Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 100: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

92 ALFRED DE ROSANN. under him, and his teeth chattered as -if he were en- veloped in ice. ‘ Plombier stared at this comical figure in astonish- ment, while Champignon fancied his last hour was come. ' « Well, my fine fellow—why do you not undress yourself ?”’ “Undress myself! Good*God—what have [I done ?”’ cried the wretched man, a cold sweat gather- ing on his forehead. “You know best, I suppose,’’ returned Plombier. “One thing is very certain: that you were not sent hither on account of your innocence.”’ “Alas! alas! Monsieur le Bourreau,’’* cried Champignon, “ spare me—spare me—for the love of God, spare me !’’ “¢ Who the devil wants to touch you !’’ said the old man, quivering with indignation at having been taken for the public functionary of the guzllotine. “ Make haste, and disencumber yourself of these clothes, that I may dispatch you as speedily as possible.’ ‘‘ Dispatch me !—and so soon, too !’? murmured Champignon, in a piteous tone of voice ; *‘ you could not kill the best cook in France before he has said his prayers ! Oh, no!—I’m sure you could not: there- fore, mercy !—mercy !’’ “YT kill you, idiot!’? thundered Plombier, stamping his foot upon the flgor with rage : “ what put such a ridiculous idea into your ass’s head, I wonder? Get up, and let me examine your clothes, you unsaintly coward—you worthless thief !”’ “Qh! oh !’? whispered the gastronomer, “then you are not going to kill me ?” “ No ! idle fool. Undress yourself, or I will call the Gendarmes to tear your garments shred by shred from your vile body.”’ “Spit me before the fire—grill me on a gridiron— truss me like a capon——but spare my life, at least * Bourreau, executioner. im CORNICE OOKS. CO)