Among these
were Nixon and his friends, who stared at the pictures and
stood before the tall mirrors with still greater astonishment.
Indeed many of them had never seen an ordinary looking-glass
in their lives.
"'Tis Natur!" said Master Nixon surveying himself, and turning
to Juggins.
Many of these last grew frantic, and finished their debauch by
the destruction of everything around them.
But while these scenes of brutal riot were occurring there was
one select but resolute band who shared in none of these
excesses. Morley, followed by half a dozen Mowbray lads and
two chosen Hell-cats, leaving all the confusion below, had
ascended the great staircase, traced his way down a corridor
to the winding steps of the Round Tower, and supplied with the
necessary instruments had forced his entrance into the
muniment room of the castle. It was a circular chamber lined
with tall fire-proof cases. These might have presented
invincible obstacles to any other than the pupils of Bishop
Hatton; as it was, in some instances the locks in others the
hinges yielded in time, though after prolonged efforts, to the
resources of their art; and while Dandy Mick and his friends
kept watch at the entrance, Morley and Devilsdust proceeded to
examine the contents of the cases: piles of parchment deeds,
bundles of papers arranged and docketed, many boxes of various
size and materials: but the desired object was not visible.
Pages:
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702