The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

42 The giant did not give him much time for thought. The huge sword, whirled twice round his head, descended. at last. It was parried, however. The Man without a Name, with a strength for which his form and stature did not give him credit, averted the blow, just at the moment that Harold’s sword wounded the assassin. With a yell of pain and rage, the man sprang back, In the uncertain light his face gleamed like that of a demon. “ Look to yourselves,” he cried, “ your last day has come, Die!” A second lunge came. . A lunge more fierce and terrible than the first. Despite his strength, however, he was no match for his agile opponent, the Young Ap- prentice. Again and again Harold wounded him. « Fly now,” he cried to his benefactor ; “leave the spot while you are yet safe. Once vou are gone he will not molest me.” Phe other laughed lightly. “You do not understand what you say,” he answered. “ut, no matter. Here comes the watch ; we are both aaved.”’ He was fight. Again the dreary watchman made his appear- ance ih time. “Twelve o’clock—a starlit night.” So rang out the words. The giant assassin started. - “Villain !’ he cried, regarding Harold with a look of intense hate, “ villain ! you have bauiked mé again. Expect my moat terrible revenge when next we meet.” With a deep curse, he then rushed away, leaving Harold and his benefactor standing side _ by side, ‘‘My lad,” said the Man without a Name, ‘vou are a worthy scion of your house ; there is a mystery attached to your birth that shall be cleared in time, Go on as you have bégun, and you will prosper. Good night. I thank you ence more for aiding me in saving my life,” He was preparing to go. “ Sir, said Harold, “ may I have a word with you “ Quick, then,’’ said the other, turning up the collar of his coat as the watch passed him. ‘What is it?” ‘You have been very kind to me, sir; you saved me from poverty and disgrace, and placed me in a good situation. But, really, sir, I would rather not stay here.” The cavalier started. ‘What! dissatisfied already? I am indezd regretful,” arold flushed crimson. The tone in which the words were spoken was so pitiful and sad. They went to Harold’s heart. ‘No, sir,” he said, “‘I am not dissatisfied ; I am only fearfully in doubt, almost in fear.” “In fear of what?” Harold glanced at his benefactor. ‘Tait possible he does not know ?” he thought, And as he thought, he passed his hand through his hair distractedly. CS THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, It seemed truly to his youthful brain as if the events of the last few days and weeks had been dreama—were phantasies of an excited imagi- nation. He was roused from his reverie by the necessity of answering his friend. ‘T see so many terrible things—so many .. murders—so many attempted murders—and in all these this giant armourer figures. How can it be pleasant for me to be in his service?” His benefactor patted him in a manner almost } affectionate upon the shoulder. ‘Believe in me, and remain with Mastér Leslie,’”? he said. “ If you are in doubt, watch— but do not judge. Good night.” With this, he shook the Young Apprentice heartily by the hand, and left the spot. With a heart still heavy, Harold entered the houee, It seemed now no home to him, Even Ettie appeared in his mind overshadowed by the cloud. “JT will go direct to bed,” he said to himself, as he was admitted by the dwarf, and pasaed on to the staircase. Quelf intercepted him. ‘ Stay,” he said; “a word with you.” Harold halted, and éyed his fellow apprentice sternly. ‘What is it you want with me?” he said. ‘Let me pass ; I am tired, and desire to retire to rest.” “That may be,” said Quelf; “but you may sleep more soundly, perhaps, if I give you a wholesome and friendly warning.” “ And that is?” ‘That in regard to what you saw and heard in the subterranean vault the other night you will reveal nothing.” ‘To whom ?” “To any one without this house.” Harold smiled mockingly. “Your advice,” he said, “comes rather late, If I had chosen to betray your friends I could have done so easily enough. But rest assured, not even to the armourer himself have I revealed this secret. I have my reasons for not doing go at present.” ‘¢ Shall I tell you one reason for not betraying the secret to strangers?” pursued the dwarf. “You love the armourer—you love your bene- factor (though you think him an assassin)—you love his daughter Ettie, and to betray that secret place of meeting would ruin both Leslie and his daughter, Understand that, and believe it or not as you Will. I can explain no more.” With these words he hopped away into the back yard, just as the giant armourer descended the stairs. Harold regarded him in astonishment, He had seen him a moment before flying along the road from the watch. Why was he now standing calmly and smil- ingly in the passage of his own house? “ Why, Harold,” he said, “how late you are ! Did the person for whom you took the coat of mail re-call you? ‘Your companion has been home some time,”’ Harold's eyes fell to the ground. What was he to believe ? A roxXo)