Part 79 (1/2)

”You have done well, lads,” replied Demdike, approvingly; ”and now go all of you and scour the hill-top, and return in an hour, and we will decide upon what is to be done with this woman.”

The two men then joined the rest of their comrades outside, and the whole troop descended the steps, which were afterwards drawn up by Demdike. This done, the robber captain returned to the circular chamber, and for some time paced to and fro, revolving his dark schemes. He then paused, and placing his ear near the trapdoor, listened, but as no sound reached him, he sat down at the table, and soon grew so much absorbed as to be unconscious that a dark figure was creeping stealthily down the narrow staircase behind him.

”I cannot get rid of Nicholas a.s.sheton,” he exclaimed at length. ”I somehow fancy we shall meet again; and yet all should be over with him by this time.”

”Look round!” thundered a voice behind him. ”Nicholas a.s.sheton is not to be got rid of so easily.”

At this unexpected summons, Demdike started to his feet, and recoiled aghast, as he saw what he took to be the ghost of the murdered squire standing before him. A second look, however, convinced him that it was no phantom he beheld, but a living man, armed for vengeance, and determined upon it.

”Get a weapon, villain,” cried Nicholas, in tones of concentrated fury. ”I do not wish to take unfair advantage, even of thee.”

Without a word of reply, Demdike s.n.a.t.c.hed a sword from the wall, and the next moment was engaged in deadly strife with the squire. They were well matched, for both were powerful men, both expert in the use of their weapons, and the combat might have been protracted and of doubtful issue but for the irresistible fury of Nicholas, who a.s.saulted his adversary with such vigour and determination that he speedily drove him against the wall, where the latter made an attempt to seize a petronel hanging beside him, but his purpose being divined, he received a thrust through the arm, and, dropping his blade, lay at the squire's mercy.

Nicholas shortened his sword, but forbore to strike. Seizing his enemy by the throat, he hurled him to the ground, and, planting his knee on his chest, called out, ”What, ho, Nance!”

”Nance!” exclaimed Demdike,-”then it was that mischievous jade who brought you here.”

”Ay,” replied the squire, as the young woman came quickly down the steps,-”and I refused her aid in the conflict because I felt certain of mastering thee, and because I would not take odds even against such a treacherous villain as thou art.”

”Better dispatch him, squire,” said Nance; ”he may do yo a mischief yet.”

”No-no,” replied Nicholas, ”he is unworthy of a gentleman's sword. Besides, I have sworn to hang him, and I will keep my word. Go down into the vaults and liberate Mistress Nutter, while I bind him, for we must take him with us. To-morrow, he shall lie in Lancaster Castle with his kinsfolk.”

”That remains to be seen,” muttered Demdike.

”Be on your guard, squire,” cried Nance, as she lifted a small lamp, and raised the trapdoor.

With this caution, she descended to the vaults, while Nicholas looked about for a thong, and perceiving a rope dangling down the wall near him, he seized it, drawing it with some force towards him.

A sudden sound reached his ears-clang! clang! He had rung the alarm-bell violently.

Clang! clang! clang! Would it never stop?

Taking advantage of his surprise and consternation, Demdike got from under him, sprang to his feet, and rus.h.i.+ng to the doorway, instantly let fall the steps, roaring out,-

”Treason! to the rescue, my men! to the rescue!”

His cries were immediately answered from without, and it was evident from the tumult that the whole of the band were hurrying to his a.s.sistance.

Not a moment was to be lost by the squire. Plunging through the trapdoor, he closed it after him, and bolted it underneath at the very moment the robbers entered the chamber. Demdike's rage at finding him gone was increased, when all the combined efforts of his men failed in forcing open the trapdoor.

”Take hatchets and hew it open!” he cried; ”we must have them. I have heard there is a secret outlet below, and though I have never been able to discover it, it may be known to Nance. I will go outside, and watch. If you hear me whistle, come forth instantly.”

And, rus.h.i.+ng forth, he was making the circuit, of the tower, and examining some bushes at its base, when his throat was suddenly seized by a dog, and before he could even utter an exclamation, much less sound his whistle, or use his arms, he was grappled by the old huntsman, and dragged off to a considerable distance, the dog still clinging to his throat.

Meanwhile, Nicholas had hurried down into the vaults, where he found Nance sustaining Mistress Nutter, who was half fainting, and hastily explaining what had occurred, she consigned the lady to him, and then led the way through the central range of pillars, and past the ebon image, until she approached the wall, when, holding up the lamp, she revealed a black marble slab between the statues of Blackburn and Isole. Pressing against it, the slab moved on one side, and disclosed a flight of steps.

”Go up there,” cried Nance to the squire, ”and when ye get to th' top, yo'n find another stoan, wi' a n.o.b in it. Yo canna miss it. Go on.”