The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 397: what you’re looking at

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380 THE COURT OF LONDON to be fearfully shocked. ‘ The bare idea is enough to make one’s blood run cold.’’ ‘Yes, 1t would indeed be very shocking,” said the land- lord, shaking his head with awful solemnity, “ if the whole neighbourhood was frightened to-morrow morning by hear- ing that the poor creature was murdered in that terrible lonely hut.’ ‘Good heavens!” cried Sir Douglas Huntingdon, who had listened with increasing horror and dismay to this colloquy, so that his hair literally stood on end, “‘ is it pos- sible that such a frightful atrocity — ”’ “ Possible indeed!’ ejaculated the Hangman, “ ay, and very probable too. You see, sir, | am a farmer, living in these parts, and I have heard too much already of the dreadful character of the villains that infest Shooter’s Hill.”’ ‘Villains indeed, Lord have merey upon us!” said the landlord, looking as grave and solemn as his semi-intoxicated condition would permit. “Poor thing, poor thing!” observed Sally Melmoth, clasping her hands in apparent dismay at the picture which her imagination was conjuring up. ‘Then fixing her eyes with fearful meaning upon the baronet, she said, ‘ Ah! sir, it would be a dreadful thing indeed if the poor young woman who has just saved your life should lose her own on that very account! ”’ ‘“ By heavens, you have filled me with excruciating ter- rors!’ exclaimed Sir Douglas, starting from his seat. “I did not think the young woman would run such a dreadful risk, orelse not for worlds would I have abandoned her in a cowardly manner. But I see that you are right, they are indeed murderous miscreants, and if they should suspect the poor creature — ”’ “T can’t sit here quiet,” interrupted the Hangman, also springing from his seat, ‘‘ while perhaps murder is being done. No, I can’t do it,” he eried, with an air and tone of blunt honesty. “ Ill go, even if I go alone, and prevent bloodshed there.’ ‘No, brave man, you shall not go alone,’’ exclaimed the baronet, seizing Daniel Coffin’s hand and pressing it with an effusion of the warmest admiration and gratitude. ‘“‘ We will go together, we will save that young woman if she be ECORNIE LOOKS (EO)