When London Sleeps — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

494 ‘HE ESCAPE ROOM. The girl, who belonged .to that unfortunate class of women who have put themselves forever outside the pale of respectable society, and who had been a frequent visitor to Helliwell Mansion until its por- tals were closed, greeted Hilda effusively, and then suddenly interrupting herself, she went on witha curious and yet not unsympathetic Etat at Hilda’s white cheeks and heavy eyes. “Why, what’s up? You look like death!’ Hilda was well acquainted with this girl, who went by the name of Maudie de Frere, and she knew that in spite of her many and grievous faults, she had a kind heart. - At all events, she was forced to trust her in her present straits. ‘‘Maudie,’? she said, speaking rapidly and very earnestly, ‘‘I need a friend. I am in great, great trouble, and I want your help.”’ ‘‘And you shall have it, old girl,’’ replied Maudie, heartily, if vulgarly. ‘‘What’s the row?”’ ‘*My child is in danger.”? ‘What! the little pickanniny here,’’ with a kindly glance at Leila, who was vazing in shy wonder at the flashily dressed lady before her. ‘‘Who from ?”? “rLaynes,? Toa )?? ejaculated Maudie, with a sententious nod of her yellow head. ‘‘I want you to take her right away now to an ad- dress I will give you,’’ proceeded Hilda. ‘‘There she will be in safety.”? “Right you are !?? agreed Maudie, who, to do We justice, was only too glad to be of any assistance. Neither of them noticed that a door -“comicbooks.com 7" “ ea)