The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

84 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. ‘¢ And what use would they be to Tim?’ demanded his wife ; “‘ would they give the children bread? Papers —deeds! I would not give sixpence for every paper in their office.” _ © Perhaps not; but the partners would.” «But why should Gridley have taken the property of his employers?” demanded Meg. ‘‘“A whim acaprice, perhaps; who can account for mad people? He and your husband are known to have been intimate—very intimate.”’ *¢ That’s true.” “Of course there is no suspicion attached to Tim; indeed, the wish of both the partners is, if possible, to obtain the papers quietly, without any noise or pub- licity. I should not wonder if they gave a reward of five, or even ten guineas, for their recovery.” ‘Ten guineas !”” repeated the woman. It was a larger sum than she had ever possessed at any one period of her life, and her sunken eyes were suddenly lit up with hope. The officer saw that-he was on the right scent. ‘* Indeed,”’ he added, “I am authorised to offer as much on their recovery.” *< You don’t say so?” ** And ready to pay it on delivery!” “Well,” exclaimed Meg, turning away from the sight of the ten bright, shining, tempting pieces of gold, which the officer took out of his pocket, and held in the open palm of his hand, “ when Tim returns Pll IEONMIGO OOS (SO