill Tottenham was not in the way just then. It was not until the evening after Lord Lovaine’s first visit that he came across him, as he sauntered along the grounds, and over to the old barn where he often passed an hour smoking the fragrant weed, which even then was a forbidden enjoyment to yonth. Here he met Bill. Bill was a tall, lanky bodied, lanky haired individual, somewhat in appearance like Bob himself, equally anxious also to make money and equally plueky in obtaining it. “Ab! Bill Tottenham !" cried Bob, as he met his friend, “‘I am so glad J have fallen in with ou.” “Why, have you got a chance of some money ?” “Yes, that I have; but don't stop here. Mother's always listening. Let’s go to the barn where we can be quiet.” . So saying, Bob led the way towards the oid arn, It wag a curious old structara. More curious, perhaps, from its history than its appearance. All manner of stories were in vogue in the neighbourhood in regard to it, Stories of murders and outrages of different characters, which made the blood hot and the hair stand on end, had affixed themselves to the history of the old barn, and before the cottage had been built upon the land adjacent to it, ther ewere few upon the country side who would venture near it, Now, however, it was different. Murders aud outrages ‘there might have been within it. Bat time had gone by. The memory of old misdeeds had gradually worn out, The proximity of human life had done away with old superstition, and people hegan te forget their old fears, The black wooden door being shut to, Bob Wrexham proceeded to a stove, which he had himself improvised out of some large stones, and applying a match, had soon a goodly blaze of logs rushing upwards and diffusing a merry glow and warmth around. ‘“Of a truth, Master Bob Wrexham,” said Bill Tottenham, as he sat down by theside of his friend, * you have no bad choice of a retreat.’’ “ Not I, indeed; but if you will aid me I will have a better and a grander one than this, and you'll have money too,” Bill’s eyes glistened. He was like Bob. He worshipped money. “Tell us, Bob,” hesaid, “whatitis. To get some good money I'll do anything.” Bob Wrexham’s lips curled slightly in scorn. “ You're like my mother,” he said, “you'd do anything for money.” " Aye, that I would,” gaid Bill, with glistening eyes. “What !|—murder ?”’ ‘Murder |” ~ The word sounded hideously solemn in that dark, quiet place. ¥ 00 Bob } 6 little thought what terrible signifieance the word had for him, 5 Bill Tottenham shuddered. ’ i Marder I!” he pepeated ; “ I never said mur- er, “No,” said Bob, “you did not say murder, _ bat you said you would do anything, and thet includes murder. But it is far from that that I ask youtodo, iIshall have a hundred pounds and you shall have twenty.” Bill grasped his friend’s hand. “Tell me what itis,” he said, “and it shall be done at once.” | “Well,” said Bob, sinking his yoice to a whisper, ‘‘ well, there isa young lady in my mother’s house who wishes to return to her friends,” 66 Yes,” “ She has offered mea hundred pounds to gave her.” : Yes.” ‘* Well, it is clear, I should think, we will save her, and get the hundred pounds.” ‘Prue, but save her from what f’ “Brom Lord Lovaine, from outrage and ineult,’’ ‘‘ Where do her friends lize? and how know you you will get the hundred pounds?" “She is the ward of Siy Henry Hastings, of the Temple, and I know the money is safe; at any rate yours is secure.” “ Well, well,” said Bill, “I will believe you 5 but tell me, what am I to do?" “Yeu are to go to Sir Henry Hastings, and tell him that his ward, Alicia Leslie, or rather Alicia Changeling, is confined here.” “Yes.” “ Let no one know who yeu are; above all let no one know that you are going there, and when you return hither with her friends, mark me, we shall obtain our reward.” “When shall I start ?” said Bill, ‘* At once,” returned Bob, “lese no time, There is no time like the present." Bill Tottenham arose from his seat and ap- proaching the door passed ont into the dark night, They little knew who had been at this door before. They little knew that all their plaus had been overheard, They little knew that a pair of eyeg, demoniac in their glare aud hate, had been fixed upon them during the whole of their conversation. The eyes of Mrs, Wrexham. She had suspected that her son weuld deceive her, and knowing well that Bill Tottenham was the recipient of all his secrets, she had resolved upon this means to follow and watch them, and if possible, overhear their conversation. Her mind was now made up. She was a woman who, as the saying is, stuck at nothing. She had lived hor life and earned her bread, s0 to speak, through viilany, and she ‘did not shrink now even from the destruction of her own son. (© (GN COVED OOKSEEO