The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. Q17 his food—and seemed quite as unhappy as his disconso- late mistress. The second day after Flin’s departure, a crowd was gathered round the still-closed door of the cellar ; old women were gossiping over his disappearance, which coupled with Tim’s absence, afforded a field for specu- lation. Some suggested that the place ought to be broken open ; others, that Flin had suddenly died during the night. ** More likely hanged himself,” observed a shoe- maker, who lived at the corner. ‘“‘ Hanged!” repeated the group. ‘It’s my belief,” continued the man, “ that all’s not right. I have seen from my stall Tim’s Dick’s dog come a hundred times during the day, and sniff and whine at the door. He was there the last thing at night, and the first thing this morning.” ‘“Why don’t you speak to the police?”’ demanded several. ““Qh, it ain’t my business,” replied the shoemaker ; ‘if it was I’d soon settle it.” “© How—how ?”’ *‘ By breaking open the door.” The words were no sooner spoken, than poor Pepper came creeping timidly towards the assembled group, his tail between his legs, and his ears laid back to his head; but no sooner did he come within a certain distance of the cellar, than he sprang towards it as if he had received an electric shock, and began barking and scratching violently. 7 COniiclooecl SS (SO