Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

+ THE COURT OF LONDON something of importance to communicate, and which was at that moment revived in his memory. _ “JT can’t say that I ever saw Sir Richard, to my knowl-. edge,’’ answered the individual who had previously spoken; “ but I know him by name and all about him, as well as we may be aware of everything in the life of King George him- self, without ever having seen his Majesty.”’ “Then you doubtless consider Sir Richard Stamford to be a very wealthy man?” cried Mr. Page; “‘ and maybe you have heard that he is a Ss husband ind deeply attached to his beautiful wife? ”’ ‘Those are precisely the opinions I have formed of him,”’ was the reply. ‘‘ His country-seat is about three miles from Aylesbury; and I never was in that town without hearing the people speaking about him — ay, and most favourably, too. He is reported to spend a deal of money in the place, and to do a world of good in the shape of charity. Besides, he has a large share in Ramsey and Martin’s bank, which is noted for the accommodation it affords the tradesmen of the town and the farmers in all that district of Bucks.” ‘““Tsn’t it wonderful,’ exclaimed Page, his sallow counte- nance assuming a mysterious aspect, while all his listeners gazed upon him in mingled curiosity and amazement, — ‘isn’t 1t wonderful,’ he repeated, ‘‘ how the world may be deceived by outward appearances — how a man may pass off for years as a saint, whereas in his heart he is a very demon all the time? ”’ ‘“ But what has all this to do with Sir Richard Stam- ford? ’’ demanded several voices. “What has it all to do with him? ”’ cried Page, casting a still more solemn and mysterious glance around upon the company. “ Why, just this— that when I came down to breakfast in the coffee-room at the inn where I put up at Aylesbury, I heard that the whole town was in consterna- tion; for such a complication of crimes — ”’ “Crimes! ”’ repeated several of the commercial travellers, drawing their chairs nearer to the speaker. “ What? — and in connection with Sir Richard Stamford?”’ demanded the individual who had previously expressed his interest in all that concerned Aylesbury. ‘““ Yes — crimes, and in connection with Sir Richard Stam- ford,’’ resumed Page; “ for this baronet who, as our friend here GOmicdooks (E(0) m