Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. Of you may never know by whom, nor for what, you will have been employed. The mighty source of a thousand intrigues, in comparison with which the circumstances of your adventure are nothing,’’ con- tinued Plombier solemnly, “remains concealed from our eyes; and God only knows for what purposes ~ we are reserved. One thing is, however, certain, that those who are faithful and diligent in an unknown cause, are well remunerated ; and promises alone are not all the bait that is held out. Be secret, therefore, and wary ; a single word to your comrades—and you never quit these walls alive. I tremble, and am as- tonished at the same time, when I reflect on the vast- ness of that invisible power, which can watch over and control you, me, and thousands of others, and which yet appears to be an airy nothing, although vested with so terrible a reality of might and capa- city.’’ ‘¢ May I not inquire—’’ “ Nay—no more,” interrupted Plombier, gently : I am nearly as ignorant as yourself; ’tis an extensive free-masonry, which time will probably develop.— Adieu—and when you meet me in the Jbagne, whither my duties often lead me, take no notice of fee: Belle-Rose would have questioned the old man farther ; but that venerable personage took him by the shoulders and gently pushed him gut of the cabinet, whither De Rosann was almost immediately summon- ed to undergo the usual investigation. We need scarcely detail what passed between him and Plom- bier: suffice it to say, that Alfred presently issued from the office with a smile of satisfaction on his countenance, and a ray of hope illuminating his breast. Champignon was ushered into the little cabinet after De Rosann ; and finding himself confronted by an ill-looking old man, he began to tremble, fearful of. being in the presence of the public executioner. His face became as pale as death, his legs tottered 4 ) COMMlCOOkKS.CO