The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

112 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. make me a thief. Consider, Ben, what a pleasant thing it is to be able to walk boldly in the streets, and fear the gaze of no man, instead of slinking like a cur along the bye-lanes, as’”— “IT do,” interrupted the hack. ‘“ I know—I know.” ‘TI did not say so,” observed Tim. ** But you might as well say it as think it.” “And do you know,” demanded Tim, fixing his eyes steadfastly upon the man, “‘ why he wanted to get a hold upon me?” “‘ No,” replied the fellow, sullenly. - * Don’t thee lie!’’ said the weaver, in a low, me- nacing whisper; “ don’t thee lie! I[’ll have the truth from thee, even if I force thee to speak it at the gallows’ foot! °’ Ben—that was the man’s name—turned deadly pale. With all his caution, for cowards are the most cautious people in the world where their own safety is concerned —he had placed his liberty, and most probably his life, at the speaker’s mercy. Twice he attempted to speak, and as often hesitated. “Out with it—make a clean breast.”’ ‘ Well, then,’ he muttered, “I do know—it was something about papers and Squire Grindem.”’ “I thought so.” “‘ But I told him I knew nought about thee,’ added the fellow, eagerly. ** Didst say anything about t’old woman?” | Again the rascal would have prevaricated; but a COniiclooecl SS (SO