The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 297 “Tam sure | feel for you.” “Well,” said the ruffian, “perhaps it will be as well; so, if you’ll loosen these infernal cords, which are cut- ing into my flesh, I—I’ll give it to you.” “T can’t do that, it’s against the doctor’s orders,’’ said Ben, who did not at all relish the idea of giving the patient the liberty he asked ; “‘ can't you give it to me without ?” “No,” replied Flin, calmly ; “I can’t, and, what’s more, I won’t.”’ ‘Tell me where it is, then ?” ‘That you may take it all? Not such a green > one.” The last objection certainly was a poser. Ben knew very well that any attempt on his part to convince his partner in crime that he would deal honestly by him would only be so much time wasted; they knew too much of each other to have the least reliance on their mutual words; so the Hack thought, as the patient was quiet and spoke quite rationally, it would be as well to comply with his request. He had now no personal fear, for Flin’s great strength seemed to have abandoned him. . « And you will divide the plant, if I cut the cords ?” “ Haven’t I told you ?” was the dogged reply. _ Ben drew his knife, and severed the rope which bound the suffermg man, who stretched forth his arms, with a sigh of satisfaction. “ How do you feel?” COniiclooecl SS (SO