The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

16 THE EVIL GENIUS. “You couldn’t help me, if I did.” ‘* Marry me, and I can help you to a fortune.” He eyed her attentively, and saw that she was in earnest. ‘¢ What do you call a fortune ?” he asked. ‘‘ Five thousand pounds,” she answered. His eyes opened; his mouth opened; he scratched his head. Even his impenetrable nature proved to be capable of receiving ashock. Five thousand pounds! He asked faintly for ‘‘adrop of brandy.” She had a bottle of brandy ready for him, ** You look quite overcome,” she said. He was too deeply interested in the restorative influence of the brandy to take any notice of this remark. When he had re- covered himself he was not disposed to believe in the five thou- sand pounds. ‘*Where’s the proof of it?” he said, sternly. She produced her husband’s letter. ‘‘ Did you read the trial of Westerfield for casting away his ship ?” she asked. ‘‘T heard of it.” ‘* Will you look at this letter ?” ‘Ts it long?’ “Yes.” <‘Then suppose you read it to me.” He listened with the closest attention while she read. The uestion of stealing the diamonds (if they could only be found} id not trouble either of them. It wasa settled question, by tacit consent, on both sides. But the value in money of the Pirate stones suggested a doubt that still weighed on his mind. ‘* How do you know they’re worth five thousand pounds?” he inquired. ‘You dear old stupid! Doesn’t Westerfield himself say so in his letter ?” ** Read that bit again.” She read it again: ‘*‘ After the two calamities of the loss of the ship and the disappearance of the diamonds—these last being valued at five thousand pounds—I returned to England.’ ” Satisfied so far, he wanted to look at the cipher next. She handed it to him with a stipulation, ‘‘ Yours, Jemmy, on the day when you marry me.” He put the slip of paper into his pocket. ‘* Now, I’ve got it,” he said, ‘‘ suppose I keep it ?” A woman who has been barmaid at a public-house is a woman not easily found at the end of her resources. ‘‘In that case,” she curtly remarked, *‘ I should first call in the police, and then telegraph to my hushand’s employers in Liverpool.” He handed the cipher back. ‘‘I was joking,” he said. ‘So was I,” she answered. They looked at each other. They were made for each other, and they both felt it. At the same time, James kept his own interests steadily in view. He stated the obvious objection to the cipher. Experts had already tried to interpret the signs, and had failed. EOMMICLOOOKS (F()