The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 209 ‘* Some other time,” muttered Small, who was in an agony of fear lest Grindem should arrive and detect his villany, when his position would have been a most unpleasant one ; for his wealthy partner would not have hesitated to have offered the ruffian any sum to recover the papers, and, perhaps, solve their deed of partner- ship in a manner which the law has never yet contem- plated, in any of its multifarious provisions, by putting him out of the way. ‘Good night,” said Flin, making way for him to pass; “our affairs are settled, and I don’t suppose that either of us care much about continuing the acquaintance.” With these words the ruffian retired to his cellar, and Small, half-dead with terror, made the best of his way to the spot where his three sons were waiting for him. “Well, governor,” whispered Matthew, at the same time brushing the ash of a cigar which he held in his mouth from the front of his coat, which showed how affectionately he had been occupied during his father’s absence ; “ all right ?’—have you got them ?”” “ I have got them!” said the little man, wiping the perspiration from his brow. ‘“ But let us not lose an instant. Grindem will soon be here, and I don’t want to come to an explanation with him yet. I should like him to feel the gnawing pains of disappointment, doubt, fear, and shame, and mark his anxious look and inquir- ing eye—to torture him by degrees—not crush him at once.” VOL, I. P COUN Goo! SS (SO