Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/50

Could I have confided in his secrecy, he would have been most useful to me, but I dared not risk the hazard; therefore, after a moment's recollection, I bid him follow me, and he would see what Arnulph was employed about. With a doubtful look and a trembling step, he descended with me to the offices below, and passing the kitchens at the end of a long colonnade, I opened a door which led into a room that appeared to have been a laundry, and being detached some way from the other offices (the thing I sought for) was designed to rid me of all apprehensions from Peter.—"Arnulph is not here," said he, in a tremulous voice. Seeing that I stopped:—"No, but you are," and in a moment I buried the poignard in his bosom.—He fell dead without uttering a word, only one dismal groan, which made me start.—Looking round, and then on the bleeding object before me, whose services had ever been faithful, and who I had sacrificed to fear only, a transitory remorse smote me to the heart: I flew hastily from the dreadful scene