The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 247 aroused, my mind is made up, and I am determined, if it cost me a thousand pounds, to investigate this dark affair.” “Will you report this to the lodge ?”’ “‘ Not a word, it would be useless to excite suspi- cions which may prove false. You will make your report—I shall send mine from London.” With these words the two masons separated: Keeting to his occupations asa merchant in the city, and the benevolent Mr. Mordaunt to make preparations for his going to town. The next morning Mr. Crab called upon Grindem, at his office in Canon Street, and had a long interview with that worthy gentleman. It is to be presumed that it was a satisfactory one, as he was seen to puta cheque into his pocket-book as he left the house. He had not been gone many minutes before the bell of the inner room rang twice—the usual signal when the head of the firm required the attendance of the junior partner. Before Small could obey the summons, the signal was repeated, a sure sign that Grindem was in one of his savage humours, which, on such occasions, he in- variably vented upon his hitherto cringing subordinate. “Now for it, father!’ whispered Matthew, as his parent leisurely walked towards the door; “‘ give him as good as he sends.” ‘‘ Better, Matthew—better,” chuckled the little man; “it’s my turn now, the Smalls have played second fiddle long enough.” COniiclooecl SS (SO