The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. Rupert, can you show me the way to this old house ?”” “You will not require my guidance, If you cross Southwark Bridge from the Middlesex side, and go straight on for a mile, you will reach a cross road; near the centre is a post ; take the left turning, and yon will see a man hung in chains, Opposite this body is the house you seek.” . For more reasons than one I should wish to unravel this my a The morning's eun straggled through the paneless windows ere the river boys finished their revelry. CHAPTER XIII, THE ABDUCTION OF ETTIE LESLIE, THu¥ position of Harold Fordyce in the family of the armourer was scarcely that of an ap- prentice. Harold had the best of everything ; eat with them, sat with them, was one of the family, Three nights after his adventure with the river boys, he was left alone to take his supper in the dining-room. Try all he could he was unable to find time to proceed as he wished to the old house in South- wark; he, however, despatched a letter to Cromwell’s head-quarters, acquainting Ben Fire- brace of the abduction of Lizzie, Work had flowed in jin a continuous stream, and the giant armourer and his men had been fully employed. On this evening Ettie had accompanied her father, and Harold had closed the door upon them, shuddering, as he did so, to see the gentic maiden’s hand glide into that of a man whose life, as he‘ had reason to helieve, was spent in bloodshed. The quiet of the old house seemed doubly chilling when he knew that Ettie was away. Little by little her image had grown in his heart until it had usurped all place there. There was no doubt that he loved her with an affection beyond his years; and now as he sat in this room alone, her face seemed before him, her fairy form sitting with him at the meal. Presently a light step was heard. ‘‘ Has Ettie returned,” thought he, and glanced eagerly at the door. e was soon undeceived. The new-comer was Alicia Leslie. He knew her well, or he nfight really on this occasion have doubted her identity. She seemed transfigured. Her face was pale, her bright hair cast wildly back off her forehead, her hands clenched ner- vously together, her white bosom heaving excitedly beneath ita lace covering. She glanced round as she entered, peeped out to ascertain that no one was following her, and then sat down close to Harold. ‘‘ Harold,” she said, with quivering lips, ‘‘are you disposed to do me a service ?” “ Certainly, madam,” returned the Young Apprentice, coldly, ernie eran ccna rr a TT TT TT a ea a AR, He had not forgotten her insults and: her taunts when he had first entered Frank Leslie’s. house. “Harold,” she went on, “I know you fear me ; but in this case, are you willing now to aid me and forget the past ?”’ ‘'Ves,” he said, “Iam willing. But, believe me, the past when I remember it, gives me but little inducement to risk my life or honour.” “You will risk neither,” returned Alicia, eagerly, sesing that her young companion was yielding; “all I ask of you is rapidity and secresy. Say, will you aid me? I amin sore— in grievous trouble.” “Yes, madam, I will.” He said it resolutely—almost defiantly, as it were. He promised in very truth against his con- viction of what was true. Alicia at once settled herself to business. ‘‘You know Leicester ?'’ she said. “The apprentice ?” ‘¢Yeg ; the one who worked with you at first in the workshop.” ‘Yes; I know him well. believe he was no apprentice.” Alicia flushed. ‘* Never mind that,” shc said, “there is no time for discussion, Well, he is in sore trouble ; his life is in danger; although faithful to the cause he has espoused he has been accused of treachery, ani at this moment he lies ready for death. Will you save him P?” Though I verily The girl almost flung herself upon Harold as, she spoke. The Young Apprentice felt deeply moved. He knew well now there was no deception, for as her form came in contact witb his, be could feel how every fibre of her frame quivered with emotion. “T will if I can,” he said. ‘You can save him without danger to your- self," sbe said. “I would cend Quelf, but I dare not. All I desire you to do is to take this letter to him, and he will by means of this easily effect his escape.” She took from her warm bosom as she spoke a letter which she kissed and delivered to him. ‘You know Southwark Bridge?” she raid. “Yes,” said Harold, listening eagerly. Iie saw in her words one way towards solving the mystery. “ Well,” she continued, sinking her voicc toa whisper, “you must go to the bridge, and pro- ceed along the road until you reach the cross road : there you will see a sign-post. road to the left, and you will find a man swing- ing on a gibbet. Opposite this is a house which seems uninhabited. Itis here that Leicester is confined. Do you follow me?” “ Yes.” returned Harold. He might have added, “and I know the place well.” Pradence, however, dictated otherwise. ‘Well, among the men who are within this house is one Gilbert ; ask for him and give him this letter with ten pieces of gold which I will band you now, and promise him if the note is faithfully delivered that you will give him ten more. If he asks when, bid him come to me to-morrow evening, and ask for me, and the money will be ready for him.” Take the COVED OOKSEEO