Stranger, whom heaven has sent to
forward the revenge reserved for this action, go to Hildebrod's--there
they are awake all night in their revels--bid him come hither--he is
bound by his duty, and dare not, and shall not, refuse his assistance,
which he knows well I can reward. Why do ye tarry?--go instantly." "I
would," said Nigel, "but I am fearful of leaving you alone; the
villains may return, and--"
"True, most true," answered Martha, "he may return; and, though I care
little for his murdering me, he may possess himself of what has most
tempted him. Keep this key and this piece of gold; they are both of
importance--defend your life if assailed, and if you kill the villain
I will make you rich. I go myself to call for aid."
Nigel would have remonstrated with her, but she had departed, and in a
moment he heard the house-door clank behind her. For an instant he
thought of following her; but upon recollection that the distance was
but short betwixt the tavern of Hildebrod and the house of Trapbois,
he concluded that she knew it better than he--incurred little danger
in passing it, and that he would do well in the meanwhile to remain on
the watch as she recommended.
It was no pleasant situation for one unused to such scenes to remain
in the apartment with two dead bodies, recently those of living and
breathing men, who had both, within the space of less than half an
hour, suffered violent death; one of them by the hand of the assassin,
the other, whose blood still continued to flow from the wound in his
throat, and to flood all around him, by the spectator's own deed of
violence, though of justice.
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