Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 331: what you’re looking at

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

al4 THE COURT OF LONDON tient and excited. ‘‘ Sir Richard Stamford is in the neigh- bourhood of Aylesbury. We know where he is concealing himself, while he doubtless waits to ascertain how it may turn out with his wife, ere he takes any actual proceedings —’”’ ‘“ And that lady — is she sensible? can she speak so as to give any account of matters that may tell against you, sir? ”’ inquired Carrotty Poll; ‘‘ for the Magsman informed us that you was pretty intimate with her,’ she added, with a chuckling laugh. “ She is still hovering between life and death,” answered Ramsey, scarcely able to conceal his disgust at the grossness of the woman’s manner. ‘‘ But again I say, do not waste time in asking me questions. Assist me, if you will,’ he continued, addressing himself to the Big Beggarman; “ and if not, | must adopt other means to ensure my Safety.” ‘“T have not refused to assist you,’ replied the burly, red-faced villain, doggedly; ‘“‘ but you haven’t given me no instructions.” | “ You are dull at comprehending a hint,’ said Ramsey, with an impatient uneasiness and restlessness which indi- cated that he had already planned a terrible deed, but shrank from avowing his thoughts. ‘“T remember you observed just now that the baronet must either be got out of the way, or put out of the way,” returned the Beggarman. ‘“ Well, it is for you to decide how the thing is to be, and then name the recompense you are prepared to give.’’ Ramsey turned ghastly pale; the next moment a crimson hue spread over his countenance, his eyes glared with a lurid hight, and his lips quivered. He looked at the Beggarman, who was cool and collected; he then glanced at the red- haired young woman, whose features were likewise calm and impassible. This survey appeared to give him courage, — that ruffan-like courage with which the gentleman- villain is compelled to fortify himself in order to induce his lips to frame the words which shall express the horrible designs that have already been well digested in his secret thoughts. ‘““ Now, then, sir, what is it to be? ’’ demanded the Beggar- man. ‘You needn’t fear to speak candidly to us,’? observed Carrotty Poll, encouragingly. Conmicloool|ks (E(@) m