登陆注册
15313700000097

第97章 MABEL LYNDWOOD(6)

"They should do so by this time," said Herne; "but I will tell thee why Sir Thomas Wyat has undertaken this enterprise.It is not to capture me, though that may be one object that moves him.But he wishes to see Mabel Lyndwood.The momentary glimpse he caught of her bright eyes was sufficient to inflame him.""Ah!" exclaimed Fenwolf," think you so?"

"I am assured of it," replied Herne."He knows the secret of the cave, and will find her there.""But he will never return to tell what he has seen," said Fenwolf moodily.

"I know not that," replied Herne."I have my own views respecting him.

I want to renew my band."

"He will never join you," rejoined Fenwolf.

"What if I offer him Mabel as a bait?" said Herne.

"You will not do so, dread master?" rejoined Fenwolf, trembling and turning pale."She belongs to me.""To thee, fool!" cried Herne, with a derisive laugh."Thinkest thou Iwould resign such a treasure to thee? No, no.But rest easy, I will not give her to Wyat.""You mean her for yourself, then? "said Fenwolf.

"Darest thou to question me? "cried Herne, striking him with the hand armed with the iron gyves."This to teach thee respect."And this to prove whether thou art mortal or rejoined Fenwolf, plucking his hunting-knife from his belt, and striking it with all his force against the other's breast.But though surely and forcibly dealt, the blow glanced off as if the demon were cased in steel, and the intended assassin fell back in amazement, while an unearthly laugh rang in his ears.Never had Fenwolf seen Herne wear so formidable a look as he at that moment assumed.His giant frame dilated, his eyes flashed fire, and the expression of his countenance was so fearful that Fenwolf shielded his eyes with his hands.

"Ah, miserable dog!" thundered Herne; "dost thou think I am to be hurt by mortal hands, or mortal weapons? Thy former experience should have taught thee differently.But since thou hast provoked it, take thy fate!"Uttering these words, he seized Fenwolf by the throat, clutching him with a terrific gripe, and in a few seconds the miserable wretch would have paid the penalty of his rashness, if a person had not at the moment appeared at the doorway.Flinging his prey hastily backwards, Herne turned at the interruption, and perceived old Tristram Lyndwood, who looked appalled at what he beheld.

"Ah, it is thou, Tristram?" cried Herne; "thou art just in time to witness the punishment of this rebellious hound.""Spare him, dread master !oh, spare him!" cried Tristram imploringly.

"Well," said Herne, gazing at the half-strangled caitiff, "he may live.He will not offend again.But why hast thou ventured from thy hiding-place, Tristram?""I came to inform you that I have just observed a person row across the lake in the skiff," replied the old man."He appears to be taking the direction of the secret entrance to the cave.""It is Sir Thomas Wyat," replied Herne, "I am aware of his proceedings.

Stay with Fenwolf till he is able to move, and then proceed with him to the cave.But mark me, no violence must be done to Wyat if you find him there.Any neglect of my orders in this respect will be followed by severe punishment.I shall be at the cave ere long; but, meanwhile, Ihave other business to transact."

And quitting the hut, he plunged into the wood.

Meanwhile, Sir Thomas Wyat, having crossed the lake, landed, and fastened the skiff to a tree, struck into the wood, and presently reached the open space in which lay the secret entrance to the cave.

He was not long in finding the stone, though it was so artfully concealed by the brushwood that it would have escaped any uninstructed eye, and removing it, the narrow entrance to the cave was revealed.

Committing himself to the protection of Heaven, Wyat entered, and having taken the precaution of drawing the stone after him, which was easily accomplished by a handle fixed to the inner side of it, he commenced the descent.At first, he had to creep along, but the passage gradually got higher, until at length, on reaching the level ground, he was able to stand upright.There was no light to guide him, but by feeling against the sides of the passage, he found that he was in the long gallery he had formerly threaded.Uncertain which way to turn, he determined to trust to chance for taking the right direction, and drawing his sword, proceeded slowly to the right.

For some time he encountered no obstacle, neither could he detect the slightest sound, but he perceived that the atmosphere grew damp, and that the sides of the passage were covered with moisture.Thus warned, he proceeded with great caution, and presently found, after emerging into a more open space, and striking off on the left, that he had arrived at the edge of the pool of water which he knew lay at the end of the large cavern.

While considering how he should next proceed, a faint gleam of light became visible at the upper end of the vault.Changing his position, for the pillars prevented him from seeing the source of the glimmer, he discovered that it issued from a lamp borne by a female hand, who he had no doubt was Mabel.On making this discovery, he sprang forwards, and called to her, but instantly repented his rashness, for as he uttered the cry the light was extinguished.

Wyat was now completely at a loss how to proceed.He was satisfied that Mabel was in the vault; but in what way to guide himself to her retreat he could not tell, and it was evident she herself would not assist him.Persuaded, however, if he could but make himself known, he should no longer be shunned, he entered one of the lateral passages, and ever and anon, as he proceeded, repeated Mabel's name in a low, soft tone.The stratagem was successful.Presently he heard a light footstep approaching him, and a gentle voice inquired -"Who calls me?"

"A friend," replied Wyat.

"Your name?" she demanded.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 长满青苔的爱情

    长满青苔的爱情

    有一种爱情,仅仅是一个人爱上另一个人那么简单。就象孩提时,我们热切地爱着一种玩具、一只小猫、一种游戏,或是一个人。爱她时,不考虑也不介意她是谁,是男是女,仅仅只是单纯的爱她的人,她的思想,她的话语,她的气息……这是另一种爱情——同性之恋。尽管这种爱情不被世人所容许,但她确实存在。就象我们呼吸的空气,我们可以忽略它,但它客观存在。甜蜜与苦痛,这本是爱情的应有之义,但另一种恋情的全部呢?一种纯粹意义上的恋情呢?
  • 七十二天使

    七十二天使

    为了统治自己的王国,伊瑟拉之王所罗门向上帝祈求获得智慧与力量,上帝赐予了他召唤七十二天使的能力,所罗门借助七十二天使的力量,建立了强大的伊瑟拉王国。但是在常年的战争中,七十二天使贪念人间,再也不想回到天堂。为了堕落为恶魔,逃离上帝的掌控,他们将自己力量的一部分,铭刻成了邪恶的所罗门之钥,并准备将整个人间变为地狱。所罗门最后发现了这一切,但所罗门之钥已经被铸造而成,无法摧毁,他只能委托一位贤者,将所罗门之钥带到上帝也无法到达的东方,将这本恶魔之书永远的藏了起来....
  • 百印

    百印

    这是一个充斥着人类幻想的世界,这是一个依靠刻印才能生存的世界
  • 再活

    再活

    人生事事不如人意,即天定。今有机缘,再来一次。
  • 明末之铁血辽东

    明末之铁血辽东

    万历中兴过后的明朝本应是一帆风顺,可偏偏遇到一系列的麻烦,首辅离世导致万历怠政,明朝整体实力下滑。就在此时,在辽东悄然崛起的一支游牧民族却在自己的土地上,上演着一出出的好戏。萨尔浒战役---后金是如何做到以少胜多的。宁远大捷---中国历史上第一位中炮伤的皇帝。松锦大战---辽西走廊发生的一场几十万人的大规模战争。一片石激战,农民军如何大败,而清军因何得意入关。。。这一切的一切尽在明亡清兴之铁血辽东。
  • 形象决定命运

    形象决定命运

    形象,并不是一个简单的穿农打扮和外表长相的概念,而是一个人全面素质在人际交往中给别人留下的印象。求职、工作、会议、商务谈判中,个人形象的好坏部是影响个人成功与否的重要冈素。因此,无论你是什么性别,无论你是多大年龄,无论你是学生还是上班族,无论你是领导还是员工,无论你是金领、自领、蓝领还是职场菜鸟或正准备踏入职场的新鲜人,你不可不知——形象可以创造价值,形象可以决定命运!
  • 萌妻来袭:BOSS当心kiss

    萌妻来袭:BOSS当心kiss

    一夜之间,居然冒出来一个未婚夫?什么鬼?说好的禁欲系男神呢?婚后,“老婆,我饿了,今天我们吃红烧兮颜好不好?”“滚。”“滚是谁有我好用吗?”几年后,“女人带我的球跑,不累吗,乖,为夫帮你放轻松。”
  • 口袋妖怪之凛

    口袋妖怪之凛

    一场因帝牙卢卡和帕路奇犽的争斗引发的穿越事件,然而不同的是,这穿越的人并不只有一个……
  • 知识有的是

    知识有的是

    在遥远的东方,有一群有志青年,他们是甄屠神酒灭魔辉斩仙,在这个罪恶的学校他们如何,风生水起,名扬千古?
  • 女神的近身护卫

    女神的近身护卫

    本书是2015年写的一本无脑妆毕打脸的爽文,因为某些原因被屏蔽了,当时无论怎么修改都无法解除屏蔽,无奈之下只能放弃,最近不知道什么原因突然跳出来了,但还是有某些章节无法显示,请路过的书友自动略过本书——2017年8月28日。