The Slave Sculptor — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

76 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. “¢T will try it a'week,’’ she said, and turned slowly toward the lace. Soon Lord Ahuitzol and the old woman entered the apartment where Mazina sat weeping. The moment that the old noble appeared, Mazina sprang forward, threw herself on her knees before him, and, with peeing accents cried : Af mot Do not say that lam crazy. Do not! You know J am not! ’’ The old conspirator, turning to the old woman who had acccm panied him to the room, coolly said : ** This is the person I want you fo take care of. You must not al low her to leave the room under any pretext whatever, nor allow one of the slaves to enter the apartment. If you are faithful you shall be liberally rewarded; if false, you will never leave the palace alive.’’ Mazina rose quickly, came close to tte woman, laid her hand u her shoulder, and gazed long and steadily upon her face. She’then moved away to aseat in the corner, sat down, bowed her face in both hands, and groaned jn the most bitter anguish. *‘ Such things as you need or desire in any way will be furnished you by asking any of the slaves. I shall instruct them to that effect;’’ and the old heart of stone left the apartment. He passed directly to his favorite place of resort, the eastern corridor, where he commenced ing to and fro rapt | the clustering vines.” His arms were folded, his gaze downcast, and his appearance that of deep, earnest meditation. When the sun had sect —when the evening shades had gathered thick around, and when darkness brooded over the city, Lord Ahuit- zol was still promenading the corridor, His mind not appeat more calm than when he first began his walk. Finally he halted short, struck his hand firmly upon his brow, and, in a low, hissing tone, said : ** Yes, yes! It must be done! Maxtla must die! He must be removed ! Toluca was a confounded fool that he let him escape, when he had all the advantage, and could have done the job with- out danger of detection. Now, there is a risk — a great risk, yet it must be accomplished. I have set my hand to this business, and there is no turning back. I have got Mazina safe! Now, to get rid of the sculptor; then the way is clear, and there shall be no accomplices this time! For my part I cannot tell how Montezuma learned the plot against his life, nor how he learned who the con- spirators were; but, true it is, they were all arrested befere day- light the next morning after the first meeting. Montezuma ordered that I should be present when they were sacrificed. I do not really understand the movement. There is something that looks dark about it; but these invading strangers have taken all his attention during the past few days, and it is well for me, perhaps, that they have. I will manage to remove Maxtla first, then my other plans. I know the apartment where he lodges at the _inmperial pal-