The Lion of the North eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 376 pages of information about The Lion of the North.

The Lion of the North eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 376 pages of information about The Lion of the North.

While the count was embracing Thekla, as she bravely but in vain tried to suppress her tears, the countess opened the door, and glanced into the anteroom to see that all was clear and the attendant in her own apartment.  Then she returned, kissed her daughter fondly, and placed her hand in Malcolm’s, saying to the latter, “God bless you, dear friend!  Take her quickly away for her sake and ours.”  One last adieu and Malcolm and Thekla stood alone in the anteroom.

“Now, Thekla,” he said firmly, “be brave, the danger is at hand, and your safety and escape from your fate, and my life, depend upon your calmness.  Do you carry this basket of tools and play your part as my apprentice.  Just as we open the door drop the basket and I will rate you soundly for your carelessness.  Keep your head down, and do not let the light which swings over the door fall upon your face.’’

For a minute or two Thekla stood struggling to master her emotions.  Then she said, in a quiet voice, “I am ready now,” and taking up the basket of tools she followed Malcolm down the stairs.  Malcolm opened the door, and as he did so Thekla dropped the basket.

“How stupid you are!” Malcolm exclaimed sharply.  “How often have I told you to be careful!  You don’t suppose that those fine tools can stand being knocked about in that way without injury?  Another time an’ you are so careless I will give you a taste of the strap, you little rascal.”

“What is all this?” the sentry asked, barring the way with his pike, “and who are you who are issuing from this house with so much noise?  My orders are that none pass out here without an order from the governor.”

“And such an order have I,” Malcolm said, producing the document.  “There’s the governor’s seal.  I have been sent for to repair the clock in the Count of Mansfeld’s apartment, and a rare job it has been.”

The sentry was unable to read, but he looked at the seal which he had been taught to recognize.

“But there is only one seal,” he said, “and there are two of you.”

“Pooh!” Malcolm said scornfully.  “Dost think that when ten persons are admitted to pass in together the governor puts ten seals on the pass?  You see for yourself that it is but a young boy, my apprentice.  Why, the governor himself left scarce an hour ago, and was in the apartment with me while I was at work.  Had it not been all right he would have hauled me to the prison quickly enough.”

As the sentry knew that the governor had left but a short time before he came on guard this convinced him, and, standing aside, he allowed Malcolm and his companion to pass.  Malcolm made his way first to the apartment he had occupied, where he had already settled for his lodging.

Leaving Thekla below he ran upstairs, and hastily donned the suit of peasant’s clothes, and then making the others into a bundle descended again, and with Thekla made his way to the quiet spot outside the city gates where the wagon was standing ready for a start.  He had already paid the peasant half the sum agreed, and now handed him the remainder.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Lion of the North from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.