CHAPTER III.

BY WHOM THE WEDDING BREAKFAST WAS INTERRUPTED.

BY WHOM THE WEDDING BREAKFAST WAS INTERRUPTED.

BY WHOM THE WEDDING BREAKFAST WAS INTERRUPTED.

The next day was a joyous one for Og, since it saw him indissolubly bound to the object of his affections. The marriage took place in the little chapel on the Tower Green, and the edifice was crowded during the ceremonial.

At its close, the happy couple adjourned, with their kinsfolk and friends, to the Stone Kitchen, where a copious and excellent repast had been prepared by Peter Trusbut, the pantler, who still exercised his vocation as purveyor to the warders of the Tower; and it need scarcely be said that full justice was done to the many good things provided by him on this auspicious occasion.

It was always agreeable to Peter Trusbut and his worthy dame to see their guests enjoy themselves, and the rapidity and gusto with which the dishes were now demolished perfectly satisfied them. Gog and Magog ate more than usual in honour of their brother’s marriage, and the bridegroom’s prowess was hardly inferior to their own.

Of course Xit had been present at the wedding, and was likewise a principal guest at the breakfast that followed it. He was in high spirits, and diverted the company by his lively sallies. When the dishes had been removed, he leaped upon the table, goblet in hand, and, in appropriate terms, proposed the health of Og and his bride—a toast which was drunk with great cheers. While they were in the very midst of enjoyment, the door suddenly opened, and aman of exceedingly sinister aspect, and habited in a tight-fitting leathern doublet, appeared at it. At the sight of this ill-favoured personage, the countenances of the company fell, and their laughter ceased.

“Who is that strange man?” inquired Lilias of Og, in an under tone.

“It is Mauger, the executioner,” replied her husband. “What brings thee here?” he added, half angrily, to the headsman.

“I am come to congratulate you on your marriage,” replied Mauger. “Am I not welcome?”

“Sit down, and take a cup of wine,” rejoined Og, filling a goblet.

“Here’s health to the bonny bride!” cried Mauger, eyeing her curiously as he raised the flagon to his lips.

“I do not like his looks,” said Lilias, clinging to her husband. “I wish he had not come.”

“Harkye, Mauger,” cried Xit, who was still standing upon the table, “thy presence is unsuited to this festive occasion, and we can, therefore, dispense with thy society.”

“I shall not go at thy bidding, thou malapert knave,” rejoined Mauger. “I came to see the bride, not thee.”

And he was about to seat himself in the chair left empty by the dwarf, when the latter prevented him, exclaiming,—

“That chair is mine. Begone instantly, if thou wouldst not be unceremoniously thrust from the room.”

Og seemed inclined to second the dwarf’s threat, but his wife interposed, saying,—

“Let him not be turned out, or it may bring us ill luck.”

“Itwillbring you ill luck if I be so dealt with, fair mistress,” rejoined Mauger, with an uncouth attempt at gallantry.

And, pushing Xit aside, he sat down in the vacant chair.

“I have a present for you, fair mistress,” pursued the headsman to Lilias. “Here it is,” he added, producing a silver box from his doublet. “This pomander was given me by Queen Catherine Howard on the day of her execution, and I have kept it about me ever since, but I will now bestow it upon you, and I will tell you why. You have a neck as long, and as white, and as snowy as Queen Catherine’s, and she had the whitest and slenderest throatmy axe ever touched—therefore you well deserve the box. Take it, and if you ever need my services,” he continued, with a grim smile, “you shall give it me back again. Smell to it—it is filled with delicate perfumes—ambergris, storax, benjoin, labdanum, civet and musk. You will find it a preservative against infection.”

“It seems to me to smell of blood,” said Lilias, tossing back the box. “I will not have it.”

“As you please,” said Mauger, returning it to his doublet. “Yet it is not a gift to be despised.”

“Enough of this,” said Og, somewhat sternly. “Do you not perceive that you interrupt our festivities? My wife thanks you for your intended present, but declines it.”

“I have nothing else to offer her, unless it be an earring worn by Queen Anne Boleyn——”

“I would not touch it for the world,” cried Lilias, recoiling with horror.

“You know not what you refuse,” said Mauger, testily; “but it is in vain that I try to render myself agreeable. Since I am an unwelcome guest, I will go. But I will tell you a word in parting. This day has begun blithely enough, but it will not end so merrily.”

“What meanest thou?” cried Og, angrily. “Wouldst thou insinuate that something is about to happen to me and my bride?”

“Or to me—or to any other among us?” added Xit, with equal fierceness.

“No, I mean not that,” replied Mauger. “But I tell you that the day will end differently from what you expect.”

“Pshaw! thou art only saying this to frighten the women,” said Og. “Sit down again and take another cup of wine.”

“No, I have had enough,” rejoined Mauger, in a surly tone. “I came here with presents to the bride—presents such as none other in the Tower could offer her—and they have been scornfully rejected. Be it so. A day may come for some of you when it may be necessary to bespeak my favour.”

And casting a stern and vindictive look around, he limped out of the room.

“I am glad he is gone,” observed Lilias. “And yet I wish he had not left us in anger.”

“Pshaw! heed him not,” rejoined Og. “His odious office causes him to be generally shunned, and hence he is sour-tempered. He is gentler than usual to-day.”

“Then he must, indeed, be savage,” said Lilias, forcing a laugh.

“He is strangely superstitious,” pursued Og, “and pretends he has warnings beforehand of the persons he is to put to death. From what he let fall just now, I fancy he has had one of those warnings.”

“Saints preserve us! I hope not!” cried Lilias, turning pale. “I declare I feel quite ill. Did you not remark that he compared my neck to that of Queen CatherineHoward?Howard?”

“Nay, he meant that as a compliment,” said her husband. “In good sooth, thou hast a dainty neck, sweetheart.”

“Dainty or not, I like not the comparison,” said Lilias. “When he looked at me, it seemed as if I felt the sharp edge of the axe—oh! take me into the air, or I shall faint.”

Og instantly took her in his arms, saying, as he carried her forth, “If aught betide thee, sweet chuck, the day shall not end merrily for Mauger.”

“Do nothing to him, I charge you,” rejoined Lilias, faintly. “We have offended him enough already.”

HOW THE TREASURE-CHESTS WERE CARRIED TOTRAITORS’ GATE.

HOW THE TREASURE-CHESTS WERE CARRIED TOTRAITORS’ GATE.

HOW THE TREASURE-CHESTS WERE CARRIED TO

TRAITORS’ GATE.

The bride’s sudden indisposition naturally put an end to the breakfast, and ere many minutes all the guests had quitted the Stone Kitchen. On being brought into the open air, Lilias speedily revived, and the bloom which had temporarily deserted them returned to her cheeks. A stroll on the green completely restored her, though she was nearly made ill again by an injudicious remark of Xit, who pointed out to her the spot whereon the scaffold was usually erected.

In order to divert her from the gloomy thoughts which seemed to have been inspired by Mauger, Og took her to the palace and showed her over the royal apartments, with the size and splendour of which she was much astonished. They next visited the garden, with which she was also delighted, and were crossing the outer court towards the Cold Harbour Tower, when they encountered Lovel, the keeper of the Jewel Tower, who, courteously saluting the bride, volunteered to show her the treasures under his custody.

Lilias gratefully accepted the offer, and was taken with her husband and the whole party into the Jewel House, where the many precious articles contained in it were displayed to them. After they had feasted their eyes on this rich collection, Lovel said to the bride,—

“You shall now see the coffers containing the bullion deposited here by his Majesty. This is the only opportunity you will have of viewing them, for they are to be removed to the Exchequer to-night.”

Upon this he unlocked the door of the strong-room, and showed them fifteen mighty chests piled within it. Each chest was wrapped in a cover emblazoned with the arms of Castile and Aragon. Removing the cover from one of them, Lovel disclosed a handsome coffer made of walnut, strengthened by bands of brass, and secured by two locks.

“Oh! how I should like to see what is inside it!” cried Lilias, after she had examined the exterior of the box.

And she looked so beseechingly at Lovel that he could not refuse to gratify her curiosity.

“It is against my orders to open the chests,” he said. “Nevertheless, I will yield to your wishes.”

And taking a bunch of keys from his girdle, he unlocked the coffer, and raising the lid, revealed the bars of gold to Lilias’s admiring gaze.

“Oh! how beautiful they look!” she cried, clapping her hands. “Cannot you spare one of them?—it would never be missed.”

“Were the gold mine, you should have one, and welcome, fair mistress,” replied Lovel, gallantly. “But this is the King’s treasure, and I am bound to guard it.”

“But suppose it were carried off by force, what would you say then?” pursued Lilias, playfully.

“I cannot entertain any such supposition,” he replied, shutting down the lid, and locking the coffer. “There! now I have removed temptation,” he added, with a smile.

“That chest must be enormously heavy,” observed Lilias to her husband. “Do you think you could lift it, Og?”

“I don’t know,” he replied; “but if Master Lovel will allow me, I will try.”

“Make the attempt, and welcome,” replied Lovel, with a laugh.

Seizing hold of the chest with a herculean grasp, Og threw it over his shoulder.

“There, now you have got possession of it, away with you,” criedLilias.Lilias.“Master Lovel will not prevent you.”

“Hold! hold!” exclaimed the keeper of the treasure. “This is carrying the jest rather too far.”

“Did you really think I was making off with the chest, Master Lovel?” cried Og, setting it down with a great laugh.

“Well, it looked like it, I must own,” returned the other. “But you couldn’t go very far with such a burden as that.”

“Couldn’t I?” rejoined Og. “You don’t know what I could do if I tried. Why, I would carry the chest from the Tower to Whitehall, if the King would only bestow it upon me for my pains.”

And he burst into another tremendous laugh, in which his brothers heartily joined.

“That were a feat worthy of Samson,” observed Lovel, dryly. “Suppose I put your strength to the test.”

“Do so,” rejoined Og. “What would you have me perform? You have just told us that the chests are to be removed to the Exchequer to-night. You don’t want me to carry them to Westminster Hall?”

“No, no! I don’t want that,” said Lovel, laughing. “They are to be transported by water, and it will save time if they are taken at once to Traitor’s Gate, where they will be embarked.”

“Say no more—we’ll do it, won’t we?” cried Og, turning to his brothers, who readily assented.

Without more ado, he again took up the ponderous coffer, and called out, “Now, I’m ready.”

“So are we,” cried Gog and Magog, as they each shouldered a chest.

Upon this, the whole party went out of the chamber, the door of which was carefully locked by the keeper. It was a striking sight to see the three giants, laden in the manner we have described, cross the court of the palace, and descend with slow but firm footsteps the slope leading to the Bloody Tower, each having upon his broad shoulders a weight sufficient to call into activity the full forces of three ordinary men, and yet bearing it—if not easily—yet stoutly. It was true that the muscles of their bull throats and brawny legs were tremendously developed, and looked almost as large as cables, but these were theonly evidences of the strain put upon them. Lilias walked by the side of her husband, enchanted by this display of his strength, while Xit strutted in front, as if the giants were under his command.

State offenders, as is well known, were formerly brought into the Tower through a gloomy archway, spanning a sluice from the river—the sluice being protected by a ponderous wooden gate, constructed of huge beams of wood, worked by machinery in the superstructure. This massive portal was popularly known as “Traitors’ Gate.” A flight of stone steps offered a landing-place from the channel, which was capable of holding some three or four large boats, and led to the outer ward of the fortress, but the approach was guarded by another ponderous wooden portal. Within the archway on the right of the steps was a stone platform, whence there was access through a narrow arched passage to a guard-room in the building above, which was known as Saint Thomas’s Tower. These details are necessary for the understanding of what is to follow.

It was upon the platform just described that Lovel caused the giants to deposit the chests. This done, they immediately went back to the Jewel Tower for a fresh supply, and paused not in their exertions till the fifteen ponderous coffers had been laid upon the platform. Lovel, of course, superintended their task, and, when their labours were over, proposed an adjournment to the Stone Kitchen, to which the giants made no objection, so the gate being locked, and instructions given to Croyland, the warder who had charge of Saint Thomas’s Tower, the whole party proceeded in search of refreshment. On reaching the Stone Kitchen, Lovel called for a plentiful supply of hydromel, which being quickly brought by Peter Trusbut, the giants were enabled to quench their thirst. By her husband’s desire, Lilias sipped a few drops from his brimming goblet ere he emptied it.

“I tell you what, Master Lovel,” observed Magog. “I have some misgiving about that treasure. Do you think it quite safe where you have left it?”

“Ay, marry,” replied the other; “as safe as in the Jewel House itself. Who can meddle with it? Traitors’ Gate will not be opened by Croyland without my order.”

“True,” rejoined Magog. “Still, with a treasure likethat, no precautions ought to be neglected. To make matters sure, I will go to Saint Thomas’s Tower, and stay there till all the chests are fetched away.”

“Then you will have to stay there till night,” said Lovel.

“No matter,” rejoined Magog, getting up. “Peter Trusbut will send me a few flasks of wine, and I shall be just as comfortable there as anywhere else. Are you coming with me, Gog?” he added to his brother.

“I will follow in a few minutes, and bring the wine with me,” replied Gog.

“And I will join you later on—as soon as Lilias can spare me,” laughed Og.

“Nay, then, there can be no doubt the treasure will be well guarded,” said Lovel.

And, bowing to the company, he quitted the Stone Kitchen with Magog.

SHOWING WHO WAS CONCEALED IN THE JEWEL HOUSE.

SHOWING WHO WAS CONCEALED IN THE JEWEL HOUSE.

SHOWING WHO WAS CONCEALED IN THE JEWEL HOUSE.

After accompanying Magog along the outer ward to the entrance of Saint Thomas’s Tower, where he left him, Lovel passed under the gloomy archway of the Bloody Tower, and, ascending the hill, made his way to the Jewel House.

Arrived there, he did not proceed to that part of the building which we last visited, but sought his private chamber, and having entered it, and bolted the door inside, he tapped at the door of a small inner room, and called out “You may come forth, Sir.”

The summons was promptly obeyed by a young man, who stepping quickly towards him, said, “You have been long absent, Lovel. What news do you bring?”

“Excellent news, good Master Osbert Clinton,” replied the other. “If all goes well, you will have the treasure to-night. It will delight you to hear that the coffers have been transported by the gigantic warders to Traitor’s Gate, and are now lying there, ready for you and your friends to take them away. So far all has gone well—far better than could have been expected—and I hope the rest will turn out equally prosperously. Indeed, it can scarcely fail to do so, unless from ill management.”

“What course do you advise us to pursue, Lovel?” demanded Osbert.

“First of all, there must be no delay in the execution ofthe project,” replied the other. “The business must be done to-night. A boat capable of containing the chests must be brought to Traitors’ Gate. I shall be in Saint Thomas’s Tower, and after going through the usual formalities, will cause the great wooden gate to be opened. If no untoward circumstance occurs, the coffers can thus be readily carried off and conveyed to a place of safety.”

“Once out of Traitors’ Gate, all the rest will be easy,” said Osbert. “Your plan promises well, good Lovel, and I trust nothing will occur to mar it. Possessed of this gold, we shall be able to carry into immediate effect our grand enterprise. It may be wrong to seize this treasure, but neither I nor my associates have any scruples on the subject. We know that this gold is intended to be employed to bribe our nobles to enslave the country, and we consider it lawful plunder, of which we may rightfully possess ourselves by force or stratagem.”

“I take precisely the same view of the matter as yourself, Sir,” said Lovel; “and, as you, know, have engaged in this enterprise without fee or reward. I am anxious, as you and your friends are, to see the country delivered from Spanish thraldom, and the Protestant religion restored. While martyrs are giving up their lives in testimony of their faith, I do not hesitate to jeopardise mine to benefit the same cause. If this Spanish gold can be employed against our enemies, instead of being used by them to our disadvantage, I shall be content.”

“In three day’s time there will be a rising in Essex and Suffolk,” said Osbert; “and in less than a week an army of insurgents, larger than that commanded by Wyat, will be marching to London, its battle-cry being, ‘Down with the Spaniard and the Pope!’ This gold will give us all we need. And so you positively refuse any reward for the great service you are rendering us, Lovel?”

“Were I to take a reward, I should consider that I had violated my trust,” replied the other. “My object is to serve my country, and if it be freed from oppression I shall be amply rewarded. But now to proceed with the business. No time must be lost in communicating with Sir Henry Dudley, Sir Anthony Kingston, Master Udal, and the rest of your associates.”

“That can be quickly done,” replied Osbert. “They are close at hand—at the ‘Rose and Crown,’ on Tower Hill. There can be no difficulty as to a boat, since one has been already provided. At what hour ought the attempt to be made?”

“Let me see,” said Lovel, reflecting. “The tide will serve at nine. The boat should be at Traitor’s Gate at that hour.”

“Good,” returned Osbert. “Now then to communicate with my friends.”

“Leave that to me,” said Lovel; “you cannot quit the Tower with safety, as, if you should be seen and recognised, your instant arrest would follow. I will go to the ‘Rose and Crown’ at once, and give full instructions to your friends. Retire to the inner room, and do not stir forth from it till my return.”

And as Osbert complied, the keeper of the treasure left the Jewel House, and set out on his errand.

HOW THE PLOT WAS DISCOVERED BY XIT, AND DISCLOSEDBY HIM TO MAGOG.

HOW THE PLOT WAS DISCOVERED BY XIT, AND DISCLOSEDBY HIM TO MAGOG.

HOW THE PLOT WAS DISCOVERED BY XIT, AND DISCLOSED

BY HIM TO MAGOG.

Meantime, Magog, with whom Lovel had parted at the entrance of Saint Thomas’s Tower, had gone in, and made his way through the side-passage, previously described, to the interior of Traitors’ Gate. He found the chests lying upon the platform, just as they had been laid there by himself and his brothers, and sitting down upon one of them, presently fell asleep, and made the vaulted roof resound with his deep breathing. How long he remained in this state he could not say, but he was roused by feeling something crawling, as he thought, over his face, and supposing it to be a gigantic water-rat—the place being infested with such vermin—he put out his hand, and catching hold of the noxious creature, as he deemed it, was about to throw it into the water, when a shrill cry admonished him that the fancied water-rat was no other than Xit.

“Wouldst drown me, Magog?” shrieked the dwarf, clinging to him.

“Drown thee—not I!” replied the giant, laughing. “But I took thee for a rat or an otter.”

“None but a sleepy dolt like thyself would have made such a mistake,” said Xit. “I could not waken thee without plucking thy beard. Call’st thou this keeping guard over the treasure? I call it gross negligence.”

“Well, well, I am vigilant enough now,” rejoined Magog. “What hast thou to say to me?”

“Something that will keep thee wakeful, I trust,” said Xit. “Lend me thine ears, and I will disclose it to thee. I have discovered a plot.”

“Poh! thou art always making some silly discovery that leads to nothing,” rejoined Magog.

“But this will lead more than one man to the scaffold,” pursued Xit, mysteriously. “’Tis an important discovery I have made.”

“Indeed!” exclaimed Magog, with some curiosity. “What is it? Let me hear and judge.”

“It relates to the chests on which thou art sitting,” replied Xit. “There is a plot to carry them off. Master Lovel, the keeper of the treasure, is concerned in it, but the principal contrivers are Osbert Clinton, Sir Henry Dudley, Sir Anthony Kingston, Udal, and the others connected with the late outbreak.”

“Ah, this is indeed important!” cried Magog. “And how didst thou make this discovery?”

“You shall hear,” replied Xit. “Suspecting all was not right, I followed Lovel to his lodging, and by listening at the keyhole, managed to overhear a conversation between him and Osbert Clinton, who is at present concealed in the Jewel House. From this I learnt that the treasure is to be carried off by the traitors, in order to assist them in getting up another insurrection of a far more formidable character than the last. Their plan is to bring a boat to Traitors’ Gate at nine o’clock to-night, when, feigning to be officers sent by the King to remove the treasure to the Exchequer, they will present a warrant, and Master Lovel, being their accomplice, the coffers will be delivered to them—so at least they calculate.”

“A well-devised plan, I must own,” observed Magog, “and like enough to have succeeded.”

“It would infallibly have succeeded but for my shrewdness in detecting it,” said Xit.

“Well, thou wilt, doubtless, receive due credit for thy penetration from Sir Henry Bedingfeld, to whom the matter must be forthwith communicated,” observed Magog, getting up.

“What art thou about to do, thou foolish giant?” cried Xit. “We can manage this affair without Sir Henry Bedingfeld’s assistance. Recollect that a heavy price is set upon the heads of all these offenders, and if we can effect their arrest—as we shall do if my counsels be followed—the reward will be ours. We must take them all, like fish in a net. Not one must be allowed to escape. Listen to me, and I will show thee how it can be done. The moment the barge is admitted into this place, Traitor’s Gate must be closed by thee or by thy brothers, and we shall then have them like rats in a trap. Though they may offer some resistance at first, they will soon be forced to surrender. Osbert Clinton is sure to be on the spot with Lovel, and we can arrest them both at the same time. What think’st thou of my plan?”

“By my faith, it promises well,” replied Magog.

“We shall need assistance,” pursued Xit; “and besides Og and Gog, I propose to call in the aid of Captain Bittern and his friends. They are men of discretion, and can be relied on. Care must be taken not to awaken Lovel’s suspicions, or our plan will be defeated. And now let us quit this damp place. I am half choked by the mist. I wonder thou couldst sleep in it. Come! There is no fear of the treasure being carried off just yet.”

Upon this Magog arose, and they adjourned to the guard-chamber.

Xit’s plan was carried out. About eight o’clock in the evening, Og tore himself from his bride, promising faithfully to return to supper, and, accompanied by Gog, Rodomont Bittern, Holiday, and Simnel, to all of whom the dwarf’s important discovery had been communicated, repaired to Saint Thomas’s Tower, and mounted to an upper chamber overlooking the river, where they held themselves in readiness for whatever might occur, beguiling the tedium of waiting with some flasks of wine which they had brought from the Stone Kitchen.

Xit, meanwhile, had kept watch over Lovel’s movements. He saw the keeper of the treasure return from his errand to Tower Hill, and cautiously following him, and adopting the same plan of espionage which he had previously employed, he heard him inform Osbert Clinton that he had seenSir Henry Dudley and the other conspirators, who were well pleased with the arrangement, and undertook to bring a barge to Traitor’s Gate at the appointed hour that night.

“The coffers once secured,” pursued Lovel, “your friends propose to take them up the river to Chelsea and land them there. No time must be lost in disposing of the treasure, for the moment it becomes known that it has been carried off, a general search will be made.”

“Once in our possession, the treasure will never find its way to the royal Exchequer—of that you may be quite certain, Lovel,” replied Osbert. “But what do you propose to do? Your connection in the affair will assuredly be suspected.”

“I shall provide for my safety by flight,” said Lovel. “This very night I shall quit the Tower secretly, and remain in concealment till your proposed insurrection will enable me to appear with safety.”

“If we succeed, as I trust under Heaven we shall, your services shall not be forgotten, Lovel,” observed Osbert. “You shall have a better post under Elizabeth than that which you now occupy under Philip and Mary.”

“I have said that I do not seek reward,” rejoined Lovel; “but since, in abandoning this post, I shall sacrifice all, it is but just that I should have some compensation.”

“You shall have compensation in full, doubt it not, Lovel,” said Osbert. “And now let us finally arrange our plans for to-night. How many persons are there in Saint Thomas’s Tower?”

“Only three,” replied Lovel. “Croyland, the keeper of the gate, his man, and a sentinel. Stay! I had forgotten. One of the gigantic warders, Magog, is there at this moment, but I do not think he will remain there till night, and if he should, he will be no hindrance to us, since all will be conducted with so much formality that suspicion will be disarmed. We will go together to Saint Thomas’s Tower, and if my instructions to Sir Henry Dudley are carefully carried out, no difficulty will be experienced.”

What answer was made to this by Osbert, Xit could not tell. Fancying he heard a movement towards the door, he beat a hasty retreat, and left the Jewel House, perfectly content with the information he had obtained.

HOW THE CONSPIRATORS WENT IN AT TRAITORS’ GATEBUT CAME NOT OUT AGAIN.

HOW THE CONSPIRATORS WENT IN AT TRAITORS’ GATEBUT CAME NOT OUT AGAIN.

HOW THE CONSPIRATORS WENT IN AT TRAITORS’ GATE

BUT CAME NOT OUT AGAIN.

Night, anxiously expected both by plotters and counter-plotters, arrived at last. Within the lower chamber of Saint Thomas’s Tower were Magog and Xit, but the two other gigantic warders, with Rodomont Bittern and his comrades, kept out of sight, lest Lovel’s suspicions should be awakened.

Croyland, the keeper of the Tower, had been made a party to the plan, and consented to act as Xit directed. The night was dark, and the mist hanging over the river, and almost shrouding Saint Thomas’s Tower from view, was favourable to the project of the conspirators.

Some quarter of an hour before the time fixed for the arrival of the barge, Lovel, accompanied by Osbert, who was well armed, and wrapped in his cloak, quitted the Jewel House, and proceeded to Saint Thomas’s Tower. The door was opened by Croyland, who had a lamp in his hand, which he raised for a moment to survey Osbert, and then, apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, ushered them into the guard-chamber, which done, he returned to fasten the door.

Within the guard-chamber were Xit and Magog. The giant appeared to be fast asleep, with his huge head resting on a table, and did not move on their entrance; but Xit immediately arose, and alter a word with Lovel, was informed by the latter that the gentleman with him was anofficer sent by his Majesty to take charge of the treasure. With this information the dwarf seemed perfectly content, and bowed ceremoniously to Osbert, who slightly returned the salutation. In another moment Croyland returned with a lamp, and taking it from him, Lovel beckoned to Osbert to follow him, and led the way to the platform on which the chests were laid.

No sooner were they gone than Magog raised his head, and said in a whisper to Xit, “Is it Osbert Clinton?”

The dwarf replied in the affirmative, but added, “Don’t ask any more questions, or you will be overheard. Here they are coming back. Down with your head!”

On this, Magog resumed his previous posture. Next moment Lovel reappeared with the lamp, but Osbert remained in the passage, so as not to expose himself to observation.

“The coffers are all right, I perceive,” remarked Lovel, as he set down the lamp upon the table. “I sha’n’t be sorry when they are gone,” he added, with a laugh. “They have been a great source of anxiety to me.”

“I daresay they have,” replied Xit. “Your office wouldn’t suit me at all, Master Lovel.”

“Wherefore not?” demanded the other.

“Because my honesty would never be proof against the temptation I should be exposed to. The sight of so much treasure would exercise a baneful influence over me, and I should long to appropriate it to my own use. Whereas, you, worthy Lovel, are of an incorruptible nature, and can see gold without coveting it. You would never dream of making free with the contents of those coffers.”

“Certainly not,” replied Lovel.

“Therein we differ,” pursued Xit. “Had those coffers been confided to me, I should have fallen. The Arch Enemy could not find a more certain means of destroying me than they would afford him. Knowing my own frailty, I respect your honesty the more, worthy Lovel. You can touch gold without being defiled by it. Unluckily, such is not my case.”

Ere Lovel could reply, Osbert called out from the passage:—

“The barge is at hand. I hear a noise outside in the river.”

And, as he spoke, the bell hanging above the outer arch of Traitors’ Gate was rung.

“Here they are!” cried Xit, shaking Magog. “Rouse thyself, thou great sluggard.”

“Who are here?” cried the giant, pretending to waken from a sound sleep.

“Why, the officers sent by the King to take away the treasure,” rejoined Xit.

“Oh, indeed!” ejaculated Magog, with a prodigious yawn.

Meanwhile, Lovel, followed by Croyland, had mounted a spiral stone staircase, which quickly brought them to the summit of the round projecting tower at the western angle of the fortification. On reaching the battlements, they could discern through the gloom a large barque lying in the river immediately beneath them. The barge was rowed by four stalwart oarsmen, and its head was brought close up to Traitors’ Gate.

At the prow stood a tall man, apparently in command of the party, and who was no other than Sir Henry Dudley. The barge had already been challenged by the sentinel, and a short parley had taken place, but when Lovel and Croyland appeared, Dudley called out in a loud, authoritative voice:—

“Open the gate quickly. We are officers sent by the King to bring away the treasure.”

“Have you a warrant for its removal?” inquired Lovel.

“Ay,” returned Dudley, “a warrant you will not care to dispute.”

“Enough,” answered Lovel. “The gate shall be opened immediately.”

With this he disappeared from the battlements, while Dudley, turning to his companion in the barge, said in a low, exulting tone, “The prize will soon be ours. We shall get in without difficulty.”

“Heaven grant we may get out as easily!” rejoined Sir Anthony Kingston, who was standing near him. “More people go in at Traitors’ Gate than come out from it.”

As he spoke, the ponderous wooden valves, worked by some machinery in the upper part of the tower, began slowly to revolve upon their hinges, disclosing the interiorof the passage, which was now illumined by torches held by Magog and Croyland, who, with Lovel and Xit, were stationed near the head of the steps. In the background, partly concealed by the coffers, stood Osbert Clinton.

As soon as the valves had opened wide enough to admit the barge, Dudley, who was all impatience to secure the prize, called to the oarsmen to push in, and the order being promptly obeyed, the barge entered the channel, and was propelled to the foot of the steps. Sir Henry Dudley then leaped ashore, and was followed by Sir Anthony Kingston and some four or five others.

“Here is the order for the delivery of the treasure, Sir,” said Dudley, presenting a paper to Lovel, who advanced to meet him.

Lovel glanced at it for a moment, and then, apparently satisfied by the inspection, observed,—

“We have been expecting you, Sir. The chests are all ready, as you see.”

“That is well,” said Dudley, scarcely able to conceal his satisfaction. “Let them be embarked at once.”

While this brief dialogue occurred, Traitor’s Gate was noiselessly returning to its place, and in another minute was closed. The conspirators, however, were too much occupied with what they had in hand to notice this suspicious circumstance. The oarsmen now got out of the barge, and were preparing to place the uppermost chest on board, when Osbert Clinton suddenly stepped forward, and said, in a low voice, to Sir Henry Dudley,—

“We are betrayed. See you not that the gate is shut?”

“Ha! so it is!” cried Dudley. “Why is this, Sir?” he added, fiercely, to Lovel. “How comes it that yon gate is closed?”

“I did not know it was so,” replied the other. “There must be some mistake. But I will cause it to be reopened instantly.”

“There is no mistake,” cried Xit, in his loudest and most important voice; “it is by my orders that Traitors’ Gate has been shut, and it will not be opened again. Traitors, ye are caught in a trap. Ye have come here, with wicked and felonious intent, to carry off the King’s treasure, but insteadof departing with your plunder to stir up rebellion, you will be lodged in the dungeons of the Tower, and ere long expiate your manifold and dire offences on the scaffold.”

At this address the conspirators stared aghast, and laid their hands upon their swords.

Osbert Clinton, however, signed to them to keep quiet, and said to Lovel, “What means this, Sir? Is it some ill-timed jest?”

“I will tell you what it means, Master Osbert Clinton,” interposed Xit. “It means, that you, and all those with you, are my prisoners. I arrest you all for high treason. You yourself, Master Osbert Clinton—you Sir Henry Dudley—you, Sir Anthony Kingston—you, Master Udal, and all the rest of you. Deliver up your swords.”

“This is droll,” cried Osbert Clinton, forcing a laugh; “but the jest may prove no laughing matter for thee. Get the gate opened,” he added to Lovel. “We will have the treasure in spite of them.”

“Traitors’ Gate shallnotbe opened,” screamed Xit. “I forbid it, and ye shall find whether or not I shall be obeyed. Stir a single foot, thou traitor Lovel, and thou art a dead man.” And drawing his sword, he presented it at the breast of the keeper of the treasure, exclaiming, “I arrest thee, also, on a charge of conspiracy and treason.”

“An end must be put to this folly,” cried Osbert, fiercely. “By the time you have got the treasure on board I will have the gate opened,” he added to Dudley. Then drawing his sword, he commanded Xit to stand out of the way.

“Help me, my faithful giants!” cried Xit, retreating. “Help me!”

And at the words, Og and Gog issued from the passage where they had remained concealed, and with their halberds opposed Osbert’s advance.

“Back!” roared Magog, in a voice of thunder, “or you rush upon your death.”

“You had better yield,” cried Xit. “You cannot escape. You will more easily cut your way through the solid beams of Traitors’ Gate than you will hew a passage through these living walls.”

“I will cut a way through both sooner than surrender,” rejoined Osbert. “Follow me, friends.”

And he was about to fling himself upon the giants, who awaited his attack unmoved, when his desperate purpose was averted by the sudden ringing of the alarm-bell. This sound, which proclaimed that the fortress was alarmed, paralysed his energies, and caused him to drop the point of his sword, while the rest of the conspirators looked equally disheartened. Other sounds, calculated to increase their apprehensions, were now heard, and the trampling of feet, accompanied by the clatter of arms, showed that a number of men were collecting in the outer ward. It was plain that the conspirators were betrayed, and the glances they exchanged betokened that they felt so.

“You had better yield with a good grace,” cried Xit, “and not compel us to take your swords from you by force.”

“I will die rather than yield,” cried Osbert Clinton.

“So will we all,” responded the others.

“Resistance is in vain,” cried Lovel, suddenly changing his manner. “It is time to throw off the mask. You are prisoners to the King.”

“Ha! it is thou who hast brought us into this snare,” cried Dudley. “Take the reward of thy treachery,” he added, passing his rapier through his body.

“Ha! I am slain!” exclaimed Lovel, as he fell backwards into the water.

At this moment the massive portal communicating with the outer ward was opened, and an astounding spectacle revealed.

Beneath the gloomy archway of the Bloody Tower stood the King, the torchlight flashing upon his stately figure, and communicating to his countenance a stern and sinister expression.

With him was Sir Henry Bedingfeld. At the back of the archway rose a grove of pikes, while on the right and left was ranged a strong guard of halberdiers, several of whom held torches, which gleamed upon the steel caps, corslets, and partisans of their comrades.

At this unlooked-for spectacle the conspirators recoiled in confusion and dismay. Flight was impossible, and as Bedingfeld advanced towards them with an officer, and demanded their swords, telling them they were his prisoners, they had no alternative but submission.

By the King’s commands, the conspirators were then brought before him, and he surveyed them for some moments with a smile of gratified vengeance.

“Soh, traitors!” he exclaimed, at length, “you thought you had devised a cunning scheme to carry off my treasure. But you have been outwitted. Your plans have been revealed to me, and I have allowed you to proceed thus far in order to ensnare you all. You have fallen like wolves into the trap set for you.”

“The wretch who betrayed us has met his reward,” cried Sir Henry Dudley. “He has perished by my sword.”

“Is Lovel slain?” exclaimed Philip. “I am sorry for it.”

“He richly deserved his fate,” cried Osbert. “I see now how we have been duped.”

At this moment Xit made his way towards the King, and said, “An please your Majesty, these rebels and traitors were captured by me. I claim the reward.”

“Retire, thou presumptuous and intrusive varlet,” cried Bedingfeld. “This matter is too serious for thy interference.”

“But for my interference, Sir Henry,” rejoined Xit, proudly and indignantly, “the plot would not have been discovered.”

“There thou art wrong,” rejoined Bedingfeld; “the plot has been all along known to his Majesty. It was revealed to him by Lovel, who, it seems, has gone to his account.”

“Lovel is killed, sure enough,” said Xit. “But I trust my services will not go unrewarded.”

“Thy claims shall be considered hereafter,” said Philip. And as Xit, satisfied with this assurance, bowed and retired, he addressed the conspirators: “For the heinous crimes and offences you have committed, you cannot doubt what your sentence will be.”

“We are all prepared for our fate,” said Dudley, resolutely. “In engaging in this enterprise we well knew the risk we incurred. Having failed, we are ready to pay the penalty.”

“Do you deem your base attempt consistent with the principles you profess?” demanded Philip, contemptuously.

“Ay,” rejoined Dudley. “Your gold has been one of thechief weapons used against this unhappy land, and it was the part of true Englishmen—as we are—to deprive you of it.”

“Ye are robbers and felons, and shall die the death of such vile miscreants,” said Philip, coldly. “By this foul act you have forfeited your privileges as gentlemen.”

“What!” exclaimed Osbert Clinton. “Are we to die like common felons?”

“Such will be your doom,” rejoined Philip, sternly.

“Your Majesty is too magnanimous to stoop to such an unworthy revenge,” said Osbert Clinton. “Let us die upon the scaffold. ’Tis the sole grace we ask of you.”

“Ay, spare them this ignominious ending, I beseech you, Sire,” said Mauger, advancing from the guard, among whom he was standing, “and let them fall by my hand.”

“I owe thee a guerdon,” rejoined Philip, “and will give thee their heads. As to you, Osbert Clinton,” he added, “I could devise no worse torture for you than your own bitter reflections will furnish. Had you not engaged in this last design, you might have been pardoned your former offences, have been restored to my favour, and have wedded Constance Tyrrell. Reflect upon this when you are alone in your dungeon.”

“This is only said to torture me!” cried Osbert.

“It is said that you may be aware of the happiness you have so recklessly thrown away,” rejoined the King. “At the intercession of Cardinal Pole, I had consented to pardon you, and, moreover, had promised his Eminence not to oppose your marriage with Constance. But there will be no pardon for you now—no Constance.”

Osbert made no reply, but covered his face with his hand.

After a brief pause, the King turned to Sir Henry Bedingfeld, and ordered him to remove the prisoners to their dungeons. “To-morrowTo-morrowthey will be privately interrogated,” he said, “after which their arraignment, condemnation, and execution will speedily follow. You will not have to wait long for your fees,” he added to Mauger.

“I humbly thank your Majesty,” replied the headsman.

On this, the conspirators were led off by the guard, and placed in different state prisons in the inner ward, a cell inthe Flint Tower being assigned to Osbert Clinton. Shortly afterwards, the King rode back to Whitehall, attended by a mounted escort.

As soon as tranquility was restored, Og returned to his bride, whom he had left in the care of Dame Trusbut, at the Stone Kitchen. A very substantial supper was in readiness for him, and to this he sat down with his brothers, Xit, Rodomont Bittern, Simnel, and Holiday, and, despite the previous occurrences, they made a right merry night of it.

Next day, the treasure-chests, which had been left on the platform in Traitors’ Gate, were removed from the Tower, and safely deposited in the Exchequer.

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