The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

116 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. man, ‘*for you look as queer as if you had just been accused of murder !”’ “* Murder?” repeated Ben. . Their eyes met, and the wretched man saw at a glance that he was in the power of another taskmaster. The landlord had overheard every word which had passed between him and the weaver. ** You listened ? ”’ Flin nodded, as much as to say of course he did. There was another pause ; the two men continued to smoke, all the while eyeing each other, as if to specu- late upon their respective strength. ‘What do you intend to do?” at last demanded the landlord. ** Get the papers, if I can, or’— “Or what?” said Flin, fixing an inquiring glance upon him. The fellow paused ; he was like a man who had been suddenly stunned by a violent blow. He looked hope- lessly at his interrogator, and burst into tears. We have already stated that he was a cur in heart, whom lack of courage alone prevented from becoming as dangerous to society as the most expert thief or cracks- man of the day. Flin saw that in his present state he should not be able to mould him to his purpose—for he had a purpose—so, rising from his stool, he reached his hand into the little side-cupboard by the fire-place, and drew forth a bottle of whiskey, which he always Kept at hand for his more favoured customers. Filling ecomnuicloooks (SO